It had been over two years since the accident almost two years since graduation; most Tree Hill High seniors from the class of 2006 were finishing their sophomore year of college.
At the river court Lucas was shooting around with Skills who had gotten in from UCLA the day before. Haley approached holding Keith, she put him down on the pavement and he did the wobbly toddler run to his uncle Lucas.
"Wouk," Keith said as Lucas snatched him up.
"Hey buddy, still working on those L's huh" Lucas said and started tickling him.
"Hey Hale, how've ya been? Seen ya on TV, the music thing works for ya" Skills said. "Your boy's damn cute too, gonna be a little player, ha dawg," he continued as he winked at Keith and Luke.
Haley laughed, "I'm good Skills, how about you? How's Bev—" Haley stopped abruptly as Lucas gave her the "cut it" sign across his neck.
"Awe you know how life is in LA, the Lakers think you're a hot cheerleader and the next thing you know you're a Lakers girl and dumping your college basketball player boyfriend."
"Awe Skills I'm sorry," she said as she gave him a little hug.
"Yeah well she can just wait 'til I'm in the NBA and then try and get me back!"
Haley giggled, "Well Skills I hate to do this but I kind of need to talk to Luke." Luke gave her the questioning eyes.
"Hey no problem Haley," Skills said. "Luke I'll see you later."
"Yeah, see you later," Lucas said as he slapped Skills hand and patted him on the back.
As Skills walked away Lucas picked up Keith again and then put his arm around Haley's shoulder, "what's wrong Hales?"
"Your sure Nathan isn't coming home this summer" she asked as they started to walk.
Lucas couldn't tell if the question was meant to sound like she wanted him to come home or if she didn't want him to come home so he just answered truthfully. "I dunno Hales. He mentioned possibly going to Europe again something about interest from the NBA already and them wanting him to spend the entire summer there but he didn't say if he was going or not. I guess I'll find out tomorrow when I take Keith to see him."
"Yeah," she said sounding disappointed yet relieved as she smiled at her son and ruffled his dark hair.
They just walked in silence for a while. Luke put Keith down and took his hand as they approached Karen's café, Haley took his other hand. "I can't believe how good at walking he's gotten, running too" Lucas said. "Before you left for the tour he was really wobbly, he's growing up so fast, so is Kaitlyn. Speak of the little devil," he said as he walked in the door of the café and his little sister ran into his arms. "Hey Kait, how's my pretty girl," he said as she kissed her big brother on the cheek.
"Haley James!" Karen exclaimed as she came around the counter and wrapped her arms around Haley.
"Hey Karen, sorry I didn't come in sooner, we've been getting settled in the new house," Haley responded.
"It's ok Haley, its just good to see you and little Keith. Boy does he look like—"
"Mom's been busy," Lucas interrupted giving Karen the death look, "looks slow now though why don't you catch up and I'll keep these two busy" Luke said as he grabbed Keith's hand and took him and Kaitlyn out back to play.