𝑨/𝒏: 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒑𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒘𝒏.

Dino sat at his desk in the comfortable confines of his study.

Slitting open the wax seal on the envelop he read the contents of Edmonds invitation.

His eyes crinkled at the sentiment. With a reluctant sigh he set the invitation down and began writing a response to Lord Edmond.

Dino politely refused, thanking him for the invitation with kind eloquent words.

Catherine was still recovering and the newly developed romantic couldn't find it in him to attend such an event without her.

She was almost fully recovered, the independent vampire insisted on staying on her own cottage.

Dino smiled to himself, his complexion a rosy hue now that their feelings had been mutually exchanged.

A soft knock sounded on the door announcing his son.

"Come in Theodore." He said in a soft paternal voice.

The seven year old walked in and seated himself opposite his father. He stared wide eyed at his father waiting to learn the reason for being called in.

"There's an important matter I wanted to speak to you about." Dino began, lacing his fingers on the desk.

"Over the years I've married countless times. Trying to recreated a family. While it hasn't gone that way and most of the ladies had left, it was purely for the sake of ensuring you had a good upbringing." His lengthy words left Theodore gaping quizzically at him.

Dino cleared his throat and continued, hoping to make better sense.

"Eventually I had given up, not wanting to ridicule the Classico name. Instead I tried to raise you as best as I could." Dino said in a voice that hinted at his shame for being so hard on his son.

"I appologise for being short sighted and not approaching parenthood with a better-"

"- Beg your pardon father. But it's alright. I am happy with the way things are." He said trying to reassure his father.

But the child's words made Dino's next few words dry up. He grew nervous and shifted in his seat.

"I am going to ask you something but if it makes you unhappy please do tell me. I want your honest say." Dino said in a soft, sturdy note.

Theodore nodded while patiently waiting.

"Uhh- You see. Lady Catherine won't be tutoring you anymore... I was wondering if you would be okay with her changing roles." He said in a guarded tone.

"Change roles?" Theodore asked with a frown.

"Yes, uh... From tutor to mother..." Dino finally said it. He waited for his sons reaction.

For the first time ever he was anxious and worried about his sons opinion.

Theodore's eyes widened a lively sparkle shone in his titanium coloured eyes.

"Miss Catherine as my mother!?" He asked excitedly.

"Yes, but only if you're alright with that." Dino say in a tight voice.

"It's absolutely fine! She's the most wonderful lady ever!" Theodore exclaimed jumping off his seat.

He rounded the table and threw open his arms into his father waiting embrace.

Dino smiled broadly a feeling of elation coursing through him.

Smoothing his sons hair neatly he smiled softly happy to share the moment with his son who was growing up to be much like him.

"When shall mother arrive?" Theodore asked elatedly taking Dino by surprise.

"Uhh, well I haven't asked her yet. But as soon as I do we arrange the ceremony I guess." Dino responded sheepishly not expecting his son to be so eager.

"Alright." Theodore smiled.

"But father? Would she be okay with me? The others didn't like me much." Theodore turned to look at his father with wary eyes.

Dino felt his heart sink.

"I know she'll love you more than any mother ever would." He said with a smile which made his sons eyes glitter with excitement and hope.

Excusing himself, Theodore left the room in better spirits.

Once alone again, he opened the drawer at his side and pulled out a little velvet box smiling at the gold band and the emerald cut ring sitting next to each other in the case.

A/n: Alright you guys, that was my short bonus chapter.

The ball is coming up and steamy smut.

Keep an eye out 😉