The private car was waiting at LaGuardia airport to whisk Nathan back to the apartment. It had been a hectic week of traveling but one that had proved to be productive. Things were definitely looking up and he was feeling good. He was even proud of his Esquire spread. Nathan Scott was getting his life back and doing it on his terms.

He reached for a bottle of Snapple and relaxed on the comfortable leather seat. Hopefully Lucas would be at the loft when he got there. He had such good news and he had wanted to share it with his big brother in person. Then his cell phone rang. Nathan glanced at the Caller ID and smiled as he accepted the call.

"Hey", he answered.

"Nate, honey, how are you?"

"Fine, Mom. What's going on?"

"I called you a few times and left a message. I figured you were busy but I was worried just the same."

"Yeah, I was swamped."

"So…how did it go?"

He took a deep breath and grinned.

"I can sign with the Washington Wizards on a four year deal for 40 million, or go with the New Jersey Nets, 5 years, 30 million."

"Oh Nathan, that's wonderful…"

"And that's not all, Mom. I was fully reinstated in the NBA."

"No conditions or provisions?"

"Yeah…they wanted me to take an anger management course and attend AA meetings."

Deb smiled.

"And what did they say when you told them you've already been doing that?"

"They were shocked. Surprised but pleased. I mean, I'm not totally off the hook. This is a total probationary type thing and I know if I screw up then I'm out on my ass."

"You know what that means then?"

"Yeah…don't screw up."

"Exactly."

"I don't intend to, Mom. Believe me. This is my second shot. Not too many people get them. I know I have to make the best of it. I'm serious about making all this work. I don't want to let anyone else down again…or myself."

"I'm proud of you, Nathan. I mean that. I'm so happy things turned out well. And the Esquire layout seemed to go over really well."

"I guess it did."

"So", she said. "Have you talked to your agents and managers yet? Which deal are you going to take?"

Nathan sighed.

"They're both really good. I mean, the money is good or whatever but that's not what I'm worried about now. I gave it some thought and I'll call the Nets franchise tomorrow. We'll probably do a press conference later on this week."

"Good decision. You should even be able to keep your apartment in New York."

"Yeah. I still might buy a house out in Jersey somewhere but for now I'm pretty content where I am."

"At least you're close to Lillian."

"That was the main reason for my decision. Mom, she's getting so big. And I just love spending time with her. It's awesome. I missed her so much this past week. It's like every time I see her, she's doing something new. It's really cool. I know I'll be traveling a lot but when I'm not on the road, I want to be with her as much as possible. I mean that. First words and first steps and her learning to ride a bike and going off to school…I want to be there for all of that. I don't want to miss a thing."

"Well, it sounds like my precious little granddaughter is a very lucky girl."

"Nah. I'm the lucky one."

"I'm glad you'll be there for Lillian. But what about Haley?"

Nathan took a deep breath.

"I don't know, Mom. Who knows what the future holds? I mean, she knows how I feel. I told her that day on the beach and I'm sure she's read about it like everybody else. What else can I do? I know where she stands and maybe it isn't the answer I want to hear right now, but I respect it. What other choice do I really have?"

"Sweetie, sometimes things are just meant to be. Do you get that?"

"Like fate?"

Deb thought for a minute.

"Yeah…like fate. And we can't foresee it and we don't have control over it. That's what destiny is. Sometimes it's for the good and sometimes it's for the bad. Either way, what's supposed to happen will happen. That's what I believe."

"Haley and me will always be in each other's lives. So you think it's already been determined how that will play out? Like if we do end up back together or not?"

"Yes. And if you do, then that's great because I feel that's where you belong. But if it doesn't happen, don't force it. Sometimes you don't get everything you want, Nathan."

"I know. Trust me, I know. I've learned that one the hard way."

"You're not the only one", she muttered.

"What?"

Deb sighed heavily. It was time to tell her son the truth. It was time to reveal the primary reason behind her phone calls.

"Nathan, honey, there is something I have to tell you…"

"What's up? Are you okay?"

"Yes but this is very important. I don't know how you're going to take it or how you're going to feel about it."

"Mom…"

"This might hurt. It might cause you to be disappointed in me. I just don't want you to be angry."

"What is it? Just tell me."

"I…I left the beach house. I moved back in with your father."

Nathan closed his eyes.

"Why?" he finally asked.

"Because I love him. Because a part of me remembers how great it used to be and maybe I dare to think one day we'll have that again."

"Let me guess…he came over and poured on the charm, huh?"

"Dan Scott does have a way with words."

Nathan rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Mom."

"Are you mad?"

"No."

"Disappointed?"

"No. It's none of that. I'm just worried. You deserve better. I want you to be happy. I love you. I don't want you to waste your life away and look back in 20 or 30 years from now and wonder why you chose to be miserable all this time?"

"I'm okay, Nate."

"Are you?"

"I will be. Remember what I said about fate and not controlling destiny?"

"Yeah but…"

"And how some things are just the way they are, good or bad?"

"I know…"

"That's how it is with your father and me. I'm not a stupid woman. I know he puts on the nice act to get what he wants."

"Then why'd you fall for it? He just probably doesn't want to be alone."

"Neither do I, Nate. Neither do I."

Nathan just shook his head. Her mind was made up. It was done.

"Okay, Mom."

"Just okay?"

"What do you want me to say? It's your life. You're a grown woman. I'm scared for you and I might not agree with it but I'm still gonna be here for you. That won't ever change."

"Thank you", she smiled. "That means a lot to me."

"I hope he does change. I hope it does work out for you guys. I won't hold my breath for it but I hope for it just the same. What can I say? All I know is getting my life back on track without his meddling and making my own decisions and jump starting my career without his connections felt really good."

"I'm sure it did."

Nathan looked out the window. They were pulling up to his address.

"I've got to go, Mom. I'm home now. I want to catch Luke before he leaves and I have a lot of crap to do."

"Okay, sweetie. Take care."

"Yeah…you too."

"Nate, one more thing…"

"What's that?"

"I need for you to promise me something."

"What?"

"Promise me you'll talk to Haley again…today. I know you guys already have but things are different now. Just, just give it another shot."

"Why?"

She played with the phone cord between her fingers as Dan walked in and gave her a smile and a nod.

"Because", she finally spoke. "I want you to have the kind of happiness neither one of us has had in a long time. We were always searching for something more, my boy, but maybe what we needed was right in front of our eyes the whole time."

Nathan just nodded. He couldn't respond as he got out of the car and began unloading his bags. A few stray paparazzi were across the street clicking away at him. He looked away and turned his attention to the building in front of him. Maybe his mother was right. Maybe his search stopped there.