Times like these

Chapter 4

Paul woke up the next day at 11:15, John wasn't in bed. "John..?"

"In here!" John called from the living room.

Paul got out of bed, just in his boxers and padded across the cold floor. "Mm somethin' smells great.."

John kissed Paul's cheek and smiled. "Made you lunch. I thought you should sleep in some." John handed Paul a plate with a nice grilled cheese and some crisps on it.

Paul smiled back and took it, sitting down with his husband. "Thank you, Johnny." Paul nibbled on the sandwich.

"We should go boatin'. Today." John threw his arm around Paul's shoulders.

"really? That sounds like a lovely idea, let me finish then get dressed and we can." Paul hurriedly ate and hopped up running to their room to change. As soon as he stepped over the threshold and closed the door John picked up the phone, dialing a number he hadn't thought about for a long time.

The line rang four times then clicked, "hello?"

"..hey, Julian..I know you're mad at me, but this is about Paul." There was a sigh.

"Alright talk."

John carefully explained the situation, to the best of his ability with his voice shaking and set up a time to have Julian fly out. Paul stepped out of the bedroom. "Oh I have to go, see ya'." He hung up.

"Who was that?"

"Uh the doctor, set up a follow up appointment." John watched the smile fade from Paul's face, he'd forgotten momentarily. "Hey let's forget about that today, lets go boatin' c'mon, Princess!"
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They both went down to the lake, grabbing a jacket each, John bought them a peddle boat, and helped Paul in.

"This is peaceful yeah?" John looked lovingly at his husband.

"Sure is." Paul smiled back and John started peddling. Paul peddled with him but stopped and made a face.

"Headache?" John started to give him pills.

"N-no no, my...leg is numb.."

John paused. This was..new. "Can you..move it?"

"..I think. It just feels weird.." Paul slowly picked up the peddling and they started moving again.

'I have to call the doctor.' The two spent the next few hours peddling around the peaceful lake, talking, laughing, and worrying silently to themselves. The lady running the boat stand gave a signal and they started heading back. "Sorry we ran over." She nodded understandingly.

John got out and helped pick Paul out. "Thank you, John." His leg had returned to feeling but still had pins and needles as if it had been asleep.
They headed back to their house. "John when was that doctors appointment you had set up?"

John cursed to himself. "..I Uh forgot."

Paul chuckled. "You better call back then."

"I will I will!" John sat on the couch and called the doctor, Paul going into the kitchen to start a pot of tea. "Hello dr.Robert (yup that's a Beatles ref oops)"

"Ah hello John, I assume this is about scheduling an appointment?"

"It is. When's the nearest time?"

"About tomorrow at 4?"

"Sounds good. See you then." John put the phone down and sighed. "Four! Tomorrow!"

Paul yelled back from the kitchen. "okay!"
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After recording the morning away, it was four o'clock. "Ready to go?" John stood and put his guitar on the stand.

Paul stood and collapsed on one knee. "A-ah.."

John went to him immediately and helped him up. "Paul!"

"..my leg is weak..." Paul looked up at John and held onto his arm tight.

"All the more reason to go, c'mon." John escorted him to the car and drove to the hospital.

Once there, Paul was wheeled in and they both approached the front desk. Allison looked up. "Hello John, hello Paul!" She leaned over the desk and smiled at them.

"Hello Allison." Paul smiled back and John did as well.

"You don't have to fill out any paperwork, he's ready for you." She pointed them towards the door and they went through.
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The doctor came in and smiled. "Hello. We're just going to do a check up, and I'll go over the symptoms and treatment options."

Paul looked up. "I don't want treatment."

They both looked at him. "..wh-Paul..you-.." He put a hand in John's.

"I don't want treatment, John. If this is fate then it has to happen. You've said that yourself." He looked at the doctor. "What are the symptoms please."

John stood still, not believing as the doctor went over them. "Headaches as you know, dizziness, coordination problems, weakness of the arms and legs, muscle weakne-"

"Will I be able to play the guitar."

"Yes, but it will get more difficult..shall I go on?" Paul nodded. "Ok, difficulty walking, reduced sensation of touch or pins and needles, difficulty speaking or impaired voice, mental confusion, changes in vision, sleepiness."

"That it?" John spoke up.

"Yes. Have you experienced any of these lately mr.McCartney?"

"Yeah, the pins and needles, and my legs weak right now. S'why I'm sittin' in this thing." He patted the chair.

"Well these are fairly early symptoms so..you have nothing more to worry about. Could I at least prescribe you some medication to slow the symptoms?"

"Yes, yes do it." John squeezed Paul's shoulder.
The doctor gave them the medicine and sent them home.
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"John I-" John's grip tightened on the wheel and he shut up.

"How could-..P-.." John was tearing up, he wiped his eyes with one hand and turned into the driveway.

"I'm sorry..I just don't want to deal with..being sicker than I am. C'mere." Paul got out and went to John's side of the car, opening the door and holding him close. "Shhh...I'm here Johnny."

John held onto him close, his breakdown was coming, one of many. "I-I..l-love y-yo-u.." 

"I love you too, John." Paul kissed the top of his head and got them inside.

Kinda short, but it's been awhile so at least it's something. Very sorry for the wait I've been quite busy.