Kate's POV

“I'm so sorry about my dad.” I apologize to Louis as he climbs in the car. Lauren has volunteered to drive us to the airport and hasn't gotten in yet.

“It's okay, he's kind of scary.” Louis admit.

“Oh, that's the Navy coming out of him, he's like a giant teddy bear once you get past that.” He can be a giant scary teddy bear if I'm being honest. Getting in trouble was always terrifying, even though nothing ever really happened.

“Right, teddy bear.” Louis doesn't even try to roll his eyes as I just laugh.. “Was he like this with James?” I smile thinking of the memories I used to share.

“No, but I've been best friends with James' younger sister since I was ten so Dad knew James for a very long time before we became involved. If it makes you feel any better, I think James was always afraid of him. It helps when dad is so tall and rigid.” It did. He used to tell my mom stories about how terrified the new recruits were when they came off the bus to face him. Mom was always the softer one but he would bend until he broke for her. Dad would turn into a pile of mush for my mom at the drop of a hat, he loved her with all he had. And I just want that.

I laugh at how nervous my dad made Louis. Louis Tomlinson who can sing live in front of thousands of people, meet the Queen, and audition for a tv show on live air is afraid of my father. I guess looking at dad from the outside he can be intimidating but I can't help but chuckle to myself.

“It's not that funny!” He insists and it makes me laugh harder.

“You should have seen your face Lou. You looked like you could shit your pants at any time.” I hardly get that sentence out without extreme laughter.

“That's it, Lauren please turn around.” He turns to my mom who just shakes her head, which makes me laugh even more, he's actually pouting.

“Oh Louis. I'm just kidding. I'm sure if I ever meet your family I'll be the same way.” I assure him and rub his arm.

“Well that probably won't be the case, if anything you'll get mauled by kindness from them. They're obsessed with you.” He admits and I can tell quickly he didn't mean to say it. “I mean, I've mentioned you to them a few times.” He tries to backtrack and I can't help but let my breath hitch, and get my hopes up. Maybe this trip will go how I want it to. Maybe I'll come back as Louis' girlfriend, finally together. I turn my head to face the window to occupy my thoughts and try not to think about the possibility too much.

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“Kate.” I feel a nudge from my arm. “Kate, wake up.” I open my eyes and stretch my arms to see people standing on the flight, looking at us as they pass. I must have been more tired then I thought, the last thing I remember was the plane taking off and snuggling up to Louis.

“Did we just land?” I ask reaching under my seat for my bag.

“Yeah, you looked so sleepy and peaceful I didn't want to wake you, sorry.” He stands and pulls our other two bags from the overhead bin. We didn't pack enough to have bags to check in so we'll avoid the storm at baggage claim. Louis waits for all the people to exit the aircraft until we can leave.

“Okay, so I have a car waiting for us to take us to the docks that's away from the exit so if you just stick by me then we can get out quickly and hopefully hardly noticed.” He tells me and I just nod then pause.

“Wait, did you say docks? I thought we were taking another plane to Malta?” I pull my bag over my shoulder.

“Oh, no sorry hun, just a surprise. I chartered a yacht to take us to Malta. Just you, me and a few crew members.” He hardly skips a beat as he exits the plane on to the air walkway.

“Are you serious? I've never been on a boat. Well, not a boat that small. Oh my gosh, what if I get motion sickness? What if I puke the whole time?” I start rambling as I stop in my tracks and I can hear Louis laugh.

“You'll be fine Kate, come on, catch up.” He holds his hand back and I take a big step to reach it, his fingers braiding into mine and the feeling just brings nerves out from beyond.

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“Oh my God, Louis.” I turn to him in shock. “This is beautiful.” I all but drop my bags in pure shock.

“It looks pretty nice doesn't it?” He smiles at me, grabbing the bag that's hanging from my shoulders. “Come on, lets go meet the crew.” He gestures for me to follow him but I'm just taking it all in. This beautiful day, the smell of salt from the sea in the air, birds chirping, and this handsome man wanting to spend all his time with me just smiling at me, looking like a picture pulled from a museum with the sun beaming behind him.

I carefully walk up the ramp that leads to the stern of the boat to see three people waiting for us.

“Hello, welcome to the Princess Lily, I'm your captain, Andrew, this is your chef Marcus, chief engineer Patrick, and our stewardess, Nicole.” He gestures to each person as he says their name as I make a slight wave towards them. I've been on my fathers ships when I was younger, but I was much younger, and always with my dad so I never got to enjoy anything, let alone actually be on the ship while it was moving. I'm literally school girl giddy.

“Well thank you for having us, I'm Louis, and this is Kate.” Louis takes charge and introduces us.

“Well welcome aboard. We'll be leaving here shortly so Nicole can show the yacht, leave your bags here, we'll get them when you pick a room.” He nods and I can't stop smiling. I watch him turn to leave as all the rest of the crew disperses leaving us with Nicole.

“All right then.” She smiles, I already think we might be friends. “Did you two have a nice flight?” She asks.

“I slept the whole way here, so I'm assuming it went well.” I laugh as Louis shakes his head suppressing his laughter.

“Good.” Another smile, Nicole is shorter than me, wearing a simple blue polo and khaki pants, her blonde hair pulled into a tight bun at the base of her neck. She turns and starts walking, as we take our cue to follow her. “The Princess Lily is a 96 foot, or 29.26 meter Liverano yacht, she was built in 2010. She can hold up to eight guests with four staterooms, one being a master suite, two double cabins, and two twin cabins. She does come with air conditioning, gym, and WiFi if needed.” She explains. “This is our outdoor dining area, upstairs is the Captain’s quarters, in the bow of the yacht is full of pillows and cushions people use for catching some sun, I think the weather will cooperate this week if that helps.” I turn to Louis and smile as she continues to show us all around the ship. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and kisses my temple. I just can't believe this treatment. I feel like royalty.

“Right, so here we are inside, the lounge area, indoor dining, the master suite through there with it's own bath, a spare bathroom to the left, and the extra three staterooms along the right. The kitchen is state of the art with all the amenities you would find in a luxury home. Will you two be staying in the master suite?” She asks looking at me and I turn to Louis not quite knowing what to say.

“Yes, I do believe we will.” His arm drops to my waist, still pulling me closer.

“Very well, I'll have your bags brought down. Dinner will be served at six p.m. And I believe Marcus is serving Bourbon Pecan Chicken with a side of rosemary potatoes and asparagus. It's his favorite. If you need anything, feel free to use the intercom in any of the rooms and we will answer. And again, welcome to the Princess.” She slightly bows then disappears out of sight.

I turn to Louis and throw my arms around him, “I can't believe you did this!”

“So you like it?” He asks as if he even has to.

“Are you serious? I love it.! What should we do first?” I pull away and grab his waist as if I'll never let go.

“Mmm, let's unpack a bit first then do as we please.” He pulls me back in for a hug and rests his head on mine. I can think of a few things I'd rather do tonight. I let my mind wonder as Louis pulls me into the master suite to unpack.

Notes

Well Kate is just blissfully happy isn't she? This was more like a transition chapter for things to come, it's the beginning of the end, just to be forewarned! I'll be sad of course for the end, I swear I'm just getting into these characters but I'm excited for new story ideas!

Can you believe it's already December?11

Monday, Monday!

xoxoxo