Zachary Taylor and Fatima Wilson were never supposed to be anything more than friends. Seven and a half years later, nobody believes them. Not when he calls her first after every game. Not when she shows up to every practice like she belongs there. Not when his daughter cries for her before anyone else. And definitely not when they argue like a married couple who forgot to sign the papers. They swear it's nothing. Just friendship. Just loyalty. Just life. But life has a funny way of looking like love when you stop paying attention. Especially when you've already been living like a family without realizing it. And when outside relationships, old history, and unexpected truths start to blur the lines... One question becomes impossible to ignore: If they're just friends... why does it feel like they've already been married this whole time?

This story is basically a version of the dinner from Season 2 of zatima with Fatima's parents. What if Zac has one secret he hasn't told Fatima much about yet since he felt like he would never come back to the Game. Unfortunate circumstances causes Zac to do just that. Let's see how fatima reacts😝

Chapter 1: New Beginnings Fatima sat on the balcony, watching the Atlanta Skyline glow beneath the stars. Life had finally slowed down for a moment. No drama. No unexpected phone calls. No Secrets. Just Peace. The glass door slid open behind her. "You hiding from me?" Zac teased as he stepped outside with two cups of hot chocolate. Fatima smiled. "Maybe." "Well, too bad. I found you." He handed her a cup before sitting beside her. Their shoulders touched, and for a moment neither spoke. They simply enjoyed being together. "You ever think about how far we've come?" Fatima asked quietly. Zac chuckled. "Everyday. There was a time I thought I'd lose you." "You almost did." "Ouch." She laughed and nudged him. "I'm serious, Zac. We went through a lot." "I know." His expression softened. "But every mistake, every argument, every challenge led me here. To you" Fatima looked into his eyes and saw the same man she'd fallen in love with-flawed, stubborn, but determined to love her the right way. "I wouldn't trade us for anything," he continued. The words made her heart race. For the first time in a long time, Fatima wasn't worried about what could go wrong. She was excited about what could go right. "Zac?" "Yeah?" "I think our best chapter is just beginning." He smiled and wrapped an arm around her. "Then let's write it together." As the city lights sparkled below, neither of them knew that a surprise was about to change their lives forever.