Nothing Without Love

Louis POV

Dinner went smoothly. Josie was right on cue, she was paying attention to me, I was paying attention to her and I'm sure Stan and Samantha believed us. We talked about how we met, we left out the sleeping together part on the first night but Josie did throw in when she kissed me to get away from her ex boyfriend. They loved it, it's quite the meet-cute if you ask me.

Things went well until Davis threw his spaghetti all over Josie's orange dress. She was a little shocked at first but it didn't bother her as much as you would think. Sam kept apologizing right and left, Davis was just tired, you could tell. Every time I've seen him he's nothing but a friendly kid so I can just assume he was tired, that and the constant screaming tipped me off.

“Again, I'm so sorry, I'll pay to have your dress cleaned.” Sam apologizes to Josie yet another time.

“It's okay, it's not an expensive dress, I can just throw it in the wash.” Josie assures her for what seems like the millionth time. “I'm just going to head up and change.” She smiles at all of us and kicks her shoes off, holding them as she walks up the steps.

“And I'm going to run Davis a bath and put him to bed.” He hasn't fallen asleep yet but I think he will soon, he's just draped over his mums shoulders.

“So I saw we can have a fire on the beach.” Stan looks over at me, if I could only read his mind because he looks like trouble behind those eyes but I do know that now he's a father he's calmed down quite a bit and Sam has had a few things to do with it. I knew as soon as he met her that she was different. It didn't even phase him when she announced she was pregnant a year later, they married in a small ceremony and I've never seen him happier. Kind of just another person to be jealous of, coupled up and ready for whatever happens next. “I brought fire wood.” He raises his brows and I can't help but crack a smile.

“When did you have time to get firewood?” I ask, stretching my back and putting our leftovers in the fridge. They really do feed you too much in a sitting, I don't always eat the left overs but I at least don't waste the food at the restaurant.

“We stopped at a grocery store that had some out front, we needed to get diapers and wipes for Davis anyway.” He explains as if it's nothing. “I'll go grab it.” He all but rushes out to his car, it's obvious he can't contain his excitement for a simple form of enjoyment.

When Stan leaves I take the opportunity to head upstairs and change into more comfortable clothes, the weather has cooled off enough to wear my usual jumper and sweats. When I reach the top I see Josie has done the same, she's bent over trying to arrange her hair in a bun of some sort. I rummage through my bag and pull out my familiar threads, stripping off in the center of the room. I have boxers on so it's nothing Josie hasn't seen.

“I think we pulled it off well so far.” I inform her as I pull my shirt over my head.

“Yeah, I think you're right.” She hops up on the bed and lets her body fall back. “I'm tired.” She whines a little bit, she sounds a little grumbly but it's nothing too annoying or over the top.

“You have to stay up a little longer, Stan is planning on building a fire on the beach.” I pull up my pants and slip my sandals on. “You coming?” I stop by the door waiting for her to join me.

“Can't. Get. Up.” She pauses at every word. “Help me.” She puts her arms out for me to grab, just waiting for me to pull her up. She's quite cute when she acts like this, like she's needy because she never is.

“You are so lazy.” I walk over to her and reach over, pulling her arms up to make her stand. I move to the side as she comes up, or else we'd be face to face and I don't think that would be a good idea given the fact that no one else is here, we've managed to not have to kiss in front of anyone and if we keep it that way it will be better for both of us. Better for me I know that.

“So the fire.” She stretches her back a little and move to the door, ahead of me. “I don't think I'll have a lot of energy to stay for long, I've been so tired lately.” I close the door behind me as I follow her down the steps. “I did see you brought stuff for s'mores, maybe chocolate and roasted marshmallows will give me some energy for a little bit longer.” She smiles, rooting through the kitchen to pull out everything she needs. She put everything away so she knows exactly where to find things.

“Yes, well I know you would have my throat if I didn't feed you chocolate.” I laugh, once again not knowing what to do with my hands as I shove them in my pockets.

“Smart man. Help me with these.” She holds her hands out for me to carry the graham crackers and the pokers while she carries the chocolate and marshmallows. I lead the way as I see Stan bent over trying to start the fire. He's always the one who doesn't want help with things so I won't even offer my assistance. He likes to lead the way if anything.

I set things down on a small table set between two chairs as Josie sits on one, I take the other, Stan still bent over trying to light the wood.

“Need any help?” Josie asks, Stan's back is turned toward her.

“Nope, I've got it, just be a few minutes!” He assures her and all I do is roll my eyes. Few minutes my ass, Stan takes forever to do anything when it comes to these things.

“Don't listen to him Josie, he'll never get it!” Sam comes out with the baby monitor, laughing.

“I'm not that bad!” He tries to defend himself as the piece of paper he's used trying to start the fire crumbles and starts nothing on fire. We all laugh at his attempt and Sam settles down next to him to help start the fire. It doesn't take long for them to start the fire as it roars to life. We're soon warm as I move my chair slightly closer to Josie, grabbing her legs and pulling them on my lap. I brush the sand off her toes after I slip off her sandals and without even thinking, start rubbing her feet. I don't know why I do this, it's just a habit, a habit I know she doesn't complain about.

“So when are you guys coming back to Doncaster?” Stan asks as he sits down. I quickly look to Josie and she's already looking at me. My mum knows about us pretending thanks to Sam, not her fault though, she didn't know. “Your mum wants to meet Josie.” He looks at her and back at me, we haven't spoken about the matter yet.

“Um, we don't have any plans yet, I can go whenever but Josie here has a real job so she'd just have to get time off.” I tell Stan as I place my hand on Josie's thigh and squeeze it slightly. I've always been one for affection so I can't really change that now. One can just assume Stan or Sam is always watching.

“But doesn't she work for Niall? I'm sure if you'd just ask he wouldn't care.” He takes a sip of his beer and once again waits for our reactions.

“Well this would have been the perfect week because Maura is here to help with the baby. But we decided to hang out with you guys instead.” Josie laughs as does the rest of us.

“I don't know why you would pick us, at least your mum cooks and cleans up after you. No way in hell I'm doing that.” More laughter is shared around the fire as we relive old memories and chat about life. Sam excuses herself shortly after as she's tired and it's been a long day with traveling. Davis is in a clingy stage as well, always wanting his mum so by the end of the day she's exhausted.

We stay up later, making messy s'mores and talking about pre One Direction days, and even One Direction days when Stan could come with us. We leave out some things that aren't exactly what we should share with Josie, not that we're together but some of the things Stan and I did when when I was single wasn't always appropriate. We got into quite a bit of mischief, and even more when all our school friends were together.

“All right, well lads, I'm off to bed.” Josie stands, her eyes are heavy with sleep. “See you in the morning.” She smiles at me and Stan.

“No kiss good night? You guys skip the dating part and go right to middle age married?” Stan teases and I tense up, not quite knowing what she'll do. But Josie being Josie, she glares at him in a teasing manner over her shoulder and leans in for a what I can assume is just a slight kiss that turns into an even longer one as her hand grazes my chin and my lips feel alive again. Tingling at the pressure of her lips against mine.

“Good night boys.” She stands and walks away quickly, closing the door behind me.

“Well you've lost it.” Stan laughs at me as soon as the doors shut.

“What are you talking about?” I ask, I know exactly what he means but I chose not to give in to him, running fingers through my hair.

“You love her.” What the fuck is with all this teasing? It's the worst it's ever been I swear. I get it from Stan, Niall, Erica, Josie, everyone that speaks with me.

“Not even close mate, we've only just started dating.” I inform him.

“Well, I know my best friend and I think I know him more then he knows himself.” He has that look on his face that I just want to swipe off but he can't be right.

Can he?

Notes

So sorry for the delay! I went out of town with my parents and brothers for an extended weekend and am just getting rested on sleep. Maybe even a nap planned for today. :)

How are you liking this fake relationship between Louis and Josie? It's obvious Josie is not afraid of a little challenge when they shared their kiss. As Stan doesn't help because he's always present to egg them on. Next chapter will be pretty much all Stan and Louis! :)

Have a great day.

xoxoxox