Cory let out an unsteady breath, resting his hand on the knot of his tie as he stared at his reflection in the full-length mirror; a breath filled with nerves and excitement. Today was a day in culmination of the years he hoped, then knew, would come. After a year of pining for her, a year of dating and another of engagement, Cory was finally going to marry Dianna, the love of his life and next.

He brought his hand up to his face and over his eyes in an attempt to rub some of the sleep out of them. Soon his makeup artist would come to cover up the slight baggage that rested underneath. He was on the cusp of appearing like he hadn't slept in days. Many might think his nights were full with sleepless thoughts of fear that he was making the wrong choice but it was far from that. His restless after hours came from forfeiting the needed eight a night to wake up, roll over to make sure Dianna was sleeping peacefully, and to lay thinking for at least an hour at a time, how perfection had found his life at the most quintessential time possible. He would stay awake, gaze at the beautiful, blonde, and let all his thoughts and memories invade his mind—particularly of the night they finally got engaged.

"I'm so going to beat you," Dianna bragged. "I'm a literary genius. My Instagram follower count proves that one. Call me a master of words."

It was one of their lazy nights in that week. Cory rolled his eyes in playful defeat, knowing well that Dianna was much better at scrabble than he would ever be. It was a tradition they had started a few months prior when they closed on the sale of their first place together—a modern yet somehow quaint penthouse apartment they shared in a high rise in Beverly Hills.

"Perplexed?" The word sounded just as puzzling coming out of his mouth as its definition.

Dianna smirked knowing that she was yet again up another twenty points on her boyfriend. 'Tally em up, folks!' she thought to herself.

Cory's brow furrowed slightly.

"You've got to be cheating! There's no way you're…" He glanced down to their score sheet. "Sixty-seven points ahead of me?!"

"Hey, the paper does not lie," She smirked yet again.

'Ugh, that smirk,' Cory's thoughts ran wild as he admired that smirk.

It was the same smirk that appeared quite often in their life together. The smirk that she dons when she knows she got away with something; the smirk that appears when she's hiding something; the smirk that shows up when they're laying in bed and she runs her hand down his body and… Well, you get the point. In any situation, that smirk was utter perfection and would be the death of him in the best way imaginable.

When Cory was finally able to draw his attention from her lips back down to the board, he surveyed all the options he had left and grinned. Thankfully, a few proper letters were still left for the right placement he planned on.

Before making the next move, he grabbed the little silk bag that held the extra letter tiles and gave them a quick shake to ensure there were a couple Ms and Rs sifting through.

'Perfect.'

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Finally, the food's here!" Dianna exhaled an exasperated sigh, clearly thanking the lord that their takeout had arrived. Only twenty minutes after the tentative delivery time she was told over the phone but who was counting, right? Not her… Okay yeah, her.

Cory waited until he saw Dianna's figure slip out of view past a corner before he hurriedly dumped out the bag of excess tiles into his lap and started arranging some words of his own onto the board.

Only about a minute later, the excited blonde sashayed back into the living room; too busy rummaging through the takeout bag to see her boyfriend arrange the last second letters together.

"Ah yeah, Jimmy didn't let us down. There's a butt load of extra parmesan in here like he promised," She announced as she pulled out the packages of cheese, unaware of her boyfriend down on one knee next to their couch. "You can never have too much chee-"

Dianna's breath caught in her throat, her words evaporating in the air. Her eyes locked down onto their once meaningless, for fun game, as she read the words Cory had spelled.

"Does that say what I think it says, Cor?" She questioned, almost breathless. "Will you murry me?" Her brows furrowed. "Murry me?"

Cory watched like a movie as Dianna's expression shifted from shocked to happy then to a bit confused, albeit, still happy. He realized his mistake as he listened to her.

"Oh god," he gasped as the realization took over him. In his haste, he had put a U where an A should be in the word 'marry.' Quickly, he managed to grab an A in record time and pinched it between his index finger and thumb in his left hand to match the opened ring box in the right.

"You came back in really fast. It was a miracle that I could even put those words together in that time," he laughed nervously.

"So…" He drawled. "What do you say, Di? Will you marry me?"

He felt like a statue just kneeling there, quivering from time to time as he felt his knee push and crack into the floorboards and his hands wanting nothing more but to shake. After what seemed to be an eternity, Dianna opened her mouth.

"No.."

Cory's eyebrows shot up. Did he hear her right or had his ears lost their senses just as much as his knee was losing its still pressed hard on the floor.

"No?" He mimicked back, surprised while he ran the hand with the A in it through his hair. "Uh… Wow… Okay then.. Not how I imagined that going.."

Then, there was that damn smirk.

Dianna's smirk continued to grow before she took three quick steps and leaned down to lay a kiss on Cory's lips.

"Of course I want to marry you, Cory," She said before she smiled into their kiss. "Was that a mean joke?"

Cory exhaled in relief and nodded fervently.

"Yeah it was, Di," he laughed. "I was about to go dig my hole to die in!"

"Well don't yet, because you have to marry me first. Or should I say, murry me first?"

Cory smiled a soft smile and peered at Dianna.

"Yeah, so murry me?" He asked with a chuckle.

She nodded and gazed into his beautiful brown orbs.

"Absolutely."

"Sorry I'm a little late, Cory. Traffic on the freeway was more hectic than usual," Laura, the veteran Glee makeup artist apologized as she breezed into the room.

Only her voice had pulled him out of his reverie, or else he would never have noticed the time signifying her tardiness.

"No worries, Laura, time seems like it's moving extra slow today anyway."

Laura chucked as she pulled out brushes and pads from her kit. "I can't tell if that's good or bad."

"No no, in a good way," he replied. "I have all this time to take everything in. It's- it's a big day, you know?"

"It's your wedding day, Cor!" Laura returned while she dabbed some highlighter under his eyes. "It's a huge day, one you should be over the moon about. I saw Dianna as I was rushing down the hall. She looks top notch."

Cory smiled as he watched the makeup artist make an okay symbol with her free hand and wink.

"You should see her in the morning," he quipped and provided a goofy grin.

"Hello, she's Dianna Agron, I bet she looks her best right when she wakes up."

Then the corner of Cory's mouth turned up into a shy smile.

"She does," he agreed.

"Well unless you want some smoky, fuck me eyes, I think I'm done here," Laura beamed and gave Cory a few pats on the back in reassurance.

"I mean, maybe for the reception," He joked back, earning him a decent nod.

"Well you let me know, and I'll come running."

Cory then said his goodbyes to Laura and only had a minute for himself before the room went from a party of one to three.

"I found this pretty lady out in the hall," Chord announced as he waltzed into the room, with Cory's mother, Ann, in tow. "Said she was looking for a frankenteen so I told her she could follow me."

Chord only laughed as Cory punched his arm then watched as the tall brunette hugged his mom.

"Now I finally get to see both of my sons get married to such wonderful women," Ann gushed with a smile so bright that it rivaled the sun.

"I think you're making him blush, Ms. McGregor," Chord chuckled and Cory glared.

"Well he should because I mean it," She confirmed with a proud glance to the blonde before turning back to her son. "Dianna is truly wonderful, Cor."

This time he really did blush.

"I know she is, mom. I'm forever lucky and I'll always wonder why she chose me."

Ann gasped. "Always wonder? Cory, you're a catch! I've never met anyone else who can say their son won Vancouver's annual hot dog eating championship at age twelve!"

"Uh, mom-"

"Granted you puked for about twenty minutes straight after that but that could be another record in itself," She chortled.

Cory's eyes went wide.

"Probably never going to mention that or-"

"Or who has gotten the most views online for those concert videos with you all having fun singing and dancing?"

"First, don't ever bring up the hot dog thing again, please mom, like not even at family parties as a haha joke," Cory started, hardcore blushing now. "And those got a lot of views because my dancing sucks and it's funny."

"tomatoes, tomatas, sweet heart."

"Mom-" Cory's voice was stern.

Ann laughed and smiled. "Joking."

Then the door opened.

"Ten minutes until places, Cory," The wedding planner popped her head in and informed the room before disappearing just as quickly as she had appeared.

"Well I think that's our cue to get moving," Ann noted, taking a few steps towards the door after she placed a kiss on Cory's cheek. "Come on, Chord, escort a lady to her place."

Chord smiled and gave Cory two thumbs up.

"Take care of my mom, Chord!" He shouted as they walked out. "I think she already got into the reception wine!"

Finally alone once more, Cory was left with his thoughts and fond memories before he remembered that he should really read over his vows once more. Why was remembering lines so much easier than his vows? Probably because he was never half as nervous on camera than he was at his wedding.

Ten minutes later found Cory positioned at the alter, hands crossed one on top of the other, while he attempted not to fidget as the wedding precession began.

The first to walk in were the bridesmaids and it was only fitting that it be their fellow cast, but also their best friends.

Lea as the maid of honor, escorted by Mark came first, followed by Naya and Chord, Heather and Chris, and then Amber and Kevin, then lastly Jenna and Darren.

When the bridesmaids and groomsmen all settled in the front, Lea gave Cory a nudge and smiled. She knew this was the happiest day of Cory's life. He had been waiting for it forever and Lea was beyond grateful that she could be there to be an important part in her favorite couple's day.

Next came Cory's best man, his big brother Shaun, being escorted by their mother. Cory only shook his head but smiled as his mom sauntered down the aisle like she was the belle of the ball. She had told him that since she didn't get a part in Shaun's wedding being the mother of the groom and all, she wanted even a little one in Cory's and who was he to deny his mother? At least she looked happy.

Cory waited as Shaun placed a kiss on their mom's cheek and sat her down in the front row with the rest of the family before he took his place next to Cory.

"Everything looks amazing, Cor," Shaun whispered to the groom as they waited for the ring bearer to step down the aisle. "I had to tell mom to pull herself together before we walked out here. It was messy."

Cory chuckled easily believing that. If Ann McGregor was anything, she was a big cry baby at these types of things.

"I think she needs another reminder," he whispered in return before nodding his head in the direction of the older woman who was dabbing at her eyes with a Kleenex.

Before Shaun could get another word in, everyone's eyes were drawn to the entrance as Mendelssohn's Wedding March began over the speakers, no ones more so then the groom.

Cory couldn't help but smile as he saw his niece, Alexis, attempt to properly march down the aisle and sprinkle flowers on the ground. After only a few steps, she gave up on the left foot step, right foot together and started strutting down the aisle on her own accord, tossing out flowers as she went.

But he never realized he had a smile that was capable of ever outdoing the one he had for Alexis until the most gorgeous blonde began her steps following.

'God, just look at her,' he thought, mesmerized by everything Dianna was.

It felt like his heart had stopped and paddles brought him back to life for this moment. He saw their life together replayed in his head like a home movie. The first time they met, the time he first realized that he loved her, their first kiss, their first time, their engagement, everything in between, and then now.

Now he understood why people say that if you want to see love at a wedding, just look at the groom as the bride walks down the aisle. His face had to be telling it all. Finally, after many left foot steps, and right foot togethers, there Dianna was, kissing her father good bye as she stepped onto the alter to join Cory.

"Hey," Cory whispered to Dianna who finally stood across from him. He was so nervous that that was all he could muster. Dianna merely chuckled.

"Fancy meeting you here."

The room was silenced as the officiant began to speak.

"Friends," he started, and Dianna slid her hands into Cory's. "We have joined here today to share with Cory and Dianna, an important moment in their lives. In their time together, they have seen their love and understanding of each other grow and blossom and now they have decided to live out the rest of their lives as one."

Together, they listened as the officiant asked who supports this woman in her marriage today and her father answer.

"I'd like to begin with a lovely quote Dianna has chosen, and says it perfectly sums up the couple today, as they wed," He cleared his throat. "Sometimes life lets you down.."

In the crowd, Ann leaned over to Alexis and whispered, "Gheesh, that's a bummer line to start with."

Alexis waved her grandmother away. "Shh, I'm trying to listen, grandma. It's my first wedding!"

"Sometimes life breeds happiness through you into others. Sometimes life sets you up for failure. Sometimes life gives you purpose greater than you can see. And sometimes, just sometimes, life gives you a love story fit for the pages. Life gives you a story so great, so involved, and so intertwined that you can step back from it and see the beauty in which you had no control."

"I'm kidding," Ann blubbled. "That was beautiful."

Alexis playfully rolled her eyes and handed yet another tissue over. She had to keep her grandmother together. They were just about to go into the vows!

"Cory, please go first," the officiant asked and Cory nodded and exhaled deeply. Here it goes.

"Well I was once told by someone so very wise beyond her years, to marry you if I ever got the chance so I'm glad I kept that promise to her," Cory stated before glancing over to his niece and winking. "Dianna,"

Damn it was hot in the room with all the guests and cameras flashing, but he continued. "I struggled with figuring out where to start but then I figured, why don't I start right where we started?"

Dianna could already feel the tears begin to well in the corners of her eyes and that really couldn't happen because Laura said she'd make her look like a clown for the reception if she ruined her makeup the first time. She was most likely only joking but the woman was not to be tested.

"I remember that day so clearly. I was coming out of my final audition with Ryan and Ian totally feeling like I bombed it. I was pretty upset until I saw this insanely beautiful blonde amazing hazel eyes and a pretty floral dress come running full bore at me down the hall. My first instinct should've been to duck and cover.."

The room quietly laughed along before quieting down to let him finish.

"But then I just couldn't. And to my surprise, you stopped to talk to me of all people. Granted I was the only one in the hall and it was to ask me to the hold the door to the auditions but hey, I took it… And regardless of it all, you took my breath away then and you still do, everyday. I love you. I've always loved you, and I can't wait to love you for the rest of my life."

Every guest in that wedding would be able to tell you after the ceremony how much they knew Cory had meant what he said. They hung on his every word like it were the last they'd hear. They could feel the love he had for Dianna.

The officiant looked to the bride next. "Dianna, if you have something prepared, we'd love for you to share."

"Well…" Dianna's voice was strong yet wracked with nerves, just as was Cory's and he could tell, but it made her that much cuter to him. "I sat up at night and wrote and rewrote these vows a million times over, but it wasn't until one night recently, that I stayed awake until after I knew Cory was asleep, and just watched him sleep so peacefully.."

The room washed over with dull laughter and Dianna blushed.

"Without that sounding as creepy as it came out," She smiled and giggled through the embarrassment.

"I just knew that he looked his best when he was asleep without a care in the world. I love that Cory," She stated proudly while she gazed into his eyes filled solely with happiness. "And I love him so incredibly much. He waited for me for so long when I probably figured I wasn't worth waiting for, but he saw through that I'm so glad he did. I had to be with the wrong person to realize that Mr. Right was always standing beside me, on stage, dancing awkwardly in front of the cameras…" She stared into him as he did with her. "And he's my forever."

Even though it was definitely not the right time, the guests all clapped and cheered, especially the rest of the cast. They just couldn't help it. You try seeing Cory and Dianna's story unfold and not want to root for them. If you don't you're just plain heartless.

When the room became silent once more, the officiant spoke and had them read the rest of the traditional vows.

"I, Cory, take you Dianna to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live."

First it was Cory, then Dianna followed, then went the rings, and finally… the kiss.

The officiant grinned wildly at each the bride and groom, who could only smile at each other and he saw their love. He saw their forever and he saw the way Cory effortlessly dipped Dianna and kissed her.

Smooth.

"I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Cory Monteith!"

And nothing, in life, would ever sound better.

This must be the millionth apology I've written out to you all over the last years that I haven't been updating any of my stories. And I'm truly sorry, guys. I have gotten a number of messages asking that even if I no longer write again, to please finish A Gleeful Reality so you all aren't left on the cliff. I hope this was at least half worth the wait that I forced on anyone still watching out for this story.

To all my loyal readers who have been with me for what seems like forever, I hope this lives up to the standards of chapters you have become accustomed to. I put my all into what I could. With that though, I want to let it be known that I finished this story because it was the first that people took interest in and unfortunately, it will be the last (at least for some time.) I won't be finishing College, Football, Friends & Quinn Fabray and I'm sorry about that as well. But thank you all again for the support and love and everything in between :)

MNPN