The Inevitable Fanfiction

Chapter 2

It is the early hours of the day in England, when they land. Quickly, Simon thanks his pilot and promises a raise in his salary that month. His driver had been arranged to pick him and Paula up and he is waiting outside, half asleep in the driver’s seat. They get in the back seat and Simon calls Nick again, telling him they have landed safely and asks for the hospital room number. He knows none of his brothers will be asleep.
The roads are clear, as expected when everyone is tucked in their beds sound asleep, and they get to the hospital in less than 20 minutes. The pair rush out of the car, Simon promising his driver a tip when he has some Sterling Pound notes in his wallet. He has a hand on Paula’s back and they half jog to the right floor and to the counter.
“We’re here for Julie Cowell,” Simon says to the lady behind the desk. The woman seems uninterested until she hears the name ‘Cowell.’
“Of course, Mr. Cowell! Right down this corridor to the left,” She says, her voice raising at least two octaves... “Is she family?” She adds, suddenly realising the small woman beside the famous Simon Cowell. Obviously, she doesn’t recognise Paula. That isn’t too surprising considering the lady seems young and had probably been born after the Paula Abdul music era.
Paula opens her mouth as if she were going to say something but turns to Simon for his reply.
“Yes, she is,” He says and walks away with his hand on Paula’s back again.
They reach the room and there Nick, Tony, Michael, John and June, Simon’s siblings and half-siblings wait outside, restlessly. There are some couches and chairs and they all lay half-asleep. His in-laws are there as well, Katie (Nick’s wife) holding her daughter Georgia in her arms.
“Simon,” Tony sighs and stands up, making all the others raise their heads, snapping to attention. He pulls his younger brother in for a manly hug, but can’t help the little bit of joy of a young boy as he hugs him close.
“Paula,” Tony smiles slightly, kissing her cheeks. “Somehow you seemed to have kept our brother sane on that aircraft, so thank-you.” The family all laugh a little.
Nicholas is more open about his feelings and he holds his brother tightly for a few moments.“Have you seen her yet?” Simon asks; his voice nervous. Nick shakes his head sadly.
“Hi, Paw-ler,” Nicholas says, much like Simon and kisses her cheeks as well. She knows Nick the best of Simon’s siblings, though she has met them all at least twice, so she feels quite comfortable hugging him tightly and whispering words of encouragement much like an older sister would do.
Simon greets his other brothers and kisses his sister hello. June smiles slightly at Paula but seems to worried for any proper acknowledgements. She is not blood related to Julie, as she was Eric Cowell’s daughter from his marriage before Julie. But Julie had taken good care of her when her mother passed and she would always be grateful.
“Unca Simon?” The small voice of a child echoes in the room. Georgia sits up in her mother’s lap, awakened by the quiet conversations, rubbing her eyes sleepily.
“Hello, love. Did you have a good kip?” Simon asks the toddler. She nods once, but then shakes her head, changing her mind before lifting her arms towards him. He walks over to her and lifts her easily into his arms.
She puts one arm around his neck and sucks her thumb. Simon kisses her head softly before joining Paula who was sitting between Michael’s wife, Lauren, and June on the couch. She scoots so there is enough space for him beside her and she watches him interact with Georgia in awe. The little girls rests her head on her Uncle Simon’s shoulder and plays with his collar sleepily.
“Do you remember Paula?” Simon asks her, pointing to Paula. He gets a blank face in response. “Aunty Paula?” You could have almost seen the light bulb flash on top of her head as the term ‘Aunty Paula’ clicks in her brain.
“Aunty Pau-wa,” Georgia says, more to herself than anyone else. She reaches out a little and pats Paula’s cheek with her tiny chubby hand before repeating herself. Then Paula remembered why she had been saying the word ‘Aunty’ in a British way lately. “Aunty Pau-wa... do you know why Gran is ill?” She asks, her big eyes brimming with tears. Her lower lip protrudes much like her uncle’s and for a moment Paula wonders what a child of Simon’s and hers would look like. Just as quickly as the thought comes, she sends it away.
“No, I don’t, sweetheart. But you know what I do know?” Georgia shakes her head ‘no’. “Whatever happens to Gran, she will be happy, yeah?” After a moment, the little one smiles and leans back in Simon’s chest contentedly. Paula kisses her cheek before resting her head against Simon’s shoulder.
“You’re amazing, you know that Paw-la?” Simon whispers in her ear. She looks up at him, her face puzzled. He kisses her nose, his heart a little bit lighter after watching the display in front of him.
Quite suddenly footsteps are heard and a doctor walks in, “Are you here for Julie Cowell?” he asks.
“Yes we are,” Tony stands up and shakes hands with him.
“I’m Doctor Kensington,” He says, his eyes scanning the room and then widening at the site of Simon and then Paula. They all stand up. “We have performed surgery on her, putting a metal plate in her leg. It had almost fully broken off from the hip bone. Anymore and the damage would have been irreparable for someone at that age. She is awake now, and you can see her. But only family please.” The group nod together.
Paula isn’t sure of where she should be. She is not family. And yet she is in every way. Simon even said himself not long before – but was that just to avoid unnecessary chatter? She had spent Christmas with them before, been there when they visited Simon is the US and Julie had even called her to wish her a happy birthday last year. She still isn’t sure. Before she could analyse some more however, Simon pulls her hand with his free one, balancing Georgia on his other arm. She looks into his eyes and he knows she feels out of place. But he finds no reason for her to feel that way and that she is family. They enter the small room, crowding the frail blonde woman on the bed.
They are more than relieved to see Julie. She is lying down with her head propped up with a couple of pillows and she is smiling slightly. They all kiss her cheeks one by one and Georgia tries to climb into her grandmother’s lap.
“No, no, no, love!” Nick tells her. Simon gives her to Katie as she struggles in his arms. “Gran’s leg is hurting so maybe it’s best you don’t sit on her lap for a little while, alright?” Georgia pouts once more and Paula’s heart skips a beat at the resemblance between her and her uncle Simon once more.
“Mum,” Simon breathes. Nick and him each take of her hands in their own and kneel on the floor on either side of her somewhat simultaneously. Simon kisses her hand a few times before pressing his cheek to it. There are no words to describe the relief in his heart at the moment. He was so afraid that she would pass and that he wouldn’t get to say goodbye, just like with his father. The rest of them lived in England but Simon had the misfortune of living an ocean away.
“I’m alright my darlings,” Julie tells them gently just like she did many years ago when she had been fighting cancer. They never believed her. But it didn’t matter. They are with her now.
Katie gives Paula a knowing look, one that usually sister-in-laws (that got along) share when their husbands did something so typically ‘guy-like’. Paula isn’t sure if the pleasure she feels because of that is exactly healthy. But then almost nothing about her relationship is healthy. It’s like taking drugs – it can be very bad for you, but you love it and need it. If people said Paula was on drugs, then her own personal brand of Heroin was called ‘Simon Cowell’.
“Paw-la? Is that you?” Julie asks, squinting her eyes. Paula appears shyly in front of her as Simon and Nick stand up still holding onto their mother’s hands. “What a surprise!” She smiles widely and Simon is reminded of the similarity between his two favourite women... they were both warriors- through and through.
“I’m glad you’re alright, Julie,” Paula smiles sweetly and kisses the older woman’s cheek. Julie hugs her as tight as her frail little body could manage and Paula returns the gesture gently.
“Thanks for being there for my boy,” Paula doesn’t know how to reply.
“I am very grateful,” Simon steps in and takes her hand. Paula blushed. He isn’t usually so... sweet. Not so openly sweet.
They sit with Julie for a while longer, all exhausted but none wanting to leave. Julie insists that they came back later in the day once they all had enough rest. Simon has a home in England, not nearly as grand as his mansion in Beverly Hills but it obviously belongs to someone wealthy.
John and his wife drop Simon and Paula off and Paula has trouble keeping her eyes open by the time they reach. When Simon’s housekeeper lets him in, he sees Jackie, his long-time friend sitting on the sofa in the living room.
“Simon! How is Julie? Nick told me she is in the hospital,” Jackie asks, panicked and hugs Simon tightly. Paula averts her eyes as he holds Jackie for a short moment.
“She’s fine. Thank God,”
“Good! I will visit her tomorrow,”
“You mean today,” Simon corrects and Jackie rolls her eyes. She knows Simon and he can only be his cheeky self if he is happy. And that is enough proof to her that his loving mother is indeed alright.
“Oh, Paula! Hi. I’m sorry, where are my manners?” She kisses Paula’s cheeks smiles warmly at her. “You came with Simon?”
“Yeah,” Paula smiles.
“Alright then,” Simon can tell Jackie is slightly hurt that he didn’t tell her and that she feels somewhat replaced in Simon’s life. He wishes he could tell her that he still needs and wants her around as much as he always has but he can’t. He would be lying. For as much as he loves her and as much as he always will, Paula is the one who has taken up the biggest space in his heart. “I’ll be off then. Just wanted to be sure you’re alright,” She says. “I’m off to work,”
“Work? What’s the time?” Simon’s eyes go wide.
“Half past six in the morning,” Jackie tells him. Paula looks at him in surprise. They had lost track of time.
“Well I’m going to get some sleep. Bye, Jackie. Thanks for coming over,” He kisses her cheek softly and she lets herself out.
Simon sits on the sofa and pats the spot next to him for Paula. She obliges and cuddles into his chest. They sit quietly for a while, listening to each other’s breaths. The slight footsteps of Simon’s housekeeper, Martha, make them wake from their half-sleep states.
“Can I make anything for you, Sir, Ma’am? Something to eat? Would you like me to set up the guest-room?” It occurs to them then that they had not eaten anything for almost 20 hours.
“Are you hungry, Paula?” Simon asks her. She shakes her head. The only thing she wants at the moment is sleep.
“Me neither. I think you should set up the guest-room though. We’re going to need some sleep. Thanks,” He smiles. The housekeeper nods and retreats up the stairs.
The next thing Paula knows, she is being carried up the stairs. She looks up and sees Simon looking at her fondly. She must have fallen asleep.
“I can walk,” She says, her voice groggy. He shakes his head in reply. They are almost there anyway. “Simon... I don’t want to wear this dress to sleep. Can I borrow something to wear please?” Simon looks down at her and realises she is in her dress. She had put it on before their left the plane. So he makes a detour, and turns to where his room is. He walks in and sets her on the bed without a word. He is still quiet, almost as if he were numb. He takes out a shirt and shorts from his cupboard and hands it to her.
“Thanks,” She says and retreats to the guestroom closest to his to change. She is too tired to shower. When she is done rolling up the sleeves and the shorts so they fit her, she finds her way back to where Simon is. She knocks softly but she doesn’t get a reply. Opening the door a crack, she pokes her head in.
He is sitting on the right side of the bed, a blanket covering his legs. His chest is bare and he stares at the wall in front of him blankly. “Simey,” She calls him affectionately, hoping for a reaction. “Can I sit with my Simey?” He looks at her and smiles, opening his arms for her.
She walks to him and settles on his lap. He pulls her close and sighs contentedly. She plays with the hairs on his arms that are holding her waist and rests her head against his warm chest. They stay quiet for a long while.
“You should sleep... You’re tired,” He says finally. She looks up at him and touches his cheek.
“I can’t sleep unless I know you’re alright. Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not yet,” Paula nods understandingly. “Go on. Go to bed... If I need you I’ll just crawl in next to you,” He laughs a little and Paula is relieved to see his boyish smile again. They both know he is serious despite his joking tone.
“G’night,” She leans in and kisses his lips softly, her hand still touching his face. As she pulls away, Simon’s lips chase hers and again they meet, this time longer and slower.
“Thank-you, Paw-ler,” He drawls. She thinks he is done but again he presses his lips to hers. She doesn’t know why but she doesn’t want to pull away. She doesn’t know why but he is addictive. She finds herself unable to think coherently. Her other hand finds its way to the back of his head and he has his hands on her back and waist, holding her firmly against him. They pull away gently, not letting it get too far. They know it is for the best as of this moment. “Goodnight,” Simon says and kisses her softly one more time.
Paula slowly gets off his lap, unable to comprehend what has just happened. She walks back to her room in a daze and the pair fall asleep replaying the scene in their minds.
***
It is 1pm when Paula’s eyelids start to flutter open. It takes her a moment to register where she is and then she remembers the events from before. She smiles and decides to see if Simon is awake. But then she feels it. The heavy masculine weight pressed against her back. And the strong arms around her torso. She turns in these arms and sees his boyish face. His eyes are closed, his long lashes against his cheeks and his breathing even catching a slightest hint of a snore.
As if on their own accord, her hands slide up his chest and she freezes as he moves slightly. Blushing, Paula tries to remove them but he pulls her closer in his sleep so her head is tucked under his chin and her body is fully against his.
“Sleep, love,” she hears him say and he kisses her head. Paula wonders if he knows it is her and not just some lady or Terri. She tries to get comfortable but now her brain is working, more awake than the rest of her. “Paw-llaaa,” Simon whines. So he does know it is her. He leans down and his eyes open to make contact with hers. He pouts a little.
“Let me get up so you can sleep,” She tells him, her voice husky and low in the morning. Simon’s eyebrows rise, loving the sound of it.
“You stay here,” He kisses her lips for a moment and then her cheek. He moves his way down, to her jaw and he bites her ear softly. He hears a sound of appreciation spill from her lips and continues down to her neck.
“What are we doing, Simon?” He stops then and meets her eyes again.
“Will you join me for dinner when we are back in LA?” He asks abruptly. Paula is stunned.
“Dinner... like friends... or like-”
“Like a date,” He says and his cheeks flush slightly.
“Why now? Like this?” Paula is confused and even her questions do not come out right. But Simon understands.
“Because I realised something in these 2 days... You and I are good for each other. We know each other inside and out. And we make each other laugh. We fit,” He grazes her cheek with his fingers, sliding them down her neck, her arm and then down her side and leg. She shivers at the contact, and pushes herself to him. “So? You want to give us a go?” He asks softly, kissing her lips again. They linger and she nods.
“I do... But what if it doesn’t work out? I don’t want to lose what we have,” She tells him honestly and he can see the doubt in her eyes.
They just stare for a minute and then Simon smiles, quickly using his arms that are around her to pull her on top of him as he turns onto his back. She giggles and tickles him. He squirms under her.
“Have some faith in us, sweetheart... But even if we don’t work out I promise you this – I’ll stand by you,”
“And I’ll stand by you,” She says, kissing his lips once more.