A witch could be an interesting addition. She could be a friend of the mom who warns her about the dangers of dating a vampire. Or she could be a neutral party who offers to cast spells to protect the mom during the date. Another character could be an old vampire hunter who has retired but gets drawn back into the action when he hears about the mom's date.
A plot idea might be that the vampire is actually a good guy who was turned against his will and is using the date with the mom as a way to break a curse. The mom could start to have strange dreams about his past, which leads her on a journey to discover the truth about him. This could involve her delving into the vampire's old haunts and meeting some of his former acquaintances.
How about a street - smart thief? He could be stealing something from the prison area and accidentally stumbles upon the man in the iron mask. Instead of turning him in, he decides to help him because he senses that there is something bigger at stake. And then there could be a noblewoman who has a soft heart and uses her influence in the court to try and get more information about the man in the iron mask without raising too much suspicion.
A vampire hunter from Europe who comes to America to help Lincoln. This character could have different techniques and weapons for slaying vampires, and there could be some conflict between their European methods and Lincoln's more improvised style at first, but then they learn from each other and become a great team against the vampires.
The main character could be a half - vampire, half - human. Struggling with his dual nature, he tries to find a balance between the vampire's need for bloodshed and his human side's aversion to it. Also, an ancient vampire with a conscience could be a main character. She has seen too much bloodshed over the centuries and decides to take a stand against it.
A half - vampire half - werewolf character could be added. This character would be constantly at war with themselves due to their dual nature and could add a whole new layer of drama. They might befriend the vampire's assistant and introduce them to a world that is a blend of both vampire and werewolf cultures.
One of the most interesting vampire characters is Remus Lupin as a full - blown vampire instead of a werewolf. It completely changes his backstory and relationships. He has to deal with different prejudices and his own new set of powers and weaknesses. Another great one is Ginny Weasley as a vampire. Her normally feisty and brave nature is transformed in a unique way when she becomes a vampire. And Bellatrix Lestrange as a vampire is often depicted as an even more terrifying and unpredictable character in fanfiction.
A mermaid or merman with a special ability. They could be an ally or a foe to Percy. Maybe they have the power to control certain types of sea currents, and their motives are not clear at first. Another interesting character could be an old sea wizard who has been living in an underwater cave for centuries and has a lot of knowledge about the ancient powers of Poseidon.
A group of dwarven scholars could be interesting side characters. They could be on a quest to learn more about dragon lore and end up in Smaug's lair at the same time as Bilbo. Or perhaps a wise old elf who has some knowledge of Smaug's past and can offer advice to Bilbo. Another option could be a small, sneaky goblin who is also after a piece of Smaug's treasure and causes some trouble for Bilbo and Smaug alike.
One son - mom date story could be that the son took his mom to a local fair. They walked around, tried different carnival foods like cotton candy and funnel cakes. The son won his mom a teddy bear at one of the game booths, and they ended the day by sitting on a bench, just chatting and looking at the sunset.
Well, obviously there would be the vampire guardian. They could be an ancient vampire with a noble heart. And then there could be the human they protect. Maybe a young person who is just starting to discover the existence of the supernatural world.