They spent the next a few days driving around looking for weddings. Caroline were quiet for the first days but then broke out of her shell again. She danced in a salsa club, while Stefan watched from the bar. They played paint ball against a few kids (and won. Sometimes being a vampire has its perks). And they checked out two small colleges in two small towns that Caroline thought were fine. Now all they had to do was crash a wedding.

…

"Can't we just go to Atlantic City or Vegas?" Stefan asked.

He really didn't mind driving around with her. He really didn't. But they were without direction now, just cruising around in the south, looking for a wedding.

"Oh lord" she sighed.

"What?"

"I want to see a wedding, not some drunk girl marrying a guy she doesn't know."

"Have you ever been to wedding?" he asked, smirking.

"Nope. Have you?"

"Yeah, several. They look like more fun in the movies."

She pouted.

"Don't say that. You'll break my heart."

"Everyone just gets drunk and does stupid things."

She met his eyes and then snorted. He smiled too.

"Okay" he sighed. "Where next?"

She shrugged.

…

It was actually Stefan who found the wedding. He was reading a small town's local paper and found a huge article about the Birch wedding. Apparently, the Birch family owned 75 % of all Southern electrical stores and was super rich. The son in the family was marrying the daughter of a senator in the small town Whitehouse, Texas. (Stefan wondered if this had something to do with the senator or if it was just a coincidence.) The wedding (called the wedding of the decade in the local paper) was that Friday. It was a black tie affair, held at one of the Birch's mansions. When Caroline saw the article, she almost fainted with pleasure.

…

"Everything's booked" Caroline sighed.

"This is big wedding" Stefan commented.

They had circled Whitehouse for the last hour, looking for a hotel room. But with 500 guests arriving to the small town, it wasn't that surprising that they couldn't find anywhere to spend the night.

"This town is cute" Caroline commented.

"You think every town is cute."

Stefan smiled at her, she rolled her eyes. He sighed and turned left. They ended up on a large street, filled with people and small shops and an orchestra. Everywhere were color and sound and children running around.

"Oh, I love this" Caroline mumbled, staring longingly out the window.

"Care, why don't you get out here. I'll drive around and find us somewhere to sleep."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"But you'll miss the fun."

"Believe me, it's alright. You're the one who loves these things."

She beamed at him. A minute ago, she had been irritated, but now, she was happy. She wasn't difficult, small things was all she needed. Stefan liked that about her. Making Elena happy had always been a struggle. Something that had pleased her one day, had been horrible the next.

"I'll pick you up around six" Stefan said.

"Here?"

"Yeah."

"Should we turn our phones on?" she asked.

"No, let's not."

He loved that no one could reach them. He loved not being disturbed by a ring tone. He felt free, he didn't want to change that.

…

Stefan was right, Caroline loved these things. It was one of the things she had realized when she had begun to arrange dances and car washes and all sorts of things for the school. She liked seeing people enjoy themselves. The air smelled of pretzels and barbeques. She bought a hot dog just for the fun of it. She walked around the square slowly. A woman sold necklaces and Caroline studied them all closely before buying a single pearl on a silver chain. She stopped and watched a young girl, maybe seven or eight, sing the national anthem on the top of her lungs. And at last, she sat down on a bench and watched a school class play. It was Hamlet and wonderfully terrible. Caroline enjoyed herself and before she knew it, it was almost six pm.

It was one her way back to where Stefan had dropped her off that she spotted the tiny shop. It had a sign that read "FancyA ttire" in cursive and in the window was a mannequin man wearing a tuxedo and a mannequin woman wearing a big, blue dress. She hadn't thought of it before, but of course, she and Stefan couldn't go the Birch wedding wearing jeans and t-shirts. They had to buy some fancy attire and where better to do it then at "Fancy Attire"? The store had closed for the day, but it would open at 8 AM the next morning. The wedding started at three. They would probably have the time to buy something before that.

…

Stefan pulled in just beside her. As he stepped out of the car, Caroline felt her whole body explode with something. God, she had missed him. He smiled at her and she felt like crying. She hadn't realized that she had had a knot in stomach before it disappeared. Without even thinking, she skipped towards him and flung herself around his neck. He lifted her up and spun her around. She giggled and hung on for dear life. After a few seconds, he put her down.

"Hey" he said softly.

She brushed his hair of his eyes.

"Hey."

"You seem happy."

"I missed you" she admitted.

She blushed.

"You did?" he asked.

She nodded, feeling like little kid.

"I missed you too."

He put his arm around her shoulders. She closed her eyes. At that moment, she felt perfectly fine.

"Did you find somewhere to live?" she asked.

He nodded and then smiled mischievously.

"In the mansion."

"The Birch mansion?"

"Yeah."

"How did you do that?"

"I knocked on the door and compelled Mr. Birch to believe that we were friends of the bride and she had promised that we could stay in one of the guest rooms."

"You didn't" Caroline gasped.

"I did."

"Am I a bad influence on you?" she teased.

He laughed and ruffled her curls.

"You might have to re-do it though, my compulsion isn't that strong."

"You're so bad" she teased.

"Well, it's free and better than a Motel 6."

She smiled.

"Did you have good day?" he asked.

"Yeah. It was nice."

But better now that he was with her again.

"And now?" he asked.

"Let's go and play in our suite!"

…

"Hi" Caroline said. "We're going to the Birch wedding tonight, but our luggage got lost in Paris."

"Oh dear" the old lady said.

Caroline nodded gravely.

"He needs a suit" she said and pointed to Stefan.

She could hear him moaning.

"I have plenty of suits. At home. Can't I just rent one?"

Caroline met the lady's gaze and rolled her eyes. The lady nodded in a way that meant men, aren't they just so stupid at times?

"We don't have much time…" Caroline continued.

"We'll make it" the woman said. "No one should go to wedding like that without looking their best."

Stefan groaned.

"What do you think?" the lady asked Caroline. "Black or gray?"

Caroline tilted her head.

"Black."

The woman nodded and extended her hand.

"I'm Denise. It's nice to meet you."

"Caroline. And this is Stefan. Thanks for helping us."

Denise shrugged.

"You are such a stunning pair of kids, it won't be hard work to make you look wonderful."

Stefan groaned again.

"I have suits" he repeated.

Denise patted his shoulder.

"Calm down, boy. I have the perfect one for you."

She led him behind a screen and began talking to him in a soothing voice. Caroline smirked. He acted like he was going to the dentist, not getting a brand new suit. She could hear him taking his jeans off and saw as they landed on the floor. A small wave of something went through her at the sight of those jeans. Next to it, his white shirt fell. She wanted to pick it up and smell it. But she didn't. Instead she flicked through bridal magazines and tried to look like she wasn't listening to every noise.

…

"I think you'll be pleased" Denise said as she came out from behind the screen.

"I hope so" Caroline smiled.

"Come on, Stefan. Let us see how you look!"

She heard his footsteps before she saw him. And when she did, her heart stopped. Her stomach felt like when you ride a rollercoaster. It hurt and felt good at the same time.

"How do I look?" he asked, raising one eyebrow.

It wasn't like Caroline hadn't seen Stefan in suit before. He always dressed up properly for dances and other events. There was really no explanation why she felt like fainting when seeing him now. He had always looked good in suits. But had he always looked this good?

"Aren't the sleeves a bit too long?" Caroline asked hoarsely.

The sleeves were perfect, but she needed an excuse to touch him. She felt the thick fabric of the jacket against her fingers as she fingered the seams. He was looking at her, she could tell.

"No" Denise said. "They're just right."

Caroline nodded.

"You're right. It's perfect."

He was perfect. He looked perfect. The pants were slim without being tight. The jacket was masculine and strong looking. The white shirt was stiff and proper.

"It's expensive" Stefan said.

"You're rich" Caroline reminded him with a smirk. "And when was the last time you bought a suit?"

She could see him thinking.

"A very long time ago" he answered smirking.

She guessed that meant 1972.

"You should buy it" Denise said, nodding.

"Alright" Stefan sighed. "I'll buy it."

Caroline nodded. She stole another look at him. She felt sick and dizzy. Was it really true that vampires didn't get fevers?

…

"And what about you, dear?" Denise asked.

"No, it's okay. I had some dresses with me."

"Long ones? It's black tie, you know."

"No" Caroline sighed. "No long ones. But it's okay. Everyone will be so drunk they won't even realize that what I'm wearing."

"Says the girl who made me buy a new suit" Stefan said.

"You needed it!"

"And you need a dress" Denise said.

Caroline smiled weakly. She wasn't poor or anything, but spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a dress felt like a bad idea. They were only crashing the wedding.

"I don't think so" she said politely.

"Why not?" Denise asked, glaring intently.

"I just don't have that kind of money right now."

It probably wasn't what a real guest of the Birch wedding would have said. All of them had probably bought a new dress for this.

"Well, just make your husband pay. That's what they're for."

Caroline felt confused for a second and then smiled. Denise thought that they were married. A shiver of excitement went through Caroline. She was just about to correct her when Stefan interfered.

"Yes" he said. "That's what I'm for."

"No, come on…"

"Oh be quiet" Denise snapped. "I'm sure you'll make it up to him tonight."

Caroline fought down a giggle. She met Stefan's eyes. He winked at her.

"I'll pay you back" she mumbled.

"No, you won't. You're my wife" Stefan said loudly, holding up his left hand.

Caroline saw that he quickly had moved his big, family ring to his left hand. She rolled her eyes.

"Nothing too much" she told Denise.

…

Caroline tried the plainest ones first. She chose the three cheapest gowns to bring behind the screen. Denise shook her head at her as she zipped up the first one. It was bright yellow, had a sweetheart neckline and flared out around her calves.

"This is nice" Caroline said politely.

"No" Denise said. "It isn't. Let's take it off. It doesn't suit you at all."

Caroline could only agree. It made her look wide and short and weird. But it was cheap.

"Let me see" Stefan called from the room.

"No" Denise snapped. "You'll see her when she's ready."

Caroline felt relived. She never wanted anyone to see her in that dress.

"We can try the blue" she suggested.

Denise scrunched up her face.

"It won't look good either."

"Ouch."

"It's nothing wrong with you, dear. It's the dresses."

"Doesn't everything fit a beauty?" Caroline smiled.

Denise looked serious.

"No."

"Okay."

"I'm sure your husband wouldn't complain if we went a bit more expensive."

"Maybe not" Caroline sighed.

She took off the yellow dress and stood in a strapless bra and panties behind the screen. On the other side, was Stefan. Was he thinking about her? Did he watch her t-shirt lying on the floor? Probably not.

"I just got this in" Denise interrupted Caroline's thoughts.

She turned around. And she saw the dress. It was a lilac and made in a light material, maybe chiffon. Caroline smiled at she saw it.

"It's gorgeous."

"Isn't it?"

"How much?" Caroline asked.

"Let's try it on first" Denise said.

The dress went over her head easily. Caroline didn't look at herself until it was zipped up. Then she opened her eyes and wanted to laugh. She looked beautiful. The dress was had two straps, far apart on her shoulders, creating a deep V-cut. It was pleated across her chest and went in around her waist. And after that, it just went down and down and down. It was light and lovely.

"Let's show your husband" Denise smiled.

Caroline could only nod.

…

Stefan was reading the same bridal magazine as Caroline had when she stepped out. At first, he didn't realize that he supposed to look. He thought that maybe it was Denise coming out to fetch another dress.

"Take a look" Denise said pointedly.

He looked up. And then he dropped the magazine onto the floor.

"What do you think?" Caroline asked.

Stefan bent down to pick BRIDAL MONTHLY up so that he could collect his thoughts.

"It's very nice" he said weakly.

Denise rolled her eyes.

"Very nice? She looks like a goddess."

Stefan nodded. Yes, she did. She looked strong and powerful and feminine and beautiful. Like someone who could hurt you if you didn't love her. Like someone who could change your life.

"It's…" he began.

"It's very, very expensive" Caroline filled in.

Stefan couldn't stop looking at her. Her skin was creamy and perfectly even. Her eyes looked bluer, her hair blonder. He could tell that she loved the dress.

"Caroline, we should get it" he said.

Denise clapped her hands in pleasure.

"It's 800 dollars" she said, smiling.

Stefan's eyebrows shot up. Caroline snorted.

"The yellow one wasn't that bad."

"I never saw that one" Stefan said.

"It looked like crap next to this dress" Denise informed him.

He smiled.

"Let's buy this one then."

"Stefan" Caroline said. "It's 800 dollars."

"I know. I thought it would cost more. This is almost a bargain."

She shook her head at him.

…

She did her makeup in the bathroom. It was big and equipped with two sinks, a shower, a hot tub and several soft towels. It even had a special makeup mirror. But despite that Caroline just couldn't focus. She kept freezing the eyeliner in one hand to stare at herself. She felt scared. Terrified.

"I'm in love with him" she whispered to her own reflection.

Then she froze. What if he was listening on the other side of the door?

"I don't want to be, but I am" she whispered even quieter.

Maybe she had been in love with him a forever. Maybe. But she had realized it when he stepped out in the suit. When he had looked at her. When she had touched his suit. Her body felt like jelly. Her heart felt heavy with love and guilt and everything else.

"Shit" she sighed. "Shit."

They were friends. Best friends. They were on this stupid trip so that he could get over his ex. His ex, who happened to be Caroline's friend since forever.

"You okay?" Stefan called.

"Yeah" she replied.

It was almost two pm. They needed to leave soon. And she couldn't focus enough to do her own makeup.

"Care, we need to leave now" he called.

"I know. Just give me minute."

"Is the mascara giving you a hard time?"

She smiled.

"Yeah."

"Want some help?"

She shrugged and unlocked the door. He came in, looking so handsome she wanted to kiss him and not let him leave her arms. Ever.

"You can brush my hair" she said.

He nodded. Actually, she had already brushed her hair, but she needed to calm down. And nothing calmed her down like Stefan's hands in her hair.

"Are you nervous?" he asked.

"No, not really."

"What's the problem then?"

"Nothing."

She smiled at him in the mirror. She felt his fingers touching her scalp, her cheek, her ears. With one quick swipe, she drew on the eyeliner and sighed.

"I'm wearing it down" she said, meaning the hair.

"You should."

She nodded and got up.

"I'm ready."

He patted her cheek. She wanted to feel nothing, but instead she felt everything.

"You sure that you're okay?" he asked.

"Yeah" she lied.