Dear Mum, Dad, Lestrade, Molly, Mrs Hudson and Mycroft and Harry and Clara,

Before we state the actual purpose of the letter, let me just announce that when you see slanted writing, it's Sherlock. Any other times, it's me, John. I don't usually write slanted, but for this letter, I'll make an exception.

Yeah, OK, Sherlock. You appear chivalrous all the time. We get the hint. Anyway, we're all doing alright. (And note the fact that I said all not both.)

Yes, we'll get onto that in a bit. I'm still doing detective work for another police officer, although Officer Jimson is nowhere near as pleasurable to work with as you, Lestrade. That's probably the only compliment he'll give so be grateful, Detective Inspector.

I charge Jimson fifteen pounds for every solved case and ten pounds for every unsolved one (though I hardly ever need to charge this). I just… I just don't think he is acceptable to fit my criteria of free inspection.

OK, enough about you. I've got a few things I need to make clear before we both get onto the main topic (you know, the one where John said all not both?). Harry, are you still on the pills? Or have you made such a recovery that you don't need them at all? I very much hope that it's the latter option but the first is OK. Anything's OK just so long as you're not drinking again. Are you?

If you are, then you've got to deal with me.

Shut up, Sherlock. Harry, you won't have to deal with him, but please, please keep your urges under control. Clara, please help my sister in any way you can. I'm counting on my sister-in-law to look out for my sister when I'm not there.

I'm still looking for a job. I found one in a very small clinic but after a very heated argument with the boss in the second week, I got fired. So I'm looking. But don't worry, I'll soon find a job somewhere else.

You hope.

Can you not? I'm trying to stay optimistic here.

John Hamish Watson, forever the utopian.

I sometimes hate you.

But ninety nine point nine nine percent of the time, you love me. Don't deny it.

Whatever. Shall we? Or do you have anything else you want to add?

Just that I hope Mycroft has advanced in his relationship with Anthea and I wish Mum and Dad all the best, but other than that, no. I believe we're good to go.

Alright, then. Guys… we have an announcement to make.

We want to welcome Addition Number Three to our family.

Yes, we adopted (tried to) as soon as we arrived in the US, and finally, after seven months, the process is complete.

Her name's Reyna and she's six months old (six months, two weeks and three days, actually).We've only had her for a few weeks (two weeks, two days) but already, I think it's safe to say that she's beautiful and we love her.

Yes, she very much looks like John with her wisps of blonde hair, but it's her eyes that make it obvious that she is adopted. Green. They had to be emerald green.

She can always wear contact lenses when she's older. And give any future romantic partners the shock of their life? I don't think so.

Stop it. She won't do that. We'll send you all a picture (or more) along with this letter and next time we go back to London, we'll bring her along.

We hope to have our first holiday back in September of next year, after we've all (both, actually. Reyna's been here all her life) settled into the American way of life. So you'll get to see young Reyna toddling about and breaking furniture.

Where's the optimism gone, oh Mr-I-am-going-be-happy-about-everything?

I'm being realistic. This isn't a question of optimism or pessimism.

I guess that's all we want to say, right John?

I can't think of anything else I need to add. You?

I think it's very much time to 'wrap it up', don't you think?

Yup. Hope you guys had fun reading all this and looking at the photos we enclosed of Reyna. We hope you hear from you soon.

Lots of love (yes, to everyone except Mycroft),

John & Sherlock

PS: Mycroft, Sherlock didn't mean what he said. He loves you in a brotherly way with all his heart.

PPS: No. I don't.

Sherlock and John's families, Mrs Hudson, DI Lestrade and Molly sat around the table in 221c Baker Street. The letter from their friends (or family, depending on who they were) had just arrived and they'd set about reading it.

Now, with all the photos looked at, and ooh's and aah's exchanged, a new letter sat waiting to be penned.

As Lestrade put the pen to the parchment, everyone else racked their brains for words that would sound useful to the detective and his friend.

Done! This is a new concept I'm trying with my OTP, and I hope you all like it. There's going to be a Part 2 to this, which will be out… whenever. I would love to see all your reviews!