Returning
Rating: M
Fandom: Tulie
Description: It was Tim and Julie's first Christmas back in Texas and they were heading back to Dillon for the first time in almost three years.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my words.
It was Tim and Julie's first Christmas back in Texas and they weren't going to be there. The cowboys had an away game on the 25th. On Christmas day. Julie of course was going with him. They'd called her family and asked them what they wanted to do. They were going to join them in Arizona. Billy and Mindy couldn't make it. They had two kids and another on the way and it was going to be too hard to travel. So they were going to Dillon, the week before Christmas for three days to celebrate with the Riggins' early.
They were heading back to Dillon for the first time in two years. Tim hadn't been back since Mindy and Billy's second child, Emily, had been born. Since the contract with the Cowboys. And he didn't know what to expect. Coach had told him that a lot was being said about his addition to the cowboys and Tim feared that there would be some backlash or something.
They were going to fly, but with the butt load of presents they had, the six hour drive seemed like the best option. And if it just happened to be that Tim wanted to get his new truck out on the road for the first time... well, he and Julie decided it was best not to mention that.
Tim had jokingly suggested they take Julie's car. But a convertible in winter wasn't the best idea. Not to mention that Julie was still a little skittish when it came to driving her new car. The size was probably going to be a problem too. They would have had a hell of a time trying to fit everything in it. The truck was definitely the better option. It was logical. So Tim said anyway.
Tim was really looking forward to their early Christmas. He hadn't seen his niece and nephew in months, and he was itching to step foot back on familiar ground. He wanted to see how business down at Riggins Rigs was. He wanted to take Julie out to the quarry and play beer golf. He wanted to drive out to their spot and christen the new truck properly. He actually couldn't believe just how excited he was to go home to Dillon.
His phone call with Billy a month ago had helped egg that excitement along too...
4 weeks earlier
Tim sat down on the sofa with the cordless phone in one hand and the TV remote in the other. Flicking over to ESPN and hitting mute, he dialled Billy's house number and waited for him to answer. Only it wasn't the familiar voices of either Billy or Mindy that sounded down the receiver. It was the tiny little voice of four year old Danny, Tim's nephew.
"Hey Danny." Tim drawled with a grin.
"Uncle Tim." The little boy almost yelled with delight and Tim could picture the smile on his face.
"How're going buddy?"
"I'm good. But Em is being really annoying. She keeps getting into all my stuff and her hands are always sticking so now all my things are sticky." Danny groaned and Tim couldn't stop the face splitting grin.
"Well, man, she's just a baby. You're her big brother so you gotta look out for her and forgive her for making all your stuff sticky. She's going to do things like that. She's only two. You're a big boy, she's a little girl." Tim answered and he could almost picture the little boy nodding.
"I know." He whined. "When do we get to see you again?" Danny asked and Tim felt a little pull in his chest.
"Real soon. Actually, that's why I'm calling. Your dad home?" He asked and pulled the phone away from his ear when Danny screamed out for Billy on the other end without moving the phone first. "Thanks bud. Love ya."
"Hey little brother." Billy's voice rang down the phone.
"Hey. How're going?"
"Good. Good. Business is good. Kids are good. Life is good." Billy answered vaguely and Tim couldn't help but think that something was up.
"Is Mindy ok?" Tim asked trying not to let the hint of fear in his voice when he realised that his brother hadn't mentioned his pregnant wife.
"Yeah. She's good. Baby's kicking away."
Tim tried not to let Billy hear his sigh of relief and thought he better change the subject quick.
"Listen, I wanted to talk to you about Christmas. I've got an away game. In Arizona. Do you guys want to come out?"
"We've thought about it." Billy sighed. "Mindy is going to be eight months along by Christmas, and with a two year old and a four year old, it's just going to be so hard to travel. So we're going to have to pass. Thanks though bro." Billy sounded disappointed.
"It's ok man. Listen, I'll have a couple of days off the week before. Jules and I were thinking of coming to Dillon for an early Christmas with you, if you don't mind." Tim understood his brother's predicament, he even suspected as much, so he and Julie had already discussed heading to Dillon the week before. They were all set to do so if Billy and Mindy wanted them to.
"Yeah! Yeah, that would be awesome." Billy answered and Tim smiled at the excitement in his brother's voice.
"Great, well we'll stay at the Taylor's we can come down on the Monday afternoon the week before, we have to wait until after training, and then we'll have to head home that Friday. But that gives us a couple days with y'all."
"That sounds great." "Is that Tim?" Mindy's voice called in the background. "Yeah hun." Billy called back and Tim couldn't help but chuckle. "Did you ask him?" Mindy asked and Tim raised an eyebrow. Ask him what? He heard a muffled Billy, obviously with his hand over the mouth of the phone, arguing slightly with Mindy that he wasn't going to ask. Ask what? Tim was getting frustrated.
"Billy?" Tim called loudly and waited until his brother answered him. "Ask me what?" Tim tried to keep his voice calm, but it was annoying the hell out of him.
"It's nothing man. Everything is under control." Billy answered and Tim heard Mindy mutter something in the background. He didn't hear what, but by the tone, things were far from good.
"Billy. Just tell me what's going on. You're starting to freak me out. Is everything ok with the baby?" Tim asked making fists with his free hand.
"Yeah, no everything's fine it's just..." Billy sighed clearly not wanting to continue. "Well, we've fallen behind a little on our mortgage payment and Mindy wanted me to ask you for a loan. But it's ok. We've got all this work coming into the garage, it'll be fine." Billy clearly didn't want to ask Tim for money. Tim on the other hand had no problem helping his family out. They'd never asked before, Billy didn't want Tim to think he was a cash cow to them or anything, but what good was having this money if he couldn't help out his family?
"What happened Billy?" Tim asked gently, not wanting to upset his brother.
"You know how Danny fell in the playground last month and broke his arm?"
"Yeah." Tim mumbled.
"Well, without insurance it cost more than we were expecting, and well, we missed a mortgage payment. So this month's is really big and it's just going to take some manoeuvring. But it's fine. It's handled. Don't worry about it." Billy was quickly trying to reassure Tim that they didn't need his money.
"Listen, what bank are you with? I'll call them and vouch for you that you'll have the payment in to them and ask them real nice like to overlook it this once." Tim was finding that there was some handy perks to his new found celebrity with the Cowboys.
"Really? That'd be great Tim, thanks. It's first national." Billy answered and Tim grabbed a pen from the side table and quickly scribbled it down on today's newspaper.
"Consider it done." Just then Tim heard Julie's key in the door, he had something he needed to talk to her about now. "Listen, I hear Julie, so I gotta go, we've got dinner plans. I'll call you back tomorrow about Christmas ok?"
"Yeah, sure. Say hello for us ok?"
"Will do. Bye Billy." Once Tim heard the click on the other end, he quickly hung up the phone and greeted a weighted down Julie at the door. She had a whole heap of grocery bags that Tim quickly took out of her arms.
"Hey baby." Julie smiled leaning up for a quick kiss hello and following Tim into the Kitchen.
"Jules? Can I talk to you for a second?" Tim asked a little hesitantly. Julie looked up at him from unloaded the groceries with a concerned expression.
"What's wrong?"
"That was Billy on the phone. I called to talk about Christmas. And as suspected they can't make it so I told them we'd head down the week before." Tim muttered quickly Julie nodded waiting patiently for him to get to the point. Tim went on to tell Julie about his idea... to make the mortgage payment for Billy behind his back, and get her opinion.
As they drove down the highway Tim was shocked when they reached the Dillon town sign. There on a huge billboard was a picture of him in his Cowboys uniform with the words 'Welcome to Dillon, Birthplace of Cowboy Tim Riggins'. Tim turned to Julie in shock.
"Are you seeing this?" He asked in a slightly higher voice than normal. Julie only nodded in response. Coach had never mentioned this. Ten minutes later, and still in shock, Tim and Julie pulled the truck into the driveway of the Taylor family house. Gracie came running out the front door and almost bulldozed poor Julie in search of a hug, before running around to Tim and jumping into his arms. She was probably getting a little too big to be carried around by Tim now that she was seven, but he was going to keep doing it as long as possible. He adored that little girl.
Tami Taylor was the next member of the family to engulf them in hugs. It hadn't been that long since they'd last seen them, but you'd never know that from their greeting. Coach sauntered out after her in a much more subdued manner.
"Coach, have you seen that sign outside of town?" Tim asked with curious eyes. Coach nodded slowly.
"Could have warned us dad." Julie laughed. Coach just smiled wickedly.
"By the way, Billy's been so damn happy that you two were coming to visit that he's been telling everybody, the whole town knows you're here so I wouldn't be heading in to town unless you feel like talking to every person walking down the street." Coach seemed a little too happy about this. Tim just sighed and shook his head smiling. He'd never admit how good it felt to know that Billy was proud of him. Well, to anyone other than Jules anyway.
They headed inside and got settled before having dinner and turning in for the night. Tim was exhausted after the six hour drive. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and Julie was nestled in his arms.
The next day Tim headed over to Riggins Rigs to grab lunch with Billy. He found his brother under a car, only his legs sticking out and swearing softly under his breath. When something made a clanging sound from under the car and Billy let out a rather loud expletive, Tim couldn't help but burst out laughing. Billy slid out from under the car at the sound, his face a mask of confusion until he saw his brother. The smile that lit up Billy's face was one of the brightest Tim had ever seen on his brother's face. Billy quickly got to his feet and grabbed Tim in a manly hug that almost knocked the wind out of Tim.
"It's good to see you too Bill." Tim muttered just before Billy let him go.
"When did you get in?"
"Last night, just before dinner." Tim answered running his fingers through his hair.
"You coming round for dinner tonight?" Billy asked and Tim could hear the hope in his voice.
"Yeah, Jules and I will be there." Tim answered with a smile on his face as he watched his brother try to act cool when he was clearly very happy about the news. "Listen, Mrs T said that y'all should come round tomorrow at about noon for lunch and to do the whole present thing. She's making turkey and everything. She and Julie are actually spending today getting everything ready. So bring your appetite." Tim joked.
"So, how are things with you and Julie little bro?" Billy had known that something was wrong when they were back in New York. He and Tim made a point of talking once a week and Billy had noticed the change in Tim. He'd asked what was wrong and Tim had confided in him about the troubles he and Julie were having then.
"We're great. It's like New York never even happened. Actually, that's not true. It did, but we're better for it and we can forget about and move on because it's not part of who we are anymore. I don't think we've ever been this happy." The smile on Tim's face grew as he spoke as did Billy's as he watched and listened to Tim.
"That's great bro. I'm really glad to hear that. Julie's a great girl..." Billy trailed off and Tim knew there was something else he wanted to say but was reluctant to bring it up. Tim raised his eyebrows in silent question and Billy seemed to gather the nerve to speak. "You guys thinking about getting married?"
"Why?" Tim asked with a hint of apprehension in his voice.
"Why would you get married or why am I asking?"
"Why are you asking?" Tim sounded a little more defensive than he would have liked, but the question was a little on the sensitive side for him. The truth was he'd been thinking about it for a long time. And he didn't want to hear some bull from anyone, especially Billy, about why he should or shouldn't marry Julie. He wanted to, and he had his reasons, everyone, bar Julie's, opinions did not count.
"Cause I'd love to see you and Julie married with little rug rats. You'd be a great dad Tim. And if that's not on the cards for you guys for whatever reason..."
"It's on the cards Billy." Tim interrupted his brother. Now that he knew what his intentions were with the question, he visibly relaxed. "We've talked about it. But it never seems to be the right time. We were either too young, just finishing school, just getting settled in New York, fighting, moving out of New York. It's just been crazy lately."
"Yeah. But what about now?" Billy looked a little nervous to be asking such personal questions and Tim couldn't help but smirk slightly.
"Now? Well... I'm actually looking to buy some land and build a house first. I'd like to have that part of our lives settled before we get married." Tim had this grand plan for their lives, one he'd only touched on with Julie, but he knew that the best thing he could do for them was to make sure they had a permanent home. That they were settled and not stuck in an apartment paying rent. He was ready to be a husband, now he just had to make his life reflect that.
"Really? That's great Timmy. I'm real proud of you. How's the hunt going?"The pride in Billy's eyes as Tim spoke was unmistakeable. Tim had really grown up into a very responsible man.
"Good actually. We found a really great piece of land that backs onto water. It's about 3 acres. So it's a really good size for around Dallas. I've put an offer in."
"Jules know?" The smirk in the corner of Billy's mouth suggested he already knew the answer to that question.
"No. Not really. Wanted it to be a surprise for Christmas. I find out at the end of the week." Tim stuffed his hands in his pockets, his infamous tell that he was nervous, he was suddenly thinking that he probably should have talked to Jules about all of this. If he really was ready for marriage and all that entailed, it probably wasn't the best thing to get Jules pissed off with him for purchasing land this early in the game. They weren't even engaged yet for Christ's sake.
Billy and Tim quickly changed the subject to football and the cowboy's so far undefeated season as they headed out to lunch at Applebee's. Tim would worry about the land thing if and when the time came. For right now he wanted to enjoy his time with his brother.
Of course that time was short lived. When they entered Applebee's every head in the place turned toward them. Tim tried not to look uncomfortable, but it was incredibly difficult with that many sets of eyes on you and an eerie silence engulfing a normally lively restaurant. Suddenly the silence was broken when the entire restaurant broke out into applause. Tim blushed beet red as he glanced around the open room. Billy called a waitress over and whispered something to her as Tim stood stock still in shock. He was ushered out of the restaurant by his brother and lead back to the truck.
"You ok Timmy?" Billy finally asked when they were safely inside the vehicle.
"What the hell was that?" Tim's voice was verging on hysterical and Billy had no idea what the hell to do. He'd asked the waitress to get them a couple of burgers and fries to take away, which she said she'd bring out to the truck, but it would be another twenty minutes at least and Tim wasn't really moving.
"Tim? Are you alright man?" Billy asked wearily. When he didn't get an answer his eyes quickly searched the cab and found Tim's cell phone connected to the Bluetooth in the centre console. He picked it up and searched for Julie's number in the memory. His leg bounced nervously as he waited for Julie to answer the phone.
"Hey baby." Julie's bright voice answered.
"Jules, its Billy. I'm worried about Tim." He proceeded to tell her what happened in the restaurant and the fact that Tim seemed to be catatonic right now. She told him to hand the phone over to Tim. He quickly pushed it into his brother's hand and up to his ear. "Talk to Julie Tim." He ordered.
He watched in awe as Tim visibly relaxed at the sound of Julie's voice and after only a minute he was smiling softly. And then he was talking and... flirting. Billy knew that everything was now a-ok. When Tim hung up the phone with an 'Ok. I'll see you later baby, I love you' Billy tried not to bombard Tim with questions.
"What the hell was that?" Well so much for that idea.
"I don't know. Sorry. I think it was just a bit much. Between the billboard coming in to town and then that... I don't get it man; they're supposed to hate us. We're those damn Riggins Boys. What the hell happened?" Tim asked completely baffled at the behaviour of the residents of their odd little town.
"You became a Dallas Cowboy Timmy. That's just about equal to being the Son of God to these people." Billy laughed clapping Tim on the shoulder.
"Weirdos." Tim muttered and Billy threw his head back as he laughed. Tim was completely oblivious to his new found celebrity. He had no idea how many blogs and forums were dedicated to him and his 'gift from god body' as they called it. Tim was the pinup boy of the NFL and everyone knew it but him. It was that humility and, well quite frankly, naiveté that Billy adored about his baby brother.
"Listen, the food is going to be brought out to us in about 5 minutes and then we'll go out to the quarry and hit something. Sound good?" Billy asked with a smile and a hopeful expression.
"Sounds perfect." Tim sighed.
True to his word, the food was brought out by the waitress and Tim and Billy quickly hightailed it to the quarry, they ate sitting in the back of the truck, looking out over Dillon, just enjoying the quiet and each other's company. A lot had happened between them over the years. They'd been all each other had for so long that bitterness had developed on both sides. Billy for being forced to give up his life because his parents had been too irresponsible to care for their children that he had regretfully taken out on Tim once he became a teenager. Tim had always carried guilt over it and every time he and Billy would butt heads his guilt would turn into anger and eventually disdain. But after Julie had come into their lives, they'd both changed. It was like she blocked the trees with the light that she shined and they could finally see the forest.
It was about 4 months into Tim and Julie's relationship that the brother's had finally talked. Really talked. And got everything out on the table. Billy had told Tim that it wasn't his fault, and that he loved him. That he'd stay for him a thousand times over again. Tim told him of his guilt and insecurities and neither of them had ever looked back. They were friends now. Something they'd never been able to be when Billy had taken on the role of parent to a seven year old when he was only eighteen himself. They were friends, and brothers, and Billy had made a vow to himself from that day on, that he would always tell Tim how much he loved him, how proud of him he was. Things weren't always perfect between them, that's not how life works, but it was good. Really good.
They didn't get a chance to hit some empty beer cans into the quarry. Billy had to get back to the shop. But they'd enjoyed each other's company. Something they hadn't had a chance to do in a really long time.
When Tim and Julie popped over for dinner that night Billy couldn't have been happier. He had his whole family together and they were having a ball. His kids were climbing all over their Uncle Tim, and enjoying plenty of cuddles from Aunt Julie. They laughed and talked and teased each other shamelessly. It was perfect in Billy's eyes. It was real and it was theirs. Their weird, wacky little family.
When Julie and Tim pulled back up to the Taylor house later that night they both paused in the truck and burst out laughing.
"Ok. That was a really interesting night." Julie laughed. She always enjoyed spending time with Billy. He was a riot in his own weird and wacky way.
"I know. "
"I can't believe he asked us if we've ever had sex in my teenage bedroom." Julie's cheeks pinked, he could have decked Billy when he'd asked that. Julie had laughed it off like a pro, and although Tim knew Billy was only kidding around trying to get a rise out of him, he'd still wanted to inflict bodily harm on his older brother.
"I know." Tim sighed as he draped his arm around Julie's shoulder.
"Baby? Is that something you'd like to do?" Julie asked in a shy voice and Tim's gaze shot straight to Julie's face. Her eyes were cast downward, a small smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth. Suddenly the slight pink to her cheeks took on a whole different meaning.
"Are you offering?"
"That depends..." Julie trailed off, sneaking a shy peak at him through the corner of her eye.
"It's on my top ten fantasy list." Honesty was always Tim's policy. He didn't see the point in lying, he wasn't very good at it, and he found the truth always got you into less trouble than any lie could. But the truth in this case just happened to be that taking Julie on her high school bed had been in his top ten, hell his top five, list of fantasies. He'd always wanted it. And the idea that Julie could possible want it to... well it definitely made his pants a little more snug.
"Then I'm offering." Julie whispered with a slow wink before jumping out of the truck.
"Holy hell." Tim muttered as he watched Julie saunter up the drive, before pausing at the front steps to turn toward his frozen form, still in the truck, and wait for him to join her. Suddenly he couldn't wait for bed.
Tim and Julie had struck it so damn lucky when they entered the Taylor house. The living room was dark, the only light in the hallway, casting just enough light so they could find their way into the house and down the hall to the bathroom and Julie's room. They'd stopped in the kitchen for a glass of water each to take to bed with them, where they found a note from Mrs. T informing them that the permanent occupants had indeed retired for the evening and that she hoped they'd had a good time at Billy's. He smiled with a small shake of his head as he read the line 'Night y'all. See you in the morning. Love you both'. Mrs T was the epitome of the caring mom. And he loved it.
Tim turned to Julie to see her smiling wickedly at him before turning down the hall and sauntering into her room. The sway of her hips had him transfixed. Just as she intended, he had no doubt. Tim quickly followed down the hall and entered the room as quietly as possible, closing and locking the door behind him. Julie was already standing by the bed, the button front blouse she'd worn that night was pooled at her feet, the fly of her jeans already unbuttoned and unzipped. The teal lace of her bra and that of her underwear peaking through the opening of her jeans, were an amazing contrast against her creamy skin and Tim stood stock still in the door way for a moment openly ogling his girl.
His feet finally obeyed another more urgent part of his body and he stalked his way to her. She kicked off her shoes as he approached and somehow he found the sense to do the same. He whipped his shirt over his head and discarded it with absolutely no care as to where it fell.
The gaze he levelled her with was full of passion and longing and heat and damn if Julie didn't feel the wetness between her legs begin to seep through the lace of her panties and onto her thighs. He was so damn gorgeous and when he looked at her like that it was almost all she could do to not throw him down on the nearest surface and take him into her body immediately. As it was she dropped to her knees in front of him, she pulled his fly open quickly and gazed up at him, her mouth hovering, open, above the band of his underwear. She leaned forward slightly and placed a warmth opened mouth kiss on his skin. Sucking and nibbling at the skin below his navel, Tim knew that Julie was leaving a hickey and the realisation made him stiffen even more. He wrapped his hands in her long, silky hair and watched as she kissed all along the elastic, when she'd covered every inch of skin within reach, her fingers traced up the back of his thighs and over his tight ass. She loved his ass, had a total thing for it, would grab it and dig her fingers into the flesh as he thrust into her. So he wasn't surprised when that turned out to be the destination for her wandering hands. He couldn't help but smirk though, it felt so good every time she did and he had to admit that it turned him on.
Julie's hands abandoned his delicious cheeks and slipped just inside his pants. She got a good firm grip on the denim and the cotton and pulled them down roughly. Tim's cock sprang free as soon as the cotton was pulled over his length and Julie immediately placed a gentle kiss to the head that had Tim biting his lips to stop what he was sure was going to be an extremely loud groan from escaping his lips. He stepped out of the material pooling at his feet, and kicked it away from them. Julie's hand gripped the base of his erection and brought it to her lips. She swirled her tongue around the head and Tim's head fell back as his eyes nearly rolled into the back of his head. She was so good at that. She continued to lick, kiss and even nibble up, down and around the length of him, her free hand reaching up to cup his sack. Tim's eyes flew open at the first tentative squeeze of those talented fingers. He gently removed himself from her mouth, pulled Julie up to her feet and crashed his mouth against hers.
"Not going to last through that." He muttered before his lips met hers again. "Need you now." His lips never broke contact as his spoke. Without breaking their kiss, his tongue still duelling with hers, Tim lifted Julie into his arms and placed her on the bed. His fingers trailed over her lace covered breasts, flicking at her nipples and teasing them with just the right amount of pressure so it bordered on pain but never crossed over. Kissing his way down her jaw, along her neck and down her chest, Tim's hands grazed down Julie's sides making her squirm and taking hold of the denim of her jeans and the lace of her underwear. Standing quickly Tim pulled the clothing from her body and pounced back on top of her.
Tim and Julie kissed fiercely, their hands roaming each other's bodies. Tim nudged Julie's legs open and just as he was about to push into her Julie broke their kiss and with a surprising strength, rolled them so that she was now straddling his thighs as he lay stunned beneath her. With a wicked little smirk, Julie gripped Tim's cock in one hand and moved her body further up to hover directly over him; with a slow wink she dropped down on to his length and fell forward to bury her face in his chest trying to stifle the moan that wanted to tear out of her throat.
Julie lay like that for a moment, completely still, Tim inside her and his hands running up and down her back, toying with but not undoing the clasp on her bra. Finally she sat up, her hands bracing herself against his chest and rose up almost releasing him from her body before plunging back down. She did this several more times torturing Tim and herself, before Tim's hands took hold of her hips and he tried to take control of her movements thrusting up into her. Julie's hands moved to cover his and lessen his grip on her. She leaned forward slightly.
"Ok baby. No more teasing." She whispered before starting to move in a rhythm that had them both biting their lips to stop from moaning out loud, mindful that they weren't alone in the house. Tim wanted to let his eyes fall shut at the exquisite pleasure that Julie was bestowing upon his body but he couldn't bring himself to tear his eyes away from the vision she made. Her face contorted beautifully in pleasure. Her teeth biting at her bottom lip to keep the moans and screams at bay. Her breasts bouncing as much as the teal lace would allow, and the sight of his length slipping in and out of her as she rose up and down. It was too incredible to miss.
Her movements gained momentum, her breathing becoming more and more shallow as she rode him closer and closer to her peak. Her muscles started to flutter around him warning him of her impending orgasm. Tim didn't think he would last much longer, the sight of her, the feel of her, were proving too much. He couldn't hold out, so he dropped one hand to her centre, rubbing furiously at her clit while the other rose to cover her mouth in case she couldn't hold in the scream he knew her teeth were worrying at her lip in an attempt to prevent. He grunted as his hips rose up to meet Julie's downward thrusts, his hand between her legs moving faster and faster. Suddenly Julie froze above him and his hand pressed a little more firmly against her mouth as his prediction proved correct and he felt the rush of breath from her muffled scream against his hand. When she came down from her high, Tim sat up and wrapped his arms around her body, pulling her flush against him and reversing their positions so he hovered above her sated body on the bed. Tim lifted her legs to wrap around his hips and started to thrust wildly into her trying to drive himself to his own completion now that Julie had found hers.
Julie leaned up and held her lips against his ear.
"Come for me baby." She panted. "Come inside me. In this bed. Like I always dreamed." Her breathy, husky voice muttering those amazing words were what finally sent Tim over the edge. He collapsed on top of her, and she held his head against her chest, her fingers running through his damp hair. Once he'd caught his breath, Tim held Julie close and rolled so that she stayed tucked against his chest, and he remained buried inside her. They fell asleep that way.
The next morning the house was a buzz for the 'faux' Christmas. What Tim hadn't seen the night before when they came home to a dark house, was that it was also a decorated house. A tree in the corner, a red table cloth on the dining room table with a hunter green runner. At least that's what colour Julie had said the runner was. It just looked green to Tim. In the middle of the table was an elaborate candelabra that he hadn't seen in a long time. Not since their last Christmas in Dillon and he couldn't help but smile at the familiar scene around him. There were presents under the tree, though Mrs T had instructed them all that they weren't to be touched. And there were the most amazing scents wafting from the kitchen.
When Billy, Mindy and the kids finally arrived at noon Tim was starving. The table was set and he was ready to eat. So what was the hold up? He looked around at everyone talking and tried to figure out the most polite way to ask when they could hurry the hell up and eat whatever it was that had Tim's mouth watering since the moment he smelt it that morning. He needn't have worried however, just at that moment the Coach clapped his hands and announced that it was time to eat. Tim tried really hard not to sigh with relief, he really did.
After the most amazing dinner that left them all stuffed and just a little sleepy, the kids couldn't hold out any longer and wanted their presents. Tim was fairly impressed they'd lasted as long as they had. He smiled as they rushed over to the tree where Mrs. T had told them to go sit and wait. The adults walked over to the living room and took seats on the sofas, leaving no room for Julie and Tim who happily took their places on the floor with the kids.
"Alright, find your presents." Mrs T announced. The kids were very disappointed to see that there was only one present each under the Tree. Tim tried not to laugh as the kids looked under the tree; their still as yet unopened presents in their laps, searching for something from him. The rest of the gifts under the tree were from Tim and Julie to Coach, Mrs. T, Billy and Mindy or were for Tim and Julie. "Well aren't you going to open those guys?" Mrs Coach asked and the kids dug into the wrapped gifts.
They oohed, ahhed and cheered over their presents. Julie had given Emily a mini pink 'grand' piano that she loved and started tinkering away at the keys immediately. Danny had received a Dallas cowboys game that he begged Tim to play with him later, and Gracie had gotten a box of mini dolls from Tim. The kids were clearly a little confused, well, except for Emily, she was too little to realise something was amiss. Tim bit his lip not to laugh.
"Alright you three. Up you get. "All three kids and the adults jumped up and followed Tim to the garage. He opened the door and led them in. He walked over to one sheet and pulled it off a rather large doll's house. "Miss Gracie Belle, I think you should thank your sister for this." Tim smirked as Gracie immediately wrapped her arms around Julie's waist before running to her present. He walked over to the next sheet and pulled it off to reveal a yellow battery powered mini hummer. "Come on Danny boy, jump in." Danny bolted straight for the car and hopped in throwing a quick 'Thanks Uncle Tim' over his shoulder as he took off down the drive way.
"Hey, stay on the drive way." Billy yelled at his son. Tim looked at little Emily whose chin wobbled, tears threaten to spill at being left out. Tim rushed over to her and lifted the two year old into his arms. He held her against his chest and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"You don't think I forgot you do you baby?" Tim whispered to her as she nodded slightly. "Never princess. I just saved the best for last." He whispered making sure the other kids couldn't hear him. He walked over to the third sheet, Emily still in his arms, her head on his shoulder, and dropped to his knees in front of the sheet covered lump. He pulled it off quickly and smiled when Emily's face lit up at the little pink mini. She gave him a big kiss on his cheek and wiggled out of his arms before climbing into the toy car. She was content just sitting there pretending to steer, they'd show her how to use it in a little bit.
First they had some presents of their own to unwrap and they wanted to do that with the kids in eye shot. So they rounded them back inside to play with their other toys in Gracie's room. The adults gathered in the living room with cups of hot cocoa in their hands. Since the Taylor's were going to be joining Tim and Julie for his away game they agreed to wait til then for their presents. So it was only Billy and Mindy who were exchanging gifts with Julie and Tim. Julie hugged Mindy and Billy when she opened her gift box to find two beautiful journals and a fancy pen, Mindy explained that Tim had mentioned Julie wanted to write a memoir of sorts of their lives, and thought that she better have something nice to write them with. It was very thoughtful and Julie was touched. Tim smiled as he opened a photo album full of photos of his niece and nephew, as well as a framed picture of a beautiful photo of Tim with Danny and Emily; it had been taken when he'd first met his niece. It was such a beautiful shot and Julie watched as Tim smiled softly as he stared at the photo.
Only one final box remained. It wasn't big. Only the length and width of an envelope. Tim picked it up nervously and passed it to his brother. Billy smiled as he read that tag.
To Billy and Mindy,
With all our love,
Tim and Julie xx
Billy pulled the ribbon off gently and lifted the lid with a small smile to Tim before he looked at the contents. It was a simple piece of white paper, folded to fit in the box. Billy lifted it up with confusion and curiosity written all over his face. When he unfolded the paper Mindy, who was looking over his shoulder gasped. Billy just stared at it in shock.
"Tim you didn't?" Mindy asked in shock. Tim just smiled.
"You know I would never ask you to do this, right?" Billy asked softly finally tearing his eyes from the paper in his hands.
"I know. I wanted to." Tim answered with a small smile. Billy raised one hand to cover his mouth as his eyes became glassy with tears everyone knew he'd never let fall. He passed the paper to Mindy and stood up, he walked over to where Tim stood leaning against the wall. He pulled Tim into a fierce hug and Tim, a little stunned, hugged his brother back. No one else in the room would hear, but Tim didn't miss the choked up voice of his brother whispering that he loved him and he was proud of him.
"Did y'all know about this?" Mindy asked as she still gazed at the paper in shock. Coach and Mrs. T nodded. They'd known all along what Tim wanted to do. He'd paid Billy and Mindy's mortgage, in full.
When Friday rolled around, Billy and the kids came over to the Taylor's to see Julie and Tim off. They hopped in the truck and waved to a teary Tami Taylor and Emily Riggins as they backed out of the drive and headed down the road.
"You'd think we weren't going to see them next week." Julie laughed at her mother's tears. Tim just smiled and picked up her hand. His phone ringing forced him to let go of Julie's hand so he could answer it.
He mumbled to someone on the phone for a while getting more and more excited as Julie tried to remain impassive in the passenger seat, her curiosity eating away at her. When he finally hung up the phone and glanced at her nervously she started to worry.
"What's wrong?" Julie asked softly.
"Please try to remember that I'm driving and any attempt to lash out at me may kill us both." Tim muttered with a little grin. He saw the annoyed look on Julie's face and cleared the sudden frog in his throat. "You know how street just got me that endorsement deal?" He saw Julie nod. He'd actually got a very lucrative deal with Tag Heuer watches. The ad campaign was due to come out January 1st. "Well, you know that it paid well..."
"Tim stop beating around the bush and just tell me." Julie demanded.
"I kinda used the majority of the money to buy something without talking to you first."
"What did you do Timothy?" Julie asked not only annoyed, but angry and scared if she was being completely honest.
"I bought a piece of land on White Rock Lake."
TBC...
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