sorry this took so long to publish! I had a severe case of writer's block. I've gotten over it, though. this chapter is going to be kinda long; hope you enjoy it! also, excuse any typos. I finished this super late and I don't feel like editing it :,)

VALERIE'S TIRES CRUNCHED on the gravel of her and John's driveway as she arrived home from Payton's bachelorette party that she'd gone to the night before.

    She and Florence had gotten along much better that night, and had even paired up (and won) a few games of charades.

     Now, Valerie was exhausted because she had stayed up late with the girls. They'd had loads of fun, but Valerie hadn't gotten enough sleep, which probably wasn't good for her, but she'd defend her decision until death.

     She was planning on calling John once she got inside to tell him about the party. He - along with the rest of the band - wasn't going to be getting back from the studio until next week, about five days before Brian's wedding so Brian could have his rehearsal dinner and whatnot.

      She sighed while she turned off the Billy Joel album she'd been blasting, cutting off the last few notes of 'Stop In Nevada.' She sat in her car for a moment, watching the wind blow the leaves in the trees before she stepped out of her car into the muggy August heat. She didn't feel like getting out of the car considering how sore her feet were.

     Placing a hand on her back while she walked her swollen feet to the front door, Valerie fumbled with her keys as she tried to get the door open.

    When she finally got inside, she stopped in her tracks, her purse falling slightly off of her shoulder.

    Inside, the hallway was illuminated with candles, and it had the overwhelmingly wonderful scent of freshly cooked food. And there was a record lightly crackling, playing a song that Valerie couldn't quite distinguish yet.

    Valerie smiled to herself while she set the keys in the bowl, putting her purse up on the coat rack. She pulled off her shoes, sighing with relief, as she headed slowly down the hallway.

     "John, I thought you weren't getting back until next week," Valerie said when she turned into the dining room, gasping when she took in the beautiful set up. There were two places set, and a huge bouquet of sunflowers resting in a vase in the middle of the table.

"Valerie? Oh, you scared me,"

"I scared you? I come home and my house has been lit with candles and there's music playing. For all I knew, you could've been a satanist that took over my house." Valerie said, making John roll his eyes while he wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her in for a kiss.

"Because that's just so common in England, yeah?" John teased her, and Valerie gave a small laugh while John knelt on the ground before Valerie, giving her stomach a kiss, a small action that always made Valerie smile.

"And how's my little one?" John asked, only briefly making eye contact with Valerie.

"Moving all the time. She must get the dancing gene from you." Valerie teased, ruffling John's hair before he stood up to kiss Valerie's cheek lightly.

      "Ah, I figured she would. A skill like that can't be left behind, y'know."

      "Of course not." Valerie giggled while John led her to the table.

"I made dinner for you. As a surprise, y'know. And I actually followed the recipe," John said softly, and Valerie raised her eyebrows.

     "Oh? Stepping up our game, Deacon?"

     "Only for you, Cartaya." John replied as the sat down and said quick prayers before Valerie took a forkful of the (rather delicious) looking pizza John had made.

      "So, you finished recording early?" Valerie asked while she took a bite of the pizza.

    "Well, kind of. We're still not done. We're gonna go back into the studio to finish up after the wedding," John said, nodding to Valerie. "Is it good?"

     "Oh, it's delicious. The best thing you've ever cooked. The bar was never high, but-"

     "Oh, you. Not everyone had a Hispanic mother to teach them to cook," John teased her, and Valerie laughed.

     "True, true. It is amazing, though, John. Thank you so much. You're so sweet just for going out of your way to surprise me. And for following a recipe," Valerie said, the two of them continuing to eat while they spoke about the album.

     John didn't give that much away, mainly talking about the rows Roger and Brian got in.

     "Roger broke one of his drumsticks that day. It was quite dramatic. A few hours later, him and Bri were laughing it off, so you know it wasn't too serious."

     "Good lord. Has he broken a television set yet?"

     "I think you already know the answer to that question," John replied, and Valerie rolled her eyes, laughing.

      "Ah, he hasn't changed since uni then. Still the same old Roger. Are you going to eat that crust?" Valerie asked, and John shook his head.

       The two of them sat in silence for a moment before Valerie spoke. "What's that look? Do I have something on my face?" Valerie asked, grabbing her napkin to wipe at her cheeks.

      "No, nothing. You just looked beautiful in the candlelight." John said, and Valerie smiled.

      "John, you're too nice." Valerie said, reaching across the table to interlock her fingers with John's.

      "Actually, I have a gift for you-"

      "Deacon! You made me dinner and you bought me a gift? I thought the flowers were the gift, love." Valerie exclaimed, and John gave an embarrassed laugh.

      "They were a part of the gift, yes. But.... well, just close your eyes... just for a second, Val!"  John laughed when Valerie narrowed her eyes at him.

      "Alright, alright. You really are too good to me, John." Valerie said, feeling a box being set in her hands. John walked around the table and sat in the seat next to Valerie.

      "Only because I love you. Right, now you can open them." John said, and Valerie did, looking at the box that was wrapped in emerald green wrapping paper. She glanced at John, and he nodded at the box.

     "I found that in the hall closet. I didn't know we had so much wrapping paper. That's something we need to fix, we don't have space for the coats."

      "Are you going to lecture me on my wrapping paper addiction or are you going to let me enjoy my gift?" Valerie asked, though not harshly,  as she was smiling, making John blush.

      "That's right, go on." John urged, waving his hands at her in a non-John like fashion.

     And so Valerie did, tearing the wrapping paper from the box, picking off the tape that held the box together. "Really making me work for this gift, eh?"  Valerie joked, her laughter quickly fading when she saw what was in the box.

       "You're joking." Valerie said quietly, and John shook his head.

      "Not at all. Look inside," John said, smiling fondly at Valerie when she slowly opened the box.

     "John, this is beautiful," Valerie said, allowing John to take the box from her hands, presenting it to her.

     "And it's all for you, my love. You know, I've actually had this for months, but I was hesitating to give this you. Y'know, the tabloids, the band,  our families. There's be speculation. But now I have no doubt in my mind this is the perfect time to give it to you. Because I love you, Valerie."

      "Are you....? This isn't a joke, right? You're being serious?" Valerie said,  wiping away at the many tears that had already fallen. "God, these hormones," she sniffled, laughing when John brushed some hair from her face.

      "I don't think I've ever been more serious about anything in my life. If you don't think it's too soon, and if you want to, I have a very important question."

       "Well, go on then." Valerie said, grinning along with John, the two of them joining hands while John drew in a deep breath.

       "Right, I've actually been meaning to ask this for about two months now, but I decided not to ask because I was scared, for whatever reason. But now I don't have anything to be afraid of, I don't think. So, Valerie, after months of me turning this in my mind,  I'll finally ask: will you marry me?" John asked, rushing out most of his words until he got to the question.

Valerie, unable to get her words out, nodded her head vigorously, wiping at her tears while John gave her an expectant look. "Yes! Of course I will. Oh, John." Valerie said, pulling John in for a kiss.

"Oh, it's beautiful," Valerie said, admiring the beautifully simple silver band that had a small emerald green jewel in the center. "Stealing Brian's thunder, yeah?" Valerie joked, and John groaned.

"I knew you'd say that,"John said, lightly kissing Valerie's hand. "Actually I meant to propose about three months ago. I even asked your mother,"

"You asked my mom?" Valerie asked, more tears pricking her eyes. John nodded, lightly wiping away her tears. "Aw, John." Valerie said, pulling John into a hug.

"Oh, I can't stop looking at it. The ring is so beautiful," Valerie gushed, and John smiled shyly.

"I was afraid you wouldn't like it. I've been carrying the thing around in my pocket for so long debating when the right time was."

"Well, you certainly set it up well. Made me pizza and everything," Valerie said, her and John still hold hands tightly,  sitting in a buzzing silence before Valerie burst out into fits of laughter. "I can't believe it! I never would've expected it," she said, gazing at the ring again. "I don't think we should tell the band. Not yet. Not until after Bri's gotten married."

"Just make sure to catch the bouquet at the wedding. We can make it seem like it was just chance," John said, and Valerie laughed. She was unable to contain her joy.

"I'll try my best. Maybe they'll just get out of my way because I'm pregnant." Valerie said with a shrug, and John laughed.

"I just.... Oh! I'm so excited, John." Valerie exclaimed for what seemed like the one hundredth time in a minute.

But John didn't care as he pulled her in for another kiss, the both of them practically bursting with joy.
*****

Brian's wedding ceremony seemed to fly by. It was quite sweet, the vows they exchanged. Both Brian and Payton had cried - as had Payton's father, her sister, and Valerie - among many other people.

It hadn't rained, luckily for Brian. "I told you it wouldn't," Valerie said to him, the two of them talking after Payton and Brian had their first dance. Brian was greeting many people that came by to congratulate him while he held short conversations with Valerie.

Payton was currently dancing with some of her family on the (very filled) dance floor, and John was talking with a few of Payton's little cousins at a nearby table.

"You were right, as always," Brian said while he watched Payton with a loving gaze.

"You look good. I forgot how well you could clean up since you never wear suits," Valerie said, nudging Brian, who laughed, pressing a hand to his curls.

"I think I would've showed up in jeans if it weren't my wedding." Brian laughed, and Valerie rolled her eyes, knowing this to be true.

"How'd you like the little desert bar? Both Florence and Payton insisted that we have it." Brian asked, chuckling as he shook his head. Before Valerie could respond, one of Brian's uncles came over to talk to Brian for a bit.

"Right, so, how'd you like it?" Brian asked when his uncle had been dragged onto the dance floor by Ruth.

"Absolutely delicious. Best wedding I've been to so far," Valerie said with a laugh while I'm Happy Just To Dance With You came on.

"Oh, I love this song. Do you wanna dance?" Brian offered Valerie, who smiled.

"Shouldn't you dance with Payton?"

"Shouldn't you dance with John?" Brian countered, and Valerie laughed while taking Brian's outstretched hand.

"Touché," Valerie said, her and Brian making their way through the many couples already dancing to a space in the middle of the dance floor.

"Besides, Elton already snagged Payton for this dance. I'll get her the next one," Brian said while he started to dance, making Valerie laugh when he bumped into one of his friends he had invited.

It was a lot of fun especially because Brian (among many of the other people) was singing at the top of his lungs.

"Right, I'll pass you along to John now," Brian said as he was pulled into dancing with his mother when In My Life came on.

      Valerie nodded, turning around to go find John, but she was drawn into dancing with someone else.

    "So, that's an awfully nice necklace you've got on,"  Freddie said, glancing around at a few people around them, smiling politely to them when they greeted him.

     "Well, hello to you too, Fred."

     "So, it's a wedding ring?" Freddie asked, giving Valerie an excited look, completely glazing over what she had said.

      Valerie blanked for a moment, realizing the ring she'd been wearing on her necklace had slipped from where it had been tucked underneath the neckline of her dress. "No, it's my mom's. She gave it to me as a gift, but my fingers were too big." Valerie lied easily, shrugging while Freddie laughed loudly before quieting down.

       "You're a good liar, I'll give you that," Freddie said with a light chuckle.  "Surprised Brian didn't notice."

"Please! Brian wouldn't have even noticed if John had made a sign. The man is one of the most oblivious people I know," Valerie laughed, and Freddie gave a triumphant clap, drawing attention to them for a moment before Freddie waved them away.

"I fucking knew it, darling. I knew you and John were acting strange, giving each other all those looks at the ceremony and during dinner. When's the wedding?" Freddie asked in what seemed like one breath as he often did when he was asking Valerie something or telling her a story.

"No one else knows except our parents, Freddie, so try to keep quiet?" Valerie asked, and Freddie nodded dutifully.

"You have my word. Of course, I'm just surprised you didn't think I would notice. I would've noticed even if you didn't have the ring on a necklace, which is a very poor cover up, I might say,"

"Thank you, Freddie, it was my idea."

"That's why it's so bad, then." Freddie joked, and Valerie rolled her eyes at him.

When the song ended, Freddie and Valerie headed back to the table where John was sitting, still rattling away with Payton's younger cousins.

Valerie sat down next to John, taking a sip from her water while she watched the people on the dance floor change partners and laugh and sing as the song changed again.

"Freddie knows," Valerie said, glancing at John once Freddie had gotten Maureen and Joel (Payton's cousins) to go dance with him and Roger to an Elvis song that had come on.

"Now, why am I not surprised?" John asked, shaking his head while smiling, watching as Roger and Payton were dancing quite hilariously inside a (somewhat) dance circle that had formed.

"It's Freddie after all. Come on, Deacon, let's go dance. You've only danced for a few songs tonight. Go show off those moves you always brag about," Valerie said, nudging John while she stood up, a hand on her lower back while she offered him her hand. "Hey, I'm pregnant and I'm dancing more than you. Hate to say it, but I've been the better dancer for the past few hours,"

      "You don't hate to say it at all. But alright, you got me." John said, giving Valerie a kiss before the two of them broke away and simply gazed at each other for a few seconds before they headed back out onto the dance floor.

     The reception seemed to fly by with so many songs and line dances, and so many uncles and friends getting drunk. It was quite hilarious, and especially fun because they had no cares in the world when it came to dancing.

    Payton and Brian had a lot of fun cutting the cake and following the tradition of rubbing it into each other's faces. Not once did Brian's eyes leave Payton; he was enamored.

     When the bouquet toss finally came, Roger (in his drunken state) joined the ladies on the dance floor,  siding with Valerie and making everyone laugh.

"Alright, Rog, this is for the women. Just because you look like one, I won't make exceptions." Payton shouted over her shoulder, and everyone laughed again, along with Roger, who finally went to sit back at a table with John.

"Okay, here we go! One..... two...... three!" Payton exclaimed, tossing the bouquet behind her head. There was clamoring and a lot of laughing as everyone rushed ahead to try to grab the bouquet of flowers.

      Valerie did try to get her way to the front of the crowd, but deliberately try to catch the flowers. She knew herself to be too clumsy to be able to run and get them.

     When the crowd cleared, Valerie had found that one of Brian's cousins had caught the bouquet, and that Mary had been a close runner up.

      "You didn't catch it," John said with a laugh when Valerie arrived back at the table, pushing a strand of Valerie's messy hair from her face. "Honestly, I don't blame you. I thought a fight would break out." John joked, laughing, taking a sip from the beer Roger had come back with for him.

     "I wasn't trying to break an ankle, lovely, I'd like to be able to walk for the rest of my pregnancy, no matter how swollen my feet get." Valerie laughed when the music had started to come back on.

     Valerie, Roger, John had sat at the table with Payton's parents, chatting away until Brian (of all people) had gotten the five of them to get back on the dance floor.

     It seems everyone had lost track of time until it was announced at one a.m. that the party was coming to an end.

     John had gotten drunk enough to dance with Roger to a song, the two of them laughing the whole time while they serenaded each other.

      "Geez, I didn't realize how late it was." Valerie said, patting Roger's hand that was resting around her waist, his head resting on her shoulder.

      Most of Payton and Brian's family and friends that had kids had left,  so it was the people that stayed that had partied and gotten absolutely hammered. It seemed as if just about everyone had done shots with Elton John.

     "Or early if you're Freddie." John said, his face flushed, nodding to Freddie and Brian who had finished a round of shots and were singing at the top of their lungs.

      It was a lost cause trying to get everyone to help clean up while the polished off drinks and danced along to songs the were singing. Brian had already made plans to come back the next morning to help clean up, but based on how drunk he was now, he probably wouldn't be much help.

      "Your limo is here, Brian!" Roger shouted, having spotted the car down the trodden path of the reception venue.

      "Ah, I'm receiving more special treatment than you. Lovely," Brian hiccuped, patting Roger's shoulder while he and Payton interlocked their fingers.

      The goodbyes took a while,  but they eventually got around to everyone. "You have fun now, yeah?" Valerie teased, nudging her best friend's hip. Payton giggled, blushing.

       "But not too much fun. You have the honeymoon,  too." Valerie said,  and Payton gave a loud laugh.

       "Oh, you!" She exclaimed while she wrapped her arms around Valerie to give her a hug. "Thank you. For everything. For being my friend. For coming to the wedding and for standing in my ceremony. I really do love you a lot, Val." Payton said, tears forming in her eyes while Valerie wiped away a few that fell.

      "Aw, Payton. Of course. I'll always be here for you. I love you too. Now go, enjoy your night. And no more crying,  that's my thing now." Valerie said jokingly to make Payton laugh. She succeeded.

     "Okay, okay. I'll see you sometime soon," Payton said, finishing off her goodbyes before she and Brian gave a final wave before they turned and walked to their limo, Brian's arm wrapped around her shoulder as they spoke the whole way to the car, the crowd cheering them on up until the moment the limo drove away.

      "Alright then. After party at my place!" Freddie shouted, and Valerie laughed while the rest of the crowd gave a loud cheer.

       "Oh, don't be so lame, my darlings." Freddie said to John and Valerie while he walked them to their car after they said they were going back to their hotel  room they'd gotten since the reception was so far from their house.

      "My feet hurt. I'd go on any normal day, though." Valerie promised, and Freddie laughed.

      "We're going out partying right after you have that baby,"

      "I don't know about that. We'll see," Valerie giggled while she gave Freddie a goodbye kiss. He gave her and John a big hug in turn before he wandered back off to the crowd that had been waiting for him.

     And so Valerie - who was very sober -and John -who was very drunk -headed to their hotel, jamming out to Queen's own songs along the way, the two of them buzzing with quiet excitement about what their future wedding might be like.

     And whether Valerie would be able to convince John to get a dessert bar like Payton had.

IM SO SORRY THIS IS SO LATE AND IT KINDA SUCKS BUT YEAH I LOVE YALL

hope y'all liked it lol. the next chapter will have a time skip, so be aware. I honestly have about 50% of the next chapter written already,  so it might not take very long to get up (hopefully).

have a great night/day/afternoon idk lol

cheers!