Growing Old With You (Part of Those Three Little Words threequel)

Part 7

Sorry for the huge gap, I wasn't sure what to write ~ Kate
24th September 1998
Brian's POV
"Babe, don't... please, just leave it, you look so beautiful" I held his waist after he'd switched shirts about six times and even attempted to cut his own hair but I hid the scissors. He was so nervous because he was inviting people into our home - well, our barn - and it was usually his one little sanctuary from everything but he was sure he wanted to do it.

"I do?" He turned and looked at me as I nodded, "you do... I think they'll love this" I smoothed down his shirt and he smiled slightly before he slipped on his little waistcoat and I helped him to tighten it at the back. "Oh no... no, I can't go out like this! Look!" He whined and poked at his stomach with a frown, "I look so old" he sighed.

"Rog, stop it. You look great, you're healthy and who cares if you've got a bit of a beer belly, so do I! It's normal, babe" I explained and he looked at me then smiled ever so slightly, "as much as I hate you being right, I'll admit, you are this time" he leaned up towards me and pressed a little kiss to my lips. "Now you'd better get going, the people will be all sat down by now" he looked up at me as I leaned down to kiss him then left him be to prepare himself and found the kids in the audience.

Roger's mum was there holding Tigs so I sat by the side of her and took my daughter, letting her sit in my lap. "Daddy! Where's Papa?" She was looking around for him, "Papa's gonna be on the stage, he's singing today for all these people and the people on the internet" I explained and she frowned. "Where's the in-net?" She asked and I chuckled, "it's the in-ter-net, love and it's on the computers, they can all watch Papa from their computers at home"

She looked absolutely stunned then started crying and I had no idea what was wrong, "baby, hey... what's the matter?" I asked and took her hands away from her face, "don't want Papa to be in computers. I want Papa" she cried and I had to try so hard not to laugh, I felt so bad for her but it was kind of funny.

It was only a little while before Russ came out and addressed the small crowd and the people at home. He was really nice, we'd talked to him for a little while a few days ago, but his voice was so boring to me, I couldn't stand it. I only tuned into what he was saying when he mentioned a record and realised that my own husband would be up for a Guinness World Record.

Not many people can say that...

I saw Roger come out and he had a huge smile on his face as he saw everyone but he focused as 'we will rock you' started up and he was pounding it out on the drums. Tigs immediately put her hands over her ears and buried her head in my chest so I quickly stood up and snuck out, making eye contact with Roger to make sure he knew what was going on.

I rushed her into the house and went into the basement and found the old ear defenders that we'd had since Jim was tiny and sat her on the sofa. "Okay sweetie... I know these aren't pretty but please leave them alone" I said as I quickly cleaned them with a wet wipe and tissue then gently put them on her.

"Feels bad, Daddy" she looked at me and I nodded, "I know, sweet, you'll get used to it" I said then held my hand out and she held onto it and followed me back to the barn where we sat down again and Roger was on a song that I'd never heard before. Win looked at me then at the four year old in my lap and smiled, "she likes it now" she said in my ear and I nodded with a smile as I watched Tigs looking infatuated with her Papa.

I watched Roger the whole time and noticed he kept looking over at me then rushed over when one of his new songs, 'nation of haircuts' started. "Don't repeat anything I say, okay?" He looked at the kids and they all nodded before he looked at Win, "sorry Mum"

He rushed back onto the stage just in time and started singing and Tigs looked at me when I shouted "no!" at Roger when he went to swear but he still did it anyway and gave me a cheeky grin. "Right, you don't repeat that word, clear?" I looked at Tigerlily and she nodded, completely confused, then at the older kids who sort of shrank back, "don't let me hear you say it" I warned and all of them nodded frantically before I got a small slap on the arm.