A/N: Sorry it's been ages since I updated. I was finishing off This Disillusioned Life and starting a new Kaomi fic. Been pretty hectic with work too so haven't been writing much. Thanks again to everyone who's still reading.
I've had a rare day off work today and I've been bored out of my mind. I must have picked my phone up to call Naomi about a dozen times, but every time I've ended up chickening out. She's coming over tonight to help me babysit Albert, but I want to see her now. It's ridiculous, like I'm getting withdrawal or something. She's barely been away from my flat for the last couple of weeks and I'm missing her just because she spent the night at home last night. I made it through my entire weekend away without talking to her and now I can't even get through one afternoon; God if she finds out how pathetic I'm being I'll never hear the end of it. When it comes to Naomi it's better to keep my cards close to my chest. It's safer that way.
I don't even have Effy to keep me company since she's gone to see her brother Tony for a couple of days. I just hope he's keeping an eye on her. She's doing a lot better now, but this time of year always gets her down thinking about Freddie; and she's usually got me or Emily there to keep her on track. Ems will be back home soon and that's a whole other mess that I don't want to think about right now. I try and keep myself distracted by doing housework and catching up on some of my project work. I'm exhibiting my private photos for the first time this week and I've got a million things I should be doing, as my manager keeps reminding me, but I can't get Naomi out of my mind. Eventually I give up and pick up my phone again, this time I actually make it all the way to bringing her number up on the screen; but the buzzer for the front door distracts me and I have to toss my phone aside to answer it. I'm not expecting Lara until tonight and Naomi said she'd be busy all day; so it's a nice surprise when I pick up the intercom and hear her voice on the other end. "Hey…I know I'm early, can I come up?" I press the door release for her to get in and try to hide my excitement as I open my front door and wait for her to climb the stairs.
She has a face like thunder, so for once I don't wind her up about what she's wearing or tease her about being early. "Hey." She manages a smile as she gets to the door and I don't let her inside without a kiss. She brightens a little after that and settles on the sofa while I make us some tea. She's obviously distracted and I can guarantee she hasn't heard a word I've said to her since she got here. "Hello? Naomi?" I wave my hand in front of her face, my voice terse as I snap at her.
"Huh? What?" She looks tired and dazed and completely adorable, but I'm not letting her get away with ignoring me so I scowl and pout at her. "Sorry." I shrug off my own mood as I pick up the TV remote and nestle myself beside her, with my head resting on her thigh as I flick through the channels. She hates it when I can't pick one thing to watch. She stares at the screen without comment, but I catch her stealing glances at me and she can sulk all she wants, just as long as she doesn't ignore me. Katie Fitch does not do ignored.
Of course Naomi doesn't really do patient either, so she eventually kicks off about my channel hopping and snatches the remote off me. "Can you just watch one fucking thing please?" I roll my eyes as I take the remote back from her and get off the sofa, dragging her up with me. She frowns at me, obviously wondering why I'm not screaming back at her as I tug her forward.
"Come on." I order as I pull her down the hall towards my room.
"Where are we going?" I smirk at her unease; she's still not used to me holding my temper in check. It's quite a new thing for me too, but I'm not a stroppy teenager anymore and I know there's more to her mood than me just changing the channels.
"Well, you've obviously got your knickers in a twist babe, and I'm not putting up with you sulking all night, so let's sort it out, yeah?" She doesn't object as I lead her in to my room and push her down on to my bed.
Her entire demeanour changes as I climb on to her lap and our lips meet. The tension eases from her body as I pull my T-shirt over my head and her lips go to my collarbone. God, I love it when someone kisses my neck…it's even better when it's Naomi doing it. "How long till Lara brings Albert over?" She asks and I try not to growl in frustration as I pull at the buttons on her shirt. I told her that less than half an hour ago.
"Five." I repeat with a frustrated sigh. We've got a few hours and I plan on making the most of them as I help her out of her jeans. "Just long enough for you to learn to pay attention to me." I tease as I lean down and nip at the inside of her thigh; I'm pretty certain I've got her full attention now.
Our afternoon romp turns out to be the perfect way to distress and we end up back on the sofa, curled up under a blanket and crashed out in front of the TV. I go back to channel surfing, but Naomi's too chilled out to care this time. I'm lying in front of her with one of her arms draped over my stomach and when she leans forward to kiss my neck I feel flutters in my stomach. I lean back against her, wondering if we've got time for another quickie before Lara gets her. Naomi has other ideas though. "Let's go out…" Her voice is a husky whisper and the flutters increase.
"Albert's coming soon." I remind her as I turn over to face her, catching her lips and kissing her in the hope of starting something again. When she pulls away she looks nervous and mumbles something about the two of us going out sometime and I realise what she's trying to ask me. "Like a date?" My tone comes out a little dubious and I automatically try to pull away from her. She takes hold of one of my wrists though, with the hand that was draped over my stomach resting on my hip so I can't get away from her. I bite my lip as I try to avoid her scrutinizing gaze.
I can't believe she just asked me out on a date. It's one thing to be fucking and carrying on in private, buta date is something different. Dating implies some kind of actual relationship and I'm not deluded enough to think that I could actually date Naomi; that we could actually make something out of whatever's going on between us. It wouldn't work. We wouldn't work; no matter how much I wish we could. "Naomi I…there's Lara." I'm saved by the knock at the front door and I'm grateful Lara's thought to knock instead of just letting herself in with her key. She probably expected I'd have Naomi over.
"And I'm waiting for an answer." She leans in and slowly kisses me, trying to get me to agree to go out with her. My eyes flutter shut of their own accord and I can't help the moan that slips out as her tongue brushes against mine.
"Fine. Whatever." I try to brush it off like it's no big deal, but I can't help thinking we're getting in too deep. How far can we really push this thing before it blows up in our faces?
I put it to the back of my mind as I finally pull away from her to answer the door. I straighten my clothes and fluff my hair on the way. "Took your time." Lara teases as I open the door to let her and JJ in. I roll my eyes at her and turn my attention to Albert instead. He's glued to Lara's leg and he looks in a huff as he frowns at me. He usually likes staying over at his Aunty Katie's, but today he just looks like he's in a mood with himself as he shrinks away from me when I try to give him a hug.
"What's wrong with my favourite little guy?"
"I think he's coming down with something." Lara answers, frowning herself and doing a good impersonation of her son. "I was thinking about cancelling tonight-"
"Don't even think about it!" I scold her as I scoop Albert up for a hug, ignoring his squirming as I squeeze him tight. "Let's get rid of mummy and daddy, then we can get out the ice cream, yeah?" His little face lights up at the prospect of ice cream and suddenly he's my best friend again. I manoeuvre him so he's on my shoulders and carry him in to the living room. JJ follows behind me as though he expects me to drop him. Lara trails behind us carrying the massive overnight bag that has everything in it from Albert's pyjamas to his favourite teddy bear.
Naomi's sitting up on the sofa when we make our way in to the living room and she attempts to make small talk with Lara. They never really got to know each other that last year of college when Lara first started dating JJ, not that Naomi was really herself back then anyway, but I'm pleased she makes the effort to try and talk to Lara. She asks if they're off out anywhere nice and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. I told her earlier they were going out with JJ's work; she's been a million miles away this afternoon. At least she's a little more with it now and she gives Albert her full attention as he climbs down from my back and waddles over to her. "Gnomeee!" He squeals with delight and I think he's almost as happy to see her as I was when she turned up early at my door. He loses interest as I suggest getting him some Coco Pops for his supper and he happily follows me in to the kitchen while Naomi sees JJ and Albert out.
Despite Lara thinking he was unwell, it seems Albert is full of energy and in hindsight giving him sugary cereal before bed was probably a bad idea. Especially given that he's got us playing hide and seek in the living room hours after his supposed bed time. There are exactly four hiding places in the living room, so the game gets boring pretty quickly, but Albert is still giggling the third time he finds me hiding behind the sofa. I eventually put him in the bath, which tires him right out and the three of us curl up under a blanket on the sofa and watch cartoons. Albert sits on my lap, with his head on my chest and his thumb stuck in his mouth as he plays with the curls in his hair. He always does that when he's tired and sure enough before long he's out like a light.
Naomi carefully picks him up and carries him in to Effy's room, where I put up the travel cot while she cradles him. With his fair complexion and blonde curls he could easily pass for her son. People have mistaken him for my kid before, when we've been out playing in the park or shopping in Tesco, and it hurts a little bit, knowing I'll never hold my own baby. I was diagnosed with early onset menopause when I was just seventeen. It's not nice to hear you'll never be a mother at any age, but at seventeen I was practically still a kid myself. Up till then my life plan had been pretty straightforward; marry a footballer, have a few kids, be a good mum. It's funny how life works out; I'll never have any of that now.
I take Albert from Naomi and place him down in the cot, putting the blankets over him tightly so he can't kick them off. The nights are starting to grow cold again; we don't have long left until the summer ends. I kiss his forehead and then stand over the cot for a few minutes, watching him sleep and making sure he's settled before I leave. Naomi's arms wrap around me from behind and rest on my stomach. I lean back in to her touch and turn to kiss her with a sigh. It's been a long day and Albert's got me worn out. "How about an early night?" I suggest, looking forward to crawling under the duvet and cuddling in to Naomi.
When I finally pull the duvet up to my chin and nestle in to Naomi's side it's absolute heaven. I'm so comfy that I could fall right to sleep, but I've got too much on my mind to just drift off. "So, where are you taking me for this date then?" I still think it's a bad idea. I'm just setting myself up to get hurt and we both know it.
"You're the famous photographer raking it in; you should be taking me out!" She teases as she kisses the side of my cheek, too tired to lean over and reach my lips.
"Please, you're obviously the butch one; it's your job to pay!" I laugh as she pinches my side and lectures me on how I'm homophobic. I've forgotten how easily she gets on her high horse. I cut off her rant as I shake my head and lean over to kiss her. "I was kidding you daft cow…but you're still paying. And I'm noteasy to impress-"
"Just easy then?" It's meant to be a joke, but given my reputation in college I don't take it well. I don't want her thinking I'm still like that anymore. I try to playfully slap her arm as I scowl at her, but she picks up one of my pink heart shaped cushions to use as a shield and we end up rolling around on the bed and giggling. I end up lying on top of her with the blankets wrapped around us, pouting down at her as I rest on my elbows.
"I'm not like that anymore." I work with some exceptionally beautiful people and I get more than my fair share of chat up lines and dinner invitations, but Naomi's the only person I've been with in ages.
"I know." She replies, her voice a light husk as she stares up at me and I feel my heart thumping against my chest as her thumb traces my lip. "You haven't been with anyone else… since we… I mean…" She stumbles over her words as I nip at her thumb, taking it between my lips. God, she looks so fucking cute when she's nervous. I put her out of her misery with a single 'no'. It seems to be exactly what she wants to hear as she suddenly crushes our lips together and we're both wide awake as her hand slips down between our pressed bodies. I want to tell her that there hasn't been anyone else in a long time, that if I'd got my own way years ago she would have been the only one full stop. I bite my lip though and keep my secrets to myself. Why change the habit of a lifetime, right?
I wake up in the middle of the night to an empty bed and frown as I pull my dressing gown on and go off in search of Naomi. I'm usually the first one up and leaving her in bed. I silently pad down the hall to Effy's room, wanting to check in on Albert since Lara thinks he's coming down with something. I pause at the door with a smile as I catch sight of Naomi lying asleep on top of Effy's bed, with Albert lying soundly on her chest. She must have got up to check on him and fallen asleep with him. I creep in to the room and scoop Albert up in to my arms, he stirs a little bit but his head finds my shoulder and one of his tiny hands clenches the sleeve of my pyjamas and he's out like a light again. I take him back in to my room, leaving Naomi sleeping in Effy's. It's not like I can carry her and she's always grumpy when she wakes up.
She makes her way back to my room later anyway. She climbs back in to bed with me and cuddles in behind me as I lie with my own arms wrapped around Albert. I'm still half asleep but I turn to kiss her and catch her cheek. That's good enough. I'm too tired to offer her a proper kiss and I slip back off to sleep within minutes of her getting back in to bed with me. I manage to get a decent night's sleep, though when I wake up again in the morning Naomi and Albert are missing. I can hear the television on in the living room, so I've got a good idea where they are. I hear the phone going as I approach the living room and offer Albert a cheerful wave. The answering machine can pick it up. Naomi's in the kitchen when I walk in and I'm all set to see if she's in the mood for a good morning kiss, when I hear my agent's voice on the answering machine. I bounce across the room and pick the phone up just before he hangs up.
"Hey gorgeous, I'm here!" I'm in a pretty good mood after a night spent cuddling Albert and Naomi. I'm really looking forward to the exhibition on Friday.
"Katie babe! You excited for Friday? Everything's all set, yeah?"
"Of course, everything's sorted." I laugh down the phone, he's been stressing out about this more than I have. Naomi gives me an odd look out of the corner of her eye. I can't quite make it out before she ducks her head and goes back to making her coffee. Albert's wrapped around her hip, happily munching on a slice of toast that is so pale it's practically just bread. "Pick me up at six yeah? Ok, see you then, by sexy." She walks over to the sofa with her coffee and I smirk as I take it from her and take a sip.
"Get your own." She scowls at me, clearly back in the same mood she turned up in last night.
"It is mine." I'm in too good of a mood to let her get me down though so instead of snapping at her I wind her up instead.
"Whatever…I'm going to get ready and go. I'm catching the train home this afternoon-"
"You're going back to London?" Well that just burst my happy little bubble. "You coming back or staying for the rest of the summer?" I try not to sound too bothered, after all the last thing I want is her thinking I'm too clingy or needy; because that so didn't work with her and Emily, and it's not really me. I don't chase after anyone, girl or boy.
"I dunno." She shrugs her shoulders at me and it doesn't seem like going home is something she's really planned on. Naomi's always been good at running away though. I guess it's not something she can just outgrow. "Might do. Don't worry, I'm sure Seanwill keep you company." She sulks and I frown at her for a second, before I realise what the real issue is. She's jealous. She's actually jealous of Sean!
I burst out laughing at her, I just can't help it. The idea of anything happening between me and Sean is just so funny. She's cute when she's mad and right now she's downright adorable as she glares at me.
"What's so funny?" She huffs and I have to put my hands over Albert's ears before I answer her. He just laughs like we're playing a game.
"You're fucking jealous, aren't you?" I know she is. I can see it written all over her face, and her response just proves it all the more.
"Fuck you Katie!" she growls and tries to shove past me. I catch her arm and pull her in close, wrapping my arms around her neck as I crush our lips together, finally giving her the good morning kiss I had intended to give her before Sean rang. She melts in to me and doesn't try to pull away as our lips part.
"Sean's camp as Christmas. It's a work thing Friday." I shake my head at her as I chuckle. "Daft cow." It's sweet that she's jealous though. She wouldn't be if she didn't care. I almost invite her out to the exhibit Friday, but I'm still not ready to share that part of my life with her yet.
"I'm still going home." She grumbles, but most of her attitude is gone and she doesn't object when I lean in for another kiss.
"Yeah, but you're coming back though." I inform her in a very matter-of-fact tone. "You owe me a date Campbell. Saturday." Maybe we could have a proper date. Maybe we could actually date like normal people do. Maybe Effy's right, Naomi Campbell might just want me after all.
