Million Reasons

September 25th 2016, Chicago, Illinois

''Care!'' male voice sounded from their bedroom

''Yeah?'' the blonde replied from the kitchen. She was preparing their Sunday breakfast and was caught up in boiling eggs and making toasts that she missed her fiancé's question.

''Sorry, what were you saying?" she asked embarrassed that she wasn't paying him enough attention.

''I was saying that Mason invited me to Florida for pre-bachelor party and whether is it ok with you that I go next weekend?" Tyler repeated himself coming to the kitchen and embracing Caroline from behind. He finished the sentence with a kiss in the crook of her neck.

''We were going to pick flower arrangements with your mother" she said not happy with his departure in the middle of wedding preparations.

''I'm sure you'll manage without me" Tyler suggested shyly but immediately changed his mind seeing the look his fiancée gave him for even a suggestion of leaving her alone with her future mother-in-law.''Or we can reschedule" that proposition was followed by puppy dog eyes.

''Fine, go. How long will you be gone?" her response was met with a thankful kiss.

''Only for the weekend. I'll leave after work and should be back by Tuesday." he said automatically as if he was a robot. Caroline could've bet that he had his flights already booked.

''Sounds good. Maybe I could come along?" she proposed thinking she could use some beach time.

''Care, you know I'd love to see you in your bikini" he began with flirtatious smirk"…but that'll be the last weekend we spend apart before our wedding. Besides Mason won't make it to the ceremony. Who knows how long 'til I see him again." Tyler explained and Caroline wasn't even upset. She knew that Tyler and Mason were like she went, she would be the third wheel and a bore stressing about wedding details.

The rest of the weekend was spent agreeably without further mentions of Tyler's trip.

But little did he know that his fiancée didn't plan to stay home alone. Tyler was right it was their last weekend apart before she becomes , she should make the best of it as well.

Lately she wasn't sleeping well, all those wedding preparations where far too overwhelming. Funny thing is she didn't remember it to be so stressful. But that time was a total abstraction comparing to the precision put into everything this time.

Anyway Caroline could use some girl talk. By Thursday Caroline decided she'll have a trip herself and surprise her best friend who lived in New Orleans. And so she did.

September 30th 2016, New Orleans, Louisiana

It was nearly midnight but Rebekah could swear she heard someone knocking on her front door. She rushed down the stairs to see who dared to disturb her husband's sleep. She herself was still by her desk working on her latest case. The blonde opened the door, ready to show her wrath when she saw who her late visitor was.

''Caroline?!'' she asked in disbelief

''Hi Bekah!'' she smiled timidly

''What the bloody hell are you doing here?'' she asked taking the other woman in embrace.

''Sorry, I wanted to surprise you" Caroline explained lamely.

''Oh well, you did! In the good way'' she smiled warmly and Caroline repayed her with a smile on her own.

''Don't stand there. Come inside! How are you? How was the drive? How long will you stay? Is Tyler with you?'' Rebekah started asking questions

''I'm fine…" Caroline was about to give Rebekah more answers but was stopped by Marcel

''What is it all about?" he demanded walking down the stairs in his boxers only, his voice still sleepy.

''I completely forgot! I'm sorry honey" Rebekah apologized her husband approaching him and giving him a soft kiss on the cheek.

''My, my… am I dreaming or is this Caroline Forbes standing in my hallway?" Marcel joked taking Caroline in a welcoming hug.

''I didn't know you were dreaming about me. Did you share those fantasies with your wife?" the blonde replied chuckling

''He did not!'' Rebekah stated smacking Marcel's arm

''God, I've missed you" Caroline sighed and added ''I hope you don't mind me staying?"

''Never'' the Gerards responded in unison