Chapter 11: LOVE

It turns out that Paul's Dad and Brother are very fond of me, and that they think that I'd be perfect for Paul. I can't help but get excited at the thought of that.

Some more big news is that George Martin wants to produce them, and they are talking about some plans they want to make. Paul's super excited by all of this, being the natural showman he is, and as his girlfriend, I have to encourage all of this. It's not really a problem, because I do encourage everything he does, but a thought does worry me.

I haven't been going to school lately because Paul wants to be around me more. And I'm almost certain that I'm going to end up spending the rest of my life with this boy, so I trust that he knows what he's doing on means of money.

I sure hope that he thinks that I'm the one for him as well. His family sure does.

"Paul… wait up…" I pant, running after him up the hill.

His long legs pay off when he runs.

He turns around and looks at me with his big doe-eyes.

"We can't be late for John and Cyn's wedding though!" He pants, taking quick breaths. He runs down the hill and picks me up, making my red airy dress dance in the air by my ankles.

I put my arms around his neck and he runs up the hill, down the other side, and into town. Only a perfect boyfriend would do that.

He sets me down once we get to the doorstep and I give him a big kiss in return for running me over, promising that I'll give him a little more later.

We walk in and see everybody standing there in the lobby, looking back at us.

"Hey guys, sorry if we're a little late. We lost track of time. I look up at Paul with his windswept hair and realize that he even looks cute when he isn't looking his best. (If that's possible for him to look less than adorable)

John and Cyn are standing hand in hand, looking like they were truly meant to be. John's wearing his Buddy Holly glasses that he wore when I first met him and a tuxedo, which makes him look sophisticated. Not like the John we know and love.

Cynthia's blonde hair is pulled up into a pretty bun and she's wearing a plain little white dress. Nothing fancy, just something to get the job done.

I smile at John, who looks tense and nervous. George pats him on the back in encouragement, but he still looks uneasy.

"You guys are getting married on a great day outside…" Paul says, trying to break the ice once more.

Then, strangely, as if by magic, a loud thunderclap shakes the ground followed by a big bolt of lightning and the sound of a million raindrops on the roof echoes outside. It goes silent inside the building, and then everyone starts laughing.

We walk over to the desk, and watch as the little ceremony happens. They say their vows, sign a few papers, and then kiss.

Paul, George, Ringo, Mo and I all cheer, but the adults remain silent.

Paul leans in to me.

"It kinda makes you long for the real thing, doesn't it?"

I nod slowly, turning to look up at Paul so our lips are a few centimeters away. "Yeah, it does."

After talking a little bit inside, hoping that the rain stops, we decide that we're going to run to the bar across the street for a few drinks.

Brian has to leave; he has some group to manage. George also decides to leave, seeing as he's the only one without a girlfriend. Brilliant.

John picks Cynthia up and grins at us.

"We gotta get over there somehow."

Paul thinks a second, and then picks me up in his arms the same way John's doing to Cynthia. Ringo does the same with Mo.

"We run across on the count of four," Paul says, his eyes sparkling.

"What!" Cyn, Mo and I yell at the same time, trying to wriggle out of our boyfriend's (and husband's) grip.

"One… two… three… FOUR!" He yells, and we're suddenly off into the rain, across the street with cars honking at us and into the bar, dripping wet.

I'm about to yell at them when Paul gives me a long kiss. He releases me, and we just stand there in the middle of the bar giggling.

"It's been a strange day, huh Stella?" Paul asks, taking a gulp of his drink.

"Yeah, it has. It's kind of strange to think that John's married now."

"I know what you mean. I guess I've never really put much thought into John getting married. I've always seen him as one of those crazy guys who go to parties and sleep with other women, you know, the life of the party. I'm not saying he won't sleep with other women in his life… he's John. What do we expect? I know Cynthia sees that coming as well." I take a sip out of my glass and set it down.

"Would you do something like that?"

Paul turns his stool to face me. "Now why on earth would I cheat on a girl like you? You're the kind of girl I would cheat with. There's not a reason on earth that I would do such a thing to you."

I give a little smile and run a finger along the rim of my glass.

"Hey Stella?" Paul asks, looking down into his drink.

"Yeah Paulie," I say.

"Have you ever thought about marriage?" He says, his voice hardly coming out.

I twist my stool to face him. His eyes sparkle. His delicate lips form a smile. His hair is matted down onto his forehead from the rain, and it makes him look so pathetic, I think I could kiss him forever.

"I guess I have. Why?"

He shrugs and looks into my eyes. Neither of us say anything for a moment.

"You have beautiful eyes. Have I told you that?" He asks, in a bouncy way.

He has told me that. Millions of times.

"Thousands." I say, smiling. His lips part so that you can see his crooked teeth when he smiles.

"Well you do."

I giggle.

"Not as beautiful as yours are," I smile. "Have I told you that?"

He looks down into his lap.

"Thousands."

I don't know how other people feel when they're in love. Sure, I've thought I've been in love before. And was I? No. Not even close. It's a joke to think that now. But whenever I was with the other boys, it didn't feel like that. It didn't click. I didn't have any real connections with them. But Paul's different. Different than all the boys I've known. He has his own charm. His own personality. His own endless love to give. And that's what I've been looking for all these years.