Chapter Twenty

oOo

Summary: Will the proud music teacher eventually find love with the beautiful kindergarten teacher or will he forever come second to the football coach? Rated M.

Disclaimer: None of these characters belongs to me except for any OCs found wandering. I own nothing save for this computer.


Kurt stormed back to his classroom but he took the long way around, passing rooms that he'd not bothered to venture into since his first-day orientation tour some years before. He needed the time to calm down and get his professional demeanor back on track before he saw the kids. Judith!

Ugh, he gritted his teeth as he thought of the little girl's innocent affection for him that had nothing to do with the fact that he was in love with her dad. His mind went over again everything that had been said in Dr. Thompson's office.

He knew he'd gaped at the little man as the words hung in the air. 'You were seen with the parent of one our students. Is this true?'

Flashback

Kurt gathered every shred of his dignity and quite a bit of his acting ability and stared back politely but coolly at the other man.

"I'm not certain how that is relevant here but, yes, I've been friends with Noah Puckerman for years."

Dr. Thompson cringed slightly as he prepared his next statement. "Yes, I know you are old schoolmates but my information is that," he cleared his throat apologetically before continuing. "You are in an intimate relationship with him."

It was a question although it was not phrased as one and Kurt realized the principal was hoping that Kurt would deny it. Hell, no! Kurt had only the night before finally acknowledged that Noah Puckerman was it for him and no way in hell was some bitch going to taint this, the happiest time for him.

He allowed a soft, sweet smile to curve his lips and let some of the earlier glow back into his eyes. He surreptitiously noted that the little man subconsciously relaxed as he watched him and then he nodded.

He leaned forward and almost giggled when Dr. Thompson leaned forward as well, his round belly pressing against the wood of his desk. "Well, it only happened last night but… I think I can tell you."

He let his lashes flutter a bit and then he looked back at the man who was now clearly intrigued. Kurt let moisture just barely dampen his lower lashes and as he was facing the huge windows behind the principal's desk, he knew his eyes would look very blue even in the gray morning light.

"I – we, Noah and I," and he paused and lowered his voice to a soft yet happy murmur. "I think we're engaged!"

To say the little man was stunned would be a whopping understatement; for a second Kurt thought he would have to administer CPR and then he wondered if the man were asthmatic. "Dr. Thompson, are you okay?"

Kurt's soft voice was filled with genuine concern and he rose to pour him a glass of water from the pitcher on the corner of his desk. He came around the desk and handed the glass to him, staying beside him, just in case.

Finally, whatever had come over the principal seemed to subside and Kurt felt it safe to go back to his seat. Good god, he had no idea he'd have got this kind of reaction from the man, Kurt pouted to himself as he settled back into the chair. He waited with a patient expression for the other man to speak and tried not to tap the toe of his waterproof designer boot against the front of the desk.

Dr. Thompson stared at the young man in front of him. Kurt Hummel had always been unique, one of a kind, everything about him distinctive without being flamboyant. Layton liked Kurt; he thought he was an exceptional teacher and his children all loved him. He was talented, too; one of the teachers had told him that Kurt had a fabulous countertenor voice although he'd never sung for his colleagues. Yet, even knowing all this about Kurt, he had to acknowledge that the young man was rather private in nature. Layton was glad for that because his nerves couldn't handle more than the drama that came with running a school.

Now, here he was, staring back at the young man whose face still held the remnant of the proud glow that had been there when he told him of his recent… very recent… engagement. Well, what could he say? He cleared his throat and smiled at one of his favourite teachers.

"Congratulations, Kurt! I_ really had no idea, none at all," and he wiped his face with his handkerchief before taking another sip of the water Kurt had so kindly got him. He was a little embarrassed at his reaction, gasping and wheezing like some old fool but he had really been taken by surprise. He chuckled a bit now as he said apologetically, "I had no idea, you see, that you were seeing anyone. You are a rather quiet young man, not given to gossip… so, this was all a rather startling development. Yes…" and trailed off, not knowing what else to add.

Kurt smiled kindly at him and then asked, "Could you tell me who brought this to your attention, Dr. Thompson? Or is it confidential?"

The man colored and Kurt barely held back a smirk. He didn't think it was confidential at all but the man was probably in a tight spot as the Strandos were rather generous in their donations to the school. Now the principal wiped his glasses nervously as he stared back at Kurt as if he were trying to make up his mind. Finally, he nodded.

"It was Mrs. Strando who called, actually; said she'd seen you in Mr. Puckerman's car yesterday."

Kurt nodded and pretended as if he'd just recalled the occasion. "Oh, yes, that's right. We were heading over to a pre-Christmas bazaar in Columbus. I remember glimpsing their vehicle. You know, I think we could try the bazaar thing as a fund-raiser ourselves? Mm-hmm."

He hummed in satisfaction as he saw Dr. Thompson's mind switch from the bitch to the thought of being able to raise more funds themselves. He continued blithely as if he, too, had totally forgotten about the original point of their meeting.

"The place – it was held in the auditorium at the school – was jam-packed. In fact, I could tell from the license plates in the parking lot that people had come from all over," and he nodded encouragingly as Dr. Thompson murmured, "yes?"

They chatted for a while and Kurt finally got up to take his leave. When he reached the door, however, he returned suddenly to their previous topic. He paused at the door and turned back, acting as if the question had just occurred to him, and asked, "Oh, by the way, is there anything in the ethics code that says I can't marry the parent of a student here?"

Dr. Thompson stared at Kurt blankly for a second or two and then his eyes took on a faraway look and Kurt almost expected to hear, "Working!" in a faintly robotic tone as he checked his memory banks.

Then he refocused and smiled at Kurt apologetically as he shook his head. "No, nothing in writing, as such. It is just that it is frowned upon because it can get a little messy sometimes. You know, somewhat similar to workplace romances? There have been incidents, as you can imagine, where the relationship did not have your happy conclusion. It made it difficult for all parties involved, believe me."

Kurt nodded and smiled with a sympathetic look on his face and then he thanked the principal. Dr. Thompson got up and hurried around the desk to shake Kurt's hand as he looked up into his face.

"Oh, and congratulations again, Kurt, I am really happy for you. Uhm," and then he tilted his head, his glasses winking in the overhead light as he lowered his voice. "Are you able to get married here, now? I didn't think so but then I don't pay much attention to politics these days, y'know."

He laughed lightly and Kurt smiled at him even though he shook his head. "No, but that isn't going to stop us, obviously. We can get married in another state but I would love to live and work here with my family. However," and he looked directly into the shorter man's eyes, "should it become an issue, we can always leave. Have a good day, Dr. Thompson," and with a little wave he strode out of the office with his back straight and head high.

End flashback

Now the sound of his boot heels pounded along the hallways as he took a circuitous route to his classroom but then he decided to stop in one of the restrooms. Checking to see if anyone was using a stall, he satisfied himself that he was alone and whipped out his phone. He speed-dialed Noah and waited for him to pick up.

"Hey, beautiful, how are you?" Noah's voice was light, happy with just the right amount of intimacy, given where he probably was at the moment.

To Kurt's complete chagrin, he burst into tears at the sound of Noah's voice. He told him what had just happened but poor Noah couldn't understand a word coming out of his mouth.

"Kurt! Kurt, slow down! Baby, calm down and tell me what happened!"

Noah had been in the middle of his first class and the kids looked at him startled as he pointed to the board where he'd outlined part of his lesson plan and then dashed outside to stand in the hallway. The kids looked at each other, completely befuddled as some muttered: "Kurt?" and others, "baby?"

Noah's heart was once again in his throat; from the tone of Kurt's voice he could tell he was furious and not scared like they were yesterday when Judith had wandered off so he knew she was okay. Other than that, he had no idea what had got Kurt into such a state. Finally, when his lover had apparently run out of steam, Noah actually got a word in.

"Kurt!"

Kurt jerked the phone away from his ear, looked at it and then asked, puzzled, "Noah, why are you yelling?"

Noah yelled, "Because you were crying and yelling and scaring me! What happened?"

Kurt paused, rethought his immediate response and then took a deep breath. He walked over to a sink and stared at himself in the mirror, noting with horror how pink his eyes and nose had become.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, sweetie, it's the principal."

"The principal?" Noah's incredulous voice blasted through the slender device.

"Ugh, let me start from the beginning," Kurt told him as he leaned against the sink. He wet a piece of paper towel with cold water and pressed it to his face.

"Okay," Noah said sarcastically. "That would help because I'm freaking out here!"

Kurt chuckled and strangely enough felt himself relax at Noah's words. He proceeded to fill his lover – fiancé? – in on what had transpired in the principal's office, what the man had told him and what Kurt had said in return. He finally came to a halt after he told Noah the part about them leaving Ohio if their marriage became an issue and he waited for him to say something.

Over at McKinley, Noah had walked outside towards the football field. It had stopped raining and Finn had students out there doing laps and what not. Noah felt his head swim at the thought that Kurt had so proudly told the man that he was going to marry him; no hesitation, just out with it. He knew Kurt was a pretty headstrong person but, wow, Noah wondered for a second what he was getting himself into_ and if he was up to it.

Still, he couldn't help puffing up with pride that, even though it had taken him a while, Kurt was now on the exact page with him. There was nothing he wanted more than to finally be able to say that someone had chosen him first. Kurt had chosen him; Kurt had acknowledged his love for him to an entirely disinterested third party and it made him feel damn proud!

"Okay, babe, this means we have to get the rings like now!"

Kurt gaped at the phone, looked at himself in the mirror with his mouth hanging open and then he yelled, "Is that all you have to say? Did you hear what I said about that bitch, Daria Strando?! I could tear out every strand of those ratty extensions, I'm so mad!"

"Kurt, Kurt!" Noah rolled his eyes as he listened to Kurt; it even sounded as if his lover was kicking something. He wondered where he was and hoped briefly that he wasn't anywhere near the kids. "Kurt, baby, calm down!"

Kurt caught himself and suddenly grinned. Oh, god, what must Noah think of him, going off like that about Daria when he wanted to discuss rings!

"I'm sorry, Noah, sweetie, I'm just a little frazzled. It's just_ I was so happy when I came into school." He would never cop to it but there was a bit of whine to his voice. "Everyone said I was glowing and then… and the principal… and I was just so mad!"

Noah felt his heart softening as he listened to Kurt. He knew what he meant because a couple of the guys in the staffroom had even teased him about 'getting some' over the weekend. Little did they know that it was actually the biggest prize of all that he'd got but he didn't know if he could tell anyone just yet.

As Kurt gradually got his head wrapped around the whole ring thing, he calmed down, some of the sparkle returning to his eyes. By the time he was ready to leave the restroom, all signs of his recent tantrum had disappeared and he could face the kids and Marcy with equanimity. One last question from Noah, though, made him pause before heading out.

"Babe, can I tell Finn? Please, I've just got to see his face when I tell him."

Kurt, surprised at the question, giggled abruptly and then replied, "Of course, go ahead and tell him! He used to be your best friend so that's okay. You know he's going to tell Rachel immediately and, come to think of it, I need to tell my dad and Carole."

He paused and when Noah said, "Kurt?" really softly, he answered, "It just hit me… we're really doing this, aren't we?"

Noah nodded as he turned to gaze back at the school buildings. "Yeah, and you know people are going to be really surprised… for more than one reason."

Kurt took a deep breath and blew it out but the thought of what people were going to say couldn't dim the feeling right now. "Yeah, but screw 'em if they're not on board with this, right?" He paused and then, "Hey, Noah?"

"Yeah, babe," Noah answered, his voice lowering to match Kurt's soft tone.

"I love you, sweetheart. I don't care about anyone but you, Judith, the family and I know they'll be behind us 100 per cent."

"I love you too, babe," Noah smiled as he said it, stupidly glad that he could tack on the 'too'. "It's all about family from here on out, beautiful… our family."

"Yeah," Kurt breathed, feeling giddy and light-hearted and invincible. There was silence for a bit as they listened to each other breathe and then he said, "wanna have lunch with a newly-engaged guy?"

Noah laughed and nodded but made sure to reply, "You bet! What time and where?"

Kurt giggled and said, "You could come here and join me in the teachers' lounge?"

"You've got a date, babe… and I can't wait to see the look on Finn's face!"

They were both laughing their heads off as they hung up and Kurt dashed back to the sink to check himself in the mirror. There was bright color in his cheeks – yeah, Hummel figurine time – and his eyes definitely were sparkling. He knew Marcy would be dying to know what was up so he hurried now out of the restroom, a definite spring in his step that hadn't been present when he'd left the classroom earlier.

When he got to the door, he pushed his head in and beckoned Marcy to come out to him with a wave of his hand. She'd looked surprised that he hadn't come fully in the room but she took a look at the kids to make sure they were sufficiently occupied with their work and hurried to him.

"What's up, what did old Thompson want?" Her eyes were wide as she took in the grin on Kurt's face.

Now he waved a hand as if it all had been a waste of time and then grabbed both her hands in his. "Guess what? I have something really big – huge – to tell you!"

She started to bounce up and down but she really couldn't guess; it was just that Kurt's mood was so infectious. "Don't tease me, please, I can't guess! Tell me!"

Kurt laughed, throwing back his head and Marcy couldn't remember seeing him look more perfect. The color in his face only drew attention to the smoothness of his skin and the periwinkle blue button-down shirt he was wearing over a white silk tee just made his eyes glow more blue than green today.

When he finally looked back at her, his lashes spiky as if he'd been crying, she held her breath and waited. What came out was not what she'd been expecting; no sir, not in a million years.

"Noah and I are engaged!"

Kurt's voice was a combination of whisper and scream and for a second Marcy thought she hadn't heard right. He was still holding her hands and tipping up on his toes and back onto the heels of his boots. She widened her eyes at him and said, "Sorry, no, it sounded like you said 'Noah and I'_"

"Are engaged… yes!" Kurt giggled madly as he watched her pale and then flush red in rapid succession. Then she let out a loud bark of laughter at which she clapped a hand over her own mouth. She looked over her shoulder to see if any of the other classroom doors had opened and people poked their heads out to see what the commotion was about. Nothing, though, so she turned back to Kurt with her mouth open and her eyes still wide.

"Oh… my… god! Wow! That's… hold on," and she suddenly narrowed her eyes at Kurt. "Isn't this kind of soon. This is just November and you guys hooked up only in September!"

Kurt nodded so hard a lock of hair flopped forward onto his forehead and she automatically pushed it back into place while waiting for an answer. Kurt, though, continued to nod at her and grin and she finally said, "Okay, clearly I'm not going to get much sense out of you right now. What did the principal want?"

That brought Kurt back down to earth and the change was so sudden that she gaped. Kurt's moods could turn quite scarily on a dime, that was for sure.

"Ugh, would you believe that bitch Daria Strando complained to Dr. Thompson that she'd seen me and Noah out yesterday?"

"Really, what the heck is it to her if you guys were out together?" Marcy really didn't like that woman, whose bust size was no doubt higher than her IQ. "Doesn't she have a party to plan or something?"

Kurt smirked at that but shook his head. "I don't know if you've noticed it but she's got the hots for Noah and apparently, at the fall party she must have twigged to the fact that Noah was more interested in me than in her."

Marcy's eyes widened in recall. "Oh, yes, the day you came in looking like sex on a stick; I remember that, yeah."

She laughed as Kurt colored up but she continued. "So what, she went to Dr. Thompson, thinking that you were breaking some fraternization clause or something?"

"Mm-hmm," Kurt said as he took a quick peek into the classroom. The kids were working quite diligently even though a couple of them were singing as they did their work. His eyes fell on the back of Judith's head that was bent over her work, the ever-present Briony chatting away, of course.

"Yeah," he continued, "but Dr. Thompson said it was more something that is unspoken, not written. You know how workplace romances can get ugly? He said it's something like that; I guess if Noah and I dated and broke up, it would be awkward for Judith."

"Yeah, but this isn't just dating, is it… oh, but Daria doesn't know that!" and she crowed, the sound malicious and Kurt simply nodded.

"Yeah, poor Dr. Thompson almost choked on his spit when I landed him with the engagement," Kurt said ruefully, remembering the alarming shade the poor man's face had turned. "I thought I'd have to do CPR on him."

"Ewww!" Marcy's face twisted up and Kurt slapped her lightly on the arm. "I know, I'm mean but… ewww!"

They giggled softly for a bit and then, trying to straighten their faces, they headed back into the classroom and back to normality… at least for now. Kurt deliberately didn't tell her that Noah was coming to join him for lunch. He wanted to see her face when his hunky fiancé strode into the place with that sexy swagger of his. Oh yes, he definitely wanted to show off his man today!

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oOo

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Lunchtime couldn't come fast enough for Noah who had made a quick call after he'd hung up with Kurt. It was lucky for him that he didn't have a class in the period just before lunch so he was able to dash out early to pick up his surprise for Kurt.

The air was crisp now after the early morning rain and the sky had cleared a bit. You couldn't mistake it for summer but it definitely wasn't as dreary as earlier that morning. He hummed to himself as he drove and when he arrived to pick up the package, his bright smile and sexy wink had the cute, young cashier blushing like mad. The fact that the cashier was a guy meant absolutely nothing in the scheme of things.

He made it to the kindergarten with minutes to spare and he waited until he knew the kids would be in their cafeteria before heading inside and asking the women at the front desk where the teachers' lounge was.

"I have a package for a Mr. Kurt Hummel?" He tried to look as if he could pass for a delivery guy but he wasn't certain he pulled it off. When one of the women asked his name, she repeated it into the phone, listened a bit and then nodded to him as she hung up. She gave him brief directions to the lounge and he smiled and winked at her, too. Of course, her being old enough to be his mother didn't faze him at all. Nothing could faze him today.

He whistled as he followed her directions and soon he was outside of the doors to the lounge. He looked through the glass panels that came halfway down the doors and spotted Kurt looking delicious in a gorgeous blue shirt and dark pants. He had his back to him but Noah caught Marcy's eyes and brought a finger to his lips. She nodded and started chatting animatedly to Kurt while Noah entered and sneaked up behind him.

"Hey, doll," he whispered seductively and jumped back when Kurt jerked in surprise and spun around.

"Noah, you twit, you scared five years out of me!" but he was laughing, his eyes bright and happy. He took a quick look around at the few other teachers in the lounge but he couldn't help stroking one hand quickly down Noah's arm.

Noah placed the large package wrapped in white paper and tied with string on the table between Kurt and Marcy and then, to everyone's surprise, proceeded to kiss the stuffing out of his gorgeous fiancé.

When Kurt gathered himself and pulled back his eyes were slightly glazed and Marcy was fanning herself, a mischievous look on her flushed face.

"Wow, guys… just, wow!"

There was scattered laughter and applause from around the room and Kurt cleared his throat and turned to the other teachers.

"People, let me introduce you to Noah Puckerman, my… fiancé," and he smirked at the sudden silence that was followed swiftly by loud exclamations. He laughed as he saw Marcy rolling her eyes; she felt quite superior because she'd already heard Kurt's news.

The women swarmed him to give him warm, perfumed hugs and he laughed as one teased him about his 'hottie'. Some of the guys slapped him on the shoulder and shook hands with Noah. One guy, who had noticeably not come forward, sneered at them and asked if Dr. Thompson knew about this development.

Kurt, tempted not to respond to the jerk, looked him up and down and said dismissively, "What do you think" in such a tone as to imply the guy was also a half-wit. He proceeded to ignore him and most of the others and turned back to Noah's surprise package.

"So, what have you brought me, sweetie," he asked, simply happy to have Noah with him.

Noah nodded to it, indicating Kurt should open it and said, "Our lunch, babe. I wanted to surprise you so I ordered it after we spoke."

Marcy watched curiously as Kurt pulled the strings, smiling at the little bow that had sealed it and then she grinned along with Kurt when she saw the various containers.

"Greek salad, freshly baked bread and… what's this," he muttered as he opened the last container, "hah, galaktompoureko; and, there's something else here. Oh my, baklava! Oh, Noah…"

He turned and slid into Noah's arms, wrapping his arms around his waist. Marcy left them to go and get plates, one for her as well, and some cutlery. She knew Kurt was big on salads and he'd probably brought some for his lunch but the Greek one was huge and yummy-looking. The shiny black olives contrasted so deliciously with the plum tomatoes and chunks of feta cheese. Mmmm, she was looking forward to indulging!

Noah smiled as he hugged Kurt to him and then they moved to take their seats, thanking Marcy as she sorted them out with the plates and utensils. He had brought enough for her to have as well because he knew Kurt usually ate with her and he smiled at her now as Kurt gave them each huge servings of the salad. In a small jar with a screw-top lid was the dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and oregano that Kurt shook vigorously to combine before offering to the others. They all helped themselves to the bread and then Noah looked at Kurt.

Marcy excused herself to retrieve three bottles of water from the staffroom refrigerator and when she came back, whatever private moment Noah had wanted had passed. The two men were eating and looking at each other as if no one else existed. She could have felt like a third wheel but… nah, this food was just too good, mm-mmf!

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oOo

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Over at McKinley, Finn was still reeling from the news and he was on the phone with Rachel as soon as Puck had left to go pick up the lunch.

"But, Rachel, it's too soon!" He wouldn't have said he was whining but darnit, he was right! Kurt and Puck had only been together two months. Who got engaged after two months? Suppose it didn't work? What if one of them got hurt? What would he do?

"Finn, you have got to stop panicking!" Rachel's voice was unusually sharp as all Finn's words almost tumbled over each other to get out. "Kurt and Noah are grown men; Noah is even a dad with one marriage already under his belt. Leave them to their business, okay?"

"But… but… what if_" Finn had to hold the phone away from his ear as his wife's voice roared through its speakers.

"If you say anything to them, Finn Hudso, I swear I'll make you suffer!"

Finn was in shock. He couldn't remember ever having had Rachel yell at him like this. Shit, she must be really serious if she was willing to risk damaging her vocal chords over this. He backed down and meekly told her that he would keep it to himself.

"Good! I'd hate for Burt to have to come after you… and you know he won't hesitate if you say anything to hurt Kurt!"

Finn gulped and nodded, closing his phone in a daze as he turned around, only to startle quite badly when he noticed all the eyes staring back at him.

Oh, oh yes, he had forgotten that he was in the staff room and now everybody had heard everything. Oh shit, Rachel was going to kill him for sure!

He shrank into himself as his cringing gaze collided with the others. As he looked around the room, some people grinned, some looked away and some continued to stare at him. Brittany, though, was the only person to come up to him and she patted his arm consolingly.

He flushed as she pressed her body closely against his, her breasts squishing against his arm. She hadn't changed much and most people thought that Coach Sylvester had given her the job because she couldn't work anywhere else. Brittany was kinda scary, too, because sometimes she said things that were really right in a strange way.

"Don't worry, Finny," she whispered. "You'll still be Kurt's favorite brother," and she walked away as Finn stared dazedly after her.

What?

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TBC

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A/N: Okay, reactions, folks. What do you all think is Finn's real problem? Hmmm, stick around and we'll see.

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