It was late when Haley sank into the couch cushions, glass of wine in one hand, remote control in the other.

She flipped to the familiar sports channel, having memorized it after 14 years of marriage to a former NBA star and basketball fanatic. Tonight, said husband was giving an interview on ESPN to discuss UNC Wilmington's men's college basketball team, seeing as he is now the assistant coach.

It worked out perfectly; UNC Wilmington was a mere twenty minute drive from their house in Tree Hill, and wanting to be close to his family, Nathan took it. He only had to travel a few times a year when the team had away games, but his absence was nothing like when he played for the Bobcats. In fact, for the most part, Nathan was home every night before six.

Tonight however, the Seahawks had a game at eight against the Gators, and while Haley and the kids usually attended most home games, it was only a Wednesday night and it would be late by the time they got home, so they sat this one out.

Haley tried to watch on television, but got caught up with trying to get the kids bathed and to bed.

Now that they were all settled, Haley was able to catch the after-show, where Nathan would discuss the player's performance. Unfortunately, she really had no idea what he was talking about and even after all these years she still didn't understand what the term 'being in the key' meant, but hey, her husband looked good in a suit.

"So, Mr. Scott, this is a personal question," Haley heard one of the press members ask, "When you retired from the NBA five years ago, is this where you thought you'd see yourself?"

Haley watched her husband nod, grinning slightly. He loved attention, and she didn't blame him.

"Honestly, I never really thought about coaching before. To me, I only ever wanted to play basketball, but this has been an amazing opportunity so far and I'm really enjoying it. Plus, it's great, you know, I get to be closer to my wife and kids which is really important to me."

Haley smiled at the way his blue eyes sparkled at the mere mention of their kids.

Nathan was right; he loved being able to see them everyday, and took pride in the smallest of parenting tasks. Whether it be cheering twelve-year-old Jamie on at his baseball game, tucking five-year-old Lydia into bed at night, reading to three-year-old Jackson, or just carrying Nicholas-their eight month old son- Nathan adored every second with them and never took a moment for granted. He truly was an amazing father.

"What are your future plans?" The same member of the press asked.

Nathan momentarily ran his fingers over his newly grown beard, which Haley found absolutely irresistible, and smiled.

"Uh, let's see... I'd like to bring the Seahawks to Championship, and who knows, maybe in ten, fifteen years, I'll coach the Bobcats, but I want to continue to be there for my family. Right now my wife and I have four kids but we'll probably have like six or seven more, so I'll be busy with that," he smirked as the erratic camera flashes flicked over his face.

Haley didn't know whether to laugh or blanch at the thought of having ten kids; she knew her husband, and she knew he was serious. They'd have to have a talk when he got home.

It was half past midnight when Nathan strolled through the front door of his and Haley's large house. He couldn't wait to crawl into their queen bed-not a king, because king sized were far too big, and he liked to be as close to Haley as possible, but only wished they had a bigger bed when the kids tried crawling in with them.

Regardless, he just wanted to collapse onto the mattress, cuddle behind his beautiful wife and fall into a deep slumber.

Except, all thoughts were halted when he found Haley sprawled out on the couch, wide awake with what he only presumed was The Office playing.

"Hey baby, what are you doing up?" He whispered, not wanting to wake up Maddie, knowing she must have had a hard time falling asleep.

Haley sat up, stretching, and smiled at the sight of her husband. "I wanted to see you."

"Well, thanks. It's always a beautiful sight to come home to." He winked and walked over to the couch, dropping a quick kiss on Haley's lips, then taking a seat next to her.

Haley blushed under his heated gaze, "I saw the interview. You looked good."

Nathan smirked, "Oh yeah?"

She cut right to the chase, "Nathan, we're not having ten kids."

His eyes widened, "What?"

"You told that reporter we would have six or seven more kids!"

Nathan blinked, "Well, yeah. We always talked about a big family."

"Babe, we're a family of six. That's a big family."

"We only have four kids. Your parents had seven."

Haley crossed her arms over her chest defiantly, "Only? Funny, I don't remember you pushing four bowling balls out of your vag-"

"Okay, okay, I get it. Giving birth is painful but look how worth it, it is" Nathan tried coaxing, inadvertently sliding his hand along Haley's pajama clad thigh.

Haley looked at his hand and rolled her eyes. She knew her husband and how his mind worked. The heat from his hand was hot, but no where near as distracting as he tried to be.

"I only wanted three. You're lucky I budged for the fourth."

"Oh come on! Nick is your little man. You love him."

"Of course I love him," Haley gushed, "I can't imagine life without him, but four is where I draw the line."

"Hales," Nathan whined, "One or two more can't hurt."

Haley scoffed, "Easy for you to say."

"Okay, poor choice of words. Yes, it'll hurt a little, but don't you want another little girl? Lydia wants a little sister. Remember how upset she was when we told her Nick was a boy?"

Haley sighed, knowing she was losing yet another battle. One look into his bright, beaming blue eyes and she turned into a melting mushy marshmallow.

"Nathan, I love you. I love our family, but I'm one of seven and I remember there were days where I barely talked to my parents because they were so busy. I don't want that for our kids. I don't want them ever feeling left out-"

"They won't. We're good. We always make sure they have equal love and affection."

"Yeah, because we have four kids, not ten!"

Nathan reached for her hand and squeezed it softly, "Look, I grew up mostly as an only child and it sucked. I always wanted a big family-"

Haley scoffed again, and reached her hand out, the one not in Nathan's comforting grip, to run across his cheek.

"Don't be ridiculous, Nathan. Before me, you never wanted a family."

Nathan smiled adoringly, "But when I did meet you, you awakened a feeling I never knew I wanted and that's the need for family. Plus, we're pretty amazing at the whole baby making thing," he wiggled his eyebrows.

Haley's cheeks flushed, "We can still make love without making babies. In fact, you can get a vasectomy so we don't have to worry-"

"No way. Absolutely not." Nathan shook his head vehemently, pulling away from Haley as if burned.

She bit her lip gently, "Okay, fine. No vasectomy, but we are not having ten kids."

"Nine?"

"No."

"Eight?"

"No."

"Seven?"

"No."

"Fine. Six."

"Nathan, no!" She tried to protest but it came out all giggly.

He smirked, "One more. Let's even get started right now."

Haley laughed when Nathan started tickling her, and fell back onto the couch with him hovering above her, wandering hands and all.

"You're so beautiful, Haley James Scott."

Haley smiled, "Nice try, but still not having six kids."

"Five?"

"I'll think about it."

A full blown smirk stretched across his lips. "Can we get started now?"

"Nathan, no. We just had Nick. If I decide on number five, it's going to be a few years from now."

"Haley-" he whined again.

"Nope," she protested but was cut off with a heated kiss, only pulling away seconds later. "Nathan, I'm serious. Just wait a few more years and then we can discuss a fifth."

He pouted, "But I want another one."

Haley rolled her eyes, patting his cheek. "And maybe I'll give you another one but only if you're good."

"Okay," he grinned innocently, letting his hands wander over her sides, tickling the exposed skin.

Haley gave him a pointed look, "That's not what I mean by 'good', and if I remember correctly, the last time we had a tickle fight was what lead to Nicholas."

Nathan's smirk widened, "That's exactly what I'm trying to do."

Haley giggled against his lips, placing a playful kiss there. "You better not knock me up, Scott."

"And what if I do?" He asked, grinning cockily.

Haley's fingers wandered under his shirt, rubbing the hard skin outlining his abs, "I suppose it wouldn't be the worst thing to happen…"

"Oh yeah?" He bit at the skin below her jaw, causing her eyes to snap shut.

"Yeah, except for the fact I'm still on the pill and I won't be going off for at least another two years, so let's keep practicing."

Nathan pulled away, pouting, only for it to replace with another cocky grin. "I knocked you up twice when you were still on the pill. I bet I can do it again."

"Is that a challenge?" Haley laughed, kissing him again.

"Oh, baby, it's a promise."