Fully Alive
Chapter One
Vivienne Hudson walked in the door of 221b Baker Street with a sigh. She had done more travelling in a day than she had done in a long time. And with her flight delay, she had spent much more time in an airport than she ever intended to. She shut the door behind her and turned to make make her way up the stairs, only to trip over a rug that hadn't been there the last time she had visited.
"Goddamn it." She swore, trying to get her bearings to make it to the stairs.
"Hello?" A confused voice came from up the stairs. Vivienne could hear footsteps nearing the hallway.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you. Gran didn't warn me about a new rug. I wasn't paying attention." Vivienne smiled as the footsteps neared her down the steps.
The woman's American accent had thrown John off guard. "Quite alright. You must be... Vivienne? I had forgotten Mrs. Hudson had said she was going to have a visitor."
"And you're Dr. Watson." Vivienne knew it wasn't Sherlock Holmes. His voice wasn't deep enough and he was much too kind.
"You can just call me John." He took a moment to look the girl over. She was in her late 20s, tan, with shocking ice blue eyes and long, pastel purple hair. A small nose piercing accentuated her face And she had multiple earrings in each ear.
"She's told me a lot about you." The hallway was dark, so she couldn't see much of John, barely an outline of him really, but she assumed he looked as kind as he sounded.
"Has she now?" Vivienne could hear the smile in John's voice. "Here. Let me take your luggage. I believe Mrs. Hudson is up in her flat."
"Oh, thank you." Vivienne followed the sound of John's footsteps and carefully made it to the stairs. She gripped the handrail and tentatively made her way up to get grandmother's.
John knocked once and opened the door. "Mrs. Hudson? You have a guest."
"Oh! She was supposed to let me know when she arrived at the airport." Mrs. Hudson walked into her sitting room. "Viv, why didn't you let me know you had landed?"
"I can manage, Gran." Vivienne smiled. "I love what you've done with the place." She winked at her gran, who tutted.
"It's the same as the last time you were here." Mrs. Hudson shook her head, laughing a bit. "John, would you like to stay for a cuppa?"
John had sat Vivienne's bags down and was making his way to the door. "Oh, I wouldn't want to intrude. You had mentioned it had been a while since you'd seen each other."
"Nonsense, John." Vivienne interjected. "I don't mind and if she's offering, obviously she doesn't either. Besides, it would be nice to get to know my gran's favorite tenant."
"Now don't go and and spill all of my secrets!" Mrs. Hudson swatted Vivienne playfully on the arm as they made their way to the kitchen. "You know, you're just in time to help me make some goodies for the boy's Christmas party tomorrow."
"Right. You had mentioned a party. How is Mr. Holmes, by the way?"
"You know Sherlock?" John asked as they took seats at the table and Mrs. Hudson went to fetch her kettle.
"I wouldn't say I know him. We met briefly a few years ago. I'm sure he doesn't remember me." Vivienne waved the question off as Mrs. Hudson sat tea cups in front of the pair.
"Right, okay." John nodded.
The outside door slammed and they could hear someone mumbling as they stomped up the stairs.
"Speak of the devil, yeah?" John stood up. "I should go. God knows what's got him all riled up."
Vivienne smiled from her seat. "It was nice meeting you, John. I'll see you tomorrow night."
John smiled and made a quick exit as the sounds of breaking glass came from his living room.
Mrs. Hudson took John's seat and placed her hand on her granddaughter's. "You know you can stay up here with instead of the basement. I wouldn't mind it one bit."
Vivienne smiled knowingly. "Gran, come on. I have to gain some independence at some point. Before I completely have to rely on someone for the rest of my life."
"Are you sure? I can call Kati. I'm sure she'd come stay with you until you were comfortable." Mrs. Hudson took a drink of her tea with a concerned look on her face.
"Kati has been taking care of me for far too long. I'm okay. Stop worrying." Vivienne gave her Gran a confident smile. "I can manage. I hope."
" Nonsense. You know I'll never stop worrying. I haven't your entire life and you can't make me quit now." Mrs. Hudson sighed. "Now come help me make a pie."
" Only if you promise brownies afterwards." Vivienne grinned.
"Of course, deary. Anything you want."
Vivienne stood up and Mrs. Hudson followed, wrapping her arms around her granddaughter.
" I'm glad you're here."
" I am, too, Gran. It's been too long." Vivienne smiled and kissed Mrs. Hudson on the cheek. "Now, pie."
Mrs. Hudson laughed. "Oh, you. Someone mentions food and you get a one track mind."
"I get it from your side of the family. And don't deny it." Vivienne laughed.