Who: Caroline and Stefan What: Wedding Prep When: Mid April Where: Exploring venues Warning: Low/None (cuteness) Status: Completed via Gdoc
Caroline had less than two months to plan a wedding. Most people would panic under such pressure, but the blond vampire thrived in such a situation. It also helped that she had a great partner to help her along the way. Stefan had been nothing but supportive since they’d started their wedding journey together. Oh Caroline knew just how lucky she was; a lot of guys would leave the girl with all the planning and just wait to be told what to do. Not Stefan. He wanted to be a part of everything and the simple gesture made Caroline love him even more.
Today, the two were checking out The Old Market on Main as a potential venue. Caroline was all about an outdoor wedding, but weather could be unpredictable and as romantic as it could be to kiss in the rain, she didn’t want to be saying her vows in it. She also didn’t want her guests to be sitting there, feeling disgusting, while they said those vows. Caroline wanted everything to be as perfect as possible and everyone to be as comfortable as possible.
After meeting with one of the planners on staff, they decided to explore the venue themselves. It didn’t take them long and once they were headed for the exit, Caroline turned to Stefan with a questioning look.
“So, what do you think?”
Stefan would follow Caroline to the ends of the Earth. He’d do whatever she asked him to do, whatever would make her happy. When she suggested that they go check out some venues, he couldn’t help but follow along happily. He’d been pitching in and giving his opinion on all the planning, though he did defer to her expertise on a lot of the decisions.
The Old Market was one of their top choices when it came to the venue, though Stefan hadn’t made up his mind before they arrived and looked around. He wasn’t thinking about unpredictable weather, he was more wondering if this was the perfect place for them to promise their lives to one another.
They wandered slowly through the place, fingers linked together, and then Caroline asked him what he thought. Stefan lifted her hand to kiss the back of it. “I think we need to look into some shades. It’s going to be hot at the end of June.”
Caroline was wondering the same thing. Was this the perfect place for them to promise their lives to one another? It was cute, but where they decided to say their vows had to be more than just cute. Plus, like Stefan pointed out, it was going to be hot near the end of June. While the weather did not affect either of them, some of their guests would be human and she didn’t want them melting into puddles before the ceremony was over. She didn’t need anyone passing out or suffering from heat stroke.
The blond squeezed his hand. “You’re right. I don’t want anyone passing out on us before we even cut the cake.” Caroline looked thoughtful as she considered their options again. “You know, what about that The White Barn Venue? It has indoor and outdoor space. We could easily have the ceremony outside and then the reception indoors?” Or they could have both indoors if they wanted to though Caroline was hoping for the ceremony to at least be outside.
“Maybe we should go take another look,” Stefan said, nodding. They’d checked out all of these places online, but you didn’t get a good look at a place until you set foot there. Right? He wasn’t opposed to checking out all of these places in person until they found the perfect one.
His hand returned the gentle squeeze. “What do you think? We can get a coffee, head over there.” Surely someone could give them a tour of the barn.
Caroline nodded. “I think so.” You could not get a feel for a place online. It looked beautiful, but they would not be able to tell if it was perfect for them until they stepped foot in the actual location. The vampire did hope it was because it was beautiful, but she was trying to keep an open mind and be objective.
She smiled. “Yes, let’s go grab a coffee and head over there. It looks beautiful online, but we can’t really tell how to utilize space from just photos.” And that was very important to Caroline because she would be directing staff on how to set up for the ceremony and the reception.
The two walked the short distance to Starbucks and, once inside, claimed a spot at the back of the line. Thankfully, it wasn’t too long and was moving fairly quickly. Caroline looked over at Stefan; there was no reason to study the menu because she already knew what she was having.
“There is also a local brewer in town that offers venue space. It might not be a bad idea for the reception,” she offered.
It was more than just getting beautiful pictures. Stefan wanted to make sure that everything about the day was beautiful for Caroline. And part of that was in the planning--part of the beauty of the day was spending time together exploring the options and making decisions.
They made their way to the cafe quickly, and popped in line. Stefan’s hand was still tangled with hers. “We’ll have to go there next,” he commented. Stefan liked a brewery, for sure. And it would be good to support the local economy, right?
After ordering their drinks, they moved to the bar to wait for them. Stefan took hold of Caroline’s hips in a playful way and pulled her in for a quick kiss.
The fact that Stefan wanted to be a part of the process with her meant everything to Caroline. It made it feel more like their event rather than just Caroline’s event. She wanted to spend that time with him, exploring options and piecing together the parts of their wedding together. While there was a tight deadline, Caroline was determined to make sure it was still everything they wanted in a wedding. They deserved it.
“We totally can,” Caroline replied, flashing him a bright smile and giving his hand a squeeze. She knew Stefan would like the idea of a brewery. To be honest, Caroline did too. Maybe they could have the ceremony at the barn and then have the reception at the brewery. The best of both worlds.
Once their orders were placed, the two moved to the bar to wait and Stefan tugged her in for a quick kiss. The blond returned it eagerly, unable to keep from smiling the entire time. She’d missed this so much back home. It was why she savored every moment she had with Stefan here because it would disappear the moment she or he disappeared from Madison Valley.
Caroline pulled back, but continued to look up at him, hands resting on his chest. “What was that for?” she teased, nuzzling his nose playfully. “We haven’t even gotten to the brewery so there isn’t any reason for you to try and sweet talk me into it.”
“I didn’t know I needed a reason,” Stefan replied. He had no idea that this was going to feel so right. When he’d arrived to Madison Valley and she’d been with someone else, he’d been disappointed, for sure. But he respected (and loved) her enough to let her have her space. The last thing in the world he would ever want was to make her feel confronted, or pressured. And giving her that space--playing the waiting game--paid off in the end. Things fell into place so perfectly.
He couldn’t stop smiling. His whole body was alive with happiness and comfort. Every part of him loved being there with her. “I suppose I’ll hold off on more, then,” he said, returning the gentle nudge to her nose from his. “Until we get to the brewery.”
The barista called Caroline’s name and set both of their drinks on the counter for them to pick up. Stefan reluctantly loosened his grip on her so they could take their drinks.
Caroline laughed softly and pressed a brief kiss to his lips. “You never do,” she murmured against his mouth before stepping back. Regardless of who Caroline was with, there was always a part of her that would love Stefan. He was her true love. Soulmate. One did not ever forget the feelings associated with such a bond no matter how much time passed. She didn’t like that she had to lose Geralt in order to have these moments with Stefan. That wasn’t fair, but she was grateful for the time all the same.
“I’ll try not to be too disappointed,” she replied. Oh, how she loved seeing him smile. Caroline swore she would never tire of it as long as she lived. Besides, she never thought she would see it again. Everytime she did, it felt more precious than the last. The fact that it was because of her? It made her treasure it all the more.
At the sound of her name, Caroline stepped back from Stefan and the two picked up their coffee. Taking up his arm once more, they stepped outside and started for the next venue. The blond took a sip from her cup before speaking up once more.
“So barn first or brewery?”
“Brewery first?” Stefan suggested as they walked arm in arm down the street. He hadn’t gotten around to picking up a car yet in this world, though he probably would eventually. He just had to raise up enough funds to get something he wanted. Shouldn’t take that long, if he lived frugally. …aside from paying for the wedding, of course.
“We can have a drink or three before checking out the barn,” he added almost playfully before leaning over and pressing a kiss against her temple.
Stefan wasn’t in a rush to get these things done today. He just wanted to spend the day with Caroline, planning out the happiest day of their lives.
Caroline flashed him a smile. “Brewery first,” she agreed, squeezing his arm. Caroline owned a vehicle, but she didn’t mind walking most places in Madison Valley. The town was small enough that you could walk most places. Plus, with vampire speed, Caroline was rarely ever late.
“Hey, it might make the barn look really attractive,” she teased back, closing her eyes briefly as his lips grazed her temple. Oh, Caroline would never tire of these moments. Not ever. Just the two of them joking and laughing. Walking arm and arm together. It still felt like a dream sometimes. Like any moment she would wake up and Stefan would be gone. But then she would remind herself it wasn’t. That he was really here with her and they were getting married. Caroline leaned her head against his shoulder briefly.
“I might really like moments like this,” she said softly. “Just us being together.”
If it was any consolation, Stefan was not planning on disappearing from Madison Valley. He wasn’t going to give this up for anything. Not on your life. He would fight tooth and nail to stay here with her, arm in arm, being able to kiss her and lay beside her at night, to spend time together at Starbucks or reading books on a lazy afternoon. This was what he wanted, and he wasn’t going anywhere. Not if he could help it.
“You might?” He asked, playfully. “Just a little?”
Caroline looked up at him and stuck out her tongue. “Yes, just a little,” she teased. To be honest, Caroline would do anything to keep Stefan here with her. To keep experiencing these perfect little moments with one another.
They continued to walk in companionable silence, Caroline’s returning to its place on his shoulder, and soon they were standing outside the brewery. Tossing her coffee in the trash, Caroline took up Stefan’s arm once more and reached out to tug open the door.
“Shall we?”
Now that he had her, Stefan wasn’t about to let her go. Not for an instant.
Thankfully there was a trash can outside the front entryway to the brewery. Stefan hadn't actually been to this establishment before, so he was looking forward to getting a tour. And a little compulsion meant that they could get the kind of tour they wanted basically any time of the day or night. A little compulsion went a long way.
"Let's." He gave her one more little smile before slipping in through the front door. On to the next adventure.