Sherlock walked back into 221b. He'd had a long day of almost being exported to his death, being brought back, and of course, Did you miss me? Did you miss me? The words rang in his head. The broadcast had continued for a while after he came back, the voice blasting through every radio station and his face on every screen as they drove past. John said that Mary was tired, what with her being pregnant to the point of almost popping and all, but he promised that they'd come by tomorrow to celebrate him getting to stay in London.

Though, Sherlock saw that as pointless. Not only did he not see his situation staying the same as something worth celebrating, but Jim was back. Jim Moriarty. The most dangerous criminal he had ever faced. He was back from the dead. They should be staying inside and locking their doors, Sherlock should be planning and preparing, which was what he intended to do.

He sat down and began thinking. Was this Moriarty? Was it a fake? Why announce it now? He closed his eyes and allowed himself to immerse completely into his mind palace. Until it was interrupted only minutes later by his phone ringing. He rolled his eyes. He meant to turn it off, as he always did when he began thinking. It was probably just some imbecile with another adultery case, or thievery, or something else equally dull. He reached to turn it off but his eyes caught sight of something. The caller id: John Watson.

Sherlock was about to ignore it, but John knew that he would be thinking right now about the case, and he had seen him only a few minutes ago. There was no reason he would call. Sherlock picked up the phone. "What is it, John?"

John's anxious voice almost cut him off. "Sherlock, Mary's in labor!"

Sherlock froze, his mouth opened and closed for a moment, no sound coming out.

"Sherlock! Sherlock! We're going to the hospital. I'd really appreciate it if you could meet us there! Please!" Sherlock could hear Mary moaning with pain in the background and he quickly pulled himself together.

"Of course, John. I'm on my way." he hung up and rushed outside, grabbing his coat and scarf by habit and putting them on as he walked out, shouting a good-bye to Mrs. Hudson and slipping his phone into his pocket.

He hardly registered anything as he hailed a cab and climbed inside, vaguely giving directions to the hospital. A baby. His best friend's wife was having a baby. John was going to be a father. Sherlock couldn't help but smile. But, at the same time, he felt sad. He'd barely seen John since the wedding, he couldn't imagine how distant John was going to be once he had a baby to take care of.

He pushed the thought from his mind as the cab pulled up to the hospital, he threw some money into the passenger's seat and ran inside. He found John in the waiting room, looking pale and sweaty.

"Sherlock." he breathed, nodding stiffly when he saw his friend enter.

"Where's Mary?"

"She's in bloody labor, where do you think it is!" John shouted, tense. Several heads in the waiting room turned to look at them and Sherlock shifted awkwardly for a moment.

"Well, then, why aren't you with her?" he asked, much more quietly.

"I'm freaking scared, Sherlock." he muttered, still tense, looking at Sherlock, like he was crazy for asking.

"Yeah, well, so is she." he said. When John didn't respond he sighed and pushed him into the hallway leading to the delivery room. "Go, you dumbass." he muttered, and John sped off. Sherlock looked around. There were a couple people looking at him. Particularly older couples who'd been through the process before, and young women who were wondering if the baby was part-his or if he was still available.

He sat down on the chair farthest from other people, and brought his hands in front of his face, forcing himself to focus on the case instead of worrying about John and Mary. It was no use and before long he got up and left into the hallway, following John. Besides, he figured John might need him.

He came out to see John inside the delivery room, trying to help Mary through her childbirth. Sherlock sighed. He wasn't sure with relief or sadness. He was glad John was doing OK, but he kind of wished John needed him. He was OK with it, though. He had given John that first push. He could do the rest himself.

He saw that there were more chairs next to the deliver room and seated himself in one of them. He began thinking, this time about John and Mary, not bothering with trying to distract himself. Mary… he hadn't read the flash drive, like John, though he was dying to know who she really was. She was clearly someone of high-training, good with a gun, most likely with computers also. She had to have been very observant, and very good at manipulating people.

In fact… she must have been very good… with a lot of talents… Sherlock's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a baby crying. He looked into the room and, sure enough, there was Mary, holding a baby, the proud father looking over happily. Mary looked up at John, her face flushed and sweaty, but she was smiling at her husband, her eyes full of love.

Sherlock smiled and backed out, leaving the two happy parents alone with their first child. It would be a while before Sherlock would hold it for the first time, but that was OK. He was perfectly happy to let the brand new family be all together for the first time.

Dorothy Alicia Shirley Watson was born January 24th at 4:32 pm