THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD || Paul McCartney [Completed]

1. At One Fell Swoop

Please Note: This story is rated MATURE and contains sexual content. It's mostly vague. Chapters with a little more detailed sexual content will contain: (Mature) Next to the chapter title. Please see story details for more warnings. Thanks. 

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Late March, 1966

The sound of laughter resonated off the walls as the children bustled through the halls, going out to wait for the bus or their parents to pick them up. The day had gone by fast and Natalie was almost disappointed that it was three o'clock. 

"How have you been, Natalie? Are the children treating you well?"

Natalie Winters tore her gaze from the children and instead met the soft gaze of Mrs. Stewart. She was an older woman, with greying hair that she usually kept in a tight bun. The woman peered at her over her spectacles and smiled. She had become a sort of mentor for her and Natalie always appreciated her guidance.

"Great actually," Natalie began, "it's my first year as a teacher, but I have a great group of kids and I'm really lucky."

Mrs. Stewart gave her a knowing smile and glanced down at her watch, "Why don't you go on home dear? I'll wait for the last of the children to leave." She offered, urging the young woman to leave.

Natalie searched her gaze and then nodded in acceptance, "All right then, thank you, Mrs. Stewart." She said, adjusting her tote bag over her shoulder and headed down the pavement, weaving her way through a group of children that were jumping in circles together, playing a game Natalie wasn't familiar with. She didn't live far from the school, and usually passed 7 Cavendish Avenue on her way home. Apparently Paul McCartney lived there. Natalie really enjoyed their music, but didn't pay much attention to The Beatles. She was busy in university during the beginning of their career and didn't have much time to lose herself in Beatlemania. Her college mate, Donna, was a massive fan and often gushed over them but Natalie never paid attention to her or her rabid love for the band members.

She was lost in her thoughts just when the sound of screams echoed down the street. She looked up to see a group of girls screaming, some of them crying, just as a young man exited a motor from across the street. Natalie recognized him from the magazines, he was definitely Paul McCartney. The girls were waiting near his gate, holding paper for him to sign. Some of them began taking photos with their cameras as he stepped off the pavement to cross the road. He seemed distracted and a little annoyed at the girls. Natalie couldn't blame him. How tiring it must have been to get home everyday to a group of screaming fans at your gate waiting for you when you just wanted to rest and settle down for the night.

He stopped walking, feeling the inside of his pockets before looking around him as if he lost something. He turned to see a piece of paper near the edge of the pavement, and moved to pick it up. She heard the fans screaming again, but this time their screams sounded a bit different, a bit more panicky. Natalie heard the sound of tires screeching and looked up to see a car sliding wildly down the street. The driver looked distraught and was desperately trying to gain control of their vehicle as it slid across the wet pavement. Natalie felt her heart begin to hammer in her chest and her palms sweat as her raging pulse urged her to move--not to save herself--but to save the Beatle that was about to be killed by the approaching vehicle.

"Look out!" She screamed but it was too late, the car was moving in on him. She had to do something. She always did. She dropped her bag and took off in a run, and hopped on top of a parked car that was in her way. She ran across the top of it before leaping from the edge and lunging toward Paul. Her arms circled around his shoulders and she pushed him as hard as she could, sending both of them backward and out of harm's way. She heard him let out a strangled yelp as they fell. The car crashed into a fire hydrant, sending water gushing out from the bottom and all over the road.

She felt the impact just as they hit the pavement. Her eyes were closed tight, and it took her a moment to realize it was all over. She pulled herself up slightly and opened her eyes to check on Paul. He fell on his side, and she was on top of him. She disentangled herself from him and knelt beside him, placing her hand on his arm gently, "Mr. McCartney, Mr. McCartney can you hear me?" She asked, shaking him gently. He groaned, and opened his eyes, bringing his hand to the bridge of his nose. He rolled over onto his back and winced, gasping out in pain.

"What happened?" He rasped out, and she immediately began checking him for wounds. She noticed a small gash above his brow where he must have hit the ground. She reached out to touch his face in comfort.

"You were nearly hit by a car. I'm just glad I made it in time." She said, feeling bad for him. His face was twisted in pain, and she didn't know if she needed to contact an ambulance or not.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" A man said as he stumbled out of his car and over to them, "I just lost control, and my car began to skid across the road. Is he okay?"

Natalie glanced up at the panicked man and nodded, "I think so, can you please help me pull him up?" The man nodded and moved to squat down on the other side of Paul. They each grabbed an arm and pulled him into a sitting position. Paul groaned in pain, but managed to hold himself up. He glanced over at her, his big hazel eyes blinking as he processed everything.

"Did I almost get hit by a car?" He asked as he brought his hand up to touch his brow. He winced again, grinding his teeth together at the touch.

Natalie reached up to grab his hand and pulled it down from his brow and shook her head, "Yes, you were. But don't worry, you're all right now." 

"I'm so sorry, Sir." The man said again, and pointed to Natalie with his chin, "This young woman saved you though, you're lucky she was so fast and determined to get to you in time." Paul looked at Natalie and then back at the man. He didn't know what to say to him. It's not like the man did it on purpose. The gentleman looked up to see the shocked fans moving into the street, and he quickly stood up to keep them away, "All right now ladies, you should all probably go don't you think?" He said, holding is arms out to ward them off.

Paul noticed Natalie was still holding onto his hand that she lowered. Her other hand moved to grab his chin, and she turned his head to face her, "Let me see that," she demanded in a soft voice, her golden brown eyes scanning the gash on his face.

"I don't think you need stitches, but I can fix it up for you, if you'd like. I have first aid in my bag," She said, her eyes moving over his shoulder and across the road at the bag she dropped on the ground.

Paul studied her a moment and gave a slow nod. His head was still spinning, and his body ached from the fall. "Of course you can. We can go inside," He paused, giving her a once over, "thank you for saving me," He said offering her a small smile.

"No need to thank me, I'm just glad I got here in time." She pinched his chin lightly between her fingers before standing up to smooth out her skirt, "Let's get you inside and see about that cut?" She offered him her hand, and he took it, allowing her to pull him up. He stumbled a bit, his head feeling light as he stood up and Natalie quickly moved forward to catch his shoulders and hold him steady.

"I'm all right," He assured her, steadying himself and looking down at her, "May I have the name of the girl who saved my life?"

She kept her hands on his shoulders, afraid he would stumble again, and she felt her cheeks flush, "Natalie, Natalie Winters."

He grinned, "Let's go inside, Natalie Winters before we attract more attention than we already have."

"Okay, let me just get my bag. Will you be okay?"

He tilted his head at the genuine concern in her voice that reflected in her eyes as well.

"Yeah, I think I'll be okay. Go on." He urged, nodding toward her bag.

She smiled and reluctantly let go of him and jogged over to her bag and picked it up. Paul watched the woman move across the road to grab her bag. She was sweet and showed him so much affection and care in just those brief moments. It was nice, and he had to admit he liked it. It was a different sort of attention than he was used to.

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Thanks for reading! And just to know, Chapter titles are either song titles, phrases, idioms, or proverbs. :)