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

38. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Even though it is not the title of the chapter, Taylor Swift's song Lover, was the song I listened to while writing it and gave me a lot of feels.

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Christmas Day

"I don't see why I have to come along," Jack grumbled from behind Natalie.

Natalie rolled her eyes at her father, "Because I'm not leaving you alone on Christmas."

"We had the entire morning together. I'm an old man. I need a nap now."

"You're only as old as you feel." She sneered at him, with a glimmer of mirth in her eyes.

Jack let out a dry laugh, "And my bones hurt, so if that's the truth, I'm very old."

"Oh, come on, Pa-pa, I could use the support."

His gaze gentled, "Very well, let's just get on with it then." He jutted his chin toward the door.

Natalie knocked on Paul's door, waiting for him to answer. She held Clara on her hip. The little girl was dressed in a dark green velvet dress, with a lace collar and ruffles at the bottom. She had on white stockings and black buckle shoes. A big red and green plaid bow was in her hair to finish the Christmas look.

Paul opened the door. He didn't even give her a slither of a smile. She felt her heart twist in her chest. However, the moment he saw Clara, he grinned, reaching out to take her.

Natalie reluctantly passed her daughter over to him; he was her father after all, and watched as Paul placed the baby on his hip and looked at her, "Happy Christmas." He said to Clara with a grin, before motioning for Natalie and her father to enter the house.

Jim was standing there, and he smiled at Clara, reaching out to lightly brush her chin with his thumb before his gaze fell on Jack. He reached out, shaking Jack's hand, "Happy Christmas." He told him, and Jack returned the gesture.

Natalie blinked in surprise as the two men started up a quick conversation. She grinned. Maybe Jim and her father would become friends. They did share a granddaughter after all.

Paul was a terrible host, because he just abandoned her, leaving her to stand there awkwardly by herself while he whisked Clara into the den and sat down with her on his green velvet sofa, which oddly matched Clara's dress.

Natalie tucked her hair behind her ears and stood there, feeling like a fish out of water. She wanted to cry. Paul was determined to make her feel unwanted it would seem.

"Come on in, dear." She heard a feminine voice, and she turned to see Paul's stepmother standing there. She gently touched Natalie's elbow and guided her into the living room.

The living room was wonderfully decorated. A giant Christmas tree sat by the window, garnered with ornaments of all kinds, and garlands were wrapped around the staircase rails along with many other decorations throughout the house. It felt homey and warm, and Natalie knew Paul didn't do it. It must have been his stepmother, and father that decorated the house so beautifully.

"Wow, it looks lovely in here," Natalie glanced at Paul, to make sure he was listening, "More lovely than it's ever looked honestly." She smiled sweetly at Angie, and Angie grinned, not realizing Natalie was acting facetious and a bit vindictive.

"Thank you, dear. Ruth and I did it. Jim helped some as well." She said, looking around to admire her work.

Natalie pressed her finger to her lips and pointed to Paul, "Paul didn't help?"

"Oh, no, he's too busy." She waved her hand dismissively.

"Oh, really? Doing what?" She titled her head and smiled at Paul, batting her lashes at him flippantly.