Keep Yourself Alive - Roger Taylor

84

We stayed snuggled in the hospital bed for what seemed like hours, just staring at our new baby in utter awe.

"I actually can't believe it" He said in shock, stroking his fingertips over her thin blonde hair gently.

"I know... how did we make that?" I asked, and the midwife laughed at me as she came in.

"She is a beautiful baby, I know I'm not supposed to be biased but she is one of the most gorgeous I've seen" She grinned, giving us a wink.

"Thank you, I promise I won't tell" I joked back, and she took Elizabeth from Roger.

"I just need to do a few extra tests to triple check that everything is perfect, I won't be five minutes" she assured, and went away into a different room.

As soon as she did, Roger nuzzled his head into my neck.

"I'm exhausted" he groaned, and I raised my eyebrows I shock.

"You're exhausted?" I asked sarcastically, holding his chin between my hands and squeezing his cheeks.

"Yes?..." he answered and I scoffed in reply.

"I've just pushed a melon sized human from my stretched vagina and you're exhausted?" I laughed.

"Too much information" He cringed, pulling his face away from my grip.

"I'm sorry, when you said you were tired I thought that you might have forgotten what childbirth entailed" I retorted, still astonished at the audacity he suddenly obtained.

"Okay, I'm tired you're tired, we're all tired" He added, and I nodded in agreement.

"Much better" I smirked.

"The lads are here too, shall I go and get them?" He suddenly asked.

"Roger! You didn't tell me they were here, yes go and get them now!" I ordered and he quickly rushed to go and get them.

Before too long, the nurse came back and passed me the little baby girl again before leaving the room.

For a few sacred moments, it was just me and Elizabeth in the room. The almost silent gurgling sounds that she was making was music to my ears, and I'd never admit it to the lads but I'd chose it over a record any day.

"Hi baby" I smiled, touching her bottom lip lightly with my fingertip. She squirmed with her eyes still forced shut. The little baby had only opened them for a split second when I first held her before sealing them shut.

I moved my hand down to her tiny one and her fingers instantly wrapped around mine, making my heart flutter as she relaxed in my arms.

Suddenly, I saw four sets of eyes pop over the window into my room, and then they all scuttled in like a set of guilty school children.

They all walked over to me sceptically, not wanting to wake the sleeping baby in my arms.

"Hiya guys" I said groggily, and the all smiled.

"Hi, she's beautiful Rose" Brian complimented, kneeling down next to my bed and staring at Elizabeth.

"She is, isn't she?" I said, looking down at her.

"So you called her Elizabeth? I take full credit for that and when she's famous I will be taking five percent of her income" Freddie joked, as Roger came back over and perched on the bed, wrapping his arm over my shoulders.

"Okay, I think you have enough money, Mercury you don't need anymore" I retorted, and he grinned.

"Could I hold her?" Fred asked hopefully.

"Of course" I nodded and he sat down on the other side of me in the bed.

I passed him the small baby and he instantly took a liking to her, and her to him.

She gurgled lightly as he tickled her nose gently, and her eyes even began to open.

"I think she likes you, Freddie" I smiled, leaning my head on my best friends shoulder.

"How could she not? I'm a legend" He joked, continuing to rock Elizabeth calmly.

"Right then, you can take head babysitting duty as you like her so much" I laughed, and he smiled in response.

"I would be honoured to babysit this little princess, she's utterly marvellous" He smiled.

"I'm glad to hear... do you want to hold her Deacy?" I asked, and he shook his head furiously.

"Nope. Definitely not. I cannot be trusted with your baby. What if I drop her? Or hit her head with my big hands?" He stressed.

"Okay you don't have to hold her... but I am worried for the safety of your two small children" I laughed groggily.

"But they're mine, it's different" He shrugged.

"It's fine, don't worry" I smiled and Freddie passed Elizabeth back to me.

"So it's Lizzie for shirt like our beautiful Queen, yes?" Freddie asked as though it was obvious.

"It is now I guess" I giggled, yawning as I spoke.

"We better go, you're really tired. Congratulation though you two, we'll see you three soon" Brian nodded, kissing my forehead before leaving.

The other two gave me a quick hug and a peck on the cheek before exiting, which left Roger, Lizzie and I alone.

"How do you look so beautiful even after all of that?" Roger mumbled into my ear.

"I don't feel it, I could sleep for England tonight" I laughed with another yawn.

"Go ahead, I'll look after Lizzie for a while and make sure she gets to sleep, I'll stay in here" He nodded.

"I can't sleep until she's asleep" I protested, but he rubbed the sweaty hair from my face and reassured me.

"You're exhausted, you need the rest love. They'll be many nights where you can stay awake watching our girl asleep, but tonight you need to rest. Don't worry, I'll be in the same room" He said, kissing my forehead and standing up, taking Lizzie from my arms carefully.

"Thanks Rog" I croaked, and winced when I moved due to the soreness.

"It's completely fine, besides I owe it to you after carrying her for nine months, it's my turn to carry her now" He gave me a cute grin. It was a genuine grin, and I could tell that he was utterly in love with our baby girl.

"Night Roger" I murmured.

"Goodnight, gorgeous" He said back, before turning off the light and sitting in the corner, rocking the precious baby to sleep.