Through Chrissie's eyes

Queen in Live Aid

As we listened to the presenters calling Queen to the Wembley stage, all our attention was redoubled, surely for us, that had been the most anticipated moment of the day. Our vision was even privileged. We could see the boys taking their places, parallel to the stage, just above the band's field of vision. Automatically, we waved to them as they greeted the audience.

Freddie sat at the piano, and after checking the sound, the first notes of "Bohemian Rhapsody" reached our ears, which soon provoked the screams and cheers of the audience. That song had become so iconic and present over the years that it was impossible not to sing along.

Even from a distance, unable to see Freddie's facial expressions clearly, it was only by his voice that I could capture all the emotion he felt in interpreting the song. It was far more than the cry for help from a desperate boy, it was also someone thrilled to be back to his place. As he sang the last note in "at all," he poured out all this emotion, giving Brian permission to enter with his solo in the Red Special.

Seeing the love of my life playing was always special to me, but there, right then, it was even more exciting and comforting, Brian wasn't alone, he was with his brothers again, and together they were doing their best.

There was a short pause before the next song started, which gave us time to applaud the guitar solo, and then we recognized the introduction of "Radio Gaga", another of my favorites, as contagious as ever. In the midst of its chorus, spontaneously and in a single act, the whole stadium clapped their hands, which surprised me a little. It was simply incredible to witness.

Taking advantage of the connection with the public, Freddie made his famous harmonies so that the whole stadium repeated, no one could be still. When I answered, I felt like I was on stage with them, it was that magic that the music had, to connect the band and the fans to the same dimension.

Freddie then announced the next song, my beloved "Hammer to Fall," which I knew by heart, and sang along with them in my biggest fan-like euphoria. We clapped our hands on the infectious rhythm of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," and we changed the rhythm to stomp, stomp, clap for "We Will Rock You."

They finalized Brian's song, and my feelings at the moment were the euphoria, excitement, joy at seeing the boys together again. But it was only Freddie playing the first notes of "We Are The Champions" that I felt the tears forming.

As much as I was well present and well aware of where I was and what was happening, my mind led me to ancient memories. I remembered when Freddie showed the song to the boys for the first time, how Brian had thoughi it arrogant at first, but then he understood that it was a tribute to the fans. For me, it was Queen's way to tell everyone, especially to the misfits like them that, despite the difficulties and struggles, we could overcome all this, we were capable of being champions.

And that thought, led me to another even more distant. As I sang the chorus, and watched the boys, their tune, their emotion, I remembered those four college students performing on a tight stage in a corner of Ealing Art College, the shy bass player who appeared at my door one afternoon, the drummer with the mischievous smile and the jokes, the guitarist with agile fingers, his voice so perfectly embedded in the chorus of the songs, with the thoughts so similar to mine ...

These boys had become men, today they were my husband and my brothers, they definitely deserved to sing and declare that they were champions of the world, after all that they passed. Every difficulty, every step, every joy, every conquest, and even the conflicts brought them there.

" 'Cause we are the champions ... of the world ..." I heard myself singing along with Freddie, my voice was muffled by the loud sound around, and by the crying.

My face was red, wet and swollen as the boys closed their performance. Seeing them side by side made me cry a little more.

"Mom ..." Jimmy called me, a little worried, but also resigned, he was already used to seeing me crying for no apparent reason.

"I know, I know" I nodded to my little boy. "I'm very silly ..."

"No, you're not." Jimmy took my hand. "The show was really beautiful."

"Thank you for understanding, my love." I smiled back at him.

We continued to watch the shows that followed, and at dusk, seeing that the kids were already tired, I decided to go home.

I was already very sleepy, and it turned out that the children wanted to sleep with me in my bed to keep me company. My last thoughts before sleeping were about the show and all the excitement I felt in witnessing it.

Much later, I woke up feeling someone watching me. It was impossible to ignore that insistent look.

"Bri ..." I whispered, having no doubt that it could only be him.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't want to wake you" he said softly, careful not to wake the children.

"That's all right" I lay back and looked at him "I'm sorry I came in a hurry. It was so rampant and tumultuous that I couldn't even see you after the show."

"Yeah, I understand, I figured that was why, besides, I imagine the little ones got tired." He watched Jimmy and Louisa with a smile.

"Um, me too" I confessed, "I've come home for that, too."

"You know I couldn't have come too soon, all the attractions had to stay until the end" he explained a little more. "Freddie and I also performed another song later."

"Really? Which one?" I was curious.

"Is This The World We Created," Brian replied, but I knew he still wanted to say more.

"What's it?" I asked him to tell me.

"I don't have words to describe what happened today" Brian sighed excitedly. "It was all so much better than I imagined, what we expected, the audience was amazing, but do you know what was the best of it all?"

"I think I know" I said, nodding "you together again."

"Yeah" Brian said with a smile.

"That's what moved me the most" I confessed.

Brian then looked at me in that loving way, caressing my face with one hand.

"I couldn't do it without you," he said and I wanted to cry "thank you ... for everything."

Without me getting up, he bent down to kiss me, leaving at once.

"Where are you going?" I asked before he left the room, confused.

He just smiled at me the way it always made my heart melt

"I promise you'll find out later."

Brian then left me with that mystery in the air, I just smiled. I knew my husband well, and I loved him for it.

A/N: The next chapter will be the last one. Hope you guys will enjoy the end.