Do You Ever Stop and Look Back (HAVEN)

[LOUIS ARDEN FITCH]

[/i][/b] Kaya finally spoke up. She bought a big farm house there I've been told. She... She hesitated. Louis looked at her hard. She what mom? What? Kaya bit her lip. She's engaged Louis. It hit him like a ton of bricks, but he nodded. What had he expected. He'd left without a word and never contacted her. Oh he'd tried to do it plenty of times, but always came up with a reason not to. He'd tried to move on from her, he'd tried to date other girls. But his mind always went back to her....Haven....The woman he should have been in Hope Harbor making a family with, instead of spreading his message to the masses through song. I think I'll go see her tomorrow. He said finally. His parents didn't think it was a good idea, but Louis didn't care what they thought about this. He was going and that was final.

Louis rose early the next morning, had breakfast with his parents, then headed off for Hope Harbor. He drove around the little town for a while, wanting to reacquaint himself with it and then he drove to Haven's. Pulling up to the farm house, he smiled. It was what she'd always talked about. It was what they had dreamed of having together and now she was going to have it with someone else. Someone that wasn't him. He wondered if it was possible that she was still in love with him, but just making due with someone else? Trying to bury the memory of what they'd had.

After sitting there and staring for a while, Louis finally got out of the car, walked up to the house and knocked. Pushing his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket, and stared at his feet. [/size][/ul]

[HAVEN MARGARET STOWE]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 350px; padding: 10px; background-image: url(http://i48.tinypic.com/4v3fjd.png);] I would lie & say that you're not on my mind... Haven wiped under her eyes one more time before she went to apply her make-up. Before Clark had left last night they had gotten into another fight about so many things. She wanted him to make an effort to come home more often or allow her to go to his place in Augusta. They also fought about finally setting a date. Still, he insisted that they couldn’t until he could apply to law firms around Hope Harbor. That would be another three or four months since he had to wait until his internship was close to being done. Haven was being patient but even the most patient people wore thin eventually. She loved Clark enough that she wanted to marry him. He gave her a ring and she said yes. She just wanted to get to that day already. The final cut he made was before he left earlier that morning about the feathers she had put into her hair. He hated them, said they were childish. Haven say many people of all ages wearing them and the ones she got blended into her hair color. After haven applied her cover up and a minimal amount of blush, she just did some simple liquid liner to her eyes finished off with mascara. Her body moved into the master bedroom. Her jeans and knee highs were already on along with her undergarments. She grabbed a pale tube top and slipped it over her head, smoothing it out. Finally she grabbed her lightweight lace top and slide that over her head easily. She padded along in her slipper clad feet as she slipped gold toned dangle earrings and then her leather and chain wrap watch. Finally, her engagement ring was slipped onto the appropriate finger. Today it felt like lead as Haven sighed, as she went downstairs. Hunger alluded her as she poured a coffee into a travel mug. She mixed in her cream and sugar before she sipped at it. A glance at the clock told her she needed to get out of here soon. Her body fell on the couch to switch her slippers for some heeled ankle boots before she checked to make sure everything was in her purse. Haven’s hand grabbed her leather jacket off a chair, slipping it over her arms. Her hands went up and flipped her hair up from under the collar. One hand gripped and her purse while the left one reached for her coffee. As she went to grab her keys off the hook, she heard a couple raps on her door. She was expecting anyone today. Kylie was spending the day with Cameron, Clark was obviously gone and her employees knew she was on the way. Plus all the renovations that the construction workers had to do was done. All that was left were things like painting and hanging up shelves and decorations. Seeing as she had to head out her front door anyways, she went that way, fully intended to just tell them she was on her way to work and to come back later. Her right hand moved so the purse went from it to the shoulder so she could open the door. The fight before her was not one she was expecting... ”Louis?” Louis Arden Fitch was Haven’s college sweetheart. Their love was deep and passionate, one that people talked about. But things ended when he decided to leave to pursue a music career. One she never even knew he wanted as he never even talked about it. Sure, he mentioned recording some small time albums but never something as large scale as the one he got offered. They fought about it-hard. Haven told him to get out of her apartment as she couldn’t handle that discussion at that time. Apparently he took that to meant they were done. The next thing she knew, she was going to his parent’s house to see if he was there. The pain she felt knowing he had already flown away was deep. They offered to give her his number or tell him they saw her. Haven declined and instead came back a couple days later with his things he had left at her apartment. Occasionally she heard from them but it was too hard on her. Just like listening to his music was hard. Yes, Haven kept tabs on him though it was pure torture for her. A chuckle of shock and frustration left her lips as she moved to rest her weight on the leg closest to the door. Her right hand gripped at the door to steady herself. Apparently God had a sick sense of humor when it came to Haven this month. First her sister and now...”What do you want, Louis? I have to go to work. You know, a real job.” Normaly Haven didn’t behave this way, with such an attitude towards someone. Just seeing Louis here she couldn’t help it. Her jaw clenched as she stood there, her whole body on alert. Four years. She hadn’t seen him in four years and now here he was, at Haven’s front door. He didn’t even look like he had changed though the look he had about him was different. Not good nor bad, just.....different. notes: squee - tags: louis - outfit: click!

[LOUIS ARDEN FITCH]

[/color] He replied in that deep, direct voice he'd always had. Had a show in Portland last night....hoped you'd have come......Sang our song The last part was in reference to a song he'd written about them for their 6 mont anniversary.
Louis looked up at the house and slowly over each shoulder, inspected the surrounding property. It's what you wanted...Exactly what you wanted. It was what he had wanted to. He still did in a way, even though it was a bit soured now. Louis had left that night partly out of spite. Haven had wounded him deeply when they'd fought, and the only way knew to get back at her, was to leave. Louis wasn't by nature a spiteful person. But love and anger combined could do strange things to a person. It made people do things they would have never considered in the first place. Sometimes the damage could be repaired, sometimes it was permanent.

Clearing his throat, Louis bit his lip and looked down at his feet for a minute. His right hand came out of his pocket and he held it up, as he always did when he was about to say something that was hard for him. Yah, Louis was the kinda guy that talked with his hands. Well usually just one, the right one. Haven....I'm sorry....And I now that doesn't cut it....I know you probably hate me. I'd hate me. You have every right to hate me. He shook his head. I tried so many times to just pick up the phone and call you and patch things up.....But I didn't know how to do that....I've never been good at making up...you know that much about me. The night their relationship had ended, hadn't been their first fight. No they'd had their moments. Every couple did. They were both passionate people, Louis a bit more than Haven. They'd had their small disagreements and they'd had their screaming matches. Louis had broken things, he'd put his fist through a wall. But he had never, ever hit Haven. He'd never hit any woman. Sometimes after these fights, Louis thought it was the end of them, but Haven had always known how to bring them back together again. Louis had always been very apologetic. He'd even broken down into tears at times for the things he'd said to her. Why that fateful night had, had to be different was beyond him. But now he had to live to regret it for the rest of his life

Unable to keep himself back any longer, Louis stepped forward, and swiftly wrapped one arm around her waist and placed the other at the back of her neck and pulled her into a kiss. It was heated and passionate as it always had been. Louis had never kissed another woman the way he kissed Haven. She was the only one who could draw such a thing out of his soul. Louis didn't care that she was engaged quite honestly, unless she was completely in love with the guy, more than she ever had been with Louis. But he knew that was impossible. He knew Haven would probably try to convince him otherwise. But the thing was, he'd always been able to tell when she wasn't being completely honest with him. So unless she was a different person entirely these days, he would know.[/ul][/size]

[HAVEN MARGARET STOWE]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 350px; padding: 10px; background-image: url(http://i48.tinypic.com/4v3fjd.png);] I would lie & say that you're not on my mind... As Louis stared at her, Haven swallowed several lumps. She had to turn her head to the side to catch her breath. How was it he could shop up, without a word, after four years and still tug at her heart strings? It felt like all the air around the was slowly being compressed, her lungs getting tight. No, she was with Clark. Even if she was still attracted to Louis it was nothing at all. It was only because he was her first love that he had this effect on her, she was sure of it. She had been on a few dates with some guys before him but he was her first love. And, if she were to ever be honest with herself again, her only love. No one had ever held a candle to him, not even Clark. He simply took her and her broken heart by surprise. He had healed Haven just enough for her to be happy and comfortable with him, love him in a way. Not the same way she loved Louis but one didn’t love every person the same way. That’s what she figured at least. Hot tears threatened to escape her eyes as he mentioned the concert. Though she knew about his cds, she didn’t follow his tour around. She figured if he came close enough to Hope Harbor that it mattered, she’d leave town. Portland was almost two hours away and apparently that wasn’t far enough to keep him away. ”Well I’m sure plenty of girls fell in love with you while you sang it.” Haven’s knuckles began to turn white as she clung onto the edge of the wooden door. In a box buried away in her closet was every little memorabilia she had of her time with Louis. Concert tickets, photos, notes he had written, things he had painted, a couple pressed flowers and even a stuffed animal that had his cologne on it. When she really missed him were the days she sat in the walk in closet and breathed in deep. Over the years the scent had faded but it still clung to the material of that bear. That was something she hadn’t done since her engagement seven months ago as she tried not to thing about him. Even his cds, which, yes, she had bought were tucked away in that box. Listening to them was like torture for her. She often wondered if any of the newer songs were written about her-them-but that was selfish thinking since he had left. He was the one who wanted to pursue his music career instead of being with her so why would he care to write about them? But him standing here, him looking at her like he did back in her college days made her wonder about those songs again... Haven nodded, looking down at her dark teal boots. Holding her gaze on the tips of her boot helped to keep her from loosing her mind. She wanted him gone. There was no reason for Louis to be here. They were done and had been for a long time. Haven had closure with that. When she noticed movement just above and to the side, she looked up to watch his hand. Some habits never changed. As he spoke, Haven finally set her coffee down on a table by the door. It was starting to scorch her hand, the hand she brought up to rub at her forehead. ”I don’t hate you Louis. I...I just wish you hadn’t come here.” If it had been a two years ago, even a year ago, things might be different but Haven had promised to marry a man. To her that meant something. That meant she wanted to be with him and would least something major happened. And that major thing would not be Louis. That was decided long before she saw him just now. The moment that ring was on her finger, she decided to finally let go of everything she felt for him. Up until her saying yes, she still had held out hope he’d come back around. Now it was too little too late. Haven’s eyes searched his face, knowing what he said was true. As she stood staring at him, he abruptly stepped towards her. The weight of his arms against her body was welcoming, something she had missed dearly. His body pressed against hers sent every nerve on fire while her hands hovered above his body slightly. For a split moment, maybe three or four seconds, she returned the kiss-one she had ached for for so long. Then the angry tears sprang to her eyes and she gripped at his forearms, shoving him away with all she had. The force caused her to stumble on her stilettos heels as she shook her head. Haven stepped forward, pounding her palms against his chest, applying more force with each step forward she took in an attempt to push him back. Five, maybe six times she did this while she chewed him out. ”How dare you! How dare you come back here expecting an apology to fix everything!” To say Haven was angry was an understatement. She was distract. She choked back sobs as her hand went to wipe away the tears that had escaped onto her cheeks. Only he could get a response like this out of her. ”You knew leaving me would tear me apart! You knew I’ve been abandoned by everyone I ever cared about, bounced in the system and still you left! It was just a fight and you left the state! That proves I really didn’t mean anything to you at all if I wasn’t even worth being told you had taken the offer. I had to find out from your mother! The fact that you wanted to call means nothing now.” Haven turned from him, her left hand on the side of the house supporting her weight while her right clung to her stomach as she tried to stand perfectly still to ease the dizziness that had overtaken her. When her eyes opened back up, she stared first at the ring that Clark had given her then partially looked over her shoulder. ”I’m getting married, Louis. I have my business and the house I’ve wanted. You have the career you wanted with the multi-platinum records and tours all over the world. We both got what we wanted out of life.” Haven took in a sharp breath of air, knowing she was giving herself away that she had kept tabs on him. It was hard not to as she loved him so very deeply. That love was a long time ago. Now, just being near him, saying the simplest thing to him was so hard. Haven was now unsure if she could go to work and get through the day. She may end up checking in on things and driving around town or finding Kylie. This day was just proving to be hard on Haven. notes: squee - tags: louis - outfit: click!

[LOUIS ARDEN FITCH]

[/color] He replied, still staring at her with that unblinking stare that seemed to be burrowing into her very soul. I couldn't help myself. Louis answered at her wish that he hadn't come. Part of him wished he hadn't as well. But he had needed to at least tell her how very sorry he was. Truly his heart ached every time he thought of her and he was so angry with himself for what he'd done. It was very hard to stand here and face her now and know how badly he had hurt her.

Louis watched her every move, read her every action and reaction. Nothing had changed about her, accept the fact that she looked a little more grown up. Other than that, she was still the same, beautiful, sweet, angel that had been his in college. She was trying to hide that look in her eye, that told him how she felt. But it was still there. Louis could tell. But he wanted more confirmation. And he could get it out of her. The kiss. She returned the kiss. That was all he needed, to know that she was still madly in love with him. Oh she might have been able to "bury" her feelings. But it hadn't taken them away completely. It had just lessened them for the time being. Louis would pull them out of her again. He WOULD have Haven as his own again. That was a promise to himself and her. Though he didn't voice it. As the two entwined for 3 or 4 glorious seconds, he was completely transported back to their college days, but a moment later he was pulled back to the here and now and Haven as punching him and screaming at him. He took every bit of it. Louis wanted her to hurt him. He wanted to feel more pain even than what he should.

No I.... he started. Louis didn't expect an apology to fix everything. But he had wanted her to know he was sorry none the less. Haven continued on before he could speak. He wished he could just take her in his arms and wipe away her tears and make this whole mess go away. He wish he could go back in time and turn down the whole record deal the moment it was offered. But he couldn't. So he was going to have to work out away to fix things in the present. It would take time no doubt, but if anyone could do it, Louis Arden Fitch could. He was possibly the most determined man on this earth.

Tears welled up in his eyes. He'd cried in front of her before and he would again. He wasn't afraid to cry in front of her. I know I hurt you. His breath was staggered as a few tears spilled down his cheeks. And I truly am sorry Haven....I am so sorry.....I was an ass....I was angry. I've always acted rashly when I'm angry. It's no excuse, I know, believe me I know.....I wish to God I'd never left Haven. I really do. You're right...I should have told you I was leaving. But would it have made a difference? He paused before going on. I know an apology can't take your pain away. But I wanted you to know anyway....I needed you to know. Louis shoved his hands back in his pockets and again stared at his feet as he listened to her speak.

She was getting married....Or at least that's what she thought. Louis was going to put an end to it or at least try his best to. All he had to do was plant a seed. She had been following him. The fact that Haven had kept tabs on him was further confirmation that she still harbored feelings for him. Do you love him? Louis asked softly, still looking at his feet. Don't say you do.... Louis spoke before she had a chance. He looked up and quickly leaning in against the door frame he shook his head. You don't....at least not the way you loved me....Be honest with him Haven. You can't give him what he'll want from you. Louis watched her for a second, than leaning his head back a little, he gave a cynical short laugh. He doesn't even know about me, does he? Because if he did, you wouldn't have to tell him that it's impossible for you to love him the way you loved me....he'd just know. Louis ran his hand through his hair. Let him go Haven...Let him go, and tell me what I have to do to get you back....I'll do anything.....I swear it. Absolutely anything. He meant that and Haven would know that he did. It was impossible for her not to know. [/ul][/size]

[HAVEN MARGARET STOWE]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 350px; padding: 10px; background-image: url(http://i48.tinypic.com/4v3fjd.png);] I would lie & say that you're not on my mind... There were many times Haven thought about going to see him at one of his concerts. There were times he was in Boston and New York, both were close enough to drive to. But she always held herself back. If he had ever thought about her, he would have made contact. He was the one who left. When should she be the one begging for them to fix things? Maybe if they had talked they could have figured something out while he got his career going just it took her by surprise. They had never discussed it before. So when he chose what he apparently wanted most, his music and not her, she let him go. That had been the most painful decision ever. Her last year of college went by in a blur. She honestly had no idea how she passed. When not at class or work, she kept herself locked away in her apartment. There Haven would do whatever class work she needed to and just cry the rest of the time. She lost a lot of weight then because she would cry so hard she actually got sick, making it impossible to keep food down some days. One day she just woke up one day and decided to not waste her tears any longer. Going through the days she still felt empty but she learned to get by on just half the woman she used to be before Louis left. Then Clark came around. No, he was nothing like Louis but he did everything he could to get that date with her. Made her laugh, came by her shop just to see how she was doing and even brought around coffee. Eventually she had agreed to go out with him. There were together for nine months before he proposed. That night, Haven didn’t say yes instantly like many girls did. She had to think about it a moment, because she had still being holding out hope Louis would find her. But it had been almost three years. If he hadn’t come by then he wouldn’t come for her at all. So Haven said yes because she did love Clark. Not as deeply as she once loved Louis but she loved him enough to know they could have a happy life together. A quiet one but happy none the less. Even if Louis said he couldn’t help himself, he could have. She restrained herself several times over the years. And then a little over seven months ago, she pushed him from her mind entirely. Or, as entirely as one could. Obviously if a song of his came on over the radio or over the speakers of the store, she couldn’t stop but think about him for a moment. Then the song ended, the moment passed and she would take a breath in to move on. Or Haven had been able to until now. Now it would be harder for her since he came to see her, to talk to her, to kiss her. Haven didn’t want to feel anything for him anymore. She liked being numb when it came to thinking about him. It allowed her to let Clark into her life more. Each day she went on not thinking about Louis, she loved Clark a little more. The memories of Louis faded more and more, only gracing her in her dreams. When she awoke, she had to remind herself it wasn’t real. He was gone, she was with Clark and it was time to go about her daily life again. Haven released air from her nostrils, trying to restrain herself from hitting him more. She had it in her right mind to push him over the porch railing. She was that livid right now. ”You what, Louis?” When he started to tear up himself, it just made her own worse. Haven brought both hands up, swiping them each over her cheeks from her nose outwards. thousands of times she had imagined different ways that they met again. Most of them were tender ones, filled with the passion like she felt in that kiss. There were some she imagined where she just unleashed all her fury on him, worse then she was now. Never had she imagined this-her engaged to another man, both of them breaking down. Haven tossed her bag in the corner of the porch and threw her hands up before she folded them across her chest. ”I don’t know. I don’t know if it would changed anything but at least we could have talked about it rationally. That’s why I went-” Haven stopped herself short, her hand rifling through her hair while the other rested on her hip. What did it matter if he knew that she went to see his parents? She had wanted to try to figure something out but he was gone, giving her the clear sign that he hadn’t wanted to. As he moved in front of her to stand in her door way, Haven finished running her hand through her hair before she tucked her hands in her back pocket, an old habit when she was nervous. Where did he get off asking her if she loved Clark? Of course she did. When he interrupted her before she could answer his question it boiled her blood more. Her body began to shake with pure rage, a rage she never felt before. She took a step forward, lifted a hand and swiped it clear across his face. Never had she acted like this towards anyone, towards him, but everything he said was stirring a fire of passionate rage in her. Only he could be one to stir a feeling like this in her because of everything she had once felt with him. ”How dare you come here and question my feelings for Clark. You have crossed one too many lines coming here today.” Fire burned in his eyes as she stared at him. ”He knows enough about you and he knows I’ve moved on, that I’m happy with him.” No, Haven had kept nearly everything from him. Clark only knew she had been with a guy in college, that they were serious but he had ended things. She was honest from the beginning that the break up was hard on her because it was her first relationship just not that it was hard because she thought he was the one she was going to settle down with. Now, she was settling down with Clark. Haven’s face actually went blank for a moment. Leave Clark? Louis was actually asking her to leave him? She had no idea what to saw. She opened her mouth to speak then closed it again, trying to gather her thoughts. Louis coming here had stirred so much up that she was confused. Her voice wasn’t sharp like before, but very low like her watery gaze. ”There’s nothing you can do Louis. I’m marrying him and that’s the end of it.” Haven couldn’t even look him in the eyes saying that. She could feel it in her heart that Louis was willing to win her back but she wasn’t sure if she wanted that anymore. He had broken her so deeply that she didn’t think she could ever forgive him. ”I think it’s time you left. I’m sure you have to get to the next city for your concert.” notes: squee - tags: louis - outfit: click!

[LOUIS ARDEN FITCH]

[/color] he asked urgently. Had she come after him? Had she tried to stop him from going. Had Haven followed him to pull them back together again like she always had in the past? The amount of guilt and regret that weighed on his heart and soul was enough to conquer any man. But not Louis. Because Louis Fitch was going to do whatever he had to, to work this thing out and get his girl back. Yah he'd screwed things up. No, he didn't expect her to come running back to him right away. But Louis still believed that the two of them were meant to be. Haven would ignore the signs for now. But eventually she wouldn't be able to.

Louis felt her hand across his face and at first he really didn't know what hit him. After a moment he realized it was Haven. He hadn't known she could hit that hard. He rubbed the area briefly. It stung like heck in the biting cold Maine air. Louis felt anger welling up within him. But he wouldn't let it explode. At least not on Haven. There were times when Louis couldn't control himself. But by God's grace, he had never taken it out physically on Haven. That wasn't about to change now. He was still the same man he'd ever been. Maybe he was wrong to try and raise doubts in Haven's mind about her fiancee. But he didn't think show. If Louis knew her, which he did and very well at that, those doubts were already there. Sure Haven could be happy with just about anyone, she was easily pleased for the most part. But in a marriage, one needed more than happiness. They needed fire and passion and spontaneity. They needed kissing in the rain, making love in the moonlight on the back porch, laying on the rooftop on a summer night, just to watch the stars from the comfort of each other's arms. Could her fiancee provide this. Louis could see it written all over her face that he couldn't. This guy couldn't give her the life and love and happiness that Louis had and could.

Louis was silent for a while. He shook his head when he she said he needed to go. Nah....this was the end of the tour.....I got time off now. He explained. Though it didn't look like it from the outside, on the inside Louis was concocting a plan of sorts. He didn't know yet how to make it work or if it would. He was going to have to fly by the seat of his pants for a large part of it. But he was as confident in himself as ever he had been. Louis was a winner and win her he would.

Haven....I want you to be happy.....truly... he sighed, it was laced with strong emotion. And if it has to be with this fiancee of yours....then so be it. Louis paused for a few long seconds to collect his thoughts, which were running rampant in his cluttered mind. But I want you to know that you are the only girl in this world for me....I have tried to see other women....I have tried to move on....I tried not to come here.....I did, really....But every time I look into another's face....all I see is you. Every time I've kissed another woman, I've been kissing you. Every time I've woken up to someone else....it was you....always you. Always will be......Can he say that for himself? Louis asked softly. Can you be happy with him, knowing that I'm waiting for you to come back to me....and always will be? Another few tears flowed down his cheek. If it's yes, absolutely....than I'll leave and you'll never ever hear from me again. Louis sniffled and wiped the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand, as quickly as he could. But if there's even the smallest, most minuscule doubt in your mind....please....I know I have no right to ask it of you.....but give me hope.....Tell me you'll at least think about giving me a second chance.....I won't mess it up this time. I promise you that.....I'll do anything you want me to do.....be anything you want me to be.....Just let me be with you. He said the last part, barely above a whisper. His eyes, looking into her, pleaded as if his very life depended upon it. [/ul][/size]

[HAVEN MARGARET STOWE]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 350px; padding: 10px; background-image: url(http://i48.tinypic.com/4v3fjd.png);] I would lie & say that you're not on my mind... Haven bit down on her lip, twirling her engagement ring around her finger. Her gaze went all across his face before she looked down at the diamond encrusted band on her left hand. When she looked back up, she lightly moved her head to flip her hair out of her eyes without using her hand. ”It’s why I went to your parents house to talk to you a couple days later.” Her jacket clad shoulders moved in a defeated manner as she looked back in his eyes. ”But you had already left so I got your message loud and clear. I asked your mom not to say anything to you, to only say I brought your things by.” Which was true, just it was a couple days after the fact. Seeing as he didn’t seem to know anything about it, that meant Kaya and the elder Louis hadn’t said anything. She mentally thanked them for that. The two had always been good to her, the closest thing to parents she had ever had. When things ended with Louis she hadn’t lost just him but a family as well. Sure, they exchanged holiday cards and a couple emails throughout the year but that was about it. They no longer talked like they used to as it was just too hard on Haven. Almost as soon as her hand was back towards her body Haven regretted slapping him. She had never done that to him. Sure she had pushed him away similar to what she had done a few minutes ago but nothing this serious. Just him questioning what she felt for Clark hit a sore spot. He wasn’t the first one to mention that her union with him was a bad idea. A couple of her friends didn’t like him, said they got a bad vibe off the guy. Then there was Alex Scott. The guy hated Clark and Haven almost immediately even though Haven had once been friendly with him. Apparently the two men had some sort of bad blood between them but Haven stood up for him. That only made things bad between her and Alex. Now they didn’t talk which didn’t break her heart. She should know if so many people were telling him not to marry him that there was something wrong but she just ignored it. Things like this happened all the time where the friends hated the guy. Haven could deal with it. She just never had them all hang out together which was easy with him spending half to two-thirds of each month in Augusta. That allowed her plenty of time with her friends without him around. And then when he was home she devoted her energy and time on him. ”Well I’m sure your parents will appreciate you being home. In Portland. Away from Hope Harbor.” Haven now knew to avoid that city as much as possible least she accidentally ran into him. Though it was fairly large you never know if that one corner you rounded would be that one person you didn’t want to see. In her case, Louis. No matter how many affectionate things he said to her, she had to hold her stance. One couldn’t just throw one relationship aside for another. No matter the history she had with Louis, she was with Clark and that meant something to her. He was there for her despite knowing she was a little broken. He encouraged her to buy the house she always wanted, to spruce it up. He was there when she celebrated her shop going from breaking just about even each month to being very much in the positive after a successful wedding season. He was happy for her that her sister had came around. Where was Louis when all these things happened? Not with her that was for sure. As Haven stood there thinking over what he had to say, she truthfully couldn’t answer him right away. She knew she was happy with Clark, that she could make a good life for herself with him. But now her thoughts were clouded. Louis was here begging for her forgiveness, something she had wanted so many times. The emotion in his voice, the love in his eyes, was clearly visible with every word he spoke. While she tried to think of the best way to word things, she moved about her porch, bending down to retrieve her bag. A slight winter breeze had picked up. It chilled her tear soaked face. As she checked around to make sure nothing had fallen out, Haven took the time to answer. It was much easier to say the things she needed to when she didn’t have to look at him. ”Go home Louis. There’s no place for you here outside of a friendship and I don’t think there’s even hope for that right now.” As Haven straightened her body, she gripped her bag close to her body. ”He proposed and I said yes. That should be enough confirmation for you. Now if you’ll excuse me.” Haven stepped around Louis, nudging him aside so she could close and lock her door. It didn’t take long for her to slide her back down the door, a hand covering the lower half of her face to try to muffle the sobs coming from her mouth in case he hadn’t left. Him coming back here opened a thousand wounds she thought had healed over, ripping her apart internally. Using all the force she had, Haven took her bag and chucked it clear across the room as she let out a noise between a scream and a sob. Louis Fitch should have never come to Hope Harbor. notes: squee - tags: louis - outfit: click!