⇾ 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐌𝐘 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘 | 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐈

Epilogue: 1963, the Year of the Beatles

December 31, 1962

"Love Me Do" was successful. Since its release, the band had done everything from autograph signings to radio interviews. Everyone who had heard the single had good things to say about it. I wasn't surprised. I don't really think anyone was.

They'd already begun work on their second single and they were on their third Hamburg residence this year.

John and I had celebrated our one year anniversary a week or so ago. We'd had to go out for it a day early since the day of we were traveling from Liverpool to Hamburg. We hadn't done anything too special. We'd gone on a little day trip to Blackpool the morning after the band had played two shows in Birkenhead for the Mersey Beat popularity poll awards. That evening we had to be back in Liverpool so we took a trip down to the pier, walked around there a while, got some food, and checked into a hotel for just a few hours to eat and listen to the radio.

We'd now been back in Germany for fourteen days and would he going back to London tomorrow. From there, it was off to Scotland, where the boys would be beginning a tour of the country.

We got back from the Star Club at ten o'clock that night and the band and I had laid around in a cramped hotel room, much like we had last New Years, waiting for midnight anxiously.

Around eleven, John and I went out to get something to toast at midnight again.

"Remember last year?" John asked me as we were rounding the corner back towards the hotel, Coca-Colas in hand. His hand was wrapped around mine, his other in his pocket.

I beamed up at him. "Yes, I do."

My parents were heavily on my mind. Not being in London worked wonders for me this time around, though.

John seemed to sense this. "You're thinking about them, aren't you? Your parents?"

I nodded sadly. "Yeah. Yeah, I am." I sighed.

He stopped me, taking both of my hands in his. "Y'know, love," he said.

"Hm?"

"They'd be so proud of you. You're so strong." He smiled.

I felt tears come up in my eyes at the words and he put his arms around me, enveloping me in his scent.

"I love you," I said, sniffling slightly. He pulled away and tried to lean in to kiss me. Much like I had last year, I stopped him by putting my finger to his lips. "Not yet," I reminded him, pointing to my watch.

"Right," he said. "Speaking of which, let's get back before they have a fit."

When we'd made it back up to the room, Paul was eagerly rushing us over towards the group.

"Five minutes!" he was saying eagerly. He took the drinks out of my hand and began passing them around.

When the clock hit 11:59, everyone began counting down in unison.

January 1, 1963

"Happy New Year," we all yelled in unison as it hit 12:00 and, when he was sure no one else was watching, he turned me around, pulled me in, and kissed me passionately. It was only when we heard the other three let out a few whoops and hollers that John and I realized we'd stayed together longer than anticipated and we pulled away, my face red. I saw Brian smiling at us all.

"This is 1963!" yelled John, thrusting his Coke bottle into the air. "The year of the Beatles!"

Book two is now up! :)