Tyler was getting dressed for the Spring Fling. He was wearing a tux, but instead of a bow tie he was wearing a scarf thingy he had no idea what was called. His mother had casually suggested that now that he was eighteen he should adopt a slightly more... lordy look. He was, after all the heir to the estate and no longer a child.

He fiddled with the deep green satin in front of the mirror as his mother came in. "Oh honey, let me fix that for you," she said, putting down the white silk band on the dresser. Delicately she tied the lose knot and tucked it into his vest. "There you go," she said, looking satisfied. Then she reached for the silk band on the dressed, but Tyler stopped her.

"No."

"Why?"

Tyler bit his lip, "I'm gonna need a red one this year, mom."

Carol Lockwood's eyes narrowed, "Don't tell me it's someone like that Donovan girl, Tyler."

Tyler shook his head, "It's not. Although I'm not too sure you'll be pleased..."

"Older, younger, rich, poor, blonde, brunette?"

Tyler smiled cautiously, "Older, rich, brunet," he replied.

"How much older?" Carol asked suspiciously. Regardless of what her son though, she was not stupid, or blind. She noticed things. She'd noticed her sons interest in a certain council member...

"Just a couple of years."

"Have we met?"

"Yes."

"Do I like this person?" she asked, purposefully not specifying a gender.

"Yes."

"Then why should I be displeased?" she asked and steeled herself for the answer she suspected.

Tyler took a shaky breath, wondering if this was a good idea. He took another deep breath, decided he might as well get it over with. If anything, his mother cared about the public image of the family and would not let his father beat him to a pulp on the night of the ball. "Because it's... it's Damon Salvatore."

Carol closed her eyes and took a deep shaky breath, "I see..." she said. She exhaled and straightened her back. "I will not pretend I am pleased about this, Tyler," she said.

Tyler nodded, having predicted his mother's disapproval.

Carol's eyes softened as she saw her sons resigned sadness. "But I suppose if this is the situation, which I am not narrow minded enough to believe you can change at will, you could not have chosen a finer man than Damon Salvatore," she said. She gave Tyler a nod of approval. "He has proven himself to this town, and to your father. He is a good man," she paused. "I pray for your happiness Tyler. And if Damon is the one to make you find happiness, then you have my blessing," she said firmly. Of course, she kept in mind that Damon was a seasoned vampire hunter. If anyone could keep her only child safe, it would be him.

"Mom," Tyler was speechless, "Thank you..."

Carol smiled a small smile, and took her own red ribbon and tied it on her sons arm, "Do not thank me yet. I have no idea of what your father will say."

"I know, but we'll just have to deal with that as we get there," Tyler said.

"Although, while I am not in a hurry, keep in mind I would appreciate grandchildren one day."

"Mom!"

~*~...

Carol slid down the stairs, observing the hired staff with a keen eye, making sure everything was in place for when people started arriving in half an hour. But before a single soul arrived, she needed to speak with her husband.

"Richard," she called as she closed the door behind her. "Hello Mason," she greeted her husbands brother who had arrived just a few hours earlier. "Would you mind if I spoke with my husband privately for a moment?"

Mason smiled charmingly and shook his head, "Of course not. I'll go get dressed," he said and took his leave.

How was she supposed to say this? Richard was tough on Tyler to live up to the 'Lockwood name' as he called it. What he meant was for his son to be the perfect sports playing, straight high school boy. "Tyler is bringing a date."

"But he is still wearing, white, correct?" the mayor asked, not even lifting his nose from his papers.

"No."

Richard glanced up at his wife, "No?" he asked, "Is our son actually ceasing his whoring and entering a serious relationship?"

"Yes..."

"And why are you not looking pleased by this development, dear?" he asked as he straightened up.

Carol took a breath, "I am not pleased, because his... partner... is Damon Salvatore." Richard didn't move. He stood frozen. "I told Tyler I am not pleased, but that I understand he cannot change who he is -"

"Are you serious?" Richard asked, his face turning a deep shade of red.

"Perfectly - It is probably just a phase, Richard, and with the vampire threat who better by our sons side than the most seasoned vampire hunter we know of?"

"But..." disbelief was etched all over his face. "Tyler is gay?"

"Let's say bisexual - or curious," Carol soothed, "I only found out a few minutes ago and Tyler is very... excited, nervous... he's happy, Richard. I have never seen him so happy. And you know that if we try to stop them from seeing each other, Tyler will rebel, thus we will have a wayward son running around, unprotected, and our only vampire hunter holding us in disfavour. Remember, the Salvatores has the money and the resources to simply... take Tyler away. He's eighteen now and will leave for college. If he leaves while angry with us, you might just have to reconsider the idea of the spare." (*heir and the spare).

Richard shook his head, "Carol... I cannot even pretend to approve of this!" he spoke quietly, in shock. In reality, he was furious, but given the situation, it could have been worse. "But you make a valid argument," he agreed, "Tyler is young... and it is not uncommon for young men to experiment. This is probably a phase. Anyhow, I agree that in the choice of Damon Salvatore, we lucked out." he took a breath. "Just bare the though, our son's eye might have fallen on the other Donovan child." he chuckled weakly.

Carol gave a weak smile. "someone like Victoria was my instant first guess. But yes. He could have made no finer choice than Mr. Salvatore. He is the head of a founding family, he headed the Council while you were indisposed, he is wealthy, handsome, competent and well connected. Tyler is in good hands."

"And the Principal is praising him to the skies. Apparently the football team is in better shape than ever, heading towards the finals."

"And Tyler is no longer nearly failing history," Carol pointed out. "It goes against our values, Richard, but Tyler is our only child and his safety comes above all else. Let's make the best of it."

"They're having separate bedrooms."

Carol snorted, "Which defeats the purpose of experimenting. It's not like either of them can get pregnant."

"But -"

"I'll talk to Tyler about the both of them having an STD panel done."

"Right..." Richard, "Shouldn't I - I mean, the birds and the bees?"

"I think in this case it might be better if I took the lead." Carol said, now slightly amused by her husbands discomfort.

"Right... you..eh. you do that," Richard said and sat down in his chair, looking tired and feeling older than he had in years.