Why would I forget ? | Roger Taylor

60- Penny

31st December 1975

"Roger I look huge..." I looked in the mirror and straightened out the way over priced little dress Roger had gotten me for Christmas and sighed a little. I liked being pregnant- it had it's positives. But the bump that was only getting bigger and bigger was a bit of a negative. I didn't like looking in the mirror as much anymore.

"Peps don't be stupid. You look fucking gorgeous. You always do. And I like that necklace." He tied up his tie and rushed over to give me a little kiss of reassurance. I was of course wearing the same rose pendant I always wore, and the embroidered jacket he'd gotten me. I was literally dressed head to toe in things the drummer had gotten me over the years.

"You're never gonna not say that are you." I laughed a little.

"Nope. I can't fucking wait for tonight though. For some reason I've gotta feeling this years gonna be fucking amazing."

"I can't even drink." I sighed again. I hadn't touched an ounce of alcohol since I saw the test was positive, and considering a bottle of vodka used to be my best friend I thought that was hugely impressive- but hugely fucking annoying. Roger chuckled a little, but his lips soon straightened after he caught the glare I gave him.

"Sorry. Not funny. Cmon... we best get to Freddie's before the huge crowds do. I think he's invited a couple of other celebrities actually."

"Other ?" I questioned, eyebrows raised as he frowned.

"How dare you- I'm famous now. Give it a couple years and you will be too. Miss Nicks- girlfriend of Queen drummer snapped outside their shared apartment." He rambled, sliding all the possessions he believed he needed for the night into his pocket  before taking my hand in his.

Although I would never tell him, knowing he thought I'd still just be his girlfriend in the the next few years didn't fell great. I'd hoped maybe I'd be his fiancé, or maybe even his wife. But clearly Roger had no interested in the title of my husband, which wasn't shocking. I'd never thought marriage was his thing.

-

Like I expected, Freddie's New Years party was cramped full of people and Queens music was blaring incredibly loudly. Every time we all crowded round his apartment it seemed the crowds got bigger and the parties got louder. The only difference was that this year Freddie and Mary's flat was huge compared to the one we used to regularly party in.

Everyone was almost swaying they were so drunk, strangely excluding Roger. He'd hardly had anything to drink which was so bizarre for him. And I knew it wasn't because he felt bad for me because it was only a couple of weeks since the last event involving booze I couldn't have.

If I did recognise somebody, they insisted on telling me how glowing I looked and how well I suited pregnancy. People also felt the need to touch my belly- which I found ridiculously strange but didn't bother to say anything. It was impossible to convince someone who was pissed not too touch my bump.

I was sat around the dining table with Brian, Deaky, Freddie and of course Roger, but weirdly no Mary nor Chrissie. Ronnie had given this year a little miss to stay home with the baby, which was a perfectly reasonable reason that no one took offence to. The other two girls must of been lost in the house some where, but I was just too busy listening to the drunk talk between the boys to give their unknown location my attention.

"I will never be able to wrap my head around the fact you..." Freddie drunkenly pointed at me and then let his finger turn round to Roger "are having his baby." Everyone laughed loudly, but Roger did not look very pleased.

"I can't wait. I better be the favourite uncle." Brian added, a bright smile across his face as the others processed his slightly slurred speech.

"You ?" Deaky scoffed. "Oh cmon it's gonna be me."