Love Me Do

~ 86 ~

Paul's POV

My head, heart, and body was numb.

It had been for a few weeks now.

When Brian had called up for a gig and Ringo had turned him down, he had taken it poorly and left us for a while.

"Ungrateful!" He had shouted when we finally accepted a show in Mersey Side, small but expensive. "You have no idea what effort I put into your boys' well being!"

I didn't care.

Why should I care?

Standing next to John, seeing his smiling face and his baby boy, I just didn't know what there was left to care about.

Although, I did know one thing.

I still cared about Kaylee.

==

Stumbling inside my house, I felt around the walls for the light switch.

My head was fuzzed up and I couldn't think straight; why was the floor tipping?

Finally managing to flick on the light, everything around me was visible and I groaned.

Alone. I was alone.

Did I deserve this? Maybe.

But I didn't want it.

Suddenly, a loud ringing noise erupted from across the room and I yelped, my sensitive to the sound after drinking so much.

I staggered towards it after 4 rings, and only managed to grab it before I fell.

"Hello?" I grumbled, wondering who'd even call me.

"Paul!" Came a familiar voice. A little bit too familiar.

"Yes?" I replied. "It's Paul here."

"I'm sorry for calling- No I'm not. I- I just wanted to ask if you could come over? Wait, no.. No.. I-"

"Who is this?"

The line at the other end was quiet for a minute, but my head had begun to put two-and-two together.

"Paul, I know this might be slightly selfish, but John's gone to talk with Cynthia and I can't deal with this right now. I'd really like to see you. I haven't for a while.."

I sighed deeply.

"Of course, Kaylee."

===

Kaylee's POV

The bell rang, and I placed Jasper on the couch, careful to build pillows around him to keep him from falling, then dashed towards the front door.

Flinging it open, I saw a dreary, exhausted and timid Paul, who I could clearly see was masking happiness.

"Paul!" I cried, flinging my arms around, knowing exactly how inappropriate it must be, but I was genuinely excited to see him again.

Maybe he wasn't as excited to see me, and I knew why.

"Hello," He mumbled back, wrapping his arms gingerly around my waist. "Good to see you, I guess."

Smiling, I wondered if what he said was true. Probably not.

I pulled back and took his hand, leading him inside, where it was warm, yet somehow now unsettling.

He seemed stiff to my touch, and I wondered if he'd ever warm up again.

Maybe, maybe not.

I bit my lip hard as he stepped into the living room, where Jasper was sitting, his eyes wide and his little hands pulling at the pillows.

"That's Jasper," I whispered, letting go of Paul's hand as he stared.

It made me sad to think Paul had only seen Jasper at birth; he'd been avoiding me ever since and never even stopped by to see me.

I knew his presence was too much to ask for, since I'd lied over and over to him, but I always thought his love for me would over rule it all.

I stepped towards Jasper and scooped him up, holding him in my arms where I knew Paul could see him.

"Hi." Paul whispered to him, and I smiled slightly, thinking that was all he was going to display to my baby, but suddenly, Paul reached out a finger and stroked Jasper's cheek, making him gurgle.

"Oooh, he likes you already," I admired, beaming. "Do you want to..?"

"It's alright," Paul defended, rejecting my offer to hold him; it was too soon. "Maybe later."

"That's fine," I answered, setting Jasper down on the couch in his little town of pillows. "Lemme just grab something from in my room. John won't be home until 11, so don't look so.. fidgety."

I watched Paul's shoulders visibly relax, but he continued to stand.

This was all too soon for him, and I should've known.