Chapter Text
Jimmy's father had definitely woken up decided that Saturday morning. It was common for him to find his son awake a little after him and before his mother, but not always. But that day, by the luck of Mr. May, or maybe it was fate, Jimmy was awake, as willing and excited as his father. Brian was even happier about this, since he wanted his boy to accompany him to where he intended to go.
"Well, my boy, sit a little to wait for your mother and your sister," Brian instructed as Jimmy settled down to the table, "soon Mama's coming down."
"But I think Lou should sleep more," said the little boy, "since she's a baby."
"So you think babies just sleep?" Brian became interested in the conversation.
"And they cry, and they make noises, and other things that ..." The boy stopped to scratch his head, awkwardly, "we don't talk about them at breakfast."
"I know exactly what you're talking about, Jimmy, and I'm glad you think so," the father finally laughed at this remark. "But to change the subject, I talked to Mom yesterday about making a garden in the back of the house. Remember when you thought the yard was very empty?"
"I do remember!" The boy got excited "are we going to plant lots of flowers?"
"Not many, many, but a few," Brian said, "and don't forget the tree!"
"Yeah, a tree!" agreed Jimmy, raising his arms.
"Look how my loves are so excited!" Chrissie joined them in the kitchen, bringing Louisa into her lap "good morning!"
"Good morning," Brian answered and kissed his wife, causing Jimmy to turn away.
"We were talking about the garden, and as soon as I finished the breakfast, I plan to go after seeds and a sapling, with my faithful assistant." Brian winked at his son.
"Am I your assistant?" Jimmy was surprised "nice, so I can choose which flowers we'll plant?"
"Of course you will, that's why I want you to go with me." His father was moved by the joy of his son.
After they had agreed what they would do, Brian and his family finished breakfast, and soon he and Jimmy were ready to leave. From inside the car, they waved to Louisa and Chrissie, heading for a garden store.
As soon as Brian and his son walked through the door, they had a few moments before someone approached him with some "I think I know you from somewhere" or "You're Brian May from Queen!". He and Jimmy then saw the flower catalog, carrying a good handful of seeds, mostly azaleas, and a seedling of apple tree. As they loaded all these things into the car, father and son could get a vague idea of what their garden would look like.
Arriving home, without wasting time, Jimmy and Brian literally rolled up their sleeves and began digging. To the boy, it all seemed just another joke, but to his father, stubborn and determined, it was hard work. Digging the hole where he would plant the tree was an arduous task. Already a little tired, Brian paused, sitting on the steps of the stairs leading into the yard, catching his breath. Jimmy, not a bit discouraged, sat down at his father's side.
"We're not going to get those yellow ones out of the corner, are we?" The little one wanted to be sure.
"No, we won't," Brian said, thinking it wouldn't be right. "I think they sort of belong here already and will continue to do so."
They were both looking at the chaos they created for a good cause. The yard was bumpy, with mounds of earth piled up everywhere, but soon, it would be very different, they just had to be patient.
"Wow, man! Roger Taylor exclaimed as he saw the state of the yard, and his surprise appearance made Brian and Jimmy jump up in fright.
"Roger, you almost gave us a heart attack!" Brian turned to face his friend. "How long have you been there?"
"I just got here," Taylor clarified, "but what are you up to this time? Chrissie said I was going to find you in the back, but I didn't expect to see you like this. You're crazy, aren't you?"
"Very funny." Brian grimaced. "Jimmy and I are planting a garden, that's all."
"And you couldn't pay someone to do that?" Roger pointed out what he thought was the obvious.
"You know I hate these things, I'd rather do everything myself." May shrugged, trying to disguise his shyness.
"I think it's cool, Dad." Rory signaled her presence, saying her opinion.
"That's because you love to play with dirt," she said, giving Jimmy an idea.
"Uncle Roger, can't Rory help us to plant some seeds? Please, please!" Little May begged.
"Um, asking this way I even allow her, Jimmy, but just don't tell her mother what I did" Roger gave a dull smile.
"Are you going to teach my son to lie in front of your daughter?" Brian folded his arms, disapproving of his friend's attitude. "Isn't it easier for Rory to wash her hands before she leaves?"
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking about," Roger tried to disguise. "I was joking, Bri, in this lying thing. You know if I lie to Dom, well ... you know what can happen to me."
"I know." Brian nodded, struggling not to laugh. "Come on, Rory, I'll give you some seeds."
She and Jimmy ran, excited about what they would do, and slowly, in their own way, planted a seed in every hole he had dug before.
"Dad said it's going to take a long time for everything to bloom," he explained to his friend, "but ... before you go, I wanted to give you one of these."
Jimmy knew it was not right to tear flowers like that, but he also knew that giving a flower was like a gift to show how much you liked a person, and he really liked Rory because she was hus friend. After deciding, he snatched the one he found most beautiful and with all sincerity from the bottom of his heart, offered to her.
"For you, Rory," Jimmy said simply, not knowing if he should say anything else.
"Oh, it's beautiful," Little Taylor accepted, inspecting the flower in her hand. "Thank you, Jimmy."
"You're welcome." The boy smiled, and his smile brightened as Rory returned with a smile of her own.