3 days have pass seen their courtship. Small kisses and limited amount of cuddling have been as far as they gotten, but every time one of them tries to do more something always gets in the; Mrs. Hudson needing some assists, Greg calling in for advice on a case, or Mary calling in to speak with John.
It's not like John is avoiding Mary, he just doesn't know how to handle it. There has been times where Sherlock had answered the phone and kindly told Mary to stop disturbing John, that he'll call her when he's really.
Finally, after John had some idea of how to approach Mary, he calls her.
"I'll take the salad, and the sparkling water for now," Mary said, her eyes scanning for anything better on the menu.
"And for you sir?" the waiter asked.
"Just the special and some tea should be fine," John replied while the waiter poured a glass of water for both.
The waiter takes the menu and leaves. John too sips of his water while Mary was ranting off about a friend of hers. Even though they haven't seen each other since the day Sherlock got shoot, it felt like it never happened and things were back to normal.
"So John, have you thought about," Mary clears her throat, "us?"
John looks at her, then at his napkin, "Mary, I need you to understand that 'us' might not work anymore."
Mary fidgets with the end of her blouse, "I have considered that thought, but a girl can hope can't she?"
"I suppose she can," John replies and on instinct tries to grab Mary's hand, but stops himself quickly,"but I wouldn't hold out too much."
The words sink into Mary like a rock hitting the ocean. Tears start to form in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
"What about our child John." Mary's voice cracked, her hand on her growing stomach.
John looks at his napkin again, as if asking it for courage, "We'll settle on that through court, but I have no problem of paying child support. Of course I would like to take care of him or her."
The space between Mary and John has become intense, either one knows what to say or do next.
"I better go," Mary finally says, quickly getting up.
"Mary wait," John says as he follows her out of the cafe.
Everyone is looking at them, as Mary rushes out the door with John following fast behind her.
Whispers start to form theories while Mary tries to hollers for a taxi.
"Mary, please," John pleads. "You know I hate what's happening as much as you do, let's not make this any uglier."
"John, this will get much uglier if I don't get out of here as fast as I can." Mary replied angrily, becoming more impatience.
"Mar-", John starts to speak, but is cut off.
"John, listen to me and listen to me good. I am a women with secrets, and I'm sorry that you found out that way, but I'm not sorry. I did it for you. For us. I was protecting you from me, because I love you," tears were escape Mary's eyes, "I hope one day you'll see that."
A taxi has appeared in the distant, seeing Mary flag him down.
Mary whips her tears on her sleeves, and gives out a small sniffle, "Please answer one question for me though."
John nods, the ability to speak lost to him. He has hurt Mary in the worst possible way, all because he couldn't forgive her. He felt like the worst smug bag on Earth.
"Ever since Sherlock came back, you seemed more alive," Mary places a hand on the car's handle. "Are you happy John? Can you be happy with him?"
John looks at the ground, his mind thinking hard on the question. Of course he's happy, his best friend has come back, even though John had moments of rage towards Sherlock for leaving him for three years, but he was content. John nods and shallows the knot in his throat, just answering part of Mary's question.
"That's good to know," Mary answers dry. "If I'm going to lose you, at least I should know is if that person will take good care of you."
With that Mary gets inside the taxi, and drives off, leaving a man behind to wonder on her exact words.