Sorry guys, uni has been kicking my ass so this chapter has been half written for a month lol. Enjoy and keep sending through prompts [that includes other Raulson ships too (besides actual Raulson)]! Thanks for being patient!

The Blind Date AU pt. 22

Audrey's face was slightly pale as the pair flew home in their first class seats. She thought about the look on her mother's face when Shelby spoke to her. She hadn't seen her mother clam up so quickly. It was almost unnatural. She was sure she wouldn't be allowed back to the house for a while.

"You're thinking about it still, aren't you?" Shelby asked, looking up at Audrey from her resting spot against the other woman.

"Thinking about what?" Audrey said weakly. How did Shelby always seem to know what she was thinking?

"How I spoke to your mother." Shelby said.

Audrey didn't reply for a moment. "I've never seen her like that before." she finally said, drawing small circles along the back of Shelby's hand. "She looked..."

"Scared?" Shelby asked, hiding a smirk.

"No... She looked small." Audrey said, staring at the back of the seat in front of them. "She always stands so tall and firm... But when you said what you said about not accepting me... Not understanding me... She seemed defeated. I've never seen her like that."

Shelby kissed lightly at Audrey's cheek, smiling as she did. "Are you upset with me?" Shelby asked, her kisses along Audrey's jaw becoming a little hotter and more open-mouthed.

Audrey leaned into the kisses, closing her eyes. "No, not with you. I just wish things had gone better." Audrey said, stroking Shelby's hair as they laid against each other in the spacious seats.

...

The flight had gone relatively quickly. By the time the plane had landed, the mood had completely changed. Shelby almost hadn't stopped talking, which calmed Audrey down enough to lighten the mood.

"Do you think Ginny will remember us?" Shelby asked as they drove to Monet's apartment.

"Of course. How could he forget his mothers?" Audrey said, parking and helping Shelby out of the car. She helped her to Monet's door, not letting her put any weight on her sore ankle.

Audrey knocked on the door, letting Shelby hide behind her slightly. Both Monet and Audrey had intimidated Shelby for the longest time. Now it was only Monet who frightened her.

Monet opened the door. "It's about time you two showed up." Monet said, clearly annoyed. "That cat won't stop knocking things over." she said, stepping aside so Audrey and Shelby could walk in.

As the pair stepped in, a loud shattering sound could be heard. Audrey bit her lip, looking at Shelby. "We can pay for that... Right?" Shelby said, looking guilty.

"You will pay for that. And the other things he broke." Monet said, closing the door behind them. "How was your holiday?" she asked, going to get Gin's travel cage.

Audrey and Shelby followed, watching as Monet put a quite chubby Gin into the cage. "It was good." Audrey hummed, helping sweep up the mess the shattered vase had made.

Monet picked up the cage and carried it to Shelby, handing it to her. Shelby held it with some difficulty considering the weight and her sprained ankle. She held it without complaint, though, not wanting to start any trouble with Monet.

Monet spotted the ring on Shelby's finger. She turned to look at Audrey, her eyes wide. "Are you two engaged already?" Monet asked in disbelief.

Audrey felt her cheeks burn but she hid it. 'Already'. "I proposed in England." Audrey said, emptying the dustpan into the bin. She went to Shelby's side and took the cage from her, noticing how she was struggling.

"I..." Monet began before grimacing. "Can I talk to you in the other room, Audrey?" Monet asked.

"Anything you want to say to me can be said in front of Shelby." Audrey said with a smile, her free hand going up Shelby's back as she stroked her gently.

Monet sighed. "Audrey, you hated her guts a few months ago-"

"People change." Audrey said firmly, her eyes piercing Monet's.

Monet raised her eyebrows. "Don't you think you're rushing this at all? How long has it been? It hasn't even been one year."

"So? I love her. What does it matter?" Audrey said dismissively.

"So, you said the same thing about Rory." Monet said, instantly regretting bringing Rory up the second she saw Audrey's expression. Shelby found Audrey's hand and held it gently in an attempt to soothe her. "I just don't want you getting hurt again Audrey, that's all." Monet said, watching Audrey's eyes.

"I think it's time we left. Thanks for looking after Gin." Audrey said coldly, turning to the door with the cage in hand. Shelby was tugged along as they left the apartment. Monet didn't try to stop the pair as they left. She knew she had given Audrey something to think about.

...

Shelby watched Audrey with a thick paperback copy of one of her newest scripts. Audrey's eyes darted over the words, wanting to give the story a once over before practising her lines. Shelby could feel the frustration emanating off Audrey. She watched the older woman from the other side of the couch.

Audrey's mind swirled with thoughts about what Monet had said. No matter how many times she read over the page she was on, she couldn't seem to focus. Finally, Audrey gave up, letting out an exasperated sigh as she tossed the script onto the coffee table and leaned into the couch. She looked across the couch at Shelby. Why was she so far away? Did Shelby think Audrey was rushing things? Audrey couldn't see why it was too early to propose. She was happy. She loved Shelby and Shelby loved her. Why not lock it in? Audrey's mind continued on this train of thought, not realising she was still looking in Shelby's direction. What if proposing so soon had made Shelby uncomfortable? What if she scared her away? What if-?

Audrey's thoughts were interrupted by Shelby, softly saying Audrey's name.

Audrey's eyes focused on Shelby's eyes, not realising the worried look she was pulling as she thought.

"Audrey," Shelby repeated. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Audrey said, her tone almost defensive. She stood, looking down at Shelby briefly. "I'm going to bed."

"It's barely dark out." Shelby said with a frown, but Audrey had already retreated to the bedroom.

Audrey knew Shelby would press her for answers. The sooner she got to bed and pretended to sleep the sooner Shelby would stop asking questions. Audrey rushed to ready herself for bed, slipping into her side and covering herself with the quilts, facing away from the door.

Shelby sighed quietly, slowly getting up and deciding to have a shower. She was cold and wanted to warm up a little before bed. Besides, she could tell Audrey wanted some space.

Audrey's mind worked double-time, thinking of every judgement Shelby may have already made because of her early proposal. She felt like an idiot. It hadn't even been a year. What was she thinking? Audrey knew what she was thinking. She was thinking that she was old and losing her looks fast. She wasn't sure who would fall for her next if Shelby ever decided to leave her. No one would want an old hag like herself. Audrey loved Shelby. At the back of her mind she knew the other woman's love for her wasn't skin deep, but she still couldn't help but overthink.

Shelby had finished her shower and made her way to the bedroom in her pyjamas. She got into the bed, not getting too close to Audrey. She figured the other woman had fallen asleep, so she moved a little closer. "Audrey? Are you awake?" she whispered, waiting for a reaction.

Audrey remained silent, not wanting Shelby to pry. At least the other woman knew to leave her alone.

Shelby sighed quietly again, moving in closer to Audrey until her front was pressed against the other woman's back. She knew Audrey liked being the little spoon. Shelby held Audrey gently, being careful not to wake the older woman despite her already being awake.

Audrey had to summon all her strength to stop herself from leaning against Shelby or turning in her arms to see her. She wanted to tell Shelby what she was thinking, but she couldn't. She knew the response would just be Shelby attempting to keep her calm or make her happy. Shelby wouldn't share her true feelings about this because she wouldn't want to upset Audrey.

Shelby wasn't tired just yet. She pressed a gentle kiss to Audrey's neck, her fingers going to her hair and gently stroking it out of her face. "I know you're asleep, but you know..." Shelby said quietly. "I think I know what was bugging you today." she said, her fingers going down to Audrey's back. She kneaded gently, feeling her muscles relax slightly as she did. "It was what Monet said... about rushing this." she continued quietly. "I mean, I'll admit it... you sure did surprise me... but it just felt right." she whispered, pressing another kiss to Audrey's neck. "I love you my beautiful wife-to-be." she said, smiling against Audrey's neck as she rested. Shelby hugged Audrey carefully, unaware of Audrey's teary-eyed smile.

...

Just so you guys know I know their relationship is moving super fast, but I've been using Audrey's marriage with Rory as a reference kind of? Follow and review for more!