Real Love: Chapter Seven
Real Love
Title: Chapter Seven
Authors: lovely_rita_mm & jenny_wren28
Starring: The Beatles (specifically John Lennon) and Maggie Sue
Rating: R for language, sex, & implied drug use.
Disclaimer: We don’t own any of the Beatles, this obviously never happened, and much to the real Maggie’s disappointment, is a complete work of fiction.
Ah, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da. For such a happy song, you sure caused a lot of problems.
Previous updates are located HERE.
Chapter 7
“More bad news,” Maggie groaned and put down the paper.
“What, about Vietnam?” John asked as he set a teacup in front of his wife. “Careful, luv, it’s hot.”
“Thanks,” she said, shifting the paper away from the steaming cup. “No. Well, yes, it’s often bad news there. But I was talking about the editorial about how I should step down from Apple, now that I’m pregnant.”
“Let me see.”
Maggie handed the paper to John. “You’ll notice the editorial is on page 2, while the war is buried somewhat deeper in.”
“Come on, luv, you know the Beatle are bigger than Jesus Christ. They’re certainly bigger than a non-war.” John said, winking at her. He scanned the article and then tossed it down. “It’s rubbish. It’s no one’s business but ours, is it?”
Maggie smiled at him. “What do you think?”
“About what?” John looked at her over his glasses.
“Should I step down?”
“I can’t imagine such a thing.”
“Neither can I,” she sighed rubbing her belly. She was just past three months pregnant and showing. They’d been forced to make an announcement since there would very soon be no hiding her bump anymore. When Maggie had made no move to quietly abdicate her position at Apple to someone else, presumably a man, the press had sent a firestorm of condemnation against her. She didn’t want to step down. Women in her time worked right up until they gave birth. And Maggie loved everything about working at Apple. It was a dream job, even when there were problems, which there often were. It took Maggie’s constant vigilance to keep the spending of money down while still fostering the fun atmosphere that made Apple what it was.
“Then why ask me?”
“Because I value your opinion.”
“Even if you think my opinion is daft?”
“Even then.”
John pulled Maggie over and onto his knee. “No, I’m too heavy, I’ll crush you!” she protested. “I’m huge.”
“Nonsense. I know for a fact the lasses have always admired my firm thighs. You might have a problem if I had bird legs like Paul…” Maggie laughed at that despite herself. “Now, you were wanting to know what I thought?” Maggie nodded.
“You are Apple for me now. I can’t imagine anyone else running it. We all trust you and you’ve made good decisions. I know it’s not usual for a woman to work, let alone work once she’s in the family way. But then again, when has Apple ever been about convention? It’s funny,” he mused. “I used to feel much differently about the idea of my wife working, but now that it’s you, I can’t imagine it otherwise. I can’t explain it.” John was quiet a moment, and Maggie watched him try to form his thoughts into words. “Maybe part of it is that I still feel guilty for taking you from your brilliant NASA career.”
“John…” Maggie tried to reassure him that she regretted nothing.
“No, no, it’s true, isn’t it? You made a hard choice. And I will never forget that you picked me. I love you for it. And so maybe I feel that it’s only fair that you be allowed to find career fulfillment here. I know that Beatles aren’t the same as astrophysics, but I think you’ll agree we are nearly as challenging…”
Maggie wrapped her arms around his neck. “You are definitely as challenging. But in the best possible way. I’m sure your son will feel the same way.”
“Or daughter,” John said, putting a hand on her stomach.
“Ugh, I can’t believe we have to wait ‘til he or she is born to find out. If only we could visit my time and get a sonogram done!” Maggie was sure, somehow, that it was a boy. She had this sense that John was destined to have two sons. They’d so far managed to avoid other predestined events, like John and Yoko becoming a couple - but she still felt like time was going to continue trying to reassert itself, to correct itself to the proper course of things. This thought scared her when she thought of the future and of John’s killer being out there on the loose - but she shoved that thought off. They already had contingency plans in that regard. She didn’t want to think about them now, though.
“Have you thought of whether you would like some time off though? After the baby comes?” John asked her.
“Well, yes. I figured I would play it by ear. I’ll probably have Peter Brown and Peter Asher take over some of my duties temporarily. Neil does most of the day-to-day stuff as it is, and he’ll be fine. I’ll be kept up-to-date on what I need to know, and I’ll just go in with the baby when I’m needed for meetings. After a few months, I’ll see if I’m up to going back full time. I’ve already started making plans for a day care center, which I was planning on discussing with the board soon. Then I’ll have little Ringo at work with me all day, which will be convenient for when he needs to be fed.” She patted her stomach.
“Little Ringo, eh?”
“After his father of course,” she said, smiling demurely.
“And you’re sure it’s Ringo, and not Paul?” John laughed.
“Pretty sure. I mean, it is hard to tell you mop-tops apart…” Maggie ruffled John’s hair affectionately. It was still pretty shaggy and Beatle-esque as John had given up on growing his hair out after India.
“Dirty Maggie Mae,” John said. “Won’t the gate birds be jealous that you’ve apparently had all of us?”
“Very.” And she knew it was true - even if she’d only been with John, Maggie knew her access to all four of them made her a huge target for the fans. The joke also made her wince slightly - while she had not actually slept with George, there was still a little guilt that she very nearly could have. “Well, my scandalous and pregnant self is late for work, so I’d better be off. What do you have planned for today?”
“We’ll be at the studio this afternoon working on “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” - more of Paul’s ‘granny’ shit, you know?”
Maggie winced a little bit. “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” was a fun song, but the band had really fought over it, Paul driving them all crazy with his incessant perfectionism. Maggie wasn’t really sure what could be done to avoid all that, though.
“What I really want to do is revisit “Revolution,” John continued.
“Revolution’s not done?”
“I don’t know - it doesn’t feel done. Needs some piano or something. Or maybe it’s just that I can’t decide between the slow or the fast version. And I’m still not sure exactly the statement I want to make with it either. Should you count me out or in?”
“It’s your call. I like that the lyrics are subversively non-revolutionary though.”
“Thanks, luv.” John rummaged through one of the kitchen drawers and pulled out a notepad and a pen. He sat back down with them and started scratching lyrics down on the paper.
Maggie gathered up her things and got ready to head out the door. “You’ll figure it out, I’m sure. Don’t forget, we’re meeting everyone tonight for the baby shower.” Since Maggie and Linda were due around the same time, the party was to be for both of them. Neither of them wanted a big fuss, so it was just going to be Beatles and Beatle wives.
“Hmm? Oh, yeah, right. See you then,” he mumbled.
Maggie shook her head and kissed him goodbye.
Hours later she found herself sitting alone in the private back room of a restaurant the Beatles frequented and wishing that cell phones existed.
Everyone was due to arrive at 6pm, and Maggie knew that if things were flowing in the studio, the Boys might be delayed. But where was everyone else? Maggie sighed when she considered things like traffic, the fans, and car troubles. God knew what else could have come up. And if any of her friends had run into problems in transit, they’d have to no way to contact her unless they could get to a pay phone or to EMI or Apple.
Maggie glumly watched the minutes tick by. At 6:10, when the waiter refilled her water glass, she asked if anyone had called the restaurant. The answer was no.
At 6:15, the waiter came back saying that Mrs. Harrison had just called, and handed her the message. The note said that Pattie was sorry but couldn’t make it. Her car wouldn’t start and she would have called sooner but she couldn’t remember where she’d written down the number to the restaurant. George was already in London, and Pattie was stuck out of town at Friar Park, so there’d be no way she could catch a ride unless someone were to drive all the way out there for her, and by the time that happened, she’d be too late. Maggie imagined the taker of the message had probably developed writer’s cramp by the time he’d written all that down.
At 6:20, the waiter handed her a second note, from a Mrs. McCartney. Linda had said that she’d been on her way out the door with Heather, when Heather had suddenly gotten sick. So now Heather was in bed, and Linda had to stay and look after her and only just now had gotten the chance to phone and give her regrets.
At 6:25, the waiter brought her a third note and a basket of bread. Paul had called to say that he was sorry but they were caught up in the studio with something really important and they would be there when they could.
At 6:30, Maggie was given a fourth note from George that said that Paul was being an ass and insisting on recording over a perfectly good bass line over and over again. George would come as soon as he could, but he had to stick around at the studio long enough to ensure that his own work remain unmolested.
At 6:35, the fifth note, from John this time, said that Paul was being an ass and was trying to record over George’s part and that Paul and George were now fighting. John thought it might go on for a while and was afraid to leave in case it actually came to blows. Also, could Maggie suggest how the beginning of “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” might go before Paul drove them all crazy?
At 6:40, the sixth note said that Ringo had left to go pick up Maureen to bring her to the restaurant, as she’d been waiting for him to get home for a ride over. He’d been unavoidable delayed when he’d need to pry both John and George off of Paul.
At 6:45, Maureen walked into the back room of the restaurant.
“I’m so sorry I’m late, Ritchie didn’t come home when he was supposed to and I had to call a cab…” Maureen paused when she realized the room was empty of all but Maggie and a pile of paper slips. “Where is everybody?”
Maggie handed Mo the stack of notes, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
Maureen deposited two wrapped packages onto the table, and taking the notes, eased herself down into a chair to read them. She looked up when she was done. “I guess it’s just you and me then, eh?”
“Looks that way.”
The two of them sat in awkward silence until the waiter came to offer Maureen a drink and to ask if either of them wanted something to eat. The waiter assured them that even if the rest of their party wasn’t coming, that they would be left undisturbed. Maggie supposed that was due to the fact that they were Beatle wives. The position had some perks. No restaurant that had Beatles or Beatle family as patrons would kick up an embarrassing fuss about taking up a large room for only two people.
Maggie looked over at Maureen. “Shall we order something?”
“We may as well, it’s nearly 7 o’clock, and I have a sitter for the evening.”
Maggie and Maureen gave the waiter their orders and then sat in silence for a few minutes, neither sure what to say.
“Do you think Ringo will come?” Maggie asked hopefully.
“I don’t…” Maureen’s reply was interrupted by the waiter, bringing yet another note and a glass of wine, both of which he put down in front of Mo. She read the note and then gave it to Maggie. “Looks like no,” she said.
Maggie looked down at the note. Ringo had called and said he gone home to find that Maureen had already gotten herself to the restaurant. He was going to drive back in from Weybridge, but the sitter had had a family emergency and had to go home. Maureen should stay if she liked.
“Well, I guess we’re it, unless Paul and George kiss and make up,” Maggie said weakly.
“I can’t see that. John would be jealous, wouldn’t he?” Maureen took a rather large sip of her wine.
Maggie’s head snapped up in surprise at the naughty joke.
“Oh, don’t think the love affair between John and Paul has escaped me,” she said with a smile on her face. “The way the two of them bicker and argue, you’d think they were the married couple. I half expect them to start snogging sometimes.”
A loud laugh escaped Maggie’s lips and Maureen easily joined in the giggles, which escalated until Maggie was nearly crying.
“I know what you mean.” Maggie wiped tears from her eyes. “The way Paul used to guard John so jealously from me at first. It’s like he was this jilted lover or something.” She shook her head. “Oh, boys. At least Ringo is there to keep the band glued together.”
“Don’t I know it. That lot would fall apart without Richie.” Mo sighed. “I wonder if they realize it at all. Sometimes it feels like they don’t appreciate what he brings to the group.” Maureen gave Maggie a sidelong glance, and Maggie swallowed, wondering if she was trying to hint about at something.
“I’ve always admired Ringo and what he’s brought to the band,” Maggie began, and then realizing how it sounded hurried on, “but don’t worry - not in that way.”
“Don’t say it like that! He’s the handsomest one of the lot!” Mo winked. And Maggie gave a relieved smile. She knew Maureen could be prickly and possessive about Ringo. Evidently she’d mellowed out a bit. Or it could be the relaxing effects of the laughter and wine.
There was a rather long pause, and then suddenly Mo said, “I owe you an apology. I never should have told you that John was with someone else that night when he wasn’t. It wasn’t right and I’ve felt badly about it ever since.”
Maggie was quiet for a minute. What Maureen had done had been terrible - and it had nearly cost Maggie dearly. The apology was sincere though, and Maggie had always felt guilty about how she’d treated Mo. They’d never had anything in common, and had not exactly hit it off at first, making it easy for Maggie harbor a grudge against her for something Mo hadn’t even done yet in this timeline, namely, sleep with George.
Mo was young, had gotten pregnant and married a Beatle at 19. Her life was so different from Maggie’s. Maggie felt like she hadn’t really given Maureen a fair chance. In fact, she’d provoked her at every opportunity. John had suggested a clean slate once. Maybe Maggie should extend that to Maureen too. They could both use the second chance.
Maggie looked at Maureen. “Thank you. I accept. And please accept my apology too. I don’t think we got off on the right foot and I haven’t been especially nice to you either. I’m really sorry about that, and I’d like to be friends.”
A smile of relief washed over Maureen’s face. “I’d like that.” She added shyly, “Would you like to come over for tea sometime next week? I have a ton of baby things, maybe you’d like to go through them? You could take some for Linda too…”
“I’d love it! Thank you! Truthfully, I know nothing about babies. I’m going to need all the help I can get when this one comes!”
At that, Maureen relaxed and she and Maggie spent the rest of the evening chattering about babies and Beatles. Maggie wondered at how she’d managed to be so blind to this side of Maureen. Had Maureen matured, or had Maureen always been nice, and Maggie had brought the worst out in her? Was it possible that she and Mo could have been friends from the start if Maggie hadn’t decided right away that she didn’t like her? There were no answers, but Maggie was glad to put the unpleasantness behind them. After all, there were only three other women who knew what it was like to be married to a Beatle. Four if you counted Cynthia, which Maggie did. Cynthia had been married to her Beatle during the toughest years, between those when they’d been poor and trying to break big, to when they’d broken bigger than any band ever had or would again. Maureen had also been around since the early days, when she was a fan hanging out at the Cavern Club. If anyone could understand Maggie’s love of the band it would be Maureen. And with possible rough times ahead for the band, Maggie might need all the allies she could get to keep everyone together.
~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N
We're glad Maggie and Mo patched things up!
Thanks for reading!
Continue to Chapter Eight
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