When the trio arrived in Liverpool, their luggage was loaded into their rental car and John took the wheel.

“Alright, me lasses,” he said cheerfully, “Off we go; I’m gonna give ye both th’ grand tour!”

John maneuvered the car quickly through the airport parking lot and out into the street.

“Whattaya wanna see first?” he asked his new wife.

She didn’t hesitate. “The house you lived in,” she told him decisively.

“Which one, before five or after?”

“Both,” she replied. “Show me both of them.”

***

He stopped outside of 9 Newcastle Road and they looked at the house he had lived in with his mother when he was a baby. She leaned against him, glad of the deeply tinted windows.

“She would’ve loved ye, y’know,” he said after a long silence. “I was happy here. I was always th’ center of attention, an’ ye know that’s not too fuckin’ hard for me t’ take.”

“Sounds like it was fun for you.”

“Oh, aye, it was -- there was always laughter here. I remember it perfect. I had a fuckin’ ball. Then I got moved in with me Auntie an’ me Uncle George, but me mum still stopped by from time to time. Eventually I learned that she didn’t live far, and I started comin’ here t’ see her on me own.”

They sat there for a while, then John said, “Well that’s enough o’ that. Let’s go on, I’ll show ye Mimi’s house, and a surprise.”

John pulled up in front of Mendips and slipped his hat and sunglasses on.

“Get Julia and come ‘ead,” he told Mary. “I’ve summat t’ show ye; yer gonna love this, I promise.”

Mary got the baby out of her soft nest in the back of the car and followed John. Right between Menlove Avenue and Vale Road there was a small private area; there was a bubbling spring and a gigantic old oak tree covered with ancient ivy.

“Oh, John, this is lovely,” declared Mary, sinking into the soft grass beside the spring. She lay the sleeping baby, wrapped in a blanket, on the grass beside her and pulled her knees up under her chin. “It’s so peaceful here. Did you spend a lot of time here?”

“Not by half,” he told her, sinking into the grass beside her. He lay back and pulled her down with him; she settled her head against his shoulder and looked up into the latticework of branches. The sky was a brilliant, clear blue, and a few fluffy white clouds scuttered by in the light breeze.

“Private, too,” he said softly, into her hair, against her ear. “I’d hear ‘em if anyone was t’ come along, an’ we wouldn’t need t’ take much off, only arrange things, like.”

“You’re incorrigible,” said Mary with a smile. She tilted her head to get a kiss.

“That I am,” he replied agreeably, “Now, I didn’t hear a ‘no’, did I...lessee how we c’n do this.” Mary unhooked her garters and slipped out of her panties, and John unzipped his jeans and slipped them down past his hips. Mary straddled him, lowering herself slowly to enclose his full length. He let out a soft, satisfied moan as she settled against him, and she arranged her skirt to cover them and rocked slowly, teasing him. She removed his sunglasses and tossed them aside.

“Ah, yer that wicked,” he said, and he pushed deep up into her. “Teasin’ me so. I’m gonna teach ye a lesson, lass, mind if I don’t.” He reached for her breasts, and she leaned back, barely out of reach, still with that slow rocking motion, giving her hips a gentle sway on the upswing. She rode him steadily, slowly, and the throbbing became all but unbearable. John was breathing harder, and his eyes were gazing into hers. She couldn’t look away; the naked passion in his eyes was mesmerizing. Suddenly, he gave a deep groan and grabbed her, lifting her up and off of him with one smooth motion. She thought that he would turn her onto her back and mount her, but instead he hauled himself to his feet and pulled her up as well. He pushed her back against the tree and lifted her, sliding himself into her with a shuddering sigh.

“Ah, gurrl, that’s good,” he said, his voice rough, his breath coming in ragged gasps. “This won’t take long at all -- I’m gettin’ close...”

Mary wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist and just held on. Using the tree to brace her, he slammed into her again and again, and she began to moan softly, feeling the pleasure rising to take her away with him. She cried out, his name springing from her throat unbidden, and after a couple more thrusts, he emptied himself into her with a low moan; he could no longer support his own weight upon his shaking legs, and they tumbled to the ground and lay panting in the grass, returning to reality slowly, wrapping themselves around each other, each one unwilling to turn the other loose, kissing frantically, breathlessly.

Once they were able to breathe normally again, the pair rearranged their clothing and went back to their original position, he lying back, she resting her head against his shoulder.

“That was wonderful,” she told him, snuggling closer. “But then, you always are.”

“Yer amazin’,” he said softly, kissing the top of her head. “This place is even more special now.”

“You came here a lot, didn’t you?” Mary went on. “I can tell. You seem very comfortable here.”

“I would, wouldn’t I,” he replied, “This was me thinkin’ place.”

“Was it?” asked Mary, “And what would you think about?”

“Oh, nothin’ -- and everythin’. Just whatever popped inta me head, mostly, unless I was here for a reason.” He was quiet for a while, and Mary did not press him; she knew him well enough to realize that he was going to tell her something and wanted a moment to arrange his thoughts in his mind. It was hard for him to talk about the painful events in his life, and he needed a bit of preparation time. At last he got out a cigarette, lit it, took a deep drag, and exhaled; then he spoke again.

“I came here th’ day me mum was killed,” he said in a small voice. “There’s a legend that goes with this place, y’see. If ye make a wish, then turn yerself around in a full circle two times, yer wish’ll come true, supposedly.” He sighed heavily and kissed Mary’s hair at the top of her head.

“I didn’t get me wish that day,” he went on sadly, “When I got home, she was still just as dead.”

Mary turned in his arms to face him, pressing her face against the pulse in his throat.

“I’m so sorry, love,” she whispered, and he pulled her closer and lay his chin on top of her head, closing his eyes to stop the tears from spilling over.

Neither of them said any more for a long time, just lay there in silence, looking up at the pieces of sky visible between the intertwining branches of the big, friendly old tree.

“Well, madam,” said John at last, “Shall we go on with our tour? There’s still a lot to see.” He kissed her cheek, clambered to his feet, and pulled her up to stand beside him.

“I hope we will always be as happy as we are right now,” he said, and he turned around in a full circle twice. Eyes shining, Mary did the same.

“With two wishes,” she told him happily, “we can’t lose.”

John gathered up their sleeping daughter and they returned to the car together.

***

Next, they saw John’s schools; he declared that they hadn’t changed a bit. Dovedale Primary School was a long, one-story, institutional style building, and Quarry Bank Grammar School reminded Mary of a church. The Liverpool Institute resembled a town hall with its imposing columns. John had fond memories of none of the schools except this last one.

“There was one teacher at this school who saw summat in me,” he said softly as they sat outside looking at the enormous building. “Me grades were that bad, but he said he’d get me inta th’ Art College, and he did. Of all th’ teachers I ever had, he was th’ only one who believed in me.”

He didn’t say anything more for a few moments; he just sat there with his arm around Mary. Little Julia awoke and began to fuss, and John leaned into the back seat to retrieve her. He handed the baby to Mary, who had her bottle ready.

“Look at her, Mary,” he said gently, trailing the backs of his fingers across her soft little cheek, “She’s fuckin’ perfect. An’ just think; every one o’them teachers told me I’d amount t’ nothin’. Here I am, I’ve got more money than all of ‘em put together, everybody in th’ whole fuckin’ world knows who I am, an’ I’ve got a beautiful new wife, an this little gurrl here -- I’d say I made somethin’ o’ meself...with no thanks to th’ lot o’ them!” He laughed and waved his hand at the school building. “I’ll bet that whichever o’ them fuckin’ teachers are still alive are goin’ about braggin’ about how I was their favorite student an’ how they encouraged me. I didn’t need them, though. I made it without their help.”

“People will remember you forever,” Mary said, leaning her head against his shoulder as Julia finished her milk. She put the baby over her shoulder and patted her back until she burped, then sat up and lay her on the seat beside her to change her wet diaper.

“They will,” he agreed, “But that’s not the important thing, at least not anymore. I just wanna be a success at bein’ a father, both to our girl here and to Julian, an’ at bein’ yer husband, Mary. How am I doin’?”

Mary fastened the last button and sat Julia up on her lap, where she sat grinning at the both of them.

“I would say,” she replied, “That you are doing a perfect job of it, just as you do at everything you do.”

“You believe in me,” he said happily, smiling at her.

“That I do. Now, what about those clubs and restaurants you promised to show me? I want to see the places you remember more fondly than these schools.”

“Alright; but we could always go back t’ th’ spring; that was nice.”

“That was lovely. We definitely need to go back there again, but tomorrow; right now -- “

“I know, I know,” he said with a sigh of resignation. “Ye wanna see th’clubs. As ye like; yer wish is my command.”

***

There was not much traffic, and John found a parking spot near the Cavern Club with no trouble at all.

“Hey, here’s an idea,” he said suddenly, “Let’s see if we c’n find someone t’ watch Julia, an’ we’ll go out tonight. I’ll just take ye ‘round t’ all o’ me old hangouts.”

“That would be so perfect,” said Mary, wistfully. “But who could we trust to take care of her?”

“Ye just leave that t’ me, mummy, I know just th’ people t’ do that. Right; we’re on our way t’ Appleton, then.”

***

It wasn’t long before they were pulling up in front of a lovely bungalow. Mary was entranced; “John,” she asked, admiring the flowerbeds, “Who lives in this house?”

“It’s George’s mum an’ dad,” he replied. “I’m sure they’d love t’ meet ye, an’ I’ll bet Mrs. H would insist upon watchin’ Julia for us so that we c’n hit th’ clubs.”

“Oh, that’d be lovely; John, and I’d love to meet them. I hope they’re here. Let me just make sure she doesn’t need changing again.”

***

The Harrisons were delighted to see John and very impressed with Mary. Mr. Harrison told John that the baby was “quick work”, and Louise told them that Julia was “perfectly precious”.

“She’s adopted,” Mary told them, “But we couldn’t love her any more if she were our own. She’s been with us since she was six days old.”

“Do you know her mother?” Mr. Harrison wanted to know.

“Not really; we had met her, but she was in an accident and she was killed. After that, we decided to take the baby in ourselves, since we were getting married anyway and we did plan on having a family.”

“Well, you certainly have a nice start on it,” Mrs. Harrison declared.. “She’s a beautiful baby, and Mary, you are a lovely young woman. Congratulations to both of you.” She lifted the baby to her shoulder and kissed the top of her silky head. “Are you here on your way to your honeymoon, John?”

“We are here ON our honeymoon, actually,” John replied. “Mary wanted t’ see where I grew up. She chose Liverpool over Tahiti; I figured that if she wanted t’ see th’ place that badly, I might as well take her on th’ grand tour.”

“Where are you staying? We have an extra room,” Louise said warmly. “You’re welcome to it.”

“Oh, thanks, but we wouldn’t wanna impose, an’ we’re likely t’ be late t’night.”

“Oh? Who’ll be watching this little angel, then? Have you made an arrangement?”

“Well, no, I guess I just figgered on takin’ her along; she c’n sleep through just about anything.”

Mrs. Harrison was horrified.

“What? Oh, John, no, that simply won’t do at all -- the cigarette smoke, the cold night air, the dampness, the crowds, the germs -- oh, no, you must leave the little darling here with us. You can come by and pick her up in the morning, or I can leave the door unlocked at the back and you can stay in one of the bedrooms. Now, no arguments,” she added, as John opened his mouth to protest. “I insist. Say yes, John.”

“Mrs. H, that would be great. Thank ye for that. I can’t think of anyone else I’d feel comfortable leavin’ her with.”

“It’s all settled then,” Mrs. Harrison said. She held Julia up and was rewarded with a toothless smile. “You and I are going to have a splendid time,” she told the infant. “You just wait and see.”

***

After being served a sumptuous tea, Mary went to get ready to go out while John filled the Harrisons in on the wedding and assured Louise that George was in good health and fine spirits.

While John got himself ready, Mary talked to the Harrisons about where she was from and how she had come to know John. By the time they were ready to leave,the two women were chattering like old friends.

 ***

John had his hair tied back and tucked up into a cap, and he was wearing a pair of very dark Ray Bans.

“Isn’t it going to seem funny, wearing sunglasses in the dark?” Mary wanted to know.

“A lot of people do it these days,” John told her. “I doubt if it’ll be a problem. I think it’ll be more fun if I’m not noticed.”

“It’s hot in here,” she said as they descended the stairs to the Cavern Club. “Is it always like this? I would think it would be cool, like a cellar.”

“Hot as fuckin’ hell,” declared John, “And always has been. The walls are wet, too, and sometimes th’ water in th’ loo is pretty deep; it’s like th’ fuckin’ tide comes in, or summat.” They stood in an archway with their heads together and watched a local band setting up on the tiny stage in the front of the club.

“So this is where it happened,” said Mary. “This is where you were discovered.”

“Yeah, it seems like it was a lifetime ago,” he told her. “It was like, I always knew that it would happen sometime, but when it actually did we were all totally unprepared. And once it started to happen, it was like bein’ on a runaway train. All the years of work an’ hardship just began t’ pay off overnight.” He paused and took a drink. “I wish ye could’ve gotten t’ meet Eppie,” he told her as quietly as he could while still making himself heard. “He’d be happy for me to’ve found someone so sweet t’ take care o’ me. Ye’d’ve liked him, too.” He was holding Mary’s hand, and she raised his to her lips and kissed it gently, watching the muscles around his mouth twitch. His throat worked; Mary knew that if she had been able to see his eyes, she would see that they were filled with tears.

“Remember that music shop I pointed out to ye?” he asked, his voice sounding a bit rough as he struggled to contain his emotions. “Hessy’s; the place I got me first real guitar.”

Mary nodded, and she squeezed his hand. He squeezed back and continued. “Well, after Brian took us on, one o’ th’ first things he had t’ do was t’ go there an’ settle our accounts. We’d racked up a lot o’ expenses, y’know, buyin’ equipment on credit.  Th’ bill was two hundred pounds or summat.” He took a deep breath and pushed away from the wall, pulling Mary with him. “Let’s go,” he said. “We’ll nip over to th’ Grapes. That’s where we went for a real drink, seein’ as it’s not available here. Me an’ th’ lads spent a lot o’ time there.”

***

They sat off in a corner, and now that he was facing a wall in dim light, John was able to remove his glasses.

“This was a good place for us,” he explained. “We could get alcohol drinks, for one, and th’ kids that hounded us at th’ Cavern were too young t’ get in, so we could get respite from them as well.”

John reached for Mary’s hands and caressed them; he was looking into her eyes in that way that made her feel all weak inside, as though everything within her had turned to water.  Her heart swelled in her chest until it felt too big , and her throat constricted. She swallowed and blinked back the tears which threatened to spill over.

“I love ye, Mary,” he told her, “With everything that’s in me. Yer me life. I don’t feel like I could live without ye now; I don’t think I would even want to. I don’t know how t’ tell ye how glad I am that we managed t’ find each other. I don’t think th’ words even exist. If I ever do find those words, I’m gonna say ‘em to ye every day of me life. That I promise ye, love.”

The tears brimmed in her eyes, causing the candle on the table to sparkle violently, then overspilled. “Oh, John,” was all she could say.

***

Before they returned to the Harrison’s in Appleton, John took her by the Oxford Street Maternity Hospital so that she could see the place where he had been born.

“There was bombing goin’ on,” he explained, “An’ Mimi put me under th’ iron bed you know, to protect me from harm.” He was quiet for a while, then he casually suggested that they move to the back seat. “T’ be more comfortable, like.”

The parking lot was deserted, so it was not hard for him to convince her. They climbed into the back seat of the car, which had been lined with blankets for Julia, and John held Mary close against him.

“Ah, gurrl, yer like no one I’ve ever known before,” he whispered into her hair. “Ye don’t care what I’ve done, an’ it’s no matter to ye what I have...I don’t hafta be nothin’ or nobody but meself, an’ ye’ll love me just th’ same. An’ ye’ve got this sorta strength that’s uncommon in a woman; I know that whatever happens, ye’ll always be there for me. I love ye so fuckin’ much; c’mere, gurrl...” and the ability for further speech was rendered impossible and unnecessary as he covered her mouth with his own.

He was moving against her, his body tense with need. Mary felt the warmth spreading throughout her belly, stirring her heart, speeding her pulse, blurring her mind. She moaned softly, pushing gently against him, wanting him desperately. The last coherent thought that flitted through her mind was to thank God for the car’s darkly tinted windows.

She clung to him, her arms about his neck, pulling him as close as she possibly could, wanting to get closer still; wanting to get so close that she would be on the other side of him. His hands were feverishly moving under her clothes, fumbling with the buttons, pushing her blouse back impatiently from her shoulders, his mouth at hers, then at her breasts, then traveling lower, her hands in his hair, her thighs on his shoulders, his hands on her ankles, her mind dissolving completely as she arched against his mouth with a soft cry of joy. He released her, moved up quickly, and slid into her with a deep growl, his head back, his eyes closed. As soon as he had sunk into her body as deeply as was humanly possible, his head came forward and he fixed his eyes upon her face. He forced himself to move with excruciating slowness, watching her, a small, tight smile playing about the corners of his mouth as he teased her. He kept this up for as long as he could, until his own need was too strong to ignore. Then with a gutteral moan, he thrust deep and withdrew almost completely only to slide deep inside once again.

“Are ye ready, woman?” he asked in a hoarse whisper. “Are ye as close as I am?”

“Y-yesss,” she groaned. “Oh, God, yes -- please, baby -- “

That was all he needed to hear to push him over the edge. He slammed into her hard and fast several more times, then with a wild cry he emptied himself into her, and she held on to him, tears running heedlessly down both of their faces as they collapsed in a puddle of spent flesh, kissing frantically, desperate little sounds slowly turning into sighs of contentment. It was nearly an hour before they finally climbed back into the front seat to drive back to Appleton, and both of them were completely satiated.

It felt good to slip between the cool, clean sheets, and they wrapped themselves around each other and fell asleep almost immediately.

***

With only a couple of days left before John had to return to the studio, Mary suggested a trip to Bournemouth. She wanted to meet John’s Aunt Mimi, but he did not seem too keen on the idea.

“Well, John,” she told him quietly, “Don’t you think it’s about time I met the woman who raised you? I don’t know if you’ve even told her about me.”

He didn’t say anything for a long moment, and Mary knew that he had not said anything to his aunt. At last he cleared his throat and shot her a quick glance.

“Ummm, well, I haven’t actually mentioned it t’ her yet,” he finally said. “She’s still not too happy about th’ last time, and then a divorce on top of that…”

“Don’t you think we should say something to her, love?” asked Mary. “She deserves to know, and there’s the baby; she should know your family.”

“Okay,” John agreed with a resigned sigh, “We’ll go see her.”

***

It wasn’t long before John was knocking on his aunt’s back door. He didn’t want anyone to see him in front, so he had come around to the other side of the house.  After a moment, Mimi’s face appeared at the window. She hurried to open the door.

“John!” she exclaimed, “Come in -- it’s about time you visited! I haven’t seen you for months. Have you even been here since I moved in?”

“No, but it’s very nice,” he replied, hugging her and kissing her thin, pale cheek. “Are ye comfortable here?”

“Oh, yes, it’s lovely. How have you been, dear? Is there a special reason for this visit?” She wagged a finger at him. “You should have called ahead,” she scolded gently. “I would have made you that chocolate cake you like, and a special dinner. As it is, I don’t know what I can scrape together, but I’ll do my best. Come into the kitchen, dear, and we’ll have a nice chat. I have the kettle on.”

“Ah, Mimi,” said John slowly, and she spun around at the kitchen doorway. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and an accusatory look crept into her eyes.

“What is it? Have you done something wrong?” she wanted to know, and there was an edge to her voice. He did not answer right away, and she sighed. “Well, you might as well tell me, John,” she told him in the weary, resigned tone that took him right back to childhood. “What is it, let’s hear it.”

For a moment, John found himself feeling guilty, but then he shook it off “Nothin’,” he told her, and his aunt regarded him cooly. “It’s nothin’ wrong. It’s somethin’ good. I got married again, Mimi.”

The color drained from his aunt’s face and her eyes grew wide. “You what?” she cried, her hand fluttering to her throat. “John, that’s -- “

“It’s what, Mimi,” he said wearily. “Is it a sin, or is it selfish of me, or rude ‘cos I didn’t invite yer? I would’ve loved to have ye there, but I knew ye’d just do what yer doin’ now. Can’t y’ understand that I try? I try as hard as I can t’ do th’ stuff I’m supposed t’ do. That’s why I married Cyn, an’...”

“That wouldn’t have been necessary if you had kept your hands to yourself like you had ought to,” countered his aunt. “That whole disaster could have been avoided.”

“For Christ’s sake, Mimi, don’t you think I was careful? It was an accident, they do happen! An’ besides -- “

“And you could have just not been doing anything that you needed to be careful of,” she said icily. “Now what have you got yourself into? What kind of loose woman have you gotten -- with child -- this time?”

John opened his mouth to reply, and then his aunt’s face hardened yet more. She was glaring at something behind him. He turned to see Mary framed in the doorway, baby Julia in her arms.

“Hello, Mrs. Smith, ma’am,” said Mary cooly. “I’m Mary, and this is Julia.”

Mimi opened her mouth to say something, but Mary handed the baby to John and stood toe to toe with her. “I am Mary Katherine Flanagan Lennon, and I am not a loose woman. This child is adopted; John and I were not obligated to get married. I married him because I wanted to, not because I felt I had to. What is more, we were married by the Church. I married him,” she went on, her voice becoming gentle, “because I love him. Just like you do. I know you took care of him while he was growing up, and whether you know it or not, you really did do a good job. He’s far from perfect, but he’s a good man. He’s a fine man, and I love him with all of my heart and with everything that’s in me, just like you do. Now, you’re the closest thing to a mother I have, for my own mother died several years ago; I want us to be friends. Do you think that’s possible? Because if you don’t, I think it would be best if we left right now.”

John stepped closer, shifting the baby to one arm, and placed his other arm around Mary.

“So, then, Mimi,” he said quietly, “Ye’ve met me wife. Would ye like t’ meet our daughter as well, or shall we be off?”

Mimi gave him a tentative smile. “No sense running off when you’ve come all this way,” she said in her no-nonsense voice. “So, now, Julia, is it? Your mother would just be so proud. Let me take a look at her. Mary, child, the kettle’s on. Do you know your way around the kitchen?”

Mary nodded, and Mimi went on, “Then you shall make the tea while I get acquainted with this little lass. Give her to me, John, you’re holding her as though she were a roast...”

Mary smiled as she went into the kitchen to see to the tea.

*** 

They spent that night in the guest room, and Mimi borrowed a cradle from one of her friends for Julia, declaring that her great-niece would not be sleeping in a drawer.  When at last the drowsy child was ready to be put down to sleep, Mimi informed John and Mary that she, too, would be going off to bed.

“Don’t stay up too late, John,” she told him, “I’ll be getting breakfast ready at the usual time, and I’ll expect you to be at table on time.” Mimi bent to kiss her nephew, and Mary saw the gleam of pride and the love in her eyes.

“That wasn’t so bad, John,” whispered Mary once Mimi had gone off to bed.

“Don’t relax too much,” he replied. “Yer on trial. She’s gonna keep her eye on ye, and no mistake.  Mark me words, she’s gonna be watchin’ ye, Mary -- Mimi doesn’t give up that easy. She’s lullin’ ye into a false sense of security. She’s diabolical.”

John stretched and looked about the room.

“It looks just like her old house back in Liverpool,” he remarked. “She put everything in here just as it was there. Are ye tired yet, Mary?”

“Not really. Why? Is there something you want to do?” she asked, running her fingers across the front of his jeans. He widened his eyes at her.

“It’s naughty ye are, Mrs. Lennon!” he said in a shocked tone. “I was merely gonna suggest that we sit out on th’ back porch an’ look at th’ water! Although I must admit, I like yer suggestion better. Do we dare, right here under her very nose?”

“Why not? We’re married.” replied Mary, “Nothing wrong with expressing our love for each other.”

John stroked his chin thoughtfully. “You know,” he said after a moment, “Yer that right. Let’s do that; let’s go on t’bed and express the fuckin’ hell out of our love.”

They went to their assigned room; Julia was asleep in the borrowed cradle, and Mary turned down the bed while John undressed. She pulled her dress up over her head and folded it over a chair, then began to remove her stockings. John began humming David Rose’s ‘The Stripper’ as she finished undressing, and she threw a stocking at him; it fluttered and settled on his head, and he pulled it off, dropped it carelessly to the floor, and seized her.

“C’mere, ye sexy wench,” he growled, pulling her close and kissing her fiercely. “I wanna express me love for ye all night long.”

“Sssh, John, please,” she hissed, putting a hand to his mouth. “She’ll hear us!”

“I thought ye said it was okay -- yer not backin’ out on me, are ye, Mary, ‘cos I do believe I c’n demand me marital due!” His eyes were shining, but he kept his voice down a bit. Mary smacked his hands, which were running insistently over her body, trying not to laugh out loud at his antics.

“Okay, just be quiet, for goodness sake! Wait a minute, let me go,” she told him. He released her, and she went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She returned to him and put her arms around his neck, tipping her head back for a kiss.

“Now,” she said softly, “Be good.”

“Oh, I’ve had no complaints,” he replied, sweeping her up and placing her gently upon the bed.

“Never fear; I’ll be better than good. I’ll do me best.” He stretched himself out beside her and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair, kissing the side of her neck. She turned in his arms to face him, and he kissed her deeply, his warm tongue exploring her mouth lazily. She responded with rising passion, clinging to him, moving against him urgently.

“Ahh, gurrl,” he whispered huskily, “If ye move like that, this won’t last long. Ye’d better calm down -- ye know what that does t’ me.”

“I’m not too worried,” she told him. “If it’s short, you’ll be ready again quick enough.”

He grinned and grabbed her again. “Ye know me too well,” he said before he claimed her mouth once more.

Mary reached down and stroked him gently, making him moan softly. She moved down his body and took him into her mouth, and he groaned loudly. She released him and said, “Shh!” again. He nodded and put the corner of a pillow into his mouth, and Mary continued. He tangled his fingers in her hair, his breath coming in short, harsh gasps, trying not to move, lest he choke her. When he finally shuddered and moaned, Mary lifted herself up and laid her head upon his chest, feeling his heart pounding beneath her cheek. After a few moments, his heartbeat and breathing returned to normal, and she pulled him close again.

“My turn,” she whispered. “I want you so badly, baby -- “

“Wouldn’t think o’ disappointin’ a lady,” he said, rolling over and pinning her beneath him. She smiled up at him, and his adoration of her was clear in his eyes.

“Do you know how much I love you, John?” she asked in a soft whisper. He bent his head to kiss her.

“Almost as much as I love me beautiful wife, I bet,” he replied. Mary blinked back the tears that sprang to her eyes, and John kissed her, a long and lingering one this time. She could feel him throbbing against her thigh, and she moved sideways and up to capture him, catching her breath as he entered her.

“Ahhh, Mary, me love,” he said gently, “Nice an’ easy, just for you...well, mostly. A little for me.” He began to move slowly, deeply inside of her, making her shiver and wrap her legs around his waist. She swung her hips in the rhythm that he set, riding the swell of pleasure that he was building within her, moaning softly, trying to be quiet. She opened her eyes and looked up into his face; his eyes were intense, his lips a thin line as he held himself back. She whispered that she was ready, and he let his breath out and began to move rapidly, slamming into her several more times, until the feeling grew too big for her to contain and overcame her completely.

“Baby,” he gasped when he started to come, “Oh, Jesus, gurrl -- “ and then he was pushing into her as deeply as he could, and she was clinging to him, her heart pounding with mad joy as his movements ceased except for the spasms she could still feel ebbing away so deep inside.

At last he collapsed upon her, breathing hard. When he rolled off onto his back and reached for a cigarette, she scooted into the bathroom to shut the water off in the shower. John was sitting up in bed when she returned, regarding her with amusement.

“Mimi’s gonna expect us t’ be very clean when we go down t’ breakfast in th’ mornin’,” he remarked. Mary climbed into bed with him and settled in the crook of his arm; he crushed out his cigarette and scooched down under the covers with her, kissing her once more before drifting off to sleep.

***

When Mary woke up in the morning, John was in the shower. She hurried in to join him.

“Ooh,” he said as she slipped into the shower, “Didn’t get enough last night, baby? Still hungry, are ye?”

Mary dodged his fingers and started shampooing her hair. “Behave, John,” she said, and he stepped back, raising his hands.

“Oops, sorry, ye just make it hard for me t’ restrain meself,” he explained. “But I’ll try to be good.” He looked so cute with his hair all wet and his penitent face that Mary laughed and gave him a hug and a kiss.

“Okay, now yer sendin’ me some mixed signals here,” he told her. “Must I behave, or might I be just a bit naughty?”

“Behave. Go get dressed,” she said decisively. “You can be naughty as you like later. I promise; I’ll make it up to you. But I have to get ready and bathe the baby, then we have to get downstairs. I smell bacon cooking.”

“Mmmm, bacon!” he said happily.  “An’ then later, sex! This is gonna be a great day!”

While Mary showered, John dried his hair as best he could with a towel and got into his clothes. Julia was awake, and he undressed her and took her into the bath, where Mary was just testing the temperature of the water. Finding it satisfactory, she popped their daughter into the tub, supporting her with one hand while washing her with the other. Once that was done, she wrapped the baby in a dry towel and handed her back to John, who whisked her back to the bedroom and diapered her. Mary came into the room wrapped in a towel and told him, “Hey, honey, you’re getting pretty good at that.”

John looked up and gave her a grin. “Yeah, well, if anyone had told me a few months ago that I’d ever be doin’ this, I’d’ve told ‘em they were daft,” he declared. He opened the smallest suitcase and chose a yellow dress for Julia and set about getting her into that as well.

By the time he was finished, Mary was dressed in her stockings and slip and was looking through another case for a dress for herself.

“Ye look good th’ way ye are, y’know,” he told her with an appreciative leer.

“Thanks,” she replied, shimmying into a light blue shift, “But I doubt your auntie would agree.”

John scooped the baby up and carried her to the kitchen to get her a bottle, and Mary made the bed and put their clothes away, clean ones in the cases, dirty ones in the sack she’d brought for laundry. They would have to do a wash soon.

When she entered the kitchen, John was sitting at the table with little Julia in his arms, the baby working earnestly at emptying her bottle. He looked up at her and smiled.

“Ah, here’s Mummy,” he said. “See how pretty she looks! I’ve got the best lookin’ gurrls there are, right in this very room!”

“Why, thank you dear,” said Mimi, placing John’s breakfast in front of him. “Or did you just mean the younger ladies?”

“Keep th’ pancakes comin’, Mimi, an’ you’ll be th’ prettiest of all in these eyes,” replied John, handing Julia to Mary and grabbing his fork. “Mmmm, blueberry, me favorite!”

Once breakfast was done, Mary helped Mimi clean up the kitchen despite her protestations. John lugged the suitcases out to the car, and by the time everything was done, he and Mary were ready to be on their way.

“Are you sure you can’t stay another night, John?” his aunt asked, handing Julia back to Mary.

“I would if I could, but I’m back in th’ tomorrow,” he replied, “So I really need t’ get started back t’ London today. We’ve a few more stops t’ make.” He kissed his aunt’s cheek and gave her a quick hug, and she clung to him a moment longer, unwilling to let him go so easily. When she released him, Mary gave her a hug.

“You take good care of my Johnny,” whispered Mimi, “He’s not as tough as he thinks he is, you know.”

“Yes, I do know that,” Mary replied. “But let’s not let him know we know. It’d spoil things for him.”

Mimi smiled and went around to the driver’s side of the car; John was seated behind the wheel, and Julia was almost asleep in her blanket nest in the back seat, walled in by the cases and looking very comfortable indeed.

“Now you behave! And take care with your driving. Pay attention to the road,” his aunt told John.

“I will. Bye, Auntie,” he replied. Mary climbed in beside him, and they were off.

***

Later that evening, after their trip in the car, then the plane, they climbed into their own car at the airport and drove back to the house. Mary got out of the car and stretched.

“I want to take a nice warm bath,” she declared, opening the back door and extracting the baby from her blanket nest. “As soon as I get this little angel down for the night, that’s just what I intend to do.”

John was pulling the suitcases out of the car, and he raised his head to look at her.

“Yeah, well, I’m pretty hungry,” he said. “Better fix me some dinner first, woman, or I won’t have th’ strength t’ make mad, passionate love to ye all night!”

Mary smiled at him. “We can’t have that,” she told him. “I’ll fix you something first, of course. I’m a little peckish myself.” She was halfway up the steps with the baby in her arms when John, who had been following her to the door, set the cases down and fished the keys out of his pocket. He opened the door and stood in front of her, blocking her way.

“Give her t’ me,” he said, “And wait here -- promise ye won’t move!”

Puzzled, Mary handed him the baby. John took Julia into the house and deposited her gently in the playpen in the living room, then returned to the porch and scooped Mary up into his arms.

She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “What are you doing?” she asked, and he gave her a dazzling smile.

“I’m carryin’ ye over th’ threshold, what else?” he replied. “This is th’ first time home since we got married, so I hafta carry ye over; surely ye’v heard o’ that tradition, Mary, me bride.”

“How lovely,” she said, laying her head upon his shoulder. “You really can be romantic, sometimes.”

“Yeah,” he answered, setting her on her feet inside the house, “Well, don’t be starvin’ that get about; ye’ll destroy me reputation.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. Your bad reputation is safe with me, Mr. Lennon. I won’t tell a soul how sweet you really are. You get the suitcases, and I’ll get your dinner. Julia looks pretty happy for now; I’ll see to her once I get something cooking.”

“Sounds great,” he told her, heading out to bring in the luggage.

“Oh,” she called after him, “And just put that sack of dirty laundry by the washing machine; I’ll get to it in the morning.”

“Will do! Now go cook, woman, I’m starving’!”

***

Later on, with the baby put to bed and the dinner dishes finished, Mary relaxed in the bathtub until she nearly fell asleep. She climbed out and wrapped herself in a towel, then headed for the bedroom to get ready for bed. John was nowhere in sight; after she’d put on her nightgown and checked on the sleeping baby, Mary went down the hall to look for him. He was sprawled out on the couch in the living room, fast asleep with the TV on.

She smiled and turned off the TV set, then went over and sat on the arm of the couch by John’s head. His face looked so relaxed when he was sleeping, making him appear younger and very vulnerable. Mary never tired of watching him sleep, although she knew that if he had been aware of it, he would have laughed and said she was soft. After a few moments, she knelt beside him and brushed his hair back off his face. He stirred and mumbled something unintelligible, and she pressed her lips against his forehead. He opened his eyes and looked up at her in surprise.

“What’re ye doin’?” he asked. “I thought ye were gonna be takin’ a bath...I was just gettin’ ready t’ come an’ join ye in th’ tub.”

“I’ve been done for half an hour,” she told him. “Come on, let’s go to bed.”

“Hmph, I must’ve dozed off a bit,” he replied. “Alright, then, I’m comin’. You go ahead, I’ll check th’ doors and make sure everything is locked up proper.”

Mary went and settled herself into bed, and in a few moments John came into the room and stood by the side of the bed, undressing.

“I don’t know why ye bothered t’ put on a nightgown,” he told her, “I’m gonna have ye out of it in two shakes, ye know.” He climbed under the blankets beside her and took her into his arms, kissing her neck, breathing in her warm, comforting scent.

“God, how I love ye,” he murmured, and his voice trailed off with a soft snore.

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