Blaine shook Kurt awake gently, and Kurt grumbled as he was brought back to consciousness. "What?"
"Well, I noticed here in your phone that we're supposed to leave here by three," Blaine said, holding up Kurt's iPhone unapologetically, open to his schedule for the spa day.
10:00 - 60-minute holistic massage
11:00 - 15-minute scalp massage + champagne
11:15 - 15-minute facial cleanse
11:30 - 60-minute Biologique Recherché healthy-glow/executive man's facial + gentleman's hand and feet grooming
12:30 - naturally peninsula spa Asian-fusion lunch
1:00 - 60-minute body wrap
2:00 - earth-toned Asian Tea Lounge + 25-minute reflexology foot treatment
2:30 - adjustable bed in private relaxation area: headphones, music, bowl of fruit
3:00 - leave spa
"I didn't mean to fall asleep," Kurt admitted as he stood up off his adjustable bed, Blaine handing him a stack that turned out to be his clothes, freshly and perfectly laundered. "This place really is classy."
"Will you at least let me split the bill?" Blaine asked, and Kurt fuzzily realized that he was already in his street clothes. If Kurt hadn't been around for the past week, he would have mistaken Blaine's hurry for eagerness about his wedding.
"Not a chance," Kurt answered as he ducked into one of the empty massage rooms to change back into his clothing. Kurt paid the entirety of the bill (which was admittedly tremendous), and they headed down on the elevator and out onto the lively Manhattan street, their brief escape from the world over.
From there the day went far too fast for Kurt. They both took a taxi back to Blaine's house, where Blaine was accosted by Elizabeth, who had apparently found a problem with Jonathan's tuxedo, and Cooper kept raising one eyebrow at Kurt, silently suggesting his crazy plan. The 404 was all set up, but apparently there was a flower problem at the church and the justice of the peace was caught in traffic in Washington, D.C., and Kurt had no idea how Blaine was handling all the problems that were popping up, but he seemed to have adapted a calm ease, addressing everything without blinking an eye. Kurt chose to think that was due to the spa day, rather than the idea that Blaine was feeling apathetic about his wedding. For the last week, he had been anything but.
The wedding party arrived at six, an hour before the wedding, and the bridesmaids steered Blaine away (fully dressed and groomed and looking… stunning) before Jonathan could see him. They invited Kurt to ride to the wedding with them in a limo, an offer Kurt couldn't refuse, but after that, he separated from them. He was one of the first guests there, so he didn't sit down at first, taking a chance to look around the beautiful church. Eventually, Jonathan and the groomsmen arrived, and Sam, acting as head usher, seated Kurt about halfway back on the left, Blaine's side, and on the end (with a wink). Kurt shook his head and rolled his eyes, making Sam frown. Apparently, the groomsmen were also unanimous in their hatred of Jonathan.
People filled in around Kurt, Brittany Lopez being sat next to him with a smile and proceeding to talk about dolphin weddings for about fifteen minutes. There was a band playing as the guests were sitting, a wedding video-maker running around and asking for wedding wishes (thankfully, he never asked Kurt), and the room was filled with quiet chatter. Many of the men in the Church, on the other side, were older, probably the business associates of Jonathan's that everyone kept mentioning.
Kurt tensed when the music changed, the justice of the peace coming to stand at the front of the room (no altar, which didn't surprise him). There was a single guitar, and then Stephanie Berlanga stepped forward to the left of the justice of the peace and close to where the bridesmaids would be standing. She looked beautiful, wearing a simple black bandage dress with a v-neck and open back, and Kurt knew her song would be one of the prettiest moments of the wedding, a soft and acoustic version of a classic.
There I was again tonight
Forcing laughter, faking smiles
Same old tired lonely place
Walls of insincerity
Shifting eyes and vacancy
Vanished when I saw your face
All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you
At this point in the song, the ring bearer started down the aisle, an adorable little boy holding hands with Elizabeth. Kurt could recognize their rings on sight, and he knew the little boy was holding the real ones, on a traditional white pillow, secured by black satin ribbons, and he hoped for Blaine's sake that they were on there firmly and couldn't be picked off and swallowed by a small child. The flower girl followed, spreading blue rose petals from a basket that was being held by Cooper, who didn't seem too happy with his supervising job.
Your eyes whispered, 'Have we met?'
Across the room, your silhouette
Starts to make its way to me
The playful conversation starts
Counter all your quick remarks
Like passing notes in secrecy
And it was enchanting to meet you
All I can say is I was enchanted to meet you
This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you
The wedding party followed the ring bearer, flower girl, best man, and maid of honor up the aisle, all of them looking beautiful (Blaine had chosen tasteful dresses for the ladies and simple tuxes for the gents. Thankfully, he had also respected the tradition of the maid of honor's dress being a little bit different from every other bridesmaids'). Kurt wasn't sure who had more knots in his stomach: him or Blaine.
The lingering question kept me up
2 A.M., who do you love?
I wonder till I'm wide awake
And now I'm pacing back and forth
Wishing you were at my door
I'd open up and you would say,
"Hey, it was enchanting to meet you."
All I know is I was enchanted to meet you
This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
This night is flawless, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you
This is me praying that
This was the very first page
Not where the story line ends
My thoughts will echo your name
Until I see you again
These are the words I held back
As I was leaving too soon
I was enchanted to meet you
Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you
Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you
At this point, Blaine and Jonathan entered from opposite sides of the Church, smiling at each other, and Kurt caught his breath because yes, Blaine had looked stunning when he left the house, but his face was lit up in a bright smile at his fiancé, and the expression only added to the look.
This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
This night is flawless, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you
Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you…
Blaine and Jonathan joined hands as the song ended, and Stephanie took a seat in the front row. The band cleared out quickly and quietly, and Elizabeth deftly extracted the rings from the pillow, tossing one with great precision to Cooper.
Then the wedding started.
"If it were possible to begin this ceremony by gathering together all the wishes of happiness for Blaine Devon Anderson and Jonathan Cameron Holloway from all present here," the justice of the peace began, "if we could gather together those precious wishes of affection and our very fondest hopes and turn them into music, we would be listening now to a most inspiring anthem, composed of the most harmonious notes possible to produce… possibly written by one of the grooms." There were chuckles from the audience at the justice of the peace's comment, and Blaine blushed pink. "For now, we'll settle for Taylor Swift, sung by the beautiful Stephanie Berlanga." The justice of the peace gestured to her. Stephanie stood up and bowed quickly to applause before sitting down.
"Even though this is not possible," the justice of the peace continued, "just speaking of it should assure Blaine and Jonathan that our hearts are attuned to theirs in these moments so meaningful to all of us." Kurt chose to ignore Cooper's eyes boring a hole in the side of his head. "For what greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow, to share with each other all gladness?" The justice of peace was very eloquent, and Kurt had to admire that he was either making it up on the spot, or he had memorized it and was using no script.
"Marriage is an act of faith and a personal commitment, as well as a moral and physical union between the parties," the justice of the peace continued still, and for the first time Kurt looked away from the man speaking and looked at Blaine. He looked… nervous, his smile tense and his hands white-knuckling Jonathan's. "Marriage has been described as the best and most important relationship that can exist between two human beings; the construction of love and trust into a single growing energy of spiritual life. It is a moral commitment that requires and deserves daily attention since no earthly happiness exceeds that of a reciprocal satisfaction in the conjugal state. Unfortunately, in the modern world, the word 'conjugal' is most frequently associated with quickies in prison." Everyone paused for a moment, like they weren't sure if the priest was being inappropriate or if it was okay to laugh. Thankfully, Blaine cracked up and answered that question for them. "The true definition of conjugal is the relationship between spouses, indescribable except to those who have experienced it. Marriage should be a life-long consecration to the ideal of loving kindness, backed with the will to make it last." Rachel was already crying, and Elizabeth didn't look far behind her.
Kurt noticed in the moment of silence that a violin was playing softly, and he recognized the tune as the instrumental behind The Book of Love, first performed by Peter Gabriel. The countertenor smiled to himself. Only Blaine would make a Scrubs reference at his wedding.
"Since we did not want this ceremony to get too religious, despite the beautiful and sacred location, the grooms will be reading from Scripture for themselves." The justice of the peace stepped back from his position of almost touching their conjoined hands, giving them a chance to speak.
"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding tone or a clanging cymbal," Jonathan began, and the verses sounded vaguely familiar, even to Kurt.
"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." Blaine, surprisingly enough, didn't sound choked up, but Kurt was sure it was only a matter of time. Confident or not in their commitment, Blaine had always wanted a big wedding like the one Kurt was sitting at.
"If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to the flames that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."
"Love is patient, love is kind," Blaine began, and now Kurt knew why he recognized the verses. They were the verses used at every wedding, and for a moment Kurt hoped Blaine and his fiancé were about to break out into the 30 Rock version, but no luck. "It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
"It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of writings."
"Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth."
"It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
"For we know in part and prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears." Blaine smiled on that line, squeezing Jonathan's hand.
"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me."
"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love," Blaine finished, and then smiled at his fiancé. "I'm glad you're holding my right hand, Jon, because the other one is covered in smudged Bible verses." The audience laughed, and even Jonathan smiled. It was around that point that Kurt realized both of the grooms, as well as the justice of the peace and the entire wedding party, were wearing microphones.
The justice of the peace stepped forward again. "Dear friends, we have gathered here today to celebrate a historic and extraordinary event. At the invitation of Blaine and Jonathan, we are here to see for ourselves their love and commitment, to witness their claim to their semi-new civil rights, to surround them with prayer and support, and to share in their joy. Every couples' love is unique, and now we shall hear about Blaine and Jonathan's in their own words. Jonathan," he addressed first, and this was clearly the vows.
"Blay," Blaine blushed at the nickname, and Kurt didn't want to think too hard on that one, "I've worked really hard for the last few months on these vows, watching all the romantic-comedies you love so much and trying to come up with a speech that matches every ending, but I realized that's not what you want." Blaine raised an eyebrow at his fiancé, provoking a few chuckles. "We already have what you want. We love each other, we're building a life together, we're planning for kids and college funds and a long and happy future together." Blaine smiled, but Kurt could tell from his vantage point that the tenor wasn't quite meeting Jonathan's eyes. "Today is beautiful and wonderful and I hope it's everything you've ever imagined, but all it's doing is making official what we've known for years: we belong together. I belong to you, and you belong to me. We have everything that every couple wants, and it's more than I ever could have imagined. To be honest, when you turned me down the first time," Blaine looked mortified at the story, and Kurt couldn't blame him (who the hell brought that up on their wedding day?), "I thought that this day would never happen, but fighting to stay with you was worth every second. So, Blaine, I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out." Blaine was starting to smile again at the quote. "I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes." The people in the audience not familiar with When Harry Met Sally must be really confused right about now. "And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's our wedding day. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. I love you, Blay." Blaine forced a smile, but Kurt could tell he wasn't happy with his fiancé, not one bit (Kurt refused to admit that eventually he would have to stop referring to Jonathan as Blaine's fiancé and start referring to him as Blaine's husband, but the idea was too weird to contemplate. Plus, exactly when during the ceremony did that happen? The end, Kurt decided). Who referenced their rough patch during his vows and then ripped off the last half from a movie that had been important in a different relationship of his fiancé's? Especially when the ex in question was in the audience!
"Do you, Jonathan Cameron Holloway, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Jonathan said immediately.
Kurt's stomach cramped hard when he realized it was time for Blaine's vows. He was tempted to just slouch in his seat, cover his ears, and fill in the words to The Book of Love in his head (because the melody had been playing over and over), but some part of him had to hear what Blaine was going to say. For the first time, he looked over at Cooper, who caught his eyes and winked, rolling his eyes at Jonathan's vows.
"First of all, I apologize to everyone if I start crying," was how Blaine opened, making the audience chuckle. All the bridesmaids were in tears already, and this had to be the longest wedding ceremony Kurt had ever suffered through. "I've been known for my whole life to make impassioned, long-winded speeches when I'm feeling particularly romantic," Kurt chuckled at that, because he remembered the spiels, "but for the first time in my life, I find myself completely speechless. I have written so many drafts of this moment, so many different attempts at telling you how much you mean to me, but… Jonathan, there aren't words for how much you mean to me." Blaine's voice was so earnest and so honest, it only confirmed for Kurt that Cooper's plan was crazy, and he resolved not to look at the groom's brother again during the ceremony. "For a long time, I imagined myself having a big wedding like this one with a number of people, from Prince Eric of The Little Mermaid to ex-boyfriends," okay, now Blaine was bringing up things he shouldn't be in his vows, "but nothing has ever seemed as right as this does." Blaine squeezed both of Jonathan's hands. "I've never been this stressed, or this crazy, or this infatuated, or this attached, or this…" Blaine sighed. "There really aren't words. For a little while, I had given up on my happy ending, and despite my distrust and my doubts, not about you but about love and marriage and… and forever," Blaine sounded like he was choking on the word, "you brought that image back, made every moment of uncertainty and heartbreak, past, present, and hopefully not future, worth it. And I could not love you more for that, or for just… being you. Perfect, lovable you. You made everything in my life better, including me, and even though I can't articulate how much I love you, I'm going to spend every day of forever trying to prove to you how much I do. I love you, Jon." Jonathan grinned and leaned forward to kiss him, but was surprisingly stopped by the justice of the peace's hand on his chest.
"None of that until I say so," he said, the audience laughing at Jonathan's shocked expression. "Do you, Blaine Devon Anderson, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?"
Blaine swallowed, opened his mouth, and paused. And in that three seconds of pause, when time stood completely still and everyone held their breath, Kurt met eyes with first his ex, and then Cooper, and he knew.
"I do," Blaine said finally, but everyone in the room had noticed. Including Jonathan, who looked to be in a foul temper about it.
"May I have the rings?" the justice of the peace asked. Cooper and Elizabeth passed them over, and the justice of the peace held them up, one in each hand. "A circle is a symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe, of wholeness and perfection, and of peace and love. It is worn on the third finger, because of an ancient Greek belief that a vein from that finger goes directly to the heart, when in reality that is the exact definition of a vein. These rings mark the beginning of a long journey together. Wear them proudly, for they are symbols which speak of the love that you have for each other." Jonathan and Blaine stopped holding hands, each taking the ring handed to them. "May these rings be blessed so he who gives it…" The priest trailed off as Blaine started laughing. "May I help you?"
"Wrong rings," Blaine explained, switching the ring in his hand with the one in Jonathan's. "It's only funny because we had this issue earlier."
The justice of the peace swallowed, possibly annoyed but trying very hard not to show it, and said the ring-blessing through clenched teeth. "May these rings be blessed so he who gives one and he who wears one may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end." The justice of the peace then stepped back.
"I, Jonathan Cameron Holloway, take you, Blaine Devon Anderson, as my friend and love, beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and in tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not yet know, in all the ways that life may find us." Jonathan slid the ring on Blaine's finger as he continued talking. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness." Kurt was tempted to snort. "As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you. I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, our wedding day. With this ring, I thee wed." Jonathan lifted Blaine's hand and kissed the ring that looked so foreign on it, the ring Blaine had picked, simple and elegant, the ring that looked so bland next to Mac Daddy engagement ring, the only ring that was really Blaine's.
"Speaking of in tears," Blaine muttered, wiping a few tears from his eyes with his right hand. Blaine turned the ring over in his hand for a second before beginning. "I, Blaine Devon Anderson, take you, Jonathan Cameron Holloway, as my friend and love, beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and in tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not yet know, in all the ways that life may finds us." Blaine was talking just a little too fast for it to be normal, but he slid the ring onto Jonathan's finger all the same. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you. I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, our wedding day. With this ring, I thee wed." Blaine did the same, lifting Jonathan's hand and kissing his new ring. Kurt chose to ignore that Jonathan hadn't worn an engagement ring as well.
"Now, for the blessing," the justice of the peace said, still standing back.
Michelle and one of the groomsmen Kurt didn't know, the two standing in the back of both lines, both held up a slip of paper, which looked like a fortune cookie, and simultaneously said, "Now for you, there is no rain, for one is shelter to the other."
Rachel and Wes, the next couple in the line, held up papers and said, "Now for you, the sun shall not burn, for one is shelter for the other."
Santana and Sam were next. "Now for you, nothing is hard or bad, for all the…" Unfortunately, there were many twenty-somethings at the wedding who snickered at the phrase 'nothing is hard' like five-year-olds, and they quickly edited, "difficulty and badness is taken by one for the other." Blaine was looking at the floor rather than at his fiancé.
Cathy and another one of Jonathan's groomsmen, "Now for you, there is no night, for one is light to the other."
Tina and another one of Jonathan's groomsmen (Kurt chose to ignore that he had monopolized the wedding party), "Now for you, the snow has ended always, for one is protection for the other."
Kate and yet another one of Jonathan's groomsmen, "It is that way, from now on, and now there is comfort." As much as the blessing was annoying Kurt, he had to admit that it was cool, going from back to front on both sides of the couple, all the wedding party getting to participate.
The last two to go were Elizabeth and Cooper. "Now, forever, there is no loneliness." Cooper smiled supportively at his brother, who looked nervous again, before looking urgently at Kurt.
"If any of you can show just cause why this couple should not lawfully be joined together in supposedly-unholy matrimony," oh God, people were laughing at the justice of the peace's joke, but Kurt felt nauseous, "speak now, or forever hold your peace."
Songs used/mentioned:
'Enchanted' by Taylor Swift (Stephanie Berlanga is a real person who sang a real cover on YouTube that I happen to like)
'The Book of Love' by Peter Gabriel
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