Author: Lovers-Heart
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Some characters are made up, the others belong to the CW and the fictional world they create. The idea for the story comes of the plot of 'The Family Man' but is changed to my own writing style and inspiration.
Synopsis: Nathan Scott had all he ever wanted. He was rich, famous and the crowd loved him. One day however he wakes up to a whole new life and a whole new family. Will he adapt to his life as a husband and a father or will he do his best to go back to his old life? Will Nathan find his way back to normal or will he find something even better? Fact is... He is the one person who gets an answer to the question we are all thinking about: what if?
Second life, first love
Nathan Scott smiled when the crowd went wild. He had made the winning basket for the Knicks, an achievement which led to thousands of celebrating fans, all gathered together around the court of Madison Square Garden. He knew the crowd and he played them well. He knew what would set them off, what would make them shout and what would make them believe that he was their official hero. He had made that basket as much for them as for himself because he knew that no player could play well without an audience. Nathan Scott was no exception to that rule.
Ever since he was little, he had known what it was like to be adored by a crowd. His parents were the first ones to adore him and they made him believe that he was the best the world had to offer. His first coach had told him that he could reach great heights if he was willing to fight for it hard enough. Fighting had never been his problem. He strived to be the best and surpassed all his teammates before high school had even set off. He never let himself become out of focus and at the end of his senior year... he was accepted at one of the best universities at the east coast. His passion for the game and his unsettling drive to succeed became known to all talent scouts and he was drafted to become the newest point guard for the NY Knicks, a position which had led him to this particular moment. Nathan stopped his musings for a while and stood still to take in the appreciation of the crowd. His friends believed that he was obsessed with the public but he saw it as an enormous ego stroke.
One hour later and he was able to go home. Journalists had been all over the place and he had had a hard time answering all of their questions while he wanted to leave instead. Lucas appeared at his side. Lucas was his brother and someone whom he considered to be his best friend. Both brothers were less than two years apart in age, something which could explain the tight bond they had with eachother.
'I believed they would never let you go.'
'You know them, Luke. Journalists are like vultures. They either hate or love you.'
'I would count on the second with the basket you made. You had to go and finish it off, didn't you?'
'You know me. Never one to dissatisfy the crowd. But what brings you up here?'
'I had a book signing and some interviews to do. I couldn't miss the opportunity to see you play.'
Nathan smiled while his brother went on about his book promotion tour. His brother had once been fantastic at basketball but a heart condition had prevented him from pursuing it further. He had taken up writing instead and was now a bestselling author. Lucas continued to live in Tree Hill with his wife and daughters whereas Nathan had moved to NY. It was an occasional treat that both brothers saw eachother during the basketball season so each moment was used to catch up.
'Are you here for long?'
'No. It was one day. Tomorrow I am expected in Boston for another signing and interview. I will go home afterwards because I have missed them all so much.
'How is Peyton doing? And how are both of my goddaughters?
'Peyton is doing good. She has started on a new record and is mixing both motherhood and work. Caitlin and Sawyer are fine as well. Both have started to become interested in their mother's music and it seems as if they have the brooding look under control.'
He had to laugh out loud with his brother's comment. Lucas and his wife had always been known for their brooding moods so it seemed more than fair that both their children had inherited this trait. Nathan could not even begin to imagine the terrors that would come once the girls reached their teens. He tried his hardest to hold in his laughter at the images that filled him because he knew that it would cause his brother to become worried long before it was even necessary.
'Do you have any plans for this evening?'
'Not yet. I was hoping to spend some time together but I don't want to interfere with your plans.'
'I have made none.'
'No new woman tonight?'
'A little bit of restraint can do wonders for the other nights to come, big brother'.
Nathan heard Lucas sigh and he could almost swear he heard his thoughts. Both journalists and relatives knew about his rakish manner and he was often seen with different women. He adored women but he never let them come close because he feared that it would put an end to his dream. Even though he saw how content his brother was with his wife and daughters, it was nothing he wanted to experience for himself. He never let himself near women who longed for marriage and children but instead opted for one-night-stands and smaller hook-ups. That was how life was and that was how it would remain to be. He would made certain of that.
Nathan came home late that night. He had used the time to catch up with Lucas. His brother had been a source of information and he now knew more about the lives of both his relatives and acquaintances. That was perhaps the one thing he missed the most by living here: he had never a clue what was happening with the people he cared about in his hometown. Nevertheless, he would not change one single thing because that meant giving up his freedom, his stardom and more important... his dream. Nathan Scott would never give up his dream. If that meant that he had to miss time with his relatives and acquaintances then so be it. His life was too good to change it and no family would stand in his way. He nodded to himself before he switched off the light and went to sleep.
Nathan woke up the next morning to an unfamiliar sound. He grumbled in his sleep and tried to ignore the barking sound of a dog. There were always idiots who believed 6 AM in the morning was the appropriate time to walk their dogs even if that meant disturbing the entire neighbourhood. He prayed that the sound would soon wear off before he tossed around to the other side of the bed, where he was confronted with a woman. A woman? He would not have made a big deal out of this but he then remembered that he did not brought a woman over the other night. So who the hell was she?
He opened both his eyes but soon froze in shock. If the image of the golden retriever wasn't enough to bring him down, his surroundings sure were. Instead of his luxurious bedroom, he was now confronted with a cream-colored master bedroom. Soft woman's touches could be found such as framed photographs and bookshelves, whereas children's toys were gathered in one corner of the room. On the drawer, a pair of earrings were thrown next to a tie. Where the hell was he?
Before he could ponder that question even further, the door creaked open and a small toddler came in. Nathan believed her to be four years old because her appearance was quite alike to that of his nieces. He saw her come into the room and, when she saw that he was awake, she smiled. Her steps could now be heard clearly and the woman next to him started to wake. Good. She can take care of her child. His confusion became even more apparent when the little girl came to stand next to his side of the bed. Blue eyes met with blue eyes and then she said the word which shocked him most of all...
'Good morning, Daddy.'
If he had been standing, he would have fallen without a doubt. Daddy? He was nobody's daddy, not in the least of the little girl standing there. He was Nathan Scott and he was well-known all over America for his basketball skills and not for his fatherhood. The woman next to him woke up and greeted him with a soft smile and a wink in his direction.
'Good morning, husband. Welcome to another day of craziness.'
A/N: Other prominent characters will be introduced in the next chapter. I would be glad to hear your thoughts.