CAROLINE'S POV:
I awoke the next morning, stretching to find Stefan's side of the bed cold and empty, my hand hitting something on his pillow. Opening my eyes, I saw it was a piece of paper…
"Couldn't sleep, so decided to go for a hunt. See you later. Love you x"
Sighing heavily, I tried not to be disappointed but couldn't help the smile that crept onto my face as I let my eyes continue to scan over the "love you". I'd said it to him last night when he'd asked me why I wanted him to change me but he hadn't reacted, and he'd said it in the note. Climbing out of bed, I showered and dressed and made my way downstairs, setting my plan in motion…
STEFAN'S POV:
I arrived back at Caroline's to hear music blaring from the kitchen as I walked in the front door. Shutting it behind me, I made my way through the hallway and stood in the doorway to the kitchen, seeing Caroline swinging her hips from side to side as she made breakfast. Smiling warmly, I vamp-sped over to her and wrapped my arms around her waist, hearing her heart begin to pound as I startled her…
"You've never looked sexier…" I whispered into her ear, pressing my lips against the skin of her neck
She turned to me and smiled at me warmly… "This was meant to be a surprise. I was meant to be done and organised by the time you got back."
"What?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at her
"I wanted to do something special for you," she admitted "to show you how much I love you."
I smiled at her warmly… "Well how about I go and have a shower, and you can finish off?"
"I know what you're doing!" she proclaimed, pulling away from me quickly
"What?" I inquired
"You're not reacting when I say I love you, to try and wind me up, and then you're gonna come out with it when I get angry because you know then that I'll forgive you." she replied
"And how do you guess that?" I questioned
"It's obvious by the smirk on your face right now." she informed me as she moved back over to me and wound her arms around my waist "I love you, Stefan. Do you love me?"
I pressed my lips against hers, walking her backwards until her back hit the worktop, her pushing me away from her as I went to lift her up…
"What?" I asked
"That won't work." she admitted "Why can't you say it, Stefan? It's three little words…"
I sighed and ran my hands over my face… "The last time I said it was to Elena, and she left me for my brother."
"I never thought about that," she replied "okay, forget I said anything. Go and shower, and breakfast will be ready by the time you're done."
"That's the thing, I don't wanna forget you said anything," I informed her as she turned around to face the worktop again "I do, Caroline. I just can't say it yet."
"That's all I need to know," she admitted "I can wait for the rest."
"Are you sure?" I questioned
She turned to me and nodded her head… "I know how much Damon and Elena's betrayal hurt you, so if you're not ready, I understand."
Smiling at her warmly, I pressed my lips against hers… "I won't be long."
CAROLINE'S POV:
Stefan and I made our way to John's hospital room, finding him stood packing up his things…
"What's going on?" I questioned
"I was just about to call you," he informed me "I've been discharged."
"We've got nothing set up back at the house…" I proclaimed
"We can get it all sorted when I get there, can't we?" he asked "Stop panicking, Caroline, it'll be fine."
I sighed and smiled at him apologetically… "Sorry."
"It's okay," he replied as he turned to me "it's nice to see you, Stefan."
"Nice to see you too," he mirrored "I'll go and bring the car round."
"No rush," he informed him "I want to go and see Liz before we leave."
Stefan nodded his head in understanding as I handed John's now zipped up bag to him to carry. Grabbing his crutches for him, I handed them to him and made my way out of the room, him following…
STEFAN'S POV:
"Are you not coming in?" Caroline asked as we reached her Mom's room
"No, I think I'm gonna give you two some time on your own," he informed me "I'll wait in the car. Just let me know when you're ready to go and I'll bring it round."
"Are you sure?" she questioned
I nodded my head… "I'll see you in a little while."
"Okay." she replied, smiling at me warmly "Thank you."
CAROLINE'S POV:
"Hey, Bonnie," I greeted her as she answered my call "I'm just calling to ask a favour. Would you be able to collect up my schoolwork that I miss while I'm back home please? I don't know how long I'm gonna be here for but I think it might be some time…"
"How is everything?" she questioned
"Okay. John's been discharged and Mom's CT scan showed the swelling is decreasing but slowly," I informed her "if it continues they're gonna try and wake her up. It's just a waiting game, really."
"At least there's some light at the end of the tunnel, I suppose." she replied "Look, I've gotta go as I'm heading into a lecture, but if you need me, call me, okay?"
"I will," I assured her "thanks, Bonnie."
Caroline and Stefan are staying put in Atlanta till her Mom wakes up (and her CT scan came back clear – just thought I'd throw that in there). What next?
