Pairing Hearts |louis tomlinson|

Chapter 42

Not even three weeks later we were preparing for the arrival of an eleven-year-old girl. She was still about a week away from being up for adoption, so we were going to foster her for that time and make sure she was comfortable with us before we started the legal process.
"I'm really nervous," I told Louis as he paced the living room. I was sat on the couch biting my nails.
"You don't have any reason to be nervous love," Louis said coming over to stroke my hair gently. When the doorbell rang we both shot up nervously. My heart was beating so fast.
"We're going to have a little girl in our house," I smiled and Louis grinned pulling me to the door. He opened the door to reveal a small brown-haired girl looking down at the ground with big brown eyes. Anna was standing next to her.
"Hi, come on in," I smiled feeling my heart flutter at the sight of the little girl.
"So this is Lilly," Anna said as they stepped into the house.
"Hi Lilly," I smiled bending down so I was at eye level. "My name is Kate and this is my husband Louis."
"We're so glad you're here," Louis smiled.
"Hi," Lilly said her voice soft and timid.
"Well this is her suitcase and I have a little profile about her here, I'll be back in a week to check-in, but if any of you, that means you too Lilly, need anything, don't hesitate to call, okay?"
Lilly nodded as Anna handed Louis the suitcase and me the file. "Alright then I will be on my way," Anna said giving Lilly's head a pat before heading outside.
"Okay Lilly we have two rooms you can choose from," I said giving her a little smile. "Come on we'll show you the rooms."
"Or you can try them both out, you don't have to decide now," Louis said.
"This is our bedroom right here at the end of the hall, so no matter what room you choose, you'll be close by if you need anything at night," I said pointing to our bedroom door.
"So these are the two bedrooms," Louis said opening the doors and stepping back so Lilly could step inside. We stayed back in the hall letting her assess each of the rooms. She looked out the windows curiously.
"Can I open the closet doors?" She asked.
"Yes, of course," I smiled.
"It's just as much your stuff as it is ours," Louis replied. She nodded and opened the closet door before going to the room next door and did the same thing.
"I think I want the room closest to you," she said. Her voice was so soft and tiny that I had a feeling she didn't use it often.
"Then it's yours," Louis grinned picking up her suitcase and bringing it into her new room.
"We can unpack your things later, I'm sure you're hungry right now," I said and she nodded.
"Do you want to come sit in the kitchen with us while we cook?" Louis asked. She nodded again. She followed us into the kitchen and almost jumped when she saw Spaghetti.
"You have a cat?" She asked her eyes going wide.
"Yeah," I said softly picking him up. "Is that okay with you?"
"Mmhmm," Lilly nodded.
"Would you like to come over and pet him?" She nodded and walked over timidly. As soon as she touched Spaghetti he nuzzled her hand and purred.
"What's his name?" She asked me with big eyes.
"Spaghetti," I grinned.
"Really?" She asked the corners of her lips tugging upward.
"Silly name for a cat right?" Louis laughed and Lilly nodded biting her lip.
"Lou I just remembered we haven't even given her a tour yet," I said setting down Spaghetti.
"How about I make dinner and you show her around. I'll have it done by the time you're done."
"Okay," I nodded. "Are you okay with that?"
"Yeah, of course," Louis replied rubbing my back. I smiled and led Lilly back to the bedrooms.
"So obviously you saw the two bedrooms, and the bathroom connected. I put some supplies in your bathroom already- toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, some pads, and tampons... I don't know if you've..."
"I haven't," she said looking down.
"When you do, whenever that may be, you just come find me and I will help you with anything you need, okay? Louis can help you too, but I mean I get it if you don't want to ask him."
"Thank you," she said softly and I nodded.
This is our bedroom back here," I said leading her through the door. "You're welcome in here anytime you want, okay? You don't need to knock or hesitate, you're always welcome. There's nail polish and makeup in the drawer next to the bathroom sink if you ever want to use it."
"Okay," Lilly nodded. I led her out of the bedroom and to the garage.
"We keep an alarm on this door, the front door, and the back door at night. It's just to make sure we're all safe, so just make sure you don't open the door at night, if you need anything just ask and we can turn it off," I said leading her outside. I showed her the bikes, paddleboards, balls, and everything else she could need.
"I don't know how to ride a bike or do any of these things," she said looking at all the items overwhelmed.
"Don't worry, Louis and I will teach you," I smiled. "He didn't know how to surf until about two years ago."
"Okay," Lilly nodded.
"You already saw the kitchen and the living room," I said as we walked past. "You're welcome to watch tv anytime you want and if the remote confuses you just ask Louis because it confuses me too."
I led her to the other side of the house and showed her the mudroom. "And this is Louis' studio," I said opening the door for her to walk inside.
"You have a lot of instruments," she said looking around in awe.
"You're welcome to play and practice with them anytime you want," I smiled.
"I don't know how," she said with a frown.
"Louis can teach you whatever you want to learn. He's very talented."
"Okay," she nodded.
"Do you have any questions for me?" I asked. Lilly shook her head silently.
"Well I just want you to know that we are so happy that you are here," I said. "We are going to do everything we can to make you feel comfortable, safe, and happy here."
"Thank you," she said softly.
"Do you mind if I give you a hug?" I asked nervously.
"Okay," she nodded and I moved towards her and wrapped my arms around her rubbing her back gently. She rested her head against my chest and I felt her arms wrap around my waist. I felt my heart swell and I could have cried in that moment if Louis hadn't called us for dinner. We broke apart and Lilly followed me back to the kitchen.
"Smells good," I said pulling some plates from the cabinets.
"You want to eat outside?" Louis asked looking between Lilly and me.
"There's a beautiful view of the sunset from the patio," I told Lilly.
"Okay," she nodded. I took the plates outside and felt Lilly follow behind me.
"You have a pool?" She asked eyes wide.
"Yup and it's heated year-round, so you can swim in it whenever you like," Louis replied setting the dish on the table.
"I don't have a swimsuit," she frowned.
"We can or just Kate can take you shopping for anything you need or want," Louis smiled. "And we'll repaint your room and buy you some new bedding and decorations as soon as you feel ready."
"Thank you," Lilly said looking down. She sat in the chair between us facing the pool.
"I guess we should have warned you that we eat a lot of vegetables and healthy food in this house," I said looking down at the zucchini noodles and vegetable-filled sauce in the pan.
"I'm not picky," she said as Louis served her a really big helping. We ate quietly for a while.
"So Lilly what do you like to do for fun?" I asked her gently.
"I don't know," she shrugged. "I read books sometimes. I'm very quiet and I don't like to cause problems."
I felt my heart physically break at her words. "Honey, you don't have to be quiet here," I said. "We are always singing and dancing and listening to music around the house. No need for you to worry about being too loud."
"She's right," Louis smiled. "Just last week I had an idea for a song and I spent all day on the drums in the studio."
"If you want to play any sports, take any classes, or take private lessons you just let us know," I said.
"But if you just want to read books, then you came to the right house. Kate has me reading all kinds of good books all the time," Louis smiled.
"You like to read?" Lilly asked looking up at me.
"Oh yeah, I love it," I smiled. "I used to read all the time when I was little and now I get to share all those books that I've read with Louis. If you recommend me a book, I promise I'll read it."
"Cool," Lilly said a grin dancing on her lips. "Everything is so pretty and nice here," she said watching the sun sink beneath the water.
"We're really glad you feel that way," I said and Louis nodded.
"Why don't we get you unpacked," Louis said standing up and stretching. "We want to make sure you're all settled in before bed."
"Okay," Lilly nodded standing up as well. Louis and I collected the dishes and brought them inside leaving them in the sink to soak.
"Let's get this suitcase unpacked," Louis grinned setting it on the ground. I sat down next to Lilly and let her open the suitcase. Louis sat on the bed running his hand over my head gently. I looked at the wadded up clothes in the suitcase and cringed.
"Does anything need to be washed?" I asked.
"No, Miss Anna washed it before I left," Lilly answered.
"Alright, then I will fold and you can put it away in the drawers so you know where everything is," I said.
"Okay," Lilly nodded. We spent quite a bit of time folding clothes and putting them away. Underneath the clothes, Lilly had a layer of books.
"Oh these are some of my favorites," I said tracing my fingers over the covers gently.
"Really?" Lilly asked looking up at me with big eyes.
"Really," I nodded. "I used to read these books over and over again under my covers at night. We need to find a special place for these."
"We'll buy you a bookshelf or we'll put in some floating shelves. We'll figure out a special place because I'm sure you'll be collecting quite a few more books through the years," Louis smiled.
"Okay," Lilly nodded a real grin growing on her lips.
"For now we'll put them on your desk, okay?" I asked and she nodded.
"Why don't you change into your pajamas? Kate and I will wash the dishes and come put you to bed when we're done, alright?" Louis asked.
"Okay," Lilly nodded. Louis and I stood up and Louis took the suitcase and placed it on the top shelf in the closet.
We left the bedroom closing the door gently. Louis instantly wrapped me in a hug. "I'm so happy, are you happy?" He whispered and I nodded against his chest. We washed the dishes laughing lightly about how hot the water was. When we finished loading the dishwasher we went back to Lilly's room. Louis knocked on the door gently.
"Come in," Lilly said. I subtly turned on the nightlight as we walked into the room not wanting her to feel self-conscious about it. I had slept with a nightlight until Louis started living with me because of everything I had been through.
"Remember where our bedroom is?" Louis asked as I tucked the covers around her. Lilly nodded.
"Do you need anything before we leave?" I asked worriedly. She shook her head. We both gave her gentle hugs.
"We're so happy you're here," Louis said patting her head gently. We walked away and I closed the door gently.
"I'm worried," I said looking up at him.
"Why?" Louis asked stroking my hair.
"It's her first night here and I don't want her to be scared or anything," I said.
"She'll be okay," Louis said rubbing my back and leading me to the bedroom.
--
That night I woke up to someone screaming. I sat up quickly, Louis was still passed out. I got up and made my way to Lilly's bedroom where I could hear her sobbing. I knocked lightly before opening the door.
"Hey, sweety are you okay?" I asked coming to sit on the edge of her bed. She sobbed into her hand and I instantly pulled her into a hug.
"It's okay honey," I said stroking her head gently. "Everything is okay. You're safe."
She finally calmed down enough to breathe normally. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Oh honey, you have nothing to be sorry for," I answered rubbing her back. "Come on I'll make you some tea, it will help you go back to sleep, okay?"
"Okay," she nodded. I got up from the bed and she followed behind me. As I started the kettle she stood right next to me, so I rubbed her back gently.
"Louis makes the best tea," I told her. "He always makes it for me when I can't sleep."
"Do you ever have nightmares?" She asked as I poured her a cup.
"Oh yes," I nodded. "I used to have really bad nightmares when I first met Louis and he would have to wake me up from them. I still get them sometimes."
I handed her the mug before leading her back to her bedroom. "Be careful it's okay," I said taking it so she could get back in bed.
"Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?" She asked looking down. "It's okay if you won't."
"I would love to," I said. She sipped her tea quietly and I rubbed her back gently. When she finished her tea I set the mug on the bedside table and helped her slip down under the covers. She closed her eyes and I stroked her hair gently. I closed my eyes as I felt her body start to slacken.
"Kate, love," Louis whispered touching my shoulder gently. "Come back to bed."
I nodded kissing the top of Lilly's head and getting out of bed. I let Louis pick me up and carry me out of the room. He shut the door gently before carrying me to bed and laying me down.
"You okay?" He asked playing with my hair.
"Yeah, she just had a nightmare," I answered.
"You're already an amazing mom," he said stroking my hair gently. "I just hope she can feel comfortable around me."
"It's only the first-day babe," I answered curling against his chest.
"Yeah," he replied hugging me tightly. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," I said softly before falling asleep.
--
When I woke up the next morning Louis wasn't in bed with me. I rubbed my eyes following the scent of breakfast cooking into the kitchen.
"Morning love," Louis grinned from the stove. Lilly was sitting at the island with Spaghetti in her lap.
"Hey babe, what's all this?" I asked stroking Lilly's hair lightly.
"Thought I would make some breakfast," Louis shrugged.
"Smells so good," I said seriously.
"Thank you for staying with me Miss Kate," Lilly said looking up at me.
"Of course sweetheart," I said rubbing her back. "Louis and I will both be there for you any time day or night."
"She's right," Louis nodded bringing us plates of food.
"Do you want to eat outside?" I asked and Lilly nodded.
"Can I have a hug?" Louis asked looking over at me.
"Course," I smiled wrapping my arms around him tightly. "I love you."
"I love you too," Louis whispered back kissing my cheek. We walked out to the patio to find Lilly watching us with big eyes.
"You don't have to wait for us," I smiled sitting down.
"How long have you loved each other?" Lilly asked.
"I've loved her since I was eighteen," Louis smiled and I blushed.
"We've known each other a really long time," I answered.
"I know we haven't known you long at all, but we already love you too," Louis said patting Lilly's shoulder. Lilly gave a genuine smile and I felt my stomach flutter with happiness.
"I was thinking maybe we could go shopping today, so we can get some swimsuits and things. I would love to have a beach day sometime this week or swim in the pool."
"Do you want me to come?" Louis asked. I looked to Lilly who nodded.
We spent the day pampering and spoiling Lilly, who was slowly starting to warm up to us. We took her to lunch and went shopping for clothes, swimsuits, and bedroom decorations. We had learned that her favorite color was yellow, so just about everything we bought ended up being yellow. It made my heart full to know she liked such a happy color.
We spent that night setting up her bedroom. Louis helped her hang up her new pictures and shelves and I helped her organize her bookshelf. Louis and Lilly had started to get along really well, Lilly thought Louis was so funny and it was good to finally hear her laugh.
As Louis and I climbed into bed that night I could tell he was bubbling over with joy. "Today was really good," he said a big grin on his face as he turned to face me.
"I'm glad she's finally opening up to us a little," I replied curling into his chest.