The Storm: Safe Harbor
Chapter Eighty-Two - Epilogue
By Gayforkurt
Summary: COMPLETE. Kurt and Dave have come to terms with the past but can they battle the envy and jealousy of others to make a future for themselves? This is rated M.
A/N 1: To all those of you who wrote reviews or PMs and also to the readers who for whatever reason didn't but read every instalment of my little saga, thank you! I've never before written anything this complex and I was surprised and pleased at your response to this AU that gave Kurt and Dave a future we would never see on air. I have to comment, though, that I am not a fan of Kurt as a victim and I absolutely hate rape stories and those with explicit violence so I will warn you all now – you'll never see any of that in my fiction. For the most part it was a great pleasure to read your comments and insights and I promise that I will not wait too long before a sequel is in the works. LLAP!
Disclaimer: Messrs. Murphy, Falchuk, et al are the owners of my favourite boys. Only the OCs and situations belong to me, alas.
The ovation David and Kurt received as they stepped into the dancing pavilion was loud and long. Kurt flushed but smiled happily, his hand grasped in David's and the two moved to the front of the crowd to take their seats. Waiters bustled around serving more champagne although how people had room for more after that awe-inspiring dinner was anyone's guess.
Kurt sipped the cool wine, however, as he gazed around in open admiration of the tent's décor, grinning at David and pointing out various things around the space. His attention turned then to his best friend, resplendent in her colourful gown as she went up to the big band leader and held a whispered conversation.
Mercedes, who had been conferring with the band leader whom she had only previously spoken to over the phone, nodded now and turned to look at the now-seated gathering, her face shining with happiness.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my greatest pleasure to sing this song for Kurt and David's first dance. Come on, guys, get out here!"
Laughter wafted around the huge tent and David rose with Kurt following somewhat reluctantly. Mercedes had not told them what song it was going to be but he didn't trust her not to choose something overly sentimental.
As the opening bars sounded, he grinned and rolled his eyes before moving into David's arms. His husband had removed his jacket, claiming the food had heated him up too much and now he was sexy as ever in his ivory shirt, vest and ascot. The snug, dark tuxedo pants hugged him in all the right places and Kurt couldn't help but be proud of his handsome husband.
Dave smiled at Kurt's admiring gaze on him and he leaned down to drop a little kiss on the tip of his nose, ignoring the sound of some of the women going "aaaw!" Kurt looked absolutely stunning tonight and the gold collar and cuffs caught the light with every movement, competing unsuccessfully with the glitter in his beautiful blue-green eyes.
They started to move to the music and they turned to smile at Mercedes who began the famous song.
At last,
My love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
Oh yeah yeah, at last
The skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clover
The night I looked at you
And I found a dream that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known
Oh yeah yeah, and you smile, you smile
Oh, and then the spell was cast
And here we are in Heaven
For you are mine... at last
Kurt sighed and smiled dreamily, his head resting on David's broad chest as they moved to the slow, amazingly romantic music. They pulled apart as the song came to an end but stood there as their guests applauded them, piercing whistles coming from some of the guys in the back who Kurt suspected had had a bit too much to drink already.
The couple smiled and waved at the crowd before turning to nod their thanks to Mercedes and the band. The ensemble segued immediately into another famous love song, this time sung by the band's trio of vocalists.
There was a loud rustle as couples rose and surged to the floor, moving into each other's arms and surrounding the laughing newlyweds. Mercedes came down and grabbed a random guy's hand, tugging him to hold her as she grinned over at Kurt. Burt and Carole as well as Rachel and Finn, too, were on the dance floor and Kurt sighed happily as he hummed along to what he thought of as THE most romantic song of all time.
Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love... I need your love
God speed your love to me!
Lonely rivers flow
To the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea
Lonely rivers sigh
"Wait for me, wait for me"
I'll be coming home, wait for me!
Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered, hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me!
As the song ended, everyone turned and heartily applauded the band's excellent rendition of an obviously well-loved standard and some of the gathering moved back to their tables while most of the couples remained, swaying already to the next tune. One after the other, the band regaled the revelers with well-known songs from across the decades including Kenny Rogers' You are so beautiful; a favourite of Kurt's, Savage Gardens' Truly, Madly, Deeply; True by Spandau Ballet; Forever and Always by Shania Twain; Lionel Ritchie's Penny Lover and Dido's Thank You.
In between breaks for drinks – and sometimes Kurt simply wanted water – the partiers milled around and chatted, many of the women coming over to Kurt and David to admire their fabulous rings as well as Kurt's wedding jewellery. The grooms were ecstatic that everything was going so well and Kurt, in a lull between visitors to their table, leaned over and murmured to David how much he'd enjoyed the wedding feast.
The caterers that Monica and the Johars had found had outdone themselves in his opinion as they had dined on cuisine from all over the world. Kurt's favourite for the evening were the Indian dishes – both the vegetarian ones and non-vegetarian – and Dave obviously enjoyed the Caribbean fare. Kurt had waved to Petal at one point, pointing to the Jerk Chicken piled on David's plate and had laughed when she'd blown him a kiss.
During the courses, both he and David had walked around to thank the guests for coming and sharing in their happiest day. Kurt had received a huge hug from both Mrs. L and Eddy and he'd flushed as Dana had pulled him into her own hug. Rex and his partner were there, too, seated at the same table with the Casellis and the Schuesters and Cora Caselli had teased him about getting David to add Hummel to his name.
There was much head-nodding as he'd explained how David had surprised him with that.
"That was a twist I really hadn't seen coming," Kurt had laughed as he recalled when David had first brought it up. He remembered how tears had come to his eyes as his fiancé had explained that it was one more way to feel as if he and Kurt would be joined forever, to take his name as Kurt was taking his.
The guests had seemed to appreciate such a profound gesture and during the speeches at the end of dinner, both Noah and Mercedes had made much of it, pronouncing their names separately to much laughter.
Mercedes had grinned down at them at the end of her speech and, raising her glass, had turned to the gathering.
"So, now, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast to David Hummel Karofsky and Kurt Hummel Karofsky on this, their most special day. David, Kurt, as a famous man once said, 'Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction.' Be well, be happy and as Reverend Jean told you, never go to bed angry. I love you both. Salud!"
The crowd yelled, "Salud!" and everyone sipped from their champagne glasses. When it was Noah's turn, Kurt briefly dropped his head into his hand and then looked up back, laughing at the mischievous look on the other man's face. "Oy, keep it clean!"
Everyone burst out laughing as Puck shook his head at him. He reached for a folded piece of paper he'd had in his hand and then sobered, looking out at the crowd.
"Kurt, David, I have watched your relationship from the start and if there is one thing I know about you both it's that you are both very passionate people. There is nothing fainthearted about you guys and so your love is nothing fainthearted, either. I found these words by Khalil Gibran..." and he paused as he quirked an eyebrow at Kurt's surprised look but continued: "...words that to me perfectly sum up what your love and marriage will be like." He cleared his throat and in the intense silence, he began reading:
"But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise on your lips."
He smiled at the stunned couple and then out at the gathering. "Please, join me in toasting two of the best people I know... To Kurt and David!"
"To Kurt and David!" The champagne was quaffed and when the glasses were set down, the assemblage broke into applause. Kurt smiled mistily at Noah; trust him to surprise them all, he thought. He tightened his arms around Noah as he hugged him, releasing him to move on to David and the two exchanged quiet words that Kurt couldn't hear.
After that Kurt was happy to hear Mercedes announce that they would proceed to the cutting of the huge, beautiful wedding cake that Eddy had made for him, uhm, them. He clapped his hands as he and Dave stood behind the towering work of art, his eyes running all up and down the tiers. Eddy had really outdone herself as the cake, in the traditional white, was embellished with gold leaf in the same design on Kurt's jacket. Kurt could see many people taking out their phones or cameras to take pictures of the luscious creation and he laughed as he whispered to David: "I think I'm being upstaged by my own wedding cake!"
Well, the cake-cutting ceremony went well but Kurt was only interested in getting that first piece in his mouth, grinning around his mouthful that David had fed him. He in turn fed David a small enough piece of the incredibly rich, wine-flavoured confection and after swallowing that first bite, he surged forward to plant a sweet kiss on David's lips.
There were cheers and applause before the servers moved forward to start cutting up the cake, Mercedes also announcing that the groom's cakes were rather special themselves and encouraging everyone to try all three cakes.
Kurt had declared to his dad that his wedding was not an occasion for him to overindulge and Carole, nodding in agreement, asked for the smallest slice of each of the three cakes to give to Burt.
The children had a ball as, apart from the wedding cakes, there was a dessert table, the centerpiece of which was a fantastic array of assorted mini cupcakes. Sean was able to get a small bowl of ice cream as well, and managed to get quite a bit of it on himself. Thankfully his mom had come armed with baby wipes that took care of the mess so that his cute little Nehru jacket wasn't irrevocably spoiled.
Kurt, at one point during the dessert stage, was able to walk around with Lije, a situation that prompted many a sly comment about when he would get his own. Kurt had laughed happily and ignored most of the comments but when Cora Caselli pulled him down to sit in the temporarily vacant seat beside her, Kurt had to listen.
"Mio bello, you were made to be a father, yes? I see it when you look at the bambino. We will see your children soon, I believe." She smiled softly at the blushing bridegroom as he ducked his head to nuzzle against Lije's soft cheek.
"David and I haven't discussed anything in-depth but, yes, we want children – and soon." He smiled as the elderly woman patted his cheek and he excused himself to continue greeting his guests. Her husband, returning then to the table, leaned forward and asked, "What about your honeymoon, will we see you in Italy?"
Kurt laughed aloud but shook his head, explaining: "David refuses to tell me where we are going, only that we'll be on his yacht, the Duende, for nearly two months. He calls it a 'world trip'."
The Casellis nodded in approval, Cora patting Kurt's hand as she smiled nostalgically. "Ohhh, that is so romantic, my dear! If it's not too much out of your way, come and visit us, yes?"
Kurt nodded and promised her that he would definitely insist and Gianni Caselli made him blush as he added: "Your husband will not be able to resist you, believe me!"
Kurt, rising with Lije whose head was nodding towards his shoulder, smiled at the two old romantics, laughing as he excused himself.
He stopped by Sam and Ian, hugging the blond one-armed as he shifted Lije to his hip. Kurt was happy to see that Ian, although his face was forever serious, his eyes seemed somehow to be less shadowed. The agent actually smiled – a tiny one, though – when Kurt looked at him and nodded.
The dining pavilion was ablaze with light and redolent with the scent of the delicious food and he made sure to go over to Monica and the Johars and thank them for making his dream come true. The women were beautiful in their outfits and Kurt was glad that Monica was wearing their gift to her. Call him old-fashioned but every woman should own at least one strand of pearls, he thought as he waved goodbye to the women and moved on to the next table of guests.
Dave had been doing his rounds too and he laughed heartily as Marty Getrick rose and slapped him on the back, congratulating him on his gorgeous husband. Dave had moved on to the jeweller, Darius Mahjid who was also in attendance with his family and then made short work of his rounds to go back to his table, joining a softly smiling Kurt who had waved to Lije as he had been returned to his mother's arms, a little sleepy but not cranky.
Kurt had smiled at David, such a look of contentment on his face and they all continued to enjoy the good food and the music they could hear from the orchestra outside.
Now as he swayed once again in David's arms, Kurt sighed happily. The music, the food they'd had, the expensive champagne and the presence of all his family and closest friends – everything served to lull him into a dreamy state where all the fairytales he'd read as a child or had had read to him seemed to be coming true right before his eyes.
The band's crooner was doing a beautiful job with another old standard and Kurt's heart swelled as he listened, occasionally glancing up at his husband's face. It almost felt as if they were in a little bubble of their own and softly he began to sing along.
You ask how much I need you, must I explain?
I need you, oh my darling, like roses need rain.
You ask how long I'll love you; I'll tell you true:
Until the twelfth of never, I'll still be loving you.
Hold me close, never let me go.
Hold me close, melt my heart like April snow.
I'll love you till the bluebells forget to bloom;
I'll love you till the clover has lost it's perfume.
I'll love you till the poets run out of rhyme,
Until the twelfth of never and that's a long, long time.
Hold me close, never let me go.
Hold me close, melt my heart like April snow.
I'll love you till the bluebells forget to bloom;
I'll love you till the clover has lost it's perfume.
I'll love you till the poets run out of rhyme,
Until the twelfth of never and that's a long, long time.
Until the twelfth of never and that's a long, long time.
He looked up at David who smiled at him and tightened his arms around Kurt's waist. Kurt realised then that here in his arms was his very own prince. David wasn't a perfect person, neither was he, but he was perfect for him. Just as the song said, too, he knew they'd be together for a long, long time.
He moved his hand to stroke up David's chest and his eyes softened as they landed on his ring, remembering the engraving that David had chosen.
He had no doubt that the words, although they were ancient, spoke to David's feelings for him and he smiled now as he recited the words just loudly enough for his husband to hear: 'Many stars I see, but no star like thee.'
David glanced down into the beautiful face turned up to his and he did what any sensible man would do: he kissed him.
.
THE END … Maybe
.
A/N 2: The songs were, of course, 'At Last', made famous by the late Etta James; 'Unchained Melody' by the Righteous Brothers and Johnny Matthis' 'Twelfth of Never'. Once again, thank you all for joining me. A presto!