He swore he loved me...Promised that he would fix things, make them right. How is this even right? How am I supposed to handle this? He swore last night we would be together that he would never leave me alone. I gave him something I've never given anyone and now, here I am, standing beside him...watching...as he marries another...
Sherlock moved through the wedding service as if on autopilot. He smiled when he was supposed to, answered the questions he needed to, and took the appropriate pictures with the appropriate groups at the appropriate time. He was beginning to loath that particular word. It seemed to be Mary's favorite word currently and Sherlock was beginning to wish he could have found the appropriate way to have declined coming today. One thing he could breath a little easier about was the fact that he had yet to find himself alone with John, in any capacity, whatsoever. Despite his duties as the best man, he had found a way around having to meet with him in his dressing room before the ceremony. During the toast, despite having turned towards the couple, he did not look directly at either of them. Not that they would have noticed, they had been watching each other. He had sworn to himself that this would not break him, that he would not let his pain rule him. Looking at the man he loved while he had married another hurt more than he had expected or ever wanted to feel. Now, he had done his duty and given the traditional toast to the bride and groom and was ready to leave.
His gaze searched the room looking for his older brother, frowning when he noticed he wasn't there. When his cell rang, he reached into his pocket and pulled it out. Noticing Mycroft's name on the caller ID, his frown deepened. "You're supposed to be here at John and Mary's wedding. Why are you calling me if you were not going to show up Mycroft?"
"Because I did not want to see the pain you were going to go through watching him marry that woman. You and I both know, Sherlock, that it does us no good to have feelings, they do nothing but get in the way of our work."
"That still does nothing to explain why you did not show up Mycroft. Again, if you were going to just stay at home then..."
"Sherlock?"
He froze, as one of the two people he was trying to avoid had somehow managed to sneak up on him. Turning slowly, he came face to face with Mary. "I'll call you back." He told his brother and hung up the phone. "Mary," He answered with a small smile. "How may I be of service to you?" As if you haven't taken enough from me, you still want more!? His mind screamed in rage and pain. Emotions...emotions never did sit well with him. Hence the reason he and Mycroft tried not to have them or get involved with anyone. His brother was right, they only got in the way of things.
"I was wondering if you would talk to John? He seems to be a bit down about something but won't say what it is." She looked up at him with cornflower blue eyes and a soft smile. "I'm not sure if it's the surprise of him being a father or getting married today that has him so quiet but I was wondering..."
A baby? John and Mary were going to have...a baby?! John had never said anything to him about it, hadn't so much as hinted that they were even trying to have a baby. Sherlock looked at Mary, could see her lips moving but didn't hear the words leaving them. Not until John suddenly appeared beside her, a strained smile on his face as he looked between them.
"Everything alright over here?" John looked from Sherlock to Mary. He hadn't been aware that they were talking until he had gone looking for her. All night, John had been trying his best to keep her from telling Sherlock she was pregnant, something he was still trying to come to terms with himself but failing at miserably.
Sherlock kept his gaze on Mary, a small smile playing around his lips then he turned his gaze to John. "I understand congratulations are in order for the upcoming arrival of a baby." He saw the small flinch John tried to hide, noticed the way he went pale at the words. "You should have told us John, we would have helped you celebrate the news properly."
John could feel his heart hammering in his chest as he looked up at Sherlock. Please, Sherlock you have to understand. John silently begged him with his eyes. He looked up into the turbulent ice blue gaze, wishing he'd been able to tell Sherlock everything before the ceremony. Anything would have been better than to see that lost look on the pale face. He could read the fear and pain in the others gaze, saw the confusion and wanted to wipe it away.
"Isn't it wonderful!" Mary smiled at both men. "We just found out yesterday! The doctor confirmed it after I fainted at work." She said softly, linking her arm with John's.
Sherlock looked at Mary, giving her a small smile he nodded his head. "Then all is well? No danger to you or the child?" He asked the appropriate questions at the appropriate times. There was that damn word again...
"Everything is as it should be. We should be expecting the baby's arrival in late spring, if all goes well. We're both surprised and excited, aren't we John?" She looked up at John with an endearing smile and waited for him to respond.
John looked down at Mary then back to Sherlock. "It, uh, it is a surprise for everyone." He held Sherlock's gaze, willing him to understand that he hadn't known last night. That he had meant to keep every promise he'd made to him...until Mary had told him she was pregnant...
Sherlock gave him a sad smile, "Well it is a good surprise and on such a joyous occasion." He nodded his head and almost released a sigh of relief when Lestrade joined the group.
"Evening everyone, so what is it we are discussing tonight?" He looked between Sherlock, John, and Mary. He could feel the tension between the trio and wondered about it. He also couldn't help wondering at the absence of Mycroft, why was he not here, had last's night argument been that bad he would just...
"Mary was just telling me that she and John will be expecting a baby in the spring." Sherlock looked over at Greg, interrupting his thoughts and hoping the pain he was feeling wasn't reflected in his eyes. "A wife and baby are rare and beautiful blessings indeed." Sherlock looked over at Mary and John and smiled. He jerked at the sound of his phone ringing, reaching into his pocket he pulled it out and looked at the caller ID. "Excuse me for a moment, I have to take this." He turned and walked away, answering the phone at the same time.
John watched Sherlock as he walked away, wanting desperately to follow him, to explain what had changed. John watched the tall figure walk away, his gaze meeting Sherlock's until he disappeared around a corner. He blinked when he heard Greg ask him a question. "Uh, sorry Greg. W-what was that again?" He tried his best not to look back in the direction Sherlock had disappeared but it took everything in him. He smiled at the graying DI and answered his question.
"Shall we return to the buffet then? Sherlock should be back shortly to join us in the cutting of the cake right?" Mary asked John softly.
John tried to bite back a groan. He didn't want to be here and he knew Sherlock didn't want to either. He looked down at Mary, giving her a soft smile, "Yeah, he should be back by then." He looked back once down the hallway, wondering where Sherlock had gone. It never dawned on him that Sherlock may have found a way to leave the party without anyone knowing. Leaving him to deal with the emotional turmoil of last night and today...alone.
