Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 23 part 3: Hope

"She pestered him a lot," John said aloud to everyone whilst taking a drag of his cigarette. "Like a broken record." He chuckled.

"Clingy too," George added, taking a swig of whiskey.

"Don't worry," Paul said to an extremely worried Susan. "You're by far an improvement." He smiled and turned away leaving Susan feeling even worse than before.

"I hardly think I'm more improved than anyone," Susan responded. "I've got just as many flaws as she has."

"Take it from us, dear." John turned to her, waving his ciggie around as he spoke. "If there were to be a contest deciding who the most suited woman for Ringo Starr was." He took a drag. "You'd be the victor."

"Complete landslide." George agreed.

"Without a doubt." Paul winked.

"For now anyway," Lennon mumbled to himself and took another drag.

Within the next moment, the door opened, turning everyone's head in its direction. With the impression that it was Ringo returning from his business with Maureen, they were surprising met with Eppy instead.

"Ringo back yet?" He asked at the door, obviously in no intention to stay for a drink. The boys shook their head whilst John chuckled to himself. It seemed almost a joke to him. Eppy sighed and shut the door.

Susan couldn't help but feel but imagine a made up Ringo and Maureen back in love. She looked down, her jelly legs making their debut. She glanced at Barbara who had already seen her situation and gave her a sincere nod.

"Be back in a sec." Susan stood up and made her way to the door.

"Where-" Before Barbara could finish her sentence, Susan was already gone. She sighed and picked up a glass. Tonight was going to be a long one.

Susan rushed into the hotel room and threw herself under the bed covers. She couldn't bear to wait in that room with Ringo's closest friends like a sad widow. "I must have looked so stupid." she thought to herself.

What seemed like hours but was probably only half, there was a slow knock at the door.

"I don't wanna hear it Barbs!" Susan yelled from under the covers.

"Susan..." Susan froze. She recognised that voice anywhere, even with its mournful tone. Was she right though? "Can I come in?"

The door opened as Susan rose from the covers, her eyes slowly adjusting to the light. Her gaze fell on the Beatle, his expression a little too sombre for Susan's liking.

"Where's Maureen?" Susan started, knowing one of them had to say something at some point.

"Gone." He answered, throwing Susan into a state of confusion.

She raised her eyebrow. "Gone?"

"She's at a hotel close to this one." He nodded. "She's leaving soon though."

"So not gone then." She smiled half-heartedly.

"We're finished, Susan." His eyes burned into hers, never daring otherwise. "Maureen and I. It's over."

Susan just looked at him. What was she supposed to say? Yes, she was pleased. Of course, she was, this was a good thing for her but. She couldn't help feeling bad for Maureen.

"And?"

Ringo moved closer and sat at the end of the bed. He was desperate to touch her but he knew he couldn't. It only made the feeling worse. "And, we can finally be together!" He burst. "Me and you, at last. No more waiting." His smile was too much for Susan. She had fallen for that smile too many times and this time was no different.

She smiled back, although it was not as genuine as Ringo's which he saw in an instant. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She took a quick breath and met his eyes, a smile on show.

"I'm a fool." He said. "I know when something bothers you." She laughed at his words. "What is it?"

Slowly, her laugh became more desperate and forced. She stopped and swallowed down her anxiety, as much as she could anyway.

"I just..." She trailed off, trying to think of the words. "I could see you and her in my head." Her eyes fell to the bed. "Together." Taking a hard breath, she blinked at least 5 times in a second. "And while I was here, waiting. You were falling back in love with her."

Ringo felt his heartache as she revealed her emotions. He had never expected her to feel so forgettable in his whole time of knowing her. "Susan..." He budged up closer until his arm was gently nudging her and locked her hand in his.

"I love you." He professed. "I. Love. You. No one else." Although having her hand in his, Susan found it challenging to look at him. She couldn't even figure out why. "Look at me," Ringo said, catching on to this. "Look at me." He said a little forcefully. Susan took a moment and turned her head, her eyes slowly looking up to his. "I love you." Her eyes were beginning to well up and her lips morphed into a relieved smile. Like she was sad and happy at the same time. "Go on, tell me what I just said." She looked at him. "Go on tell me."

"You said you love me." She answered helplessly.

"Susan Wright." Ringo took her hand and moved it slowly up his chest, holding it firmly against his heart. "You have my heart." He breathed, now on the verge of tears himself. "You have me. And as long as I am breathing, you will always have me."

"Richard Starkey." Susan cooed through the tears. "I love you." She sobbed.

Taking her into his arms, the two laid back on the bed and snogged each other to death. Ripping off each other's clothes were the least of their problems as Ringo's shirt was left torn on the floor as collateral damage. It was safe to say the night as well as all the rest of them were going to be filled with moments like these and hopefully even more.

Hopefully.