Who: Caroline and Stefan What: An impromptu chat before they walk down the aisle. (No, he doesn't see her before the wedding :P) When: Before they walk down the aisle. Where: The White Barn Venue Status: Closed; Completed Gdoc Rating: PG-13
The blond forced herself to take a deep breath as she paced her dressing room. The ceremony was in about an hour and Caroline was nervous. No, nervous was an understatement. The vampire was scared. Despite knowing that every aspect of this wedding was perfect or as near perfection as possible, Caroline couldn’t help the anxiety that gripped her system. There were just so many variables that Caroline couldn’t control.
What if something happened before she could make it down the aisle? What if Stefan was sent home standing at the altar? What if- Caroline gulped air and made herself take a seat at her dressing table. She knew she could not think that way. She had to be positive, right? Positive was her default. Things would be okay. Stefan wouldn’t disappear. The town wouldn’t suddenly become a different world.
Yet, the words did not feel true and try as she might, Caroline couldn’t make herself believe them. She glanced at her phone. Should she? No, it was bad luck for the groom to see the bride on their wedding day and yet Caroline found she was in desperate need of his reassurance right now. Even just the sound of his voice would soothe her tumultuous heart right now.
Before she could pick up the phone, her sensitive hearing picked up the sound of footsteps heading towards her door.
Stefan had been pacing the room set up for him to dress in. Truth was, he was a little terrified over the whole thing. Not what he had with Caroline--that was rock solid--but the rest of it. Madison Valley, and his place in it. He felt like he didn’t really belong in this world, and what if that meant that he was going to be taken from it? What if that meant that he was going to lose… everything? The fears bounced around and around in his head until he couldn’t take it anymore. He felt like his mind was full of bees buzzing around, and the only thing to calm it would be to talk to her.
He didn’t want to call. He wanted to hear her voice next to him, to see her standing there and comforting him in a way that only she could do. So he headed to her room, wearing his suit. His shoes were shined, his tie hung loosely around his neck. He knocked, then stood awkwardly. This was bad luck, he knew. But he needed it.
“Care?”
As soon as she heard his voice, Caroline broke into a bright grin and a sense of relief washed over the vampire. She padded across the room in her heels and immediately moved to unlock the door and then stopped. It was bad luck for him to see her before the wedding and who knew what other bad luck they were currently battling right now. Taking a deep breath, Caroline leaned her cheek against the cool wooden door frame and spoke.
“Stefan, hey,” she said softly. “Are you okay? I want to open the door, but, well, you know what they say about seeing the bride before the wedding…” Caroline trailed off and glanced down at her dress. Lizzie had outdone herself in finding her mom the perfect outfit to get married in. She could practically hear her daughter berate her for even thinking of seeing Stefan before the wedding. The thought kept the smile on her face.
“But I still want to talk to you. I feel as if you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t feeling…jitters too.”
“Right, right,” Stefan said, stepping closer. She could whisper on the other side of that wooden door, and he’d hear every word. Thank you, vampire hearing. “Sorry, I forgot about the… bad luck… thing.” His first time getting married and all.
Stefan leaned his forehead against the door and closed his eyes, feeling comforted by just being close to her. “Jitters,” he repeated. “Nerves. I’m feeling nervous. That’s normal, isn’t it? In a place where either of us could just up and disappear at any time… it’s normal to feel a little nervous about making a lifelong commitment?”
“It’s okay. Honestly, part of me really wants to say ‘fuck it,’ but I don’t trust this place,” Caroline admitted. She didn’t want to give Madison Valley any excuse to mess with their wedding. Both of them deserved a nearly perfect day. After all, Caroline wasn’t naive enough to believe anything could be perfect no matter how much one put into it.
Despite the door between them, Caroline swore she could practically feel Stefan on the other side. The thought comforted her. She pressed a hand against the door and rested her cheek against the cool wood, doing her best to pretend it was the palm of his hand instead.
His words resonated within Caroline and she nodded foolishly despite knowing the gesture was pointless. “I think it is completely justified,” she replied softly. “This place isn’t exactly kind sometimes and there is the risk that one of us could leave at any time.” The vampire was not foolish enough to believe it was impossible. She went home before.
The blond took breath. “But I know I can’t let these fears take away what I want more than anything. It’s just…easier said than done sometimes.”
Stefan continued leaning against the door, his cool forehead against the cool wood. His fingertips came up to brush against the grain as he listened carefully to her words on the other side. Her voice was comforting. Warmed his insides.
“I don’t trust this place, either,” he responded, his voice just above a whisper. “I know what you mean. This place isn’t exactly easy to grow accustomed to. But having you here has made all the difference for me. I just… I needed to hear your voice.” He felt stronger now. Like he could handle the whole thing.
“How are you feeling?”
At Stefan’s words, a soft smile tugged at Caroline’s lips. It was both touching and adorable that he was thinking the same thing she was. He wanted to hear her voice as much as she wanted to hear his own. He felt as nervous, as untrusting of this place as Caroline, but because he had her, it made all the difference.
The blond felt the same. As adaptable as Caroline was, having Stefan here had made all the difference. She’d found the love of her life again and had the chance to fall in love with him all over again. They were getting married. He’d given her a chance at a sense of happiness she never believed she’d find again.
“I needed to hear your voice too,” Caroline said. “I’m still nervous, but just having you near me right now? It’s helping so much. Knowing you feel the same. It’s a great comfort.” Because it made her feel less alone in her own fear. The fact that they could share in their doubts and boost each other up meant everything. Showed everything.
“But also that we can support each other through feeling that fear. It just shows a lot about why we are meant to be together.”
Stefan’s fingertips traced the wood grain on the door. He wished they could be together, in each other’s arms for this conversation… but it was bad luck. He would have to accept her voice as comfort enough--and it was, really. For the most part. He knew they’d see each other in a short time up at the altar. So long as nothing went wrong in the meantime.
“It does.” Stefan glanced at his watch and then gave a little sigh. “I should get back. Finish getting ready.” He didn’t want to go, but knew he should. The wedding was coming fast.
Caroline wished they could be together too, but she didn’t want to risk the bad luck. Too much of her life had taught her how easy it could be for something to go wrong. Instead, she pressed a kiss to the cool wood then took a deep breath and stepped back. Stefan was right; they both had to finish getting ready.
“You’re right. We have to get ready,” Caroline admitted. “I’ll see you in a little while, Stefan Salvatore. I love you.”
That brought a smile to the vampire’s lips. He nodded, then stepped back away from the door. “I love you, too. I’ll see you soon.”
Reluctantly but with newfound determination, Stefan turned away from her room and headed back to his own to finish getting ready for the main event.