Louis' POV

"I'm sorry... for everything."

My words were quiet, just heard over the chirping birds that were somewhere near the tree house.

The look on Katie's face was heart warming, even for someone as cruel as me.

She looked shocked but pleased at the same time, she looked genuinely happy with what I had said which made me happy too.

"D-do you really mean that?" Her voice cracked as she looked up at me from her spot on my lap.

She had every right to question my words.

I have been horrible to her and a complete ass, but for the first time in my life I actually regret what I've done. She doesn't deserve to be treated the way I treated her and Michael taking her away from me really made me see how rude I was to her.

I don't expect her to forgive me in an instant, but apologizing is a good start.

"Yes, I really mean it princess."

She looked down and fiddled with her nails, it was a habit she had when she was nervous. I had picked up on it just days after she arrived at the house and since then I've been using it to my advantage.

"What's wrong?"

She paused and looked up at me through her eyelashes.

"I - I never thought you would say that."

I smiled half heartedly at her and watched as her bottom lip quivered.

"Tell me what's on your mind." I whispered as I buried my face into her neck softly.

"I just... Well today has been so nice but I still haven't really decided who to pick."

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I moved away from her slightly and rolled my eyes.

This is all Michael's fault for playing the good guy card.

Prick.

Katie was getting use to me, she was starting to adjust into the house.

But then Michael showed up.

He told her she should dye her hair pink with him, he taught her about the deals and what happens in the gang.

Sure Liam and myself told her when we had made a lot of money but we never told her how.

Michael was ruining her and I didn't like it, Neither did Liam honestly.

He tried to act like he hasn't told her but we know he has, Katie tries to tell us that he hasn't told her anything but she too is a terrible liar.

Katie is too blinded by his 'good guy' act to see that he is ruining her bit by bit and I have to put a stop to it. No matter what.

I may not be perfect myself but at least I don't pretend to be like Michael does.

It had become clear to Katie by now that I wasn't going to respond to her words so she leaned her head against my shoulder while letting out a small yawn.

"You're cute when you're tired." I whispered to her and she lightly smiled but didn't even bother to move, her eyes started to become heavier as she tried her hardest to stay awake.

"You look like a cute little kitten. Maybe I will call you kitten from now on."

She giggled and wrapped her arms around me, I carefully picked her up and laid her on the edge of the large bed so her feet were just hanging off the edge.

"I like it. I like kittens." She mumbled and I smiled up at her as I took her snow boots off.

"It's getting late, you should get some sleep."

A small nod was given in recognition to my words before she lazily crawled under the covers without another word.

I didn't want to leave her here alone so I took my coat off and got myself comfortable on the soft couch.

This has to be possibly the best birthday I've had in years.

Just the two of us.

Liam's POV
*Christmas morning*

"Katie's not in her room!" Michael yelled as he ran into the kitchen where I was helping Eleanor with our Christmas breakfast.

"I know." I stated simply and continued to cut up strawberries and watermelon for Katie.

"Well where the hell is she?!" His voice raised again as he stomped over to me.

"With Louis." I again stated without taking my eyes off the fruit.

"In his room?! How could you let this happen?!"

Okay now I'm just getting pissed off with his yelling.

I slammed my knife down onto the kitchen counter before sharply turning to him.

"Katie is not in Louis' bedroom. Everyone in this whole fucking house knows that Katie is not allowed in any boys room without my permission! There at Katie's tree house and I said it was okay for them to stay the night in there!"

He was at a complete loss for words by the time I had finished my rant.

"B-but she was going to choose me. She was so close to choosing me!"

I had to scoff at his selfish remark.

He must be really stuck up his own ass if he can't tell that Katie and Louis have had chemistry since day one. A few harsh moments isn't going to break them apart.

I only said she could chose between the two because I knew it would push her back into the arms of Louis somehow.

Louis is my best friend.

He's my second in charge.

And quite frankly, now that I've gotten use to the idea of Katie with Louis, he's really the only one I trust completely with her.

"Well I guess you're just going to have to wait and see who she chooses like the rest of us." I lied and smirked knowing he was once again lost for words.

I chuckled slightly and shook my head as I walked out the back door that was in the kitchen and in the direction of the tree house.

Once I got up there I saw that Katie was still sound asleep in the large bed that laid in the middle of the room, I thought it was a little odd for Louis to sleep on the couch but I knew what he was doing and judging by the smile on Katie's sleeping face, it was working.

"Merry Christmas Sunshine." I whispered in Katie's ear as I brushed her hair out of her eyes.

"Dad? Mom?" She mumbled under her breath as she began to open her eyes and I frowned.

"No sweetie, it's Liam your brother. You don't have a mom and dad."

She whimpered as she sat up and rubbed her eyes.

"It was just a bad dream sunshine." I tried to comfort her but she didn't seem to like it.

"Oh."

I didn't like seeing the look on her face.

She seemed broken, more than usual.

"What were you dreaming about?" I asked.

"My mom and dad." She whispered and looked down at her hands.

By this time Louis had woken up too but was just watching this unfold.

"You don't need them, you have me." I said as calmly as I could but still sternly.

"And me." Louis pipped in and I nodded.

"I miss my family." She responded coldly and I just watched her intensely.

It's been a month since she was taken from her family, to me it's been a hell of a long month but for her it obviously hasn't been long enough.

"You have a family."

"No I don't. I have a bunch of bossy brothers who are mean ninety percent of the time."

I don't know what she was trying to do but I knew how to fix it.

"Go get dressed." I stated and she looked up at me sadly.

"Where are we going?"

I sighed and helped her out of the bed.

"Somewhere that's going to help you out of this sadness."

She looked at me as if I had just spoke Russian. I sighed again before gripping her hand.

"We're going to the Payne Estate. Our family home."

Notes