The End (Beatles Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

PAUL

"Anyone home?"

I shut the door and took off my jacket, placing it in the closet. I looked round the room, into the adjacent hallway. It was empty. Light shone through the wide windows, brightening the space.

I turned to go to the kitchen when I heard a voice yell, "I'm up here, Paul!"

I smiled, and began to walk up the stairs. The click-clack of my shoes echoed through the house.

As I reached the second floor, she walked out of the bedroom, wearing a nice blue sweater I had bought her, and a pair of long bellbottom jeans, with sandals under. Her hair was down, framing her angelic face.

"Heather, Daddy's home!" She shouted down the hallway. Afterwards, she turned to me.

"Hello," she said, a smile on her face.

"Linda," I said warmly. I reached out to her and we hugged. It felt nice, having someone hug you like that.

As she pulled away, Linda began to talk. "You seem in a good mood," she said, turning to go downstairs.

"Today was alright," I replied, following her down. "Not as much bickering as usual."

Linda flashed a sympathetic look before walking off to the living room.

"Well, that's a nice change," she said. "You're probably hungry, right? Well," she continued, leaving no room for an answer; I nodded my head anyway, "there's some food in the refrigerator, you can just heat it up-"

"Wait," I stopped her, grabbing her hand. She turned to me quizzically.

I looked down at her other hand. In it, she was holding her camera.

I let go, and sighed. "Where are you off to now?" I said softly, looking down.

Linda paused, and reached for my hand. I let her take it.

"There's some exhibit I have to photograph," she explained. "It shouldn't take too long."

I turned away, and sagged onto a couch, rubbing my forehead in frustration.

"I'm sorry, Paul," Linda said, standing in front of me. "But you have your job, and I have mine." She planted a kiss on my forehead, and I smiled into my hand.

I looked up. Linda was putting on her coat. I heard footsteps skipping down the stairs.

"Take care of Heather," Linda said. "She has homework to do." She waved and left, closing the door behind her.

Just as soon, Heather ran towards me with a big grin. I smiled as well, and opened my arms. Heather ran into them, and hugged me tight.

"Guess what?" she said excitedly once we pulled apart.

"What?" I asked, happiness bubbling up inside me.

"I drew a picture, it's in my room." Heather grabbed my arm and pulled me upstairs. "You have to see it."

"Alright," I said, chuckling, as we went up the stairs together.

I loved my family. Even with everything crashing down around me, I couldn't stay upset for long under my own roof.

RINGO

"Honey, come and eat," Maureen said from the kitchen.

I sat on the couch, the telly on in front of me. Some politicians were talking about something or other, I didn't care much. I was fiddling with my rings absentmindedly, pulling each one off the finger one by one, then putting them back on.