CAROLINE'S POV:

It was two nights before mine and Stefan's trip to New York, and he'd headed back to the house to catch up with Damon and collect a few more bits he'd need. As I shut my suitcase having finished packing what I'd need, only the essentials needing to go in, my phone began to ring. Picking it up from my nightstand, I saw it was Stefan…

"Hey," I greeted him "what time are you coming back here? I was gonna order takeout."

"Hey," he mirrored "I'm not. Mom's gone off the rails and Damon needs me here."

"What do you mean she's gone off the rails?" I questioned, sitting down on the side of my bed

"She's disappeared into thin air," he informed me "and we have no idea where she's gone."

I swallowed a lump in my throat… "I hate to say it, but what about our trip?"

"I know it's not what we wanted but I've given Elena my ticket," he replied "and Bonnie's booking her ticket online now. It could be a girl's break."

"But it was meant to be a you and I break," I sighed "I don't wanna go without you…"

"I know you don't, but you're gonna have an amazing time no matter who you go with." he assured me "Elena's ecstatic, and so's Bonnie."

"Okay." I replied "So, am I gonna get to see you before I go?"

"I doubt it," he admitted "Damon and I are heading out in a few minutes and I don't know where we're gonna end up. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too." I informed him "Stefan?"

"Yeah?" he questioned

"I love you." I admitted

"I love you too." he mirrored

STEFAN'S POV:

"Did she buy it?" Elena asked as I hung up the phone

"Hook, line and sinker." I informed her

"Great, then we'd best get you to the airport." she replied, picking up her car keys from the mantelpiece

Nodding my head in agreement, I grabbed my pre-packed suitcase and followed her out of the front door to the car…

"Were you just going to leave without saying goodbye?" Damon questioned

"Y'know we're not ones for goodbye, Damon." I informed him

"We're not, but I did wanna wish you luck." he admitted "You're gonna come back an engaged man."

"If Caroline says yes I am." I replied

"Of course she'll say yes!" Elena proclaimed

"I hope so." I sighed "Right, shall we get this show on the road?"

Elena nodded her head. Turning to Damon, he smiled at me warmly and pulled me in for a hug, both of us pulling apart a minute later. Climbing into the passenger side of Elena's car, she reversed out of the driveway and drove off…

CAROLINE'S POV:

"I know it's disappointing, sweetheart, but you'll still have a great time," Mom informed me as we spoke on the phone "you've wanted to go to New York ever since you were a little girl, and now you're fulfilling your dream."

"That's what Stefan said." I sighed "But I wanted to go with him. I wanted to experience Central Park and Rockerfeller Center with him."

"Well you'll have to plan another trip. Maybe you could go there on your honeymoon?" she suggested

"What?" I questioned

"Oh please," she replied "don't pretend as if you've not thought about it."

"We've not even been together a year yet, Mom," I informed her "marriage isn't on my mind."

"So you wouldn't say yes if Stefan got down on one knee and asked you, no?" she inquired

"How did we get onto this subject?" I questioned

"Just answer the question," she replied "would you or wouldn't you?"

I pursed my lips together, a picture popping up in my head of Stefan down on one knee, a ring box in his hand…

"Caroline, are you still there, sweetheart?" Mom asked

"Yeah, I'm here," I replied "and yes, I would."

"Yes you would what?" she questioned

"Say yes if Stefan asked me to marry him." I informed her "But I doubt he will anytime soon so we can just forget about it. I'm gonna head to bed as it's getting late. I'll speak to you tomorrow. Night, love you."

STEFAN'S POV:

I was waiting to board when my phone vibrated in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw a message from Caroline…

"Hope you and Damon find your Mom safe and sound. Night, love you. X"

"Thank you. Night, love you too. X"

"Sir?" a woman's voice questioned

"Sorry." I proclaimed, handing her my boarding pass

"Not a problem," she assured me "you're in seat 5B. Enjoy your flight, and your trip."

"I'm sure I will, thank you." I replied

Stefan has Caroline fooled – how do you think she'll react when she arrives in New York to find Stefan there too?