Today is the day.

Today is the day I have to say the one word I am now in terror of.

The night before I sat on the bed watching him as he packed his bags.

"There isn't anyway I can come with you?"

He shook his head absently as he quickly moved around the room grabbing his necessities.

"I'm afraid not love.

I talked to Brian about it, believe me, I tried my best to get him to let you come.

But he doesn't want anything to "distract" us."

I bit the bottom of my lip disappointed.

"I understand, I'm just going to miss you......."

My throat formed a lump causing me to hold back tears.

"A lot."

Ringo stopped his progression and looked down at me, his mind moving quickly.

He hung his head and let out a long dragging sigh.

"Elise, I know sweetheart.

If I had the choice you would be there right by my side.

But it isn't. "

I felt the mattress of the bed dent and looked up slowly my eyes meeting Ringo's.

"I can't do this."

I whispered to him my voice shaking.

"Yes, you can.

I know you can."

My hair fell down in my eyes as I shook my head.

"We have always been together.

I've never had to do anything without you."

Ringo smiled as he let out a little noise, trying to hold back cries.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

"We still have some time.

Let's just enjoy it while it lasts."
*************************

The next day........

I watched out the window as cars drove by.

Probably spouses going home from a long day of work to be with their family.

What was sad was we were doing the complete opposite.

I was saying goodbye to my family so they could go work.

I was very proud of the lads, no doubt I wasn't.

But just the thought of not being with Ringo for three months, clogged my lungs with a fume I simply couldn't breathe.

I felt a soft hand grab mine gently.

I looked in the seat next to mine and was greeted with a gentle smile from Ringo.

"You okay?"

I sighed and laid my head on his shoulder.

"I will be.

When you come back."

Ringo draped his arm over my shoulders and laid his head on mine.

"I know its hard, but just remember no matter how far away I might seem.

I'm always right here. "

I put a hand on my heart still trying to hold back tears.

I wasn't going to cry.

Not in front of Ringo.

I couldnt let him see me cry.

It would only make it harder to say goodbye.

I watched out the window for a few moments longer till our driver pulled up to the ferry dock.

A wave of anxiety hung over me as the car slowly came to a stop.

We still had an hour before the ferry arrived to pick the lads up.

I got out of the car and came around to Ringo's side quickly taking his hand.

The lads were behind us in another car.

As we walked I felt Ringo squeeze my hand.

I squeezed back letting him know it wasn't gonna be easy for me either.

We found a little bench and sat down together dreading as the minutes approached.

"Its weird how time works isn't it?"

I looked up at Ringo, his gaze looking out upon the waters.

"When you want time to pass quickly it feels like it takes an eternity.

But then when you don't want time to pass, it slips through your fingertips like sand."

He turned his head and our eyes met.

"Ritchie, don't start crying....... Please don't. "

His eyes were glossy and chin quivered.

I raised myself up and sat in his lap.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and laid his head on my chest.

I could feel his tears begin to wet my sweater, as he wept silently into my chest.

I held him tight and ran my fingers through his hair.

"I'm sorry Ell, I promised myself I wasn't going to cry.

But, I can't help it. "

I sat their for a few more minutes as he calmed himself.

I moved off of his lap and sat together, his arms draped over my shoulders.
Suddenly a car pulled up and George, Paul, and John climbed out of the backseat, and began making their way towards us.

"Good morning Ellie. "

"Good morning George. "

I responded solemnly.

He nodded with a light smile.

Then he leaned across me giving Ringo a comforting pat on the shoulder.

For the remaining time we all sat together in utter silence.

We all just looked at each other the same word going through all of our minds.

Goodbye.

Suddenly I heard the horn of the ferry making me jolt.

I looked from Ringo to the rest of the lads with a fearful expression.

"Well....... I guess its time for us to go."

John came running up to me from the car, where Cynthia and Julian stood.

He then wrapped me in a tight hug.

"I love you doll, we will see you soon.

Take care of my little Jules for me."

I nodded as I sniffed away to my tears.

"I will."

"And anytime you need anything Cyn is always at the flat."

He pointed back at Cynthia and Julian who were watching from the car.

Julian, waved to his father blowing him a kiss.

John acted like he caught it and blew one back.

"Goodbye John."

I wrapped him in another hug.

As we parted and he grabbed his bags heading to the ferry, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned around to see Paul with his arms open wide.

I giggled as I let him embrace me.

"Goodbye Ellie, we will miss you."

I sighed and hugged him tighter.

"I'll miss you too."

We parted and he kissed my cheek lightly as he picked up his bags making his way to leave.

I looked up to see George and threw my arms around him.

"Take care of Ritchie for me.

He hugged me tight as he whispered in my ear.

"I will, don't worry about anything he's gonna be fine."

I sighed shakily letting out a little relief.

"I love you George.

I'm gonna miss you."

"I love you too, and I will probably miss you more.

Its gonna get old having to take care of those lazy bums."

He shook a thumb back at Paul, and John.

I laughed shaking my head.

"You'll make it."

We stood there for a moment and finally George cleared his throat and cut his eyes at Ringo.

"I will give you two a moment."

I nodded as I watched him join the other lads.

Ringo stood and we stared at each other for what seemed forever.

My chest began to cave in my body and it hurt.

My heart felt heavy and eyes stung like fire, as I tried to fight back tears.

But I couldn't hold it in.

Before I knew it I was in a sequence of dramatic sobbing.

I ran to Ringo falling into his arms.

He lifted me off the ground and dug his face into the crook of my neck.

"Shh, Ellie its okay baby girl.

Its gonna be okay."

I looked up and he leaned in our noses touching.

"I..... Love... You... So.. Much."

I said in between heavy breaths.

"I love you too baby, I love you too."

Ringo's voice hushed me.

I looked at his lips, knowing I only had this moment to share one last kiss that would have to stay and be enough for three months.

"Ritchie kiss me."

Ringo didnt even hesitate.

Our lips met, and a whirlwind of thoughts spun in the air around me.
He kissed me deeply, his tounge pushing on the seam of my lips.

Without thinking, I reacted instantly.

Us now entangled within the kiss.

The longer we stayed the deeper the kiss would form.

I couldn't stop my head spinning.

Slowly we parted, our chests pushed against each other.

I could feel his heart beating against my chest making my heart melt.

I pecked his lips and held his face in my hands.

"I love you so much Ritchie, I- I dont think I can do this."

"Yes, you can Ellie.

Please baby, you have to.

Listen, look me in the eyes."

Ringo held my chin and lifted it till our eyes met.

His cheeks were stained with tears and eyes dilated.

"I am hurting just as much as you are.

But its going to be okay........"

I couldn't hold in my cries, and I began to sob once again as I nodded.

The horn of the ferry blew once more announcing it was time for Ringo to go.

"Listen, listen to me baby.

Ellie, I need you to look me in the eyes sweetheart."

I looked up my body shaking with sobs.

Ringo shrugged his jacket off wrapping it around me.
"I've got to go now, but listen I need you to stay strong.

Can you do that for me?"

He spoke rushingly and I nodded.

"I will call you every Sunday afternoon at three and send letters throughout the week.

Okay?"

"Okay, Ritchie."

We stood for a moment and Ringo froze.

"I love you Ellie Ray Preist."

He pulled me into a final embrace and kissed me tenderly.

"I love you Ritchard Starkey."

He held my hand and played with my fingers.

"We'll be together again soon.

I promise."

As I watched him let go of my hand, my mind played it in a slow motion.

His lips touched my forehead and a warm feeling spread inside of me.

The rest was a blurr.

The next thing I knew he was walking away from me his big coat blowing behind him in the wind, as he boarded.

Once he was on he slowly turned around and made a heart with his hands.

Then he curled them into a ball and threw it to me.

I acted like I had caught it and put it to my heart.

The tears would no longer come.

I couldn't cry anymore, even though I wanted to so bad when the ferry horn blew one last time.

And the boat began to pull out of the dock disappearing into the morning fog.

The only thing I could see of Ringo now was the silhouette of him waving to me.

And as I waved back and began to turn away I swore I could faintly hear Ritchie's voice quote a line straight from Romeo and Juliet.

" A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life.

Goodnight, goodnight.

Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow."
**************************************************

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