it's been a hot minute....
we're almost done, folks!! I had never planned to add any particularly heavy stuff into this book, so I'm sparing you from (most of) the depression that would have been. buT NOT ALL OF THE DEPRESSION -

n e ways, there still will be some tragedy and very sad things in the next few chapters and epilogue, but I'm trying to keep this lighthearted, for the most part.

    I plan to publish the Brian May fic once I finish this one so I don't have too much on my plate.

   oh and a warning for the next chapter: there will be a time skip forward!

enjoy!

     "YOU ACTUALLY WORE the heels I bought you!" Freddie exclaimed, enveloping Valerie in a hug when her and John walked into the theater.

     Although there was a big premier, Valerie and Elena had gotten very sick, and so Valerie had been unable to go see the official premier.  And a good thing, too, because her and Payton's flight to LA had gotten delayed four hours according to Payton, and she'd missed the whole thing anyway.

      Valerie said it was a shame she couldn't go because John had just gotten them a second home - a summer home - in LA. She was excited to finally see it and help unpack, but her sickness stopped her again. But no matter, they were going over the summer as it was intended.

    However, about two weeks after this incident, Freddie rented out one of the theaters in London so that they could watch the movie altogether again.

     The mood in the theater was lighthearted. Someone had snuck in some sodas, and though there was few people, some groups of conversation had formed in certain rows while the waited for the movie to begin.

      "Of course. I would never break a promise to you, Fred." Valerie said, smiling over Freddie's shoulder at Jim, who nodded in greeting. John had already taken his seat next to Roger and Dominique, the three of them discussing their upcoming skiing trip in Switzerland.

       Brian had caught sight of Valerie, and he lifted his arm that was around Payton's shoulder to greet her with a wave.

      Valerie had originally planned to go along with them - and she and Roger were the ones who came up with these plans - but she decided to go sightseeing instead of risking a leg injury.

      Besides, she, Brian, and Freddie decided to take the day and get lunch and shop in Paris.

       "Ah, of course. Thank you for that, dear. Did you bring any snacks?" Freddie asked while Valerie started up the steps to the row where John was, setting her purse down in the empty seat next to him.

      "Some Skittles, but those are John's. I don't like them." Valerie said with a laugh, turning back to face Freddie.

      "Too sweet?"

      "Mhm," Valerie said while she tugged at a loose thread on the bottom of her t shirt.

     Freddie knew that, ever since Valerie had Mary June, she was not very fond of sugar. Throughout the pregnancy, she detested anything excessively sweet. She still found a place in her heart for ice cream and Reese's Pieces, and dipped cones whenever she travelled to America. But that was about it.

       "Let's go get you some popcorn then, yeah? Maybe some Reece's since I know you actually like those," Freddie said, wrapping an arm around Valerie's shoulder. "I'm getting popcorn for everyone, darlings. My treat!" Freddie shouted, and the rest of the group in the theater thanked him loudly.

"Right, on we go." Freddie said, leading Valerie out of the theater with an arm around her waist.

Once they got out of the theater, Freddie sighed, smiling as they walked and waving to a few people that recognized him.

"So, Val, how've you and John been? I feel like I never ask. Not even John, and he's one of my best friends." Freddie asked, laughing slightly while he pushed his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose.

"We've been good. He's been exhausted; staying up late to record stuff. And yet, he wants another baby." Valerie said, and Freddie burst out in laughter.

"Another one?! Darling, you've got a small army growing. You'll be able to take over London and LA pretty soon." Freddie giggled, and Valerie rolled her eyes.

"I know! I don't want any more. Not now, at least. I said after we had Eddie but look how that turned out." Valerie said with a laugh while they finally came up to the concession stands.

      "At least you're getting plenty of sex, right?"

      "Freddie!"

      "Well? Am I wrong? You used to brag about what good a lay he was." Freddie continued while he smiled at the concession worker and asked for three large tubs of popcorn,  sliding the Reese's candy across the counter to the girl.

      Valerie laughed, bumping Freddie with her hip. "Not mad, just embarrassed I told you that." She admitted, the two of them laughing while they started to wait for their popcorn being made.

      "I can't wait for when we go to Paris. We're going to have tons of fun shopping." Freddie said after a moment when the girl handed him the first tub of popcorn.

"Jim said the only reason Brian is coming along is because he's the responsible one. That my heart's too soft after becoming a mom and I'd let you buy everything." Valerie said laughingly and Freddie scoffed, thanking the girl for all her help before he handed Valerie one of the tubs of popcorn and they started back to the theater.

"Ah, you're plenty responsible. I only wish Roger weren't going on that ski trip. He's much more fun," Freddie paused while he smiled at greeted someone. "Brian is such a boring prune."

"He's not that boring, Fred, you're being too dramatic."

"Darling, dramatic is my middle name; don't be so surprised." Freddie said with a laugh.

      "Surprise is my middle name," Valerie replied, and Freddie nudged her with his hip, thanking her when she opened the door when the returned to the theater and handed out the popcorn, taking their seats once again.

"Just in time.... you only missed a few previews." John said when another preview started up on the screen before them.

"I think you're definitely going to cry during this." John whispered to Valerie, thanking Valerie when she handed him his packet of skittles.

"Of course I will." She said, laughing quietly before she gave John's thigh a pat and turned to watch the preview that was showing.
*****

     "Okay, I don't mean to be a stickler, but do you really need another silk shirt?" Brian asked when Freddie had returned with a handful of clothing to buy. 

      "You can never have too many silk shirts."  Freddie said as he held it out for Valerie to see. "Besides, I was thinking about it for you instead. You look good in white, I think." Freddie said while he handed the shirt to Brian, who took it and sighed.

       "Thank you, I suppose." Brian said, putting the shirt back on the rack once Freddie had walked off.

      "Ah,  you heard the man, you can never have too many silk shirts." Valerie said with a laugh while Brian rolled his eyes.

      "He buys me one every time we come to Paris. It is possible to have too many silk shirts because I have a drawer full of them." Brian said, making Valerie laugh loudly and then quiet down when she got a look from one of the shop keeps.

      "Right, I bought everything." Freddie said, coming back with two backs that were topped off with tissue paper.

       "Can we go get something to eat? I'm getting a bit hungry." Brian said, stuffing a hand into his pocket and offering to carry one of Freddie's bags.

      "Thank you, darling. And you and Val can go get something. I was going to pop into the antique store down the avenue right there," Freddie said as they started out of the store and stopped in the middle of the sidewalk while Freddie pointed out the shop he was referring to.

"We'll just grab some pastries. Do you want a croissant?" Brian asked Freddie, who shrugged in response before kissing Valerie's cheek goodbye and walking off.

      Already slightly distant, Freddie could be heard greeting a fan.

"Take that as a yes," Valerie said with a smile while Brian moved the paper of the bag Freddie handed him to take a peak inside of it.

"I don't even know what it is he bought."

"Do you even know where the nearest coffee shop is?" Valerie asked while the two of them began to walk aimlessly towards a crosswalk.

      "Sure.... somewhere around here." Brian said with a light laugh, laughing even more when Valerie poked him in the ribs.

       The two of them walked in near silence, only discussing their directions before Valerie finally spoke.

      "How are you and Payton doing?" Valerie asked, wincing when Brian didn't respond right away.

      "Good, I guess. I was taken aback when she wanted to go to counseling, but I think it's helped. I didn't see what I was doing wrong, but that's what the counseling is for, right?" Brian said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Both him and Payton were embarrassed to admit they had to go to counseling no matter how many times people reassured them it was normal.

"Right."

"I was just.... stressed, I guess. Y'know, touring, the album, working on two things at once." Brian said quietly, and Valerie nodded. He was collaborating with an actress called Anita Dobson on a new album for her.

She was on Eastenders, and Valerie really loved that show. She'd yet to meet her, but Payton had, and she said she was very nice.

"Yeah, I get it. John gets pretty persnickety when he-"

"Persnickety? Persnickety. Valerie, how old are you, sixty?" Brian crowed, laughing loudly whilst Valerie rolled her eyes, blushing.

     "Please, if I'm sixty, you're not far behind. In fact, you're probably older. Payton's told me how you've been complaining about back pain," Valerie said while Brian pointed her to turn around the corner. She obliged while he gave another laugh.

"You try going on tour for months on end and see how you feel."

"I've carried four babies for nine months. And I was in labour for 19 hours with one of them. I think I would do just fine on tour. I, however, would relish seeing you try to get through nine months of pregnancy." Valerie said while Brian rested a hand on her shoulder, leading her around another turn while they came down a bustling street.

"I thought you hated relish," Brian said, stifling a laugh until Valerie shoved him in the side. He melodramatically acted like he was going to fall over and he laughed even more.

     He was greeted by a fan just at that moment, so he was a bit more serious when greeting the young girl, obliging when she asked to take a picture - which Valerie had to take.

      When this was done, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they walked, and the conversation continued.

"Oh, you're such a dad! Your jokes are just like John's: they suck, and you should stop telling them." Valerie said, patting Brian's hand that was wrapped around her shoulder. He hooked his arm around her, resting his hand on her other shoulder, squeezing her lightly in a hug while he kissed the top of her head.

    "Ah, I miss this.... Being able to hang out with you. Was worried about you for a while."

        "You were worried about me? I was worried about you because of all that stress you carry. Whatcha worrying about me for?" Valerie asked while they finally came to a coffee shop with many different baked goods and pastries sitting in the window for passerby's to see.

       "I've hardly seen you. And we don't even talk on the phone that often. I've missed you, honestly." Brian admitted, and Valeri smiled, thanking him when he opened the door for her.

      Once inside, Brian greeted yet another fan before turning back to Valerie as they stepped into line.

      "I missed you to. And call me anytime. Why, just the other day I talked to Payton on the phone, but you weren't home..... I'm always free; stay at home mom now, remember?" Valerie said, and Brian chuckled, nodding.

       "Right, right. We should try to get the kids together one weekend. Jimmy missed Mary June and Eddie. And I've been missing a few of Elena's guitar lessons." Brian said, sucking air in through his teeth while he looked down at Valerie who smiled.

     "She's gotten by. John's been helping her a bit when he's home on the weekends. But yes, a weekend for the kids would be nice. Get em out of my way for a bit." Valerie said, mumbling the last bit, but Brian still heard her. He clucked his tongue at her, but said nothing about it. He knew she probably needed a break just as much as Payton did.

      "How'd you like the movie?" He asked,  and she smiled.

      "I cried again when we got home just thinking about the song. The one you wrote. Who Wants To Live Forever? Kept me up at night, that one." Valerie said while the moved up in line.

      "Did it? Why?
  
      "Well because it got me to wondering: I always hoped I'd live forever, y'know? To be with John. But it's not always a good thing because then I wouldn't be with him forever. And then I would lose my babies. It's just too horrible to fathom, isn't it?" Valerie said, and Brian raised his eyebrows.

      "Bit deep for a coffee shop,"

     "You're the one that asked,"

      "You're the one that brought it up."

      "You win this round, May. But amiright? Immorality seems great until you realize the burden that comes with it. I talked about it with John all night. I don't think I want to live forever anymore." Valerie said, and Brian help up his hands and shrugged.

       "I think you have a lovely life now and you should live it how you please. That's what Freddie would say if he were standing here right now. But y'know, he's out living his life as he pleases."

      "Probably buying another piano," Valerie joked while it finally came their turn to order their food and whatever they wanted to drink.

      And although the topic of living forever was soon dropped, especially after they found Freddie once again (pianoless). But Valerie still turned it around in her head as they walked into another shop where Freddie tried to get her to buy a new dress to go with her heels.

     Didn't she want to live forever and see how the world turned out?

     Telling this to Freddie when Brian went off to look at windchimes at a nearby shop, Freddie laughed. "Darling, that's too existential for a shopping trip! Enjoy yourself... and please buy this new dress; it looks lovely on you!"

aHHH IM SORRY DJWJDJWKK IVE BEEN BUSY AND SO STRESSED

anyways, hope y'all liked it.

I planned this book to end at around 50 chapters w maybe an epilogue so I'm sorry to say this story is coming to an end soon.

howEVER!! I will be coming out w a B. May fic soon, and I have a R. Taylor fic out if y'all wanna read it!!

love y'all lots!!