I got a few reviews mentioning my mention of Roanoke! Just letting you all know that I definitely have something planned for that already. Thank you everyone for the lovely reviews. As bad as I am at angst...there's gonna be a little in this chapter. Enjoy!
The Blind Date AU pt. 21
"Are we there yet?" Shelby asked, prodding at Audrey. They had already flown the hour long flight to Manchester. They barely had a look around before Audrey had dragged Shelby onto the next train to Alderley Edge.
"Yes, almost. Look out the window." Audrey hummed, stroking Shelby's hand that was in her lap.
Shelby looked out the window, her excitement growing as the train slowed to a stop. "Come on!" Shelby said, rushing to get their bags. Even Audrey was excited to be home as much as she hated to admit it.
...
Audrey hired a car to get around her small hometown. The pair had gotten settled into their hotel room. Shelby was practically bouncing off the walls in her excitement. "Shelby, calm down." Audrey said with a soft laugh. "You're going to need a nicer jacket. Come here."
Shelby stood in front of Audrey, letting her put her jacket on for her. "I want to see everything." Shelby said excitedly. "Your house, your school, your favourite places to go." she said, starting a list.
"Yes, yes. I'll show you around. We'll get some snacks too. Now, in case you haven't noticed, my town is rather... 'fancy'." Audrey said, straightening up Shelby's jacket and buttoning it up.
"I noticed. Is your family rich?" Shelby asked with a smile.
"Yes, but remember, we are under no circumstances meeting my parents. If we see them while we're out I'll point them out for you, but that's all. We go the opposite way. I don't want to talk to them." Audrey said in a slow and firm voice. She wanted Shelby to completely understand.
Shelby nodded with a smile. "Okay. Now lets go?"
Audrey sighed. "You do understand, don't you?" she asked.
Shelby nodded. "I want to see everything Audrey. Come on, let's go already."
Audrey chewed her lip before following Shelby out. If anyone could talk her out of anything, it was her parents.
...
Audrey had driven Shelby almost all over town. She showed her her old school, where she used to take acting classes, and where her first apartment was. She saved the best few things for last.
"This is my house." Audrey said, parking outside a large, red brick house. There were two expensive cars parked in the double driveway. Audrey was relieved to see her parents were both home. They would hopefully stay there for the rest of the day, Audrey thought to herself.
"This place is huge." Shelby said, gasping as she looked out at the house. "You grew up here?" she asked, turning to look at Audrey. She didn't miss the reminiscent smile on the other woman's lips.
"Yes." Audrey answered, not looking away from her house. She didn't realise how much she missed it. She almost wanted to go inside. She wondered what her parents were cooking for dinner that night. Maybe some sort of roast? Audrey missed her mother's cooking. She missed her mother and her father. She wished she could have seen them again, but she knew she couldn't. Not with Shelby there, at least.
"Audrey?" Shelby said softly, taking Audrey's hands. "You can see them if you want. I can wait in the car."
"No, no. No talking to my parents." Audrey said, snapping out of her reminiscent state. "Now, I'll show you where I used to go whenever I had a fight with my mother." she said with a smile. She drove a fair way out of her town, parking and getting out of the car. Shelby followed quickly, taking Audrey's hand.
"What is this place?" Shelby asked, looking around at all the trees that surrounded them.
"It's a National Trust nature preserve. The forest just keeps going. Let's have a walk, shall we?" Audrey said with a smile, tugging Shelby along.
Shelby followed closely. Her sense of direction was terrible, so she clung tight to Audrey. She was just glad it was daytime.
The both of them walked in silence, following different paths and looking at the scenery. "I used to come to this exact spot." Audrey said when they finally reached the spot that overlooked the trees below. "I came here when I ran away from home when I was ten. Another time was when I didn't want to eat my brussels sprouts." she said with a laugh. Shelby smiled at Audrey, leaning her head against the other woman's shoulder. "I'd come here to think as well. I came here when I was choosing what university I wanted to go to. I came here when I was deciding whether or not I should move to America to pursue my acting career."
"It's a beautiful spot to think." Shelby said softly, kissing Audrey's cheek lightly. "I love you."
"I love you too." Audrey said with a smile. It was the perfect spot. "Why don't we go to the shops and pick up some snacks? We can come back here to eat lunch."
Shelby smiled, her stomach growling as she met Audrey's eyes. "Good timing." she said with a laugh.
...
Audrey stood on her tippy toes to grab the pack of crisps she wanted. Shelby giggled, grabbing it for her and bringing it down to her. "Here you go." Shelby said with a grin.
Audrey rolled her eyes. "I was thinking of making some sandwiches as well." Audrey said, leading Shelby down the aisle. "What do you like? Ham and cheese?" Audrey asked, frowning when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around, her grip virtually crushing Shelby's hand when she saw who it was. "M-mother?" Audrey said, her eyes wide with surprise. She let go of Shelby's hand, dropping it and moving away from the other woman slightly.
"Audrey, darling. Why didn't you tell us you'd be visiting with your..." Audrey's mother looked Shelby up and down with distaste, "...friend?"
Audrey's face was pale as she starred at her mother. She had let her guard down. She didn't think that of all times and of all places, her mother would be in the exact aisle of that store. Shelby cowered behind Audrey, her heart breaking at the way Audrey had dropped her hand and stood further away. Audrey stared at her mother a while longer, mostly in disbelief. She hadn't realised how much she had missed her family. She wanted to cry but she quickly gathered herself, straightening her back. "We were just coming for a brief visit." Audrey said, her voice almost cold.
"Then you won't mind coming along to lunch? Your father has been asking about you." Audrey's mother said, her voice almost too sweet.
Audrey looked back at Shelby and then at her mother. "I...uh..." Audrey hadn't expected to be invited home for lunch.
Audrey's mother turned to Shelby. "I'm sure you understand that this is a family matter, dear. Run along now." she said, waving Shelby away. "Come, Audrey. Your father will be overjoyed to see you again." she said, taking Audrey's arm and dragging her along.
Audrey looked slightly confused, but she didn't fight her mother. Shelby watched as the both of them left her in the store by herself. She stood there for what felt like hours, staring at the empty space in front of her. Had Audrey just left her there in the store alone?
Shelby went to the car, sitting in the driver's side and staring ahead of her. She could still see Audrey's mother's expression when she saw her. She was disgusted. She didn't like Shelby. Audrey had left with her mother, the mother that was disgusted with her. Shelby started to cry when the events had sunk in. Audrey had left her all alone in a place she didn't even recognise. Audrey had chosen her mother over Shelby.
...
Audrey's mother bombarded her with questions during their lunch get together. Her father sat quietly as he always did, just soaking in the look of his daughter he rarely saw.
Meanwhile, Shelby had decided to go to Audrey's thinking spot. It took her a while to find the place, but when she did she parked and started walking along the path. It was cloudy, but it was bright enough for Shelby to see where she was going. The paths crossed over and wound between the trees. Shelby found it difficult to find which way she had come from. She rubbed her eyes that were still foggy from the hot tears that wouldn't stop spilling from them. She wondered if Audrey even loved her. She wondered if she'd even come back from her mother's. Why hadn't Audrey fought for her? Why had she just run away? Why did she leave her behind? Shelby continued to wander through the forest, finding it increasingly difficult to see as the hours passed.
...
Audrey walked past her hotel. She figured Shelby was inside. It was getting late, but Audrey needed to think. It didn't take Audrey long to walk to the nature preserve and find her spot in the forest. She sat on the rock that overlooked the canopies of the trees across the land. What was she doing with her life? Was she really happy with Shelby? Was she really happy without her family? Seeing her parents again had made Audrey think. It was difficult living in America let alone living in America without contacting her parents. Her father had been so happy to see her again. Audrey held her head in her hands as she thought. She felt her eyes well with tears. She loved Shelby. She really did. Audrey couldn't understand why this was so difficult. She pulled a cigarette out and lit it between shaking fingers. Audrey took a deep drag, blowing the smoke up into the air. She looked up at the cloudy sky. It was dark but the moonlight barely illuminated the area around her.
...
Shelby was terrified. The dark woods had brought back too many memories. She heard a rustling in the trees and before she knew it her legs had taken her sprinting away. She didn't know where she was going or which way was out. She just needed to get away from whatever was following her in the shadows. Her breathing was ragged as she ran, sobs breaking between breaths every now and then. She ran towards the lightest part of the forest, running off the path. Shelby tripped with a yelp, crying softly when she landed on the roots protruding from the ground. She just wanted to go home. She wished she had never come to England. She was so sure Audrey wouldn't want her after talking to her parents for so long. She was sure she'd die in those woods. She felt the leaves rustling around her as the wind blew. She closed her eyes shut tight, covering her face. She didn't want to see whatever it was that was chasing her. In reality, nothing had chased her. Shelby quivered and whimpered on the ground, memories of what she had escaped in Roanoke flooding her mind.
Audrey perked up when she heard the cries. She put out the cigarette, squashing it with the tip of her shoe. "Who's there?" Audrey called out, her voice hoarse. She pulled out her phone and turned the light on, walking carefully towards the gentle crying. When she saw the blonde hair covered in leaves she knew who it was. "Shelby?" Audrey half asked, kneeling beside the other woman and gently placing a hand on the other woman's side. "Shelby, it's me. Audrey."
Shelby's breathing was heavy as she pulled her hands away from her face and looked up at the other woman. Her cheeks were wet with tears that never seemed to stop. She clutched at Audrey tightly, still terrified of whatever was in the woods with them. "We have to get away from here. It's coming." Shelby said, her voice shaking.
"Shelby, baby, nothing's here. Come on, let's get you back to the hotel." Audrey said quietly, wiping her eyes. "What are you doing out here, anyway?" Audrey asked, helping Shelby stand and walk over to the rock in her thinking spot. Shelby cried out when she put weight on her ankle.
"I- I wanted to come to your thinking sp-spot. I thought... I thought you'd be here." Shelby stammered, sitting down on the rock. She watched Audrey kneel in front of her and hold her ankle.
"I think you've got a sprain." Audrey said softly.
"Why did you leave?"
Audrey looked up at Shelby, meeting her sad, teary eyes. "Shelby, I don't know if I can be with you."
"What?" Shelby said, sniffing and wiping the tears out of her eyes.
"I was talking to my mother and..." Audrey sighed. "I can't just live without my family, Shelby. My father... he was so happy to see me again. My mother... she was so disappointed. I don't think I can do this, Shelby."
Shelby rubbed the tears out of her eyes. "That's bullshit." she said once she had caught her breath. "That's bullshit and you know it."
"It's not, Shelby. Please don't make this harder than it has to be."
"Audrey, if you really loved me you wouldn't care what your parents think of me. You wouldn't care about what anyone thinks of me. You're a fully grown adult. You have your own apartment, your own job. You live in America for fuck sake. You can make your own decisions. This shouldn't be for your mother or father. It's your life. It should be your decision for yourself. And I'll be damned if I don't make this more difficult for you. I love you with all my heart Audrey. I'm going to fight for you. I'm not letting you go that easily." Shelby said, her eyes burning into Audrey's. She hadn't used that fiery tone with the other woman before.
Audrey looked up at Shelby. She could feel her eyes fill with tears as she broke down, crying beneath Shelby. Shelby softened slightly, kneeling down on the ground with Audrey and holding her gently.
"Don't leave me, Audrey. Please don't leave me." Shelby whispered.
Audrey clung to Shelby, sobbing against her. "I don't know what to do. I don't know." she blubbered.
Shelby pulled back and held Audrey's face in her hands. "Look at me, Audrey." Shelby said, her voice soft. It wasn't often Audrey broke down like this. Audrey met Shelby's eyes. "Do you love me?" Shelby asked. Audrey nodded. "This is your life. Your choice. What do you want to do, Audrey?"
"I... my parents..." Audrey sniffled.
"No. Not your parents. What do you want to do?" Shelby said, her voice firm but kind.
Audrey watched Shelby's eyes. "I...I..." Audrey swallowed hard, clearing her throat. "I want to marry you, Shelby."
Shelby couldn't help but smile. "You want to marry me?" Shelby asked, wiping the tears from Audrey's cheeks.
Audrey nodded, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a small box. "I actually planned this before our trip." she said between sniffs. Shelby stared at Audrey and the box, her eyes wide with disbelief. "And then I thought since we were coming here... This spot is just significant for me, Shelby. It's where I've made all my big decisions." Audrey looked at Shelby with a slight smile. "In my mind it was much more romantic than this." she said with a broken laugh, opening the box and watching Shelby. The other woman had tears streaking her face and bits of leaves and twigs in her hair. Audrey's face was blotchy from crying. "Shelby Miller, will you marry me?" Audrey asked. "I'm choosing you over my parents, baby." she said, her cheeks still wet with tears. A small smile grew on her lips as she watched Shelby's expression.
Shelby stared at Audrey, nodding before she even knew what she was doing. "Yes, yes. Of course I'll marry you." Shelby said, her voice breaking as her eyes started to cry again. "Oh my God I'm so glad you chose me." she said, starting to sob as Audrey slipped the ring onto her finger.
Audrey hugged Shelby tight. "I love you, Shelby. I don't want to be without you or my family, but I need you more." she said before starting to cry with Shelby. Shelby and Audrey cried as they held each other tightly in the clearing of the forest. The night was cold but neither of them cared.
"I can't believe you want to marry me." Shelby said after some time. She wiped her eyes on her sleeve, pulling back to look at Audrey.
"Of course I want to marry you. Nothing my parents say or do is going to stop me from loving you."
"I was so scared. I thought... I didn't know if you'd want me." Shelby said quietly.
"I love you. I love you and I'm happy with you. Happier than I've ever been. There's no one else in the world I would rather spend my life with and grow old with." Audrey whispered shakily. "If my parents truly love me... they'll accept me for who I am. I'm not going to be able to find another Shelby."
Shelby smiled, leaning in and kissing Audrey's lips deeply. Audrey smiled into the kiss, holding the back of Shelby's head as she did. When they broke the kiss Audrey laughed breathily.
"What? What is it?" Shelby asked with a smile, holding Audrey's hand.
"You have leaves in your hair." Audrey said, picking them out of the other woman's hair.
Shelby watched Audrey toss the twigs and leaves aside happily. "We're getting married." Shelby breathed, smiling when Audrey stroked her hair.
"We are. I don't know what I was thinking. Between you and my parents... There's just no contest." Audrey decided. "I'm sorry I left you in the store. I'm sorry I was gone for so long." she said softly, holding Shelby's cheek and stroking it lightly.
"I'm just glad you're not leaving me." Shelby whispered, leaning into the touches.
...
Audrey helped Shelby back to their car, driving her back to their hotel. She helped her get into bed, icing her ankle and elevating it.
"Does it hurt?" Audrey asked, watching Shelby from her spot beside the other woman's ankle.
"Only when I put weight on it." Shelby said. "Come up here." Shelby said with a smile, patting the space beside her. Audrey crawled up and sat beside her, taking her hand and leaning her head against the taller woman's shoulder. Shelby admired the ring. "It's a beautiful ring."
"A beautiful ring for a beautiful woman." Audrey cooed, kissing the back of Shelby's hand.
"I need to get you one." Shelby said with a smile. Audrey kissed Shelby's shoulder happily. "And I'd like to talk to your parents."
"What?" Audrey asked, sitting up. "What? Why?" she asked.
"I want them to know what I think." Shelby said with a shrug.
Audrey sighed, laying back beside Shelby. "I won't be able to talk you out of it, will I?" she asked.
"Nope." Shelby said with a grin.
Audrey sighed again, a smile playing on her lips. Her mother was in for a rude shock.
...
I hope this was okay? Follow and review for more! Also long reviews are greatly appreciated!