When I'm Gone

Louis' POV

Dinner was fantastic. Kate was a great cook, and we all got along so well. Even Liam, I had my reservations just a bit because he was so mad about what happened between us when I was Eleanor but he knows that Kate has a good heart and she never meant any harm. Sophia and Kate got along really well too. I knew they would, Sophia gets along with everyone, she's a little shy at first but give her some time and she can't stop talking.

Oliva was just a gem. Niall gave me crap about my new colorful tattoos, mainly because Olivia isn't good at staying in the lines but I don't care, I know it washes off eventually.

Zayn, Dottie, Liam, and Sophia left about an hour after dinner. Perrie was out of the country on Little Mix business but Zayn's sister's were coming to London tomorrow and he said his house was a disaster. Liam and Sophia needed to get back to their pup who apparently likes to rip things apart when they're gone. And of course, Dottie had to work in the morning so she had to get home for a good night's rest.

Kate was busy giving Olivia a bath so that left just Niall and I hanging out, watching tv.

“So Kate's pretty cool.” Niall opens up conversation and I just shake my head.

“She is.” I laugh.

“So she's a really good cook. If you don't want her, I'll gladly keep her around.” He smiles just trying to get a raise out of me.

“Don't think so man.” I laugh.

“Worth a shot.” He props his feet up on the couch across from me and leans back. “So what's going on with you two?”

“I don't know. I haven't seen her since we went to Barcelona because we've been busy but I just want to see how things go.”

“And if it goes well?” Niall is always pushing for answers. It's good for me, makes me realize things.

“Well then that will be up to her. The more I spend with them, the more I want to be around all the time. I love Olivia.”

“I can tell you do. And that you love Kate.” He smirks at me and starts laughing.

“I do not!” I protest, I don't want to seem like a psycho, already in love with a girl who isn't mine.

“Oh whatever. You couldn't take your eyes off her at dinner, finding little ways to get closer to her, touching her, winking at her, offering to wash the dishes. You're whipped before you're even official.”

“Don't you have some where to be Niall?” I can't stand when people are right. And he's so right. I can't get enough of her. I couldn't stop thinking about her when we were gone for two weeks, I'm sure the guys were sick of hearing about her but I didn't care.

“Nope! I'm taking a front seat to this soon to be family.” I shake my head and turn it back to a recorded game of football we missed while we were gone. Kate recorded all of the matches so just in case we wanted to catch up, they'd be ready for me. She's always thinking of me.

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After a rousing batch of teasing ensued by Niall, it was way past Olivia's bed time, she didn't even struggle to fall asleep. Niall left for home when Olivia had asked him to read multiple books, after about the seventh one, Kate saved him and sent him home with plenty of leftovers.

So here we were, just Kate and I sitting on the couch watching a recorded match of Manchester United and Chelsea. Kate's feet propped up on my legs, my arms draped over them, myself leaning slightly into her. I'm actually paying more attention to Kate then she is to me, she's all about the game.

“What?” She turns to me catching me slightly off guard.

“What?” I ask her back.

“You've been staring at me all night. Do I have stuffing in my teeth or mashed potatoes behind my ears?” She glares at me, joking of course.

“No.” I pause waiting for the ref to issue the yellow card De Maria deserved, even if Kate didn't think so. “I just really like you.”

“Oh yeah?” She tries to remove her legs and sit up but I hold them down. “What do you like about me then Louis?”

“Well, lets see.” I look her up and down with a devilish grin. “I like your hair, the color is just perfect. I like your eyes, they look like chocolate. I like how confident you are. How you smile all the time. How are okay with silence and yet you love it when it's loud. I like how you put everyone first. I these hands, they fit perfectly with mine. I like how when you get just a bit shy, you play with your hair to almost distract others. I like how you're always moving, even if your trying to sit still, something on you is moving, like your toes are bouncing right now. I like how you laugh.” I look to see her leaning against the back of the couch with a smile. “Those are just a few things I like about you.”

She has a nervous laugh, cute nervous laugh.

“I like that list.” Her voice just a bit groggy.

“Do you like me?” I raise my eyebrows up and down making her laugh.

“Naw.” She shrugs her shoulders and turns back to the game, leaving me speechless with my mouth agape staring at her. “I'm just kidding!” She turns back to me with a wide smile.

“Your mean.” I turn to face the tv. “Get your gross feet off me.” I playfully push her legs off of me, pretending not to care.

“Aww Louis.” She snuggles up next to me, kissing my cheek multiple times. “Don't be grumpy.” Letting out a laugh. I turn and glare at her but she's pouting and it makes me laugh. “See, that's what I like about you, your laugh.”

“Go on.” I encourage her, waiting for a long list like I gave her. I see her roll her eyes but she scoots closer to me.

“Well. I like how you always try to make me laugh. How you have no clue how amazing you are. I like how you help others, all the time, even when people don't know that you do it. How you always try to crack a joke to make people laugh. How you refuse to exercise but complain when you're getting a little pudgy. I like how even when you don't notice it, you're always humming. How you interact with Olivia, it melts my heart. How, after everything, you've been the one not give up on me, even when I pushed you away.” I smile and look away.

“That's a good start.” I smile bashfully at her.

“You want to stay with me tonight?” She's confident in her question. Most girls are always so nervous to take charge like that, but I know Kate's different. She doesn't care what others think of her, she puts herself out there all the time.

“Do you want me to stay?”

“Well I wouldn't ask you if I didn't want you here Louis.” She points out the obvious.

“Guess you're right. You want to go to bed now?” I pull her closer.

“Hell no. It's only the 64th minute. We have the rest of the match to watch. Duh.” She scoffs at me and turns her attention back to the tv.

“You know, we already know who wins, I could get out my phone and give you the play by play for the rest of the game.” I tease reaching for my phone.

“Louis Tomlinson. You will do no such thing.” Her mom glare comes out and I'm a little frightened.

“Okay, okay.” I put my hands up and drop my phone, which Kate instantly takes and puts on the table. “But I'm going to get ready for bed, I'll be right back.” I hug her quickly and kiss her temple letting her continue to watch as I jog up the steps to change.

Notes

Ah, I love Fridays. Sorry I didn't write a lot about the actual dinner itself, but I really wanted to focus on Kate and Louis together. Crazy how I'm at 40 chapters, my last two stories have been done by chapter 40 but I feel like theirs so much more to share.

Thoughts??

Thank you all so much for your comments, votes, and subscriptions. Can't believe how many I have.

In light of recent events that have happened in my life, please please remember that YOU are good enough. You are worth it. You are loved. And whatever you're going through will pass. Don't make a permanent decision on a temporary feeling. It's truly heartbreaking when you find out how much someone was hurting. Love you all.

Happy Day. :)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxo