Yesterday

Epilogue - 1966

"And what can I get for you to eat, Mrs. McCartney?"

I looked up at our waiter, rubbing my stomach and practically drooling. "I'll have a cheeseburger with fries, and could I get a chocolate shake with that?" The whole table erupted into laughter.

"Go figure," John said, "we go to one of the fanciest restaurants in town and Charlotte orders a cheeseburger."

I stuck my tongue out at him, which only made him laugh harder. Paul put a sympathetic hand on my stomach and looked towards John. "Hey, it's not her fault. Blame the hormones."

"Yeah, blame the hormones!" I echoed. Paul laughed and faced me, his voice becoming a bit lower and more serious. His eyes were full of concern.

"Really though Char, are you okay?"

I threw my hands up in the air. "Well now I can't stop thinking about that chocolate shake!"

Paul laughed and hugged me, or at least attempted to. My stomach was so large that it looked more like an awkward squeeze rather than a hug. Paul's arms rested around me for only a moment before he pulled back in surprise.

"I felt a kick!" he cried, and everyone at the table instantly became interested. I let out a sigh and rolled my eyes.

"Paul, I've been feeling kicks forever, I'm at seven and a half months for crying out loud! You act like every kick is the first kick." But I looked at the expression of pure wonderment and curiosity on his face and I couldn't stay annoyed for long. I smiled at him, taking his hands into mine and placing them more firmly around my big, round stomach. His eyes widened even further.

"Wow, she's really kicking today!"

Cynthia's chair slid back as she made her way around the table and towards my seat.

"Ooh, let me feel!" she squealed, shoving Paul's arms aside and replacing them with her own. I let out a soft chuckle at her excitement.

"Hello in there, little baby girl," she cooed. I laughed even louder.

"Take it easy, Cyn. You're starting to make me feel uncomfortable."

She let out a sigh. "I know, I'm sorry. I just love babies." She glanced up at John with hopeful eyes. He scoffed.

"Cyn, you're crazy if you think we're gonna have another!"

Everyone at the table laughed, including Cynthia, but I noticed her face drop, almost as if what he said had hurt her. I felt so bad for Cynthia -- her and John's relationship seemed to be rather complicated these days.

The Beatles had just released their album Rubber Soul at the end of last year, and they had spent the whole summer touring around Japan and the Philippines. They hadn't exactly had the most pleasant experience, and I had been without Paul for the whole beginning of my pregnancy, so it was definitely good to have him back.

John had just recently returned from his filming of the picture How I Won The War, which was why we happened to be out for dinner. We were to eat and then head over to the premiere. Paul was uneasy about me going out in my condition, but I insisted. I had to be there for John no matter what -- even if my stomach felt as though it were about to burst.

As dinner continued, the pains in my stomach began to be more severe and longer lasting. I tried not to make a big deal out it, because this was John's night and I didn't want to steal the spotlight from him. I think It Paul must have noticed my discomfort, though, because he gradually began to do small things such as rubbing my leg or holding my hand, both things that he knew helped me to relax a little. Eventually, he said something to me about it.