sunbeams sneaking in through old parted curtains awoke ella from deep golden slumbers as she dreamt of familiar voices and familiar faces and places she's never been.

dressing into nothing but jeans and a marvel tee along with vans, she grabbed her phone including headphones and raced down the stairs.

she found herself alone in an empty household. sighing, she checked the time on the grandfather clock that wasn't really her grandfathers.

it was 8 o'clock sharp.

"oh fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.."

she ran out the door and on to the street, forgetting her hoody to hide her away from the public eye.

as she ran to the familiar coffee shop her phone buzzed, probably from her Twitter and probably from her manager of paul all in which she ignored.

slowing down in front of the coffee shop ella hung her head low as she checked the time.

8:15 am

as much as she practically hated everyone alive, she also hated leaving someone to wait. she opened the door and peered inside, the coffee bean scent invading her nostrils.

she spotted paul sitting in a booth, a coffee placed on the table while he scribbled in a journal.

damn hipster.

without giving him notice she was there ella walked up to the barista.

"hi, can i get a vanilla latte and a chocolate muffin, please."

the barista, excited to see a celebrity, quickly nodded. "uh, that would be
$5.25, but it's on the house!"
ella smiled and took out a $10 from her pants pocket.

"um, ella- ms. mason, there's no need.."

she shook her head and handed him the money. "it's for you." the barista nodded excitedly and asked for a quick picture. agreeing, ella smiled hugely while holding up two peace signs while the barista took the selfie of them both. bidding him a farewell with an autograph and a wave, ella got her coffee and sat down with paul.

"well, you're late."

"no, i'm not. you're simply early."

"it's nine o'clock."

"anyways," she said, dragging out the letter s. "we desperately need to start working. i want to release the album by october."

"that's roughly five months away."

"which is why we need to start, god, you're slow."

ella sipped at her coffee as paul sat back and thought.

he wasn't that bad looking..

"okay, i've got an idea. how about we base your album off of you?"

"me?"

"yeah, we can call it 'self-absorbed'."

wham.

ella's first collided with paul's arm as he merely laughed.

"you're an asshole, but i like the name."

she could imagine it. it would fit her. ideas of photo shoots ran through her head, pieces of lyrics floated by as well.

"really?"

paul sat in disbelief at the singer in front of him. she liked an insult for the name of her album?
then again, it did absolutely fit her image.

"yes, write it down on that little journal of yours. we mustn't forget."

as they continued to talk about the album and the songs that were to come, paul couldn't help but notice her eyes sparkle.
they were a beautiful shade of brown, the kind that give you a warm, homey feeling. he also noticed how her right eye was a tad lighter than her left.

she smiled radiantly as she spoke about one song she would love to add in. with every word spoken her hands seemed to follow. and paul didn't know if it was because they were out in public or not, but he enjoyed his time being spent here. with her.

"so you're from liverpool, huh?" ella asked as both of them quieted down. paul nodded, "born and raised."

"what's it like?"

not knowing if it was a real question or not, paul answered. "it's very homey. there's a bunch of parks nearby where i lived. there are the docks i used to hang out by when i was a lad. bunch of trees too, if i remember correctly i think a tiny forest park but i'm not so sure. i stopped going because me mum-" he coughed awkwardly. "she, uh, stopped taking me. said it had began to be dangerous. but, uh, there a ol' record shop me and me younger brother mike used to go to."

"there's a record store near by if you'd like to go."

paul looked up at the not-so-snotty pop star. "are you serious?"

ella nodded, "yeah, plus, i have a friend who works there. john, i think he used to live in liverpool too."

•

the lot entered the record store by bickering.

"you said it was near!"

"it is, don't know what you're talking about."

"it's bloody six blocks away!"

rolling her eyes, ella sauntered to the old sections.

"you like buddy holly?"

ella nodded as she held his album.

"and elvis too, and many others.."

she strolled down the section with paul nearing up behind her.

"el? is that ye?"

motioning to paul, ella walked up to the counter.

"tis me, john. how's the day?"

"eh. average, if i do say so me self. which i do. aye, who's he?"

clearing her throat, ella spoke.
"this here is.."

"uh, paul. james paul mccartney"

"aye! ye has a liverpuddlian accent, i can tell. moved there me self three years ago."

"this is john, paul. john le-"

"john winston lennon, don't wear it out." john said as he pretended to slick back his teddy boy hairstyle from the sixties.

"nice to meet you, john"

paul extended his hand and john took it as they shook hands.

"nice to meet ya too, macca."

•
a/n

let's take a moment and realize today is paul's 74th birthday!!

this makes me feel super nostalgic because he was celebrating 50+ years ago with the beatles in the sixties and now we're only left with him and ringo. it reminds me not all things last forever as one hopes they would.

ANYWAYS.

happy 74th birthday, you old lovely geezer. i love you very much.