Who: Caroline and Stefan What: Celebrating When: Backdated to Valentine’s Day Where: Various Warning: None Status: Completed via Gdoc
Stefan knew that he had to do something really impressive for Caroline this Valentine’s day. He didn’t know a lot of options in this place, but managed to score reservations at one of the finer places in Madison Valley. He dressed to impress and headed straight to Caroline’s place to pick her up. The whole way there he was thinking about how much he wanted to get his hands on a car. Walking to a restaurant for a dinner date could be sweet and romantic (hopefully) but Stefan missed his car.
He knocked on the door, then waited with his hands in his pockets for her to answer the door.
Spending time with Stefan doing practically anything felt like a miracle to Caroline. In their world, Stefan was dead, having sacrificed himself to save everyone, and Caroline lost the love of her life. No more chances to simply cuddle in bed or on the couch watching shows together. No more moments of being able to text him and no he would respond nearly the instant he received it. It was all gone in an instant. Of course Caroline supported him even if her world was darkened the second he was no longer in it. She’d done what Caroline was good at. She’d moved on the best she could, adapted, raised her daughters, and tried to live her life. Except there was always a hole in her heart where Stefan used to be and Caroline knew that nothing and no one could ever truly fill that void.
Madison Valley had gifted them both with a chance to have the relationship they never fully got to experience back home. Having the chance to spend Valentine’s Day with him? It felt like a dream to Caroline and she was looking forward to it so much. And, being Caroline, she of course went all out with her outfit for the evening. Much like himself, she wanted to dress to impress and Stefan only deserved the best she could offer.
Caroline had just put the finishing touches on her makeup when she heard Stefan approach the door and knock. Flashing a quick smile at herself in the mirror, Caroline fluffed her hair a bit and quickly grabbed her coat and purse. Though she didn’t technically need the coat, Caroline always liked being in fashion with whatever season it was. With all of her winter gear in place and purse on her shoulder, the blond hurried towards the door in heels, unlocking it and opening it in seconds.
“Stefan, hey,” Caroline greeted brightly, immediately stepping outside and closing the door behind her. The blond’s drank in the sight of him in a suit, looking very handsome, and leaned up to peck him on the cheek.
“You look dashingly handsome by the way,” she added as she stepped back and slipped her arm in his.
Stefan’s eyes softened at the sight of her coming through the doorway. He’d have to be blind, deaf, and stupid to not understand how beautiful Caroline was, inside and out. But there were some days when she really outdid herself. Today was one of those days. She was the most amazing creature he’d ever laid eyes on.
“You’re beautiful,” he mirrored her sentiment, lifting a hand to cover hers on his arm. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
They had enough time for a leisurely stroll to the restaurant, so they could take their time and still make the reservation. Stefan worked that part out. He was still kicking himself that he hadn’t gotten his act together in time to get a car.
“How’ve you been the last… oh, twenty-eight hours?” It’d only been a day since he’d seen her. Sometimes it felt like a day was too long to wait to be with her again.
At the pressure of his hand over hers, Caroline’s stomach flooded with butterflies. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Stefan,” she replied softly. It took everything within her not to tear up at the moment. A moment they might never have if not for this place and its weirdness. A weirdness Caroline would always be grateful for because it gave her back the love of her life.
The two started walking and despite the rather drab winter day around them, Caroline found she couldn’t be happier. It could have been snowing, raining, whatever, and Caroline would still be on top of the world because of the man beside her.
“Absolutely no complaints. Well, except for one and that’s missing you,” Caroline replied, looking up at him with a small smile. “What about you? I hope you kept yourself out of trouble since I wasn’t around to do it.”
Stefan smiled warmly, almost shyly, when she said that she missed him. If he had his way, he would spend all day every day with her. Then again, maybe she would get sick of him, so taking a little time off every once in a while was probably a good thing? Still, the instinct to be there with her all the time was strong.
“Honestly, Care. How much trouble could I get into in twenty-eight hours?” He asked, playfully.
Because Caroline had lost Stefan at home, she would never complain about spending as much time as possible with the other vampire. If it was up to her, she would spend every second of every day with him. The blond couldn’t ever have enough of the man beside her. Not after being apart from him for so long.
“Oh, I don’t know…” Caroline trailed off, playfully bumping his shoulder with her own. “I’d say plenty. Of course, knowing you, I’m sure it’s nothing you couldn’t get out of with that shy smile of yours.”
Stefan gave a little laugh. He probably could. Damon could do worse, though. Damon could get into all kinds of trouble in a couple of hours, let alone a whole day.
“Aww, you say that because you like me. Honestly, my smile doesn’t get me out of nearly as much trouble as you give it credit for,” he said. He untucked her hand from his arm so he could lace their fingers together and swing their twined hands gently between them as they walked.
“I hope you’ve got an appetite tonight,” he added. “Someone told me this is the most romantic restaurant in Madison Valley. Good thing I had the foresight to get reservations.”
Oh, they both knew Damon could do much worse, much faster than Stefan. While Caroline did wish Damon was here for Stefan, Caroline was okay with the elder Salvatore not making an appearance in Madison Valley. He’d be miserable without Elena and more likely to get into trouble too.
“Oh I totally call bullshit,” Caroline joked, looking up at him. “I’m sure that smile got you out of plenty before you knew me.” The blond allowed him to take her hand and intertwine their fingers. She gave his fingers a gentle squeeze. After all, she didn’t think she would ever have the chance to hold them again.
And him swinging their hands? Absolutely adorable.
“Of course. I’m looking forward to it,” Caroline replied brightly. She’d had some blood before she left, but otherwise she was ready to eat whatever they decided to order.
Well, Stefan certainly had a lot of time before he knew Caroline for his smile to get him out of trouble. Not that he leaned on that idea… at least, during his good years. When he was the Ripper, he knew that his looks could get him in wherever he wanted. “And I’m sure that you had many, many people wrapped around your little finger,” he responded, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
“I thought you might like dinner and dancing for Valentine’s Day. It seemed that going traditional for the holiday would be the best idea.” He lifted her hand to kiss the back of it as they walked side by side. “And then back to my place for drinks.”
“I deny nothing,” Caroline replied with a cheeky smile. She squeezed his hand in return. Though, Caroline would argue that Elena had far more people wrapped around her finger than Caroline ever would, including the two Salvatore brothers once upon a time. Of course, Caroline had Klaus’s ear so maybe that trumped them? The blond squashed the thought. Stefan trumped everything. He always had. He was her true love. Nothing could ever compete with that.
“Dinner and dancing is always the way to my heart.” Goosebumps rippled across her skin when Stefan pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. It was such a romantic gesture and no, she would never tire of his lips on her skin. She lifted his hand, raising his arm just enough for her to spin herself before settling herself at his side again.
She looked up at him, blue-green eyes bright with happiness, and nuzzled her nose against his cheek. “And probably more than drinks.”
Stefan had a lot of differing feelings in regards to Elena. It had certainly been a roller coaster, his relationship with Elena. The doppelganger. It was in the past, but still in his mind. He thought that she would always be in the back of his mind--Katherine. Elena. But Caroline was in the front. Caroline was always on his mind now.
“Good. Because that’s exactly where I want to be.” In Caroline’s heart. Always. She’d become his best friend in the whole world, the love of his life, the person he couldn’t survive without. When she lifted his hand, he caught on, and gave her a gentle twirl, then brought her in to his side.
“Definitely more than drinks,” he agreed with a nod and a smile. He was definitely looking forward to that part of tonight. Probably more than any of the others.
Caroline settled her head on his shoulder. Again, there was a part of her that wondered if this was a dream. After all, how many times back home had she dreamed of Stefan? Of the two of them walking together, holding hands, and making plans? Too many. But then she reminded herself that his hand was firm and real in hers. That her head actually rested upon his broad shoulder and that, in a few seconds, she wouldn’t wake up and find herself alone. No, it was completely real and Caroline wanted nothing more than to have it this way forever.
“And I just might be looking forward to that more than any other part of the evening,” Caroline admitted, sneaking a glance up at him before snuggling her head against his shoulder once more. When you truly loved someone, being intimate with them was on a different plane of existence. Nothing in this world could compete with those intense feelings shared between two people.
“Of course, after eating the food, maybe I’ll change my mind,” she teased gently.
Stefan gave a little laugh, shaking his head. He couldn’t believe she’d said the thing he’d just been thinking. Then again, maybe he could. The pair had been together long enough, both as friends and lovers, that they could finish each other’s sentences at this point. And hey, it was really nice to know that they were on the same page.
He released her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, turning to press a kiss against her hair. “It’s entirely possible. Not very likely, but possible,” he teased.
They reached the restaurant. After holding the door open for her, Stefan followed her inside. He gave his name to the host, and they were seated a moment later with menus in hand.
“But possible,” Caroline echoed, bumping his shoulder playfully. Though, Caroline also thought it was not very likely. A good meal was pleasurable, but not nearly on the same level as what they had planned for after those drinks at his place.
The two reached the restaurant and, after Stefan gave his name to the host, were seated quickly. Caroline looked over at Stefan from behind the top of the menu. “How about a bottle of wine to start us off with? Or we could just order and save all the alcoholic intake for after dinner?” Caroline was fine either way, but she knew a few of these entries would pair well with a wine.
“No, I think wine’s a good idea. Do you have a preference?” He asked, glancing down at the menu. Honestly, he didn’t have a particular leaning tonight. Something with red meat would probably be good. So a red wine to pair? Asking the sommelier would probably be the best idea.
Stefan set down the menu. He wasn’t really paying attention to it anyway. His eyes were on the beautiful woman sitting across from him. “I love you,” he said after a moment. His eyes were soft. “I just want you to know it.”
“Probably red given the meal options, but we can ask the sommelier,” Caroline replied easily. No doubt they would be back soon. Caroline was definitely not a wine connoisseur; that was Miriam.
When Stefan set down his menu and looked at her, the blond knew whatever he was about to say to her was serious. She put down her own menu and reached across the table for his hands. Taking them in here, she squeezed them gently.
But before she could say anything, he said he loved her and that he wanted her to know that. Her gaze softened and Caroline smiled. “I love you, Stefan Salvatore,” she replied. “And I never doubt your love, not for a second.”
She leaned across the table and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips before reclaiming the seat across from him.
“So, let’s enjoy this day together. Make the most of it. Because there is no one else I want to spend it with. Obviously.” She said the last part with a playful wink.
Stefan lifted up out of his seat so he could meet her kiss across the table. He squeezed her hand as they both settled back down in their seats.
“Good.” He smirked just a little, picking up his menu once more. “Let’s order the quickest items on the menu so we can go home and really celebrate Valentine’s.”