Wiggins
Irene awoke to an empty bed, stretching her arms above her. She never remembered falling asleep in this room. She honestly wasn't sure whether the events before were real or simply a dream, then it all came back to her, she was meeting Sherlock's parents today.
She had never been in a relationship this serious. She was afraid, though she would never tell Sherlock that. Everything was moving so fast, she was expected to marry, that for starters was the last thing she would have thought to do only a year ago; before she met Sherlock. And now she was to bear Sherlock's child and raise them.
It was so alien to her this prospect of becoming a family, never once had she thought of having children, it was simply impossible in her former profession. But now it seemed so real, she could imagine what they would be like. Beautiful dark curls with sharp cheekbones and obviously incredibly intelligent.
Hamish. She remembered the name from John's comment "Hamish, John Hamish Watson, if you were looking for baby names." at the time it was merely a joke, making fun of herself and Sherlock but now, it might actually happen. If it did she couldn't wait to see John's reaction. She hoped the man was well, after losing his best friend everything had gone downhill, she just wished that he would forgive Sherlock when they returned to London, his contribution was vital for his resurrection.
Slipping on a dressing gown Irene exited their bedroom to search for Sherlock. She walked barefoot down the stairs to find him talking on the phone in the kitchen holding a cup of tea. He smiled when he spotted her before finishing his phone conversation, he seemed to be in quite a good mood.
"We've got ourselves a spy" he said almost jumping up from the chair. "And who would that be?" she asked, "The head of my homeless network, Wiggins"
She raised one of her eyebrows inquisitively, "Can we trust him?" Irene was worried, one wrong move and they would end up in a death trap, if they were discovered alive at the wrong time; it could be fatal. "Defiantly" he smiled, "I've known him since he was a child, he's only seventeen now"
She almost choked on the tea Sherlock had made her, "Seventeen!" she said surprised, "Isn't that a tad young to be spying on a criminal network?" Irene continued. "Not at all, only a child could fit in, he is travelling to their base today"
"London?" She guessed, "Yes" they were getting closer and closer to discovering the truth and becoming safe, there was still a long way to go but it would be worth it. Their business explained he moved on to more personal matters, "A-Are you ok with meeting my parents today? It's just that they're not the most understanding of people" he didn't want to make her uncomfortable, nor did he want to pressure her into anything.
His phone vibrated in a text alert as she replied, "Sherlock, I'm fine with it, in fact I'd quite like to meet your parents, especially under these...circumstances" she was referring to his family's plans for the couple. Sherlock unlocked his phone to read the text from his mother.
Invited some family around to meet your fiancee, can't wait to meet her.-VH
"Oh, well it appears my family may be joining us" he showed her the text, "I must warn you I may only have one brother but I have quite a large family, I haven't seen them since I was a child" he was considerably pleased that he would be seeing his family once again, however no doubt his mother would make a big thing out of it. He couldn't blame her though, out of the whole Holmes family Sherlock always seemed the least likely to marry. He suspected that the announcement from Mycroft yesterday very unexpected.
"That's nice dear, where was the house?" she asked taking a bite of toast. "Paris, we'll get the train in about an hour, make sure you pack a bag we'll be staying there overnight" he smiled as she stood up to kiss him before leaving to walk back up stairs, "I better get dressed then"
After showering Irene searched through the wardrobe, attempting to find something suitable to wear, she was quite looking forward to it now, she didn't have much of a family when she was younger, her father left them and her mother died when she turned nineteen. After that she had to fend for herself; which led her into the dominatrix business.
In a way joining the Holmes family would be a blessing. If everything went to plan she would have a loving husband, a caring family and children of her own. That was more than she could ever ask for, and now it was all within her reach. She did't know what she would do without Sherlock, he saved her life changing their lives forever. He walked into her life and now he was taking over, she happily followed. Who ever thought that they could fall for each other?
The clothing had been that which she had organised to be delivered to the house. She was now glad that she had splurged on some luxurious designer dresses, she wanted to look presentable of course. She picked out a navy blue fitted dress, it was perfect she tried it on and admired how it hugged her curves and complemented her pale complexion in the mirror.
She put on some matching high heels that allowed her to become closer to Sherlock's height, and finished by putting her hair into an up do curlier than her normal one and let a spiralling strand hang from each side of her face. She exited the walk in wardrobe to find Sherlock wearing as suit (tieless per usual.) "How do I look?" she smirked turning in a full circle to show off her dress. "Beautiful, as always" he grinned at his wife to be, "I packed your suitcase"
She smiled, underneath his coldness Sherlock was so sweet, ever since that night in Karachi he had looked after her so well and despite her scandalous history he still respected her. She knew that she didn't deserve this, she didn't deserve him. "Thanks"
"I've booked a taxi to the station, should be here soon" he said carrying their small suitcases downstairs as she put on her coat; the doorbell ringing simultaneously.
Sometime later, after the train ride to Paris they found themselves in another taxi travelling though the stunning city itself. It was early afternoon and the sun was still bright in the clouded sky, "Not far now" said Sherlock taking her hand as she seemed frightened somehow. Himself he was becoming rather excited, his parents would be proud of him, he was never the favourite of the family so this attention was unusual to him.
Sherlock brought his phone out of his pocket, texting his mother.
We'll be at the house in five minutes-SH
The taxi pulled up and he paid the driver as Irene admired the scenery of the Holmes mansion. It seemed to stretch for miles, surrounded by gardens in the great city. The mansion itself looked more like a castle. In that moment she felt like the luckiest person in the world.
They smiled at each other as Sherlock snaked his arm around Irene's waist possessively, leading them across the gravel and to the front door. They both took a deep breath before he rung the doorbell and stepped back slightly.
