A/N: So I decided to make a few minor changes to this story and continue it! The first two chapters will look close to what it was, but I added a couple of things... hope you enjoy! Please review!
Taking a break from his career of playing basketball, a man decided to go back to his hometown for the next few months for some much needed relaxation. After all, he had been on the road playing for the Lakers for months now. Tree Hill, North Carolina was a rather small town, but to him it was the place that held all of his childhood. He had grown up here with his parents and older brother. His father passed away a few years ago due to a massive heart attack, but his mother still lived there and owned a little café in town. His brother had moved to New York to be with his girlfriend after college and was currently working on his second book. It seemed that everyone was living out their dream, but to him, there was something missing. All of his life he lived and breathed basketball. He had been playing since he was ten, and in Tree Hill, he was a legend. His brother played with him in high school, but had to quit due to a rare heart disease.
It seemed though that now at thirty, he wanted something more than just winning championships and playing the sport he loved. He realized that he was lonely and was tired of it. He wanted a family, someone he could come home to and someone he could love just as much as basketball, if not more. To most people, it might sound simple, but to him it wasn't. He had never been in love. Unlike his brother, he never stuck with one girl for very long. He was always the life of the party and every girl wanted to be with him. Looking back now, he isn't proud of his past and the choices he made, but wants to change it. This is why he came back to where it all began, to start over.
It had been six months since her husband died in a car accident. She was left to take care of their five year old son and their two year old daughter; she was only twenty-eight. Her family tried to help her, but it wasn't enough. She needed to get out of the town that held so many memories of him. She would miss her family, but she needed to move on from this, so she could be the mother her kids deserved. She had lived in this town her whole life and met her one true love there, but it was time to let go of the past. She needed a fresh start and she couldn't do it here. She transferred jobs to another town, Tree Hill, North Carolina, where she would be replacing a lady who transferred to Texas.
She had located a nice little house that was in her price range and would be moving in next week. She began packing up everything while managing to take of the kids. Ever since her husband's death, the kids have been what have kept her going. She knew that without them she probably would be in worse shape than she currently was in. Everything was packed up and ready to go, all that was left was to say goodbye to the only place she had ever been able to call home. She realized that she had stopped really living when he died, now it was time to start over.
Haley had just finished packing up her car. Mark and Kenzie were saying goodbye to their grandparents before the five hour trip to Tree Hill. Haley went and hugged her dad before giving her mom a hug as well. Lastly, she hugged her two older brothers before loading her kids in the car. "I'm going to miss you Haley-Bob," her mother said as Haley was getting into the car.
"I'll miss you guys too! I'll call you when we make it to town," she replied before starting her car and driving off.
Mark was sitting in the backseat playing with one of his action figures, while Kenzie began to doze off. After all, it was getting close to her nap time, so Haley turned on some soft music so she could sleep. After about an hour on the road, Mark quietly asked, "Mom, will there be anyone there for me to play with?"
"I'm not sure honey, but I'm sure it won't take you long to make some friends. Are you hungry?" she wondered.
"Not really. I can wait until sis wakes up," he said knowing she wouldn't be up for another hour or so.
"You know you are my favorite little man right?" she said smiling at him from her rearview mirror.
"Mom, I'm your only little man," he replied.
Haley just laughed and continued driving. Halfway to Tree Hill, Kenzie woke up and so Haley stopped at the first McDonalds that she saw. She got both kids out of their seats and took them inside. She ordered Mark a chicken nugget Happy Meal and herself a double cheeseburger before going to sit down. She fed Kenzie some of her fries and bits of her cheeseburger. After they were done eating, she strapped them back in their seats and got back on the road.
By the time they rolled into Tree Hill, Mark was sound asleep in the back seat and Kenzie was looking out the window. Haley pulled into the driveway of the new house and got the kids out. She went and unlocked the door and placed Mark on the couch. The movers had brought all of her furniture a few days ago and set everything up. She placed Kenzie on a blanket on the floor with some of her toys. Then she went out to her car and began hauling boxes inside. After everything was in the house, she didn't feel like cooking. She woke Mark up and loaded Kenzie in the stroller before asking, "How would you guys like to go see Tree Hill and get some dinner?"
Mark smiled and jumped up and down before saying, "Yay!" Kenzie just giggled at her brother.
They began walking aimlessly around the new town. Mark never strayed from her side until he noticed a man playing basketball. He looked up at his mom and asked, "Mom, look! Can I go watch him play?"
"Sure honey, but don't bug him alright," she said looking down into his blue eyes that she never could turn down. After all, it was the one trait he carried from his father along with his dark hair.
Mark ran over to the side of the court and sat down in the grass. The man didn't notice him at first, but then smiled at the little boy. "Hey little man, whatcha doing over there by yourself? Do you wanna play?" he asked.
"Can I?" Mark answered with a grin.
"Of course, what's your name?" he said holding the basketball out to the boy.
"Mark, but my mom told me not to bug you," Mark replied.
Nathan looked down at the boy and smiled, "You're not bugging me. I'm Nathan, by the way. You must be new in town. Did your family just move here?"
"Just my mom, my little sister, and me. We moved here this afternoon. They are over there playing on the swings. She said I could come watch you for a few minutes before we went to find something for dinner," Mark said before finally taking a breath.
"Well how about we play some basketball and then I'll take your family out for dinner afterwards," Nathan suggested.
"Ok," he said before taking the basketball, bouncing it, then throwing it at the net. Unfortunately, he missed the first time, but Nathan helped him out.
After about fifteen or so minutes, Haley made her way over to the guys. "Mark, it's time to go eat dinner. Thank the man for playing with you…" she started.
"Actually I was going to invite you to dinner with me. I know a good place in town that I would love to take you guys to. I'm Nathan, by the way. Mark tells me you just moved here," he says looking straight at her.
"Yea mom, can we go eat with Nathan," Mark begged.
"It seems my son isn't afraid to talk to strangers. I guess I can accept the offer though since I'm not familiar with the town yet. I hope he was on his best behavior though. He's been in a car all afternoon and needless to say he's a little hyper. I'm sorry if he bothered you. I'm Haley," Haley apologized.
"He was no problem at all. Since the place is not far, I thought we could walk and maybe you could tell me something about yourself," he wondered.
Haley just walked on with him in silence before finally saying, "I'm a widow with two kids."
Nathan was speechless for a few minutes. He wasn't sure quite what to say without sounding like an idiot. So he simply said, "I'm sorry."
They got to the café in a matter of minutes, but the walk had been eerily quiet after her confession. He held the door for them to go inside and they found a booth in the corner. Then he went and got a high chair for the little girl. "What's your name cutie?" he asked.
"Dada," she yelled. Haley froze for a second before tears rolled down her face. Kenzie had yet to talk, but 'dada' and 'hi' were the only two words in her vocabulary.
Nathan was stunned for the second time tonight. He didn't think before taking Haley in his arms and hugged her while she cried. Mark just sat next to his sister and watched the interaction between the two adults.
Haley finally pulled away and whispered, "I'm sorry about that. It's just she hasn't said that in over six months."
"I understand. Are you alright though? I can go get you some water or something if you want," he said worriedly. The waitress walked over just as he said this though.
"Well Nate, I didn't know you were coming in tonight, especially with company. Excuse my son for not introducing us, I'm Karen. What can I get for you?" she said with a genuine smile.
"Hello I'm Haley and these are my two kids, Mark and Kenzie. Can I get chicken nuggets with macaroni and cheese for them and a Caesar salad for me with two small waters and a sweet tea, please?" she stated.
"I'll have that out in a few minutes. Nate, I'm assuming you want your usual," she said. After he nodded, she walked to the back and started their order.
"You could have told me that your mom owned this place," she joked.
Nathan smirked before adding, "What would have been the fun in that?"