Chapter 24 A Quick Wedding
"Ooh, this one looks gorgeous! I love it!" said Quinn, holding up a magazine as they sat at the kitchen table in the Hudson Brownstone. Everyone was off at classes, except for Mercedes and Santana, who had the day off. Puck and Quinn were moved in next door but were over almost everyday.
"Yes, I do too!' said Mercedes as she bounced Reagan on her knee. Puck was playing with William and Beth on the play mat on the floor in the living room.
"I'm telling ya, Q," started Santana, "just go down to David's Bridal. You're having a quickie wedding anyways."
"Hey, it's not like we're getting married by the justice of the peace," Quinn replied.
"But Puck's going to Texas for boot camp, so who's going to marry you?" Mercedes asked.
"We found a rabbi and minister who will dual-marry us," said Quinn. "So it will be small and in Central Park with you guys and whoever else can make it."
"Sounds like a plan to me," said Mercedes. Just then, the door opened and Noelle and Josh walked in.
"Hey guys, we're back!" said Noelle. "Ooh, wedding dresses!" She rushed over to the table excitedly as Josh rolled his eyes, taking Reagan from Mercedes and joining Puck in the living room.
"Women," scoffed Josh as he laid Reagan down on the play mat.
"That's all I've been listening to all morning dude," Puck replied. "Quinn's got her heart set on finding the right dress. I'm wearing my tux."
"Are you nervous about Boot Camp?" Josh asked.
"A little bit, but I think I'll managed," Puck replied. "Speaking of which, what about you? How's Pace? Do you think you did the right thing by not signing with Syracuse?"
"Yeah, it's not as stressful as I would be juggling college classes and traveling with the team all the time," Josh replied. "Hey, I got three free guest tickets for the next taping of Inside The Actor's Studio on Friday. Do you and Quinn want to join me and Noelle?"
"Sure, who's the guest?" asked Puck.
"Hugh Jackman," grinned Josh. Puck's jaw dropped.
"Oh my god, are you serious?" Puck asked. "Well of course I want to go then! It's frickin' Wolverine!"
"I had a feeling you'd say that," grinned Josh.
"That was awesome!' said Puck as he, Josh, Noelle, and Quinn walked out of the Arts Center at Pace.
"I still can't believe Hugh Jackman had you do a push-up challenge with him!" said Noelle flabbergasted, who was watching the whole video she had secretly recorded on her phone. "Finn's going to be jealous. At least he was nice enough to give us all autographs for the others."
"Thanks for getting us in, Josh," Puck continued.
"No problem," Josh replied. "Whenever one of these things tapes, I take whoever can go. Usually it's Noelle, Rachel and Finn, but I figured you guys needed to get the full experience. Quinn, you should look into coming here to Pace if you want to go back to school."
"I love the campus, it's like, better than Yale's," said Quinn.
"Josh, can I speak to you for a moment?" a voice called. The group turned to see James Lipton himself standing behind them.
"Oh sure thing sir," said Josh. "Oh, Professor Lipton, these are our friends Noah Puckerman and his fiancee Quinn Fabray."
"Thanks for the amazing opportunity tonight, Sir," said Quinn shaking his hand. "I was studying drama at Yale but we moved here because I just wasn't happy there. And then we found out we were expecting Baby number two here. I do have to say I love Pace's campus. I'm contemplating transferring my Yale credits here."
"Well congratulations," said James as he shook her and Puck's hand. He handed Quinn as business card. "If you decide to apply here, feel free to give me a call."
"Well thank you!" said Quinn, flabbergasted. "I might go home and do that right now actually."
"Give me a call Monday and we'll talk," said James. "Josh, I just wanted to give you your essay back. You rushed out so quickly yesterday before I could get it to you."
"Sorry, that was my fault," Puck interjected. "He was meeting myself and Finn for tux fittings. Quinn and I are getting married next week."
"That's quite alright. Congratulations. My best to you," said James. "Josh, your essay on Shakespearean Times was the best I've ever read. Well done."
"Thank you very much Sir," said Josh. " Have a good weekend. See you Monday."
The group headed for the subway and caught the train back to Bleeker St. They got off at their station and headed up to the street. They walked over the brownstone and up the steps.
"Hi, we're back!" called Noelle, poking her head in the living room. Mercedes, Santana, and Rachel were sitting on the floor with Beth and the twins while Finn was going over some sheet music with Kurt for his NYADA class.
"Hi guys," said Rachel. "How was the show?"
"It was awesome!" said Puck. "We got you guys Hugh Jackman's autograph!"
"Sweet!" said Finn as Puck handed him an autographed 8x10 photo.
"And what was even cooler is that Hugh Jackman saw us sitting in the front row and saw how buff Puck looked and was like, "Hey, this dude's pretty buff. I bet you can do a few push-ups. I'll take you on right now! So Puck and Hugh Jackman had a push-up challenge. I taped the whole thing!" Noelle pulled her phone out and synced it to the big screen and played the video for the group.
"Holy crap!" said Finn as he watched Puck and Hugh Jackman doing push-ups on stage. In the end, Puck was the victor to the cheers and applause of the crowd.
"Wow," said Rachel. "I'm impressed.." Puck flexed his muscles as Quinn giggled.
"These bad boys are da bomb!" said Puck, kissing his biceps. Noelle rolled her eyes.
"Hey, is so everything finalized then, Quinn?" Rachel asked.
"Yep," said Quinn. "Friday at Central Park at 4:30. Our moms are flying in Thursday with Sarah."
"Awesome," said Rachel. "Mr. Schue said that he and Emma flying out that day too. I don't know if anyone else is coming with them."
"Well, whoever, we'll have more than enough room and food," said Puck. "Okay Monkey Face, it's getting late, time to get you into bed."
"Aw but Daddy," whined Beth.
"We can come back in the morning for breakfast and you can play with William and Reagan then," said Quinn firmly. "Say goodnight to your aunts and uncles.
"Alright," Beth humphed as she hugged and kissed everyone.
"Ugh, these terrible twos should be really called the terrible threes," said Quinn as she put Beth's coat on her.
"Goodnight Munchkin, love you," said Noelle, kissing the top of her head. "Sweet dreams."
"Night Auntie Noey," said Beth, grumpily. Puck and Quinn said goodbye to the others and headed outside to go next door.
"Hey you guys, I have something I want to share with you," said Noelle. "It's a surprise for Puck and Quinn at their wedding."
"What is it?" asked Rachel.
"Well, you can't tell them but..."
Finn and Rachel stood in the baggage claim of LaGuardia airport on Thursday with Puck and Quinn, waiting for Will, Emma, Judy. The Hummels, Ruth, Sarah and to Quinn's shock when she had talked to Will, all of the New Directions and Coach Sylvester and Coach Bieste. Turns out that Will had told Figgins about the wedding and he agreed to let everyone have Thursday and Friday off to fly out for the wedding.
"There they are!" said Rachel excitedly as she caught a glimpse of the group and waved excitedly.
"Yaye! You made it!" said Quinn, hugging Will and Emma, followed by her mother.
"We wouldn't miss this for the world, you two," said Emma, as she hugged Puck.
"Where is everyone else?" Will asked Finn.
"Back at our brownstone with the kids," said Finn. "Anyways, we have plenty of room for everyone at the brownstones for you guys. Beds and floors." Will laughed.
"Sounds good," said Will. "Let's have a wedding!"
"Yeah!" said Tina, who had just finished hugging Quinn. "I can't wait to see your dress!"
"Me either," said Brittney, linking her arm with Rachel's. "Hey, I don't suppose Mike's coming?"
"He said he was flying in tonight," said Tina.
"The whole gang back together, this is great!" said Rachel excitedly.
The group of guests were settling into the two brownstones. Mike(who had arrived a few hours after the Ohio group), Blaine, Brittney, Sam, and the Hummels stayed in the Hudson brownstone while the other New Directions, Will, Emma, Judy, Ruth and Sarah were bunked up in Quinn and Puck's. The group met up outside and headed out to dinner.
"A toast!" said Finn as they all sat at the table, celebrating the bride and groom to be.
"Hey, the toast is tomorrow," teased Santana as she bounced William on her knee, earning a laugh from everyone.
"Now, now Santana, I'm sure Finn has a few things he wants to say now before it's too late and he forgets," laughed Kurt as he bounced Reagan.
"Seriously." said Finn. "Puck, you and Quinn are my best friends. If it was going to happen to anyone else, I'm glad it's you guys."
"Hey, I resent that," said Noelle, who crossed her arms across her chest in a huff, her engagement ring flashing in the light. Everyone else laughed.
"You're my baby sister, that's different," teased Finn. "I can't threaten Puck about Quinn like I can threaten Josh about you." Everyone else roared with laughter again as Josh's ear turned beet red.
"Puck, Quinn, here's to you and your spawn," said Finn with a tease and everyone laughed again as glasses were raised in the air.
"To Puck and Quinn!" everyone said, clinking their glasses.
"Puck, Quinn, I have a present for you," said Noelle, reaching into her purse, earning a dirty look from Josh. "Well, WE have a present for you, even though I paid for it from my salary advance from Wicked. I was gonna give it to you tomorrow, but I'd rather get this done and out of the way." She handed them an envelope.
"Josh and I wanted to make sure you guys had a decent honeymoon before Puck goes off to Texas for Boot Camp. And you're way past conceiving the honeymoon baby, so we decided to include Beth." Quinn gasped as she opened the envelope. Inside were three round-trip plane tickets to Orlando and a four day pass for Disney World and a Three Day Pass for Universal Studios.
"Oh my god! Noelle! Thank you!" said Quinn, hugging Noelle. "This is great! Beth, look what Aunt Noelle and Uncle Josh got us! We're going to Disney World and going to see Hogwarts!"
"Really? Tank yew Aunty Noey!" said Beth, hugging Noelle. "Tank yew Unca Josh!" Josh smiled and hugged and kissed her head.
"You're welcome, kiddo," said Josh.
"Awesome!" said Puck, hugging Noelle and Josh. "Wow! This is great!"
"Hey, you know what this calls for?" Finn asked, eying a drum set and a guitar in the corner on a stage.
"Oh not a song," muttered Santana as Finn motioned to Puck. As Puck and Finn started to play the familiar Beastie Boys song, everyone in the restaurant cheered and laughed as the boys started to sing. Quinn rolled her eyes and covered Beth's ears as everyone got up and danced and sang along.
Finn:
KICK IT!
You wake up late for school - man you don't wanna go
Puck (With New Directions, Alumni, and Restaurant Occupants):
You ask your mom, "Please?" - but she still says, ("No!")
You missed two classes - and no (homework)
Finn (With New Directions, Alumni, and Restaurant Occupants):
But your teacher preaches class like you're some kind of (jerk)
Finn and Puck with New Directions, Alumni, and Restaurant Occupants:
You gotta fight for your right to party
Finn (New Directions, Alumni, and Restaurant Occupants):
You pop caught you smoking - and he said, ("No way!")
Puck:
That hypocrite - smokes two packs a day
Finn:
Man, living at home is such a drag
Puck:
Now your mom threw away your best porno mag (Finn: Busted!)
Ruth looked shocked and appalled and Rachel and Quinn laughed.
Finn and Puck with New Directions, Alumni, and Restaurant Occupants:
You gotta fight for your right to party
You gotta fight
Finn:
Don't step out of this house if that's the clothes you're gonna wear
Puck (With New Directions, Alumni, and Restaurant Occupants):
I'll kick you out of my home if you don't (cut that hair) (Uh!)
Your mom busted in and said, ("What's that noise?")
Finn:
Aw, mom you're just jealous - it's the
Puck:
Beas-
Finn:
tie
Puck:
Boys!
Finn and Puck with New Directions, Alumni, and Restaurant Occupants:
You gotta fight for your right to party
You gotta fight for your right to party
Party
Party
New Directions, Alumni, and Restaurant Occupants:
Party! (Puck: Woo!) (Finn: Fight for your right!)
Everyone in the restaurant clapped and cheered as Puck and Finn high-fived.
"You ready for this, Mrs. Puckerman?" Puck whispered in Quinn's ear as she stood in front of the full-length mirror, smoothing out her wedding gown.
"You bet I am, Mr. Puckerman," Quinn turned and smiled at him, kissing him gently. Puck rested his hand against her small baby bump, kissing it gently.
"I love you," said Puck.
"I love you too," said Quinn. Puck held his arm out to her.
"Shall we?" Puck asked.
"We shall," said Quinn, taking his arm and grabbing her bouquet and purse. The two walked out of the bedroom and downstairs to the group that was waiting for them. Everyone clapped and cheered as they walked downstairs.
"Momma pretty!" said Beth, who was standing with Noelle in her flower girl dress, holding a basket of petals.
"Aw, thanks Baby girl," said Quinn, kissing her. "You look beautiful too."
"Ready?" Noelle asked.
"Yup," said Quinn. Finn and Rachel had rented four limos to transport everyone over to the park. Everyone was dressed up to the nines, with Rachel, Noelle, Santana, Brittney, and Mercedes wearing lavender bridesmaids dresses. Finn, Josh, Kurt, Mike, and Sam looked dapper in their suits, a white rose pinned to their lapels. Burt and Will(who would joint give away Quinn), Quinn, Beth, and the bridesmaids piled in one limo, Puck and the groomsmen in another, while the rest of the group divided amongst the other two limos. Carole, Judy, Ruth, Sarah, the twins, and the younger New Directions headed off first, followed by the guys, and then the girls Burt and Will followed in the last limo.
The limos arrived in Central Park at Cherry Hill, and the group minus Quinn, Burt, and Will, walked over near the Bow Bridge. Rachel and Finn smiled, remembering when they had come here during Nationals on a date, enjoying the view and carving their initials in the bridge. Everyone except for the bridesmaids and Beth stood in a small circle around the rabbi and minister, who were standing under a beautiful oak tree. Noelle motioned to Beth and she spread her petals in a trail to the group, spreading some more in the middle of the circle. The girls followed Beth up to the group and as Will and Burt came into view with Quinn, Noelle started to sing. Sam was playing a guitar.
Noelle: Love me tender, love me sweet
Never let me go
You have made my life complete
And I love you so
Love me tender, love me true
All my dreams fulfill
For my darling I love you
And I always will
Noelle: (New Directions and Alumni):Love me tender, love me dear (Ooh)
Tell me you are mine (Ooh)
I'll be your's through all the years (Ooh)
'Til the end of time (Ooh)
Love me tender, love me true (Ooh)
All my dreams fulfill(Ooh)
For my darling I love you(Ooh)
And I always will(Ooh)
Noelle: Love me tender, love me true
All my dreams fulfill
For my darling I love you
And I always will
Always will
Quinn grinned as she, Burt and Will reached the group and Will placed her hand in Puck's, a sign of his blessing. He clapped Puck on the back, as did Burt, and Burt joined Carole, while Will stood next to them with Emma.
"Before we begin the traditional part of the ceremony, Noah has asked Rabbi Pinkston to give his blessing of the marriage," said the minister. Rabbi Pinkston nodded and spoke.
"Since the majority of you here do not speak Hebrew, I will say the blessing twice, once in English, and once in Hebrew. Blessed are you who have come here at this extraordinary moment in your lives."" He chanted this in Hebrew.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to join Noah and Quinn in the most wonderful weather to join them together as man and wife. Out of two different and distinct traditions, Noah and Quinn have come together to learn and share the best of each; appreciating their differences but confirming that being together is far, far better than being apart from one other. As we celebrate this marriage under this oak tree, or the chuppah, they will soon light the Unity Candle, the Christian symbol of two people becoming one in this celebration of matrimony. If anyone here objects to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace."
No one objected and the minister nodded.
"Who gives this woman to this man?" he continued.
"I do," said Will.
"As do I," added Burt.
"Do you, Noah, take Quinn, to be your lawful wedded wife? To have and to hold, to love and cherish, for in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"I do," replied Puck with a smile.
"And do you, Quinn, take Noah to be your lawful wedded husband? And do all the stuff I just said?" Everyone laughed.
"I do," replied Quinn. The minister nodded and spoke.
""Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up; never loses faith; is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance...love will last forever."" Then Rabbi Pinkston spoke in both English and Hebrew.
"My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away."
Rabbi Pinkston continued to speak, giving the seven blessings they had written.
"Blessed are you, God, who shapes the universe. All creation speaks of your glory.
Blessed are you, Holy One, who fashions each person.
We bless you, God, for forming each person in your image. Blessed are you, Creator of humanity.
Blessed are you, God, who lets all humanilty rejoice in her children.
Blessed are you, the Presence, who dwells with the bride and groom.
Blessed are you, Holy One, who lights the world with happiness and contentment; love and companionship; peace and friendship; especially the joy of the bride and the groom. We bless you, God,who brings them together to rejoice in each other!
Blessed are you, Divine Creator, who brings forth the fruit of the vine that they will now share together."
Rabbi Pinkston held a wine cup in his hand and spoke again.
"This cup of wine is symbolic of the cup of life. Wine is a symbol of joy, of the richness of life and the sweetness of love. It is appropriate therefore, that on this happy occasion you toast life with this ancient symbol. Blessed be life, health, and the love that enables you to celebrate the happiness of this most important day."
"Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu melech haolom, borei p'ri hagafen."
"Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine".
Puck and Quinn each drank from the cup and the minister spoke again, the unity candle that Finn and Rachel had bought sitting in front of them.
"Light is a symbol of God' s presence, especially God's love for us. It reminds us of the power of divine love and the great potential of human love as a reflection of it. Now, your mothers, Judy and Ruth, will light the two tapers representing your lives up to this point."
Judy and Ruth lit the tapers of the candle and the minister spoke as the two mothers hugged their children.
"That Noah and Quinn are able to love is a reflection of the fact that they have been loved. With these two lit tapers, they will light one candle together. Today they become one, but each brings a special uniqueness to that union. When two souls that are destined for each other, find one another, their streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being."
Quinn and Puck each took one of the lit tapers and lit the center candle, placing the tapers back into their stands.
"The rings, please?' the minister asked Finn. He nodded and pulled out two gold bands and placed them on the Bible.
"These rings in their unbroken wholeness are tokens of your pledge to each other and of your love for one another. The wedding rings are regarded as fitting symbols of marriage, for they are fashioned to have neither beginning nor end. They represent the enduring trust and affection that you bring to one another, and they are the outward and visible symbols of two lives that are now united in marriage. Noah and Quinn, the hands that you are now holding are the hands of your best friend. These are the hands that will work along side of your's as you build your future together. These are the hands that have and will carry your children. And, these are the same hands that, when wrinkled with age, will still be reaching out for yours."
Sam started to play guitar again and Quinn smiled at Rachel as the familiar song from West Side Story played and Rachel and Finn started to sing.
Finn:
Make of our hands one hand
Make of our hearts one heart
Make of our vows one last vow
Only death will part us now
Rachel:
Make of our lives one life
Day after day, one life
Finn and Rachel:
Now it begins, now we start
One hand, one heart
Even death won't part us now
"Quinn, with this ring, I join my life with yours. I join my life with yours in loving kindness and compassion. I join my life with yours in faithfulness. Ani l'dodi v'dodi li. I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." Puck slid the ring on Quinn's hand.
"Puck, with this ring, I join my life with yours. I join my life with yours in loving kindness and compassion. I join my life with yours in faithfulness. I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." Quinn slid Puck's ring on his finger.
Now, go and enter into the days of your true togetherness. And may those days be good and long upon this earth. Now, by the authority vested in me on behalf of the State of New York, I declare that you, Noah and Quinn, are husband and wife. May these two find happiness in their union. May they live faithfully together, executing the vows they have made between them; and may they ever remain compassionate and encouraging, that their years may be rich with the joys of life, and their days be long upon the Earth."
Rabbi Pinkston handed Finn a glass, wrapped in a cloth and Finn grinned and set it at Noah's feet.
"The breaking of the glass at a wedding is a symbolic prayer and hope that you will spend as many years together in happiness as it would take to collect all the pieces of the glass and reassemble it. After Noah breaks the glass we will shout, "Mazel Tov" which means congratulations!" said Rabbi Pinkston. Noah smashed the glass with his foot and everyone cheered.
"Mazel Tov!" said not only their group, but people who were walking by in the park, a few clapping and cheering.
"Noah, you may kiss your bride," said the minister. Everyone clapped and cheered as Puck swept Quinn up into a passionate kiss.
Back at Puck and Quinn's, the group was celebrating the wedding with a delicious dinner (half kosher of course) as music played throughout the room. Neighbors from either side of the two brownstones or across the street had stopped by to congratulate Quinn and Puck, dropping off gifts and staying for a snack and a drink before heading back to their home for the evening. It was just the original New Directions, the newbies, the Hummels, Judy, Ruth, Sarah, Will, Emma and the kids now. Quinn noticed Mike and Tina looking cozy in a corner of the room and grinned evilly at Puck.
"Hey, hand me my bouquet," Quinn said. Puck nodded and handed it to her.
"Hey Tina!" Quinn called to her.
"Yeah Q?' Tina replied.
"Catch!" said Quinn. She tossed the bouquet to Tina, who caught it with a look of surprise on her face along with a blush and everyone howled as Mike laughed. Then he turned bright red when Puck removed Quinn's garter and flung it at him, causing it to land on Mike's head. Everyone cat-called and whistled.
"Don't tell your mother," Mike muttered to Tina. "She's going to never let me see you again."
"Deal," Tina replied with a laugh before kissing her boyfriend. "Hey Quinn, Puck, you should open your presents before we all leave tomorrow!"
"Yeah!" said Brittney. "We have some stuff upstairs too, come on girls! Let's go get them!"
"Oh boy," muttered Noelle as Brittney, Marley, Tina, Heather, Harmony and Melissa headed up their respective rooms to get their gifts. Everyone else was putting gifts in front of Puck and Quinn as they sat on the sofa.
"I'll write down who's from what so you can write thank you cards," said Carole, pulling a pad of paper and a pen out of the drawer as the girls returned and set their gifts in the pile.
"Here Puck and Quinn, this is from me and Emma," said Will, handing them a neatly wrapped box before taking his namesake from Finn and bouncing him on his knee. Quinn opened the box carefully and smiled at its contents in front of her.
"Wow, this is great!" said Quinn, holding up the monogrammed bath and hand towels. "These are gorgeous! Thanks!" She hugged them both as Puck nodded his head in appreciation. More and more gifts were opened, the majority of them being household necessities. When Quinn got to the girls' gifts, the boys found themselves busy and Noelle covered Beth's eyes as Quinn opened several risqué pieces of lingerie.
"Really you guys, I think Puck and Quinn crossed that line a long time ago!" replied Noelle with a roll of her eyes. "At least I got Josh and I got them something practical for when Oopsie Number two comes in August. Here Quinn."
Quinn and Puck took the big gift that Noelle and Josh set in front of them and they tore the wrapping it to reveal a bassinet.
"Oh my gosh, Noe! This is gorgeous!" said Quinn, running her hand over the white wicker trim.
"There's more in there," Noelle smiled. They peered in and saw several onesies, pacifiers and more.
"And they're all unisex items since it's obviously still too early to tell," said Noelle.
"This is great! Thanks!" said Quinn, hugging Noelle.
"You're welcome," replied Noelle, hugging her back.