Chapter 1: Being With You...
"How much do you love me?" asked Haley in a playful voice as she put her arms around her boyfriend who was making himself coffee.
Nathan chuckled as he turned around and looked at Haley intently, "More than you'll ever know." Setting his steaming cup of coffee on the kitchen counter, he put his arms around Haley and gave her a long kiss.
Haley just smiled at him, "You know, I could get used to this every morning."
Nathan grinned, "Good, me too." Nathan beamed proudly at Haley. It has been seven years since he and Haley had gotten back together. Already having finished college three years ago, they found themselves with successful careers. Nathan had joined the NBA, playing for the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, Haley became a journalist for the New York Post. Since they were both based in New York, Nathan and Haley decided to buy an apartment together. Moreover, both had agreed they were not yet ready for marriage. Nevertheless, they wanted to live together so that there wouldn't be too many adjustments when they finally become husband and wife.
"So, what are your plans today?" asked Haley as she poured herself a glass of orange juice.
Nathan let out a sigh as he settled by the breakfast nook, "Let's see...I got practice then, I got this contract signing."
"For Victoria's Secret?" asked Haley in a joking tone as she made herself some toasts.
Nathan just grinned at her, "Unfortunately, they don't have a men's line yet. I know you'd be insanely jealous when that time comes."
Haley just laughed, "Actually Nate, I'd appreciate some free lingerie when that time comes!"
Nathan suddenly stood up and walked over to his girlfriend. Putting his arms around her waist, he whispered into her ear, "Well, I'd be getting you the ones full of lace...barely covering anything."
Haley turned to face Nathan as she gave him a sexy smile, "You do that...and I'll make you try them on!"
Nathan just chuckled, "You know, I hear men are starting to like lace nowadays."
Haley just laughed, "Is that right? Well, I know a certain NY Knicks hotshot who wouldn't mind putting them on for his girlfriend."
Nathan just smiled at Haley, "You know there's nothing I wouldn't do for you, Hales...even look stupid."
Haley gave him a warm smile, "I know. That's why I love you." With that, she leaned over to give her boyfriend another passionate kiss...
"You know, if you guys let me plan your wedding, I'll give you a 25 discount," remarked Brooke with a huge grin on her face. After college, Brooke found herself working at Bliss, one of the biggest wedding planning companies in New York.
Haley just laughed as she walked towards her friend. Clearly, Brooke saw Nathan and her kissing each other good-bye awhile ago, "Don't worry, I don't have any other wedding planner in mind."
Brooke beamed at her, "Good. At least I know I have a sure client in the near future."
Haley just nodded, "So, can you do lunch today?"
Brooke thought for awhile, "I know I just have to meet one client this morning. I don't suppose it will take so long...unless she brings along a fiancé who would happen to be can-I-stare-at-you-the-whole-day gorgeous!"
Haley just laughed, "Tell me why I would want you to do my wedding planning again?"
Brooke gave her a playfully defiant smile, "Because Ms. James, I'm the only wedding planner in New York who's sure to have no interest in Nathan Scott."
Haley smiled at her, "You know, people say he's one of the sexiest men alive this year."
Brooke gave Haley a disgusted look, "Well, I don't know about sexy...I've seen Nathan running around with nothing on when he was five, you know."
Haley's eyes widened as she laughed, "I bet that wasn't a pretty sight."
Brooke nodded, "Oh yeah, it wasn't a sexy sight too."
"Jenny, hurry up! You'll be late for school," called out Jake as he fixed his daughter's lunch box. For a father, Jake is quite the health-conscious one. Inside Jenny's lunch box were a carton of fortified hi-calcium milk, reduced fat cookies, a lean chicken breast sandwich and a bottle of no sugar added orange juice. Jake smiled with satisfaction before closing Jenny's pink lunch box.
"Daddy, what am I having for lunch?" asked Jenny as she walked in the kitchen. Now ten years old, Jenny looked more adorable than ever.
Jake smiled upon hearing his daughter's voice. "Well, you got milk, your favorite oatmeal raisin cookies, orange juice and daddy's special chicken sandwich!" he answered proudly.
Jenny looked curiously at him, "But you've never made a chicken sandwich before?"
"Damn, this kid's a genius!" he thought as he gave his daughter a sly smile. "Well, I found it in this new cookbook I just got," explained Jake as held up a big cookbook entitled "Men & Meals: Putting Them Together without Burning the Kitchen Down!"
Jenny's just laughed as she read the title, "I can study how to cook if you want, daddy. I can make pot roast and pork chops with apple sauce. I can even learn to bake biscuits and chocolate cake!"
Jake looked at her daughter curiously, "And how do you plan to do that?"
Jenny looked at him with a matter-of-fact-smile, "Well, Grandma Carmen said she could teach me how to cook the next time we visit her. Plus, Mom said we'll bake some cookies too. You do know I'll be 11 soon, don't you?"
Jake just smiled, "How can I forget! Alright, we'll see if you got chef skills by then." Getting Jenny's lunch box and handing it to her, "But for now, Daddy's 'gonna do all the cooking here..." Leaning closer to Jenny, he continued in a quite serious voice, "Do I cook really bad?"
Jenny just laughed as she put her smaller arms around Jake's neck, "No daddy, you cook really good. I just wish we could do...more complicated cooking."
"And have a complicated life? Nah sweetie, it's not worth it!" Jake replied as he gave his daughter a quick kiss on the cheek. Glancing at his watch, he ushered Jenny to the door, "Alright, we 'gotta go or you'll be late for class."
As Jake opened the front door, he was surprised to see someone standing by the doorway, "Jake, you got ESP or something? How did you know I was outside?" asked Nikki as she smiled at her ex-boyfriend.
Jake just laughed, "Actually, Jenny and I were just heading out."
Suddenly, Jenny appeared behind Jake. She smiled upon seeing Nikki, "Mom!" She gave Nikki a hug as Nikki kissed her on the forehead, "Well, hello sweetie!"
"You here for work or an appointment?" asked Jake as he closed the door behind him and Jenny.
Nikki shook her head, "Actually, I'm going to visit Boston U today. I'm thinking of taking up a business management course or something."
"Can we go shopping after school?" asked Jenny with hopeful eyes to Nikki.
Nikki just laughed, "You're 'gonna have to ask you dad about that."
As if on cue, Jenny turned to Jake with pleading eyes, "Daddy, c'mon...please!"
Jake just smiled at his ten-year old, "Finish your homework first!"
Jenny suddenly hugged her dad and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, "Don't worry dad, I'll get it done...promise!"
Nikki just laughed, "Alright, I'll pick you up here around 5. I'll just go get my hair done now." With that, Nikki kissed her daughter good-bye and waved at Jake.
"Nikki..." Jake called out to Nikki as she started to leave.
Nikki turned around and faced Jake, "Yeah?"
Jake smiled at her, "Maybe we can have dinner later...you, me and Jenny."
Nikki thought about it for awhile. "Don't you have a game or something?" she asked curiously, pointing Jake's Boston Celtic's jersey.
Jake shook his head as he smiled, "We just have this practice today. We're playing against NY Knicks next week."
Nikki nodded, "Ah...against the Scott brothers."
Jake smiled, "Yeah...still can't believe we're playing against each other now."
Nikki smiled at him, "Well, it's good to see your dreams are coming true, Jake. I'm really happy for you."
Jake gave Nikki a grateful smile as he nodded, "Thanks Nikki. It means a lot to me."
Nikki just nodded understandingly and with that, she took off.
"Hey baby, you watching me at practice today?" asked Lucas as he slid his arms around his wife's waist.
Peyton just giggled as she stacked some pancakes onto two plates before she turned around to face Lucas, "I don't know...I think I can use a little girls' day out."
Lucas played along and pouted, "You don't want a Mr. and Mrs. Scott day out?" Without warning, Lucas started to plant small kisses on Peyton's neck, "We could...go to Central Park then, we could get a horse carriage to whisk us off to dinner...and then, we'll go back here...have some champagne and chocolate truffles...then jacuzzi..."
Peyton just laughed as she lifted Lucas' face to hers and stroked his hair, "And what about Kyle?"
Lucas suddenly grinned, "Well, the thing is...mom just called and she said she's coming over today. She wants to spend some time with her grandson so I said sure. That okay? I mean, I thought we could use some time alone too."
Peyton nodded as she gave Lucas a long kiss, "Great, looks like we're having a Mr. and Mrs. Scott day out after all." She suddenly put her arms around Lucas' neck and hugged him tight. "I love you..." she whispered into his ear. Peyton couldn't help but smile as she realized how lucky she is. Lucas proposed to Peyton during their graduation celebration dinner in front of their friends and family. Peyton loved Lucas so much and she knew she wanted to be nothing but be with him for the rest of her life. The moment Lucas got down on his knees and held out the ring to her, tears of joy started to form in her eyes. She exclaimed "yes" to him immediately and Lucas stood up with a huge grin on his face as he kissed her.
"I thought the best day of my life was when you proposed to me. But now, I think the best is yet to come!" she remarked as she looked at Lucas who was smiling at her.
Lucas held her hand to his lips and kissed it, "Well, Mrs. Scott...you're right, the best is yet to come and tonight...you'll see why."
Peyton just giggled as she gave Lucas a quick kiss, "I feel like the happiest woman alive!"
Lucas smiled, "I feel like the luckiest man in the universe."
"Miss Drake, you have a 2 pm meeting with Mr. Fletcher today. His secretary wants to confirm that with you. Should I say that you'll be there?" asked the secretary as she covered the phone with her hand.
Maria sighed as she gave Julia, her very devoted secretary, a sly smile, "Yes, I'll be there. Just advise them that I might run a little late since I'll be coming off from another meeting."
Julia nodded as she put the phone back near her ears, "Yes, Miss Drake will be meeting Mr. Fletcher around 2 pm. Please advise him that she might be a little late, though. She's coming off from another meeting....Great, bye." Julia closed the phone's flip and put it next to her. She started going through her memo, which contained all of Maria's agenda for the day.
Maria looked out from limousine. "New York has always been for people who want adrenaline rush..." she remarked as she watched people outside rushing off to different directions.
Julia smiled as she nodded, "Indeed, it is." Julia felt like she had been working for the Drake family her whole life. She wasn't complaining though. Maria and her father had treated her well all these years. She especially enjoyed being Maria's secretary. She gets to come along to all her trips and a lot of her gatherings. Julia never found it difficult to work for her boss. Maria has always given her a lot of respect. This is probably because ever since she was a little girl, Maria's father had always taught her to learn to respect everyone no matter how poor or rich they may be.
At that moment, Maria took her wallet from her bag and pulled a picture out. It was of her and a man she loves very much. She couldn't help but smile upon seeing Ethan's face. Julia even noticed that her face was turning quite pink. "You know Julia, I think I've had enough of the adrenaline pumping life for now...I want to slow down a bit," she commented as she continued to look at Ethan's picture.
A/N: This is the start of my "This Time Around" Sequel. Once again, I hope you enjoy reading it. I look forward to reading reviews from everyone! Thanks!