Stars on Broadway - Morgan Wallen

Chapter 30 - A Weekend in Gatlinburg

After months of relentless work, back-to-back performances, and navigating the whirlwind of fame, Georgie was ready for a break. Her calendar was finally clear for a few days, and the idea of stepping away from the spotlight—even for just a weekend—felt like a breath of fresh air.

And what better way to spend it than with Morgan, traveling back to her hometown of Gatlinburg to visit her parents? It had been too long since she'd been home, and she missed the quiet comfort of the small town she grew up in.

As she packed her bag in her Nashville apartment, Morgan lounged on the couch, scrolling through the endless stream of comments still pouring in from their viral TikTok reveal.

"I'm telling you," he said with a laugh, "they're obsessed with us. I think we broke the internet."

Georgie glanced over at him, smirking. "Good. Let them be obsessed. Now that we've given them what they want, maybe they'll let us have some peace."

Morgan raised an eyebrow. "You really think they're going to leave us alone?"

"Probably not," Georgie admitted, tossing a jacket into her suitcase. "But at least we'll be out of Nashville for a few days."

Morgan grinned. "I'm looking forward to meeting your parents. Hope they like me."

Georgie laughed, zipping up her bag. "They'll love you. Just be yourself."

"Guess I can do that," Morgan said, getting up from the couch and grabbing his own bag. "Let's hit the road."

The drive to Gatlinburg was peaceful, the Tennessee countryside rolling past as they left the city behind. Georgie leaned back in her seat, her hand resting comfortably in Morgan's as he drove. It felt good to get away from the noise, the constant pressure of their careers, and just be in the moment together.

"So, what's the plan when we get there?" Morgan asked, glancing over at her.

"Well," Georgie said, smiling, "my mom's already planning a big dinner for us. You're going to get the full Southern welcome—fried chicken, biscuits, the works."
Morgan grinned. "Now that's something I can get excited about."

Georgie laughed, feeling the tension in her shoulders melt away. It had been months since she'd been home, and she couldn't wait to see her parents. Gatlinburg was where everything had started for her, and while Nashville had become her new home, there was something special about returning to her roots.

When they finally arrived in Gatlinburg, the familiar sights and sounds of the small town wrapped around Georgie like a warm embrace. The quiet streets, the cozy mountain views—it was everything she had missed.

As they pulled up to her parents' house, Georgie felt a flutter of excitement. Her parents were already waiting on the porch, waving as they parked the car.

"There they are," Morgan said, his voice full of warmth.
Georgie grinned, stepping out of the car and rushing up the porch steps to hug her mom and dad. It felt good to be home.

"You must be Morgan," her dad said, extending a hand as Morgan approached.

Morgan shook his hand, his usual confidence replaced with a touch of nervousness. "Yes, sir. It's great to meet you."

Georgie's mom pulled Morgan into a warm hug. "We've heard so much about you, Morgan. It's about time Georgie brought you home."

Morgan chuckled, his nerves easing. "I've been looking forward to it."

That evening, they sat around the dinner table, plates piled high with all the Southern comfort food Georgie had missed. The conversation flowed easily, filled with stories of Georgie's childhood and laughter as her parents got to know Morgan.

"So, how does it feel?" her mom asked, glancing between Georgie and Morgan. "Being the center of attention like that?"

Georgie smiled, leaning back in her chair. "It's overwhelming sometimes, but we're getting used to it. Nashville is a lot, but coming home helps remind me where I came from."

Morgan nodded, his arm resting on the back of Georgie's chair. "Yeah, it's a wild ride. But we've got each other to lean on, so it's been good."

Her dad smiled, his eyes warm with pride. "We're so proud of you, Georgie. Both of you. You've worked hard for this."

Georgie's heart swelled with emotion. Being home, surrounded by the people she loved, was exactly what she needed. It reminded her of why she had started this journey in the first place.

Later that night, after dinner, Georgie and Morgan sat on the porch, the cool mountain air settling around them. The stars were bright, twinkling in the clear night sky, and the quiet was a welcome contrast to the chaos they had left behind in Nashville.

"Thank you for bringing me here," Morgan said, his voice soft. "It's nice to see where you came from. I get it now."

Georgie smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad you came. This place... it's always going to be home for me. But I think Nashville is becoming home, too."

Morgan nodded, his hand gently squeezing hers. "We've got a good thing going. Nashville's home now, but it's good to know we can always come back here when we need to breathe."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the stars shining above them, the quiet of the mountains wrapping around them like a blanket. It was a moment of peace in a life that had become so fast-paced and overwhelming.

"Back to reality soon," Morgan said after a while. "I've got to get back in the studio next week."

Georgie sighed, knowing their break was temporary. "Yeah. But for now, we've got this."

Morgan smiled, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "For now, we've got this."