❤️❤️🙃

Cherie:

I wake up abruptly when Freddie shoves me off of him in one big push. My eyes grow wide when I fall to the couch where his body laid to feel it moistened with an outline of sweat. I look up to see him running on his way to the restroom.

"Freddie?," I call after him, but instead of answering he slams the door shut. Before I can even think to get up and see what's the matter, I hear the faucet turn on and the door lock into place.

"What's that all about?," Brian asks from his place at the counter as he mixes his cup of morning tea.

"I-I don't know?," My answer sounds more puzzled than his.

"Freddie?," I timidly knock on the door trying to listen passed the running water. I think I hear him getting sick, but I can't be sure.

"Go away!," he groans behind the door.

"Let me in. Do you need something-,"

"No! I said Go!"

"Mummy! There you are," Richie smiles brightly as he tries to tie his little red robe around his body.

"I lookeded for you and waited and you don't come to bed.," He shakes his head with a smirk.

"That's a cus you take up the whole bed!," Charlie giggles as she prances from behind him, nudging him out of the way while she makes her way into her seat at the table.

"Nuh uh! I don't. You makes me stay in one place. Always hugging me, big baby!," Richie sticks his tongue out at her quickly slipping it back into his mouth when he sees me watching him.

"Sorry, Mummy," he instantly apologizes, clasping his hands together on the table top.

"Boy, if looks could kill," Says Roger as he comes out of his bunk. I roll my eyes at him. "Good morning to you, too, Cher. It should be a good morning after all that ruckus last night," he snickers.

"Yeah, tell me about it!," John laughs as he joins us. His curly hair is a big mess, pushed down to one side from his sleeping spot on his pillow. "I had nightmares!," he gasps, comically.

"Oh, right. John Deacon, the virgin," Brian jibes.

"Bri!," I scold him quickly, darting my eyes to the twins. "Little ears!,"

"Hahha, I'm sure those little ears have heard much more than their fair share of-," Rogers mouth shuts as we all stare at Freddie who walks passed us like there's fire on his heels. He doesn't even say hello or good morning. He goes into the back bedroom and closes the door.

"What's his problem?," Deacy asks, noticing Rogers weary side glance.

"I'll be right back....Can you fix the twins some breakfast, too?,"

"Of course! Anything for my favorite set of twins," Brian picks up the tension and changes his tone to a lighter note, hopefully distracting the twins.

———————————————————

Freddie:

The plans all set. Everything should be perfectly in place and all I have to do is keep the element of surprise. My bride deserves the very best and I think this Christmas shall be one to top them all.

I decided to come alone to collect mom, dad and Kash from the airport. I really can't wait to see my Lily, I've missed her so much.

The guys have all bought their families tickets to fly in for the ceremony at our next tour stop, too. We've told Cherie it's just to watch the show and she has not an inkling of idea what's to come.

"Papi!," The squeak of delight pricks my ears and makes me turn on the spot at once to see Lily running towards me all bundled up in her puffy winter coat.

"Princess!," I chuckle as she lands in my arms just as I bend to lift her up.

"I wub you, Papi!," Her little hands dig into my cheeks as she grabs ahold of my face and kisses my lips with so much enthusiasm it makes me giggle madly.

"Papi wubs you too, darling," I give her a tickle of raspberry kisses on her neck while my parents and sister walk up behind us.

"She was excited the entire flight! She hasn't even slept a wink all morning," Kash comments with a smile. Changing Lily to my side, I give everyone a hug to greet them.

"How's everything? How are my little twins?," Mum asks when we all like into the car.

"Oh, fine. Everyone's been great," I mumble my response, even though it's genuine as I try to concentrate on maneuvering out of the airport parking lot.

"And Cher?," Mum continues.

"She's um, shes well. We've all been getting along nicely," peaking in the rear view mirror, I sigh contentedly just watching Lily's lashes flutter slightly before she falls asleep.

————————————————-

John Richard Deacon:

"I don't think you should perform..you weren't too well just this morning. You're tired, Freddie and besides now we have to think ab-," Cherie's eyes widen and her mouth shuts when I push the door open, accidentally interrupting their whisper session.

"Sorry," I stammer underneath Freddie's impatient glare. "Didn't mean to overhear...you not feeling up to it tonight, Fred?,"

"Of course I am, Deacy!," He stands from the edge of the couch, walking around Cherie while sending her some sort of signal with his stare.

He swishes another drink of water around his mouth before abruptly and seemingly angrily starting his warm up.

"Da ladelada da da de de de"

"OoOoH-oooOh!"

"OooOoOh-oooOh!," Roger jumps behind me, grabbing me by the shoulders and dancing around as he and Freddie go back and forth through vocal exercises. At least he's put a smile back on Freddie's face. I can't help but smile too as I watch them bounce around feeling the hype of the moment.

"How long have we got?," Freddie asks, swinging his arms back and forth, hopping on his toes.

"About 5, 10 minutes..," I answer.

"Ready to go and do this?," Brian peaks into the doorway with a nervous smile on his face before stepping aside to reveal his companion.

"Yeah...hang on," Freddie quickly replies.

He doesn't make a move to introduce us as the girl wraps her arm through Brian's. He winks with a slight blush to his cheeks and turns away waiting for us to follow him to stage.

"Who-,"

"I have no idea," Cherie gets up from her seat to quickly run to the doorway, the rest of us on her heels.

The girl who is walking with Brian seems awfully clingy to be a roadie or stage helper. He kisses her lips quickly before leading her toward the designated side of the stage to watch the show.

"Oh, he's got another thing coming if he thinks-," Freddie quiets Cherie's comment with a long kiss. Much too long for me to be watching....Roger walks away to the stage ramp and I hurry behind to follow.

————————————-

Cherie:

I take my spot just behind the curtain at the side of the stage. Kash is the only one beside me as Jer and Bomi were too tired from their travels and volunteered to stay behind with the kids tonight.

I keep trying to enjoy the performance, as captivating as the boys always are, I'm much too distracted. The woman to our left won't stop dancing around and cheering after every song and I still have no idea who she is. All I know is that she's unwelcome.

"Hi!," She speaks. To me. While poking my shoulder for attention. Ooh, this is gonna be be good.

"No thank you, I've got a water bottle already darling," I flick my hair over my shoulder, only giving her the side eye as acknowledgment with a little smirking smile.

"O-oh, no. I-," she stutters, falling back a few feet.

I whirl around quickly, hearing Kash snicker beside me. "Was there something else, dear? I'm trying to watch my husband perform..,"

Her face falls from the friendly smile she had planted. It's not my fault that she's messing with a married man. I don't do well with the likes of her. Fortunately the little bird is a smart one and she walks back to her previous spot across from us.

———

The awkwardness in the dressing room after the show is infuriating. Freddie looks absolutely worn out as he lays across the couch. His head is in my lap as I dab his sweaty forehead and brush away the wisps of matted curls from his neck.

My eyes dart around the room to the giggling coming from the corner. Brian's little whore brought a friend to add to the company. The two of them talk with Brian and Roger and I keep a vigilant eye the entire time.

Let's just say, this is not how I wanted to spend my child-free time. Babysitting grown men- ha!

"Stop it," Freddie mumbles, his eyes fluttering open only half way as he peers up at my face.

"Stop what?," I hiss back, feeling the bubbling annoyance rise from my throat.

"Stop staring. Brian's a big boy. There's nothing you can do," He keeps his eyes on me, while pushing himself to sit up beside me. A clear warning to play nice.

"How's about it, then? Let's go! We haven't had a good nights fun in too long!," Roger excitedly announces.

"Where to?," One of the girls asks him, her chest brushes his arm when she steps too closely next to him. "I'm ready to have a good time!"

I feel myself tense at her words and the fact that she's so desperate for attention. At the same time, Freddie's hand covers my thigh, giving it a quick squeeze urging me to relax.

I don't want to not have fun. That's not what this is about. I feel a mean streak coming, but I've all the good reasons.

I try to ignore everyone's talks of making plans. Trying to decide where to go, what to do and who to meet with.

"Cherie?" Freddie snaps my attention back. "I said, were all going to get dressed now. Would you and Kash mind waiting in the limo with the- with Brian's guests?," He squeezes my hand in his. I can tell his eyes are pleading with me. His fake smile is a silent scream.

"MIND?!," I holler, rising to my feet with an even bigger fake smile on my lips. I catch the worried expression fall on Freddies face as I let go of his hand to throw mine in the air, ever the dramatic completion.

"Of cooourse, I wouldn't mind, darling!," I clap my hands together enthusiastically, watching Brian's glare become even more nervous is thrilling my insides.

"Come along now, girls! Let's give the Queens some privacy and make way. You wouldn't believe all of the whores that wait around the limousines! Come!,"

I walk out of the room, hearing only Kash enjoying my performance. I swear, she's the best sister-in-law in the world. She catches up to me quickly, her heels clacking up a storm and swings her arm around my shoulder.

"Are they even following?," I roll my eyes with a sigh.

"Would you be more upset if I said yes or no?," She chuckles, but I can hear the two groupies behind us whispering amongst themselves.

"Well seeing as my husbands naked asss is probably out right now, the answer better be YES!," I say in a louder voice and thanks to the acoustics of the tunnel like hallway to the exit, the echo booms around us.

Good.