Chapter 28

I opened my eyes aware that I wasn’t ready to be awake, but that I was awaken by heavy coughing. I brought my hand up to my face and rubbed my eyes gently. The room was filled with a faint light from the awakening sky, and I turned my body around toward Paul’s. He was still sleeping but his face was a full frown. His eyebrows clenched together as he let out another, rather, horrible cough. He cleared his throat in his sleep and moved onto his back, seeming to calm the cough for the next few minutes. Knowing I wouldn’t possibly be able to fall back asleep, I removed myself from Paul’s arm and went to the bathroom. I looked at myself groggily in the mirror and yawned. After washing my hands, I returned back to Paul in bed. I lifted the covers, causing him to shiver slightly, and climbed in. I leaned in next to Paul, resting my head on his chest. His cough didn’t subside, but continued to get worse. Looking up at him I whispered,
“Paul? Are you awake?” He groaned and cleared his throat. Finally he opened his eyes.
“Yeah, I’m awake,” he said hoarsely.
“Are you feeling okay this morning? You don’t sound too good,” I informed him.
“I kinda feel like shit,” he replied as his eye lids appeared too heavy to keep open. He gave into them and kept them closed.
“Hmm, that’s strange—you seemed fine last night,” I said feeling sorry for him. He looked horrible.
“I was for a bit, but after you fell asleep, I awoke again feeling a little woozy,” I placed my hand on his forehead and followed it with a kiss.
“You’re burning up Paul,” I said as he opened his eyes, which now appeared red.
“For real?” He asked touching his forehead himself. I nodded.
“Yeah, I’ll go get a thermometer,” I said removing myself from him. He groaned and kept a hold on me. I smiled and lay back down.
“No, don’t leave—stay here with me,” he said softly, suddenly coughing once more.
“I think I should take your temp,” I told him again. He shook his head and rubbed his eyes.
“No, I’m alright, just a little raspy. That’s all,” he said almost to the point of not having a voice. He tried clearing it again.
“No, you are more than raspy. You’re hot,” I informed him and he grinned.
“Ta love, so are you,” he said giving me a pinch on the bum. I laughed and rolled my eyes.
“That’s not what I meant you know,” I said and he laughed, “Although that’s true too,” He smiled and pulled me over closer to him for a kiss. Usually I didn’t mind kissing him when he was sick, but after his lips met mine I remembered I couldn’t get sick; not now. My concert with the girls was coming up. I pulled away, “I’m going to take your temperature whether you like it or not,” I told him quickly sliding away from his grip. He laughed and groaned at the same time as I made my way into the bathroom. I grabbed the thermometer from the drawer and went back out to Paul. I shook it a few times getting it ready. Paul stared at me with what looked like terrified eyes. I smiled.
“It’s alright, it’s just a thermometer,”
“I bloody hate those things,” he said propping himself up on a pillow. I smiled.
“Sorry, but you’re going to have to do it,” I said. He shriveled his lip.
“Can’t you just kiss me instead? You’ll feel if I’m warmer than normal or not,” he said. I laughed.
“Nice try Paul, but I don’t think that’ll work,” I said, “Now open up,” He did as I said and opened his mouth. I put the thermometer in,
“Now we’ll see if you are more than just raspy—in about five minutes,” I said looking at the clock on our bed stand.
“Crimeny, five minutes?!” Paul asked making the stick fall out of his mouth.
“Paul, now look what you did,” I said picking up the fallen yellow stick.
“I’m sorry,” Paul pouted, “But five minutes is a long time,”
“The sooner you let me put it in, the sooner its over,”
“No love, that’s my job,” he said laughing. I shook my head and rolled my eyes yet again.
“You may have a fever, but you still have your sense of humor,” I said somewhat to myself and Paul laughed.
“Ah love, I’ll do it,” he said giving in. I put it in his mouth once more.
“Thank you,” I said and we sat and waited for five minutes, “See that wasn’t bad,” Paul nodded moving his tongue around inside his mouth.
“It always makes me under tongue feel weird,” he said. I looked down at the thermometer.
“Yep, just as I thought,”
“What?”
“102.6. You have a fever,” I told him and he groaned again.
“But I feel fine, you know,” he said, rubbing his throat, and coughing again, “Although, my throat is a little sore,”
“Well, you may feel fine now but you might not later,”
“I suppose, but I can’t be sick. I have to work today, we’re recording,”
“Paul you’re a workaholic. You always get by with going to work when you aren’t well, but this time you’ll have to skip it. They can manage a day without you. You’ll be in misery and probably end up giving it to them,” I explained and he nodded in agreement, “You’re staying here and resting,” I told him getting up and putting the thermometer on the desk next to Paul. Paul smiled at me and took my hand, pulling me on his lap and wrapping his arms around my waist.
“You remind me of me mother, you know,” he told me. Surprised, I turned and looked at him.
“I do?”
“Yeah, ever since she died, I always was set on finding that right woman that would take care of me when I needed it, you see---someone to fill me mum’s empty spot,” he explained, “I’ve changed what I’ve wanted in a woman since then, but you fulfill it all. You remind me of her in more than one way,”
“Wow,” I said feeling strange, “For some reason it feels like an honor—reminding you of someone so precious,” I told him and he laughed, bringing him to a slight coughing fit.
“You’re precious to me,” he barely got out after coughing up the rest of his voice box. I smiled and frowned at the same time because he looked horrible,
“Yes, but she was you’re mother,” I said. Paul just smiled and kissed me softly on the neck.
“Yeah, but you really are a lot alike. I get aroused by both of you in your knickers,” he said snickering, leading to another coughing fit. I turned around and made a face at him.
“Oh Paul, that’s so disgusting!” I said and he just laughed.
“It’s disgusting that I like you in your knickers?” he asked and I glared at him.
“You know that’s not what I meant—I can’t believe you got aroused seeing you mom walk by in her panties,” I said grossed out, “She’s your mom!” Paul laughed again, obviously amused.
“Ah, I was like 12. I didn’t really know better, you know. And really, to be honest, she was an attractive lady—I mean for a mum and everything,” I shook my head.
“You’re gross,” I told him and he laughed. Being he was in such a good mood I decided to break the news about going back to Malibu, “Hey, guess who I heard from yesterday?” His smiled faded.
“Was it bloody Yoko again?!” he asked clearly annoyed and coughing once more.
“Hon, you should take some medicine, “
“Nah, I got it right here,” he said kissing my cheek and I smiled, “However, I will have some chicken noodle soup later…” I giggled.
“You’re just like a little boy, you know that?” He laughed.
“I’ve been told I have a boyish side to me, yes,”
“I love it,”
“Well, good,” He said winking, “So what did Yoko want?”
“Oh, it wasn’t her, it was someone else,” I told him. He looked confused.
“Who?”
“Brittany,”
“Brittany? As in Brittany Star?”
“Yes as in Brittany Star, she called yesterday when you were at the studio,”
“Wow, you haven’t heard from her in a while,”
“I know,” I said feeling slightly sad.
“What’s up with her?” I shrugged.
“Well, for one, she and Micky are engaged,” I said paying close attention to his reaction. His eyebrows went up in surprise.
“Really? When did that happen?”
“He proposed to her on Valentines Day of this year,”
“Wow, for some reason I can’t picture Micky proposing,” he said staring off into space, “The poor bloke was probably scared to death he’d do it wrong and she’d go mad,” I laughed a bit.
“I’m sure she wouldn’t care if he was proposing,” Paul shrugged and lifted his eyebrows.
“You never know with that bird—she’s mad sometimes,” he said and I smiled.
“True,” I said and continued with the news, “Anyways, there’s even bigger news,” “Well then, let’s have at it?”
“Mike and Sara are married!” I said excitedly. I still couldn’t believe it.
“No bloody way,” Paul said surprised himself.
“Yeah, no joke. They got married last August during your last tour. She wanted me to be there, but knew I’d be gone with you,”
“I’m sorry about that love,” Paul began obviously feeling bad, “If I would’ve known, we could’ve made time to go,” he said and I smiled touching his face.
“Don’t be sorry, it’s fine,” I said, “It’s just kinda weird thinking they’re married. I don’t know why, but I always thought I’d be the first one to marry out of them all. I mean, after all, I was engaged for how long?” I said and Paul smiled a bit.
“Yeah, I would’ve thought so too,” he said agreeing with me, a distant look on his face. I was slightly confused that he would agree, because he had yet to ask me. In fact, as much as we talked about us in the future, we very rarely talked about the actual act of ‘marriage’.
“So yeah,” was all I said. Paul smiled and stayed quiet, “There’s actually one last thing….” I trailed off.
“Emily’s pregnant?!” Paul asked being dumb. I laughed and he chuckled.
“Right—that’s so like Emily to get pregnant before they’re married. She’s probably not even slept with him yet,” I said.
“You never know, she could be like you,” Paul said. I looked at him.
“Gerrup?” I asked smiling. Paul noticed and he shook his head laughing.
“Are you making fun of the way I talk?” he asked.
“No, I love that way you talk, so I’m just copying you,” I told him, “It doesn’t sound as cool when I say it,” I frowned. Paul kissed my cheek.
“Sure it does,”
“Whatever—now what did you mean?”
“Well, when I first met you, I thought you were the most conservative girl in the world and couldn’t really picture you having sex or anything close, even though I thought about it quite a bit,” he said and I smiled.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, then we got to know the ‘real’ Olivia, you know, the one that had secret orgasms while watching us on stage,” he said smirking and I couldn’t control my laughter.
“Paul, shut up about that,” I begged and he just continued to laugh, coughing rather strongly and I was beginning to get worried.
“You shouldn’t have told me about that love,” he said was he was through. I barely heard him because his voice was fading.
“You don’t have to tell me that,” I replied, eyes big in agreement with him.
“Ah, it’s alright love. It’s kinda flattering, to know you were getting excited over me before I got that way over you,” I rolled my eyes.
“Well glad to know you like knowing it, but how is it like Emily? She was never like that at your concerts,”
“Yes, but for Peter, maybe deep down she’s secretly a randy little lass,”
“Paul McCartney! What is with you today?” I asked shocked at all his sick little comments, although laughing at them. I was used to it, especially when he was with John, but today it was one after another. He smiled.
“Nothing, I’m just saying, you never know. You can’t judge a book by its cover,” he said shaking his finger at me and coughing again.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, but I’ve known Emily for 5 years—I’m going to get you something,” I said getting up. Once again he pulled me back to him,
“What are you going to get?”
“Some medicine, you’re not sounding, nor looking good. You’re losing color in your face,”
“I’m fine love, really,” he argued. I shook my head.
“No you’re not, please, if anything do it for me,” I asked and he smiled.
“Alright love, I’ll take some medicine,” he said and I left to go find something for him to take. I found some sort of flu medicine and brought it out to Paul who had his eyes shut,
“Anyway, I had news…” I said, before realizing he was falling asleep. He nodded quickly and opened his eyes.
“Oh yes, continue,” I shook my head as I handed him the little medicine cup. He swigged it down and made a face.
“Uh, yuck,”
“Sorry, but it’ll help. Now go back to resting, it’s probably for the best,” I said leaving the room to put the cup back. I came back and cuddled up against Paul.
“I’m fine love; I was just resting them for a second. I want to hear you’re news, really,” I looked up at him in disbelief and he laughing softly, “Really,” he repeated.
“Alright….well, apparently, at the Bleeding Hearts concerts and things, they’ve been getting a lot of requests for my songs,” I said starting him off nice and easy. He brought his head back in surprise.
“Liv’ that’s fantastic! See, I told you, you’re popular,” he said giving me a nudge. I smiled.
“Yeah, there’s more,”
“More?
“Yes--” I said hesitating. Paul looked at me, trying to read my expression.
“Is this good more? Or bad more?”
“Um, I think it’s good more,” I told him.
“But I won’t think so…” he said. I shrugged.
“I don’t really know,”
“Come on, let’s have it then?”
“I guess Brittany and a few of the others have tried to do renditions of my songs, but don’t do them justice. Brittany talked it over with everybody, and they want me to come and join them again—just for a couple weeks,” I said biting my bottom lip. Paul had been stroking my arm lightly this whole time, and now, suddenly he stopped.
“What about the other bird that took your place?” he asked.
“I guess she’s going to go on holiday with her boyfriend, so she’s fine with it,” I told him and he nodded quietly, “They want me to come down next Wednesday and stay for a couple weeks. We’d do a little tour type thing,”
“Well, that’s great love, you’ll be back in your band,” Paul said, obviously trying to smile.
“Is this okay Paul?” I asked him and he frowned.
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Come on, don’t play dumb. I know you, I’m going to be gone for a couple weeks if not more,” I told him. He winced a little,
“Yeah—I know,”
“I want to go Paul,” I admitted and he looked at me, “I really do. I miss them so much and I think it’ll be really great singing with them again,”
“Of course it will,”
“But I don’t want to go if you don’t want me to,” I said and Paul laughed slightly.
“Honestly, I don’t want you to be gone that long, but on the other hand, I really know how much you miss your friends, so I do want you to go.” I smiled big and hugged him. He let out a wince of pain. I pulled back.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I just moved too quickly and it hurt me head,”
“I’m sorry,” I apologized.
“Don’t be, it wasn’t you,” he said, “Do you need me to get tickets for you then?”
“Yeah, if you can, for Wednesday, but—you’re coming down too aren’t you?” I asked realizing he said tickets for just me. He shrugged.
“Love, I don’t know if I can. We’re really busy trying to finish Pepper and everything, you know. And being that I’m sick—it’s gonna take longer I’m sure,” he said rubbing his temple with his right hand. I was totally bummed.
“Oh, well, I don’t want to go then,”
“What? No, you have to, Olivia, you’re going to have a great time,” he said and I shook my head.
“Paul, I don’t want to be without you for two weeks, I can’t,” I said turning completely around. Paul smiled and put his hand through my hair.
“I don’t want to be without you either; you know this is hard for me, letting you go. But you better take up this opportunity before I change me mind,” he said and I smiled.
“I’m serious Paul, I don’t want to go and be 3,000 miles away from you for two weeks,” I said shrugging, “I won’t,” Paul leaned towards me and kissed the corner of my mouth.
“I love you,” he said, “Look, if I promise to come down for some of the time, will you go then?” I thought about it.
“If you promise,” I said and he laughed.
“Oh trust me, I promise. I’m going to find any way I can to be with you the whole time, but I’m sure I won’t be able to.”
“Well, some time will do I suppose, but I’m still going to miss you,” I said touching his chest. He took my hands in his.
“Remember what I said love—if you keep this up I’m going to give in to what I really want. You should just take what you’re getting, before I give in to me self,” he said smiling as best he could at his selfish flaw.
“I love you,” I said kissing him quickly. I didn’t want to get sick right before doing a tour, “Want me to make you some Chicken Noodle Soup now?” I asked him and he laughed.
“Sure, I’d love that.” He said, blinking drowsily, “I’ll come down with you,”
“Are you sure? You can rest you know, I’ll bring it up,”
“Nah, I can still walk. It’s just talking I’m have a trouble with,” he said, clearing his throat once more as we got up from the bed. He shivered as the covers fell, and he stood in his boxers holding his head.
“Oh, you’re shivering,” I said picking up a blanket off the bed, “Are you alright? Maybe you should stay up here….”
“No, I’m fine. Just got a bit dizzy,” he said and I wrapped the blanket around him. He caught me mid act, and pulled me into the blanket with him. I laughed as he kissed me.
“There, that’s better. Nice and warm. Now, let’s go get some soup,” he said as we began walking out of the room. We were just right outside the door when, either Paul or I (I don’t recall) stepped on the blanket and we both went tumbling to the ground in laughter. After pulling ourselves back together, physically and within the blanket, we made it downstairs safely. I made Paul some soup, as well as myself, and we sat in the garden and sipped away. Paul called the others to let them know there was no way he would be able to put down any vocal tracks today, but that he’d check in tomorrow. Everyone was fine with it and I was glad. I hated when Paul went to work sick, but he was a stickler for perfection in everything he did, so it came natural for him to just keep working to get things done on time. No matter how good or bad he felt.
The majority of the day was spent lounging around watching movies, talking, or playing games. I returned the call to Brittany as I promised, letting her know I was indeed in on the tour. She, along with the others, were ecstatic. The only bad thing about this day was that the little Japanese woman, who called herself Yoko, stopped by once again. Paul, going mad from annoyance, told her that he couldn’t help and to stop bothering him. He also apparently sent her to John for a giggle, letting him deal with the mysterious creepy woman. It wasn’t till next year Paul and I would realize how big of a mistake that might have been. Paul’s sickness only worsened the next day, and as much as he refused, I took him to the doctor. Turned out he had a pretty bad case of pneumonia, once more keeping him from work, in which I had to call. He had no voice whatsoever, and to his dismay and mine, he spent a lot of the day in the bathroom bringing up anything and everything that went down. He ended up talking to Brian and it turned out that he would get a full week to come down and be with me and our friends in Malibu, making the trip ahead ten times better. I think it made him feel much better about letting me go as well. Paul wasn’t able to come until the second week, so we spent Wednesday morning saying our goodbyes, I love yous, and I miss yous, and then I was on a plane to Malibu to see Brittany, Emily, Sara, Mike, Micky, Peter—and Davy.

Chapter 29