Ever After

"Are you nervous?" the question catches him by surprise as picks up his tie, the fabric suddenly heavy in his hands. He swallows and tucks in under his collar, fingers working quickly while his eyes avoid John's on the other side of the room.

He clears his throat quietly and his mask easily slips into place just as the doctor manages to catch a glimpse of him in the mirror. "No. what is there to be nervous about?"

John isn't fooled by his question, sends him a slightly annoyed look and shifts the little girl resting impatiently in his arms. "I'm only asking because I know you Sherlock and I know this is different for you. You once told me you were married to your work and I went on to believe that that's how things were going to be. People don't like change, especially you."

He shrugs and sets Annabelle on the ground, chubby legs carrying her to her father with hands outstretched. Sherlock offers her a smile, hoists her up onto his hip and tickles her, listening to the giggles that fill the room. He looks back at John with a half-smile.

"That was a long time ago and the circumstances were not the same then. I think I just needed someone to show me what it was really like to love someone, to show me that it didn't have to lead to a predictable life like I thought it did." He tugs at the tie with a small frown. "Molly was able to do that and I know she wants this."

"Can you say the same?"

He bites back a laugh at John's challenge but knows his friend is only concerned for him. For that he's grateful.

"Yes, I think that after everything we've been through I can say I want this."

Sherlock turns and meets John and their eyes lock, conveying every emotion they've felt in their years together. To know they understand each other is a comfort they both relish. John was Sherlock's only thought when it came to his best man, knows anyone else would pale in comparison if they stood in the spot that was so obviously created for his best friend.

When they finally break the contact, small smiles tugging at their lips, Sherlock holds Annabelle close as John opens the door. He claps his friend on the back and gestures for him to go first.

"Alright, let's get you married then."

…

The church is practically empty, but that's how they both wanted it; a handful of Molly's close family and a few friends, Mycroft and Sherlock's mother, Greg and Mrs. Hudson, and John and Mary. From the alter at the front of the room Sherlock taps his foot impatiently and John can't hide his grin when he notices that he really is nervous.

Everyone has just taken their seats when the low rumble of an organ fills the air, makes everyone stand eagerly and crane their necks to see the bride at the other end of the aisle. Murmurs and excited laughter begin as Molly comes into view and Sherlock feels his sharp intake of breath at the sight in front of him.

Her dress is long and white, traditional in every sense but seems to hug her curves and highlight every part of her body. Her long hair is swept up, a few tendrils framing her face and highlighting the smile she can't seem to conceal.

Their eyes meet over all the people, the flower petals being thrown in the air. In that moment it's as if they're the only people in the room, captivated by each other in a way they've never felt before. The emotion he was feeling was so raw, so undeniably real that Sherlock wondered for the briefest of seconds if it was real.

Molly reaches the end of the aisle, hands her small bouquet of flowers off and stands in front of him, cheeks blushing as a giggle escapes. He carefully reaches out and captures her hand, intertwining their fingers as the ceremony begins.

From there, there are tears and laughter as the bride and groom deliver their vows, slipping the slender gold bands onto each other's fingers in a moment that has everyone completely silent. Then the pastor speaks, his voice rumbling in the room as he announces the new husband and wife.

With a smile Sherlock rests a hand on Molly's waist and pulls her closer to him, covering her lips with his own as everyone in the crowd cheers and claps. They pull back and Molly's eyes instantly scan the crowd for her daughter, seeing her sitting happily in her grandmother's lap before Molly comes over and scoops her into her arms.

Hand in hand she and Sherlock walk back down the aisle with their daughter, a true family neither would trade for anything in this world. Occasionally Sherlock feels his gaze wandering to the ring on his finger, the symbol that he was completely devoted to the woman beside him and he would never want anyone else.

And no one else in return could ever show him the love she did.

Surprise guys! Basically after reading all your amazing comments and hearing that a lot of you wanted to see more of Sherlock, Molly, and Annabelle I decided it might be fun to do a series of one-shots and drabbles about them. Just little snippets of their lives and things we all want to see happen between them, can anyone say major fluff fest ahead?

I don't think these will be in any specific order but I am going to try and fit as much as I can in and hopefully even do a few chapters into her future to tie things up. (Can you imagine Sherlock giving away the bride?!)

This time around though updates will probably be a little sporadic as this semester comes winding down and my work load gets a little heavier with all these exams coming up. I do promise though that I won't abandon this and I will try and update as much as possible (hopefully once a week). Hopefully you all enjoy this little story as much as I am and sorry for this ridiculously long note!

I own nothing but my crazy imagination.