𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚂𝚊𝚢 𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚈𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝙱𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚍𝚊𝚢

The Bitch Is Back

"Bernie?"

"Yeah, it's me."

"What are you doing here?" Elton asked. "I thought you weren't coming."

"Until about ten minutes ago, I wasn't." Bernie said. "I felt bad. I couldn't just leave my friend on his special day."

"Well come on in!" Elton smiled. "I'm so happy you decided to come!"

"I'm assuming you've already done presents." The lyricist inquired, pointing at the pile.

"Yeah, but we can still do yours!"

Bernie gave Elton his present and the two of them sat on the sofa so he could open it.

"It's a funny shape." Elton said, gently taking off the wrapping paper. "Let's see, it's a...oh no, it's not!"

"What did you think it was?" Bernie chuckled.

"A normal pair of shoes!" Elton laughed. "But it's not; it's roller skates!"

They were red and sparkly, similar to Roger's favourite pink converse.

"I'm definitely trying these on!" The singer exclaimed. "Can you help me, Bern?"

"Sure." Bernie smiled as he watched his friend take his shoes off.

"Roger, Brian, John." Freddie whispered. "Can you come with me a moment?"

They followed, knowing why they were needed, and all four members of Queen slipped into the kitchen without a word. You couldn't have a birthday without cake, and this year they'd sorted all that out.

Meanwhile, Bernie had just put the first skate on Elton's foot and was about to do the other one.

"Cinderella, if this shoe fits you will be my bride." He joked, slipping it onto his foot. "It fits! Will you marry me, cinders?"

"Oh Prince Charming, I will!"

Everyone laughed as Bernie got up and helped Elton onto his feet.

"How do those feel?"

"They feel great!" Elton exclaimed. "I look like one of those pretty waitresses skating around with the plates and things!"

"You certainly look taller, mate!" Ringo said.

"Is that so?" The singer asked. "Then I'm wearing these 24/7."

He skated across the room, making everyone laugh harder.

"Oh darling, I love them!"

"I'm glad you do, Elton." Bernie smiled. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you." Elton said, sitting back down to take the skates off. "I'm so glad you came."

"Oh, nearly forgot!" Bernie said, getting something out of his pocket. "I also got you this."

It was a tape. Elton examined it, but all it said was "Elton's birthday tape" which didn't help much.

"What is it?"

"You're going to have to find out yourself." Bernie said. "Watch it at some point soon, when you're alone."

"I will." Elton said. "I promise."

The lyricist and the singer sat in a comfortable silence for a moment before the latter brought his friend into a hug. Everyone watched, smiles plastered on their faces, as they sat there in each other's arms.

"Elton!" Roger shouted from the kitchen. "Fred wants everyone in the dining room!"

"On it!" Elton replied. "Come on everyone, looks like we're needed for something."

The group followed their friend and got themselves sat around the large dining table. Elton sat at the head and Bernie took the other end.

Then the lights went off, scaring everyone out of their skins. A glowing orange light danced around the room as Freddie walked in, the rest of Queen following behind him, holding a massive chocolate cake with lit candles on it.

"Three...two...one..."

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you." Everyone sung. "Happy birthday dear Elton, happy birthday to you!"

"Blow them out, darling!" Freddie exclaimed. "Give it a go!"

They all went out with one great puff.

"Hooray!" Everyone cheered.

"Oh darlings, this is the best birthday ever!" Elton cried, rubbing his eyes. "Thank you."

"Don't you dare start crying again!" John said, half joking, half serious.

"I won't, I won't."

"Now let's have some cake!" Freddie exclaimed.

"But what about actual food?" George asked.

"Oh, don't worry about that!" Elton exclaimed. "I have some picky bits in the fridge we can have. I'll go sort-"

"Oh no you don't!" David exclaimed. "On your birthday, you don't have to put barely any effort in!"

"Leave it to us." Rod said. "Come on everyone, give us a hand."

The whole group left except for Bernie, who found himself lingering back. He looked at Elton, who seemed almost euphoric, and hesitated.

"Elton?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think everyone likes me?" Bernie asked.

"Of course they do!" Elton replied, looking shocked. "Whatever makes you think they don't?"

"I'm not really the massively outgoing type, am I?" He said with a nervous chuckle. "And I'm not really...like them."

"I know you're not on either counts." Elton said, getting up and walking over. "But you're you and that's what matters."

"I suppose so." Bernie said. "I don't know...I'm just..."

"You're not anything." His friend said. "You're amazing and I'm honoured to call you my friend."

"Thanks, Elt."

"Anytime." Elton said. "Everyone feels a little insecure once in a while Bernie, but whatever happens, you'll always be my best friend and nothing will change that."

"I love you, man."

"I love you too."

After a quick hug, Bernie had to move back. Why, you may ask? Because the rest of the duo's friends had finished getting food sorted!

"Here we are, folks!" Brian exclaimed.

Everyone got sat down and started eating the snacky foods. It was nice; they ate and talked without a care in the world. Then the cake came along and all that old fashioned courtesy went out of the window. In short, you'd be surprised to find anyone without chocolate crumbs and icing round their mouth.

"That was yummy!" Elton exclaimed. "Is everyone finished?"

"Yep!" Everyone answered.

"Well then, it is with great excitement that I can now say..." Elton smirked. "Let the party begin!"

Everyone cheered. This was the fun part; excitement, thrills and laughter awaited them. As they put their plates and things away, the group repeated what their friend had said.

"Let the party begin!"

******

For the third time now, let the party begin! I hope that ending didn't seem too rushed, my brain keeps telling me it is 😅 but yeah, what are these thrills and laughter awaiting our heroes? You'll have to wait and see! Until then, see you soon and I love you so much ❤️