Blaine smelled the coffee before he even opened his eyes. He looked next to him, and somehow Kurt had slid out of their bed without him even realizing it. He must have been more tired than he thought.
When he walked out of the bedroom, he saw Kurt standing against the kitchen counter, facing the coffee pot, with his eyes closed. From where Blaine stood, he looked like an angel. As he walked over slowly, he put his finger to his mouth to try to make sure that Bocelli didn't make a sound. It didn't work. The minute he saw Blaine moving towards the kitchen, he let out a loud squawk, which caused Kurt to open his eyes. He turned his head and gave a weak smile to Blaine.
"Penny for your thoughts."
Kurt grabbed the coffee pot and started pouring two cups. "Not much, really. Just thinking about the day…and getting together with the girls tonight. I'm tired and the day hasn't even begun. And why are you up? I was bringing us coffee in bed."
As soon as Kurt put the coffee pot down, Blaine stood behind him and slid his arms around his waist. He pulled him close, and Kurt put his head back on his shoulder. He seemed down, Blaine thought. But he knew what would cheer him up. He spun him around so that they were facing each other, and took both of Kurt's hands in his. "Do you know what today is, beautiful?"
Kurt thought for a minute, and then looked at Blaine blankly. He must be joking. When he didn't say anything, Blaine blurted it out.
"Kurt, it's exactly two weeks until we get married. Two weeks! Can you believe it?" He pulled him into a tight hug, and whispered into his ear. "Do you realize that two weeks from now will be our wedding night?" Kurt let out a little laugh, and pulled away so that he could look at Blaine.
"I don't think there are any surprises left for us, do you?" He tilted his head just a little, and it sent a chill down Blaine's spine. He loved when Kurt looked at him like that—a little bit of innocence hidden behind a lot of sexy. It was disarming so early in the morning.
"Oh, I think I can come up with a few new moves, don't you worry. In case you've forgotten, I'm very limber."
"I remember. Now here, take your coffee and lets go back to bed." Blaine leaned in to kiss him, and Kurt reminded him that he was holding something very hot. Giving him a not very chaste smile Blaine put his arm around his waist to lead him back to the bedroom, and said "I believe that I, too, am holding something very hot."
They crawled back into their bed, and pulled the comforter up. "This is nice." Kurt put his coffee on the nightstand next to him. "I like mornings where we don't have to do anything."
"And just think…in two weeks, we'll be waking up married. I can't believe it's so close." Blaine looked over at Kurt, who was just staring ahead. Neither one of them said anything, until Kurt started to laugh. "We're sitting here like two five year olds waiting for Christmas morning. Could we be any more ridiculous?"
"It's not ridiculous, Kurt. It's sweet. I mean, ok, I didn't want to really share this, but last night, when you fell asleep, I was just watching you…and you kept smiling…like you were dreaming about something amazing. I'd like to think you were dreaming about us getting married."
"I always dream about us. And you know something? In almost all of them, we're holding hands. I just feel…safe, when you're holding on to me."
Blaine reached under the comforter and put his hand on Kurt's thigh. He looked over at him, shaking his finger. "That, my friend, doesn't feel safe at all."
"I'm…sorry?"
"Hardly. And might I say you've been especially frisky lately. Not that I'm complaining, mind you."
"Well, I can't help it if I love touching you. Just looking at you drives me crazy, Kurt. You know, we could spend the day in bed. We have no plans until tonight."
"We have some last minute things to figure out. Let me go grab a pad and pen, and we can work on them right here. Don't move."
"I have you in bed next to me, I have my coffee…where would I go?"
Kurt came back and sat beside Blaine, who started talking before Kurt was even settled back in. "We need to figure out who is going to ride with whom on the big day. We can fit seven of us in our van, and…"
"Listen, do you think that you and I can just ride alone? I know it sounds selfish, but I just want to be with you that day. For that ride."
"We can do whatever you want, sweetie, but I think that Burt and Carol, and especially Finn, will be feeling kind of left out, don't you?"
"I guess. It's just that…I wanted us to be the only ones in the car, just in case…" Kurt stopped what he was saying, but Blaine knew the end of the sentence.
"Just in case I change my mind?"
Kurt nodded, feeling ashamed having even thought it. "I don't want to have to deal with all of those sad faces looking at me if you decide to back out. If we're alone, we can just turn around, you can go live your life with someone new, and I will become a hermit, living alone in a cave dreaming about what could have been."
They both laughed at the drama of Kurt's statement, and then he cuddled in against Blaine. "I can't believe it's so close."
"I know. Fourteen days. It will be here before we know it."
"So, we do the civil thing, right? And then, at the reception, we do…what?"
"Well, I was thinking that we can say our vows then…in front of everyone that matters. I'll have you know that I've already written mine for you."
Kurt sat up and looked at him. "Really?"
"Yes, really. It was easy writing down all of the reasons why I want to spend my life with you. What we can't do at the civil "thing", as you call it, we can do at the reception. We can do anything we want there. It's our day."
Kurt's phone chirped that a text message was waiting for him. He reached over onto the nightstand and picked it up, glancing at the screen. "It's Finn. He wants to come over." He looked at his watch on the nightstand. "It's early for him."
"It's ok. I'm sure he won't be here long. Just don't open the refrigerator and he'll be gone in no time."
"I don't want to get out of bed."
"So we won't. He has a key, right? Just tell him to let himself in."
Kurt answered the text, and as they waited to hear the door open, Kurt thought again about the reception. "Are you sorry we're not having corn dogs?"
Blaine kissed the side of his head. "No. It's the cotton candy that I wanted most."
They heard the lock turn, and Kurt called out to him. "Finn, is that you?"
"No, it's the Boston Strangler. Thanks for having that extra key made for me and the rest of my serial killer friends." Finn walked into their bedroom and stood just inside the doorway, shaking his head at them sitting in bed, still in their pajamas. "John. Yoko."
"That's funny. It's not like we do this all the time, you know."
Finn walked over to Kurt's side of the bed, and pulled the comforter down. "Thank God you have pants on. This could have gone either way with you two." He slid in next to Kurt and pushed him towards Blaine, who leaned forward to look at Finn.
"You do know that there is a future episode of Dr. Phil written all over this little picture." He pulled the comforter back up on Kurt, and then leaned back on his pillows. "So to what do we owe the honor so early on a Saturday morning, Finn?"
"I wanted to apologize to Kurt about the other day at the movies. Listen, buddy, I think it's not cool to try to change who you are. I've always told you this. So you're not an athlete. Or don't have a deep voice. Who cares? You are uniquely you. And…well…I love that about you. So, I'm sorry about making you feel bad. And I'm sorry I grabbed your Twizzler."
"Ok, I'm hoping that we're talking about the candy here." Blaine looked at the two of them, wondering what exactly did happen at the theater.
"Of course we are. He's my brother. Don't be gross."
Blaine felt a pang of guilt over the whole situation. "It's my fault too."
Finn leaned forward and looked across Kurt. "Yeah it is."
"It's ok. Blaine explained it to me, and I'm not upset any more." He looked up at Finn. "Really. And I'm not mad at Noah either."
"Good. So I'm off. Hey, do you guys know that you're getting married in two weeks?"
They looked at him with feigned surprise. "Really? That soon?"
"I know! I can't wait. Anyway, later…" Finn had gotten almost to the door of the apartment when he turned back around again. He popped his head into their bedroom, and spoke to his brother.
"You're wrong, Kurt, about what you said in the theater. I'd never be ashamed to hold your hand in public." And with that, he was gone.
Blaine turned towards Kurt and smiled. "Ok, I'm listening…"
Kurt pushed the doorbell at Rachel's house, and right before it opened, Blaine made an observation.
"You know, it's really hard to stand next to you sometimes."
Kurt put his hand on Blaine's shoulder and gave him a sympathetic look. "Is it because I'm taller?"
"Well, no…I was going to say because you always dress so much nicer. But thanks for that, sweetie."
They didn't notice the door open until Rachel was almost on top of them. "Welcome! Come on in. We're using the downstairs room, which I know you are both familiar with."
"Painfully" Blaine whispered to Kurt.
"Just keep your kisses to yourself, and we'll all be fine."
"That's funny, Kurt."
The New Directions girls were all already there, and the room had been decorated with signs and balloons. There was a table with food set up, and a cake that said "Congratulations Kurt & Blaine" on top.
Everyone had some something to eat, and were talking non-stop about the wedding, what they were wearing, what kind of music would there be, and all of the small details that come with an event like this. After finally wearing the boys out with a million questions, they decided to take a break.
"Ok, everyone sit on the floor. Let's play a game." Rachel pulled out a sheet of paper and a clipboard. "We're going to write the story of your relationship. Each one of us will write a sentence about you both, working it towards the wedding day. And we can say anything—so no hurt feelings."
"I better brace myself", Blaine said out loud, and he was surprised by the response he got from Santana.
"Settle down, Happy Lips. This isn't all about you."
He looked at Kurt. "Happy Lips?"
"You have a history, what can I say?"
The story was written like a fairytale. "Once upon a time, there was a boy named Kurt Hummel…"
…who had a beautiful voice
…who joined the football team
…who became a cheerleader
…who had a better wardrobe than anyone in the school
…who went to spy on the competition
…who met a Prince named Blaine
…who had to leave his school because of a big bad wolf
…who waited…and waited…for his Prince to notice him
…who had a bird named Pavarotti
…who sang a song that made the Prince finally notice
…who had a magical kiss
…who went to a far off land called New York City
…who is getting married to the Prince, and they will live happily ever after.
Brittany was weepy after they finished the story. "I hope I find a Prince. Only taller."
"Thanks, Britt."
"So we were all going to chip in and get you a gift card, but then we talked about getting you something a little more personal." Quinn came to sit in the circle they had created on the floor, and she handed the boys a regular card signed by all of them, wishing them love and happiness.
Rachel had gone over to the closet and pulled out a large gift. "This is from all of us. We've been working on it since you told us you were getting married." She sat down next to Kurt and Blaine, holding something heavy and the size of a poster, and all of the girls crowded around to watch them open it.
Brittany came over and sat between the boys. "We hope you like it. If not, I'll take it."
"No, you will not take it. Now everyone, hush, so that they can open it."
Kurt slid his fingers underneath the taped part of the wrapping, and pulled the paper off. As he looked at the gift, he felt his breath catch. He tilted it towards Blaine, who had the same reaction. Mercedes gestured for Brittany to get up and let them sit together, and after a few seconds, she did.
"This is…I don't know what to say. It's beautiful." Kurt looked at Blaine, then at all of the faces of the girls around them. "How did you do this?"
"It was easy, really. Every time you guys are together, it's like, the perfect moment."
Kurt ran his fingers over the glass of the frame. Inside were black and white pictures…a lot of them…of he and Blaine. Of them leaning in to whisper something to each other, a smile on their faces; them holding hands while walking across the parking lot; eating lunch; sitting at the coffee shop, just looking at each other. And the two that stood out the most were both taken at their locker. One was of Kurt alone, watching Blaine walk away from him. Etched on his face was the longing that he felt whenever they weren't together, his hand resting on his heart. The other was of Blaine, as he watched Kurt walk to class, leaning up against the locker, the same look on his face. His hand was also resting on his heart. Identical poses for the two boys who had become one.
"We wanted you both to see what we see when we look at you guys. You say "I love you" to each other without saying a word. We just wanted to show you that." Rachel walked behind them both and knelt down, putting her arms around them. "We're glad that you like it."
Blaine reached over to take Kurt's hand, and saw that his eyes were closed, tears rimming them. "Baby, what's wrong?"
Kurt looked up at everyone, and when he did, a tear rolled down his face. "I can't believe that I am going to marry you. You all know how much I have loved him since the day I laid eyes on him…" He looked at Blaine. "They know. They all know that my heart has been yours since that day on the staircase. And these pictures…"
"He did drive us nuts after he met you, Blaine. If I had to hear the word "dreamy" one more time…" Mercedes looked at Kurt and smiled. "He has loved you from day one."
"Oh, remember the time that Kurt said that Blaine was the most beautiful human he had ever seen walking the earth? And when we tried to remind him that he had never been out of Lima so how would he know... he didn't talk to us for almost a week."
Kurt's face was turning red as Blaine enjoyed every moment.
"When we were at the outlets, and Kurt was at the Ralph Lauren store sniffing what he later confessed was you're cologne, Blaine." Rachel remembered that being a rough day for Kurt. He and Blaine had been apart, and were both so brokenhearted.
Blaine leaned over to wipe Kurt's face with the back of his hand. "We love it. And I know exactly where we're going to hang it." Blaine thought the perfect spot would be above their bed. He didn't say it out loud, but when he locked eyes with Kurt, he nodded in agreement.
"Ladies, this is amazing. It's…I can't even describe what this means. Thank you."
Blaine ran his hand along the side of the frame, and saw that there was an empty spot in the middle. "What's that space for?"
Tina spoke up first. "It's for your wedding picture. To make the journey complete."
"And now, here we are. You two are getting married!" Just as Rachel said it, they all turned to the CD player that was going softly in the background. A familiar song came on, and they all looked at Kurt.
"Oh, no. I've given my one and only public performance of that song, I believe in this very basement. Forget it."
They were all trying to pull Kurt up, wanting him to dance, one more time, to "Single Ladies."
Brittany grabbed him around the waist and hugged him. "Pleeeease, Kurt. It's the last time we will all be single ladies together. Well, you know what I mean."
"I don't think so. I'm trying to be more dignified in my behavior. I'll be a married man soon." He looked at the disappointed faces around him, and was shocked when the next voice wasn't from one of the girls. It was Blaine.
"Will you do it for me?" Blaine stood up and turned Kurt towards the stage that Rachel's dad's had built.
"Honestly, Blaine? You want to see that again?"
"And this time it won't cost me so much. If you remember, I gave Finn my debit card to keep everyone occupied while I….while we…at your parent's house…"
"Ok, ok…I'll do it. But one last time. And just for you." With that, Kurt, Tina and Brittany began their final performance of "Single Ladies", laughing the whole time. Blaine had to admit—the way Kurt moved during this was far from wholesome. He was glad that they now had their own place to go to after this.
When they were finished, Kurt stepped down from the stage and shook his head. "I may have thrown out my hip." Blaine grabbed him into a hug, and kissed him.
"I think it was perfect. Thank you."
Kurt leaned in and whispered to him "You can thank me later."
"Oh, I plan to. I'm going to be thanking you until that headboard of ours throws up a white flag."
David Anderson called Finn to find out the details of the civil ceremony. He wasn't going to tell him he was going, but just that he wanted the info so as not to be out of the loop. He invited him to his office, and when he felt a presence in the doorway of his office, he looked up, expecting Finn. Instead, it was a smiling Hannah.
"Well, aren't you looking pleased with yourself. Want to share?"
She walked into his office and sat down across from him. "You'll be happy to know, David, that I put your money to good use. I found a dress that will be the talk of the party."
"Well, I think that Blaine and Kurt are supposed to be the center of attention that day, but I appreciate your enthusiasm."
He heard a knock at the door, and then Finn's familiar voice. "Hey, Mr. A…how are you?"
"I'm good, Finn. Come in. I'd like you to meet my…friend of the family. This is Hannah. Hannah, this is Finn Hudson. Kurt's brother."
"Hello, Finn. Long time no see."
David was confused. How did they know each other?
"Hannah…hi. Good to see you." Finn shuffled his feet nervously, then handed David a piece of paper. "Mr. A, everything about the wedding is on here for you. If you need anything else…" He lost his train of thought for a moment, and then looked back at Hannah, who smiled at him. "Umm…if you need anything else, let me know, ok? I have to go."
"Thank you, Finn. It was good to see you again".
"Yeah. Ok. See you."
Once he was out the door, David turned to Hannah, his arms folded across his chest. "Care to explain?"
Finn pulled into the driveway and sat for a few minutes in his truck. His head was spinning. How could this be?
He opened the door and walked into the kitchen where his mom was getting dinner ready. She looked at him, and he was completely pale. "Finn, honey, what's wrong?"
"Mom…is Burt here?" He sat down at the table, looking down at his hands.
"He's in the living room. Finn, what's the matter?" He got up from the table and walked into the living room, where Burt was sitting in his chair, watching TV.
"Hey, kid…what's going on? You're just in time. Dinner is almost ready."
"Burt, can we talk? Alone?"
Carole watched from the doorway to the kitchen, worried about her son. "Sorry, Mom…it's a guy thing."
"Yeah. Sure. Let's…come on, we'll go out to the garage."
Once they got out the door, Finn didn't wait until they got to the garage to start talking.
"Burt…I have a problem."
