3. We Will Rock You

"They looked like they were about twelve," huffed Freddie.

"I think they were fifteen," said Deaky.

"We used to be like that," sighed Roger.

"Yeah, now it's, 'who are these four dinosaurs? Where's Madonna?'" added Brian.

"Oh come now Darlings, we've still got it! So what if their fifteen? They're practically children! We're in our thirties, we're in our prime! Let's face it, we're not bad for four ageing queens."

"Maybe that's what I should call my next article on you," Priya said.

"You can, and you should - but I get poetic license for it!"

"Of course, Fred."

"'Ageing'? I think we've got a while yet before we can say that, Fred," said Brian.

"I'm always in my prime," Roger declared, earning and eye roll from Priya.

"Yeah, ageing is right," chuckled Tim.

"Well so are you, Dear!"

The group, including the band - Freddie, Brian, Roger and John - the wives of the band - Lettie, Priya, and Veronica - Tina and Tim had gathered at the pub for Queen's gig. Despite having left the band, Tim was still very supportive of his friends, and everyone got on wonderfully.

"Where's Mary tonight, Fred?" Lettie asked. "Is she not coming?"

"No, she's away for the weekend with David."

"Her new boyfriend?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, well I'm sure she'll make the next gig."

Freddie nodded, but looked disappointed at Mary's lack of presence.

"Well I thought you were wonderful, as always," chimed in Veronica, John's wife, turning back to the original topic.

"Yes, Veronica's right, we were." Freddie was now back to smiling. "And no one, not even some childish teenagers who look like they came from the cover of a Duran Duran album are going to stop us!"

"I like Duran Duran," said Tina. "And that John Taylor..." she added dreamily.

"Oi!" cried Tim. "Speaking of hot bassists!" He gestured to himself.

"And don't forget John," added Veronica, making John blush.

"They do have a wicked sense of style, and I love that they wear makeup," said Lettie. "You lot should go back to wearing makeup."

"That was our look of the seventies," Freddie said. "The world changes with the decade, and so must we." He stroked his moustache as though for emphasis.

"All of us except for Brian," remarked Roger. "Hey Brian, you might want to consider cutting your hair someday, and someday soon."

"Never, I was born like this," Brian defended, patting his curls affectionately, making the others laugh.

"Well, I think we'd better call it a night," said Tina. "We left the girls with Mum and Dad and thank goodness there's two of them, cause they can barely handle the five."

"We got Chip to babysit again," said Lettie. "Twice in one week, that'll about do it for him."

The group gathered their things and said goodnight, heading their separate ways.

"You need a ride home, Fred?" Lettie asked.

"No thanks Darling. I'll walk, or take a cab."

"Really, it's not out of the way."

"Oh very well, how could I say no to spending more time with you two?" He chuckled and slipped an arm around her shoulders.

They led the way to the car, Freddie climbing into the back seat. "Crank up the radio, Brian," he said.

"As you wish, Fred."

Freddie began tapping along to the beat of the song against the back of Brian's seat in front of him.

"Fred, you're worse than when Bernie kicks the back of the seat," Brian informed, eliciting a laugh from the frontman.

Soon they were pulling up in front of Freddie's flat.

"Goodnight, Fred."

"Goodnight, Darlings. Say hello to your sweet children from their Uncle Fred."

"Will do."

They waited as he headed up to the front door, fumbling with his keys. He gave them one last wave before slipping into the flat.

"Poor Fred, he seemed really crushed that Mary couldn't make it," said Lettie.

Brian nodded in agreement. "Did he know she was out with David?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah? How'd he seem about that?"

She shrugged. "It was hard to tell."

Freddie had come out to the band and Mary a few years before and although she supported him, Mary had been keeping her distance somewhat. They had dated for many years, so their breakup was understandably very difficult.

"I hope he all right."

Lettie nodded. "Me too."

"OW MUM!"

"Sorry, Love, but it's just so tangled." Lettie was attempting to run a brush through her eldest son's nest of tight curls that he had received from his father.

"It doesn't need brushing!"

"Yes it does!"

Bernie yanked his hair away. "No it doesn't!" With that, he flew out of the bathroom. Lettie sighed in defeat and set down the he hair brush. "Well, come on then, everyone put your shoes on, we've got to go." The five headed out and climbed into the car. "Wait, did someone grab the salad?"

"No."

"Nuh Uh."

"Not me."

"Sorry Love, I didn't either," said Brian.

Lettie sighed. "Be right back." She returned a few minutes later, salad bowl in hand. "All right, let's go. Don't want to be late for Gran and Grandad."

Going to Valerie and Frank's every Sunday for dinner had long become a family tradition. The dinner guests had grown over the years, with the additions of Bernie, Clara, and Mickey. Then there had been Chip's various girlfriends over the years, never lasting too long.

"Excuse me everyone, I have an announcement to make." Chip cleared his throat dramatically and silence descended over the table. "Sophia - my girlfriend - will be coming for dinner next Sunday."

"Next Sunday? You mean we have to wait a whole week to meet her?" cried Valerie.

"Well this week was too short of notice."

"We do this every week, Love."

"Well... Be happy she's even coming at all! It took a lot of convincing."

"Oh come now, why would it have taken a lot of convincing?"

"Well usually when you ask your girlfriend to come meet your family it's your parents and maybe your siblings, if you've got any. Not your sister and her husband and their three kids."

"That's us!" cried Bernie.

"Yes it is," said Valerie. "Well Chip, you can tell her we're very excited to have her."

"Yeah..."

"And I hope she likes lamb - that's on the menu for next week."

"Bernie, would you like some salad with your feta cheese?" joked Lettie.

"No Mum! I've already got my salad."

"Have you? I can't see it under the pile of cheese."

"Yes!"

"What is it with you being so against vegetables?"

"Veggies are gross." Bernie scrunched up his nose.

"Oh come on, they're covered in olive oil, salt and pepper, and cheese. It doesn't get much better than that!"

"I don't know how Dad can eat only veggies."

"Well, I don't eat just veggies," Brian clarified. "But mostly. Come on, Bernie, veggies help you to stay strong and healthy."

"And you know the rules: no veggies means no dessert, and I think your Gran has something special for tonight," said Lettie.

Bernie turned to Valerie. "What Gran?"

"Baklava."

"We always have that!"

"Chocolate baklava. With ice cream and strawberries."

After that, Bernie shoveled in his salad in just a few mouthfuls. "I'm done!" he proudly declared, making the rest of the family laugh.

Yay, the rest of the gang is now here! ;) Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! :)