Chapter 7

Once we were in London I went into business mode. I gathered my drawings and designs and met all the guys and Brian in the board room once I was ready.

"So..." I began growing a little nervous as all eyes were on me, "you guys said you wanted to add color, and Paul here left me with a list of everyone's favorite colors."

I placed a drawing board on the easel in front of the room and showed them an early design I started with. It had Ringo in yellow, George in red, Paul in lavender and John in a teal color; which was as close to their colors of choice. The outfits themselves were at first just going to be suit jackets in those colors but I scrapped the idea.

"This is what I had in mind at first," I said before then placing a new drawing board up.

"This is how it ended up," I presented them with both the design in a drawing of them and then pulled the outfits out of a bag I had brought with.

The colors were the exact opposite of their favorites. They were bright and vibrant and the costumes resembled a marching band of sorts with rope coming off the shoulder. I also added a hat with a feather if they so chose to go with that look.

The room was silent for a moment.

Then the guys burst out laughing with glee.

"That's bloody brilliant," John stood up to grab his and look at the material. He was going to be wearing the lime green and orange one.

"I was just telling John that we should create an alter ego band... our new song we were writing yesterday for the new album at John's was about just that... wanting to rediscover who we are," Paul was ecstatic at the look, he liked his sky blue design.

"This does seem like a vibrant idea," Brian said "but in all practicality what on earth do you think this look will get for you guys, your fans might find this a bit odd."

He was being brutally honest but I was still excited about what I created for them in literally a few days of work all down to the exact measurements I was given for each of them.

For Ringo there was a bright pink with some blue on it and for George I created a Salmon colored look.

"I'm getting some crazy ideas in my head now about the album cover, once we have the songs of course," George stood up to speak, "maybe we could do something crazy colorful with this alter ego band on the cover with us in these outfits and maybe a flower field...once Paul names our new band.. that name could be on the front of a drum kit."

"We would still need to have the Beatles somewhere on the cover but I like the idea," Paul said and the whole group started discussing all their ideas.

I carefully took the new band suits and put them on hangers and hung them up at the front of the room for them to see and so they wouldn't be too wrinkly. I knew I'd need to work on them some more or create multiple versions if they really were going to go with this idea.

After about an hour of just sitting in on all the discussion on what this album was going to be Paul came up with a name he had gotten inspired by from things he's been writing and the new uniforms.

"Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," he said and everyone in the room completely fell in love with the idea.

"Thank you Lauren," Paul said to me before we all were leaving, "this has been the most productive meeting. Obviously we have a lot to work on and figure out but I want to immediately go and write a song with this new name in it, it's brilliant and it's thanks to you."

It made me feel like I was good for something, they finally were able to see my talent, and how I was worthy of working for them.

"Lauren!" Brian called after me from down the hall as I stood with George and Paul discussing their ideas after John and Ringo had left with their girls.

"I'm here," I said, alerting him that I was not trying to escape or hide behind George.

"Come to my office I want to talk to you," he called out and returned back the way he had come from.

George nodded at me and I walked solo down the long hallway to Brian's office. He led me to a chair to sit down and closed the door.

The way he was acting and the look on his face reminded me of a teacher in school who was severely disappointed in their student. I suddenly wondered what was wrong, had  I offended him in some way?

"Lauren, not only have you come in here and distracted George beyond compare.." he began and I didn't like the sound of where this was going, ".. and have needed time off due to the uncontrollable circumstances of what happened in America...."

He started off his rant with things that scared me more and more. 

"...but you have proven especially here today how you mean business and are willing to go above and beyond for whatever is before you."

"Thank you Brian," I spoke, "I can assure you I will continue to be professional."

He must have just been trying to scare me.

"I want to offer you a more permanent position," he said to me, "George made me aware of the fact that you would need to be granted a visa in order to stay here past the end of the month and I think you're needed around here."

I thought for a moment before speaking. I wanted nothing more than to return to the states. I have a life there. Now the only thing keeping me here is the fact that I met this group of individuals who mean so much more to me than anyone back home.

"I want to accept. I truly do," I told him, "but I can't possibly work for George and be in a business partnership while also being his girlfriend. You and I both know that it wouldn't be allowed."

He nodded knowing that this was an accurate assessment.

There was time to decide what I would have to do, but I didn't want to make decisions right now.

The guys were happy with the creative juices they all had flowing today and I just wanted them to ride that wave while I figure out my own future.

I walked back out to meet up with George and he asked me what I wanted to do the rest of the day. I told him I wanted to spend some time shopping alone and that I would then need to have my things brought from the hotel to the house.

He was happy to take care of that for me while I took care of my own errands. I was amazed at his ability to be in control of things. He was going to get all of my things moved to his home and check me out of the hotel for good. That including moving my many trunks of clothes and my portfolios of photographs and designs.

We had agreed that we would meet back at the Apple studio in the evening before driving back home. He was happy to give me whatever freedom I wanted no matter how badly he wanted to be with and protect me.

I walked up and down the rows of shops looking for the right sexy nightgown to wear when I felt that George and I would become intimate, maybe that would be tonight. I hadn't brought anything of this nature to England and I honestly felt so nervous trying to buy it. Things were going so fast between us. We weren't afraid of it, but I knew what would become of our relationship with the amount of passion we have for each other.

I found the right one and felt thrilled. I carried my bag in one hand and some tea in the other as I walked past a music store. I overheard a young girl going crazy over Paul McCartney, completely sobbing and going mad. I couldn't help but stop to talk to her.

"Excuse me?" I stopped, "what are you going on about?

"The news article, Paul McCartney is dead" she cried out.

"Dead?" I started to panic. I wouldn't be able to handle more bad news of this nature. I was with Paul a few hours ago though and quickly asked her for the paper. I saw that it was published early this morning.

"I can assure you this is inaccurate and I think he should sue this news outlet," I took the paper and shoved it back to her, "please don't believe everything that you read, I saw Paul a few hours ago."

"You know Paul McCartney?" She asked in disbelief and I said I knew of him.

There was still no news out of me being with George and for that I had to be grateful, if my face was plastered over the news and we had less privacy I believe I would go crazy locked up in his home.

I walked to the studio and there was a large crowd gathered around. I walked in to a frantic Brian trying to assure the press that Paul was okay. He scheduled a time for Paul to step out so everyone could see. I went in the back so I wouldn't be plastered on the front page as a groupie of some sort. I still enjoyed my privacy.

George wasn't back yet from his hour drive there and back with all of my belongings and I felt bad. I hope he didn't randomly hear this news on the radio and think it to be true.

I went inside and sat down in the girlfriend chairs and waited for George.

Soon the others all came in after Paul's appearance outside. We were still missing George but I knew he had a daunting task and would be a little bit longer still.

In walked a beautiful redhead and I recognized her from the modeling world in America.

"Jane, right?" I asked her as she sat down by me.

"Yes, and you are?" She asked politely.

"I am Lauren Woods," I said as if she might know, and obviously she didn't.

"Oh," she said "Paul told me about you, your the other American girl, I'm glad George finally found someone."

"Has it been a struggle for him?" I wondered out loud.

"Definitely not," she said "I've seen him with multiple girls in one night but for him to have something steady... Paul said he hadn't slept with a girl since he met you and that is impressive."

Suddenly I grew anxious about the fact that she was so open about his intimate life. She obviously knew a lot about it, as did Paul. I was worried George may be growing restless since he's been waiting patiently for me to reciprocate his same feelings.

Cynthia walked in next and us girls chatted about girl things and had a nice time while their men all practiced without their Guitarists.

I missed George deeply and wished I had just stayed with him all day. I missed his delicate and calming nature when I could see him in the same room as me.

It was much longer before he came running inside.

"Okay, you're alive good," he said to Paul and the whole group laughed, this must be a frequent rumor they face.

"There you are, babe," I stood up to greet him and he picked me up and swung me around. I was so happy to have him here even though I got along with all of his friends.

"Sorry," he whispered, "you know I had to drive there and back after getting your stuff and then I had to take care of a few things at the house, I figured I had more time."

"I'd say let's just get home but you just got here and must be exhausted from driving," I said as the chatter all around us continued and no one was paying attention to us.

"It's okay, we will stay a little bit then we will hit the road, I do want to spend some time with you in our home," he said sweetly in my ear.

I sat down near him as he tuned his guitar and he planted a big kiss on me before I walked back to the other side of the room so they could play.

I caught several glimpses he made toward me and my heart completely melted each time. I was absolutely crazy about this man and would do literally anything to be held in his arms and protected forever.

A little bit more time passed and Cynthia promised to visit me at home with their son Julian so I could meet him. I loved children and would be honored. She told me to have George tell John when a good time might be and I nodded.

Right at the same moment George stood up and grabbed his jacket and held it over his shoulder.

"Alright guys, I am going to take Lauren home," he announced and no one seemed to care.

"That was easy," I said as we kissed and made our way outside.

"Paul has been really into the song writing for the album and he gets zoned out, John knows I want to spend some time with just you and Ringo misses his girlfriend who is off visiting her parents somewhere."

That made sense since I still hadn't met his girlfriend Maureen yet.

We made the long drive back home and then walked inside. I carried my bags from my earlier shopping trip up the stairs and started walking into the bedroom and George stopped me.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Come," he ushered me down the hallway and around the corner to another room. We walked inside and I was amazed by what I saw.

There was a nice design desk and all my things were there, and even the fabrics I bought and had at Brian's office. I even saw a shelf in the corner with my 2 cameras and some film. He had put thought into placing everything where I might like it and he smiled down at me.

"Hope you like it," he said, "I figured you could work from home some days, when you wanted to be alone or not take the drive into the city with me."

I absolutely loved it. I set my bags down and my arms flew up to wrap around his neck. He put his arms around my waist and picked me up and walked me over and sat me down on the desk where we just kissed each other like our lives depended on it.

"Can we freshen up and lay down?" I asked him and he smiled.

"Nothing happens unless you are ready," he said reading my mind and kissing the top of my head, "I would wait an eternity for you."