A/N: This chapter was inspired by Molarity1983 who had expressed interest in seeing Eric's real apology to Tami. The feeling was that there would be a more formal apology off-screen than what was shown at the mall. Hopefully this is what you had in mind.
I would also just like to thank those of you who took the time to review, you were all very kind and I am very appreciative of the support. I've been a long time reader, but never dreamed that I would write anything of my own. Guess you never know when inspiration will strike… hopefully it will again ;)
Eric and Tami headed back to their hotel room while the post-game celebrations were still in full swing. They had put in a couple of hours at the after party, but it had already been a long day and the rest of crowd didn't look like they'd be turning in any time soon. When they finally entered the room, Eric tossed his hat and the key card on the bedside table and Tami wrapped her arms around his shoulder. "I'm so proud of you, Babe. That was an amazing game."
Eric gave her a quick kiss and changed the subject as he sat them both on the side of the bed, "Listen, I want to apologize for the way I behaved over the past couple weeks. " Tami allowed a slight look of surprise to cross her face at the unexpected change of topic.
Eric continued, "I realize how selfish I've been and I want you to know that I am truly sorry if I made you feel like your career is less important than mine. I want you to be happy and fulfilled, and I know that you've made a number of sacrifices for me, and my career, and this family. I don't ever want you to think that I don't appreciate all that you've done."
Tami started, "Thank you…" but was cut off. The couple of celebratory scotches Buddy had poured Eric seemed to have loosened his lips more than usual, "And you're right, it is your turn. I've had mine and I've had some success, and I was able to do that because you've stood by me and held me up when I needed it. Now it's my turn to do that for you. I want to do that for you. I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you've given me all these years by giving it back to you."
Tami finally got a chance to break in, "It means a lot to me that you recognize how important this opportunity is to me now, Hon. But you're right, I thought you were being a bit selfish, and I was hurt by how you initially handled the situation. I felt like maybe you were taking me a little bit for granted. You know how much I love you, and I would walk to the ends of the earth for you, and I was upset that it didn't seem like you were willing to do the same for me."
She continued, "But it hasn't been one-sided all these years, either, Babe. You've given me a lot, too," she put her hand on his knee. "I had the opportunity to stay home with Julie while she grew up, which was what I wanted at the time. Then, when I wanted to work after Gracie was born, but thought I wouldn't be able to do it all, you were the one that convinced me to stick it out. And even though you might irritate me or frustrate me once in a while," she said with a sly grin, "I know how lucky I am to have a husband like you, Eric Taylor. You are a good man," she finished.
Eric wasn't done just yet; he had something else to get off his chest, "I want you to know how proud I am of you. You went up there to that school and just gave 'em hell. Heck, they gave you a promotion before you were even on the payroll!" He said with a wink, referencing the fact that she interviewed for the Assistant Dean of Admissions but was offered the position of Dean, making Tami laugh. He looked directly into her eyes, "You are amazing and brilliant and beautiful and I love you. Congratulations, Babe. You deserve this."
"Thank you – I appreciate that, Hon. Thank you for agreeing to do this. I think you'll like Philadelphia." "Well," he responded, "I've heard their cheese steak is pretty darn good."
Tami put a hand on his cheek as she leaned in to kiss him. "God, I've missed you." "I've missed you, too. More than you know," he replied. Tami leaned her head on his shoulder and draped her arms around his neck for a few moments before Eric broke the silence, "So…you ever slept with a two-time State Champion before?" Tami smiled, "No, but I happen to know a Dean of Admissions that would love to give it a whirl!" She giggled as he grabbed her and rolled her to the middle of the bed saying, "A whirl, huh? A whirl? I'll give you a whirl a'right…"