They day had finally come, Tim and Caroline were off to college and moving in together. As they finished packing up their car with what was left that needed to be taken to their apartment, a bit of sadness over came them both. This would be the very first time either of them lived away from home. 

....

Tim's mom was understanding and very supportive. She knew it was time for him to go. She had no doubts that he would be the gentleman he was raised to be and would take care of Caroline. Emily was going to miss her big brother, but already was planning on taking his room. It was bigger than hers and she had already planned out exactly how she would decorate it. 

Tim hugged his mom tightly "I love you mom, you need me for anything, I'm just a phone call away" he told her. She smiled as she hugged him tightly, her eyes welling with tears. "I know, Tim. I will always be here for you too" she told him.

Emily was crying as Tim turned to her, leaning down and picking her up. "I love you squirt, don't give mom a hard time, behave yourself" he chuckled as he squeezed her tight. "I will. I'm going to miss you Tim, even though you teased the hell out of me all the time" she stuttered as she squeezed him tightly. "You're going to miss me so much you can't wait to move into my room and make it yours" he teased. She smiled as he put her back down. They walked him to the car one last time, said their goodbyes and watched as he drove away....

Caroline had placed the last box on the front porch as Tim pulled into the driveway. Her mom greeted him with a smile and a hug as he approached the porch. Her Dad, still not happy that his "little girl" was moving out let alone moving in with her boyfriend, stood on the steps glaring at Tim. Tim swallowed hard, anticipating the "over protective father speech" that he knew he was going to get. Caroline had warned him that her Dad would not let her go easily and tried to prepare him for whatever he may say or do.

Tim walked to the porch to take the last box Caroline had to the car. Her father stepped down onto the next step "young man, hold it right there, before you go any further you and I are going to have a little talk" he told him. Tim looked at Caroline with a bit of fear in his eyes. She smiled nervously back at him, trying to reassure him, though she knew her look was probably just as fearful as his. 

"Come with me" he said to Tim as he walked around to the back of the house. Caroline walked over to her mother "Mom, don't let him hurt him" she asked. "Oh Caroline, he's not going to hurt Tim. But you know your Dad is having a hard time letting you go. Don't worry, he just wants to let him know where he stands." Her mom said. "That's what I'm afraid of. When he's done I'll be lucky he hasn't changed his mind." Her mom just laughed and hugged her "Sweetie, if he loves you as much as he says he does, no one will change his mind" she assured her.

Tim could feel his hands getting clammy and his heart pounding in his chest in anticipation of what her Dad was about to say. 

"Listen Tim, you know how I feel about my daughter. She's my world. I've been the one watching over her, taking care of her for the past 18 years. I've got to tell you, this his killing me seeing her rely on someone else. But, I do believe that you love her and that you will protect her. But so help me, if anything happens to her, you hurt her, you will be dealing with me and I assure you it will not be pleasant. Do I make myself clear?" he said sternly.

Tim's insides were doing somersaults as his voice cracked "I understand completely sir. She is my world. I would never, ever hurt her. You have my word."

With that her Dad shook Tim's hand, looking at it with a raised brow as he felt how clammy it had become. He laughed a bit as he said "what's the matter boy, did you think I was going to bring you back here behind the house and kill you or something". 

The thought had come to his mind.

Tim laughed a bit to himself as he drove past her parents home on the way to visit his Mom, remembering that day as if it was yesterday.