Yesterday - Now Complete

Part 21

Paul pulled onto the drive way in Oxford just after 1 pm on the same day as the call from Annie. She ran out to meet him, throwing her arms around him and kissing him madly. Paul laughed at her delight and held her hand as they walked into the house together.

"Paul." Annie's father greeted him politely. The pair hadn't met since just before Annie had left Paul almost fours years ago now.

"Hello again. Good to see you." replied Paul.

There was a brief awkward silence, broken only when Annie's mum entered the room. She greeted Paul warmly and bustled him and Annie into the kitchen for some food. Ann suspected the reason for this was to ask Paul questions. Lo and behold, the questions began almost immediately. 

"Paul, how do you feel about Annie?"

"Annie!" He look surprised then smiled at her, "I adore your daughter. I want nothing more than being with her."

"And the baby? How do you feel about the fact she's carrying another man's baby?"

Again he smiled at Annie, who was watching him closely and hanging onto every word. "I have loved Annie for a long time. The fact that she's pregnant doesn't worry me. In fact, I've tried to assure Annie personally that I am more than willing to take her and the child together, to be a family and to bring up the child as my own. I appreciate that Annie's been through an horrendous few months but I can offer her love, emotional support and a safe happy home. That's all I want to do."

"I'm making the right choice mum. I know I am!" Annie looked earnestly at her mother. "I thought you wanted me to follow my heart!"

"I do Annie love, but I also want you and Paul to understand it's not going to be easy. Having a new baby never is love but when Paul's not the biological father....it's harder still."

"I love Annie. She's the woman I want to spend my life with. I'm ready for any struggle in order to achieve that." 

Annie's mum smiled. "I can see how much you want to be together." She told them, "And I can only watch you go with my blessing Annie love. You're a grown woman. Just remember, if things get difficult, your dad and I are always here for you....both of you."

"Thanks mum!"

Annie hugged her mother then Paul did the same. 

After lunch he carried Annie's bags to the car and after a final good bye to her parents, they made the journey back to London. Once at Cavendish, Paul helped Annie to unpack before they had something to eat and retired early to bed. After making love they lay together talking and making plans before finally falling asleep.

Annie had only been at Cavendish Avenue a few days before eagle eyed fans spotted her there. In the past fans had always been friendly with her, so Annie recognised many of them. She spoke to them and answered their truthfully when asked about her and Paul. It soon backfired. There were many nasty comments made, initially by the fans and then in the general press, about her moving on so quickly after the death of her fiance. The comments became even nastier when her now almost six months pregnant stomach could no longer be hidden. Annie became reluctant to go out with Paul and certainly never went out on her own. 

As always, Paul stood by Annie, defending her throughout all this and declaring that there was wrong with being together when two people loved each other. Knowing Paul was there for her helped Annie cope with the situation but it did put some new pressures on the couple. However, just when Annie believed the comments and nastiness couldn't get any worse, she received an abusive phone call from  Anthony's mother. His mother, whom Annie had always got on well with before, berated her actions and called her a variety of hurtful name. No matter what Annie tried to say or explain, the abuse continued. The call ended with one last spiteful threat when she was told her actions classed her as an unfit mother and that Anthony''s parents were taking out legal action  to have the child removed from her at birth to be brought up by them.  After this Annie began to question her own judgements and consider returning to her parents house and was in a desperate state when Paul returned home from the studio.

He found her sat white faced and silent in the living room. Immediately concerned, he went top her.

"What's happened? Talk to me love?"

When she had finally poured her heart out to him, her fears for the baby, her thoughts of returning back to her parents, Paul managed to calm her enough to then ring his lawyer. He gave him brief details before hanging up.

"What did her say?" Annie begged, the second the phone was returned to it's cradle.

"He's going to look into how far Anthony's parents have taken their threat, whether it's just a burst of temper or whether she's started action."

"Then what?"

"Then, no matter what she's done, it seems that no many judges would rule against a mother with a steady home and income in this country but it might be different in the US."

"What do you mean?" Annie began to panic.

"Annie love, we won't just be fighting the English legal system if we have to go to court on this, it'll be the US system too."  He wrapped his arms around her, "Now try not to worry too much! I know it's easier said than done but until we know the facts, we can't plan anything>"

She nodded miserably. "How long do we wait Paul? For news I mean?"

"We've got an appointment tomorrow at 11 am."

The following day, after a long restless night, Annie followed Paul into the lawyers office. He greeted them both in a friendly way and offered drinks. Desperate for information, Annie urged the conversation from pleasantries to the reason for their visit.

"Firstly, it appears that thre Randles haven't gone down a legal road yet. It seems that the call yesterday and the threats made were in temper."

"That's good!" said Paul.

"Possibly," replied the lawyer, "So I did some research, to see what could happen IF they did decide to pursue this in court."

"What did you find?" asked Annie, clearly terrified.

Paul took her hand as the lawyer spoke.

"What would be brought into question would be Annie's ability to bring the child up in a stable, safe home without any 'risks' as they describe."

"What kind of risks?"

"Strings of boyfriends, loose morals they call it, drinking, economic and financial stabilty."

Paul nodded. "You know me well. Would I be viewed as any risk to the child"

"To be honest Paul, not really. You're financially stable and since you no longer tour, you'd be home regularly."

"So you think there would be no chance of any proposed court case against Annie being successful?"

"Well nothing can be guaranteed, but the odds are in yours and Annie's favour."

"Thank GOD! Annie heaved a huge sigh of relief.

"There is something else I've discovered though." 

"OH?" said Paul.

"It seems if you and Annie were married and you had already stated you intended to adopt the child as your own once it was born, then nothing could be done."

"