Chapter 32

I was dreaming peacefully when I was interrupted by movement on the bed. I opened my eyes slowly and screamed suddenly. Paul laughed.
“It’s just me love—Paul,” he said sitting over me on the bed. I giggled as he was wearing very winter gear. If you’ve ever seen Help! and remember the skiing scene, that’s pretty much what he looked like, except for a bit more bundled.
“What on earth are you doing?” I asked him trying to roll over and go back to sleep. I wasn’t very successful because Paul was sitting atop my stomach.
“What are you on about? This is me normal gear you know,” he informed me, looking offended and I rolled my eyes.
“Oh I’m so sorry, I forgot,” I said smiling and he laughed.
“You know you love me,” he said giving me a kiss and sitting back up.
“About that—did I say yes last night?” I asked making a face, and his mouth fell open.
“Hey now, don’t break me heart,” he said looking sad. I took his hand and pulled myself up in front of him.
“I would never,” I said kissing him, “I’m just making sure I did say yes,”
“Good, cuz you did. You’re going to have to live with me for the rest of your life,” he said smiling. I laughed.
“That’s all I ever dreamed for,” I said kissing him, “So, really, why are you dressed like an Eskimo?” I asked again and he laughed.
“You are going to too,” he told me and I raised my eyebrows in disagreement.
“Oh? And what makes you think that?”
“Because, we’re going to go sledding,” he said smiling. I laughed.
“Sledding?”
“That’s right,”
“Where?”
“Right here, silly,” he said getting off me and pulling at my arm.
“I’m not going like this—I’m not dressed,” I said holding the sheets up to my body. He laughed.
“Oh I know that,” he said, “Neither was I at one time, and look at me now!” he finished being sarcastic. I stuck my tongue out at him and put on some jeans and a sweater.
“Alright, come ‘ead,” Paul said taking my hand and leading me downstairs, which were still covered in rose petals from the night before. As we walked down I looked at my ring again, and smiled. I kissed Paul on the cheek. He looked over at me and smiled.
“I love you,” I told him.
“Love you too sweetheart,” he replied and I laughed, “What?”
“I’m sorry, but you look hilarious! You must be dying in that!”
“Yeah, it is bloody hot in here,” he said pulling on his coat a bit, “That’s why you need to hurry and get your stuff on, and meet me outside. I’m going to cool off and have a smoke,”
“Sounds good,” I said and he walked out. I laughed as I saw the fuzzy hooded coat he had laid out for me. I slipped it on, as well as another hat, gloves, and snow boots. I went outside, and Paul turned around blowing smoke out of his mouth.
“All ready?” He asked putting his ciggie out in the snow.
“I think so,” I said shivering a little.
“Are you cold?” He asked walking over to me.
“Yeah, but once we start, I’ll get warmer,” I said looking around, “So where’s our sleds?”
“Over here, in the shed,” he said as I followed him to the back of the house. Martha was over prancing in the snow, already having fun. Paul opened the shed and pulled out two sleds. One of the metal circle kind and one of the long plastic ones.
“Which one do I get?” I asked him as he shut the door.
“Which ever you want. The metal one is probably faster,”
“In that case,” I said taking the plastic one and he laughed.
“You aren’t scared are you?”
“Me scared? Nah,” I laughed.
“Good—I’m here to protect you anyway,” he said putting his free arm around my shoulders. I laughed.
“Thanks,” I said and we walked over to the hilly areas. There were really big hills over by some trees and some smaller ones by the water.
“We’ll start with the bunny hills, just for you,” Paul said sitting down on his sled. I laughed and sat on mine, “Alright, ready? We’re gonna race,”
“What?! Not fair, you said yours is faster,” I complained.
“Damn, you’re quick,” he said giggling, “Ready?” he asked me and I nodded. We shoved off and skidded down the hill. I hadn’t been sledding in such a long time, and this ‘little’ hill was actually not all the little—just compared to the others next to it, it was. At the bottom, after I stopped, Paul’s sled went a few feet further. He looked back at me.
“How was it?” he asked.
“Great. Let’s do it again—but at a run,” I said. I barely saw him raise his eyebrows through the furry hood.
“Oh, getting daring are we?” he said getting up and walking over to me. We trudged our way up the snowy and somewhat slippery hill. I stepped back a few feet from my sled, as did Paul.
“Ready?” I asked him and he nodded, “Go!” I yelled and we both ran for ours sleds, being launched down the hill. I laughed the whole way down—I hadn’t had this much fun in years. I felt like a kid all over again.
“Again!” Paul yelled running up the hill ahead of me. I met him at the top and stood behind my sled, “Wait!”
“What?” I asked him, as he looked around behind him. He whistled, “Martha! Here Martha!”
“Why are you calling her?”
“Because, I have an idea,” he told me as Martha came running to him, tongue hanging out, “I need you’re rope,” Paul pointed at my sled. I shook my head.
“No, it’s mine,” I said and he grinned, “I picked this sled.”
“Please,” he begged.
“Fine,” I said untying the rope and handing it to Paul, “What are you doing?”
“Shh,” he said smiling at me. He turned to Martha and tied one end of the rope to her collar and the other to his sled.
“Oh, I get it,” I said nodding. He sat down.
“Alright go!” he yelled and I ran for my sled. When I got to the bottom I looked for Paul, and found him still at the top with Martha licking his face.
“She’s not a snow dog!” I yelled up to him.
“Come ‘ead Martha, run!”
“Martha!” I whistled, “Come here girl!” I yelled and with that she was off. Paul yelled as she launched forward. I picked up a stick just before she was near me and threw, making her turn sharply and run after it—Paul still laughing and ‘whoo-hoo’ing behind her. Finally, she made it to the stick and stopped. Paul got off the sled.
“That was a load of fun! Wanna try?” he asked me as I approached him.
“I think I’ll pass on that one, however, I will try the big hill now,” I said.
“Gear,” he replied untying Martha and his sled, “Here’s your rope back love,”
“Thanks,” I laughed taking it from his hand. We got back to the top and walked along to the other side. I looked down to the bottom of the hill and saw nothing but trees and rocks, “Um, Paul, this looks dangerous,” I said. He looked to the bottom, same as me, and laughed.
“We aren’t going to sled here,” he said, “Up a ways, it’s clear,”
“Oh, good,” I replied. We walked a bit further and my foot felt like it was almost numb, “Hold up Paul,” I said leaning down.
“What is it?”
“I think I have ice in my boot or something,” I said looking around, “Can I sit on your slide?”
“Sure,” Paul said setting it down. I sat down and it began to slide down hill a bit, due to a sheer layer of ice over the snow. Paul caught me, “Whoa love, let’s not be going down there,”
“No sir,” I said, “Just hold onto the sled for a sec,”
“Of course,” Paul said. I untied my boot and took it off. I flipped it upside down and sure enough a few pieces of ice feel out, “You were right,”
“I figured it had to be ice. It was freezing,” I said getting the rest of the ice out of my shoe.
“Hey kids,” we heard a voice. I looked up to see John, but only for a few seconds. Paul, obviously surprised by John’s arrival, whipped around, letting go of my sled.
“John?” I heard him say as I began sliding backwards down the hill, dropping my boot.
“Paul!” I yelled and heard John laughing hysterically. Paul whipped back around and his eyes widened once he realized that he had let his grip go, sending me plummeting to the tree filled bottom of the hill.
“Shit! Olivia!” Paul yelled as he ran down the hill after me, John on the ground now laughing. I couldn’t see what was coming behind me and my speed was picking up rather quickly. I thought for a split second that I should just roll off, but I was too scared to move. As scared as I was, I had to laugh watching a big bundled, fuzzy Paul running down the hill, arms flailing. And as I pictured us from John’s point of view, it made me laugh even more. Just as I neared the bottom of the hill, a tree whizzed by me on my right and I immediately stopped laughing, realizing any minute I could smack into a tree. I turned trying to see what was coming, but didn’t really get a look. I hit a rock or something, launching me into the air. I screamed and landed hard back first. I initially felt pain, but for some reason started laughing. Just picturing myself flying through the air just brought me to giggles. Within minutes Paul was at my side, out of breath. He breathed out once he saw I was laughing, “I take it you’re alright?”
“You looked so funny running down the hill,” I said laughing and still laying down. Paul smiled weakly.
“Dammit, that scared me,” he said one hand on me and the other on his heart, “I’m glad you think it’s funny—I’m sorry I let go of you,”
“It’s alright Paul, John scared you,” I said and he tried to help me up. Once again I stopped laughing, as the pain shot up my back once more—this time worse than the first. I squealed in hurt and laid back down. Paul immediately, was concerned.
“Love, what is it? Are you hurt?”
“My back, it hurts,” I said frowning and almost crying. Paul put his hand up to his forehead.
“Shit, good one Paul!” he yelled at himself, “Here, let’s move slowly,” he said more softly to me.
“I’ll try,” I said yelping again from pain. He had his arms around me and slowly lifted me off the ground.
“Bloody hell, you landed on a log,” he informed me. I dug my fingers into his back because the pain was overwhelming. I couldn’t help myself and began crying.
“Paul,” was all I said through tears. He held onto me softly and kissed my neck.
“Gosh, love I’m so sorry,” he said.
“It’s not your fault; I should’ve rolled off,”
“Hell, it’s not my fault. I let go of you,” I didn’t want Paul to feel like this was his doing so I began to talk in protest, but was interrupted.
“Missing this?” John said from behind Paul. I looked up at him through tears and his smile faded away. He set down my boot and walked over to us.
“She’s hurt John—pretty bad,” Paul said looking up at him.
“Shit Paul, why’d you let go of her?” John asked trying to lighten the situation. Paul, obviously angry with himself took it too literally.
“Shut the hell up John! I didn’t bloody do it on purpose!” Paul shouted. John flinched back a little.
“I’m sorry Macca, I was only joking,” John said apologetically, “It wasn’t your fault. I thought I’d be funny to scare you, so really it’s mine,” Paul’s glare softened a bit.
“Who cares whose fault it is, help me lift her up,” Paul said and John came to the other side of me. I squeezed my eyes shut as I forced myself up.
“One, two, three,” John counted off.
“Ouch!” I yelled, and cried some more.
“It’s alright love, you’re up. Just let us carry you,” Paul told me and I tried to smile.
“My little fuzz ball,” I said through tears. Paul managed a laugh as did I, although it hurt like hell (pardon the language). John and Paul finally made it up the slippery hill with me on their shoulders, and we walked into the house. Paul laid me down on my stomach on the couch. He walked over and took off his coat, then came back to me.
“Do you want me to take your coat off?” he asked caressing my face, and wiping my tears away.
“Um, maybe in a bit--for now, I just want to lay here,” I told him, the pain seeming to go down a little.
“Alright,” he said kissing my cheek, “I’m so sorry love; I’m such a dumb ass,” I smiled.
“No you aren’t. Don’t blame yourself—it’ll just make me feel worse if you do,”
“I’ll try,” he said smiling, “Here, I’ll go get you some aspirin,”
“Okay,” I said and he kissed my cheek again, leaving the room. I saw John sitting on the couch ahead of me.
“Sorry luv, didn’t mean to cause such a ruckus,” John said. I smiled.
“Oh, for the most part it was funny—until I realized I was hurt,” John smiled lightly, then looked around.
“On a lighter note, I’m guessing Paul popped the question huh?” He asked pointing at the roses on the ground and then the ring on my finger. Good Paul had already done it, otherwise I would have been surprised. I smiled big.
“Yeah, he did last night. He told you huh?” I asked and John laughed.
“Yeah, he wanted me to tell him if it was lame or not,” I rolled my eyes.
“He always has to have everything perfect,” I said smiling, “I still would’ve said yes if he asked me in his underwear, burping,” John laughed.
“That’s a nice sight,” I laughed and the pain was back.
“What’s a nice sight?” Paul asked returning back to the room.
“You in your knickers burping,” John replied and I couldn’t help but laugh again, although it hurt. Paul looked confused.
“What are you two talking about?” he asked me handing me the Aspirin and some water,” trying desperately to stop laughing, I took the glass from Paul.
“Oh, John here asked if you had proposed yet,” I started, popping the pills in my mouth, wincing, then swallowing, “He said you asked if the way you proposed was lame or not,”
“So then she mentioned how you are such a perfectionist and she said she would’ve said yes if you asked her in your knickers burping,” John finished for me and Paul laughed.
“That’s nice to know I suppose,” he smiled, and I held his hand.
“It was so romantic, I loved it—I love you,” I told him and he smiled, squeezing my hand.
“I love you too,” Paul said.
“Ahhhh, so sweet!” John said from across the room, in his stupid old lady accent,” It’s nice to have you in the family Olivia,” he finished normal. I looked at him puzzled.
“Family?” I asked and he nodded smiling.
“Yeah, family,” he said walking over and putting an arm around Paul, “Paulie here’s like me little brother you know,” he told me scuffing Paul’s hair. Paul made a face, just like a younger brother would make being picked on by his older. He pulled away as John laughed.
“Ah, knock it off John,” he said laughing at the same time, “What are you going here anyway?” he asked changing the subject and John sat back down at the couch.
“Ah, I was bored at home and that nut job Yoko is stocking me,” John said pulling out a cigarette.
“What about Cyn?” I asked. John shrugged.
“She’s at her mums,” I nodded.
“I thought you were going to Morocco with Victor?” Paul asked. John nodded as he took a puff.
“Yeah, I am; not till the 29th though. I knew you guys would be here and like I said, that bloody Japanese woman, won’t leave me alone,” Paul side glanced to me and John chuckled, “Oh, by the way, she told me you sent her over.” John added. Paul made a guilty face.
“Sorry John, but I had to get her out of me hair,”
“By sending her to me! Hell, you got rid of here cuz she’s bloody crazy and annoying—what made you think I’d want her standing all hours of the day at me gate, sending me and Cyn crazy scary little letters, calling every ten minutes, and hopping into my bloody car uninvited!” John said somewhat angry.
“She’s doing all that?” Paul asked surprised, “She never did that with us. She just came over a few times a day,”
“Yeah, well, looks like you had it better off,” John replied, “Stupid git,”
“Sorry,” Paul repeated, “I just thought, you know, you’re better at being harsh and getting rid of people. I thought for sure you’d have her on her way, tail between her legs,” John let out a short laugh.
“Trust me, I’ve tried. The witch won’t go away,”
“Ah, she’ll get the hint,” Paul said and John grunted.
“Well, I was only stopping by for a visit and to thank you for the dark angel I now have following me around,” John said standing up.
“You’re leaving then?” Paul asked and John nodded looking at his watch.
“Yeah, Cyn’ll be home soon,” he replied putting on his jacket, “Sorry about everything Liv’,” John said sympathetically to me. I smiled.
“Don’t worry about it, I’m beginning to feel better,” I told him and he smiled, “Plus, the ride was fun,”
“When are you guys coming back then?” John asked Paul.
“Probably around the 20th—unless of course, she needs to go into a doctor,” Paul said looking at me on the couch.
“Well, I hope you get better Olivia and I’ll see you two love birds later,” John said walking out the door.
“Yep, c-ya John,” Paul said shutting the door.
“Bye,” I said weakly. Paul walked back over to me.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better, but really, really, hot,” I said. Paul smiled.
“I bet—here, I’ll help you,” he said lifting me up in a sitting position. He unbuttoned my coat and I tried to help him, but stopped with a wince.
“Does that hurt you?”
“Yeah, any time I move my arms, it kills,” I said clenching my teeth together waiting for the feeling to pass. Paul carefully slipped my coat off and threw it on the couch. He sat staring at me.
“Hm, I don’t know what to do about your sweater,” he said. I had a weird feeling pass over me as I imagined how it was going to feel once I lifted my arms straight in the air.
“I’ll try to lift them,” I said opening my legs so Paul could kneel in between them, “Just try to be quick,”
“Well, I don’t want to hurt you more,” he said putting his hands on my legs. I breathed out and slowly brought my arms up, squeezing my eyes shut. I could already feel it coming. I felt Paul move closer as he carefully pulled the sweater off my head, leaving me in just my bra. He pulled my arms back down slowly, and as tight as my eyes were closed tight, tears made their way through. Paul moved his body against me and put his arms lightly around my aching body.
“I’m so sorry you feel like this love,” he whispered, then pulled away. I opened my eyes to look at him and again, he wiped the water from my eyes.
“Will you look at it?” I asked him. He nodded and helped me lay back down on my stomach.
“Holy shit,” I heard him say softly. I turned my head.
“Is it bad?” I asked.
“Uh, you’ve got quite the shiner back here,” he said lightly running his fingers over it, “I can’t imagine how much pain you’re in right now,” I laughed softly and closed my eyes.
“That feels good,” I told him.
“What? This?” he asked caressing my back again. I nodded.
“I want you up here with me,” I said opening my eyes and looking at him once more. He smiled.
“You’d have to move then, and I don’t want you hurting more,”
“But I want you,” I said looking sad.
“Love-”
“Come ‘on,” I interrupted him and pushed myself up. He laid on his back on the couch and I laid back down on him; him caressing my back again. I kissed his lips softly.
“I wrote a song for you to sing,” Paul said suddenly.
“Really?” I asked.
“Yeah, it’s called ‘Step Inside Love’…I wrote it thinking of you, but I think you should sing it anyway,”
“Will you sing it for me?” I asked him.
“Right now?”
“Yeah,”
“Alright,” he said clearing his throat, “It actually goes quite well with the situation,” he paused, “Here goes…”

Step inside love,
Let me find you a place.
Where the curves of the day,
Will be carried away,
By the smile on your face.
We are together now,
And forever.
Come my way.

Step inside love,
And stay.
Step inside love,
Step inside love
Step inside love,
I want you to stay.

You look tired love,
Let me turn down the lights,
Coming in from the cold,
Rest your head on my shoulder,
Love me tonight.
I’ll always be here if you should need me,
Night and day.

Step inside love,
And stay,
Step inside love,
Step inside love,
Step inside love,
I want you to stay.

When you leave me,
Say you’ll see me again.
For I know in my heart,
We will not be apart,
And I’ll miss you till then,
We’ll be together now and forever,
Come my way.

Step inside love,
And stay,
Step inside love,
Step inside love,
Step inside love,
I want you to stay

“That was pretty,” I said.
“Thanks,” Paul replied, “I think you’ll do better singing it though,”
“Hm, I don’t know about that, but I’ll try once I know the words,” I said. Paul and I laid silently on the couch for almost the rest of the evening. With the addition of a blanket, Paul and I even slept there. In the morning, the pain of my back was there again, but I learned to deal with it, and eventually the pain was tolerable. The bruise, as Paul said, was quite the shiner. It took up pretty much my whole lower back. This trip was somewhat supposed to be a romantic one, Christmas and the whole proposal, but it was slightly difficult to do anything ‘romantic’, when anytime I moved I would hurt. Paul even had to strain from putting his arms around me, because he’d be putting pressure on my lower back. It was really a bad situation. Nevertheless, we had a good time and when we got back, on Christmas Day, Paul announced to the press that he and I were engaged to be married. There was quite the ruckus afterwards—all the Beatles married! Well, almost all. We weren’t married yet. Brittany, as well as the other saw the news on TV before I could tell them myself, so they called to say congratulations. We caught up a bit, but that was it.
Thankfully, my back healed just fine and I didn’t have any problems. Also, Paul and I went to the studio one day and finally recording ‘Step Inside Love’ with me singing. I don’t know if it will be released anywhere, but it was fun nevertheless—also a little strange. Me singing and Paul playing the guitar? Yeah, definitely strange. I also got a call from Marvin Gay from the Temptations. Apparently they were in England at the time, and they called Paul up asked for me. Confused on why they would want me I answered, and they told me they wanted me to sing a duet with Marvin for two songs. Totally excited I agreed. They turned out nice. They were ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ and ‘I’m Gonna Make You Love Me’. Paul really thought it was cool, of course reminded me that he was once again right about my popularity.
Magical Mystery Tour was aired the day after Christmas on TV, unfortunately in black and white, making it not liked by fans. There things coming out all over in newspapers how horrible the Beatles did. And many people blamed solely Paul, because he had spent the most time on it as well as most of the ideas. He appeared on the David Frost Programme to discuss the movie among other things. John left to Morocco as planned and after he returned saw his father, in which he hadn’t seen since he was a child. Apparently, it will well. The Beatles began work on their next album and Paul and I saw Mike (his brother) in a Scaffold concert at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Not many days after this, Paul, myself, Ringo and Maureen flew to India.

Chapter 33