July 4th, 1960
8:05 am

I smiled inhaling the fresh, crisp morning air as I made my way down the street towards George's house. His mother had called me that morning to come over and help her go out shopping for a new dress.

I loved George's mother so of course I told her I'd be right over. I giggled thinking of all the times she'd taught me how to make things. My mother wasn't really much of a cook, so of course I'd accepted every bit of knowledge on the subject Mrs. Harrison had to offer.

I smoothed the flyway bits of my curled hair, before gently knocking on the door. I watched, as she peeked out the small window next to the door, before grinning widely and opening it.

"Thank you for coming, dear."

"No, problem at all!" I laughed lightly, as she engulfed me into a hug before grabbing her purse and shutting the door.

"Now then, how about we take the bus? I don't feel much like driving." She stated, casting me a gentle look.

"Whatever you want is just fine." I grinned, as she nodded and we headed over to the bus stop to wait for the bus.

"I hope you don't mind if we just go shopping at Blacklers because..." she paused, turning to dig through her large purse for something.

"See, George forgot his lunch." She finished, as she pulled the brown sack that was almost bursting at the seams it was so full of food.

I laughed, reaching out to grab onto the side of the bus stop shelter for support. "It's hard to believe that he could ever be in such a big hurry to get somewhere, he'd forget food."

Mrs. Harrison nodded, giggling before opening her mouth, "I know! He told me yesterday you made him cookies and he couldn't help but eat the whole batch they were so good."

I laughed, as the bus pulled up and we got on and took our seats on the bottom level as Mrs. Harrison didn't feel like climbing up the stairs.

"He told me yesterday he wanted me to make him scones today, with jam and everything, the whole works."

She laughed, "that sounds about right, he's got a hollow leg I think."

"So, do you know what kind of dress you're looking for?"

"Not really, just something new I'm tired of having the same five to wear, I asked Harold if it was ok to get one what with things begin so tight and he said yes."

I smiled at the thought of George's parents, they were so incredibly sweet. I hoped that if I ever got married one day I'd have a relationship very much like theirs.

"I think I'd like it to be red though, I don't have a red one."

"We'll find something you'll look absolutely gorgeous in, I'm quite sure of it." I grinned, as she smiled at me widely.

"You're such a sweet girl, I hope George does something with you soon."

"What do you mean?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow and nervously smiling at her, as she blushed and looked out the window almost as if embarrassed she said something.

"Oh, never mind dear..." she chuckled, dismissing the issue. I nodded, allowing the comment to pass by, but still wondering what she meant by it.

"Oh! We better get off here and hurry down to go give George his lunch." She exclaimed, peering out the window before she tugged down on the little rope that notified the driver that we need off.

"I'll just hang around by the elevators until you give George his lunch, if that's ok." I stated, as we walked the short distance to the front of Blackers.

"Nonsense! George'll be glad to see you, come with me." She ordered, as I pulled the door open for her, she nodded smiling as a gesture of thanks.

"Look at him...Isn't he cute?" She whispered smiling as she nudged me with her elbow. I looked over to where her gaze was directed and blushed watching George climb down the ladder he was on.

"Well? Isn't he?" She pressed, causing me to giggle and nod as we walked up closer to him.

"Young man you forgot your lunch at home." His mother announced quite loudly, causing George to become startled and turn around quickly nearly falling down the last four steps of the ladder.

He blushed, rocking back up onto his heels and grabbing the ladder for support. "Well, if it isn't me two favorite girls! Mum..." he paused kissing her cheek, before looking over at me and smiling.

"Jackie..." he said, pulling me into a tight hug.

"What are you two doing out an about so early?" He questioned, keeping his arm around me as his eyes flickered back and forth between his mother and I.

"Jackie's being a sweetheart and helping me find a new dress. A real sweetie this one is, I'd suggest you get on it." Mrs. Harrison commented, shooting George a knowing look making him blush and look  away from both of us.

"Mum, please..." he whispered, visibly flustered by her comments like I was earlier on the bus.

She giggled, "well we'd better get going, Jackie. We've got to go up stairs and find a dress, and head over to the grocery store."

I nodded, as George's smile faded. "Well, thanks fer bringing me lunch by. I should be home at around three."

His mother nodded, "splendid, Jackie why don't you stay for dinner tonight? We'd love to have you, especially George."

"Mum!" George whispered a bit harshly, causing her to cast him a stern look, which made him send her an apologetic smile.

"Well, I'd have to ask my mom..."

"Jackie's not supposed to be around me anymore remember, mum?" George piped up, as his mom put her hand on her hip.

"It'll be fine, I'll talk to her for you." She pressed, as I looked up at George and he looked back down at me shrugging, and winking.

"Alright, as long as I won't be a bother to you and your family."

"Nonsense! You'd never be a bother, she'd never be a bother would she George?"

"No mum, she wouldn't be..." he agreed softly, looking into my eyes causing me to blush and break eye contact.

"Good it's all planned then! We'll run by the market after we get done shopping, and pick up something for dinner." She smiled widely, before giving George a goodbye kiss on the cheek.

"See you later, love..." he whispered, giving me a quick squeeze.

"Bye, Georgie..." I giggled, as he stroked my hair and patted my cheek before gripping his brown lunch bag as I turned to rejoin his mother.

"You two are such sweethearts!" Mrs. Harrison exclaimed, as I tittered and pressed the button to call the elevator.

///

10:45 am

"Jackie, which one do you like better? The pink or the red?"

I giggled lightly, watching as Mrs. Harrison spun around modeling the fourth red dress she had picked out.

"Well, you said you really wanted a red dress earlier."

"But, does red look bad on me?" She asked, quizzically peering at herself in the mirror, turning to inspect herself.

"No, I think it looks very becoming!" I smiled, as she grinned at me in the mirror.

"Alright, I think I'll get this one. And I was thinking while I was in the dressing rooms about what to make for dinner, and I want you to help me make it."

"It'd be my pleasure! I love learning how to make things from you."

She smiled shyly, "I certainly enjoy teaching you..."

I blushed, looking down at my hands before she continued.

"I was thinking we'd make fish and chips, something easy, and then we can make an apple pie. How does that sound?"

"It sounds great!" I exclaimed, nodding making her laugh as she went to change her clothes.

I waited outside the dressing room for her as she changed. I thought back to what she had said earlier that day to me on the bus, and then the comments she made to George. Butterflies instantly filled my stomach at the thought of being more than just friends with George.

The sound of door hinges squeaking made me instantly dismiss these thoughts, as I turned to see Mrs. Harrison with the red dress she had tried on last in hand.

"Did something happen while I was gone dear? You've turned bright red." She chuckled, casting me a concerned look as I shook my head quickly.

"No, no, nothing happened..." I bit the inside of my cheek lightly, hoping to just dismiss the topic.

"Are you sure?" She asked, shooting me a knowing look almost as if she could in fact read my previous thoughts about her son.

"Positive..." I smiled nervously, as she nodded and I followed her up to the cash register.

///

2:38 pm

"Jackie, be a dear and get the flour back out so that we can roll out the pie crust dough."

We had decided to make the pie, but wait a bit longer to make dinner until it was closer to the time Mr. Harrison would get home. I nodded glancing at the clock as I went to go get the flour again, noticing it was fifteen minutes to three.

"Georgie, will be here soon..." I whispered under my breath, grinning to myself as I hurried back with the flour.

"Roll this out, and lay it in the pie dish, pour the apple filling in, and put the top crust on, then throw it in the oven for about twenty minutes, while I go call your mom before I forget again."

I nodded sprinkling some flour out onto the counter and taking one of the balls of dough out of the bowl and rolling it out.

I grinned, feeling pretty fortunate that Mrs. Harrison liked me enough to share her family's secret pie crust recipe. She assured me that when I got married I'd make all the other girls, "green with envy" because they wouldn't know how to make a pie crust.

I carefully, picked up the rolled out circular disk of dough and laid into down into the pie dish. Going over to the fridge, I retrieved the apple, cinnamon, and sugar mixture. I stirred it around in the bowl a few times before beginning to spoon it into the pie shell.

"That doesn't look like a scone, darling..." arms wrapped around my waist as the voice whispered in my ear, startling me. I gasped, throwing the spatula I had in my hand over my shoulder.

"What was that?" George laughed, as I flipped around blushing furiously at how closely our body's were pressed together.

"You scared me half to death!" I laughed, as he locked eyes with me and grinned widely.

"'M sorry, lovey..." he whispered softly, gently rubbing his nose against mine. I instantly felt my face get hot at this act of affection.

"Georgie, what're you doing home so early?" I asked, placing my hands on his shoulders to try and expand the space between us, hoping to alleviate some of the butterflies in my stomach.

"I missed you so I snuck out early..." he blushed, kissing my cheek awfully close to the corner of my mouth.

"George!" I giggled, pushing him back and turning back around to finish the pie.

"Jackie, won't you be needing this?" I turned to see him holding the blue spatula in his hand, while he smirked devilishly.

"Yes, please." I giggled, reaching out to take it from him only to have him jerk it up in the air and hold it over my head.

"Unfair! You're about six inches taller than I am, how am I supposed to reach it." I pouted, as he grinned down at me.

"That's fer you to know, and me to find out!" He taunted, grinning as he watched me jump trying to take it from him.

"George, I'll have to climb you like a tree to reach it." I giggled, as he chuckled winking at me.

"I'd like to see you try."

"Georgie, please gimme the spatula back so I can finish your pie." I pleaded, pouting my lips and batting my eyelashes.

"I can't say no when yer looking at me like that..." he nearly growled, gulping as he brought his hand down and offered me the spatula.

"Thank you, my dear, sweet Georgie." I whispered, standing on my tiptoes to lightly peck his cheek.

He blushed, walking over towards me with his hand touching the spot on his cheek I had kissed.

"What's this?" He asked pointing to the other ball of dough the top crust was to be made out of.

"It'll be a crust when it's done." I hummed, smoothing the rest of the apple filling down into the bottom shell of the pie.

"I see..." George replied, pinching a blob off the formed ball of dough and popping it into his mouth.

"Don't eat it! There won't be enough for the top crust!" I exclaimed, eyes widening as he smirked down at me.

"Yer cute."

"No, I'm most certainly not." I replied, tossing the ball of dough that was now missing a chunk onto the flour covered counter.

"Most certainly are..." he whispered, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his head on my shoulder.

"You're pushing your luck, Harrison." I joked rolling the dough out into another circular disk, and placing it atop the pie.

"What're you gonna do? Spank me?" He quipped, causing me to laugh as I trimmed the excess dough off from around the pie.

"Mm, you'd like that wouldn't you?" I tittered, grabbing a knife to make small slits in the top of the pie.

"I'd rather spank you..."

"George!" I squealed, as I pinched the sides of the pie to make the crust stick together.

We both chuckled, as I pinched around the whole perimeter of the pie and then popped it into the oven.

"George?" I nearly whispered, wiping the mess up off the counter and into the garbage.

"Hm?" He hummed, jumping up onto clean portion of the counter next to me.

"Don't you ever get nervous about skiving off work and stuff? I mean what if you get fired?" I asked, leaning against the counter and looking up at him.

"If they fire me, it's just more time to spend with you." He grinned slyly, as he offered me a wink.

I chuckled, as he hopped down off the counter when his mom walked back into the kitchen beaming radiantly.

"Your mom said you can stay, but she said she went home for lunch and the phone was ringing off the hook for you. Some boy had been trying to get a hold of you all morning."

George and I exchanged confused glances before his mom continued.

"George's band mate Paul, he's the one who was calling. He asked your mom if you got the gift he sent to your house." She grinned, as George looked down at the ground frowning.

"Go ahead and call him back!"

"Alright..." I laughed, slipping out into the hallway followed by a sulking George.

"Don't call 'im now...make 'im wait." He pleaded, gently grabbing my wrist as I reached for the phone.

"Ok..." I mumbled, glancing up into his big chocolate colored eyes and taking in the flecks of gold that appeared to be in them.

I had never stared at his eyes this intently before. They were like a deep rich chocolate, that could melt at any second from the heat of the love that flowed out of them.

"Georgie...y-your eyes are..." I stuttered trailing off as he blinked lightly.

"What about them?" He smirked, stepping closer to me but never breaking the eye contact we were caught up in.

"They're even more gorgeous than Paul's..." I whispered, blushing immediately after realizing what slipped out of my mouth.

He tittered, "thank you, love..."

"Yeah..." I blushed, looking away from him and hurriedly walked back into the kitchen.

///

7:00 pm

"I'll be over around nine..." George whispered, nuzzling his nose in my hair causing me to giggle.

"Also, 'm sorry me mum keeps making strange comments. She really does mean well though."

I laughed, "she's sweet..."

"Mhm, she's really something that one is." He chuckled, pulling me closer to him for one last hug before he promised again to be over at nine.

"Mom? I'm back!" I yelled shutting the door, and entering the living room to find her sitting on the couch sipping a glass of red wine.

"Paul's still calling you, I suspect Mrs. Harrison told you?"

"Yeah she did, I'll go call him right now." I grinned, running into the hall to pick up the phone just as it rang.

"Hello? Paulie?"

"Jackie? Finally! Where 'ave you been? I've been calling you all afternoon." He replied with a dejected tone.

"Sorry, I've been out with George and his mom." I smiled thinking over the events of the day.

"All day long?"

"Yes."

"I see...well anyway, did you get the flowers and the little gift I sent you?"

"Not yet, I'll go open it and then call you back ok?" I smiled, winding the telephone cord around my finger.

"Gear! I'll be waiting by the phone." He replied, before I giggled and hung up.

"Mom, did Paul send some stuff over here?" I yelled, walking back into the living room.

She sipped her wine and nodded gently making her hair bounce, "It's in the kitchen sitting on the counter. It's rather large I was quite surprised."

"What is it?"

"Go see..." she smirked, getting up from her spot and following me into the kitchen.

I gasped looking at the arrangement of sunflowers, red roses, and purple statice. It was absolutely gorgeous, I carefully took the card that was attached to the ribbon off.

Darling,
    
      I'm terribly sorry for making plans and then just up and canceling them. I hope that this small token of my affection will make up for it. There is also a small gift attached to the stick where this card was supposed to be, I hope you'll like it. I wanted to get the bigger better one but, this was all I could afford. I really am sorry, and I can hardly wait to see you again.

     Love to you,

         Paulie.

I blushed, putting the card back into the envelope and begging to search for the stick he mentioned in the card. I spotted the black velvet box and felt bad, this had to be expensive and I couldn't accept it.

"I'm gonna go call him back." I said, looking to my mother who nodded smiling as she put the card back in its spot in the ribbon.

I held the the small box in my hand and rubbed the velvety fabric with my thumb as the phone rang.

"'Ello, darling! Did you open it? How were the flowers?"

"The flowers are absolutely gorgeous Paulie, I love them. But, I haven't opened the little box because I want you to take it back. I don't want you to spend all your money on me, I'm not worth it." I explained, as I heard him sigh on the other end.

"Honey, I want you to have it. If I didn't I wouldn't have bought it for you. Open it right now on the phone, I want to hear you when you see it."

I blushed, as I carefully opened the velvety box to see a black sapphire necklace. The shiny little jewel was hanging on a very dainty silver chain.

"Oh, Paulie it's beautiful. You're so sweet to me." I gushed, staring at it as I watched the way it shone in the light.

"Do you really like it?"

"I love it, it's beautiful." I giggled.

"Is it too small? Should I save for the other one that's bigger?"

"Paulie no, this ones perfect I love it just the way it is."

"Do you 'ave it on?"

"Not yet, I'll put it on as soon as I get off the phone ok?" I smiled, he was so sweet and I absolutely loved it.

"Love, I've got to go me dad's yelling fer me."

"Alright, thank you Paulie!"

"Anything fer me best girl." He replied, causing me to blush as we both hung up.

"What'd he get you?" My mother asked smiling, as she peered over my shoulder at the dainty necklace.

"Pretty, he's got a good eye that one does. Did you tell him thank you?"

"Yeah, I told him it was really sweet of him to send me a gift." I replied carefully lifting the necklace out of the box.

"Here, let me help you." I nodded as she took the necklace. I quickly moved my hair over to the side as she clasped the dainty chain together.

"It's so shiny..." she noted, as we both stared at it in the mirror.

"You realize by wearing this, you're going to make George jealous?"

I raised an eyebrow at her nervously. What was it with his mom and now my mom making these odd comments.

"No, George is just a good friend."

"Whatever you say, dear." She smirked, as I watched her head back over to the couch to sip her wine.