Fire Starter

I apologize for the long wait. Thanks for all the feedback. It's greatly appreciated. I also want to thank my buddy Kelly. He motivation and help got me to update.

I would rather start a family than finish one~ Don Marquis

Chapter 5

An excited Nathan faced Haley, ready to ask her about their long day. Unfortunately, he would have to wait. She was sound asleep. Her pretty head lay against the car window.

Earlier, Kai, their driver had helped Nathan get in contact with her pilot while she was in the shower. He also drove them to a private air field and their waiting plane.

Nathan didn't wake her. Instead, he lifted her into his strong arms and carried her aboard himself. She rested her tired head in his lap while he stroked the shiny flaxen strands that covered her head until he dozed off too.

The afternoon was just starting when they arrive on the east coast and the sun was high in sky. Nathan smiled at the huge black pickup truck waiting for them. A chubby old man leaned against the hood with a blue baseball cap hung low on his face. Nathan asked his friend and mentor, Coach Whitey Durham to pick them up and ward off the press and fans who were scrounging for information on the newlyweds. With one glance that man had scared off some of the worst men Nathan had ever known.

"Hales, we're here." He woke up the stunning , sassy and adventurous woman. Quickly she went to the restroom to freshen up before they exited the plane hand-in-hand.

As soon as they got close to their ride, the elderly man took off his hat and donned a big smile.

"Well it looks like you finally hooked one, Boy?" he teased Nathan and nodded respectfully at the little beauty.

"This is Haley James…. Scott." Nathan said proudly, his eyes lingering on her as turned to one of the most important people in his life. "Hales, this is Coach Durham."

"It's really nice to meet you, Mr. Durham." Haley lunged herself at the cute gentleman, hugging him soundly as he turned beet red.

"It's nice to meet you too darlin." He chuckled as she stepped back, placing an arm around Nathan's waist. "You can call me Brian."

"Hey! You never let anyone call you that but Ms. Camilla!" Nathan argued.

"Well, when you're as pretty as this little doll or my lovely wife, you can call me Brian too." He snapped, secretly winking at Haley while Nathan pouted and walked his new wife around the truck so the could get in.

Although, she wasn't truly his, she wore his ring and last name with pride. She made out with him and spoke to an of him adoringly. Haley had turned out to be nothing like her first impression. He was grateful that he had taken the chance to find that out.

Nathan recalled Haley's curious brown eyes as they absorbed every detail of the landscape that lead up to the huge Charlotte estate he called home. She had given his fingers a loving squeeze, sensing his apprehension after departing the car. They kept their hands intertwined on the walked up a shrubbery path to the front door. He grinned inwardly, at the glow in her cheeks when a skipping five year old bounced out the door and ran to hug him.

Jamie was a small energetic boy, with wheat blond hair and navy blue eyes. He had a million questions for Haley. Luckily, the sound of a bad guitar playing interrupted his interview before we had to answer any about our relationship.

Nathan stifled my laughter at Haley's confusion when a twelve year old skateboarded up walkway to greet her new spouse, their dad. Raleigh was a tall, slim eighth grader with olive skin, hazel eyes and a killer dimples under a shaggy head of hair. His big brother was apparently, a basketball player for the local highs school from the shirt he was donning. Quinton was a Nathan's height and build, muscular with full lips a chocolate complexion, white teeth and a smirk she could swear he got from Nathan honestly. She could see several questions waiting to spill from his mouth as she were introduced to the threesome as his wife, but they were again interrupted by another boy, closer to Jamie's age running there way with sun kissed peachy skin, a chubby belly and mischievous brown eyes in wet swim trunks. Quick for age, an older lady followed him with scolding words.

It was obvious Haley needed some answers as Nathan introduced Haley to the beautiful senior woman that was one of the boys caretakers, Camilla Durham and the seven year old, David. Then he hugged his boys and asked them of their days during his absence. But soon all the attention was directed to her as we went inside to get more acquainted with these four young men. Raleigh ran off to do his homework, seeming the least interested in their new family dynamics. Quinton started doing his chores with the two youngest and closest; Jamie and David went to catch an episode of Ben 10. Now, he could give her the explanation she deserved.

"I had always had a tough relationship with my parents. My mother was absent a lot and my father was both verbally and physically abusive." Nathan suddenly blurted after finding himself alone with Haley.

Haley's eyes watered and she touched his arm gently as he continued.

"His actions against me were caught by relatives, friends, or teachers on many different occasions. I was taken from him for months at a time and sent to a boy's home in Tree Hill, a small neighboring town. The man you met earlier ran it, Mr. Durham. He always fought for me when my parents got custody again. He took really great care of me. He's my father as far as I'm concerned."

My parents would get their act together momentarily; just to save face (My father is mayor and my mother a southern socialite.). Although my mother would say otherwise, saying how much they loved me, they just had me too young. But I knew it was a lie."

She continued to listen intensely as he opened up to her, a rarity for Nathan Scott.

"By the time I was fifteen, I was a regular at the home and should have been a role model for the younger boys. But I was immature and not ready for it. I was still so angry and lost. My grades were poor and my attitude stunk. I was skipping school, drinking and getting into fights. So when my dad broke my nose for getting kicked off the basketball team and my mother took me out of the fancy private school they had me in because her friends were talking about how beat up I always seemed to be and put me in a school for special needs children, Mr. Durham talked to some lawyers and my Uncle Keith got custody of me.

"Oh, Nathan, that's terrible." her eyes watered and she gently placed her hand on his shoulder, surprised to see him smile at her.

"Actually, it was the best thing to ever happen to me. I stopped being so angry and started living again." he gave her a crooked grin. "I got my act together, finished high school and headed for the academy. I was a fireman a few months after I turned 18. I spent my spare time at the home, helping out, giving back." He explained.

"That's very admirable, Nathan. I'm sure most guys your age wouldn't have been so responsible and thoughtful of others." She praised, kissing his cheek as he blushed proudly.

"They're all I got." He admitted sadly as she nudged him playfully, trying to lighten the mood. "That's why when the home was being shut down a couple of years back, I took the inheritance I got from my grandfather, bought this house, an adopted the boys that were left with the help of the Durham's and Uncle Keith. They are my family, Haley. "

"Now, you've got me too." She giggled.

Later, the family gathered for dinner in the backyard. Keith was manning the grill, while Camilla made sure everyone got their fill of the many side dishes displayed on the picnic table and Mr. Durham told silly jokes.

Haley could see the two younger boys watch her, then whisper to each other. Raleigh completely ignored Haley as he discussed his upcoming soccer game with Nathan.

Q's phone began to vibrate for what seemed like the hundredth time, he looked at it and then over to Nathan's annoyed expression. Rolling his eyes, he stuffed the item in pocket and continued eating his burger.

Haley was about to join in the conversation that Nathan with having with Raleigh when Jamie spoke up. "We've got roses growing on the shed, Ms. Haley." he pointed and David shook his head in agreement.

Haley looking in the direction they were pointing to see the beautiful flowers covering the wooden building that housed the yard and garden tools before replying. "How about you boys come over there with me? I would love to see them up close."

The pair eagerly got up and ran around the table to take Haley's hands as soon as she rose.

Neither saw Raleigh roll his eyes and go back to eating his food without another word to his dad.

Nathan watched the graceful waif, showing interest in his children. It filled him with passion and respect for her. She was a total enigma. He had never been so glad to be wrong about someone. Sure, she could still be a little salty, but her sweetness more than made up for it. She wasn't so much the selfish pop star, but a girl protecting her heart from all the so-called friends, employees and family that only used her for her wealth or celebrity. She had been disappointed by so many people, that Nathan would be sure never to place himself on that list. He was still unsure if she was really happy with the a ready-made family. He thought meeting her would just be a job, a bad one at that. It turned out to be so much more.

"Don't let them run you ragged, Ms. Haley." Whitey chuckled and tipped his hat as the threesome raced pass on his way from the shed. He was carrying an armful of citronella candles his wife had requested.

She easily kept up with the boys and skips over to the flora that lined the walkway that lead to the shed. Suddenly, she turned around and her golden locks bounced in the wind as her brown eyes took in nature at its best. Nathan wanted to frown, but his smile remained. Damn, she was going to break his heart.

"It's, gorgeous, boys." She smiles before spinning around. Overhearing, Whitey chuckles, she winked at Nathan.

"You got yourself a little piece of heaven there, son. Tell me again what the hell she's doing with you?"

"You're not prize yourself, Brian!" Camilla warned her husband playfully, before kissing her husbands round cheek and taking an empty tray off the table and heading for the house.

"What are you laughing at?" Whitey grouse as Keith laughed at Camilla's comments. "You don't even have a prospect for a date."

Keith shut up and returned to his work.

Quinton almost spewed his punch everywhere at the comment and Nathan just shook his head.

Nathan and Whitey walked away from the table, both drawn closer to the pretty lass that had just become the younger man's bride. "I didn't tell her about the boys until we were married." he confessed.

"Why the hell not, Nathan!" The man shouted. "She should have at least known what she was getting herself in, those boys have been hurt enough!" he exclaimed, softening as he watched the woman wave before chasing the chubby boy through the yard, while the blonde yelled for her to watch him do back flips.

Moments later, Nathan heard clapping from his younger children and looked over to see Haley doing a succession of cartwheels across the lawn. Whitey followed his dreamy expression.

"Always be honest with her and listen to her side of things and you two should be fine." he counseled as the bubbly girl ran towards them, leaping into Nathan's arms. Jamie and David had forgotten her, chasing a frog around the large pecan tree that sat near the back fence.

"They're incredible kids, Scott. I love it here. It's gorgeous." She declared, slightly winded.

"You're gorgeous." He smiled as she blushed, snuggling her face into his shirt bashfully.

"But we want Ms. Haley to read to us." Jamie said and David shook his head in agreement as their older brother Raleigh came in to read them their nightly bedtime story.

"Well she's busy and I wouldn't expect her to be around all that much, so don't get use to her." He smarted.

"Why not, she's our mommy now." David's lip trembled and Jamie's was on the verge of crying at their brothers words.

"Just 'cause she married dad doesn't make her our mommy. She doesn't look that much older than Q. 'sides, she a big time singer. She's not going to have time for us. She'll probably be in Hollywood shooting videos all the ?" he rationalized.

The little boys just shook their heads in agreement and slipped back down in their shared bed, resting their tired heads on the pillows. Each has a twin bed of their own, but they usually shared since David was afraid of the dark.

"You don't have to read to us tonight, either. Right, Dave?" Jamie sighed sadly. "We won't tell daddy you skipped."

"Yeah, we won't tell." David added in an unhappy whisper.

"Ok, good night little dudes." A pleasing grin dimpled Raleigh's face as he headed out of the room, only to bump right into his new blonde nemesis. She saw the book in his hand and pouted.

"Did I miss story time? Aww, I love to read." she complained.

"You didn't miss it, Ms. Haley!" Jamie popped up.

"Nope, Raleigh was just going to get us some water. Right, Raleigh?" David gave his older brother a pointed smile.

"Oh, this is going to be so much fun!" Haley took the book from the lanky boy as she read the title aloud and skipped toward the bed. "Let's see, Dog Breath!: Horrible Trouble With Hally Tosis. I bet this is good."

Raleigh stormed out of the room in a huff, but no one saw him sitting in the hall, listening to Haley's detailed and dramatic interpretation of the child's fiction with a content smile.

A freshly showered Nathan made his way through the house saying goodnight to his boys, making sure the front door was locked and the alarm was set. In passing the den, he found his oldest son sprawled out on the sofa talking to on the phone.

"I'm going to bed. Don't stay up to late." Nathan fathered the male not far from his age.

"Haley's…. I mean, Ms. Haley's going to bed now too." He eagerly asked and Nathan nodded according. "Well, I might as well say goodnight and turn in too." He faked yawned and whispered into the phone. "I've got to go man, code blue." He slammed his phone shut and got up.

"You never go to bed this early when schools out? What are you up to?" Nathan questioned his odd behavior as he followed him down the hall.

"Nothing Pops. I'm just tired. I've got to get up early to help Whitey with basketball camp." he shrugged as Nathan eyed him suspiciously. "Can I say goodnight to Ms. Haley, now?"

Haley was brushing her hair at the dresser when Quinton said his goodnight and left their room. Nathan left the boudoir soon after, to retrieve her glass of water when he overhead the boy talking on the phone yet again.

"Nah, man you and Chicken loose. She had on a tank top and shorts, looked like the damn girls at school, but hotter." he bragged. "If she was naked or had on lingerie wouldn't you think I would tell you fools….sweet ass Haley James? I would have her on YouTube as we speak."

Nathan snatched the phone and ended the call before staring him down with such a menacing look, Quinton almost pissed himself.

"We won't be having this conversation ever. Will we Quinton Fields Scott?" The blue eyed man blew.

"No sir." The boy gulped before the pair shared silent nods.

Nathan continued on his journey and a scared shitless Quinton slithered fuller down the hall to his room.

Ms. Camilla was in the kitchen finishing up her cup of herbal tea when a tense looking Nathan entered, taking a glass from the cabinet above since and filling it with water from the filter in the refrigerator's door. She walked over to him, patting him on the shoulder.

"I know it's been a really, really long time since you've had a woman in your bed, but you don't have to be worried son, I changed the sheets and put some candles in your room to set the mood." She said in her typical motherly fashion. "You can't forget how to do it. It's like riding a bike. I'm sure you'll satisfy that blessing of a girl just fine."

She strolled off to her quarters as if they had been discussing who drank the last of the orange juice. Nathan pressed his head against the refrigerator. The night was getting more and more outrageous.

Finally calling it a night, Nathan crawled in bed, noticing Haley had lit the candles, Ms. Camilla had place around the room. Great, a sixty year old woman had more game than he had!

Waiting for Haley to finish brushing her teeth, Nathan though of his estrangement from his real parents and his long standing vow not to let anyone new into the family he had created for himself, meaning a woman. However, Haley James was special. He couldn't remember being every being this content. Maybe they weren't really a couple, but Nathan knew that she would be a serious influence on his life from this day forward.

She slipped into bed and they both lay in silence until he reached over to take a refreshed Haley's hand. He leaned his body over so his mouth was right at her ear.

"Thank you for coming to meet my family, Haley. Everyone here loves you. You were a natural with them. "

"You're welcome." Was her short response, turning away from him on her side and he spooned her.

"I know we have to go back to Hawaii in the morning, but I was thinking we could come back Friday and spend the weekend with them. I don't think we have to worry about the press or anything."

"I have a Fuse interview." She voice, finally acknowledging him.

"Fine, I just thought…..never mind, forget it!" He moved away from her, lying on his back. "I should have known it was all an act." He snapped broken heartedly.

It wasn't an act, Scott!" She inhaled sharply and flipped her hair over her shoulder, folding her arms protectively around her as she sat up and spoke.

"Whatever Haley, I'll stick to plan from now on!" He said scooting further away from her in the king-sized bed. "I knew to follow my instincts when it comes to rich, blonde…"

"Shut up, Nathan! This is your entire fault." She said, hitting him over the head with a pillow.

"My fault, I was the one trying to share my life with you….open up to you!" he barked back as the glared at each other, faces only inches apart.

A frustrated Haley through her hands up in the air. "Don't you see, Scott? When this is over in a year, I'll be completely attached to that amazing bunch of boys. How am I suppose to give that up?" she wept and he watched her for a second, taking in the validity of her words and body language. Quickly, he brought her into a consoling embrace. "Shhh ..... No matter what happens with us, I'll always let you be apart of their lives. I promise." He muttered into her hair, stroking it lightly with his large hands.

Knowing he was a man of his word, she seemed to find comfort in his words, but all it did was bring sadness to Nathan, realizing this little fantasy of his would eventually end......

Pamela