#john deacon x Veronica tetzlaff

[eileen-crys]

Happy 50th Wedding anniversary to John and Veronica Deacon! 🥰💕💕💕

In such a busy time and in a moment in which I feel so slow at drawing, I managed to make my annual drawing for their anniversary 💖 I know, probably it's not that grand, especially for their 50th anniversary, but I still poured all my heart on this and I hope you'll like it! 🥺💕 Also I'm very happy of finally having drawn John in his real 1971 hairstyle, still quite short and growing! 🤭✨️ This is the hairstyle in which he joined Queen and also met Veronica so I HAD to draw it! Unfortunately we still have no photos of Veronica in the 70s, bear with me hahah 😅 This time I also wanted to give her a more wintery wedding dress, with a jacket with fur to put on.

Little fun fact: for the central pose I took inspiration from a 70s comic panel of Doctor Strange with his wife Clea, which are my other favourite couple 💜

Please do not repost or trace or feed to m4ch1ne learn1ng, thanks! Reblogs and comments are welcomed 💜

[jhenny-d]

cutest couple!

I LOVE THE STORY OF HOW JOHN AND VERONICA MET! And I wanted to sketch it. They are my favourite married couple ever! Я ОЧЕНЬ ЛЮ��ЛЮ ИСТОРИЮ ЗНАКОМСТВА ДЖОНА И ВЕРОНИКИ! И хотела это зарисовать. Это моя самая любимая супружеская пара!

[itsjuyced1]

Spooky season 🎃👻🕸️🕷️

[johnica-weeks]

The Johnica Week 2025's collection has already been blessed by two fics on day 1! Be sure to check them out and give support to their authors with kudos, comments and by sharing them! 🥰

The Invisible Man

By I_should_be_working_but_im_not

https://archiveofourown.org/collections/JohnicaWeek2025/works/62265567

Money Doesn't Buy You Happiness

By QueenFandango / @melinamercury6538

https://archiveofourown.org/collections/JohnicaWeek2025/works/62251767

Johnica Week 2025 Prompts&Rules

[john-paul-george-ring0]

Turntables - Johnica Week 2024

Summary: John and Veronica like to think that their tastes are different, but upon trading a book and a record each week, they find that they have a little more in common than they think.

Notes: Thank you so much for reading this very late submission for Johnica Week Days 1 and 2! I'd like to thank @eileen-crys / @johnica-weeks for hosting!

Read here!

[eileen-crys]

AHHHGGGGHHHHHHHH OH MY GOD 😭😭😭😭😭💖💕💜💖💕💜💖💕💖💜💖💕💖💜💖 grazie mille bb ahhh esplodooo

Here's my entry to @eileen-crys DTIYS 💕 I had so much fun drawing them, I love their designs and most of all I had fun coloring and traditional drawing too, and it's been a long time since I drew a crayon drawing and it was all more magical🥰💕💜🌸🌷

-Bonus sketch and Lineart-

[warriorteam1924]

My body’s aching

John Deacon x Veronica Tetzlaff

Author note : Hello my beauties. I'm back for John's birthday of course !! I’ve been super busy lately and I’m aware it’s not my best piece, but  I hope some of you will enjoy it anyways. Thanks in advance to anyone who will be giving honest feedback, it’s always very appreciated. Also, I remind you English isn’t my mother tongue, apologies in advance for the mistakes.

Warnings : none really, just my awful writing. and a slight sexual innuendo…. 

Summary : a slight problem on a birthday morning

Words count : 1,243 words

Permanent taglist : @reavenedges-lies​ @thosequeenboys​ @born-to-lose​  @orionis8689​ @queenlover05​​ (communicate with me regarding tagging please)

As he usually did, John Deacon went to bed at a reasonable hour that day. He kissed his wife goodnight and got comfy under the cover, the fresh air coming from the window cooling the room’s atmosphere. He wasn’t thinking at all that the following day would be his birthday. Not that he didn’t care at all, but at this very moment, all he wanted was a good night’s rest. After all, he was going to be 72 in a few hours, he had to take care of his sleep schedule, since he wasn’t 23 anymore.

Dreams. John didn’t have many of them, or at least it didn’t recall them very much.  A few fragments, snippets of actions or moments in the blur, faces or vague figures but nothing more. All he knew was that he moved a lot during his sleep, and apparently it was according to his dreams, to the actions he was making while he was in dreamland. His wife never complained about it, she just mentioned it a few times, curious as for what her husband could have been dreaming of.

This night, Veronica noticed her husband was particularly agitated, and hoped he was not having a nightmare. Thanks to the weak light that was in the room, she looked at his face, ready to wake him up in case he was in distress. But his face seems happy, more than happy even, so Veronica gently kissed his cheek and went back to sleep.

John was also usually an early bird, waking up first in the house. He usually went downstairs to make coffee and this day being his birthday didn’t mean he would have waited to be served like a kid on his special day. Just like he did every morning when he was waking up by her side, he looked at his wife for a moment, as she was still slightly snoring, gently rocked within Morpheus’ arms. He turned around to get up.

“OUUUUUUUUUUUUCHHHHHHH”, John let out a loud scream of pain, brutally waking his wife.

“Oh my God, John, are you okay?”, she asked, terribly worried.

“My back, my back is stuck, oh lord it hurts so bad, what the hell???”, John explained, complained and cursed all at once.

“Are you able to move at all ? what’s going on?”, Ronnie asked, still incredibly concerned.

“I can’t, I’m stuck….”, Deaky said as he put back his head on the pillow.

“Hold on, I’m gonna get some painkillers right now and I’m going to try to massage you”, his wife said as she energetically went out of bed to get what she needed to help her husband.

John looked at her, with a mix of anger given how quickly and easily got out of their bed. She rapidly came back with a glass of water and a painkiller, which John put in his mouth right away. He swallowed, as his back was still tense, hoping the tablet would be efficient soon.

“Okay, turn around now.”, Ronnie firmly said.

“Excuse me?”, John replied, raising his eyebrow.

“I’m gonna massage you, silly. Shoo, turn around”, she repeated as she made a motion with his hands to illustrate her words.

“Oh, no Ronnie I’m going to be fine, don’t worry.”, John said, trying to avoid a massage.

“John Richard Deacon, you better lay on your stomach right now or else I’m going to do it myself and I’m not going to be gentle.”, she warned him, very seriously.

John looked at her, confused. Was she really going to use force to give him a massage? He wasn’t sure, but she seemed extremely serious. As a result, John complied, gently laying his stomach, waiting.

He felt his wife’s soft hands on his skin, making him shiver.

“I hope my hands are not too cold…. Where is it painful?”, she asked, this time way more gently.

“My lower back seems stuck….”, John replied, his head between two pillows.

“Okay, let’s see….”, Ronnie carried on, as she put some lotion on her husband’s back.

John slightly arched at the sensation, but tried to remain still, so that the massage, combined to the painkillers, would be useful. Deaky suddenly heard his wife giggle.

“Are you mocking me?”, John complained, his voice muffled given his position.

“No no, of course not. I just had this silly thought of me being a Dom right now, doing erotic stuff to you….”, she explained, tittering again.

“Ronnie, do you really think this is the right moment to think about sex?”, John asked, as he was still feeling his wife’s hands massaging him on his back.

She got closer to his ear, whispering : “it’s always the right moment to remind my husband I love him and I still have a strong desire for him”.

John felt his cheeks suddenly getting hotter and probably as red as the most mature tomato one could ever see. As a reply, he only let out a soft ‘hum’, a smile still appearing on his lips.

And then, all of a sudden, and since his wife had mentioned the topic, John remembered. Fragments, like he often did, but he remembered.

He remembered a passionate moment with his wife in his dream, his skin pressed on hers, the ardent kisses they were sharing, his hips rocking on hers.

And he remembered how his last thrust as he was reaching orgasm made him arche his back strongly. His body surely moved as well as he was dreaming, hence his back blocked as he woke up.

“John?”, Ronnie asked. “The massage is done, are you okay? You’ve been very quiet”, she worried.

“Yes, thank you, honey.”, John replied, as he got into a more comfortable position, to breathe properly.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You’re as red a as tomato?”, Ronnie asked.

“Yup, all good, I’m feeling better already. I’m be up soon.”, John tried to reassure her.

Yet, the two of them had been married for a very long time now, and even if Ronnie was no mind reader, she knew her husband so very well. She looked at him in silence for a few seconds and a smile appeared on her lips.

“We did have a steamy night in your dream, right? And you took me so intensely that your back got stuck, right?”, she asked, a mischievous smile on her lips.

“Oh god, Ronnie, what the hell?”, John tried to fake being shocked after her insinuations.

“Try and tell me I’m wrong. After all, there is nothing to be ashamed of…. Even in our vows, we said ‘I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.’….”, she reminded him.

“Yes, okay, yes, that’s true. Happy?”, John confessed, his feeling switching from being ashamed, and slightly irritated.

Ronnie was still looking at him with a mischievous smile. She got closer and kissed him on his soft lips.

“Try and get better so that after the kids are gone, we can celebrate your birthday properly, just the two of us.”, she said with a wink.

She got up and left the room, leaving John with his thoughts. He spoke out loud, as if he was warning his back.

“You better get back on the right tracks buddy, because tonight’s gonna be the night….”.

That day was surely to be a very unusual birthday….

[silver-salmon15]

@eileen-crys

For Johnica Week 2023 Day 1, I drew a little 4-panel comic!

Since the theme for today was Johnica inside a fantasy book, I thought it would be funny if they somehow got transported into Alice in Wonderland and John immediately became friends with the hookah-smoking caterpillar. I feel like they’d get along! 😂

Sorry that it’s pretty messy, it was rushed due to the fact that I didn’t start until today (oops). I hope you like it nonetheless and happy Johnica week! :)

[finland-shoes]

Summary: It is the 26 of January and a John's friend invited him to the disco. He isn't happy as he should be but... he doesn't know that thus day is a day that is going to change his life!

Hi everyone💕

First

HAPPY 47th ANNIVERSARY TO JOHN AND VERONICA

This is the little fic that I wrote for the @eileen-crys 's event (Johnica week 2022)

Tell me If you liked it and have a good day💕

[eileen-crys]

*nuzzle* 💕 Happy birthday Veronica Deacon! 👑

It's the 2nd time that for Veronica's birthday I redraw the photo of John and Veronica at John's birthday party, but it's just so sweet and I love to give it new life, imagining more cute interactions between them 🥰 I hope you'll like this!

Please do not repost! Reblogs and comments are welcomed 💕

[jhenny-d]

You and I

John and Veronica for Johncia Week! @johnica-weeks

They're like something cosmic, like two stars meeting

TELEGRAM/ТЕЛЕГРАММ КАНАЛ

[itsjuyced1]

Happy Valentine's Day! ❤️

Since they were already married at the time, let's pretend they left Robert at home with the nanny to have a romantic night and celebrate their love (and maybe order the second baby with the stork.) 🤭

[johnica-weeks]

Welcome to the masterlist of the Johnica Week 2025!

Here you can find, as always, all the entries to the event, including those who are not on AO3, with the links to all tumblr posts so you can reblog them 💕

Once again, the AO3 collection and the event will STAY OPEN, and I will keep sharing your entries in this blog, and will add them to the masterlist!

You can join with any Johnica fanfic and artwork you might've written for other occasions, birthdays, song anniversaries, late entries to this event or just for fun. Just let me know that you'd like your creation to be added to the collection and the event! Your contributions are always highly appreciated, without rush! 🥰💕💕💕 You don't have to follow the prompts, just check out the rules as always and be respectful!

2025 Rules & Prompts / AO3 Collection

Meanwhile, under here you'll find all the creations written, drawn and put together so far. The Queen fandom is getting more quiet so each engagement is super precious for our contributors, don't forget to show your support!

💖 Fluff ahead!

🔥 This fic contains mild/discussed sexual themes, and 🔥🔥 contains explicit NSFW scenes! 🔞

‼️ This fic contains delicate themes and/or angst, mind the tags before reading!

🪐 This fic is set in an Alternative Universe.

Fanfics

The Element of Love by @eileen-crys 🪐

Are you Happy? Are you Satisfied? by I_should_be_working_but_im_not 🪐‼️

The Invisible Man by I_should_be_working_but_im_not 🪐💖

Money Doesn't Buy You Happiness by @melinamercury6538 🪐💖

You've Always Been My Strength by @melinamercury6538 🪐‼️

I Love You Just The Way You Are by @melinamercury6538 🪐💖

One Of The Reasons I Love You by @melinamercury6538 🪐💖

These flowers ain't for you by @eileen-crys (coming soon)

Visual artworks

You and I by @jhenny-d 💖🪐

Wedding and Memories by @eileen-crys 💖

Wedding Anniversary by @itsjuyced1 💖

"My wife is the best" by @amara447

Veronica's birthday! by @eileen-crys

[john-paul-george-ring0]

I'll Be Seeing You - Johnica Week 2024

Summary: John's touring somewhere in the US. He doesn't exactly care where he is - his mind's on other things.

Notes: Thank you so much for reading! Thank you, as always, to @eileen-crys for hosting!

Read here!

[mirkwoodshewolf]

Gift of Magi; Brian May x reader

*Author’s note*

Here is yet another little special Christmas fic I have for you all. If you loved my Joe Mazzello one then you guys are REALLY GONNA ROT YOUR TEETH WITH THIS SWEET FIC. As you can see by the title, this is inspired by the beloved Christmas tale of the same name, for a year now since getting into the Queen/BoRhap fandom I’ve wanted to do this fic with one of the members of Queen but I didn’t know which one to do it with. Finally after doing some thinking and planning and realizing I hadn’t really done  a solo Brian May fic in a long time, I decided our beloved space poodle DESERVED this story. Enjoy my lovelies :)

Warnings: TOOTH-ROTTING FLUFF, Brian’s sickness (takes place in 1974 so that’s when he had his hepatitis scare along with some other things I had read up that happened during that time), Roger’s chaotic behavior, Freddie being a loving fairy godmother (you’ll see soon enough), and fluff, fluff, and you guessed it EVEN MORE FLUFF!!

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things​

@waddles03​

@psychosupernatural​

@ixchel-9275​

@simonedk​

@queensdivas​

@queen-paladin​

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels​

@queendeakyy​

@geek-and-proud​

@wormzteef​

_______________________________________________________________

There it was.  The perfect gift for Brian.  The Refractor telescope, 30 power.  Don’t ask me what I just said cause I wouldn’t be able to tell you what all it does.  All I can say is that Bri’s been eyeing this bad boy for years and with an empty tripod he’s had since graduating University, he needed something to look up at the stars with (one of his classes he had to rent out a telescope and then return it to the professor once the semester ended).  

Yeah dating an astrophysicist Rockstar is one thing, but shopping for said astrophysicist rockstar is another, especially around the holidays and birthdays.  Sure he says all he needs is my love but I want to prove myself to him.  Plus I want to give him something special after the major health scare he had when he and Queen were touring with Mott the Hoople at the beginning of the year.

It was horrifying but I was there to help Brian recover from his Hepatitis scare and assure him that the band wasn’t going to replace him (bless his little heart, he was so sure the band was gonna abandon him) but they didn’t and they were there whenever they could, also they would send in some demos for me to play for Brian so that he could still have a say in the songs for their Sheer Heart attack album.

Now that Queen was slowly now getting recognized for their talents after “Killer Queen” made the top 10 in the charts, scratch that the entire album was going up the charts I wanted Brian to have something special to go with his tripod.

I took out my wallet and counted up my tips that I had been saving all year to buy this telescope. I was still a few pounds short but after today I should finally have enough to buy the telescope for my guy.

“Don’t you worry Bri. You’ll see the stars once again.” I put the money back in the side pouch of my purse and looked down at my watch. “Shit I’m gonna be late for work!” I exclaimed and quickly raced down the block towards the tree shop.  I had taken a second job at the Christmas tree shop to help with getting better tips for Brian’s telescope.

When I finally arrived, I walked into the open tree lot and punched in my timecard before the loud exclamation of my boss’ voice cried out.

“YOU’RE LATE!!”

“I’m sorry sir, I was……”

“Doesn’t matter! Now get out there and get those papers organized we’ve got customers out there who need trees!” I nodded and quickly went over to my desk and took out some of the reserved papers that some people filled out to confirm their tree orders.

The day was long and cold but every little penny counted.  I filled out the paperwork, helped the customer’s find their tree and even bypassed the boys at the shop and helped put the trees on top of the customer’s cars.

“Welcome to Mad Pete’s Tree shop how may I help you?”

“Yeah see my mate here is looking for a pretty cute tree, around (y/h), (h/c) and has two of the star glistening eyes he’s ever seen.” I looked up and low and behold there stood Roger and Brian.

“Really Rog? Did you have to go and say all that?”

“Hey bout time you got a taste of your own medicine of what we’ve had to deal with everytime you miss (n/n)!” I shook my head softly chuckling.

“So you guys really here to shop for a tree or are you trying to get me into trouble with the boss again?”

“Hey Fred and I did not cause that fire!” Roger defended himself.

“You guys were the only ones smoking at the time, you’re lucky I didn’t get fired from that little stunt.” I sassed him.  Brian gave him a disapproving look while Roger tried to brush it off, but as soon as he saw my scowl, he submitted and put on that puppy dog face of his.

“Sorry lovie. Can you forgive me?” I went up to him and embraced him.

“Of course I do yah big puppy dog.” I ruffled his long golden locks which made him exclaim as he tried to fix his hair back to normal.

“Oi! Do you know how long it takes for me to get my hair like this? It’s called a miracle darling.”

“Now you didn’t answer my question, what are you guys really doing here?”

“We figured we’d go and get us a tree since we couldn’t get one last year. Since we got some money now instead of hardly anything.” Brian said.

“Ahh I see. Well let’s see what I can help you with. Follow me gentlemen.” I guided them towards the back and there were some of the smaller trees that hadn’t been reserved and that could be affordable for Bri and Rog.  “I know it’s not much but I know you guys can afford these trees. Pete’s been trying to skyrocket the prices, especially for his prized 10 footers.”

“It’s perfect love, thank you.” He kissed me softly on my lips.  I slowly wrapped my arms around him when I felt him take my string necklace revealing my great grandmother’s diamond encrusted locket. “You know, that locket deserves a beautiful golden chain.”

“Brian.” I took his hand in mine and held it against my cheek. “You know you don’t have to.”

“But I want to. Just imagine in, that scared locket chained up to a beautiful chain around that pretty neck of yours.” I blushed and pressed my head against his chest.

“You flatterer. You may not know your way around the dance floor but you have a way with words. No wonder you’re an astrophysicist. Speaking of which, you still got that tripod right?”

“Yeah. I still keep it cleaned, even though I’ll never be able to afford a telescope of my own for years if I’m lucky.” Oh little does he know.

“Well you never know. Santa has his ways.”

“You know love, it’s kinda weird how you still believe in Santa Clause even at your age.” Brian said. I let out a dramatic gasp.

“How dare you! You are never told old to believe in Father Christmas. Right Rog?”

“Damn straight! Just ignore your boyfriend (n/n), he thinks he’s too clever for Christmas.” Rog said as he took me away from Brian and wrapped an arm around my neck.

“Now hold on I didn’t—” a throat cleared and that’s when I saw a middle aged couple with their two small children.  The father who had a greying beard and wore some prescription circular glasses.

“Excuse me, we—we’re looking for a tree.” He said shyly.

“Oh did I hear you folks looking for a tree? Well step right over here and I’ll show you the best trees I’ve got!” Pete soon came in saying and guided the parents away from the smaller trees, right towards his prized 10ft.  I glared at him and turned to the guys.

“Think you both can find a tree yourselves?”

“No worries love. Do what you’ve got to do. I’ll see you tonight though right?”

“Of course. I’ll be over at your flat by 6pm on the dot. At least I’ll be on time unlike you are, yah scatterbrain.” He gave me that disapproving scowl (you know where he tilts his head down and his brow raises up and a deep frown crosses his lips). I giggled and pecked his lips and said, “You know I love you right?”

“With those insults I’m starting to doubt it.” He mocked.  I playfully swatted his arm which made him chuckle then I proceeded to follow the family to get them a more affordable tree.

After looking and looking through the very back of the lot, I had found the perfect tree that would suit the family just right.  I took it around to where Pete had his 10 footers displayed.

“I really am sorry madam but the rest of my trees have been reserved, these are the only ones I’ve got. You don’t want these kids going without a tree this year do you?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“We are gonna get a tree? Aren’t we daddy?” the little girl around 5 years old said.

“But—this is all we have.” The father said as he took out what looked like one pound and threepenny pieces.

“Then that’s just enough for a down payment.” Mr. Pete said as he readied the contract.  Okay that’s it.

“Ugg excuse me!” I made myself known. “I’m sorry to interrupt but uhh—I managed to find this out back. It hasn’t been reserved or anything, maybe you and your family would like this.” I walked up with the tree and set it down.

The kids all ooed and awed at it, it was just slightly bigger than the two of them were.  The father shoved the contract back into Mr. Pete’s hands and he said to me joyously.

“We’ll take it! Oh thank you so much miss.”

“No problem, let me help you get this tree set up onto your car.” I took the father’s money for the tree and walked with them back to their car.

As they drove away waving and thanking me for the help, I waved goodbye back to them and wished them a Merry Christmas.  I counted up my tips and felt my heart skip a beat.

“I did it. I—I actually did it! Oh it’s finally enough to get Brian that telescope!” I cheered as I jumped up and down until a shadow came over me.  I stopped and slowly turned around and saw Mr. Pete seething down at me, his cigar bit between his yellow teeth.

“I HAD THEM HOOKED ONTO BUYING ONE OF MY TEN FOOTERS!!” he yelled in my face which made me slip and fall flat on my back in the snow. “And I’ve decided to take what I would’ve made out of your payment!” he snatched my bag of tips out of my hand.

“No let go of that! I need it for someone special’s Christmas gift!” I exclaimed as I tugged on the other end of it trying to take it back.

“Not. My. Problem!” he said.  With one final good yank, I was once again back in the snow as Mr. Pete pocketed my tip bag. “And just for the record. YOU’RE FIRED!!” he walked away from me with my bag of tips.  Not just from working at his lot but my waitressing job tips as well.

Of course I wasn’t upset about getting fired from the Christmas tree lot, I was just upset that all my hard work was now for nothing.  Guess I’ll be going to Brian’s empty handed.  I stood up, brushed the snow off my pants and walked away solemnly from the lot.

Thinking just how in the hell I’m gonna get Brian that telescope now.  There’s no way I could come up with the money by 4 o’clock today.

*Brian’s POV*

After picking out the perfect tree from the lot, Roger and I drove down back to the flat.  As we drove down the road I quickly said to Roger.

“Pull over.”

“What?”

“Just pull over Rog!” I snapped.  He muttered angrily and pulled the car into the pawnshop parking lot and I quickly stepped out and went up to the window and saw it.  The gold chain I’ve had my eyes on to give to (Y/n) to go with her locket.

“Forget it Bri, you’ll never afford it!” I heard Roger exclaim from the car.  I glared down and turned towards him.

“You underestimate me Rog.”

“All I’m saying is that we barely had enough to buy this tree. Trident is really screwing us over with our payment. John’s trying his best but he can’t seem to prove it legally. Yet.” He said to me.

“I know. It’s just I want to give (Y/n) the perfect gift this year. After everything that’s happened especially with my health, I want to show her just how much she’s meant to me. Without her I—I doubt I would even be standing here right now.”

“Now don’t go getting sappy on me now mate. (N/n) is a diamond in the rough, but you know she’s never wanted any riches or fame. All she ever says she needs in the world is you. God now you got me talking sappy! I hate you both sometimes!”

“Oh what? Mr. Hard-rocker can’t take a little sweetness in his life?” I teased as I got back in the car.

“Shut up or I’ll run your arse over.” He threatened.  I softly chuckled as Roger pulled away from the pawnshop.

Soon.  I’ll get that gold chain soon enough.  I just need to figure out a plan, but I only have 6 hours left so I need to think fast.

*My POV*

GRRRRR!!! Why can’t life be like a fairytale sometimes? I sure could use a fairy godmother right about now to give me enough money for Brian’s telescope.  I sat down at a nearby park bench and fiddled with my locket.

“(Y/n)?” I perked up my head. “(Y/n) darling is that you?” I looked up and there I saw Freddie with row upon row of shopping bags.

“Freddie? Wha…..what are you doing here?”

“Doing some last minute Christmas shopping. Of course shopping for that man of yours is a nightmare! Okay a living hell! No offense.”

“None taken. He—can be difficult to shop for at times.” I said solemnly.  Freddie cocked his head curiously like one of his cats and he asked me.

“You okay dear? No offense but you look like someone threw you in a dumpster and the dumpster spat you back out.”

“I could be better.” He came over and set his bags down at our feet and he said as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

“C’mon. You tell ol’ Freddie what happened darling? Why are you so down at this festive time of the year?”

“To put it bluntly, I got fired from Pete’s tree lot.”

“What?! Alright that’s it I am going to march straight down there and have a little chat with Mr. Pete.” I grabbed Fred’s arm and said.

“That’s not what’s bothering me though Fred. Honestly, I could care less whether or not I worked there next year or not.”

“Then what else happened that made you so sad?”

“If I tell you, will you promise not to tell Brian?” he gasped.

“Please tell me you’re pregnant.”

“What no! No! Fred that’s not it at all. You see, you know how Brian always has that empty tripod at yall’s flat?” he nodded. “Well I did some digging and found the perfect telescope that can go with his tripod. Since the start of the year I’ve been saving up all my tips just to get him that telescope. The tree lot’s really been helping my tips grow compared to my waitressing job. And today I managed to reach my goal.”

“Well that’s great so—”

“But that’s when Pete took my tip bag away. All of it.”

“What!? Why the fuck would he do something like that!?”

“Because I stopped him from selling this sweet family an expensive 10ft. tree. They knew they couldn’t afford it yet Pete was pressuring them. So I sold them a small and affordable tree and they were excited about what I showed them and took it. Pete said he was gonna take what he would’ve made off the tree out of my pay. So he took everything. My entire bag of tips that have been saved since this year.”

“That low-life…..you sure you don’t need me to go ‘speak’ to him?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore Fred. I only have 2 hours till the shop closes and no way of paying for that telescope. Now Brian will never be able to look up at the stars the way he dreams of doing.” I leaned my head against Fred’s shoulder and he wrapped his arms around me, gently rubbing my arm and pressed a soft kiss on top of my head.

“You know what I always found to be the cure for a sour face?” he asked me.

“What?”

“Trying on new clothes. C’mon let’s go down to BIBA and pick you something nice to wear for the party. My treat.”

“No, no Fred I can’t do that. Plus what about your shopping?”

“Ahhh I was done with it anyways. Now c’mon. Maybe taking your mind off of your sad morning will help you come up with a plan. And here why don’t you take this?” he reached down and grabbed one of his shopping bags. “It’s something I was planning on giving to that space man of yours, but it seems you need it more than I do.”

“Freddie I—I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll take it. That way you can at least not feel guilty of coming to our flat empty handed. And maybe give me a sneak peek of what to expect from you for my Christmas present.”

“In your dreams Mercury. I never spill Christmas secrets.”

“Damn it!” he pouted.

“C’mon you, I was promised a shopping trip so I expect you to deliver.”

“Darling have you met me?” he stood up and I helped him with some of his bags and the two of us walked towards BIBA.

After finally getting into a warm store, I shivered and rubbed my arms frantically trying to get some friction on them and warm myself up.  Freddie and I then proceeded to try out some clothes.

Freddie was right. After awhile of trying out various types of clothing and giving Fred my personal opinion on what he could possibly wear for a future concert, I was starting to feel better.  Currently I was trying on a winter hat and looking at myself in the mirror.

“Hold everything (Y/n) darling! I’ve found the perfect thing for you!” I heard Freddie exclaim all the way from the other side of the store.  I buried my face under the hat as people looked towards me.  Fred came racing over to me and he held up a cute red Christmas shawl with little snowflakes on it.

“Oh my god this is cute!” Fred then tied it around my neck but tied it in a fashion knot, making sure my locket was the key feature showing above my shawl.

“Figured this could go great with your great-grammy’s locket. That thing is worth millions.”

“Yeah. Pure diamond encrusted and……” I trailed off. “That’s it. THAT’S IT!! Fred what time is it?!” I asked him urgently.

“Uhh it’s uhh…..10 till 4.”

“Uggh! There’ll be no time to get there by the road. Nevermind I’ll just run. Yeah run as fast as I can to the shop and get Brian’s telescope! Thanks Fred you’re the best but you can take Brian’s gift back I think I’ve found the perfect way to get Brian that telescope!” I ripped the shawl off my neck and handed it back to Fred and raced out of BIBA and ran as fast as I could.

Now running and snow are not a good combination but I couldn’t stop now.  Not even as I was slipping and sliding along the crosswalks, all that mattered to me was getting to that shop on time.  I would look up towards Big Ben to see how much time I had left and time was running short.

I still had about six blocks till I got to the shop and I was down to my final 3 minutes on the clock.  I soon spotted some teenager boys sledding up along some railings and bus benches.  I walked up to one of them and quickly asked them if I could borrow his sled for a moment.

At first he pondered on the though till finally he agreed to let me have it.  I told him where he could come collect it in the next five minutes and I proceeded to sled the rest of the way to the shop.

Now gaining some speed, I could see the shop just down the hill.  I took a deep breath and proceeded to slid down the street towards the shop but as I got halfway that’s when Big Ben began to gong out the next hour. GONG……GONG…..GONG…..GONG!

Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! As I got to the bottom I saw the shop starting to close up, the lights went off and soon the old shopkeeper came out and locked up. I stood up and ran towards him.

“Wait sir wait!” he turned to me.  He was an elderly man roughly around his mid-60s, he wore prescription glasses and his hair was white and thinning, he also was growing out a small white beard.  “I—I was wondering if you’d be willing to make a trade?” I took my great-grandmother’s locket off my rope chain. “I was hoping to trade in this locket for that telescope you have on display. The 30 power Refractor one. It’s for my guy.”

He took the locket from my hands and observed it closely.  He hummed sadly and said.

“Sorry ma’am. That there is a pretty locket but it won’t do much in my shop.” He handed me back the locket and pocketed his keys. “Well, Merry Christmas.” He told as he began to walk away.

“Please sir this locket was a family heirloom. It belong to my great grandmother back in the early 1890’s. It’s diamond encrusted and pure gold you can see if for yourself.” I said walking alongside him, showing him the locket once again.  He sighed and told me.

“I know love but—what I sell in my shop is stuff people actually use in their lives. And as I said before as pretty and as valuable as that locket is, no one will want it in my shop.” I stopped and looked down heartbroken. He hummed sympathetically and continued as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder “Tell you what, why not go down to the pawnshop across town and you can sell it there? Then once you got the money, come back here the day after Christmas and then we’ll discuss about that Refractor 30 power telescope.”

“But I need it by tonight. This was my last chance to get my Brian something special after the horrid year he’s had. I would give anything in the world to get him that telescope, even if it’s a precious family heirloom.”

“Anything?” he asked quizzically. “Tell me poppet what else are you planning on giving for that there telescope?” he said with his arms crossed.

“I’d give all my love if I could. As sappy as that sounds but it’s true. Brian he’s—” I looked towards the sky and could already see the first star in the sky. “He’s my shining star.” I heard the shopkeeper chuckle.

“Now that’s how you make a sale. Sure wish there were more young compassionate lovers like you and this man of yours. Reminds me of me and my wife Gertrude. God rest her soul. C’mon in come on in and we’ll discuss that trade.” I smiled and in my adrenaline of pure joy, I hugged the old man and heard him softly chuckle.

Later that night, I arrived at the boy’s flat ready for the Queen Christmas party.  The boys along with Mary, Veronica, and Roger’s girlfriend Jo were all there by the time I arrived.  We had a warm and delicious Christmas eve dinner and exchanged the gifts. First the guys gave out gifts to each other, then us girls proceeded to give our gifts to each other.

I had gotten Ronnie some baby clothes (yes she was a couple of months pregnant at the time and had given us the big announcement just a month ago).  I gave Jo a copy of her favorite Jimi Hendrix album, and as for Mary I got her some new makeup from the latest designer line.

I had gotten some winter hats and scarves from Mary, a copy of my favorite Shakespeare play from Ronnie, and Jo got me the new Beatles album.

After most of the gifts had been exchanged, I quickly went to the back of the tree and pulled out my gift for Brian.  I groaned and heaved it up.

“Jesus (n/n) what did you get him a pool table?” Roger asked as he lit up his cigarette.

“Ha-ha you’re hilarious Taylor.” I sassed sarcastically.  I then turned to Brian and I said to him, “Hey Bri, why don’t you go get that tripod out from your room?” he chuckled nervously and fiddled around with his shirt collar nervously as he said.

“Actually….why don’t you open yours first? And maybe even let us see that locket of yours. I don’t think Jo’s ever seen it before.” Now I started getting nervous.

“Oh she wouldn’t be interested in that old thing. Here, why don’t we open our gifts together?”

“At least do something!” Freddie and John both slapped Roger over the head making him exclaim in pain. Brian handed me my gift, a small but beautiful wrapped box with a gorgeous red bow, while I carefully handed him my giant box.

The two of us unwrapped our gifts and opened up the tops and my eyes widened as I let out a soft gasp.

“A—a gold chain to go with my……locket.”

“Oh my god (Y/n)! You got me the Refractor 30 power telescope for my—tripod.” Wait why did he trail off at the end? I turned to him and saw that he had a sorrow-filled expression on his face.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”

“Oh (Y/n) I love it. I really do, I’ve always wanted my own telescope it’s just—” he sighed heavily. “I just had to trade that old tripod to get you that gold chain.”

“What?”

“Pawnshop’s son was into space and he needed a tripod for his telescope. So I told the pawnshop owner that I had one since that one was practically collected dust instead of stars.” Oh Brian.

“And I traded my locket to get you that telescope.” Brian and everyone else softly gasped.

“Oh (Y/n), I can’t believe you would trade away a family heirloom for me.” Brian said.

“I would’ve given anything Brian. After—everything that’s happened this year. From your hepatitis scare, to the ulcer and even fear of losing your arm I—wanted to give you something special. I don’t care if it costed me an arm, leg or even my own heart. I would’ve done anything to at least see you smile that real Brian May smile I’ve come to love.”

He cupped the side of my face and brought me closer to him, our lips joining together in a soft, delicate, loving kiss.  Of course Roger and Fred just had to make it embarrassing by telling Bri to give me more tongue.

“Come with me.” He silently said urgently as he guided me out to the small backyard behind their flat. “There now we got some privacy away from the pests that is Freddie and Roger. I swear those two are mentally 5 years old 24/7.”

“Well Fred is, Rog is more like 3 years old.” He snorted out a soft laugh.

“Anyways what I wanted to bring you out here to tell you is that while I appreciate what you did to get me the telescope, you didn’t have to trade your locket. I know how much it meant to you.”

“I know but like I said earlier, I would’ve given anything to see you smile again.”

“Just being by my side is enough to make me smile.” He said as he cupped each side of my face, his calloused thumbs caressed my cheeks.  I smiled and he pressed his forehead against mine, our noses gently nuzzling against one another’s before he captured my lips in another kiss.

For the rest of the night, we all sang some Christmas songs, watched some Christmas films and when it got late we all decided to turn in for the night.  I was in Brian’s room, the two of us cuddled up close on his bed.

“I just hope by next Christmas we’ll have ourselves a house.” He said.

“Let’s take it one step at a time my love.” I said as I tucked my hand into his unbuttoned t-shirt softly stroking his collarbone and gave the junction between his neck and shoulder a kiss.  “For now I’m content to how this Christmas turned out.”

“Me too. Even though we basically recreated the gift of Magi tale.” I smiled and felt Brian kiss the top of my head which his fingers slowly stroked up and down my spine. “Happy Christmas my stardust.”

“Happy Christmas my space man.” Brian covered the two of us with his duvet and we fell into a peaceful slumber in his arms.

[assembledherethevolunteers]

A Very Johnica Christmas

A/N: Surprise @eileen-crys !! I am your Secret Santa for the Get Down, Give Joy Gift Exchange! I really hope you enjoy this and I hope that you have a very happy holidays! Special thanks to @warriorteam1924 and @thosequeenboys

Pairing: John Deacon x Veronica Tetzlaff

Summary: John and Veronica are getting ready for the holidays, but something might get in the way of that.

Warnings: Fluff, A Bit of Anxiety, Pregnancy, and Mentions/Implications of Sexy Times (but nothing explicit)

Taglist: @queenlover05 @theblossomknows

 John sat down at the dining table in the small flat and looked over the song sheets one more time, trying to decide if he really wanted to give it to the band for the album.

“John, what are you doing?” Veronica asked from the kitchen as she continued making dinner. He’d been unusually quiet today. She wasn’t sure what was going through his head.

“Just working on a song,” John replied, not looking up at her.

“Can I read it?”

John’s eyes traveled to her, trying to decide if he really wanted her to read it. “I think I might make you wait with the rest of the world.”

Veronica pouted at him. “Well what good is being engaged to a world famous musician if I don’t get sneak peeks of things?”

John chuckled and Veronica tried to hold her pout, but that laugh always got her.

“World famous? Not sure we’re there yet, love.”

“Maybe not, but I think you will. Especially if Fred and Roger have anything to do with it.” Veronica checked one of her pots on the stove. “Are you ready to eat?”

Later, John was getting ready to leave, giving Veronica a chaste kiss.

“Sure you won’t let me read the song?” Veronica tried one more time, running one of her fingers down the zipper of his coat.

John grabbed her hand and pulled up, gently gilding his lips across her knuckles. “Sure you won’t let me spend the night?”

Veronica giggled. “Not tonight. I’m very tired. And you need to be at the studio in the morning.”

“I can be late. Freddie’s always late,” John’s lips continued up her arm.  

“John,” Veronica whined. “Go. I’ve got to work in the morning.”

John pulled back with a wide smile. “Alright then. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Hm…I may have another date but I may be able to squeeze you in while I’m decorating the flat for Christmas.”

“I’ll take what I can get,” John pulled Veronica in for another kiss before he reluctantly left.

Veronica watched him go, arguing with herself about whether to call out to him and have him spend the night. It wouldn’t be the first time and wouldn’t be the last.  

She decided against it and went back inside to get ready for bed.

The next morning, Veronica started getting ready for work. She wasn’t sure what it was, but she wasn’t feeling very well. Probably just something to do with the time of year. It was winter and didn’t everybody feel a bit worse around this time?

“Veronica, don’t take this wrong way,” Laura, one of her coworkers, said the next morning.

“Great way to start a conversation,” Veronica rolled her eyes. She liked Laura, she just could be a bit much sometimes.

“You just…um…you look a little…different.”

Veronica frowned. She already didn’t like where this was going.

“Different how?”

Laura looked around, as if somebody might be able to help her, but nobody did.

“You’re tired, and you just…that shirt seems a bit…tighter.”

Veronica glanced down at her shirt. It wasn’t like it was unreasonably tight or anything. Maybe she had put on a few pounds here and there, but it wasn’t like she had gained an unnaturally amount in a short period.

It was the holidays after all and the additional stress of planning a wedding meant she may not have been eating as well as she usually would. It was a bit rude to say something pointing it out. After all, Veronica hadn’t mentioned all the times Laura had come to work noticeably hungover.

“Well, thank you for your concern, Laura, but if you don’t mind I’ll be getting back to work now.” Veronica grabbed some paperwork that may or may not have actually needed to be taken away, but needed a reason to get out of the conversation before she said something she would regret.

 Veronica was sitting on the floor, pulling things out of boxes when John walked into the flat with some take away.

“Hello, gorgeous,” John called to her.

Veronica hummed in acknowledgement, working on a stubborn string of lights that just would. Not. Untangle.

“How was your day?” John placed the bag of food on the table and started to unpack.

“Oh fine, had to go down to the creepy basement to get this box,” Veronica kicked it from her spot on the couch. “And one of the kids stained one of my favorite skirts.”

“A full day,” John brought over a plate of food full of Veronica’s favorite.

She smiled and took the plate from John before he went to make his own.

“How was the studio?” Veronica took a bite of her food, not realizing how hungry she’d been.

“Well, all four of us are still alive, so there’s that.”

“Always a plus,” Veronica smiled as John walked over and sat next to her.

The two of them continued catching up with each others day. Veronica stood up and went into the bathroom.

She glanced at herself in full length mirror and realized that she did seem to have gained a little weight. She hadn’t really noticed,but now looking at herself in the mirror, she could see it.

“John?” Veronica came out of the bathroom to find him unwrapping some ornaments.

“Yes, love?”

“Do you think I’ve gained weight?”

“Of course not, darling. You’re perfect,” John replied, not taking his eyes off the ornament in his hands.

Veronica rolled her eyes. “You didn’t even look at me.”

“I don’t have to. You look incredible, my bride-to-be.”

Veronica knew how to get his attention. She looked down at her her chest. “Really? Because it seems even my breasts have gotten bigger.”

John’s head whipped around and he then looked Veronica over.

“Made you look,” Veronica smirked. “But seriously, Laura made some comment that I’ve gained weight and I don’t know if I disagree with her.”

John stood up and walked over to her, looking her up and down as he did.

But Veronica couldn’t stop talking.

“...and if I gain too much weight I won’t be able to fit in my wedding dress and you won’t have a beautiful bride and,” Veronica’s vision started to swim.

“Ronnie,” John took her hands, pulling her left hand up to their eye level. “What is this?”

Veronica frowned, not sure what John was talking about.

“Come on, sweetheart,” John kept his voice gentle, trying to coax an answer out of her.

“My engagement ring?”

“And do you know why I gave you this?”

“Because you want to marry me?”

“Exactly,” John pressed a kiss to her knuckle just in front of her ring. “And I will want to marry you whether you’re as big as a house or if you shrink down to a tiny little thing that I can put in my pocket.”

Veronica smiled and shook her head. The tears were gone as soon as they appeared. She knew that John wouldn’t have cared how she looked. “If I can fit in your pocket, huh? I don’t know if I’d fit in those tight trousers of yours.” Veronica slid her arms around John’s neck.

“I’ve never heard you complain about my tight trousers before,” John smiled, happy that Veronica was no longer upset.

“Oh I’m not complaining about them now,” Veronica gave John a kiss.

The next few hours, the two set up the flat so that it was a Christmas wonderland.

John finally left around midnight, because Veronica was just exhausted.

Veronica got ready for bed and started to let her mind wander.

She had been feeling extremely tired lately, and she had gained weight (she may not have noticed and it was rude for Laura to say something, but she was right). Now she was thinking about the last time she’d had her period. She counted back and seemingly couldn’t come up with a time after October.

There was no way. That didn’t seem right. She’d had her period in November, surely. And it was only mid-December so she had time still.

However, maybe it would be better if she just made an appointment. That would be a good idea. She didn’t have to work the next day, so maybe she could call her gynecologist.

The next morning, Veronica went to her OB/GYN’s office. She was nervous. If she was pregnant, her parents would be furious. They were under the impression that John and Veronica were waiting until marriage. Would she be able to hide it until the wedding? If her calculations were right, she’d be nearly three months along by the time they got married.

“Miss Tetzlaff?” The nurse’s voice called.

Veronica looked up and made her way over. “Good morning,” Veronica’s voice shook slightly.

The nurse gave her a calming smile, which made Veronica relax a bit. “Follow me.”

Veronica and the nurse made their way to an exam room.

“So, what brings you in today, love?”

“Well, I…um…this is a bit embarrassing, but I’ve just realized that I haven’t had my period for a couple months.”

The nurse nodded, making a note on her clipboard. She then asked a couple more questions that Veronica answered.

“Alright, love,” the nurse smiled at Veronica. “Doctor will be in soon. Get yourself comfortable on the table there.”

“Thank you.”

Veronica got up on the table and waited for the doctor to come in. She was nervous. What if John didn’t want the baby? Yes, they’d talk about having children, but so soon? And their parents would be surprised, if not disappointed.

Veronica’s mind was whirling so fast that she didn’t even hear the doctor come in.

“Miss Tetzlaff? Are you alright?”

“Hm?” Veronica looked up to the doctor.

The doctor gave her a smile similar to the one the nurse had in the lobby. “Just asked how you were doing.”

“Oh, I’m…well, nervous if I’m being honest.”

“Nothing wrong with that, love. Now, why don’t we get started?”

The doctor made some small talk with the doctor as she did her job. It was little uncomfortable, but Veronica needed to know what was going on.

“Alright!” The doctor pulled up and gave Veronica a triumphant smile. “Well, everything looks good and healthy, but we won’t know anything for sure until we get the results in a day or two.”

“Do you have a guess?”

The doctor lifted one eye brow. “Do you really want me to guess?”

Veronica sighed and shook her head. “I suppose not.”

“We will give you a call tomorrow or the day after and let you know either way. In the meantime, relax, get some rest.”

Veronica nodded. “Thank you, Doctor.”

The next day, Veronica couldn’t focus on anything other than her results. She was okay when John decided not to come over after the studio that night because she wasn’t sure if she could keep if a secret from him, even if she wasn’t 100% yet. She tried to sit down and relax but couldn’t do that so she deiced to go for a walk, but even being outside didn’t help.

Veronica came back inside, hearing her phone ring. She ran over and grabbed the phone as quickly as she could.

“Hello?”

“Hello, is this Miss Tetzlaff?”

“Yes, this is her.”

“Hi, this is Doctor Wes. Are you available to talk?”

“I am.”

“Well, Miss Tetzlaff, I’ve got your results and let me be the first to say, congratulations. You are pregnant.”

It sounded like wind was howling in Veronica’s ears. She knew that Doctor Wes was still talking, but she wasn’t retaining any of it.

“...another appointment some time next week. When’s a time that works for you?”

“I’m sorry?”

“We’ll need to make another appointment for you so that we can do a little bit more of an in depth appointment. We can figure out how far along you are, what to expect, all those conversations. And you’re more than welcome to bring your partner.”

“My partner…” Veronica nearly dropped the phone. She now had to tell John. There was no way that she could hide something like this from him.

“Miss Tetzlaff?”

“Yes, sorry, um…what times do you have available?”

Veronica made an appointment for December 23rd since it was the next available time. And on Christmas Eve, she and John would be celebrating their own Christmas in the early afternoon, so maybe the two of them could have serious conversation about it then.

Until then, Veronica would keep it to herself. John would be busy with the album since the band wanted to get as much done as they could before the holidays, so the two of them didn’t have very many plans until Christmas Eve.

Maybe she could surprise him…

The 23rd, Veronica went to her appointment and found out how far along she was and when she was due (mid-July).

“So, we’ll want to see you once every three weeks or so, just to make sure that everything is still going alright. Is that okay with you?”

Veronica nodded, still trying to completely warp her head around the fact that she was going to be a mother. She and the doctor made an appointment that she knew John would be able to come to. If he wanted.

But what if he didn’t?

Veronica ran through all the possible scenarios that could happen when she told John. Would he be happy? Excited? Would he be annoyed that they hadn’t been careful enough?

Would he leave her?

They could talk about it tomorrow. And if that’s truly what John wanted…well, she supposed she would have to deal with that.

Veronica was walking by a store when she noticed something that caught her eye. She debated with herself before deciding to go in and grab it. If John saw this, maybe he’d decide to stay.

The next morning, Veronica was trying to act like it was a normal day. Well, a normal Christmas Eve.

She started with making herself some breakfast and a pot of tea. John was supposed to be coming over around noon, so she had a little bit of time. She took a shower, paying attention to her midsection, realizing that it really had grown.

Once she was done, she got dressed and then waited. There was nothing more to do. The flat was decorated. There was no food to make because they were just going to have something small before having a bigger meal at her parents’ house before Mass.

With nothing to do but wait, Veronica couldn’t sit. She paced around the apartment, trying to figure out how to tell John the news. Just blurt it out? Give him the gift and see how he reacts? There weren’t really any good options in her eyes.

“Happy Christmas, my love!” John announced himself as he walked into the flat.

Veronica looked up at him from her spot on the couch and did her best to smile.

“What? No kiss?” John pouted at her.

“John, why don’t you come sit down?”

John’s face went from a pout to a frown. “Ronnie, are you alright?”

Veronica just scoot over on the couch so that there was room for him. John hesitated for a moment, but came over and sat next to her.

“I…I want you to open your present.”

John raised an eyebrow. “Alright?”

Veronica got up, grabbed John’s present from under the tree, and handed it to him. It was box, wrapped in green paper.

“Do you want yours?” John asked.

“I’d rather you just open yours now.”

John frowned again, but didn’t ask again. He slowly unwrapped the box and opened it. Inside was a baby onesie with a bass guitars all over it and some papers. John looked at the onesie and chuckled at it a bit. Veronica was surprised that he didn’t put it together there. But that’s why she included the papers.

“What are these?” John asked, holding them up.

“Read them.”

Veronica watched as John read the papers. She watched his eyes widen when (she assumes) he read the word ‘Pregnant’.

“Pregnant?” John whispered, nearly mouthing the word. He then looked over to her. “Y…you’re pregnant?”

Veronica nodded and watched all the color drain out of John’s face.

“A…and…I…that means…I’m going to be a father?”

Veronica nodded, still waiting for John to react.

John’s eyes filled with tears and he broke into a face splitting grin. “We’re going to have a baby.” John wrapped his arms around Veronica and basically pulled her into his lap. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, pressing kisses where ever he could reach.

“Y…you’re not mad?”

“Mad?” John pulled back so that he could look at her. John put his hand on her cheek, wiping away tears.

When had she teared up, let alone let them fall?

“Oh, Ronnie, how could I be mad? We’re going to be married and already starting on our family. I couldn’t imagine anything better!”

Veronica didn’t know what she was expecting, but it wasn’t exactly this.

“Are you not happy?” John asked her, now concerned himself.

Veronica honestly hadn’t let herself have feelings about the situation. But now that she knew John was happy, not only happy but excited, she could be as well. And she let herself feel it. She let the anticipation of being a mother wash over her. She allowed herself to imagine her and John’s child and they were beautiful. She imagined their soon to be life and it was beautiful.

“John,” her voice came out hoarse, but she couldn’t help it. She knew she was on the verge of tears. “I’m ecstatic.”

John grinned again before pulling her in for a kiss. “This is the best possible Christmas gift I could have ever gotten. Thank you, thank you so so much.”

Veronica cupped John’s face in her hands. “You helped a bit, you know.”

“I suppose so, but,” John put one of his hands on her stomach. “You’re going to be doing so much more than I am,” John’s hand gently rubbed Veronica’s stomach with his thumb. “And you’re going to be the best mother there is. I just know it.” John looked up at Veronica again, the smile never leaving his face.

“And you’re going to be a wonderful father, John.”

John gave Veronica a lopsided smile. Veronica burrowed herself deeper into John’s arms, resting her head on John’s shoulder. John placed his cheek to her temple.

John and Veronica sat in quiet for a few moments, just holding each other.

“It’s snowing,” Veronica noticed.

John lifted his head and looked out the window. “So it is.”

They watched as the snow drift down to the London streets.

“Merry Christmas, my love,” John whispered before pressing a kiss to Veronica’s hair.

Veronica hummed, happy and content, with her soon-to-be husband and child.