Find Our Way Back
Chapter 15
One Thing
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these OTH characters, as much as I'd like to. And none of these songs are mine.
Restless tonight
Cause I wasted the light
Between both these times
I drew a really thin line
Friday in Chicago
Haley and Jimmy sat at breakfast with Nathan, planning their weekend.
"So, I thought we could go to the aquarium today. And of course, the game tomorrow night. The zoo on Sunday."
"The zoo?" Jimmy's eyes got really big.
"Yep. It's really big."
"Neat," Jimmy slid off his chair to go look at a picture sitting on the end table. "Daddy, who are these people?"
Nathan looked at what he was holding. It was a picture taken of him and several teammates all dressed-up in suits just after a pre-season press conference. "Those are some guys I work with."
"What do you do daddy?"
"I work with the basketball team."
"Really? Can you get me autographs?"
"Of course. I'll bet I can even get you in to meet them after the game."
"Wow!"
"Daddy's not going to be able to sit with you at the game though."
"You're not?" Jimmy asked surprised.
"No, I have to finish my job so that I can move to Nashville."
"For good?"
"For good."
"Okay. As long as I get to meet the team."
"You will buddy," Nathan suddenly remembered something, "Did you bring your jersey?"
"Yes. Mommy said he would be playing in the game."
"She was right."
"Cool."
"Can I watch TV now?"
"Sure," Nathan watched as Jimmy ran for the living room and immediately found Toon Disney.
"He watched TV like you play video games," Haley said watching her son.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"After five minutes, nothing else in the world matters."
"That's my boy."
Haley smacked him, "Exactly why I won't let Lucas buy him video games."
"Aww…come on."
"Nope. And that's one subject that I won't budge on."
"Glad I got him the basketball hoop, and not the GameBoy."
"Me too," Haley kissed him.
"I have to leave early today, but I'm sending a car to pick you up at 5:00. It'll take you and Jimmy to dinner, then bring you to the auditorium. The people at the door will know who you are and will escort you to the seats I picked out."
"Courtside?"
"You know it."
"Wow, it's like we're stars or something."
"Nothing but the best for my wife and son."
"You're so sweet," Haley kissed him softly.
It's nothing I planned
And not that I can
But you should be mine
Across that line
Haley sat with Jimmy in the limo after dinner. They were now on their way to the game. "Are you excited?"
"Yes. But I wish daddy was sitting with us."
"Me too. But it'll still be fun, I promise."
"Will we see daddy?"
"Yeah," Haley looked out the window, "Look kiddo, we're here."
Jimmy pressed his face against the glass, "Wow, its big!"
The driver came around and opened the door, "Ma'am."
"Thank you sir."
"Have a good evening. Mister Scott will be escorting you after the game."
Jimmy jumped out, "Later dude," and grabbed Haley's hand, "Let's go!"
She laughed, "I'm coming."
They were next greeted at the entrance to the auditorium, "Haley and James Scott?"
"Wow mommy, she knows our names."
The woman smiled, "This way please." She led them to the seats Nathan had picked personally.
Haley was amazed. Not only were they courtside as promised, but also half-court. "Thank you."
Jimmy noticed immediately that the team was already practicing. "Look mommy! I wonder which one he is. Hey! There's daddy!" He started waving.
Nathan spotted them and waved back.
"It's neat that daddy gets to practice with them."
"It is, isn't it."
If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
Dan looked at their seats, "Our son plays for the team damn it. We should get better seats."
"Cool it Dan. We're lucky he got us any seats at all."
"Why'd he finally invite us to a game after five years? He's tortured me all this time, making me buy my own tickets and follow his amazing career on TV."
"Shut up Dan."
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldn't that be something
Keith sat with Karen and her husband, Andy, "So do either of you know why we're here?"
Karen shrugged her shoulders, "Nathan asked us to come."
"Besides, who'd turn down a free vacation?" Andy added. The three laughed.
Karen quickly spotted Nathan, "Who's he waving to?"
Andy looked, "Some kid and his mom."
"He's probably making a fan feel special," Keith looked to where Karen pointed. "Wait," he squinted, "that's…"
"Haley and Jimmy," the three said in unison looking at each other.
I promise I might
Not walk on by
Maybe next time
But not this time
Lydia James found her seat next to Brooke and Lucas, "So what's the big occasion?"
The couple exchanged a quick look, "No idea," Lucas replied. "He just said he'd like his family here tonight."
Even though I know
I don't wanna know
Yeah I guess I know
I just hate how it sounds
BJ elbowed Nathan, "Who's the hottie?"
Nathan looked at his teammate as they sat in the locker-room before the game, "Huh?"
"The girl sitting courtside."
"She's a friend."
"Just a friend huh?"
"Yep."
"Is that where you've been for the past three months?"
"Possibly."
"She must be pretty special to throw away three precious months of basketball season."
Nathan smiled, "Yeah, she is pretty special."
If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
"Look mommy! The team is coming out now!"
Haley watched for Nathan to come out, and at the same time watched Jimmy out of the corner of her eye. She was anxious to see her son's reaction. Nathan wasn't visible in the group, but she knew he was there.
As was customary, the starters were announced. Jimmy cheered for each one, right along with the rest of the packed auditorium. He was loving it all. The first four men were announced before a short pause, "And now," the announcer began, "Back from a very long stay on the DL…lets hear it for Nathan Scott!"
Jimmy started cheering, "It's him mommy!" Then he stopped and looked at her, "Its daddy."
"It sure is buddy."
"He's a basketball player?"
"Yep."
"That guy said he was gone. 'Cause he was with us?"
"Yeah buddy. But he wanted to be with us.
Jimmy watched Nathan closely during the first half. He sat quietly through half-time. And watched just as intensely during the third and fourth quarters.
Haley watched Nathan as well. It reminded her of high school and college. His game was so smooth and effortless. It was what he was born to do. A part of her still felt guilty that she's taking him from all of this. But, a bigger part knows he'd rather be with them. Before she knew it, the game was over, they'd won.
The announcer was speaking again, "Being the last game of the regular season, something sorta special has been planned. So, if you'd turn your attention to center court, I give you Mr. Nathan Scott."
The crowd went wild and Nathan could feel his heart racing. "Thank you everyone. The team has had a great season," he looked at the men who had become more than just teammates over the years, "even without me." There was a roar of laughter. None of them were prepared for what he said next, "Hopefully that means next season, while I'm cheering them on from my couch in Tennessee, they'll do just as great." A silence washed over the crowd. Then the whispering began, "You heard me correctly. Which means, at the end of the season, I'm retiring."
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldn't that be something
"He's what!" Dan shouted.
"Just listen to him," although Deb was just as surprised.
If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
"I know there were many rumors and speculations as to where I've been for the past three months," he began walking towards Haley. "Two years ago, I was asked if I'd give it all up if love cam knocking. Three months ago, it did. I was given a chance to love. A chance to build a new life. And that's why today," Nathan knelt on one knee and pulled a small box from his pocket, "I'd like to ask one question. Haley James-Scott, will you marry me?"
Haley stared at him in shock. She couldn't believe what was happening. The whole place was quiet.
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldn't that be something
"Jake! Get your ass back in here!" Peyton yelled to her husband.
"What is it?" he shouted from the kitchen.
"Haley's at the game! And Nathan just asked her to marry him!"
"What!" Jake raced into the room and jumped over the back of the couch, sitting on the edge of his seat, in imitation of his wife.
Even though I know
I don't wanna know
Yeah I guess I know
I just hate how it sounds
Jimmy stood on his chair and whispered in her ear, "You're supposed to say yes."
Haley smiled, leave it to her son to bring her back to reality. She looked at the ring then back at Nathan, "Of course I'll marry you." She stood up to hug him. With her arms wrapped around his neck she whispered, "But I don't need that ring." Haley pulled out the chain around her neck, "I already have one."
"I want you to have this one Haley," and he slipped the ring on her finger. Kissing her softly, he turned his attention back to the crown, searching out his family. "Since she said yes," there was a mixture of laughter and cheer, "I am ending my career to spend time with my wife, and son." Nathan picked up jimmy and wrapped his arm around Haley. "They are my life now."
Even though I know
I don't wanna know
Yeah I guess I know
I just hate how it sounds
Lucas looked at Brooke and smiled. Things were finally falling into place for their family. He eyed Lydia, who was crying, "Those are happy tears I hope."
"They are, they are," she hugged Lucas, "My baby's getting married," she paused, "again, to the man she's still married to," she laughed.
Brooke smiled, "It is pretty crazy, isn't it."
Lucas wrapped his arms around the two women, "Our ride awaits us," and led them to the limo Nathan had arranged.
If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
"That bitch is ruining his life, taking him away from the game."
Deb looked at her husband, "Do you not realize what just happened here?" She didn't give Dan a chance to reply, "We just found out that our son's getting married, heck, we just might get invited to this one. And that we have a grandson, who we've never met. Nathan sounded genuinely happy Dan. Everyone deserves that."
"But…"
"Shut up Dan. He played your precious game, at the highest level possible, for five years. If he wants to quit, for once in your life, don't deny him that. He did all of this for you." She wrapped her arms around Dan's waist, "Now the invite said there would be a limo waiting for us after the game. So lets go."
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldn't that be something
Karen hugged Andy, and then Keith, "I can't believe Nathan and Haley are getting married."
Andy looked at her, "Aren't they already married?"
Karen looked at Keith, then back at her husband, "You've been part of this family HOW long?"
"I know that Haley left him five years ago, and kept the presence off their son from him, but they never actually got a divorce did they?"
"No, but he probably sees this as a new start for them."
Keith spoke up, "I'm surprised they're back together. How did we NOT know?"
"Because my son's somehow turned into a great liar."
Andy laughed, thinking of the tense time surrounding the HMC situation, "He's been able to lie to you for a while now honey."
"Shut up."
Keith laughed at his friends, "That aside, how are Dan and Deb going to react when they find out we know their grandson already?"
Karen grimaced, she and Deb were pretty good friends. It had been hard for her to listen to Deb talk about Nathan's sadness, all the while knowing the location of her missing daughter-in-law, and the grandson she had no knowledge of. "Deb's going to be hurt, but eventually she'll understand."
"How did Nathan know to invite us?"
"Lucas," Karen said before laughing, "or Jimmy. He learned how to talk from Brooke, which means he can't keep a secret. It's possible he mentioned us."
The trio had been walking during their conversations. Arriving at the limo, they slid inside, "Karen?"
"Deb, Dan, hey," she knew their wait for Nathan would be uncomfortable as she eyed the other three passengers, Lucas and Brooke along with Lydia James.
If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldn't that be something
If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldn't that be something