A/N: This story is a one-shot for now. I wrote it while working through writer's block for another story. If there is any interest in more chapters I would be willing to continue the story. Enjoy!

Most people would be thrilled to have such prime seats at the national championship game. She was seated close enough to the field to hear the players shouting on the sideline. The atmosphere in stadium was absolutely electric as the game clock ticked below the two-minute mark. Most of the fans were on their feet cheering raucously. The two teams grinding it out of the football field were separated by three points. Either team could suffer a crushing defeat in the game's final minutes. Bonnie felt so anxious that she was sick to her stomach. She had a lot riding on the outcome of this game.

Bonnie hadn't put any money on the game but she had taken a huge gamble all the same. Four years ago, she had gotten pregnant by her high school sweetheart. It wasn't an ideal situation since both teens had bright futures ahead of them. Tyler was a heavily recruited wide receiver. Meanwhile, Bonnie had just set a new state record for the 200 meter dash. Despite their college plans neither teen considered terminating the pregnancy. They were in love and had already decided to attend the same college. The teens' families were understandably upset when they learned about the pregnancy. However, Bonnie's family had come around to the idea after a few days.

It had taken nearly a month but it seemed as if Richard and Carol were warming up to the idea of being grandparents. Unfortunately, the teens were much too naive and trusting. They didn't see the writing on the walls until it was too late. Their daughter was two months old when Tyler signed his letter of intent. The letter of intent wasn't a long or particularly detailed document but it was a pair of handcuffs. Once Tyler signed that letter he couldn't go to another school. Two months later, the university rescinded its scholarship offer to Bonnie. It was middle of track and field season and she was performing well. However, the school claimed they were going with a different student athlete. Bonnie and Tyler were devastated by the news. They wouldn't be able to attend the same school. They would have to postpone getting married. All their plans were crumbling. The situation grew worse when they learned that Richard and Carol were behind the lost scholarship. The Lockwood family had been generous donors for generations. There was a dorm named for their family on campus. It hadn't taken much effort to convince the athletic director to do their bidding.

Tyler had threatened to forgo playing football to punish his parents. They responded by threatening to cut him off financially. Moreover, Tyler wouldn't gain access to the trust fund set up by his grandparents until he was 25 years old. He couldn't afford to put himself through school without a scholarship while taking care of his little family. Tyler realized then that his parents held all the cards. Richard and Carol promised to send a monthly check to provide for Bonnie and Mila. They even offered to cover childcare costs so that Bonnie could go to school. The young couple reluctantly agreed to the stipulations. When Tyler graduated from high school, he moved six hours away to play college football. Meanwhile, Bonnie accepted a track and field scholarship at Whitmore College.

For three years, Bonnie and Tyler only saw each other during holiday breaks. Occasionally, she would try to take Mila to his games. However, the majority of their communication had been over the phone or through Facetime. It was a miserable existence and nearly drove them apart on multiple occasions. Bonnie and Tyler both had jealous streaks that made the separation more difficult. Their respective friends poured poison in their ears. Just a few months ago, they nearly broke up because of some questionable photos on Instagram. Tyler had celebrated his 21st birthday at a nightclub with tons of beautiful women. There were several pictures that made it look as if he had taken liberties that he shouldn't while in a relationship.

However, everything was supposed to change tonight. Tyler planned to declare for the draft after the game-win or lose. Then he would let his parents know that he and Bonnie were still together. She didn't know what to expect from the Lockwoods. Moreover, there was part of the girl that worried that Tyler wouldn't make good on his promises. Why would he want to be trapped in a committed relationship when he was about to be drafted by a NFL team? They had been living separate lives since graduating from high school. It all left Bonnie feeling sick to her stomach and doubtful.

The game caught her attention when a cornerback intercepted the ball. Bonnie cheered loudly but glanced at the time. They were under a minute now. It was enough time for one maybe two more plays. However, the opposing team called a time-out.

Lucy gently nudged Bonnie's arm. "It's going to be okay."

Bonnie huffed out a quiet laugh. Lucy was her cousin but they were more like sisters. Sheila had raised the two girls under the same roof. Moreover, she was the first person Bonnie called after Sheila died suddenly. Lucy had stepped in to become her 15-year-old cousin's guardian. She was only 23-years-old at the time but the alternative was putting Bonnie in foster care. The family court judge had agreed to the guardianship but the cousins had jumped through hoops to appease the court. She couldn't count the number of home studies Mrs. Lawson had conducted.

She said, "You don't know that."

Lucy lightly patted Mila's back. It was nearing 11 o'clock and the toddler was exhausted. She said, "I don't know what Tyler is going to do after this game but I know that you are going to be okay. I've got your back...no matter what. I always have and I always will."

Bonnie forced a small smile. She was grateful for Lucy's support. She wouldn't have gotten through these three years without her cousin. "Thanks, Luce."

She smiled. "Besides, I will go all Jeff Gillooly on Tyler's knees if tries to screw you over."

"Don't even joke like that," Bonnie scolded her lightly.

Tyler had broken his arm last year and it delayed his plans. The worst part was hearing the misery in his voice as he tried to rehab from the injury. She would never wish that kind of pain on him.

Lucy's eyes narrowed. "I am not joking. You know that I take my expandable baton everywhere I go. Give me five minutes and I'll make sure the golden boy never plays a down of pro football."

Bonnie rolled her eyes in exasperation. "We would be chased of out Mystic Falls by people with torches and pitchforks."

"Don't care. You've raised his child alone for three years because his parents are racist and manipulative as fuck. It's time for him to step up," she said.

She shook her head and glanced at the field again. They were just coming out of the time-out. Tyler's team were still deep in their own territory and the clock was ticking down. The good news was that they had possession of the ball after that interception. She didn't know if they were going to be able to pull off the win but there was a chance.

The quarterback faked a hand off to the running back and then left the pocket. He looked down field and then launched the ball through the air.

Bonnie felt like her heart stopped when she realized that Tyler was the target. She got to her feet and watched as he jumped into the air and caught the ball. A moment later, he was back on the ground and sprinting towards the end zone.

"Go, Ty!" Bonnie screamed.

Lucy got to her feet, too.

A defender tried to pull Tyler down, but he stiff-armed the defender right out of bounds. Tyler glanced behind him and realized that the bodies chasing him where all his teammates. He ran into the end zone and then dropped the ball.

The entire stadium erupted in applause and cheers. That was it...the game was over. Tyler had scored the game winning touchdown.

Bonnie felt tears filling her eyes. No matter what Tyler decided to do she was proud of him. She knew how hard he had worked for this moment.

Lucy hugged Bonnie. "They did it!"

She hastily wiped away her tears and nodded. Bonnie gently took Mila from Lucy's arms and hugged her. She said, "Come on. We're going to see Daddy."

Tyler had ensured they had passes to get onto the field after the game.

Lucy and Bonnie left their seats and headed onto the field. Then it was just a matter of finding Tyler among the throng of fans, press, players, and coaches.

However, Tyler spotted them first. He weaved through the crowds until he reached them. Tyler pulled Bonnie into his arms and kissed her passionately.

Mila whined at being squished between them.

Tyler pulled back with a chuckle and took Mila from Bonnie. He kissed her forehead and asked, "Did we squish you, munchkin? I'm sorry."

Mila's expression brightened when she saw him. "Daddy!"

He chuckled and hugged her to him. He looked at Bonnie. "I am so glad you guys are here."

"We couldn't miss this. Congratulations, Ty. We're proud of you," she said in a voice thick with emotion.

Tyler smiled. "Thank you. It means a lot coming from you."

Mason approached the small group with Tyler's parents. He grinned at his nephew. "That was a damn good catch. That is going on the highlight reel."

Tyler scowled at his parents. He hadn't invited Richard and Carol. He could only assume that they had pulled some strings to get onto the field.

"Hell of a game, son," Richard said with a proud smile.

Carol tried to hug Tyler but he easily sidestepped the attempt.

Lucy smiled smugly. She whispered to Bonnie, "I think that is a more vicious straight arm than the one he gave in game."

Bonnie bit back a laugh.

Tyler looked at Mason. "Did you bring it?"

Mason nodded and pulled a ring box from his pocket. "Of course, I brought it. I had one job and it was an important one."

Tyler took the ring box and handed Mila to his uncle.

Richard's entire posture changed when he spotted the box. He glared at his brother. "What are you doing with grandmother's engagement ring?"

Mason smiled at his older brother. "She left it to me...I can do whatever the hell I want with that ring. And I decided to pass it along to my favorite nephew."

Richard hissed. "He's your only nephew."

Mason just shrugged at Richard. The two brothers had never been particularly close. The wedge between them had grown even larger in recent years.

Tyler glared at his parents as if daring them to intervene. Then got down on one knee in front of Bonnie. He grinned up at her like a fool in love because he was one.

Bonnie blinked rapidly because she couldn't believe he was really going to do this. She hadn't been expecting a proposal. Bonnie had only hoped that they would no longer have to hide their relationship. She gasped, "What are you doing?"

Lucy asked, "What does it look like he's doing?"

Bonnie snapped, "Shut up, Lucy." She looked at Tyler with apprehension. She whispered, "Are you sure?"

Lucy took out her phone and started recording. She didn't want to miss a moment of this. She was happy to see that the boy had his head on straight. Lucy had her doubts after those pictures surfaced on Instagram. However, she hadn't shared those doubts with her distraught cousin. Bonnie had been going through enough hell without another person adding to it.

"I have never been more sure of anything in my life. I wanted to make you wife three years ago but...other things got in the way."

His parents shifted uncomfortably at the venom in Tyler's voice.

Mila looked on from her great-uncle's arms but she had no idea what was happening.

"But none of those things matter any longer. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Bonnie. You are the only girl I have ever loved. You are the only girl that I could ever love. More than that, you stuck by me when every bit of logic had to be telling you to cut your losses. I can never explain how grateful I am that you stuck by me. Will you marry me?" Tyler asked as he opened the antique cherrywood box.

The engagement ring was made of white gold. A large oval shaped sapphire was the centerpiece of the ring. A ring of diamonds surrounded the sapphire.

Bonnie's heart was beating so fast she felt as if she might faint right there. She nodded as tears slipped down her cheeks. "Yes, of course, I will marry you, Ty."

Tyler took the ring from the box and slipped it on Bonnie's finger. He got to his feet and hoisted her into the air.

Bonnie wrapped her arms around Tyler's neck and kissed him happily. All of her fears and doubts had been for nothing.

Richard and Carol looked as if they has swallowed an entire basket of lemons. However, no one was interested in their opinions or reactions. They definitely wouldn't make a scene when there were so many cameras around.

Mason said, "Congratulations!"

Lucy nodded with a wide smile. "I'm so happy for both of you. And I recorded the whole thing. This is going on Instagram."

Tyler put Bonnie of the ground.

Bonnie took Mila from Mason's arms. "Come here, baby girl."

Mila's hands automatically went for her mother's shiny new accessory.

Tyler chuckled heartily.

Lucy squealed and walked over to get a better look at the ring. "It's gorgeous!"

Bonnie nodded in agreement. "It is the most beautiful ring that I have ever seen."

Tyler slung an arm around Bonnie's waist. He said, I don't want to wait long to get married."

"Really?" she asked surprised.

He nodded and said, "I'm not exactly worried about missing a few days of class now. I'll try to come next Thursday. We'll go to the county clerk's office to get the our marriage license."

Richard spoke in a hushed voice. "You can't be serious…"

Suddenly, the assistant coaches were yelling to get the players' attention. It was time for the trophy presentation.

Tyler kissed Bonnie again and said, "I've got to go but I'll be back soon."

She nodded with a grin. "We'll be here, Ty."

Tyler jogged across the field to reach the hastily constructed platform.

Carol glared a Bonnie. She said, "You can't think that we are going to let this happen."

Bonnie glared heatedly at the woman. "We're not teenagers anymore, Carol."

Lucy waved her hand dismissively. "Go on now. Nobody is interested in hearing what you think or feel tonight."

Mason snorted in agreement.

Richard stared at his brother with a face like thunder.

Mason shrugged his shoulders. "I always thought the two of you were out of line for meddling in Tyler's life. If I were in his shoes, I'd never speak to either of you again. But then again I've had a lot longer to grow tired of your bullshit, Dick. I am sure Tyler will get there eventually."

Lucy chuckled softly.

Mason put his arms over the Bennett women's shoulders. "Let's see if we can get closer to the stage. I want to take pictures."

The Lockwoods stood back and watched them walk away.

Carol looked at her husband. "What are we going to do, Richard? What if Mason is right?"

Richard glanced at his wife. "I'll think of something."

Carol wasn't sure that she believed her husband's vague reassurances. She looked toward the stage where her son was front and center with the head coach and the cornerback that had the game changing interception.

She watched as her son was awarded the offensive MVP award for his three-touchdown performance. Carol wondered if they had gone about this the wrong way. Maybe the relationship would have fizzled out without their interference.

They had only pushed their son away from them and closer to the little family that was sure to be albatross around his neck.