𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎// john deacon

chapter thirty three - the return of edgar allan poe

   VALERIE'S MOM HAD come into town a week before Christmas and was staying in a guest bedroom at her house.

    June wasn't super set into her religious beliefs, but she was still irritated that Valerie and John had moved in together after not even dating for a year.

     After a few arguments, June came around to it, especially when John had talked to her and told her how much better Valerie had gotten since the death of her father, and how she had started eating again and acting more like herself. June felt bad for getting so angry when John had told her this.

    She had apologized to Valerie and John, wishing them the best in their relationship.

Those few days of tension had dissipated once Christmas week rolled around. John and June were now on good terms, and Valerie and June had started on a painting for Freddie and Mary earlier that week.

      "Valerie, you really outdid yourself with decorations this year." Roger said as he stepped into her house, a container of brownies and a bag full of gifts overflowing in his arms.

       Valerie always decorated her and Brian's apartment at Christmas time with lots of lights and ornaments and flowers. It was always a very beautiful display in such a small space.

Now that Valerie had a lot more space to decorate, she had gone all out with a huge tree and decorated her home with many red flowers.

"Thank you. I only put the plants up this week." Valerie said as she took Roger's brownie container from him as well as the bag, allowing him to take off his coat and many scarves.

"It looks lovely. Here, I'll take that. How've you been?" Roger asked as he took the bag of gifts back from Valerie.

"I've been great, actually. Mom and I have been working on a painting for Freddie. And she and a John have gotten along quite well." Valerie said, reaching over to brush some snow out of Roger's hair.

     "That's good, really good. Sorry I haven't visited you in a while." Roger said apologetically as they headed into the sitting room where the huge Christmas tree was already overflowing with presents, most of them were from Valerie's family in Spain.

      "It's okay, love. I've been pretty busy anyway with work and the holidays." Valerie said as June greeted Roger with a kiss on his cheeks.

"How've you been, love? It's been so long since I've last seen you." June said as she helped Roger unpack the gifts he had brought.

"Great. Been good. I'm glad the album's doing well. I've already started writing a few things for the next one." Roger replied with a smile as he greeted John.

      "That's fantastic. I bought Night At The Opera the day it came out. I probably listened to the album about twenty times in one sitting." June said, and Roger grinned, sitting down on the couch next to John.

      "And you're favourite song is I'm In Love With My Car, right?" Roger asked, and June laughed.

      "Well, Good Company is the front runner, but your song isn't far behind." June replied with a wink.

     "Don't humour him, June, his ego's been fed today already." John said with an exaggerated fake yawn in Roger's direction.

      "Oh, very funny." Roger said, nudging John away, the two of them laughing. Valerie smiled at the two of them. John was always very comfortable about Roger, and the two of them joked effortlessly with one another.

       The doorbell gave a loud ring throughout the house, and June, who was already up, went to go open the door.

       "I'm In Love With My Car is my favourite song." Valerie spoke as she took a seat in her favourite chair. John looked at her, placing a hand to his chest.