AN: I'm back! Just for a little while to celebrate my Golden Birthday with a week of Gold-Themed Sherlolly fics! I'll be 25 on the 25th and my gift to myself is diving back into writing FanFiction! There will be one fic a day, ranging from fluff to crack with potential for a dash of angst.
Thanks to the lovely Buttercup59 for her encouragement and Beta help!
Enjoy this single-dad story, my loves!
The garish colours, crowds of people, and obnoxious sounds and lights were overwhelming and under any other circumstance Sherlock would have turned tail and headed back to the solitude of Baker Street. But he made an exception this once. He smiled. He'd always make an exception for her.
'Daddy, look!' Mina squealed and nearly ripped her hand out of his as she lurched forward. Sherlock obediently followed, tightening his grip on her little hand, and let her pull him toward a booth.
Hanging from the rafters in the back of the shooting game were a plethora of plush animals ranging from the size of the spread of his hand to a large panda bear that bore an uncanny resemblance to the Mycroft in his Mind Palace. He sniggered at the thought.
But that wasn't what had garnered Mina's attention. No, she was entranced by the round bowls along the back wall, the lights bouncing off the water inside. And swimming back and forth in each bowl were families of shimmering goldfish, their brilliant scales a captivating symphony of light.
'Daddy, can I get one? Pwease?!' His sweet, adorable daughter looked up at him with her wide eyes, her cupid's bow lips pursed in a pout. Sherlock Holmes had taken down London (and most of the UK's) notorious criminals and was a formidable ally to the side of the angels.
But one three-foot tall, curly-haired ragamuffin reduced him to a puddle of goo between one heartbeat and the next.
He smiled down at her. 'I suppose. But you have to win it.'
2 Minutes Later
Sherlock strutted proudly down the walkway, Mina on his shoulders, holding her prize in a plastic bag. She prodded at the bag and giggled as the fish curiously bumped her finger in response.
He had watched with pride as she shot the harmless BB gun and didn't miss a single tin cup, to the shock of the game master.
'Over there, Daddy!' Before Sherlock could inquire what she was looking at, Mina had grabbed his hair with her free hand and twisted enough to turn him in the direction she wanted to go.
'Mina!' He jostled her a bit in warning.
She shrieked in delight, not at all caring about her ride's grumpiness. 'Look, face painting! Can I do that? Pwease?!'
Sherlock looked at the children sitting on the grass as five adults painted rainbows and unicorns and bright coloured animals on their cherub cheeks. A fold-out table held boxes of supplies and a sign taped to the front indicated the painters were volunteers from local businesses.
'I'm not sure...'
'But Daddy, didn't I do so good on the shoot-shoot game?'
Oh, she knew just how to push his buttons. Nothing made him want to spoil her more than when he was inordinately proud of her, whether by making a correct deduction or, as she proved today, by being an expert marksman in a carnival game.
'Oh, very well then.'
Strolling over, Sherlock swung Mina down and set her on the ground. From behind the table, a woman suddenly popped up, holding a bag of what appeared to be cotton balls up triumphantly. 'Found them!'
'Thanks, Molly!' One of the other women said and held out a bowl containing two lone cotton balls. Molly went around and filled up the workers' bowls before noticing Sherlock and Mina.
Her face lit up and she skipped up to them.
Before she could open her mouth, Sherlock deduced everything he needed to know about her. 31, single with one cat, from the north and recently moved down to London. Her lips were thin, but her smile was big and her entire face practically glowed. Her hair was silky and brown and pulled back in a high ponytail and her cheeks were flushed from the sun. She wore a handwritten nametag that gave her full name as Molly Hooper, with a childish heart drawn at the end.
She was endearing.
Sherlock scrunched his nose at the sudden thought.
'Hi there!' She dropped to her haunches and greeted Mina, almost completely ignoring Sherlock. Mina beamed at her, pleased to be the centre of attention. 'I'm Molly, what's your name?'
'Wilhemina Georgette Holmes,' Mina declared proudly and stuck out her hand. Molly raised her eyebrows and shook her hand firmly, but gently. Mina held out the bag containing her goldfish. 'And this is Herman!'
'Pleased to meet you, Wilhemina Georgette Holmes. And you, Herman.' Molly greeted them solemnly, but her lips twitched. 'Did you want to get your face painted today?'
'Uh-huh, Daddy said I could!' Mina looked up to her dad as if to prove her point.
Molly followed her gaze and smiled at Sherlock. 'That's very nice of him! Now, why don't you come sit down over here and we'll get started!' She led them to an empty space in the shade and sat Mina on a small stool. The little girl settled in happily, letting Sherlock take Herman, who was swimming happily in his bag, and set him on the supplies table. 'Do you know what you want? Or did you want to look through our little booklet?'
'A pengwing!' Mina declared immediately. Molly beamed and dug through a cardboard box filled with plastic packs of face paints, pulling out one with a cartoon penguin sticker on the top.
'Then a penguin it shall be!'
Mina's black curls tumbled around her face and Molly produced a clean hair tie from a bag by her feet and swiftly pulled Mina's hair atop her head in a messy bun.
'Your curls are beautiful,' she said. Her gaze flicked up to Sherlock and a twinkle came into her eye. 'It's not hard to figure out where you get them from, though I think he could give you a run for your money on keeping them tame.'
Sherlock blinked in surprise. Was this stranger flirting with him? He tilted his head and determined that she was not, her manner sweet and kind, if a bit teasing.
'My daddy, obviously.' Mina said and nodded once. 'He says that his gemeticks are more stronger than my mummy's. She left when I was born.'
Molly blinked in shock at the abrupt admission.
'Well,' she said while dabbing a cleaning solution along Mina's cheek. 'There must be some of your mother in you, maybe your nose?' Mina giggled when she dabbed the cotton ball on her nose.
Molly pulled out a clean brush and opened the compact filled with four different colours: black, white, red, and yellow. 'Ready, Miss Mina?'
Mina nodded her head solemnly and lifted her chin. After all, this was serious matter. Any rambunctiousness could ruin her face paint!
'You're not an artist.'
Molly flinched and almost painted a black streak across his daughter's face. She frowned, glaring up at Sherlock who had suddenly blurted out his deduction loudly. 'Thank you for informing me of that fact; I was unaware.'
He blinked at the light, sarcastic tone. Molly returned to her work and, to his surprise, the blob on his daughter's cheek began to form an image resembling a penguin.
'No, you're in a medical field… mmm, pathology, I see.'
Molly's hand stilled. 'How did you-?'
'Daddy's a 'tective!' Mina informed the flabbergasted Molly proudly. 'He solveds crimes with my Unca John!'
'Oh, I see. That was very impressive.' Molly blushed becomingly and, shaking off her surprise, resumed painting Mina's cheek, adding the final touches to the charming penguin, but directing her words toward the girl's father. 'I actually just accepted a position at St. Bart's, Assistant Head of Pathology, and moved down from Manchester. I officially start next Monday, but thought I'd get involved in the hospital's volunteer charity work to get to know the city a bit better.'
Sherlock's eyebrows rose and before he could stop himself, he murmured, 'Brilliant.'
He immediately cringed, hoping she hadn't heard, but by the way the red on her cheeks darkened even more, she most definitely had. Oh, good Lord, I'm turning into John; just blurting out the first thing that comes to mind.
'No, I-I just meant you're becoming Assistant Head a-at such a young age,' he stammered, embarrassed. Molly froze in the process of putting away the paint packet and her head flew up, her eyes widening in surprise. Mina tilted her head back to look at him, a frown on her face and her lips pursed. Great, now my own daughter is deducing me. An unfamiliar warmth rose in Sherlock's face and he realised to his unwitting surprise, that he was blushing.
Molly licked her lips and, keeping her head down, stood to her feet. 'Erm, thank you. I-it is a great honour; I'm really excited to start.'
Sherlock, the great detective he was, didn't fail to notice the smile she was trying to suppress. And for the first time in years, he felt his heart race because of something other than a triple homicide.
Mina looked between her father and Molly. A smile lit up her face as she saw how her father couldn't look away from the woman and how Molly was bright red and couldn't look him in the eye. They were acting just like Uncle John and Aunt Mary! (Though Uncle John is almost always the one blushing, even if he wouldn't admit it!)
Well, if they weren't going to do anything, then it was up to Mina!
'Do you paint grown-ups, too, Miss Molly?'
Molly looked down at Mina in surprise. 'What? Oh, yes, I suppose.'
Mina grinned widely. 'Then paint my daddy!'
Molly bit her lip and looked to Sherlock hesitantly. Sherlock stared down at his daughter, immediately deducing what she was doing. She winked up at him and he shook his head with a wry smile. Cheeky girl.
'Very well, Miss Molly.' He held his arms out in defeat. 'Paint away.'
The pathologist giggled and looked to Mina for direction. 'What would you like?'
'Make him a kitty! With whiskers on his cheeks and a black nose!'
Sherlock's eyes widened in horror while Molly covered her mouth with the back of her hand, her eyes wrinkling in mirth. A full-face kitty?! Not a little bee on his cheek, which would have been bearable. No, his little genetic spawn wanted him to be as humbled as possible.
But between Molly's molten-chocolate eyes sparkling with humour and Mina's bottom lip, he couldn't say no.
'At least make me a fearsome-looking feline,' he pleaded, dropping to the ground.
'I shall endeavour to, sir,' Molly tried to school her features, but was failing miserably. Standing over him, she placed her hands on her hips and looked him over critically before leaning over and wetting a cotton ball with cleaning solution.
'Ready?' She asked, hand poised over his cheek.
He made an exaggerated grimace and exhaled loudly. 'Do your worst, Doctor.'
Her soft laughter sent his heart skittering.
The cold cleaning solution dissipated in the heat of the day and he resisted the urge to itch his tingling skin. Instead, he kept his focus on the woman bending over him. Her hair hung over her shoulder and he found himself entranced by how the sunlight danced across the brown strands, turning them gold and red in a symphony of colours.
Who knew Sherlock Holmes had a romantic soul? The John in his Mind Palace snickered, but Sherlock quickly shut him away.
This was not such a… horrible idea. Molly's deft fingers brushed his face, sending tingles down his spine. She bit her lip in concentration and he found himself admiring the furrow of concentration on her face. She certainly took her artistry seriously. He very much looked forward to seeing how she excelled in her profession; to have earned such a prestigious job at St Bart's by 31, she was obviously passionate and intelligent.
To his disappointment, she finished the job all too soon and stepped back. Immediately, he had the urge to pull her back and kiss her smirking lips.
Before he could give in to his basic desires, Mina stepped in front of him and cupped his cheeks. 'Pretty kitty!'
With a mock scowl, Sherlock snuck his hands around her back. Mina dissolved into squeals as he caught her into his arms, tilting her upside down. 'I am not a tame housecat, little Miss! I am a wildcat!'
Molly watched on, her bright laughter only adding sunshine to the light feeling in his heart.
Pulling Mina upright, Sherlock held her against his chest and brushed his painted nose against hers, trilling his tongue in a purr. Mina petted his curls. 'Good kitty cat!'
A sharp pang of disappointment hit Sherlock as he set her down and realised it was getting late and time for them to head home. The other volunteers were starting to pack up the supplies as the sun was setting behind the London skyline.
'I think it's time we headed home, Wilhemina,' Sherlock said, unable to keep the disappointment from his voice.
Mina screwed her face up in a proper imitation of her Uncle Mycroft's pout when he is denied cake, but one warning glare from her father and she reluctantly nodded. Trudging over to the table, she picked up Herman and trudged right back.
'It was very nice to meet you, Mina.' Molly hunched down onto her heels and held out her hand. Mina ignored the handshake and threw her arms around Molly's neck, Herman swaying dangerously. 'Thank you, Miss Molly!'
Surprised at the hug attack, Molly hesitated for a moment, but a smile blossomed on her face as she squeezed Mina affectionately. 'You're very welcome, sweetie.'
The girls separated and Molly stood back up, shyly looking at Sherlock. 'And it was nice to meet you, too…' She left the end of the sentence hanging, hoping for a name.
'Sherlock,' he filled in the blank, extending his hand. 'Sherlock Holmes.'
She smiled sweetly and slipped her hand in his. Instead of shaking it, Sherlock just held it, feeling the softness of the top compared to the callouses on her palms from holding her medical instruments.
This close, he could see the blush spread down her neck and disappear under her shirt collar. Her pulse beat fast in her throat and she licked her lips. 'It was a pleasure to meet you, Dr Hooper.'
Swallowing thickly, Molly tugged her hand back and self-consciously tucked non-existent flyaways behind her ear. The setting sun cast golden rays across her face and Sherlock found himself speechless, any words he could have said flying right out his Mind Palace's windows.
The silence stretched on with Mina watching them anxiously, trying to tell her dad without speaking to man-up and kiss the girl! (As Uncle John would say.)
To her great disappointment (and Molly's), Sherlock abruptly stepped back and reached out for Mina. 'Well, come on, Mina.'
The little girl rolled her eyes and slumped over to her father. 'Goodbye, Miss Molly,' she mumbled and let Sherlock take her hand.
With a firm nod, Sherlock turned around and they walked back toward the main path.
'Why didn't you kiss her?' Mina demanded once they were back in the melee. 'She was making the googly-eyes! Like Unca John does!'
'Mina, th-'
'And you were doing the staring thing that Unca Myc does at Ant-ea!' Jerking her hand from his, Mina stopped right there in the walkway and crossed her arms, nearly squishing Herman. 'Why didn't you kiss her?!'
'Mina,' Sherlock said softly, hunkering down in front of her. 'A kiss is something you give to someone you really, really like or someone you love.'
'But you really, really liked her,' she scowled and stomped her foot. 'I know you did!'
'Wilhemina,' Sherlock warned. But before he could do anything further, they heard a shout from the way they'd come.
'Sherlock!' They both turned in surprise and Sherlock stood up, his eyes wide. Running down the path, her ponytail flying behind her, was Molly. Breathless, she came to a stop just short of them. Her cheeks were flushed and she radiated nervousness.
'Molly, what are you-'
'Do you want to get coffee sometime? With me?' She blurted all in one breath.
Stunned, Sherlock completely blanked. Blinking rapidly, he tried to coordinate his mouth and his mind.
'Daddy! Say yes!' Mina demanded and yanked on his arm.
Molly smiled almost painfully at Mina's exuberance and looked hesitantly at Sherlock, biting her lip.
'Oh, e-erm, yes, I would like… that,' Sherlock cleared his throat and managed to unstick his tongue. 'Yes, I think I would like that very much.'
Immediately the uncertainty cleared from Molly's face and her smile could have rivalled the sun for brightness. When he didn't say anything else, she giggled. 'Do you… want my number or something?'
Sherlock thought for a moment and glanced down at a smugly smiling Mina. 'Well, if you'd like to join us right now, I was thinking of taking Mina to her favourite cafe. It serves the best coffee and hot chocolate…'
Mina gasped in delight and then smiled excitedly, nodding so fast her curls bounced all around.
Sherlock held out his free hand to Molly. 'Care to join us?'
Shyly, Molly placed her hand in his. He laced their fingers and he could feel her racing heartbeat and knew that she could feel his own.
And when she softly answered, 'I'd love to'... it sounded like a promise.
It wasn't until their coffees were half-drunk and Mina was falling asleep on Sherlock's lap, that he remembered his face was painted like a kitty cat.
But all the giggles and stares went right past him. All he saw was Molly's bright smile and all he heard was her bright laughter and brilliance. If she occasionally laughed a little harder at his morbid jokes because of the face paint, well, that was a merely a bonus in his mind.
And when he finally kissed her, not two weeks later at the end of their fourth date, he thanked God his daughter had insisted on winning that goldfish.
