Layla and George spent Valentine's Day trying to best each other on their guitars. It was only around dinner time that they took a break to eat. Layla felt starved.

However as George was finishing their meal, Layla winced in pain when she sat down. "Is something wrong?" It was an instinct of his to comfort her. He knew it wasn't a good way to think, but he feared that something could go wrong. He didn't know what would happen if he lost another baby.

"No, I'm fine. I'm in a little bit of pain...but it happens often. It will pass."

"Is there some medicine you can take?"

"I don't know if I should...it might affect the baby. I'll be alright...I don't think I'll have a lot to eat now."

George furrowed his brow. "My dear, you still must eat."

"I will...I'm just not starving anymore."

But it was hard for George to enjoy his meal as he watched Layla struggle to eat. He asked if she would like to see a doctor. She immediately shook her head. "No...I've been to the doctor more than I have been here since I returned. I'm not spoiling this evening for you."

George took her hand. "I'd rather have our evening be spoiled than you getting hurt. It's been thirty minutes and it hasn't gone away."

"Why don't you trust me?" she began to get angry. "I know my body better than you do; I'm the one who's carrying the baby!"

George didn't want to argue; he submitted. "My dear...I'm sorry. I don't want to upset you; I just want to know that you're safe. Can we make a deal? If it doesn't go away in another hour, may I drive you to the hospital?"

"Fine."

They continued to play guitar until it was the next day. Then Layla was so exhausted she nearly fell asleep walking to their bedroom. George had to keep an eye on her.

But in the middle of the night she woke with pain again. She made sure not to make any noise, as the last thing she wanted was to wake her tired lover. She could deal with the pain. It always went away.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Layla ached all over. Physically...and somewhat emotionally.

While George was spending a day working at the studio, Layla knew they need groceries so she went out. She hadn't been out of the house in days, and even though the weather was gloomy as usual she felt better.

Because she spent so much time walking she began to get sore, considering she hadn't moved around much when George was at home.

At one store, a young woman said, "Pardon me...but you look just like George Harrison's girlfriend. I'm a big fan of him."

"Oh, I'm sorry...I'm not her."

Even though it was very obvious that the Beatles had wives and girlfriends, they still tried to keep it on the down-low. It hurt all of the girls slightly, especially Cynthia. She was married to John Lennon; they had a son!

She was the one who had to say 'I'm sorry, but I don't know John,' the most.

Layla had never had to do that before. Luckily, since her hair was still white, the girl didn't seem to realize that this was the girlfriend who died.

"I hate to bother you, miss. You just looked so familiar."

Once she left the grocer, she was walking down the sidewalk when one of her bags dropped. She scrambled to get everything before the items rolled into the street. A man stopped to help her. "Thank you," she said.

"Do you need help carrying these?"

"I'm fine, thank you. Cheers."

Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I am weak.

When she came home, George was there. "Where have you been? You're supposed to rest."

"I went to the grocer. I needed fresh air, George. I can't stay in this apartment for nine months straight."

He took the bags from her. "Thank you for getting these, love." He kissed her forehead. "But perhaps you should sit down-"

"Gladly."

As she rested, and listened to George humming to himself as he put away the groceries, she began to think of what she'd have to say when she had the baby. And as the child grew older, how would he or she react to their father basically saying, "In this house, I'm your father, but outside I'm not"?

Hopefully they could make an exception to the rule. For both Layla and Cynthia's sake.

Layla had started calling Cynthia more often in discreet, asking what was to be expected. She was very helpful and very understanding. Once the three of them had gone out for tea, and Lucy admitted feeling out of place as she was the only one who wasn't a mother. Though Layla teased her about it slightly, Cynthia said that she was still so young. "Trust me...wait a bit longer. That way you have time to think of what you want."

"George?"

"Yes, love?" He emerged from the kitchen with some freshly cut strawberries in a dish. She smiled. "You read my mind." After having one, she said, "I was also hoping you'd show me the songs you're working on."

"Of course."

They both took turns playing. Layla told him the parts she did and didn't like. Depending on what they were, George took them into consideration. He loved hearing Layla talk about music.

As she finished the strawberries, he began to play Dark Sweet Lady once more. She smiled. He leaned over to kiss her, and was delighted that she tasted like the sugary strawberries.

She ran her hands through his hair before moving to his shoulders.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too."

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There was a frantic knock on Paul's door. Lucy answered. "Oh, hello, Cynthia." Looking at the little boy beside her she said, "Hello, Julian!"

"I know it's short notice...but John and I..." she looked like she didn't want to say with her son around. Lucy told Julian: "Paul's playing the piano. You should go join him."

"What's going on?" Lucy asked. Cynthia looked frightened. "John and I have been fighting...and tonight John is coming home late from a party. I'm just afraid there will be shouting, and I don't want him to be scared. Can you take him for the night?"

"Of course. But, Cynthia, will you be alright? Are...are you safe there?"

She nodded. "It's more for his sake than anything. Thank you so much, Lucy," she embraced her quickly. "But I must go."

"Call us later, Cyn."

Lucy moved towards the living room, and saw Julian sitting on Paul's lap as Paul played a children's song on the piano. It was light, happy and bouncy, which made Julian smile.

She was taken aback for a moment. Paul was so good with him, and she had never seen anything more adorable. For a moment it made her wonder what it would be like to have a child with Paul.

Her love looked over at her for a moment as he played, and she found herself blushing. She brought Julian's little suitcase to the spare room.