Sherlock gave a terse nod as the happy couple got into a car. He had just shaken John's hand for a farewell. Soon flood of guests pushed the detective aside, surrounding the couple. The sleuth was about 20 feet away and watched John's face beaming with joy. The new Watsons were going to Prague for their honeymoon the next day. Tonight they were to stay at a nice hotel near Covent Garden. It was a wedding gift from his brother. He couldn't attend the wedding for a matter of national importance whatever it was.
It was only after the banns were announced that Sherlock started to realise that John would end his bachelorhood soon. Everything had changed after three years. Well, not exactly everything. Mrs. Hudson still mothered him and all of his possessions were preserved well. John had moved out briefly but moved back a couple of months before the wedding.
John had it out with the Holmes brothers. Bruises, nose-bleeding, and a lot of cursing… Sherlock was literally awed by colorful curse words from his flatmate, which totally betrayed the doctor's gentle face and wrinkly smiles. How John could've mustered up the courage to punch his older brother, Sherlock would never know.
For the first few days, the two men didn't know how to fill the silence between them. The atmosphere was as thick as custard. The detective usually surfed the Internet for any interesting news or played the violin as he needed a lot of practice. He would've been very happy to turn the kitchen into his private lab anytime soon, but John's mood fluctuated too often. The doctor doubted whether the detective had considered him as a true friend. For the time being, the detective had to behave as much as possible.
John dated with a girl. It wasn't surprising. As if he would dispute the nickname, "confirmed bachelor", the doctor used to date with a lot of girls. But this time, there was something special. To begin with, John did hesitate when Mrs. Hudson said he should introduce Mary to Sherlock. John didn't want to even when Sherlock noticed two small ring boxes sitting inside the lockable-but as easily accessible as the one without a lock- drawer.
Sherlock knew this Mary girl must be very special to John. He could have followed the doctor and found out about the girl or he could visit Mycroft, but he didn't want to. It was like Pandora's box. He didn't want to open it. Two weeks after the doctor moved back, a small, blonde, cheery Mary Morstan visited the flat and introduced her to the sleuth. If only John hadn't been so protective of her, Sherlock could've behaved nicely. The first meeting ended with John bursting out the flat with Mary. He didn't come home until the next morning.
When Sherlock heard the creaking of the stairs, he thought John would punch him again. Strangely, the doctor just said good morning and made tea as if nothing had happened the previous night. He broke the news of his engagement and imminent wedding while they had tea together. He looked rather guilty for hiding such a big news that could affect their flatshare. Mrs. Hudson had been hushed and she had managed to keep her mouth shut with grudges. John ran upstairs to his bedroom, leaving the detective dumbfounded.
The life was tedious. Yes, it was nice to settle and be around friends. However, the detective often found himself missing the days plotting and pursuing criminals along the mazy alleys of London. Sherlock hadn't gotten a case from the police since he returned. A couple of cases that he solved were all private cases without John. Lestrade, although his face beamed and his eyes were a bit red at the sight of the detective, didn't knock at the door of 221B right away for help. He visited the flat one night, asked for Sherlock's consent to become the official consultant for the police, and hadn't acquired the green light from his seniors. Although his previous cases turned out to be valid and accurate, the name, Sherlock Holmes, wasn't of welcome. Mycroft Holmes noticed the delay: Sherlock knew it would all clear out soon.
Meanwhile, Sherlock spent many nights alone at the flat, playing the violin or checking on the past case files. John often was absent, dating with Mary or dealing with "decisions" to be made about the wedding. Unlike most brides who want to have an exclusive right to the wedding, Mary always wanted to involve John: the only thing the groom-to-be was left out was the wedding dress. Bad luck if the groom sees it before the wedding, they say.
Two days ago John had packed almost all of his things. Mary's cousin had a van so they could move John's things easily. There were still a few clothes left including John's tux, the same as Sherlock's in the wardrobe, but John's room was bare. Last night John and Sherlock went out for dinner. John didn't want a stag night: he just wanted to spend his last night of freedom with his best friend. He had already had drinks at a pub with his friends and colleagues. This night was just for the detective and the doctor. John came home quite early before three.
Sherlock was all dressed, and pored into the laptop screen. He had been searching the internet for hours to plan the night, but he just couldn't. John said no on the idea of the stag party: Mary had the bridal luncheon with her mother and friends. John cleared his throat with a tray of teacups and a plate of muffins.
"Where do you want to go?"
Sherlock asked.
"It's on me, Mr. Groom. Dinner, a movie, karaoke, whatever you like, just name it."
John smiled away the awkwardness that had been lingering between the two since the banns.
"Angelo?"
Sherlock grabbed his mobile and texted the restaurant. John disappeared and came back with a small box. Sherlock glanced at the box for seconds, and asked.
"You don't take your gun to your new house?"
"How did you possibly know.. well, never mind.?"
John rolled his eyes and stopped in the middle of a sentence: he had forgotten how the detective could deduce. Three years had been such a long time.
"Just be safe. Sherlock. And don't pound on the wall just because you are bored. Mrs. Hudson got older. It can give her a heart attack. "
"She is tougher than she looks… Okay, okay. I won't. "
The detective stammered as John glared at him. Soon John's face softened as Sherlock said thanks.
That night Angelo as usual brought a candle to their table. He got more grey hair, walked a bit slower, but he was all smiles. John turned his mobile off. Sherlock understood and appreciated the gesture. He did the same. Tonight would be the same, just for them, like the old days. They played with their appetizers in reminiscing their first case.
"It was almost 4 and half years ago… Our first case, Sherlock."
"Time flies fast. The past looks better than it actually is… Well, let's eat."
Sherlock took a forkful of salad to his mouth and chewed. John did the same. There were so many things to talk about, but they just couldn't. For once, John didn't have to urge the sleuth to eat. Sherlock seemed to enjoy the food very much. The doctor didn't know that Sherlock was trying to act to assure John that he would be just fine without pampering. When they finished their pasta, Angelo joined their table for coffee.
"After the honeymoon, please visit again with your bride, John. It's on the house. My present."
"You really don't have to, Angelo."
"No, no…. I know how Sherlock, "
The owner slapped the detective by the shoulder.
"And you complete each other. Now you've found your soul mate. I just wish I could attend his wedding, too."
Sherlock protested.
"Angelo, you know I am married to my work."
"Yes, I know."
Angelo sighed, rolling his eyes.
"A man and a woman are meant to complete each other, Sherlock. God made us so. John. I am very happy for you. Congratulations again."
He shook his hand with the doctor and walked to his kitchen. They walked outside the restaurant, and looked up at the sky.
"Now what?"
The detective raised his eyes as John giggled.
"Remember, welcome to London?"
Sherlock joined John and laughed. It felt so good to laugh at a memory with John. The doctor's eyes twinkled.
"I'd love to walk through the places that we've been together as a team. For example, Roland-Kerr college?"
"Perfect!"
The two men hailed a cab and got in. They visited all the places in London: the college that John had shot the mad cabbie; the museum that poor Soo Lin died; the Glass Egg; the Buckingham Palace. They talked about their past cases, and argued about John's blog. After a couple of hours later, they entered a coffee place to rest their legs.
"Well, we'd better go now. You need a rest. Tomorrow is a big day, John."
John hesitated for a few minutes and finished his coffee. He was waiting for the detective to finish his drink.
"Before we go back to the flat, there's one place that I'd like to go."
"Where?"
Sherlock asked but he knew their next destination: it was Bart's. John gave him a small smile.
"I've been avoiding the hospital all along. You returned. I still haven't been able to go there. I think tonight…, I hope I will be able to visit there without any fear of a nightmare. To close one chapter and to begin another."
The detective hailed a cab without further comments. The streets were vacant. John stopped the cab at the exact stop that he did four and half years ago. Sherlock had stood on the edge of the roof and called him. The doctor tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He walked past the ambulance garage to the bus stop. He could feel the detective's eyes penetrating him. Sherlock cleared his throat, and said.
"John. I am so sorry that I made you watch me jump."
"Don't. We know why. It's I who have to apologise for all the misunderstanding. Tonight, I got sentimental."
They sat on the bench near a public phone booth. John placed his hand on the hand of his friend. Sherlock didn't take his hand away. The doctor's voice got lower and urgent.
"Well, Sherlock. Would you do one thing for me?"
"Anything."
"Just one thing is enough. Keep yourself safe. Contact Lestrade before chasing a criminal. Let others know where you are or what your plan is. I won't be able to assist you as often as I used to do. Not that I don't want it. It's just...I have to respect Mary, and my priority should be the life that she and I build together."
"Understood."
Sherlock said it in a haste and slipped his hand into his jacket pocket.
"And I have to keep Mary safe. Mary's life might be put in a danger..l..."
"If you keep associating with me."
John flinched at this remark, but didn't deny it. Instead, he said,
"I will visit you as often as possible. I am still your blogger. You will be lost without me, right?"
Sherlock put on a weak smile and lied,
"Yes. I will need my blogger."
"Quite a lot of fans visit the blog again. They are very happy to have you back, Sherlock. I am sorry that I don't update as often as I should. After honeymoon, I will manage the blog better."
They kept silent in their ride to Baker Street. Sherlock had lied many times to John to solve cases, but this was the first untruth, a personal lie, to the faithful doctor. There would be no way that he would contact John for help. John said good night and retreated to his bedroom. The detective picked up the violin, but put it down again, realising that John needed sleep. He paced around the sitting room: he couldn't feel it real that John was going to get married and leave the flat the following day.
"Sherlock. Are you all right? You look pale. Had too much champagne?"
Lestrade approached with a look of concerns, glancing at the empty champagne glasses on the table. Most guests left the place, and there were few people like Mary's parents, Mrs. Hudson, and Molly were chattering.
"My good friend, John, is deserting me for a wife - the only selfish action which I can recall in our association."
Sherlock muttered out without knowing what he was saying. Lestrade gave a pat on his shoulder.
"Sherlock. Mrs. Watson seems to be the type of woman who understands John. You and John will be fine."
"I will manage without him, Greg. Just keep me in the loop, get me interesting cases, and I will be fine."
"Yes, as to that matter, I think you will be officially hired as the Yard's consulting detective from next Monday. You have to visit the Yard and sign the contract. Don't forget. 10:00 in my office."
"Thanks."
Mrs. Hudson found the sleuth. Lestrade gave them the ride to Baker Street. Sherlock listened to Mrs. Hudson's exclamatory babbling about how beautiful and perfect the wedding was. He didn't resent Mary as an indelible intruder; he tried not to. If Mary made John happy, then it was good enough. The challenge was that the detective had to keep John away from his cases as far as possible. With the wedding vow, he just lost his blogger. When the car stopped at the flat, the detective thanked the DI and walked heavily to his flat. He was left alone.
AN. Well, this is rather heavy, if not an angst. I am reading ACD's canon now, and I just found Holmes' word, "My good friend, John Watson, is deserting me for a wife - the only selfish action which I can recall in our association." in the story. I had to write this. Some fans speculate that the sign of three meant Sherlock, John, and Mary working together to fight the crimes. Thanks for reading. Reviews are very appreciated.