Hello everyone I would like to thank mcdonalm5687 for the idea of this story. It's loosely based on the movie Love & Basketball. It's going to be five chapters long.

Basketball & Love

"Grandma, grandpa can you tell us a story?" Gracie asks.

Brittany smiles at their seven year old granddaughter taking a seat next to her husband Santiago. The pair has been married for over fifty years now.

"I don't know if I have any good stores." Brittany says smiling at her husband.

"Yes you do grandma." Nick their seven-teen year old grandson says.

"I don't San, do you have any stories?" Brittany says squeezing her husband's hand.

"None that I can think of." Santiago says smiling.

"Oh come on dad just tell them the story." Julia their daughter says.

"Grandpa we want to know how you met grandma." Willie their twelve year old grandson says.

Santiago looks over at his wife who just smiles and nods. It's become a family tradition that every Thanksgiving they tell part story of how they met as they normally start too and the grandkids start falling asleep. This year though Gracie decided to ask extra early hoping they can hear the whole story.

"Okay everyone gather around." Santiago says.

Their fifteen grandkids, six kids and their kids four spouses all surround the couple excited to hear the whole story all the way through hopefully.

"Now this all started years ago." Santiago says. "The day I meet your grandmother was a week after my ninth birthday and I had just got a new pair of Jordan's. Being cocky I headed down the street to the neighborhood basketball court just next door to this very house."

Flashback 1996

"Move it losers." Santiago says grabbing the basketball from the group of kids there.

"Hey!" Brittany shouts marching over to him. "Give us back our ball." she demands.

"No, Santiago says dribbling the ball next to him.

Brittany swipes at it and manages to knock it away from Santiago who instantly gets in her face.

"Hey I was playing with that." Santiago says.

"We were playing with it first." Brittany says dribbling the ball through her legs then behind her back.

"You think you're such a hot shot." Santiago growls trying to take the ball back, but whiffing.

"I don't think I am cause I know I am." Brittany says not cocky at all.

"No you're not, my dad is Rubio Lopez the famous Warriors guard. I'm going to be a big star like him." Santiago confidently says.

"Really?" Brittany says staring at him with wide eyes. "That's so cool, do you want to play with us?" she asks.

"No, I don't play with losers." Santiago says that is until he sees her pout. "Fine just stop doing that." he says waving at her face.

"Good, you can be on Eric's team maybe they'll actually stand a chance of beating my team." Brittany says all smiles as she continues to dribble.

"We'll kick your ass." Santiago says as the group breaks in half hour boys with Santiago and three boys behind Brittany.

The two other boys and five girls sit over on the side to cheer the game on before they get their chance.

"Go Britt!" the group of girls shout.

"How good is she?" Santiago asks the guys on his team.

"Very good why do you think we have one more member." Eric says rolling his eyes.

"I like a challenge." Santiago says not entirely sure he'll be challenged at all.

"Let's go," Brittany says.

Brittany bodies up Santiago before shoving off and catching a pass. She dribbles between her legs, dukes him off of her and pulls back shooting a fifteen footer. It's nothing but net. He stares at her with his mouth wide open. This girl can play.

"Shut your fly trap and let's go play." Brittany says handing him the ball and getting into a defensive position.

Santiago shuts his mouth and gulps, he's never had to play against anyone his own age who is as good as him.

"You're on," Santiago says getting some of his cockiness back.

He passes her the ball and she passes it back. He tries to fake her out, but she doesn't fall for it and stays in front of him. Pulling up he shoots only to have it stuffed back in his face by her. She's about five inches taller than him which made it easier for her to block his shot. It takes a few buckets scared by Brittany before Santiago starts to get in a grove himself. It's basically them doing everything and their teammates just watching. They end up tied twenty to twenty.

"Next basket wins?" Brittany asks bouncing the ball to him.

"Yeah," Santiago says bouncing the ball back.

He crouches down and gets ready for her to back him down. Instead this time she shoots from where she's standing and banks the shot.

"Good game," Brittany says holding out her hand.

"Thanks," Santiago says surprising himself by shaking her hand. "You were really good too."

"Since you're as good as me maybe we can practice together. I hardly ever find anyone who can challenge me." Brittany says all smiles.

"I guess," Santiago softly says.

"Brittany!" Susan Pierce shouts from their house next door to the basketball court. "Time to come home!"

"See you later." Brittany says waving at him.

Santiago watches her leave and wonders why he actually likes her before shaking his head and looking at the group left.

"Want to play more?" Santiago asks.

"Can't we all have to head home too." one of the girl's says. "But we'll be here tomorrow if you want to join."

He frowns as everyone leaves before heading home himself making a plan to show up again tomorrow.

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"My mom wants to know if you'd like to come over for dinner." Brittany says after they've played another game of one on one a few weeks later.

"I can't tonight, my dad's coming home and he promised to show me a few moves." Santiago says all happy.

He and Brittany have become fast friends playing one on one every day. Most of the time they've spent together has been playing or practicing together. The more time they've spent together the more Santiago likes Brittany, all her quirkiness he finds cute.

"That's so cool; well I hope you have fun." Brittany says all smiles. "And you can come over some other time."

"Let's play before I have to go home." Santiago says stealing the ball from her and laying it up.

"First to twenty-one." Brittany says.

"Of course," Santiago says.

Three games later they both fall onto the grass exhausted. Brittany props herself onto her elbows and stares at Santiago.

"What?" Santiago asks.

"What's your dad like?" Brittany asks.

"What's yours like?" Santiago retorts back.

"I asked first." Brittany says pouting.

"Fine," Santiago sighs. "My dad's very bust, calling games and being a scout for the Warriors. He just retired three years ago after playing professionally for fifteen years. When he's home it's amazing, I'll ask if you can come over while he's home."

"I would love to." Brittany says trying to hold back a smile.

"So what's your dad like?" Santiago asks curious about the blonde's parents.

"He's nowhere nearly as cool as your dad, but he's very chill and always around if I want to talk." Brittany starts. "He's a doctor, a kid doctor."

"He sounds like a good dad." Santiago says wishing that his dad was more like that. "What about your mom?" he asks.

"My mom's a teacher at the high school and I have three younger siblings, two sisters and a brother." Brittany tells him. "What about you?" she asks.

"I'm an only child and my mom stays at home, she does some charity things." Santiago says feeling bad.

"Well if you're ever lonely then you're welcome to come over to my house." Brittany offers.

"Thanks," Santiago says getting up and then helping Brittany to her feet.

Just then a white Mercedes drives by honking it's horn.

"I have to go, that's my dad." Santiago says running down the street to his house.

Brittany waves even though she knows he can't see her. She's happy for him that his dad is back and hopes that maybe she can meet him.

"Brittany! Come home!" Susan shouts.

"Coming mom!" Brittany shouts back running across the court to her house.

"Did you ask your friend to come over some time for dinner?" Susan asks her very forgetful daughter.

"Yes, but he can't come for a few nights as his dad just got back." Brittany says flopping on the couch and turning on the game.

"Well you should invite them all. I'd love to meet Santiago's parents." Susan says so glad her daughter has found a friend.

"You can they live down the street in the big white house." Brittany tells her mom.

She doesn't want to push her luck as she can tell that Santiago's not too font of his parents by the way he talked about them.

"Wait is his last name Lopez." Susan asks her daughter.

"Yep and his dad use to play for the Warriors." Brittany tells her mom.

"I'll have to call Maria and invite them over. I didn't realize that Santiago was her son." Susan says mostly to herself.

Fifteen minutes later the phone rings and Paul Pierce answers the phone. After talking for a few minutes he yells at his daughter to come over.

"What?" Brittany says walking over.

"No yelling," Amelia Pierce, Brittany's youngest sister says tottering after her mom.

"The phone is for you." Paul says handing her the phone.

'Hello,' Brittany says.

'Hi Britt,' Santiago says which causes Brittany to smile. 'My dad's going to be teaching me somethings and wanted to know if you wanted to come over. He and my mom would like to meet you. You can stay for dinner.' he rambles hoping she'll say yes.

'Hold on I have to ask my mom.' Brittany says running into the living room looking for her mom. "Mom can I go have dinner at Santiago?" she asks.

"Sure, but set a date for them all to come over." Susan tells her daughter.

'I'll be over in five minutes.' Brittany tells him.

'Cool I'll tell my parents.' Santiago says.

When they hang up Santiago's smile is huge. His family is finally going to meet one of his friends and he's sure his dad is going to like her.

"Mami, we have to have something not spicy. She's not used to eating spicy food." Santiago instructs.

"Okay," Maria says looking over at her husband smiling.

"You're sure she can keep up with us?" Rubio asks skeptical of having this girl come over, but his wife over ruled him.

"Trust me dad she'll surprise you." Santiago says running to the door when he hears a knock on the door.

"Be nice honey, this is the first friend he's ever brought home or that I think he's ever had." Maria tells her husband.

"I know, but I thought he wanted to practice. You know this isn't going to be a good practice with her here." Rubio grumbles.

"Just give her a chance she might surprise you." Maria softly says as Santiago leads Brittany into the living room.

"Mami, dad this is my best friend Brittany. Britt these are my parents Rubio and Maria." Santiago says surprised when Brittany walks straight up to his parents and holds out her hand.

"It's very nice to meet you both." Brittany says.

"I hope you like tacos." Maria says smiling at the very friendly blonde.

"I do," Brittany says before turning to face Rubio. "Are we going to play before or after we eat?" she asks.

"Before," Rubio says a little shocked she'd ask.

"Good I like a workout before I eat." Brittany says.

Santiago just smiles as he leads Brittany out back to their private basketball court.

"You have your own court?" Brittany asks.

"Yep," Santiago says pulling out a basketball. "You ready?"

"Heck yes," Brittany says. "We're practicing here from now on."

"Why didn't you tell her we have our own court?" Rubio asks coming out and putting a couple water bottles on the ground.

"I like playing with the other kids sometimes." Santiago says.

"It's really him versus me." Brittany tells Rubio. "I win more than half the time."

Rubio chuckles at the very friendly blonde who he's starting to understand why his son is friends with.

"Well let's see how you two do against me." Rubio says pulling off his jacket and sweatpants.

Santiago and Brittany huddle up to discuss what they're going to do.

"I've never beat him." Santiago says. "He'll go hard on us. He says it will make us better to lose so when we win it will be even sweeter."

"I'll handle the ball up top and you get free to shot, we're going to beat him together." Brittany says smiling at the thought of beating a professional basketball player.

"Whatever you say Britt." Santiago says before they break the huddle.

He always listens to her as even though he hates to admit it she is a better player than her at least for now.

"You two ready to lose." Rubio says getting down into a defensive crouch.

"You're going down." Brittany says back.

Santiago gulps, looking up at his dad nervously. He really didn't have to worry as all his dad does is laugh at his best friend.

"You're on little one." Rubio says liking her fire.

"Hey I'm almost five feet tall." Brittany says passing him the ball.

"And I'm six foot eleven." Rubio says passing her the ball back.

She starts dribbling and heads to the left while Santiago goes down the middle of the key. Rubio thinks he knows what she's going to do so he backs off to guard his son. Instead of passing she pulls up and shoots.

"Damn," Rubio says. "That was nothing but net." he says very impressed.

"I told you she was good." Santiago says.

The next play Rubio expects her to try and shoot so he gets up on her. Instead she bounce passes the ball between his legs and Santiago shots a layup.

"Just great, you two are outsmarting me." Rubio says shaking his head.

"That's right dad." Santiago says smiling.

They end up beating Rubio twenty-one to ten. The next round Rubio beats them twenty-one to twenty. Though Rubio is very impressed on how the two of them played together. He thinks his son's play has greatly improved and he thinks it's thanks to Brittany.

"Okay everyone enough games, dinner is ready." Maria says coming out.

"Honey we need to play one more game to see who the winner is." Rubio whines.

"You three can play after dinner." Maria says turning and heading back into the house.

"Dad?" Santiago says.

"Well you heard your mom." Rubio says shooting the ball and sinking the shot.

"Can we finish after dinner dad?" Santiago asks.

"If Brittany can stay sure." Rubio says.

They look around and find out that Brittany has already headed in.

"She's really talented you should ask her to be on the select team this fall." Rubio says ushering his son in.

"Can she? The whole team is boys." Santiago says.

"I can make it happen." Rubio says. "She seems to push you more than anyone else."

"I lost to her the first time we played after that she wanted to be friends. I like that I can't always beat her." Santiago happily says.

"That's good," Rubio says slapping his back.

"Boys take a seat and no basketball talk at the table." Maria tells them.

"Yes mami," Santiago says.

"Yes honey," Rubio says pulling out the chair for her.

"Wow Mrs. Lopez, this is really good." Brittany says taking a huge bite of her taco.

"Thanks you and you can call me Maria." Maria says.

"So Mr. Lopez what do you do now? San mentioned that you'd been gone." Brittany asks between bites.

"I'm an announcer for ESPN and I've been away calling some summer league games." Rubio tells her very proud. "And please call me Rubio."

"Have you considered coaching or is announcing what you want to do?" Brittany asks very curious about him.

"I do plan on coaching, but only Santiago's teams and announcing gives me the flexibility to do so." Rubio says.

"That sounds really cool, I wish my dad knew enough about basketball to help out." Brittany says.

Brittany and Rubio continue to talk and Maria takes the opportunity to talk to her son.

"She's very nice." Maria quietly says.

"I like playing against her." Santiago says.

Maria just smiles at her son as he's truly clueless to the fact that he has a crush on her.

"Maria, my mom wanted me to invite you all over for dinner on Saturday." Brittany says looking over at her.

"We'd love to, tell your mom I'll call her tomorrow." Maria says. "Now go finish up your game." she says as she can see how antsy her son and husband are.

"Thanks mami," Santiago says jumping up, grabbing Brittany's hand and pulling her along with him.

"Are the Pierce's new to the neighborhood? I don't think I've meet them." Rubio asks his wife.

"They moved into the house right next to the community basketball court over a year ago." Maria tells him. "Don't worry I think you'll like them. The father is a doctor and Susan is a high school teacher."

"Okay," Rubio starts to say before he's interrupted.

"Dad come on Britt has to be home in forty minutes." Santiago says.

"I'm coming,"

End Flashback

"I have to pee." Gracie whines.

"Go on honey, we'll wait for you to come back." Brittany sweetly says smiling at her granddaughter.

"Let's all take a five minute break to go to the bathroom and refuel." Jordy their oldest son says.

"Grandpa," Ruby who happens to be his favorite softly says.

"Yes sweetie," Santiago says lifting her up on his lap.

"Did you know liked grandma when you first met her?" Ruby sweetly asks.

"I liked her as a friend, but it wasn't until much later that I realized my feelings for her." Santiago says.

"Your grandpa may not have realized his feelings for me, but he was very protective of me." Brittany says as everyone sits back down ready for them to continue.

Flashback 1998

"Hey Sanny," Brittany says as they walk to the bus. "Are you ready for middle school?" she asks.

"Yeah, did you get your schedule yet?" Santiago asks looking up at his friend who is now very tall at five foot ten.

"He's still quite short at only five foot three. He's hoping that maybe he'll hit a growth spurt soon as thanks to her height Brittany is a much better basketball player.

"No, but I think we have all our classes together my mom asked if it was possible." Brittany says.

"That's good we can study together and I can help you when needed." Santiago says.

"The only sad thing is we won't be on the same team anymore at least the school team." Brittany sadly says.

"I'm sure my dad can fix that." Santiago says grabbing Brittany's hand as they get on the bus.

He leads them to the middle of the bus and waits for Brittany to slide into the empty seat. He sits on the outside ready to protect Brittany if need be. He's been her protector from teasing for her height since they met.

"This is so cool." Brittany whispers leaning into him.

"It's the same route as elementary school." Santiago says.

"Yeah but now we're with the high schoolers and the very cute boys." Brittany swoons looking back at them.

"Whatever," Santiago grumbles under his breath.

"So I was thinking of trying out for the volleyball team to keep in shape for basketball." Brittany happily says. "What do you think?"

"Aren't you going to be on the Lightning again? It would suck to lose you." Santiago says worried that she might quit and they won't be as good without her and his dad will blame him.

"Of course I am, I want to play pro basketball one day." Brittany says. "I'd never leave you with them all alone."

"Thanks Britt," Santiago laughs.

The rest of the bus ride they joke around together ignoring everyone else around them.

"Stay near me Britt I don't want to lose you." Santiago says as they get off the bus.

"Why would I get lost?" Brittany asks frowning.

"Because this place is much bigger than our old school." Santiago tells her leading her in and towards the library.

He did research so he'd know where to go.

"Sanny," Brittany whispers when three guys come over.

"Look what we have little sixers." one of the boys say.

"Leave us the fuck alone." Santiago puffs his chest out hoping it scares them away.

"Mr. Smith and company leave." a tall blonde teacher harshly says.

"But coach Sue." the lead guy says.

"Get going," Sue growls before turning to the two sixth graders. "You two must be who Rubio keeps talking about. His son and a very talented young woman friend."

"Hi I'm Brittany." Brittany happily says.

"Aren't you the high school coach?" Santiago asks.

"I am, but I help out with the teams here too and I came to find you two." Sue tells them. "The high school teams are holding tryouts and I want you two to tryout."

"I'd love too." Brittany says bumping Santiago.

"Yeah," Santiago says.

"You're way too happy blondie tone it down for practice." Sue says leaving not wanting to be around these little kids anymore.

"That was strange." Brittany softly says.

"It's fine Britt that's just Sue, but at least she wants us on the high school team. We'd be much more challenged playing on the high school level." Santiago tells her,

Brittany just nods and follows him into the library to grab their schedules. She squeals when she sees that they do have all their classes together.

"We have gym first, does this mean I don't have to get dressed in the morning now." Brittany happily asks.

"Maybe instead you could wear your gym clothes." Santiago says not wanting her to get teased.

"That sounds better." Brittany says as they head down to the gym.

Brittany loops her arm through Santiago's as they walk.

"Why do we have so many teachers now?" Brittany asks after about a minute of silence. "I liked only having one main teacher."

"Because we're learning harder stuff now." Santiago tries to explain.

"But can't one teacher teach us that. Teachers are very smart." Brittany tells him letting go of him and starts skipping.

"Britt, wait up." Santiago says jogging to catch up to her.

"So?" Brittany says stopping to stare at him.

"The teachers start specializing in subjects now." Santiago softly says. "Now let's go in before we're late."

"After gym they have math followed by English. Now they're in their homeroom before they'll head to lunch."

"Welcome to your homeroom I'm Ms. Baker."

"She looks like a nice lady." Brittany whispers to Santiago.

"Hopefully," Santiago whispers back.

"Let's go around and same your name and an interesting thing about you." Ms. Baker tells them all.

Santiago doesn't pay attention at all to what the rest of the class is saying, he passes notes on basketball plays with Brittany. That is until Brittany stands up since it's her turn to talk.

"Hi, I'm Brittany S. Pierce and I'm going to be a pro basketball player after I graduate college." Brittany says smiling as she gets a few chuckles to which Santiago glares at them. "This is Santiago Lopez and his dad is former basketball player Rubio Lopez. We play basketball together." she says for him.

"Britt," Santiago hisses pulling her down.

"What I figured you didn't want to talk." Brittany says innocently.

"Well I didn't want you to talk for me." Santiago harshly says.

A single tear drops onto her desk before Brittany starts sobbing and runs out of the classroom.

End Flashback

"Grandpa you were mean to grandma." Gracie says shocked.

"You're grandpa went through several stupid fazes and this is one of them." Brittany explains. "Don't worry your great grandparents set him straight."

Flashback 1998

"Where's Brittany?" Rubio asks when Santiago comes down for dinner. "I haven't seen her in the last few days and she didn't show for practice yesterday." he says worried about the very friendly blonde. "Do you know if she's sick?" he asks his son.

"I don't know, I haven't talked to her since the start of school." Santiago says shrugging.

"What did you do?" Maria asks coming in with her arms crossed.

"Nothing mami she just stopped talking to me." Santiago says.

"Well you must have down something son, women can be tricky but Brittany is like most women." Rubio points out.

"I don't know." Santiago says not wanting to discuss this.

"San," Maria sternly says knowing that Brittany is his only real friend and he's seemed sad the last few days.

"Fine she spoke for me in class and I may have spoken harshly to her about it." Santiago sighs.

"Santiago, you know Brittany is sensitive and she talks for you because you're so quiet." Maria points out trying to guilt him. "You need to apologize."

Santiago sighs; he knows that she is right and that he needs to go apologize.

"I'll be back later." Santiago says heading out the door.

"Good job honey." Rubio says.

Santiago jogs down the street to Brittany's house. He slows down and walks up to the door, taking a deep breath before knocking.

"Santiago?" Susan says when she opens the door.

"Hi Mrs. Pierce is Brittany home?" Santiago asks.

"She is, but I don't know if she wants to see you." Susan says.

"Please Mrs. Pierce, I really need to apologize for yelling at her." Santiago says begging.

"Okay go on up." Susan says.

He runs up the stairs and skids to a halt at her bedroom door. The door is shut so he knocks hoping she tells him to just come in. After a few minutes of waiting for some reply he just opens the door to see her laying on the bed.

"Hey Britt," Santiago hesitantly says.

Instead of replying she turns her back to him.

"I'm sorry I hurt your feelings." Santiago quickly says trying to get this over with.

"What?" Brittany says turning to face him.

"I'm sorry for hurting your feelings and speaking harshly to you." Santiago says sitting next to her.

"I was just trying to help you out." Brittany sniffles.

"I know Britt Britt, but I didn't want everyone to know my dad used to play in the NBA." Santiago says.

"Why not? I think it's so cool. If he were my dad I'd be telling everyone." Brittany says sitting up to stare into his eyes.

"Because of the pressure to be great like him." Santiago softly says looking down at the ground. "Plus people only want to be my friend because of my dad."

"Well I'll always be your friend." Brittany says leaning into him. "You know I never cared about who your dad is."

"I know," Santiago says. "Come on let's go play a game of pick up."

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The end of November brought basketball season and tryouts for the two of them. Being extremely talented as they are Sue who is the high school girl's coach asked Brittany to join the JV team. She gladly excepted knowing that playing against better talent would make her better. Santiago got asked by the boy's team coach Beiste to be on their JV team.

"Pierce get a move on it." Sue shouts as all three teams jog around the gym.

"But coach I finished running already." Brittany says standing in front of her coach almost as tall as her.

"You finished fifty laps already." Sue says not believing her.

"Yes coach we all did five laps ago." Brittany says.

Sue glares at Brittany before yelling, "fine take a five minute water break."

"Wow you're brave." a short brown hair girl says coming over to Brittany.

"She's not that scary." Brittany says shrugging.

"Yes she is, I'm Katie sophomore trying to make the JV team this year." Katie says holding out her hand.

"Hi Katie," Brittany says shaking her hand. "I'm Brittany and I'm in sixth grade."

"Oh so you're the middle schooler who's supposed to be really talented." Katie says smiling at her.

"Yes," Brittany says. "This isn't a problem for you is it? Some of the girls have made it clear they don't like me."

"I don't care so long as you're good enough it shouldn't matter." Katie says causing Brittany to smile.

"Okay lazy bums get into six layup lines and start shooting until I tell you to stop." Sue shouts.

Brittany likes shooting layups and finds it fun to continuously shoot. Switching from left to right, she's the only one to truly shoot with both her hands.

"Losers stop!" Sue shouts. "Why is it that the middle schooler is the only one of you to actually shoot with both hands! I may have to put her on varsity since the rest of you suck."

Across the hall in gym B the boys are holding their tryouts.

"Coach no one wants to be my partner." Santiago says.

"Go shoot, I'll talk to them." Beiste growls.

"Can't-" Santiago starts before Beiste throws him a ball.

"Boys! I know that this is not normal but Santiago is way more talented than most of you!" Beiste shouts. "But you will treat him as an equal or I will kick you off the team."

"Coach!" Jeff the best senior player says.

"I will kick any of you off." Beiste warns.

The rest of practice goes smoothly for him as the high schoolers start to treat him better at least when Beiste is looking.

"Sanny," Brittany says waiting outside the boys locker room for him.

"Hey Britt Britt, how'd practice go?" Santiago asks taking her bag out of her hands and carrying it.

"Good I made a friend." Brittany happily says. "Her name is Katie."

"That's good," Santiago says less worried now that someone is going to say something mean to her.

"So how did your practice go?" Brittany asks.

"Okay, the team hates me though." Santiago says shrugging.

"I'm sure they'll like you when they get to know you." Brittany says waving at her mom and Rubio who have come to pick them up.

"I don't think so." Santiago whispers following her.