Time After Time

Chapter 20: Since I Don't Have You

The next day began sprinkling. Little droplets of water streamed down the windows of John's Kenwood home, becoming larger and falling frequently. The sprinkling turned into a severe downpour with clouds appearing darker with each passing minute. A flash of lightning spooked Paul as he stared out the window, almost dropping the cup of tea in his hands.

"Well, nice day to write I suppose," he said as his eyes stayed on the rain outside.

The sound of thunder echoed through the area as another lightning bolt split through the sky. With a cigarette hanging from the edge of his lips, George joined him by the window, plopping both hands in his pockets, "Don't jinx it, ya know. Last time you wished for rain it poured for a bloody week."

"Fancy that," John's snuck up from behind, startling the both of them, "I'm away from the both of ya for two minutes and all you can gab 'bout is the bloody weather?" John exhaled a puff of smoke, "Come 'ead, we'll be back in America soon enough and you can enjoy your sun, Geo."

George smirked, "It's not Miami, though," he sulked, scrunching his nose and making a face at both of them.

"Speakin' of the tour," Paul began, "Ya think Lace will join us again? She's still out."

John shrugged his shoulders, still uncomfortable about waking the woman still unconscious in his guest bedroom, "Eppy said he'd like her to, but can't speak for the asleep and mute."

A sly smile formed on George's face, "Well if you won't wake her, I'll go do it."

Paul chuckled, "Yeah, she's always gettin' on us when we spot a kip so how 'bout it?"

"Must I remind ya how narky she is in the mornin'?" He tried to convince them but it was too late. Paul and George already strolled into the guest bedroom, finally meeting their eyes on Lacey.

There she was, still lying in bed with a bandage wrapped around her head appearing to be in a complete and blissful sleep - a sleep that Paul and George wanted to wake her from.

"Poor Lace," Paul mumbled as he frowned, "Wonder what happened."

John placed his hands in his pockets, standing as his eyes gazed upon her. As Paul and George kept conversing, all he could think about was Lauren. That's all his mind thought about every time his eyes came upon the beauty. To him, it didn't seem fair that time was fiddling with his emotions. He would be completely content with Lacey and their complicated situation. It wasn't going anywhere before and deep in his heart, he realized it wouldn't work out in the end. Instead, the universe threw him a curve, taking him someplace entirely different, allowing him to fall in unconditional and utter love with Lauren then immediately tearing him away from her.

Voices. The three voices in the room gently stirred her, unaware of who they truly belonged to. In her mind, there was some familiarity with them but was still unsure. Her body felt fully relaxed but the voices were beginning to wake her, coming to the realization of some discomfort on her forehead.

"Ay, she's comin' to," George whispered after seeing the small crease forging on her eyelids.

John gently sat on the edge of the bed next to her legs, rubbing them, "Lace, time to get up, love."

Then, there was a familiar voice. Still, with her eyes closed, she instantly identified this voice but still had doubts. Perhaps she was still dreaming since the last thing her thoughts were tied to John. But who did the other voices belong to?

Finally, with all her will and might, she forced her eyes open, blinking a few times to regain her focus but after a minute of adapting to the lighting in the room, her eyes unexpectedly met with the three very familiar ones gawking at her, curiously.