yes, I'm alive, and yES this chapter is super long lol

hope y'all enjoy it!
there may be some mistakes bc I was too lazy to reread and edit fbsjdjwk

"VALERIE?" ANITA ASKED, startled when she found Valerie sitting on the floor of the bathroom at the studio where the band was recording their new album.

      "Anita, hi. How're you?" Valerie asked, smiling weakly at the other red headed woman that was standing before her.

     "I guess I forgot to lock the door." Valerie said with a thin laugh while Anita furrowed her eyebrows at her.

    The stall door hit Anita's side twice before she stopped it and kneeled down in front of Valerie.

     "Are you okay, love? You look ill." Anita said, touching Valerie's forehead with the back of her hand.

     "'S alright. I'm alright."

     "Oh, are you..... is it an eating thing? Because I think you're absolutely beautiful. You shouldn't-"

     "Oh! No, no. It's not that. I'm just sick is all." Valerie said, slumping against the wall, smiling slightly.  "I might be pregnant, actually."

     "Pregnant! Oh, wouldn't that be lovely. I love babies," Anita said excitedly before she sighed and leaned against the opposite wall of the stall, her and Valerie's knees touching. "Have you done a test yet? To be sure."

      "No. I think I've been afraid to, honestly," Valerie said, leaning her head against the wall and closing her eyes. "Maybe if I don't acknowledge for a longer time, it'll stay for a longer time." Valerie said quietly, and Anita's eyebrows knitted together.

      "Oh, Valerie." Anita said sadly. She knew what Valerie had gone through. Valerie herself had told her. But this just saddened her. "Don't be like that. It'll be okay."

      "We don't know. We can never know until it happens. I'm afraid to lose it again." Valerie said, sniffling.

      "Ah, love. Here," Anita said, reaching into a purse and handing Valerie a handkerchief so she could dry her eyes.

      "Thank you," Valerie rasped, and Anita nodded.

    "It's just.... you know I'm old, Anita. Same age as Brian. A bit too old to have a kid, y'know. The risk to lose the baby is higher."

      "But that doesn't mean you'll lose it again. You have to have hope, Valerie. I do. In fact, I have very strong faith in you, and I have a feeling you will have this baby." Anita said, and Valerie smiled sadly.

      "Y'know what? Let's go into town real quick. Let's get you some water and a pregnancy test."

      "Anita-"

     "No, no. This is happening, Valerie. Let's go get your purse." Anita asked as she struggled to stand from the floor.

      When she finally gathered herself, she offered Valerie her hand.

      Valerie looked at Anita's outstretched hand and then looked at the small smile on Anita's face.

     Sighing deeply, she took Anita's hand and stood from the floor.

     "Alright, we can get some snacks out, too." Valerie said and Anita smiled, linking her arm with Valerie's.

      "Lovely. I was hungry anyways," Anita said cheerfully as she and Valerie walked, arm and arm, out of the bathroom.

     "We should tell the boys we're going out when we get your purse. Are your kids with them?" Anita asked as they walked down the carpeted hallway that was lined with pictures of artists that had recorded there before.

     "No, they only go in when the band is recording videos. But right now they're with my mom. She's come back into town because she's getting remarried in two weeks. She wanted to have the wedding in England; she, her fiancé, and the close family are here right now to prepare, y'know." Valerie said with a slight smile while Anita gave an excited little jump.

      "I forgot about the wedding! I remember the invitation was lovely, but Brian and I have been so busy I kinda forgot. Oh! I need to get me a dress." Anita rambled as the headed into the studio where everyone except Brian was surrounding the sound board.

"No, I told you that I didn't want that pick-up on! Turn it off, Brian, it sounds like shit!" Roger shouted into the microphone while Freddie rubbed the bridge of his nose and John sighed and pushed his chair away from the board.

"Would you like the play the part then? Last time I checked, you still sounded like a gorilla stumbling through the forest whenever you play guitar." Brian spat, rolling as he took his seat back on the stool with a huff.

Freddie pushed Roger aside gently and took the microphone from him, starting to speak to Brian. John, bored, spun around in his chair and spotted Valerie a smile on his face.

He stood up from the chair and ushered Anita and Valerie out of the studio into the hallway as Freddie tried to mediate the argument.

"Valerie, Dobson. What's up?" He asked, smiling while he shut the door behind him amidst Roger beginning to yell at Brian again.

"We just wanted to tell you that we're going to get some snacks..... just some snacks.....at the market. Do you want anything?" Valerie asked, deciding not to tell John about the pregnancy test just yet.

Giving her an odd look, John shrugged. "Sure, some crisps everyone to share. Maybe some pop. Can you get me a pack of cigarettes, too? Jim took my last one." John asked while he lightly placed a hand on Valerie's waist and kissed her lightly, thanking her while Valerie nodded.

"Do you need any money?"

"No, no. I've got plenty. Do you want to get dinner out later?" Valerie asked, John's hand still slightly on her waist as he leaned against the door slightly.

"No, Elena said she was going to make dinner today. Something with broccoli in it. About bloody time, it's been in the fridge all weekend.

"Okay, that's fine. And don't be so dramatic, it's not been that long," Valerie said with a giggle as John rolled his eyes playfully at her. "I'll see you in a bit, love." Valerie said while John kissed her cheek again, giving a quick wave goodbye to Anita as he ducked back into the studio where Brian was peacefully recording his part.

"You two are so cute, y'know that? What a lovely couple you are." Anita said with a smile as she and Valerie started down the hallway to the elevator.

"Oh, thank you," Valerie said with an embarrassed smile.

"Of course! I remember I saw the interview you did in '84 on the telly and I fell in love with the two of you. You've both got lovely personalities. And I felt so bad when I saw those reporters accost you when you were out for lunch with Elton." Anita said, digging up a memory that Valerie had nearly forgotten she had.

After the interview she and John had done together, there had been reporters that followed her everywhere and had bombarded her outside of a restaurant after she'd had lunch with Elton. It had been shown briefly on the news. It had set her over the edge, and she and John had gotten into a fight about it which led Valerie to decide to stay with her mother in Spain for a week.

After that, she hadn't been treated the same way again, but she still had to deal with the press now and again, and the occasional Queen mega fan that stopped her for a picture.

"Oh yeah, that was an awful moment. But it's alright. I don't know what I was supposed to expect." Valerie said as she pressed the button to the elevator.

       "Right. The paparazzi are not the most respectful people sometimes."

"Amen to that." Valerie said, and she and Anita waited in comfortable silence while they waited for the elevator to come to their floor.

When it finally dinged to a stop, Valerie gestures for Anita to step in, and she did so, thanking Valerie.

"Isn't this so exciting? It feels like such an adventure. Oh! I can't wait to see if you're having a baby." Anita said excitedly as the door closed.

      "I am too. It's still scary, though. But I'm still excited."

     "As you should be. And I'm sure everyone will be so excited!" Anita said and Valerie shook her head.

    "No, no. We can't tell anyone else besides John and my mom. I don't want anyone else to know." Valerie said, and Anita's brows furrowed.

     "Last time we told everyone and it just made it worse having to tell them I'd lost it." Valerie concluded quietly.

       "Oh."

      "Yeah. But it's okay. It'll be our little secret."

      "I mean, this is a pretty massive secret if you ask me." Anita said replied, the two of them laughing as they finally arrived at their floor.

      "Well then, Anita. You should be even more excited to be a part of it." Valerie said, hooking their arms once again as they started out of the elevator and out of the studio.
*****

    "How much longer is it?" Valerie asked, leaning forward slightly as Anita flipped her watch around to see the second hand.

      "Thirty seconds now." Anita said, tapping her finger on the wall of the bathroom as Valerie leaned back against the tile, giving her an anxious smile.

"God, I wish these went faster. It's too nerve wracking having to wait to see if I'm actually going to have a child." Valerie said, twisting her wedding band around her finger while Anita laughed.

"This really is anxiety inducing. I can't imagine it gets any better with the more kids you have."

"No, and I've taken more than just six pregnancy tests, y'know. There's the pregnancy scares where you think you're pregnant but it's nothing, the extra tests to confirm that you are in fact pregnant or not. It costs a lot of money and it takes too long." Valerie said, and Anita was going to respond before she glanced at her watch again and gasped excitedly.

"It's time! Go on, let's see what it says." Anita urged, and Valerie stepped forward, hesitating for a moment.

She wanted to find out so badly, but she was terrified of what this could mean. It might mean she'd have to suffer through another loss. It might mean that Freddie would never get to know another one of his little nieces or nephews.

But she wanted this. She and John had been trying to get pregnant again, and knowing that she might be made her slightly more reassured.

"You were just complaining about how long they take, but you're moving slow as a turtle." Anita teased, snapping Valerie out of her reverie.

"Oh. Right, right." Valerie said, grabbing the pregnancy test off of the top of the sink where they'd left it. Her hand was shaking slightly, but she let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding as she turned the test around.

"Well, what's it say?"  Anita asked, practically bursting with excitement.

       Valerie simply stared at the test for a moment before she let out a laugh of disbelief.

       "I'm pregnant."

       "You are?! Oh that's wonderful!" Anita said, pulling Valerie into a tight hug as the two women jumped around in excitement. Anita's excitement was quite infectious, Valerie noted.

       "I should go get John, shouldn't I?" Anita asked once the two of them had simply been reduced to giggles.

        John, once they had dropped off the snacks, was confused when Anita and Valerie had rushed right back out of the studio. He must've suspected something was up, but he was busy working out sound balance with Brian.

       "Sure, sure. But if he's busy, it's okay." Valerie said, and Anita nodded before she rushed out of the bathroom and towards the studio.

      Valerie leaned against the sink, allowing herself to relax a bit as she gazed at the test that she was holding in her still shaking hand.

      She let out another laugh of disbelief, wiping the tears that had stained her cheeks. "What'll you be, hm?" She asked, placing a hand on her still flat stomach as she turned to look in the mirror.

      She could hear John and Anita coming down the hallway before the even entered the bathroom.

     "Anita Dobson, what is the matter with you? Why in hell are you bringing me to the women's bathroom? I'm married,  you know."

     "Shut up, John Deacon. Just go talk to your wife." Anita said, and the door opened, startling Valerie slightly as John and Anita entered the bathroom with a grand sweep of the door opening.

      John's scowling face immediately softened when he saw Valerie standing by the sink with her hands before her back. He looked at Anita, who simply smiled at him before she waved to Valerie and left the bathroom, presumably to head back to the studio and leave Valerie and John be.

"What's wrong? Dobson dragged me out of the studio faster than Freddie drags me to antique shops and yard sales on a Sunday."

"So that's where you disappear to after church. And why you come home with random shit. I should've known." Valerie giggled, and John gave her a look, though softened this with a playful smile.

"Really, Val. What's wrong?" John asked nodding to her hands that were still tightly held behind her back and Valerie smiled slightly.

"I have a gift for you."

"And you can only give it to me in the loo?" John asked, a bit incredulously, though he couldn't help but smile a bit. "You're acting very odd, Val." John continued checking her forehead with the back of his hand and letting his hand rest on her cheek, and Valerie shook her head.

"I just didn't want to show anyone else." Valerie said, and John furrowed his eyebrows.

"Show anyone else what?" He asked, and Valerie moved her hands from behind her back, showing John the positive pregnancy test.

       "What's this?" John asked, and Valerie gave a laugh, smiling at John as she nodded to it.

      "Well? Look at what it says." Valerie said, and John looked at the test again before he looked up at her, wide eyed.

      "You're pregnant." He said, a smiling growing on his face while Valerie nodded tearing up again.

      "Oh my god. You're pregnant!" John said, wrapping his arms around Valerie's waist while he kissed her, lifting her off her feet slightly and spinning the both of them around while Valerie laughed.

      "How do you feel about it?" John asked, cupping his wife's face with his hands, managing to contain his smile for a moment.

"A bit terrified after last time, but alright because I've done this before. But excited because we're having another baby!" Valerie said, throwing her arms around John in another hug.

"So, you want to wait to tell everyone else?" John asked, and Valerie nodded.

"Yeah. Well, Anita already knows, but she won't tell anyone. And I want to tell my mother, of course."

     "Of course. Not the kids?"

      "Of course not. Have you met our children or have you been asleep for the past fifteen years? They can't keep a secret to save their lives." Valerie said, and John laughed.

      "Yeah, they get that from you." John replied, and Valerie pushed his chest lightly.

      "So how long do you want to wait to tell everyone else?" John asked, looking at the positive test again.

     Even though they'd experiences this countless times before, the joy and excitement that John felt was always the same.

     "Just.... longer than we did last time. After the wedding? Around my birthday?" Valerie questioned as there was a knock at the door and Anita stepped back inside.

     "Roger is looking for you, Deacon. I was just letting you know." Anita said, and John thanked her before she walked out again and John turned back to Valerie.

       "We can talk more about it later. Oh, I'm so excited, Valerie." John said softly, giving Valerie another tender kiss.

       "I am too. Really, I am. Now get back to recording. Before Roger comes to kick your ass." Valerie said as she and John started out of the bathroom, John's arm wrapped around Valerie's shoulders.

      "We all know he couldn't do it. If anything, it'd be Brian coming to kick my ass."

      "Since when has that twig of a man been able to kick anyone's ass?" Valerie asked jokingly as they turned the corner to the studio and John opened the door.

      "Oh, you'd be surprised." John replied with a very serious nod before he erupted into a fit of giggles at Valerie's facial expression.

      "Whatever you say, John." Valerie said as she and John headed into the studio amidst Freddie asking Brian to try and perfect the cat sounding tone on his guitar.
*****

"I can't believe it, Mom. You look absolutely beautiful you do." Valerie said while she straightened her mother's veil.

The time of her Mom's wedding was upon them, and it was a moment of joy in everyone's lives for a brief time. A distraction from all of life's ailments, but also a wonderful celebration of love.

Even moreso because Valerie and John had gone to the clinic and discovered that Valerie was having twins.

Of course, Valerie, John, and June had to celebrate this secretly, but it was very exciting nonetheless.

"Oh, thank you, tesoro. Even in this simple little dress."

"You always look beautiful. Especially in your simple little dress. I'm sure Romeo will think you look beautiful, too." Valerie said while she wrapped her arms around her mom's shoulders, kissing her cheek.

       June's eyes welled up with tears before she blinked them away. "Can't mess up my makeup," she said with a light laugh before she sighed. "I can't thank you enough for letting us have our lovely little backyard wedding here."

     "Not really anything little about this party, considering you and Romeo invited a lot of your family, and all the band and their girlfriends and kids came. And Elton,"

      "And Simon."

     "And Miami."

"And your newest little ones. But at least we didn't have to cater with extra food for them two." June said with a smile while she gestured to Valerie's stomach. Valerie smiled sweetly before she pointed a stern finger at her mom.

"Alright, but remember you can't tell anyone. Not even Romeo or Reyna. And no one from the band. And especially not any of the kids. Remember how they ruined your honeymoon surprise?" Valerie said while she pressed a hand to her stomach that hadn't changed much, so it was easy to disguise underneath her bridesmaid dress.

"I promise, I won't, Val," June said while she held Valerie's hands, smiling sadly.

"Another wedding your father isn't here for."

"I don't think he'd want to be here for this one," Valerie said, making June laugh and roll her eyes. "But yes, I understand. It's still so hard without him. I miss him every day." Valerie continued sadly while swung her and her rubbed her thumbs across her mom's hands.

      "You know, he would've loved having John as a part of the family. He's a good man, Valerie. I know you and him are going through a lot and have had your bad moments, but he cares so much about you and the kids. I'm honoured to have him be a part of the family and walk me down the aisle." June said while she wiped away the tears that Valerie wasn't even aware she had shed.

      "Stupid hormones." Valerie laughed tearfully, thankful she wasn't wearing any eyeshadow.

      The two women laughed as Valerie sat down on her bed and June checked her dress one last time before she commenced pacing around the room.

     "I'm sorry Freddie couldn't come to the ceremony, Mom. He said him and Jim are gonna come later during the reception, y'know. I think he just wants to stay out of the public eye." Valerie said, and June nodded while she headed to the window, looking into at the rows of people sitting below.

      "I'll miss having him here. But as long as we get to have a few drinks and play Clue later, I'm fine with that." June said with a smile, and Valerie smiled back at her weakly.

       June knew the severity of Freddie's illness, but she tried her best to remain as positive as she could about it.

     And June, being the tiny, optimistic woman she was, was rather happy that Freddie was even showing up later. And that she would be able to play her favourite game with him.

      "God, I love you, Mom. And I'm so happy that you found Romeo. He's really amazing and he's so kind. And vegetarian! And he's better than Brian at Scrabble." Valerie said excitedly, and June smiled.

       "A rarity. The perfect addition to the family because you're pathetic at Scrabble, and I've lost too many bets against Freddie because of you losing to Brian." June said with a giggle when Valerie gave her a look.

       "Yes, yes. You, Freddie, and John with your gambling habits are ridiculous. But you are indeed lucky that Romeo is able to surpass Brian at Scrabble." Valerie said as there was a knock at the door.

      "Who is it?" Valerie asked, straightening her mother's veil one last time.

      "It's John." The voice from the other side of the door said before he spoke again. "It's time to go, June." He said, opening the door and poking his head inside the room.

       "Ah, you look beautiful, June. You ready to get married?" John asked her, offering his arm to Valerie's mother as he smiled at Valerie.

      "That I am. Alright, Valerie, you go on ahead." June said, kissing Valerie on the cheek once again. Valerie smiled at her before she kissed John on the cheek lightly and headed out of the room and downstairs to let them know that John and June were coming.

       Reyna, who had also been waiting downstairs, had given June and Valerie some time alone to talk. When she spotted Valerie, she smiled. "She's ready to go?"

"As she'll ever be." Valerie said as she and Reyna linked arms, walking out of the house where the string quartet began to play, signaling the wedding was, at long last, beginning.

*****
There was only a few people left at the house; it was nearing midnight, and most people had gone to their hotels or home after the reception had finished.

      Romeo and June were in the dining room with, John, Brian and Anita, and a few of Romeo's cousins and brothers  just talking and eating the left over snacks and some more cake.

    Romeo's brothers happened to be huge fans of Queen, and it was quite hilarious to see them tripping over themselves to greet the three members that were at the wedding.

       Valerie was in the sitting room with Roger, Debbie, some of her older cousins and uncles, Reyna, Elena, and Simon. They were listening to Elton play the piano and sing a variety of songs.

     It was a very peaceful after party, if you could call it that. Very much unlike the ones Valerie had been to before, but of course it wouldn't be a raging after party like the others. Especially not now they were older.

The younger kids had passed out in their bedrooms upstairs. They were all like John: they could sleep through anything. Valerie always teased him and said it was because he was in front of the amps all the time, to which John always replied that their kids would all make amazing musicians if they had inherited his deafness from performing.

Valerie, however, was very close to falling asleep despite being the lightest sleeper of the family; she'd nearly forgotten how lethargic pregnancy made her.

      A ring of the doorbell startled her, and Valerie nearly shot off of the couch. "That'll be Freddie." She said, straightening the t shirt she'd changed into.

      She walked past everyone in the living room, past Elton who had stopped playing but had resumed as she headed down the hall and to the door.

Upon swinging it open, she smiled widely when she was met by Freddie and Jim standing before her, Jim holding a large gift.

"Darling! Where's your mother?" Freddie asked as he hugged Valerie and kissed her cheeks.

      Valerie was a bit shocked at how in the span of just two weeks since seeing him, Freddie seemed to have gotten even thinner and - depressingly - more sickly looking.

      But nonetheless, she smiled as she embraced the thin singer.

"She's in the dining room with some family. Hello, Jim. I see he made you carry the gift again." Valerie said as she gave Jim a partial hug and welcomed him inside. Freddie was already halfway to the dining room.

"Of course he did. Always did." Jim said with a laugh as he shut the door behind him.

"No luggage?" Valerie asked Jim, knowing that him and Freddie had planned to stay the night despite some protest from Jim.

A loud exclamation from the living room signaled that June and Freddie were greeting each other.

     Loud gasping signaled that Romeo's brothers recognized the man that walked into the dining room and were likely to ask him for his autograph.

     Freddie hated going out in public now, especially with how different he now looked. But he'd promised June whenever she got engaged that he would show up to the wedding no matter what.

     And Freddie Mercury never broke a promise. Just like no one ever broke a promise to Freddie Mercury.

"It's in the car. Luckily, there's only one bag between me and him this time. Thanks again for letting us stay. It is an awfully long drive to make so late." Jim said, and Valerie nodded.

      "Suppose they'll be playing Clue?" Jim asked, knowing the drill. Like clockwork, June always played Clue with Freddie whenever she visited. No matter what.

       "They will be. That's the one thing my mom was most excited about. Probably even more excited about that than actually getting married." Valerie joked with a laugh. Jim shook his head, laughing.

"Freddie was just as excited. Which I guess is a good thing because I know these games are very serious." Jim said as he stopped in the sitting room to greet everyone while Valerie headed to the dining room, taking a seat next to John.

"Valerie, darling, I saw the backyard when we got here. It looks fabulous! And I'm sorry I couldn't be here for the wedding, June." Freddie said, and June shook her head as she continued to set up the board.

Valerie was surprised at the speed at which she'd gotten it, and John reassured her saying that her mother was not indeed like the Flash, but had been sitting with the game on the table since they'd gotten inside after the reception.

"Val, you wanna be Scarlet?" June asked, as that was Valerie's preferred character. June personally preferred to be Plum, and Freddie loved to be Peacock.

"Sure, sure. Romeo, you wanna play?" Valerie asked, turning to her mom's new husband and smiling.

       "Oh, no. It's alright. If your mother has told me everything right, I'd know that these games are a fight to the death. I think Mr. May would probably be better suited to play." Romeo said with a smile as he smoothed down the jacket of the suit he was still wearing.

      And so the game commenced and went on for an hour before Brian - of course - won the game.

"Congrats, Bri. June, we're gonna go ahead and head out to the hotel." Reyna said, hugging her sister . During the game, multiple people and their children had left, including a few of Romeo's brothers.

     Even though June and Romeo had gotten a limo to take them to their hotel after the night ended, they didn't want the spectacle of people blowing bubbles or whatever as they left.

    However, June and Romeo had taken their time to thank them and walk their families out, which is part of why the game of Clue was so prolonged.

"Oh, okay, love. We'll see you tomorrow for lunch." June said, whispering something to Reyna that made them both laugh.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Romeo. Have a good night, everyone." Reyna said from where she had hugged Valerie and John.

Everyone present in the dining room as well as the sitting room shouted their goodbyes.

"June! Your limo is here!" Reyna suddenly shouted from the front door, and June startled from where she was picking up the game with Romeo and Freddie.

      Freddie stood immediately. He'd done this at John and Valerie's wedding too, clapping his hands delightedly.

"Come on! We must cheer you off." Freddie said, holding up a finger when Romeo and June began to protest.

      "I won't have that, darlings. Let's go, you deserve it!" Freddie said, and June and Romeo went back and forth for a moment before June rolled her eyes and gave Freddie a playfully angry look.

      "Just this once, Freddie."

      "How many other times will you be married, June? Honestly! Let me have my fun." Freddie said as the newly married couple began to walk off, followed by Romeo's brothers, the band, and whoever was in the sitting room that realized what was going on.

      Freddie seemed to be struggling to walk out of the dining room, and Jim went over to help him, but Freddie swatted him away petulantly, mumbling something to him that Valerie couldn't hear.

"You alright, Fred?" John asked as Freddie wrapped an arm around his husband.

     "Yes, yes. As always." Freddie said flippantly, waving off John as the three of them began down the hall to the front lawn where everyone was already cheering.

     "I love you all. Thank you so much for coming!" June shouted amidst everyone cheering as she and Romeo stepped into their limo.

     "Mom!" Valerie shouted, running up and giving June a hug, telling both Romeo and her mom something that made them both smile. And then laugh and roll their eyes.

     Valerie stepped back amongst the crowd and waved off her mom and Romeo as the limo pulled out of her and John's driveway.

      "And what did you say to them?" John asked Valerie once the limo was gone and everyone was starting back inside.

      "Wouldn't you like to know, Deacon." Valerie said with a giggle, her and John giving each other looks as Valerie was saved from an explanation by having to discuss sleeping arrangements with Jim and Freddie.
*****

       "Thanks again, darling, for letting us stay here." Freddie said as Valerie spread an extra comforter on top of the one that already lay on the mattress. Freddie had requested this as he got terribly cold all the time.

      "Of course, Freddie. It's too long of a drive back to your house. And it's late." Valerie said as she sighed as she straightened the pillows.

      Jim was currently downstairs with John, Roger, Elton, and two of Romeo's brothers who hadn't yet left. Freddie had wanted to get away from everyone, so he'd decided to come upstairs with Valerie to help her set up the room, though he didn't do much except sit in one of the extra chairs from the living room in the middle of the room.

      "Hmm," Freddie hummed, his eyes closed peacefully for a moment as Valerie continued to set up the room in silence before Freddie spoke. "You're pregnant again, aren't you." He said, not so much a question as it was a statement.

       "Freddie Mercury! That's a very rude thing to say to a woman." Valerie said, though Freddie just snapped his fingers.

      "There is is. You're a bad liar, Valerie. Just as bad as at Brian's wedding when you tried to tell me you and John weren't engaged." Freddie said, and Valerie sighed, smiling slightly as she looked out of the room to make sure they boys were still chatting downstairs as she shut the door, turning back to Freddie.

      "How do you know?"

      "Please. You're not one to turn down a glass of aged wine, especially from a connoisseur like Jim." Freddie said, and Valerie laughed as she sat on the cedar chest before Freddie's seat.

       "Alright, you got me. But you cannot tell anyone else, you hear me, Freddie? Me and John weren't planning to tell anyone until we know for sure...." Valerie said, waving her hands to imply the rest.

       Freddie nodded understandingly. "I won't tell anyone,  I promise." He said, leaning forward to take Valerie's hand, smiling at her.

       "But my lord. You and John.... you're like rabbits, you two." Freddie said, and Valerie gasped at him, laughing.

       "Shut up, you."  She replied, making Freddie laugh this time before he spoke again.

      "Do you have any names picked out yet?" Freddie asked, and Valerie shrugged.

     "Eh, not many. John's come up with a few, but I haven't really tried to." Valerie said, glancing at Freddie as he rubbed his thumb across her hand comfortingly.

      "Hm, I want you to make me a promise now, okay?" Freddie asked, and Valerie nodded, sitting forward.

      "Alright then. I want you to promise me that, when you have your baby, if it's a boy, to name him Sirius. And if it's a girl, to name her Cassiopeia." Freddie said, and Valerie opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

       "Valerie? You're crying." Freddie said, reaching over to wipe away her tears.

       "Since when are you so into constellations?" Was all Valerie managed to say before she burst into tears, though these were broken up by light laughing.

     "It's the hormones, I swear. And I'm so tired." Valerie said with a laugh as a, very concerned, Freddie moved to sit next to her on the cedar chest and wrapped an arm around her, bringing her head to rest on his frail shoulder.

     "Oh, Valerie." Freddie said with a light laugh before he continued. "I just thought, since you are an astrophysicist, it would be appropriate. And all your other babies have such boring names."

       "Thank you, will you be telling Eddie, your godson, that tomorrow morning at breakfast?" Valerie asked, and Freddie laughed.

        "Oh, hush." Freddie said, and the two of them sat in a comfortable silence before Freddie sat back and looked at Valerie.

      "But you promise me: that's what you'll name them? I want to make sure they have a little piece of me with them..." Freddie said, his tone dropping slightly as he left the rest to be implied.

      "Of course, Freddie. I promise you." Valerie said, taking Freddie's hands in hers and startling when there was a knock at the door.

      "Val, Fred. Roger and Elton are heading out." John called through the door, and Freddie called back an okay before turning back to Valerie.

      "I promise." Valerie said again, and Freddie smiled as he slowly stood from the cedar chest along with Valerie.

      "And no one ever breaks a promise to Freddie Mercury." Valerie concluded, wrapping an arm around Freddie as they headed to the top of the stairs so that they could say goodbye to their friends.

aHHHH this took so long to get written and published but mainly because I got really sad when I was writing it and couldn't finish it -
that and I had a shit ton of work to do ✌🏻😀

n e ways, i hope y'all enjoyed this LONG ass chapter.

y'all have a lovely day/night

peace and love 😌❤️