With the twins in bed asleep and Paul tinkering on the piano in the other room, Lucy sat in the living room enjoying the soft music and Paul's voice through the wall. It was nearly 9.30pm and she was debating making them both a cup of tea before heading off to bed. She smiled to herself, from the music through the wall, she didn't think Paul would be coming to bed just yet though. It sounded like a new song was emerging. Getting up slowly, she stood up and stretched and headed towards the kitchen. A few minutes later, two cups of tea and some biscuits on a tray, she knocked quietly on the door of Paul's music room and went in. He looked up and smiled in delight when he saw her.
"Hello baby!"
"Hi!" After putting the tray on a side table, she kissed him softly on the head, "I thought you could do with a cup of tea." She told him.
"Oh you angel!" Paul hugged her. "How's the boys?"
"Sound asleep!" said Lucy, "Them beginning to find their feet means they're sleeping better anyway!"
Paul sipped his tea then dunked his biscuit in before eating it. "You have to admit though, it is kind of cute seeing them trying to stand up!" he told her. "And James can get a fair dose of speed going when he crawls!"
Lucy laughed. "I know! I dread the idea of them walking properly though...especially if I'm heavily pregnant at the time. I'll need to put them both on a lead!"
Paul began to chuckle at the thought. "You'll be fine," he reassured her, "You know me or Rose will always be around until this one...," he patted her bump, "...is a few months old. Don't worry!"
Lucy nodded, already beginning to play a few soft chords in the piano.
"Fancy a sing?" said Paul suddenly.
"Seriously?" Lucy looked at him skeptically.
"Yeah, why not?"
Paul began to play on old Everly Brothers song and sing along. After a few minutes Lucy joined in on the chorus, harmonizing with him. Suddenly Paul stopped and looked at her.
"Did you know the harmony to that bit?"
Lucy shook her head. "Not really. I could hear it in my head though. Why?"
"It sounded lovely! I hadn't realized you knew vocal harmony Lucy love. You're really good!"
Lucy laughed "Praise indeed Mr McCartney, coming from you. Come on then, play something else."
"You play."
"Me? All I know really is church hymns and stuff."
"That's good for me...come in...how about something Christmassy."
Lucy grinned then began to play and sing 'O Little town of Bethlehem.' Paul joined in her, this time he was harmonizing. They sang all three verses before finishing. Paul leaned over and kissed her deeply.
"That song always has a special meaning now, do you know that?" he whispered.
Lucy nodded, remembering the fateful night she'd turned up carol singing at Paul's door. "What a time we've had since then!"
Paul smiled. "You're happy though aren't you Lucy? I know I am."
Lucy reached up and wrapped her arms around him. She kissed him softly. "Of course I'm happy Paul love. Very happy!" she grinned.
They remained holding each other for a few minutes until the peace was interrupted by the phone.
"I'll go!" said Lucy, hurrying out to the phone so it didn't wake the sleeping boys. "Hello!"
Paul wandered through to the living room, wondering who was ringing so late in the evening.
"Hiya dad. Is everything OK?" Lucy sounded worried.
"Yes sweetheart." Daniel paused, "Lucy love, I have some news for you."
"Oh?"
"Well, this evening I was seeing Rose as you know."
"OK?" Suddenly Lucy found herself grinning, she knew what was coming next.
Paul looked at her face and whispered, "what's happening?"
She waved her hand to show him she was still listening. "What about your evening?"
"Well my love, I proposed to Rose tonight."
"Go dad! I'm hoping it was a yes!"
"It was Lucy love. Rose and I are getting married!"
"Oh Dad, that's fantastic news. Really, I'm so pleased for you!"
"You do mean that, don't you Lucy?"
"Oh dad yes," she moved the phone from her mouth, "Dad's proposed to Rose! They're getting married!"
"WOW! Congratulations Dan!"
"Tell Paul thanks Lucy love."
"I will dad. Dad, is Rose still there?"
"She is love."
"Can I speak to her please?"
"Yes. Of course." There was a pause as the phone changed hands.
"Hello Lucy."
"Oh Rose! I think it's amazing news for both you and dad! I'm so pleased for you both!"
"You really don't mind Lucy love? I know how close you are to your dad."
"No I don't mind! And it makes you the boys really granny now!" Lucy chuckled, "Have you and dad got any idea of when you plan to get married?"
"Not year really love. Why?"
"Then would you mind waiting until I've had the baby Rose?" Lucy began to laugh, "I'd rather not look like a whale on wedding pictures!"
Rose laughed. "We'll bear that in mind Lucy love, we'll bear that in mind!"
Paul watched as Lucy and Rose spoke some more then after saying good bye her dad, she hung up.
"What do you think of that then?" she asked Paul.
"If they're happy, then good for them." He looked at Lucy, "How do you really feel about it love?"
Lucy went to Paul and put her arms around his waist. "To be honest, it's been just me and dad for so long, it will seem strange when there's someone else in the house but I'm married now and happy, why not dad." She smiled softly at him, "Everyone deserves their piece of happiness."
"Very true my love, very true." He kissed her deeply.
Lucy looked into his eyes after the kiss.
"What?" he whispered.
"Can that song wait til morning or do you need to do it now?"
"No, it can wait. Why?"
"Then take me to bed Mr McCartney."
"You think?"
"Definitely."
"But I'm not tired."
"Who mentioned sleep Paul?"
He grinned and kissed her deeply once more then, after breaking the kiss her fondled her bottom before letting her go. "You go and get ready for bed whilst I lock up. I won't be long."
Lucy leaned in and gave him one last lingering kiss before heading upstairs.
It didn't take long for Paul to join her!
3rd February 1971
Daniel and Rose set their wedding date for Easter Saturday, the 10th April. Lucy was pleased because by then she would have had given birth and no longer waddling around like a duck! She was looking forward to whole occasion and being able to wear something pretty at last.
By the beginning of February Rose was very keen to start deciding on her bridal outfit. To her surprise, she asked Lucy to come along with her own daughter to help her decide.
"You want to help you chose?"
Rose smiled. "Of course I do."
"But your daughter?"
"Lucy love, by marrying your dad, you become my daughter too," she hugged Lucy, "Now I know you're getting bigger by the day, but I'm only planning on going in two shops, and they're next door to each other so there won't be much walking! Please love, I'd really like you to be with me when I try things on?"
Touched by the request, and after arranging child care with Paul, Lucy set off with Rose and her daughter Claire. They were driven in Claire's car and bearing in mind Lucy's advanced pregnancy, they were able to park very close to the shop. It took Rose just two hours to decide on her wedding outfit, after which she took Lucy and Claire to Lunch in a nearby restaurant. Lucy found she was enjoying herself tremendously being out and about. They woman laughed and chatted like old friends. Suddenly their fun was shattered when, from nowhere, Lucy found a camera thrust in her face and pictures being taken.
"GO AWAY!" she yelled, covering her face with her hands, "Leave me to eat in peace!"
The reporter started throwing questions at her and take more pictures. In despair, she got to her feet.
"Rose, I'm leaving. See you later."
Before Rose could stop her, she headed for the small set of three steps that lead to the front door. Hurrying past people who were now stood up and watching the commotion, she lost her footing and fell down the steps, landing flat on her back in a very undignified manner on the pavement by the open door.
Winded and shocked, she sat there for a moment, getting her breath. Rose and Claire appeared almost immediately.
"Lucy!" Rose knelt down beside her, "Are you hurt?"
"I don't know." She looked up, "Get that photographer to fuck off!" she said through gritted teeth. "PLEASE!"
By this time a crowd hadappeared and the manager of the restaurant had also come out to see what thefuss was. When he realized how Lucy had been so rudely harassed in hisestablishment, he called for people to help remove the reporters and to give poor Lucy some privacy. Despite her protests, an ambulance was called.
"Please," she told the ambulance men, "I'm fine. I just want to go home!"
Rose, sat next to her in the ambulance, took her hand, "Come on Lucy, you've had a bad fall. You need to be checked out."
"I'm fine Rose!"
"Mrs McCartney, considering your advanced pregnancy, being checked over by a doctor is necessary. If you are declared well, you will be discharged."
Lucy looked at the paramedic then sighed. "Alright." She looked to Claire, "Can you call at my house and tell Paul what's happened for me? Tell him not to worry and that Rose will phone as soon as she has some news."
After agreeing, Lucy was made comfortable on a stretcher and then driven off to hospital.
Paul rushed into the emergency department twenty minutes later. After waiting for almost an hour, he was finally shown to where Lucy was sat with a doctor.
"Sweetheart, are you alright?" he asked, relieved to see her.
She smiled wearily at him. "I'm fine. Just bruised and battered."
He looked at the doctor. "Is my wife alright doctor?" has asked worriedly.
"She is indeed Mr McCartney. Mother and baby are fine. Lucy is a little bruised but nothing serious."
"Can I go home now?" asked Lucy.
"You can." The doctor smiled at her, "Rest for a few days. You may find you ache tomorrow as the bruising comes out."
Lucy nodded.
"If you find yourself in a lot of pain then either call your own doctor or come back to us here."
"We will," said Paul firmly, glancing at Lucy, knowing she hated fuss, "Thank you doctor."
"You're welcome."
Paul helped Lucy put her jacket back on and linked her arm as he took her back to the car.
"Where's Rose?" he asked, looking round.
"After she phoned you, I told her to go home and tell dad."
"Sure?"
Lucy nodded. "Who's with the boys?" she asked suddenly.
"Your dad wasn't in. Rose was with you, so I got Rose' daughter Claire to sit with them."
Lucy sighed. "I'm sure they'll be fine with her, She's really nice."
Paul started to drive. Lucy sat back, her eyes closed and tried to relax. She was beginning to ache a little. As the car pulled in to the driveway, Rose and Daniel came out.
"Lucy!" Daniel was very relieved to see her, "Rose told me what happened. Are you alright sweetheart?"
"Dad, the hospital have said both me and the baby are fine!" Lucy said calmly, "Where are the boys?"
"They're both having a lie down Lucy love, They're fine." That was Rose.
"Thanks Rose." Lucy sighed deeply. "Can I have a cup of tea from someone please? And the sofa. I'm desperate to put my feet up!"
Paul led Lucy into the house. He took gently took her jacket from her shoulders and helped her to sit down.
"How's that?"
"Better. Thanks."
"Do you want me to help you put your feet up?"
"Would you?"
Paul smiled and slipped her shoes from her feet. He gently messaged her feet and then placed them on the sofa.
"Thanks baby."
Paul knelt down beside her and kissed her gently. "Are you sure you're OK?"
"Paul, stop fussing! I'm fine!" her bottom lip wobbled as she blinked back tears.
Paul kissed her hand, "Sorry. I'll go and get that cup of tea, shall I?"
"Please."
Paul left the room and headed into the kitchen.
"How is she?" asked Daniel anxiously.
"Tired, grumpy, hating fuss." said Paul. He grinned at Daniel.
Daniel smiled at Paul. "She sounds fine then."
Rose tutted at both men and finished placing food and a snack on a tray for Lucy. "Who going to take this to her?" she asked.
"I'll do it." said Paul. He stood up and walked over to take the tray from Rose.
Suddenly the kitchen door burst open and Lucy staggered in.
"Paul! Help! My waters have broken and I'm in labour!