So this is my first Sherlolly fic. It's setted in an Victorian AU and I hope you like it :) Please read and review, reviews always make me smile.
This chapter is not betaed, so please excuse my little mistakes ;)
Disclaimer: None of the Characters of Sherlock are mine, they belong to the BBC,Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss
The beginning
It was her wedding day.
It was the beginning of her new life and the end of her old one.
For her it felt like the end of days...
Molly Hooper stood in front of a mirror and stared at her reflexion: she wore her white wedding dress, her hair was pinned up and she looked, actually, beautiful.
But Molly was not to glad about this wedding.
She was only part of trade of her parents with the groom, Molly believed.
She was sold and whatever she did to defend herself, there was no way that would save her.
The dress had been made by a known London tailor for her : it was long, had a wide skirt and was elaborately decorated with many pearls on her top. The long sleeves were made of lace like the top. She wore the old family jewels which her mother and her grandmother had already worn on their wedding days. A diamond collier and in addition suitable earring. Of course she had always loved these jewels, but she would have loved to wear them to a nicer occasion and not exactly to an arranged wedding with a man she would never be able to love. A man she disgusted.
There wasn't much time left. One of her parents would immediately come to her room and cover her with a veil and from then on her time was going to run out.
Now every step she made would carry her nearer to her future husband.
Molly abhorred him dearly and she did not want to remember that it would be after this day that she had to share her life with him until the day that death would part both again. She quietly swallowed.
There was only one man in London who she wanted to wait for at the end of the aisle wanted and that was a man who did not care for her. Sherlock Holmes. Disappointed Molly shook her head.
The young Holmes was one of the most coveted bachelors in London and, nevertheless, he didn't care a straw about how many ladies of polite society wished that her daughter would become the woman at his side. He gave each of them the cold shoulder.
Molly remembered the evening some weeks ago as both had spoken to each other for the first time. Not only spoken, he had not left her side the whole evening.
They had danced and had gone for a walk in the park of the property in which the ball had taken place. She loved the way how he deduced things and he was excited about her love for science. Molly had never told it to her parents, she dreamt of going to university and studying medicine to become a pathologist.
Sherlock Holmes had been delighted, at least for the moment. He believed she could help him in solving cases. He worked as a consulting detective and helped Scotland Yard.
After this evening they had said their goodbyes and Molly had hoped to see him again soon. When she had seen him the next time, he had been occupied with Irene Adler. Adler was an american woman who had numerous affairs and who even had contacts to the royal family. At least that was what the rumours said.
Molly had been so disappointed that she had gladly accepted the compliments of someone else. James Moriarty had taken care of her that evening and had comforted her. He had danced with her and they had talked.
Later in this evening she had regretted it because of Holmes who did not deign to look at her and also because she had the feeling that Moriartys looks would nearly undress her.
Three days later James Moriarty had stopped by her parents and had asked for her hand in marriage. Her parents accepted the proposal immediately.
Quietly the young woman sighed: she was twenty and with that nearly too old to find a man.
Actually, she should have been glad that generally somebody had shown interest in her.
There was a knock at the door and she winced.
Her mother entered the room. She already carried the light blue dress that was tailored for the wedding of her daughter.
With quick steps she reached her daughter and pulled her in a warm embrace.
When she pulled away from Molly she looked at her: „You look wonderful, my love."
„Thank you, mother.", she said quietly and she quickly turned away the head. Molly wanted to prevent that her mother saw the tears in her eyes.
„What do you have then my dear?", Mrs Hooper wanted to know immediately.
„It is nothing, really. It is only because I am excited that's all.", now she had to be courageous.
„Yes, I felt the same on my wedding day and I've been much younger than you. Your father and I knew us hardly when he proposed. The love comes with the time, this is what I can promise you.", her mother laid one hand on Molly's shoulder and also sighed.
„And if I never love him?", Molly asked her and looked into the mirror.
„Molly, I understand that you are nervous, but you have no reason! James will provide you well and he will be a good husband to you. You will live close to Camebridge in his property and one day if you once have children you will understand why your father and I have decided so.", explained her mother to her with a wistful tone in her voice.
„I abhor him, I disgust him but however to I never had a choice right? Never...", Molly lowered her gaze and some tears dripped over her cheeks.
„Oh my child I wish I could take this load off your shoulders, but I am not able to do it. I wish today I would not have to see you so sad.", Mrs Hooper turned her daughter around and wiped off her tears.
„I am sorry in such a way, my child. I wished I would not have to see you so sad today."
„Mother, it is not your fault. James Moriarty was presumably the only suitor and I should be glad that somebody wants me.", Molly tried to smile.
Her mother withdrew and reached for the veil that lay beside her on a chair: „It's time Molly, let us cover you.", she said fast and put it in Molly's hair.
Immediately the young bride was surprised with the behaviour of her mother.
It seemed like she tried to change the subject.
„Wonderful really. The carriage will be here soon. Your father will fetch you and lead you to the church.", said Mrs Hooper fast.
„What is wrong mother?", Molly asked.
„It is nothing at all, I have only forgotten to put on my jewellery.", the woman tfabricated an excuse.
„You're wearing your jewellery already! Tell me what is wrong!", shouted Molly desperately as she saw how her mother tried to leave the room hastily.
„It is not important, my little one.", she murmured.
Molly shut to its mothers: „Please! Please, tell me why you are so horrified."
Mrs Hooper felt how Molly approached her and started to tremble. Finally, she turned around to her daughter: „On the day when James Moriarty proposed, there was a second suitor."
„I beg your pardon?", shattered Molly took one step stepped back.
„Yes, there was a second suitor and if I had raised the courage to say something, then you would not stand beside this creep at the altar.", sighed her mother and looked Molly in the eyes.
„Who was the second suitor? Please, you have to tell me!", the lips of the young woman trembled with this question. She was so desperate, that she nearly had had another choice!
Mrs Hooper took a deep breath: „The second one on this day who asked for your hand in marriage was Sherlock Holmes."
The words felt for Molly as if someone had hit her in the face. It choked her and the reason was not only with the attractive corsage that she wore underneath her wedding dress. He had been here! He had asked for her hand in marriage!
„I do not understand what you mean. He rather would have been your choice, wouldn't he?", Molly asked her mother fast.
„Believe me, for me he would have been and for your father too I guess, but we had to make fast a decision. Unfortunately, Mr Holmes came too late.", she answered and in voice lay a hint of shame, then she turned around and wanted to go.
„What do you mean when you say thar he has been too late?", Molly asked quickly.
Her mother exhaled deeply, before she said: „He came a quarter of an hour after we had accepted Moriartys application."
Then she left a stunned Molly behind who slumped on the ground.