Big brother Wes Chapter 25: Tomorrow Is Another Day, a glee fanfic

Part 25

"I can't do this", Wes said and turned around on the road he was walking on. He only had Jordan, Thad and David with him. David grabbed him by the shoulders and turned him around.

"Of course you can", he said. "Man up Wesley!"

"You're one to talk", Wes grumbled but was pushed forward. "What if she doesn't like me?"

"You would have to be a crazy person to be able to not like you", Thad said and grabbed hold of Wes' free hand, the one not in a sling. "Now like David said: Man up! They're gonna love you. We already know Tina likes you."

"Dude how sick is this", David asked. "A girl we know actually turns out to be your little sister."

"God I have so many siblings I fear I shall forget everyone's names", Wes said.

"You have four-" Jordan began.

"I have 65 and a half brothers", Wes corrected automatically. "And now a sister as well."

"Well Janice and Jenny are dying to meet you so you have 1 soon to be 3 sisters", Jordan said smugly.

"Shut up this is getting worse."

"How can you have a half brother", David asked and Wes turned to him.

"Because I'm still not sure about Jack…" he said and then stopped walking again. "I can't do this."

The other three rolled their eyes and started to push him.

"Wait!" Wes exclaimed and they did. "If I am doing it… I want to do it alone."

"You'll run off", David accused.

"I swear I won't", Wes said. "I swear on… my role as a former Warbler."

David and Thad looked at each other and nodded before letting go of Wes. Jordan eyed them skeptically. David smiled at him and nodded. Jordan let go, reluctantly and watched Wes close his eyes, take a deep breath and walk into the park where he was meant to meet his birthmother.

"I can't do this", Rochelle Cohen-Chang said and her daughter took one of her hands and her "son-in-law" took the other. Her husband smiled at her.

"Of course you can my Cherry blossom", he said and she blushed slightly.

"What if he doesn't like me", she said. "What if I get there and he won't show up…"

"Wes is too much of a gentleman to do such a thing", Tina told her mother. "Trust me on this mom. He'll be there."

"But what if he's angry for me for not finding him… or… or fighting back when they took him or…"

"Rochelle", her husband said. "Calm down. Just breathe and we'll take this-"

"No", she said shaking her head. "I can't do this. Not with all of you here."

Tina and Mike looked at each other.

"You want to do this yourself mom", Tina asked and Rochelle nodded. Her husband nodded as well, kissed her cheek and backed away a bit.

"Go and show that boy who is mom really is", he said. Mike and Tina followed his lead and Rochelle Cohen-Chang walked into the park where she was meant to meet her son.

His heart was pounding in his chest as he slowly walked down the path. His hand was shaking and he knew his eyes were very wide. He had never been this nervous in his entire life… except for maybe… when he was to sing lead at sectionals in freshman year.

Wes was practically shaking he was so nervous. He was the only freshman in the choir and to make things worse… everyone was bigger and taller than he was. He hadn't hit a grow spurt yet and he felt like a shrimp! It was almost like when he started at Dalton by the age of 12 and he felt like being surrounded by trees! He felt a hand on his shoulder and he jumped.

"Whoa buddy easy", a kind voice said and he turned around and there stood Otto. Otto was the perfect of the dorm Wes stayed at. The senior had made it his job to keep an eye on Wes.

"Sorry", Wes stuttered out. "You scared me."

"It's okay little buddy", Otto said and Wes glared at him. "Sorry, you're not little. You will do perfectly."

"No I won't."

"Yes you will." Otto turned his head. "Come on buddy." He patted Wes on the shoulder. "Showtime."

The Warblers started with the backup and the audience watched as a tiny little Asian guy stepped out from the mass of boys, the Warblers had had over 25 members that year. He closed his eyes and then opened his mouth to sing and some of the more religious people in the audience could swear it was an angel singing. The boy was a tenor and some people said he was nearly a countertenor. The boy sang:

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow

Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
She'll beat you if she's able
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet

Now it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get

Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, oh freedom well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone

Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're losin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you, before it's too late

The audience cheered loudly and the boy bowed before joining his friends as another boy took centre stage and the performance went on. Wes was still shaking so badly he was afraid it would affect his 'dancing'. But the older boys kept throwing him smiles of reassurance.

"God I wish the guys were here now smiling like that", Wes sighed and rubbed his face before running his hand through his hair. "Because I need some reassurance right about-"

"Wes", a shy voice asked behind him and he jumped and turned around. On one of the green benches sat a Chinese woman, she looked at lot like Tina Cohen-Chang. Wes nodded mutely before clearing his throat and asked:

"Mrs. Cohen-Chang?"

She nodded and got up, she looked really nervous, as nervous as he felt. She walked closer to him and held her hand out.

"I'm Rochelle Cohen-Chang", she said smiling but tears were escaping her eyes and going down her cheeks.

"Wes Montgomery", he choked out and took her hand. They just stood there, holding each other's hands and looking into each other's faces. Rochelle smiled and raised her free hand. She slowly moved it and put it against his cheeks, so only the fingertips and the touched his temple. His eyes fluttered close and tears escaped them. He leaned into the touch of her hand and she felt the warm skin and a tear escaped his eye and travelled down her hand. She sobbed and pulled her son into a hug. He put his free arm around her and held her close as well, tears going down his cheeks.

"Oh you're so beautiful", she sobbed. "And so big. My baby. My son. You're so big."

Wes squeezed his eyes shut as he sobbed quietly.

"Mom", he whispered and she held him tighter. They didn't know though that the scene was being watched. Hidden behind some trees Jordan, David and Thad had watched the whole thing and down the road Tina, Mike and Mr. Cohen-Chang were doing the same. Tina was smiling and crying at the same time. Mike looked really amused. Mr. Cohen-Chang was smiling gently, he knew how much it had hurt his wife to lose her baby and he knew what it meant for her to finally get him back. Jordan was looking somewhat smug. David and Thad were holding hands smiling fondly at the sight of their big brother finally having something that the two boys took for granted, a mom.

Wes let go of his mom and chuckled, wipe a tear from his face.

"Wow", he said. "I don't really know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything", his mother told him. His mother. Wow that sounded so right in his mind and in his heart. Suddenly there was a squeal and Wes turned just in time to catch Tina as she jumped into his arm, hooking her legs around his waist and hugging him. Wes laughed and put his arm around her to keep her from falling off and spun around setting her down. She was still smiling and hugging him. Then she looked at him and asked:

"Will you come to my graduation big brother?"

Wes started to laugh and the others came over. Mike grinned and high-fived David and Thad. Mr. Cohen-Chang and Wes shook hands and Mr. Cohen-Chang welcomed him into the family and Wes smiled.

"I know that you've had some trouble with your father", Mr. Cohen-Chang said. "But just know you can always come to me should you need fatherly advice."

"Thank you sir", Wes said.

"Oh don't sir me… it makes me feel so old. Just call me Wyatt."

Wes grinned and then had Tina hugging him again. She had always wanted an older brother after all. Someone that could be amusingly protective over her.

Wes was in the audience at Dalton watching the boys graduate. Around him were the junior, sophomore and freshmen Warblers, they were sitting in the front row. David, Thad, Rock and Fred were onstage after getting their diplomas. David was going to hold a small speech. He walked up to the mike, pulling Thad with him. He refused to let go of his boyfriend's hand because if he did… he would most likely faint. Wes and the Warblers cheered for him. David smiled at the audience, a nervous smile to those who knew him but screw that. David took the mike.

"I'm going to be really clichéy and actually say that I'm not much of a speaker", he said and the audience chuckled. "But I still wanna say that these four years at Dalton have been the best years of my life so far. Odd things keep happing at this school but it is all normal too us because we are, as will the rest of you be, used to the craziness that is Dalton Academy. Just look at what has happened over the years and most of the oddest things circle around the same guy."

"Oh no he isn't", Wes hissed.

"Wes Cohen where tha heck are ya?"

Wes rolled his eyes but stood up as the audience cheered and applauded. He gave them a little wave before pointing at David in a "threatening" way. The grin on his face kinda ruined the image.

"Wes", David went on. "Has been a huge part of making the four of us" he gestured to the boys onstage. "In different ways. We have dropped our luggage down from the second floor onto him, been comforted by him, nearly gotten him killed" Fred blushed at that "and gotten greeted normally." Rock grinned, one of the few Warblers to have a normal first encounter with Wes Cohen, no longer Montgomery.

"This year", David went on. "Has been a rollercoaster ride. Sometimes it's been bad but mostly it's been good. The bonds within the Warblers have grown stronger and stronger and we will keep those bonds forev-Don't you dare sit down Wesley Cohen!" Wes held his hands up and stood again as the audience laughed.

"Thanks to that man", David continued and pointed at Wes. "We won nationals and thanks to him we could all take it here. Warblers get up!"

All Warblers stood and the audience cheered.

"These boys have changed me and made me who I am", David went on and then beckoned the other senior Warblers over. "Made us who we are. And while we're sad to leave Dalton and go out in the big scary world, we will always have the Warblers. Because friendships may fade with time but brotherhood is forever. Thank you."

The audience cheered and wolf-whistled. Wes saw Principal Carmichael look at him and when Wes caught his gaze the man nodded. Wes turned to the Warblers and whispered something. They all chuckled and then Wes jumped onto the stage, just as David and the other three were getting off. The Warblers all joined him and music started to play. The Warblers sang backup while Wes soloed. David, Thad, Rock and Fred stared at them.

You can't stop an avalanche
As it races down the hill
You can try to stop the seasons, boy
But ya know you never will
And you can try to stop my dancin' feet

But I just cannot stand still
Cause the world keeps spinnin'
Round and round
And my heart's keeping time
To the speed of sound
I was lost till I heard the drums
Then I found my way

Wes and the Warblers were dancing in a way that proofed why they and the New Directions were the only deserving winners of nationals.

Cause you can't stop the beat

Ever since this old world began
A woman found out if she shook it
She could shake up a man
And so I'm gonna shake and shimmy it
The best that I can today

'Cause you can't stop
The motion of the ocean
Or the sun in the sky
You can wonder if you wanna
But I never ask why

And if you try to hold me down
I'm gonna spit in your eye and say
That you can't stop the beat!

David, Rock, Fred and Thad clapped their hands to the beat and Wes was pulled into the crowd of Warblers and disappeared from view and Nick stepped forward singing happily: (Nick,Jeff, Both)

You can't stop a river
As it rushes to the sea
You can try and stop the hands of time
But ya know it just can't be

And if they try to stop us, Jeffry,
I'll call the N Double A C P
Cause the world keeps spinning
Round and 'round
And my heart's keeping time
To the speed of sound
I was lost till I heard the drums
Then I found my way

Cause you can't stop the beat
Ever since we first saw the light
A man and woman liked to shake it
On a Saturday night
And so I'm gonna shake and shimmy it
With all my might today

'Cause you can't stop
The motion of the ocean
Or the rain from above
You can try to stop the paradise
We're dreamin' of
But you cannot stop the rhythm
Of two hearts in love to stay
Cause you can't stop the beat!

The Warblers parted as Wes took over again singing for all his might, rivaling Mercedes on the soul part for the first time in his life, and probably his last if he had anything to say about it. (Wes, All)

Oh oh oh whoa
You can't stop today
As it comes speeding down the track
Child, yesterday is hist'ry
And it's never coming back

'Cause tomorrow is a brand new day
And it don't know white from black
Yeah!
'Cause the world keeps spinning
'Round and 'round
And my heart's keeping time
To the speed of sound
I was lost till I heard the drums
Then I found my way
'Cause you can't stop the beat

Ever since we first saw the light
A man and woman liked to shake it
On a Saturday night
And so I'm gonna shake and shimmy it
With all my might today
'Cause you can't stop
The motion of the ocean
Or the rain from above
They can try to stop this paradise
We're dreaming of
But you cannot stop the rhythm
Of two hearts in love to stay
You can't stop the beat!
You can't stop the beat!
You can't stop the beat!
You can't stop the beat!

The audience cheered loudly and the Warblers bowed and jumped off the stage, pulling their senior members with them.

The Warblers were hiding behind the curtains of the big stage on the football field that had been built at McKinley High. Schue and Figgins had asked them if they couldn't come over and do a number for their graduates and of course they were going to do that. None of the boys were in Dalton uniforms, the school ended yesterday for them after all. But they were still in matching outfits. They all had red short-sleeved shirts, the same red as the football jerseys, black shoes with white spats, black hats with white bands around them, black ties and black gloves. They were going to do two numbers, Don't Stop Believing and Seasons of Love. Figgins had been holding a speech as had Rachel and Mr. Schue. Schue talked about all the ups and downs of high school life and how everyone's lives were now in front of them and that life was something wonderful.

"And everyone here in front of me", he said. "Are special in their own ways and that's what makes everyone love you. So don't stop believing."

That was the signal for the boys to take their places and they did. All 19 boys, young men… whatever all 19 of them stood behind the curtain, holding one hand onto their hats, standing on their toes , kinda looking like the King of Pop himself and looked down on the ground. Wes was the only one facing the way the audience sat in, while the other boys stood turned in profile, so the boys on the right side of the stage faced the boys on the left. They were also standing in a V-formation. Wes was standing in the middle and in front, closest to the audience. To his right stood Fred and David, a bit behind them stood and to their right stood Nick, Jeff and Trent. The last group in that line, behind the others and to Nick, Jeff and Trent's right stood Jeremiah, John, Connor, Lewis and Luke. Behind Wes and to his left stood Rock and Thad, behind them Joseph, James and Frank and behind them Roger, Chris, Oliver, Max and Rasmus. Wes was smirking and listened to Figgins again. The principal had taken the stage again.

"And now", he said in that monotone voice of his. "We have a treat for you, to celebrate and honor the New Directions for their win at nationals we have a group here to perform for them. So let's give it up." The, by now, very familiar intro started and the curtain was pulled aside and the audience cheered, although they had no idea who they cheered for.

"Who're they", Mercedes asked Rachel.

"I don't know", Rachel answered and then the groups furthest back made a spin, looked up and continued with the dada part the New Directions always did. The other groups did the same until the soloist was the only one left to do the spin, but instead he just looked up and started to sing: (Wes, David & Rock, Nick & Joseph, All)

Just a small town girl
livin´ in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin´ anywhere
Just a city boy born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train goin´ anywhere

"It's the Warblers!" Kurt exclaimed recognizing Wes at once and the other boys. The Warblers were imitating the New Directions dance at regionals at that point.

A singer in a smoky room
The smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the nights
Streetlights people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the nights

Working hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin´ anything to roll the dice
Just one more time

Some will win some will lose
Some are born to sing the blues
And now the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the nights
Streetlights people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the nights

Don´t stop believin
Hold on to that feelin´
Streetlight people
Don´t stop believin
Hold on to that feelin´
Streetlight people

Don´t stop!

Don´t stop believin
Hold on to that feelin´
Streetlight people

Don´t stop!

Everyone cheered and the Warblers grinned and lined up in a long line and Wes took a step forward.

"High school ends", he said. "That's just the way things are and I now that you guys have had a… interesting year to say the least."

Chuckles all around.

"You have all faced different hardships and you've all come out stronger on the other side", Wes continued. "Why? Because you have all had someone at your side that loves you. So let's measure this year shall we?"

Wes walked into the line and Blaine grinned. He knew what song it was they were doing now. Brad started to play the piano and the boys from Dalton… made every single person cry because it was so beautiful.(All, Wes, Roger)

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife

In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?

How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love

Wes stepped out from the line and sang while the others harmonized:

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes!
Five hundred twenty-five thousand journeys to plan

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?

Roger walked up beside Wes and put his arm around Wes' shoulders while he sang:

In truths that she learned,
Or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned,
Or the way that she died

It's time now to sing out,
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love! (Oh you got to got to)
Remember the love! (You know that love is a gift from up above)
Remember the love! (Share love, give love spread love)
Measure in love
Measure, measure your life in love.

Seasons of love

Wes waved for the New Directions and the kids of ND ran up to the stage and was pulled up and joined in on the singing, while getting hugs from all the boys of the Warblers. Wes stood with his arms around Tina and Blaine's shoulders as they all sang the chorus again:

Seasons of love

When they song was over everyone cheered and graduation caps flew into the air. Wes grinned. He'd never been this happy before. A lot had happened this school year. At first he had graduated at Dalton, being forced to say goodbye to the boys that meant the world to him. He started a new life at NYADA… only to be called back to Dalton when his family needed him. He helped leading them to victory… of the whole shebang. He had gotten united with some of his half-brothers, had realized he had three half-sisters, where he knew one already, he'd met his mom and finally… had a blood-family because no matter what you say… Wes had never, ever, been without a family. Once a Warbler, always a Warbler and the Warblers were brothers… to the very end.

Epilogue

He saw quite a few faces that he recognized. He saw Wes' kids… and grandkids of course. He saw Wes' half siblings, Tina and Jordan. He wondered if Jordan wouldn't just die soon… The guy was 11 years older than Wes after all and Wes had been 87. But Jordan was too stubborn to die. David was happy that Wes' father never got a chance to get Wes' forgiveness. Wes and his half siblings wouldn't allow it. He walked towards a group sitting by one of the big tables. It was all 21 of them sitting there… all dressed in black. They all looked so… old. He knew he must look the same but as he walked in and heard their various laughs the old men in front of him dressed in black were replaced with teenage boys in dark blue blazers with red ripping. He shook his head and saw the old men again. He walked over to them leaning on his cane.

"David", Thad said and smiled when he saw him and motioned for him to sit by his side. David took Thad's hand as he sat down and looked around at the old men. There they were. There were David, Thad, Trent, Blaine, Kurt, Rock, Fred, Frank, Joseph, Luke, James, John, Chris, Jeff, Nick, Connor, Rasmus, Oliver, Lewis, Max, Jeremiah and Roger. David looked up at the stage in the big dining room and saw a picture of Wes. It was a picture of him playing Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. There was a projector showing a video from all of Wes' performances… even from his Warbler-days.

"I still wait for that phone call", Rock said shakily. "Wes always called once a day… even when… just before the end."

"He always cared about us", Luke said. They saw Wes' daughter walk up on the stage and take the mike.

"Thank you everyone for coming to my father's funeral and reception", she said. "Speeches will be hold soon but first the Dalton Academy Warblers will be singing a song to my father's honor."

She moved off the stage and 16 young boys in black blazers with red ripping entered looking shy.

"Like looking in a mirror ey", Thad whispered to David that chuckled. The old men watched as the young boys performed Welcome from Brother Bear. The song Wes always sang at the beginning of each school year to welcome new Warblers into the family. After working many years on Broadway, West End and in movies Wes decided to return to Dalton and teach in music and theater, as well as helping boys as a councilor. When the new Warblers finished the song the old Warblers raised their glass towards them and Wes' picture.

"Good bye big brother", David mumbled. "We love you."

A teenage boy at the age of 18 stood unseen in the door. Everyone that looked his way only saw the thin air. He had short black hair, a gentle smile and happy dark eyes. He was wearing grey pants, white shirt, a red and dark blue tie, a dark blue blazer with red ripping and a sign of a canary embroidered to it and with a red D on the chest pocket. He looked at the table where the old men sat and smiled.

"Don't worry David", he said. "We'll all be together again soon." Then he walked out, no one even knowing he had been there. As he walked he sang:

Come along
Will there be sunshine shinin'?
Will we find a silver linin'?
Come along
Sing a song
When today becomes tomorrow
Will we find joy or sorrow?
Sing a song

Is it wrong?
To put all our hopes together
And wish for something better?
Is it wrong
To belong?
To face the future with another
Who means more than any other
Is to belong

We'll paint the grey clouds
With pretty rainbow hues
And we'll brush the gloom away
And save it for a rainy day
Rainy day
Oh today!

If troubles cast a shadow
And shadows makes the sun afraid to stay
But it's okay
'Cause there will be sunshine shinin'
And we'll find a silver linin' another day

Tomorrow is another day
How I wish you'll always stay
Tomorrow is another day

The End

Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing :) I love you all and I hope you all enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.