The Makeup Artist (Norman Reedus)

Mood

Waking Liam up with pancakes she reads over the messages she got again. She text Norman back,

I have a day off today if you want to do something? XxLou

She didnt text James back, they had had the conversation too many times on them getting back together and it never works. It wouldnt be fair to Liam if they were just fighting all the time.

James came round early to pick Liam up and Louise knew it was to see if they can make a go of it. "Can we talk later? Ill call you" Louise asked trying to keep it short and sweet around Liam. James nodded. Liam said bye to his mum and James gave her a hug bye.

Her phoned beeped it was Norman

Yea I''m in, fancy a box set day? Ill provide the food you provide the boxset? XxNorman

Louise smiled, grabbing The Wire boxset which was actually Joshua's that he left there once she hopped in her car and headed for Norman's

"Liam get off okay?" He asked opening the door for her "yea James took him a while ago, " she added. Sitting down on the sofa Norman fixed her a drink, a can of coke.

Louise and Norman spoke about what they did with their sons this weekend and Norman spoke about how he doesnt just sleep with girls like that and that she shouldnt get the wrong idea on him "i would like to see you more, for you. Not for sex" he added, stroking her arm she leant in and kissed him "i want to too" she told him after kissing him.

"But it would be easier here, i mean you live alone here, my place Mia and Joshua and friends come and go and Mia has a really big mouth" Louise told him rolling her eyes about Mia. "Thats cool, and then say, it doesnt work we can just go about our lives?" He asked, meaning lets see how it goes before we see what we want. Louise was game. It couldnt hurt.

Norman got a blanket from the cupboard for them to have lazy boxset day and they snuggled on the sofa, cuddling and kissing, it was bliss.

Louise's phone kept beeping she went to check incase it was Liam.

I really think we should talk about us, Liam would love it if we got back together we can be a family again. XxxJ

Louise sighed. Playing the 'Liam card' was James's trademark. "Everything alright?" Norman asked looking back at Louise from the sofa. "Yea yea, just Liam saying he is home" Louise put her phone back and sat on the sofa, but away from Norman and on top of the blanket. Norman paused the tv "you sure?" He questioned her again. "Mmhmm" she said trying to give a convincing smile. He didnt buy it. But pressed play on the tv and left her to it, he didnt want to pry.

Louise could see Norman looking at her from time to time from the corner of her eye. "Its just James, every so often be gets the idea of us getting back together in his mind and he just bombards me with messages and calls and then, when i stick my guns and say no he turns and im just waiting now for him to turn" Norman paused the tv and ushered her to continue "and then it just makes life harder for me and whenever he has Liam he gets the idea into Liam's head and then im the bad guy" a tear fell down Louise's cheek and Norman got up to get her a tissue "im sorry to do this, im just literally waiting for the hate now" Louise was embarrassed she was getting tearful over this and at Norman's place.

James was a very charming man when they first met, nearly ten years older than her, her parents were not impressed but James was over the moon when they found out she was expecting and they moved into a small house and James found work as an actor, and then it all went wrong and fast, James didnt want Louise to go to college, he wanted her at home waiting for him and then when his fling with the playboy girl came out Louise took this as her chance to go she knew she had to get out she wasnt happy. James was too controlling and was much easier to be around now there were not together but every so often he would push a reunion on her and then become nasty when she declined.

"Does he know about us seeing eachother?" Norman asked "no, i dont know what he would be like, ive never been with anyone since him." She explained. "What seriously? The other night was like a first for you in a few years?" Norman asked, smirking, Louise laughed and then looked awkward "well over the years me and James have had the odd night" she added, but looked at Norman to reassure him that those days are over.

Norman rubbed a hand over his face, "well look, im here should you need to talk, me and Helena have it good, we are friends and nothing more. Mingus is our priority. " he tells her, Louise knew she shouldnt of gone to bed with James all those times but he can get into her head sometimes.

"Do you want to stay over? We could drive into work separate? No one would have to know. Mainly Mia" Norman said coyly with a smile. His smile made Louise weak.

Norman cooked noodles, the only thing he had in his cupboard, he wasnt the most domesticated.  But still they tasted good.

Louise's phone rang, they both looked at eachother expecting it to be James, peering at her phone she saw it was Mia and mentioned she should tell her she wont be home tonight.

"Hey Mia, listen dont wait up for me---" Louise was cut off, Norman looked at her while clearing up as to why Louise stopped talking.

"Lou, James is here, he seems drunk...angry drunk, he wants you. Where are you?" Mia asked through the phone.