The second Collette/Riggins wedding (and the three months leading up to it.) Please review!
May, 2013
University of Texas Graduation
Tyra rushed into the University's gym, she was running a little late. She breathlessly took her place in the graduation line. The smile on her face stretched from ear to ear. She could hardly believe she was graduating from college! She couldn't wait to receive her degree and be congratulated by her family. They were all there, her momma, Mindy, Billy, Stevie, Annie and Joseph (the twins), and, of course, Tim. Pomp and Circumstance started to play, and the line surged forward. The procession led the graduates to their seats and the ceremony began. Tyra waited, a little impatiently, for her name to be called. Her moment finally arrives, and she makes her way to the stage, accepts her degree and turns to flash a brilliant smile at her family. Angela is snapping pictures like a mad woman, and crying the whole time. Mindy and Billy and the kids are in a frenzy of clapping, and Tim just holds her gaze with his, then a little smile curves his lips and she knows how proud of her he is in this moment. The past two months have been a whirlwind. They left Dillon for Austin and her tiny studio apartment after the Taylor/Saracen wedding was over. They had gotten engaged just before that wedding took place, not telling anyone until after Matt and Julie's big day. Thoughts of the past two months with Tim flashed through her mind as she sat back down and waited for the ceremony to be over so she could join her family and celebrate. They had arrived at her, sorry, their, apartment just off campus, and Tim had surveyed the tiny room. "Good thing I love ya, Collette," he said. "We're going to be spending the next two months on top of each other," this was accompanied by his wicked grin. "Tim Riggins, get your mind out of the gutter," she said and playfully swatted his arm. "Watch it, Collete…once we're married, this could be considered spousal abuse," he teases. Tyra retorts, "Oh yeah, jackass, people are really gonna believe you're a battered man, and you're afraid of me." Tim pauses then says, "Well…I may not be battered, but you scare the living daylights outta me. Or more, the thought of not having you around scares the living daylights outta me." She and Tim settled into life together, but the adjustment isn't always smooth. They are each used to living on their own at this point, and there is much bickering. They generally have some kind of spat at least three times a week. People who don't know them would say they shouldn't even CONSIDER getting married. Anyone who really knows them though, would know that this is just the way their relationship happens to be. They love each other completely, but won't hesitate to call each other smartass or dumbass or jackass if that's how they feel the other one is acting. They are both sharp-tongued and sarcastic, and it works for them. The graduation ceremony is coming to a close, and Tyra pulls herself from her musings. She joins the recessional line out of the gym and goes to find her people. She finally tracks her family down, and Tim rushes to her, pulling her into his arms for a hug and he tells her how proud she has made him. Angela, Mindy, and Billy congratulate her with a hug. The kids are too little to know what's going on, but Tyra picks Stevie up and cuddles him close until he squirms to be let down. Tyra doesn't know it yet, but Tim has made a reservation for the most exclusive restaurant in Austin to celebrate. The family makes their way to the exit, to their cars. Mindy, Billy, Angela, and the kids pile into the minivan. Tim steers Tyra to his truck. Tyra opens the door to climb in only to see the biggest bouquet of gerbera daisies she has ever seen. She had no idea Tim knew they were her favorite. "Thank you, Tim. They're gorgeous, and they're my favorite." "Who said they were for you?" he teases her, "You didn't do anything special like graduate from college or nothing." Tyra leans in for a kiss as Tim starts the car and they pull into the traffic leaving the graduation ceremony. "Please tell me we're not going to Applebee's to celebrate" Tyra jokes. Tim turns to her with a crestfallen look. "You mean you don't want to celebrate there?" Tyra feels a little bad for saying that before she realizes Tim's kidding, as they just drove past the Applebee's. Tim drove to the downtown section of Austin and pulled up in front of Truluck's for the valet to park his truck. Tyra's eyes were wide as she looked at the very pricey restaurant they were in front of. "We can't afford this, Tim" Tyra tells him. Tim shushes her. "You deserve this, so be quiet and enjoy it, Tyra." Tyra bites back her next objection. Tyra and Tim go inside and join up with the rest of the family. The host asks for the name on the reservation, and Tim steps forward to say Riggins. They are seated and the menus are handed out. Everyone has a lovely meal, and they toast Tyra's accomplishments many times. The party is over and everyone gets ready to leave. Tyra gets another hug from everyone as they leave the restaurant. Tim and Tyra will head back to their apartment and the rest of the Collette/Riggins clan will be heading back to Dillon. Tim and Tyra will be moving back the next day. All the non-essentials they have are already back in Dillon. They only have to pack up the few remaining items in the apartment and turn the keys over to the landlord. One last night on the air mattress and they will be headed back to Dillon and a real bed. As they enter the little apartment for the last time, Tyra gives a little sigh. "What's wrong?" Tim asks. "Nothing, I'm just going to miss this place a little." "You're going to love the house in Dillon, though" Tim says. Tyra nods in agreement. Tim opens his arms and Tyra fits herself into them. He presses a kiss to her hair and then her forehead. "I'm so happy for you, and so damn proud of you. I can't wait to make you my wife." Tyra smiles, "Only three more months," she beams. The wedding was all set for the second week in August, so they could have a honeymoon before they both started their jobs. They settled in for their last night in the apartment. They climbed onto the air mattress and snuggled into each other. They put a movie into the laptop and watched it as they drifted off to sleep. In the morning, they packed up the few things left in the apartment, loaded up Tim's truck and gave the keys to the landlord. With one last fond look around, they left the apartment behind and headed back to their roots, back to Dillon.