The Announcement

*Disclaimer….I do not own these characters…only the ideas.

The Taylor-Saracen wedding was over. A fabulous time was had by all. The newlyweds were off to Jamaica and life was returning to normal in Dillon, TX. Tyra and Tim had returned to Mindy and Billy's house after the wedding and collapsed into bed exhausted. They were awoken on Sunday morning by a little body jumping on their bed. Stevie had crept into their room after climbing out of his crib and was currently having a grand time bouncing on the bed. Tim sat up in bed and grabbed his nephew. He started tickling Stevie, and Stevie squirmed and squealed in delight. Aunt Tyra got in on the action and soon it was so loud in the room that Mindy and Billy came groggily down the hall to see what the commotion was. The scene made Mindy and Billy smile. Their siblings were going to be great parents someday. Mindy was still not sure she was on board with Tyra and Tim being involved though. It seemed very creepy to her, but chances were their relationship wasn't going to last. Tim and Tyra had been on again off again for years. It was probably going to end soon, based on the pattern they always followed.

The Collette-Riggins family decided to go out for Sunday breakfast. As they were getting ready, Tyra bit her lip and glanced at Tim. "Do you think I should wear my ring?" Tyra asked him. "Well, the wedding is over, so, hell yes; I want you to wear it. I want everyone to know you're mine, forever this time." Tyra smiled and slipped the ring on her finger. "Mindy is gonna FREAK." Tim and Tyra laughed just picturing Mindy's reaction.

Tim and Tyra climbed into the rental car. Mindy and Billy loaded up Stevie and the twins into their minivan. Angela Collette was meeting them at the diner. When they arrived and were seated, Tyra was careful to conceal her left hand. After all, they wanted to make the announcement together, not have it discovered accidentally. Breakfast was ordered and Tim and Tyra had finished telling everyone about the wedding. A comfortable silence had settled over the group, the only noise coming from the kids, who were remarkably well behaved. Tyra slid her left hand up and down Tim's thigh, silently asking him if he thought it was time. Tim nodded. They both took a deep breath. "We have something to tell all of you," Tim said. Mindy immediately said, "I knew it," and reached over to smack Tim. "I KNEW you were gonna break her heart again." Mindy was about to hit Tim again when Tyra hissed at her sister to sit down and be quiet. Mindy flopped back into her chair, stunned. Tyra didn't usually talk to Mindy that way in public. Not anymore, anyway. "As I was ABOUT to say, before my lovely sister-in-law decided to attack me, Tyra and I have an announcement to make." Tim glanced over at Tyra, letting her take over. Tyra looked at everyone and slid her hand from Tim's leg. Not saying anything, she raised her left hand for everyone to see the ring on her finger. Angela burst into happy tears. Billy clapped his brother on the back, and Mindy sat dumbfounded. "You're getting MARRIED?" Mindy was in a state of shock, "You two can't get MARRIED! It's just too creepy!" Angela glared at her oldest child. "Mindy Collette Riggins, shut your mouth," Angela chastised her. "This is WONDERFUL news!" Angela leaped out of seat to hug and kiss first Tyra, then Tim. "I'm going to have more beautiful grandbabies!" "Not for a LONG time, Momma," Tyra told her. Billy looked at his brother, "About time, baby brother…glad you finally came to your senses and stopped letting this one,he gestured to Tyra, get away. She's the best damn thing that ever happened to you. Glad you finally see what we all saw from the beginning." Tim smiled sheepishly and said, "I know I made a ton of mistakes with Tyra, and I know I'm just lucky she kept giving me chances when I was stupid and pushing her away. I'm going to spend the rest of my life and hers making her the happiest woman on the planet. That's not to say we won't have ups and downs, but she will ALWAYS know I how much I love her, I promise you that." Tyra beamed at Tim and said," Right back at you, Tim Riggins. I love you!" Tyra leaned over and kissed her fiancée. It was so good to let everyone know this beautiful man was hers and only hers. The food had come by now and everyone sat quietly while they ate. They were all reflecting on the past few years.

Tyra was planning on staying in Dillon for the next week before returning to school. Tim was looking for a place to rent while their house was being built. For the time being, they decided to check into a motel in town, as Mindy and Billy's house was like crowded, and crazy. Tyra and Tim packed up their stuff and left Mindy and Billy, promising they would come by later in the week for dinner. They checked into the motel and unpacked. "I can't believe you have to go back in a week. I don't want to be apart from you, even for the two months you need to finish school," Tim said. Tyra thought about it and said," Well, you don't start coaching until next school year, right?" Tim nodded. "Why don't you come back with me to UT? I don't live on campus anymore. My apartment is very tiny, but if you don't mind being squished with me, we can make it work." Tim immediately took the suitcase back and jokingly started putting his stuff back into it. Tyra giggled, "I guess that means yes." Tim gave her a look that said don't be a wiseass. Tyra grinned back at him. Life was good.

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