Author's Note: Still loving the feedback. I crack up when I read what you guys have to say. I realize this is a little long and may I warn you that it's probably going to get longer so thanks to EVERYONE who is sticking with this for...well, sticking with it. Keep the reviews coming, please. And the "Review of the Day" award, lol, goes to one of my favorite returning readers, Rocker Chick! Thank you, Jessica. I loved your detail comments and views!

"You alright, Scott?"

Nathan looked up at his friend and fellow Bobcat, Emeka Okafor. The bus had just arrived back at the New Charlotte Arena fresh from a series of road trips that had ranged from Miami to Orlando to Atlanta. The sun was just beginning to set in the North Carolina sky and after a few words from the coaches, the men had been dismissed. They said their good byes and eagerly filed out to the parking lot to retrieve their respective cars. Some couldn't wait to go out and party, some couldn't wait to get a good night's sleep, and some couldn't wait to get home to their wives or girlfriends. Regardless it seemed like everyone had something to look forward to. Everyone except a certain Point Guard who wore the jersey number, 23.

"Yeah, man. I'm good. Everything's cool."

"You sure?" Emeka asked again in his accent. "You just seem like you're somewhere else."

"I'm okay. Thanks for asking, man."

Emeka nodded and they slapped hands.

"Good games. I guess I'll see you back here for practice tomorrow."

Nathan nodded and pretended to rummage through his bag looking for keys, giving Emeka enough time to hop in his car and peel off. When he was all alone, Nathan breathed a sigh of relief, while just staring at his black, luxury SUV. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed his agent.

"Larson."

"Hey Brandon. It's me, Nate?"

"What's up, dude? You were looking good against the Magic. Five three pointers in the second half? You trying to set new records for the season?"

"I don't know, man. I guess my game was just on this weekend."

"Well, that's what I like to hear. And so do your sponsors. Don't forget about the Nike press conference next week and we are this close to securing that deal with Gatorade."

"Sounds good."

"It's better than good, it's great! You're on your way, man. Now what can I do for you?"

"Oh. Were you still trying to schedule me that interview with the Charlotte Observer?"

"Yeah. That writer, I think Elizabeth Newell is her name. Anyway, she's been really pressed to do the story but I told her to hold her horses and as soon as you got back into town and had a minute, we'd set something up."

"You got her number?"

"Yeah, somewhere."

"Good. Give her a call. She wants her interview? I'm here at the Arena waiting."

Brandon Larson laughed out loud.

"Dude, you've got to be shitting me."

"What?"

"It's almost eight o' clock at night and you've been on a week long road trip, playing your heart out every night, being cramped on a bus for hours at a time. You're home now. Relax and enjoy it. Trust me, you've got a hectic enough non stop schedule for the next few months. You should be taking any break you can get."

"Really man. It's no bother…"

"You work too hard, kid. It's cool that you want to accommodate the press and the fans but sometimes it's okay to have a moment for yourself. Go home, take a load off and relax. Spend some time with Meg."

"Yeah", Nathan breathed uneasily.

"How is she, by the way?"

"Good…uh, driving me crazy by eating ice cream and pickles and other weird shit but everything is okay."

"Congratulations. She's a great girl and you're a lucky guy. I know you two will be terrific parents. Go home and take care of your wife, man. I promise you the media will still want the story tomorrow. We'll work something out."

Nathan hung up the phone. The truth was, he didn't want to go home. Ever since returning from Europe he had immersed himself in work and the NBA's crazy schedule. He welcomed the road trips, practices and anything else that would keep him occupied. It was hard to face what was inside of that mansion on the hill on the outskirts of Charlotte but it looked as if the handsome, young newlywed had no choice in the matter. Shaking his head, he tossed the bags in his truck and hopped in, destination home.

Nathan drove the short distance in silence, his mind drifting off like it often did. At the oddest times he'd lapse back in time, the memories so vivid it was like reliving them all over again. He thought back to that night at the Arena, the night a simple decision had forever changed his life in ways no one would have ever thought possible…

The game was about to start and the fans were pumped. The coaches were pumped. So were the players and the media. It was one of the most anticipated games in that year's Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76'ers at the Charlotte Bobcats. Rookie Scott brother against rookie Scott brother. Surely it would be an exciting and special night, one full of surprises. But Nathan had a surprise of his own.

Right before the National Anthem and the announcement of the starting lineups, the Arena's large video tron camera would scan the audience and broadcast random photos on the screens displayed for the whole crowd. For a reasonable fee, fans could pay to have various messages, like Happy Birthday, shown. Nathan looked in the VIP section and took a deep breath. Everyone was there. Dan, Deb, Royal, Mae, Keith, Jules, Andy, Karen, Jake, Peyton, Jenny, Brooke, Tim, Megan, her parents, sister, and two brothers. All the people he and Lucas cared about were sitting in the stands to support them. Then the floor director gave him a little wink and he knew it was time.

The camera panned to Megan who didn't seem to be paying attention at first until her younger sister, Samantha, nudged her. She looked up and blushed, then gave the camera little wave. But it did not move. Slowly large neon letters began to blur her image, eventually settling into a simple question…Meg, I Love You! Will You Marry Me?

It took forever for her to read it then actually take in what had just happened. The shocked family and friends as well as the fans applauded loudly waiting for her answer. She was tongue tied, flabbergasted until her eyes diverted to the center court where number 23 was nervously kneeling on one knee holding an open small, black jewelry box with a sparking diamond ring.

Finally she made her way to the floor where her prince was still waiting.

"Nathan", she said, tears in her eyes. "What…what are you doing?"

"I love you", he smiled. "Meg, I wanted this to be special and perfect for you when I asked you to spend the rest of your life with me. So here it is…make me the happiest man alive and say yes or at least pretend to so that I don't look like a jackhole in front of all these people."

"Oh Nathan. Are you sure?"

"I love you. I want you to be my wife. I've never been more sure."

"I love you, too", she cried. "Yes. Yes, Nathan, I will marry you."

He slipped the gorgeous ring on her finger, then stood and swooped her up in his arms as they shared a passionate kiss in front of packed house of almost 20 thousand people…

Nathan blinked and before he knew it, he was pulling into his paved, private drive. He needed a drink. That sounded good. And after that he would go out to his court and practice his fade away shot.

"What the hell?"

There were dozens of cars parked in the front. All the lights seemed to be on inside and as he got out, he could hear happy and distinct chatter from several different voices. Opening the unlocked front door, he saw firsthand the party that was commencing inside his four walls.

"Well, look who's here! Look everybody, it's Nathan. Nate, you weren't supposed to be in until tomorrow."

It was Kelly Sanders, Megan's boss at the firm.

"Uh yeah. We, um, got back early."

"Well, Meg will be absolutely thrilled. Let me go get her and tell her you're here."

"What's going on?"

"You didn't know? We're throwing her a party in honor of her winning the Merrill Lynch Jr. Broker of the Year award."

"Broker of the Year?"

"Oh yes. And it's quite an accomplishment. Our Megan was chosen from several carefully selected candidates from all over the country. Didn't she tell you?"

"Of course I did", Megan appeared looking stunning in a soft, elegant pink dress that was backless but allowed enough room in the waist area for her tummy that was just beginning to expand. "Right honey?"

"Huh? Oh yeah. Right. Um, looks like I got here in the nick of time", Nathan forced a smile.

"Splendid", Kelly clapped. "We must get a picture of the happy couple. Can someone get the photographer, please?"

"Uh, maybe I should change…"

"Nonsense. You look as handsome as ever. Now smile."

Nathan shifted uncomfortably as he reached for his wife's hand, putting the other arm around her. Their faces smiled but the body language was tense and awkward. He hated smiling for the series of shots and was thankful when it was over.

"Oh Nathan you must be so proud of your wife", Kelly continued to gush. "She is an absolute godsend and we don't know how we'd make it without her. Megan has a tremendously bright future in this company."

"Yeah", he mumbled to Meg. "Um, congratulations on the award and all."

"Thank you, baby."

Nathan looked around. The last thing he wanted was some stupid dinner party with a bunch of his wife's co workers. He wanted to be alone. He wanted to drink.

"Well, uh, I'll let you get back to your friends. I'm just gonna go take a shower and all…"

"Nate…"

"I'll be back. I promise. Okay?"

She smiled as she realized the others were staring at them.

"Okay, then. See you soon, honey."

He nodded.

"Well done, Mommy", he said, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Well done."

Megan wished the floor would open up and swallow her. Her achievement was significant and all her husband could do was unenthusiastically say 'Well done, Mommy' and do it in front of her collageues. She could have died from humiliation right there.

"Megan, let me introduce you to someone…", Kelly dragged her across the room.

Megan put her best face forward and spoke with one of the presidents from another branch of the company. She sighed as she eyed her husband pouring a full glass of something at the bar and downing it immediately before pouring another one. Her perfect smile and flawless manners hid her pain and discomfort. Physical appearances were her masquerade for a life that was anything but perfect.