Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

November 2002 

“I’m coming Anita!”

Louisa was adding lip gloss in her old bedroom when Anita called her to come downstairs. Both her, Louisa, and Brian were going to the Royal Albert Hall tonight for a special event: Concert for George.

It was the first anniversary of the death of musician George Harrison. He had a big impact on people’s lives including the Mays. Many famous rockers from McCartney to Clapton would be there and of course so would Brian. The event was special not only as it was a memorial to one of his idols, but the last day he would have with his daughter before she left for the states. After graduating, she and a friend of hers were studying and living in the US. Both Brian and Anita disliked the thought of Louisa leaving for God knows how long, but they understood that she needed to grow away from who her father was and into who she needed to be.

Louisa rushed down the steps to greet her father and stepmom before leaving out. Louisa wasn’t much one to go out. Her teenage years were wild and she was determined to leave that chapter closed and to make this one different.

“See I’m down and ready to go,” said Louisa a little rushed.

“Of course hon,” said Brian as he kissed Louisa’s head, “you know how Anita is.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?!?” snarked Anita.

“Nothing darling, now let’s leave before I get in trouble!” her husband joked.

The three rode to where the concert was taking place and entered the theatre. The amount of people there was crazy! So many celebrities and singers that Louisa had only heard of on the radio. She felt overwhelmed yet curious at all the people. Soon after small talk with some celebrities, the family of three for the night took their seats and Ravi Shankar took the stage, saying a traditional Indian prayer. After he finished, the concert began.

It was so amazing and very emotional and as everyone’s attention was on who ever was currently leading the song, Louisa’s attention was on someone else.

There was a boyish looking guy on the acoustic guitar, playing with all his heart and trying to fit in with those around him. Something about him intrigued Louisa. She couldn’t tell if it was how he looked so much like George or if it was how in tune with the music he was,but she could only focus on him.

After the concert ended, Brian turned to his wife and daughter,

“Id like to go back stage and say hello to Olivia if that’s ok with you ladies?”

“Of course,” they both said, nodding in agreement as they made their way backstage.

“Hello there Olivia,” Brian said as he took her hand “beautiful concert tonight, I know George would’ve loved it. Roger and Deb couldn’t make it but they send their love. Also this is my wife Anita...”

Both of them got lost in conversation with Mrs. Harrison and left Louisa in her own little world. Hugging her black sweater, she looked around, eyes wondering to different places until they landed on the guy again. The same guy who she couldn’t take her eyes off of earlier. She quickly mustered up some courage and made her way over to where he was standing.

Chapter Text

November 2002

Dhani gave his guitar to one of the people back stage and thought about the concert.

“It went well,” he thought “dad would’ve been proud of my guitar playing.”

Dad

His dad had died a year ago but the wound was still fresh on his heart. Not a day went by where he didn’t think about how much he missed his dad. People always said how much he looked like his dad which made it harder to try to move past it. All he wanted to do was to make George proud and he hoped he was looking down tonight with a cheeky smile. 

While lost in thought, he saw a girl with brown hair in a black cardigan was coming over to him. He ran his hands through his scraggly black hair and gave a warm smile to the girl.

“Hi,” she muttered “I just wanted to tell you  that you did an amazing job tonight.”

“Thanks,” Dhani responded “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Are you here by yourself?”

“Oh no, I’m with my dad and stepmom. It’s my last day before I leave for the United States and they wanted to spend time with me.”

“I love going to the States. I love LA and I’ve been down to Florida as well.”

“To be honest, I’m kind of nervous. It’s my first time really moving away from home and I don’t really know how I’ll handle it.”

“You seem like a pretty tough girl I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“Thanks,” Louisa said blushing a bit. This kid was really nice.

They chatted a bit more until Louisa heard her dad’s voice calling her name that it was time to leave.

“I gotta go now. It was nice netting you...”

“Dhani,” he said extending his hand.

“Louisa,” she replied shaking his hand back before running back to her parents.

On the car ride home, she kept Dhani and his kiddish smile in her mind when her stepmom snapped her back into reality.

“So who was that you were talking to?” Anita asked.

“Oh it was the kid on stage. Dhani I think his name was?” Louisa replied.

“Hmm interesting,” Brian added.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” His daughter questioned.

“Nothing...”

“No I want to know what the hmmm meant!?”

“It’s nothing Lou.. I love you.”

Chapter Text

May 2010 (Eight Years Later)

"Are you joking me Lav? You know that I'm getting married this afternoon right?" 

Rory Taylor was going full on bridezilla over the phone to Lavender Lee who came down with the stomach flu and couldn't serve as bridesmaid. Her mother, and Louisa May, who had been called in to try to calm Rory down, stared at each other awkwardly. 

"No I’m sorry I get it. Get well please." Rory hung up and threw her phone on the couch before her eyes filled with tears. Louisa and Dominique ran to her side. 

"Cheri," Dominique soothed "I know this isn't how this was supposed to go, but you have to roll with the punches and dry your eyes."

"Your mom is right," Louisa added, "This wasn't supposed to happen, but you are Rory Freaking Taylor and I've seen you in worse situations."

Rory chuckled and then if all the sudden a lightbulb had appeared above her head, she turned to her friend and asked, 

"Do you wear a medium?'

"Yeah, why?"

"Louisa May you are going to save my wedding! You'll just fill in for Lav. That is if you want to.."

"Of course I'll do it."

Rory tackled her on the couch in a hug while Dominique scolded her for wrinkling her dress. Louisa didn't love the attention it brought to her, but she and Rory had been close since they were in diapers and there wasn't much she wouldn't do for her friend.

When time came for the ceremony, Louisa put on her best smile and walked down the isle. A few faces looked at her strangely, especially Lavender's parents, but she kept on her brave face. This wasn't the first time she had to use it.

As Rory and Roger walked down the isle together, Louisa decided to people watch and check out who was here. She was always pretty introverted and people watching was one of her favorite things to do. 

“Mum, Dad, Anita, Jim, Emily, Aunt Dom, Aunt Debbie, Sarina, Felix...” she listed off in her mind while Rory and her fiancé said their vows. She was surprised how close her parents were sitting considering their past. 

She listed off a couple more people, but there were some who were complete strangers to her. Doctor friends she thought and then locked eyes with a guy sitting on the bride’s side. 

She couldn’t say how long they looked at each other, but it was enough to make Louisa bite her lip and stare back at Rory and her fiancé. Gosh how that guy looked so familiar to her. She racked her brain trying to figure out where she had seen him from. 

Eventually, the ceremony ended and everyone made their way to the tent for a reception. A twang of sadness plucked Louisa’s heart as she looked at the happy couple and other couples throughout the room. Relationships had never been her number one priority especially after what happened with Jack last year but that was another story for another time. 

She escaped the photos and small talk for a second to grab a drink at the bar. Nothing too strong but something to put her in a better mood.

The bartender gave her her drink and told her it would be £3. Why couldn’t it be open she thought scrummaging through her clutch for some money until she heard a voice say.

”I got it.” 

Chapter Text

May 2010

Louisa’s blue eyes looked up to see who the semi familiar voice belonged to. A guy with long brown hair and nice eyes smiled at her, and paid for her drink as well as one for him as he sat down next to her.

“Thanks,” she told him, “You really didn’t have to do that. I didn’t mind paying.”

“I know I didn’t have to, but something told me I should. Something about you is familiar to me and I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

She chuckled at his boldness and she threw back her drink causing a slight cough and he laughed again.

“Slow down or else it’s gonna be quite a night for you. So how do you know the happy couple?”

“My brother and friend,” she coughed “we all grew up together and I knew Jim always loved Rory but I didn’t think he would ever act on it honestly. Love makes you do strange things I guess.”

“Yeah I guess it does,” he smiled as he sipped his drink slowly.

The way he kept smirking at her and laughing made her slightly annoyed yet intrigued.

“Since you’re obviously in such a great mood tonight, how did you get invited to this wedding? You were the only person here who I don’t off the bat recognize.”

“I actually don’t have much of a relationship with either of them but I had an accident on stage a couple weeks ago and had to go to PT and Dr. May was my therapist. I have no idea why he invited me to his wedding but I guess we became pretty good friends.”

Louisa kind of lost it when Dhani called Jimmy ‘Dr. May.’ He was always her annoying older brother and she couldn’t or wouldn’t see him otherwise.

Dhani commented sarcastically, “Looks like I’m not the only one in a good mood tonight. You’re bursting over there and I’m not sure what I said.”

As she gained her composure she explained, “Oh it’s nothing. You said stage? Are you a musician or something?”

“Yeah I am” he replied, “I play guitar and sing in my band. We’re not overly popular but we did play Lollapalooza last year.”

Louisa was impressed. Music was something that always interested in and was pretty talented at but never acted on it as fame scared her. For multiple reasons.

Dhani continued, “I like not being overly popular though because it’s let’s me do my own thing without being overshadowed by my dad’s career.’

Dad’s career? Who was his dad?

Then it hit her and she gasped. Gosh how had she not recognized? After all, they look so alike. Then she asked.

“You’re Dhani Harrison aren’t you.”

He smiled, “I was wondering when you were gonna catch on again Louisa May. Long time no see.”

Chapter Text

Dhani’s chuckle crescendoed into a full-out bawl as he couldn’t keep his eyes of the shock on Louisa’s face. We’re they both tipsy and out of it? Definitely. That was probably why she started laughing too. The bulk of the relationship so far had been a bunch of laughter but they both were ok with that. 

“Stop laughing, it’s not funny,” she said trying to be serious, “When did you first recognize it was me? And how the heck did you remember? We only met once and that was like ten years ago.”

“Surprisingly, you look very similar to how you looked ten years ago. A different hair color and a little thinner but you look pretty much the same,  plus when you said Jim was your brother I made the connection. I did wait a bit though before telling you I recognized you because I wanted to see how long it would take you to catch on. Longer then expected I see.”

Louisa sat there perplexed about the audacity he had but also how she was strangely attracted to him. But as she sat silently with rosy cheeks, her phone rang. 

“Sorry about that,” she apologized as she reached to find her phone in her clutch and he responded with a smile.

“Who is it?” 

“My mother.”

“Oh Anita?”

Louisa chucked, “Oh gosh no. Anita Isn’t my mom, she’s my step mom. My mom is that woman over there and she’s with my dad for some reason and I just made eye contact with her which means I need to answer my cell phone now.’ 

Dhani peered at the short woman with silver hair in a purple dress on the phone with the girl next to him. She looked sweet and an awful lot like Louisa even down to the way she carried herself.

“Yep I’ll be over there in a couple of minutes. Can you give me a bit I’m over here with somebody. No mum we’re not dating. Yes I’ve met him before. I will tell you about him tomorrow ok? Bye I love you too.”

Dhani commented, “Is everything ok with your mom? Your conversation sounded a little heated.”

“It wasn’t, that’s just how I talk with my mom. I love her but things can get a little dramatic between us and it’s just a bunch of past drama. She wants me over there for pictures in a couple minutes,” Louisa replied touching up her lipstick. 

“Strange family dynamic?”

It’s like a flame lit up in her eyes when he brought up the subject, “My family dynamic is either fine or toxic there is no in between. My mom and dad are always on and off. I have seen them be best friends and mortal enemies and right now,” she looked over to Brian and Chrissie laughing, “they look like they’re getting along which is a good thing. Plus she and Anita get along well but I think they bond over the fact my dad can be a big idiot most of the time.” 

Dhani, a little taken back by the close up he got into the May family dynamic replied, 

“I understand,my family dynamic is weird too.” 

“Really? I mean I can’t judge but it always seemed like your parents got along extremely well. Better than mine at least.” 

“My parents loved each other very much but things weren’t always exactly easy for them either.” 

“Well cheers to our guitar wheedling fathers and our vertically challenged mothers,” she chuckled and they clinked their glasses. 

Louisa straightened out her dress and popped a piece of gum in her mouth before grabbing his hand and quickly letting go. He smiled at her as she sprinted over to her family, being careful not to trip over her high heels. 

Turning back to his drink, he felt a piece of paper in his hand. He opened the small parcel which said, 

“Be back after awkward photos. You’re not getting rid of me just yet :)” 

He seemed to like this woman more and more every second. 

Chapter Text

May 2010 

“A little bit more to the right, please, Miss May.” 

Louisa shifted in the direction the photographer told her to as she posed neatly with her family. She loved photos, but today she felt antsy, and her mind kept wandering off. 

After what felt like forever, the photos ended as everyone made their way back to the banquet hall, and Louisa felt a hand on her shoulder. 

“I’ve barely seen you the whole night,” her sister in law commented, “Where have you been?”

“At the bar. I met..or reconnected with this guy, and we’ve been talking and stuff,” Louisa replied. 

Rory smirked, “Oooo, do I see a date in the future?” 

Louisa chuckled, “probably not, I don’t know. I do think I’m starting to like him a little, though. You know I haven’t liked anyone since the whole Jack catastrophe.” 

“How could I forget? That was awkward, but this guy might be different. You should ask him to dance! You know, be all romantic and stuff.” 

Jack was the son of her former editor in Boston during her post-college years, not to mention her ex-boyfriend. He was a talented writer and her first serious relationship. He reminded her friends of Logan from Gilmore Girls, so Rory always called him that, one time accidentally to his face. Their relationship ended horribly, with Louisa breaking it off to go back to England to be closer to her family but also because things were moving too fast. 

“You’re right Rory, I might ask him to dance,” Louisa said. 

Rory smiled and linked arms with her friend, “I’ll make sure the DJ plays a really romantic song.” 

Louisa rolled her eyes, “Oh gosh, of course, you will.” 

After separating from Rory, Louisa made her way back to the bar to find Dhani gone. 

Perplexed, she wondered where he could’ve gone until she heard a ‘boo’ from
behind her. 

“Geez, Dhani! I almost slapped you,” she said with her hand over her heart. 

“Sorry, I was trying to find you, but I’m glad I did. How was the picture taking?”

“As painful as I thought it would be. I got called down many times for staring off into la-la land.” 

He chuckled, “Makes sense-“ 

But as he was about to finish his statement, the DJ came on the mic and said, “Alright, it’s time for the first dance, and others are welcomed to join in after.” 

‘Maybe I’m Amazed’ by Paul McCartney came on over the speakers as Rory and Jimmy threw their arms around each other and stared deeply into each other’s eyes. 

The sight made Louisa tear up a bit. She was always worried that she passed up ‘the one.’ That the right person was staring her right in the face yet, she wasn’t looking. She didn’t want to be alone forever, but she was also only 29 and still had a little while left to go. 

Although her eyes were on the happy couple, Dhani Harrison’s eyes were on her. 

“I never noticed how blue her eyes were..... how much they shone in the light,” he thought these things to himself as he was worried what was gonna happen was happening; he was falling for her. 

One of the very last conversations he had with his dad before he passed was on love. George had told him, “You will come across a lot of people in your life who think understand you, and then you come across the people who see you deeper than you ever thought possible. Who see you past the money or the name but your soul and the love you give. Hang on to them because they are rare.

His eyes contracted at the thought of his dad. He missed him so much. It felt as if a hole in his heart was left by his dad that he knew would never be filled again. At least he didn’t think so. 

The DJ’s voice came on the speaker again, “Couples may join on the dance floor now.” 

Dhani turned to Louisa, “Would you like to-“

She cut him off, “Yes..please I’d love to.”

She put her arms around his neck, and he put his hands on her waist, and they swayed. Swayed to Eternal Flame by the Bangles. 

Gosh, it was so cheesy, but they both didn’t care. Nothing seemed to matter at this moment except for both Louisa and Dhani. Her heart started beating faster than usual. She definitely felt something for him, and maybe he felt the same. 

Dhani spoke up, “Louisa I-“ 

“Don’t say anything.”

She pulled him in close and kissed him. Something she had wanted to do since that first smirk he gave her. Since the first sarcastic comment. All her emotion poured into the kiss with a man who earlier that morning was a stranger. 

He didn’t pull away but pulled her closer. He hadn’t felt this much emotion since his dad died. It was almost as if he had been a ghost walking through the shadows for the past eight years, but she finally woke him up. 

“I don’t know if it was because I’m a little drunk, but I really enjoyed that,” she whispered. 

“I think we’re both a little drunk, but I don’t regret any of this.” 

“I don’t either.” 

They leaned in for another kiss and just simmered in the feeling of levitation they both felt. 

Chapter Text

May 2010 

Buzz Buzz
With a startled jump, Louisa sat up in bed and quickly looked at her surroundings.
"Calm down," she said to herself, "Breathe. Where are you? What happened?"
A pounding headache found its way into her head, and she groaned. She felt like crap. 
She was in a bedroom of some sort, but it wasn't her own. It was too clean and grown-up compared to the one she had in the house she shared with her brother. Not to mention she was in a t-shirt and pajama pants. Her dress was neatly draped across the chair in the corner, along with her cream-colored heels. 
It took every bit of strength she had, but she rose out to her bed and opened the door to the smell of eggs and bacon from the kitchen and 'Good Morning Britain' on the television. 
"Hey, you're awake," a voice from the kitchen standing over the stove. Dhani. 
"Yep, I woke up a little while ago, but I might go puke in a second," she joked, but her tone turned more serious, "did anything happen....like between us?"
Dhani turned to her; she was sitting at the kitchen table near the window that overlooked the grey sky and Thames and replied, "goodness no-no! We were both too drunk and out of our heads. I helped you change, and you passed out in bed, and I soon after, but nothing happened. I couldn't ever do that. It wouldn't be right." 
She appreciated his tone and his respect. She knew many guys who would've taken advantage of her state of mind and played her like a drum. Even though she had barely known him twenty-four hours, he was a good guy. 
He brought her some eggs and bacon with a cup of coffee. The yellow eggs were a little rubbery, and the bacon was overcooked, but the gesture was nice. To lighten up the mood, she joked. 
"Cook breakfast often?" 
"Oh yeah," he chuckled, "I wanted to make it special for you, and I guess I was a little too nervous or something. I don't do a lot of my own cooking; I eat out way too much."
"I'm an alright cook, but I'm not the best either. I lived off Chinese takeout when I lived in the states. My mother would've flipped if she knew what I was eating as she is an amazing cook. She used to make this sweet bread when I was a kid," she closed her eyes as she reminisced about the smell of baked sugar from her childhood. A small continuity in her crazy childhood. 
"I totally get that. My mum was born in Mexico, so she used to make this chicken mole when I was little. It was spicy, which my dad hated, so he would sometimes slip it our dog when she wasn't looking."
Louisa chucked, and the two continued their breakfast in a comfortable silence until Louisa looked at her watch. 
"Crap crap. I'm gonna be so late to work!" 
"Do you need me to drive you?"
"It's okay, I can grab a taxi, but I don't have clothes," she chucked out of confusion and sheer craziness.
Dhani thought for a second, and then a lightbulb went off in his head.
"Hold on," he said and rushed into the bedroom. He came back out with a white button-up and black skirt.
"My mum stays over sometimes, and I know that sounds weird, but you might be able to fit into her clothes. Do you think these will work?"
"Oh my gosh, Dhani, you're a lifesaver. Thank you so much!!" She kissed his cheek, grabbed her clothes, and ran into the bathroom. 
He touched his cheek and smiled. He really enjoyed that.
She came back out with the perfect fitting clothes and her cream heels on. 
"If I leave now, I will only be an hour late," she laughed, "thank you again so much I would be so far down the rabbit hole if it wasn't for you." 
"Of course Louisa.... are you free Saturday?"
She was a little taken back from the blatant question but then last night flooded back to her. The eye contact. Their conversations. The kiss. The kiss felt nothing but euphoric to her. 
She snapped back into reality and replied, "Of course. Send me more details as it gets closer to Saturday. I gotta go now, though. Bye!" 
She tugged on his shirt and gave him a quick kiss, and Dhani closed the apartment door behind him. Gosh, he was really falling for that girl. 
A knock on the door startled him, and he opened it to see Louisa's smiling face. 
"I just realized you can't text me if you don't have my phone number. Here, I didn't have any paper, so I wrote it on a takeout receipt. Okay bye for real this time." She gave a quick wave and headed out of sight.
The note said;
"(020) 7846 1924 thanks again for breakfast! :) 
-LM" 
He never thought a takeout receipt could be so beautiful. 

Chapter Text

June 2010

Fast forward that week, Louisa was dressed in grey sweatpants and an Elton John sweatshirt as she peered into her boundless closet of clothing. She contemplated what she wanted to wear. 
 “Not too casual, but don’t make it look like you didn’t try.”
 With all her might, she threw half her closet onto her bed and looked through the mess. 
 A white sundress?
 You’ll be too cold 
 Leggings? 
 A little tight 
 The grey sweater?
 Louisa. Stop coming up with bad ideas.
       Louisa threw herself onto her navy sheets, arms spread out and eyes looking towards the ceiling. Why is dating so freaking complicated? People should know who their soulmate is by like a shooting star or something, not this horrendous game of breaking hearts and picking out what to wear, so you don’t look like a slob but not the queen herself.  “Someone looks like they’re having a crisis,” said Felix Taylor in the doorway, a bag of Fritos in his hand. 
 “Gosh, was it that obvious? I’ll do my best to hide it next time,” Louisa shot back, the blood rushing to her head as she sat up, “I can’t find anything to wear for my date tonight.” 
 “You have a date tonight?” her friend asked.
 “I know, right, a total surprise,” she said, making sarcastic hand motions before rubbing her oily hair. She needed to shower badly. 
       Felix moved the mountain of clothing on her bed and popped a squat next to his friend, who, he deducted, needed advice terribly. 
      Felix and Louisa had a relationship one could only describe as like one twin’s share. They weren’t twins but almost were. Born the same day, only a year apart, Felix and Louisa had grown up together and shared secrets, drama and were each other’s support system. They even had a small band together in high school with Felix on drums and Louisa on vocals which Louisa would plug her ears with any time Felix tried to bring it up. They were just like brother and sister.
 “Sorry, Lou, you know I didn’t mean that. You’re really hot. I’m surprised you haven’t caught a man until now, or at least not one who I haven’t wanted to smash their face into a toilet.” 
 “Shut up, that’s so gross.” Louisa laughed.
 “It’s true. I hope this Danny guy or whatever his name is a good guy, but before I go on, do you want me to help you figure out what all this is,” Felix gestured to the many shapes and patterns on the bed. 
 “Please, I need someone’s advice, so I don’t walk out of the house in sweatpants looking like I sat on the couch all day.” 
      Louisa and Felix spent the next two hours merging through the clothes on the bed, picking out different styles. Then, Louisa would go into her bathroom, change and come back out, waiting on Felix’s opinion as he looked at her. 
 He would say “not quite,” “too flashy,” “too bright,” until finally she came out in a white t-shirt tucked into some ripped black jeans and red flannel with black tennis shoes. 
 “I think this is the one,” Felix said as she fiddled with it in the mirror. 
 “Really? You don’t think I look like a lumberjack.” 
 “Not at all; it looks perfect.” 
 “Well, then I have my date in two hours, so you need to scadattle so I can get in the shower. Thank you, Felix, really, thank you.” 

Chapter Text

Ring Ring 
Louisa swung her legs off the couch as she put her People magazine on the coffee-stained end table. Though it was an old home, it was their home. Louisa, Jimmy, and Felix. Jimmy and Felix bought the house for dirt cheap after they graduated. Just two buds living the dream. Jimmy was a doctor, and Felix was an actor, but they made it work. They finally were able to redo the house when Louisa moved in as she wouldn’t live in the pig sty the boys were accustomed to. They fixed up the broken stairs and creaky floorboards. When Rory moved in, the house that once was a bachelor pad became a fully running, grown-up home, though it took much getting used to. 
Looking in the mirror, she applied some last-minute lipstick and walked outside into the warm summer air. The smog had cleared out, and the sky was turning a light pink with the right number of clouds. Her date was below the beautiful sky, dressed in jeans and a jet-black leather jacket. His long dark hair fell over his shoulders, and Louisa couldn’t keep her eyes off him. He was different from all the other men she dated. He was a free spirit yet seemed so kindled to hers. 
“Hey there!” he said with a smile, opening the door for her. 
“Hi to you. You look nice,” Louisa replied. 
“You do too. What do you want to do?” 
“I have some ideas.” 
“You wanna drive then?” 
“Always,” she smirked. 
Taking control of the wheel, she drove into the city as the sun set and the sky turned a dark black, reminding Louisa of Dhani’s hair, which she looked at every so often. She pulled into a parking space and pointed her pained finger to a small brick building across the street. 
“That’s a really cool pub I like to go to.”
“Are you sure about this?” He asked with a bit of hesitation in his voice.
She grabbed his hand and looked at him with a warm smile 
“Dhani, do you think I’d pull you into anything you couldn’t handle?” 
“Definitely.”
Louisa pretended to act offended and rolled her eyes. 
“Well, then you’d be right but please trust me.”
“I can’t resist those puppy dog eyes. Fine, but if I get punched by some drunk, then you’re responsible for the ice to fix my face.” 
“Of course. Now let’s go!” 
They ran across the street, and Louisa opened the door to the crowded bar. Dhani looked around at the people dancing to the band on the stage. People there were laughing, drinking, and dancing. There were pool tables and darts on the cracked brick walls. It reeked of alcohol and sweat, but he was determined to enjoy his night with the most beautiful girl he’d ever met. 
“Two light beers please,” she asked the scruffy bartender, “scared yet, Dhani?” 
“Not yet, but give me a minute.” 
The bartender handed their beers, and Dhani tipped him. 
A man passed, and Louisa stole a cigarette from his pocket and lighted it.
“You smoke?” he asked.
“Not usually, but we’re all trying something new, right?”
She took a puff and immediately started hacking up her lungs. 
Dhani freaked out, “Louisa, are you ok? Do you need me to take you somewhere?” 
She laughed in between coughs, “no... I’m fine.. I’ve never smoked before.”
“You’ve got to be joking me.”
“Nope,” she smiled. 
This girl was crazy, but he was starting to fall in love with the crazy. After they drank a little and sat in a bit of silence, she asked,
“May I have this dance, Mr. Harrison?”
“Of course, Miss May.” 
She laughed, and they joined on the dance floor. 
It was an Irish fiddle band and Dhani, a lousy dancer, was a little concerned about everyone around him. Still, after seeing Louisa moving her blonde locks around and waving her arms in the air, he gained a sense of calm. She really didn’t care about everyone else around her. 
“You’re a good dancer,” he commented.
“I’m not. I just like to move. Music is my safe haven, and I’ve danced to everything for a long time. When I was a kid and crap happened, like my parents fighting or I’d get overwhelmed at school or whatever, I’d just put on Walkman and dance until all the sadness left. I remember one time after my Uncle Freddie died, no one would leave me alone about it, so I snuck out of school and danced around town. I got in so much trouble for it, but it was worth it.”
Her anecdote touched Dhani, feeling a little ping in his heart, knowing that the adventurer in front of him had known deep sadness. He knew the feeling all too well and wouldn’t pray it on his worst enemy. Getting out of his head, he commented, 
“That’s beautiful, Louisa.”
She grinned, “I’m so delighted you think so. I always love to start dates with a deep story about the depressing moments of my childhood.” 
Her sarcasm was really something sometimes, he thought. He wondered if she used it to recoil when she shared too much like a puppet who goes back into the box after it pops out. When she popped out of the box, he wanted her to be able to stay out for him. To feel safe knowing there is a possibility that life is safe when the box is open. A topic for another time, however. 
The night grew more profound, and so did their feelings for each other. They played all the different bar games. Darts, pool, foosball. Louisa beat Dhani at all of them and by a substantial amount. Every time she’d hit a bullseye or scored a goal with her plastic football player, she’d wear a childish grin and spin around. Something Dhani found extremely adorable, so adorable that the usual competitive player felt no frustration losing. 
“Hey, do you want to karaoke?” Louisa yelled over the bar music. 
Dhani hesitated, “I don’t know how comfortable I’d be doing that.”
“Are you joking?” she questioned, “you literally perform on stage in front of crowds for a living.”
“Yes, but this is different.”
“In what way?”
“I don’t know; it just is. It’s more embarrassing.”
She took his hand, “Listen, I’ll be up there with you the entire time, and I’ll probably sing louder anyways. No one expects you to be perfect or even sing well. Half the people who karaoke are drunk anyway.”
Dhani thought hard and responded, “Ok fine, but I’m choosing the song.”
She squealed, and they both rushed to the stage. The duet Dhani chose was “Say, Say, Say.” 
“Nice song. I call the Paul McCartney part!” she smiled. 
“Ok,” he laughed, “I liked Michael Jackson better in this song anyways.”
The bar got slightly quieter when the synthesizer started to play. Louisa started. 

“Say, say, say what you want but don’t play games with my affection.” 

She had a particular spin of her hand and sway of her hips when she sang. Even though it was silly, she was a natural performer. When Dhani’s part came up, he started to clam up but uttered,

“All alone, I sit home by the phone waiting for you, baby 
Through the years, how can you stand to hear my pleading for you, dear?”

Louisa winked at him and felt a wave of relief wash over him. This wasn’t so bad, now was it. 
The two continued the song jumping around, sometimes sharing the mic and making funny faces. When the song ended, the bar clapped for them as Louisa grabbed Dhani’s hand, and they bowed. 
“Look at you,” she snarked, “you’re still alive!” 
“By the skin of my teeth!” he replied, “I read enjoyed that, but I can’t say I’m dying to do it again.” 
The night continued with more talking and more drinks. Finally, Dhani glanced at the clock, which read 11 pm and turned to his dashing date. 
“It’s getting kinda late. We should head out soon.” 
She frowned, “Aw, no. Well, I guess you’re probably right, but there’s one more thing I’d like to do before we go. So you settle our tab, and I’ll be right back.” 
Eyebrows raised, and he agreed and paid their food and drink bill. Then, looking down at his phone for a quick second, he was interrupted by a familiar voice. When he turned around, he saw his date on stage with the fiddle band. 
Oh, what was she about to do?

Chapter Text

“Hey, everyone” the blonde tucked her hair behind her ears with one hand and held the cold, metal microphone in the other. 
“My name is Louisa. And that guy,” she pointed her rose-painted finger to her date, who blushed at the eyes on him, “is Dhani. I want to dedicate this song to him, so enjoy y’all!”
Dhani’s brow furrowed at the “y’all,” but when the fiddle opened for the song, his face turned a darker red as he knew what she was about to sing. A very out-of-place piece for her very out-of-place lover. 

“I was ridin’ shotgun with my hair undone
In the front seat of his car..”

     Louisa faked an awful country accent during her song. She strutted around the stage, her boots tapping the wooden floor and her hips swinging like a pendulum. It was a silly song, but she couldn’t help but feel it all in her. 
     It just happened with all music. It was like a monster that consumed Louisa yet filled her with a spirit that made her into someone new. Someone carefree and vulnerable. It first happened when she was four and heard Elton John play “Bennie and the Jets” at Live Aid. She immediately stood up from her seat, freaking her mother out, and started to sway her chubby arms in the air. It was a day that defined her for a lifetime. After that moment, she became a willing servant to music and wholly surrendered to the surreal feeling. Of course, she became an Elton John fan after that day too. 
     Dhani didn’t necessarily know what to think about her performance. He found it amusing, although he wasn’t a big Taylor Swift nor a country fan. At first, he couldn’t look up without fear of people staring at the subject of this wild woman’s great ode. Still, slowly he warmed up and swayed with the acoustic guitar and his date’s sweet vocals. It was an odd gesture, somewhat embarrassing. Yet, her carefreeness and passion hit the spot in his heart, and he felt a feeling akin to when he first danced with her at Jimmy’s wedding. The same feeling he got when he used to jam out with his dad. 
     Louisa approached the repeat of the chorus, and before she started again, she directed her mike to the crowded bar and screamed, 
“You know the words!”
     The whole bar unanimously chanted the song. Old, tough men belted with confidence the words to a sixteen-year-old country girl’s tribute to her love. There wasn’t a mouth in the bar that wasn’t singing, 

“Our song is the slamming screen door
Sneakin’ out late, tapping on your window
When we’re on the phone, and you talk real slow
’Cause it’s late, and your mama don’t know.”
     

    Childish glee filled the whole bar as everyone started to dance and sing along. Everyone in the bar raised a glass to each other and to the music. Even the bartender looked on with glee at how everyone was getting along for the first time in forever. Dhani even got up and started to shake his long dark locks. He was enamored that this girl could gather a crowd, young and old; sweet and tough; British and American; to join in and feel each other’s feelings. It was something he’d never seen before and hoped he could cling onto for a long time. 
     Louisa approached the bridge and signaled Dhani to join her. He stood at the foot of the stage as she dropped to her knees and took his hand in her free hand. It felt warm and small, her fingers perfectly intertwining with his. Again, his cheeks felt hot as he looked at her, but this time, it wasn’t out of embarrassment but of love. He was falling in love with this songbird. 
She repeated the chorus one last time, but this time slower. Louisa sang into the microphone, yet the words were only for him. The lyrics felt different to both of them at this moment. Their story, up to that point, was busy and meaningful. Fun and addicting. Just like the relationship in the song. Up to that point, it reflected the youth and innocence of the lyrics, but it was changing. It was growing up into something that both of them were excited about. Something greater to discover. 
     They both snapped out of the trance, and she pulled him up on stage, hitting his knee, but he didn’t mind. She tossed him an extra mic, and he finished the song with her. Their voices floated in unison as they spun each other around. Everyone in the crowd had their eyes on the beautiful young couple on stage, and Louisa and Dhani knew and welcomed it. 
The song ended, and they bowed. Then, helping her down from the stage, he grabbed her cheeks-he had never felt something so soft in his hands- and made contact with her bright red lips. It was the first time he had made a move on her, and it felt good. It felt right. Not just the kiss but them. The night. It all felt meant to be. Like they were always meant to stay together. 
“Taylor Swift, huh?” he joked, his hands still on her cheeks.
“Yep,” she teased, “thought I’d add some variety. So now you know about my secret country fetish.” 
He chuckled and put his arms around her shoulders. 
“Let’s get out of here.” he whispered, “There’s still a city to be explored tonight.” 
“I couldn’t agree more,” she giggled back. 
The two ran out of the cheerful bar, new people, hand and hand, ready to conquer the world.

Chapter Text

Sprinting as if they were chasing the sun, the couple pulled each other around the crooks and crannies of jolly old London. It was like they were five years old again. Louisa would run ahead of him, jumping and running her hand against the cold brick that aligned the streets, and eventually, when she saw she had gotten too far ahead of him, run back and then jump into him, causing them to both crash into the rough pavement, laughing as if it were the funniest joke they had ever heard. There would definitely be scars on their hands in the morning. Still, right now, both knew they would scratch themselves on the pavement a million times if it meant the night would last one minute longer. Eventually, Louisa ran out of breath, and they passed the rows of brick buildings that lined the street. All that was left was a small boardwalk that overlooked the Thames. The silver moon was positioned high enough in the sky to make the water glisten and dance. With no one else around, it seemed as if the moon was inviting them to dance with it, so Dhani grabbed Louisa’s waist, and they waltzed around the boardwalk to the tune of cars in the distance and the wading water beneath them. He could only glance at her momentarily because every time he made contact with her sapphire eyes, a feeling welled up inside that almost brought him to tears. The happiest he had been since his dad died all those years ago. 

A little while later, the pair decided to rest their legs on the edge of the boardwalk. Louisa took off her Converse in order to dip her toes in the water. The cold feeling came rushing, almost too intense, but grounded her in the moment. Dhani followed suit, and the two sat for a while, sharing the freezing feeling they so desperately needed.

“Don’t get mad, but what do you do again?” Dhani asked.

“You mean when I’m not actively avoiding my family or making a fool of myself at the karaoke machine?” she replied with a smile.

“Yes, although that sounds like it could be a full-time job.”

“I’m a writer.”

He grinned. “What do you write?”

“Anything you can think of I’ve done. Politics, food, entertainment, traffic incidents, but right now, I’m working for a girly blog that is supposed to give  really  good life advice.”

“Do you like it?” He questioned.

“About as much as you’d like watching paint dry. I think it’s a little stupid, but it pays the bills and has flexible hours, so who am I to complain.”

“Have you ever thought about pursuing music? The karaoke was a little much, but in all seriousness, you have a good voice. Enough to make something good with.”

The moment the words left his mouth, he immediately regretted it. Louisa immediately walked away and just stood facing the city, almost paralyzed.

Dhani scrambled to go to her, putting his hand on her shoulder. She turned back with watery eyes, ready to explain the sudden outburst.

“I could never do that. Never, I won’t lie; I could if I wanted to. I have the resources and maybe a little talent, but you can do whatever you want with autotune nowadays, but it would be wrong. As much as music is a safe space for me, a serious career has a serious side effect. Fame. It’s the thing that broke up my family and haunted my teenage years. It hurts every person I’ve ever loved, and I’ve spent my life running from it, but it never seems to leave me alone. It lures me in sometimes. Like when Elton John played at my 16th birthday party or when Queen royalties paid for college, but in the end, I know I’ll just be left out in the cold, wishing I had known better, unlike my parents and loved ones. They might’ve let fame make a scandal out of their lives, but not me. My life will not be made a mockery of for the entertainment of the guy sitting on his couch calling me talentless or undeserving. I’d rather write about the best type of hand soap for pasty skin than sell my soul for applause and some cash.”

Dhani had never thought about it from that perspective. Yes, fame had haunted him. He still shuts off Yellow Submarine every time it comes on the radio because all he can hear is the taunting of his peers on the playground. Still, he had never thought about it as selling his soul or mocking his life. He saw it as a way to connect with people and share the same love his dad gave through music. To him, fame was one of the only ways he felt he belonged, but he kept all these thoughts to himself.

“I’m sorry, Louisa. I didn’t mean to bring it up. Even if you write about hand soap the rest of your life, you’ll be saving someone from pasty hands, and that’s pretty admirable. Who knows, you could get a lifetime supply too.”

She wiped her eyes and chuckled, “Thanks. I’d save so much money on soap if that happened. Sorry, I got all sappy.”

She checked her watch. It was 2 am, and though no one would be up waiting for her, she knew she needed to get home before someone woke up.

“I need to get home, and so do you. I think this has probably been the best night I’ve had in a while. I never thought I’d ever sing country to a boy in front of a group of drunk middle-aged men.”

“I never thought I’d get serenaded by a pretty girl in front of drunk middle-aged men.” he joked back.

She kissed him on the cheek, and the two returned to his car. What a morning. 

Chapter Text

     The following weeks were an amplified version of normality. Louisa returned to her magazine job, chasing stories about the best kind of solution to get that red wine stain out of the carpet or the best cities to vacation to if you’re a beach girl vs. a mountain girl, but every so often, she’d get a notification on her phone that someone had texted her and she’d smile. At some point, when the days would get long, and she couldn’t find purpose in her work, she would go back and read what he had sent her that morning. It was never anything overly important. Usually, it was something funny that had happened to him that day or a demo for part of a new song he was creating. Still, it brought about a feeling she thought she could live the rest of her life off if somehow the universe would let her. She didn’t feel the giddy feeling when you start a new relationship. Frankly, they hadn’t put a label on it yet. It was more of the exciting feeling of reconnecting with a friend you haven’t spoken with in a while, but it felt like a second hadn’t passed since you had last seen them. It all felt so natural.
“Ok, this is the third time you’ve smiled at your phone in the last hour, and all you’ve gotten down on your rough draft, which is due at tomorrow’s editor session, is an uncreative title. Who’s the guy?”
The source of the comment was a brunette with long bangs who hung her elbows on top of Louisa’s cubicle walls. Renee Phillips started at the magazine at the same time as Louisa, and the two had become fast friends, mainly because she was the only one in the office whose wit was faster than Louisa’s. Renee spent her time on the mommy blog part of the magazine since she was one of the only women with a child, a two-year-old son. Even though a very famously single Louisa could not be different from the divorced single mother, they found themselves fast friends. They often bounced ideas off each other for work and their personal lives. The two originally shared a desk, but their editor threatened consequences if they didn’t separate and get their pieces done instead of one-upping each other on who could be more annoying; Louisa’s father or Renee’s ex-husband.
“Shh,” Louisa put her finger to her mouth, “Writing for this magazine is enough; I’m not trying to make the front page. Plus, I told you I had a date a few weeks ago.”
“Yeah, but you never said anything about it. I assumed he was a loser or sacred you off by showing you his secret fetish for the pink panther.”
Louisa chuckled, “Sadly, no pink panther fetish, but I like him. We only went out a few weeks ago, but it feels like I’ve always known him. Like he not only knows my tics but complements them.”
Renee rested her chin on her forearm, “hmmm. That’s really sweet, Lou. I’m happy for you.”
Louisa cocked her head, “no sarcasm?”
“Not yet. Sadly, I can’t think of any smooth line to mock your happiness. Do you have a picture of your mystery man?”
Louisa pulled a picture of Dhani on Google for her friend as Renee moved behind her chair.
“HOLY SHIT, LOU, YOU DIDN’T TELL ME HE WAS GEORGE HARRISON’S SON?? HE’S LITERALLY HIS LOOK-ALIKE.”
Louisa smacked her in the arm. “Shut up, jeez. I’m not trying to air out my personal life…. Do you approve then?”
“Do you ever feel like you’re kissing George Harrison?”
“They don’t look that similar.”
Renee shrugged, “agree to disagree, but yes, I approve. Does this make you Pattie Boyd reincarnated?”
“She’s not dead, Renee.”
“Oh, my bad.”
On the other side of the city, Dhani was in the studio with his band. They were preparing to leave for a short US tour in a few days, and Dhani had yet to tell Louisa. Things had been going so well in their relationship since their first date, and he worried about how she would take the news. He’d be gone for two months, and he wasn’t sure if their relationship was strong enough to handle such a departure so quickly.
Her words about fame from their date had replayed in his mind constantly, preventing him from telling her about the tour. What if it scared her or upset her, and she ended it? Lately, he had been living for her text messages or their Friday night dinner dates. She has even been creeping into his songwriting, though love had never been a topic he had been keen on writing about before they met. Their relationship was like a precious gem that he knew if he lost, it would be detrimental to lose.
“Hey man, you ok?” His bandmate, Randy, the drummer, put his hand on Dhani’s shoulder, bringing him back to reality.
Dhani jerked his shoulder, “Oh yeah, I’m ok, thanks. Randy, you have a girlfriend, right?”
“Yep, Nina, why?”
“How did she take it when you first went on tour?”
Randy crossed his arms, “She was fine with it. It made her sad, especially since she couldn’t come with me. Still, she trusted me, and I trusted our relationship. We both knew that a few months apart wouldn’t be the end of the world because I could always call her, and I wouldn’t be away forever. It inspired some excellent songs too.”
Dhani looked down at his sneakers, “I’ve been seeing this girl, Louisa, for a few weeks. We’re not technically in a relationship, but I care about her and always talk. I’m worried about how she’ll take the news when I tell her, especially since she told me how much she hates fame’s effect on her loved ones.”
“Well, Dhani, I think the only thing you can do is be honest and upfront. Express that this is your job, and you’ll miss her and keep in contact, but it’s something you have to do. If this girl cares about you, she’ll understand, no matter how she feels about fame or whatever.”
Dhani smiled, “Thanks Randy, you’re probably right.”
Randy chuckled and put his arm around Dhani to walk them back into the sound booth, “Of course I am; when have I ever been wrong?”
That Friday, Louisa was at Dhani’s apartment for their Friday night dinner. With busy schedules, it was the only time they could see each other during the week, but it was lovely. They enjoyed sharing recipes, a bottle of wine, and the oddities about work. However, while stirring the homemade fettuccine in the alfredo sauce, Dhani couldn’t help staring at Louisa, who was tossing a Greek salad. Her potential reactions to his news wouldn’t leave his head. Would she be mad? Melancholy? Understanding? Excited even? The unpredictability was becoming too much. 
Once they had sat down and gotten past the small talk about the day’s events and how Felix put his red shirts and white underwear in the washing machine together, so now all his underwear was pink, Dhani decided to reveal the news. 
“Louisa, I need to tell you something.”
She looked up from her pasta with a mix of curiosity and fear in her eyes. Had she done something to upset him?
“Next Wednesday, my band is leaving for a US tour. I’ll be away for two months, but before I leave, I wanted to ask if you wanted to make our relationship official. Of course, I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else. Honestly, I’m completely amazed by you, but I thought making it official would relieve any doubt and give us something both to look forward to when I get back.”
A long silence followed as she just looked at him. Dhani had always been somewhat good at reading people, but he had no clue what she was remotely thinking. The last part was unplanned, but he had thought, “What the hell?” He cared about her and didn’t want to be with anyone else. Louisa May was already his girlfriend in everything but the title. 
She slowly rose from her seat and went over to him. He rose up, and she threw her arms around his neck the moment he did. This hug was different than any he had experienced before. It was a mix of longing and gratitude. Like she never wanted to let him go, but it would be ok because he was hers, which made letting go ok. 
“God, you won’t know how much I’ll miss you. You better call me every day Dhani Harrison. You’re my boyfriend, after all, and what kind of boyfriend would you be if you didn’t call your girlfriend every night to hear about her article on the softest kind of lotion for people over 65.”
He laughed as he pulled her in closer. Somehow she kept pleasantly surprising him. He felt silly thinking this could’ve been bad, or she would’ve left him. After all, it was only two months.
Louisa left work early the following week to see him off at the airport. The two tightly embraced one another for the last time in eight weeks. Eight weeks seemed like a lifetime.
“Every day. I promise,” he whispered.
“I know,” she replied.
She stayed and watched the plane until it disappeared into the wispy London clouds, swallowed by the fog. It reminded her of when she would watch Queen fly away each year, her father becoming an afterthought for a few months every two years. The pain crept into her heart, remembering it was a concert and a tour where her family first began to crack. She quickly snapped herself out of the haunting memory.
“Two months. I can do this.”