A/N: Hi friends! It's been a LONG time since I've written any Naley content, but this idea popped into my head a while ago and it just hasn't left me alone since. I hope you all will like reading it as much as I have liked creating it thus far :)
This chapter serves kind of like a prologue – upcoming chapters will be longer with a little more drama thrown in ... Enjoy!
Week One – Night One
"Remind me why I'm doing this again?" Nathan Scott groaned as he fix his suit.
His sister-in-law, Peyton, smirked as she tightened his tie "Because you're a 33-year-old, former NBA champion who still hasn't managed to find a life partner?"
"Okay, ouch?"
Lucas, his older brother, laughs from his seat where he's playing with his three-year-old daughter Anna.
"Come on man, it's a new experience. You're always the one saying you want adventure."
"Yeah, like 'let's go skydiving' type of adventure. Not a reality dating show!" Nathan exclaims "No one's going to take me seriously; they all probably think I'm some washed-up athlete who's using this show as a lame attempt to hold onto fame."
"No one is thinking that." Peyton smacks him on the shoulder "You're going to do great, and everyone's going to love you."
"Honestly, I think America is more excited to finally get a glimpse into your life more than anything else." Lucas comments.
Nathan shakes his head "I've worked so hard to protect this family from the media, Lucas, what if this just puts everyone at risk for exposure?"
"And the Director already promised that you would have control over what is aired in regard to the family." Clay Evans, Nathan's former agent and business partner, says from his seat in the corner of the dressing room "Stop trying to find reasons why this won't work, and just let yourself enjoy it."
"I feel like I'm on show." Nathan whines "How am I supposed to enjoy this?"
"If you hate the idea this much, why did you even agree?" Clay asks.
Lucas snickers, answering the question for his brother, "Because mum practically begged him to. Said she didn't want to die knowing he was still single and lonely."
"Geez, way to ride the guilt-trip Mama K." Clay laughs.
"The both of you shut up." Peyton snaps.
Anna gasps from her spot atop Lucas' lap "Mama, bad word!"
Peyton takes a breath, glaring at her husband's amused face before looking to her daughter "Sorry bubba, your Daddy's just being mean to Uncle Nathan; I got a little mad."
Anna's scowl turns towards her father, "Daddy, stop being a meanie."
"Yeah Lucas, stop being a meanie." Nathan teases.
Lucas rolls his eyes and apologises to his daughter, Anna slipping off his lap and walking over to Nathan who boosts her up onto his hip.
"Are you nerf-us Natey?"
Nathan nods at the three-year-old "Yeah A, I'm a little nervous. I just hope everyone likes me."
"They gonna luf you!" Anna exclaims, wrapping her little arms around Nathan's neck "You're Natey. I love Natey."
Nathan smiles at Anna's adorable mispronunciation. Her simple statement warms his heart and eases his nerves, and he kisses the top of her dirty blonde curls. It was the whole reason for doing this; to find someone he could have kids of his own with. As much as he loved being 'Uncle Natey', he wanted to be a father; and now he was getting older, and time was running out to fulfill that dream.
"Nathan." a voice called from the doorway, and he turns to see the Program Director "I'm sorry to interrupt, but we're starting in about two minutes. We need you, if you're ready."
"Oh, yeah, okay. I'll be right there." Nathan passes Anna to her mother and nervously runs his hands down his suit to smooth out the creases.
"Breathe, Nathan. it's going to be fine." Peyton promises.
Lucas and Clay both nod in agreement, coming to stand with Peyton.
"Good luck, man. We'll see you in a few weeks." Clay smiles and pats his friend on the back.
"America's going to love you, Nate. How could they not?"
"Fingers crossed." Nathan takes a deep breath, waving goodbye to his friend and family.
"Good luck, Natey!" Anna yells.
"Thanks munchkin." Nathan smiles and blows the little girl a kiss before walking out the door and following the Director down the hallway.
"You nervous?"
Nathan chuckles "Is it that obvious?'
"You'd be surprised how many guys have walked these same hallways feeling the exact same way. You've got nothing to worry about, honestly; the reactions on social media alone when people got wind of the possibility of your appearance, were all positive. America is already invested in helping you on this journey, and they don't even know for sure if you're the one doing this."
Nathan smiles as they reach the stage, "Thank you."
"Anytime. Good luck out there." The Director smiles and somewhere behind him a voice starts counting down as a camera pans wide and slowly zooms in to centre stage where two dark red lounge chairs sit, empty and waiting.
"Three, two, one …" The Producer counts softly, pointing a finger out to the stage as the intro music winds down "Go to Chris."
The camera turns to the left of the stage where a man exits from behind a curtain and walks over to sit in one of the lounge chairs, a cheeky grin on his face as he looks dead into the camera.
"Good evening, America, and welcome to the premiere episode for this season of The Bachelor. As always, I'm your host – Chris Keller."
Nathan watches Chris as he talks to the camera. He looks so comfortable, so natural in an environment that feels anything but. He's not sure if he can charm America as smoothly as Chris Keller seems to be able to. But it's too late to back out now because the Director is tapping him on the shoulder and pointing to the Producer, who's hand is up and ready to start signalling the countdown for him to start walking onto the stage.
"Now, I know you've all heard the rumours about who might be the Bachelor this season. And I'm pleased to tell you that, for the most part, our audience seem to have hit the nail on the head. This year, our Bachelor is someone that a lot of America knows and loves. He's led a very successful life, transitioned out of a lucrative sports career, and got a degree in law, all before he turned thirty." Chris says.
"Alright, once Chris finishes this bit, you're going to walk out." The Director informs him.
Nathan nods "Got it."
Chris smiles as he looks from Nathan back to the camera "He's led a very private life, despite his fame, but for the next ten weeks this young man is going to open up his life and his heart to our viewers at home, as well as twenty-three lovely young ladies; all in the name of love."
three, two, one. The producer motions out to the stage and before Nathan can doubt himself any further, he's walking out from behind the side curtain as Chris says, "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome this year's Bachelor; former Charlotte Bobcat – Nathan Scott."
Nathan walks out onto the stage, trying his best not to look awkward as he waves to the live audience and at the camera to the viewers at home. He's been in the spotlight before, he knows what it's like to have cameras in his face and fans screaming their adoration for him. But this still feels overwhelming. There's a different energy in the air this time around because now he's not on a basketball court hoping he doesn't screw-up a play that costs them the win; this time, he's hoping to find someone that he can build a life with. And that thought alone feels terrifying and hopeful all in the same breath.
"Welcome, Nathan." Chris smiles as Nathan sits down across from the host "We're all so excited to have you here."
"I'm excited to be here. And maybe a little nervous." Nathan chuckles, a chorus of 'aww' sounding out from the audience.
"That's understandable. This is a big thing to do, and it's very different to the type of entertainment you're used to providing people on television." Chris says, "Can you tell us, what made you decide to join the Bachelor?"
Nathan releases a heavy breath, rubbing his sweaty palms against his pants as he forms the words in his head.
"Uh, I guess my mum was kind of the determining factor honestly. I'm not really one for reality tv, I mean I've been offered before back when I was in the NBA and it just never appealed to me, so I was ready to say no the second the offer was put on the table. But my mum's the one that got me to at least consider it. She knows how much I want a family, and that the lifestyle I chose meant that romantic relationships were often the price I paid to have the career I wanted. Most women I met either just wanted to date me for the glitz and glam they thought came with dating a famous athlete, or we just didn't really connect on a romantic level. Unfortunately, it was usually the former more than the latter."
"Is that why you've kept your life so private from the media and your fans?"
Nathan nods "I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to be a Bobcat, but my family didn't sign on for that lifestyle with me. And when my mum had my little sister, I realised that it was more important than ever to protect all of them. Not just from the media, but from some people who sadly thought that they could form friendships with members of my family to get to me. It doesn't really bode well for your love life when you're not really able to trust the people you meet."
"Well, none of our contestants knew who they would potentially be dating when they signed up for the show, so hopefully we can find you the partner you've been looking for."
"I hope so." Nathan says softly "I'm nervous, but I'm looking forward to this experience."
"So are we," Chris smiles and turns to face the camera "Well, now that we've met the Bachelor, I think it's time we meet the lovely young women who will be vying for his affection. We've got a few surprises up our sleeves this season so believe me when I say that you're not going to want to miss a single minute of this season. Bachelor Nation, get ready for one hell of a ride."
A/N: Ahh here we go!
I'm so excited about this story, it's been a while since I've written something quite so sweet and fluffy and romantic and I don't think there was a more fitting couple than Naley to live out this story :)
Next up, you'll be meeting the contestants and getting some more insight into what Nathan's life after the NBA has been like. And how do you think Haley will be fitting into this story? Because I can tell you it's not the way you might be expecting her to be introduced …
Please drop a review and let me know what you think! And for those that might have read my last OTH fic 'What I Knew I Always Wanted' – look out for an update in the upcoming weeks!
Until next time x