If I Fell│John Lennon/Beatles FanFiction

Chapter 29 - 27.Nov.1961

Chapter 29

November 27, 1961

"We're being bloody watched, Livvy," John said as we got off the bus. He pulled me toward him and draped an arm over my shoulder, and I leaned into him.

I lowered my head as the wind whipped around us. "Watched? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Brian Epstein." He tightened his grip on my shoulder as he pulled in a drag of his cig. "Keeps poppin' into our lunchtime sessions. Always comes, says a few words, and then leaves."

"The man is the very definition of posh." I'd seen Mr. Epstein a handful of times when I stopped in for a lunchtime session at the Cavern. He wore the finest suits, what looked to be Italian shoes, and expensive jewelry, and he carried a bloody gold ciggie case. He often adorned a smart overcoat with a navy foulard scarf with white polka dots.

"He's got a shop, though, so he must be all right." John hesitated in front of his house. "Yours or mine?"

We'd barely been able to keep our hands off each other since we abandoned our friendship for something so much more. If we went to his place, we'd have to be careful, quiet. And there was no part of me that wanted to hold back with John, especially not after such a lovely night.

"Mine." I wrapped my arm around his waist, pushing under his jacket and shirt so my hand could rest on his warm skin. "Have any of you tossers actually asked Brian Epstein what he wants in all the times he's popped in to say hello?"

"Probably just a fan," John replied with a shrug as he kept walking. "He's invited us to NEMS in two days."

I looked up at him, my brows raised. "Well, what's he want?"

"Dunno, do I?" He moved his hand to my neck as we approached my front door.

I shoved my hip against his. "None of ye thought to bloody ask 'im?"

John ignored me and threw his ciggie to the ground. "Can you come with?"

"Me?" I asked as I reached into my purse for the key. I pushed out a long, soothing breath as I stared at the red door. I'd stood in front of it so many times, trying to prepare for the inevitable row with my father. But those days were behind me now. He'd never be able to hurt me again. My head knew he was gone, but somehow my hand still shook as I reached to push the key into the lock. "What the hell do ye want me there for?"

"I just want ye there, Livvy." He wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his head on my shoulder.

"Two days, you said?" I finally got the ruddy key into the lock and turned it.

"Yeah, after our lunchtime session." He kept his arms around me as we walked into the house.

"I've got a meeting with Bill Harry, remember? He might actually pay me to take some photos," I said as I flipped on a light. I couldn't believe that Bill Harry of the Mersey Beat was actually giving me a chance, and I certainly wasn't going to miss meeting with him.

John pressed his lips against my cheek, and I leaned into him. I'd never given much thought to what John would be like in a relationship...or whatever it was we were doing. I'd been too wrapped up in trying to suppress my feelings to allow myself to imagine what life with him would actually be like. But I found that he was awfully affectionate when he wanted to be, and I loved every last touch.

"Right, that's more important, I suppose." His hands ran down my arms and settled on my hands. "Yer shakin', Liv."

"It's just this damned house." I pushed out an unsteady breath. "It's gettin' better, I think."