Kate's POV

God, why would he be there at that exact time that I was? It's not what I need.
Olivia and I decided to return to London, she had missed it and I found my heart had missed it too. In the small time frame while we were in London, I fell in love with it. So once we got the clear from her doctor, we were good to go. While away in the States we sold our house and settled for a different one. We found a great place on Chester Square in Belgravia in London. It was close to a park that Olivia and I had fallen in love with so I jumped on the chance. Our house on Holland Park had too many memories, memories I'd like to forget. Memories I can't forget.

I rushed out of the hospital as fast as I could. I know I might run into Louis eventually, but I just wasn't prepared. I just didn't want to have that conversation. I know I shut him out when I left, but he knew where we were going, he didn't do a good job at trying to get a hold of us, it would have been fairly easy.

I all be peeled out of the parking lot, not looking back and rushing home. Olivia was finally attending nursery school. She came into the year a little late but she was extremely excited to start. I was nervous to let her out of my sight but she needed to go to school, and mommy needed to let go.

Thankfully since its just a random Tuesday morning, traffic isn't terrible and I can make it home in about a half an hour. I don't have to pick up Olivia for another two hours so I actually have free time. I was planning on spending it at the hospital but obviously changed my mind.

I pull up at my house and swing around the side to the driveway, not parking my car in the garage, getting it in and out is a pain, and I'm a little terrible at it. I pull my coat a little tighter, it's getting close to October so the rainy season is starting soon, slight chill is in the air.

I unbuckle my seat belt and grab my bag from the passenger seat, mind racing with my brief encounter with Louis. Why did he have to be there?

“Kate!” I close my eyes tightly and continue to my door, pulling my keys out of my pocket. “Kate! Kate, I'm talking to you, I know you can hear me.” I let out a sigh and turn around.

“What do you want Louis?” I ask. “Did you follow me here?”

“Well how else would I know where you live?” He shrugs his shoulders like it's no big deal.

“It's a little creepy Louis.” I'm frank with him, but who does that?

“Well I haven't seen you for about a year and you run away like I have a flesh eating virus when I see you so drastic times call for drastic measures.” He starts walking closer to me and that feeling returns, I've got butterflies in my stomach. I really did miss him. “Can we talk? Catch up?” He asks finally reaching me.

“Not a lot to catch up on Louis.” I'm deliberately being mean to push him away.

“Can I see Olivia?” He asks hopefully.

“How do you know she's even still alive? It's not like you kept up with conversation.”

“I know I wasn't a good friend, you weren’t either. But I told you I care about you and Olivia so I checked up on you two. Dottie might have helped me too.” He says with a smile.

“Traitor.” I mutter under my breath. I really can't be mad at her, I know he cares for Olivia as does Dottie, she was just relaying a message.

“So, invite me in for a cup of tea? It truly is the polite English thing to do. And since you're in England...” He tappers of raising his eyebrows over and over again making me laugh, I try to quickly cover with my hand. “Ah, so she can still smile.” He bumps me with his elbow. “Still waiting on that tea.” He thrusts his hands in his coat pockets and rocks back and forth on his heals.

“Fine Louis. Come in.” I roll my eyes, can't believe I'm allowing this to happen. I unlock the door, step inside, and hold the door open for my guest. Louis swiftly removes his coat and before I can take mine off, he's doing it for me. “Thank you.” I tuck my hair behind my ears and walk towards the kitchen, I'm not inviting him to follow me but I can hear his feet pad across the floor behind me.

I fill the kettle up with water and set it on the stove to boil as Louis takes a seat at the center island watching me get cups and tea bags out. “Which do you prefer? I have breakfast tea, green tea, mint tea, chamomile tea, another green tea, citrus tea...” I look to him for his selection.

“Hummmmm. I'll just take mint tea.” He smiles at me.

“Your feet stink.” I think out loud and quickly turn away to hid my embarrassment.

“So I've been told. I don't wear socks a lot. They don't look good with my shoes.” He explains.

“You do know they make different cuts of socks, right? Socks just for shoes like VANs.” I've got quite the tone but it makes him laugh. I just shake my head and return to the kettle boiling.

“Thanks for the tea. So kind of you to offer me some when you invited me inside.” He sips his tea after he drops in a few sugar cubes and honey.

“Oh yes. Well it is the proper English thing to do, is it not?” I say in my best English accent having Louis erupt in laughter.

“That was really good. I almost believed you.” He sets his cup down and looks out the kitchen window. “So why the new place? Old one to big for you?” Louis teases.

“Goodness, just full of teasing today aren't we?” I turn my head to the side while looking at him. “Honestly, it just held some bad memories. I mean, the front entrance was where Olivia had her grand maul seizure.”

“Anything else you regret that happened in that house?” He asks and I already know to what he's referring to.

“How's Eleanor?” I quickly change the subject. The memories I shared with Louis in that house were memories I treasure, but I can't allow him to know that.

“Um, she's good. Planning the wedding.” He rolls his eyes, I don't know if he thinks I can't see him or not but it's fairly noticeable.

“So when's the big day?” I try to be cheerful.

He takes a deep breath. “December third.”

“Ah, so what, two months left?” I mentally count in my head.

“Yep, two months.” He starts tapping his fingers on the counter.

“You sound so thrilled.” I almost laugh at his tone. It's depressing.

“Eh, wedding planning isn't for me.” He finishes up his cup and fiddles with it, passing it back and forth along the counter between his fingers. I can take a hint that he doesn't want to talk about it. I still find it odd, I mean, I know most guys don't care about the wedding plans, but most of them get a little excited about it at least. “So why did you run off at the hospital today?”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. I know I can't avoid the question. “Well, to be honest, I just wasn't prepared to see you.” I shrug my shoulders. “We didn't leave on the best of terms.” I feel like I'm almost whispering that last part, but it's the truth.

“I didn't mean to get angry with you during our last conversation. I was just shocked that you were leaving so quickly and without warning.” He pushes his empty cup away, still fiddling with his hands.

“Well, I didn't owe you an explanation Louis. I mean, what we did was wrong. And we weren’t in a relationship. I had do do what I could to save my daughter's life. If that meant leaving everything behind, I had to do it.”

“I know. I don't blame you. I just” He pauses as if to almost search for words. “I just wish we could start over.” His words surprise me.

“I don't think we can. I mean, I just can't forget about what we did. How we betrayed the woman you're going to marry. It still makes me sick.” I'm still attracted to Louis, no question but, he's still with Eleanor, and seems as if to be happy.

“I was just hoping we could move past that.”

“We'll see Louis.” I stand up to put my cup in the sink as Louis reaches for his, sliding it across the counter towards me, but I wasn't prepared and it falls of the edge, shattering on impact.

“Oh, shit! I'm sorry!” Louis jumps to his feet.

“It's fine Louis, could you get the broom in the closet just over there.” I look up at him and point in the general direction. He nods and I set my cup on the counter and start carefully picking up the larger pieces.

“Here it is!” Louis shouts rather loudly and it startles me, I drop the large piece onto my palm, instantly cutting it.

“Fuck!” I shout as the broken piece falls to the ground, once again cracking into smaller pieces.

“Oh God, are you alright?” Louis sets the broom down and quickly comes around the other side to my assistance.

“I'm fine.” I tell him as I watch the blood trickle down my hand and form a neat pile on the floor.

“Here, lets run it under some water” He guides my other elbow up and spins me around towards the sink, carefully washing it and assessing the damage. “Well, looks like no stitches. But you'll have quite the awesome scar.” He laughs as he rummages through the drawers for what I'm assuming is a towel.

“Third drawer on the left.”

“Thank you!” He lets it close and opens up the flour sack towel, carefully laying it on my palm, twisting it around to make it fit snugly. “And the damsel has been saved.” He bows, awaiting his applause.

“Ah yes, Louis, whatever would I do without you.” I press the back of my palm to my forehead and pretend to feign. To my amusement he laughs rather loud.

“Now let me get this place cleaned up. Wouldn't want you injuring you're pretty face next.” He walks past me and start cleaning up.

Why can't Louis just be single?

Notes

Sometimes it's hard to just be friends.

You all are AMAZING! I LOVE coming back to so many comments, really keeps me motivated to keep posting and writing everyday.

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween! Eat lots of junk food. That's my lot on life.. :)

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