A/N: To explain my absence:
-Writer's block and laziness.
-Moving three thousand miles (from West Coast to East Coast) away from everything I've known; including my best friends (like Flower) an amazing guy(s) and my family.
-Turning 18 means earning a lot of responsibilities (my birthday was back in November lol)
-Trying to make it through each day of my concluding high school life as a senior.
-Figuring out college crap (that STILL needs to be figured *sigh*)
-Going through rough patches with depression and anxiety attacks. Luckily, I've been doing better with that problem.
And the list goes on…
On January 16, 2010 I posted the first chapter of Flowers and Rings (: This story is now a year old, with nearly 200 reviews! I want to thank Flower herself for introducing me to the lovely world of Beatles music and inspiring the idea of going back in time together to steal away our favourite lads' hearts~ Once I got that idea, I had to write it out. This whole story is for Flower, not me; I'm just the gal who puts the words on the page (: She thinks I'm crazy for it, I know, but this is how I live out our crazy fangirl moments we've shared together before we parted.
And what would I do without my readers and amazing reviewers who have given me support and encouragement to continue this crazy adventure of unpredictableness? You guys rock my writing world! Nearly 200 reviews, you guys? That's UNHEARD OF to someone like me!
And I would also like to thank my first Beatle pal, Lys (: As well as Sarah, who is Geo's fiancée in the story XD lol Had I gotten my facts straight, LYS (who's the Georgie fan, not Sarah) would have gotten her man instead! And I cannot forget to give thanks to my Mandy. Somehow she managed to tie Lys, Sarah and I together in a beautiful square of friends! They are all my little sisters, as I senior them by almost four years XD and I love them for making me smile and making this past summer my "Summer of Love"
Also, I have received fanart submissions from my reader, Charlie (: FANART! I've NEVER gotten any before now! This miraculous happenstance got me back writing, too!
Okay, enough crap! You know I'm alive and still writing soooo here's the chappie! But I must say one last thing:
This chapter is dedicated to Phoenix Flowers, whom I love and miss. And if you're reading this now, petal, please forgive me if I embarrass you in this chapter (insert evil laugh here) Think of it as payback or that recent entry of your OWN Beatles fic you wrote that happened to have yours truly getting pantsed in front of Paul and the lads -.- Oh. And for being called Higgins all the time.
Kay(:
CH 29
WHAT GOES ON?
Next Morning
FLOWER'S POV:
I have to get out of here…
Trees surround me. All I see is dark twisted branches moving themselves around each other to prevent me from running. My hands rip at them desperately and easily they recoil like nocturnal snakes retreating from light. Their texture isn't how a normal tree feels; which is odd… What kind of tree is this, anyway?
I hear a loud, terrifying, lion-like roar and my fear heightens. Something's following me! And by the sound of it, it's pretty hungry and not in a good mood. I push my way through the stubborn thick branches and realize they look like thick braids of hair-
Wait… WHAT?
What the crap is going on? Trees aren't made of HAIR! I scream when the braids start moving and twisting themselves again and run. I have no idea where I'm going, but as long as it's out of this weird dark hairy forest, I could care less. I squeal with fright when I suddenly trip and fall flat on my face. Gasping for breath my mouth is suddenly filled with hair and my lungs start weakening. This can't be happening! I will NOT die this way!
I suddenly feel a gap forming below me and scream as I fall to my demise. My life literally flashes through my vision and then white light takes over completely. I land on something soft and fluffy; like a cloud. In fact… now that I can see more clearly, I am on a cloud. I giggle at my luck and start singing that popular Rolling Stones song in my head.
"ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
My head snaps up at the sound of the terribly distorted lion-like roar and I scream at what's before me. A huge head, floating in the sky not too far from my cloud, with grotesque facial features, branch-like tendrils that form a dark mane for hair and a huge nose that's flanked by long cat whiskers lets out another terrible rumbling sound, staring at me with big blue eyes hungrily. I cringe away; hiding in the cloud's fluffiness so that he won't see me and shake with panic. I was INSIDE that thing's mane before I fell!
"PHOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
I take another nervous glance up above the cloud and see that the lion-man head is DIRECTLY above me, baring his sharp teeth and growling my name over and over. I scream as he inches closer towards me, feeling the drool cascading from his hungry lion mouth on my dark skin…
"FLOWERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
This is it… I'm done for… Lion chow…
"ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
Goodbye, cruel world…
"OMNOMNOMMMMMMMMMMM!"
I let out one final scream and feel myself falling through the cloud's airy surface… and then… I'm no more.
"FLOWER!"
Immediately I open my eyes to the loud voice in my ear, startled. "W-WHAT?"
I hear a deep voice, Ringo's. It's easy to decipher anywhere. Funny… Where is he? "Why're you on the floor, love?" There's that beautiful deep rumble of his again.
I realize my surroundings then. No wonder my body's so sore; I'm sprawled out beside my side of the bed on the cold hardwood flooring, clutching a pillow for dear life. I look up and see Ringo laughing at me over the edge of the bed, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement. God, those eyes…
"Enjoying this, aren't you?" I grin at my stupidity, rolling on my back to look up at him better.
"You're funny when you sleep sometimes!" he chuckles, standing up next to me and taking my hand. He pulls me up gently and embraces me lovingly. "What was the dream this time, petal dear?" his murmur is gentle like a purr in my ear.
I furrow my brow, trying to remember. "Oh!" I gasp and recount all the terrifying events that happened to me during my dreaming.
"A tree lion thingy…?" he asks after my explanation, looking completely confused.
I nod, "Stupid, huh?"
"And it looked like me?" he starts to grin, amused.
"Pffft, I can't control what I dream, Richie!" I laugh.
He rolls his eyes, smirking. "Well I can!" I realize he's bluffing and smack his shoulder playfully, making him pout, "Ow…" I kiss his cheek quickly and head off for the bathroom to get dressed. As I change into a pair of flowery bell bottoms and a crazy blouse with sleeves that resemble wings (God, they're so cool,) the phone rings on the bedside table. Richie answers it quickly to get rid of the annoying sound. I think nothing of it, brushing out my black hair. It's been growing past my shoulders now. Sweet… Hippy hair!
"Starkey residence?"
I giggle at the sound of Ringo's voice. I swear it's one of the most amazing sounds in the world! Well… besides Jim Morrison… or Tom Seleck from Magnum P.I., my favourite show. I sigh dreamily. That man can take me any day!
"Of course she isn't here, Paul. She should be with you, right?"
I pause my fangirling. What's he talking about? I press my ear to the bathroom door to eavesdrop. It's totally unnecessary, since I can just nonchalantly go out to the bedroom, as it is my house, but this is more fun; more sneaky spy-guy-like.
"Calm down! I carn't understand ye when yer shoutin', alright?"
He sounds startled… Hm… And he's talkin' to Paul McCartney, too? Ick. I never liked him. He beat Heather Mills with her fake leg! Plus, he's the one who quit the band and ended the Beatles! Kaila hates it when I mention those things… She always tries to disprove them, but they're obviously true! When I say that she says I have a stubborn mind. Whatever that's supposed to mean…
"Look, talk to Flower, okay? She should know."
Talk to ME? I don't want to talk to PAUL! I'll lock myself in here if I have to! Actually… that's not such a bad idea. Stealthily, I switch the lock right as I hear Ringo softly knock on the door.
"Petal, someone's on the phone for ya!" he calls, his voice sounds cheery but I see through it.
"Um, no, I'd rather not right now!" I say, trying to sound as casual as I can.
"Sweetheart, it's important!" Ringo sounds a bit desperate and he murmurs a quick "Hang on, now" in the receiver of the telephone.
Now my curiosity is getting to me. What could possibly be so important for Paul, of all people and Beatles, to talk to me about?
Hm, I wonder, but Richie answers my question before I ask:
"It's about Kay!"
Oh, just dandy…
"Alright, alright, I'm coming!" I grumble, slamming my brush on the countertop and unlocking the door moodily. I walk out, a clear pout on my face and snatch the offered phone from Ringo's hand. He doesn't look so cheery now…
"What do you want, Mr. McCartney?" I ask, clearly showing my annoyance, into the receiver. My face falls from the pissed-off-expression I had as I hear Paul rant on the other line. He tells me Kaila disappeared last night after they… OH, EW!
"WAIT. You got groovy with my best friend last night?" I interrupt him, shock drawn all over my face. I look at Ringo, my mouth agape with some disgust and more so surprise. He stares at me with wide eyes, looking a bit frightened at my reaction.
I can hear the nervous tremour in Paul's voice as he clears his throat awkwardly. "Well… It's not like you and Rich haven't…" he so pathetically defends.
Oh, no, you did not attempt to play the "but everyone does it, Phoenix" card, Paulie. You don't do that with me. I'm Phoenix Flowers, not your Mummy. Like a good girl, I decide to let it go and see what's going on with Kay. I'll lash out on stupid McCartney later about seducing and taking away her white virginity sweater.
"She's gone." He says after a long silent pause, his voice cracking on that last word. "Please, I need to get her back, Flower…"
I cast a confused glance at Rich, who becomes unfrozen instantly to move by my side. I wait awhile to answer, gathering my thoughts together first. Why would Kaila leave…? I mean, we can't go back to the future; the ring's with us in 1965 right now. So, if that's not the case, it has to be something else…
"Did something happen between you guys?" I ask suspiciously, sitting on the edge of the bed. I wait for him to answer, holding my free hand out to look at my ring-clad fingers to pass the time.
"She's… been different lately." He finally mutters. "We haven't gotten along so well together... And then John…He- Well, he started gettin' much too close to her for my liking, so I secluded her from him… After me and John went at it…"
My eyes widen, surprised. Why didn't Kay tell me any of this? Probably not to ruin my happiness, I guess… She hates to bother people with her own problems. But still, this sounds real serious. She should have asked me for help or advice at least!
Ringo sits next to me, looking concerned. "What's he saying?" he murmurs, nuzzling my shoulder. I pat his hair, silently bidding him to be patient. God, I wish speakerphone was invented right now…
I listen to Paul's sad tale, feeling depressed for all the drama he and Kay have been through. And now that he's lost her, I can tell the pain in his heart has deepened. Poor guy... I really do feel sorry for him, especially since I can just hear the tears threatening to break through his voice.
"Listen, Paul," I sigh after a moment of silence. "I have no idea where she is, but we'll try finding her. Did you… check John's place or anywhere else?" I ask the question cautiously, hoping that this won't upset him.
"No," he says, his voice sounding dark and firm. "She wouldn't have any reason to be there. I'm sure of it." Hopefully, for Kay's sake, he's right…
I reassure him once again that she's okay, that she wouldn't do something stupid or get herself hurt; that she's probably just out to clear her mind. He agrees, still sounding unsure, but I give him hope that Kay will be back soon. We hang up and I look at Ringo with a sad expression. He tries to force a smile and rubs my back in a comforting manner.
"I hate drama." I mutter, looking down at the floor with a pout.
He sighs, pulling me onto his lap and kisses my hair. "I know, petal. I know…"
We sit there in silence, letting the depressing atmosphere drink us up. This is terrible! My best friend is out there and I'm not being very useful moping about. But I can't really do anything, can I? It's not necessarily my problem…
Ringo taps my shoulder, getting my attention. "C'mon," he says, moving me onto my feet and taking my hand. "I hate seein' ye' all upset, petal." He leads me out of the room, down the hall and to the parlour. I gloomily follow without paying attention to my feet, not really caring where he takes me.
And then I trip, causing a very squeaky, unusually high pitched noise to pop out of my mouth, which hardly ever happens.
Well crap.
Ringo starts laughing goofily, looking at me with a surprised amused expression. "Did you just… eep?" he asks, a teasing look in his blue eyes as he helps me up.
I'm blushing, clearly embarrassed, as I fix myself up from my fall and smile at him like an idiot. "Y-yeah…" I say, feeling totally stupid. "Don't you eep when you fear for your life?" I challenge in defense, crossing my arms.
"Not as cute as you do, love." He winks, making me slap his shoulder with a grin.
MEANWHILE AT THE HARRISON RESIDENCE
George and Sarah spent their morning with a quick cuppa for breaky before springing into action to work on the nursery room. They have big plans for the decorating and Sarah had insisted it would be much more sentimental to her if they did it all by themselves, rather than hiring a carpenter or designer and whatnot. George had heartily agreed with a wide smile.
They're plan is simple: surround the newborn with beautiful psychedelic scenery that has a natural calming effect. A sunrise was in mind for George, with shades of green and flowery meadows. Sarah liked the concept of a natural rainbow-coloured willow tree with little penguins flying in the sunrise coloured sky. George had questioned over the penguins, not really understanding how that was calming or even natural, but Sarah had just smiled and shrugged without a care:
"I like penguins." She explains, handing George his sandwich. They had decided to take a nice lunch break after clearing out the spare bedroom/nursery-to-be. George had used the space for a makeshift music room before.
"But… for a nursery?" He looks at her oddly before smiling at his sandwich, eager to start eating.
"What's wrong with that?" she gives him an incredulous look, pouring herself some coffee. "Penguins are cuddly and nice! And very calming, I daresay!" she giggles at herself for using such a fake Posh accent. They do that sometimes to each other for fun; act proper and high-class just for kicks.
George chuckles and shakes his head at her, taking a large bite out of his beloved sandwich; his favourite lunch item. Sarah is always asked to make them. Sometimes, on the rare occasion of watching the telley, George would randomly look at his fiancée and declare in his thick Scouse accent: "Woman, go make me a sandwich." His face would acquire a serious expression and Sarah would roll her eyes, punch him lightly on the shoulder and go to the kitchen. She would then return with said sandwich, sit casually next to her lover and nibble on the freshly made sandwich. Upon receiving an evil glare of outrage from George, she would then shrug and simply say: "Go make your own sandwich, Harrison."
After that, the hungry George sandwich monster would attack her face.
"I wonder," he says after a moment of eating silence, a curious look about him. "I wonder if the li'l Harrison will like sandwiches, too." He smiles at the thought: His own kid, just like him, eating sandwiches together.
"Definitely," Sarah laughs. "If he's a Harrison, it has to be genetic."
"Or she." George corrects her. He could live with having a daughter, too, of course.
Sarah smiles fondly and rests a hand lightly over her flat stomach, imagining the possibility of her little stranger. "Or she." She agrees with a nod.
MCCARTNEY RESIDENCE
He doesn't understand it. He doesn't understand her! What could he have possibly done now to make her leave again? Paul goes over the previous night's events. Yes, he had pressured Kay to go farther than she usually allowed. Sure, she seemed to have given in, obviously. And when he had woken up, she didn't seem mad or upset about it…
Then what was it this time?
Paul sighs, replacing his Hofner back on its assigned guitar stand. Martha lays next to his chair, looking forlorn and completely under the weather. The Beatle sympathetically pats her head. "This seem familiar to you, yeah? Back to square one, aren't we, girl?"
Martha huffs in agreement, whining sadly.
"I know," Paul slumps his shoulders with defeat. He feels the tears well up again. "I know…"
Truly he feels a bit cheated from last night. Yeah, he got his way and all that jazz, but she did promise more before running off, the little tease… And she certainly didn't look like she was displeased with him then.
McCartney smirks, chuckling a little. "Who would be after all that? I'm Paul McCartney, dammit!"
Suddenly he sobers from that cocky remark. What the hell is he doing, thinking like that, when he could be finding out where the hell his girl went? She could be hurt… lost somewhere… maybe kidnapped in a dark basement of some kind with dark figures up to no good hovering around her-
"Shit, don't think like that, for Christ's sake; yer' scarin' yourself, Macca." But all the same, Paul rushes out of his chair. He whistles at Martha to follow him as he quickly leaves the music room. The sheepdog follows; interested in the sudden urgency her master gives off.
Paul hastily shoves his arms in his jacket sleeves. "C'mon, girl, we're goin' for a nice long walk, alright?" Martha wags her tail at the word "walk." It's one of her favourite words, after all, being a dog. She waits at the door, tail wagging and tongue panting anxiously while Paul checks his hair in the hallway mirror before nodding in approval of his appearance and doing his signature facial expressions, including a women-swooning wink; his personal favourite.
Martha barks sharply, as if to say "hurry up, you conceited bastard!" Paul snaps out of it and fumbles with his jacket buttons, making Martha bark more furiously.
"Alright, alright! I'm comin', you naggin' furry thing!" Paul stomps over to the door in a fussy drama queen-lke fashion and wrenches the front door open. Martha rushes out in a zip, causing Paul to clumsily run after her; the sheepdog's big black nose following the pavement closely.
It's funny how dogs have a keen sense of smell…
Because Martha just found a familiar semi-fresh trail from last night that reeks distinctly of Lennon and future bird.
LENNON RESIDENCE
"Ouch, that's my foot!"
"Sorry, sorry, sorry!"
"It's okay, love! Just relax and let me lead, alright?"
John never thought teaching Kay how to dance would be so much of a challenge. Even a simple waltz seems to be too difficult for her, but John doesn't mind much. She's spending time with him, minus the coffee pot she's so attached to. This is progress for the start of their "new relationship" as he calls it and John likes it very much.
Kay's focus is on their footwork, her eyes glued to the floor. John has to repeatedly tell her to look at him instead, but that only makes her turn red and laugh in embarrassment.
"C'mon now, darlin'," he chuckles at her, stopping the waltz to tilt her chin up again. "Look at me," he says solemnly, "Just me."
"Attention whore." She bursts into giggles again, ruining the moment John tried to set. He rolls his eyes and tries again.
"Think about the music… and think about us…" he lowers his voice, resting his forehead on hers, feeling her nervous breath on his lips. He can just taste the remnants of sweet mint flavoured tea; a flavour Kay's quite fond of.
"What if I-I can't think at all?" Kay looks up at him like a confused child, unaware of what she's supposed to do or where she's supposed to be.
John smirks. "Then that means the Lennon charm is workin' quite superbly, dear." He sneaks a kiss off her tempting lips and grins at her triumphantly.
She rolls her eyes, smacking his shoulder. "I'll let that one slide, mister." she gives him a warning look. "I may not have my coffee pot, but there is a hot tea kettle on the stove, mind you." a teasing smile plays at the corner of her lips.
"Praise Jesus!" John bursts out dramatically, making Kay giggle. He throws his hands up in the air in a hallelujah likeness. "She's finally switched off the cursed black shite!" John hollers to the empty living room with his maniacal voice, making a big ordeal of his announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen, my American lady is now British!" he finishes with a flourish, twirling Kay around and pulling her to his chest, wagging his bushy eyebrows at her. She giggles; squealing as he suddenly picks her up and spins her in the air before setting her back down.
Kay realizes, with a bit of a head rush, that the song playing from the record player in the corner has stopped. "Make yourself useful and put in another record, Lennon." She laughs, pushing him away.
John grins, staggering back. "Any requests, princess?"
"Surprise me." Her smirk is close to his signature one as she crosses her arms, waiting for him to act.
Challenge accepted, John rushes to his vast collection of older records. He flips through familiar names he grew up with, not finding one that stands out, until finally he laughs evilly with victory. Quickly he rushes to the record player with a smirk on his face and sets it up. As the record starts spinning, a loud jazzy tune with a raunchy saxophone intro blares through the living room. He's surprised when his "dance partner" recognizes the song as he turns back to her.
Kay lets out a laugh, caught off guard by his choice of song. I Put a Spell on You is loud, obnoxiously jazzy and rock 'n roll-like and has the air and feel of intense sensuality. The artist who belts this tune out is a husky and seductive voiced black man whose forte is screaming out that rock 'n roll spell of his own.
"Screamin' Jay Hawkins?" she watches him, feeling like an awkward turtle as John approaches her. Grinning slyly, he takes her waist and pulls her closer to him. He starts to lead her through a compelling groove that demands their bodies to stay up-close and personal. Normally, this would be uncomfortable for Kay, but at the moment the crazy overpowering voice of Jay Hawkins has her mind and nerves at a blank. She feels nothing but John Lennon and their dance as he casts a spell on her…
FLOWER
You know those moments in life that make you wish you can manipulate time to make them play over and over, or better yet, make them last longer?
Ringo makes me wish that nearly every day. He makes all the bad things go away; whenever I'm insecure or angry with myself, because I get like that a lot. Everyone does eventually, right? I'm not the only one who hates the way they look; who wishes I had the chance to start over and improve myself, not just actions but appearances, too. Is it vain or selfish to want that chance…?
"No," Ringo tells me whenever I voice that thought. "It's just human nature."
You know, sometimes I think people don't grant this guy enough credit. He may seem small, not just size-wise, but his heart makes up for it so much. And his eyes, of course; those pretty blue ones that sparkle and look so sad most the time…
Not when he smiles, though; they're never sad then. When he smiles they light right up and make everyone else's problematic frowns or expressions go pop and blossom into something actually happy; truly happy.
Yeah. Truly happy.
That's what I always wanted to be like when I would picture myself as an adult, back when I was a kid. I always tried to be happy, strived for it. No, not just happy; truly happy. Everyone wants that, right? And I don't think power, money, possessions or any of that stuff can really give that feeling to me or anyone else. I think… No, I believe people reach that goal, that true happiness, when they find love. Real love and not the fake kind that's physical and full of heartbreaking loopholes and eventual discontent, but real love that's binding, free and plays by its own rules.
Real love defies humanity's wants and desires.
And, you know what? I think I've reached that for the first time in my sorrow filled life. Believe it, I really think I have. No one else can say that for me.
Well, actually…
No one but Ringo and that's because he's my other flame; my whole purpose of true happiness. And, quite honestly, I'd rather have it this way than any other. I'd rather have him, no one else, to vouch for me and my true happiness than anyone else. And I mean that.
Something pulls my attention back down to earth and suddenly I see Ringo himself, the apple of my thoughts, right in front of me. We're sitting on the living room couch together, supposedly watching the evening world news on the black and white television set. He says something, but I don't hear him because I'm so focused on his eyes, that adorable nose and those amazingly soft lips that I can kiss whenever I want to instead of a stupid poster like I always did back in 2011…
And just like a mind reader, I see those happy eyes change into knowing ones and just like in slow motion I watch him lean in closer toward me; hear his soft low chuckle in my ear as he whispers his love for me… And feel his lips press against mine as he claims me for himself and only himself.
"Mine," his baritone voice growls, just like how the lion sounded in my dream. I can't help but smile, proud to know that I'm the only one he wants, his only love; his Forever Love he had asked me to be when he proposed. And his forever love I shall truly happily be.
(: Flower, I hope you enjoyed that.
