"This makes total sense…"
"Oh come on. Now who's being ridiculous?" Sherlock fires back.
"Still you," John affirms confidently. "Oh, I should've guessed. Sherlock Holmes doesn't want to confront his feelings, so as usual, avoidance is his weapon of choice. Well not this time, mister. We all have to do things we don't want to do. You are going to that wedding. You will walk in that church and tell Molly she's lovely and watch her walk down the aisle. You know why? Because it's the right thing to do. To show support for her decision and respect her wishes, no matter how much you may dislike them."
"Oh come on John, you've met the bloke. He's nothing but a pathetic substitute for Molly's attraction toward me."
"Maybe you're right," Watson points out. "Because Molly did love you Sherlock. But she's smarter than you give her credit for. You're a heartless bastard and she realized that, so she moved on with Tom. And you just can't stand the fact that her affection is now directed at another man. A man you deem as somehow being less worthy than yourself. Oh this is just... I can't believe this!"
"Somehow less worthy?!" Sherlock exclaims, offended. "The man thought Private Bainbridge stabbed himself with a 'meat dagger' if I am not mistaken, which I rarely am. Do you remember that? He's even more of an idiot than the average person."
"Stop," John deplores. "Please just stop."
Mrs. Hudson pops her head in the door just then. "Yoohoo, boys! Are we almost ready? It's about time to-" she stops mid-sentence at the sight of Sherlock. Still in his dressing gown with stubble on his face, stubborn pride in his eyes and completely disheveled hair.
"Yes Mrs. Hudson, I know we have to leave soon, but the world's favorite consulting detective here refuses to cooperate," John says, throwing his friend under the bus.
"William Sherlock Scott Holmes- you go and get dressed and shaven right this instant or I'll have no choice but to evict you!"
Sherlock's eyes widen at the unwarranted threat, and he resists the urge to challenge her, as Mrs. Hudson rarely bluffed.
"Fine," he finally gives in with a huff. "But I'm holding the two of you personally accountable for whatever happens today."
John shrugs in defeat. "How do you do it?" He asks, in awe of his former landlady. "I argue with him for hours and get nowhere, and then you say the word and Sherlock does whatever you want. You, Mrs. Hudson, are a proper miracle worker. And you look very nice as well."
"Oh John stop it," the old woman blushes as he kisses her cheek. She was wearing a pale blue dress and a small matching hat, as blue and white were the colors Molly had chosen for the wedding.
"As much as he might speak down of her, Sherlock always has been a bit of a mama's boy," Mrs. Hudson explains. "I think I remind him of her somehow. He always has been like a son to me. Well, you both have really."
John smiles. "That's very sweet Mrs. H. We appreciate everything that you do for us. But I will never get over the grace with which you are able to handle Sherlock Holmes."
A moment later, the detective re-emerges from his room looking like a totally different person, complete with perfect brown curls, black suit, baby blue shirt and a sapphire tie.
"Oh dear, you look wonderful," Mrs. Hudson declares, clasping her hands together in admiration. "The blue really brings out your eyes."
Sherlock smirks knowingly, but doesn't reply. "Shall we?" he asks, grabbing his coat and heading out the door.
The church is humming with quiet chatter when they arrive, but nothing too excessive thankfully. It was only a moderately sized wedding, after all. Molly's family was quite small and neither she nor Tom had wanted to invite many people outside their small circle of friends.
The photographer is eagerly snapping candid shots as guests make their way into the chapel.
John shakes hands with a gentleman who introduces himself as Tom's best man and as they start making small talk, Sherlock discretely slips away.
Mingling wasn't really his forte, and it certainly wasn't how he wanted to spend his time today. It was about about twenty minutes before the ceremony was scheduled to start, and Sherlock couldn't stand the idea of sitting still for any longer than absolutely necessary, so he roamed the halls until he came upon a door marked "Bride's Room".
He'd seen the bridesmaids outside taking photos together on the lawn, and upon hearing no voices through the door, Sherlock is hopeful that he will find Molly alone.
Taking a deep, thoughtful breath, he raises his hand and knocks.