For the third time that year, Lucas was unpacking his stuff in Dan's house.
"You might want to make this at least semi-permanent." Deb smiled gave him a hug before she went downstairs.
The brothers had dinner with Deb and then played basketball at the Rivercourt, and returned home exhausted, so they went to sleep.
Nathan got back from jogging around the block and got a bottle of water from the kitchen.
"Hey sweetie." Deb said.
"Hey."
"Did you have a good run?"
"Yeah, watch out, it's really hot outside."
"Thanks for the heads up."
"No problem." He said and went to watch T.V.
Twenty minutes later Deb came into the living room.
"It's almost noon, so I have to head over to the café."
"Alright."
"I'll be back late, so you might want to stop and see your father or something."
"Probably will. He's coming home day after tomorrow, right?"
"Yes. Okay, I'm off. See you later tonight."
"Bye."
"Oh, and Nathan?"
"Yeah."
"Don't let Lucas sleep in too much longer."
"Sheesh I thought he was up already."
"Nope, sound asleep when I was just up there."
"Okay."
"Bye!" Deb said and left.
"Well congratulations Lucas, even I don't sleep until noon." Nathan whispered in Lucas's ear.
"Huh?"
"It's noon, bro."
"Damn." Lucas said, sitting up, and Nathan was surprised to see dark circles under his brother's eyes.
"Whoa, are you okay?" Nathan asked.
Lucas sat up and ran his hands through his hair.
"I just had some trouble sleeping."
"Thinking about your mom?"
"Surprisingly, no. I just had some chest pains and it was kind of hard to go to sleep."
"Did you take aspirin or something?"
"No, it's just something that happens sometimes with HCM."
"Oh right." Nathan said, remembering the reading he did when he first found out about the disease.
"Yeah. I'm going to go shower."
"I'll be downstairs."
Lucas got dressed and went downstairs a little while later and heard the familiar sound of a basketball pounding the pavement.
"It's like a sickness with us, isn't it?" Lucas joked.
"Pretty much. Obsession is in our blood." Nathan said.
Both boys laughed a little awkwardly, not knowing what to think of their current status with their father.
"I have some wonderful news for you." Nathan said.
"Oh really." Lucas questioned, shooting the ball. "Swish. So pretty!" he laughed.
"Our grandparents might be coming to visit. All hell broke loose the last time they were here, so it should be a charming visit." Nathan said.
"I was sure I heard the word wonderful in that description."
"Heavy with sarcasm. You might find it to be wonderful."
"Because?"
"You didn't tell Grandpa to shut up last time he visited and he won't have any anger towards you."
"I see." Lucas laughed.
"Did you know he keeps in contact with your mom?"
"You're kidding."
"Nope. Haley saw him once at the café when they were here about 4…or 5 months ago and he was asking for her."
"Huh."
"Speaking of which…did you talk to her?"
"Not since she called last night."
"Not your mom, smart one. Haley."
"Oh. Right." Lucas said and yawned. "I didn't learn anything new, Nate. It's the same thing she's been saying all along, about her dreams and stuff."
"Thanks for trying."
"No problem. Although I kind of yelled at her a little."
"Because?"
"I was upset, about something or other, and I yelled at her about how much it sucked that she left and all we went through without her."
"Oh."
"Yeah. Just letting off steam, you know."
Lucas stood there dribbling the ball for a moment, then without words, he passed the ball to Nathan and they began to play.
They continued to play for about half an hour, Nathan jumping up to dunk for the winning shot.
Lucas jumped up too to try and block him. Nathan got by anyway, and Lucas landed on the ground a little unsteady.
"Luke are you okay?" Nathan said worriedly. The ball dropped and rolled away as Nathan came to his brother's side.
Lucas took some deep breaths and coughed a little.
"Yeah I'm fine. Just a little winded, I guess." He said, and sat down on the driveway, still short of breath.
"Are you sure." Nathan said.
"I'm sure." Lucas said and stood up.
"Let's go inside." Nathan said,
Lucas sat down on the couch, and Nathan brought him some water.
"Thanks." He said, taking a sip and then coughing a little.
"I know you say you're fine, Lucas, but that is not normal."
"To get a little winded? Yes it is Nathan."
"Are you sure you should be playing basketball?"
"I have the medication. Or I will soon, once Dad gets home."
"Good."
"Yeah."
"Are you…"
"Yes. I am sure."
"I believe you, but if something happens to you when we're playing, then you shouldn't play anymore. Nothing's worth the risk of hurting yourself or dying."
"Alright, big brother." Lucas frowned and took another sip of water.
"Nah. Just a guy looking out for his brother that he just found and doesn't want to lose."
"Aww, we're getting all sentimental here."
"Be serious. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Thanks, Nathan. I mean it."
"Good. Now I am freaking starving so I am having lunch."
"I'll be there in a minute." Lucas said.
He went upstairs and changed clothes.
He could hear the phone ring, then he heard Nathan call out and ask him to answer it.
"Hello, um, Scott residence?" This was weird
"Nathan?" A gruff voiced demanded.
"This is Lucas." Lucas said uncertainly.
"Well I'll be damned…" The man responded thoughtfully.
"…who's this?"
"This is your grandpa young man."
Nathan poked his head into the room and Lucas motioned for him to come over.
"Who is it?" He mouthed.
"Dan's father." Lucas mouthed back.