Dearest - George Harrison Fan Fiction - Beatles Fan Fiction

Chapter One, Part One - If You Can Make It Here,

George looked out of the airplane window, and he chalked up feeling queasy to nerves. He was excited but also worried about the group's impending arrival to the States. If the group failed here, they might as well pack it in.

He pulled the tab from the 7Up can and sipped from it. The fizzy drink usually helped to settle his upset stomach. George placed his hand into the pocket of his blazer and held the ring box. He thought about Annette. His eagerness to marry the lovely young woman hadn't diminished in their time apart.

"Feeling better?" John heavily dropped into the seat next to George. He placed a cigarette between his thin lips and lit it. He leaned over and tugged on the collar of George's button-down shirt and comically inspected his mate's neck. He spoke around his cigarette. "Still looking a bit green around the gills." He let go of George's collar. 

"I'm fine." He held up his can of pop. "How's Cynthia? She looked shocked by that scene back at Heathrow."

John shrugged, slouching further down into the seat. He was mindful of what the press might overhear. He didn't answer.

(————)

Annette was sitting on Howard's threadbare sofa, smoking a cigarette, and anxiously bouncing her leg. She was supposed to see George today. Annette was excited but worried that their feelings for each other could've possibly changed in the time they'd spent apart.

Charlie sighed, placing her hand on Annette's thigh, and firmly grabbed hold. "Stop."

"I can't help it." Annette frowned, trying to jerk herself out of her friend's grasp. "Let go."

"No." Charlie glared at her.

Wanda shook her head. "How about both of you stop?" She stood up from the sofa and moved over to the armchair.

Charlie stood up, walked over to a window, and looked out of it.

Annette checked her wristwatch and stubbed her cigarette out into the ashtray. Her lunch break was coming to an end. She needed to get back to the office uptown from Howard's apartment downtown in Brooklyn.

If she left now, Annette hoped her lateness wouldn't be that noticeable. She couldn't wait any longer for Howard to return from the bakery with donuts.

She grabbed her coat from the armrest and stood up from the sofa.

Wanda sighed exasperatedly. "You don't have to leave."

"I do." Annette put on her coat, quickly doing up the buttons. "I have to get back to the office." She stated apologetically, walking to the door.

"Sure you do. The place couldn't run without you." Charlie stated mockingly.

"It's bad enough that I'm going to be late. On top of that, you're going to give me a hard time for having to work." Annette pointed out, turning to face Charlie.

Charlie's back was to Annette, still staring out of the window.

"I have to go. I'd like to keep my job."

"You work for your dad." She replied condescendingly.

Annette frowned. "I don't work for him. I work for the Amsterdam News."

"He works there. He got you the job there. Same difference." Charlie argued.

"It's not." Annette countered sharply. "I can't come and go whenever I want." She paused, taking a moment to collect herself. She didn't want to fight with Charlie and sensed this conversation was headed in that direction. Annette couldn't put her finger on it, but ever since they'd arrived back to the states, Charlie's good spirits had taken a turn.