Pairing Hearts |louis tomlinson|

Chapter Sixteen

A week later we were sitting at Marcy's pool drinking lemonade as Sam and Louis swam. Eventually, Marcy's parents came out with dinner, so we gathered on the patio to eat.
"So what time are we waking up to open presents tomorrow?" Her mom asked as we ate.
"I'm not waking up earlier than nine," Marcy said taking a big bite.
"Remember when you used to wake us up at the crack of dawn?" Her dad asked and Marcy nodded with a laugh. I took Louis' hand and stroked it with my thumb lightly. I knew he was probably having a hard time experiencing this picture-perfect family Christmas after losing his mom. He hadn't told me, but I had seen it in his eyes.
"Can we go surfing after breakfast tomorrow?" Marcy asked.
"Yeah, I figured you kids would spend the day on the beach while we get dinner ready."
"Is everyone coming again?" Marcy asked.
"No, your cousins decided they wanted to stay at home this year," her mom said rolling her eyes. Marcy let out a sigh.
"Look at all this family we have here though," her dad said with a grin and Marcy nodded.
--
That night, Louis, Bailey, and I shared a room. Bailey and I shared one of the two beds. When I woke up the next morning Louis was sitting on the bed chatting with Bailey. My head was in his lap.
"Morning love," Louis grinned. "Happy Christmas."
"Hi," I said rubbing my eyes.
"Morning," Bailey said poking my cheek.
"Hey," I said sitting up and stretching my arms.
"What did Lou get you for Christmas? He won't tell me," Bailey pouted.
"I told him not to get me anything," I said looking up at him worriedly.
"And I didn't," Louis answered holding his hands up in surrender.
"But he did quit smoking," I said my face softening.
"Wow, now that's love," Bailey said with a smile and I laughed swatting her shoulder.
"What did you get Kate for Christmas?" Louis asked her.
"My presence," Bailey answered with a wink.
"Oh, I got you two presents," I smiled getting up to dig in my bag.
"Kate, I swear to god," Bailey said upset. "You can't ask for no presents and then get us something."
"Yes I can," I answered handing them each a wrapped gift. Louis opened his to find a watch.
"Look on the back I got your mom's initials, so she's always close," I said turning the watch over for him.
"Thank you," he said wrapping his arms around me and holding me close.
"Anything for you," I replied. "Now open yours, Bailey!"
Bailey opened her gift to find a little ring. "It has all our initials in it because I got one for Marcy too," I smiled and Bailey grinned.
"You're so cute," Bailey said giving me a hug. I kissed her cheek.
"I'm still mad at you," she said with a frown.
"I don't need or want anything," I replied. "I don't deserve it," I whispered looking away.
"Don't say that," Louis said with a big frown.
"What do you mean you don't deserve it?" Bailey laughed. "All you do is take care of us. You do our homework, let us wear your clothes, make us dinners. It's ridiculous that you think you don't deserve to get presents and be loved in the way you love us."
"She's right," Louis said holding me with one arm. I rested my head on his chest.
"I know you love me and that's all I care about," I said resting my arms around his waist putting my head on his shoulder. I squeezed Bailey's thigh lightly with a small smile.
"You know that's all we care about too," Bailey replied. I looked down at my phone.
"Marcy says breakfast is ready."
--
Later that day we rode our bikes down to the beach. "You know I pictured you as a girl who didn't know how to ride a bike," Louis smirked riding next to me.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I laughed. "I taught myself how to ride a bike when I was six. I used to steal one off the bike rack at school whenever I lost mine."
Louis frowned but gave me a smile when I stuck my tongue out at him. We parked our bikes at the edge of the sand and then carried our boards down to the water. I put my board down so I could put on the top half of my wetsuit.
"You're too thin," Louis frowned as he helped me tug my arms through the suit.
"That's what everyone always says," I replied rolling my eyes. "Just help me zip up."
Louis rolled his eyes before going around behind me and zipping it up. "Have you ever surfed before?" I asked. Louis shook his head.
"Didn't have beaches in London."
"We'll teach you," I smiled.
The day was spent in piles of laughter as Louis continually got pummeled by waves.
"You're actually pretty good love," Louis grinned eventually opting to watch me from the shore.
"Actually?" I laughed. "Did you think I was going to be bad?"
"You grew up in Indiana," he laughed and I laughed too coming to sit next to him. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and rested my head on his shoulder. I unzipped my own wet suit and tugged it down to my waist.
"How are you doing?" I whispered.
"Being here with you is literally everything I needed," Louis answered. "Your friends are all so nice and this place is just beautiful."
"I'm glad you're doing better," I said honestly.
"You're always worried about me," Louis said shaking his head.
"Well when you're out there almost drowning in the waves I have a right to be worried," I smirked and Louis gave my shoulder a playful shove.