The December 9th prompt, as assigned by Alosha135: "Bloody Mary"


"We went to see your family last year, Geoff."

"I know, but can't we just take a year off?"

"Darling, it's just a day with my family. It's not the end of the world."

"But if they starting singing again…"

If there was one thing that Lestrade couldn't stand, it was the way that his wife's family got off on their drunken Christmas carols. Every single year that they went, her parents and her siblings would have a few, and off they would go, and it was all "angels we have heard on high" with more verses than he had previously thought existed. You could only take so much off-key slurring before you snap, and every year, he was the only one sane and awake come morning apart from the children. Or something like that.

"You're overreacting. It's not that bad."

"No? Well, we'll just see what happens this time around."

He feared that his suspicions were going to be confirmed when he saw the bottles being uncorked and the mixing began, the sound of clinking glasses seeming a bit strange next to the twinkling of the Christmas tree. Annie's brother William looked over at him and raised his glass with a dramatic swing, grinning like a fool. "What can we get you, Geoff? Whiskey and soda? Shot of vodka? Bit of rum?"

Lestrade smiled politely, folding his hands in his lap as he scanned the room for his wife. "No, thank you, Bill. I'm just fine."

Bill's grin grew wider. "I'll get you something right up, brother." And with that, he turned and disappeared over to the table holding the bottles.

"Thank you…" Lestrade tilted his chin in annoyance, but decided not to push it.

A short time later, Bill was back, brandishing a glass in a slightly shaky hand. "Bloody Mary for you, my good man! That'll put the 'air back on your chest!"

Lestrade chose not to comment, but reluctantly accepted the glass, taking a sip for politeness. And then another. And another…


The next morning, he awoke with a pounding headache and his eyes crossing in front of him. He attempted to pull himself into a sitting position, but finally gave up on it, falling back in amongst the covers. Annie looked over at him disapprovingly as he did.

"I thought you didn't approve of Christmas carols and drinking."

"What do you mean?" Lestrade kneaded his forehead and grimaced.

"Let's just say that nobody knew that you could jump or sing quite that high. Assuming anyone else remembers what happened last night, they'll be talking about that bared chest of yours for quite some time."

Lestrade stared at her incredulously. "You mean…"

She nodded, looking mockingly down at him. "Bloody Mary, my darling."