Chapter 19

July – Age 17 – Summer Before Senior Year

The day had finally arrived. Carol Hudson and Burt Hummel were going to get married. Kurt had carefully planned and budgeted everything down to the last detail, last penny. Burt wore a tux and scrubbed all the grease out from under his fingernails. Kurt couldn't truly remember his father being this happy. Kurt – being the best man – wore a tailored black suit with an eggplant colored paisley tie. They stood together at the front of the church, looking out into the audience. While they had very little family on either side, they were accounted for. Carol's great Aunt Enid was seated next to Burt's Uncle Jared. The rest of their wedding guests included their church family, co-workers of Carol's from the hospital, the guys from the garage and their families, and Finn's/Kurt's friends and their families. Everyone who cared about Burt and Carol were in that church today.

The gentle music changed into a – in his opinion – more manly melody as Finn began to escort his daughter down the aisle. She dutifully threw rose petals where they were walking. Everyone made the stereotypically appropriate sounds. Finn was, of course, dressed by Kurt. He was wearing a similarly cut suit but in an eggplant color the same shade as Kurt's tie, with a black shirt and a black and eggplant pinstriped tie. Charlotte was dressed in a little while ball gown; quite literally a Kurt creation. He was starting to put together a portfolio. Kurt was thinking of possibly becoming a wedding planner.

Finn made his way up to the front and took his place as Man of Honor and Charlotte was being help, propped on his hip. While she didn't really know what was going on, it was still exciting because she got to see all of her favorite people. Her Nana and Poppop were all dressed up. And speaking of her Nana… the music shifted and the Wedding March began to play.

Carol appeared at the back of the church. She wore a strapless fitted dress, with a drop waist and poofy skirt. It was her dream wedding dress. Slowly she walked toward Burt and the rest of her family. They all had tears in their eyes by the time she reached them.

"It's our great honor and privilege to bear witness to the union of Carol Hudson and Burt Hummel," the pastor began. "These two families merge as one. We are here to surround them with love. They have decided to write their own vows, to promise before the church. Burt, go ahead."

"Carol, it's been quite a wild ride. I guess we have our boys to thank for that." The guests laughed. "I never thought I'd be this happy again after Elizabeth died. But when you invited us to dinner, I knew I could be. Our house is full of laughs and warmth again. I love you so much, and I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you."

"Carol, your turn," the pastor said.

"Burt, I can't believe it's been just over a year and a half since you two came over, but I wouldn't have changed it for the world. I'm getting a husband and another son; I couldn't be happier. I love you and the rest of our lives together cannot come soon enough."

"Who has the rings?" Kurt fished in his pocket for the rings and handed them to the pastor. Finn totally would have joked around a bit and pretended to lose the rings, but since he had a wriggly one and a half year old to contend with, Kurt was left with this responsibility. "Burt, repeat after me. I promise to love and cherish you, have compassion and understanding, forsaking all others, in sickness and in health, til death do us part."

Burt repeated his lines dutifully.

"With this ring, I do wed." He slid he ring on Carol's finger, smiling from ear to ear. The pastor repeated the process with Carol, ending with her putting the ring on Burt's finger.

"If there is anyone who thinks these two should not be married, then speak now or forever hold your place." The pastor looked around the church and smiled when no one got up. "Then but the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!"

Cheers erupted from the onlookers as Carol and Burt sealed their wedding vows with a kiss. Charlotte squealed in delight for her Nana and Poppop. While she was too young to possibly understand what was going on today, they would look back when she was older and explain their whole stories.

"I am happy to announce the blessed union of Mr. and Mrs. Hummel" Everyone went spare as they walked back down the aisle, together this time. They were going to the grounds to take pictures with Kurt, Finn, and Charlotte. Everyone took the short trip to the reception hall on the other side of town.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

When Santana arrived at the reception with her parents, it was nicely decorated. They went to the table where their name cards were Santana found her name assigned to table one. Her parents were assigned to table 10. When she got there, Dave Karofsky was already there. "Well, look at you, very nice," he complimented. Santana looked quite a cute. Her cocktail dress was a lavender color and clung to her without looking slutty. He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"You clean up nice too Karovsky," she replied, brushing down the collar of his suit jacket. They were soon joined by Mercedes and Matt, Puck and Lauren Zeises.

"I guess this is the plus one's table?" Santana asked.

"Kurt told me we would all be sitting together," Dave said.

"I'm glad you know what's going on," she groused.

"Well, Kurt did plan the wedding," he pointed out.

"Touche," Santana replied. They all took their seats and waited for the wedding party. It didn't take long. While they waited, there was an empty photo frame where they could all sign as the guest book. Puck, Mercedes, Santana, and Dave had more to write than Matt and Lauren. But they all had fun writing their little memories.

The DJ announced the arrival of the wedding party. Finn and Kurt danced into the hall and had Charlotte between them. Santana was on her feet taking pictures of the three of them; it was too cute of an opportunity not to take advantage of it. Kurt danced his way over to Dave and Finn scooped Charlotte up so he could give Santana a kiss "You look incredibly beautiful right now," Finn said as he broke the kiss.

"You clean up pretty darn good Hudson," she commented, smoothing down his tie. He smiled down at her.

"Tan Tan," Charlotte squealed. The little girl was reaching out to the Latina. Santana opened her arms to allow Charlotte to transfer adults. It made Finn really happy to see his daughter getting along with his kinda girlfriend.

"Take a pic of us," she said. Finn nodded and took the picture, immediately sending the picture to himself. "Beautiful."

"Alright, Mom and Burt will be coming in a minute," Finn said. They boys went around and stood behind their seats, waiting for the happy couple.

They DJ began to plan a new song and got on the microphone. "It's my great pleasure to announce Burt and Carol Hummel!" They came through the same entrance as the boys. Burt ditched his tux jacket and put on a flannel, and Carol ditched her heels for some comfortable sandals. Carol actually had a shirt of Burt's drapped around her shoulders. Everyone in the hall clapped and cheered for the Newlyweds. They danced their way over to the sweet hearts table.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Everyone enjoyed the buffet of food before the entertainment began. They actually got a DJ to play music, but they also hired Mr. Schue to sing songs throughout the evening. Carol and Burt kicked off the dancing by doing a sort of rumba to the song 'Sway.'

Kurt and Finn sang a duet to honor their parents. Puck and Lauren entertained Charlotte while Santana and Dave had a dance together. Santana and Mercedes go up and sang 'Dancing Queen' (one of Carol's guilty pleasure songs).

"Mrs. Lopez, may I have this dance?" Finn asked politely. While she was impressed with his manners, she still wasn't happy that he was dating her daughter.

"You may," she replied. They walked right out to the dance floor and picked up the slow yet upbeat rhythm of the Abba song.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Finn asked.

"This wedding in beautiful," she replied. "Who did they use as a wedding planner?"

"My brother did most of it, and Mom helped," Finn replied. "Even Santana had her input. The stage decoration was all her and she did the table cards. She has the best handwriting."

"Really?" the Lopez matriarch said. "I'm surprised she would even get involved."

"Me too," Finn chuckled. "But she is a constant surprise."

"That she is," she agreed, then began to look around. "Where is your daughter?"

"Kurt and Dave have her," Finn replied. "Mercedes and Kurt are her godparents, so they always want to steal her away."

"Quite a support system," she said, mildly impressed. "You have a job? Santana might have mentioned."

"I work as a janitor as the church we had the ceremony at in exchange for child care," Finn began. "But I work as a mechanic at Burt's garage."

"And you still go to school full time?"

"Yes Ma'am," he nodded.

"Quite impressive," she said. They remained quiet for the remainder of the song. He walked her back to her table.

"Thanks for the dance ma'am." He left her to think about whatever was going through her head. He met Santana as she walked off the stage and gave her a kiss "You sounded wonderful."

"Thank you," she smiled up at him. "Did I see you dancing with my mom?"

"Yeah, I figured I should at least once," Finn shrugged. "She still isn't too fond of me."

"She doesn't know you," Santana said hotly.

"Well, I can see why she wouldn't want me dating you," Finn reasoned. "I have a kid in high school. It's quite scandalous."

"But I don't care about all that. Neither should they."

"Let's just forget about that tonight," he said. "I wanna dance with you next."

"As it so happens, my dance card is open."

Finn never had a better time. He dance with Kurt, Santana, and even Dave. No one seemed to care when two men were dancing, as it should be. Charlotte had fallen asleep in her seat, so Finn made a bed out of chairs and covered her with his suit jacket.

"Hey Kurt," Finn asked as they finished cleaning up. "Am I driving you home?"

"No, my boyfriend is," he replied, blushing slightly as he said 'boyfriend.'

"He finally asked you?"

"Our last slow song," Kurt confirmed.

"Good," Finn said grinning. "Because he asked if it would be okay during my dance with him."

"He would," Kurt said.