Kurt turned around at the sound of Carole’s voice, smiling.

“Almost,” he replied, looking back at his reflection in the mirror. Kurt adjusted his hair a little more before stepping back and turning back to Carole. “Well?”

“You look so handsome,” Carole cooed, sounding like she was moments from crying. She came up behind him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, facing the mirror.

“Don’t take this the wrong way?” Kurt glanced at her, “But I wish Dad was here.”

“Oh, honey, I know I’m a poor substitute,” Carole told him. “I know he’s looking down on us today and smiling.”

“I wish I believed that,” Kurt murmured. He wanted to believe it, but he didn’t. Carole hugged him tight, and wiped at her eyes as they pulled away.

“I came back here to give you this,” she said, handing him a folded white handkerchief. He looked at it, puzzled. “It’s the one your father wore when we got married.”

Kurt’s eyes widened.

“I couldn’t bear to part with it,” Carole sniffled, “and I think he’d want you to wear it today.”

“Well, that covers my ‘old’ and ‘borrowed,’” Kurt joked. He took the handkerchief and folded it so that it would fit in his breast pocket.

“Are you nervous?” Carole asked. Kurt shook his head, smiling.

“No,” he answered. “I love Blaine and Blaine loves me and once I accepted that…” Carole gave him another hug.

“Dude, they’re ready to start.” Finn popped his head inside, interrupting them.

Kurt took a deep breath.

He was ready.

*

Six months ago, Blaine would not have predicted this. He and Kurt were together, happy, and getting ready to renew their vows. He’d hoped but tried not to hope that Kurt would accept his proposal at Christmas. He’d debated about asking, not wanting to scare Kurt off after he’d just got him back. Blaine had gathered his nerve, though, and asked, and now here they were, getting married on their one-year anniversary.

Finally getting his full inheritance had nothing on renewing his vows with Kurt, though if it wasn’t for him needing his inheritance, he would have never met Kurt in the first place. It was funny, sometimes, how life worked out that way.

The last six months hadn’t been easy on either of them. Kurt had gone from working six days a week to a student at NYADA – a change that had affected them both. While Kurt was home more, Blaine knew he was under a lot more stress as well. Blaine had passed his first semester classes and headed into the second semester feeling confident. He was busy too, but he made sure that he and Kurt spent plenty of time together.

What little time they weren’t in school was spent planning the wedding. Kurt had had final say so on everything (and Blaine was content to let him). It was everything Blaine had ever dreamed it could be, based on his quick peek at the lavishly decorated room.

Blaine let his eyes drift upward and sighed. “I know you don’t know me,” he said. “But I hope you’re looking down today and you’re happy. I’m going to love him for the rest of my life.”

A sense of peace stole over him and for a moment Blaine felt like maybe, just maybe, Kurt’s dad had heard his words.

The anniversary of Burt Hummel’s death had been hard on Kurt. Blaine had surprised Kurt with tickets to Ohio, and the two of them had spent the week with Carole and Finn. They’d laughed and cried over home movies, and Kurt was finally able to bring himself to visit his father’s grave. Blaine had been there every step of the way because he knew that Kurt was finally dealing with everything that had built up so much inside him and he would need Blaine to lean on.

A quick knock sounded at his door. “Squirt?”

“I’m a married man, Coop,” Blaine replied, opening the door. “You can stop calling me that.”

“Not as long as you’re my little brother,” Cooper told him, smiling.

“Did they?” Blaine asked. Cooper shook his head, his smile faltering for a second. “I guess I didn’t really expect them to.”

He’d mailed out an invitation to his parents (at Kurt’s insistence), and hoped against hope that his parents would come around, would come to wedding.

Would realize that it was okay that he was gay and that he was happy with Kurt.

He’d known they wouldn’t come when the RSVP had come back declining the invitation, but he’d hoped.

“It was a long shot anyway.” Blaine shrugged.

“They’re ready for us,” Cooper told him.

“I just need a minute,” Blaine said. He pulled out his phone and dialed his parents’ number. As expected, the machine picked up. “Mom, Dad, it’s Blaine,” he began, as soon as the beep sounded. “I know that you don’t agree with the way I’m living my life. I wanted you to know that I’m happy. I love Kurt and we’re getting married. I wish you were here to see it.” He paused. “I love you both, despite everything."

He hung up then, turning his phone off and putting it in his pocket.

He looked at Cooper.

“I’m ready.”

*

Kurt watched as Finn walked Carole up the aisle, following behind Rachel and Wes, who were standing up for him and Blaine respectively. The music changed and Kurt stepped out from the side, walking toward the middle. He saw Blaine walking toward him and he couldn’t help the smile that broke out on his face. Blaine wore a matching one and Kurt felt nearly breathless when they met the middle and joined hands in front of the altar.

“Hi,” Blaine whispered, looking like he was barely restraining himself from bouncing up and down.

“Hi,” Kurt whispered back.

“We are gathered here today,” Cooper began, and Kurt turned with Blaine to face him. Blaine had felt bad that they’d married without Cooper the first time around and somehow that had translated into Blaine agreeing to let Cooper officiate the ceremony. “To join Kurt and Blaine in marriage.”

Blaine squeezed Kurt’s fingers in his and Kurt smiled again.

“These two crazy kids did everything backwards,” Cooper continued. “They got married, and then they fell in love.” Kurt could see that Blaine was blushing as most of the people watching chuckled. The story of their marriage was public knowledge now – how they’d married for the money and then fallen in love despite everything.

Most of their friends found it romantic. Finn had had a hard time with it – knowing what Kurt had done and why. He’d spent most of the last few months not speaking with Kurt. It wasn’t until he and Blaine had gone back to Ohio for the anniversary of his father’s death that he and Finn had worked things out.

He could hardly believe that it was actually happening; he and Blaine were getting married for real this time.

“Kurt and Blaine have chosen to write their own vows because they apparently don’t trust me to do it,” Cooper said, drawing another laugh. “Blaine?”

Blaine turned to face him, holding both of Kurt’s hands tightly. “Kurt,” he started. “When we met, my life was falling apart. I had no idea that you would be the one to help me put it back together.”

Kurt felt himself growing teary, but he didn’t want to cry. Not today.

“I think I fell in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you,” Blaine whispered, and Kurt’s eyes widened. He hadn’t known that. “And as we got to know each other, my feelings only deepened and grew stronger.” Blaine paused, taking a deep breath. “I promise you, everyone here today, and even your parents, because I know they’re watching – I’m going to love you for the rest of my life.”

Kurt couldn’t help the tears then, and they slipped down his cheeks. Blaine looked like he might be a little choked up himself. Cooper cleared his throat, giving his brother a look for a moment, before turning to Kurt.

“Kurt,” Cooper said. “I don’t know if you can top that, but you can try.”

Everyone laughed and Kurt giggled when Blaine turned a nice shade of red.

“Blaine,” Kurt began, when everyone had settled. He looked Blaine right in the eye as he spoke, because he wanted Blaine to know he meant every word. “I was a mess when we met. I had shut everyone out because I thought it would hurt too much to care… about anything.” Kurt cleared his throat. “And then you showed up just when I needed you, and you slipped passed all my defenses.” He sighed. “I loved you long before I was able to admit to myself what I was feeling. It was your love that brought me back to life and gave me courage to face myself.”

Blaine just shook his head, smiling.

“It took me a long time to admit what I was feeling, because I was scared of being hurt,” Kurt spoke quietly. “But it was you who showed me that even though love is a risk, it’s worth it.” He sniffled, trying not to cry again. “I love you.”

“Wasn’t that moving?” Cooper asked the crowd. “I could cry.” The crowd murmured and there was more gentle laughter. “But I’ll save that for later, because it’s time for the rings.”

Blaine took Kurt’s ring from Wes, and slid it on Kurt’s finger, repeating after Cooper, “With this ring, I thee wed.”

Kurt was never so happy to have his ring back in place, the heart of the Claddagh symbol pointing inward.

Kurt took Blaine’s ring from Rachel with shaking fingers, sliding back into place on Blaine’s finger, and said, “With this ring, I thee wed.”

Cooper smiled. “And now, with the power invested in me by God,” he pointed at the ceiling in dramatic fashion, “the great state of New York and the internet, through which all things are possible,” Cooper paused. “I now pronounce you married. You may kiss your groom.”

Kurt was laughing when Blaine’s lips met his. He was happier than he could ever remember being. Sure, he wished his father could be there, but Blaine believed it, so maybe Burt Hummel was looking down on them and smiling.

When their lips parted and they stared at each other among the clapping and the cheers of their family and friends, Kurt was so, so glad he’d met Blaine, and most important, that he’d said yes.