Yesterday - Now Complete

Part 13

Annie awoke suddenly, not sure what had disturbed her. She lay in the early morning light, considering the bombshell the doctor had given her several days ago. A baby was growing inside her...Anthony's baby. The doctor had warned her that after the trauma of the accident and the drugs she had needed, there was a higher than usual risk of miscarriage, but Annie felt at peace with herself. She stroked her still flat stomach and knew that her and Tony's baby would be fine. Happier now, she fell asleep again.

She woke later to find her mother by her bed. 

"Morning love. How are you? You look so much brighter today!"

She gave her mum a warm smile. "I'm feeling better mum. I know things will be OK again."

Her mother looked pleased at her improvement. After spending a few hours with her daughter she left. Annie was left alone with her thoughts, no longer as bleak and black as she'd been immediately after the accident. There was a gentle knock on the door.

"Come in." She called, expecting a nurse or doctor.

The door opened.

"Hi Annie. Is it alright for me me to be here?"

"Paul!" She shuffled her position so that she was sat up more, "You're the last person I expected to see!" She smiled at him.

"I've been wanting to come and see you since reading about the accident in the paper...." He paused. "I'm really sorry about Anthony... I know we never met but it was obvious from photo's of you both together that you loved each other very much."

"Thank you." Annie replied quietly, "We were happy but..." She shrugged and stopped. "Anyway, how are you?"

"Me? I'm good thanks."

"So what are you and the lads up to these days?"

Paul held her gaze for a moment. "Do you really want to know or do you want me not to talk about Anthony?"

Annie felt tears roll down her face. "I'm ...I'm sorry. I can't ...h..h...help it! Oh Paul, it's my fault Tony died! All my fault!" She broke down completely.

"Hey Annie, it was an accident! Nobody could have predicted it! Nobody! It wasn't your fault!"

She continued to sob. Instinctively he wrapped his arms around her and held her gently, fearful of causing her pain. He soothed her as best he could as she slowly quietened. 

"Hey Annie," he whispered softly, kissing her lightly on the head, "Talk to me. Why would the accident have been your fault?"

Annie lifted her tear stained face to him. 

"Anthony and I, we'd been to see mum and dad for the weekend. I knew the weather forecast was bad but I still insisted in going!" 

"Stay calm," Paul urged, stroking her fingers gently. He wanted to hold her hand but because of the plaster casts, he wasn't able. "So what happened?"

She took a huge sigh. "We were almost home. It had started snowing again but the roads, they were quiet and fairly clear! A bus was coming in the opposite direction but it started... it started to s..sk..skid..." She began sobbing again. "It hit us! Poor Tony was crushed and died instantly!"

"That wasn't your fault Annie! A freak accident, nothing more!"

"But if we hadn't gone to see mum and dad..."

"NO ANNIE! It was an accident! A terrible accident. YOU are not to blame!"

"You think?"

He nodded. "Totally! What you're doing is feeling guilty that you survived. It wasn't your fault. Survivors guilt is common."

She looked surprised. "How do you know this?"

He smiled softly. "Remember the last time we met at Abbey Road? We talked then just before you left you told me to get help?"

She nodded.

"Well I did. I learnt a lot about myself and about how humans think!" He gave her a hug, "So listen to me. I'm an expert in these things now!"

Despite her sadness, she laughed and leaned against him, glad he was there with her. They talked for a while longer then Annie began to yawn. 

"I'll go." said Paul.

"No!"

"Annie, you're exhausted. You need to rest!"

She stifled another yawn

"See what I mean!" He began quiet again, "Thank you for letting me come to  see you Annie. I'm glad you're on the mend."

"Thanks Paul."

He gave her a kiss on her forehead.

"Bye Annie."

She smiled. "Bye Paul."

He turned to go. 

"Paul!"

"Yes Annie?"

"Will you come and see me again if you have time? Please?"

He looked pleased. "I'd love to. Thanks Annie." Then with a final wave, he left her alone.