A/N: Here is the first chapter of the long awaited story: Accidentally in Love. Hope you all enjoy it.
Chapter One
Time was running out. There was only seconds left on the clock. Nathan Scott knew that there was only one shot at this. There was no time to pass the ball off to someone else. He threw the ball towards the hoop and held his breath. He smiled widely as it soared in just as the buzzer went off.
Nathan cheered along with the rest of his teammates as they heard that the Bobcats had won the game. He embraced his teammates in hugs as the crowd cheered from the stands. Nathan then made his way through as he searched for his two favorite fans.
His children spotted him first and ran over to their father. They embraced him in hugs and kisses. "You did awesome, Dad," seven-year-old Tristan told him proudly. Four-year-old Cassie nodded in agreement.
"You certainly did, son," his father added proudly as he brought the rest of the family over. Deb embraced her son in a tight hug as Lucas congratulated Nathan on another successful win. He then let his children six-year-old Zach and four-year-old Penny take over the praises until their grandfather stopped them. "Alright, let's give your Uncle Nathan room to breathe."
"Why don't I shower up and then we'll go back to the house and celebrate our victory with ice cream?" Nathan suggested. The children cheered as he hugged Tristan and Cassie one last time. "I'll be out as soon as I can." He then quickly said good-bye as he went through the crowd again. It took him a little longer since the fans wanted to congratulate him, get his autograph or picture or both. He was happy to get this type of attention. It was better than the bad press that he had been getting for the last few months.
However, he didn't want to think about that tonight. This was a night for celebration. And he wasn't planning on wasting it. He was going to spend some much needed time with his children before he would get some rest. As soon as he was done with his shower, he headed back to the gym to find his family.
Once he got back, he saw that his friend and agent Clay Evans was talking with his dad and Lucas while Clay's son Logan played with Tristan and Zach. However, the boys stopped for a moment as Nathan walked over to them. He greeted them as he noticed that there were three missing.
"Mom took the girls to the bathroom," Lucas told him, who knew what he was thinking. "I think that they drank too much soda during the game."
"Really? Because I thought girls go to the bathroom in pairs all the time," Nathan joked as they saw that Deb and the little girls had returned. Cassie ran to her father and embraced him in another hug. He lifted her up and turned to his family. "Now that we are all here, who wants some ice cream?"
There were squeals of delight as the children jumped for joy. Their parents tried to calm them down as they headed to the parking lot. They then figured out who was riding with whom before they started to drive back to the house.
Clay was Nathan's only passenger since Deb had the girls and Lucas was driving all three boys. Dan had driven in a separate car than his wife and he was planning to drive home. He had to get back to the house to finish up some work. Dan was a busy lawyer, but he had taken the night off to go and watch his son in the game.
Nathan was glad that Dan wasn't going to ride in his car. All he would talk about was basketball. He was done with the game for the night. Even though Clay was his agent, he was willing to talk about other things than just basketball. That was what made him a great friend. However, there was one subject that he hoped Clay wouldn't bring up: his wife.
To Nathan's annoyance, Clay did start asking him about his private life. "So what's going with you and Renee?" His client didn't respond. "Come on, Nate. I'm your agent. I have the right to know what is really going on with you two."
"You mean you don't believe all those rumors in those magazines?" Nathan asked. "Unfortunately, they aren't that far from the truth." Clay was about to ask when his friend didn't let him interrupt. "Renee had an affair with another man, but she told me that it's over. I don't know if I should believe her though. So that's why we've been separated."
Clay frowned. "That's not what I've heard." Nathan turned to him, curious to hear what he had to say. "I don't pay attention to rumors, but I've heard that you were the one cheating on Renee." Nathan wasn't surprised that fingers were being pointed at him. It always happened when they had separated. "Nate, how much longer this will go on between you two? Your marriage has been struggling ever since you started your basketball career. Don't you think it's time that you called it quits for good?"
Nathan let out a heavy sigh. He knew that a lecture like this was coming. He just didn't think Clay would be the first one to give it. "I know I should, but I don't want to put my kids through a messy custody battle."
Clay knew he had a point. "I'm sure they will understand that their parents are happier apart, but I'm not going to pressure you into doing it."
"Good because you are probably the only one who will let me deal with Renee," Nathan replied. He wasn't looking forward to that conversation, but it wasn't one that he had to hear tonight. He quickly changed the subject and Clay knew the conversation was over.
When they arrived at Lucas's house, Brooke and little Noah, who was one, was there waiting for them. However, she wasn't exactly happy when she found out that the children were promised ice cream at this late hour. She couldn't resist allowing them to have the treat since her pregnancy cravings were getting the best of her.
Nathan was a little jealous that his brother was happily married to his wife and they were expecting their fourth child. Then again, he never did want the big family. He thought two children was enough, but Renee wanted one last baby. They had tried for a third child. Unfortunately, that had always ended up in a miscarriage. That had also been putting a strain on their marriage for awhile, but eventually, both Renee and Nathan agreed that it was for the best.
"You're so lucky that I'm pregnant," Brooke warned Nathan as they were sitting down around the kitchen table. The children were in the den, watching a movie. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have allowed the children to eat this late."
"I should make you pregnant more often," Lucas teased her. "Then we can spoil the children all of the time."
Brooke gave her husband a look. "Just because I've had an easy pregnancy with this one doesn't mean I want to do this all the time. After this, we're taking a long break. And you're not going to bring up another child until this baby is two or three, got it?"
"Are you two planning to go for a record?" Nathan asked. "Because I don't think you can handle another one. You can barely manage the three you have now."
"Why do you think we're planning to hire a nanny?" Brooke asked him. Nathan frowned in confusion. Brooke realized her mistake. "I'm sorry. I thought Lucas told you that we were changing baby-sitters."
"I didn't have a chance to get around to it," Lucas replied. "We would put Noah back in the daycare that he was attending, but we've had some problems with the workers there. So we decided to find an alternative. We would ask the grandparents, but we know that they are busy with their own work."
Deb gave her son a stern look. "Darling, you know that your father and I love looking after our grandchildren. I'm sure Brooke's parents would say the same thing."
"According to the children, my parents aren't as fun as you and Dan are," Brooke pouted. "And I hate to admit it, but they are right." She turned to her husband. "Promise me that we will be the fun grandparents."
Lucas gave her a comforting smile. "Don't worry. We'll be the ones who will want to spend time with them, not just buy their love with extravagant gifts." They were about to make out when they remembered that they still had guests. They turned to them in embarrassment. "What were we talking about?" Lucas asked.
Deb just smiled in amusement. "You were explaining why you were getting a nanny for your children."
"Renee and I had a nanny for the kids when we first brought Cassie home," Nathan said. "But I don't think it's really necessary now. They are both going to be in school soon."
"What if you and Renee stay separated and then go on with a divorce?" Deb pointed out. "Somebody will have to watch them after school and in the evenings while you are at your games. You might want to consider it."
"I don't know if Renee would go for that though," Nathan said. "She had a hard time when we had a nanny the first time. I'm not sure how she would feel if we hire a nanny for a second time."
"Then don't hire one who wants to pay more attention to you than the kids," Brooke suggested. "You should hire someone who has experience with kids and doesn't care that you are a basketball player."
Deb instantly gave her family a wide smile. "I think I know who would be just perfect for the job. Her name is Haley James. She works in the children's section of the public library. I see her all the time when I take the children there. During our first meeting, she told me that she loved children and used to baby-sit all the time when she was in junior high up into high school. Then she started her career as a nanny. She did that for a couple of years before she stopped."
"What caused her to stop?" Nathan asked curiously.
Deb thought for a moment before she gave her answer. "I'm not sure," she replied. "She never really wanted to talk about the reason. So I respected her privacy and didn't ask about it anymore."
"What makes you think that she will want to get back into taking care of children?" Brooke asked.
"Because she didn't seem to care that my last name was Scott," Deb replied.
"Maybe she wants to respect your privacy and not make a big fuss about it," Brooke suggested as the children came in with their empty bowls. They put them in the sink before they were gently ordered to say their good nights before going upstairs to get ready for bed.
"Are you sure you don't mind Tristan and Cassie sleeping over tonight?" Nathan asked his brother. They had planned the sleepover days ago, but Nathan wanted to make sure that they could handle having three more kids in the house. Logan was staying over as well.
Lucas gave his brother a comforting smile. "Of course we don't mind. We love having them here. So do their cousins. Besides, we're used to a full house." Nathan knew that was true. "So you and Clay go and celebrate your victory. We'll take care of the rugrats here."
Nathan finally nodded in agreement before he said good-bye to Tristan and Cassie. They promised that they would be good for their aunt and uncle. Nathan waited until Deb and Clay were ready before they headed out the door.
Nathan then walked his mother out to her car. "Promise me that you will think about hiring a nanny," she pressed. "It doesn't have to be Ms. James, but it should be somebody who really knows children well. And you do know that you can call me or your father any time you need help."
"I'll be fine," Nathan assured her. "But I promise that I will call you guys if I need help with your grandkids."
"Even if you don't need help, please call us," Deb said. "You know how we love hearing from you."
Deb and Nathan then exchanged good-byes before Deb climbed into her car. Nathan watched as she drove away. "Are you going to hire a nanny for Tristan and Cassie?" Clay asked him.
"I don't know," Nathan admitted. "I think I would have to meet Haley James before I make any decisions." However, he knew that he couldn't make any decisions without talking to his wife first. He wasn't looking forward to that conversation, but he knew that it had to be done before he talked to this Haley James. "Let's get going. I'm sure that there is a bar open somewhere." Clay just nodded in agreement as he followed his friend to the car.