And I Love You (McLennon)

Part 2

                                                            8 & 9 February 1964

 Paul was woken up by being shaken like a rag doll from what he thought was the plane crashing. He immediately sat up, fully alert, and started screaming. “Bloody hell! What’s happening?!”.  However, as soon as it stopped, he saw that it was John who had a hold of him, a grin beaming so brightly it lit up the whole plane.

“Paulie!” he said with a booming voice, “It’s okay! We’ve just landed! You slept the whole damn time, ya lazy bastard!” As soon as John lifted his hands off of him, Paul sat back into his seat to catch his breath. “You’re an arse, y’know, John?” He said with a glare, his face displaying no hints of amusement. John let out a raucous scoff, and fixed his jacket. “Y’ think I don’t already know that, Paul?” He grinned jokingly, hitting Paul playfully on the arm. “Let’s go, mate! They’re waitin’ fer us!” He then left Paul behind after quickly sweeping up his luggage and guitar case.

A small titter escaped from Paul’s lips, shaking his head slowly. John had this smoothness about him that would make anyone forgive him. Or perhaps it was just because Paul didn’t want to stay mad at him, so he found ways around his anger. Either way, it was impossible to stay upset with him. Paul’s lips curled into a smile, his eyes smiling along with them. There was no doubt that he in love with the man, even though he tried not to believe it. To Paul, there was no better feeling in the world than what he felt whenever he was with John. Nothing would ever even begin to compare. Paul was so lost within his thoughts that he hadn’t realized he hadn’t left the plane. There was a stomping noise coming from the stairs connected to the plane. John appeared from behind the wall and put his hands on his hips. “Well, are ya comin’, or are ya going back to Liverpool?” He asked sarcastically, reaching into the carrier above Paul’s head to grab his things. “C’mon, now. I’ve got this, you just bring yerself, yeah?” John once again left Paul behind, but this time Paul was close behind him.

As soon as the sunlight hit his eyes, he quickly snapped up his hand above his eyes. The almost deafening roars of the screaming fans took him by surprise. He knew that they had been successful in the States, but he wasn’t prepared for the amount of fans that had turned up. It was at least twice as many as the ones back in London. The high that he felt from the love received from the fans immediately made him smile broadly. If he didn’t end up telling John everything he felt for him, at least he had his fans.

The four lads were quickly smuggled inside the airport, and were pushed quickly into a conference room right away, where there were cameras and reporters already awaiting for their arrival. Brian Epstein, the band’s manager, motioned for the press to contain their questions until the boys were settled in and ready for them.

“You lads ready?” He asked them. They all nodded their heads in sync, Brian nodding after them towards the press. A wave of voices immediately filled the room, every reporter asking for the boys’ attention. The stupid looking grin across Paul’s face while thinking of John never disappeared as he tried to understand what the press was saying.

As John was answering the questions he had been asked, Paul sat and stared in awe at how intelligent the man was. He was so insightful when it came to his answers. The tingling feeling of pure happiness appeared in Paul’s stomach as he listened to John speak. He felt so blessed to have a mate like him. Charming, smart, funny, and kind. Paul couldn’t have been happier. Well…. almost.

As he continued to eye John down, he hadn’t realized that a female reporter was trying to get his attention after asking him a question. George, who was sitting beside him, snapped his fingers in front of his face to stop him from daydreaming. “Hey, mate. You alright?” George asked. Paul shook his head, and then chuckled in embarrassment. “I apologize, the long trip is probably getting to me brain. Anways, to answer your question, miss, yes. The trip went well, thank you.” He said with a modest smile. His eyes then snapped over at John, who had already been looking at him. Paul smirked at him, as John returned the gesture with a wink. A little part inside Paul died at that moment.