His Majesty (Slide Away)

49.

When John was finally ready to leave the hospital a week later, the press were there to see it. They all gathered around the black car, massive crowds behind them full of people cheering for John and waving as he walked out of the double doors. He had his arm in a sling, and plasters on his forehead, but was smiling and waving with his free hand nonetheless!

Paul was following right behind him, his mother also behind him, both smiling. Paul helped John over to the car, the two pausing beside it to wave goodbye to Julia.

"Goodbye, mama." John smiled, kissing her on the cheek.

"Goodbye, my love." She grinned back, kissing the plaster on his forehead. She then turned to Paul. "You continue to look after him, yeah?"

"Of course."

"And visit me when you can... Bring the girls. I miss you so much."

"We will, mama. I love you." John spoke, truthfully.

"I love you too, darling." With one final glance, she made her way over to the car behind John's, waving to the crowd and stepping inside.

Paul and Malcom helped John into their own car, before going around to the other side and hopping in that way.

"So we have to go back to that place?" John sighed, looking down. "I hate it there. I hate her..."

"We all hate her. But c'mon, love, you don't hate it there. Think of all the cute memories we have. And the other memories, too..." Paul winked, cheekily, and John grinned.

"Cheeky boy." He chuckled.

"Of course. But seriously, I know she is hard to tolerate, but there is nothing we can do. We are permitted to live in the same palace as her hand that is how it will be until... Well, until her death." Paul stated, looking out the window. "And if she doesn't stop drinking as much as she has been doing lately, that won't be long..." He sighed.

"Wait, seriously?" John piped up, sounding rather concerned.

"A hundred percent." Paul frowned. "She drinks like a pirate, smokes like one too. And she hasn't left the house in weeks. Hasn't done any royal work, just stays locked up in a part of her quarters."

"Christ..." John looked down to his lap. "I didn't know she was this bad..."

"Very much so. Whatever happened has affected her a lot."

"Do you think it's guilt for not firing Brian?"

"It could be... But it has to be more than that." Paul began. "I mean, remember that day... Before..."

"Before I almost died?" John finished.

"Yes." Paul nodded. "When we went to visit her and she was incredibly out of character?"

"Of course I do."

"Well something happened before that, and I have no idea what it is."

"Either way, I am having a serious talk with that woman. She isn't fit fo be a Queen right now." John began. "I mean, with her useless and me practically dying, poor Martin has been situated with all the royal work. She has to know how this is affecting other people."

"Some of the newspaper headlines... God, John, they really have a vengeance against her not visiting you or making a statement."

"Hm." John nodded, closing his eyes. "Do you think she will even say sorry for this? To me?"

"I don't know, John..." Paul sighed, sadly. "I don't know."

The younger took John's hand in his own, rubbing his knuckles with his thumb before kissing it.