Disclaimer: I don't own BBC Sherlock. Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss are the creators.

Chapter 9: Baby Steps

Sherlock has convinced Hamish to begin to walk if he eats more. Hamish is a very clever boy.

"You are doing marvellously Hamish." Hamish hesitantly steps forward his face scrunched in concentration. His arms are raised ready to hold onto the nearest object if he falls.

"Almost there." Sherlock ushers and Hamish's face relaxes knowing he has almost completed his journey. He stops walking and looks up at his father sudden vertigo hitting him and he stumbles backwards.

"I've got you." Sherlock whispers catching Hamish.

John walks through the front door uttering a greeting as a he removes his coat and slams it shut. Sherlock looks up and frowns.

Has been sitting in chair for 8 hours, sore shoulder. Almost had a punch up with one of the patients, he was on cocaine. Oh.

"You shouldn't care what people say about me."

John looks across at Sherlock's his features fierce and they soften when he sees his partner and their child.

"I know. How do you…?"

"The way I know most things, I observe."

"I would ask if you want to talk about it but given your current state I'm sure the flat would suffer some damage and given you're suspended for 2 weeks we need to reduce spending."

John looks at Sherlock shocked, ashamed and then upset.

"Can I?"

Sherlock stands up and walks over to John holding him in a tight embrace. John sighs allowing some of the anger to dissipate.

"I missed you." John murmurs and without any trepidation Sherlock answers, "And I you."

Sherlock lifts John's head and presses their lips together softly, lovingly and briefly given Hamish being present.

"We have a surprise for you."

Hamish gurgles excitedly and is helped upright by Sherlock.

"Walk to daddy." Sherlock whispers before letting go of Hamish. Hamish begins awkwardly stepping towards John. He falls forwards catching himself with his hands and immediately keeps trudging on his quest. John looks in awe as the boy finally bypasses another major step from his past. Hamish looks from the floor at John and smiles proudly, John copying the same expression. A couple more steps and Hamish is being whisked in the air by John his mission accomplished.

"Have you been working on this the whole day?"

"Most of the day."

John temporarily laughs and rests Hamish in one arm.

"Were there any complications?"

"Always the medic." Sherlock jokes. "I did take him to the hospital to make sure his ribs were healing correctly and that his leg muscles were developing too. The doctor said that his trauma is still preventing him from developing fully. I said the fact that he is trying to walk shows he wants to move on and is getting over the fear of pursuing this act. He was presented with leg braces that will help him learn to walk faster by keeping his posture and balance perfect. Nothing is perfect and Hamish refused to put them on."

"He had a tantrum?"

"I was so proud." Sherlock beams and John rolls his eyes jokily.

They make 3 bowls of strawberry jelly and ice-cream as a reward for Hamish.

"Sherlock? I think it's time."

Sherlock sits up fast and looks to John with an annoyed expression.

"They all know about Hamish. Why do we need to parade him about?"

"They've been texting me constantly asking me details about him. It's only fair."

Sherlock continues to frown then sighs not wanting to argue with John.

"When will they be here?"

"I'll text them to come over in 2 hours." Sherlock hands John his phone then goes to Hamish.

Sherlock's expression relaxes when he's with Hamish and his smile is genuine. John smirks at his phone then chuckles abruptly disturbing Sherlock from his concentration on the toddler.

"What?"

"Just their replies…" John hands his phone to Sherlock.

Molly Hooper

Come to Baker Street in 2 hours. – JW

Does Sherlock want another body? – MH

No, but we do have a surprise. – JW

Is your flat on fire again? – MH

No…will you come? No more questions? – JW

Sure. – MH

Lestrade

Come to Baker Street in 2 hours. – JW

Is everything ok? – GL

We just have news. – JW

Are you guys hitched? About time. – GL

We're just breaking the news about Hamish. Just be here? – JW

Ok. See you later. – GL

Mycroft

Come to Baker Street in 2 hours. – JW

I already know about the child. – MH

It would still be nice if you came. Molly, Greg and Mrs Hudson are also coming.

I'll be there. – MH

Thanks. – JW

"What do you think turned your brother's mind? I know it's either because of Molly or Greg since when I mentioned them he changed his mind."

"My brother hasn't met Molly, I highly doubt Mrs Hudson attending makes him remotely happy and…oh God."

"You think Mycroft 'likes' Greg?"

"He has changed his bathroom routine recently; new hairbrush, new razor, new deodorant and shower gel."

"Let's focus on our own scandal before we start gossiping about your brother."

2 hours later

Mrs Hudson comes up first bringing additional snacks and punch for the evening. Next Molly arrives, then Lestrade and then Mycroft fashionably late.

"Couldn't get away from the Diogenes Club brother?"

"I have a very busy schedule, Sherlock. I'm not John; I won't abandon everything just because you ask."

Sherlock and John both scowl at Mycroft. Mrs Hudson breaks the tension asking how everyone is.

"I'm currently staying with my brother. I caught my wife with another man last night…again." Lestrade announces dejectedly.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Molly comforts and even Mycroft attempts to cheer him up. He just imperceptibly changes the conversation but it works effectively.

Everyone has a drink in their hand and the atmosphere soon becomes warm and chatty.

"When are they going?"

Sherlock asks John, fidgeting with his cuffs.

"They've only been here half an hour."

"I want them to go. I want to be alone…with you."

John looks at Sherlock judging whether he is using him to get out of this situation but knows when Sherlock reaches for his hand that he is genuine.

"Oh." Molly breathes as she looks over at John and Sherlock. Everyone's heads turn to them and John feels Sherlock tense as he is scrutinised; his mask reappears and he sits straighter alert and protected.

"Yes, we are together." John says stating the obvious. Smiles creep onto Greg's, Mrs Hudson and Molly's face.

"It's about bloody time!" Mrs Hudson congratulates hugging both of them.

"Are you happy?" Molly asks Sherlock not because she's jealous but because she believes he deserves to be happy.

"Yes." The single word lights up her face and she nods, happy.

"Brother dear, do please wake up your surprise I have a country to look after."

"Is that not the surprise?" Lestrade asks.

Sherlock walks into his room and then leaves cradling a just-woken Hamish.

Molly's mouth opens in dismay as the child clings to Sherlock.

"He's looking so much better."

"Yes." Lestrade agrees.

Hamish soon becomes alert as he looks over the strangers. He buries his face in Sherlock's neck and whimpers.

"They are friends. They won't hurt you."

Hamish peers up his azure eyes assessing the collection of adults. He relaxes as he sees Mrs Hudson knowing her then continues scanning. He stares intensely at Molly and Greg recognition registering in his mind from a time long ago. He looks at Mycroft and presses himself to Sherlock again.

"Regrettably that's my brother. He's…ok." Mycroft sighs and rolls his eyes leaning on his umbrella.

10 minutes pass before Hamish has been held by everyone, even Mycroft. He is currently being rocked by Molly. Sherlock's eyes don't move from Hamish the whole time.

"Sherlock?" Sherlock jumps and looks at John. "He's safe y'know."

"I know."

John furrows his brows confused then smirks as he realises Sherlock's behaviour.

"You are jealous." John states almost gleefully.

"No I'm not. Why would I be jealous?" Sherlock replies instantly.

John continues smirking and Sherlock exhales dramatically.

"Do you really want me to answer?" John warns adoring Sherlock's angst.

Sherlock ignores him instead leaning on him enjoying the contact.

"Do you think Molly reminds him of his mum?" John asks unexpectedly.

Sherlock looks Molly over and then Hamish. Hamish is relaxed and unworried in Molly's arms. Molly's warm personality is similar of Susanne.

"Quite possibly."

"John?" Molly says and points to his nappy.

"It's your turn." John tells Sherlock.

He picks up Hamish, taking him into the bathroom where he wipes him down and changes his nappy. He hands him to John who blows raspberries on his belly causing the toddler to giggle and squirm as he's tickled. Sherlock heads to the kitchen and makes him milk formula and a ham sandwich. He shakes the bottle making sure everything is mixed and turns to see everyone but John looking at him in shock.

"What?"

"You…you…"

"Yes I know how to sort out a child." Mrs Hudson and Molly give Sherlock that 'mother-admiration' expression.

"You can resume talking." Sherlock urges diverging the attention off him.

His friends stop gawking and conversation starts up again. Once Hamish has finished his milk he yawns and motions to be picked up and put to bed.

"Has he talked yet?" Molly asks.

"Once, although it was a single word." John replies.

Sherlock takes a bite from the sandwich and raises it to Hamish's lips who also takes a bite.

The gathering goes on until dusk when Sherlock picks up his violin and plays classical pieces sending Hamish in and out of sleep as the melody plays like a lullaby.

"Will I be seeing you soon Mycroft?" Greg asks as he leaves the flat handing the elder Holmes his mobile number.

"I should think so." Mycroft answers smiling slightly.

Sherlock begins playing I Can't Help Falling In Love With You by Elvis Presley and Mycroft blushes furiously quickly saying he farewells to the detective inspector and glaring murderously at Sherlock who in turn gets glared at by John who tries his best to keep a poker face.

"I will see you soon Sherlock."

"Hopefully not but we don't all get what we wish for."

Mycroft nods curtly at John and leaves swinging his umbrella.

"You survived." John notes.

"Just." Sherlock answers and turns to face John. He strides over to him and quickly captures his lips, not separating until the need for air is necessary.

"What was that for?"

"Can't I snog my partner?"

"Feel free to at any time." John responds and Sherlock grins.

They lay on the sofa Sherlock straddling John's hips and are disturbed when the building starts to shake. They look at each other; hair tousled, clothes untucked and lips red but panic clear in their eyes.

"Get Hamish." John commands and Sherlock stands but falls when the windows shatter and the glass is blasted in his direction. He stands again and begins to his room when he narrowly avoids brick and plaster collapse from the ceiling and land on the sofa…where John is.

A/N –Slight mystrade ;) Next chapter out on Friday 12th. xox