Issy tumbled down the stairs in a hurry the next morning. John had hinted about driving up last night but she daren't think he would do it. She clamoured around quickly to slip her dressing gown on.

But she had to look didn't she, had to sit on the front step just in case he did come for a visit.

*

The navy Lincoln sedan was parked a long way down the driveway.

Why hadn't he just come all the way in. Why is he all the way out there.

Issy ran bare foot down the gravel drive, Ben and Max on her heels, her hair whipping her face as a strong breeze cut through the early morning.

Him.

He was here and it had seemed so long now they'd been apart that she hardly dare dream he was now more than a voice down the phone line these last few months but he wasn't, was he;

He was here.

Flesh and blood. That roman nose, with Buddy Holly's sitting wonderfully askew. Fast asleep behind the wheel.

Issy cracked the door open and held the excited dogs at bay with a well-positioned leg in their path.

"Johnny" her whisper turned up on the 'y' at the end of his name, creating a soft squeal.

She felt like a school girl again, a fangirl, a true Beatle John aficionado all rolled into one but she was also a grown woman who's heart was bouncing around, knocking hard at her ribcage so very rapidly... so happy her 'John' was right here and not four hours away.

Issy calmed herself a little and tried again "Johnny"

"Hmmmm, Is?"

"You came .... You came"

"Course I did" he smiled sleepily pulling her into the tight spot on his lap behind the steering wheel, one hand flicked the seat leaver and Issy was graced with a few more inches of room. "Isabelle" He kissed her cheek as she snuggled down into him for a cuddle, his stubble scratchy and rough but in the end, nothing was stopping her pursuit of his lips.

He silently confirmed she was more.

He was here with no push, no direction from others or her. He was here on his own accord and that spoke volumes to her.

The dogs chose their moment and tried to get kisses and pats too, both trying to join the humans in the car, making John grumble happily. He started scratching their ears and giving greetings "Hello Maximum Hello Benjamin. Have you boys been looking after mum".

*

It wasn't by design but after taking a shower John was led willingly up the stairs to that comfortable bed.

He'd tried to keep her downstairs chatting about what's for breakfast...

Making tea in the pot- not bags thrown in a cup.

How far along she was in writing her latest novel- was it a kid's Lit. or adult?

How cold the lake would be... Or not.

Any bears or piranhas!? ... Or not.

But she was an insistent one his Isabelle.

This girl that had been always on his mind since well before he left in a hurry last time; Sally's shotgun of worries cocked in his face.

He worried he would cause a rift between the mother and daughter. But it was better now, Sally had warmed up to his Lennon charm and saw for herself that he was trying, really trying to be better.

And now she was slowly slipping off her silky pajamas with delight and lust in her eyes and slipping in between the sheets, patting the space beside her. How could he not join her, it was what it was, them together. Comfort and good, sexy and wonderful.

She was like the wind while he was in New York, he couldn't touch her but she seemed to be all around~ in his senses, his mind; stuck wonderfully in his soul. Now he touched and she smiled wrapping him up in her love.

Happily John fell in the rabbit hole with no bother for escape.

He leaned over Isabelle as her hair fanned about her face, his nose traced her jaw down her neck then back he swept to take her kisses and see her eyes alight for him. "I missed you Isabelle ....so much"

"I missed you too..."

With content bodies they spent the morning drifting in and out of sleep and sex. Time spent chatting and basking in the feeling of togetherness too. Issy tried to get up but all John had to do was pout and she fell into him over and over again, stealing and ransacking his body and soul. "You're here I still can't believe it" Issy pinched his cheek gently, earning a kiss for her efforts "So real and not my dreams, no more dreams please"

"I promise it won't be so long this next time but-"Issy frowned and John ran a finger over her cheek, rubbing her pouting lips "but I have to go back and finish off this album, the hounds of hell are on my tail"

"Can you stay a few days, help me think where to set out the dance floor and tables, the lighting?" Issy sat up and wrapped her fingers round Johns arm holding him to her, eyes begging.

Leaning in, soft breasts dusting against his chest ..... kissing his lips, she had him almost losing his train of thought... again.

"Isabelle darlin', where was I? ..... .................Oh yea! Of course I have a few days for us. Which also reminds me, I have some bits and bobs in the car"

**

"This boot-full is not bits and bobs mister!!" Issy smiled in amazement as she touched upon the many boxes of fairy lights John had purchased. Leaning against the bumper, one hand holding the boot-lid open John laughed at the animated faces she made, running the gauntlet from awe to motherly telling him off, then to happy amusement "I'm supposed to do the wedding reception, you mister get the soft drinks and cordial" Issy grinned as John grimaced. "Ok, OK.... and a few bottles of booze for those that want to imbibe"

"Booze for my lot will need to be carted in on a few dozen lorries"

"You mean semi-trailers don't you, how long have you been in the states?" Issy teased, picking up some silver tablecloths. "You are too much Lennon, I'll have to write you a cheque"

"No, you will not!" John grabbed her to him, kissing her cheek as she squirmed in his grasp in attempt to escape and load her arms with goodies "This can be our contribution Isabelle, yours and mine ~ together; and I don't need money, now do I"

"Not fair though, this must have cost a packet. And how am I to know what's left in your bank account, not a Beatle now are you" Issy giggled then hugged John as he poked his tongue out in jest, she turned about again to scan over the loot in the trunk, Issy felt his body slip behind her tight, like he couldn't get close enough, she leaned back into his embrace and relented "You've been overly generous..."

"Shush now luv. Come on, let's unpack the stuff and figure out where we're setting up this shindig" John pat Issy's rump and positioned her to one side, reaching in he grabbed a few boxes and Issy smiled with naughtiness, placing three more on top of his load, making him almost blind with the interference to his sight.

Loading the remaining silver tablecloths over her arms, Issy led John into the house and saved a box of lights as they slid off the top when he stubbed his shoe on the top step.

"You knew I'd be blind, didn't you. Naughty girl"

"Was blind but now can see" Issy sing-songed back with the old line from Amazing Grace, taking two more boxes from the laden pack mule otherwise known as John Lennon.

"You've not got a bad voice"

"I've not a good voice either"

"Don't go saying that. Linda sounded like a cat stepping on an accordion while fighting off a yapping poodle and look at her; up there supporting Macca as he rakes it in" Dropping items none to gently on the dining room table John stood back, hands on hips, assessing the loot.

"Jealous much?!" Issy sat with chin in hands, her elbows propped on the table, she was wide eyed, interested in his answers. Shadows of a thousand emotions rushed across his features.

"NoYesSortof. Maybe" tumbled from his lips before he could stop the purge. Sitting down sighing, he stacked the boxes off to one side and laid his head on the table at an angle to watch Isabelle stare back. John wondered why he had said that.

He was flush with cash, not needing the ticket sales in the slightest.

He'd proven himself with the singles and albums he wrote and produced post Beatles.

Got notoriety from the peace movement he had spearheaded, worked with some of the leading musicians in the field.

But not really got back on the stage, well except with EJ for the bet and the Montreal Peace Rally. But those events had been performed, flying by the seat of his pants - not much rehearsing, not much organisation.

Not like a true tour, where you went days, weeks, on the road...lived life in a prison cell of hotel rooms and captured inside of vehicles of all descripts, staring over coppers shoulders while being shoved by waves of fans.

"What on earth are you thinking about Johnny" Issy whispered as he lay eyes closed, his forehead frowning, relaxing and frowning again. Thoughts racing.

John mumbled into his arm as he turned further into the table.
"... Whether I crave to tour or crave to crave"

"Pardon?" Issy switched chairs to sit closer beside this man who she really didn't know that well. He had so many stories and past lives inside him that only he and the others situated in his inner circle knew. Issy was a stranger, not even a footnote to it all. "Crave to crave?" Fingers carefully brushing through his hair. Issy waited for him, even if he took all day she would wait.

Lying half asleep and having fingers touching him gently was therapeutic in a way. The digits weren't heavy and pushing nor so soft he was alone. Like comfort, like love; he let her in and she didn't even know it. He groaned out in a huff of muddled thoughts "I sometimes crave stadiums full and bursting"

"You say that like it's a bad thing" Issy countered quietly, never stopping the assault on his senses. Fingers seeking solace for him in his thoughts.

"It is, isn't it. Screaming chicks, police shoving, cameras clicking, organised to within an inch of your life. Having to stare at four bland walls and some horrid looking stains on carpeted floors" John continued "Why would I want that... but it's.... It's... still craved" Issy's hand stilled "Please don't stop your pandering to my senses, Isabelle" She resumed her touch without question.

"It wouldn't be the same level of mayhem would it?" Issy struggled to ask a question, any question that would help, not hinder. "I don't mean that you're, you're. Umm a...." Her lingering unsaid words pounded in his ears just a little. Maybe, a lot.

"A has been Isabelle... is that what you're getting at luv?" John reached blindly and pat her shoulder, giving her a squeeze, letting her know he wasn't mad.

"No of course not, you big bloody ego maniac" Issy grinned, leaning over kissing him gently on the cheek. "I mean we have all grown up, all of us. All those panty droppers are probably mums now, married with kids. All the screams now conducted in bedrooms behind closed doors with their boring husbands or significant other"

John sat up abruptly in an imagined comedic huff not that his face let that little detail on "You mean I wouldn't facilitate screamers?! Bloody 'ell the place 'ill be a morgue!"

Issy touched his cheek still wondering if he was kidding or serious, he was very good at teetering between the two with his words and addling the listener. Her eyes worried, John kissed her hand and laughed "Isabelle I was joking luv.... It would be a cavernous pit of empty space and cold seats... Tickets still at the box office on an unopen roll"

Smiling at his silliness, she rubbed his cheek, he may be all talk and jokes but all that aside she could see the thin shaft of underlying doubt, the worry of self-worth. Leaning forward, kissing him softly on the forehead, ironing out those frown lines, she whispered "Even if it was only me sitting there, John .... the place would be overflowing with love"

"Would you scream?"

Issy tapped her lip and watched him watch her with hidden glee, thinking up the best response to make him happy, contented and strong.

"I'd scream heaps.  Fangirl to the max... til you told me to pipe down"

A/N ~ Bio line~ Johns last performances (wiki):

Lennon and Ono gave two benefit concerts with Elephant's Memory and guests in New York in aid of patients at the Willowbrook State School mental facility. Staged at Madison Square Garden on 30 August 1972, they were his last full-length concert appearances

On 28 November, Lennon made a surprise guest appearance at Elton John's Thanksgiving concert at Madison Square Garden, in fulfilment of his promise to join the singer in a live show if "Whatever Gets You thru the Night"—a song whose commercial potential Lennon had doubted—reached number one. Lennon performed the song along with "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "I Saw Her Standing There", which he introduced as "a song by an old estranged fiancée of mine called Paul"

He made what would be his final stage appearance in the ATV special A Salute to Lew Grade, recorded on 18 April and televised in June. Playing acoustic guitar and backed by an eight-piece band, Lennon performed two songs from Rock 'n' Roll ("Stand by Me", which was not broadcast, and "Slippin' and Slidin'") followed by "Imagine". The band, known as Etc., wore masks behind their heads, a dig by Lennon who thought Grade was two-faced.