Tyler Briggs

Tyler turned when the tomato hit him, laughing even harder. He bent down to pick it up and brushed off the dirt and grass onto his shirt. “Hey, no food fights allowed.” He grinned and sat down on the bench outside, patting the spot beside him. “Tell me about your trip.”

Her eyes widened, hand flying to grab Ty’s arm. When they’d first moved in together, they’d talked a bit about doing something like this, but it was more than she ever expected. “This is - Ty, this is great.” Stepping further into the garden, she knelt down, breathing in the smell of the herbs. She looked back at him, grinning at the excitement in his voice. She felt somewhat giddy herself, truth be told.

Picking two cherry tomatoes, she got back to her feet. Offering one to him, she bit into her own. “Mmm, yum.” she bit her lip, surveying the garden again. “We gotta make something delicious for dinner with these, yeah?” 

Tyler bit into the cherry tomato and laughed a little when the juice squirted out and dripped down his chin. He wiped at it with the hem of his shirt and turned to look onto the garden with pride. It truly made him happy that he was able to turn the backyard into paradise. “Hey, I’m just the gardener. You’re the cook.” Tyler laughed a little and walked over to gently pick a ladybug off a leaf. He playfully placed it in Dot’s hair and cackled, running away.

“Were you about to attack me with a spoon?” Dot giggled, squeezing him tight and letting out a little squeal as he spun her around. Upon being set down, she reached down to pick up the spoon and swatted him gently with it. “I’ve missed you, you big dumb idiot. Now come on, you’ve gotta tell me everything I’ve missed!

Tyler giggled a little when she hit him with the spoon. “Hey! I thought you were robbin’ me! I panicked!” He motioned for Dot to follow him into the kitchen, forgetting his sandwich on the table. “Follow me out back.” The backyard was Tyler’s most favorite place and the garden he planted was his passion project. He worked endlessly on it all the time and was always excited everytime something new finally started to grow. “We’ve got cherry tomatoes! They’re so good. You gotta try one.”

{after a month away, turning the key in the door of her own home was the best sensation Dot could imagine. As fun as Fletcher’s beachhouse had been, she’d missed home. And Ty.} Honey, I’m hooome. {She cooed as she crossed the threshold.  She hadn’t told him she’d be back today, wanting it to be a surprise.}

Tyler was in the kitchen, making himself a sandwich when he heard the door open. His first reaction was that it was an intruder. He grabbed the first thing that his eyes landed on, which was a big wooden spoon and moved out into the doorway to face the burglar. It was then that he heard Dot’s voice and a huge smile broke out on his face. “Dot! Jeez Louise, ya scared me for a moment!” He tossed the spoon to the side before he moved forward to sweep her into a hug. “Gosh, I missed you!” He laughed happily and swung her around a bit. “Welcome home!”

But how are you? I don’t see much of you these days. I miss you. 

{Carmen jokingly flipped her hair.} Why thank you. Am I doing that pregnancy glow thing? {She asked, rolling her eyes.}

I think you’ve always had that glowy thing. {Tyler grinned back at her.} How’re you feeling?