Falling In Love (L.S)

Chapter 13

It's a week before Christmas, and he and the boys are leaving, to go to the airport so they can catch their plane, for their retreat in an hour. He's had about a month to visit his family but he hasn't had the courage to do so.

Louis and Lottie text every day now and it's good to know the family is okay. He's even hired a nanny to take the girls' to and from school, and watch over them until his mom gets off work. Lottie says Jay appreciates the gesture even if she doesn't tell Louis so herself.

So yes, Louis has been a chicken about meeting the family but he won't be here for Christmas and he needs to get them their gifts. So he takes a deep breath, and knocks on the front door. There are piles of presents in several bags by his feet.

He goes to pick up the bags when the door open and out pops Lottie who's smiling at him warmly. Next thing he knows the twin pop up behind their older sister and quickly wrap onto his legs; it's a welcomed sight to see.

"Hey girls." He speaks softly as he steps into the home. The girls peel off of him and then start to hit his thighs, complaining about him leaving and abandoning them. He saddens at this but goes to hug them tightly anyways.

He pulls away when he sees his mother standing in the doorway of the kitchen; a hesitant smile on her face. She looks older, more tired. There are definitely more grey hairs in her head than before. Knowing he's the reason for this pulls at Louis' stomach; tugging tightly to remind him of all the guilt he feels.

"Hey mom." He finally chokes out, the first to speak. She gives a mini wave before pulling her hands back under her pits, and across her chest.

"Girls why don't you go put the presents under the tree." Jay speaks finally, but her eyes never leave her son's face.

"But mom..." They whine and Louis smiles despite himself. He feels all the tension, and nerves, leave him instantly.

"I promise to play with you before I have to leave." They pout but do as they're told. Lottie gives him a thumb up signal before she leaves and heads upstairs. He assumes Fizzy isn't home.

"Come sit." His mom gestures to a chair as he meets her in the kitchen. "Do you want anything to drink? We have water, and juice..." She trails off and he laughs as he denies the request.

"Thanks but I'm good." He assures her. "I don't even know where to start." He blows out a huff and she takes a seat in front of him. She messes with her fingers as she stares at her son.

"I want to start with I'm sorry." She rushes out before he can even say anything. "After having no luck with good men I've told myself I have to be independent. I began working harder, so I could have money to take care of everyone and as a result I didn't have the time to take care of anyone."

"I put all the responsibility on you without even asking because I felt as if you had to help me out; like you owed me or something when that's not the case." Louis sits still as he listens to his mother speak.

"You don't owe me anything Louis. I'm the parent, I had you, not the other way around. It took you leaving for me to truly see that. I didn't listen when you tried telling me no. I would just get angry and tried to get your friend to help out and that wasn't right, it was manipulative in a way." She pauses for a moment. "I'm sorry about that, about all of this. I'm sorry about not telling you about Clinton." Louis flinches at the name.

"God. When I first realized you two were dating I wanted to call the cops on him. You were a kid, a boy. He had no right trying to be with you in any way other than friendship. I thought I was doing right by having him drop you." She explains as she tears up.

"But then you took the breakup so hard and I didn't console you. I just made you even busier and never allowed you to really grieve; never asked you what was wrong even though I knew. Sorry doesn't even begin to explain how filled with sorrow I am." Louis nods and takes his mother's hands in his own.