The Night Before

Chapter 33

29 September 1967

Since the wedding, it's been an interesting two months. We all had attended a few lectures by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi about transcendental meditation. At the end of last month, Brian was found dead at his home, which really shook the lads. And finally, the four of them had decided to make a new movie; Magical Mystery Tour.

The lot of us were currently at a party at John and Cyn's  to celebrate the end of filming.

"Here's your drink, love." Paul said as he sat down next to me.

"Thank you, babe." I took a sip of my drink as I turned to Mo and Ringo. "So how's Zak and Jason doing?"

"They're great! Zak loves his little brother. It is a bit crazy sometimes having two little ones to take care of, but we love it." Mo said with a smile.

"And how's Madelynn?" Ringo asked. "Her birthday's coming up soon, she must be excited."

"She is! She runs around holding up two fingers and pointing at herself. At first she kept putting up three fingers." I said with a laugh.

"I can't believe she's going to be two. I'm just glad I'll get to be there for this birthday.." Paul looked away as he took another sip from his drink.

I took his hand and held it, giving him a small smile. He finished his drink and stood up, looking at Ringo.

"Want to go get another drink? We should probably find the other two."

"Sure, mate. I'll be back, love." Ringo kissed Mo lightly as he stood up.

I turned to Paul to give him a kiss, but he and Ringo just walked away. I let out a small sigh as I leaned back on the couch.

Mo watched the two of them walk away as she came over and sat beside me. "He's still beating himself up over that?"

"He is. I can't stand it. I know he made a mistake, but we're okay now. We're a family. He's a tremendous father and Madelynn adores him. Maybe now that we're married he'll start to see that more."

"Well there you two are." Pattie said as she and Cyn came and sat with us.

"We've been looking for you two." Cyn looked over at me. "Is everything okay with Paul? We just passed him and he seemed upset."

"He's just beating himself up over the past again." I shrugged. "I usually just let him simmer down."

She gave me a sad smile and the four of us talked for a good hour or so.

"I'm going to go use the loo." Mo said as she stood up. "I'll be back."

"I think I should call over to Alex's to check on Madelynn."

"You can use our phone upstairs in our room if you want, it'll be much quieter." Cyn offered.

"Thank you, Cyn. I'll be back." With that I went upstairs to call Alex. After checking on Mady, I hung up the phone and turned around to see John standing in the doorway. "John! Oh lord, you startled me. What are you doing up here?"

"Ye know..I don't understand.."

"Understand what?"

"Why ye picked Mr. Prettyboy.. I'm the good looking one.." He said as he moved closer to me. I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"Y-You're married John.. And I love Paul.."

I went to go to leave until I felt him push me into the corner of the room. His hands fell onto my hips as he started to kiss my neck.

"We both know you want me..."

I started shaking as I tried to push him away. "J-John stop! Get off of me!"

He forced me back against the wall as I felt his grip tighten around my arm. "Yer not goin' anywhere..." His lips crashed on mine as his hands wandered to the back of my dress as he began to unzip it.

I continued to try to push him away, tears running down my face. "John stop!"

He pulled away and slapped me across the face. "No one tells John Lennon to stop.."

I let out a loud gasp as I held onto my face. I saw him go to grab me again, so I kneed him in the crotch as I hurried downstairs, trying to make my way out of the house. I kept turning back to look for John that I didn't notice where I was going until I ran into someone.

"Adaline?" George said as he held onto me. "What's wrong?"

"George!" I looked back to make sure John wasn't coming as I wiped my eyes. "N-Nothing. I'm okay.."

"Addie, you look like something terrible just happened. What's going on?" He noticed the red mark John had left on my face as his hand went to my cheek. "Addie..what's this?"

"I...I'm okay, really.." I shook my head as I saw John come downstairs. "I-I have to go.. I'm sorry, Georgie!" With that I took off for outside.

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30 September

I woke up the next morning to an empty bed.

"Paul?"

Where could he be? I thought he didn't work until the afternoon. I got out of bed and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked horrid. I wasn't surprised though. I spent most of last evening hiding from everyone at the party, crying after the incident with John. I still couldn't believe what happened.

"Just breathe, Adaline.."

I shook my head as I got myself dressed and went downstairs. As I made it to the bottom of the steps I could hear voices. Looking into the living room I saw Paul and the lads.

"Oh, good morning lads."

"Morning, love!" Paul said, walking over to give me my morning kiss. "Sleep well?"

I gave a small nod. "I didn't realise we were having people over. I would have cleaned."

"The lads wanted to come over so we could finish talking about some new songs, I hope you don't mind. And the house is fine, love."

"Oh no, not at all. I'm just going to go get my purse and take Martha for a walk."

I went back upstairs to our room. After switching my purses over, I turned around to see John in the doorway.

"We need to talk." He said as he walked in and shut the bedroom door.

"We do. What the hell, John?"

"Don't you dare mention what happened to anyone..ye understand?"

"What if someone already knows?"

He began to move closer, causing me to back up. "Adaline, I swear if Paul or anyone else finds out there will be hell to pay."

"You should be apologising to me for what you did. John, that was beyond inappropriate and after it I want you to stay away from me and my family." With that I pushed my way past him and opened the door. "I think you should go."

He walked past me, making his way downstairs. "Tell no one, I swear."

Once he was downstairs, I laid back against the wall and let out a sigh. How could this be happening?

A few minutes later I went back downstairs, made myself a cuppa and sat at the table. John just stared at me from across the room, causing me to look away.

Paul walked into the kitchen and looked at me. "Love, are you alright?"

"Oh, I'm fine.." I quickly stood up and went over to get my car keys. "Listen, I should go get Mady. We'll be back later. C'mon Martha." Before Paul could say anything, I walked out the door and went to my car, Martha following behind me. As soon as I sat down I began to cry. Is this really happening?