The Tenext morning...
Eric woke up with his wife still in his arms; he smiled and lay there for a while longer. He couldn't remember the last time Tami was still in bed beside him and he wanted to cherish the moment for just a bit more. He felt her head on his chest as it rose and fell. He leaned down and kissed her on the head, that stirred Tami awake.
She looked into his eyes and smiled; not wanting to show a hint of guilt. What was she hiding?
He kissed her lips softly and slowly slipped his arm loose from beneath her and kicked off the covers. It was already 9 in the morning and he still had do pack some more stuff as he got lazy yesterday. Not too mention he was feeling a bit down and it had nothing to do with the weather.
He pulled out shirts and pants from his drawer, folding them into the luggage then went on to get some of the essentials he forgot last night. He zipped it up and looked back over his shoulder, "You didn't have to stay home to see me go, you know? I'll be home soon, it's not like it'll be forever."
"I want to. Me, Julie and Gracie will come drop you and Matt off at the airport."
"That's fine by me, but you really don't have to."
"I'm sure Julie and Gracie won't mind and I don't have to go into work until after we drop you off. It all works out perfectly. There's something I've been meaning to tell you..."
Tami closed her eyes, ready to let out her little secret, but was stopped when Gracie Belle barged in, Matt and Julie following behind her.
"Good morning Daddy! Matty says you guys are going back to Texas for some guy time. Can I come with you? Julie said I was born in Texas, but I don't even remember where that is!" she exclaimed.
Eric handed his suitcase to Matt to take downstairs and swung his little daughter onto his side of the bed so she wouldn't hit her mom. He tickled her slightly and she erupted into laughter. She always brought a smile to his face, no matter what.
"Yes, me and Matty are going to where you were born and Julie went to highschool. You can't come this time, but I promise you will soon. Be a good girl for Julie and Mommy while I'm gone and I'll make sure to get you a present." He winked at her. She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
"Okay" she loosened her grip and snuggled against her mother. Eric beckoned Julie to join them and with them together on the bed, it felt peaceful. They lay in each other's arms before they heard Matt swearing from the kitchen.
"I'll go check to make sure he won't burn the house down. Come on Gracie" She took her sister's hand and led them away from the bedroom.
"I'll be home sweetie. I just need to get out of here. I don't expect you to understand nor do I want you to think I'm just leaving. I would never leave you Tami and I will always love you. Always." He pulled the covers off her and took her hand, getting her out of the bed.
"I understand and I hope you have a good time with Matt and everyone in Dillon. Tell them I say hi and I'm sorry I can't be down there with you."
They walked hand in hand to the front door, went into the car and the five of them drove to the airport.
"Texas here I come..." Eric thought to himself.
They arrived at the airport, Matt with his arms around Julie and Eric with his two other girls. He crouched down, kissing little Gracie on the forehead and wrapping her in his arms. Damn, he was going to miss his little ray of sunshine when he was in Dillon. Gracie ran off to say goodbye to Julie, leaving Eric and Tami.
"Call me when you land honey okay? If you see Buddy Garrity and all those other people, send them my greetings. I love you hon, have a good trip." Tami choked the words out, in between tears.
"Hey now, I won't be gone long. I'll be back before you know it. Before I go, you said you wanted to tell me something?"
Tami shifted uncomfortably and replied, "It's nothing important, I can tell you when you get back. Don't worry about it. You should go before you miss your flight babe."
"Alright Tami, I love you. Always have and always will. Never forget that okay? When you're missing me, you know you can always-" He was cut off by his crying wife.
"Look up at the stars" she sniffled. "If you miss me, just look at the stars and it'll be a'right."
Eric wrapped his arms around his wife, giving her a kiss before turning to Matt. "We got a plane to get onto Son. Let's go!"
"Have a safe trip Dad. Say hi to everyone for me." Julie hugged her father and went to stand next to her mom, Gracie following.
"I love you all and I'll be home soon." Eric yelled from over his shoulder. He swung his hand over Matt and together, they pondered throughout the airport, looking for their damn terminal and gate number.
Eric and Matt walked through security and boarded the plane. No going back now, no sir. Eric Taylor and Matt Saracen were on their way to Dillon, Texas and nothing could have made Eric happier.
Matt was just about to fall asleep when he heard his father in law's voice. Dammit, right when I was going to catch some z's.
"Matt, you'll be honest to me right? Tell me things I ask you?" Eric asked his son in law.
Shoot, Matt thought, what could he possibly want to know from me?
"uh-y-yes Sir, I mean Coach, I mean Dad. I can be honest with you." Gosh, I've been married to his daughter for five years and I still sound like an idiot when I talk to him. Get a grip Matt.
Eric chuckled, "Relax son. I won't ask questions that'll get you in trouble, I think. I can't help but notice something."
"What's that?"
"I'm not stupid son. I know y'all are avoiding something and you won't tell me. Everytime I bring up Chicago and the art gallery you work at, Julie gives you the evil eye or she kicks you. Care to say something about that? We are on a plane for 6 hours together, with nowhere you could possibly go."
Eric stared at him, Matt shifted in his seat uncomfortablly. Should I tell him? Julie said not to but I can't just not answer him right now. We are sitting together on a plane so I can't avoid him. Damn.
"Julie didn't want me to say anything but um, before I tell you; Dillon is a bit different now. I mean, it's still a small football-crazed town, it's mainly the stuff outside of Dillon and people just live here because the land's cheap."
"Again, I'm not stupid Matt. I check the Dillon News ever so often, I know about the new hospital and stuff."
"You do?" Matt sounded surprised. "Why would you be looking up Dillon stuff when you've been in Philly for five years. That doesn't make sense to me" Matt had turned the tables and now made Eric uncomfortable.
"That's for another day. Right now, I'm asking you about why you avoid me when I ask about your job. What are you hiding?" Eric stated impatiently.
"Okay well um I got a job over at Dillon High as an art teacher and since Julie has her degree and everything, we're thinking on moving back to Dillon"
"That's great! Why the hell did y'all think I would get mad over that?" Eric lightened his mood.
"Well, we know how much you miss Dillon and Chicago is close to Philly so we're basically living pretty far from you guys now. And um, the quaterback coach there is retiring so I'm applying for that too. Julie's applying to be the new English teacher where she'll be a teacher and still be able to write. We're thinking on, uh, making a family and living there."
What Matt just said hit Eric raw; his eldest daughter and his son in law, moving to the place he called home. Thousands of miles away from Philly. He was happy for them, very very happy.
"I'm happy for you guys. You deserve it. Is that why we're coming down to Dillon, so you can sort things out? I'm assuming you'll live in your old home, correct?"
"Thank you sir and that's part of it. You know my Grandma isn't in the best shape, healthwise so I'm going to tackle down funeral arrangments and whatnot. She doesn't have a lot of time left and she barely remembers me. We sold the house a while back to pay for her bills and we were actually thinking on getting the old house."
"You mean, my old house?"
"Yeah. We got a good deal on it and apparently they've been saving the house and keeping it off the market. They were hoping you would come back. The town bought it and they said we could have it, since we're related to you and all. If you don't mind." Matt looked out the airplane window, unable to look at his father in law's eyes.
"That's very kind of them to do so and I'm glad they're letting you have it. I had lots of good memories in that house and I'll visit a lot. How is everyone by the way, in Dillon?"
"I can give you a brief overview on what everyone's doing. Seems like everyone is coming back to Dillon for some reason. Okay, let's see. You already know about my Grandma, you can come visit her with me if you'd like."
"I would, thank you Matt. How's Lance doing?"
Matt chuckled, punching Eric playfully in his arm. "You mean Landry. He's doing good; some country rock singer/songwriter who tours the world. He's back in Dillon because he just finished his tour and is writing more songs."
"Good to hear. How about the rest of 'em? Just lay it all on me"
"Okay. Buddy Garrity had some heart problems, but he's doing good. Lost a ton of weight and his bar Buddy's is expanding over Texas, joining with Ray's BBQ. Lyla Garrity is the head doctor over at the hospital. Jason is still doing the agency stuff, but he prefers staying in Dillon, working at home and spending time with his family. Smash and Vince are killing it over at the Cowboys, super duo or something. Billy has like 5 kids and is the special teams coach. They don't really trust him to call plays. Tim is doing some construction business where he builds houses. Luke and Becky are getting married once he's home from the Army for good; it'll be a couple of weeks or months, not sure."
"That's amazing! It'll be real nice to see everyone again, it's been quite awhile hasn't it?" Eric looked down, sadness filling his emotions. Seemed they were doing just fine without him.
"How's Mac and Crowley? Those old spoofs retire yet?" He joked.
Matt grew quiet and said softly, "Have you heard about the Taylor curse? About the Panthers?"
"No, I don't check the sports section. Too emotional for me. Why, what happened?"
"It's not really my place to tell you, but when Buddy heard that you were coming to visit, he's planning this huge thing. I can't tell you what; he promised he would tell you everything. Sorry."
"Hell you ain't got nothing to be sorry about. Don't sweat it, I'm sure it's nothing." Eric reassured Matt, but it seemed like he was reassuring himself.
Eric didn't ask anymore questions the rest of the plane ride.
"Mom, Dad isn't himself, that's why I told him to Dillon. Now you better tell me what's wrong because I know that this time, Dad didn't do anything wrong. He's been crying and Dad never cries Mom. Never. So spill." Julie demanded.
After dropping Eric and Matt at the airport, Julie drove them to her Mom's school where they followed her inside. Julie needed to get answers and she needed to get them from her mother. They were in her office and Gracie had run off to find cookies. Julie decided that it was the right time to confront her mother.
"I did something I regret and I don't know how to tell your father because it will break his heart. I tried to tell him before he left, but Gracie came in and he looked so happy. I didn't want to ruin that moment for him and now I'm scared." Tami started sobbing, but Julie showed no sympathy for her mother.
"What could you have possibly done? Cheat on him?" Julie laughed, knowing there was no way that could have happened.
Julie was met with silence.
"Mom, are you joking me right now? Please tell me you are?"
"I didn't sleep with another man if that's what you're asking. I went out with the staff and we all got a bit tipsy. Next thing I know, my lips are on Dr. Tate's and I tried to pull away. I eventually did, realizing what I had done. I don't expect you to understand, but I was missing your father and I know that is my fault. I don't know what came over me and I feel so guilty about it."
"YOU CHEATED ON DAD?"
"I didn't sleep with him Julie, so techincally no." Tami pursed her lips.
"No Mom, you don't understand. If you were married for a year and you made out with someone other than your significant other, that's not cheating. But mom, you've been married for over 20 years. Kissing someone when you're married that long is basically cheating. Do you know how many times Dad has told me your love story? You were his first and you're always be his last. Dad never looked at another woman because he knew he had everything he could ever want. Dad was always loyal and he was always there for you. How could you hurt him like that? You have no idea what it feels like to comfort your father because he's been crying all damn night. You have no idea how upset it's made me, seeing him so unhappy in Philly. He tried mom, he really did. How could you?
"Your dad never tried to like Philly, he always compared it to Texas. Always."
"What the hell was he supposed to do? Fall in love with a place he would never call home? I told you it was risky to move Dad all the way to a different world, but you said he would cope and deal with it. How can he cope and deal with it if you're working all the damn time and he's stuck with everything. What the hell were you thinking?"
"Julie please. I feel so bad and I don't know what to do. I don't expect you to understand or forgive me but I hope in my heart that you do. What am I supposed to do?"
"Mom, I love you, I really do. Dad loves you more than anything in the world. You have to tell him and let him heal. You let him heal. You need to tell him what happened and let him figure things out."
"Honey, what if he never forgives me? Your father was jealous of Glen, I can't imagine what he'll do.I can't live without your father." Tami weeped.
"You need to tell him. If you love him as much as I think you do, you will tell him and you will let him heal. And then you will fight for him. You will fight for his love and ask for forgiveness. Do it soon, but do it tomorrow night. I heard from Matt that Buddy is planning something at the game and they need dad happy. I'm going to take Gracie home now."
Author's Note: *NOTE! I know I made Eric have a bye week, but for the sake of this story, it is the offseason.* Sorry for that. Don't forget to review and hope you're liking it so far. Sorry if there's any mistakes, just wrote this now and wanted to put it up!
