Borrowed Time: Saving John Lennon - A Beatles Fanfic

Chapter 25 - GROW OLD WITH ME

June 11, 1985

Holly stared at the ceiling of the bedroom, unable to sleep anymore. It wasn't quite dawn yet, but she watched the white curtains on the window change from gray to yellow and finally to a warm orange as the rising sun slowly brightened the sky outside.

She turned her head to look at John. He was sleeping soundly on his side, his face nuzzled into her upper arm. One of his legs was bent and resting on top of Holly's bare thigh. She sighed as she watched him sleep, smiling as she replayed the events of that night in her mind.

Holly didn't regret any of it, although she knew it would make things that much more difficult when it was time for her to leave. No matter how badly John wanted her to stay, or how tempting it was for her to do so, there was simply no way that she could.

Sunlight was now pouring through the window, muted slightly by the fabric of the curtains. Holly inched her face closer to John's and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. She then slipped gingerly out of the bed, threw on a tshirt, and walked out into the living room.

Standing at the window, she looked down and watched miniature people walking on the sidewalks below, possibly on their way to work or school, or perhaps just out for a stroll. The calmness in the living room was a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle outside.

Holly was deep in thought when she felt John's body behind her, pressing into her back and wrapping his arms around her waist. She leaned her head back against his bare chest, and they stood silently looking out the window for a few minutes.

"I didn't mean to wake you up," she said. "I just couldn't sleep anymore."

"I thought maybe you were trying to make your getaway," John replied with a grin. "Love 'em and leave 'em, and all."

Holly turned to face John with a small laugh. "I'm not gonna go 'Norwegian Wood' on you."

John looked at her with a confused expression.

"When I awoke I was alone. This bird had flown?" Holly half-spoke, half-sang.

"Ah, yes," John replied with a nod and a smile. "I forgot about that one." He brushed a stray strand of Holly's hair behind her ear with his fingers. "Breakfast? I don't know about you, but I seem to have worked up an appetite after last night."

Holly returned John's smile and again replayed moments of the previous night in her mind. "What do you have in the kitchen? I'll make us something."

"Your guess is as good as mine. Rosaura does the shopping."

After a bit of scrounging around Holly put together a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and some fresh fruit. They sat at the kitchen table eating, both still only partially clothed; John in his cut off jeans, and Holly in a long t-shirt that fell just below her underwear.

"So you never did give me a straight answer," John noted, finishing up the last of his breakfast.

"About what?" Holly asked, although she had a good idea what he meant.

"About staying."

Holly took a deep breath. "John," she began.

"No, no, no, future girl," John quickly interrupted. "None of this 'John' business," he mimicked her tone. "Tell me you'll stay. That's all."