This is it, the final chapter of this story! I'm excited that it's finished so I can move on to other stories I have planned (both for fanfiction and for publishing) and I want to thank everyone and anyone who has read, reviewed, commented, favorited, or alerted this story. I hope you guys enjoy the ending and please don't forget to review! They are always appreciated :) and if you want to message me, I will respond to those in a timely fashion, I hope. Happy reading!

Warning: Major sex scene ;) if you don't want to read it, you'll know when it's coming so you can skip over it!

Disclaimer: I don't own.

9 Years Later

Tyler grinned as Jeremy snapped yet another picture. "Okay, now let's get one with you and your brother."

"Papa," Katherine groaned as Mason came bounding into the camera's view, his dark hair pushed back from his bright, hazel eyes. "I'm going to be late if we keep doing this."

"I just want a few more pictures then we can go. This is a big day Kit-Kat and we need to remember it," Jeremy said as he got the camera into position and snapped a couple pictures at different angles. Tyler shook his head laughing and sipped from his wine.

"I can't believe it," Caroline whispered next to him, sounding on the verge of tears…again. "She's about to go to college and…and I won't have to be her nanny anymore…" she trailed off and picked up another tissue, dabbing at her eyes. Stefan drew her to him in a one-armed hug.

"You'll still have Mason to look after love," he reminded her gently.

"But he's getting older too! Tyler, please adopt another kid, my heart can't take this!"

"You're about to have your own child Caroline. Just wait until that baby arrives," Tyler laughed. He couldn't wait to see how Caroline handled changing diapers.

"But that's so long from now," she whined, her hand unconsciously going to her stomach; she had found out the previous week that she was expecting. He watched as Stefan's hand covered hers and he smiled.

"Okay, perfect…where are Elena and Damon?" Jeremy asked and on cue the couple walked into the house, Damon holding a very pregnant Elena's hand and their four-year old son Jacob situated nicely on his shoulders.

"Bout time you showed up, she's going to be late," Jeremy scowled at his sister who laughed. "Where's Jenna?"

"She said they would meet us there." She waddled to Katherine and hugged her. "Congratulations sweetie," she murmured and Katherine smiled brightly, "Thanks Elena."

"Alright, we need to go," Tyler said and everyone followed his lead out the door. The school wasn't too far away but parking was going to be hectic and finding seats, even though they were reserved, was going to be the worst. He smiled as he felt Katherine grab his hand and he waited until everyone walked ahead of them. Jeremy glanced at them and smiled warmly before steering Mason in the direction of the car.

"What's wrong baby?" he said noticing her nervous expression.

"Nothing, I'm just…I'm scared Daddy," she whispered. Tyler knew the feeling; it only seemed like yesterday that Katherine was only as tall his hip and running around the house with Pom-Pom and Caroline and now his baby girl was graduating high school with honors and a full-ride soccer scholarship to UC San Diego in the fall. Tyler was absolutely terrified of Katherine going so far but Jeremy had assured him over and over that Katherine was a smart kid and she would be fine.

"I am too Baby," he said truthfully. "But I'm so proud of you. You've come so far and you put in a lot of work to get to where you are. You deserve this Katherine."

"We put in a lot of work, Daddy. But maybe I shouldn't go to San Diego…I got into NYU and it would be way closer—"

"Kitty, San Diego has been your dream school since you were ten! You have to go," Tyler said with a laugh.

"But what about Mason?"

"Your brother will live. He'll miss you a lot but he'll be fine. We got Skype set up on his computer so you guys can talk whenever you want."

"But who's going to babysit Jacob?"

"Caroline can handle him, she'll be okay."

"But—"

"Kitty, everything will be fine. You're going to go to San Diego and have a blast. You won't worry about us at all," Tyler said reassuringly.

She bit her lip and adjusted her cap on her head. "Okay," she murmured. She wished she could just move everyone to California so she wouldn't miss them so much. Tyler smiled and pulled her into a hug, holding his tears in that suddenly sprung to his eyes; he was not going to be one of those parents, he'd leave that to Jeremy.

She hugged him tightly, "I love you Daddy."

"I love you too Kit-Kat," he murmured into her hair.

A car horn broke them apart, "C'mon guys, traffic is going to be heavy!" Jeremy called to them. Tyler smiled at his girl before taking her hand and helping her down the stairs.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

"Katherine Lockwood!" the announcer called and Tyler felt a surge of pride as his daughter walked across the stage. Shouts and cries from friends and family filled the auditorium as Katherine accepted her diploma, beaming all the while. He looked over at his husband who smiled back at him and he couldn't resist kissing him. Jeremy smiled and cupped his face, "I love you Tyler Lockwood," he murmured gently, love shining in his eyes.

"I love you too Jeremy Lockwood," he murmured back and pecked him again. He laughed as Mason and his friends screamed as loud as they could and she turned in their direction holding her diploma and made a goofy face at them. He heard his mother laugh from his other side and he wouldn't have been surprised if she was making one back at her. Over the years she, Katherine and Caroline hadn't lost their excitability, nor had they drifted apart and Mason fit right in with them. Tyler would have thought that Mason would have been a little calmer but he couldn't have been more wrong; he and Jeremy spent many afternoons running after their two adorable but hyper-active children. Mason had even learned to squeal like Katherine.

After the rest of the graduating class from Hillmark was given their diplomas and they were allowed to throw their hats with the promise that they would pick them up afterwards, everyone was ushered into the room across the hall that was decorated elegantly in blue and white. Jeremy and Tyler quickly located their daughter surrounded by her boyfriend and her many friends; Katherine had become quite popular over the years with her involvement in school and sports. Tyler had often griped to Jeremy that she was too popular with the boys and Jeremy just laughed at him.

"Congrats baby, I'm so proud of you," Jeremy cooed as he held her tightly. Tyler could tell that Jeremy would start crying soon, whether it was here or back in the safety of their home was yet to be seen.

"Thanks Papa," she muttered feeling tears springing to her eyes. She couldn't imagine leaving her dads; her dad and ex-teacher had become such a huge part of her life since she was seven she couldn't imagine a day without him and her daddy…her daddy had been there through everything. She didn't know how she was supposed to leave them.

"Let's save the crying for home," Jeremy said as he pulled back laughing wiping his eyes and she nodded. She launched herself into Tyler's arms as some of the other graduates came to say hi to Jeremy and Tyler held her tightly, his mind unwillingly counting down until he couldn't do this anymore.

An unmistakable squeal was heard behind him as Caroline grabbed Katherine into a bear hug and they jumped up and down, Mason mimicking them from behind. Tyler and Jeremy laughed.

"You three…sometimes I really wonder if you're all blood related," Tyler chuckled. The girls pulled back and grinned.

"I don't know Ty," Caroline smiled as she looked between all of them. "Mason looks a lot like you and Katherine looks just like Elena and a little like Jeremy…"

"It is weird how much Mason does look like you Ty…is there something you need to tell me?" Jeremy joked pushing him playfully.

Tyler snorted rolling his eyes with a smile, "I forgot to tell you that I went through a phase where I slept with women…" he laughed as Jeremy swatted at him. Carol and Richard approached them then, each giving Katherine a congratulatory hug and kiss. Richard shook hands with Jeremy and Tyler, pulling Tyler off to the side a bit. Jeremy watched them for a moment before turning back to everyone else.

Tyler looked at him questioningly, "What's wrong?"

He held a blue envelope in his hand, "Kol was here. He wanted me to give Katherine this."

A dark look came over Tyler's face, "Why the hell was he here? I thought the restraining order said he couldn't come within ten feet of the school?"

"It expired last year. You said he hasn't been by your apartment or Katherine's school and he hasn't come anywhere near my office building."

"Because he had no choice." Tyler sighed and took the envelope, "Should I give it to her? I don't want to ruin tonight for her with his bullshit."

"I was going to throw it away but there's probably money in there. I wouldn't tell her but it's up to you. She could choose to open it though I think it's safe to say that she doesn't want anything to do with him after you explained everything to her."

Tyler hummed in agreement pressing his lips together; one of the hardest things he and Jeremy had to do as parents was explain to their two children why there was a restraining order against her former father and why Mason would never meet him. Katherine had immediately declared that she hated Kol and never wanted contact with him, especially since he had tried to ruin her dad's life and Mason had nightmares for weeks that Kol would show up and hurt his papa or kidnap his sister. He remembered when Mason went through a phase of sleeping in Katherine's bed to keep her safe.

"I'll talk to Jeremy about it…but I know what he's going to say," Tyler sighed. He couldn't understand, for the life of him, why Jeremy seemed to feel bad for Kol. Kol had put him through the most hell yet he was the one who suggested that they lift the restraining order and let Katherine see her father. Naturally Tyler had protested and Katherine had refused to have anything to do with him claiming that Jeremy was her other dad and nothing would change that.

"I wouldn't say anything to him but I know you can't keep a secret from him. I can't understand how he's so sympathetic with him after everything. If I could I would have him thrown in jail, that lowlife scum."

"That's just who Jeremy is. He's a good person," Tyler said wistfully as he watched his husband laughing with their friends and family and his former students.

"A true saint," Richard muttered. "Well I've kept you long enough. I just wanted to tell you he was here and to be on the look-out. I don't know if we'll be able to renew the orders but I'll see what I can do. I don't want him finding out about Mason, if he doesn't know already."

"God forbid," Tyler muttered before hugging him. "Thanks Dad," he murmured before they rejoined the group. He ruffled Mason's hair before he grabbed Jeremy's hand and squeezed it gently, "Let's get out of here?"

Jeremy smiled and nodded, "I thought you'd never ask.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

After making sure all the graduates would be fine at sober grad, Tyler, Jeremy and the rest of the parents were invited to a celebration of their own. Mason had gone out with some of his friends and Caroline was set to pick him up in the morning, claiming that Tyler and Jeremy would be too hung over to function.

"You guys don't think you'll be drinking a lot but your daughter just graduated from high-school. If you guys didn't get drunk I would be disappointed," she said in response to their denials. "Throw back a couple for me at least! I can't do anything for at least a year!"

The club where the party was held was very chic and Tyler guessed that a bottle of champagne was easily $1,000 but the parents were supplied with multiple bottles of the club's finest. After an hour everyone was laughing and talking obnoxiously over each other; Jeremy could feel his head buzzing and he wanted to leave so he could be alone with his husband and have their own private party.

"Hey baby, can I take you home?" A low, sultry voice asked behind him and he laughed as Tyler nuzzled his neck and wrapped strong arms around his waist.

"Hmm, I guess you can but don't tell my husband. I don't think he'll like that."

"Your husband shouldn't have let you come out alone," Tyler whispered salaciously. He licked Jeremy's neck before telling their friends and the other parents goodnight and exiting the club hailing a cab. Jeremy's lips immediately found his and he pressed him against the opposite door ravaging his mouth, pulling away long enough to tell the driver their destination before Jeremy pulled him close again. Even after all this time, Jeremy still managed to make him feel like a teenager. Ten years of being together and they were still in their honeymoon stage. He bit his lip to stop from crying out as Jeremy worked on his neck while slipping his hands into his pants deftly grabbing his growing erection. His back hit the other side of the taxi as Jeremy landed somewhat on top of him and he buried his hands in his brown hair, lips searching for any bare skin.

After what felt like only a few seconds the taxi stopped in front of their apartment building. Tyler fished out a $50 and gave it to the driver, pulling his husband out the car laughing. "Keep the change!" he called out to the driver staring at him in shock. Jeremy laughed and grabbed Tyler's face so he could bring their lips together again. He pulled back quickly and Tyler tried to snatch him back but he took off for the stairs laughing. Tyler laughed as well before following him, determined to catch him before he got to the door. His smile turned into a smirk when he saw Jeremy fumbling with the keys and quickly pinned him against the door, reattaching his lips to his neck. Jeremy's laugh turned into a moan as Tyler moved down his shoulder and shoved his shirt down roughly on the right side leaving bites against his shoulder.

"Mmm you're distracting me," Jeremy's head lolled to the opposite side. Tyler slipped the keys from his loose grip and found the one that unlocked the apartment, sticking it in and turning it in seconds. He pushed the door open and closed it just as quickly, locking it before he was turned around and forced against the wall, Jeremy's lips finding his again in a searing kiss. He grabbed him around the waist tightly and held him closer catching Jeremy's breathless sigh as he slipped his hands under his shirt, feeling his bare back.

"Bedroom…now," Jeremy panted out and he took Tyler's hands dragging him to their room. Tyler grabbed him and turned him around so his back was against his chest; his hands traveled to his button-down shirt and he skillfully undid the rest of them, kissing Jeremy's neck all the while and arousing Jeremy greatly. The shirt fell off, leaving the teacher's torso bare and pale as Tyler continued to administer kisses across the back of his neck to the other shoulder.

"So beautiful," he whispered, hands going around teasing his nipples. "Gorgeous. Like the first time I saw you."

Jeremy moaned softly as his head rested on Tyler's shoulder; Tyler's hands unbuckled his belt and his pants, pulling down the zipper with an audible sound before reaching between pants and boxer briefs and stroking his erection.

"If you don't stop…I'll come right here," Jeremy breathed out as he unconsciously thrust into Tyler's hand.

"Well we can't have that," Tyler murmured and removed his hand, smiling when Jeremy groaned in protest. He scooped the teacher into his arms and carried him to their bedroom, pausing in the doorway to kiss him gently. Jeremy looked at the bed and gasped as he saw their room bathed in soft candlelight with rose petals scattered on their black comforter and soft dark blue sheets.

"When'd you do all of this?" he asked in awe. Tyler grinned slyly. "I might have had Caroline and Stefan come in and fix it up for us. It's a big night for us too, we got one of our kids through high-school. That's more than enough reason to celebrate."

"Tyler Lockwood…you never cease to amaze me," Jeremy murmured and he kissed Tyler passionately. "I feel like a girl."

The older man laughed and gently deposited his husband in the middle of the bed and rose petals. "You're definitely not a girl babe, trust me. We wouldn't be together if you were."

Jeremy rolled his eyes with a fond smile before he grabbed Tyler to him and the sexually charged energy returned tenfold as they wasted no time in peeling off each other's clothes. Tyler pressed as close as possible to Jeremy and kissed his way down his body, stopping to suck on a patch of skin on his thigh. Jeremy moaned as Tyler finally gave him relief and took him into his mouth, hissing as his tongue glided over his head in quick strokes.

"Jesus Ty you're too good at this," Jeremy muttered out before another moan bubbled from his throat. He bit his lip hard to stave off his release but with Tyler working him up so much he didn't think he could last much longer.

When he felt the end coming he pushed Tyler off him gently and brought him up for a deep kiss. He wrapped his legs around them and flipped them over, smiling as he kissed his way down his husband's toned, hard body. Since he spent less hours at work, Tyler had found time to work out like he used to and it had done wonders for him. Jeremy reaped the benefits as well.

He reached Tyler's erection and licked the tip, relishing Tyler's guttural moan. He glared at the teacher, "Don't be a tease Jeremy."

Jeremy gave him a sly smile before lowering his head to fulfill Tyler's needs. The room became stifling and full of Tyler's groans and cries as Jeremy brought him closer and closer to the edge. When Tyler started shaking Jeremy came off him and slithered up his body, licking and kissing his way to his neck and going to suck on an earlobe. Tyler flipped him over quickly and pressed his lips to Jeremy's in a sloppy kiss.

"I think you're better than me," he whispered huskily as his hand reached into the nightstand drawer to find the lube. He pulled it out and squirted some onto his fingers before sliding one into Jeremy. The teacher moaned as he clenched around him and Tyler's mind went blank momentarily as he imagined being held in that slick grip in a few moments. After sliding his finger in and out for a couple moments he added a second and a third.

"Tyler I need it," Jeremy panted as he writhed under him. "Now baby, I need it now."

"Hang on love," he whispered as he kissed him softly. He squirted a considerable amount of lube into his hands and coated himself with it. He used the remaining lube to circle around Jeremy's entrance and slipped his fingers inside once more before dragging Jeremy by his legs closer to him and wrapped one around his waist and placing the foot of the other on his shoulder. "Ready?" he asked breathlessly. Jeremy nodded eagerly and Tyler laughed before pushing inside the tight heat.

Jeremy arched his back and cried out as Tyler easily glided into him and he took all of him. His mouth was open in a silent scream as Tyler pulled back and thrust in again, Tyler moaning above him. Tyler lowered himself onto his husband, his thrusts continuing long and deep. Jeremy was panting; one hand grabbing the edge of the bed, the other clawing Tyler's back as his leg wrapped tightly around Tyler's waist as the elder thrust into him rhythmically, slowly, wanting to drag out their lovemaking for as long as possible, his head in Jeremy's neck as he moaned.

"Tyler!" Jeremy cried out softly. "God Ty, please!" He cried out sharply when Tyler slid in tortuously slow, moaning out at the feel of him.

"Still so tight after all this time," Tyler whispered and kissed his husband hard. "You feel so good Jeremy." He teased his nipples and Jeremy arched his back and whimpered. "Tyler baby please!"

Another slow thrust and Jeremy thought he would lose his mind, nearly screaming with pleasure. Tyler grinned and pulled his erection firmly, making his hips buck up, "I love when you get loud baby, so hot."

"Tyler!" Jeremy nearly sobbed. "Please baby please!"

"Please what?" Tyler teased.

"Harder, deeper, I don't care, just move!"

Tyler smirked and fulfilled Jeremy's request thrusting as hard and as deep as he could, Jeremy's cries and near-screams of passion filling their room and probably distracting their neighbors but he could have cared less; Jeremy was the sexiest thing he ever heard and he wanted to keep the sounds going for as long as possible. The bed was rocking hard with the force of the thrusts and mixing in with Jeremy's mewls and cries.

"Oh my God Ty—right there!" Jeremy cried loudly as Tyler hit his sweet spot over and over. They were really lucky their children weren't home; Caroline could probably hear them from three floors down.

"I'm close babe," Tyler gasped out, hips moving of their own accord as his thighs slammed against the backs of Jeremy's, the sound of skin slapping skin nearly as loud as Jeremy. The noise from outside, the rocking bed, everything faded out as Jeremy felt the familiar pooling heat in his stomach and he reached down to touch himself. Tyler swatted his hand away and grabbed it himself, stroking firmly.

"Tyler!" Jeremy's back arched and he cried out once more as he spilled all over Tyler's hand nearly falling off the bed. He clenched around Tyler and the older man groaned loudly as he released inside him, his vision whitening out a bit from the sheer intensity of his orgasm and he had to close his eyes for a moment. He managed to drag Jeremy's body from falling over the edge of the bed before he fell next to him breathing harshly, Jeremy breathing just as loudly next to him. Jeremy was visibly shaking as he rolled onto his back with his head at the foot of the bed and he wondered how they wound up that way.

"God Jeremy," Tyler whispered when he had gained enough energy to speak. "That was…the word amazing doesn't do that justice."

Jeremy laughed and rolled over onto his stomach, facing Tyler. "You're not…so bad yourself," he said in between deep breaths grinning cheekily. Tyler smiled and shook his head bringing the smaller man into his arms and kissing his forehead.

"This was…the best I've had," Tyler said after a few moments and Jeremy laughed.

"Oh really? I thought you said that quickie we had in the bathroom of the Cheesecake Factory for our first anniversary was the best?"

Tyler looked thoughtful for a moment, "Okay it's a tie with that time."

"And the time when I surprised you at work and you bent me over your desk after you spanked me."

Tyler grinned at that memory, shivers going through him; he thought that Klaus would walk in and have a heart attack. It made him laugh though it wouldn't have made him stop taking Jeremy, needy as he was at that moment.

"Okay maybe that one too…"

"Or the time we went to the beach and we did it in the ocean…with our family fifty feet away from us."

Tyler laughed and shook his head, "That was hilarious. You were so scared my father would see us."

"I was more concerned our children would see us. We would have scarred them for life."

"They would live. They know we can't keep our hands to ourselves," Tyler said slyly. He didn't think he would ever get enough of his seemingly shy husband that turned out to be a complete nympho behind closed doors. When he thought about it, they'd had sex in some of the craziest places over the years and some of them landed them in risky situations. Tyler never thought he or Jeremy would be so daring; it definitely made life more interesting and way more fun.

"Yes…much to your father's chagrin," he laughed and Tyler chuckled; it was clear that any PDA they showed in front of Richard Lockwood made him uncomfortable though he tried to hide his discomfort. At first they tried to keep it to just holding hands in his presence but it became harder over the years to keep their hands to themselves.

"I can't help that you're so irresistible. I feel like you're a magnet, I'm so drawn to you. I bet that if we'd stayed at that club for another twenty minutes I would have dragged you to one of those booths and had you right there," Tyler mused.

"And you think I would've let you have me right there? Excuse me, Mr. Lockwood, I have some self-control!"

"You know how many public places we've had sex? I bet you would've sprinted to that booth if I'd told you we should do it!"

"…true enough," Jeremy sighed and chuckled along with Tyler. He was so attracted to Tyler he couldn't help himself; if he wanted Tyler he would have him, the place and the time didn't matter sometimes when all he could think about was his husband being inside of him.

"Like that one time I persuaded you to do it in the teacher's lounge at Hillmark…"

"We were lucky everyone was gone for the day and Caroline knew what we were up to so she took Katherine and Mason home. Parents definitely would have had complaints then. You get me so hot and bothered I can't think straight sometimes."

"I didn't know I affected you so much," Tyler whispered and he gave his husband a heartfelt kiss. "I thought I was the only one."

"Definitely not," Jeremy whispered, touched and aroused that he affected his husband the way he did him. Tyler kissed him again soft and sweet, his eyes burning with affection and love for the younger teacher.

"I love you so much Jeremy," he whispered and pecked his nose. Jeremy's heart thumped; hearing those words always made his heart race.

"I love you too Ty. Always," he whispered back as he snuggled into his husband's arms and they fell asleep.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Jeremy woke to something wet on his cheek. He opened one eye and saw Pom-Pom licking him in greeting. He groaned and tried shoving him away but the dog persisted until Jeremy sat up.

"Alright I'm up. You're annoying sometimes, you know that?" he grumbled petulantly at the dog that barked in response and wagged his tail frantically and he smiled. Sometimes, Jeremy wondered if Pom-Pom could understand what they were saying. It was then he noticed the smell of food and the sound of happy voices coming from the kitchen; his kids were back. He smiled and found a pair of Tyler's boxers on the floor, slipping them on before he made his way out to the kitchen, Pom-Pom trailing him. He was greeted with the sight of Katherine and Tyler cooking while Mason set the table. Jeremy smiled warmly; watching his family work together like this always made him smile, just like watching Tyler cook in his boxers turned him on. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind; they would have to shower together later.

"Hi Papa!" Katherine smiled at him as she whisked the eggs in the medium-sized silver bowl. "Are you hungry?"

"Starved," Jeremy said as he sat at the table. Mason finished his task and sat on Jeremy's left. "Did you guys get drunk last night like Caroline said you would?" he asked with childish curiosity. Jeremy laughed and ruffled his hair.

"No silly. We had a couple of drinks, talked with your teachers and came home."

"What'd they say about me?" Mason asked with wide eyes.

"That you need to step it up and stop messing around in class," Jeremy said straight-faced. Mason blinked rapidly and started protesting, Jeremy's laugh interrupting his ramble. "Kidding! They said you were one of their best students and they want you to keep up the good work."

"Oh. You scared me for a minute there," he said in obvious relief as he took a large gulp of orange juice.

"But they did tell us you were having trouble with some boys in your class," Jeremy watched him carefully and Mason looked down, trying to hide his expression. "What are they saying to you Mason?"

"Nothing really…" he trailed off.

"Mason it's okay, you can tell me," Jeremy said soothingly.

"They just…they make fun of me because I'm adopted…by two guys and I told them I didn't see what the problem was since you and Dad have been better to me than my other parents," he said quietly. Jeremy sighed; he should've known it was something like that. Learning about their son's drugged out mother and alcoholic father was a shock for him and Tyler.

"You just have to ignore them May," Jeremy said quietly. "They don't know you and they don't know what kind of life you had before we adopted you."

"I know, they stopped bothering me now. I don't know why but I think Kit has something to do with it," he said with a smile. Jeremy chuckled; the Lockwood siblings were extremely protective of one another. Jeremy remembered how Katherine had been sent home from school because she punched a boy a year older than her for picking on Mason when she was in seventh grade and Mason was in fourth; when Grandpa Lockwood found out he treated both the siblings to dinner.

"Your sister…she has a way with bullies," he chuckled as he shook his head. Katherine brought the plate of scrambled eggs to the table and sat down on Jeremy's other side. "What about me and bullies?"

"I was just remembering the time you punched that kid when he was picking on Mason."

"Oh him…he deserved it. Anna and Pearl did more physical stuff back then than I did," Katherine mused. She looked at her brother, "Don't get in trouble when I'm gone. I don't want to have to fly back and forth from California to take care of your bullies."

"I can do it myself," Mason said as he helped himself to some eggs and bacon that was placed on the table courtesy of Tyler. "I'm a big boy. I don't need you to fight my battles."

"You can't deny that you still need my help sometimes. I'm your sister."

"I know but I think I'll be okay now, they've been leaving me alone."

Katherine gave a small secretive smile. "Good. It better stay that way."

Everyone laughed as they loaded up their plates and ate, chatting about everything and anything that came to mind. Tyler watched three of his favorite people talking and laughing and it made his heart swell. He never thought he'd be in the position he was in now; he had a loving husband and two wonderful children, good, reliable friends he loved, a stable, steady job at one of the top companies in the world and a very nice income, and a support system he didn't know where he'd be without. When it had seemed that his life was going to be lonely forever he was blessed in ways he didn't think were possible and he was grateful every day. His relationship with each of his parents had become stronger too; there were no more awkward or strained family dinners and no derogatory comments toward him or his partner. Being accepted by the people he loved had never felt better.

"So, Kitty, what do you want to do on your first day out of high-school?" Jeremy asked as they cleared the table.

"Well..." she looked thoughtful for a moment, "can we go to the zoo?" she asked. Tyler laughed heartily and Mason groaned.

"Kit, you know how many times we've been to the zoo?"

"Not nearly enough. I want Caroline to come too, like old times."

Mason opened his mouth to protest but Tyler shot him a look and he closed it. He looked at his daughter and smiled, "The zoo it is. We'll leave in thirty minutes so call Caroline now."

The squeal Katherine let out made Mason laugh and they raced to their rooms, Mason's previous protests forgotten as they raced to get dressed to go to their favorite place. Jeremy shared a smile with Tyler before taking his hand and going to their bedroom to get ready for the day.

Mason and Katherine were playfully boxing when they both came out. "Alright rugrats, let's go," Jeremy said fondly. The two rushed out the door in seconds and Jeremy made to follow them when he was whirled around and brought into a tender kiss.

"What was that for?" Jeremy asked breathlessly as they pulled apart.

"It's my way of saying thank you. For everything," Tyler murmured, a slow smile spreading across his face. Jeremy cupped his face tenderly and smiled in understanding.

"Always," he murmured and kissed Tyler again before leading him out the door.

The end! Thank you for reading and as always, reviews/comments are greatly appreciated :) Also, check out my other stories as well! :)