Damon took a deep breath as he stepped up on the entrance steps to the Lockwood mansion. By the door stood Carol Lockwood greeting the guests in, as she always did. Stefan and Elena were right beside him, along with Bonne, Jeremy, Caroline and Matt. How did he become a part of the Gilbert entourage?

Caroline was giving him curious glances. Of course, she could smell Tyler on him, but as she had not spoken with the werewolf in depth for a long time, and Stefan was not offering any information, she was at a loss. She knew Matt knew something, but her boyfriend was keeping mum. He'd said if Tyler wanted her to know, he'd tell her.

"Hello, Mrs. Lockwood," Elena greeted warmly.

"Elena dear, welcome," she smiled. "Stefan," she nodded politely.

Damon found himself actually nervous as he stood at the back of the crowd.

"Damon," she greeted. She had to admit she understood perfectly well what her son saw in him. The young man was dashing. If she was not married, the elder Salvatore would have suited her tastes quite well.

"Mrs. Lockwood," Damon greeted charmingly, trying not to act out of character.

Of course, Tyler's mother saw straight though the act, "Don't be silly, Damon. Call me Carol. After all, we are practically family now..." she smiled.

The charming smirk fell from Damon's face in surprise, leaving an open, and almost lost expression on his face, which Carol found almost adorable. "Um.."

Carol glanced over his shoulder, Seeing there were no more people to greet she laid her arm on Damon's and led him into the room. "Tyler told me, just earlier this afternoon." she said. "It was quite a surprise, I tell you."

"I can imagine. It was quite a surprise for me as well," he replied, resisting the urge to shuffle his feet.

"So you are not...?"

"Not as far as I know. Tyler is... the first..." he trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"It is good to know he is not another notch in your bed post, Damon," she said seriously. "I cannot pretend that I entirely approve of this. I am of a different generation. Although I'm not completely comfortable, I value my sons happiness above all else, I also see reason in this; my son is... human. He is vulnerable. You, on the other hand, you are one of the most savvy vampire hunters known. You are a good man, and he could not have chosen better."

"Although you'd prefer it if I were a girl?" Damon said dryly.

Carol chuckled. "While I would love some biological grandchildren one day, you keep my son happy and safe. Can I ask for more?"

"I guess," Damon said. He shuffled awkwardly. He took a sip of his champagne and cleared his throat. "I really don't know what to say... usually moms turn up with shotguns and poisoned tea... not... approval...kinda."

Carol chuckled, "It's not like you can produce an unplanned teenage pregnancy." She sipped her glass, "Although I have not brought this up with my son, but on the subjects of risks, I want you both to do a full STD panel, just to be safe."

"Done," Damon nodded.

"Good, I trust you will book -"

"No, I mean, it's done," Damon clarified. Wow, this was awkward. "Tyler got cleared on the season checks and I got mine every three months..." he lied. He was a vampire for gods sake. STD's? "We're both...uh, clean."

Carol nodded in approval, "Well, that I do suppose is the advantage of your son dating an older man. I don't have to worry about things like this." She sighed, "I do have to say, I was worried last year... Vicky Donovan."

"Ah...," Damon frowned, "I thought she was dating Jeremy Gilbert... when he was going through some.., difficult times after his parents' accident."

"Really?"

"Oh yes..."

"She really did get around..."

"Oh that she did... personally I ran for the hills," Damon rolled his eyes, "The whiles of...eh, young but experienced women become painfully transparent once the... hormonal cloud lifts from before your eyes."

Carol smirked, "Oh yes. I'm glad we have an understanding. With how she ended up in the end..."

"Statistically vampires attack more men; more blood. But more women are turned; it seems they take more easily to the lifestyle, the transition."

"And Tyler being with you, he is safe from that kind of predators." Damon nodded. "Tyler... is new to this sort of... commitment. I trust you will kept him on a tight leach?

Damon smirked, "I am not a nagging wife, Carol," he said, "But I can assure you, I will not be disrespected. And as much as I... love Tyler, he will wish he was facing a vampire rather than me should he... push his luck." Damon smirked, looking over Carol's shoulder.

"And I can assure you, Damon," Tyler said as he passed his mother and laid his hand at the small of Damon's back, "I'd rather face vampire than throw away something as beautiful as you," he said and dropped a kiss on Damon's soft lips.

"Silver tongue, you..."

Damon noticed Carol's jaw flex as Tyler wrapped his arm around him and pulled him into his side. Tyler gave his mother a level look. Not a challenging one, just steady, and dark.

"Richard," Carol greeted her husband.

The mayor gave a tense smile as he came over, "Carol, dear. Tyler, " he paused, "Damon,"

"Mr. Lockwood." Damon greeted calmly, but he was sure Tyler could feel the slight tensing of his body.

"Please, call me Richard," he said. His voice was not warm, or even what you could call friendly, but it was friendlier than the standard 'polite'.

Richard swore he could see his delinquent of a teenage son grow a foot and age gracefully into an adult as he stood with his back straight and with that relaxed but confident look on his face. The punk aggression was no longer pouring off of him as it had, but now hung around him as an air of unshakeable confidence. It took him a second to realise his son had grown up.

He took a breath, "I suppose this is my awkward, but heartfelt way of giving you both my blessing. A surprise, indeed," They all chuckled, slightly awkwardly, "But I have to say, I cannot think of any finer a man to stand by my sons side. Welcome to the family Damon." he said and reached his hand out to the elder Salvatore brother.

Damon took his hand in a firm grip. "Thank you, Richard."

Tyler gave his father a grateful nod, which the elder Lockwood returned.

~*~

Elena and Stefan watched the scene from afar, "What are they saying?"

"They're welcoming him to the family," Stefan said with some disbelief.

"What?" Elena gaped, "Don't they realise he's dangerous?"

"I think, while they'd rather Tyler have a girlfriend, they see the silver lining in that Tyler is actually pretty safe with Damon watching over him. They trust him."

"It will be their funeral," Elena said.

Stefan shook his head, "You know what. I'm gonna drop this. Damon asked me not to mess it up, so I'm gonna butt out and just see what happens."

"You can't be serious."

"When Damon loves, he loves with all of himself. It might be another game of his, but if it is the real deal, he deserves to be happy after all that shit he went through with Katherine."

"'We' went through, Stefan," Elena corrected.

"Yeah, but if I mess this up for him, he will never forgive me. Our relationship is fragile as it is. And a lot of it is my fault -"

"Don't say that -"

"It's true, Elena. Every time he put his trust in me, I failed him. Yet, he always comes through for me. And for you. He deserves some time for himself."

"If this goes wrong, it's on you," Elena warned.

~*~

"Well that was unexpected," Damon said as they walked out on the terrace overlooking the gardens.

Tyler chuckled, "Yeah. I though my mom was going to freak when I told her, but she took it very well."

Damon smiled. "I'm more surprised about your dad..."

"I think mom might have unruffled his feathers a bit," Tyler smirked as he backed Damon up against the stone rail. "But I'm... proud of him. I know his opinions of... guys seeing other guys, and I'm impressed he can put aside his beliefs and what he was taught, for me."

"He's your dad," Damon said. "He's supposed to have your back."

Tyler nodded,"Yeah." He smiled again and leaned in for a kiss.

~*~