Chapter 4

Let's go say I do

"Sherlock just do it okay?" Greg asked with some impatience and a small degree of desperation. Sherlock rolled his eyes and sighed.

"You promise to stay here?"

"Yes!"

"Fine." With a swish of his tuxedo coat he turned and walked away, leaving Greg waiting in the hallway. Ten minutes later he could hear mumbling.

"Sherlock I don't have time for this. What do you want?" Mycroft sounded impatient and Greg immediately calmed down. Mycroft's voice always has that impact on him.

"Lestrade's needs you, or wanted you. His being insistent."

"Gregory? Sherlock is he okay? Is he having second thoughts? What did he say?" Mycroft sounded so broken and desperate all of a sudden that Greg spoke up.

"I do not have second thoughts My, in fact I'm counting the seconds and minutes before I can put a ring on your finger, claim you as mine and snog the breath out of you in front of your family while your parents and brother can just watch as I completely and utterly ravish you so calm down and come here." It was quiet and then Sherlock materialise from around the corner.

"Stand there, exactly five centimetres from the corner, Gregory is standing on that side and I'll stand here making sure you don't see each other. Why there is a ridiculous notion of not seeing each other before the wedding is insane and a useless tradition, as if that will determine the success of the marriage."

"Yes, thank you dear brother." Mycroft said and then softly.

"Gregory?"

"Hi." Greg answered with a smile. He held out his hand around the corner and Mycroft grabbed his hand, interlocking their fingers.

"The wedding is nearly starting, what's this?" Mycroft inquired.

"You're wedding present." Greg replied as he held out his other hand with an envelope. Mycroft couldn't reach it, not without leaning closer and risk seeing Greg. Sherlock took hold of it opened it and handed the paper for Mycroft to read.

He quickly glance it over, the more he read the bigger his eyes got.

"Gregory. ...It's. ... This... You've. ..."

"Retired. Resigned, however you'd like to see it."

"But how... Why... what..." Mycroft couldn't talk, he couldn't focus. His about to get married and his fiancé just gave him a letter of retirement.

"I love you Mycroft. Every beat, every breath and I know how you worry about the ones you care about. Your parents, Sherlock and me, on top of everything else you do and focused on in your job, I find it quite miraculous how you make it through a day. I know how you worry about me, and my job plus I overheard you and Anthea talking the other day how you wish I could be home more. It got me thinking and I know you can convince me to stay at home, but I don't want you to, I don't want you to take responsibility for me quitting my job, so I'm doing it out of free will. I've had a good run, I've done good I've done my part and I'm so close to retire anyway. So I talked with Sherlock and we came to a compromise that will work for everyone here. I also know that I'm not just marrying you, but you do have an attachment. So I'll quit and be a stay at home husband, and at the same time I'll help Sherlock and the Yard with the occasional consultation. When John is unavailable I'll go with Sherlock as to keep an eye on him, while you can have one less worry; me. Also I messed up one marriage with my job and there is absolutely no way on earth I'm placing you second. You're my first and foremost priority. I want to be there for you when needed; I want to take care of you. I want to help you be the best you can be. I'm not messing around with the only good and true thing in my life. If I lose you I'll lose everything."

It was quiet and Mycroft's deep breaths and the sound of silent crying could be heard. Mycroft leaned forward his head near the corner edge.

His voice was brittle and wobbly. His hand clenched Greg's tight.

"You'd do that, for me?"

"Yes. I'll do anything for you Love." Sherlock looked down and took a small step back, the closest he could come to give them some privacy.

It was still quiet before Mycroft held out his hand for the paper. Sherlock gave it to him and he clutched it to his chest.

"Thank you my dearest heart."

"You're welcome; now let's go get married hey."

"Can't wait." Slowly they let go of each other's hand and walked towards their side of the entrance.

Halfway Mycroft turned around.

"Gregory?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for loving me."

"Thank you for loving me My. I'll see you soon."