Morning time, Stafford Terrace, London...

"Good morning, babydoll" he kissed her lips.

"Mmm hello, sexy..." she murmured as her eyes opened.

He giggled and pulled her limp, naked body up against his, causing her to let out a groan.

He held her there for another minute as he struggled to wake up and feel the need to leave his warm bed.

"How about some wake-up music?" He said after a moment's silence.

"Hmm?" She shifted a little and propped up onto one elbow. "Ok, maestro."

He giggled and stepped out of bed and went over to the record player at the window, shifting his way through her collection of vinyls that she hadn't took out of the box since they'd arrived months before; she liked to keep her music separate to his. Monica was also given an opportunity to look at his naked body, which is what Freddie partially intended.

"What baby?" He stopped what he was doing and turned around with a smirk when he heard her giggles.

She shrugged and lay back down smugly, thinking about the way his black hair was a mess, his bangs spewed ever so sexily across his forehead. She couldn't resist the way it had indigo hues in the sunlight.

"So exotic" she thought. And the way he adorably squinted in the morning sun, his teeth poking out of his lips.

"How about this?" Freddie held up a record.

Monica could just about recognise the cover from where she lay.

"Loving you by Minnie Riperton?" She rubbed her eyes.

"It's soapy, little girl bubblegum pop I will admit," he said, causing her to blush as he lifted the needle and slipped the record from its sleeve. "But... the Capitol radio station played it the other day in the taxi when I popped out to get lunch and it made me think of you."

"Oh yes... it came out when I was about 17... Why?" She smiled as he strolled back over and climbed under the duvet to join her, the romantic and gentle birdsong as part of the recording beginning to fill the room.

"Because... its soft, it's sweet, it's gorgeous," he murmured as he looked at her intently, and she crawled over to him as he wrapped his arms back around her. "And it reminds me a bit of somebody I know."

"Oh?" She straddled him and tucked a wavy chocolate strand of hair behind her ear as he licked his full lips.

"Mhmm..." his breathing grew heavier as he moved his hands firmly up and down her sides, gazing up into her sparkling, blue eyes.

"Who?" She smiled and teased as she caressed his unshaven cheek, their lips in touching distance as Minnie's angelic voice sounded. "Who does it remind you of?"

Freddie smirked and broke their eye contact, pointing at one of the cats that happened to be reclining on the dressing table chair, "that lovely little darling over there."

"Oh you-you," she giggled as he chuckled before he pouted his lips for her to kiss them, and she obliged repeatedly, mumbling between each lip lock, "You're-such-a-bloody-good-tease!"

"Only joking love." He smiled as she stroked his lips gently. "Of course it was you, my soft, sweet and gorgeous girl."

"I'm all yours," she nuzzled him, and they giggled. "Yours for the keeping."

"Better be" she giggled, and she leaned down to kiss him as he rubbed his hands up and down her torso.

"You're so sexy when you do that" he breathed hungrily when they broke.

"Do what?" She smiled and bit her lip.

"When you act so..." he kissed her jaw. "...Act so innocent and naughty at the same time."

"Mmm it was you who made me like that." She held onto him, her heartbeat quickening. "I can't decide if you're adorable or sexy half the time."

"I don't think so" he rubbed her inner thighs with a smirk before moving his hands back to her bottom. "Perhaps it was always there and you just didn't know it."

She blushed as they kissed again, this time she slipped her hand down his chest as he let out a gasp. As she slid her tongue into his lips she began to rub his throbbing erection.

"Fuck..." he groaned, squeezing her curves as she positioned her pelvis.

Gently she slid onto him, letting a moan out in each others mouths. Slowly, she started to pump her body up and down, him grabbing onto her waist.

"Mmmm Monica..." he breathed, losing control of his hands and senses as he lay back and his arms sprawled out on the mattress.

She threw her head back in ecstasy as she moved up and down on his girth, her hands smoothing his chest, faster and faster.

"You feel so..." she let out as her feelings intensified.

"Tell me babe" he growled, rubbing her breasts.

"So... aaahhhhh..." she whimpered, slipping her hand up his neck and to his sumptuous lips.

"So... so what?" He moaned and kissed her fingers.

"SO BIG!" She cried out as her body and mind became a whirl.

He grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her upper body back down, kissing her lips passionately as she rubbed his wet chest more.

"Baby you're making me..." he hissed and squeezed her bottom as she moaned.

"Sexy..." she heaved as he nibbled her bottom lip.

With a few more pumps and louder moans he finally released as she spiralled into her own climax, and she pulled off and fell down beside him, her body and mind now exhausted.

Panting, he rolled over and made himself comfortable against her, nuzzling her neck as her arms instinctively fell around him.

"I... I love you..." he whispered breathlessly, dizzy with love.

"I love you too" she sighed and kissed his head, rubbing his sweaty olive back, his body heaving up and down.

When he regained his breath he propped himself up a little and kissed her lips, "how about a shower?"

"Yep, just let me use the toilet first, ok baby?" She sat up and pecked his lips, and he smiled in approval and lay back down.

He giggled as he watched her walk to the bathroom door, but inside his suspicions grew. In fact, they'd been growing for the past few weeks. Monica was going to the toilet more often, spending more time alone and working longer shifts, claiming she needed more money.

She bent down to the toilet bowl and silently did her best to heave up the contents of her stomach, whilst Freddie went down to the kitchen to feed the cats.

He did so with doubtful thoughts on his mind. He didn't think she was working extra hours. For the past few weeks Monica was acting strange and he thought something was up, and unfortunately he doubted it was pregnancy, for he knew heck all of the symptoms. It was concerning considering he was thinking of making some sort of commitment with her. He planned to buy a ring and propose soon...

Soon she was done, she opened the bathroom window and brushed her teeth to make it appear as if nothing was happening before he walked in fully naked as her.

"Oh, hello..." she blushed and turned around, about to step into the shower.

He licked his lips as he strode towards her, wrapping his arms around her. She let him consume her again, kissing her neck and picking her up as she held onto him, carrying her into the shower and putting her up against the wall.

"Freddie..." she let out as she reached over to switch the tap on, and soon water gushed down on them.

"You ready for round two?" He whispered in her ear, his hot breaths on her skin, and she nodded.

Then, he slid an arm under her one of her thighs for easier access as he pushed himself inside her once more, letting a moan out under his breath as she gasped and sighed in pleasure...

..................................................................................................................................................................

That night...

"Are you ready to go, darling?" He peeped his head out of their en suite bathroom that evening.

"One second" she put her tassel earrings in. "Ok I am now."

He smiled and took her hand, "Excellent... you look lovely tonight."

She smiled uneasily, "Thank you."

She wasn't keen on going out tonight as she had some news. She told him that she had a shift after their shower, but it was actually her day off. She took this opportunity to visit the doctor, and the results were this:

She was pregnant. By a good few weeks as well.

It was what the happy couple had hoped for quite a while, and since Freddie did lots of things for her she decided to arrange a time on Saturday to tell him. In a way she felt bad for telling lies, and she just hoped it would all turn out well...

He grabbed his leather jacket on the coat hanger behind the bedroom door before they went downstairs, her walking slightly behind him as he lead her out.

"Are you alright, love?" He turned around and stroked her face gently with concern after he shut the taxi door behind them.

In truth, she didn't feel alright. She didn't feel like going out, but he certainly did. He was in a good mood. He went out to a jewellers and bought her an engagement ring, and all he needed to do now was plan a time to propose to her. Meanwhile Monica decided to suck it up and keep him happy without him suspecting anything. Only for tonight, she told herself. They both had something to hide.

"Yes," she smiled wearily to cover up her anxiety, fiddling with the hem of her gold cocktail dress. "I'm fine."

He smiled, "Good."

Unfortunately, Freddie's lack of judgement in people failed him later that night...
......................................................................................................

The two walked in, hand in hand, and the moment they entered Freddie walked towards the bit Monica had dreaded most of all; the bar.

"Uh my, maybe we should dance-" she tried to tug him away.

"I want to buy us drinks first" he said, removing his aviators and sliding them into his pocket.

"But I don't really want anything" she said.

"Are you sure?" He asked her.

"Alright, well, maybe a coke." She said, deciding not to be left out. "I want to take it easy.

"Hhhm alright" he said, before turning around to the barman.

Moments later, with a Coke in one hand and a double vodka in the other he made his way back to the booth where he found her sitting.

"Are you alright?" He asked her. "It's not like you to-"

"I'm fine, love. Like I said, I want to take it easy and enjoy the night with you, that's all. And I don't want alcohol to help." She cut across him before sipping her drink.

He hesitated, before nodding and holding her hand.

"Monica, love, I know I was the one who dragged you out here in the first place and I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm just in a really good mood and I'm happy where I am right now with my life and my work and with love. That's why I wanted you to come with me. I want to enjoy it with you too."

She lifted her head, "really?

He nodded, "maybe you're right, we should dance first" he gulped his drink down, stood up and held his hand out.

She smiled and took his hand as he lead her out onto the floor, and the gently sensuous cover of Summer Breeze by The Isley Brothers began to play.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

"So, you didn't tell me how work went today" he pulled her close as they melted into each other and started to sway softly to the guitar riff. "Are beginning to hate your job, darling?

"No, no!" She sighed and giggled. "I'm sorry. It went fine. But quiet, very quiet. Only around several customers, and by that I mean four. Nothing interesting to report, that's all."

"You never brought back any almond slices" he pouted jokingly.

"I'm afraid we ran out." She lied, laying her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"But I thought you said that you only had four customers... and they're baked daily." He looked down at her.

"Well... yes," she lifted her head. "But one of them was a businessman and he ordered a dozen for a meeting or something."

"I see... can they actually do that? Does Christina let them?" He pressed on, his body and mind beginning to loosen at ease as the alcohol reached his system.

"Yes" she said, although she was not entirely sure.

"Hmmm... I might get Peter on that" he said, much to her relief.

She smiled, and decided that now was the perfect time to ask.

"Love, how about on Saturday you and I do something together?" She stopped and looked up at him, and he stopped dancing as well.

"Do what, dear?" His thumb rubbed her jaw.

"Spend some time, have fun... take me to your favourite places." She instinctively wrapped her arms back around his neck, and they started to sway again gently.

He thought. Perhaps I could ask her to marry me then, he thought. But he didn't feel like doing it somewhere that he was familiar with himself. Maybe if they went somewhere different, but still perfect enough and sure to be remembered...

"Even better," he said. "How about we explore things in London you and I both don't know anything about?"

She smiled and nodded, "perfect! Much more exciting!"

He kissed her lips, "wonderful... we shall have to brainstorm when we get home."

She kissed back, "go through every nook and cranny in the city."

"Well, well, Detective Brannigan" he chuckled, hoping that one day in the future her name would become Bulsara.

"...Yes? Has Sir noticed anything strange lately?" She smirked.

Of course he had.

"Not at all, detective. Not at all."

She giggled, "good."

They kissed once more, before holding each other close and swaying gently to the groove until it ended, him playing with her chestnut locks as she laid her head in his neck, planting kisses on his fragrant skin every few moments.

"Mmm I love you so much." He whispered in her ear, his hot breaths sending a shiver up her spine.

She kissed his lips as the song ended, "I love you too."

He nuzzled her in his arms, "My baby..."

They broke, and as a new song started, a more upbeat disco tune, he lead her back to the bar, much to her concern.

"How about a strawberry daiquiris this time or something?" He offered.

"No thank you, love." She edged away, trying to show a lack of interest.

"Not even a-"

"Please, Freddie." She pleaded, and this time he turned to her, examining her a bit better.

"Monica? What's up, love?" He rubbed her cheek.

"Just, I told you earlier, I want to take it easy. Please... I'm sorry if I'm no fun but..." she did her best not to let it out.

"I'm-I'm sorry..." he looked down, feeling as if he was being unfair.

"Listen, I want you to enjoy it. But don't worry about me. I'm happy as long as you're here, alright? Just have a good night?" She explained.

"I'll try," he said. "But I just don't want you feeling left out."

"Oh I'm fine. Really" she smiled. "But I want to stay dry."

"Alright... whatever feels best." He said as she began to feel a little nauseous again.

"Thank you... can you please excuse me? I need to go to the toilet."

He nodded and pecked her cheek, "alright, love. I'll be here."

"Thanks." She spun around and rushed to the direction of the toilets.

He watched as she quickly disappeared. What made her want to leave my side so early on in the night, he thought.

"I couldn't help but notice a bit of a dent in your account that was made this afternoon." The voice of a woman sounded behind him.

He spun around. Mary was leaning casually against the bar table donned in a multicoloured sequinned playsuit that showcased her pins, taking a cocktail that the bartender handed to her.

Maybe that's what made her rush away in a hurry, he thought. Perhaps Monica had seen her approach behind him, but that wasn't the case. It was just bad timing.

"Pardon?" Was all he could muster.

"The dent in your account," she explained as she pushed a blonde curl behind her ear. "I saw it today... I happened to be checking your finances. That was something in my list that needed sorted."

That 'dent' that she was referring to happened to be the engagement ring.

"Oh, uh, I bought Monica something." He said. He didn't want to reveal it to Mary. Personally he felt that it wasn't any of her business, and he hoped that she'd assume it was a car or an expensive piece of furniture or equipment for her 'creative needs'.

"Oh? What was that?" She sipped her cocktail, slightly annoyed inside that after all this time they were still together.

"A... just a surprise." He looked down, trying to stay as tight lipped as possible.

"Must be a very big surprise." She took a drag of her cigarette.

"I suppose it is." Was all he could say, gulping his second drink down, a much stronger drink this time, to help ease himself.

"Well, you're the one who bought it," she said. "You should know the value.

As Freddie fiddled with his house keys inside his pocket Monica happened to be walking out of the bathroom area, wiping away a small trace of vomit at the corner of her mouth. Just as she scanned the room, she saw her doctor from earlier that day who happened to have tested her, leaning against a nearby tabletop, his familiar groomed fair hair and sideburns.

"Hello!" She smiled as she made her way over, intending to have a quick chat. She wanted to get back to Freddie.

"Oh hello! If it isn't Ms Brannigan from this afternoon! How are you and the boyfriend? Celebrating the good news? I hope you're not consuming alcohol!" He smiled back and stood up a bit straighter.

"Don't worry! I'm fully sober, and I haven't told him yet. I'm keeping it as a surprise."

"Good, I'm sure he'll be really pleased," he said. "As you know, you're only a few weeks along... So, where's your man now? My wife Geraldine is a nurse. She had a later shift this evening so I'm meeting her here..."

"Oh he's..." she looked around and over the doctor's shoulder, and soon enough she spotted him.

He was further up along the bar table, awkwardly talking to the woman who she recognised as the one who always made things uneasy for her. She didn't mind the sight, for she knew how he felt about Mary and that he didn't look as if he was in a very comfortable situation. He'll be trying to get out of it soon, she thought.

"He's just over there." She said. "Now that I think of it I must ask you for some advice."

"Oh yes? How can I help?"

"Is there any way to cope with the nausea, especially if it occurs at irregular intervals? Only it's getting a little irritating."

"Well, it's not pleasant but it's something women during pregnancy will get used to..." he began to explain, meanwhile a few hundred yards away Freddie's awkward conversation with his ex resumed.

"By the way, I would appreciate it if you were a bit kinder to Monica. I do care about her very much you know." Freddie suddenly said, trying to change the subject, for Mary still pressed on about his money and how he spent it.

"What?" Mary tensed a little, pretending to misunderstand.

Freddie decided not to bring up the incident she had at work. Instead, he decided to be honest, "I knew I cared about her from the moment I looked at her, and your behaviour that night I met her and ever since has embarrassed me."

Of course, he did notice her attitude towards his girlfriend here and there over time, even though he didn't get to see her much unless they attended a social gathering or he needed to discuss money matters, seeing as she took charge of his finance.

"Does she care about you?" Mary asked, trying to change the topic.

"Of course she does!" Freddie gulped his drink down, finishing it.

"Oh yes?" Mary glanced over across the room. "Well who is that she is talking to then?"

He followed her eyes, and there was his girlfriend. She was at the bar talking to a man he didn't recognise, and she looked really happy, nodding as the man spoke. He hadn't seen her that happy in days. Or was she doing it because she saw her talking to his ex? He thought that she knew better.

If there was one thing Freddie struggled with it was his jealousy. In the past seeing his lovers talking to someone else and appearing so engrossed made him angry. Very, very angry. And since Monica was someone he was in love with like no other you can only imagine his fury. How could she? He took her into his home and given her the happiest times and here she was talking to another man. He thought that she was grateful for all he had done for her. This explained why she had been feeling so uneasy recently; she'd been seeing someone. There's no point in proposing now, he thought.

"I'll talk about this later, Mary." Freddie turned to leave, kissing her cheek. "You'll see what it is that I bought her later on, or not see..."

He marched unsteadily over to the bar where she stood, tight lipped and fists tensing.

As her doctor explained different breathing methods, Monica saw him approach through the crowd from the corner of her eye and when she saw his stony appearance she knew that he took it the wrong way and would start making assumptions: her, happily talking to a man he didn't know.

"F-Freddie-" she stammered in panic. Her nervousness only made the situation worse, making his suspicion grow.

"We're leaving." He grabbed her hand as he flashed the confused doctor a dirty look.

She didn't dare question him. She had never seen him look so angry and intimidating before.

(Warning: I know Fred seemed lovely and sweet and gentle in the last few chapters but you're about to see a different side...)

The taxi ride home was silent too. She turned to say his name but he silenced her with a deadly glare. When the taxi stopped in front of the flat he opened the door for her, but didn't make eye contact or help her out like he normally would. Her heartbeat quickened as she stepped into the house, and he shut the door behind her.

"In there, now." He ordered, pointing to the kitchen.

Monica avoided his eyes and nervously made her way into the kitchen, not knowing what was in store.

"Can you go any fucking slower?" His voice rose a little, and she walked quickly.

She was confused, "Freddie, I don't understand, what are you-"

"Shut up!" He suddenly snapped, much to her shock.

Monica backed to the wall like a small, frightened child. This behaviour wasn't like him. He had never treated her so cold before. It was just an unfortunate misunderstanding, and it was going to be hard to explain without revealing the truth. It wasn't fair.

"I saw how you looked with him," he said coldly. "You only ever smiled like that with me."

"But Freddie you do make me smile-"

"THEN WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU DOING TALKING TO ANOTHER BLOKE?!" His voice became louder.

Monica lost control of her footing and slid down against the wall as he advanced in on her.

"THE LITTLE DAY OUT ON SATURDAY IS ONLY THERE TO SWEETEN ME UP, ISN'T IT?" He continued, sheer madness in his eyes. "YOU'RE HIDING THE TRUTH! TELL ME, WHO IS HE?"

"He's just a doctor," Monica panicked, but daring not telling him that he was her doctor; she was determined to keep it a surprise. "I was talking to him about why I have been vomiting these recent weeks-"

"BULLSHIT! I KNOW WHAT I SAW!" He cut in, veins popping out of his neck. "YOU SAW ME TALKING TO MARY, DIDN'T YOU? WELL, IT WAS JUST FINANCIAL MATTERS! AND YOU THOUGHT THAT YOU COULD MAKE ME JEALOUS BY GOING OFF TO YOUR NEW TOYBOY!"

"He's not my toyboy!" She pleaded, vulnerably crouched at bottom of the wall. "He has a wife-"

"THEN WHY THE FUCK WERE YOU TALKING TO HIM?"

She just shook her head and whimpered as frightened tears streamed down her cheeks, sheilding herself with her elbows. She dared not reveal the news; she didn't want to see his reaction at this stage.

"STOP ACTING SO BLOODY PATHETIC AND ANSWER MY FUCKING QUESTION!" He threw a glass that happened to be sitting on the table down onto the floor.

"I.. I can't tell you!" She began to sob as she backed away from the split shards of glass. "You will find out soon but now isn't the-"

"THAT'S RIGHT! THIS IS WHY I WISH I STAYED WITH MARY SOMETIMES! SHE WASN'T A MONEY-SUCKING LEECH LIKE YOU, AND LIKE THE REST OF THEM BEFORE YOU!" He continued. "YOU HAVE BEEN WHORING AROUND AND MESSING WITH HIM, HAVEN'T YOU?! JUST ADMIT IT, MONICA! YOU MIGHT AS WELL START GATHERING UP YOUR THINGS AND START MAKING YOUR WAY TO THE NEAREST BROTHEL!"

Monica had to get out. This wasn't very good for her or the baby. She was awestruck and heartbroken by his words; he never spoke to her in that manner before. The stinging they had caused made it difficult for her to think of a way out. She had just seen his potential as a father and now she had regretted ever finding out that she was pregnant and trying to keep it from him.

She was just going to have to shut him up and drop the bomb, then make a run for it. Slowly, she stood up and looked up into his piercing eyes. She didn't care if he was in the dominant position, or the possibility of violence once she let it out; this was for the good of her and the baby. With a quivering but loud voice, she wailed in his face:

"THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT THE GIRL WHO IS CARRYING YOUR CHILD!"

Freddie immediately froze in shock as Monica, too terrified to think straight, rushed out of the room to grab her coat, meanwhile something inside of him snapped. His behaviour had flashed past him in a split second, and he realised how destructive he had become in the past hour.

He blubbered, "Monica, I-I-"

But she was out the door before he even had a chance to speak, let alone question her choice of words.

"Carrying my child? She can't be... oh.. "

But a second later it all added up. The reason she was acting strange and unresponsive, scared even, vomiting at irregular intervals throughout the day and hiding it from him, and refusing to drink alcohol. And the man that she was talking to at the bar must've been a doctor after all.

Monica was having a baby. His baby.

"Oh Fred, you're a FUCKING IDIOT!" His fist pounded the table as he felt tears of regret filling his eyes.

He rushed up the stairs and to their room. He flopped onto their bed and began to cry, face down into her pillow. Oh, how it smelt of her. How much he needed her here to stop his crying.

But he scared her away.

TO BE CONTINUED...