"My god but you look beautiful in a cap and gown," Blaine says as Kurt emerges from the bedroom.
"I look borderline idiotic," he grouches, "but thank you."
"I'm so proud of you."
"Don't!" Kurt laughs. "Don't start crying already! We've got all of today, plus the wedding tomorrow. You'll have nothing left."
"Okay," Blaine sniffs, dabbing at his eyes. "C'mere. I have a gift for you."
Kurt goes, holding out his left wrist which holds the charm bracelet, but Blaine surprises him, pinning a comedy tragedy mask brooch to his gown.
"Are those diamonds?" Kurt asks in awe of the tiny stones covering both the faces.
"Yes."
"But there's so many."
"Shine bright like a diamond," Blaine whispers as he finishes pinning it and kisses his cheek.
"Yes thank you, Rihanna," Kurt smiles and taking his face in his hands he kisses him deeply. "You are wonderful and I love you so much," he smiles blissfully as he closes his eyes and breathes him in. "Thank you for the brooch but also all the support you've given me- not only over the last three years but for always, and thank you for the support I know you'll continue to give. I don't know if I say it enough, but I am so happy, being with you. You make my life complete. You keep me sane, you love me and comfort me unconditionally and I really, really could never wish for a better husband to be."
"You told me I wasn't allowed to cry and then you go and spring that on me!" Blaine laughs as he wipes at his eyes. "I'm just not gonna say too much because I'll really start to sob, and we have to leave now. But I feel the same. Is that enough for now? To know that?"
"It's always enough, Blaine," Kurt smiles, taking his arm and letting Blaine escort him from the apartment. "Always."
Kurt's graduation ceremony leaves Blaine, his parents, Carole, Burt and Finn all wiping away tears of pride as he beams at them from the podium and blows a kiss to Blaine- who just about composes himself before welling up again when Joe's name is called, who jokingly blows him a kiss too.
"I can't believe my boy's done it," Burt says happily as he hugs Blaine tight. "Listen, in case I don't get a chance to say this to you tomorrow... I wish you and Kurt all the happiness in the world. And I just want to thank you, for loving him the way you do. You've had to exercise real patience and restraint over the years and I'm well aware that at times you've had to put your own life on hold to wait for him to grow, and yet I've never heard you complain. When you first arrived in my workshop with a flat, I remember thinking I really wanted to punch you, but I couldn't find a justifiable cause," he chuckles and shakes his head. "And then when you asked if you could date him I nearly floored you, except I was in my hospital bed and you asked so nicely and did that...thing...you do with your eyes, where you look like some kind of wounded animal. What I'm trying to say, Blaine, is that I am equally as proud of you as I am of him, and I'm over the moon that you're gonna be my son too."
Blaine hugs him tight once more. "Thank you," he says over his shoulder before pulling back to look at him. "That means everything. But if I've never complained it's because Kurt has never given me cause to. And you and Carole have made this all so easy for us. Maybe not in the beginning," he smiles at the memories, "I think it was a steep learning curve for all of us, but we got there- and you have always shown such tolerance and understanding. I know Kurt loves you so much and...well...I do too."
"Darling! I need you for pictures," Sara calls over, and they follow the crowds of excited families out into the bright sunshine where Kurt stands waiting for them. "I did it," he grins at Blaine.
"You did."
They kiss tenderly and lovingly, ignoring all the people milling about them until Sara calls "That's nice. I have some lovely photos of that, but you can stop kissing now... I said stop," she reprimands, rolling her eyes when they pull apart, laughing.
"Joseph, darling, can you put your family down for a moment and have a picture with Kurt?"
"Sure thing," he laughs, setting his little sister on her feet and throwing his arms around Kurt's neck. "We've done okay, haven't we? You and I?"
"We have," Kurt laughs, letting Joe jump on his back for Blaine to take another picture. "I'm so glad I found you on my first day."
"Yeah, man, I thought Blaine was the professor," Joe grins. "Now he's like...my second best gay. And!" he laughs, "I didn't even know anyone who was gay. Now I'm surrounded by them on all sides."
"Well you're stuck with us, I'm afraid," Kurt tells him playfully. "You're destined to live your life repelling women wherever you go because they'll all assume you're in some kind of homosexual love triangle."
"Kurt, I really don't think that will be the reason I repel women," he laughs. "I can manage that quite nicely all by myself, thank you." He falters for a moment, looking down nervously. "Kurt? You will visit me, won't you? In LA?"
"Of course," Kurt says, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "I know you think you'll miss us all but believe me Joe, you're going to be so busy your feet won't even touch the floor. I'll be locked in a deep and meaningful relationship with your answer machine."
"No," Joe shakes his head emphatically. "That's not what I want at all. If that's the price I have to pay for being a film actor then I don't want to do it. Never let me get like that, Kurt, please. If all goes according to plan then things are gonna get pretty hectic and I'm really gonna need you and Blaine to keep my feet on the ground. Promise me you'll try?"
"I promise."
"Good. And in return I reserve the right to demand gay sleepovers whenever I so choose. Now! Onwards to the airport, my friend, for we have a wedding to attend!"
"I guess so," Kurt grins, and he can't help the completely over excited giggle that escapes him.
"Your mom is only three years older than me," Blaine moans, coming over to rest his head on Joe's shoulder. "That is so depressing."
"Never mind, Blaine," Finn laughs. "You're not that old yet. Give it a year of marriage."
"Hey!" Kurt objects, shoving playfully at his brother.
"Okay, boys!" Mike calls. "We need to get going if we're to make our flight. Lord help me, traveling with all of you," he grumbles affectionately as he walks down the steps.
"He's feeling better then." Kurt comments as they watch him depart.
"Yes. Well, gorgeous boy. This is it. In years to come, when our daughter wants to know why we didn't celebrate your graduation you can tell her it was because you demanded we get married the very next day."
"Yes," he grins.
"So. Are you ready?"
Kurt takes Blaine's outstretched hand as together they run down the steps to the sidewalk and their waiting car, Finn handing the keys to Blaine before sliding into the backseat.
"Yes!" Kurt cries excitedly. "The Anderson-Hummel wedding is officially a-go!"
"Kurt!"
"Sorry. Hummel-Anderson!"
"Get out of this kitchen! Out! Get out! Go!" Kurt and Blaine are screamed at from all sides by an array of women hastily arranging flowers and decorating cupcakes, plus Cooper waving a piping bag menacingly in their direction.
"So help me god if you cast one glance at these cakes I will end the both of you," Cooper snaps. "We've been icing these bastards since dawn, all three hundred of them, and I retract every statement I ever made about Kathy being sweet and kind- and that sister of hers is a maniacal bitch."
"I am right here!" Teresa snaps from the large table where she holds several yellow roses.
"Yes, and there's a good reason Santana chose to work with you," Cooper snaps. "Bitches stick with their own."
"I'll stick this wire somewhere in a minute," his wife Claire bites from Teresa's side.
"Okay darlings!" Sara enters the room, having left her suitcase in the hallway and found an apron and rolling pin already. "How are we all doing?"
"Good, I think," Kathy says sweetly. "Apart from your moronic son."
"Moronic son, please go and help your father and Burt with the luggage, and send my darling grandchildren in here, I need their nimble fingers. Moronic sons numbers two and three, go and lock yourselves away in the pool house as you always do- you're of no use to anyone. Right darlings! Rachel, be a dear and pass me that bowl of chocolate frosting."
"Did your mom just call me a moron?" Kurt asks Blaine in disbelief as he trails him through the house.
"Indirectly, yes. But she also called you her son, so let's focus on that."
They traipse out to the pool house, closing the door behind them and falling onto the bed where Kurt is quick to take Blaine in his arms. "This time tomorrow, one hundred and fifty people will be gathered to watch us get married. Can you believe it?"
"Not really, no," Blaine smiles. "We could just blow the whole thing off and spend the day in here instead," he teases, placing a gentle kiss to the hollow of Kurt's throat.
"Hmm, I'm just trying to imagine Cooper's face if we did. I can't get over how incredibly generous our family and friends have been throughout all of this. Making stuff, sorting bits and pieces, travelling to Chicago all the time for various fittings and events... We're so lucky."
"We are," Blaine agrees. "But I'm the luckiest of all, because I get to marry you." He kisses at Kurt's throat again, running his tongue out to make him shiver.
"Oh no you don't, mister. No way."
"What?"
"It's tradition. And you needn't think I'm sleeping in here with you tonight, either. You're in here with Wes and I'm in the house with Joe."
"You have got to be kidding me."
"Blaine, it's twenty four hours until the wedding. All jokes are suspended until further notice. As is all sexual activity."
"So our last night as bachelors will be spent sleeping with straight men. Wow."
"Yes," Kurt replies firmly, then an impish grin takes over his face. "Though I have to say I wouldn't be adverse to a little making out before I go make final adjustments to Maddie and Taylor's outfits."
Blaine grins as he rolls his weight on top of him. "Minx."
"You love your little minx."
"I do," Blaine confirms, swooping in to kiss at his lips. "Oh fuck...I do." He crashes their lips together, sliding his fingers into soft brown hair, feeling suddenly desperate with desire as Kurt eagerly responds beneath him, moaning in his throat when their tongues jostle for dominance- with Blaine winning out in the end. He nudges Kurt's legs apart with his knee, spurred on when Kurt lets him, welcomes it even, bucking upward when Blaine rubs his hand over his bulge, squeezing at Kurt's half hard cock.
"Oh fuck it," Kurt moans, his voice a rasping whisper of desire when Blaine kisses along his jaw. "Just take me."
"Yes...oh god...yes," Blaine moans, hiking Kurt's leg around his waist and grinding his now aching cock against him.
"Luggage is here!" Mike calls brightly, throwing open the door and coming face to face with Blaine on top of a completely dishevelled Kurt, both their faces turned in shock towards the doorway. "Oh! My bad. Sorry. Retreat, Burt!" he calls, and it's only then that the boys see both Burt and Cooper standing just outside. "The boys are having sex in the pool house! Retreat!"
"We'll just leave your luggage outside then," Cooper laughs.
"Well we're not having sex now, are we?" Blaine huffs in annoyance, rolling off the top of his fiancé and walking over to collect the suitcases. "Jeez. Talk about a mood killer."
"Until tomorrow, I guess," Kurt says, falling back against the pillows, cheeks pink with embarrassment.
"I guess." Blaine closes the pool house door once more and sits back on the bed. "Are you nervous?"
"Completely petrified," Kurt admits, taking his hand and smiling softly, "and I don't know why."
"Same. I love you, you know."
"I know," Kurt nods. "And I love you too. But I guess I'd better go find that niece and nephew of ours and hope they haven't grown too much in a month."
Their dinner that night consists of pizza with their closest family and friends, and the evening is relaxed and informal. Kurt and Blaine cast loving, shy glances at one another for most of the night, but avoid talking to each other too much, an unspoken mutual agreement between them both to save everything for tomorrow night. Kurt does snag Blaine under the large magnolia tree to say goodnight though, kissing him chastely on the lips before bowing his head onto his shoulder. "I'll see you at the altar," he says quietly into the crook of Blaine's neck.
Blaine sighs contentedly, a shiver running through him at the feeling of Kurt's warm breath fanning over him. "At the altar."
"Or the patch of grass in front of where the officiant will be."
"Yes, there," Blaine chuckles. "Well... I think your bedfellow is waiting for you," he says, noticing Joe lurking by the back door. "As is mine. So..."
"This is it."
"It is."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
They kiss quickly once more, both wanting to linger and deepen it but resisting, knowing that more is to come and when it does it will be sublime. Blaine finds Wes sitting in the doorway of the pool house, where he hands him a glass of whiskey.
"Blaine!"
"It's just one," he says, sitting down next to him. "I wanted to make a toast. To absent friends," he says, raising his glass to the night sky.
Wes looks at him pointedly. "To Luke."
"Yeah," he agrees quietly. "To Luke."
They drink together, sitting in silence for a moment until Wes speaks. "He'd be proud of you, you know. Because we all are. I know you're always one for self-depreciation but you have to admit, your life's turned out to be pretty spectacular."
"It has," Blaine looks down at the floor and shakes his head. "But only because of you. I've said so many times, I owe you my whole life and I do, because I don't think I'd have this life, or any life at all really if it weren't for you saving me the way you did."
"You don't owe me anything," Wes tells him sincerely as he puts an arm around his shoulders. "Whatever debt or burden you feel, let it go. You have repaid me time and time again by letting me see you finally find happiness and love. I know you, and I know you always think this friendship is one sided, but honestly? I don't know where I'd be without you either. Still single, for a start. But it's more than that, Blaine. It's knowing you're always there if I call, it's knowing that you cherish our time together as much as I do, and it's knowing you love Kathy and my family as much as I love Kurt and yours. It's knowing that your kids and mine will grow up together and view each other as family, and that one day, in fifty years time we'll be sitting on a porch somewhere watching our grand kids running about together and thinking 'yeah, we did okay.'"
"I lucked out the day those kids beat me up," Blaine says, voice hoarse with emotion as he remembers. "Because it led me to you. And Nicky and Jeff, Seb too...but you, above all else."
"So are you gonna permit me to take you to bed?"
Blaine laughs loudly, standing and pulling Wes up with him. "Yeah, I guess so. Ha! You used to say that to me all the time in New York."
"Yeah but you were a grumpy ass drunk who used to yell at me then," he smiles teasingly as they shut the door behind them. "Now you're an engaged man in your mid thirties who will willingly fall into bed with me at the first request."
"Do I get to sleep with you again the night before your wedding?"
"Of course!" Wes laughs. "Actually, I might invite Kurt to join us."
"Okay," Blaine laughs. "This conversation just changed into something else entirely, and it's late, and I'm getting married in the morning so..."
"Yes. Bed."
Two hours later, when both have dozed off, Blaine sits suddenly. "Holy shit! I'm getting married in the morning!"
"Holy shit I'm getting married today!" Kurt nudges Joe in the ribs as he grunts and snorts his way into waking, sitting and rubbing distractedly at his jaw as he tries to remember why he's in a bed with Kurt in LA.
"Yeah," he laughs. "You totally are. Man. When you two got engaged the wedding seemed like a lifetime away. And Seb, Wes, Rachel...all of them...I didn't know them at all. Now I just include them in my list of friends. Oh my god that's what I've done. I've just poached all of your friends from you and now I'm moving in with your brother-in-law."
"You're what?" Kurt asks in surprise. "Since when?"
"Since yesterday. I was telling him how I'm apartment hunting, but I have barely any cash right now until the film drops, and he offered me a place here. It makes sense, I guess, and I won't be lonely."
"That's great," Kurt smiles. "I feel a lot happier about that actually. I'll admit to being kinda worried about you out here on your own."
"Don't worry about me," Joe says, getting out of bed and moving to look out at the army of caterers and wedding planners milling about, setting up rows upon rows of chairs in Cooper's large yard. "Worry about yourself, my friend. It's nearly wedding time."
"I feel like I'm gonna puke. Why do I feel like I'm gonna puke? I can't marry Kurt with puke on my breath. Oh my god I'm gonna hurl at his feet again." Blaine paces nervously back and forth in the confines of the pool house as Wes sits on the bed.
"You are not going to puke and your breath is fine," Wes tells him, standing and stopping him in his tracks. "Nerves are good. It proves you're taking it seriously. You and Kurt haven't entered into this lightly, you know. You've had plenty of time to think and reflect on what it means to be married, and you both want this more than anything. That's why you feel so scared."
"I can't do this, I can't do this, I can't..."
"You can and you will," Wes says firmly as he brushes invisible lint from Blaine's shoulders and straightens his bow tie.
"There's so many people," Blaine says in a terrified whisper as he peeks out through the blind. "I'm gonna fluff my vows and it'll be awful. Kurt will never forgive me."
"I'm pretty sure that once that officiant pronounces you husbands he'll forgive anything. Forget about all of us and focus on Kurt. This is your day. Yours and no one else's. We are all immensely privileged that you want us to share in it with you, but today is about you and Kurt and nothing else matters." He squeezes Blaine's hand tightly as the string quartet starts to play. "Come on," he smiles, "the love of your life is waiting for you."
"Not many people can say they've had the Chicago Symphony Orchestra serenade them as they walk down the aisle," Burt says as he stands by his sons side. They look down from the bedroom window, surveying all the guests gathered in the yard. The ushers: Cooper, Joe, Sebastian, and Finn are escorting guests to their chairs, and Kurt spots Mike escorting Sara and Carole to the front row.
"It's not the entire orchestra," Kurt mutters. "Just a quartet. But yes, we're very lucky. Riccardo kindly organized it for us. Dad, I feel sick. Why am I so nervous? It's just Blaine. And yet I'm petrified. Why am I feeling like this?"
"Because you've been dreaming of this day since you were three," Burt chuckles, putting an arm around him and pulling him close. "And you've been dreaming of this day with this man since you were fifteen- and don't even try and pretend like marriage wasn't the first thing on your mind when you met him, because I know you too well for that."
"I..." Kurt starts to protest, then laughs and shakes his head. "Yeah. I remember sitting in history the day after I had first spoken with him, and I wondered what it would be like to be his husband," he smiles.
"Well you're about to find out."
"I wish my mom were here," Kurt says quietly, staring down at the yard.
"I know. And so do I. But I'd like to think she's watching somewhere, and no doubt she's as proud of you as I am," Burt says, choking on the tears lodged in his throat. "You are the best son I could have wished for, Kurt. And I'm so happy that you're marrying Blaine. You may be an adult now, but you'll always be my little boy, and I need to know you're looked after, even though you're capable of doing it yourself."
"I'm taller than you."
"By a half inch," Burt says, nudging his shoulder jokingly. "But I don't care. I can be on my death bed, surrounded by grandchildren and great grandchildren and you will still be that little tiny baby with the bright blue eyes that for some inexplicable reason chose to love me with all his heart even though I messed up and didn't always do my best."
"That's complete crap," Kurt says, turning to face him. "You have always given me the best of everything, and it's been easy to love you so much because you've been so wonderful, and you always will be. Nothing will change, dad."
"Oh I know," he says with a tight smile. "But things will change, because you're growing up. You've graduated, you're out in the real world, and now you're about to be married too. Next it will be you becoming immersed in your work, then babies while I retire and sit on my porch waiting for you to visit occasionally. But I don't mind that, you see. Because I'll get to live vicariously through you now, and I couldn't be happier for you."
"I am ridiculously excited for the future," Kurt admits shyly. "And I haven't told Blaine this, because I'm not ready just yet, and I don't want to give him false hope...but the thing I'm most excited for is having a baby together."
"Haha, I'll remind you of that when you've got one," Burt laughs. "Now, are we gonna get out there and put Blaine out of his misery?"
"Yeah," Kurt says, a grin lighting up his face as Burt kisses his forehead. "Yeah."
Kurt looks resplendent in dark dress pants and a crisp white shirt with burgundy velvet jacket and cravat. His hair is impeccable, which it should be- given the time and effort he's taken over it. Blaine looks classically elegant in a traditional black tux, with burgundy bow tie and vest- his hair neatly gelled but not too heavy- Wes having been primed by Kurt to be firm about the level of gel used. The maids of honor are in matching burgundy prom style dresses, carrying simple yet elegant bouquets of white lillies while the best men and ushers are all in tuxes with burgundy bow ties. The time and effort Kurt has thrown into the outfits is evident, the care and attention to detail on full display as the conversation between the guests fades away and an expectant hush falls before the quartet begin to play.
They say not a word when they arrive face to face, but Blaine smiles, his eyes shining as he offers his hand to Kurt, who takes it, gripping his fingers firmly and confidently and together they walk down the aisle to the waiting officiant, Wes and Burt walking behind them followed by Santana and Rachel. The officiant greets everyone warmly, delivering a short speech about love and the sanctity of marriage before turning to Kurt and asking him to speak his vows.
"Um... Blaine, I..." he pauses, casting a shy glance down at his feet before looking back up to meet his gaze. "Oh I love you so much." They both release a nervous, breathy laugh at this, and then Kurt turns serious. "Blaine, I promise to love, honor and protect you, forsaking all others for the rest of our lives. I promise to listen, to help and encourage you in all that you do, and I promise to cherish you always."
The tears have already started for Blaine, as he knew they would, and he reaches a trembling hand out to cup Kurt's cheek sweetly, yet the voice which comes is firm and sure. "Kurt, I promise to love you faithfully until the end of time. I promise to always try my best to make you happy, to keep you safe, to defend you and to fight for you. I will always, always, treasure you, respect you and hold you dear to my heart. You are perfect for me, my one true love and I am all for you."
Burt steps up quietly, handing a ring to Kurt who takes Blaine's left hand, smiling tentatively as Blaine notices the engraving inside. "My old man," Kurt says softly. "Blaine Devon Anderson. With this ring I marry you, with my body I honor you, with my heart I love you and all that I am I give to you, completely and forever."
Taking the matching ring from Wes, he holds it in his palm for Kurt to see the words. "As if there was ever any doubt," he smiles. Taking his hand, he holds the ring at the tip of his finger. "Gorgeous boy, Kurt Elizabeth Hummel. With this ring I marry you, with my body I honor you, with my heart I love you and all that I am I give to you, completely and forever."
Sliding the ring onto Kurt's hand, Blaine releases a breath he didn't know he'd been holding and he hears Kurt do the same. They both look up, eyes meeting and brilliant, blazing smiles on their faces as they realize they've finally made their greatest dream a reality.
"It gives me great pleasure to pronounce you married," the officiant says as someone- most likely Rachel- tries to suppress a squeal. "And with all your family and friends looking on and giving you an enormous round of applause, you may both now kiss your husband."
It is a kiss like no other; searing in its passion and intensity yet gentle, tender and altogether more loving than anything they have ever shared as Blaine takes Kurt's face in his hands and brings their lips together. Kurt's arms hold Blaine tightly, drawing him close as he sighs into his mouth and paying the loudly applauding crowd no heed, he allows his tongue to wind into Blaine's mouth who responds eagerly. It is the not so subtle throat clearing of Burt that eventually breaks them, pulling apart with enormous grins as Kurt rests their foreheads together.
"We've done it," he whispers happily, eyes closed in blissful contentment. "We're husbands."
"We are," Blaine laughs quietly. "And I promise to be the best husband I can be. I love you so very much, Kurt."
"Ladies and gentleman! Wes calls out loudly. "It gives me very great, huge, overwhelming pleasure to present to you, Mr. and Mr. Hummel-Anderson!"