A/N: The next two chapters will tell you about Rachael's previous marriage, kay? It'll be alot of information so take it slowly! Reviews would be nice... hint, hint? :)
Paul's P.O.V.
The next month or so was the worst time of his life he felt himself spiral out of control. Rachael wouldn't look at him, let alone speak to him unless it was about the kids- and when it was, it wasn't for very long. Their situation was now what resembled an awkward custody agreement. He'd get to see Lillian anytime he wanted, as long as he called first. Most days after he was done at the studio he would go and pick her up to bring her to the park, or back to his house. Every single time she brought William with her, he loved the boy thoroughly like his own son. They would stay until dinner time, and then he would have to pack them up and bring them home. And every single time he did so, he could feel his heart breaking over and over again. They both would cry inconsolably and shout at him, it broke his heart,
"Daddy you said you wouldn't leave again." Lily would say each time. He would try to patch it up and put on a happy face,
"Honey, daddy isn't leaving. I'll see you again tomorrow." He would answer each time.
She and William would try to hang onto him as best as they could but each time he knew he had to leave. He occasionally saw Holly when Rachael opened the door, he would enthusiastically reach out for her, most times Rachael would shoot him a look and he would back away. He was entirely sick of it. The media had gotten wind of the situation and would hound him mercilessly. His life had practically gone to the shitter. John shacked up with some bird named Yoko who would intrude on every single one of their recording sessions, he and George would battle over the stupidest things, and Ringo just sat there like a child sadly watching his parents go through a divorce. He was sick of it. He couldn't get over the fact that Rachael wouldn't even look him straight in the eye. Not to mention she was pregnant, with his child.. children for that matter. Yes, there were going to be two. They hadn't told anyone yet. She informed him of it quickly in passing.
This brought him back to present day. He was sitting in his music room smoking, Martha was splayed at his feet, and the house was incredibly silent. The only noise came from outside where a terrible storm was brewing. He hated being here alone, he hadn't even thought about, let alone lay a hand on another woman since Rachael had left. The Beatles 'situation' was becoming shite. No one would admit it, but none of them wanted to stick around.
It was raining heavily now, he thought about the kids. Lily hated storms, she was scared to the core by lightening. His anxiety got the best of him he quickly dialed Rachael's new phone number,
"Hello?" She answered. His stomach dropped,
"Hey Rach, it's Paul." She was silent. He could hear the kids in the background banging about, and laughing. It tore him in two not being able to be there.
"I was just-" He sighed, "I was just wondering if you were alright?" He heard her step off into another room,
"Yeah. I'm fine, should I not be?" He let out a breath,
"It's just the storm. I know Lily hates them." He heard Rachael call out for Lillian a few ruffled seconds later she came on the phone,
"Daddy?" She shrieked,
"Yeah." He chuckled he heard her call for William. The boys footsteps could be heard running next to her, they argued for a split second and then they had apparently decided to stick both of their heads next to the receiver.
"Hi!" They both yelled,
"Hey guys, what are you doing?"
"Mummy let us play Indians. Holly's on my team." He chuckled,
"Having fun?" They both chattered excitedly,
"Yeah, daddy what are you doing?" Will asked. He felt his heart drop,
"Not much. Playing with Martha." He heard them both stop,
"Daddy, can you come live with us?" He sighed,
"Guys, we've talked about this." They both grumbled, he heard a crack of thunder,
"Dad, could you come and see us?" Lily asked. Paul felt instantly awful, he knew she was scared.
"Can you put your mum on the phone for a tick?" 'MUM PHONE.' He heard William holler, A rumpled moment later Rachael answered,
"Yeah?" She asked.
"Can I come over?" He held in his breath waiting for an almost immediate response,
"Why?" He was actually surprised he was bracing himself for 'no'.
"The kids asked." She sighed,
"Do what you want, I'm not in charge of you." He got off the line and ran down the stairs throwing on a coat. He decided to take the car even though Rachael's new house wasn't that far away. She had moved about 5 blocks from him into a similar house. He sped the car over and ran up to her gate to avoid the rain. Someone buzzed him in and he walked up the drive to the door. Both Lily and Will flung the door open,
"DAD!" They shouted and threw themselves at his legs they quickly ran back inside to continue their game,
"Watch it darling!" Paul cautioned as a naked Holly came flying around the corner and wobbled straight into his legs. The baby landed on her bottom with a soft thud. Paul lifted her into his arms while Holly was still trying to decide whether she ought to cry or not. Rachael rounded the corner as well.
"This little wanton ran right into me," said Paul, shifting the toddler to his shoulder. Rachael nodded,
"She just started walking." Paul grinned and bounced Holly,
"Is that right?" He asked the toddler she gave him a drippy grin and held on tight. Rachael walked or how he saw it- slightly waddled- away and into the kitchen. It wasn't quite noticeable at yet but there was definitely a small bump under her clothes. Thankfully no one had caught on yet, not even the kids. Paul followed her. Both Lily and William were buck naked and fighting with swords next to the table,
"Whoa!" Rachael called out. They both stopped, "Where are your clothes?" They both gave her a smug look and pointed out the window. He glanced outside, there was a rather large mud puddle with clothes in it, he saw Rachael trying to fight off a laugh,
"Why are they out there?" Both children looked down at their feet, not a moment later the gate buzzed, Rachael gave them a warning look, "Stay there, don't move." Paul watched in amusement as she went to the front door and let the visitor in. A rather disgruntled man stood there covered in mud,
"Can I help you?" Rachael asked in a confused tone,
"Yes you can. Those two monsters you have threw sludge all over me." Rachael tipped her head to the side,
"Why would they do that? More importantly, how? The security gates are quite tall." The man looked uncomfortable for a moment,
"Well I was-" Rachael cut him off,
"You were taking pictures, weren't you?" The man stuttered, but Rachael continued.
"Well. I think they had a perfectly good reason to be throwing mud. It seems as though you were on their property, right?" The man loosened his tie and tried to hold the camera behind his back. She held out a hand. Paul was amazed how well she was handling this. The man reluctantly stepped away,
"Well if you're not going to give me the camera, get off my property before I call the cops." She said with a nauseatingly sugary smile. The man looked uncomfortable for a moment then bolted out the gates. Rachael waited until he had left and pressed the 'close' button. She then turned back to Lily and Will who were still staring at their feet guiltily wile nudging each other in effort to keep their giggles quiet.
"Go change into clothes." Rachael told them. They both looked up at her in admiration; the two goofballs probably thought that they were going to be punished. Paul kept in the same exact place watching this entire scene unfold. He waited until Lily and William scurried upstairs before he looked up at Rachael. She was staring back at him and they instantly both burst out laughing,
"What just happened?" She choked out and bent over hysterically laughing. Paul felt his heart lighten, he couldn't control himself,
"I have no bloody idea!"
Rachael's P.O.V.
Where should I begin?
Well for starters I had made Paul leave. It was completely my decision. I packed up the kids and moved into a gated house somewhat near Paul's. I got on with my life, I had the house to take care of, 3 kids to take care of… or in a way 5. I was pregnant with twins. Paul and I's situation resembled a gauche custody accord, he could have Lily anytime he wanted as long as he called and had her back before dinner. She forced me to let William go with her, the two were still inseparable. Holly stayed with me basically 24/7 with the occasional visit to Nan's when I had too much going on. I didn't really speak to anyone, it wasn't like I even had the time. The kids were confused as to why Paul and I wouldn't speak to each other. They would cry when he had to leave and they would cry when I wouldn't go with them to Paul's house. I tried explaining it innumerable times, but both would get too upset. Holly was beginning to walk, unsuccessfully. She could only keep balance for a few seconds unless she held herself up on something. My sister still hadn't called about Holly, even though all my calls were being forwarded to my new number. My life was in a way, a confuted jumble. But it kept me occupied.
There was also another thing, Tessa's brother, Christian, came to help out. It also happened to be that he was my ex-husband. Dysfunctional? Maybe. I didn't tell Paul though. It was still none of his business.
Now in present time Paul and I were staring at each other laughing over some stupid thing Lily and Will had done to a reporter.
Paul's P.O.V.
He thought Rachael looked beautiful, Lily and William bounded back down the stairs dressed in pajamas.
"Dinner, mum!" They both shouted. Rachael went over to the fridge. Paul placed Holly on the counter and went over to the two older kids helping them onto stool seats in front of the counter.
"I want what Yiayia left." Lily stated. William agreed Paul took a seat next to the kids holding Holly in front of himself on the counter,
"Who's Yiayia?" He asked William turned to him with a smile,
"She's mum's mummy. She stayed here, she left yesterday." Paul nodded absorbing the information- he was a bit confused though, he thought Rachael's mum was dead?. Rachael warmed up whatever was in the container and dished it out on plates for the kids. He raised an eyebrow at Rachael; she mouthed 'I'll explain later.' And went back to cutting up the food. The kids happily chatted and forked what they could into their mouths. They barely finished half the plates before they hopped off the stool's and ran to go play something else,
"They've quite a bit of energy, ey?" He said eyeing her. She nodded and started to clean up. The tension between them was undeniable. He wanted desperately to fold her, and take her back, but she would probably kick him out. He was lucky enough she had even let him in her house.
"So, who's Yiayia?" She finished and gave a Holly a sippy cup. The toddler attempted to get a majority of the juice in her mouth,
"She's my aunt. She fills in as grandma since my mom's not around." He nodded. "She visited from Chicago, left yesterday." Paul liked where this was going they were actually talking like civil adults,
"Why do they call her Yiayia?" Rachael helped Holly with the sippy cup,
"It's Greek for Grandma." He was a little surprised,
"You're Greek?" She nodded and wiped off Holly's chin.
"Do ya speak it?" She nodded again,
"So do the kids, sorta." Paul was actually astounded, he didn't know that.
"Well let's hear it!" He chuckled Rachael shouted something to the kids, it sounded completely foreign to him,
"Seriously mum, do we have to?" Came the shouted response.
"Yeah, like now. It's late." Paul raised an eyebrow,
"What'd ya tell them?" She started washing the dishes,
"I told them to go upstairs and go to bed." He chuckled Will and Lily came tumbling into the room,
"Why did you say it in Greekish?" Lily asked, both Paul and Rachael busted out laughing,
"Greekish?" Lil nodded her head,
"Isn't that what it's called?" William whispered something into her ear and she nodded,
"Whoops. I meant Greek?" She said and looked over at the boy for reassurance, he nodded. "Yeah, that's what I meant."
"Your dad wanted to hear it." The girl took this as a good enough excuse then whispered something else to her partner in crime, then turned back to them,
"Mum, can we watch a movie instead?" They asked. Paul looked over at Rachael she shrugged,
"I guess. Only for a little while okay?" They both nodded and ran back to the living room. Paul turned his attention to Holly who was sitting in front of him on the counter trying to grab an unlit candle. Paul pushed it away from her, the baby looked up at him and made another grab for it. He caught her hand and gave it a kiss.
"So.." He started looking up at Rachael who was busy writing something down, "How've you been?" She shrugged,
"Fine. You?"
"Not the best." He mumbled.
Rachael's P.O.V.
I didn't know how to respond to that. He was toying with Holly's hand. I was writing down a grocery list. It was nearly 10 o'clock, the storm outside had just about passed, and I could hear the kids talking about the movie in the living room.
"Hey mummy, Uncle John's on the telly!" Lillian shouted, Paul and I gave each other confused looks. Paul picked up Holly and walked over into the living room, I followed close behind,
-Beatle John Lennon and Artist Yoko Ono have been arrested at their Marylebone home for possession of marijuana late this afternoon-
I looked back over at the kids,
"Hey, go get into bed." They protested,
"Mum you said we could watch a movie!" They both shouted at the exact same time,
"Go upstairs, please." They finally gave up and scrambled upstairs together. I looked back at the T.V. Paul was staring at it completely dumbfounded. After a bit, it showed a clip of them being arrested, the officers were escorting them somewhere. I felt awful for them, even Yoko. She was clinging tightly to John, he didn't look much better.
"Fookin' idiot." Paul muttered. After a while the news story changed Paul let out a sigh. I felt bad for him, this certainly wasn't going to reflect well on their band.
"Bad day?" I asked awkwardly, he shrugged,
"Bad month." The kids called for us, upstairs. We followed their voices; they were currently in my bedroom,
"Mum, can we sleep in here tonight?" I shrugged,
"Sure." They smiled happily and crawled into bed, I tucked them in and gave kisses. They looked over at Paul who was standing apprehensively in the doorway. Both kids pointed at their cheeks to be kissed. Paul chuckled and went over complying with their demands.
"Good night" We called as we left the room.
Paul's P.O.V.
He didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay and talk but he knew if they got into it, it would be an all out shouting match. He was after all, only here for e kids; or so he wanted Rachael to think. He missed her so bad it hurt.
"I guess I'll be going then." He mumbled looking for his coat. Rachael didn't say anything. He found it she looked decidedly pale. She had a hand on her stomach. Paul noticed he was still holding Holly he put her down and she staggered away on her new walking legs,
"Rach, are you alright?" He asked. She wasn't looking too well,
"'M fine." She mumbled. Paul knew she was lying; she had the same look on her face when she was sick at his dad's house in Liverpool. He decided to call her out for her own good.
"No you're not, are you sick again?" She shook her head,
"Rach, come 'ead." He said quietly, "Remember I told you to tell me if you're feeling unwell." She gave him the look. Paul wasn't about to back down,
"'M fine." She repeated. He let out a sigh, she was definitely ill.
Rachael's P.O.V.
I wasn't one to complain about illness. A lot of people were worse off than I. But, this pregnancy was certainly taking its toll. I was nearly sick nonstop, I swear I spent more time kneeling in front of the toilet than anywhere else. When I had been pregnant with Lillian I had never even come close to being sick at all. In fact, it was practically like I wasn't expecting, there wasn't any morning sickness, and I felt completely normal. But now Paul was here calling me out on the spot. I was frustrated to say the absolute least. I felt my stomach clamp up again and I shut my mouth tightly biting my lip. He reached out for me, I couldn't move I was frozen in a sharp pain,
"Go sit down," He motioned to the couch. "I'll take care of Holly." I waited a moment for the pain to subside. I carefully walked over to the couch and eased myself down. Paul was cooing to Holly as he took her upstairs.
Paul's P.O.V.
He found Holly's room and put her into the crib. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and stroked her baby soft cheek. He finally switched off the light trying to make his way back down to Rachael,
"Uncle Christian?" He heard William call as he passed Rachael's Bedroom. He stuck his head in,
"No?" He whispered,
"Oh sorry." William whispered. Paul was instantly confused, who was 'Uncle Christian'?
"Uhm it's daddy."
"G'night daddy." Both he and Lily whispered at the same time. Paul shut the door quietly, he was confused still, why had they called for an 'Uncle Christian'. The thought kept badgering his mind as he went downstairs,
"Rach?" He called out.
"I'm in the living room." Came a weak reply. Paul walked in, Rachael was sitting in the same position he had left her in. She looked a bit pale, but not as bad as before.
"I put Holly upstairs." He said walking over to where she was seated.
"Thanks." She said quietly. He sat down next to her and without thought grabbed her hand. This was the first time he had touched her in what felt like ages. He expected her to pull back though, it seemed like she was in too much pain to react. She just sat there and stared at the T.V.
"Rach, I have a quick question." He asked,
"Mm?" She replied looking back over at him.
"Well, when I was upstairs the kids called for an 'Uncle Christian', do you have any idea what they were talking about?"
A/N: Ahh! A ton a stuff went on right? Same as the next chapter though. Reviewssss?