Redemption

~30~

"So, Sally knows you're here, right?" Issy meandered through the stark silver-grey birch trees, touching the bark as she passes by. They grew wild along one edge of the grassy yard. Here the lush green of the lawn fell away to dirt and leaf litter. A few steps away John stood gazing up into the canopy, hands clasped behind his head. The leafless branches crisscrossing the cloudless azure sky had him mesmerised.

Without altering his gaze he answered. "Well Jules did, so I'm sure she has found out about my AWOL status by now"

Dropping his gaze down from the view of the grey fingers of birch, John examined the distance between the house and where they currently stood. "It's too far for the power for the lights, Isabelle"

"There's a few power points in the shed there, that will be close enough don't you think? Why doesn't someone invent solar powered ones. That would be wonderful, wouldn't it?!" Issy hugged her arms around a small birch tree. It was a few years young and quite narrow around it's silvery grey girth. Letting go, she popped down to the ground to pat the dogs, returned from their game of chasing rabbits. "I shouldn't have let you leave"

"Don't start with that again. It's over now, I've done all the rehab, the therapy. I'm a new man" John laughed and Issy noted the touch of sarcasm he laced in the comment. "I've been a good boy, even your Sally noticed, she had me bub-sit the other week. Never trusted me before..."

"Sally told me that woman, Heather, turned up unannounced at the studio and you chopped her off at the pass. Turfed her out right there and then. In front of the band no less" Issy walked over and caught Johns collar as she rounded to face him. The red and black flannel shirt was a favourite of his, his go-to shirt whenever he was visiting. She smiled, dragging him to her, although he was dragged willing "Maybe for moi?"

"For both you, and my sanity" John made a grab and fast waltzed Iss through the small birch grove closer to the house. Her laughter, music to his ears.

"I'm the most relaxed I've been in a long time John. Maybe in forever" Issy through her head back and smiled up at the clouds as John spun them round and round.

"I agree. You, my dear, exude happy, same here too though." John grinned like the devil incarnate then swooped in surprising Issy. Taking the opportunity to kiss her décolletage right along the top of her pale pink bra. The stretchy material of the shirt helpfully giving ease of access to his exploration.

Issy worked hard to ignore his sensory attack. Trying desperately to talk with some sort of coherance. She keep chattering in the vain hope she could move them back onto the subject of weddings. But he did make concentration difficult.

She grasped him by the shoulders shuddering with anticipation. His hair was tickling her chin, his kisses lingering over her lace "Not long til the wedding now; I'm so excited, I can't wait"

Fingers squeezed his shoulders, her mind clouded with want. "I get to meet RichieEEE and George and their, ohhhh gee Johnnn, wives and see Linda and Paulllll again. Ohhh John a few more moments of your time for the wedding preetttty please"

Lacing her hands in his hair she tugged him to stand before her, his lips looked as bereft as his eyes. John sighed as be began rearranging; lifting and positioning Issy's shirt back in place. He wasn't getting her body quite yet. His finger, with tantilising and teasing slowness, traced the lace one more time. Issy took his hand reluctantly from her breast. "Naughty"

"Julian's going to love having all his uncles together again." John spun Issy once more and settled her in his arms. Slow waltzing them both to the porch. The dance hampered by two wiggly dogs that insisted on bending and weaving around their legs.

"You didn't mind, did you? Inviting the boys?"

"Course not, its Jules wedding anyway. Could have had Nixon there and I would of bit me tongue"

"Oh right, I don't think you are that well-behaved sir" Issy smirked and darted out of reach. "I don't know how Sally is keeping it all secret from Julian though. She was bursting at the seams when I told her it had all come together and they were all able to attend"

John sat on the step and Issy let him pull her down on his lap. Issy moved to wrap an arm around his shoulder. Nuzzling against the curve of her neck, John nipped and kissed away for a few moments then pulled back with shining eyes. "You know.... I can't wait either to tell the truth. We are clear now- No lawyers. No money crap going on. No bickering over the Beatle bandwagon. It feels like it's going to be a new era, Isabelle. You me, Jules, Sal, Ivy and me mate's"

The slow kisses felt wonderful and sugar sweet as they sat nestled together on the steps, watching the day pass by, nothing to be bothered about, everything sweet and easy.

A/N : Hi all. @Kiwi747 recommended I have a play around with the Editing tool found at

                                                           http://www.hemingwayapp.com/                         

It's free online (desktop) or buy as a download. An easy to use page and very interesting to see what a chapter 'lights up' with in terms of plaudits or criticism!