"Thank you Auntie Molly!" Eleanor Watson beamed at her favorite aunt as she held up the bright green sweater that her aunt had bought for her along with a lovely hair bow to match.
"You're welcome, sweetheart. Happy birthday Ellie," Molly smiled warmly at her niece as she received an exuberant hug.
"Don't forget my hug," Mrs. Hudson chided gently. Ellie beamed at the older woman and positively flew into her arms, whispering a thank-you for the lovely hand-knitted scarf that she had unwrapped only moments earlier. The sweater from Auntie Molly may have been her favorite color, but the blue scarf that Grandma Hudson had knitted for the new five-year-old was an almost perfect match for the child's brilliant sapphire blue eyes. If it happened to resemble the certain scarf of one consulting detective well…who could blame a girl for wanting to imitate her godfather and play detective?
"Mind your manners Ellie," Mary Watson chided lovingly.
"Yes, Mummy. Oh, Uncle Myc!" Eleanor gasped with delight as Mycroft stepped into the living room where the party guests were gathered. It was a small grouping, family only that gathered in 221A Baker Street. Harry Watson had been unable to make the festivities (John and Mary had agreed that she was not to come near their daughter until she sobered up), but the room was otherwise filled with their extended family: Uncle Lestrade, Auntie Molly, Grandma Hudson, Uncle Sherlock, and now that Uncle Mycroft was in attendance the entire family was gathered.
"You are late, Mycroft," Sherlock informed his older brother.
"It was intentional. I am never late nor early, but I arrive precisely when I intend to. I did not want my present disrupting the festivities," Mycroft smiled thinly at his younger sibling before devoting his attention to his niece.
"Happy birthday Lady Eleanor."
"Thank you Uncle Myc," Eleanor said politely, trying not to let her disappointment show as she noticed that he carried no gift for her.
"I apologize for missing your birthday dinner and interrupting your gift opening. Would you mind taking a moment to come downstairs with me? Your gift is outside with Miss Anthea."
"May I Mummy? Please Poppa?" Ellie asked, looking towards her parents hopefully.
"Of course sweetheart," Mary smiled. Ellie clapped with delight and followed Mycroft Holmes back out the door. The other guests glanced at each other in confusion while the elder Watsons simply smiled. Mycroft (being the supposedly more-brilliant one of the Holmes brothers) had of course already cleared his present with the elder Watsons as well as their landlady.
Mycroft listened to Lady Eleanor chatter as they descended the stairs and exited 221. Anthea was waiting outside of Speedy's sandwich shop with the present and smiled at the sight of the adorable five-year-old.
Lady Eleanor's eyes widened almost immediately as she saw what Anthea had with her.
"Is…is that…?"
"Why don't you go take a closer look?" Mycroft prompted, nudging the little girl forward with a surprisingly warm smile. Eleanor stepped forward hesitantly, holding her hand out to the Tornjak puppy.
"Is he yours, Miss Anthea?" Eleanor asked hesitantly.
"No, I'm just watching him for his owner. She's a rather special young lady who just turned five today. Do you know anyone who fits that description?" she asked with a small smile. The white and brown puppy's tail thumped eagerly as Eleanor held her hand out for his inspection. He whuffed appreciatively and Eleanor giggled, dropping down to her hands and knees in the middle of the sidewalk to become better acquainted with her new friend. This delighted the puppy who began to give her a thorough inspection, both of them positively quivering with excitement.
"I love him!" Eleanor declared firmly, hugging her arms gently around the puppy's neck. "He's perfect!"
"He's also a part of a breed known for being extremely loyal and excellent guard dogs," Sherlock observed. The adults had all followed Eleanor and Mycroft outside and had watched in amusement as the young Watson met her new best friend. "A rather…inspired choice, Mycroft."
"I believe that Butler will do a marvelous job," Mycroft agreed.
" 'Butler'?" Lestrade only just held back his laughter at the name. "Bit presumptuous, don't 'cha think?"
"Every dog requires a name," Mycroft sniffed pompously.
"As my understanding dictates, it is the recipient of the puppy who has the right to choose his name," Sherlock smirked.
"Hey Ellie, what are you thinking we should call your new friend there?" John called out to his daughter, bored by her uncles' pointless debate on the subject.
"Gladstone!" Ellie answered promptly. The puppy arffed happily at the name and Ellie burst into a peal of giggles. "See? He likes the name already!"
"Hope you didn't have the collar engraved already," Lestrade muttered in a whisper to Mycroft.
"Oh do be quiet, Inspector. I would like to see what you or my brother have come up with in the manner of presents," Mycroft scoffed.
"Now I thought we agreed this wasn't going to be a contest. It's about Little Elle, remember?"
"And doesn't Lady Eleanor deserve the best?" Mycroft challenged.
"A puppy is predictable. I believe you will both find my gift to be much more suited for Ellen's needs," Sherlock murmured with heavy self-satisfaction.
"Well why don't we go back inside and settle it?"
"Boys, I know you three aren't making my little girl's birthday about you?" Mary Watson asked from behind the three men, a tone of innocence belying the threat in her words. All three instantly straightened up (not that a Holmes ever slouched, heaven forbid) and shot nervous glances over their shoulders to the mother.
"Not at all Mary," Sherlock said smoothly. "But Ellen hasn't opened all of her presents yet. Surely she must want to see what else she has received to mark the occasion of her birth?"
Mary pursed her lips, not falling for Sherlock's smooth-talking for even a moment but she couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"Ellie, love, why don't you and Gladstone come back into the flat now? You've still got other presents, remember?" Mary called out to her child.
"Okay Mummy! Come on Gladstone, you can help me open the rest of my presents!" Ellie said excitedly. Gladstone woofed once again and it was with a smile that Anthea helped the little girl lead the puppy into 221 Baker Street. With only a little pressing the personal assistant was induced to join in on the festivities, although soon after entering the flat she did find a convenient corner to settle herself in with her BlackBerry.
"Thank you Uncle Myc," Lady Eleanor declared once they were back in the flat, abandoning her puppy just long enough to wrap her tiny arms around Mycroft's legs. He looked down to see her looking up at him with absolute adoration. "He's absolutely and totally perfect! I could never ask for a better friend. Thank you so much!"
"Anything for you, Lady Eleanor," Mycroft smiled, and if anyone looked close enough they would notice the cold demeanor melting slightly away to reveal a truly touched gentleman. "It was truly my pleasure to provide you with such a steadfast companion."
"Which present do you want to open next darling?" Mary asked once they were all settled back in.
"Uncle 'Lock's please!" Ellen said, turning to her godfather with hopeful eyes. He smiled down at her and handed her a box wrapped in shiny silver paper with a matching bow.
"I believe you will find it to be a perfect fit," Sherlock said mysteriously as Ellen proceeded to unwrap her gift, Gladstone snuggled faithfully at her side. When the little girl had removed the lid from the box every occupant of 221C Baker Street had to reach up to cover their ears, so loud was the shriek of delight from the small child.
Ellen pulled the small Belstaff coat out with a flourish, her eyes wide as she looked at the dark blue wool. She stroked it reverently for a moment before realization flashed across her face. Whipping the coat on, she lunged across the living room to grab the scarf she had received from Mrs. Hudson. With trembling fingers she knotted it properly then stared down at herself in astonishment.
"Look everyone, I'm a consulting detective! Just like Poppa and Uncle 'Lock!" Ellen declared proudly, doing a small pirouette to better display the ensemble. The gathered company applauded politely, Mycroft sending a particularly venomous glare in the direction of his little brother. Molly was doing her best to not giggle too loudly while Mrs. Hudson had a handkerchief up to her mouth to suppress her laughter.
"You're wonderful Uncle 'Lock! Thank you, thank you!" Ellen cheered, launching herself across the room to land in her godfather's lap, snuggling close as she wrapped her arms tightly around his torso. Sherlock, thankfully long used to such displays of affection from his niece, returned the hug and patted her gently on the head. Ellen hopped up from his lap, an eager gleam in her eyes that was spookily similar to the look that entered John and Sherlock's eyes when they received a new and exciting case.
"Come on Gladstone! Thieves and murderers are afoot! Let's go catch the scoundrels!" Ellen shouted. Gladstone stood up immediately at his mistress's command, preparing to follow her as she started to dash out of the room on her imaginary quest. It was a good thing that Mary Watson remembered her manners because her husband was currently too busy trying to not choke on his laughter as he and Sherlock leaned against each other, both chortling in a manner similar to their very first night as flatmates when they had run across the rooftops of London.
"Just a moment Ellie. Before you go and catch your first criminal you need to open Uncle Lestrade's present," Mary called out, her smile wide at the sight of her little girl trussed up like a detective.
"Sorry Uncle 'Strade," Little Elle apologized immediately, turning to look to her other uncle. While Sherlock and Mycroft were now glaring daggers at each other, telepathically debating on who had given their niece the better birthday present, they both felt a moment of peace that no matter what they would not be topped by whatever Lestrade had deigned to give the child.
Lestrade smiled warmly at the little girl and shook his head.
"Not a thing to be sorry for m'dear. I've got you a little something. Not quite as exciting as puppies or Belstaffs, but I think you'll like it just fine," Lestrade said, sounding very pleased with himself as he handed an envelope to the five-year-old.
"I know I can trust you with this, and I hope you use it well," he added as Little Elle carefully ripped the envelope open with the help of her mum.
Inside there was a beautiful glittery birthday card. Upon opening the card, Little Elle's eyes lit up to see laying there a laminated I.D. badge with her picture and the words New Scotland Yard scrolled across the top.
"What is this?" she whispered in awe.
"That is your official consultant's badge," Lestrade replied promptly. "You show that to anyone at the Yard and they'll know that they can trust you to tell them the truth and help them however you can. Just like a real detective."
Eleanor's eyes widened with delight. Oh the puppy was a perfect companion, and the Belstaff was perfect for when she played detective, but this! To be given a real badge and practically be made a real detective. She leapt up from where she was sitting amidst her presents and wrapped her arms tightly around her Uncle Lestrade's neck, her smile so large that it threatened to break her face.
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! I love it and I promise I'll be just as good as you and Uncle 'Lock! I'll be a big help and catch all the bad guys, I promise! Thank you Uncle 'Strade, thank you! You're the best!"
"You're welcome Little Elle," Lestrade chuckled. "Like I said, I know that you'll use it well and not abuse this special privilege." If Lestrade happened to glance sarcastically over at Sherlock as he said this no one was going to point it out, especially considering that the consulting detective was currently too busy trying to compute the fact that his five-year-old niece had just been given a badge to gain access into the Yard before he had.
"Where's your badge Uncle 'Lock?" Ellen asked excitedly, wanting to compare her badge to her uncle's.
"I am afraid I do not have one…with me at the moment," Sherlock said lamely.
"Oh, you lost it," Ellen nodded sagely. "I lose things sometimes too. But don't worry, you can use my badge until you find yours! Right Uncle 'Strade?" Little Elle turned expectantly to her silver-haired uncle.
"Actually Little Elle, you see that picture of you right there on the front? That means that this badge is only good for you. No one else can use it," Lestrade made sure to make eye contact with Sherlock as he said this before turning back to Little Elle. "I'm trusting you with it, so you take extra special care of it, all right?"
"Okay Uncle 'Strade," Eleanor nodded solemnly before an idea occurred to her.
"Uncle Myc, do you have a badge?" Eleanor asked curiously.
"No my dear, I do not need a badge to get into the Yard. You know that I do my business elsewhere."
"But the Yard is the coolest!"
Mycroft made a silent vow to bring Lady Eleanor to work with him at the next opportunity he got. As he watched Lady Eleanor admire her new consultant badge he added a mental note to confiscate all unnecessary footage of today's events in 221A. No one outside of this home needed to know that both of the Holmes brothers had been bested in a single hour.
