His mum stood at the farmhouse style AGA, swaying gently to the music that played in the background as she cooked their evening meal. Kate had gone out for the afternoon with Thea and Florence, leaving Caroline to watch Lawrence play rugby and supervise him doing his homework. The teenage boy stood in the doorway silently for a while, watching his mother and smiling to himself. He loved that woman more than he thought he could ever love anybody else. Her love, strength and honesty had taught him so much. Caroline was the first person he went to if he had a problem or had received some good news; she always knew how to comfort him.

Walking into the kitchen he sat at the kitchen workbench, the movement of the stool alerted his mother to his presence. She turned around briefly whilst stirring something in the pot 'Finished all the algebra?'

'All done and dusted...I think' he replied, his voice shaky.

'Is everything okay Lawrence?' She asked, aware her son wasn't his usual bouncy self. By now she had turned to fully face him, her hands leant against the same space he was sat at. His face dropped more thus alerting Caroline to a problem. Walking around the island she put her hands around the strapping lad's shoulders and held him close.

'Mum, there's-there's something I need to tell you' he started, looking down, refusing to make eye contact with this woman whom he loved so much.

After her didn't continue and the room went quiet she probed him for more information. Not for a second did her approach seem as if she were attacking him. 'What is it Lawrence? Whatever it is, we can talk about it. You can tell me anything'

Lawrence took a moment to pull himself together 'I think I'm gay, mum' he uttered. Caroline froze a little at his words before gripping his shoulders tighter and kissing his head. From her own experience she knew just how difficult the words he had just said were; and him just a boy confronting how he felt.

'Do you want to talk about it?'

Without further words he explained 'There's this boy at Rugby, Giles, we started out as friends. There was always something else there, it took we a while to work it out. Seeing you with Kate made me realise that your relationship echoed the way I feel about him. Are you upset mum?' Silent tears dripped down his manly cheeks.

'Upset? Why would I ever be upset Lawrence? I'm so proud of you' she enveloped him in a tight hug, holding him as close as she could. Quickly, his behaviour made so much sense. His own attacking and anger towards William was actually probably the way he had felt about himself. 'What you've just told me is such a big and brave thing to admit. How could I possibly be upset, especially after marrying Kate? Whoever you love, Lawrence, is entirely up to you. As long as you're happy and healthy, that's all I care about'

'So you're not going to laugh or throw me out?' he questioned, wiping his eyes.

'Absolutely not! No matter what you do or how you feel, I will never leave you. You're my baby- you'll always be my baby'

'How am I going to tell dad? He'll think I'm weak-worthless'

'No he won't. He'll support you and continue to love you just as he does now' she paused, thinking about John and the way he loved their boys 'And if he does then I'll kick him in the wotsits' a brief pause was followed by a bit of digging. 'So is Giles-is Giles gay?'

'Surprisingly, yes, but that isn't why I like him. I like him because of his personality, his humour, his passion for rugby...and just maybe his looks' Lawrence laughed a little as he looked up as his mum who reciprocated his actions and giggled too. 'He likes me too mum, but I didn't want to do anything until I'd told you- asked you'

'Asked me what? Don't you dare ask me if you can date him Lawrence' she warned, smiling 'Because you know my answer will always be yes. If it's what you want then I'm happy for you'

That evening, with Lawrence fast asleep and feeling mightily relieved that his mum had accepted his sexuality; Caroline sat down with Kate and a grisly Florence. 'Lawrence told me earlier today that he's gay' she blurted out. Kate sat deadly still as she took in the news, admittedly it didn't come as a huge surprise to her; Lawrence's behaviour had indicated his feelings several times over the months.

'How do you feel about that, Caroline?' she asked as she rubbed Flo's back to get her to fall to sleep.

'What do you mean?' she questioned 'It's absolutely fine. Given my situation and being married to you, I have no grounds to be anything but fine with it. Even if I wasn't gay myself I would always support whoever he likes. I love him even more, if that's possible'

'As do I. It was a very brave thing for him to tell you. Suddenly his hatred towards Willie makes sense, doesn't it?'

'Yes-yes it does' her pause changed the tone 'I've been so wrapped up in discovering who I am that I never took the time to talk to my own son about any potential love life'

'Caroline, stop it please' she begged 'He felt he could tell you, that counts for a lot darling' the younger woman kissed her wife and looked her lovingly in the eyes.

Knocking on John's door, Caroline took a step back as was common practice in modern Britain. She waited for him to answer; when he did he looked like his usual self in his eccentric shirt, jumper and jeans. 'Caroline!' he called out, shocked by her appearance on his doorstep.

'John, we need to talk'

'Sure-sure, come in-come in' he offered, opening the door further. She followed him into the living room where he sat down. 'Er Judith's out- shopping' he explained, although it was unnecessary.

'I won't beat about the bush; I haven't got long before my next meeting. It's Lawrence-'

'Is everything okay? Is he alright?' butted in the greying man, suddenly his eyes lit with fear.

'Yes-yes everything's fine. He's gay, John' she blurted out. His face went white, the colour draining almost instantly.

'No-no, not my son. Did he tell you that? Or have you just come around here to cause trouble?' her ex-husband stood up, looking down on her whilst raising his voice.

'Just sit down and don't be so childish! He told me last night, and this is exactly the reaction he worried you would have!' John paced the room whilst Caroline tried to remain calm.

'This is your fault! Bringing another woman into his life and marrying her, kissing him in front of her. It's no wonder he's confused and thinks he's gay!'

'How dare you blame this on me! That boy worships the ground you walk on, he adores you and yet you can't allow him to be happy- to express how he feels. I knew you were a small-minded bastard John, but this really is the final straw. You've already shattered one relationship with a child, I thought you'd be a bit more careful now' She stood up and made a quick exit, leaving John to take in her short, and shrift words. Never before had a man angered her so much.

Lawrence was surprised to find his dad stood on the side of the rugby pitch after practice.

'Dad?' he questioned, taking a drink from his sports bottle.

'Lawrence! Great team work there. Are you busy?' John stood with his hands in his pockets. As his son shook his head he carried on 'Jump in and we can catch up?' he indicated to his old car. The teenager followed him. John didn't care about getting mud in his car so there was no need to strip to his boxers and take his shoes off.

There was a moment of silence and awkwardness. 'Mum tells me you like a lad from rugby. Is she right?' Lawrence sat there unsure of what to do. He hadn't even been aware that Caroline had seen his dad, or spoken to him.

'I do dad' almost instantly he started apologising 'I'm so sorry. If I could change the way I feel I would. I know I've let you down but I had to tell someone. I couldn't lie anymore-'

'Lawrence-Lawrence' he uttered, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving it a squeeze 'I love you. I will always love you. You're my son, and you loving somebody, even if it is a male, will never change that' he had seemingly had a change of heart. Caroline's words had hurt him, he realised that Lawrence would always be Lawrence. 'I want both you and William to be happy. If that means you have to date guys then I will support that'

'Really dad?' Lawrence was surprised by his reaction; he had expected something far worse. 'His name's Giles. I think you'll like him popsicle' John held his hand up for Lawrence to high-five, just like old times.

'Mum-Mum I'm home' called out her growing son as he stepped through the front door. Behind him was another young man who was dressed in smart trousers, a patterned shirt, thin black tie and waistcoat. Both Kate and Caroline joined them in hallway with Florence.

'Hi Giles, I'm Caroline' introduced the woman shaking his hand.

'I'm Kate' she followed her wife's actions 'And this is little Flo'

'Hi, nice to meet you both' he replied, nerves running through his muscular body, shaking Caroline's hand.

Lawrence seemed so at ease with introducing his new boyfriend to his family. The evening after telling his mum the boy had confronted his feelings and decided to give a relationship with Giles a go, a move which everybody supported. His parents had been quick to invite his boyfriend around and the time spent with him revolved around a takeaway and getting to know this new boy that made their son so happy. Caroline even got the baby albums out to embarrass her youngest son. Lawrence spent some time in his room with Giles, albeit with the door open. His new lover took great interest in the family he was entering, and quickly fell in love with Florence.

As he left that evening the pair shared their first proper kiss, a significant step forwards and one that Lawrence loved.

'See you tomorrow then?' uttered the posh boy with his bag slung over his shoulder. He leant in for another kiss before making his way home.

The out and happy lad received a text from his brother not long after telling Caroline. His mum had discreetly phoned him and informed him of the update. For all those years that his little brother had called him gay, in recent weeks he had had his own suspicions of Lawrence's sexuality. He knew that boys of Lawrence's build, looks and personality were generally highly sought after, unlike himself. But never did he bring home a girlfriend or talked highly of female students.

'Alright gayboy?' it read 'All joking aside, I'm proud of you little Lawrence, It takes a real man to admit his sexuality and how he feels. When do I get to meet this Giles and embarrass you? Love William x'

Lawrence lay on his bed holding his phone and smiling to himself. Since announcing who he really was he had felt happier, but being a rugby player who was gay wasn't an easy thing to face. No ridicule of homophobia had been sent his way; instead just support and sarcasm. Maybe he could do this. Maybe he could be who he really was deep down.