Family time (closed to Tami, Jason, Tim and David)
[Pre-con; posted complete]
It was Christmas and Eric and Tami had invited the boys over for dinner and a little gift exchange after. Tami's stomach was a little bit more noticeable now. Just a little. She found herself constantly touching her growing belly even as she stood over the stove, stirring a pot of boiling pasta.
"Hey, babe? Are you sure that David only eats macaroni and cheese?" Tami asked from the kitchen tossing her hair back and peering into the pot. "Tell me before I make the cheese sauce." Yes, Tami Taylor was making macaroni and cheese from scratch, thank you.
And Eric loved her for it. Well, he loved her, period. He came up behind her, arms lacing around her waist. "I guess he eats other stuff too. He had a hamburger a while back and the way Jason was talkin' about it, you'd think it was world peace or somethin'. Kid's a little off."
Tami swatted his arm. "Don't say that. He is not off! He's very smart and is doing well in school. They both are." Yes, Tami checked, Tim Riggins, too. She leaned against his chest and sighed contentedly. "And I think the boys are doin' an amazing job with him." Tami's smile and that swelling pride in her voice said it all.
"Yeah, they are." Done and done. Eric kissed her cheek and straightened his tie. "You gonna wanna go to church tomorrow? Seems real nice here."
"We should and take the boys with us." Tami stepped back in front of the stove and turned off the knob. "Mind dumping the water for me, honey?" She started on the cheese sauce, milk, cheese, cooking with ease. "I'm sure they'd appreciate having family around." Which only made her miss Jules, being reminded of family. Tami sighed softly.
"She's fine, hon," Eric said, knowing easily what his wife was thinking. Of course, in saying that, he nearly boiled his fingers off. Water was hot! But he got the noodles into the colander and set the pot aside. "Things goin' okay with that new principal?"
Tami blew out a breath that sounded a bit exasperated. "She's somethin' else, hon. I know she means well but the way she talks to these kids and us is a little harsh for a principal." She frowned. "I think all the kids are a little afraid of her." So they had been coming to see her and Tami had to be the one to keep the peace.
Well, now, see, Eric wasn't against a little tough talk. Sometimes it was needed. But he and his wife didn't always see eye to eye on that. Or on administration. Of course, they didn't talk about Tami being principal back home a lot of the time, either. "Good thing you're there, then, huh?"
"I'd like to think so, yes." Tami grinned, looking over his shoulder at Eric. "Someone needs to make sure things are happening for these kids." If anything, Tami was passionate about her job. "Y'know I hope the school does get together a football team. I kind of miss seeing you in school." She turned back around and stirred the cheese sauce, grinning.
If the school got together a football team? Well ... Eric would believe it when he saw it. He grunted out a sound as he started to set the table. "Boys should be here, soon."
"Food's almost done." Tami turned the stove off completely and then she took off the apron she had on, smoothing down her dress that didn't quite fall completely flat because of the small bulge to her belly. She pushed some of the hair away from her face. "You look handsome, Mr. Taylor." She strode toward Eric until she was pressed to his chest, her face she tilted up, expecting a kiss.
"You always look good, Mrs. Taylor," Eric told her with a kiss, just as the knock came to the door. "I'll get it." One more kiss and he went over to pull the door open. He looked Jason, Tim and David over with a nod before standing back. "Boys."
"Merry Christmas, sir," Jason said. He had the food on his lap (stuff Tim made, with David's help, of course), since Tim had David by the hand. "Thanks for havin' us over."
"Merry Christmas." He echoed, grinning and then Tim looked down at David with a quick gesture with his head to greet the Taylors.
"Hey boys c'mon in." Tami waved a hand to urge them to come inside, her smile moving to each one of them before finally resting on David. "Are you having a good Christmas, David?"
"I got very nice presents," David told her and after a look up to Tim, he let go of his hand to go over to the Coach and offer his hand. "Merry Christmas."
Yeah, there was a little bit of a quirk of a grin the gesture and Eric shook his hand. "Merry Christmas, son." Then he watched as David went over to Tami and held his arms out. Kid was a little off, but seemed to mean well.
Jason wheeled himself in and to the kitchen. "Brought cookies and some drinks like you asked, Mrs. Taylor."
Tim watched David hug Mrs. Taylor and then he held out his hand to Coach. "Thanks for inviting us, Coach, Mrs. Taylor." He looked over at her, grinning wide when she took the hug from David.
"Well holidays are supposed to be spent with family and that's what we are here, right?" She gave a quick, warning look at Eric to not say anything about thinking of the boys, including David as family. "You need help there, Jason?" Tami headed for the kitchen.
"No, ma'am, think I got it." Jason set the cans of soda on the counter, then the tray of cookies. "Tim 'n David decorated the cookies last night. I was quality control," he added with a grin. Meaning he ate a lot of them!
"Have a seat," Eric said, gesturing to the sofa. "What'd Santa bring ya'll, huh?" He asked the boy.
"... Santa isn't real," David answered, brow furrowing. Did Eric believe in Santa? Santa was a fictional character. Hrm. He turned worried eyes to Tim.
Tim grinned. "I think Coach still likes to believe in Santa, little man." He gave an exaggerated wink at David, his chuckle soft and rumbling from his chest. "Who wouldn't want someone who gave presents, huh?"
"I think what Coach meant to ask is what kind of presents you got. Got any good ones, did you?" Tami put down a tray of chips and dip in the middle of the living room table.
"Yeah, that's what I meant." Biting back his urge to harrumph, Eric arched a brow and reached for the chips. "You get good presents?"
Oh, that was reassuring. David climbed onto the sofa sitting next to Tim. "I got coloring books and some other books and some clothes," he answered.
In the kitchen, Jason was snickering to himself. David cracked him up, mostly because he seemed to throw Coach off something fierce, and that wasn't that easy to do.
It was why Tim was grinning like a loon and he put an arm around David on the sofa looking mighty proud of the little man. He looked over his shoulder and called Jason over. "They were rad gifts, huh, D. We already got started on a puzzle he got." 2500 pieces. God.
"Books? Well that's wonderful!" No wonder David was so smart. Tami put a hand on Tim's shoulder and nodded. She really was proud of them for taking such good care of the little boy. She approached Jason and leaned in, speaking softly. "Y'all are doing good by that boy, Jason. You an' Tim." Tami turned to look at Tim and David, smiling, impressed by it.
"I think he as much takes care of us as we take care of him, ma'am." One day, Jason knew, they should tell the Taylors David's secret, about him not being all human. But he wouldn't, not yet. That, he thought, should be David's choice. "Things sure smell good, ma'am."
She placed a hand on his shoulder and gave a gentle pat. "I think it's wonderful, all three of you. And because you told me he liked macaroni and cheese, I'm sure he's not had homemade." The grin on Tami's face bloomed. "He'll like this but don't worry, we have plenty of food." She had heard the grumble about too much macaroni and cheese.
"Thanks, ma'am. He's ... set in his ways." Which Jason didn't mind. As long as David was happy, that was what mattered. David and Tim. Jason turned his face away a little to hide the heating he felt there. "This is a real nice way to spend the holidays."
Tami's voice was softer, whispered. "I think so, too. I'm real glad that you boys are here..." She trailed off. Yes, she was thinking of Julie again. Tami forced a smile on her face and then she straightened up. "Go on and join them. I'll take care of the food, hmm?" Jason was a good man. A good man.
"Yes'm." With a smile, Jason backed himself up and around, wheeling himself to the living room again. "Surprised ya'll aren't watchin' football."
"They got football?" Well, that sure got the Coach's attention as he got up, getting the remote from on top of the TV to click the set on. "Cowboys'll be playin' today."
"A'right! Football." Tim looked over at David and waggled his brows his hands he rubbed together. "This'll be fun, right Six?" He had a feeling that David wouldn't much like it but they had coloring books brought just in case.
No, David wouldn't really appreciate football, but he couldn't not notice how everyone in the room had lighter and happier thoughts. He snuggled closer to Tim as the television came on.
Eric settled in a chair, slouching low. "Now we're talkin'."
Drinks were put before the boys and Tami had to smile. It felt like home even if they were missing some important people. Everything was set, the food the only missing items at the dinner table. "You boys wanna eat now or are we finishing the game?" Tami asked with a smile, her gaze lingering on David tucked at Tim's side.
"D'you need help ma'am?" Tim asked his voice low, shifting a bit in his seat at the edge of the sofa, closer to Jason. "David here'll help, too. He's good in the kitchen, right D?"
"I don't have my apron," David said, "but I can help, yes."
"David's a real good helper," Jason added. "I'm hungry now, ma'am, but if y'all decide to wait, I think I can make it." His teasing smile told them all he was kidding.
"But the -- we got football," Eric said, gesturing to the TV with the remote, looking, for the moment, like a recalcitrant kid. "There's football on."
"I know, babe, but we also have food that's getting cold, hmm?" Tami smiled sweetly at Eric while urging the boys along to join her in the kitchen. "You don't need an apron, honey. You can help me carry the macaroni and cheese to the table and Tim here could take care of the big platters since he's a big guy, right?" She put her arm around David's little shoulders.
"Mac and cheese, D. It ain't the box kind and those are real good." Tim even smacked his hips making appreciative noises.
"Tim makes macaroni and cheese too," the boy said, quick to defend Tim at any given moment.
"He does, but Mrs. T's mac and cheese'll be good, won't it, David?" Jason added quickly, following. If nothing else, he was good for holding stuff in his lap.
With a huff, Eric muted, but didn't turn off the football. It was football, dang it. "Adults are havin' wine. What do you boys want to drink?"
Tim was quick to look at Jason and held his gaze a moment before saying, "just a soda, please," before he looked away and carried two large serving plates to the table.
"Here's the macaroni and cheese, David." Tami had a dish towel under the large plate. "Hold out your arms, a'right? I'm sure Tim's is delicious. He had to tell me how he made his so I did the same thing and added ham. I hope you like it."
Ham? David's face shifted just the tiniest bit, indicating his pleasure for those who knew where to look. He carried the pan to the table without a word as Jason watched him, then took a few things that he could carry as well.
Last into the kitchen was Eric, who put an arm around Tami's shoulders and kissed her temple. "A'right. Load me up."
Tami smiled up at him. "Man of the house gets to bring out the ham." She thumbed the oven. "You get to carve it, too." She kissed his cheek before taking a bowl of vegetables to the table. "This is so nice, isn't it. Christmas dinner all together," Tami addressed the boys at the table.
"Yes, ma'am," Tim was quick to agree. He'd not really had anything like this except those times he got himself invited over at Jason's house. Him and Billy never did fancy Christmas dinners or anything. He kinda missed Billy suddenly.
A small hand patted his knee. From where he sat, David looked over at him and that drew Jason's attention when he looked up from putting stuff on the table.
Bringing the ham in on a platter, Eric looked around as he set it down. "We good, here?" He asked, picking up the knife before he got distracted by the game on the TV. Lions weren't embarrassing themselves, at least.
Tim looked over at David and took the small hand on his knee. He knew what that was about. Tim smiled down at him and let the boy read his mind, that he was thinking that this Christmas with David and Jay and the Taylors was making him very happy even if he missed his brother Billy. Tim then met Jason's eyes and he smiled, the expression, if one looked carefully, they'd know it to be love. And the football game? Well, Tim didn't even look at the screen anymore, not with David and Jason there.
"Shall we give thanks first, boys? Before we dig in?" And then she caught her husband looking at the TV. "Honey--?" Tami was smiling even though there was clearly, clearly a warning in her eyes. "Carve the ham before the rest of us pass out from hunger, hmm?" Her voice was soft and sweet.
"Yes, ma'am." Eric even managed to look a bit chastened as he turned his attention back to the meat, slicing it into pieces for everybody. That done, he took his seat and offered one hand to Tami and one to Jason. "Let's give thanks, boys."
Jason put one curled hand into Coach's and gathered up David's with the other, smiling at the boy as he watched Tim take Mrs. Taylor's hand and Tim's. Then he lowered his head.
It wasn't much of a prayer, not really. Eric wasn't big on long, drawn out things. But he quietly gave thanks for the food, for his family and for people who were like family. And he squeezed Tami and Jason's hand as he said, "Amen." Then he took the fork and picked up a slice of ham. "A'right, now, who wants what?"
It was Christmas and Eric and Tami had invited the boys over for dinner and a little gift exchange after. Tami's stomach was a little bit more noticeable now. Just a little. She found herself constantly touching her growing belly even as she stood over the stove, stirring a pot of boiling pasta.
"Hey, babe? Are you sure that David only eats macaroni and cheese?" Tami asked from the kitchen tossing her hair back and peering into the pot. "Tell me before I make the cheese sauce." Yes, Tami Taylor was making macaroni and cheese from scratch, thank you.
And Eric loved her for it. Well, he loved her, period. He came up behind her, arms lacing around her waist. "I guess he eats other stuff too. He had a hamburger a while back and the way Jason was talkin' about it, you'd think it was world peace or somethin'. Kid's a little off."
Tami swatted his arm. "Don't say that. He is not off! He's very smart and is doing well in school. They both are." Yes, Tami checked, Tim Riggins, too. She leaned against his chest and sighed contentedly. "And I think the boys are doin' an amazing job with him." Tami's smile and that swelling pride in her voice said it all.
"Yeah, they are." Done and done. Eric kissed her cheek and straightened his tie. "You gonna wanna go to church tomorrow? Seems real nice here."
"We should and take the boys with us." Tami stepped back in front of the stove and turned off the knob. "Mind dumping the water for me, honey?" She started on the cheese sauce, milk, cheese, cooking with ease. "I'm sure they'd appreciate having family around." Which only made her miss Jules, being reminded of family. Tami sighed softly.
"She's fine, hon," Eric said, knowing easily what his wife was thinking. Of course, in saying that, he nearly boiled his fingers off. Water was hot! But he got the noodles into the colander and set the pot aside. "Things goin' okay with that new principal?"
Tami blew out a breath that sounded a bit exasperated. "She's somethin' else, hon. I know she means well but the way she talks to these kids and us is a little harsh for a principal." She frowned. "I think all the kids are a little afraid of her." So they had been coming to see her and Tami had to be the one to keep the peace.
Well, now, see, Eric wasn't against a little tough talk. Sometimes it was needed. But he and his wife didn't always see eye to eye on that. Or on administration. Of course, they didn't talk about Tami being principal back home a lot of the time, either. "Good thing you're there, then, huh?"
"I'd like to think so, yes." Tami grinned, looking over his shoulder at Eric. "Someone needs to make sure things are happening for these kids." If anything, Tami was passionate about her job. "Y'know I hope the school does get together a football team. I kind of miss seeing you in school." She turned back around and stirred the cheese sauce, grinning.
If the school got together a football team? Well ... Eric would believe it when he saw it. He grunted out a sound as he started to set the table. "Boys should be here, soon."
"Food's almost done." Tami turned the stove off completely and then she took off the apron she had on, smoothing down her dress that didn't quite fall completely flat because of the small bulge to her belly. She pushed some of the hair away from her face. "You look handsome, Mr. Taylor." She strode toward Eric until she was pressed to his chest, her face she tilted up, expecting a kiss.
"You always look good, Mrs. Taylor," Eric told her with a kiss, just as the knock came to the door. "I'll get it." One more kiss and he went over to pull the door open. He looked Jason, Tim and David over with a nod before standing back. "Boys."
"Merry Christmas, sir," Jason said. He had the food on his lap (stuff Tim made, with David's help, of course), since Tim had David by the hand. "Thanks for havin' us over."
"Merry Christmas." He echoed, grinning and then Tim looked down at David with a quick gesture with his head to greet the Taylors.
"Hey boys c'mon in." Tami waved a hand to urge them to come inside, her smile moving to each one of them before finally resting on David. "Are you having a good Christmas, David?"
"I got very nice presents," David told her and after a look up to Tim, he let go of his hand to go over to the Coach and offer his hand. "Merry Christmas."
Yeah, there was a little bit of a quirk of a grin the gesture and Eric shook his hand. "Merry Christmas, son." Then he watched as David went over to Tami and held his arms out. Kid was a little off, but seemed to mean well.
Jason wheeled himself in and to the kitchen. "Brought cookies and some drinks like you asked, Mrs. Taylor."
Tim watched David hug Mrs. Taylor and then he held out his hand to Coach. "Thanks for inviting us, Coach, Mrs. Taylor." He looked over at her, grinning wide when she took the hug from David.
"Well holidays are supposed to be spent with family and that's what we are here, right?" She gave a quick, warning look at Eric to not say anything about thinking of the boys, including David as family. "You need help there, Jason?" Tami headed for the kitchen.
"No, ma'am, think I got it." Jason set the cans of soda on the counter, then the tray of cookies. "Tim 'n David decorated the cookies last night. I was quality control," he added with a grin. Meaning he ate a lot of them!
"Have a seat," Eric said, gesturing to the sofa. "What'd Santa bring ya'll, huh?" He asked the boy.
"... Santa isn't real," David answered, brow furrowing. Did Eric believe in Santa? Santa was a fictional character. Hrm. He turned worried eyes to Tim.
Tim grinned. "I think Coach still likes to believe in Santa, little man." He gave an exaggerated wink at David, his chuckle soft and rumbling from his chest. "Who wouldn't want someone who gave presents, huh?"
"I think what Coach meant to ask is what kind of presents you got. Got any good ones, did you?" Tami put down a tray of chips and dip in the middle of the living room table.
"Yeah, that's what I meant." Biting back his urge to harrumph, Eric arched a brow and reached for the chips. "You get good presents?"
Oh, that was reassuring. David climbed onto the sofa sitting next to Tim. "I got coloring books and some other books and some clothes," he answered.
In the kitchen, Jason was snickering to himself. David cracked him up, mostly because he seemed to throw Coach off something fierce, and that wasn't that easy to do.
It was why Tim was grinning like a loon and he put an arm around David on the sofa looking mighty proud of the little man. He looked over his shoulder and called Jason over. "They were rad gifts, huh, D. We already got started on a puzzle he got." 2500 pieces. God.
"Books? Well that's wonderful!" No wonder David was so smart. Tami put a hand on Tim's shoulder and nodded. She really was proud of them for taking such good care of the little boy. She approached Jason and leaned in, speaking softly. "Y'all are doing good by that boy, Jason. You an' Tim." Tami turned to look at Tim and David, smiling, impressed by it.
"I think he as much takes care of us as we take care of him, ma'am." One day, Jason knew, they should tell the Taylors David's secret, about him not being all human. But he wouldn't, not yet. That, he thought, should be David's choice. "Things sure smell good, ma'am."
She placed a hand on his shoulder and gave a gentle pat. "I think it's wonderful, all three of you. And because you told me he liked macaroni and cheese, I'm sure he's not had homemade." The grin on Tami's face bloomed. "He'll like this but don't worry, we have plenty of food." She had heard the grumble about too much macaroni and cheese.
"Thanks, ma'am. He's ... set in his ways." Which Jason didn't mind. As long as David was happy, that was what mattered. David and Tim. Jason turned his face away a little to hide the heating he felt there. "This is a real nice way to spend the holidays."
Tami's voice was softer, whispered. "I think so, too. I'm real glad that you boys are here..." She trailed off. Yes, she was thinking of Julie again. Tami forced a smile on her face and then she straightened up. "Go on and join them. I'll take care of the food, hmm?" Jason was a good man. A good man.
"Yes'm." With a smile, Jason backed himself up and around, wheeling himself to the living room again. "Surprised ya'll aren't watchin' football."
"They got football?" Well, that sure got the Coach's attention as he got up, getting the remote from on top of the TV to click the set on. "Cowboys'll be playin' today."
"A'right! Football." Tim looked over at David and waggled his brows his hands he rubbed together. "This'll be fun, right Six?" He had a feeling that David wouldn't much like it but they had coloring books brought just in case.
No, David wouldn't really appreciate football, but he couldn't not notice how everyone in the room had lighter and happier thoughts. He snuggled closer to Tim as the television came on.
Eric settled in a chair, slouching low. "Now we're talkin'."
Drinks were put before the boys and Tami had to smile. It felt like home even if they were missing some important people. Everything was set, the food the only missing items at the dinner table. "You boys wanna eat now or are we finishing the game?" Tami asked with a smile, her gaze lingering on David tucked at Tim's side.
"D'you need help ma'am?" Tim asked his voice low, shifting a bit in his seat at the edge of the sofa, closer to Jason. "David here'll help, too. He's good in the kitchen, right D?"
"I don't have my apron," David said, "but I can help, yes."
"David's a real good helper," Jason added. "I'm hungry now, ma'am, but if y'all decide to wait, I think I can make it." His teasing smile told them all he was kidding.
"But the -- we got football," Eric said, gesturing to the TV with the remote, looking, for the moment, like a recalcitrant kid. "There's football on."
"I know, babe, but we also have food that's getting cold, hmm?" Tami smiled sweetly at Eric while urging the boys along to join her in the kitchen. "You don't need an apron, honey. You can help me carry the macaroni and cheese to the table and Tim here could take care of the big platters since he's a big guy, right?" She put her arm around David's little shoulders.
"Mac and cheese, D. It ain't the box kind and those are real good." Tim even smacked his hips making appreciative noises.
"Tim makes macaroni and cheese too," the boy said, quick to defend Tim at any given moment.
"He does, but Mrs. T's mac and cheese'll be good, won't it, David?" Jason added quickly, following. If nothing else, he was good for holding stuff in his lap.
With a huff, Eric muted, but didn't turn off the football. It was football, dang it. "Adults are havin' wine. What do you boys want to drink?"
Tim was quick to look at Jason and held his gaze a moment before saying, "just a soda, please," before he looked away and carried two large serving plates to the table.
"Here's the macaroni and cheese, David." Tami had a dish towel under the large plate. "Hold out your arms, a'right? I'm sure Tim's is delicious. He had to tell me how he made his so I did the same thing and added ham. I hope you like it."
Ham? David's face shifted just the tiniest bit, indicating his pleasure for those who knew where to look. He carried the pan to the table without a word as Jason watched him, then took a few things that he could carry as well.
Last into the kitchen was Eric, who put an arm around Tami's shoulders and kissed her temple. "A'right. Load me up."
Tami smiled up at him. "Man of the house gets to bring out the ham." She thumbed the oven. "You get to carve it, too." She kissed his cheek before taking a bowl of vegetables to the table. "This is so nice, isn't it. Christmas dinner all together," Tami addressed the boys at the table.
"Yes, ma'am," Tim was quick to agree. He'd not really had anything like this except those times he got himself invited over at Jason's house. Him and Billy never did fancy Christmas dinners or anything. He kinda missed Billy suddenly.
A small hand patted his knee. From where he sat, David looked over at him and that drew Jason's attention when he looked up from putting stuff on the table.
Bringing the ham in on a platter, Eric looked around as he set it down. "We good, here?" He asked, picking up the knife before he got distracted by the game on the TV. Lions weren't embarrassing themselves, at least.
Tim looked over at David and took the small hand on his knee. He knew what that was about. Tim smiled down at him and let the boy read his mind, that he was thinking that this Christmas with David and Jay and the Taylors was making him very happy even if he missed his brother Billy. Tim then met Jason's eyes and he smiled, the expression, if one looked carefully, they'd know it to be love. And the football game? Well, Tim didn't even look at the screen anymore, not with David and Jason there.
"Shall we give thanks first, boys? Before we dig in?" And then she caught her husband looking at the TV. "Honey--?" Tami was smiling even though there was clearly, clearly a warning in her eyes. "Carve the ham before the rest of us pass out from hunger, hmm?" Her voice was soft and sweet.
"Yes, ma'am." Eric even managed to look a bit chastened as he turned his attention back to the meat, slicing it into pieces for everybody. That done, he took his seat and offered one hand to Tami and one to Jason. "Let's give thanks, boys."
Jason put one curled hand into Coach's and gathered up David's with the other, smiling at the boy as he watched Tim take Mrs. Taylor's hand and Tim's. Then he lowered his head.
It wasn't much of a prayer, not really. Eric wasn't big on long, drawn out things. But he quietly gave thanks for the food, for his family and for people who were like family. And he squeezed Tami and Jason's hand as he said, "Amen." Then he took the fork and picked up a slice of ham. "A'right, now, who wants what?"