When I'm Gone

Louis' POV

It's still a little chilly at sea but Nicole assures us it's actually warmer then it is on land currently. I check my phone to see it's actually 19 degrees Celsius out, compared to the 2 it is at home. I'll take it. It's not quite swim suit weather, but Nicole also pointed out the hot tub at the front of the ship if we wanted it.


Kate and I unpacked a few things, Kate's beauty products have been spewed all over the bathroom counter all ready as I just laugh. Of course she would take over, it has two sinks so at least I'll have a clutter free area.


Kate is currently freshening up in our room as I'm lounging on the couch waiting for her and dinner to be served when my phone starts to vibrate. Eleanor. My heart jumps a bit in my chest. How long will I hide this from Kate? I ignore it, trying to do what I think is best when it starts to vibrate again, as Eleanor is calling once again.


I sigh and reluctantly answer. “Yes El?” I answer sitting up to stand as I start to pace nervously back and forth, I keep checking to see if Kate is coming out of our room.


“Louis! A little birdy told me you've arrived in Italy?” I can hear the buzz in her voice.


“Um, you're right, I'm in Italy but I'm on a yacht to Malta currently.” I look down as I pace, my nerves boiling over.


“Malta? But I'm in Rome.” She points out as if I didn't already know.


“I know Eleanor. I'm not in Italy to see you.” I pause in silence, thinking I hear a door opening, but looking down the hallway it looks as if my imagination has gotten the best of me.


“Well, you can always stop over on the way back then.” I can hear a hint of a smile on her face, why am I doing this?


“Eleanor, look, I'm here with someone. I just can't do you and me right now.” There. I said it.


“Right now? So you'll just have fun with this woman and then come back to me, we know how this will be Louis.” Why must I let myself get into these conversations. “Plus Louis, you're on a trip with her, yet here you are talking to me.” She points out, and she's not wrong.


“I'm only on the phone with you because you called me twice. I thought something was wrong, you're still my friend Eleanor.” I peek my head back again towards the hallway, careful not to turn my back to it just in case Kate comes out.


“Well Louis, I feel as though you can't make up your mind. I think you're still in love with me more then you think and that you still want me. I know you still miss me. If you didn't, you wouldn't be hiding me from this woman, nor would you be hiding this phone call. Come see me Louis. Remind yourself why we were together for so long.” She all but begs and all the memories of us come crashing back. “Come on Louis, she doesn't have to know.”


“I have to go El. I'll talk to you later.” I end the call and pinch the bridge of my nose with my fingers, extremely distraught.


“Hey!” I turn to see Kate, hair curled down her back, wearing a tight body hugging orange dress that makes her skin look tan. She has a draping gold necklace and nude heals as she saunters towards me. An almost devious look plastered on her face.


“Wow.” Words finally leave my lips. “You look amazing.” I hold my arms out as she walks into them, I'm taking this moment in as I breath that familiar peppermint from her hair. I have an overwhelming realization that I need to be honest with Kate about things that have happened with Eleanor. I stiffen slightly at the mere thought of it.


Kate pulls away and tilts her head just a bit to the left. “You all right Louis?” She asks, she's always so concerned with me, she takes great care in making sure that I'm okay. It's something I treasure about her.


“Yeah, I'm good, just hungry. You?” I extend my arm out towards her as she gladly accepts.


“I thought you'd never ask.” She laughs and matches my stride as we walk towards the outside.


-----------------
We had dinner listening to the sound of the waves, after traveling for a few hours the captain decided to lay anchor and let us drift just a bit for the rest of the night. Dinner was fantastic, my nerves like a trampoline as I wrestle wit the thoughts of telling Kate about Eleanor. I don't want to but I won't be able to live with myself if I don't tell her.


Kate looks just beautiful. She's always beautiful, even when she first wakes up in the morning and her hair is a mess. That sleepy voice she speaks of just does me in over and over again.


“So what shall we do tonight?” She breaks my train of thought as I forget that I am still here with her in this moment. I lay my hand across the table as she places her hand in mine. Being friends with Kate is not the smartest decision I've ever made, you can tell that we're more than friends, that my love for her can do nothing but grow.


“I was thinking.” I pause and look around. “We could change into our lounge wear and sit on all those pillows, watch the sunset and just relax.” I think of it on the spot and she smiles so I can only assume she agrees.


“That sounds wonderful. I'm not used to these heals, and my feet are already hurting.” She complains as I smirk.


“Well then lets add a foot rub to the list, my feet are in dire need of one.” I tease as I push my chair back and come around to her side to pull her out as we go below to our room. I really can't get enough of Kate's smell, her touch, her voice. I really am addicted to her. “What do you think Olivia is doing?” I ask out of curiosity as we pull our clothes out to change.


“Oh, I'm sure she's getting pizza from her favorite place as my parents spoil her to no end. They love her too much to ever let her suffer tie injustice of not being able to watch her favorite movie or only read one book at night.” Kate laughs as she slips off her heals. “Can you unzip my Lou?” She asks and I all but gulp as she turns around and pulls her hair to the side exposing the V-shape and zipper on the back of her dress. I see her slightly smile as I grab hold of it and slowly pull it down. Contrary to my stays at her house, Kate and I have done nothing more then kiss. I don't know how much longer we can hold out though. “Thank you.” She whispers as she takes her clothes and holds her dress up with her free hand, walking to the bathroom.


I wait for her on the bed and am not surprised to see her hair pulled up in a neat bun at the top of her head, a baseball (as she calls it) style t-shirt on, with gray sweatpants and bare feet. I laugh slightly as we seem to have matching pants.


“Well hurry up then, lets go watch the sunset.” She pulls me along as I follow behind her, placing my hands on her waist as we walk down the hall and out to the back of the stern of the ship to walk around towards the bow where the cushions are.


Kate sits down then leans back and pats the spot next to her as I lay next to her, wrapping my arm around her and pulling her to rest on my chest, her arm draped over me. “Look Lou.” She points towards the western sky as we start to see the colors of the sky change from the blue to the purples, pinks, oranges, and yellows as the sun drifts down to what looks like the edge of the world.


We sit in silence for a bit, myself slightly humming different tunes that seem to be fitting for this moment, this moment that I don't really want to end.


“Would you like to dance?” I look down at Kate who props herself up on my chest and looks at me.


“With no music?” She asks, looking about as if I'm telling her a trick.


“I'll sing to you.” I inform her. “Come on. Let's dance in the light of the moon.” I'm feeling romantic at the moment as Kate stands and pulls me up, I wrap one arm around her waist as I take her hand and she places a hand on my shoulder, I start to spin her about.


“Where's my song Louis?” She teases.


“Right.” I've gotten lost in this moment I forget that I promised her I'd sing. I think for a minute and I just can't come up with anything. So I just start humming before I realize it actually is a song.


“When the night has come, and the land is dark, and the moon is the only light you we'll see. No I won't be afraid, oh I won't be afraid just as long as you stand, stand by me. So darling, darling stand by me, oh, stand by me. Oh, stand, stand by me, stand by me.” I pause and look at her, face glowing by the sea and moonlight and I stop. I hope she stands by me, as corny as that sounds.


“I love you Kate.” Before I can even think the words have escaped my lips. And my breath all but stops as I wait in this moment for any clue as to how she feels. She looks away for a second then meets my gaze. I feel as if the world has stopped. This moment, I'm frozen in time. Then she speaks.


“I love you Louis.” And my heart resumes beating. My shoulders slump as the breath returns to my lungs and Kate's hands are dropped from their place as she places them on my cheeks, really looking at me. “I love you Louis.” She repeats as I pull myself closer, our foreheads touching.


“God, I've waited so long to hear you say those words. I love you Kate.” With that I pull her in by the waist and kiss her as if it's the last time. Our lips touching feeling like fire as my need for her grows.

Notes

Well if that doesn't just make your Tuesday... :)


Where are all my readers at? I've missed your comments!

BUT: thank you so much to all my voters, subscribers, and readers, love each and every one of you. I'm so thankful that you enjoy reading this story as much as I love writing it.

Predictions as to what will happen? I don't know the exact amount, but probably less then 10 chapters left! EEks!!

Happy Day!!

xoxoxox