Chapter Twenty-Two
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 was nervous as he glanced at the clock in the kitchen. His dad and Carole were due in from the airport in less than an hour and Finn had called to say they had left already. The drive from Columbus wasn't too long but Kurt, alone in the kitchen with the food all cooked and ready to be served, felt as if the minutes were simultaneously crawling and flying past.
He had spoken to his dad just a couple of days before, telling him that he had something important to tell him. Burt had tried to pry it from him but he'd chuckled nervously and told him he'd prefer they were all face to face. Carole had tried to be a little more subtle, asking Kurt if maybe it was good news. Kurt had seen through that one and felt a rush of affection for the woman who had been his mother for more years than his actual mother had been.
When he'd told them that it was both good and unexpected news, she had squealed, causing him to burst out laughing. He knew she would calm his dad down and he was never so grateful to have her there in his dad's life.
Now he was not only waiting for his parents, Finn and Rachel to arrive, he was also waiting for Noah, Judith and Sarah, too. They were only a few minutes away according to Noah who had called earlier and tried to calm Kurt down.
"Babe, your dad must have mellowed over the years; we've all grown up a bit." Noah's voice had softened as he continued. "He will see how much we love each other and he'll be happy for you, I promise."
Kurt had sighed as he stared at the huge turkey that was on the counter, having just removed it from the oven. He had used the act of garnishing the platter on which the golden-brown bird reclined to try and relax and now he bit into one of the radish roses and chewed thoughtfully.
After swallowing he said, "You know, I do want his blessing but you do know it's not that important, right?"
Noah had chuckled and Kurt could hear Sarah and Judith talking in the background. "I know, babe, but it would still be good if he didn't remember me only as the punk who used to toss you in dumpsters."
Kurt grinned as he shook his head. "I think he's moved past that stage; now he'll worry that you only want me for my stunning body."
They had laughed and then Sarah had demanded that she get to talk to Kurt so Noah had handed over the phone after a soft, 'love you'. Kurt and his soon-to-be sister-in-law had discussed the dessert she was supposed to be bringing over. The two conversations did a lot to ease some of his nerves and he found himself genuinely looking forward to the family dinner.
Family.
There was a warmth in his chest as he thought of Noah, Judith, even Sarah in that light. Soon he would be marrying the most amazing, the sexiest man he knew and he doubted if even Finn and Rachel's skepticism could permanently dampen his elation. Not even the thought of his dad's face when they broke the news could bring him down.
Yet, he was still a little nervous so, finally, he decided to start setting the table. Thanksgiving Dinner in the Hudson-Hummel household was always a fairly early affair; this year the Redskins were once more up against the Cowboys. Kurt rolled his eyes at the irony of that match-up; did the 'boys' ever get over their cowboy-and-Indians phase? As he chuckled to himself, he realized that he didn't even know Noah's sports preferences – or if he even had any. A twinge of doubt suddenly made him pause as he took the bowl of tossed salad from the refrigerator. Were they really moving too fast? Did whirlwind relationships work in real life?
As he bustled between the kitchen and the dining room, his brow furrowed as he thought of all the arguments his dad might come up with, silently backed by Finn and maybe Rachel. He worked on autopilot and by the time he'd taken the pies out of the oven and placed them on cooling racks, the doorbell signaled Noah's arrival with Judith and Sarah.
Kurt sighed and hurried to get the door, pausing very briefly to look at himself in the hall mirror. He had chosen to wear a button-down blue shirt with a dark metallic gray vest and black jeans. It was fairly low-key for him but still very stylish and he'd left his hair slightly tousled on top. The heat from the oven had given him a slight flush that he couldn't do anything about so he hurried to open the door.
"Mr. Kurt, we're here!" Judith wrapped her arms around Kurt's hips and grinned up at him and he noticed that her tooth had come half-way in. He smiled down at her and hugged her back before smiling up at Noah and his sister.
"Hi, guys, come in! Oooh, it's colder than I thought it would be," he laughed as Sarah slid an arm around his waist to hug him and she dropped a light kiss on his cheek. He hugged her back and stepped back so Noah could come in and shut the door. The cool air mingled with the smell of their colognes and the warm fragrance of the food and he smiled happily up at his handsome fiancé.
Noah waited for Sarah to head for the kitchen with the pecan pies that she'd brought and Judith dashed inside to take off her coat before he turned to Kurt. His eyes ran up from Kurt's feet, up the long, slender legs all the way up his body, almost leering at his fiancé's flushed appearance.
"Hello, beautiful," he murmured and then they were kissing, Kurt's arms going up around his shoulders. He hugged the slender body tight to him as their tongues met and mated. He could never seem to get enough of Kurt's mouth, the lush lips so pink and tempting.
Kurt hummed into the kiss, hearing Sarah and Judith chatting away as they exclaimed over the beautifully-set table. He caressed the back of Noah's neck, his fingers tugging at the short dark hair before he eased away to gaze up into the dark eyes.
"Mmm, if we don't stop, Judith is going to come find us," he whispered as Noah nuzzled his cold nose into his neck.
"I don't want to; you're warm… and sexy, mmm, and yummy," Noah muttered between soft kisses to Kurt's neck and jawline. Kurt giggled at the ticklish feeling and pulled back again, his eyes sparkling with sheer happiness.
"I don't think you want my dad's first sight of you in years to be of you molesting his son in the hallway," Kurt giggled as Noah's eyes widened and he burst out laughing at the look in his lover's eyes. "Don't worry; I'll protect you from big bad Papa Burt!"
He laughed as Noah smiled down at him and then, like magnets, their lips met again. The kiss was softer this time, sweeter and Kurt sighed when it came to an end. Suddenly Noah looked up and Kurt turned his head to see Judith giggling into her hands and Sarah looking at them with a smirk.
"I think we're supposed to actually have dinner first before we get to dessert, Noah," Sarah snarked even though she was grinning at them.
Kurt, remembering the last time he and Noah had had 'dessert' together, colored vividly and Noah hugged him to him with a deep laugh. He got a wicked look on his face and was about to tease his sister when Kurt slapped him lightly on the arm before moving away.
"Judith, are you excited to meet my mom and dad?" Kurt narrowed his eyes at Sarah and Noah as he moved to take the little girl's hand. He was successful in diverting Judith's attention from the scene she'd interrupted and he walked with her into the kitchen, putting her in a little apron so she could 'help'.
He handed her a little crystal dish of cranberry-peach-ginger relish and instructed her where to put it on the table. He was about to call Sarah to come help with the side dishes when they heard a commotion at the front door.
Kurt took a deep breath to calm his suddenly spiking nerves and he helped Judith out of the little apron quickly before heading to the front hall. As he reached, the door opened and Finn came in, pink-cheeked and huffing as he struggled with a suitcase and a large duffel bag.
Behind him came first Carole and then Burt and Kurt felt all his nerves disappear as he saw his parents for the first time in months.
"Kurt, sweetheart!" Carole enveloped Kurt in a cloud of fragrance that he recognized as the L'air du Temps he'd sent for her birthday. They hugged and kissed and Kurt moved back to admire the elegant dress-and-coat ensemble that screamed success. He'd helped her choose much of her wardrobe for their stay in Washington D.C. and he was pleased to see her looking so well and happy.
"Carole, you look great! Dad's really taking care of you," he grinned and kissed her soft cheek again. The laughter that came from her underlined the soft blush on her face and then she looked past him to their guests.
"Wait, Noah, is that you? Oh, goodness, we haven't seen you in ages," and she was hugging Noah to her like a long-lost child. "My, aren't you the handsome one. Look, Burt, it's Noah!"
Burt Hummel smiled and then raised an eyebrow at Finn who, having dropped the luggage by the foot of the stairs, was looking back at the group with a strange, constipated expression on his face. Burt shrugged it off though because, as much as he'd come to love Finn like a son, he still couldn't understand the boy.
Kurt had moved to hug his dad in greeting when Carole was squeezing a blushing Noah to her bosom and now he turned to his parents.
"Um, dad, Carole, I invited Noah and his daughter and sister to have Thanksgiving dinner with us," Kurt said firmly although his eyelashes fluttered a bit. He turned to Sarah first to introduce her, whereupon Carole exclaimed, "Oh, I remember you as a pre-teen!"
Burt shook Sarah's hand, smiling and welcoming her to his home and then Kurt introduced Judith who was standing waiting politely for attention to turn towards her.
Kurt smiled as he slipped an arm around Judith's shoulder, saying, "And this is one of my prize students, Judith, Noah's daughter."
Carole predictably cooed over how sweet Judith looked in her fuchsia tunic over a white, long-sleeve sweater, her hair tamed for once in a high ponytail. Judith basked in the hugs and smiled happily when Carole took her hand to walk into the living room. The little girl was happy for the audience as she told everyone how 'Mr. Kurt' was her favorite and bestest teacher.
The crowd moved from the hallway and as Kurt headed to the kitchen he felt Rachel tug at his arm. He looked down at her but didn't slow his pace and she had to almost jog to keep up with him.
"You are going to tell your dad later, right?" Her piercing whisper made Kurt shush her angrily.
When they got into the kitchen Kurt spun around and glared down at her. "Listen, when I tell my dad is my business, okay, Rachel?" At the hurt look on her face he sighed and looked up as Finn joined them. "I plan to tell him at dinner, if it's any of your concern."
He glared at Finn who hadn't said anything and now looked like a deer caught in headlights and moved to pick up the platter with the Thanksgiving bird. Finn, knowing the best way to get around Kurt, reached for the platter himself, smiling tentatively and saying, "I got this."
Kurt smiled weakly at him and nodded his thanks before shoving the bowl with the tossed salad into Rachel's hands. "Here, make yourself useful and take this in, please."
Rachel knew better than to push so she left with the bowl after throwing him a small, apologetic smile.
Kurt leaned against a counter and sighed, dropping his head so that his chin rested on his chest. That was how Sarah found him when she came into the kitchen seconds later.
"Hey," she hurried over to him, placing a hand on his arm. "What's the matter, Kurt?"
Kurt looked up, composing his face and smiled at her ruefully. "It's nothing; just family stuff." He shook his head and then decided to come clean. "My brother and his wife are kinda pushy and… well, I want to do things at my own pace."
Sarah nodded even though she didn't quite understand but she just wanted Kurt to look happy again… like when Noah was kissing him. "Do you want me to send Noah in?"
Kurt chuckled but shook his head. "No, thanks, I'm good."
She nodded and then looked around the kitchen. "Is there anything you want help with?"
He handed her the basket of rolls, looked around the kitchen and then said, "Just take in those, please. I think we're ready to sit down."
Sarah smiled at him and then headed out, leaving him to look around the kitchen before he headed to the living room. Everyone looked up at him and he smiled, waving his hand towards the dining room.
"Dinner is ready, everyone. Shall we?" He smiled widely as Judith leapt down from Carole's lap. Someone had found a new grandmother, Kurt thought to himself and once again he felt that warmth in his chest that spoke of family and contentment.
They all trooped into the dining room and Burt, naturally, headed to one end while Carole took the other end. They arranged themselves with Kurt sitting to Carole's left, Noah in the middle and to his left and Rachel beside him to Burt's right. On Burt's left was Sarah, then Judith in the middle and then Finn was to his mom's right. Kurt smiled surreptitiously up at Noah just as Burt cleared his throat.
"I don't think it would come as a surprise if I start by saying how great it is to be back home with family," he looked around the table, his eyes lingering on Kurt before moving on to the others. "I am thankful that we could make it, especially as I hear we're going to be socked in tonight."
There were murmurs around the table as almost everyone nodded in agreement; Judith fiddled with her knife because she didn't understand. Sarah placed a hand on hers but smiled and whispered, "He means a lot of snow."
Burt nodded and continued. "I also want to welcome the Puckerman family. Noah, I remember you well," and here there was a tiny groan from Noah and Kurt and Sarah chuckled at that. "It is good to see you again and it's a special pleasure to meet you, Sarah and Judith."
Judith clapped her hands and grinned, causing the others to laugh and then Burt wrapped up by saying, "Please, everyone, the best way to thank Kurt for doing all of this is to eat as much as you can. Bon appétit!"
Kurt looked at his dad in slight surprise at that last bit and then nodded in agreement. "Bon appétit, everyone," he smiled and slipped his hand into Noah's beneath the table. A happy shiver went through him as he looked around at his family and friends. Chatter started up as Burt started carving the turkey and plates were passed about as people served and were served the delicious food. Finn helped serve the cold apple cider and Sarah filled Judith's plate with her favorite things.
They were to the point where both Burt and Finn were starting on seconds when Kurt cleared his throat, grasped Noah's hand and then looked at his dad first and then Carole. Finn, Rachel, Sarah and Noah stopped eating and waited. Burt smiled at his son, privately remarking how well Kurt looked and then raised his eyebrows at him in enquiry.
"Dad, Carole, I have something to tell you," Kurt's voice was clear and firm even though the color in his cheeks had deepened. He took another deep breath and then…
"Mr. Hummel… Burt… Kurt and I are getting married," Noah's clear voice slipped ahead of Kurt's and he turned to smile at his stunned fiancé. Kurt had been prepared to brace his dad and maybe fight for him to accept Noah; he hadn't expected Noah to take the bull by the horns!
Noah pulled his and Kurt's joined hands up onto the tabletop and he grinned as everyone stared at them. Suddenly…
"Yay, daddy! Yayyy!"
Everyone's heads jerked towards a laughing Judith who was clapping her hands together quite loudly for such a little girl and practically jigging in her seat. Sarah put her hand on her niece's arm but she, too, was grinning from ear-to-ear.
Burt stared at his son's flushed and smiling face and then at Noah who was staring at Kurt the way he used to look at Kurt's mother. Burt, still stunned, looked down the table at Carole who was gazing at Kurt and Noah with a soft, damp look in her eyes as she smiled at them.
Rachel and Finn were looking between him and Kurt, looking a little apprehensive and then he finally found his voice. "Kurt?"
Kurt looked back at his dad, his eyes sparkling and a little damp too but he smiled and nodded. "Yes, daddy, it's true."
Burt shook his head once and then asked, bewildered, "But when, I didn't even know you were seeing anyone…"
Finn was nodding his head rapidly but he stopped at the glare that Rachel threw at him. He ducked his head and took up his fork again; maybe if he ate quietly he could sneak in thirds, he thought as he continued eating.
Carole broke in, though. "Oh, Kurt, I suspected it was something romantic but, oh my…" her voice trailed off as she dabbed at her eyes.
Kurt chuckled and leaned slightly into Noah who had slipped his arm about Kurt's shoulder. They were essentially snuggling but no one drew attention to it. Kurt grinned at Judith who was bouncing in her chair and then answered his dad.
"Noah and I met up again when he brought Judith to school. She registered late and came into my class and Noah and I just… we just…"
"We fell in love," Noah shrugged as he smiled softly at Kurt and then turned to look at Burt. Their gazes met and held and a whole conversation flowed between the elder and younger man. Kurt was busy smiling at Sarah, Judith and then Carole, ignoring Finn and Rachel for the moment, so he didn't see the look that passed between his dad and his future husband.
Burt relaxed as he took stock of Noah and his protective stance with his son. Kurt actually seemed to glow and Burt couldn't have a problem with anyone who put that look on his son's face. He couldn't help but be reminded of how Elizabeth had looked when she was pregnant with him.
He was a modern man and was aware that Kurt had had relationships before. When he'd learned his son was dating that Karofsky boy, he'd nearly had another heart attack. However, he'd trusted Kurt's judgment and he hadn't regretted it. Even though things hadn't worked out with David, Kurt had not been hurt coming out of that relationship. Kurt was nowhere as delicate as he might appear to the unsuspecting. Burt was proud of the man his son had grown to be and now he trusted that he had chosen well the man he would marry.
Now he smiled at Kurt but he excused himself, got up and went into the kitchen, nodding at Finn to join him. Everybody waited as they heard the two men who were the least familiar with a kitchen rummaging around and then, to their surprise, watched as they returned with laden trays.
Burt had taken the champagne out of the fridge while he instructed Finn to get the wine glasses. They then proceeded to fill the glasses with the sparkling liquid and then headed back to the dining room with the trays.
"Oh, dad," Kurt breathed as his father and Finn served the champagne and he waited as everyone got a glass, even Judith. Her 'champagne' was actually apple juice but she didn't need to know that yet.
Burt turned towards the assembled group, smiling as his face flushed and he looked at his son and Noah still hugging each other.
"I won't deny that this is an absolute surprise but I know my son very well. Kurt, Noah, I think I speak for everyone when I say we wish you the best life has to offer." He turned to look around the table at everyone else and continued. "Raise your glass, please, and join me in toasting Kurt and Noah. May you have a long life together filled with happiness; cheers!"
The cheers were loud and happy and dissolved into laughter when Judith discovered her 'champagne' didn't look like everyone else's. The dinner continued although Finn was the only one who went for thirds and finally everyone had had enough. Rachel and Sarah helped Kurt, with Judith being their little go-fer while Carole went upstairs to lie down for a bit. Noah, Finn and Burt went into the family room and planted themselves in front of the huge flat screen TV, chomping at the bit for the big game to begin.
Kurt, never having been a big fan of sports, not even football after having been a kicker for the McKinley High Titans, chatted away happily as he, Sarah and Rachel discussed rings and weddings. He was so happy he was almost giddy. He hadn't thought his dad would have been so accepting of his news and he was grateful that it had all gone so well. The warm feeling in his chest had expanded and there was nothing but laughter bubbling in him as they packed away and wrapped up the usual Thanksgiving leftovers.
He and the 'girls' went into the living room with extra glasses of cider and sat around shooting the breeze and getting sleepy while they listened to the 'boys' yelling at the TV in the other room. Judith, planting herself on Kurt's lap, eventually fell asleep and when Sarah made a move to lift her up, Kurt waved her off. He was more than happy to hold his future stepdaughter in his lap for the time being. As the chatter tapered off, he found himself getting drowsy as well and he settled himself more comfortably without disturbing Judith's slumber. He could hear Rachel and Sarah still talking and a smile curved his lips as he fell asleep.
By the time the game was over, a lot sooner than either of the men had wanted, everyone else was asleep. Burt and Noah headed towards the silent living room while Finn headed towards the kitchen, of course.
Burt stopped in the doorway as his eyes fell on Kurt sleeping with Judith lying in his lap. The little girl was really out of it but Kurt stirred, sighed and turned his head a bit. Burt watched as Noah walked as if he were in a trance towards the two, the look in his eyes making Burt feel as if he were intruding on something private. He smiled as he watched the tall, tanned man walk towards his son and the sleeping child to kneel on the floor beside them.
Noah felt his heart swell as he watched Judith sleeping, curled on top of Kurt; he smoothed his hand lightly across the top of Judith's head. Kurt stirred and murmured softly but Noah couldn't make out what he was saying. He leaned forward to drop a kiss on his daughter's head and then sat back on his heels to stare at them. Kurt was so beautiful, even though he knew that wasn't a word one often used for men. Still, there was something eternally angelic about his fiancé, especially as he slept and Noah knew he would never get enough of watching him.
He glanced up and realized that Burt was watching him and he flushed but the older man simply nodded once and then moved off to join Finn in the kitchen. As he did, Kurt stirred, turned his head and his eyes opened.
Noah held his breath as Kurt stared at him, his blue eyes glowing in the rosy lighting of the living room. Finally, a soft smile curved his lips and Noah was so tempted to kiss them but just then, Judith, too stirred and woke up.
"Daddy?" His daughter's light, soft voice brought a smile to Noah's face and he brought a hand up to touch her warm cheek.
"Hey, baby, had a nice nap?"
Kurt was aware that the question could very well have been directed at him so he smirked up at Noah, his eyes twinkling. Judith shifted and then sat up, yawning before she realized she was still sitting on Kurt's lap. Her eyes widened as her head turned and her little mouth dropped open in an 'o' of surprise.
Kurt chuckled and hugged her. "Feeling okay, sweetie?"
Judith nodded, "Uh-huh, I fell asleep."
Noah smiled, stood and lifted her up onto his hip, nuzzling his nose into her neck and making her giggle. "Didn't you know you were using Mr. Kurt as a big pillow?"
Judith rested her head on his shoulder but peered at Kurt shyly. She smiled as she said, "No, but he's not soft like a pillow."
Kurt pretended to pout and then he laughed, the sound causing both Sarah and Rachel to stir. Sarah sat up when she saw Noah standing there with Judith and she looked over at Kurt with a smile.
"Wow, I can't remember the last time I fell asleep so soon after eating. That dinner was great, Kurt."
Kurt smiled at her as he stretched before standing. "Thank you, hon, but I better go and rescue dessert from Finn and my dad," he said before slipping around Noah. He leaned up to press a soft kiss to Noah's cheek and then he headed towards the kitchen.
Rachel stirred, too, but remained seated, looking up at the Puckermans and thinking about her conversation with Kurt. She felt a bit ashamed at the way she and Finn had reacted and as she watched Puck with his daughter on his hip and his sister beside him, she realized she may have been a little unfair in her reaction.
Noah's gaze landed on Rachel and he could almost read the thoughts going through her head. He smiled at her, feeling generous and said, "Doing okay, Rachel?"
She smiled a trifle sheepishly but she nodded, lifted her chin and said, "I want to congratulate you, Noah; I can see how much you love Kurt."
Sarah looked between the two even as she rubbed a hand gently up and down Judith's back. She had a feeling that more needed to be said between her brother and his friend so she reached for Judith and transferred her to her hip. She excused them and headed into the family room, hearing Noah talking as she left.
"I know what you and Finn think but this is right for Kurt and me," he said now as he took the seat beside Rachel.
She looked at him, an apology in her eyes as she nodded. "I know, and I'm sorry for Finn and my reaction when we heard."
Noah could afford to be generous so he simply nodded. "I understand that you guys are just being protective, looking out for Kurt. He's a special guy and I feel really lucky that he picked me, y'know."
Rachel frowned slightly as she took in Noah's expression. "You were married before but you sound a tad insecure… Why?"
Noah looked down at his hands, pondered for a bit and then said, "All through high school I always felt as if I wasn't good enough. I acted out, especially after our dad left," he looked towards the family room where he could hear Sarah and Judith talking about which cartoon they wanted to watch.
He sighed and rubbed a hand at the back of his neck. "I don't think many people knew but I had a crush on Kurt back in our senior year." He chuckled as Rachel's eyes widened. "Yeah, me, the badass sex-shark, crushing on the gay kid."
Rachel looked as if she wanted to say something but couldn't get the words out and he continued. "I hated that I didn't step up back then and say anything. By then he was serious about Blaine so I'd lost my chance."
There was silence for a bit and then he started again. "I got into a lot of stuff – some good – when I went to college. The best thing to come out of a bad situation, though, was Judith. Her mom and me, we weren't 'in love', it was just something we kinda fell into."
Rachel nodded sympathetically but didn't say anything. This was a side to Noah she had had no idea existed and she wasn't going to run the risk of saying anything and have him clam up.
Noah sighed but a slight smile came over his face as he reminisced over the last three months. "When I came here, I had no idea Judith would have been placed in Kurt's class. You know I kept in touch a bit with Finn, of course." When she nodded he went on. "Well, there he was, as bright and beautiful as ever and I just… couldn't help it, I guess. I fell in love."
Rachel's eyes prickled and she sniffed even as she smiled at him. She leaned forward and placed a warm hand on his. "That is so … romantic, Noah. Thanks for telling me."
He nodded, unable to say anything himself but he was rescued when Finn came lumbering in with a plate on which he had what appeared to be half of a pie.
"Mmmf, shish ish show goof, mmph," he mumbled around a forkful of the pumpkin pie filling, crumbs falling as he tried to speak. Rachel rolled her eyes, patted Noah's hand and got up to head to the kitchen.
"Really, Finn!" She muttered as she passed him, rolling her eyes again quite pointedly.
"What?!" Finn looked after her, looked down at his plate and then over at Noah who was grinning at him. "What?"
Burt passed through to head up the stairs, saw Finn with his cheeks puffed with food and shook his head. "I'm going to get Carole; Kurt's dishing up dessert now," and he headed up.
Noah got up; he'd been without Kurt for far too long already and passed Finn who was still looking slightly confused. He grinned at the lumbering man and clapped him on the shoulder as he headed into the kitchen.
Inside, Kurt was presiding over pie plates, forks and at least three different pies. He looked up and smiled at Noah, a special little glint in his eye that made parts of Noah twitch as he returned the look.
"Come for some dessert, sweetie?" Kurt's question was innocuous on the surface but when Sarah looked up and smirked, Noah couldn't help but laugh.
Noah sauntered up to Kurt and to his daughter's delight and the whoops of his sister and Rachel, proceeded to plant a swift, hard kiss on Kurt's curving lips… just in time for Burt and Carole to enter and catch him at it.
"Ho, no, none of that, boyo," Burt's voice boomed, startling the lovers and Kurt threw his head back and laughed. Carole lightly whapped Burt on the arm but she beamed at Noah and Kurt, every romantic bone in her happy with the picture the two younger men made.
Leave it to Carole, though, to ask the question that had been on everyone's mind but no one had thought to ask.
"So, boys, when's the wedding?"
.
TBC
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