Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 29 pt 3: Shine

The day finally came for everyone to go home back to England. New York had been amazing, Miami had been amazing and the whole trip had been more than a success.

Susan double-checked her suitcase to make sure everything was packed and looked around the room to be safe. Exhaling softly, she zipped up the suitcase and felt a pair of arms wrap around her. She smiled and leaned back onto her fiancé's shoulder.

"Hmm, you smell nice," Ringo whispered and kissed her neck. Susan relished in his touch and met his eyes, averting his attention from her neck to her lips.

"You don't." She said and met him in a long kiss. Turning around, Susan slivered her hand around his neck and deepened the touch.

"Rings, Sues, we're leaving!" Shouted George from outside. "There's a restroom on the plane if you're desperate."

"Right, coming," Ringo said back.

Susan giggled embarrassedly and bit gently on her finger. "Do you think he heard?" She whispered with a small smile.

"I don't fucking care." He grinned and leaned in for another snog which Susan was more than happy to receive.

***

Getting to the airport was more stressful than it ever had to be. But, how could anyone complain? These four boys were superstars now more or less.

The press was all over them like moths to a flame but this time, the girls were with them so there was no way they could get lost again.

Ringo, to the disapproval of Epstein, held Susan's hand the whole way to the plane. It wasn't that Eppy didn't approve of their engagement, in fact, he was delighted, but he didn't want the press to catch on to anything. Not without a planned announcement. The papers were sure to want an interview.

With the wind coming in, they were leaving at the perfect time. Although, England wasn't any warmer and Miami was a heaven to be missed. Walking up the stairs, the boys all turned to wave goodbye to America with pretty smiles on their faces. They knew they were coming again.

The crowds screamed, some were crying. Some, meaning most. While the others were too hysterical to cry and instead, aggressively waved around their Beatles memorabilia. Susan and the other tagalongs witnessed the madness from their window while the boys waved the crowds away.

A week ago, Susan would smile and admire the crowds. Now, she was terrified. These girls were obsessed with them, infatuated. In their eyes, would her engagement to the Beatle be a good thing? There was obviously a reason for Eppy begging them to keep their relationship a secret.

"Alright?" Ringo smiled as he sat down beside her.

Susan blinked and followed her dazed look with a dazed nod. "Uh - Yeah..."

Ringo smiled and squeezed her hand. "Good." He said.

Of course, Susan knew she wasn't alright. The thoughts of thousands of girls hating her guts wasn't exactly the best thought in the world. And her mother. She was bound to give her hell when she got back. That short response she gave back at the hotel was all for show.

And Mr Anderson. Well, she didn't have to worry about him anymore. She probably wouldn't have to work again. She probably couldn't. Not once the papers got ahold of this story.

"I can't wait to get back." Barbara exhaled opposite her, pouring herself a drink.

Linda turned to her friend, a knowing look on her face. "It's 9 in the morning." Barbara gave her a "do I give a fuck?" Look and took a swig. "Pour me one." She said after.

"Linda." Susan gasped dramatically.

"What? Planes are dreadful." She said. Barbara passed her a full glass with a proud smile in which Linda took a big sip.

Susan noticed Dan laughing in the corner and trying to hide his face by looking out of the window. "What?" She challenged.

"Nothing." He wasn't fooling anybody. "Just, I've never attended a funeral before." Susan rolled her eyes.

"Eh?" Ringo puzzled.

"Oh, It's just mum's gunna kill her when she gets home." Barbara and Dan exchanged a grin.

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Linda said, sticking up for her friend. "Might lose an arm though." She mumbled into her glass.

"If it kicks off." Ringo turned to Susan. "I'll say I forced you."

Susan sighed. "You don't have to say anything. Anyway, it's tough." She said, reaching over and grabbing a glass to pour herself a drink. "I've said yes. I'm not going back now." She gave Ringo a warm smile.

"True love isn't it?" Barbara said with a supportive smile. Susan looked back shyly, meeting Ringo's equally shy gaze.

"What else?" Ringo was about to lean in for a kiss when-

"No!" Dan interrupted, scaring Ringo into submission. "Not in front of me." He stated.

"We had front row seats," Barbara whined.

Dan expressed his ignorance whilst Susan noticed Linda making looks at Paul who was sat with George, John and Cynthia on the other side.

Then, Linda caught Susan catching her and quickly looked down. Susan gave her a knowing look. She wasn't stupid. It had been apparent something was going on between the two. Whether it was just looks or maybe even some kind of attraction. There was something. America really had affected them all.

"Hey," Ringo said, grabbing Susan's attention.

"Hey."

"I just want you to know." He started. "Whatever happens. I'll be there. Whatever it is. Or just whenever you need me."

Susan couldn't handle the sweetness. She felt safe with Ringo. She knew he was the one. "I know you will." She said confidently. "I'll be there for you too."

"You've changed my life." He said, stroking her hand and staring into her eyes. "I can't thank you enough."

"What do you mean?" She asked with a confused laugh. "You've changed mine more than anything."

Ringo remembered what she said in the car all those weeks ago. "You said you'd never been in love." He thought out loud.

Susan nodded. "I hadn't. And this." She laughed. "Has definitely been eventful."

"It's only gunna get worse." He said honestly. "I'm sorry, it just is."

"What do you think?" Susan asked curiously. "Will I be able to handle it?"

Ringo took a sharp breath. "Honestly?"

"You said you didn't hold back." She grinned.

He nodded, remembering the moment in which he said those words. "You'll be amazing." He said. Susan gave him a surprised but pleasant look.

"Okay." She laughed.

"But you will. And you'll shine." He finished.

"I'll hold you on that one." She replied jokingly.

"Fine with me." He smiled. "I love you, Susan."

Susan titled her head, examining his expression. His passionate, contagious smile and his obnoxiously dreamy eyes. "I love you too. Richard Starkey."