A/N I keep telling myself not to start any new stories until I finish off or catch up on some of my WiPs. So of course I go and sign up for not one, not two, but THREE writing challenges! The first one will be the Klaine Valentine's prompt challenge that will run from Feb. 1st through Feb. 14th (First three chapters of Cupid, Your Aim Sucks are up!). The second is the Glee Potluck Fic exchange, which isn't due for a couple months. The third one is the Glee Potluck Big Bang itself, and I have already started writing this story because it is going to be a really HUGE story! I will begin posting that one sometime around June, I think. I have to see when I'm scheduled.

And of course, I will still be working on my current WiPs. I hope to have The Haunting of Kurt Hummel, The Seduction and Corrupting of Kurt Hummel and the last chapter of Music and Lyrics finished by the end of February. I also hope to have another one shot in my Take It Back series sometime in the next few weeks.

Mercedes gets Married! Mr. Hummel Goes to Washington! One more chapter after this and I'll be all caught up to where I was hoping to be a month ago! Took me a while to write the wedding scene, no idea why. Short chapter.

PS. I'm posting the Family Tree on ao3, since people still seem to be a bit confused about who is related to who!

Reviews always welcomed!

…

Vows and Oaths

"Kurt!" Mercedes' voice was unusually panicked over the phone three days after Christmas, and one day before they were all supposed to fly to Hawaii for the diva's wedding on New Years Eve. "I need your help! My minister has the flu and can't fly out to Honolulu for the wedding! Do you think your dad could perform the ceremony?"

"Why don't you ask him? I'm sure he'd be honored. It's just a matter of if he can get ordained in the state in time, I think!"

Mercedes took a calming breath. "Sorry, I'm just freaking out a little."

Kurt laughed. "It's okay, Boo. Everyone freaks out about their wedding day. I didn't even know I was getting married, and I still freaked out!"

His friend laughed with him. "Thanks, White Boy. I knew you'd calm me down. I think I'm just psyching myself out."

"Relax. Everything will be fine. We'll see you at the airport tomorrow. Love you!"

"Love you too! See you at the airport!"

…

The group from Lima had taken up every seat on the plane, which meant those with young children didn't have to worry about upsetting strangers if their kids began to cry. One month old Jayden did start to cry during take off, but settled down quickly once the plane leveled out. Most of the younger kids fell asleep within an hour, and the flight was pretty uneventful.

Once they got checked in at the resort, Kurt got the kids settled in their two bedroom suite, and despite the early hour, went to bed himself.

The next day, they all met up for a large breakfast, and then took a tour of the island. There were still two days until the wedding, so they decided to take advantage of the warmer climate. Kurt, Rachel, Santana, and Mercedes decided to do some shopping. They had Kathy, Audy, Mattie, Phin and Rebecca with them, while the older kids went to the beach with Blaine, Brittany, Sam and Julia, Will and Emma, Burt and Carole, and Quinn and Matt. The rest of their group took advantage of the hiking trails around the island.

The next day was taken up with the rehearsal, last minute wedding gown fittings, and making sure that everything would be ready for the wedding the following afternoon. They met back at the resort for the rehearsal dinner. After the meal, Kurt and the women spirited Mercedes away for a surprise bachelorette party.

They woke up to a steady rain on New Years Eve. The weather reports all said that the rain would stop by lunch time, and the wedding wasn't scheduled to begin until three, which would give them time to make sure the seats were all dried off, the flowers undamaged, and the white carpet for the bride to walk down was rolled out.

The original plan was to have the ceremony on the beach itself, but after some discussion with the wedding planner earlier in the year, Mercedes had opted to have it on an outcropping overlooking the beach and the ocean. It would have the same beautiful view, but it would be shadier, and more comfortable for the guests.

Burt had managed to get certified to perform the ceremony the afternoon before, and as the music began to play, he stood at the altar beside George and his brother, who was his best man.

The groom, who reminded Burt of a younger Alex Karras (Kurt had no idea who that was, and had to Google it), looked so nervous, until he saw Mercedes being escorted up the aisle by her father. The couple locked eyes with each other, and Kurt swore that, for the couple, everyone else ceased to exist. He was so happy for his friend.

Mercedes' gown was a pure white sheath that hugged her in all the right places. The only adornments were a swirl of crystals at her left hip. She looked beautiful.

…

They counted down to midnight while still dancing the night away at the reception. Kurt and Blaine held each other tight, lost in each others' eyes. The year had been long and had so many ups and downs, but they made it through all of them, together.

…

The Hummel Andersons, along with Burt and Carole, flew from Honolulu, Hawaii to Washington DC on New Year's Day. The swearing in ceremony took place at nine am on the second day of the year.

"I, Kurt Hummel, do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States."

Blaine looked so proud of his husband as he held Elizabeth Hummel's Bible for Kurt to place his hand on for the oath. The only one who had a bigger smile was Burt as he watched his son and son in law, surrounded by their children. The girls wore dresses of red, white and blue, while the boys wore blue suits with white shirts and red ties.

After the oaths and official business were finished, Burt took them all out to lunch. He and Carole would be flying back to Lima that evening, while Blaine and the kids would remain through the weekend.

Kurt of course, had work to do on Friday, while Blaine took the kids to a museum or two. Saturday they visited a couple of monuments, and since the weather had been fairly moderate, decided on a picnic on the Potomac.

Sunday was hard, because Kurt would be saying goodbye to his family for two whole weeks as he settled into his role in Washington. He would spend the following weekend at their apartment in New York, but during the week he'd be staying at a hotel, at least until he found a small apartment to sublet.

He hugged each of the kids tight as they said goodbye, and couldn't keep the tears from his eyes as he waved to them at the airport.

…

The first week back without Kurt was awkward for Blaine, but they managed to get through it. They Skyped with him every night, so he could read the kids a bedtime story, or sing a lullaby.

He noticed that Bee especially was having a rough time without his daddy there, and did everything he could think of to cheer the boy up. He was thinking of something special they could do over the weekend when his phone rang during class on Friday afternoon. The students in his Theory of Music class were taking a test, so he stepped out into the hall to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Mr. Hummel?"

"Um, no, this is his husband, Mr. Anderson. Can I help you?"

"Oh, Mr. Anderson, yes. This is Dr. Andrews. I have Bee's lab results back, and I think it would be best if you and your husband could come in so we can discuss them. Is there a time that would be good for the both of you?"

Blaine frowned. "I'm afraid Kurt will be out of town for another week. He's just been elected to Congress, you know. Is there something wrong with Bee?"

Dr. Andrews sighed. "I completely forgot about Congress being sworn in this week. I'm afraid I've been so swamped with flu patients the last few weeks, I haven't really been paying much attention to the date. I wouldn't normally talk about these things over the phone, but under the circumstances…"

"Please," Blaine interrupted. "Just tell me what's wrong with my son?"

The doctor sighed again. "I'm sorry to tell you that Bee has Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma."