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

26. Foolish Games

Well in case you failed to notice
In case you failed to see
This is my heart bleeding before you
This is me down on my knees

These foolish games are tearing me apart
And your thoughtless words are breaking my heart
You're breaking my heart

---

The sound of frightened whimpers roused him from his sleep. Paul recognized it immediately and quickly turned over to Natalie. She was thrashing in her sleep, her hair was damp from sweat, and her whimpers made his chest tighten. He reached out, seizing her face in his hands, "Natalie, luv. Wake up." He stroked her hair, and her eyes shot open. With uneven breaths and her chest heaving from the panic, she managed to focus on him through the darkened room.

"You're alright, luv." He assured in a hushed voice, running his thumb over her brow.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded in understanding. The tears that teetered at the edge of her eyes fell, and she bit her lip to hold back the sobs. She failed. Paul pulled her into his chest and held her. He could feel her wet tears against his neck, soaking into his skin, but he didn't care. He let her cry.

"I really miss him." She murmured, and Paul knew she was talking about Matthew. She had her good days and her bad days and dreamed about him often. Paul remembered having countless dreams about his mother after her death. He was always left feeling so empty when he woke.

"I know," He said in a quiet voice, kissing the top of her head. He hummed softly to her, lulling her back to sleep. Paul didn't know what time it was, but judging by the moonlight sifting through the window, it was the middle of the night.

Natalie woke the next morning, her head lying on Paul's bare chest. She shifted to his shoulder, moving her hand to his chest, her fingers lightly dancing over the smattering of hairs. She could feel his heart thumping beneath her fingers, and his chest rise and fall with every breath he took. She sighed, hoping he slept well after she woke him with her nightmare. He stirred beneath her hand, his own hand reaching out to thread through her fingers.

"Good mornin'" he said in a soft grumble, his voice gravelly. Natalie still couldn't get enough of the way he sounded upon waking. There was something sensual about it. She shifted, rolling over to place a gentle kiss in the cavity of his chest. She looked up at him, her lips curving into a faint smile.

"Good mornin' to you too." She ruffled his hair playfully before sitting up, taking the sheet with her to cover her naked body. "I think I'm going to have breakfast with my father, if that's alright with you?"

"Hmm," Paul sighed, "That's perfect," He reached out to twirl a strand of her hair around his finger, "because I want to go back to sleep." He let out a breathy chuckle, and she could see the fatigue in his eyes. He was exhausted still, and she really didn't let him rest much between their vigorous lovemaking and her nightmare. The former leaving a sore, dull ache between her legs, and the latter leaving an ache in her heart.

"Good, you go back to sleep, and I'm going to go have a bath." She kissed his nose, then his lips before moving to get up. He stopped her, grabbing her wrist. She turned to look down at him, curious why he suddenly stopped her. His gaze was intense, his eyes pleading with her.

"You promise me you'll call the school, and ask for a relief? You promise you'll come with me?" Natalie knew he was not going to let this down.

She smiled. "I told you I would."

"Promise me?"

"I promise, Darling. I promise." She assured. "Now go back to sleep." She demanded softly before getting up to go to the bathroom. After preparing her bath, Natalie sunk into the tub, relaxing as the hot water soothed her skin. She could get used to waking up every morning with Paul. Natalie was never the type of girl to fantasize about marriage. She had other fantasies, imaginative ones that could never happen. But the thought of someday becoming Mrs. McCartney wasn't a bad one. She could see herself with a wedding band to match his, a symbol of their undying bond. She wouldn't want a large wedding, something small and simple. Natalie liked children, she was a teacher so it would be concerning if she didn't, but she was undecided if she wanted any of her own. But the thought of a little combination of them running around was appealing to her. She was certain Paul would be an amazing father.