What Is Life? - A George Harrison FanFic

Chapter 14

The next morning after sleeping in a little longer than normal, George and I got up and ready for our drive to the city.

"I was wrong to shut you out these past few weeks," he apologized to me, "I don't want you to feel trapped in this marriage after only months together."

"I assure you that I don't feel trapped," I shook my head, "but we are now moving in a positive direction and for that I am grateful."

During our drive we talked more than we had in weeks. Even more than the night before and I remembered why I fell in love with him. He is kind, funny, witty, and wise beyond his years. He also has a charm that just pulls me in, and I get lost into his eyes. That's all in addition to him being a talented musician.

When we were 15 minutes outside London I finally asked what exactly we were doing today.

"Well, you are going to get to hear the album. We are going to go over the final mixes and do some fine tuning. The guys will want to go party and celebrate once it's officially done, I am sure but we can do something different... alone."

"So the album is done?" I was surprised he hadn't told me yet, that was a big deal. I suddenly caught myself getting upset.

"I have been working so hard on it, harder than you could imagine," he held my hand as he drove, "to have something to show you. A finished product to prove to you that this life with me is worth it for you."

"George," I said shaking my head, "you could give all of this up and I will always want to be your wife. I didn't fall in love with George Harrison the Beatle. I fell in love with just George...who you are as a person, I didn't even know your last name."

I felt his hand squeeze mine as he remembered our first meeting and then we rode in a happy silence the rest of the way.

As George led me into the familiar space of the studio, where I had been with him and the guys a few times before, I took my place in the corner of the room and George stood there and laughed before taking my hand and pulling me back up.

"Come with me," he said and we walked into a hallway and down to a back room.

There I saw the costumes I had made for the guys a few months ago. All hung up and waiting to be worn. I looked at George and smiled as I thought back to the day I made them. I barely knew the Beatles yet and I was frustrated with them for not being there to help me or give me ideas. I had to just go with my gut and hope they wouldn't laugh at what I had created.

I touched the fabric on the one that George was to wear and closed my eyes. I remembered how I had told Darry about the idea on a long distance call to America before the devastating accident. He never got to see the finished product but he said whatever I had created he was sure would look amazing.

George let me have my moment and then hugged me tight. I was never going to fully be over missing Darry, but having my husband was the comfort I needed most.

"If the album is done..." I said looking at him and composing myself, "That means these are going to be worn soon?"

"Yes," he said simply, "Maybe today? I was thinking... I will run it past the guys but.. you should photograph us in them for the album cover."

My heart skipped a beat. I loved photography and haven't been able to hone in my craft as of late but I wasn't ever going to be as good as the famous photographers that would die to be able to take their photos. Photographers like the great Irwin Parker himself.

"I couldn't possibly," I said in response, and he ignored my dismissal and led me back out to the studio room. He sat me down in the chair beside him, making sure I didn't return to the corner.

"John made the rule that wives sit over there because Cynthia would be all over him when we first used to record. She never left him alone and he couldn't play his instruments," he nodded at the chairs in the corner, "personally, I want you in my lap while I play my guitar."

Knowing he wasn't serious I rolled my eyes and he kissed me gently. Then he picked up his guitar and began to play a tune that I hadn't heard. It was a new song he wrote on the album. He then serenaded me a bit and we kissed a bit more and then the guys slowly started shuffling in.

"Lauren Woods," Paul had exclaimed, "good to see you darling."

Then Ringo walked in with their music producer and then Brian was standing in the doorway and greeted me kindly as well.

"Just waiting on John," George looked around and asked "is he coming?"

"If he's not here in an hour then we know Cynthia has murdered him," Ringo said and the men all burst into laughter. I felt uncomfortable. George could sense it and spoke to the group about his idea in order to change the subject.

He told them all of his idea to have me take their photographs in color for the album. They had already planned on doing this but didn't decide on who would do it or when. At the tail end of the conversation with everyone, John walked in looking upset but quickly joined in on the excitement for getting the album artwork done.

The very second that George brought up his idea to have me work for them once again, the vote was unanimous and I was again "hired."

"Can we just get it done today, then?" Paul asked. I could tell they were all dying to have it be done and out to the world.

"If the costumes are here, we are all now here and our new photographer is here..." Brian looked around the room then at me, "then lets do it."

I looked at George who smiled at me and winked. I don't know if he had planned this or not but I was happy to be here with them today and I was glad he trusted me to do this for them.

I then averted my gaze back at John who I now looked at in a different light. I didn't want to be his friend. I wanted to tell him what I thought of him but knew it wasn't worth it to do so.

"Let's do it," I said excitedly.

They were going to be using the designs I had made for their album and wearing the colorful uniforms that I stitched together and I would be getting credit for it on the album as Lauren Harrison instead of with my maiden name that I go by in the modeling world. They were very proud of how I had helped move them in the direction that it took them, but George seemed most proud.

"But first," Ringo then chimed in, "let's go listen to the album."

.....

After listening to the way the album came out they only decided on changing two arrangements. Paul was the one deciding on what needed to be changed and everyone was in agreement. I stayed in the booth with Brian and their producer while the guys finished up and then we played the new takes back.

George held me in his arms as we sat and listened. I was amazed at how great they were as a band. This was going to be their best album to date, an alter ego group named "Sargent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

I was listening for the sound of my husband's guitar the entire time that we listened. He masterfully executed each strum and I was in awe of him.

"I'm glad you're here, Lauren," Brian said as everyone started to disperse around the studio to work on different projects once the mixes were final.

"Oh for the photo shoot?" I asked him as I tried to stand up and George held me tighter in his lap as if to not let me.

"No, for George," he said in response, "he's happier when you're around him."

"Isn't my wife the most beautiful woman on this planet?" George then asked him and made me smile to which Brian ignored him and started to walk away.

"I will not answer that," Brian said before returning to his work. He was taking care of things for me for the shoot, including getting me a camera.

"Oh come on!" George called after him, "but I already know the answer, so it's okay, don't answer it."

He kissed me gently and then grabbed a cigarette and so I stood up. This time he let me. I was used to being around cigarettes as it was commonplace for musicians, and most people in general, but I absolutely hated being directly near a lit cigarette.

"Sorry hun," he said about his habit but I knew it was one thing he couldn't stop. I didn't expect that from him, as long as I didn't have to partake.

I went and joined Paul in the other room where he was helping their friend and road manager, Mal, set up a makeshift backdrop for the photo shoot.

"How does this look, Lauren?" Mal asked and I liked it. It was a vibrant yellow fabric that would make the colors of their outfits absolutely pop on camera.

"Who chose this?" I asked in disbelief that I hadn't come up with this idea myself.

"I just saw it over at a shop last week and told Mal to bring it here," Paul said, "it's good isn't it?"

"It is amazing. You have an eye for style, Mr. Paul McCartney," I nodded in approval.

"So what brought you to the studio today?" He asked me as Mal walked away and left us alone to talk. It's been a while since I have had a chance to talk to Paul alone.

"Not thinking I was going to be working for you again," I admitted.

"Oh, no?" He then asked, "I mean if I'm being honest George seems a lot better today than he has been. We all know he is taking being married very seriously and since we all know you, we know why."

"And why is that?" I asked. Paul obviously was unaware that things weren't always like a fairytale with George and I.

"Well to start, you are beautiful," Paul said "But other than that, you don't like us all for who we are as the Beatles, you like us for who we are as Paul, John, Ringo and George. And George is the lucky one who gets to have you to go home to each night."

"I don't necessarily like John right now," I admitted to him.

"So you know then?" He asked, "I don't blame you for being upset with him, but you have to understand that he feels trapped in his marriage. Its hard to judge that when you are happily married and do not know the feeling."

I nodded, "I trust George but can you promise me that you'd tell me if he was ever unfaithful. I know you guys have a code between you, but..."

"George is never going to be unfaithful to you, Lauren Woods. He's absolutely crazy head over heels for you, all he does is write love songs. I have to yell at him to think of something, anything else but you for a change."

I smiled at that. I felt like I was a part of this Beatle family again.

"As for John," Paul said, "he's my friend and I love him. I love Julian and I care for Cynthia and he deserves to be disliked for what he's done but he's fallen out of love with her and there's no saving that. He doesn't want to save it."

It was a breath of fresh air hearing Paul's take on the affair. He opened my eyes further to what George goes through surrounded by the other guys all the time.

Everyone had their own vices and virtues to either withhold or uphold.