The next chapter there will most likely be a time jump.

"Lucy, I've got great news!"  Paul called as he walked through the door.  He dropped everything he was caring to the floor in excitement.  "The Beatles are millionaires!  Let's go out to dinner tonight, my treat.  Lucy?"

He went into their room and found her hunched over her desk.  A pile of files from her job were sitting on one side, but the other was a stack of paper with loads of numbers on it.  She had tears in her eyes.  "I'm sorry...I'm just really tired from work.  I went to see Layla today and she said she didn't want to see me.  I understand if she wants to be alone, but I wish I could help."

Paul took the pen from her grasp and kissed her hand.  In a calmer tone, he said, "Then you should take a break.  Let's go out.  We can go where you like.  You've been home alone so much this week."

"I can't take a break.  I need to finish this."

"How about we work on this together for another hour, and then we go out?"

"If I finish," she countered.  

Luckily, with Paul's help, she managed to get everything done.  "Should I change?" Lucy asked.  

"No, you look lovely.  Let's go."

They ate dinner quicker than usual, and decided to go for a walk around the city.  Paul wore a hat that covered his eyes and hoped that he wouldn't be recognized.  

"So the Beatles are millionaires now, you say?" Lucy asked.  Her arm was linked in his.  She felt warm walking next to him.  He nodded excitedly.  "Let's do something wild tonight, love."  His eyes lit up, and stopped walking for a moment.  "Let's get married."

She laughed.  "You waited until you were a millionaire to ask me?"

"I've wanted to for ages.  Let's get married tonight, and once this album is finished, we'll have a honeymoon.  We're practically married already...why not make it official?"

"I thought Brian said the Beatles shouldn't marry."

"John already broke that rule.  I will love and cherish you forever, Lucy.  Will you marry me?"

She kissed his cheek.  "Not yet.  I want to wait a few years.  And besides...I was thinking that I would ask you to marry me."

Paul blinked.  "What?"

"A man can ask a woman to marry him, so why can't it be the opposite way around?  I love you as much as you love me; I could propose to you if I wanted."

He considered the idea.  "I'm coming to like your progressive ways, Lucy.  But I'm not sure if I can wait a few years; I might propose to you first."

They window-shopped for awhile, as most of the stores were starting to close.  But then Lucy found a small one that she thought looked interesting.  Paul wouldn't have noticed it, as the entrance was in an alley.  "Let's look at this one."

Paul was surprised at her choice.  It was a sort of oriental shop.  They sold incense and candles, along with Bohemian and exotic clothing.  Lucy handed him a stick of incense.  "Do you like this one?"

"Mmm...yes.  We can get some if you'd like."

He scanned over the selection of books they had, all of which he hadn't heard about.  They were about women's rights, Apartheid and a variety of other things.  There were a few bins of vinyl records which he took notice to.  He was sure George would like this store.  He was getting into these unusual things.  

Then Lucy held up something to him to compare sizes.  "I quite like this sweater...I love it when you wear colors, and this is very colorful."  

Paul was a bit taken aback by her choice.  It was bright turquoise with a light red paisley pattern.  "You should try it on.  They have a room back there to change."

"If I try something on from here, so will you.  Go find something."

Lucy came back with a skirt she liked, and then they both went to try on their findings together.  Paul was certain that he wouldn't look good in a bright color, and that if he ever wore it in front of the lads they'd have a field day making jokes about it.  But when Lucy saw him, she smiled.  "I really like that.  It fits very well..."  

But Paul was examining her.  The skirt she had chosen was a bit flowy, but it went down to her ankles.  It was tan, but on the bottom there were a few rainbow stripes.  She had taken her hair out of its up-do, and looked positively counterculture.  "You look...amazing."

She blushed.  "So do you.  You should get this.  If the press saw you in this, you'd start a trend."

Without warning, he kissed her quickly.  "What was that for?"

"I just...I remember that when I first met you, all you ever wore were pastel, petite dresses that always went down to your knees.  And you always wore sweaters.  You've changed so much, which is good.  You're not as afraid as you once were to express yourself, and I like that.  I like that you can stand up to me."

He took her hand.  "Let's get home.  It's getting late."

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"Unbelievable!"  Lucy slammed her bag down a few days later.  

Paul stood up, because he wasn't expecting Lucy to be home so early.  "What's wrong?"

"He fired me!  He actually fired me!"  She put her hands on her hips.  "He said my outfit was inappropriate and that a woman my age should know better!"  She was wearing the skirt she had bought at the shop.  "It goes down to my ankles; you can't see anything!  My blouse is perfectly respectable, and even if it wasn't, he doesn't need to look there anyway!"  But then her anger gave away to sadness.  "My parents agreed with him...they didn't like the way the skirt looked.  My father said that no businessman wants to have a counterculture working for him."  She slumped against the counter.  

"I need a job though, Paul...I can't afford to go without one."

He took her hands.  "We'll find you another one.  I promise.  Let's not worry about jobs and money right now, alright?"

"...alright."

His little Lucy was slowly being pulled into the counterculture movement, and she would eventually take Paul with her.  Trouble, however, would soon follow.