Chapter 7
"W-what?" was all John could say. Here he was, standing her with his wife and children, when the part of his life that he thought was gone forever was suddenly resurrected.
"Funny," Sherlock mused. "I never thought that this reunion would be like this. I imagined you going into a cursing fit and passing out, and Mrs. Hudson would have to revive you." John did not find it funny. He sat down.
"How?" was all he asked. The room was silent. Adelaide locked her hand with Eddie's, obviously anxious. Eddie looked at her.
"Do we have to discuss this now? I mean, tonight was supposed to be for me and Adelaide, and-"
"Yes, John, Eddie is right. Do we have to discuss this now-"
"No. I want an answer. The last time I saw you, you were splattered on the sidewalk beneath St. Bart's, and now you're alive and well, with a wife and a daughter, dating my son. How did this happen?" John asked quietly. Sherlock exhaled quickly. There was no way out.
"Homeless network. The people who loaded me-or rather the dummy of me- into that ambulance, took me around the back of Bart's and shoved me back in. There I stayed for three days until Molly got me secret passage to America, which ended up not so secret, considering how it turned out," he said, smiling at Irene.
"And here we are," Adelaide shrugged, squeezing Eddie's hand. John nodded.
"Yes… here we are, I suppose," he muttered. He rose from the couch and extended his hand. Sherlock shook it firmly. They looked at each other. John smiled, and the handshake turned into a tearful hug (the tears being on John's end.)
After a long dinner and dessert, the young lovers grew restless. Eddie leaned across the sofa and whispered to Adelaide.
'What d'you we get out of here?" Adelaide turned.
"I suppose we could."
Eddie told his parents that he and Adelaide were gong for a walk, grabbed both of their coats and left.
The city of London was all lit up for the evening, as it always was. Eddie rounded yet another corner where they came to a rusted ladder leaned against a tall brick building.
"Shall we?" he asked, extending his hand. Adelaide eyed him warily, but took his hand and up they went. When they reached the top, the view was incredible.
London. Every single building, every single individual window and light, able to be seen for miles. They sat down on the building's flat roof. It was silent. Adelaide fished around in her coat and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. She offered one to Eddie.
"Dad can't seem to kick the habit, so I steal 'em from him," she explained.
"And instead you use them?" Eddie asked. Adelaide raised an eyebrow.
"You're only young once," she whispered sweetly. She shook one out of the pack. Eddie took it reluctantly. She smirked, leaned over and lit it for him, doing the same for herself, inhaling quickly. They sat there in silence, smoking for a few more minutes when Adelaide spoke.
"So when and how did you come across this place?" she asked. Eddie exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"A friend took me up here ages ago. I come here when I'm in deep thought or when I've had a bad day. I just watch the world go by, and it all seems better from up here."
Adelaide nodded. "If only that were true." Once again, it was silent. Just the two of them, sitting on this old roof, smoking cigarettes and talking about life. It was all so perfect, and so abnormal at the same time. Apparently, Eddie could no longer stand the silence.
"Adelaide-"
"Shh."
"What is it?"
"I'm listening."
"To what?"
"The city. I never appreciate the city sounds. I love hearing car horns and buses come around corners and people yelling. It's home, I guess," she mused, exhaling as she spoke. Eddie could only stare. Adelaide looked back at him.
"What? It's rude to stare you know," she said, but couldn't say anything more, because Eddie had leaned forward and flat-out kissed her.
It was interesting, this kiss. It was nothing like she had expected. Eddie's lips were cold from the wind, but when they met hers, they warmed up instantly. The warm breath coming from his nose warmed her whole face, but sent a shiver down her spine. She broke away quickly. The smoke danced all around them. Once again, Eddie could only stare. She stared back. They smiled at each other and burst out laughing.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Why are you laughing?"
"It wasn't funny!"
"I understand that!"
"So why are you laughing?"
"I don't know?!"
"Shall we give it another go?"
"Yes, let's," Adelaide said between laughs before Eddie's lips closed over hers.