Ok so thank you all so much for your reviews I got a shitload this time lol. I have decided that starting now I am just going to respond individually to people so that I don't miss anyone.

I am sorry that this chapter took so long but I was on vacation in Virginia and they actually didn't have the internet at the lake house. I was shocked but at least I was able to brainstorm some. Thank you so much for being patient.

Disclaimer: I only own the characters that I make up.

Chapter 7

It had been a week since Haley's birthday and everything was falling apart for LeeAnn. All that she could think about was Chris and how she could have loved him for so long. Her parents were now back though and planned on getting the whole family together for a dinner. LeeAnn was glad that Nathan would finally get to meet the rest of her family…including her grandparents.

"Come on Nathan lets go. We're already late." Said an exasperated LeeAnn.

She had been trying to get Nathan out of the house for a good 15 minutes now. Her parents had stopped by to get Haley earlier.

"But I can't find it." Nathan yelled back from his room.

LeeAnn charged into his room running low on patience. "Nathan what is it that you can't find."

"My lucky shirt." Nathan said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Nathan come on. Why would you need your lucky shirt?" LeeAnn asked getting mildly fed up with him.

"Because if I don't wear it then they might not like me." Nathan said looking under his bed.

After hearing that LeeAnn felt bad for her lack of patience. She hadn't thought about how nervous Nathan might be.

"Ok well what does your lucky shirt look like?" LeeAnn asked.

"It's blue and it has a basketball on the front with my name on the back." Nathan said from inside his closet.

LeeAnn looked around the room and couldn't help but laugh.

"Is it by any chance the one laying on your bed?" She asked holding up the shirt.

"Yes where did you find that?" Nathan asked putting it on quickly and getting his arm stuck.

LeeAnn laughed as she helped the little boy struggle free. "It was on your bed buddy."

"Oh sorry." Nathan giggled.

"I suppose I can forgive you. This time that is." LeeAnn laughed. "Now lets get going before they don't like me anymore."

They arrived at the house and LeeAnn could tell that Nathan was nervous. The only people that he knew were her parents and Haley. He now had 6 other people to meet.

"Are you ready Monster Man.?" LeeAnn asked squeezing his hand.

"I guess." He sighed.

LeeAnn stopped and kneeled down in front of him. "Nathan there is nothing to worry about they are all going to love you."

"Ok. I trust you." Nathan said taking her hand again and walking.

LeeAnn loved how that was all she needed to say in order for him to feel ok. She knew that it wouldn't last forever but it was perfect for now.

LeeAnn stepped forward and rang the doorbell. The door swung open and there stood Grandma James.

"Hi grandma it's good to see you." LeeAnn said hugging her.

"It's good to see you too. And now this handsome little boy must be Nathan." She said getting eye level with him.

"Yes I'm Nathan and it is very nice to meet you ma'am." Nathan said smiling.

"Oh well aren't you quiet the charmer. You're going to have to watch out for him LeeAnn." Grandma James said laughing.

"Don't remind me." LeeAnn said as they walked into the kitchen.

It had been about an hour and Nathan had been introduced to everyone. (Haley 4, Taylor 9, Justin 11, Rachel 12, Joseph 14, Vivian 16, and the James grandparents.)

Nathan fit right in and everything was going good until the door bell rang.

"LeeAnn could you please get that sweetheart." Grandpa James asked.

"Sure Gramps."

LeeAnn opened the door and couldn't believe what she saw. There standing right in front of her was Chris Keller.

"What do you think you're doing here?" LeeAnn seethed.

"LeeAnn I came to apologize. I feel terrible I just…I remembered the way that it was with my dad and I just snapped."

"I don't care Chris none of that bullshit is going to work this time. You had no right to lay a hand on him."

"I know and that's why I came to apologize. I feel awful LeeAnn and I can't live without you. I love you."

"I love you too Chris but it doesn't matter you hurt Nathan and I can never forgive that."

"So even though we've been together four years and are in love you're just going to give up." Chris yelled.

"I may have dated you for four years but I only loved you for three. I've watched Nathan for five and I have loved him all five. So unfortunately the numbers are not in your favor now get out." LeeAnn said as she slammed the door in his face.

LeeAnn took a deep breath and turned to see most of her family standing the archway between the rooms.

"Ok so who wants desert." Lydia James asked trying to lighten the mood.

"I do." Haley and Nathan screamed in unison.

"Ok well looks like you two are first in line." She laughed.

"Are you going to be ok LeeAnn?" Jimmy James asked hugging his daughter.

"No I really don't think I am." LeeAnn said starting to cry.

"You look at me LeeAnn. You are such a kind and loving person. That boy does not deserve you. I never liked him but I wasn't going to say anything because I knew that you loved him. But LeeAnn he is not good enough for you. You can do so much better. You're going to find someone who not only loves you but Nathan as well. I know that you think that having Nathan is going to make it harder to find someone. But really it is going to make it easier to find someone real and sincere." Jimmy said hugging his daughter.

"Thanks daddy you always seem to know what to say to make me feel better."

"And I must say I was very proud of you for standing your ground and not letting him see your hurt."

"Well I'm a James what can I say." LeeAnn said laughing.

"Alright squeak lets go get some pie."

"Dad." LeeAnn whined at hearing her old nickname.

It was now the weekend and time for Nathan to go and stay with Dan. LeeAnn didn't know why but she two was dreading this weekend. Maybe it was because she wouldn't have Haley…or could it be because now that Chris was gone she was alone in the big apartment. Either way she was dreading the drive over there.

Nathan woke up that morning and didn't want to get out of bed. He hadn't really had any problems with his dad other then that one time. He still pressured him all the time about basketball but he had never hit him again. Nathan was thankful for that but he really didn't want to leave LeeAnn. He might only be 5 but he knew why she cried herself to sleep every night. And he couldn't help but think that if he had just waited then LeeAnn would still be happy.

"Alright Nathan time to bring you to your dads." LeeAnn called from the door.

"I really don't want to go this time LeeAnn. Dad is just going to be mean and tell me how stupid I am." Nathan whined.

"I know that you don't want to go and if I could I would just keep you hear. I just want you to remember that you are not stupid and that nothing hurtful that your dad says is true ok."

"Yeah ok." Nathan said as he walked out the door to the car.

The ride was quiet with each of them immersed in their own thoughts. LeeAnn was so out of it that she almost drove right past the Scott home.

"Ok buddy so I will be back to get you on Sunday ok." LeeAnn asked opening his door.

"Ok." Nathan said sadly.

"Hey mister don't be so sad it's only for two nights and then you won't have to see him again for at least another week if not longer."

"I just don't want to leave you home all sad." Nathan admitted.

"Oh buddy don't you worry I am going to be just fine. I want you to try to have some fun and make sure to be nice to the maid ok. She is not there to pick up after all of your messes." LeeAnn said remembering what had happened last time.

"Yeah ok I'll remember."

"And I will call you tonight and tomorrow night to say prayers and say goodnight. I promise."

"I know you will. You always do." Nathan said walking away from her.

"Where do you think your going you owe me at least a hug if not a kiss or two." LeeAnn said pulling him back and tickling him.

"Ok Ok one hug and two kisses just please stop tickling me." Nathan said laughing hysterically.

"Yes I win." LeeAnn said

Nathan just stuck his tongue out at her. "You better put that back before I cut it off mister." LeeAnn said grabbing a hold of his tongue.

This of course just made Nathan laugh even more.

"Are you two going to stand out here all day or is Nathan staying for the weekend." Dan asked roughly.

"He will be in in just a minute." LeeAnn said just as sternly.

"If he's not ready and out on the court in 5 minutes that's 6 extra laps." Dan said walking back inside.

"Ok buddy you better go inside. I love you and I will see you in two days." LeeAnn said giving him a hug.

"Bye LeeAnn I love you." Nathan said giving her the two kisses on the cheek that he owed her.

"Try to have some fun Monster Man."

"I can try." Nathan said running into the house.

LeeAnn pulled away wishing once again that she never had to leave Nathan at this house. She knew that Dan was just going to make him play basketball the whole time. LeeAnn just didn't understand the point it was just a game right. It was supposed to be fun. Yet she could see Dan taking the fun out of it for Nathan little by little. But if there was anything that she could do to change that. She was going to do it.

Sorry that this one was shorter but it was just kind of a filler to tie up loose ends. I hope that it wasn't too boring. And don't forget to please review and let me know what you think whether it be good or bad.

Delia