A/n: One, I apologize for not updating in a while. I had no ideas for this fic but 'Furt' gave me something that I desperately wanted to fix so here I am.
Two, Since the writers are screwing up the wemma story line anyway I've decided to take things into my own hands for this 'What If' scenario. Just for the sake of this fic I'm going to pretend like the whole Terri thing in The Substitute did NOT happen. Wemma doesn't need any more stupid drama keeping them apart!
Will watched proudly as Finn stood on the dance floor, giving his best man speech. It warmed Will's heart to hear Finn admiring his mother and then even more so, admiring Kurt.
Will always sensed some tension between the two boys, Finn was always too worried about his reputation and Kurt was too overbearing and open with his obvious feelings for Finn and that automatically caused them to clash. It seemed though that Finn finally grasped the concept of true brotherhood and friendship now that the Hummels and Hudsons were officially a family.
He couldn't help but smile as Finn tried to drag Kurt on the dance floor and then went to meet the other guys. Will knew something about Finn's planned performance although it was kept hush hush because they didn't want Kurt finding out about it.
The music started and the melody sounded oddly familiar to Will's ears yet he couldn't quite place where he had heard it before. Then as Finn began to sing the first verse Will finally remembered that he had heard it on the radio and the first time he heard it his mind drifted to the one person he was thinking of right at that moment:
Emma.
The lyrics to the song expressed what he was dying to say to Emma for a very long time. She was amazing, perfect just the way she was and he loved her for just the way she was. He may not have made it seem that way with all he had done in the last few months but it was the truth.
He was glad that Carl was helping Emma but not because Will thought she should change and break her habits. He wanted her to break her habits because he thought she wanted to break her habits and Will would do anything to make Emma happy. He only wished that his actions didn't disprove what his heart wanted to tell her but unfortunately he had a horribly bad habit of doing that as of late which is why he was sitting there alone without Emma.
But Will missed her terribly. He'd been avoiding her the last few weeks, trying to keep to his word that he would back off and he knew that just being around Emma would cause him to do something he would regret and probably push Emma further towards Carl so he kept his distance, trying to gain back his sanity.
The only time he had talked to her since that day he made his promise was to ask if she was going to the Hummel/Hudson wedding. She had been invited but she regretfully informed him that her sister was coming up to Lima that weekend and couldn't make the wedding.
Where he was disappointed that Emma would not be coming to the wedding he was also relieved. He didn't know if he could handle seeing Emma in a beautiful dress at a wedding possibly being accompanied by him. If Emma came alone he would not be able to take his eyes off of her and he'd probably jeopardize everything by asking her to dance and acting on his overwhelming feelings for her causing an even bigger rift between them. If that over charming dentist accompanied her then his heart would be in a million pieces by the end of the night as he watched the happy couple dance, smile and laugh together.
He hated being alone, which is probably why he'd done all he has, but he also hated the ache in his chest whenever Emma and Carl had a moment around him. At least if he was alone he wouldn't have Emma rubbing her happiness in his face. Not that she did it on purpose, Will was almost certain she wouldn't do that to him on purpose (Carl on the other hand was another story but he didn't even want to think about him) but it still hurt like hell.
Though his mind raced with thoughts of Emma his face lit up in a smile as he watched the glee girls join the boys on the dance floor. He certainly was glad the group got to perform somewhere other than at competitions or invitationals. Even though the club was not being paid for the event it was their first gig and the kids, and Will himself, were more than happy to be performing for the wedding. The other attendees at the wedding seemed very impressed when the kids, and Burt and Carole, came dancing down the aisle to 'Marry You' and perhaps if they were lucky enough they'd be able to score more gigs because of it.
Will grinned as Finn finally managed to pull Kurt onto the dance floor and the happiness on Kurt's face was undeniable as his new found brother and the rest of his friends danced around him. Will was beaming with paternal pride as he watched Finn grab onto Kurt and pull him into a dance, looking unabashedly into the other boy's eyes, singing his heart out.
The group spun into couples as Kurt and Finn both grabbed their respective parents and pulled them into the dance floor. Will's heart sunk slightly at the sight of all the happy couples dancing together and Emma's face flashed through his mind once again.
He let out a small sigh, happy for the newlyweds and all the other in-love couples that were on the dance floor but wallowing in his own self pity.
He suddenly felt a light touch to his shoulder and he tensed, thinking it was one of the many women who had been eyeing him all evening. He slowly turned around and his gaze focused on the hand on his shoulder and his breath caught in his chest. He'd know that hand anywhere, the small, pale hand that he had dreamed about holding for a long time. His eyes travelled up her arm, across the material of her sleeve, over her neck and finally landed on her face.
"Emma." He breathed her name and a smile lit her face.
"Hello Will." She greeted sweetly and his heart fluttered at the sound of her voice.
He blinked in shock and confusion, unable to tear his gaze away from her. "What are you-?"
He was unable to finish his question when she cut him off with a question of her own. "Do you want to dance?"
His eyebrows shot up and he gaped as words failed him. Her eyes twinkled in amusement as she strode around the chair, reaching for his hand and pulling him out of his seat and onto the dance floor.
The glee kids shared knowing looks as they parted the way for their teachers. Emma threaded her arms lightly around Will's neck pulling him closer to her as the kids continued their performance. She smiled at the look of shock that seemed permanently sewn onto his handsome features. A smile tugged at the corners of Will's lips and as he stared into Emma's eyes he looked for any sign that this was some crazy dream.
He managed to tear his gaze away from her to search the room. He looked for Carl, possibly standing off to the side waiting for Emma to finish her pity dance with him, but there was no trace of the dentist. His smile grew as he saw Finn catch his eye and give him a thumbs up before returning to Rachel.
Will let out a small sigh, still not to as to what was going on but incredibly grateful to have Emma in his arms. His hands bravely found their way to rest gently on Emma's waist and her grin encouraged him to let loose and enjoy the dance.
His hands grazed over her arms as he gently unlaced her hands from around his neck and guided her into a spin, her musical laughter making his heart soar. Emma fell back into his arms and his strong arm wrapped around her back as he led her across the dance floor, both of their faces lit up in a bright smile.
As the song came to an end Will found himself singing along with Finn's lead as he leaned in, pressing his lips almost to Emma's ear. "..and when you smile the whole world stops and stares for a while 'cause girl you're amazing just the way you are."
His body shuddered as Emma's breath ghosted across the skin of his neck and his eyes fluttered closed as he held her close as the music died around them. He inhaled the scent of her shampoo mixed with the unique smell that was Emma and sighed contentedly loving the feel of Emma being so close.
They were both suddenly startled by the applause of the crowd in the room and they pulled apart, both blushing heavily, smiling sheepishly and avoiding each other's gaze.
The glee kids started to dissipate away from the dance floor and with another awkward exchange of smiles and looks, Will and Emma went to follow. Burt and Carole, still wrapped up in each other's arms suddenly blocked their way and bride and groom shot a knowing look at the wide eyed Will. Will subtly glanced over his shoulder to where Kurt now stood on the stage in front of the microphone.
"At this point in time we'd like to ask all the lovely couples to stay out on the dance floor to join the bride and groom in a dance." Kurt informed the audience and the girls grabbed their reluctant boyfriends back onto the dance floor as many other couples rose from their seats and made their way to the dance floor.
Burt shot a discreet wink at Will as he slowly twirled Carole away from Will and Emma as the band behind Kurt started playing. Will swallowed over the lump in his throat and slowly glanced over to Emma, smiling shyly as he hesitantly out stretched his hand.
Emma stared at his open palm for a moment before a smile slowly formed on her lips and she tilted her head upwards to meet Will's eyes, slipping her smaller hand into his.
Will felt a spark rush through his palm, up his arm and down his spine as he gently pulled Emma against him. His free hand rested softly against her waist as her hand slid onto his shoulder and their eyes met in an intense look as Kurt started to sing the beginning lines of The Penguins' Earth Angel.
They slowly swayed in time to the music, keeping their eyes locked on one another until Emma blushed, smiling shyly turning her head to rest on Will's chest. Will's heart hammered against his chest, he was positive Emma could hear it. His eyes closed tightly as he buried his face into her hair, relishing in being so close to her knowing he may not have this opportunity ever again.
When he finally did open his eyes again, his gaze fell upon Burt and Carole who shared a sweet, quick kiss as they waltzed happily across the dance floor. A picture flashed through his mind of the vision in white being the woman in his arms and the man kissing his brand new wife being himself. His throat tightened and tears burned the back of his eyes at the thought that vision might never become a reality and the next wedding he would be painfully attending would be Carl and Emma's. He felt a quiet sob building in his throat but he chocked it back, letting out a shuddering breath and pulling Emma closer to him instead.
"So," He breathed out into her hair, "I, uh, I'm a little surprised to see you here, Em." He bit his tongue lightly. Was he still allowed to call her that? "I thought you couldn't make it."
He felt her smile against his chest. "My sister's flight was delayed until tomorrow. I wanted to come show my support for the Hummels and Hudsons."
"Better late than never." He chocked out in a chuckle and he licked his lips as he went on quietly, "And you're alone." He slammed his eyes shut for a second. Why was he such a moron? Did he really have to say that? He could have kept his damned mouth shut instead of bring up that stupid dentist.
To his surprise Emma giggled and lifted her head, her smile warming his heart. "I figured it was incredibly rude to bring a date to a wedding I was already late to."
His heart sank further and he forced a smile onto his face, nodding quietly. Emma bit her lip gently as her head sunk back onto his chest. "Besides," She whispered, bringing her hand up to rest on the opposite side of his chest, "I would have had no one to bring anyway."
Will's body froze and his step faltered momentarily before he quickly regained his balance. He swallowed hard, refusing to hope. "Carl's out of town?"
And then she said the best six words he'd heard in a very long time. "I'm not with Carl anymore, Will."
"You're not?" His voice squeaked and he cleared his throat, his heart suddenly beating in overtime. "What happened?"
Emma let out a slow breathe. "I was given time to think. After you promised you'd back off and you really stuck to that promise I also stepped away from Carl for a few days. Not being around either of you really forced me into thinking which quite honestly I haven't been doing lately. I - I thought about you, about us, about Carl and me and it helped, it really helped. I am always so afraid of my own feelings and I run from them instead of addressing them like an adult. I came to realize that I agreed to date Carl was because I was running away from my feelings...for you. It wasn't fair to Carl and it certainly wasn't fair to you. I led you on Will because deep down I hadn't let go of you and everyday I could see that it was slowly killing you. I've been on that side of the fence, I know how it feels to love someone that you think may never return that love."
She bravely lifted her head and met his misty eyes. Her hand rose from his chest and came to rest on the side of his face and his eyes fluttered briefly as he leaned into her touch. "You worked so hard to try and impress me Will."
Will sighed heavily and shook his head back and forth. "I'm so sorry for that Emma, I was stupid I-"
Her finger came to rest over his lips and her lips curled in a reassuring smile. "You didn't let me finish." She scolded lightly and his shoulders slumped sheepishly. "You backed off to let me be happy with Carl and I appreciate that and luckily for you..." Her arms slipped around his neck. "..it worked in your favor."
His eyebrow lifted in hopeful question and she tilted her head to the side, smiling warmly. "I just needed space, Will. Space and time and you gave it to me and that's what brought me back to you."
Will's eyebrows softened into a crease as he searched her eyes. He let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding and his heart continued to pound rapidly in his chest until finally a hopeful smile crossed his lips.
Emma's smile widened for a second but then dropped in seriousness which was followed soon after by Will. "I'd like to talk about what happened. I should have done that in the first place and I'm sorry for publicly embarrassing you. You may have deserved it," She smirked as guilt and shame pooled in Will's eyes, "but it was a private matter between you and I and I showed very little respect for our relationship by outing you like that."
"Emma, I-" He began but she shook her head to cut him off.
"There's no need to talk about it now. We have all the time in the world," she offered him a small smile, "Right now I just want to enjoy being with you."
Will's breath escaped his throat as a smile broke across his face. "I think I can live with that." He teased lightly.
Emma smiled brightly as she giggled quietly. "Good."
His heart fluttered at the look she was giving him. It was a look that he thought was long gone from her eyes and the one look he couldn't live without, the look of love.
He gazed back into her eyes lovingly and he occasionally caught himself drifting down towards her lips. He hadn't kissed her since June and he longed for the feeling of his lips pressed against hers but he wasn't about to ruin anything that had just begun again.
"Emma...?" Her name crossed his lips in a whisper.
"Yes." She whispered back firmly. It wasn't a question.
Will's heart leapt into his throat as he slowly leaned down and very softly brushed his lips against hers. Emma took the initiative, tightened her grip around Will's neck and leaned further into his mouth, smiling into the kiss.
They both wore matching grins as the kiss broke seconds later and Will's lips brushed against hers once more before he lifted his head to kiss her forehead and then guided her head down to rest on his chest. Emma's arms slipped down his back and held him tightly as she grinned, snuggling into his chest. Will held her tightly around the waist making sure that she would never escape from him again. He nuzzled his nose against her cheek lightly as they swayed quietly in time to Kurt's smooth vocals.
I'm just a fool, a fool in love with you.