Green? Blue? Or should he do something gender neutral like yellow, that way there was no gender sterotypes? Sherlock pondered over this, looking down at william, trying to decide which would make him look the cutest. Although the front carriers took forever to put on and had way too many straps, it was incredibly useful to be able to carry the baby and be able to use his hands, and that was invaluable.

It still took him another five minutes standing in the onsie aisle before he finally decided on a yellow one with a less than accurate depiction of an aeroplane on it. It seemed impossible to ever find anything accurate for children. Every now and again, he would find a book on plants or pets and although it was very geared towards its target audience, it would be absolutely ludicrous. Giving children the wild idea the train cars are connected with simple hooks and planes fly shooting sparkles and rainbows from their rear. Heavens forbid his son grew up believing that all modes of transportation have eyes and mouths, and would know how to use them.

For right now he had a bit more time before William started to notice what he was being dressed in. Maybe once the time came, he'd have to make his own more realistic designs, but luckily, not at this moment.

Just as he was walking out the door with the few groceries in hand, his mobile buzzed, and then again.

Don't forget nappies -JW

And formula -JW

Sherlock rolled his eyes, dutifully walking back in to the store to grab the few last things they needed. It seemed like they always needed something or another. John had flatly refused when he had suggested using the attic space as a bulk store for all this baby stuff, much to his dismay. Now it felt like he was constantly being sent to the store. But John really needed some time to himself and maybe a few hours of extra sleep. He was luckily this time though, William was being very quite almost too quiet, but he was going to question it. Now, if only he could get home and put in his crib without him crying...that would be the day.

As they walked back to the flat, Sherlock realized for the first time in a while, he was really content. Not just happy, happy was an emotion that came and went. But this was different this was just bliss, a feeling he really had never felt without drugs. It was strange to feel this way,even in his happiest moments, he always had felt the need to keep his brain stimulated. He always needed a case or a puzzle and if those evaded him, he would need an escape.

Perhaps it was the consistent alertness or sleep deprivation or both, but his brain felt like it was starting to lag, he just didn't have the same speed anymore. Speed wasn't the right word, it was working at the same speed (obviously, his neurons weren't firing any slower), but it didn't need to be as occupied all the time. He could only focus on so many things, and when William was taking up 50% of his attention span, he was definitely more limited for the time being.

He was worried most of the time these days. Worried about whether the baby was eating enough, or if John was sleeping enough, or if he was taking care of his family well enough. There were just too many things running around his head to be preoccupied with the plain mundane.

-0-

John could hear the keys rattle in the locks, before he heard the door open. "Sher?"

"Just us." Sherlock called back as he placed the groceries on the kitchen table and put the baby in the bassinet.

Just as he started undoing the million and one straps on the carrier,John came into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around his waist, kissing his shoulder. "I miss you."

The detective was surprised, but the gesture was not unwelcome. "But...I see you daily"

John sighed, turning him around so that they were face to face. "I mean, I miss spending one on one time with you. The only time we see each other is when we are so tired that we instantly fall asleep in our chairs or when you try and pass off your nappy change by saying that you can't smell anything." He said with a slight chuckle.

Sherlock made a face."You are exaggerating, John. Maybe we haven't been spending quality time together, but we are still Co-existing and we just sat next to each other on the couch last night!" He whined.

"It's not the same though. And last night doesn't count, I was eating and you were napping/drooling." John complained. "All I'm saying is that I think we'd both benefit from a date night. That's it."

A date night? "Who would watch the baby?" He questioned.

" , is that your only objection?" He whipped back.

He smiled and nodded. "Okay."

"Okay." John was beaming. They needed this, William was five weeks old and it felt like they were really starting to drift a bit. He really didn't want to find out what'd happen if they continued to move in this direction. It seemed like they both just felt lost and we're moving in opposite directions, weren't they supposed to be closer than ever? Parenthood was just supposed to bond them more, but it just wasn't, not from his point of view anyway.

-0-

I need a favor. -SH