What Is Life? - A George Harrison FanFic

Chapter 21

When I woke up in the morning George was reading a story to Heather in the living room. Linda was sound asleep in her room and George must have gotten up to make sure Heather was okay while her mother slept.

I instinctively touched my stomach. I could feel myself growing with our unborn child and I was very happy to be able to have George as the father of this child.

He winked at me when he saw me walk into the room and I sat with them. This felt like a small test as to how we would be as parents and in my book George was passing with flying colors.

Heather then ran off playing with her small toys and I hugged George tightly.

"Do you think we're having a boy or a girl?" He touched my stomach gently.

"I wanted a boy, for you..." I started and then looked at Heather, "...but now I want us to have a girl."

"I would protect that little girl" he promised me.

"I don't doubt that," I smiled at him and then got up to begin to cook some breakfast for us and our guests.

George stayed in the living room and played the guitar for Heather and she was the happiest little thing.

When breakfast was ready a very tired Linda walked into the kitchen and offered to help me finish or set the table.

"Tell me what has gotten you so tired this morning," I pressed the subject so she could spill the beans on her long night with Paul.

"Lauren," she smiled at me and thought back on her night, "He is just wonderful. I didn't know he would be so delightful. We just didn't want to stop talking."

"Linda," I responded, "I fell in love with George pretty fast and it worked out for us but I know Paul and I don't want you to rush into things."

"We were just talking," she smiled at me as her daughter came running into the kitchen and into her arms.

George then walked in and Linda thanked him for spending time with Heather and watching her while she slept.

"What's planned for the day?" George asked us kindly.

"We could show Linda around London," I suggested, "and we need to call Brian about doing a photo shoot."

"I was thinking we could go visit Ringo and Maureen," George said, "Linda can meet her 4th Beatle and I have some business to discuss with him."

"Well that sounds fine," she said happily.

"Did Paul return home to London?" I asked both of them figuring they would know more than I.

"Yes." They both said in unison.

It was starting to be scary how close we all were. It was like Linda was a part of our family unit rather than being a good friend. I didn't mind this, I was happy to have a friend like her in my life.

In the days following our return home George slowly returned to his meditations and grounding himself to the earth by working on the Garden outside of our home.

I returned to working on my designs in my home studio and Linda and Heather did a lot of their own thing, with George or I watching Heather when Linda went out on photography jobs. Linda also took photographs all around our home and our property and had plenty of visits from Paul.

....

It was now early September and I am looking very pregnant. The press has photographed me and ran the story that we were expecting and we've luckily been supported by most of our fans which is not what I expected.

After some thought to whether it was a good idea or not, I went to London to do some shopping by myself and felt like I could handle it. George had insisted on coming with or sending someone to be my body guard but I promised him I would be fine and he stayed back to work on his music.

Linda was working in a makeshift photo studio in our guest house and I didn't want to bother her either.

As soon as I got to the city I felt overwhelmed and I didn't know what to do. I was far away from my husband, who was my comfort. I couldn't explain this feeling that came over me. It was probably being pregnant and realizing I might get spotted and not be able to protect myself from fans.

I drove to Brian Epstein's office, a place I once knew very well. After I parked the car I went inside to find Paul sitting in the lobby reading a newspaper. I wondered how often he spent his time trying to be working rather than at home.

"Lauren?" He sat up and put his paper down, caught off guard by my presence there.

I began to sob uncontrollably, I was very emotional for no reason and probably scared him a little bit.

"Darling," he said now getting up to put his arm around me, "what is wrong?"

"To start you just called me Lauren and not Lauren Woods," I said looking at him through tears and he laughed.

"I know that isn't what's making you cry, but Lauren Woods, dear..." he said "has George done something wrong?"

"No." I shook my head.

"Then what is it?" He sat up straight, "What are you doing in London?"

"I feel overwhelmed," I admitted to him, "I came to do some shopping and changed my mind. I can't go anywhere or do anything for fear of being trampled."

"You don't think a disguise will work?" He made a suggestion and I thought about how the guys had worn the most ridiculous disguises to hide from their fans over the past year that I've known them.

I laughed through my tears.

"Come on, Ms Lauren Woods," Paul stood up and grabbed my hand. He led me into a back room that had tons of outfits and costumes and some fabric that I had left here many months ago.

"Make me something too," he winked at me and left me to put something together, "I'm going to go make a few phone calls."

I had no idea what he had in mind but I was now so glad that I stopped by and found him here.