Hi! Thanks again for the positive feedback. I'm thrilled every time I get an e-mail saying that someone has reviewed my story. That goes for all of the stories of course. I have a bit of a writer's block on "The Night Before" so things are a bit slow on that one. But I haven't abandoned it! Not at all.

But now it's Once Upon a December we're talking about. This chapter shows things from Paul's perspective and a quite familiar someone makes a small guest-appearance, but only in a flash back. Anyway, it's time for me to stop talking now, before I spoil the whole thing. I'll let you guys read it instead!


Chapter 3

Paul woke up the next morning, feeling almost hung-over. He hadn't slept well at all. There was a million things going through in his head, and last night had only given him more to think about.

He stumbled out of bed, and decided to take a shower. The warm water made him feel better, and when he stepped out of the bathroom ten minutes later, he was whistling to himself. He called room service and ordered breakfast.

He had a few slices of toast, and a cup of tea. The he decided to get dressed. All the time when he was doing these normal, every-day things, he tried keeping his mind occupied on other things than the fact that his life was a complete mess at the moment.

"John! Honestly, I can't do this anymore!" Paul mumbled, completely aware that the object of his annoyance was standing a few meters away.

"You can't do what?" John asked, not even trying to keep his voice down.

"Let's step outside, shall we?" Paul said and gestured towards the door.

John shook his head. "If you have something you'd like to say to me Paul, you might as well say it so everyone can hear it."

The studio became alarmingly quiet.

Paul was still talking to John, but was very much aware that the others were listening too.

"John, I thought we agreed. No birds in the studio. It's all right for them to step by, but not on a regular basis. I can't have her hanging around here all day, commenting on the work I do. It's just not working."

"You're saying you want Yoko to leave?" John asked.

Paul nodded, and shot a glance at the other band members. Both George and Ringo were looking down, trying to avoid any confrontations. Yoko walked up to John, and grabbed his hand.

"That's not happening, Paul." John said. "Either she's staying, or we're both leaving." Something in his voice told Paul that there was no need to argue.

Paul sighed, and tried his best to stay calm. The band was his life. And now, it was falling apart.

"Let's have a break." He said. "I need a coffee."

Paul couldn't seem to forget the girl from yesterday. She had been messing around in his head since last night. Before he really understood it himself, he decided on what to do. He could still remember her address, and he called the reception and asked them to get him a cab.

He took the elevator down to the ground floor, not bothering to wear any clothes that could hide his identity. There were mainly business-people staying at this hotel. There wasn't a big chance that a group of 40-year old men in suits would threw themselves at his feet, and scream his name and demand autographs.

The taxi was waiting, and he gave the driver the address. He didn't think much during the cab ride, but as the taxi stopped and he paid, he suddenly started wondering what the hell he was doing.

It was too late to change his mind now, so he walked up to the door, trying to look as casual as he possibly could. He suddenly realized that he didn't know which floor she lived on. He walked into the building anyway, and studied all the little name-plates on the doors. As he reached third floor, he finally located her name. He rang the doorbell. No one answered. She was probably working, he said to himself. It was a stupid idea to come here anyway, and this was a sign that he should just get away from here. Leave, and forget all about her.

That's when she opened the door. He caught a glimpse of her, and all he could get out was "Good morning" before she slammed the door shut. He was standing there, not knowing quite what to do. Suddenly, the door opened again, wider this time. Caroline was standing there, smiling at him.

"I just had to unlock the door chain." She said.

"Oh. I see." He didn't know what else to say. He noticed that she was wearing a pair of old pajamas that were way too big for her. He only now realized that he had probably waked her up.

"Would you… like to come inside?" Caroline asked.

Paul nodded. "Sure." He said. "I mean.. If that's all right with you?"

She nodded, and let him in.

"So... This is where you live." Paul said. He had no idea why everything he said sounded so silly.

Caroline smiled. "This is it." She said.

"I'm sorry I came bursting in like this, waking you up. I remembered your address, so I figured I could go here and see how you were."

Caroline smiled. "I thought, it was the fans that were supposed to stalk the celebrities, not the other way around." She said.

Paul blushed. "I'm... I'm sorry." He stuttered.

Caroline laughed. "It was a joke." she said.

"Oh." Paul laughed nervously.

A little girl's voice interrupted any further conversation.

"Mommy! Who are you talking too?"

Ellie came running towards her mum, but stopped as she noticed Paul standing there.

Caroline lifted her up. "This is Paul." She said. "Can you say hi to him, Ellie?"

"Hello Paul." Ellie said.

Paul smiled. The little girl was a real sweetheart. "Hello Ellie. How are you?"

"I'm fine." The little girl said. "How are you?"

"I'm fine to, thanks. I just came by to see how your mother was doing. I should probably go now... I don't want to disturb you."

Caroline smiled. "You're not disturbing us." She said. "Please, stay."

"If you're not busy, of course." She hurriedly added.

Paul smiled. "Thank you." He said.

Caroline put Ellie down. "I'll go and have a quick shower." She said to Paul "Why don't you talk to Ellie while I'm gone."

"All right." Paul said, and took of his coat.

Caroline left the room, and moments later Paul heard the water running in the bathroom. He turned to the little girl, suddenly feeling nervous.

"So, Ellie. What do you like to do? Do you like to draw?"

The little girl nodded. "Yes." She said.

"Perhaps we could draw something now? Do you have your crayons here?"

Ellie nodded, and ran out of the room. Seconds later she came back with a box of crayons, and pieces of paper to draw on.

She sat down on the floor, and started drawing.

Paul sat down next to her, and watched as she filled the paper with colorful lines.

"You have to draw something too!" Ellie said after a while.

Paul smiled. "What do you want me to draw?"

Ellie though for a while. "A dog." She said at last.

"All right." Paul said. "I'll try. Do you like dogs Ellie?"

Ellie nodded.

"I have a dog at home." Paul said. "Her name is Martha."

"Draw her!" Ellie demanded.

Paul started regretted sharing this piece of information, as he realized that drawing a sheepdog wouldn't be the easiest thing in the world. He eventually managed to draw something grey and white that vaguely resembled his dog.

Ellie had finished her picture, and proudly presented it to Paul. He looked at the numerous colorful lines with interest.

"This is me, and this is mom." Ellie said, and pointed to what resembled two people, one small and one big. "And that's a sun. And that's Santa Claus, because it's almost Christmas!"

"Very good Ellie." Paul said. "You're quite a little artist. Do you often draw with your mom?"

"When she's home." Ellie said. "And when she's at work, I draw with Mrs. Kelley. She has a cat."

Paul suddenly became aware that someone was looking at him. Caroline was standing in the doorway. Her blond hair was hanging down her back, and it was still a bit wet from the shower. She was wearing a pair of jeans, and a pink, loose-fit sweater.

"Are you having a good time?" she asked. Paul wasn't sure if she was talking to him or Ellie. The little girl was fully concentrated on her next art work, so Paul nodded.

"Yes. We're drawing. I just drew a picture of my dog."

Caroline burst out with laughter. "I'm sorry." She said. "I think I just realized that I have a member of the Beatles sitting on my living room floor drawing pictures with my daughter."

"Ellie and I had a good time." Paul said, and got up. "She is such a darling, just like you said."

"You're so good with her." Caroline said, and walked over to take a look at Ellie's drawing.

"I hope it's all right that I'm here." Paul said, suddenly realizing that Caroline perhaps had to go to work. "Are you working today?"

"Yes. But not for another couple of hours. I'm cleaning in an office building, and then I'm heading over to the café."

She became quiet for a moment, and then she asked: "Would you like to stay for a while, and have a cup of coffee with me?"

Paul smiled. "I would like that very much." He said, and to his surprise, he noticed how happy this invite made him.


That was it for now. I won't be updating until next year now! Because tomorrow (It's 1 am here in Norway now) I'm working, and then I'm going to a New Year's Party. But I hope to see y'all next year! :)

And another, little thing. I hope you're not mad at me for making John the "bad-guy" in the flashback :P

Happy New Year to all of you! :D