When I'm Gone

Louis' POV

I wake up snuggled up close to Kate, in complete bliss. I haven't felt this refreshed in what feels like ages. Just Kate and I against the world. That's how things feel in this very moment. Blissfully perfect. Beautiful woman draped across me, full night of sleep, and last night was something to remember.

I don't want to wake her but I start absentmindedly dragging my fingernails across her back, causing Kate to grumble while her eyes flutter open and closed. She stretches her neck and props herself up on her elbows.

“Good morning.” Her voice wrecked with sleep.

“Morning beautiful.”

“Oh I'm sure that's exactly how I look right now.” She kisses my cheek and rolls onto her back scooting her way to the edge of the bed, pulling the covers back, and hoping off the bed, leaving me with a great view of her backside in tiny underwear and a thin shirt. She reaches the bathroom door, pausing for a second to look back at me and just wink causing me to laugh and shake my head. This girl.

I stretch just a bit and pull off the bed, flipping the covers back over the pillows, trying to make the covers smooth when I hear the water running, assuming Kate's taking a shower. I'm content in the moment, then my brain wonders to Eleanor. Eleanor's smile, her laugh, how we fit so easily together. No matter what I do, I just can't get her out of my head. I can't not think of her. It's killing me. I know I want to be with Kate, I know it, but I just have this pull towards Eleanor, knowing that she's so close, I have this itch to see her.

But then my heart thinks of Kate. How my heart seems to quicken at every smile, every touch, every laugh Kate makes. I know I need to make a decision soon. I fear I will break someone's heart to no end. It is my fear, but my biggest fear is picking the wrong woman and being unhappy.

I twist my neck ever so slightly, feeling the muscles stretch, the bones pop, and finally decide to start my day. First on the list of course, joining Kate in the shower.

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“Right, so we shall remain docked here at the Port of Marsamxett, feel free to explore the capital Valletta as I'm sure Nicole has filled you in on all the attractions Valletta has to offer, and if you have any questions, run into any problems, here is our card with our information.” The Captain passes me his business card as I'm still waiting for Kate. It's beautiful here, slightly chilly but not chilly enough for a coat.

My phone pings in my pocket and I reach for it, noticing it's from Eleanor.

When will you be leaving? Can you tell her you have business in Italy you need to stick behind for?

I close my eyes and pause. I feel like I just need to see her one last time. Just one last time. Before I have a chance to respond, she texts me again.

Please Louis. I need you.

I let out a frustrated huff, knowing Eleanor will keep this up if I don't respond, she can be relentless and to be honest, I've been leading her on. I'm shaky as I type out a response.

I'll figure something out Eleanor.

I almost instantly regret saying this to her. How can I keep doing this to two woman? I know this is going to catch up with me sooner or later. I see Eleanor is typing when I hear footsteps and I quickly shove my phone back in my pocket turning to see Kate. The true vision that she is. Tan shirt hanging off her shoulder, waist high flowy skirt and those famous nude heals she wears, long hair tied back low. A smile and sunglasses. She looks like she's stepped out of a 1950's black and white movie. Just perfect.

“You ready Lou?” She steps to my side, squeezing me ever so slightly.

“I've been ready all day.” I smirk at her, kissing her temple. “What do you want to do today?” I ask as I take her hand and we walk towards the back of the yacht to exit, myself first so I can help her exit gracefully.

“Well I've been looking at all the brochures Nicole got us and I was thinking today we could just do some light shopping? See a few things? Just spend the day exploring?” She checks her phone for the time before slipping it in her purse, making me remember the text that Eleanor was typing me, the thought of it burning in my pocket.

“That sounds great. So lunch somewhere in town then back here for dinner?” I suggest.

“And tomorrow, I thought we could go hiking? See some things beyond the city, I'll have to wear sensible shoes for that though.” She giggles, that breathtaking sound, I can't help but spin her around to make her laugh. I'm thankful that this island is so small, not a lot of people know we're here so no pictures have been taken of us. I'm sure it won't be long until I'm discovered though, it never does. “Louis, did you hear me?” I focus to notice that I've stopped in my tracks and Kate is a few steps ahead of me.

“Sorry darling, lost in thought, what did you say?” I catch up to her.

“I just wanted you to remind me that I need to get a Christmas ornament.” She smiles.

“But Christmas has passed?” I ask in question, just to make sure.

“Oh I know, I just like to collect them, from every place I've been so every year when I put up the tree I can think about all the memories I've shared with people and all the beautiful places I've been to.” She explains as I just nod my head.

“I like that.” If I ever did that I'd have to have a million trees but if I had to pick places, this Christmas ornament would be toward the top.

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“I'm so tired Louis!” Kate whines as we carry our bags back to the yacht. We've walked forever today.

“We can just eat dinner then watch movies all night if you want to.” I suggest, taking the rest of her bags for her. We didn't shop a lot but we did get quite a few things from a variety of different shops so we have random small bags.

“Maybe just one movie, I want to watch the sunset again, and sleep under the stars tonight.” She rests her arm over my waist.

“Sleep outside?” I ask confused.

“Yes, wake up when the sun does, have a beautiful sunrise to open our eyes to.” I wish I could see beauty in the earth like Kate does. Things are so much more appreciated from her perspective. I get too lost in the logistics of things. I don't have time to slow down.

“Whatever you suggest Katie Kate.” We near the port, Kate stops and slips off her shoes. 'Your feet are going to get gross.” I tell her and she simply shakes her head.

“Don't care, I like bare feet. They can always wash.” She skips in front of me, soaking in the sun. “What was your favorite part of today?” She turns around to face me, walking backwards. Watching Kate reminds me she's truly graceful, and the skirt she's wearing makes her look like shes floating.

“Well, I really liked that church-”

“St. Johns?” She cuts me off and I nod. “It really was beautiful, the architecture and art itself was breathtaking. Sorry, go on.” She motions for me to continue.

“I liked the place where we ate lunch, I'm not a big sea food person but that crab was pretty good. And that St. George's Square, a lot of history on this island that I didn't know about.”

“And the worst part of your day?” She asks. This is a game we play every time we talk, the best part of your day and the worst part of your day, and how we might try to fix it tomorrow.

“The worst part.” I pause in thought, lying to Kate is the biggest part, sneaking text messages back and forth between myself and Eleanor, telling Eleanor I'll be seeing her when this trip is over, trying to think of a way to tell Kate that I'll be out of town. Just to name a few. “The worst part of today was probably when were were kicking that ball around with those kids and I tripped on the ball with that shifty pass that kid sent to me.” Kate abruptly burst into laughter.

“OH my god, you should have seen your face when you were falling, you were so surprised and scared, I'm just glad you didn't piss yourself.” She bends over, holding her gut, laughing at her own comment.

“Ha. Ha. Ha. You'd better run miss.” I tease and she just looks at me while I tighten my grip on the bags and start running after her, playfully hitting her bum with the bags.

She's going to hate me.

Notes

Hey-Hey-Hey!

Hi. How is everyone today? Hopefully snug as a bug. I'm in an odd mood.

Anyway. If your bored and want to read some more stories, feel free to check out my other two:

Liam Story:
http://www.onedirectionfanfiction.org/Story/48455/Give-me-love-like-this/

And my Harry Story:
http://www.onedirectionfanfiction.org/Story/53779/Mandolin-Rain/

Happy Thursday!

xoxox