Beatles in a Secret Garden-9

Beatles in a Secret Garden

Rated: PG
Author: Aurorita248
Summary: In this little retelling of The Secret Garden, little Paul McCartney moves from India to the Bramley Manor to meet up with his Aunt Mimi. However, he learns that there are some secrets that need to be opened once more, before the healing can begin again.
Notes: This is based on Francis Hodgson Burnett's famous book 'The Secret Garden'; I'm just using the basic plot for fun and not for money. This will also be set in first person point of view. Has light slash later on.
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Chapter 9-"You will, I won't"

Time with John was splendid. Of course, I had to be careful about what I said in front of him. One slip of the tongue, and he'd have the Secret Garden opened and the magic would disappear forever.

The week past by with rain and no chance of seeing either George or Ringo. I didn't mind this factor; I spent that time with John and making him smile. He looked more optimistic and hopeful that he'd live, rather than be pessimistic for the short time he had to live. I was glad I could make him happy...but I knew this could not last long.

Dr. Robert suggested that John get fresh air soon...he then began to wonder about getting the air in the garden. I felt sick inside...how much longer could the secret be kept? I just hoped it could last a bit more...

John also hated when people stared at him. I decided to ask him why.

"You want to know why I hate them?" John asked me. "I remember all those times that I were taken away in a carriage. People were always telling and whispering that I wouldn't live to be an adult. They pet my head and exclaim, 'Poor child!' and leave me alone. One time, I bit a woman's hand and screamed when she said something like that. She ran away like the dickens!"

"I can assume that it was because of your behavior." I remarked. "She must've thought you were mad like a dog."

"I don't care what she thought or must have seen."

"If you don't like it when people stare at you...why didn't you scream at me when we first met?"

"It was because..." John gazed into my eyes with pure honesty. "I thought you were a ghost or a dream...then, I thought to myself that no...you weren't a dream. You're real."

"Then...would you hate it if a boy looked at you? Would you hate it even more if two boys looked at you?"

John stayed quiet and leaned back. The look on his face was one of concentration, wonder and plain thoughts. He then spoke.

"There are two boys who I'd like to meet." He answered. "The ones who play with the animals...George and Ringo, correct?"

"I doubt you'd mind them." I answered.

"The animals don't mind him, so I shouldn't." said John, gazing at the ceiling. "They're animal charmers...and I'm a boy animal."

At the little phrase, I laughed. John laughed with me too. We laughed and laughed and laughed, and I didn't have to worry about John meeting up with George and Ringo.

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

It took me some time to realize that it had been six months since I came to live at Bramley Manor. On the first blue day after the rain, I rushed out into the garden. I knew that it was that time of the year...

I knew that it was Spring.

The sky was shining blues and whites and the air was blowing that sweet honeysuckle scent that I grew accustomed to. Flowers and grass and other plants grew from beneath the plots that Julian and Sean toiled for, and the ivy was a dark green color. I was dressed in my normal outdoor clothes, waiting to head back into the garden again.

I heard a sound; it was laughter. Turning around, I saw Khali and the blackbird. They were happy to see me again, I was too. Khali ran off, leading me to the entrance to the garden once more. When I reached the door, I found George and Ringo waiting for me. In George's arms was a brown bunny rabbit, and Ringo had a little fox cub in his arms. The animals stared at me with delight.

"George, Ringo..." I panted. "You're here."

"We wouldn't miss it for the world." said George. "Meet Truffle, my rabbit."

"This fox cub is Zak." said Ringo. "Say hello!"

I said hello to the animals and stroked their pelts carefully. The bunny closed its eyes and relaxed to my touch. The fox shook its fur after I smoothed it out.

"You got here much earlier than me." I told the brothers. "How is it?"

"How can one stay in bed when it's Spring?" asked George. "It's madness!"

"The world is beginning to begin again," Ringo added. "It's where flowers grow, birds chirp, animals bleat and the sun brings new life to the Earth! The garden is full of beginnings...and it's time for us to begin!"

I nodded my head as I pulled out the key to the garden. I unlocked the iron door and stepped inside. The rain helped the flowers grow, but there were also lots of weeds to take care of.

George and Ringo let their animal friends run around the garden before pulling out the weeds. I began to do the very same, ready to bring life to my secret hideaway.

"George," I began. "I have to ask you something."

"What is it then?" asked George, pulling some weeds.

"Well...do you know about John?"

At the sound of his name, George and Ringo stopped. They looked at me with shock and a bit of fear.

"What have you heard?" asked Ringo.

"I've actually met with him...I talk to him and make him laugh, and make him forget about his 'death'."

"That's good." said George. "We all know about John, and his poor tragic past. When he was a kid, his father left and then Julia died thereafter. Then Aunt Mimi took over and that's it..."

"Ah..."

"The kid wishes he was never born, or that's what I hear." said Ringo. "Poor John...he's afraid he'd become a hunchback and would scream to death if a lump appeared..."

I said no more after that. I had to make a mental note to myself to let John join us. The three of us began to weed the garden and breathe in Spring air. I wonder...would John like it?

"Would John like the garden?" asked George.

"He likes it because it's a secret." I answered. "He'd like it more if he saw it...but I haven't told him that I unlocked it yet."

"We can push him around in a carriage and he'll get to see all the lovely sites." said Ringo. "It'll be great."

I nodded in reply, hearing a small laugh. I turned my gaze to the tree swing. Khali was swinging on the swing once again, drawing his knees in and out as the wind brought the sweet smell of Spring into the garden.

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

When I went for lunch, I told Eleanor to give a message to John. I was going to be busy in the garden.

Eleanor was shocked. If she told him that, he'd go into a temper tantrum like no other. I wasn't afraid of John though, and I needed to get the garden running. With that said, I returned to help clear off the weeds and George and Ringo gave me the information to use all of my tools. The roses were pruned and anything that was out of place was cleared away and dugged out.

"It'll be carpet of flowers and leaves and there will be a parade of animals!" said Ringo. "It'll be beautiful!"

I nodded my head as the work continued to increase. I didn't even notice that the sun was setting, until George stood up.

"We have to head home for supper." He told me. "We'll be back by sunrise though."

"I will too." I answered.

In that garden, the three were embraced by the warmth of Spring...soon, there would be four of us.

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

John was not happy; that was what Eleanor told me.

So when I went to see him, he was in his bed. He was sour, didn't look at me, and looked like he could cry at any minute. I had to be careful.

"Why are you in bed?" I asked him.

"I was in bed, and then I moved to the sofa when I thought you were coming." He answered. "You never did, so I told the servants to place me back. My head hurts, my back aches and I'm tired. Why didn't you come?"

"I was working in the gardens with George and  Ringo."

John frowned.

"I'm not letting those two come see me if you go with them instead of talking to me." He stated.

WHAT?! My mind was trying to process this? They won't come to see him if I see them?! That was...ridiculous!

"If you do send them away, I won't come visit you!" I retorted.

"You will!" John screamed. "You will come when I want you to come!"

"I WON'T!" I screamed.

"I'll make you come here." said John. "You'll have to stay."

"I'll stay then! I'll stay and clench my teeth and bite my tongue and not say anything! I'll stare at my feet and not look at you!"

"Selfish little things! That's what those two are! They take you away from me and leave me all alone!"

"If you weren't so sour, then you'd be good friends with them!"

"Well how'd they like it when they are going to die, and have a lump on your back?!"

"You won't get a lump and you're not going to die!" I shouted.

"I am going to die, don't deny it!"

"That's so you get people to feel sorry; they may believe it, but I don't!"

"GET OUT OF MY ROOM!" John screamed, taking a pillow into his hands. He was so weak however, that the pillow landed near my feet. I turned around and walked off.

"I'm not coming back." I told him. "Good day."

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

After talking to the nurse about the situation, she just laughed and claimed John was having hysterics. I didn't know what that meant, but it was interesting.

Eleanor came into my room and gave me some packages. They were from Aunt Mimi, and they were beautiful. I had a picture book and some writing stationery. I couldn't wait to try them out. However, my mind was still on the fight and the look on John's face. He was so upset about the suspicions that he would have a hunchback. If he went to the garden...maybe he'll brighten up...just maybe...

I played my wooden flute before bed. I wondered if John was listening...