A/N: I don't read retirementlock, so I don't know if this fits in to the theme of it well. The retirement to a cottage in Sussex is ACD Canon, though, so I went with that.
I didn't actually anticipate this ever ending here (originally chapter 6 was the last one in the outline), but it felt right to do add this little tail.
I was also debating waiting to release the Epilogue but I just can't. I'm so ecstatic that this is finished and I want you to experience that with me.
Kyle: 52
Sherlock: 70
John: 75
So much time has passed and so much has happened.
When I was younger, I never would have thought that I would find someone who could put up with and love me for as long as John has. Nor could I imagine I'd be Grandpa to three and soon Great-Grandpa to one.
I stand in the middle of the empty living area of 221B as images of our life here flash before my eyes: the experiments in the corner, the unplanned late-night kips with John on the couch during a case, the laughter and tears shared as a family at the kitchen table.
It's unfathomable, really, to think of leaving it after all these years and all that these walls have seen, but I promised John we'd retire when I turned 70. Not an unreasonable request to fill as it's been many years since I was able to chase after criminals or stay up for countless hours in a row figuring out a case.
We bought a cottage in Sussex where I will keep bees and John will continue to write, just not about our adventures any longer. He hasn't confided in me what he will write, but I'm excited to see the passion from his blog of us be transferred to something new.
New Scotland Yard has been firmly instructed to only contact us if it's dire, and they know it will simply be via phone as we will only pop in to London to visit family, not work. John was very insistent about this, and I? Well, I've never been very good at denying him anything.
I am shaken from my reverie when his hand slips in to mine, grasping it.
"Everything is loaded and awaiting your order. Are you ready?" He smiles up at me with that same loving look that he's had only for me for so many years.
"Yes," I turn my head and smile down at him in return, "It's time."
And as one we descend the 17 steps of 221B Baker Street for the very last time.
A/N: If you have been following me as I've worked this out, thank you so much!
To CastingAnthems and Resrie71 specifically: your words of encouragement have made all the difference. Truly. I can't thank you two enough.
If you just found this and read it start to finish as a complete work, thank you, as well!
Either way, I would adore hearing your thoughts on how it all turned out. And if you have any constructive criticism for it/me, I'd love to hear that, too.
Thank you to those who encouraged me to continue with the Maybe Next Time universe and those who prompted me with things they would like to see. I hope I did them justice.
It's been a wonderful journey. Until next time...
