Roger stared at his mother and felt a lump in his chest as he sat at the dining table in her Truro home. He had only called the day before to announce he was coming for a visit. Saying he unexpectedly had a few days off from the band and wanted to come home. His mother had fixed his favorite dinner and they were seated together enjoying the pudding she had made just for him. Blathering on about him needing home cooking.
"It's a shame Clare couldn't make it but it was short notice." Winifred remarked as she took a bite of the chocolate mousse. "She'll be home after work. she advised. Roger nodded as he stirred his spoon about in the mousse. Realizing it was time to come clean about the nature of his visit home.
"Mum. I need to tell you something." Roger announced as his mother looked at him with curiosity.
"What is that dear?" she said as Roger set his spoon down and looked her in the eyes.
"I'm pregnant." he declared. Watching as his mother realized she heard him correctly and dropped her own spoon. He face registering shock and then disbelief.
"But Roger....I thought you were on birth control...how could you be so careless?" she questioned.
"I take my pills religiously but the manufacturer made a defective batch and recalled them. By the time I found out I was already pregnant." Roger informed her with a touch of annoyance at her judgement. His mother's face fell hearing this.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." she instantly corrected. "I'm just so shocked!" she admitted.
"Me too Mum!" Roger responded. "It's okay. I forgive you." he told her. Understanding her dismay. "And before you ask, Brian is the father and we are going to move in together." he quickly added before the obvious question was thrown at him. His mother appeared pleased.
"So you're getting married?" she asked him with delight in her face.
"No Mum. I'm not ready for something like that." Roger answered. Seeing her face fall again.
"But if you're expecting a baby you really should get married." Winifred argued. "I know you and Brian haven't gone public and if you were to marry it would probably make things easier for you both." she pointed out.
"You know how I feel about marriage." Roger reminded her. Winifred sighed and reached for her napkin to clean up the mess on her tablecloth from the dropped spoon.
"I know your father and I didn't set the best example." Winifred told him as she looked at him with guilt in her face. "But please don't hate the notion of marriage because ours was a mess." she pleaded. "I'm pretty sure you love Brian. I've seen it when you're together." she informed her son. Using it as ammunition.
"It isn't about love Mum...it's about everything else to do with marriage." Roger replied. "Look! We are moving in together and we will have the baby and take it from there." he advised. "That's all I am capable of right now." he said as he appeared uneasy. "I can barely wrap my head around having a baby..." he said as his mother stood up from her chair and walked over to him. Wrapping her arms about his shoulders and pressing a kiss to his head.
"My baby boy is having a baby." she said with affection. Roger couldn't help but smile at his mother's words. He placed his hands over hers.
"Yes he is....for better or for worse." Roger replied as she kissed his head again.
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"You're having a baby?" Harold exclaimed with shock in his voice. Brian's father stood up and appeared aghast at the news.
"Oh my goodness!" Ruth remarked and a small smile creeped onto her face. Visions of a grandchild dancing in her eyes.
"How incredibly irresponsible of you both!" Harold barked at his son. Brian stood up then.
"It wasn't our fault Dad!" Brian barked back. "Roger is on birth control and never missed a dose. The manufacturer made a defective batch and by the time Roger found out he was already pregnant." he explained with a sense of indignation at the accusation of being reckless.
"Harold it wasn't their fault." Ruth chimed in. Defending her son. "What's done is done." she stated as she also stood up and put her hand on Brian's arm. "We should be thrilled we are going to have a grandchild!" she pointed out. Seeing Harold's grim expression remain firm.
"Let's get through the public reaction to our son being with another man before we get excited over the baby." Harold responded. Giving his son a concerned look.
"It's a lot more common nowadays and it will blow over as quickly as it's announced." Ruth countered. Smiling at her son. "I'm happy for you son and for Roger too." she told her only child. "I hope we can see the both of you soon to properly celebrate the news." she suggested.
Brian smiled back. Knowing his Dad just needed time to settle into the news and get over the publicity of it. He had known his mother would be quicker to accept it all.
"We will find a free night to come over for dinner. I promise." Brian assured her. Ruth patted his arm.
"Now tell me what you know. When is the baby due?" Ruth questioned as she began walking Brian into the kitchen. Leaving Harold to stew in his own juices.
"December 10th..." Brian replied. Feeling like the bandaid had been ripped off and the wound would heal fairly quickly now.
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"It's a good thing our last album sold so well." Brian remarked as he eyed the prices on the house listings. Roger grinned as he sat next to Brian peering at the pamphlets.
"It's a good thing my song was the B-side of BoRhap." Roger reminded him as Brian rolled his eyes. Roger never failed to take an opportunity to remind Brian how much money his car song made. The song Brian had dismissed and mocked.
"Yes it was." Brian said to placate his boyfriend. "Now let's whittle this stack down to just a few choices." he suggested as he gestured at the house listings. The agent walked into the room wearing a broad smile.
"Still looking?" he questioned. The men both nodded.
"We're trying to narrow it down to a few." Brian advised. The agent stood and watched as they both reviewed the pamphlets. Reviewing the price and location and size of the house. The number of rooms and amenities. Both of them finding a few they preferred and only one they both liked in general.
"It seems you both are keen on this one." the agent remarked as he pointed at the pamphlet resting between them on the table. "It's a nice place and I could arrange viewing today if you like." he offered.
"It's a start at least." Brian told Roger. The blond did like that it had a back garden.
"Okay." Roger agreed. "We're just starting with this one." he reminded them both as the agent picked up the pamphlet and went to the telephone.
