I grew to be less lame to the boys as the years passed, and I could swear, Dhani kept sneaking glances at me throughout the gathering. We exchanged gifts, and I received a pendant necklace, music, books, etc.The boys got records and books, and a watch each.
We said our goodbyes and departed, not going to see each other again until Christmas.
Christmas came, and it was held at the Harrison's abode. Dhani had written to me and called on occasion. He was becoming quite sweet, and had said he had a special pressie for me.
We pulled into the hidden drive, our car packed with the whole McCartney brood. The older girls chatted about their jobs and school, while James taunted me, as we entered the party.
Uncle George welcomed us in with hugs and a 'Happy Christmas'
to everyone. Aunt Olivia had a large table with several appetizers near the fireplace. Mum handed her a lasagna and Dad boasted, "I do make a killer vegetarian lasagna!" We all had a chuckle at that, knowing full well how he'd just followed Mum's recipe.
Dhani and Sean stood in the corner, Sean obviously teasing Dhani about something. I moved toward the appetizers, where they were standing.
"I know you like her, Dhani boy," Sean taunted
" I don't like Louise... " He stuttered, "I think I love her."
My jaw dropped to the ground. Dhani Harrison loves me? I felt my face turn tomato red.
"Oh, have a look at who's behind you," Sean motioned. Dhani smiled awkwardly and became as red as I was. "I think she likes you too," Sean sang. Dhani's mouth moved, but nothing escaped the lump in his throat. I just squeaked a ' Sean's right' and scurried to Stella.
"Stella, Dhani just said he likes me! And I like him too, but I don't know what I should do!" I sped through several more sentences before being shushed by a call to dinner. I poked at my veggie roast and moved it around my plate until it was time for presents.
Colorfully wrapped parcels were passed around, and torn open. At the very end of the party, Dhani brought a box with a hole in the bottom to me. He grabbed my hand through the box and pulled me under the mistletoe and into a sweet kiss.
"Will you be my girl, Lou?" He inquired, visibly shaking.
"Of course." I smiled. And with that, I pulled him into another kiss.
Dhani and I had been together since Christmas, and this year, the birthday festivities were on my birthday. Dhani had gotten us a matching set of promise rings. They were plain silver bands, but on the inside of mine were his initials and mine were on his.
"I truly, with all of my heart, want to marry you someday, Linda Louise McCartney. Do you accept my promise?" He almost whispered
" YES! Dhani Harrison, I promise " I beamed. He kissed me in a celebratory manner, short but still loving.
We had a wonderful day, and when we left, Dhani asked me to meet him at the park for a 'walk'. This 'walk' had an unintended consequence. One we'd have our lives wrapped around forever.
I stared at the positive pregnancy test in my hand, thinking 'I'm fifteen, Dhani's sixteen, we can't be parents!' I was home by myself on that chilly September day, so I rang Dhani up.
"Hello, this is Louise, may I speak to Dhani, please?" I asked Aunt Olivia .
"Hey Lou! How are you?" He inquired
" Sick, and tired. Do you think we could meet and talk this weekend? "
"Sure. Our park?"
"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow at two" And with that I hung up. I hid the test and other things l needed into a backpack and caught a tube to our park.
