Molly rushed around the flat getting ready to head into work. She wasn't scheduled to work this Saturday, but she needed some space away from Sherlock, and was fairly certain he needed some time away from her. Sherlock sat in his chair and watched her. He knew she wasn't upset about the previous night, but that she was worried about her friendship. Molly glanced over her shoulder as she opened the upstairs door, "Thank you Sherlock, for a lovely night." Before he could answer, Molly was gone. Sherlock huffed and moved from his chair to the couch. "Are you seriously throwing a fit over Molly," John asked him, a slight laugh stifled. "I was kind to her," Sherlock grumbled into the sofa. "Sherlock, wedding tomorrow. Are you ready?" Sherlock sat up on the couch, "I'm not getting married you are. What could I possibly have to be ready for?" John scoffed and headed out to work.
Sherlock laid around the flat most of the day. Molly never sent him a text, John never responded. Mrs. Hudson wandered in every so often and chattered away about the latest gossip in one of her programs. Sherlock had just drifted off when Molly entered the flat. "Oh," she gasped as she looked at his sleeping form stretched out across the couch and table. He yawned and stretched, when he heard her gasp, "Hullo Molly." She gave him a smile before busying herself in the kitchen. "Judging by your demeanor and lack of talking, I suppose you are angry with me. I can only assume it is because of last night. Did you not enjoy yourself?" Molly slammed her bag onto the counter, "Of course I did Sherlock. You know, for a genius you can be so thick sometimes. Last night, was brilliant, thank you. I can't keep doing this though. I can't keep chasing after you with hopes of something that will never happen. Jim, Tom, and now you? How many times do I have to be hurt and used Sherlock." Tears started streaming down her face. Sherlock, not knowing what exactly to do, patted her hand lightly, which caused Molly to collapse into his arms. Her shampoo wafted into his nostrils and he smiled at her choice in fragrance: coconut. He hugged her closer to him before pushing her away gently, "Molly Hooper, I'm not going to hurt you." With this, he strode off to his bedroom and Molly quickly wiped her eyes.
Upstairs, she flopped onto John's old bed. It was colder up here, and she found herself wishing she were back down in Sherlock's king-sized bed. As she began to read one of her many books from work, there was a gentle knocking at her door. "Um, come in," she said quietly as she quickly laid her hair flat. Sherlock entered carrying a blanket from his bed, "John always said it was a bit chilly up here. I thought you might want this." He awkwardly held out the blanket. "Thank you Sherlock. I would ask you to stay, but big day tomorrow, yeah," she said taking the blanket, her hand brushing against Sherlock's briefly. He glanced around the room and saw her purple maid of honor dress hanging against the wardrobe. "You're nervous," he said looking back at her, trying to not picture her wearing the dress. "Yeah I guess so. Never had to do anything so important." Sherlock chuckled, "And you dissect bodies for Lestrade on a whim." Molly giggled and bit her lip. "Good night Molly Hooper," he leaned in and kissed her cheek before turning on his heel and heading back to his room. Molly flopped down onto the bed with a grin plastered across her face. Tomorrow she would, for one night, be Sherlock's.
Sherlock woke early the next day. When Molly came down the stairs in her dress, Sherlock faltered for a moment before returning to his dancing. "What do you think," Molly asked, noticing the way he looked at her. "You look beautiful Molly. Now, go and help Mary, I will see you later." Molly grabbed her jacket and was heading out as John was heading in.
"Sherlock, ready," he asked as he watched Molly go. "Yes, I suppose so," Sherlock choked out as he grabbed his violin from his chair. The drive to the church was quiet until John couldn't contain himself any longer, "So, what is going on with you and Molly?" Sherlock sat straighter (if that was possible), "Why do you ask? You know I don't get involved." "That was before you felt loneliness. I see how you look at her since you have been back. Don't pretend Sherlock," John accused him. For the first time, John saw defeat in Sherlock's eyes, "How, can I be with Molly, without compromising myself?" John's mouth opened and closed repeatedly until he exhaled and fell silent.
The wedding and first part of the reception went by quickly. Luckily for Sherlock, Molly was able to keep him straight alongside John with his speech. He even solved a case before John's ex-commander was murdered. Out of everything that happened, he was most nervous about dancing with Molly. They hadn't really talked much since that night when Molly stayed with him, and he dreaded that it would affect their dance. His fears were removed when she wrapped her arm through his and they headed out onto the dance floor. To the crowd, they were almost as beautiful as John and Mary had been. Sherlock pulled Molly in closer as the music swelled to a climax. She laid her head on his shoulder, her lips inches away from his earlobe. "I love you Sherlock Holmes," she whispered, barely auditable. Her eyes widened when she realized that it had escaped her lips. Sherlock didn't react, but he heard her. When the song ended and they had disappeared into the crowd once again, Molly excused herself away from Sherlock.
Molly fought her way to the loo and locked the main door, not wanting to be disturbed. Tears started streaming down her face as she berated herself over and over, "Stupid! How could you be so stupid?" She sank to the floor and buried her face in her arms. Just as she was about to give over completely to the sobbing, a gentle knocking came from the other side of the door, "Molly, open up." Her head shot up as Sherlock's gentle voice reached her ears. Molly gently wiped her eyes on the back of her hand before unlocking the door and cracking it slightly, "What do you want Sherlock?" He held out his hand and gestured for her to take it. Hesitantly, Molly opened the door and grabbed his strong hand, "I—" Sherlock held up his other hand to quiet her, "Do not apologize Moly Hooper. Never apologize for being human." With that, he turned and led them, hand in hand, back to the reception.
Mary gave them a smile as she noticed them holding hands. "John! Do you think," Mary whispered as she nodded to Sherlock and Molly dancing together off to the side. "No. Not yet, but an east wind is coming." The rest of the night was filled with music and dancing and two people who began to realize just how much they needed the other.
XXX
Okay, so the next chapter will take place about 15 months after this one, otherwise, there will just be a bunch of filler chapters. Which means, Sherlock babysitting, maybe getting with Molly, and maybe some furniture moving.