FLASHBACK
"See, I knew there was a reason I why I love you"
Then she realized what she had said and pulled away from him.
"Love, present tense,"
"I-I'm sorry, I have to go," she stuttered and then ran out of the room.
Darren just sat staring after her, "I love you too sweetheart more than you'll ever know"
Chapter 8
About 10 minutes later, Darren went upstairs and went into Louise's room. It was pitch black; all he could make out was Louise lying on top of the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Hey," he said softly.
Silence.
"I know you're not asleep," he said
"What do you want?"
"Well one day, I'd like a big house, a big family and you, mostly waking up next to you every morning," he said sitting down on the bed next to her.
When she heard this she sat up, bringing her knees up to her chest.
"You have a family," she said
"No, I have a son"
"And a wife," she pointed out, "do you love her?"
"She's the mother of my son"
"That doesn't answer my question"
"I suppose I do in the way," he admitted.
Louise swung her legs over the other side of the bed and got up.
"Then, what are you doing here? Go back to your family"
"What?"
"You said it yourself you love her, go back to your wife"
"Lou, didn't you mean what you said?"
"It doesn't matter, you love your wife, go back to your family"
"No"
"GO DAMN IT"
"What the hell is the matter with you?"
"Nothing, just go home," said Louise sadly
"Lou," Darren said touching her arm.
"STOP IT," she shouted pulling her arm away
"STOP WHAT? I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING, I WAS TRYING TO TELL YOU I LOVE YOU, I ALWAYS HAVE AND I ALWAYS WILL," shouted Darren trying to get through to her.
Louise was shocked by his outburst, all she could do was whisper, "Jack"
"I'll sort something out, he'll be fine"
"No, remember my parents split up and it was hell, don't put him through that"
"It will be better than him growing up with parents that don't love each other"
"You said you loved her"
"I said I loved her in a way as Jack's mother, for giving me him, but it's nothing like how I feel for you"
"We're old friends, with a lot of history"
"Stop trying to find a way of getting out of it. I love you and you love me," said Darren taking a step towards Louise, they were so close they were almost touching, "and I don't think about my friends in the way I think about you"
Louise flung her arms around his neck and hugged him as hard as she could, "Thank god, I've missed you so much"
Darren was slightly surprised he had expected Louise to fight a little longer. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close to him.
"I love you," she said as she snuggled into his strong chest.
"I love you too," he said treasuring the feeling of finally having her back in his arms.
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The next morning, Darren woke up half an hour before Louise did. He spent the time just looking at her sleep. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to finally have her back. He knew it wasn't going to be easy ending things with Cindi, but he knew everything would be alright as long as he had Louise.
Louise then started to stir, Darren pulled his arm round her waist tighter, she rolled out of his arms and mumbled,
"Not now, Rick, leave me alone. I have a headache"
'What? She regrets it, she didn't mean anything she said last night' thought Darren frantically, 'Wait did she call me Rick?'
"I do hope you did not just call me Rick," said Darren in a mock stern voice.
"What?" said Louise sitting up looking confused.
Darren watched with amusement as she gradually remembered what had happened the night before and a small smile appeared on her face. Then he saw something else in her eyes.
"Stop it," he said
"Stop what?"
"Worrying"
"How did you…"
"I've known you, your whole life. I know you better than anyone, you're worrying about Cindi and how everyone will react. Well don't, I love you and I don't regret a single second of last night,"
Louise didn't say anything.
"I'll talk to Cindi this afternoon. C'mon I want a good morning hug"
Louise's face relaxed and she smiled and lay down next to him, wrapping his arms around her waist, she turned to face him.
"Morning," she said
"Morning"
"Oops I almost forgot," she said before kissing him.
"Well, that's something I could definitely get used to in the morning"
"Hmmm me too," said Louise feeling as if she never wanted to move, his arms made her feel so safe.
They just lay there for the next hour, just enjoying being with each other again.
"We should get up," said Darren reluctantly
"Yeah, I'm meeting Katie in an hour"
"I have to pick up Jack"
They both got up and went into the hall when they did they saw Bobby Ray emerging from his room with a familiar man.
"Mr. Kolinsky," said Louise shocked
"Ms. Perry, Mr. McKinley," he said eyeing them both standing together with Darren only in his boxers and Louise in only his shirt.
"We didn't see anything," said Louise.
"Neither did we," said Bobby Ray taking Mr. Kolinsky down stairs
As soon as they disappeared from view, Louise dissolved into giggles burying her face in Darren's chest to muffle the sound.
"I can't believe it, he used to teach us P.E," said Darren holding back laughter.
"I know, at least I know now when he walked into our changing room he wasn't looking," said Louise.
"Ugh, he came in while we were changing, I feel so dirty"
"Don't worry he wouldn't have been looking at you, you were a scrawny little guy in high school"
"Oi, I had you didn't I? I had a beautiful physique, still do. I only improve with age"
"You really have deluded your self"
"I have not, I think I've stayed in shape really well. If anything I think it's you that has to tone up"
"Me"
"Uh huh," said Darren grabbing non-existent fat on her stomach.
"Ah no it hurts" shrieked Louise.
A few seconds later they were both lying on the floor, laughing.
"I can't believe you did that, look you left red marks on my stomach," said Louise.
"awwww I'm sorry, you know your body is perfect. Forgive me?" said Darren putting on his best puppy dog eyes.
"Hmmm I don't know"
"Oh really I suppose I'll have to convince you," he said then he kissed her softly.
"I suppose I'll forgive you just this once, but don't let it happen again"
"Well as much as I'm enjoying being in this compromising position with you, I better be going," said Darren.
"Okay"
"Will I see you later?" he asked
"Emmm yeah I have to pick up a package later," said Louise then she kissed Darren.