Chapter Two- January

Daniel and I stayed in Chichester until New Year's Eve when we drove back up to London to celebrate New Year's with Sally, Johnny and Emily. Sally and Sam had gone to York to celebrate Christmas with Sam's family and Emily and Johnny had had a quiet Christmas to themselves. But we had all agreed to meet in a hotel in London to celebrate the New Year. Sally had her baby daughter Claire, who was one and a half and Johnny and Emily were expecting their first child in February. It would just be a quiet New Year's but we wanted to celebrate it together.

I had just finished feeding Anthony when there was a knock on the door. Placing Anthony in his crib, I went to answer it. It was Sally and Sam and little Claire. I let them in and shut the door behind them.

"How was York?" I asked.

"Cold," said Sally, "But we woke up to a white Christmas so it was pretty magical."

"We had a white Christmas too. Hamish, Phoebe and Amber loved it." I said, walking over to Anthony's crib.

Sally laughed, "Yes, I'm sure they did."

"Did you have fun, Sam?" I asked, picking Anthony up, "Seeing your parents?"

"Yes. It was nice to be with them this year." He replied.

"Ab, can I hold Anthony?" asked Sally, earnestly.

"Yes, of course." And I handed him over.

Sally held him gently and rocked him a little. He cooed and gurgled a little bit but settled into her arms. We chatted in the room for a bit before I got a text off of Emily telling us that they were downstairs. So I took Anthony off of Sally and carried him downstairs to the lobby. Daniel bought his little carry crib so that if he fell asleep we had somewhere to put him down.

Emily and Johnny had found a booth in the lobby and had got some drinks. She had a coke, Johnny had a pint of beer, Sally and I both had a glass of wine and Sam and Daniel had a whiskey. For a while Anthony stayed awake which was nice. He was happy and bubbily and was quite happy to be passed around everyone. Sally and Emily both doted on him. Sally was already a mother and so was very maternal around him. Emily loved to hold him and said that it was good practise for when they had their son but was happy to be able to hand him back.

Around half ten, Anthony fell asleep in Daniel's arms so he put him in his carry crib. He stirred a little as he was put down but soon settled again. Daniel then went to get another round of drinks for us and brought back champagne for New Years.

"So, how has work been Dan?" asked Sam, smiling.

"Oh Sam," he smirked, "I'd love to tell you, but then of course, I'd have to kill you!"

I rolled my eyes. "That one again. We know you're a spy, honey, there's no need to be so dramatic about it."

He kissed my forehead, "Spoilsport!" he said.

I laughed, "I'm supposed to be, I'm your wife!" I looked at Sally, "How's life for you? Is it strange working for your father?"

"We're kinda used to it now. What's strange is working for Donovan and Anderson." She said, sipping her wine.

"Is Anderson back then?" I asked, "I thought he went mad."

"Nope, he's back. And stranger than ever." She said, smiling. "Donovan is a nightmare to work with."

"She always was, even when I visited. She always asked me about Dad, like I was going to spill the dirt on him." I laughed.

"Who are we talking about?" asked Sam confused.

"Sally Donovan and Phillip Anderson. They are two detectives who work with Dad. Anderson went mad after Sherlock died and Donovan was always stubborn and still is." Explained Sally, looking at Sam.

"Oh." Said Sam, none the wiser. Sally laughed.

"I swear I've talked about this before!" she said.

"You probably have," he answered, "I may not have been listening."

"So," I said loudly, changing the conversation. "How has your pregnancy been, Emily?" I asked her.

"Yeah," she replied, "Yeah, its been good. Starting to get uncomfortable now." She said.

"Yeah," I added, "It does, but its 100% worth it when you hold him in the end."

Emily laughed, "Everyone tells me that."

I nodded, "Yep. It can get annoying after a while." Emily laughed again.

"How's work?" Sally asked Emily.

"Yeah, its really good. Keeps me busy."

"That's good." I said.

"How's maternity leave?" asked Emily.

"It's good at the moment. Daniel is home most days and Mum and Dad come down almost every other day." I paused. "Mum's thinking about having another baby."

"What?!" exclaimed Sally.

"Good for her!" Said Johnny.

"Yeah, it was really good news to hear. It means she's moving on." I said, "I know as well as anyone that grief can take a long time to overcome."

"Well then," said Johnny raising his glass, "Here's to a future Baby Holmes!"

We all raised our glasses and I looked down at Anthony in his crib to see if he was still asleep. To my surprise, those big brown eyes of his were staring back up at me. I smiled. I wasn't surprised. He had been a bit mixed up going from home to Chichester and then straight to the hotel we were in now. So he was bound to be a bit disturbed. Daniel tapped me on the shoulder.

"It's time!" he said and he kissed my cheek. So I picked up my son and followed everyone out to the balcony. We were overlooking the Thames, with the London Eye directly opposite us and the Palace of Westminster to the left. We were in the prime location to see the New Year in.

11:59. Big Ben began to chime. The timer on the side of the clock tower showed 20 seconds until midnight. Daniel passed me my champagne and I held Anthony so that he could see the fireworks too.

I looked back at the clock tower.

10… 9… 8… 7… 6 … 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1…

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" everyone around us cheered and clapped. I kissed Daniel and Anthony, hugged Sally, Emily and Johnny.

"Happy New Year, Dan!" I said, smiling widely.

"Happy New Year Abi!" he said, kissing me softly.

"And a happy New Year to you, young Anthony." I said, bouncing him up and down as we watched the fireworks.

2019.

A whole new year to spend with my family and friends.

A whole new year to see my son grow up and develop.

A whole new year of adventures.

And it is going to be a fantastic new year.

We walked back up to the hotel room after the fireworks and another drink. By this time it was one in the morning. I put Anthony in his crib and sat on the end of the bed. I took my mobile out of my pocket and phoned Sherlock.

"Happy New Year!" I said, down the phone.

And to you, he said in reply cheerfully.

"Is Hamish in bed?" I asked.

Yeah. Molly just put him to bed.

"Well, tell him I said happy New Year."

I will. What plans do you have for tomorrow? He asked.

"We're having a meal in the hotel here with Sally and Sam, Emily and Johnny." I told him. "What plans do you have?"

Probably a walk of some kind and then dinner with everyone. We're coming back up to London on the third. He said.

"That's good. Do you and mum want to come over for dinner that evening?"

That would be lovely. Thank you Abigail.

"Well, we'll see you on the third then." I said, "Goodnight Dad and a Happy New Year to you and mum."

Goodnight Abi. See you soon. Happy New Year to you and Daniel.

I hung up the phone and changed into my pyjamas. Climbing into bed, I saw that Anthony was fast asleep on his back, with his hands under his chin. I smiled and settled back into the pillows. Daniel climbed in next to me, kissed me on the forehead and settled next to me.