A/N: I'm considering doing the summer month by month, or...not. Please let me know what you think.
Early June, Post-Graduation
"NBA pre-draft camp is over, and we're joined by analyst John Bucks from SI to talk winners, losers, and the big surprises. Let's start with the physical-only invitees who are expected to go in the first rounds of the draft. John?"
"Well, Pat, Maryland's senior, Nathan Scott, was the first player through and here's a guy, he's come up second or third in all the big Player of the Year awards…"
"He won the SJ one."
"…Right. Well we watched in awe as Scott shot NBA 3-pointers – at one time, I think he'd drained 14 in a row. This guy's Basketball IQ has never been argued, but I think the level of his athleticism surprised us all."
"You wrote that great 'Make Way for Ducklings' article about him."
"Yeah. There he was, under a cloud and playing Div2 ball at some bottom-rung Junior College but determined to win. So he was going around, getting the other players up at the crack of dawn to run with him, badgering them until they would go out and jog behind him just to make him shut up."
"What's your prediction after that showing?"
"There's some buzz about maybe the Clippers at 11th or even New Orleans at 8th but I think he's gonna go to Seattle as 10th pick – they desperately need a Tony Parker, and Scott fits the bill. I think this is a guy heading home to a bright future."
...
"Home Sweet Home," Nathan cheered as they stepped into the house.
Jamie pushed past him and raced through the house, running up the stairs and back down. "Momma! Momma! The furniture isn't here!"
"Oh, it's here, bud," Haley assured her whirlwind of a son. "It's in the garage. All the stuff we ordered. Just wait until Uncle Lucas and Skillz get here, OK?" Haley raised an eyebrow at her husband. "They are coming over, right?"
"On their way," Nathan answered indulgently, dropping Chester's crate on top of the kitchen counter.
"Oh, no," Haley insisted, moving quickly as Nathan answered his ringing phone. "No bunny on places where we eat."
"But he's my friend!" Jamie protested, lugging the crate down to the floor and letting his rabbit loose in the empty front room.
"That's the movers, our stuff from Maryland will be here in about 15 minutes," Nathan clicked his phone shut.
"And they're going to help with the things in the garage?"
"Yes, we've got them by the hour all night if we want," he promised, tugging her ponytail so her head tipped back and kissing her soundly. "I'm liking this," he teased, playing with her hair, which had grown back over the year.
"What do you think, if I cut it again?" she asked. "I was thinking of just doing something totally different before I start teaching."
"I like you, Haley James Scott," he kissed her again. "It's not about the hair."
She smiled. "I keep wondering if we should really unpack here if…"
"It's not locked until my name's called, Hales. After the draft, we'll fly out to Seattle and begin looking for a place that's local," he interrupted, jumping up to sit on the counter. We've talked about this - wherever I play, this is home."
"OK, but if we're going to be in Seattle over the school year, it would be nice to have an address to put on the teaching applications I should have already sent out," she grumbled, overwhelmed at the mountain of work.
"Haley? We just graduated like 5 minutes –"
"Ten days!"
"-ago! Plus now camp's over, so we've time to get our heads together before the draft, OK?"
"Anybody home?" Lucas called, leading the gang into the cool house.
Haley squealed and jumped into his arms. "You're here!"
"Whoa…" Skillz looked around. "Nice crib," he bumped fists with Nathan. Fergie and Junk echoed the sentiment. "That a pool?" Skillz asked, looking out back.
"It is!" Jamie told him, high-fiving his uncle and the rest of the guys in greeting.
"Uh, there's a bunny hopping 'round your kitchen," Junk announced and Skillz took a step back.
"That's my floppy-eared rabbit, Chester! Don't step on him, OK?" Jamie responded.
"That just ain't natural. Animals should be free."
"He is! He's free in my house!" Jamie and Skillz stared at each other for a long moment.
Nathan looked between them and sighed, scooping Chester up and putting him back in his crate. "Hey, little man. It's probably best if he's safe in this while we're carrying stuff around, OK?"
"OK," Jamie gave Skillz an appraising look and put the crate back up on the counter. Haley groaned and let it go.
"Well, now that we have THAT settled," Lucas laughed. "Put us to work."
They walked over to the door leading into the garage and Nathan flipped on the light. "There it is," Haley stated the obvious.
There were couches, mattresses, and a tall pile of flat-packed boxes. Junk exchanged confused glances with Fergie and Skillz. "What? Where's the rest of the furniture? Lucas said you bought a house full."
"Right there, in the boxes," Haley explained. "All you have to do is put it together."
Five men looked at her, flabbergasted. "That's…" Lucas started.
"I thought we paid to have it assembled," Nathan said.
"They wanted a crazy amount of money," Haley argued. "And I knew you guys were handy."
They burst out in coughs to hide their laughter.
"Uh, Momma?"
"Yes, Jamie?"
"Do we have tools?"
The guys looked down at Jamie and then up at Haley. As her eyes widened, they couldn't hide their amusement any longer.
"Hardware run!" Lucas announced.
"Shotgun!" Junk, Fergie, and Skillz shouted.
"And I'll buy the beer," Nathan grabbed up the keys. "A lot of it."
Mid June, Post-Graduation
"John Bucks from SI joins us again, as we talk countdown to the NBA draft. John, the buzz is all about Nathan Scott."
"Yes, it is, Pat. Nike announced today what most of us have been hearing for months - a shoe deal with Scott for just over a million a year."
"Shoe deals have been thin on the ground since the overspend with LeBron James."
"They have, but it didn't hurt that Scott shares the number of Nike's top-selling brand – Michael Jordan. That shoe will have broad appeal."
"What about the noise that Scott may go as high as 5th pick to Boston?"
"The Celtics are shopping for a power forward, so I doubt it. But, hey, we've seen crazier things happen on Draft day. Scott worked out with 8 teams, including Boston, Seattle, and New Orleans – all teams with picks in the top 15. The only thing we can say with reasonable certainty is that Scott is going in the first round, and going early by the looks of it."
"You gotta wonder what goes through these kids' minds - just waiting these last weeks out until they hear their name called."
...
Nathan stretched out carefully, making sure all his muscles cooled down slowly after his workout. Pulling off his sweat-soaked shirt and dropping it with his iPod on a deck chair, he approached his wife and son with a smile.
"Are you coming in, Daddy?"
"I sure am!" Nathan kicked off his shoes and jumped into the pool with a laugh, socks and all.
"Nathan!" Haley shrieked, when he popped up for air right behind her.
"Do I know you?" he flirted, leaning her in for a long kiss as they drifted underneath the blue water.
"Momma!" Jamie flapped around with his water wings, a little nervous.
"We're OK, buddy," Nathan assured him, standing up and pulling him close. "When you get older, you'll be able to hold your breath for a while."
"Not for kissing," Jamie shook his head. "That's just gross."
"You won't always think so," Nathan promised, chuckling.
"Hail, the gang's all here!" Lucas announced, coming around the gate. He tugged off his shirt and kicked off his flip-flops.
"Hey man, what's up?"
"I got to thinking that you might want some company," Lucas stood at the edge of the pool and looked in.
"The wait is getting us a little crazy," Haley admitted.
"Speak for yourself," Nathan scoffed.
"He's grumpy 'cuz it's gonna be forever before the NBA's draft. And Christmas," Jamie explained.
"Ah," Lucas smiled at his Godson. "Well, let's see what we can do to cheer him up, OK?"
"OK," Jamie gave him the thumb's up.
And with that, Lucas slammed into the water next to his brother, in a spectacular cannonball that tossed water everywhere.
Late June, The Night Before the NBA Draft
"John Bucks, you got some time with Nathan Scott this afternoon."
"Yes, I got an interview with him in his hotel room before the press conference."
"Did he talk about any of the agreements he has going into the draft tomorrow?"
"No. But as I was talking with him, I kept thinking what I've believed all along – this player would be a tremendous fit for rebuilding a franchise. Look at his history. He's a great athlete and an incredible talent but more than that - he's a motivator. In those dozens of ways you can't enumerate, this guy leads teams from behind and builds them into champions. Do I think a Lakers or a Celtics would benefit from a player like this? Sure, depth of bench is always important in maintaining a legacy team. But for a Seattle or Memphis, Scott could mean a division or conference title."
"This is your Make Way for Ducklings guy."
"Yeah. You know, there's a lot of negativity that comes out in the weeks leading up to the draft, and Scott has certainly had his share – from his troubles in high school, his temper, and what some people call his icy attitude - especially seen towards some of the fans after his famous pinned ball against BC. But happily for the players, that's all over now."
"I heard some of the players have been sightseeing."
"Yeah, Scott and his family went to the Empire State Building this morning. His son got a huge Statue of Liberty foam hat, bigger than the kid himself. I tell you, for a man who's destiny will be decided tomorrow, Scott looks good."
...
Haley glanced at her watch and exhaled. "Baby that's awesome," she smiled, looking at the black trainer that bore her husband's initials. "But I have to go relieve the sitter."
Nathan glanced over at her; disappointment that the night was ending written on his face. She stood, "You guys should stay and celebrate, it's the night before the draft."
He checked her expression. "You sure?"
Haley nodded, "Yeah. Thank you guys!" she called to the agent and shoe reps that had hosted the evening. There was a flutter of waves.
She leaned in to kiss him quickly, tasted the drinks on his lips. "Um, no driving tonight okay? Take the limo and get the car tomorrow?"
Nathan looked into his wife's eyes; "Promise," he told her.
"Okay," she included Lucas in a last smile and pushed her way to the door.
One of the shoe reps had already hailed her a cab, pressing money on the driver; "The Westin on Times Square," he instructed, as Haley slipped into the back.
Despite the fact that it was a relatively small island, it took the driver almost a half an hour to get her across the New York streets to her hotel. Haley watched the neon lights slip past the window, craning her neck and amazed at how high the skyline reached at times.
The babysitter the hotel had provided was sitting in the armchair of the suite when she let herself in.
"How was he?"
"Oh, fine," the woman answered, gathering her things. "He was asleep before the end of his video."
"Big day," Haley acknowledged, opening her purse to pay the sitter.
Once the door was closed and locked behind the woman, Haley headed into the second bedroom where Jamie was sprawled like a starfish in the middle of his bed. She leaned in the doorway for a long moment, watching his tiny chest rise and fall - the miracle of her son still astonishing, after all these years. Gently, Haley tugged the sheet back up over his body and then kicked off her shoes on the way to her own room.
She heard her cell phone faintly chirping from the bathroom a few minutes later as she brushed her teeth. Spitting and then racing to dig it out of her purse, she realized it had gone quiet. Before she could check who'd called, it began ringing again in her hand - making her jump.
"Lucas?" she answered, seeing his number on the caller ID.
"Hales," he said, brokenly.
"What is it?" She felt a shiver of dread seize her heart. "What's wrong, Luke?"
"Hales, it's Nathan…"
She suddenly heard a siren, echoing in the background. "Lucas?"
"Something's happened. There was a fight."
"A fight? Is he hurt? What's happened, Lucas?!"
"He's gonna be OK, he is. You have to…uh, I don't know where we're going. Where are we going?" he asked someone.
She was shaking. She knew she was shaking. Why was she shaking?
"New York Presbyterian Hospital, Haley. You got that?"
"Uh, hold on…" she found some paper and a pen in the drawer and wrote it down.
"Fort Washington and West 168'th Street. Haley, you got the address?" The noise behind Lucas was getting louder.
"I got it," she agreed. "What… What…"
The line went dead. Haley bent over the desk and took a long, sobbing breath. She was going to throw up. She was. She couldn't stop panting and her mouth tasted like she was chewing tin foil.
Please God, Please God….what do I do?
She picked up the phone on the desk and pressed 'O'.
"Yes, Mrs. Scott?" The personal concierge answered on the first ring.
"Help me," she whispered, desperately.
"Of course, ma'am," he responded. "What can I do for you?"
"S..something's happened. They need me. New York Presbyterian Hospital on Fort Washington and 168th street…Uh, is that far? Can someone please call me a cab? Please?"
Within 10 seconds there was a knock on the door to her hotel suite and a concierge and an assistant stepped in. "I'm George, Mrs. Scott. Can you tell me what's happened?"
"Uh, there's been an accident; my husband and brother-in-law are being transported to this hospital. I must get there. Me, and my son. Now."
"Of course, Ma'am," George stepped back and began to speak into his Bluetooth while Maj, the assistant, quickly had Haley help her find shoes and a jacket. As Haley went to carefully dress Jamie, Maj made sure Haley's purse was on hand and packed a blanket and a couple of bottles of juice and some crackers for Jamie in a canvas bag provided by the hotel.
Haley stepped out of the baby's room with her son bundled in her arms. "We're moving," George told Maj and his blinking headset.
At the elevator, he pushed down; "Mrs. Scott, at this time of night, surface roads will get you there faster than the helicopter."
She nodded, not really hearing. Jamie, half asleep, burrowed in her neck away from the lights.
"Maj can accompany you to make sure you have everything you need once you get there."
"No!" Haley shook her head. "Uh, just us. Just Jamie and me…" the thought of having strangers by her side while she dealt with whatever was ahead made her stomach flip with nausea.
"OK, not a problem," George said smoothly. He took an extra cell phone from his pocket and dropped it in Haley's purse. "Speed Dial number '1', Mrs. Scott – you need anything, anytime; the staff of the Westin hotel is here to serve."
The back of the elevator opened and they headed down a hallway. George opened up a door and a Town Car with dark-tinted windows was waiting by the curb. Haley slipped into the back of the Town Car, and buckled up Jamie. Almost immediately, they were on the move.
It was like flying, speeding in the quiet over the roads. She held Jamie close and heard Luke's voice over and over like a tape in her head.
She wanted him to call back.
She was terrified what he would say.
Haley suddenly remembered that long ago voice mail; "Hales? There's been an accident. Uh, Nathan…was driving this racecar at his Uncle Cooper's track, you know? He hit a wall Hales. They…uh don't know. They say he's going to live…please call me back, as soon as you get this?"
"He's going to be OK," she whispered to Jamie. "Your Daddy is going to be just fine."
Jamie looked up at her with big eyes, and clung closely.
The car slipped under a trio of pedways connecting two buildings across the street from each other and pulled to a stop. "We're here, Mrs. Scott," the driver said gently. He held the door open for Haley, and she pulled the bags over one shoulder and then hiked Jamie up onto her opposite hip.
"Thank you," she whispered, stepping onto the sidewalk.
"I'll say a prayer, Mrs. Scott," he told her as she walked away.
She nodded, only half hearing. The glass doors in front of her hissed open, waiting for her to step in. Leaning against the wall across from her was Lucas, waiting for them with his hands stuffed in his pants pockets and head hanging.
Haley couldn't bring herself to step into the hospital. The glass doors stayed open as a tear slipped down her cheek, but she just couldn't do it.
She just couldn't hear what he was going to say.
Was that blood on his shirt?
Sensing them, Lucas lifted his head slowly and met her eyes. His own, bleak and heartbroken.
"Hey, buddy," he called, softly.
"No," Haley shook her head. "No, please, Lucas…"
He took three steps and she was in his arms. Her and Jamie's warm bodies tucked close against him. Keeping her from falling, keeping her from slipping away.
"Just," she inhaled his skin, shuddering. "Just…say it."
"He's alive," Lucas said.
Relief exploded through her chest and she sobbed out loud.
"Oh, God, thank you…"
"But, Hales, they've rushed him into surgery. He went through a window. Glass was…everywhere. And before he went unconscious…he told me that he couldn't feel his legs."
And then the world went dim.
Late June, The Morning of the NBA Draft
"It's 4AM local time and NBA Draft day is finally here. John Bucks is here with a special report."
"Sadly this morning, we can confirm that the rumors that have been flying for the past few hours are true. Sometime after 1AM this morning, Maryland's Nathan Scott – a pick who had been sure to go high in the draft - was in some kind of altercation at a party thrown in his honor in a Manhattan nightclub. According to witnesses, a fight had broken out with fans who were disappointed in his probable pick to Seattle and Scott ended up falling – or being pushed – through a large glass window. He's currently in surgery at a local hospital and doctors there say his condition is guarded. Our thoughts are with Scott and his family this morning, as we await word on his prognosis."
"An altercation with fans?" the other announcer shook his head. "This is an unbelievable blow."
"It truly is," John agreed.
"Thanks, John, for that update. In other draft news…"
...
Jamie slept on the couch, where a bed had been made for him with a hospital pillow and blanket.
Staring out the window, Lucas watched the sun rise over New York City.
Ashen faced, Haley stared at a cold cup of coffee she would never drink.
Gerry paced in the hallway outside the room, calling people on his cell to say there were no updates.
"Someone should tell Deb," Haley said, almost to herself.
"I'll do it," Lucas exhaled, rubbing his hands through his hair. He made no move towards his phone.
"Mr. Scott, Mrs. Scott?" Jed Lewis, the hospital public relations representative stepped into the room and Haley quickly stood up. Lucas moved to wrap his arm around her as they looked at him eagerly.
"Any word?" Haley hissed, unable to keep a shred of patience in her voice.
"Well, the surgeons have let us know that they're wrapping up. They'll be heading in here to discuss the situation with you in just a few moments."
Gerry stepped back in the room. "How many moments? It's been hours."
"I couldn't say, sir," Jed looked over at him and then back at Haley and Lucas. "In the meantime, we've got quite a crowd gathered. Security can handle it; we have procedures in place for this kind of thing. Most of them are news people or photographers, but many are claiming to know you to gain admittance…"
"Who? Players?" Haley turned to Lucas, confused and exhausted.
"Instead of going through it that way, why don't you make a list for me of people who are all right to let through. Then I don't have to bother you over and over," Jed handed a clipboard to Haley and she looked at it, dumbly. Lucas slipped it from her numb hands and sat down in a chair, writing.
"I have a couple of names I'd…" Gerry began. Lucas shot him a look and he quickly shut up.
"If you think of anyone else, or want to let someone else up, call this number," Jed handed Lucas a business card since Haley had moved next to her son and was stroking his hair absently. Like she was in some other place in her mind.
After Jed had taken the list and left, Gerry began pacing again.
"We could use some water," Lucas told him.
"Oh, but…"
"We'd appreciate it, thanks," Lucas said with a small smile, and steel in his eyes.
Gerry nodded and left the room.
"Hales?"
She didn't respond.
"Hales, remember, he's still alive," Luke told her, walking to her side and tucking an errant piece of hair behind her ear.
She flinched.
"Hales," he begged, squatting down beside her. "Say something. Please."
She turned and looked at him, her eyes almost blood red with fear. Her face so pale it made him nervous. "We knew today would change our lives forever…" she choked. "Just…"
The sound of footsteps echoed into the room, and Lucas slipped his hand over hers. "They're coming," he whispered.
They turned their heads and watched the door, never realizing they were both holding their breath.
"You're Nathan Scott's family?" the first doctor asked as they came to stop in the doorway.
Luke stood back up, Haley's cold hand still in his.
"We are," he answered. "What can you tell us?"
