Disclaimer: I am just borrowing them for the fun of writing, BUT I do own the plot, ideas and original characters.
A/N: Thank you so much to my beta, Heather! (Bookgurrrl)
A/N2: This story is mostly AU after Mash-up (1x08), but with some of the topics discussed in the later episodes and music used, I may sneak in a conversation, cover the same topic, or use the same song, but I will put my own twist on it and may use some of the music.
A/N3: Feedback keeps me writing, so please comment or review. :D
...
The entire house was buzzing with energy at seven in the morning and there was a lot to do. Ethan and Deborah had it easy; because they were the bride and groom, they just had to be at the courthouse at eleven with Alan and Ben, Deborah's brother, and make sure they were at the reception by noon.
Will had gotten permission from Principal Figgins to borrow the band equipment, keyboard and part of the sound system along with some mics, so Finn and Puck were going to meet him at the school at nine to help him load stuff up to take to the park.
The Glee members were meeting at the park at ten, giving them two hours to set up and practice before noon rolled around. Carole would have gone with Deborah, Ethan, Ben and Alan to the courthouse, but she and Quinn had taken over the arrangements for the food, so Rachel and David could focus on the other details; the music and band, the guests, the decorations, etc.
Knowing what Deborah and Ethan would be doing at the courthouse would just be the legal aspect of getting married and their kids wanted to be there, Arin and Puck talked and agreed it would be easier if they just went on about their day at the park and saw their parents at the reception, when they exchanged rings in front of everyone; not only giving their parents a more intimate marriage at the courthouse, but a more meaningful meeting afterward, since Puck would be acting as best man and give them the rings for them to exchange in front of their friends and family.
Finn showed up just before nine, he and Puck left and headed to the school, while Rachel, Arin, Abby left in her car, they went to pick up David before going to the park, meeting Quinn and Carole there.
...
Ben walked from his family's house down to his sister's house, meeting Alan who just arrived, about ten-thirty in the morning. They were only at the house for a few minutes as Ethan and Deborah finished collecting their things. The couple went in Ethan's jeep, while Alan and Ben followed in Alan's SUV and they arrived with about ten minutes to spare.
"So I was thinking," Ethan started looking at Deborah.
"About what?" She asked.
"We should exchange rings here to make it official," he smiled, "but not the ones we're doing in front of everyone," he said tugging the chain out from under his collar and pulled it off.
"Are you sure, Eth? We don't have to," she told him, seeing the two gold bands hanging from the end of the chain. "You've never taken them off, either."
"Yes, I'm sure," he smiled pausing briefly to let go of her hand and unlock the chain and slip them off. "It's not like I'm taking them off for good," he smiled, "we exchange them now, then when we get to the reception and exchange the other rings in front of everyone, we put all three of them back together and I'll put them back on," he told her, "I've worn them so long that I'd almost fear not wearing them anymore," he added.
"Okay, as long as you're sure. I don't even know if they still fit," she admitted.
"They're the same size we bought our new ones in; I had them check when I went to pick up the rings the other day," he smiled, slipping the two gold bands with Hebrew etched onto them into his pocket.
Alan guided them into the court room where the judge's chambers was located and nodded at the clerk sitting there before he knocked lightly on the door. Moments later a woman dressed in a long black robe opened the door, "hello Alan, come on in everyone," she said stepping aside.
The four of them stepped into the office, and she closed the door behind them, moving around to greet them.
"This is Ethan Ballard, Deborah Puckerman and her brother Ben," Alan said, "everyone this is Judge Carly Carlson," Alan said introducing them since he knew her.
"It's so nice to meet you guys," she said shaking their hands and Ben's.
"Likewise," Deborah said, "how do you and Alan know each other?"
She glanced at Alan, "through the law firm he works at. He actually took my place at the firm when I became a judge a few years ago," she explained.
"Oh, that makes sense," Ethan nodded in understanding.
"She still comes in once in a while to visit her former coworkers, so we've met through that," Alan added.
"So, are you guys ready to get married again?" She asked with a grin.
Ben couldn't help the laugh escape his lips when she asked that, "sorry," he muttered.
Deborah handed over the paperwork they'd had done a few days prior so they wouldn't have to do it all that day.
The judge looked over the paperwork and nodded, "great, you've got everything here," she glanced at the second page, "you know, when Alan asked me to do this for a friend and he got me the paperwork, I thought there was a mistake. I called him and said that it didn't make sense because I saw the same names on the divorce decree as on the marriage license and that's when he explained," Carly admitted, "are you planning to exchange rings now?" She asked.
"Yeah, we are," Ethan nodded.
"Okay, well, lets go out into the court room and we'll do this," she said picking up something off of her desk and headed out to the tables in the front of the court room where the attorneys usually sat. She laid the marriage license out and grabbed pens from the cup in the center of the table and set them next to the paperwork. "I know you are Jewish, is there anything you want to add?" She asked.
"When we exchange rings there is something that we said before," Deborah said.
"Then you can say it. All I really need is to hear you say 'I do'," she admitted with a smile. "And after each of you say it, I want you to sign the license," she motioned to where it was sitting on the table and then waved over the clerk. "I think we can get started," she said.
The clerk that had been at her desk got up and joined them and Carly looked at all of them, "is there any reason why these two should not be married?" She asked.
Ethan, Deborah and Alan's eyes glanced towards Ben, and with their movement, so did Carly and the clerk's. Ben quickly noticed the looks and he shook his head, "no, there isn't," he replied, a smirk tugging at his lips, "hey, at least they asked," he thought.
Carly smiled and turned back to them, "Ethan, do you take Deborah to be your lawfully wedded wife as long as you both shall live?" She asked simply.
Ethan glanced at Deborah and nodded, "I do," he replied, picking up the pen and signing his name along the line.
Carly looked at Deborah, "Deborah, do you take Ethan, to be your lawfully wedded husband as long as you both shall live?"
Deborah smiled, "I do," she agreed, singing her name just as Ethan had.
The two joined hands, lacing their fingers together as they smiled at each other.
"Now, Ethan repeat after me," Carly started, saying a few words at a time so he could follow along.
Ethan spoke what she said, "I, Ethan take you Deborah, to be my lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, to honor and to treasure, to be at your side in good times and bad, to comfort you and to love you."
Deborah followed along with Carly, speaking almost the same as what Ethan had, "I, Deborah take you Ethan, to be my lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, to honor and to treasure, to be at your side in good times and bad, to comfort you and to love you."
With just a few things left, Carly smiled, "now you can exchange the rings," she said.
Ethan tugged them out of his pocket and handed the larger one to Deborah, and she slipped off her engagement ring, before he took her left hand and slid the gold band onto her ring finger, saying the words that were etched in Hebrew on the ring, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."
Deborah begged herself to not cry yet, and slowly slid his ring onto his left hand's ring finger, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine," she repeated smiling up at him.
Carly picked up the pen and signed her name along the line for the officiant and checked a few sections before turning to them, "by the power vested in me, by the state of Ohio, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Ethan, you may now kiss your bride."
Ethan wrapped his arms around his wife, his wife, and kissed her lovingly while those in the room clapped for them. As their kiss ended, they hugged tightly and Deborah felt the tears of happiness falling from her eyes as they pulled away. He reached up and wiped her eyes, "we did it, babe."
"Yeah, we did," she nodded hugging him again.
...
The cabin looking building on the outside, inside was a large room, currently set up with tables along the sides, in the front, off to one side was the band and sound system and in the back of the room was where all the food would be set up.
Puck and Finn were sitting with Artie, Matt, Mike and Brittany at a table by the sound system, avoiding the rest of the Glee Clubbers. Carole and Quinn were currently talking with the caterer while Rachel, Mercedes, Tina and Kurt flitted around the hall room organizing the flowers and decorations throughout the room and Santana was absent, as usual, but they couldn't blame her too much; she had a big family and spent her summers and breaks visiting them.
Abby was currently being held by her great-grandmother not to far away from where Puck was and David and Arin were sitting with them. Puck was silently thinking of what to say; his parents asked him to say something before they exchanged rings in front of everyone and while he had an idea, he wasn't completely sure of what he'd say; while Rachel tried to get him to write a whole speech and memorize it.
Glancing over towards the open doors, he saw his Uncle Ben and his some-day-soon father-in-law walk in, without his parents. Knowing they had been with them at the courthouse, Puck got up and moved across the room, Rachel noticing them about the same time, so they both reached them before they could get far.
"Uh, hi guys; did you loose them?" Puck asked with a grin.
"We didn't loose anything," Ben laughed.
"Well where are they?" Rachel crossed her arms over her chest and looked at her dad and then Ben, "you two were with them at the courthouse and they're not here, so...?"
"They were behind us and then I glanced back and they were gone," Alan replied, slipping an arm around his daughter's shoulders. "I'm sure they just stopped someplace familiar or had something to do. It's only noon; give them sometime."
Rachel huffed, but accept his hug and nodded, "I wish they would have told us they were not going to be here right at noon... Did you take pictures?" Rachel asked looking at them.
Alan tugged his camera from his pocket and handed it to her, "yes I did," he replied.
"I think I know where they are," Puck admitted stepping away from them, "Arin, come on lets go for a walk," he called out as he walked towards her.
"Why?" Arin sighed.
He laughed, slipping his arm around her shoulders and guided her outside, "Noah! Where are you going?" Rachel called.
Puck turned around, "we'll be back," he promised.
"If your parents show up here and you two are missing, it's going to be kind of difficult-"
"They won't. We're going to them. We'll be back, just relax, babe," he commented blowing her a kiss and turning back around.
"Where are we going?" Arin asked as soon as they were on the cement path that wrapped around Schoonover Lake.
"Mom and dad used to come here when they were my age and I think I know where they are," he explained.
"Oh, okay," Arin looked up at him, "do you remember any of their first wedding?" She asked.
He laughed, "no, I was only eleven months old," he admitted, "but I remember seeing pictures when I got older."
"Mom has a picture of you, her and dad in her room; I think it was their wedding picture," she told him, "if they broke-up, why would she keep it?"
"She always has had feelings for dad and while she pretty much packed away everything in the house that was his, she kept one picture out; in her room, probably hidden so I wouldn't find it," he admitted.
They had just gotten around a bend on the path so you couldn't see the cabin and soon Puck's eyes were darting to the parking lots, wondering how far they'd have to get before he saw Ethan's jeep, which came up in the second lot they passed, so they knew they were close. "They're here," he said looking in the other direction towards the lake and spotted them on a bench.
Arin and Puck turned towards them and as they got closer, Ethan glanced back at saw them, "hey kids, how did you find us?" He asked with a smile.
"Lucky guess," Puck laughed moving towards them and hugging Deborah who was closer at the moment. "So, is it official?" Puck asked curiously.
"It is," Ethan nodded hugging his son.
"Congratulations," he replied, "welcome home, dad," he added.
Ethan smiled, "thank you," he said, wrapping his arms around Arin, "it's been way to long, but we're finally together," he added pressing a kiss to his daughter's forehead, "for real."
Puck noticed the rings on their hand, "I thought you guys were waiting to exchange rings."
"We decided to do it there with the rings we exchanged seventeen years ago, and then when we're in front of everyone, we'll exchange the ones we picked out," Deborah said.
"Whatever you want to do, it's up to you," Puck shrugged, "but Rachel's having a coronary because you guys didn't show up with Alan and Ben," he laughed.
Deborah laughed a little, "sorry, but Ethan wanted to tell me something before we went up there."
"Like what?" Arin asked looking up at her mom.
"I don't know. He was just about to when you guys arrived," she replied.
Ethan smiled, taking Deborah's hand in his, "I've decided to change my last name."
"To what?" Puck asked.
"Ballard-Puckerman," Ethan said. "I've been away from you guys for too long. It's time to be a family and share our name," he explained.
Deborah gasped, not expecting him to say that, "you're really going through with it?"
"I am," he smiled wrapping his arms around her.
Puck and Arin joined in their hug, happy to finally have their family complete in more ways than one, but then Puck had a thought and he groaned, pulling away, "does this mean I have to be called Puck, Junior now?"
The three of them laughed at him and Ethan slipped his arm around his son's shoulders and guided them all towards the path to head up to the hall, "no, you don't have to be called Puck, Junior," he replied, "but if you do join my team, you might be," he added.
"Not if, it's when," Puck smiled up at him.
...
The four returned to the cabin and Puck and Arin slipped around to a side door and went inside, Puck going up to the microphone and turned it on, "the bride and groom have arrived," he said, which got everyone's attention as Ethan and Deborah walked in.
The family and friends gathered there all clapped and cheered for them as they moved up to the front where Puck was standing and everyone kind of stepped towards them, knowing what the plan had been.
When Puck saw that everyone was nearby he started, "seventeen years ago I was eleven months old and my parents got married for the first time. Dad had finished the process to convert to Judaism and while they were young, both just nineteen years old, they said 'I do' in front of many of you who are here today to share this chance again. I won't go into the history because, well, you all know some version, but on December twenty-third this past year, I got a call from him, which started a chain of emails and phone calls, and soon the hatred I had for him changed to one of second chances and friendship. When New Directions ended up in Detroit for our Regionals competition, while they were nervous for the performances, I was nervous to see my dad for the first time in over ten years, but when I did, I told him the first thing that came to mind, I missed him, which I had, though I never admitted it to anyone. Mom and dad had been secretly talking for over two years and now that Arin and I knew about it, while we were in Detroit, dad asked my permission to propose to mom and after all that had happened, the last few months of contact changed my feelings of him in a big way and I gave him my blessing. On Valentine's Day he proposed to her and she said 'yes'. We've gone through a lot in the short months that they've been engaged, but what's important now is that we're a family again and always will be," Puck took the small box from his pocket, "just an hour ago they were legally married by a judge, but they wanted to exchange rings in front of you all to seal their vows, so here they are," he smiled, opening the box and taking the two rings out and holding them out to the newlyweds.
Deborah and Ethan both removed the gold bands they had on their fingers and slid them onto their right hand for the moment, before taking the Claddagh rings from their son. Ethan took Deborah's left hand and slid it onto her left hand's ring finger so the heart was facing in, saying the same thing they had at the courthouse, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."
Smiling at him, Deborah took his left hand and repeated what he did, sliding the gold ring onto his hand with the heart facing in and then said the same thing he had, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine," before the two hugged each other and kissed in front of their friends and family, flashes going off as many of them took pictures while they did.
Puck glanced at his girlfriend to see her wiping her eyes and he smiled at her before turning back to the microphone, "and now I'd like to introduce Deborah Marie Puckerman and Ethan Michael Ballard-Puckerman," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips as most of the room gasped in varying stages of shock at that news.
Holding hands, the couple hugged Puck and Arin before moving around to greet their friends and family, so Puck moved to his girlfriend and wrapped his arms around her tightly, "hey beautiful," he whispered.
"That was a nice speech, Noah," she smiled, hugging him tightly, "he's changing his name?"
"Yep, he just told us when Arin and I went to find them. Time for us to be a family for real," he added happily.
...
Playing lightly in the background, Rachel's iPod full of long songs was playing on shuffle while Deborah and Ethan mingled through friends, family, former coworkers, new coworkers, until they finally got a chance to sit down.
They opted not to get a huge cake, and the catering was just a variety of snack foods and easy to eat things, instead of a wedding's traditional several course meal. They wanted simple and Carole, Quinn, Rachel and everyone else who helped plan the reception kept to 'simple'.
While everyone ate, Brian, Ben, Mike, Mrs. Morgan and several other family members or friends of Ethan and Deborah went up to a microphone and congratulated Ethan and Deborah, or, in Mike's case, teased Ethan about changing his last name and asked who wore the pants in the family.
"Mom," Puck muttered with a laugh from where he was sitting with the rest of the Glee kids, his girlfriend on one side and Finn on the other.
"Oh yeah," Finn nodded.
"I think it's romantic," Rachel admitted with a blushed, "his reasons are valid and there is nothing in a rule book somewhere that says a woman has to be the one who changes her last name; why can't it be the man?"
Puck just glared at his girlfriend, "don't get any ideas."
She giggled, "what? You don't want to be Noah Aaron Berry?" She asked. "I think it sounds wonderful," she added.
The entire table erupted in laughter at the look of shock and fear on Puck's face as her question and comment sunk in. His eyes were wide, his eyebrows raised, his mouth fell and his whole face was turning a deep shade of red.
"Dude, you should see your face right now," Finn laughed patting Puck on the shoulder.
"Here," Tina grinned, handing over Rachel's camera. She'd been at the right angle and was looking at the pictures taken thus far when Rachel said that, so she switched over to take one and snapped the shot before Finn said that.
Puck glared at the camera in his hand and then set it between him and his girlfriend, "I sure hope you're joking," he muttered.
"Of course I am, Noah," she replied, getting up and sliding into his lap.
He exhaled and nodded, "thank God," he murmured before wrapping his arms around her body and pulling her into a kiss.
Tina reached for Rachel's camera and managed to snap a picture of them while they were occupied and everyone noticed Will going up to the microphone by all the band equipment, which was the kids cue to get ready for their performance.
"Hello everyone," Will started, catching everyone's attention before continuing, "first I'd like to offer a huge congratulations to Deborah and Ethan," he nodded at them and they nodded back, "I've known Deborah and Ethan since they were Juniors in high school and it wasn't until this year that I realized I'd been teaching their son at school. I work at William McKinley High School as a Spanish teacher and this past school year I took over the direction of the Glee Club, a club that Ethan, Deborah, Brianna and I were a part of during our time at McKinley. Now Ethan and Deborah's son, Noah or Puck as most everyone calls him, is part of the second generation Glee Club, that we've called 'New Directions'. Ethan and Deborah asked if the club would sing a few songs today, so first up the guys of the club will be performing 'Far Away' by Nickelback, and I think Puck's gonna explain why," he said stepping away.
Puck, Finn, Matt, Mike, Artie and Kurt moved up to the band set up and took their places; Artie with the bass, Puck on guitar, Finn on drums and Matt, Mike and Kurt on background vocals. Once they were set up, Puck stepped up to the microphone, "so the guys and I have been fans of Nickelback for a while and this was a song that most of us knew; it's been a hit on the radio, the charts, but it wasn't until April that we found out who wrote it and honestly, it was kind of obvious when we heard the story. Dad wrote it," he glanced across towards his parents, "and while his story is not mine to tell, I think the song explains what you need to know," he finished stepping back a second to look to make sure the guys were ready. Seeing they were, he let his fingers strum along the acoustic-electric guitar, letting the beginning notes echo over the room before stepping to the mic to sing, "this time, this place. Misused, mistakes. Too long, too late. Who was I to make you wait? Just one chance, just one breath, just in case there's just one left, 'cause you know, you know, you know..."
The guys joined in for the chorus, "that I love you. I have loved you all along and I miss you. Been far away for far too long. I keep dreaming, you'll be with me and you'll never go, stop breathing. If I don't see you anymore..."
As the chorus ended, the guys stopped singing, and Puck continued on the guitar, Artie also strumming along on the bass, before Puck started the second verse, "on my knees, I'll ask. Last chance for one last dance, 'cause with you, I'd withstand all of hell to hold your hand. I'd give it all, I'd give for us. Give anything but I won't give up, 'cause you know, you know, you know..."
With the next chorus, again, the rest of the guys joined in to sing along, "that I love you. I have loved you all along and I miss you. Been far away for far too long. I keep dreaming, you'll be with me and you'll never go, stop breathing. If I don't see you anymore... So far away, so far away, been far away for far too long. So far away, so far away, been far away for far too long, but you know, you know, you know..."
Puck glanced across the room, seeing his parents standing together, hugging each other tightly and he smiled, before continuing, "I wanted, I wanted you to stay, 'cause I needed, I need to hear you say, that I love you, I have loved you all along, and I forgive you for being away for far too long."
To finish out the song, the guys joined Puck singing, "so keep breathing, 'cause I'm not leaving you anymore. Believe it, hold on to me and never let me go. Keep breathing, 'cause I'm not leaving you anymore. Believe it, hold on to me and never let me go. (Keep breathing) Hold on to me and never let me go. (Keep breathing) Hold on to me and never let me go."
As the final chords filtered out of the guitar and the song ended, Puck glanced around the room to see many of the guests wiping their eyes, his grandma and sister now standing with his parents hugging them both.
The room applauded loudly for them as the guys bowed lightly to them and headed back to the table they'd been sitting at. Puck remained a moment, "please welcome Ms. Mercedes Jones," he motioned to her before stepping away to sit back down next to his girlfriend.
The other band members moved over to their places and Mercedes stepped up to the microphone and thanked them, and after taking a deep breath, she turned towards the band and they started the song she was singing, 'At Last'. "At last, my love has come along. My lonely days over and life is like a song. Ooh yeah yeah, at last, the skies above are blue. My heart was wrapped up in clover, the night I looked at you. I found a dream that I could speak to; a dream that I can call my own. I found a thrill to press my cheek to; a thrill that I have never known. Ooh yeah yeah, you smile, you smile, oh and then the spell was cast and here we are in heaven for you are mine, at last." The song was a slow one, but it was a great one that Rachel asked Mercedes to sing, and she knew the song, so she gladly did. The clapped loudly for her and she thanked them, "and now, it's Puck and Rachel's turn to sing about love," she smiled stepping away and moving back to her seat.
The couple stood up and moved towards the microphones and soon were wowing their families and friends with their vocals on 'Endless Love', just like they had sung at school for their performances. They had practiced the song just for the wedding, but when Will heard them one day, he asked them to add it to the set-list for the schools, so they got a chance to work on it even more. During the song, several couples went out to dance, including his parents, which was kind of like their second 'first dance'. As the music came to an end, Puck and Rachel hugged as they were cheered on and they nodded their thanks. Puck moved over to the keyboard and Rachel smiled, "thank you," she bowed lightly again, "I'd like to invite the rest of my fellow Glee girls up here for our next song," she said.
Puck watched the girls get into place and get their microphones and he waited for his cue from Rachel. When she nodded at him he placed his fingers on the keyboard and began to play 'Inside Your Heaven'; the first few bars of it being only piano, and then Rachel began to sing, "I've been down. Now I'm blessed; felt a revelation comin' around. Guess it's right, it's so amazing. Every time I see you I'm alive. You're all I've got, you lift me up. The sun and the moonlight, all my dreams are in your eyes..."
The four others there, Quinn, Tina, Brittany and Mercedes joined in to sing the chorus, "and I wanna be inside your heaven. Take me to the place you cry from when a storm blows your way. I wanna be the earth that holds you, every bit of air your breathin' in, a soothin' wind, I wanna be inside your heaven."
Continuing on alone, Rachel moved over to her boyfriend and smiled at him, her hand resting on his shoulder, "when we touch, when we love, the stars line up, the wrong becomes undone. Naturally, my soul surrenders. The sun and the moonlight, all my dreams are in your eyes..."
Staying where she was, the girls again sang with Rachel for the rest of the song, "and I wanna be inside your heaven. Take me to the place you cry from when a storm blows your way. I wanna be the earth that holds you, every bit of air your breathin' in, a soothin' wind, I wanna be inside your heaven... When minutes turn to days and years. If mountains fall, I'll still be here, holding you until the day I die... I wanna be inside your heaven, take me to the place you cry from when a storm blows your way and I wanna be the earth that holds you, every bit of air your breathin' in, a soothin' wind, I wanna be inside your heaven..." As the notes of the song filtered off, the girls replaced the microphones as the bowed and waved at their audience who was clapping and cheering for them.
Puck stepped over to his girlfriend, "nice change up, I didn't think you could be spontaneous," he wiggled his eye brows, "I like."
"Noah," she blushed.
"I'm just sayin', babe," he grinned before moving back to the microphone he'd been using and took it off the holder.
This time, Kurt was at the piano, Matt, Mike and Finn were going to be background vocals, while Artie was on the guitar and their bassist was also playing. "Another one from us," Puck laughed, "we really do perform together, but the songs we do as a group are not really songs for a wedding reception," he added, turning to Kurt and nodding at him.
Kurt started playing the beginning of 'Bless The Broken Road', and soon Puck started out, "I set out on a narrow way many years ago. Hoping I would find true love along the broken road, but I got lost a time or two, wiped my brow and kept pushing through. I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you..."
Puck had made his way over to his girlfriend, taking her hand in his as he and the guys continued on with the chorus, "every long lost dream led me to where you are. Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars, pointing me on my way into your loving arms, this much I know is true, that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you..."
Finn and Puck took the next chorus, Finn moving over to Quinn and the two guys sang to their girlfriends, seeming to ignore everyone else in the room, "I think about the years I spent just passing through. I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you, but you just smile and take my hand, you've been there you understand. It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true..."
The rest of the guys joined in with Puck and Finn to finish out the song, noticing the center floor was full of couples dancing, which is something they had hoped would happen, "every long lost dream led me to where you are. Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars, pointing me on my way into your loving arms, this much I know is true, that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you... Now I'm just rolling home into my lover's arms. This much I know is true, that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you..."
With applause all around, the guys bowed and returned to their seats, this time Matt remaining a moment, "please welcome back up, my girlfriend Mercedes," he stepped away and kissed her cheek as he handed her the microphone.
Mercedes blushed as she stepped back up with the band and once they were settled, she started singing 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going', a song that had won over the audience at the final performance at school, she quickly won over this audience too, her friends cheering her on throughout the song and as she finished the song, the entire room cheered along, clapping for her. "Thank you all so much," she smiled, "the girls and I have one more song and I think there is one more after that," she said as the girls came up and picked up microphones as they found places to stand.
Rachel signaled the band and the opening music began and she picked with the first verse, "you've been the first in my life who has ever made me feel this way and I will not deny I'm gonna need you right here by my side..."
The girls joined in, singing the bridge and the chorus with her, "baby, I can wait, come and hold my hand and let me lead the way. Let me take your breathe away, by holdin' and kissin' and lovin' and touchin' you. Never will be too late to see myself through your eyes. Baby, I can wait until the day I hear you say... You are mine. There's no other one for me, keep in mind, you make my life complete and tonight, we'll make love endlessly 'cause you're mine; you're the one that I'll keep for all time..."
Tina took the next verse, "now that you're here, boy, I'm never gonna let you go. Can I touch you there? Oh, do you mind if we kiss real slow? You're my everything. You're my hopes and dreams. Baby, you know it ain't no lie, I'm gonna be with you till the day I die..."
All of the girls repeated the bridge and chorus, "baby, I can wait, come and hold my hand and let me lead the way. Let me take your breathe away, by holdin' and kissin' and lovin' and touchin' you. Never will be too late to see myself through your eyes. Baby, I can wait, no no, 'til the day I hear you say... You are mine. There's no other one for me, keep in mind, you make my life complete and tonight, we'll make love endlessly 'cause you're mine; you're the one that I'll keep for all time..."
Rachel moved over to her boyfriend and smiled as she sang, "you're the one that lights my fire. You're the one that keeps me strong. You're the one that I depend on when my world is goin' wrong. You're the one that I hold closer. You're the man I'm dreaming of and I really really love you. I just want you to know that..."
She stepped back to the girls and they sang the chorus one more time, "you are mine. There's no other one for me, keep in mind, you make my life complete and tonight, we'll make love endlessly 'cause you're mine; you're the one that I'll keep for all time..."
Ending the song with that chorus, the girls bowed and they all moved back to their seats, except Rachel and Puck got up and moved up to his girlfriend, pressing a kiss to her lips, "you light my fire, too," he winked at her before picking up another microphone. "We have one more song, but I'm going to introduce it a little differently," Puck tugged a piece of paper out of his pocket and glanced at the numbers and words on it before slipping it back into his pocket, "this song came out in nineteen-eighty-two when mom and dad were eight years old. In November of that year it spent three weeks at number one on the 'US Billboard Hot 100' chart and the next year it won several awards for the song itself as well as the two that sang it. (**) When Rachel and I were coming up with songs to play today and figuring out what to sing, I knew we had to sing this one. When I found it on iTunes, I really liked it and well, mom," he looked at his mom, "I hope you figure it out," he smiled and nodded at the piano player.
The notes filled the room and Rachel soon began the song, "who knows what tomorrow brings, in a world, few hearts survive?" Puck smiled, taking her hand as he sang, "all I know, is the way I feel. When it's real, I keep prayer alive. The road is long. There are mountains in our way, but we climb a step every day..."
The young couple held hands as they sang the chorus together, "love lift us up where we belong, where the eagles cry, on a mountain high. Love lift us up where we belong, far from the world below, up where the clear winds blow."
Puck looked at his parents as he sang the next line, noticing his mom smiling and wiping her eyes as Ethan hugged her, "some hang on to 'used-to-be'; live their lives looking behind." Rachel let go of his hand so she could slip her arm around his back as she took the next lines, "all we have is here and now; all our lives, out there to find."
He smiled at her as he slipped his arm around her shoulders, singing the next few lines, "the road is long. There are mountains in our way, but we climb a step every day." Rachel joined in with him to sing the chorus again, "love lift us up where we belong, where the eagles cry, on a mountain high. Love lift us up where we belong, far from the world we know, where the clear winds blow."
Taking the next few lines, Puck sang, "time goes by. No time to cry. Life's you and I, alive, baby."
Rachel leaned against him a little in a half hug as they sang the chorus again, "love lift us up where we belong, where the eagles cry, on a mountain high. Love lift us up where we belong, far from the world we know, up where the clear winds blow..." They finished singing as the band played their last few notes, slowly the echo getting lighter, but the cheers and clapping from their friends and family drowned out the last few notes.
"Mom, what do you think? Did you get your officer and a gentleman?" He asked with a grin, hugging his girlfriend.
Several comments like, "that's where I recognized it from!" "I knew it!" "That's the movie!"
As they pulled away, he put the microphone up to his lips again, "on behalf of New Directions, we thank you," Puck said as he and Rachel bowed and the rest of the club came up and did the same thing as he and Rachel put their microphones back.
The newlyweds walked over to them, thanking the kids that they passed for performing until they reached the two they were looking for, "Noah, Rachel, that was," Deborah wiped her eyes, "beautiful. I... I don't know what to say," she admitted.
Puck wrapped his arms around his mom and kissed her cheek, "I love you," he murmured, "this was for you," he added, pulling away to smile at her. "So, did you?" He asked curiously.
She blushed, glancing at Ethan, and then turned back to her son, "yes I did," she replied.
"Good," Puck let her go and hugged his dad while Rachel and Deborah hugged.
...
Cake passed out, and now the food forgotten, Rachel's iPod was randomly selecting songs to play and most of the adults were dancing, while some of the kids were.
Abby was settled in her car seat with David and Alan watching her, while Rachel walked around, taking pictures of her friends and the guests there when she paused, a smile on her face at the sight; Arin was dancing with Ethan and not too far away, Deborah and Puck were dancing together; definitely a Kodak moment. She got closer, taking a few pictures of the parents with their children without them catching on, and slipped away before she could be seen.
As the song ended, the parents hugged their kids and Puck moved across the room to catch up with his girlfriend, "babe," he called out as she sat down.
"Yes, Noah?" She looked up at him.
He smiled at her, and held out his hand, "would you like to dance?"
She blushed, but took his hand and stood up, "I'd love to," she replied.
"Oh, Rachel," Alan said.
Rachel turned back, "yes dad?"
He held his hand out, "camera. I think you can go dance with your boyfriend without the camera glued to your hand," he smiled.
She didn't realize it was in her hand when she stood up, but handed it to her dad before letting her boyfriend lead her away and once they were in the middle of the dance floor, a slower song came on and he slipped his arms around her shoulders, pressing a kiss to her forehead, "I love you, so much," he whispered.
She smiled up at him, her arms around his waist, "I love you, too, Noah. I never thought I could be this happy, but I am. You make me happy and so much more."
He stared into her eyes, "so much more, huh?" he wiggled his eye brows, "really?"
"Noah," she giggled, "only you would take something romantic I say and turn it into that," she murmured.
He shrugged, "hey babe, that's just how I roll," he winked at her before pressing a kiss to her lips and tightened his arms around her.
As they pulled from their kiss, she leaned her head against his chest and the two swayed to the beat of the music playing.
When the song changed, Puck felt a tap on his shoulder and glanced up to see his dad, "mind if I cut in?" He asked.
"Oh, no," Puck shook his head and removed his arms from around Rachel and kissed her cheek before stepping aside and patting his dad's shoulder.
Rachel looked at Ethan, slightly surprised that he wanted to dance with her, but she smiled at him, "hi. I don't think I've really had a chance to say congratulations, yet."
"Thank you," he said with a smile, "I've been meaning to talk to you and I think this is the best time," he admitted.
"Talk to me? About what?" She questioned.
"You do realize that all of this is because of you, right?" He asked softly, looking down into her brown eyes.
"Well, I know that I did have a large part in the planning of the reception, but I wasn't the only one-"
"No," he shook his head with a smile, "yes, you did help, but I'm not just talking about the reception," he held up his left hand to show her the ring he now wore, "this is because of you. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."
She gasped at his words, "I... me? I can't believe that this is because of me," she whispered.
"It is. Deborah immediately noticed a change in Noah when you two started dating in October; he was nicer to her and Arin and I heard all about it," he explained, "you know him. The old Puck would not have given me the time of day or even let me near their them; in fact, he probably would have gotten physical and I would have let him, but what I'm getting at is that without you coming into his life when you did, I wouldn't have had this chance, so for that, I am so grateful that you did and I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank you enough for this opportunity," he finished, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug, "and I'm very glad to have you as part of my family," he added.
Rachel felt the tears well up in her eyes as they hugged and she was stunned silent; the memories of the last few months coming back to her and even though she didn't want to agree with him, she realized that he was right. When they first got together, Puck was very tough and stubborn, but over time, he'd loosened up and was now more relaxed; that was the key that helped Ethan get back into their lives. Pulling back to look up at him, she bit her lip, "I'd like to say it wasn't me, but you're right," she whispered, "you're welcome; you deserved this; all of this. I also think that if we hadn't been dating, that if this was all meant to be, it would have happened, it just might have taken a little longer."
As Ethan smirked, Rachel realized that her boyfriend had inherited that. "You could be right, but it wouldn't have been this day, which means so much more," he whispered.
"Dates are important," she agreed as the song ended.
"Thanks for the dance," he smiled at her.
"You're welcome," she replied with a smile, giving him another hug.
As they pulled away, they looked to see Puck walking towards them with Abby in his arms, "hey, uh, grandma wants a Ballard family picture and when I say family, I mean the whole family," Puck said stressing 'whole'.
"I need to get my camera," Rachel said.
"No you don't," Puck said, "your dads will take the picture."
"She wants me in it?" She asked in shock.
"I told you that you were part of this family," Ethan smiled.
A blush grew on her face as she reached to take Abby from her boyfriend, settling the small child in her arms. Nodding, she went outside with them, links finally clicking in her mind that she was a Puckerman, even if her and Noah were not legally married yet.
...
Music: I don't own any of the music discussed in this or any of the other chapters of 'Out of the Blue'.
Songs mentioned in previous parts:
'Far Away' (Part 35, Part 38)
'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going' (Part 47)
'Endless Love' (Part 47)
'Up Where We Belong' (Part 39) - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes (The theme song to "An Officer and a Gentleman," which is Deborah's favorite movie (they watched it in Part 22).)
** ( http :/ en . wikipedia . org/ wiki /Up_Where_We_Belong )
New Songs never mentioned before:
'Bless The Broken Road' - Rascal Flatts
'At Last' - Etta James
'Inside Your Heaven' - Carrie Underwood
'For All Time' - Soluna
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You can see pictures of the rings on my LJ post of this chapter.
"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine," came from the Hebrew Bible (Song of Solomon 6:3)
From: ( http :/ www . myhebrewring . com ? p=1059&m=401 )
And this website is also where I got the picture of the rings Ethan wore around his neck
Claddagh: ( http :/ www . claddaghring . com/ )
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A/N4: A huge shout-out to Karma22 and Bookgurrrl for the support and suggestions you guys gave me; it helped a lot!
A/N5: An so here we finally have Deborah and Ethan married! I had so much fun writing this! I really hope you guys like it! I'm almost at 800 reviews; I was going to wait until I got exactly 800, but I'm so close that I don't wanna wait any longer. I really would like to thank each and every one of you for reading this fic! I know it's super long and can seem intimidating, but even if you just leave a 'love it' review, I'd appreciate it! Thank you so much to all of you who do review!
A/N6: Next up: Rachel leaves Abby for the first time, when her and her dads go to New York for a week.
A/N7: I'm gonna be honest; I didn't really like 'Hell-o' or 'The Power of Madonna'. I have never been a fan of Madonna, so just the thought that all the songs were hers; yuck! I don't like the Jesse St. James character; Puck/Quinn and Finn/Rachel - just the thought turns my stomach; Puck hardly had any lines the last two episodes... I liked a few of the songs from 'Hell-o' and 'Like A Prayer' was pretty cool in 'The Power of Madonna', but not really feelin' Glee's new episodes. There are a few good story lines so far that I might discuss, so that's why my 'spoiler' section will be changing every week for the new episodes, just in case a song or story line slips in; but of course I'll put my own spin on things. Don't worry, I'm not leaving the fandom, I'm just letting you know that future stories might be limited to 'spoilers' up to 'Sectionals'.
A/N8: I'm EJ8302 on Twitter if you'd like to follow me. :)
A/N9: Do you like 'Out of the Blue' or 'Starlight' enough to nominate them for an award? If you do, head on over to: ( http :/ community . livejournal . com/ gleeawards/ ) and find out how you can nominate them. You have until May 15th to submit your nominations.
A/N10: Look for a new fic from me in about a week; it's the fic I'm writing for my winning bidder at the Support Stacie Author Auction. I'm having a blast writing it!
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