Chapter Six – Final chapter


“You know we could still stage your whole confession scenario at the movie premiere. I mean its certainly a romantic notion... you coming to my rescue when the paparazzi gets too aggressive, which we both know is likely. You rush up like a valiant knight, dressed in a designer suit and tell them to back off...” Kurt suggested.

“... where I go I cant stand and watch you harass the man I love! Hmm, its a thought but stating anything like that... with our situation, wouldnt be too wise. If word got out... yeah... then people really will think us being together is a PR stunt,” Blaine warned.

Neither boyfriend was being too serious with their current conversation, it was all in fun. Humour was often the best way to battle nerves. Considering Blaine and Kurt were sitting in a limo with Cooper, heading towards his movie premiere, stress levels were at a high. Normally they wouldnt be. The guests in the limo would only be excited, but with what had been happening to them in the media, there was more in play.

“I wouldnt worry too much, boys. The focus is going to be on the film, and me of course. Plus theres going to be a surplus of stars, myself included, to distract the media,” Cooper assured.

“Oh we know, just life has its funny little moments," Kurt replied.

“I think well be too star struck to notice any attention we might get as well,” Blaine said.

“As long as you dont do that rescue act and try to steal the spotlight, youll do fine. You found yourself quite the keeper, Blainey,” Cooper stated.

“I know,” Blaine sassed.

“People have guessed that you might come along though, since youre my brother,” Cooper added.

“I know that too,” Blaine reaffirmed.

Armed with orders for how to handle any such situations directly from Holly Hollidays mouth, the couple headed towards their exciting day. Since airing, the commercial had gotten a great deal of attention. Some stations had declined to air it, while others dropped out after too much protest. Far more ended up requesting the rights to air it and the support gained made up for any negative backlash. The most amusing point was the small fan base Blaine and Kurt had gained from the ad campaign. Still trying their best to avoid any internet posts or reactions, they did notice how people kept checking their hands for rings while out in public. Cooper had joked that when the day after a proposal finally happened, a press conference should be held.

The walk across the red carpet was a blur, where Blaine and his plus one could barely count all the stars. At first the pair managed to slip under the radar rather well, until they got separated from Cooper who had been pulled away for photo ops and interviews. Thats when a smaller group of reporters and photographers saw them and went wild.

Blaine eyed them, not wanting to be rude but unsure if they should try their luck. He and Kurt did have permission to talk to media about the ad campaign. Because any chance to promote was something to take when possible. “Should we try our luck?” Blaine whispered to Kurt.

Seeing the opportunity at hand, Kurt nodded and he took hold of Blaines hand and they walked over to the interview line. Normally he wouldnt have bothered but there was the chance of losing one another as they pushed through the crowds of people. Keeping a polite smile, when really he wished he could be a bit sassier, Kurt noted the reporter at least seemed polite and inviting. “You want to speak to the likes of us?” Kurt asked humorously.

“Of course we do! I mean you two have become front page news,” The female reporter exclaimed, just a bit too friendly with her reply to seem credible.

“Naw, Id say more like at least 10 pages in?” Blaine joked.

“Here we have two faces the country should remember: Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson. They were chosen to be the faces of Provision's bold marriage equality ad campaign. So, whats it been like since the job began? Did you have any idea what you were up against?” she asked the pair.

“Hmm, well speaking for myself I had some clue... but really Ive been too busy focusing on wanting to do a good job,” Kurt admitted.

“Exactly, were just a pair of guys who took a modeling job. Who happen to be very invested in marriage equality... for a number of reasons,” Blaine added.

“So I think its pretty clear you two are very close, any comments to give there?” she prompted.

“Well for one thing were not here because of a publicity stunt. Im here to support and see my brother's movie...” Blaine began.

“While Im his date for the evening, whos trying to refrain from getting too star struck,” Kurt added.

“Well if its not too forward I have to say youre simply adorable and its no wonder your ads both on page and our television screens are so believable... so any plans to maybe walk down the aisle yourselves for real?”

There it was. The question both men had expected and, while neither had grilled each other on what they could say, the answer was easy.

“No... theres no big announcement yet, thats a long way off,” Blaine answered.

“Im just hoping countless other same sex couples will get the chance to tie the knot. Whenever theyre ready to make such a commitment... nothing will be in their way, legally, to stop them,” Kurt said in closing.

“And that we keep doing our best for the rest of the job!” Blaine added, making a fake toast in celebration.
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During the next eleven months, Blaine got his wish to give their best when it came to the job front, as did Kurt. No matter how challenging both the work load and the reception of the campaign were, they had each other. When it came to their personal lives and the relationship they had started, every last effort was given there as well. The pair found themselves at a momentous date – the last day of their contract with Provision. It came at them so fast it was hard to realize it was happening now, proving that time truly did fly fast when you were having fun. Theirs was a life that neither young man had ever imagined would be possible in the span of one year. Blaine and Kurt were now living together in a cozy little one bedroom apartment which, thanks to their modeling job, was made affordable. Despite it being the final day of their contract, future prospects for jobs happily were not a concern.

Blaine, who had been peacefully sleeping the morning away in their bed, was woken up in the best possible way, one that had become somewhat of a ritual with him and his boyfriend over the past few months. Blaine might have still felt very sleepy but he couldnt resist waking to the sensation of Kurt leaving a loving trail of kisses over his lips and face.

“Blaine... honey... its time to get up...” Kurt called softly.

“I dont wanna get up... then today has to happen,” Blaine whined as he pulled the comforter up over his head.

“Its gonna happen whether you get up or not, you know,” Kurt pointed out.

“Says you.”

Kurt rolled his eyes lovingly at Blaines sleepy stubborn state. If it wasnt their final working day at Provision he might have let Blaine sleep for a little longer. But as much as he hated to face the day himself, he knew they needed to. Besides, it wasnt like theyd be forbidden to enter the building or anything so dramatic. In fact, both he and Blaine had been given other modeling offers if they ever wanted to continue with that career route. Only now Kurts aversion to modeling wasnt based on trying to hold out for acting roles, now he simply wouldnt have the time to take any. Over the past year he and Blaine, of course, had been thrown into the limelight and gotten their wish to be noticed. What hadnt been counted on was the threat of being typecast, but opportunities had still come. Kurt had a number of auditions and call backs, even for musicals, while Blaine already had a spot on a new television show. Their lives were changing, but for the better.

“Blaine... were not even going to be doing any real work today. We both know everyone at work is throwing us a surprise party,” Kurt reminded his bedridden beau.

Poking his head out from his blanket nest, Blaine gave Kurt a cheeky grin and chose to give up his silly act and face the day. Really there was no reason to even fake being sad. Yes, their modeling job would be over after today, but Blaine was truly looking forward for this new chapter of his life and where he might end up. There was one variable he knew would remain the same: he would be with Kurt, in love and happy. The last year together hadnt been care free; there had been fights, misunderstandings and little tiffs. Having their personal relationship become so out in the open due to their job had taken a while to get used to. Not knowing when it was the time to ignore and be more reclusive and when to be out and proud was a lot of trial and error. Then there was the question, the one neither he nor Kurt could escape: when was the wedding? Their attempts to dodge such queries had been trying, to the point that rumours were flying around of a secret wedding having already taken place, which didnt hold a bit of truth. So far there had been no hint of a big nuptial happening, not because Blaine and Kurt were private, but because no proposal had been made.

There of course had been talks of marriage, since that tended to happen with most long-term relationships. The consensus agreement so far had been while the happy couple wanted a wedding day to occur at some point, they wanted to focus on the now. The now would soon become the then though and a new chapter of their lives seemed like a good time to rethink their choices, a fact that was on both of their minds.

“Fine, Ill keep on living the dream,” Blaine muttered as he got out of bed.

“Good for you, weve got quite the day ahead of us...” Kurt began as he started to dress for it.

“Just like every other day,” Blaine added cutely.

The surprise party, even when both guests of honour knew it would happen, ended up being a very grand affair and many a happy tear had been shed. It was the end of an era, or the one year equivalent of that and, as the night transpired, there was so much to be grateful for given what had happened during that amount of time. True not all fifty states had joined the accepting side of marriage equality but the numbers were in much better odds now. The battle would continue, even with Blaine and Kurt no longer on the front lines. It was like they were being sent home from war, where their personal fight would continue on the home front. Somehow along the way Blaine and Kurt had become gay right advocates and that was a role neither wanted to shake from, at least not completely.

For once neither young man was telling each other what they truly felt. Now there was reason to keep tight lipped on their states of mind and it wasnt due to drifting apart.

Blaine went searching for Kurt during that evening, not finding his partner anywhere in the fancy reception hall that had been rented out for their party. Eventually, after Blaine had done some thorough searching, he found his desired person standing outside, looking very beautiful in the night sky. “There you are... I was worried youd run off or something,” Blaine teased.

Kurt glanced back at Blaine, reaching out to slip his arm around his waist as he approached. “I was waiting for you to find me,” he explained.

“Well here I am... now what?” Blaine prompted.

Turning around to look Blaine in the face, he took the little hint, one they both had been dropping over the last few months. Who knew you could play proposal chicken with each other without uttering a word to confirm it? There didnt need to be a long talk to know the subject that was on both of their minds and was only growing as the days passed. Kurt took the gift Blaine was giving him, to be the one to go first and he knew what that meant to each other. Their relationship was based on trust, built up on a deep connection that had been there from the start, an intense love of course. A love that had grown so much over the last year that now, there was no mistaking it would be permanent. Kurt had gone over so many scenarios for how popping the question might happen, he had wanted it to be perfect. For one rare moment in his life Kurt was fine to admit sometimes less was more.

Judging by Blaines giddy look, that matched Kurts own, looking like they would implode on themselves, both knew what was about to happen. But if they kept tripping up on the emotional build nothing could occur and Kurt let that be his push to keep going.

Reaching into his jacket pocket, Kurt pulled out an innocent rolled up piece of paper. “So Blaine... I was thinking... since our last contracts have run out...” Kurt began as he unrolled the paper in his hands. “That we might want to start another one... with obligations longer than a year...” he continued.

Blaine laughed. He never would have guessed this was how Kurt was going to do it, or that hed let him. “Got a job offer for me?” he asked.

“Something like that...” Kurt flirted back as he handed Blaine the paper.

Sure enough, the item in question was none other than a marriage license, sanctioned from New York where it would be a legal binding contract, which Kurt had already signed. So it wasnt a ring and Kurt hadnt gotten down on one knee and given him a beautiful and romantic speech. There had been no momentous gesture where Blaine had gotten his chance to break out into song and turn a proposal into a musical production. The moment that was happening now was still beautiful and Blaine chose to see it as such. His eyes welled up with tears and when he looked from the license to Kurt he saw his boyfriend with pen in hand. “Kurt...” he gushed, emotion cutting off his words.

“I know this isnt your typical proposal Blaine, but were not your average couple. We had a wedding day before an engagement and now I find myself wanting the real deal...” Kurt began to say, leading into his plans for a romantic speech.

But Blaine could only do so much and he chose to be a little unpredictable and threw up his hands to form a cross. “Oh no! Im sorry Kurt, I love you and I want to sign this marriage license but theres no way Im standing back and letting you do the honours alone. You arent the only one who had plans... in fact... what do you know...” Blaine began as he reached into his own jacket pocket and brought out two tiny ring boxes, holding them out to Kurt. “I also came prepared...” he added, his voice full of sass.

Kurt wasnt upset with having his proposal interrupted. How could he be with the adorable look Blaine was giving him?. Kurt shook his head with affection. There went any hope of keeping things serious. Choosing to embrace spontaneity, Kurt rushed to Blaine and hugged him, who reeled back from the impact but kept them from toppling over. “I love you, Blaine,” he whispered.

“So do I, but please, lets get this proposal jump started here! Weve waited long enough,” Blaine pleaded.

Wiping a tear from his eye, Kurt nodded, gripping Blaines arms and bending downwards. Blaine took the hint and soon the pair was both kneeling on the cold cement but neither cared. They were too swept up in the moment to focus on the outside world. Nothing else, not even the elements, mattered to them. Blaine handed Kurt one of the ring boxes, while he took the other. “Kurt Hummel...” he began, gesturing to Kurt to follow his lead.

“Blaine Anderson...” Kurt responded as he tried to power through.

Both ring boxes were opened at the same time, revealing matching white gold rings, because of course Blaine had thought to make things equal, so no ring finger would be left void of the physical proof of their engagement.

“Will you marry me?” Blaine asked so quickly he was the first to say it.

Kurt didnt feel cheated, re-gifting his earlier present to Blaine and he let out a happy laugh. “Yes Blaine... Ill marry you, as long as youll do me the honour of becoming my husband,” he answered.

Shaky hands placed the rings on each of their fingers and Blaine took the pen wedged between Kurts forefinger and thumb and signed his name. They would need to go to New York to finish the union but that was just another thing to look forward to that wouldnt take a whole year to reach. The shift from being boyfriends to fianc�s was quick and painless and very much celebrated as the post-proposal pair embraced, hugging each other with so much force that Blaine fell forward and sent Kurt crashing backwards onto the ground. Laughter followed as the pair picked each other back up, dusting off and finally celebrated the events of the night with a long and tender kiss.

“Marriage has been with us since the start Kurt... and now, its our turn!” Blaine yelled out when his lips were free to shout.

“Finally! I say we head off to New York tomorrow and make it official!” Kurt added.

“Wow! I never thought youd want to elope!”

“Who says thats what I was suggesting... no, I want my big day thank you very much!” Kurt scoffed.

“Why dont we go get legally married in NYC then come back and have our wedding in LA then?” Blaine suggested.

“Look at that... there goes the wedding plans. Man, were good,” Kurt sassed.

“You know whats left now right?” Blaine prompted.

Before Kurt gave the obvious answer to the question, Kurt reached out, taking Blaines left hand in his own, showing off their matching rings. The romantic scene was broken with silly giggles but in their mind, that just made the night more magical. Literally skipping back towards the building where a party held in their honour conveniently awaited, with all their loved ones, friends and comrades inside, the couple headed towards the future they had help create and deserved.

“We go inside and spread the news?” Kurt answered finally.

“I knew I wanted to marry you for a good reason.” Blaine gushed.

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Back to the present and a very familiar looking scene, with both young men back in the exact same place where it had all began, at least when it came to the working side of their relationship. The setting was almost so perfectly re-created it was like the past thirteen months had never happened. Same white gazebo, same flowers, same beautiful sunny LA day, and most of all, the same leading men ready to smile for the camera. The similarities had been intentional; both wanted the amusing irony of their special day to be very literal. Two separate days, one that hadnt been real, but the message they hoped to send by using a still image was very genuine. Leading to another day, back to this very place where the same message was there but now, everything was as it seemed. Blaine and Kurt were on their wedding day, despite the fact that they were already legally married, but the event had been wondrous. The same faces of the camera crew were still there, only this time as guests and not hired to move things around. When Mike Chang took photos during the ceremony he was doing it on his own time and free as charge, as his gift to the happy couple. The current scene might have been very familiar but the start of the day hadnt. Despite their efforts to keep things under-wraps, the wedding date and location had been leaked to the media who had showed up without an invite. The walk from the wedding area to the gazebo where the photos would take place before the reception had been full of camera flashes, but by this point the targets were used to the attention and took it like well-seasoned pros.

Life had come full circle and as always, the boys chose to keep things light and humorous.

“So here we are...” Blaine commented as they stood waiting for the camera set up to be finished.

“Here we are, on our wedding day,” Kurt replied.

“Im glad we chose to at least have different tuxes,” Blaine admitted as he straightened the cufflinks on his jacket.

“Well we needed something to keep track of which event was which, for the future when its less fresh in our minds,” Kurt explained.

Silence fell until the buildup of joy could no longer be contained and the duo doubled over in laughter, embracing the upheaval and enjoying the moment. Luckily the extra security had kept the paparazzi away so the childish moment wasnt caught on camera and put out for the masses to discover. No matter if California hadnt jumped on the marriage equality band wagon yet or not, the happy feeling was still there and everything felt real.

“How did our lives come to this huh?” Kurt asked with amusement.

“Beats me,” Blaine replied.

“I keep thinking how Ive dreamed of this exact same scenario...”

“I hear you... ever think it would turn out this way?”

“Not by a long shot,” Blaine said with a chuckle.

That answer made Kurt more curious and he took the bouquet from Blaines hand and tickled his face with the ends of the flowers. Then he stopped to land a big sloppy kiss on his inviting lips and they took a little make-out break before continuing their flirtatious banter.

“I never would have thought this would be our second time in this scenario. The world's a funny place huh?” Kurt stated.

“It sure is, but its true that the first time we were here led us to now,” Blaine added.

“That and how we feel about each other I guess,” Kurt commented.

Mike made his appearance, letting them know the wedding photos could begin and history repeated itself once more. It was too tempting not to find themselves in the exact same pose, close together, smiling away, holding the bouquet. But if you were to look hard enough youd find little differences to tell the two apart and their state of dress wasnt the only one. Blaine and Kurt were closer together, their heads touching and their looks mirrored each other. The message conveyed was read loud and clear by all who were there to see it and once the photo was developed, there would be little risk of misinterpretation. Love: pure and cherished emotion, thats what the joyful expressions showed on their grinning faces. Sometimes the big issues of the world could easily be captured and that photo, the true definition of why everyone should have the right to marry, was well shown, frozen in time, captured forever.