⇾ 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐌𝐘 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘 | 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐈

Chapter Forty-One: Meeting the Manager (and the Father, in John's Case)

December 16, 1961

"Now, Lennon, now that I'm managing your band and you're dating my daughter, we've got to set some ground rules."

I was out at a rather fancy restaurant with John and Brian the next day and Brian was giving John the "you won't get away with anything" talk, John and I discreetly holding hands under the table before Paul, George, and Pete would be here to discuss business things.

I had no doubt that Brian and John would get along. He had seen John and the whole band around a lot lately and had always been okay with John. Now that John and I were actually together, he took on a whole new persona, suddenly becoming extremely strict and defensive. After Brian realized that John was a good guy, he'd no doubt stop trying to find something wrong with him that could separate us.

My whole time in Liverpool, it was clear that Brian seemed like more of a brother to me than a father. The way he was acting now proved that he was still a guardian.

John was holding steady eye contact and listening intently and respectfully. I'd never seen him so...solemn.

"You do know that she—."

"—Has anxiety?" John grinned down at me and I put my hand to my face. "Yes, I'm aware."

Brian nodded. "I presume you know how to help her with it then?"

John nodded confidently. "For the most part, I've worked it out, I believe."

Brian still looked suspicious, but finally began to veer away from the topic of John and I and towards the topic of the band as a whole.

I zoned out here, sipping on my water and looking out the glass window next to me. The restaurant was on Penny Lane, so I could clearly see the streets that John and I had walked down together days after he and Emily had split. I remembered how he'd asked with his silly little French speech and how he'd rested his arm around me like it just came naturally.

I remember the first time I'd gone over to his house. I could still hear the rocks beating against window and feel the adrenaline as Emily came over and I had to leave in a rush.

I remembered the first time I met him. I remember he was rather bitter towards me and I remember feeling scared of him.

Most prominently, I remember the first time my lips met his. I remember how silent everything went around us and how hyperactive my senses had become. I remember the electricity surrounding the whole scene.

It seemed I remembered just about every stupid little memory John and I had shared together.

Last night was a distant and dreamy memory. I'd woken up wondering if it had even happened at all. I only decided it was real when Brian had woken me up saying we were getting dinner with John that night and I realized I was on the couch where I'd fallen asleep against John.

Now we were sat at the table and Paul, George, and Pete had joined us. They were discussing business stuff.

"Earth to Donna!" I jerked out of my trance, seeing John waving his hands in front of my face.

"What?" I asked quickly.

"Brian's off in the bathroom. Whatcha thinking about over there?" He was grinning. I looked to see the rest of the boys looking at me too.

"Nothing in particular," I replied.

"Yeah?" He smiled at me with a sparkle in his eye, like I was the best thing he'd ever seen.

"I can't believe it took you two this long to decide you wanted to be together," Paul said, clearing his throat as we fell into a trance, staring into one another's eyes.

John frowned at him. "Whatever."

"Guys," said Paul excitedly, pulling a little box out of the back of his pocket. "Look at the ring I got for Dot." He opened it to reveal a little golden ring stowed away inside.

"Way to go, Paul," said George with a little pat on the back.

"I can't help feeling excited," he said, closing the box and putting it away again. "I'm gonna have a little baby." He smiled.

John nodded. "That's good, Paul," he said with an encouraging grin.

Paul grinned smugly. "I'm ready to do the right thing."

Brian appeared back to sit down once again. "So, it's settled? We'll plan another Hamburg trip and see if we can get something out of it?" he asked immediately and I looked at them, appalled.

"Another one?" I asked warily. "When?"

Brian looked at me. "Did you not hear?" he asked, his excited face falling.

I shook my head questioningly. "I think I may have missed that part."

John grip on my hand tightened as I noticed the quivering in it. "It'll be just alright, love. Only a month or so this time." He gave a loving beam.

"Well," I replied. "How do you plan on getting back in, then?" I gave a knowing look to Pete and Paul. They just looked down in embarrassment.

"I've been talking to Stu," said John. "He thinks he can get us cleared to go back, and Geo will be of age in February, so that's alright."

I nodded and went back to looking down.

"You may have to tag along with us, Donna," said Brian and I looked up hopefully. "But we'll work that out when the time presents itself." He smiled.

"So, Brian," asked George timidly.

"Yes?"

"Do you ever think we'll be able to release albums and stuff?"

Brian smiled and nodded rapidly. "I definitely think you will. I've just gotta look into options for that."

George smiled like an idiot. "That's good then, yeah?"

"Thank you again for this, Brian," said Paul. "It really means a lot."

He nodded. "Anytime, Beatles." He gave a grin.

We finished eating indulged in pleasant conversation, Brian just trying to get to know the boys better.

But the time we had left the restaurant, we seemed just like a lot of friends.

"You coming, Donna?" Brian was sat in his car waiting for me to join him.

John took my hand. "I'll have her home in a bit?" he asked hopefully.

Brian narrowed his eyes a moment before sighing in defeat and starting the car. "You'll have her home at nine, Lennon."

John nodded. "I will, sir." And Brian's car was gone.

"Whatcha doing with me?" I asked, pulling my jacket closer as a few snowflakes began to fall.

He just gave a grin and kissed me under the streetlight we'd been standing under. "It was getting too much," he said after he pulled away.

"What was?" I laughed, flustered.

"Not being able to kiss your beautiful lips."

"You're such a sap, Lennon," I teased, swatting his chest jokingly.

He rolled his eyes. Someone brushed past us, seeming annoyed.

"They're lovely, eh?" John asked, loudly enough to receive a dirty look from the person.

I laughed. "You're going to mess with the wrong person someday."

He shook his head amusedly, moving out of the sidewalk and around the corner of the restaurant. I shivered at the cold as the snow began to fall harder.

"Maybe we should find somewhere where we can warm up," said John.

I nodded. "Perhaps that's a good idea."

He smiled and put his arms around my waist protectively. "How about that tea shop we went to that one day down the road? Remember? The first time we came to Penny Lane together?" He smiled.

I nodded. "Oh, John, I remember everything about you."

He beamed happily, leaning in to kiss me again.