AN: Thanks for all the support and favourites and follows I got for my last chapter, I never expected so much, and since several of you asked so nicely, here a little sequel chapter.
"Wait there." Sherlock told her when he finally let her go from his tight embrace. Molly wasn't sure how many minutes had passed while she was enveloped in his arms, but didn't much care, as it was the happiest however-many-minutes of her life. She waited patiently while he rushed away to his room, rummaged around for something, and then came rushing back, a small object hidden in his hands. He waited until he was face to face with her once again to reveal it; a plain black ring box, which he opened proudly to present the ring inside; elaborate gold scrollwork surrounding a glistening solitaire diamond. The metal was slightly dull, marked by age, yet well cared for and clearly polished regularly. Molly stared at it, then up at Sherlock, speechless.
"What do you think?" He prompted, perfectly calmly, as if asking her opinion on a meal.
"It's an engagement ring!" Was all Molly could say, her mind reeling from the unexpectedness of the gesture. On the one hand it was a dream come true, on the other she thought it had to be a dream, or some kind of twisted joke.
"Yes, it was my mothers. Doesn't fit her anymore so she passed it down to me in case I ever met a woman deserving of it. By rights it probably should have gone to Mycroft, but I think she's long since given up home of him ever settling down. Anyway, I think it would suit you." Sherlock rattled off, either oblivious to or ignoring her confusion. "Unless of course you'd prefer something more modern, in which case I still have the one I used to propose to Janine here somewhere."
"No! This is…" She reacted instinctively negatively to the idea of a ring he had offered someone else. Only Sherlock would think that was okay. "This is fine but…but why? Why are you giving me an engagement ring, Sherlock?" She finally managed to spit the question out, wide eyes focused on his face, hopeful but ready for disappointment.
"Because that's what people do isn't it? When they want to get married. I'm sorry, I probably should have said something more along the lines of 'will you marry me?' when I showed you the ring, or got down on one knee or something. I still can if you like..?" he stepped back slightly, in preparation go down, but Molly stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"No no, you don't have to." She quickly said, a nervous giggle escaping her, which became less nervous and more genuinely happy as Sherlock smiled back with a deep chuckle. Joy radiated inside her at the idea that Sherlock was serious about marrying her, but still she couldn't keep the logical part of her brain from making its objections heard. "But Sherlock, seriously. I mean, you've only just admitted to feeling anything for me, we're not even dating or anything, we can't just skip right to being engaged."
"I don't see why not. Isn't the point of courtship - "
Molly couldn't help a small snort escaping her. "Sherlock, nobody says 'courtship' anymore, they say 'dating'."
Sherlock let out a huge sigh and rolled his eyes. "Either way, the point is to get to know another person and figure out if they're a suitable partner for marriage. We already know all that's necessary to know about one another, and I already came to the conclusion long ago that if I were to ever settle down, that you would be my first choice. We have similar interests, you have the strength to withstand my… less desirable behaviors and to tell me no on occasion. And your loyalty and… love for me seem boundless. The only question that remains is if you're willing to overlook my unsuitability enough to actually marry me."
Molly felt her smile brighten until her cheeks hurt throughout his explanation. It probably wasn't what most people would consider romantic, but to her it was perfect.
"Well when you put it like that." She quipped, slightly more breathlessly than she intended, and held out her shaking hand for him to put the ring onto. He smirked in response as he took the ring out of the box, steadied her hand in one of his own and slid the ring onto it. For a second they both stared at it, sitting so perfectly against her pale skin, until Molly could no longer contain herself, and flung her arms around Sherlock once again.
"We could do it tonight you know." Sherlock murmured after a few minutes. "Get married."
"What?!" Molly asked, pulling back again out of shock and gaping at him.
"I know you've probably always imagined a big white wedding with all the traditions and such, but that's not the only option." Sherlock said with a smirk, his eyes twinkling. "All we'd need is the rings, paperwork, an ordained minister and two witnesses. There's a man who runs a jewelry store, owes me a favour for helping work the kinks out of his security system, he'd be more than happy to provide the rings. Mycroft can handle the paperwork and has been known to officiate a marriage or two to help smooth alliances with one nation or another. And I'm sure John and Mary would be happy to come along as witnesses"
Molly still stared at him, her mouth opening and closing, unsure what answer she wanted to give. He was right, when she was younger she'd always imagined a big fancy white wedding, but as he spoke images of poufy dresses and layered cakes gave way to a clandestine ceremony in the middle of the night, just them, two rings and three close friends. It was so much more… Sherlock. And if she was honest, more her. She was always so awkward in social situations, and wasn't much one for standing in the spotlight. It seemed Sherlock knew her better than she knew herself, and with that thought, it was easy to make her decision.
"Let's do it."