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With Mrs. Hudson safely back in 221A; Sherlock, John, and Mycroft walked up the stairs to the flat. Sherlock still felt embarrassed about the panic attack he had experienced, and sat down at his place at the kitchen table very meekly. John set to heating up some of the vegetable soup he had made the day before, knowing his husband loved soup, and could usually be coaxed to eat a decent portion. He had some crusty rolls in as well, and placed a couple of those on the table, with butter and jam. When the kettle switched itself off, he poured the tea for all three of them. To John's surprise, Mycroft accepted his invitation to join them for the meal. He set a third place, thankful that none of Sherlock's experiments were on the table at this time.
Sherlock was still very quiet while he ate. John leaned over, kissed him on the forehead, and patted him on the shoulder. He hated to see Sherlock so upset, and hoped they could find a way to reassure him soon.
Sherlock found he was really quite peckish, and the soup always tasted better the next day. Before he knew it, he was asking John for a refill and handing him the bowl. John filled it gladly, smiling. Sherlock also had two of the rolls with jam.
Mycroft also had seconds, and complimented the chef. "I had no idea you were such a good cook, John. This was very nice indeed. I seldom get a chance for a meal made at home. It's a talent neither of us have ever been much good at, I'm afraid. I did have a cook, but I am so often working late that I thought it silly to keep her on."
"Sherlock is actually getting very good at cooking. I'm starting him off with one meal at a time - I'd hate to see him waste away if I am called in for a lengthy shift," John said with a smirk. "I think by the time our son or daughter is ready for regular food, he will be a good enough cook to manage simple meals at least. As he is fond of saying, it is really only chemistry, after all."
"That will be a useful skill, brother. I am sure you will master it as easily as you have other things. Now, how can I help to make these preparations easier for you both?" asked Mycroft sincerely.
"Please, let me help you - I don't want you worrying over all this, Sherlock. It will only make the whole adjustment more difficult, and I think you will do very well, once you get past the physical things you will need to be prepared. When you have decided on the lab equipment you need, send the list to Anthea and she will take care of seeing it is ordered and installed properly. She can also research the shops with the best assortment of quality baby items, and then you can just start with those in the first place. She can take down what you like, and when you get home, you can compare notes and decide. Do you think that would help, brother?"
" Yes, but I want to ask Molly and Greg first what things they have found are the most helpful, and why. Since they are in the midst of raising a baby, I'd like their input before we go anywhere. Don't you agree, John? Then, I think the suggestion you made about finding quality things will help us to save a lot of time wading through things that are not made to be durable, and so forth. Mycroft, the help with the lab is much appreciated. I suppose it would help if we got an electrician in and made sure that the wiring is all up to standard. I'd also like to make a listing of the safety regulations, to be sure we are meeting those and get the right things to child-proof the flat," Sherlock answered. Obviously he had thought about this a lot.
John shot Mycroft a grateful look, knowing this would save his spouse much time spent obsessing over the details, while assuring that they were preparing a safe environment.
" I do think that asking Molly and Greg would be a great first step in knowing the main things we'll need. There are so many items out there, and I'm sure some are much more practical than others. Also, Sherlock - what would you think about some basic parenting classes for the both of us? I think they could be invaluable to us, since we have not been around that many young babies for any length of time. I am sure we can find some near here," John suggested.
Mycroft's face lit up, and he added, "I think that is a wonderful idea, John. I am sure we could arrange a private session here at the flat, if it would be more agreeable to you," knowing Sherlock would probably spend half the time deducing and dismissing the other parents-to-be, and the other half being self-conscious.
"Mycroft - that is a great idea - much better that way - what do you say, love?" asked John.
His other half looked brighter at the mention of classes. "That would be a brilliant idea - and the private ones, please. Then we can ask all the questions we want and not seem to be - erm- ill-suited to be parents by other pupils, and we won't be surrounded by idiots. Also, there is the fact that, although we are hardly the first same-sex parents to have a child, some still find it odd and/or distasteful, and I - "
" - would make mincemeat of them if they dared say anything! I agree, Sherlock, private classes will give us a chance to be completely honest about our concerns without commentary by any of the other attendees - it'd just be easier and more pleasant, as well," John finished his sentence, as he often did. When had they started doing that, he wondered. Sherlock probably knew exactly when, he'd have to ask him later. John did know he didn't want Sherlock to slip into one of his black moods about this whole parenting issue, if at all possible. He knew how much Sherlock wanted this child, and that he would be a brilliant father - and he wanted Sherlock to realise it, too.
Mycroft continued,"All right, then. I'll have Anthea see about an instructor who can come to the flat. Although we have some time, we can make tentative plans. The removal men should be here next week to help move the lab equipment down to 221C, and then back again as well to deliver the extra things you have indicated you will need to have a proper lab, like a table, stools, refrigerator, and whatever else you might have on the list. Then Anthea can start to look into which shops carry the kinds of furnishings you are looking for, and after that, she can check into the baby things.
"Oh, and I should tell you, Dr. Stapleton called and the cell lines are doing very well. She expects to have the egg cells differentiated by next week, and will phone you to see who will provide which cells – so you might want to decide that, soon. She was very pleased and said that both cell lines looked completely healthy. John, thank you for the excellent meal," Mycroft told them, as he finished his last cup of tea and made ready to leave. He retrieved his umbrella and hung it over his right arm, and made his way down the stairs. Of course, the ubiquitous black car picked him up and swirled away into traffic.
John looked over at Sherlock, saying, "Fancy watching some crap telly, then? I've a show or two to catch up on - you can lie on the sofa while I sit at one end," He smiled, knowing his partner would love to be able to use the time to "go into his mind palace"- a euphemism he sometimes used for taking a nap, and probably just about now, to judge by his trying to suppress a yawn – well, he had had an eventful and exhausting morning and early afternoon. Sherlock answered by diving onto the couch, waiting for John to slide under his head, and turned onto his side, facing John's tummy. John grinned and threw a knitted blanket over his love and was rewarded within a few minutes by Sherlock's soft snoring, ("Of course, I don't snore, John! I don't know where you get these ideas sometimes!") and settled in to watch Dr. Who.
For his part, Sherlock was soon dreaming, again, of what their child might look like. He was sure it would look like John - why wouldn't it? – John was the much better-looking one, after all. If there were a way to ensure that happened - he'd ask Dr. Stapleton tomorrow...
The next thing Sherlock was aware of, was John shaking him – again - and telling him that dinner was ready. Sherlock stumbled into the bathroom and then out to the kitchen where John had made them toasted cheese sandwiches with chips. He'd slept for nearly two hours- ridiculous in the middle of the day! Oh, well, it couldn't be helped now, he supposed, and tucked into his dinner.
A/N This work was not beta-read, so all mistakes are mine alone. I hoep you are enjoying this adventure as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Please leave a review if you wish.
~joan
