While Tyler and Bonnie had been separated it seemed as if time moved at a snail's pace. Since he had moved back to Mystic Falls, the days seemed to pass effortlessly. Bonnie was hard at work trying to finish her last Spring semester on Whitmore's campus strong. After this semester, she would only need fifteen credits to graduate with her bachelor's degree in Radiologic Sciences. Bonnie hoped to finish her degree during the summer. However, her ability to do that hinged on which classes were offered during the summer session. Either way Bonnie planned to be living in a different city by the start of the football season. She and Tyler had decided that their family wouldn't be separated again.

Fortunately, it didn't look as if they would have to stray too far from home. Last week, Tyler had gone to Indianapolis to participate in the NFL Combine. Most of Mystic Falls had been glued to their televisions to support him and Matt Donovan. Both young men had performed well in front of the scouts and team executives. However, Tyler had truly dazzled everyone with his performance. His 40-yard dash time had made him a recurring topic on all of ESPN's shows. All of the mock drafts predicted Tyler going as the first or second pick. He would either land with Baltimore or Washington. Both cities were only a two hour drive from Mystic Falls.

While Tyler was in Indianapolis for a week, Bonnie took the time to finally find her wedding dress. On Friday afternoon, she made the long awaited trip to the bridal shop in Richmond. Her small but dedicated bridal party joined her to share their strong opinions. Bonnie had three bridesmaids: Lucy, Caroline, and Elena. Mila also came along for the ride mostly because there was no one else to watch her. Mason and Brady had accompanied Tyler on his trip to Indianapolis for support. Mila's presence turned out to be a blessing in disguise because they found the perfect flower girl dress for her. Although, Bonnie still had her doubts about the toddler's ability to perform her flower girl duties. Her little girl had a wild spirit and wasn't always keen on following directions.

The girls' weekend trip to Richmond proved to be a resounding success. After much badgering from Lucy, Bonnie found an amazing grecian style wedding dress. She also bought a form-fitting cocktail dress for the reception. She had been reluctant to get the dresses she really wanted because of the eye-popping prices. However, Lucy wouldn't let her younger cousin settle for less on what would be the most important day of her young life. Lucy also reminded Bonnie that she and Mason were the ones footing the bill for her dresses. The two partners in crime had already worked out a budget before he departed for Indianapolis. The budget even included paying extra to get the dresses altered in time for the wedding.

After buying her wedding dress, Bonnie found the other decisions for the wedding simple. Tyler helped her choose flowers for the wedding. They didn't want anything extravagant since it was a beach wedding. However, they did want to add some color to the beige palette the beach would provide. They also hired a DJ to work their reception. Elena's little brother had offered his band as a prospect but Tyler and Bonnie declined. They both thought Jeremy was a good kid but he wasn't exactly known for being reliable. He spent more time getting high with his band than actually rehearsing. Fortunately, Elena hadn't been offended by their decision. She was capable of being objective where her baby brother was concerned.

The wedding was two weeks away and all the major and minor decisions had been finalized. The invitations had been sent out and most of the RSVP cards had been received. Lucy was in charge of the food for the reception. She had spent weeks experimenting with different dishes before settling on the perfect menu. Bonnie, Tyler, Mason, and Brady had enjoyed sampling all of the options. Lucy was even in charge of making their wedding cake. She was keeping the style and overall shape a secret from the couple. However, they did know that the cake would be chocolate. It went against the norm for a wedding cake but the groom and bride were chocoholics.

The couple's chocolic nature was on full display today at Mystic Falls annual Spring Festival. Despite the temperature being a brisk 58 degrees, Bonnie and Tyler were on their third helping of homemade chocolate ice cream. They were only able to indulge like that because Mila was being watched by Mason at the moment. Tyler's uncle was passing out fliers and trying to drive customers to Lucy's booth. He claimed having an adorable toddler as a sidekick would help drum up business. Bonnie didn't know if Mason's claims were accurate but there was certainly a long line waiting in front of Lucy's booth.

Bonnie looked at Tyler and asked, "Where should we go next?"

He smirked at his fiance and suggested, "Traffic at Mrs. Warren's booth has finally slow down. We should head over there before the evening rush starts."

Lydia Warren was a fiesty older woman that owned Mystic Falls oldest bakery. The business had been in her family for nearly 100 years. She also made the best fudge anyone had ever tasted.

She chuckled and said, "If we keep this up, we are going to be tubby by the time the wedding comes around."

Tyler kissed her and then said, "Tubby? You look good with a couple extra pounds on you. And you don't need to worry about me getting fat. I'll burn all this off tonight during my workout with Brady and Mason. They have become unforgiving taskmasters."

Bonnie smiled and said, "They just want to keep you on your toes because they believe in your dreams. You are going to be a wide receiver in the NFL. You've been talking about going pro since we were ten years old and you finally did it. I am so proud of you, Ty."

He wrapped an arm around Bonnie's shoulders and pulled her closer.

"Tyler…" Carol called out from behind them.

Tyler tensed hearing his mother's voice. He slowly let go off Bonnie and turned around. "I didn't expect to see you here, Mom. This was never your sort of thing...hanging out with the townies."

It was true. Carol and Richard hadn't attended the Spring Festival since he was mayor of Mystic Falls. She did not miss socializing with the citizens of Mystic Falls. She said, "I was hoping that I would run into you here. I know how much you have always enjoyed the festival."

Bonnie squeezed Tyler's hand because she could feel how tense he was.

"I thought I made myself clear. I don't want anything to do with you or dad," Tyler said.

"It's been weeks and I was hoping that you would change your mind. I am not here on behalf of your father. Richard can try to make amends on his own. I am here because I do not want to lose your or my granddaughter," Carol pleaded.

"Now you care about Mila being your granddaughter?" he asked sarcastically.

Carol sighed and said, "I will admit that I haven't been the grandmother that I should have been to Mila. I felt guilty for separating you and Bonnie. I knew that it was wrong from the beginning, but I was so scared that you were throwing your future away. I thought that you would settle down and give up your chance to be an NFL player."

His jaw clenched. "Bonnie and Mila were all the motivation I needed. All I ever wanted was to be able to give them a good life...the life they deserve. I am going to do that despite the fact that you and Dad tried to force a wedge between us."

"You're right. You proved Richard and I wrong. You managed to keep your family together and achieve your dreams. You can't imagine how happy I was to see you on ESPN. My son participating in the NFL Combine. Not just participating but completely decimating the competition. You are going to have so many amazing moments in your life. I don't want to miss out on them because I made a mistake. I am asking that you give me an opportunity to be part of your life again," he said.

Tyler wanted to shut down his mother. However, he always had a soft spot for her. Richard hadn't been a good husband to her and it showed. "I don't know. I need time to think about it. And forgiving Dad is out of the question. He's been trying to ruin Uncle Mason's business venture."

Carol's heart sped up when Tyler agreed to at least consider forgiving her. She said, "I am not here on behalf of your father. We're...I don't think that we will be married for much longer. I am in the process of moving my things to the country house. I am craving some peace and quiet."

Bonnie did her best not to react to the apparent end of Carol and Richard's marriage. She wondered who decided to call it quits. It didn't seem like something that Richard would do. He was always too concerned with keeping up appearances. However, Carol had never shown anything that resembled having a backbone.

Tyler blinked and ran back his mother's words to make sure he heard her right. "Are you getting a divorce?"

"I have been to a lawyer. Richard will be served sometime next week when he returns from his business trip. I do not know if he will sign the divorce papers or if this will go to court," she explained.

"Why?" he asked. "After all these years of him being awful to both of us…"

Carol said, "I wish I had some satisfying answer for you. In the simplest terms, everyone has a limit. I finally found mine."

"Do you need help moving your stuff to the country house?" Tyler asked. He felt awkward and unsure of what to say to his mother. He was happy to know that she was finally leaving his father. However, part of Tyler wondered why she had chosen to do so now.

She shook her head. "No, I hired a moving company. They'll move everything early Monday morning."

Bonnie realized that Carol was leaving Richard without telling him. She planned to move while he was out of town. Then he would be served with divorce papers when he returned. It was certainly a bold move. One that had a chance of blowing up in the woman's face. Richard wasn't the type of man that liked to lose. Bonnie feared that they would all need to prepare for a backlash.

She said, "Well, if you do need any help...let us know."

Tyler squeezed Bonnie's hand in silent appreciation. She always backed his play even when there was ample reason to do otherwise. They would have to discuss the olive branch his mother offered later. He wouldn't unilaterally decide to allow her into their lives again.

Carol was visibly surprised but nodded. "The company I hired promised to pack and unpack all the major items. And I am having new furniture delivered to the country house on the same day. I am a little nervous. I have never orchestrated a move this large before."

She had lived in the same house from the moment she married Richard at 19-years-old. She hadn't brought much more than her clothes when she moved into the house. Richard had insisted that the Lockwood Mansion had everything she would need. He hadn't been wrong. The nearly 200-year-old house had served her well over the years. Carol was sad to leave it behind but the house didn't belong to her. The country house was a different matter altogether. Her mother-in-law had left the country house to Carol in her Will. She wondered if Marianna knew this day would come. She had always been realistic about her eldest son's shortcomings.

Tyler asked, "You bought new furniture?"

Carol nodded. "I thought the house could use a little updating. I've already had the walls repainted in some rooms. I had new wallpaper put in the bedroom. I wanted to get rid of all the wallpaper, but there were too many layers on the bedroom walls. It was easier just to put up new wallpaper."

Tyler's eyes went wide. He wondered how long Carol had been planning to leave his father. This didn't seem like a spur of the moment decision.

Bonnie saw that Tyler seemed to be at a loss for words. She said, "I am sure that changes have breathed new life into the house."

"Oh, it definitely has. I can't wait to tackle the kitchen. However, a renovation of that sort would take no less than six months. Please know that the three of you have an open invitation to the house," Carol said.

Tyler said, "Uh...thank you."

Carol said, "Well, I should get going. There is still much for me to do to get ready for the move. You have my number if you want to talk or…"

He nodded.

Carol smiled and then quickly headed toward the exit.

Tyler looked at Bonnie and asked, "What the hell just happened?"

"I have no idea," she confessed.

"We need to tell Mason, because this is…"

"Is going to be a freaking disaster," she finished for her fiance.

He nodded numbly.