The panthers had just made it to the playoffs and Lyla was at every game cheering on her man with Cam in tow. Ever since Tim had got accepted to San Antonio she had thought less about goingbto Vander espifally since she hadn't gotten an acceptance letrer. She did however get a letter to to San Antonio and that made Tim more excited than ever. They had looked ad apartments and daycare and had it all planned out. She hoped she was making the best decision. The day of the semi final game Tim came over and watched Lyla with their son. He was getting bigger and he was trying to atleast scoot so Tim had to be extra careful and watch him on the bed.
Tim: (Sitting on the bed throwing Cam's plush football in the air) They called me this morning about the two bedroom place across from campus.
Lyla: (holding her son) Yea and what did you say?
Tim: (sat up) I said what I always say, I wilk call you back!
Lyla: (changing Cam's diaper) Well good
Tim: (getting up and walk behind her wrapping hus arms around her) Well their gonna want an answer soon. I know their not exactly your home here with you dad but we gotta start building a life for us...As a family!
Lyla: (finishing up) I know but I haven't exactly told my dad about going to San Amtonio!.
Tim: (picking up Cam) Well just exactly where dies he think your going?
Lyla: that's thing we're still waiting for Vander.
Tim: Garriety?
Lyla: Can we not have this discussion in front of our son (rubbing Cam's hair)
Just then Buddy wallked in the house and called for Lyla
Buddy: Lyla! Lyla!
Lyla: It's here baby girl it's here! (flashing an envelope in her face)
Buddy: (began doing a dance) Well come on open it!
Tim: (holding Cam) What is it!
Buddy: That there baby daddy is my baby girls ticket to a high class education. (grabbing Cam) Momma's goin to college.
Lyla: it's from Vander. (Lyla takes a deep breath and rips ooen the letter, she reads it and begins to scream out loud and jump around) Oh my god I got in! I got in! Cam Mommy got in! Tim baby I got in!
Tim smiles and hugs her but says nothing as Buddy dances zaround with the baby!
Buddy: (passes the baby to Tim) This calls for a celebration! I git some rare T-bones I was gonna have but I'm gonna fire up the grill and we can have them now.
Tim: (holding Cam) Can I talk to you!
Lyla: (excited) Yea! sure (she leads him into the bedroom)
Tim: (puts Cam down in the crib) there you go little guy (passes him a toy and goes and sits on the bed and pulls Lyla down next to him) So Vander huh! Exciting!
Lyla: (smiling) I had given up on Vander but I guess not! Wow!
Tim: So... What are you gonna do?
Lyla: (stops smiling) Wow! I'm not even sure I mean I just got the letter and I haven't even said anything about Cam!
Tim: Cam? Just Cam!
Lyla: Well I mean and you too. of course! it's just you got into SanAntonio and I didn't wanna ruin that for you.
Tim: (getting up off the bed and walks over to the crib and looks down at Cam) When San Antonio came knockin I immediateldy thought of you and Cam but it seems amI don't even register up thwre for that.
Lyla: Tim come on I just got the letter.
Tim: and your first thought should have been about whats best for your family. But instead you and your dad are busy planning a life without us without me.
Lyla: Tim it's not like that
Tim: (crossing his arms) then tell me what it's gonna be like for us. Can you honestly say raising Cam with one parent is better than two.
Lyla: What do you want me to do then
Tim: I can' t decide that for you. (he looks at her intently and the looks at his watch) I gotta go get ready for the game (he looks down at Cam who smiles at him and he kisses him on the forehead) I love you little fullback (walks over to Lyla and kisses her on the forehead) I love you Lyla and I will talk to later okay!
Lyla: Tim! We'll figure this out okay!
Tim: (looks back) yea! ( and leaves)
Tim goes home to grab his bag and he is sitting on the couch having his ritual of a beer before a game. When Billy wals in all excited about buying a ring for Mindy.
Billy: Hey bro shouldn't you be gone for the game.
Tim: I'm gettin ready to leave
Billy: Well it's a good thing your here I just got this ring for Mindy and I wanna give it to her tonight right after you win State. (Showing him the ring)
Tim: (doesn't seem to excited) Nice!
Billy: Wow you should be more excited its gonna be you new sister in-law.
Tim: you know what Billy everythings not about you
Billy: Jeez who peed in your cornflakes.
Tim: Lyla got into Vander
Billy: Wow sorry about that man, I mean your not okay about that right! What are you gonna do?
Tim: You think I wouod be here talkin to you if I knew what to do.
Billy: Well I mean your gonna still go to San Antonio right, We worked hard for that and I love Lyla and Cam but you can't just not go... You got the chance of a lifetime to do something no other Riggins has ever done.
Tim: (grabs his bag and stands up) I get that Billy but their my family I can't just let them go. (He heads out the door).
On the bus to the game Tim was quiet and all he could do was look at his picture of Lyla and Cam he wondered if she would even show up to the game. He never even bothered to ask her. Arriving at the stadium Tim had to leave all his personal emotion on the busbbecause now his time to shine. Going into the stadium the team saw all of their loved ones and for once Tim didn't even look uo to see if Lyla came he just walked straight into the locker room. Lyla was in the crowd of loved ones with her father and she stood looking disappointed she wanted to talk to Tim let him know she wasn't making any decisions without talking to him but she couldn't get him to look her way. As the game started the Dillon Panthers didnt seem to ve doing so well they wer down 21 to 0 at the half and Tim was performing terrible. During the game Buddy looked to his daughter and grandson and said "maybe daddy needs a littke cheering up". Lyla looked at her dad and picked up the diaper bag and said "Cam needs a change I'll be back", he looked at her thinking hopefully she was going to talk to Tim but he could only hope. He was right because Lyla walked down to the locker room with her son in arms and stood outside the door until the team came by.
Lyla: Tim! (holding Cam as held onto his toy as he tried to eat it)
Tim: (As he walked over to her) Lyla
Coach Taylor: Hey take a couple minutes, Hey Lyla! Hey little guy! Maybe you guys can help your daddy out! get him to turn this game around for us.
Tim: (gave the coach a pat on the shoulder as gratitude) thanks coach!
Lyla: (fixing Cam on her hip) So your not doing to well out there, I been texting and calling you!
Tim: ( movrd his hair out of his face and sat his helmet down on the ground as he takes Cam from her arms) Yea I left it at home!
Lyla: (fixed her hair and the ran her hand over cams golden brown hair) Well if you had it with you then you would have known we were coming.
Tim: Well I kinda didn't feel like talking earlier.
Lyla: Tim what are you doing?
Tim: What do you mean?
Lyla: Tim don't pull away from me okay! When I said we would talk about it, I meant it. I'm not making any decisions until we have fully talked about this. I love you Tim (grabbing his hand and placing it on heart)
Tim: (looks in her eyes and then down at her breast where his hand was inches from and began to smile) Well when you put it like that... how can a guy say no.
Lyla: Tim!
Tim: No, no! This is good I'm feeling better already. (he leabs in and kisses her lips) soo much better. (Cam makes some noise) oooh and you (kisses his cheek). I love you Garriety abd however this turns out I'm not gonna stop all I want is this (holding her hand).
Lyla: (Well she reaches over and grabs Cam) Well, you start by winning this game daddy! Because if you don't there will be no winners circle for you (and she nods at him).
Tim: Really! there's a winners circle.
Lyla: (starts to walk away) Only for winners! (she moves Cam's hand to wave goodbye) Bye Daddy! Win!
Tim stands watching as they wave goodbye "bye son, winners circle" he bends down to pick up his helmet and he knows now it's game time. The team came back out fired up. Lyla stood in the stands and watched as Tim dug deep and came out with all his might. He started by getting the firt down and went on to score two touchdowns. He had a massive block for Matt which got the team to tie up the game. They ended the game with winning touch down to Tim with one second left on the clock. It was over and when Tim caught the ball all he could do was look to the stands to find Lyla and Cam. He spotted them wrapped up with Buddy cheering their hearts out.
Walking out of the locker room Tim felt nothing but sucess he never knew how much his family weighed heavily on how good he played. He walked out seeing Lyla holding a sleeping Cam and immediatedly walked over. He rubbed his sons cheek and leaned down and kissed her and wrapped his arms around them holding them.
Lyla: good game daddy!
Tim: Well... I try! He's asleep huh!
Lyla: Yeah he fell asleep while you were in the locker room.
Tim: (scooped the baby in his arms) Aww I wanted to his face after the win.
Lyla: Well you can tellnwhen he wakes up! But now you can come over to my winners circle when you get back.
Tim: Ooh I like that! (he kisses her forehead) I'll walk you out.
They walk out to the car where her dad is and Tim places Cam in his carseat. he straps him in and leqns innand kisses his cheek saying "alright little full back see you when I get back." puts thr diaper bag on the floor and he vloses the door. Turning to Lyla he places both his hands on her cheeks
Tim: Thank you for coming brining Cam!
Lyla: Is that all
Tim: no also thanks for being my inspiration, and also (raing his eywbrows)
Lyla: (laughs) yea the winners circle
Buddy: (honks and lets the window down) Lyla sweetie we got get going (he points to Tim) great game Tim. Panthers all the way!
Tim: (opens the car door and kisses Lyla on the cheek) Bye! (and closes the car door).
He stabds tall and proud but mistly happy for the time being.
