Disclaimer: I don't own anything here (except for Al) and am just doing this for fun and to pass the long months until Season 4.
Coach Taylor had warned Tim that it was virtually impossible to feel fully prepared for the day you bring your baby home from the hospital. The realization that this tiny person was entirely dependent on you was both humbling and terrifying. Having taken Nicky home two days after he was born, Tim could completely agree with the coach. Tim and Al settled into a routine as best as they could, letting Nicky's needs set the agenda and the schedule. By necessity, most of the childcare fell onto Al and Tim was worried about her, since he knew how hard sleep deprivation could be.
For five days, Billy was in the hospital, so Tyra took the kids there each morning to see him. Then she'd take them over to Tim and Al's, where she'd watch all the kids plus Nicky while Al went into Riggins' Rigs to make sure everything was running smoothly. Tim had been going into work every day, since Al insisted that he keep to his regular routine. Having the distraction of work helped, although he did miss Nicky and Al when he was there.
Al was a big supporter of routines and consistency, so she was annoyed that Billy was keeping Amber and TJ out of school until after the funeral. She mentioned it to Tim, but neither of them said anything to Billy about it.
Billy was released two days before the funeral and it was agreed that he would stay at his house, since Tyra was there, until the day after the funeral. Then he and the kids would move into Tim and Al's. Tim was relieved for the extra few days, since he and Al were still getting the hang of taking care of their son. It came much easier for Al, since she had more experience with infants. She just seemed very attuned to their son and what he needed. Tim struggled to hear the subtle difference between his cries, which Al insisted could tell you if he was hungry, needed to be changed, or was just being non-specifically fussy.
While Billy was in the hospital and couldn't get to the funeral home, Tyra made all of the arrangements. Billy told Tim later that he was relieved to have Tyra in charge of such an important job. He knew Tyra would do it right, classy, how Mindy would have wanted it. Tyra asked the funeral director if Amber and TJ could or should come to the funeral and the man had said that they should be given the option, but not forced to go.
Amber wanted to go but TJ did not, so Celia babysat the boys during the funeral. Tim had been dreading the funeral, but it turned out to be both better and worse than he expected. Tyra had decided to have a dignified grave-side service followed by a catered lunch at Seven Sisters' Cantina. The service had been fine, although Tyra's eulogy had nearly made Tim cry.
Al, who brought Nicky along, held out until the coffin was lowered into the ground, then she leaned against Tim and he could feel her silent sobs. On the other side of him, Billy was looking at the ground with the shell-shocked expression of a war survivor. Amber was crying and clinging to Tyra, whose glassy eyes were about as close as she'd ever come to crying in public.
Al skipped the luncheon, opting instead to return to Billy's house and watch the boys plus Nicky for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Tim stayed by Billy's side throughout the lunch, making small talk and accepting condolences from people. He found this part of the afternoon completely exhausting and he was relieved when it was over. Billy met up with a few old friends from his Panther days, who insisted that he come out with him for a few beers to get his mind off of things. When invited, Tim shook his head and used Al and Nicky as an excuse. He was relieved to get out of there.
The day after the funeral, Tyra went back to Austin and Billy and the kids moved in with Tim and Al. If nothing could prepare you for taking care of your own baby, Tim could also add that nothing could prepare you for having your grieving brother and his four children move in with you either. Tim had thought he and Al were ready, since they'd babyproofed the house and set up the spare rooms to accommodate guests. But he was completely unprepared for the noise, the chaos and the kids' unpredictability, especially Amber. She could go from laughing to crying in less than a second, it seemed, and Tim was never sure what would set her off.
When Billy hadn't made any move to send the kids back to school, Al had had a quiet word with him. Tim caught some of it, something about the importance of routine and normalcy during difficult times. Billy had nodded and told Al to do whatever she wanted, which Tim knew must have annoyed her, but she didn't complain. That evening, she laid out school clothes for Amber and TJ, helped them make their lunches, and explained to them that it was time for them to go back to school.
The days blurred into one another. Tim tried to help Al out as much as he could, it was difficult. He was having to do his own job at the garage as well as the supervision and administrative duties that Billy usually handled. He'd be happy when Billy got back to work. Without Tyra to babysit, Al couldn't come into work anymore, so Tim was responsible for everything. He didn't understand why Billy couldn't watch Nicky, since he was home with Jack and Cody anyway, but he didn't want to upset Al by asking.
Although he missed Billy at work, Tim found that he liked having Billy at his house. Sometimes, it felt like high school all over again, as he and Billy stayed up late and played video games or watched Sports Center. It was comforting, to sort of fall back and remember how things used to be, before life had gotten so complicated.