Lucas turned the key and then the knob and entered his apartment. Sure he hadn't spent more than a few moments there over the last few weeks but everything was as he left it except for the two couch potatoes and the cups of coffee that sat on the table in front of them.
"Uh hey Luke," Tim said. "We'll be out of your way in a minute."
"Oh don't worry about it," Lucas said, "take your time. I'm going to shower, throw a load of laundry in, and take a nap in my very own comfortable bed."
"Are you sure," Brooke said.
"Yeah don't worry about it," he mumbled as he headed off to the bathroom.
Lucas finished his shower, did his laundry, and finally reemerged from his nap to find Rachel on his couch.
"Hey," she said, "Brooke and Tim let me in on their way out. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not," Lucas mumbled.
"Are you ok," Rachel asked concerned.
"Yeah just exhausted," he said as he plopped down on his couch and sorted through his mail. "This one looks important," he said waving an envelope from UNC. "So I have to report a day early with the freshmen and other transfer students," he said reading. "Look roommate contact info. He's a junior too but not a transfer student. It figures he's probably a loaner who couldn't find a roommate."
"So," Rachel said. "Speaking of going back to school, my parents want to go up to the cabin for a week before I go back. They want to spend family time together." She laughed and rolled her eyes, "family time, they're never around. Anyway we leave tomorrow."
"So hang out for a bit," Lucas said.
Haley was sitting in the chair reading to Keith who was pointing at the pictures. Nathan was cleaning up the toys that he and Nathan were playing with. The sound of the door opening grabbed the attention of the adults who both were hoping for the doctor. A wrist waving a tissue appeared from the crack in the door. The door opened fully and the wrist entered, still waving the tissue, followed by the body of Brooke. "I wasn't sure if I was entering a war zone or not," Brooke said.
"Ha, ha funny," Haley said as she continued reading to Keith and Nathan finished cleaning up.
Brooke sat next to Haley and Keith. Nathan picked up the last two and put it away. "Where's Tim," he asked Brooke.
"Getting his stitches out," Brooke answered.
"Oh," Nathan said fumbling with his hands uncomfortably. "I'm gonna go see Luke."
Haley looked at him sympathetically and nodded. She had been expecting this. Nathan bent down and kissed Keith on the forehead and then kissed Haley before he left the room.
"Is he alright," Brooke asked.
"I don't know," Haley answered. "I don't know what to do or say. I don't think I've ever wanted anything as bad or for as long as he's wanted basketball and now it's slipping away on him. I don't know how to help him."
"Just be there for him," Brooke said. "You know this is how he acted when you left. I don't know if that means you're more important than basketball but you're definitely equal with it."
"Yeah but is that enough," she asked, "I mean when I walked away from the tour I knew if I had him I'd be alright. I just don't know if I'm enough if he doesn't have basketball."
"That's crazy. He'll come around. Not only that but I bet things will work out somehow I mean with all you've been through lately you deserve it," Brooke said.
Suddenly an idea popped into Haley's head and she passed Keith to Brooke and went to the phone.
Lucas and Rachel were hanging on the couch watching TV when there was a knock at the door. "Come in," Lucas called from the couch.
Nathan walked in looking just as distressed as the last time Lucas saw him.
"Hey," Nathan mumbled, "can I talk to you?"
Rachel looked at Lucas concerned as she jumped up, "dinner, café, 7ish."
"I'll see you there," Lucas said. Rachel let herself out while Nathan took her seat. "So is this about whatever was bothering you when you and Haley fought?"
"Yeah," Nathan answered then told him the conversation with Coach K.
"Damn Nate," was all Lucas could think to say.
"What am I gonna do," Nathan asked, "I know I have options but I just can't see past basketball. I should go back to school because I've done well but if I can't play for a year then I need to play somewhere. I just don't know what to do."
"Have you talked to Haley about this," Lucas asked.
"No," he answered, "we had things pretty much all figured out and now things are gonna change no matter what I choose. We keep fighting too."
"So what are you saying," Lucas asked. "Things haven't been easy, so? What are you gonna just give up or something? Give me a break." Lucas was a little frustrated, "I'm sorry Nate. I know things suck and your head's in a strange place but don't worry about you and Haley. She's resilient, she can handle things just talk to her."
"It was never a thought, giving up," he said. "I just want things to be easier for us, for Haley."
"This is your dream that's in jeopardy and you're worried about things not being easy for Haley," Lucas smiled, "that is why you're going to be ok."
"So are you staying at home tonight," Brooke asked.
"I don't know," Haley answered honestly, "but you are even if we do."
"Alright, I just wanted you to have privacy if you needed it," Brooke said.
"We'll be fine don't worry about it we're not going to put you out so stop worrying about us," Haley said.
Tim came in, "hey so how's everything?"
"Good," Haley answered.
The doctor entered before the conversation could continue. "Hello all," he said. Brooke grabbed Tim's hand and waved at Haley quickly and Tim gestured as well and they left. "So your son's doing very well," the doctor said as he went and looked Keith over. "He hasn't been picking at the incisions," he asked and Haley shook her head. "I'm going to have the nurse bring me the kit to remove the stitches," he said as he moved to the phone and called for the nurse.
The doctor removed the stitches and the nurse cleaned up then left the room. Nathan came in with a look of concern on his face, "is everything ok? I saw the nurse leave."
"Yes, everything is fine," Haley answered, "the doctor just took Keith's stitches out."
Nathan just noticed the doctor. "Oh, hey doc," he said.
"Your son looks great," the doctor said. "It's too late today to discharge him but maybe tomorrow."
"That's great," Nathan said with his first genuine smile Haley had seen since he woke up.
The doctor smiled and said he'd be back in the morning then left. Nathan walked over to Haley and wrapped his arms around her and she hugged him back. "Ummm hey," Haley said.
"Hi," Nathan said still holding her.
"Are you ok," Haley asked breaking the embrace and touching his cheek.
He leaned into her hand, "remember during halftime of the state championship game when you showed up and I asked you 'if I don't go to Duke. If I don't play college basketball.' If that day was the best it ever was for me. 'Will that be enough?"'
"Yeah I remember," she said questioningly.
"Well I guess I'm asking you again Hales. I mean if it's all over will I be enough?"
"And do you remember what my answer was," she asked him. "I said, 'of course, Nathan, as long as you are a good husband and a good father."'
"So then what do I do? Do I finish college and become a business man with my business degree. The kind of man that can provide for his family but in the process take a year off from ball probably costing me that career instead? Or, do I find a way to follow my dream but not provide for my family right away," he asked.
"Well there are more ways to provide for your family than to provide monetary support. So as long as you swallow your pride and let me be the bread winner until your time, I suggest you do what makes you happy. Besides that's what'll make you a good husband and father," she said resting her cheek on his chest.
"Ok so I try to find a way to play ball now," he said apprehensively, "but that could mean going away."
"Whatever, we'll do it together," Haley said, "besides I already called my agent and he's got a friend, a sports agent who was willing to represent you and he's working on some options for you."
He looked down into her eyes, "god I love you."
"And don't you forget it," she said as she kissed him.