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Broadway was a Pipe Dream.
Spring 2027 (15 years Reunion). 33 Years Old.
“Babe, you really need to finish that up if you’re going to be scrubbed up enough to go to the reunion party,” Dave reminded his husband.
“I know, I’m just about done,” Kurt said. “We’re going to need another pallet of borax soap, we’re down to the last two boxes.”
“I’ll put it on the list,” Dave agreed. “But if you need two hours, you need to be done and ready to leave in fifteen minutes. I’ll go tell Jack he’s locking up tonight.”
“Thanks. I won’t be long, I promise,” Kurt said, turning back to the car and closing the air filter cover securely. Dave went back to the office and wrote up the purchase order for more borax soap and left it for Kurt to order it Monday morning. Kurt came out to Dave’s car the same time that Dave did and they drove the short distance to their house. Kurt showered first and went to primp, getting himself pretty while Dave showered.
Dave knew this reunion had the potential to bring up a lot of bad memories. They really only kept in touch with Finn and Puck, because they stuck around Ohio with them. Kurt texted Mercedes still, but they weren’t super closer anymore. He put on his Kurt-approved jeans and a burgundy Henley. Dave decided to allow Kurt to fix his hair – he’d let it grow and the waves were a bit out of control without some product now.
Kurt finally emerged in a pair of skinny jeans that looked practically painted on. Dave loved that even fifteen years later, the man was in perfect shape to fit into them. He paired them with a pair of his beloved Doc Martins, a navy blue button down shirt, and a medium gray vest. Dave held out the steam punk silver pocket watch and chain he got Kurt as a wedding present.
“Perfect,” Kurt said, accepting the watch. “Would you like for me to finish your hair?”
“Only if you’re done.”
“I am,” Kurt confirmed. He brought Dave to their large bathroom and sat him at the vanity. Kurt put some product in and styled it to his liking. When they were both presentable, Dave hustled him down to the car and off to the banquet hall Mr. Schue rented for the pre-reunion glee party.
“Kurt! Dave!” Will greeted as they came in the doors. “Glad you were able to come.”
“Hey Will,” Kurt replied, hugging the man. “You know the car should be done by Monday.
“Oh good,” Will said. “I still can’t believe that deer hit me.”
“Not the first time I’ve seen it, but probably not the last either.”
“How’s the loaner treating you?” Dave asked, shaking Will’s hand.
“Emma and the kids certainly enjoy it,” Will said. “That might be what we look at when we’re ready for a new car.”
“That’s why Dave suggested it,” Kurt laughed. “He knew Emma liked that style.”
“Figures,” Will shrugged. “Well, come on it and enjoy. It’s fully catered, buffet style. And I think a lot of people said they could make it.”
“It’ll be nice to see the old crew,” Kurt said. “Hopefully things won’t get too rowdy.”
“Fingers crossed,” Will agreed, letting them go greet Finn who was across the room. Puck joined them a few minutes later.
“Any takers on when Rachel starts screeching?” Puck asked.
“Fool’s bet dude,” Dave said. “It’s inevitable, but as soon as she figures out Finn is married, she’s gonna freak.”
“True,” Finn agreed, putting his arm around his pregnant wife’s waist.
“This should be fun,” Jenn commented. From all the stories the four boys shared from high school, it was a wonder they made it out alive.
“Then she’ll be pissed that Puck is married, you always were her alternate,” Dave pointed out.
“True story,” Puck agreed.
“I wonder who else is bringing their kids?” Dave wondered.
“Me and Puck at the very least,” Finn said. “Yours are with mom and dad?”
“We did that on purpose,” Kurt said, nodding. “As much as I’d love to show them off, I wouldn’t want to have them hear what I’m sure will be quite a bit of negativity. They’re very impressionable right now, Puck!”
“Not my fault Jake is a parrot,” Puck grumbled. His wife Ashley cackled, remembering when the four year old started calling everyone ‘Son of a Bitch’.
“Well, you understand my reticence in bringing them,” Kurt said. Dave absolutely agreed. Addison was in the repeating phase at just two years old.
“Sawyer is just a year,” Ashley said. “I’ve already started working on Noah’s language.”
“Good luck,” Finn and Dave said.
“Did Beth say she was flying in?”
“Yeah, she’s driving over soon,” Puck said. “I can’t believe that she’s 17 already.”
“Me either,” Finn said. “Drizzle’s all grown up.”
“Just you wait,” Puck warned. “Elizabeth is already ten.”
“Don’t remind me,” Finn groaned. “Junior is six, and now this little one will be here in three months.”
“You two thinking of anymore?” Jenn asked.
“Haven’t really talked about it,” Dave shrugged. “But the kids are young. You never know.”
“Looks like more people are coming,” Kurt commented.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
The dinner had been served up and anyone who was able to come in, did. “Alright everyone. If I call our your name, I’d like to see you tell us the basics of you since graduation. We’ll go first. Emma and I have been married for 14 years now,” Will began. “I’m a history teacher here at McKinely. I still coach the glee club and I teach a senior elective of music history and theory.”
“I am not the school psychologist,” Emma continued. “I went back to school and got my degree. We have three children. Daniel is 13, Craig is 7, and Julie is three.” Each kid stood up and waved from their kid area. Some of the local high school students, including Sarah Puckerman, as a favor to Noah. She volunteered to oversee the whole production.
“Okay um, Mike, how about you?” Will asked after briefly surveying the room.
“Hey guys, this is my beautiful wife Grace,” Mike began, gesturing to the petite woman sitting next to him. “We met at Joffrey during college. She made me chase her for years before she would marry me. But we’ve been married for siz years. Our son Harry is three. We’ve opened our own dance studio. I occasionally work with Mercedes on her latest music video. She is the Godmother to little Harry.” Harry heard his name and ran over to jump on Mercedes, who cuddled him closely.
“Who would have thought, quiet Mike chasing a girl,” Quinn joked. Grace laughed.
“It was amusing at first, but then I realized how serious he was,” Grace replied.
“I’m glad he found someone,” Quinn said kindly. “He was one of the nicest guys at McKinley.”
“Thank you Quinn,” Mike said, walking down to give her a quick hug.
“Okay, um, Quinn, why don’t you go next?” Will suggested.
“That’s fine. I went to Yale. I double majored in Drama and Entertainment Management,” Quinn began. “I’ve gotten a few minor roles in films, but I’ve gotten case as a series regular on NCIS.” There was thunderous applause. “I have only dated here and there, so no one special to bring along to meet out merry band of misfits.”
“You know you love us misfits,” Artie teased.
“Of course I do,” Quinn agreed. “You all saw me through one of the hardest times of my life.”
“Quinn, I’m sure we’re all looking forward to seeing you on the show this fall,” Will said. “Now on to Puck.”
“It’s funny, only certain people still call me Puck and more. Professionally I go by Noah, “Puck explained. “I was a mess when I graduated. But after screwing around for a year, I joined the Marines. I went to school while I was in and I’m now an industrial electrician.”
“Thank you for your service,” Emma interjected sincerely. He nodded in acceptance.
“I met my wife almost as soon as I came back. I joined the local union and she was there arguing with her brother Ben. This is Ashley. She’s part of the local pipe-fitters union,” Puck explained. Quinn had a soft smile on her face – he needed someone like her. “Together we have a one year old, Sawyer. Oh, and We’ve been married for five years. But I’m sure everyone remembers sophomore year. This lovely lady next to me is Beth. She’s 17 now.”
“Drizzle,” Finn coughed.
“Uncle Finn,” Beth admonished.
“I thought Shelby took you back to New York?” Will questioned.
“We do live there,” Beth confirmed. “Dad asked if I wanted to fly in for this, and I jumped right on it. I get to see my little brother – who is so stinking cute. And I get to see everyone Dad had skyped with me all these years.”
“We all pretty much went through the saga of your birth,” Will commented. “I’m glad you decided to fly out.”
“Me too,” Beth said before leaning over to Quin, speaking in soft quiet tones.
“Okay,” Will said, clearly trying to keep things on track. “Mercedes.”
“Alright. So I just dropped my second album this past winter,” Mercedes began. “I never did go to college, but thanks to Sam, I got signed to an indie label. I sang back up as a house musician and played the piano. I wrote my own music, and it took me about four years before I got a shot to start working on my own music. After released my album, I got offered to sit down for a promotional interview.”
“Oh, I jumped on the chance to reconnect with Mercedes,” Matt Rutherford chimed in. “Thankfully she remembered me, and agreed to go to dinner afterwards.”
“So you’re a journalist?” Will asked.
“Yeah, entertainment in the beginning, but now I’m allowed to work on more hard hitting stuff” Matt confirmed. “It was so nice to see Mercedes again. I stuck around L.A. for a while.”
“I fell head over heels,” Mercedes admitted. “We weren’t in any rush really. But he stayed through my Christmas album and proposed two years ago.”
“We finally did get married last year,” Matt said. “A very small ceremony, only our parents.”
“And Kurt made my dress,” Mercedes said.
“My one and only wedding dress so far,” Kurt said fondly.
“It was absolutely beautiful,” Matt complimented. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Kurt replied.
“Okay, Sugar, why don’t you go next?” Will offered.
“Hey guys!” Sugar greeted. “So I went to OSU for a business degree and I took over management of Breadstix, and it’s so much better now. And I got married.”
“I love how you’re still excited five years later,” Rory chuckled. “So Sugar and I kept in touch after when I went back to Ireland. She actually came to visit a few times. We did the long distance thing until I transferred to OSU after my two year degree. I’m a social worker and I actually work part time here at McKinley and part time at North Lima High.”
“It’s been so good to have you on staff Rory,”” Emma chimed in.
“Cheers Emma,” Rory returned.
“We have a three year old son,” Sugar said. “I have pictures. He is staying with my Dad tonight – he’s got a bit of a cold and he’s a bit grumpy.”
“After all the silliness I remember from school,” Artie said. “What did you end up naming him?”
“Orion James,” Rory said. “After my Uncle and her father.”
“Much better than Drizzle,” Artie teased, nodding at Finn – who in turn flipped him off.
“Thanks Sugar, Rory,” Will said. “Artie, why don’t you go next?”
“Alright,” Artie agreed. “So after I left these hallowed halls, I got into the Brooklyn Film Academy. I really made a name for myself. I’ve directed a couple of indie films and a few televisions episodes.”
“Artie, that’s awesome,” Will praised.
“Thank you,” Artie replied. “I’ve come a long way from directing a Christmas special with an homage to Star Wars.”
“Hey, we kicked ass as Luke and Hahn,” Puck chimed in.
“You did,” Artie agreed. “I also went and did a thing.”
“We got married three years ago,” Tina chimed in. “Initially our freshman year of college, we made a pact that if neither of us were dating by the time we were thirty, we would just get married.”
“I’ve never really dated anyone seriously, and Tina had always been one of my best friends,” Artie filled in.
“And I would meet people but no one really measured up to Artie,” Tina said. “So when I graduated with my MFA in costume design, I started working on some local productions and we have actually worked on a few projects together. And we just wanted to announce that I am actually four months pregnant with our first child!”
“That’s amazing you two!” Will said after some of the clapping and cheering died down.
“Thank you,” Tina said sincerely. “We would out that we’re having a boy and are going to name him Atticus.”
“That’s adorable,” Mercedes commented.
“If we have a daughter, she’ll have a T name,” Artie said. “We figured that since we’re such a schmaltzy couple, we’ll extent that to our children.”
“That’s a wonderful sentiment,” Emma agreed. “Let’s see, um, Sam?”
“Hey guys,” Sam said. “I’m super excited to be back here. Ya’ll became my family and I’m humbled that I get to come back for our fifteen year reunion. Okay, I’m an artist. No more macaroni art Blaine, but I write and illustrate my own series of graphic novels.”
“Sam, that’s amazing,” Blaine said.
“Thanks Bro” Sam said. “I’m based in Nashville so I’m close to my folks. I’ve been dating Xyline for three years now. She’s a sculptor.”
“You date Xyline Mai?” Sebastian asked.
“Yes?” Sam replied warily.
“Two of her pieces got accepted into our modern art exhibit,” Sebastian explained. “Her pieces are quite good.”
“I’ll be sure to let her know,” Sam said.
“Blaine? Why don’t you and Sebastian go next?” Will suggested. Blaine nodded and looked at Sebastian to start.
“Well, I kind of started already, but I work as a museum curator in L. A. where we’re based,” Sebastian began. “I got my PhD from NYU. Blaine and I reconnected when he came to see an exhibit that I had just finished curating. We’ve been married for three years now.”
“Impressive, I do believe you’re our only PhD as of right now,” Will said.
“It’s cool to tell people that I’m married to a doctor,” Blaine said teasingly. “He’s correct. Married three eyras, we live in L. A. I have had some television roles over the years and some minor movie parts.”
“I did see your TV movie last year,” Will said. “I thought you did a great job.”
“Thanks.”
“Okay,” Emma said, looking around the table. “Lauren, how about you?”
“Sure, as a few of you may remember, I got a full ride to Iowa State for wrestling, and I also got a degree in business management. I was able to compete in two Olympic games and win gold.”
“I knew you’d make it,” Puck chimed in.
“Thanks,” she said, smiling softly. “So that’s where I met my husband, Royce.” He waved politely at the group. “I finally said yet and we got married two years ago. We work at Iowa State now – since we both retired from Olympic wrestling. We coach wrestling for all ages and I teach some basic classes.”
“And who is this adorable baby you have snuggled up with you?” Kurt asked, pointing at the baby in Lauren’s arms.
“This is our three month old song, David James,” Lauren introduced.
“He is adorable,” Dave commented.
“Such a good baby,” Emma said. “Kids... now how about Joe goes next.”
“Sure,” Joe agreed. “Lauren, I’m glad your dreams were able to come true.”
“Thanks Joe,” she replied, smiling.
“So, you all accepted me as that weird homeschool kid who wouldn’t wear shoes and all of my dreadlocks,” Joe began.
“Teen Jesus!” Brittany cheered.
“One of the best nicknames you could have given me,” Joe chuckled. “Thankfully, I was able to re-grow all my dreads after Sue cut them off. My wife Charlene really likes them; and so does my congregation. I went through Seminary and I’m currently in a program to get my doctorate in theology.”
“We need more Doctors,” Sebastian joked.
“I’m working on it,” Joe assured him. “We have four kids: Carl is eight, Jolene is six, Shannon is Four, and Esmerelda is two.”
“Four kids? Wow, power to you dude,” Finn said.
“They are the joy of my life,” Joe said.
“So Finn, why don’t you go?” Emma suggested.
“Sure, I’ve only got two kids so far, Elizabeth is ten, and Finn Junior is six. My lovely wife of ten years, Jenn, is pregnant with out next child.”
“How far along are you?” Britt asked.
“Six months,” Jenn responded.
“We both work at the school. I am a music and history teacher, and I’m also the basketball coach,” Finn said. “Jenn’s one of the gym/health teachers and a personal trainer.”
Rachel looked like she had swallowed a lemon. Emma noticed this and nudged Will. He looked over and saw Rachel’s expression. “Rachel how about you?”
“Oh, um,” she startled. “Yes, of course. I got cast as Fanny Bryce in Funny girl, which always was my dream. Being involved in Broadway allowed me to reconnect with Jesse St. James. We’ve been dating for several years now.”
“Jesse, didn’t I hear that you have been cast in Hamilton?”
“Yes,” Jesse confirmed. “I’ve done a few productions. We reconnected with a short running stint in Spring Awakening.”
“Oh that’s perfect,” Kurt laughed.
“I thought it was poetic,” Jesse smirked. Rachel blushed. Santana googled the play and laughed hysterically.
“That’s one way to put it,” she snickered.
“Santana, why don’t you and Brittany go next?” Will suggested.
“Sure thing butt chin,” she teased. “So Britts and I got married eight years ago. I went to the University of Louisville on a full cheer scholarship. I got a pre-law and psychology degree. Then I hit up law school.”
“I went to MIT and I have a PhD in applied mathematics. We own a dance studio where I teach,” Britt said. “I still get calls to consult for NASA but I don’t want to do that full time. I get to be home and take care of our kids.”
“You have kids?” Rachel asked.
“Yes, we each had two pregnancies,” Santana explained. “Britt had Jacob as a surrogate and I had Susan, they are four. I had Addison for them and Britt had Julius for us, and they are two.”
“So all four children are siblings?”
“Yeah, “Britt said. The group looked a bit confused. “You two should explain.”
“We, we are the last ones anyway,” Kurt agreed. “I am married to Dave. We’ve been married for eight years. Jacob is biologically mine and Brittany’s, Susan is mine and Santana’s. Julius is Brittany and Dave’s, and Addison is Dave and Santana’s. I decided to go to Business school at the University of Lima. I took over my Dad’s shop. We expanded – a full service shop and repair center. We service foreign and domestic vehicles. I have lost count of the number of certifications I have.”
“I went to Lima U for accounting for pre-law. And like Santana, I am a lawyer,” Dave said. “Carol and Burt have the kids for the weekend, but we have pictures. But we weren’t sure how people would react to us being together after high school, so we didn’t want to subject them to that negativity.”
“Anyone who says boo to you will be dealing with me,” Santana said fiercely.
“What?” Rachel said loudly.
“She-Hobbit? Got something nice to say?” Santana asked.
“No,” Rachel admitted.
“Then shut your trap,” Santana said. Brittany got up from her seat and skipped over to where Kurt and Dave were seated. She jumped on Dave, who caught her readily. She whispered in his ear and he chuckled. Britt leaned in and kissed him. Kurt laughed before he was pounced on in turn. Brittany kissed Kurt as well and it made Santana and Dave laugh. “There was no way Britts and I would have kids with anyone else’s sperm. We picked two of the best people we know.”