⇾ 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐌𝐘 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘 | 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐈

Chapter Fifty-Four: Eppy's Gotten the Beatles a Present!

At three, I was back at NEMS. Brian was leaning against the counter. NEMS didn't officially open until after the first, so no one other than us were there.

I was sitting on a little couch in the corner writing in my new notebook when George showed up. He was the first of the four to surface. I watched as he glanced confusedly at the closed sign a moment, then Brian went and let him in with a little laugh. George thanked him.

"Hey, Donna," he greeted. I gave a little wave and a smile and then the room was clouded with silence.

"Well," said Brian. "I'm gonna head back to my office. When everyone else shows up, George, lead 'em on back."

George nodded and Brian left.

"How was your Christmas?" I asked him. He came and sat on the opposite end of the couch.

"It was fine," he answered. "How about yours?"

I shrugged. "Could've been worse." I chose to not mention what had happened with Brian. I didn't necessarily care if he knew. He'd probably find out someway, but I just didn't really feel like talking about it.

He nodded. "Whatcha writin'?"

"I dunno honestly," I responded. "Just whatever's on my mind." I laughed.

"There's Paul," he said, his face falling slightly.

"I'll let him in," I said, sitting the book aside and going to open the door. Paul looked like he hadn't slept in days. His hair was messy and there were dark circles under his eyes. I suddenly remembered him having to run off with Dot the other day. "P-Paul," I stuttered. "W-what's wrong?"

He shook his head. "Nothing."

I didn't believe him, of course, but his tone told me not to pry into it anymore. My hands started trembling. No one said anything, Paul just pushed his way in and sat next to George.

"Donna," George said, trying to break the silence as I took my book and sat on the floor awkwardly. Paul leaned back and closed his eyes.

"Yeah?"

"What does Brian wanna talk about?" he asked quietly.

I giggled. "Well, I can't tell you that," I said. "Just say...." I thought a moment, leaning back on my hands. "It's a little Christmas present...from him to you!"

He looked even more frustrated, his face twisting in thought as he tried to think of what it could possibly be. After what felt like ages, Pete and John stumbled into the room together, joking about something.

Paul sat up, trying his best to act like nothing was wrong. John came over and bent down to kiss me on the cheek.

"Hello, love," he greeted happily. "Where's Eppy gone off to?"

"Back there," I said with a smile. The others got up to leave, but I caught John's wrist before he could completely leave.

"What's wrong with Paul?" I asked nervously when I was sure everyone was out of earshot.

He frowned. "I'm not exactly sure. It's something with him and Dot...he didn't really say anything other than that." I frowned, suddenly anxious. He caught my complexion change and his frown deepened. "Please don't go worrying about them," he said. "You don't need anything to worry about right now. I hate to see you all worked up and upset."

I nodded, looking down at where he'd mindlessly taken my hands into his. "I'll try not to."

He gave me a smile and kissed my forehead. "Now," he said. "I've gotta bounce. I've got some reactions to catch." He winked and I giggled before he turned and left.

I went back to where I'd sat my notebook down and picked it up off the ground. What I had told George was just a little white lie. In truth, I'd finally come up with an interesting concept for a little short story, and now I couldn't stop myself from jotting it down. It gave me a sort of calm in the midst of everything that had been happening so fast.

I smiled to myself as I heard some happy whoops, hollers, and laughs from back in Brian's office from all five of them, including Paul.

~~~

An hour or so later, the boys finally came back out, all looking extremely euphoric.

"Well?" I asked. "Wasn't that a great Christmas present?"

They nodded feverishly, happily.

"I feel like we should celebrate," said George excitedly.

John rolled his eyes. "You just wanna eat."

George shrugged. "You're not wrong...."

They laughed. "Well, I think I'm just going to head home," I said. "Because I'm tired."

John rolled his eyes. "But ye slept the whole way home." He laughed and put his arm around my waist.

I shrugged. "Not the whole way."

He looked at me expectantly. "Most of the way." I looked down. "Go on home then, love." He patted me on the back. "I'll see ye tomorrow?"

I nodded with a smile.

"We're having a session here where we decide what to play," said Paul. "Brian's stopping in to check in. Why don't you come by too?"

"I'll be sure to," I responded with a reassuring grin.

"Alright," said John. "We'll be on our way then." He smiled down at me and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. "I loove you," he whispered.

"We'll meet ye outside, John," Pete said with a sigh and the three filed out of the store.

"I love you too," I said with a laugh. "Have a good night."

He gave my hand a squeeze before leaving with a little wave.

Right as John got out there, the other boys started teasing him, shoving him in the side and laughing. I watched as they all walked away, acting like a load of fools, just happy in each other's presence, like friends should be.

When they'd disappeared, I went back to the counter and continued writing for an hour or so, at which point, Brian had come back out.

"Ready to head out?" he asked me.

I nodded, closing the book and standing. "Working on something?" he asked curiously.

I shrugged. "I dunno," I explained. "I've got an idea. Just trying to fit it together."

"I can be your judge," he said and I laughed.

"I dunno, maybe."

He laughed. "C'mon, kiddo, let's get home."