I just want to say that my making Finn such a lovable side character in this story was my little ode to Cory Monteith, may he rest in peace.
Epilogue
I wake up in the morning with the most excruciating headache I can ever remember. That's not true actually, the last time I had a headache like this was when I went back time... I jump up with a jolt. Have I moved in time again? I look around frantically for Dave; he's not beside me in bed nor in the room. Where is he?!
I finally glance at my bedside table and notice the photo of Dave, Finn and myself mugging for the camera in our red graduation gowns. I breath easy now that I know I am still here in the new present. I look at the picture again with fond memories. We were all so happy that day. My proud dad took the picture just after the ceremony. It started off as a picture of us three boys, Dave and I bookending Finn in the middle. As my dad snapped away we started fooling around and at one point, Dave and I both moved in and kissed Finn on each cheek. The look on his face was priceless. It was a way over the top, mock oh-my-god-I'm-just-a-simple-straight-dude-and-I've-just-been-kissed-by-two-boys look. Out of all the pictures my dad took that day I decided to frame this one because it just captures beautifully, the relaxed relationship that we all have with each other. I love the picture because it shows the two most favorite boys in my life; my lover and my brother. I gaze at Dave in the photograph, he looked so hot in that red gown. Something about that red made me want to jump him all day. I even tried to sneak a gown home with me so Dave could bonk me that night while wearing it. But Sue Sylvester caught me with it and made me hand it in.
Maybe when we get to New York I can look through some vintage shops and find one of those red gowns...
The bedroom door opens and in walks Dave with a tray of food. "Ah my sleeping beauty is already awake. How do you feel? I brought some Ibuprofen along with bacon, eggs and black coffee."
"Dave you certainly are my prince. Thank you." I sit up gingerly and wince because of my pounding head. I practically snatch the pills from his hand and grab the glass of water from my night stand and gulp the cool water and pills down. I then sink back in my bed and wonder why I panicked; thinking that I am back in the old universe? I haven't thought about my old past in months, in fact it is getting harder and harder to remember it. I recall that my present headache is not from moving in time; its a hang over from getting drunk the night before.
Dave sets the tray on my lap and he adjusts the pillows between me and our head broad so I am more comfortable. He then moves to his side of the bed and gets on gingerly so as not to jostle me. I try to smile at him but even that small gesture makes my sore head pound.
"Do you remember anything about last night?" Dave asks lightly.
"Just that we were on a double date with Blaine and that meekrat boyfriend of his, Sebastian at Scandals." I say as I stab at my scrambled egg whites violently, imagining the pasty white pile is Smythe.
Dave chuckles, "What is it between you two? Even when Blaine introduced him several months back, it was like, hate and loathing at first sight."
"He's a douche. Blaine could do much better."
"I agree Seb's a bit of a douche, but I think Blaine will be the making of him, just like you were for me."
"How can you compare yourself to him? You are a so much better person than him."
"I don't compare myself to him, I can just kinda relate to him." Dave responds shrugging slightly.
"I don't see how. If he calls you 'Chubby Cubby' or 'Liberace Brows' one more time, I'll deck him!" I grouse, viciously hacking at a bit of bacon.
"That's just Seb being Seb, it doesn't bug me half as much as it seems to bother you." Dave replies. "For him, it's almost a term of endearment. Besides, you and Seb got along famously last night. You were telling him how great he was and how you had misjudged him."
"God I must have been drunk as a Lord!" I take a break from eating to rest my achy head. "How did I end up so drunk? I only had three drinks that I can remember. The rest of the evening is pretty foggy after that. I usually hold my liquor better than that."
"Six drinks, you had the equivalent of six drinks before you and Smythe started on shots." Dave replies.
"What do you mean, I had the equivalent of six drinks?" I ask puzzled.
"Remember how Seb insisted buying our rounds? Supposedly to celebrate our new future together in New York? Well he was ordering doubles for you. Apparently he thought your 'prim and proper ass had to be loosened up' - his words, not mine." Dave explains.
"You let him do that to me?" I gasp, really upset.
"He didn't tell us what he was doing, Babe! I only started getting suspicious after the third round because you were so much drunker than the rest of us. Then you challenged Seb to a drinking game. It would be too obvious if he served you doubles then, but it didn't matter anyways. You were so drunk you kept losing to him, so you were drinking twice as many shots. When I finally got him to admit what he'd done I was so furious I threatened to break his hand if he bought you another drink."
"My hero!" I enthused. "I wished you had broken his hand, the rotten fink!"
"Last night you pouted and called me a party pooper."
"I did?"
"As I said, you were Seb's best friend last night. When we finally got him to admit he was out to get you hammered, you thought it was . You chided me for being angry with him and when we finally parted for the evening, you gave him a big hug and a kiss goodbye. I must say, you are a very happy and forgiving drunk." Dave finishes.
"I'm not his friend now, the rotten bastard." I replied rubbing my head. "You say I kissed him? No wonder my mouth tastes so foul this morning."
Dave chuckled. "Well he is very sorry, and he admitted that it was a stupid trick to pull. Blaine was very angry with him. I think he'll be regretting actions for a few days until Blaine forgives him." Dave reaches over to his night stand. "By the way, I have to give you your wallet back, I took it out of your bag."
"Why do you have it?" I asked puzzled.
"After I banned Seb from buying drinks and you called me a party pooper, you announced to everyone that you were going to buy the next round. You couldn't locate your bag so I found it first and handed it to you, minus your wallet. I slipped it out of your bag as I handed it to you. When you couldn't find your wallet we suggested someone must have stole it. Here you are." Dave says as he hands me the wallet.
"Thanks Dave, you aren't a party pooper, you are the best boyfriend ever. Oops!" my coordination hasn't returned yet and the wallet slips out of my grasp and lands on the bed. A small white card falls out.
Dave picks up the card and reads it. ."Who's Tante Zoe?"
"A hundred year old woman I met once. Can I see it?"
Dave gives me the card and I stare at it. It is identical to the card Britney gave me in my previous time. I don't know how it ended up in my wallet. Nothing else from the previous time came with me. In the months Dave and I have been together since our second 'first kiss' I have never seen it in my wallet.
"Dave, did anybody else have access go my bag? I have no idea this card came from." I ask him quite puzzled.
"Like who? And why would they add something to your bag?" Dave asks equally puzzled.
"I dunno, maybe Britney?"
"You mean when Britney, and Santana dropped by our table to say hello. But why would she slip a card in you bag?"
"Never mind I'm being silly." I say not wanting to explain Britney and time travel.
"You can be as silly as you like, sweetheart. You were silly enough to pick me and I love you for it." Dave says and he kisses me. "How's your head?"
"Still hurts like a bitch. I feel dreadful." I complain.
"How about a shower together? I'll make you feel real good." Dave replies suggestively, while stroking my thigh.
"I'd love that, maybe later this morning?" I ask hopefully.
Dave stands up and starts stripping off his clothing. "Sorry man, it's now or never. It's getting late and I have to get ready for my golf game."
"Golf game?"
"Yeh me and Finn are teaming up against the old fogeys, and this time we're gonna win." Dave says proudly standing there in all his naked glory.
"You won't be alive long enough to win, if my dad hears you calling him and Paul old fogeys." I laugh.
"Agh, you should hear how we insult each other while we play the course. Your dad's brutal at smacktalk."
"No thanks, you boys have a good time." I smile, eyeing Dave's goods on display.
"So are you joining me in the shower?" Dave asks hopefully while swinging his privates playfully at me.
I laugh, "I think I will." I move to get up and the room sways sickeningly and my head pounds violently. I drop back onto the bed. "Goddamned cocksucker! I'm going to kill that cock-blocking bastard Smythe, next time I see him!" I rasp out holding my head.
Dave just chuckles. "Well it looks like I'm having a shower all by my lonesome." He struts very proudly into the shower, wiggling his ass with each step in a very provocative yet manly way, knowing it would bug me. I just glare after him until I realise it's making my head worse. I lay my head and try to stay still gradually my eyes flutter shut...
I am walking along a corridor with many doors. I come to a small white door with a shiny gold handle. The door opens without my help and I glide into the brilliant white room. I see two figures dancing in the distance, amongst a crowd of people smiling and cheering. As I get closer, I see Dave smiling, looking lovingly into the eyes of another me as we move around the junior prom dance floor. I pause and stop to watch this vignette. Junior prom was one of my most cherished memories. When I relived Junior prom I changed it up. Instead of working through the humiliation of being elected Prom Queen I actively peruse it, actually campaigning to be voted in as queen before the dance, much to Santana's annoyance. Figgins was furious and explained that being a boy I couldn't possibly be voted in a girl's position. I would loved to ask him why did his former self announce my "win" the first time around. Of course I couldn't because no one but me knows about the time travel. Sue came to the rescue again threatening him with some dark secret to allow me to run. On the magical night, Dave was elected king once more and I was his chosen queen. And this time Dave willingly danced with me in front of everyone. It was marvelous!
I glide by another vignette of Dave and I cheering and hugging each other and the rest of the Glee gang as we win the national championship. Shortly after the pink shirt day, Dave joined Glee and became one of our stronger male voices.
I continue to move along watching several Daves and other Kurts celebrate all the mile stones that Dave and I celebrated in this time line. It was beautiful and moving and I feel extremely happy reliving all these happy moments. I feel blessed and satisfied with how my life with Dave has played out.
I pass by one last vignette and pause. I watch as another me sings a song for my audition to NYADA. I was singing Sting's song 'Until' *, a song written about time and deep love. I actually had another song picked out but when I saw Dave's smiling face in the auditorium supporting me as he always does, I impulsively chose this song instead. I was practising it to sing on his birthday but decided that the song was perfect to sing for our mutual goal to live in New York. I sang like I had never sang before. The song resonated with me like no other. I sang for David and I, for our future and past. As impulses go it worked out great! I was chosen to go to NYADA along with Rachael. With Dave managing to get a spot in NYU, we were so happy to be together in New York.
Up ahead I saw her, a small sitting figure, dressed in white almost disappearing in the large winged back white chair that was positioned in the corner of the room. This time, a young child was sitting beside her; the same little girl who opened the door when I first arrived at Tante Zoe's house . The little girl also a white dress on and she played with a doll similarly attired. Tante Zoe smiled her gummy smile and beckoned towards me.
Though her lips don't move I hear her soft voice in my ear. "Come to me, Mon Cheri." Come Kurt. Come Kurt... Kurt...Kurt...
"Kurt, Kurt, Kurt?" Dave whispers, stroking my hair. "Do you feel better after your sleep?"
"Yes actually, "I reply smiling. "My head ache is gone." It was amazing, after my sleep I feel great and full of energy. The dream was so powerful and real. I grab my phone to check the date. Today is the day that I went to see Tante Zoe in my past time line. This coincidence as well as my panic attack earlier and the card suddenly showing up are signs I can't ignore. I have to go see Aunt Zoe today. Dave interrupts my racing thoughts.
"Good, I'm glad to hear it. I wouldn't want you to feel ill during our going away party. Can you believe it? Two days from now we'll be in New York!" Dave says excitedly as he moves to his drawer and hunts out a clean pair of underwear.
I have a similar drawer at his place. Ever since the day I went home with Dave, we have spent half the week at my home and half the week at his. We are very rarely separated. It gets complicated at times and I have gone to school on occasion with a less than stellar wardrobe but it is so worth it to be with Dave on a daily and nightly basis.
I get out of bed and walk over to where Dave is putting on his underwear and manage to get in a good grope before he playfully swats my hand away.
"You had your chance Hummel, and you blew it." Dave chuckles. "I have no time left; I have to get ready for the golf game."
"Ah Dave, that's the whole point, I didn't get chance to blow it." I whine pitifully.
"Tough luck!" Dave says, but pulls me in for a cuddle. He allows me to run my hands down his naked back but as soon as I get close to his underwear, he evades me again. "I'm in enough trouble with your Dad about pandering you by bringing up your breakfast. He's annoyed at you for getting drunk and at me for allowing it."
"And I bet you took the blame rather than rat on the true culprit." I said knowingly.
"Seb's going to be at the party tonight and I don't want to spoil it by any. He really is truly sorry."
"So you keep saying." I say smiling. One of the things I love about Dave is his absolute belief in redemption. He is always willing to give anyone a second, third or fourth chance to change.
"Oh did I tell you?" Dave says excitedly while donning his clothes, "Az is going to be able to make the party; he managed to change work shifts!"
"That's wonderful Dave!" I exclaim, truly happy for my boyfriend. The loss of Azimio's friendship was extremely hard on Dave. But as I predicted, it was just as hard for Azimio as well. It took the remainder of that school year, but he gradually came to terms with his friend being gay and slowly started a relationship with him again. It took Az a long time to get rid of all his homophobic ideas, but Dave was patient and had long talks with him. He finally accepted Dave and I as a couple and now a days, you wouldn't know he ever had a problem. This last summer, both Dave and Az have been working hard to save money for college. Az is going to Ohio State and has a summer security job that takes up a lot if his time. This will be the last time they will see each other before Dave and I head off to New York.
"So what are you doing today? Going shopping with girls?" Dave asks, meaning the Glee girls. He smiles at me, waiting for my answer while putting on his jeans.
"It was the plan, but I'm thinking of opting out. I have an errand to run; something I've suddenly thought of that I should do before leaving Lima. We'll be seeing them this evening anyways." I explain.
"Don't forget that Carol is counting on you to take her to my house in the afternoon before we get back to help set up the food."
"I won't forget. I can't wait to meet the lovely Natalie. I've heard nothing but good things about her from Carol and dad and the two of you, of course." I tease. Natalie is Paul's new girl friend he met at a PFLAG meeting. She is a single mother with a daughter who just came out at thirteen as a lesbian. Right from their first meeting, Paul and Natalie got on like a house on fire with similar interests and easy going attitudes. This will be the official first time out as a couple because Natalie felt that she and Paul should keep a low profile romantically until Paul's divorce was settled. The divorce has gone through and I am happy that Dave seems to have come to terms with his mom not being in his life. Both Carol and Natalie have filled the void as surrogate mothers. He will get a new younger sister out of the bargain, Jackie. He met her a few times at PFLAG meetings and they got on famously. Even with all the times I've been with David at their house I have yet to meet Natalie or Jackie there. Paul invites them over when we're not there.
"Natalie really wants to meet you too. She told me that she can't wait to meet the man who saved my dad's life." Dave replies proudly.
"She's making too big a deal out of it. All I did was suggest that he get his heart checked out that's all."
"Kurt, I wish you wouldn't down play it. You didn't just suggest he get his heart checked out, you insisted and nagged...pardon me, I mean earnestly implored him to go to a doctor. " Dave amended when I shot him an annoyed look. They wouldn't have found the blockage in the artery in his heart otherwise. He was walking around like a ticking time bomb and the least little bit of stress could have set him off. He most likely would have died from a massive heart attack. Its a big deal to me, Dad and Natalie."
"I only insisted because I know how scared and upset I was when my dad had a heart attack." I reply. I certainly can't say that Paul had a heart attack and died in my previous time line.
"I just want you to know how eternally grateful I am. I love you so much." Dave pulls me close and kisses me. It is tender and passionate, only Dave can kiss like that. I don't know if it is my thousandth kiss with him or my ten thousandth, he still thrills me to my toes.
"I love you too!" I declare and then I try and feel his ass.
"Enough you evil tempter! I will resist your charms!" he exclaims and makes an impromptu cross with his two index fingers.
"Right on queue, my dad shouts up from the bottom of the stairs. "David are you coming? We won't make our tee time if you don't hurry."
We both snicker like juvenile boys at the 'are you coming' question. "Most likely tonight!" Dave whispers to me, grinning. He gives me a playful slap on my bum, one more kiss on the lips and announces, "Let The smack talk commence." He then shouts down to my dad in an enthusiastic voice, "Burt! Prepare to have your ass handed go you on a platter!" He looks back at me, eyes lively and twinkling. Dave, the love of my life smiles his beautiful smile that always makes my heart sing, waves bye to me and then bounds down the stairs, eager to seize the day.
"How I love that man." I say out loud to myself then I hurry and dress myself. I have a lot to be thankful for, and before I leave Lima I want to visit the Creole witch that made it all possible.
I arrive at the small bungalow and knock timidly in the door. I inwardly berate myself for just arriving and not making an appointment. After the dream I was so certain that Aunt Zoe wanted to see me that I didn't bother calling ahead.
The door opens anyway and Desire stands there. After a few seconds in silence I finally realise she expects me to tell her why I'm at her door.
"May I see Tante Zoe?" I ask.
"You don't have an appointment"
"No I don't but I believe she is expecting me.
Desiree wonders down the hall, stops and turns around and motions me to sit in the parlor.
I close the door and move into the room she indicated and sit down on the couch. The room is already occupied. The little girl in my dream was there playing with her doll. "Hi there," I say smiling. She just stares at me long and hard. I try staring back but I can't hold her penetrating gaze. Her eyes have an ages old look about them, like I am staring into eternity. I find it rather unnerving.
Luckily comes back to fetch me. We walk down the hall into the garish room I remember from my time before. Tante Zoe is dressed in her periwinkle dress and is perched on her big chair looking very diminutive and frail. She looks up and gives me a brilliant smile transforming her features. I have this odd thought that I am glad that Desiree had fetched the old woman's ill-fitting dentures before she got me.
I am surprised at the welling of affection and gratitude I suddenly feel for this elderly woman and I impulsively walk up to her and kiss her on her cheek in greeting before sitting down to face her.
"Oh my!" Tante Zoe giggles girlishly. "I can't remember the last time a handsome (click) young man kissed we met before?"
I smile bashfully, embarrassed by the fact that I keep forgetting that Tante Zoe has not met me before in this time line. It might be an anniversary of sorts for me, but not for her.
"Yes and no. I came here today in my past time line." I start.
"Oh I see, I must of sold you my herbs (click) and they helped you." Tante Zoe said satisfied. Her dentures making the familiar clicking sound whenever she talks.
"Yes, they did and I have come here to thank you." I answer giving her a happy smile.
Tante Zoe leans forward and stares at me intently for a moment than laughs and shakes her head. "You be the boy in (click) that came to me in my dream. I'm as near-sighted in my visions (click) as I am in real life" she says smiling.
"I had a dream with you in it. I woke up with a compulsion to see you."
Tante Zoe nodded, "Did you accomplish (click) what you set out to do? Are you (click) happy?"
"Yes and I am wonderfully happy!" I reply
"In my very long life (click) I have only met a handful of people that have accomplished what you did - going back in time. I think the universe is as wondrous (click) and mysterious as it is vast. We have no inkling of its power."
"Well you had a hand in it."
"I hand out the (click) herbs made from a recipe that was passed down from my grandmother who received from her (click) grandmother. It is an ancient recipe (click) from the distant, distant past. Along with the recipe, my grandmother (click) told me wonderful stories of people she helped and the experiences they told her. She remembered stories (click) from her grandmother and stories from before that. She made me (click) memorize them so we can keep the oral history alive." Tante Zoe, suddenly sighed and stopped talking. She gazed off into the distance, lost in her own thoughts.
"Tante Zoe? What are thinking?"
"I'm worried child. My record keeping (click) days will soon be over. I have no one to continue my work of (click) recording. My daughter died before me, my grandchildren (click) are living their own lives and are not interested in my work. Desiree helps me but she has no interest in what I do, other than indulging an favored old lady's (click) whims. None of my family have visions, they can't connect with people or their deeper universal self. I fear the (click) herbs and the chance of helping people change their lives will be lost when I die.
"What about that little girl; the cute one that looks about five years old?"
"You mean Celeste? She is so (click) young. I won't have time to impart everything." Tante Zoe says but I see that she is mulling it over carefully.
"Even if you are able to impart a small amount, it would be something. Desiree can help her in the beginning." I reason. "I might be wrong, but I have strong feeling about her. Perhaps because I saw her playing with her dolls, right by your chair in my dream. Am I assuming wrongly that she dreamed of me?"
"Celeste was in your (click) dream?" Tante Zoe asked excitedly. "How marvelous! I may have someone (click) take on my work after I die after all. She could have been in my (click) vision, but not in my sight range, that's why I did not see her. Thank you for (click) suggesting her."
She reached over and rang a small dinner bell. Desire appeared in the room almost immediately. "Can you (click) bring in Celeste to join us?" Desire shrugged and went off. Moments later Celeste walked in the door with her doll and plunked herself down in the exact spot she did in my dream. She looked up, staring intently at me as she did before. This time, it didn't bother me. Tante Zoe smiled at the young girl for a while and then turned to me.
"Now please tell us your (click) story as it happened so we can add it to our oral history." She settled into her chair and made herself comfortable. The elder lady paused, "I hope it doesn't concern missing (click) pet toys. I had a crazy girl in here the other day, saying I saved her (click) relationship with Lord somebody. It took me a while to realise she was talking about her (click) cat."
I laughed, "No it doesn't concern cats or any other animals. I know the girl you are referring to. Her name is Britney and she recommended that I come to you, the first time."
"I believe there is an unfathomable (click) but necessary universal plan, and I feel the people I help who go back in time make (click) important edits to the work in progress. But for the life of me, I do not know why I had to deal with that (click) silly girl."
"Britney is very special, I have a feeling she has a better idea of the workings of the universe than any of us."
Tante Zoe chuckled, "The world has had stranger prophets, I am never surprised by the workings of the universe. So tell me; why did you want to go back?"
"To save Dave, this boy I knew."
"And did you save him.?"
"Oh more than that! I think I found my soul mate." I explain happily.
"Soul mate? No wonder you were successful! Love is so powerful. I am positive that the universe operates on love." Tante Zoe sits straighter and leans forward. "Tell me your (click) experience. What happened to you when you took my herbs."
"Gosh, I don't know where to start." I pause while I gather my thoughts. "I suppose I should start at the beginning. I say beginning, but it started out as and end, an end to the life I wanted to save."
Tante Zoe chuckled. "You'll find endings are always (click) beginnings."
I smile at this amazing, beautiful woman, settle into my chair and start my story.
"I remember the exact time I heard of David Karofsky's death..."
A/N
*"Until..." is a song from the 2001 Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning film Kate & Leopold, written and sung by Sting. The song won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for the Academy Award in the same category (Wiki)