Baby Please Remember...

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

*JOHN'S POV*
"No, no, that won't do at all. It's not big enough!" Freddie exclaimed, flapping his hand at the saleswomen in front of us as she held out yet ANOTHER ring for me to try on. He'd insisted on going engagement ring shopping the day after we got engaged, not stopping at one store, but THREE of the blastered things! It had now been three days and I think we'd visited every jeweler in London, none of the rings they had tickling his fancy.

"Fred it's plenty big enough." I sighed, looking over the rock myself. It wasn't gigantic, but it wasn't tiny either. It could even be a little too big in my opinion. I wasn't sure how he expected me to do anything in general, let alone play bass with a giant diamond on my hand!

"No, lovey. It needs to be bigger!" He argued, shooing the woman to put the ring away.

"I thought the bright side of you not having a ring, was for me to pick it out myself?" I smirked, leaning against the cabinet on my elbow as I repeated back his own words to him. He said it was a sort of blessing in disguise, because now I could choose a ring that I liked, rather than him choosing one I may not.

"It is." He shrugged as he peered down at the other rings on display, avoiding my gaze because he knew I was right.

"So, why can't we look at one I prefer?" I quizzed, watching him look up quickly.

"I, I'm taking over aren't I?" He asked, looking a little panicked as he instantly changed his attitude. "I'm sorry, I, I didn't mean to overtake everything, really." He sighed, looking down again, almost as if he was mad at himself.

"Hey, no, no. It's alright love." I soothed, grabbing his hand tightly.

"It's not alright." He huffed. "This was supposed to be your choice, and, and, I've ruined it." He muttered, still staring at his shoes. The saleswoman looked over the pair of us, almost looking concerned and a little shocked at how quickly Freddie changed from cocky to reserved.

"Could you give us a minute, please?" I asked, sending her a small smile as she nodded, popping the ring she was holding away before locking the cabinet and giving us some space. "Hey. Fred, look at me." I said seriously, lifting his chin with my thumb, my other hand moving around his waist to hold him steady.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, looking a little teary as he sniffled quietly.

"Don't be sorry baby." I sighed, moving to cup his cheek gently. "You were just excited, that's all. There's nothing wrong with that, hmm." I smiled a little as he flicked his gaze to me finally.

"I, I just want it to be perfect." He mumbled, his hands fiddling together in front of him. I'd noticed he'd started slipping back into how he used to be lately. He was becoming quiet and almost scared at certain times throughout the day again. It wasn't all day, and he wasn't as bad as he was before, but his anxiety had certainly starting coming back, especially since he proposed. "You deserve perfect." He added, his eyes watching his fingers.

"I know you want it to be perfect Fred, and it will be. Any ring is perfect, because it came from you." I smiled again, stroking his cheek softly. He blushed lightly at my comment,  quickly sporting a small grin as he looked at me again.

"You're so sappy." He giggled, shaking his head as he moved his hands to my waist too. "I'm sorry for taking over." He sighed, suddenly frowning. "I should've asked you what you liked, instead of just choosing something myself."

"You don't have to be sorry. I would've loved whatever you chose, but I am a bit more subtle than you are Fred." I joked, knowing I'd never have picked something he would have. He was flashy, anyone could see that, and I preferred to blend in. Standing out scared me.