A/N: So, back to my shameless fluff. I hope this makes up for the disaster that was last chapter. I'm so sorry I put you all through that. I thought it would be weird that these chapters are about Christmas, but then I thought, "Hey, Christmas in July!"

Hope you all are enjoying this story, and haven't given up after last chapter. Love you all.

Disclaimer: I don't own Sherlock. All rights belong to BBC, Moffat, Gatiss, and Doyle.

Christmas vacation was in a week. The excitement in the air at Appledore was tangible, and all was seemingly right with world. Mary, in the mess with Janine, had forgotten to mention that her pregnancy was just a false alarm. It wasn't until four days before Christmas break began.

"I'm sorry, Molly. I was too busy saving your boyfriend from Janine to remind you that I am not pregnant." Mary munched on an apple, perched on a table at the library.

Molly rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm sorry that I want to know whether I'm going to be an aunt or not."

Mary chuckled. "I'm sorry. "

Just then, Sherlock appeared at Molly's side. "I hate to interrupt ladies, but Molly here needs to pack."

When Mary was out of earshot, Sherlock leaned down and whispered, "John tells me that he's giving Mary an engagement ring for Christmas."

Molly gasped. "Really! That's wonderful!"

"C'mon. You need to pack, and I need to arrange for you present. I'm hoping it will arrive on Christmas Day."

By that time, the two had reached Molly's room. "Sherlock," Molly said. "I'm a terrible girlfriend. What are your plans for Christmas?"
Sherlock shrugged. "My parents are traveling in the Caribbean, and my brother has some sort of political event going on. I'll probably stay here."

Molly stopped dead in her tracks. "What are you talking about? You're not staying here. You'll come home with me. My parents would love to have you."
"I can't, Molly. I wouldn't want to impose."
She sighed. "You wouldn't be imposing. I insist. You're my boyfriend, and I'm not letting you be alone on Christmas. Christmas is a time for family and togetherness, not loneliness. Go, get your bags packed. We'll send them ahead of us."

"Are you sure?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Sherlock. I'm sure!"

Four days later, classes ended, and the students were excused. Molly and Sherlock bade John, Mary, Greg, Sally, and Phillip farewell and hopped on a train back to London.

Molly had never seen Sherlock so tense. "Love, what's the matter? You're so tense?"

Sherlock bit his lip. "What if...what if your family doesn't like me?"

Molly twined her fingers with his. "They will. I promise. Just be yourself."

Molly stood on her toes, trying to locate her family in the sea of people at the train station. "Curse my wretched shortness!"

Sherlock smirked, and crouched down. "Hop on, shortstuff." Molly clambered onto his back, securing her legs around his waist.

Now that her eyeline was over six feet off the ground, Molly had a much better view of the crowd. She craned her neck around, and finally spotted them. Pointing, she squealed, "There they are!"

Sherlock followed her arm to lay eyes on her family. He mother was the spitting image of Molly, though her hair was graying around the edges. Her father was a well-built man of average height, with salt-and peppery hair. Her little sister, Olivia, was a cherubic little girl, with innumerable freckles and unruly, springy red curls.

"Come on, Sherlock!" He took off in the direction she indicated.

Sherlock stopped a few yards away, and let Molly down, so they could approach in a more civilised manner.

Molly took off to envelope her whole family in a group hug.

"Leelee, I missed you," her little sister exclaimed.

She grinned. "I missed you, too, Livi."

Sherlock looked at his feet and awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Oh," Molly exclaimed, dragging Sherlock forward. "Everyone, this is Sherlock."

He blushed, and smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you all."

Mrs. Hooper pulled him into her arms. "We're thrilled to meet you, too."
When she released him, he offered a hand to Mr. Hooper, who clasped it warmly. "Welcome, to the family, Sherlock."

The car ride to the Hooper's home was very pleasant. Olivia babbled happily about the Christmas party her class had thrown. When the little girl finally ran out of things to say, Mr. and Mrs. Hooper began to question the two teenagers.

"What do you want to pursue, in way of a career, Sherlock?"
"I'm going to be a consulting detective."
Mrs. Hooper's eyebrows raised. "What's that?"

"When the police are out of their element, which is always, the consult me."
"He can tell everything about you at a glance," Molly supplied. "The police already bring him out on cases."

"I see. Do you mind giving us a display of this skill set," Mr. Hooper inquired.

"Not at all, Mr. Hooper. Let's see. "You are a surgeon, and well-liked by your family and friends. Your parents divorced when you were eight, and you lived primarily with you mother and older sister. You met Mrs. Hooper in uni. Love at first sight. You have a penchant for mystery and crime novels, and are an accomplished chess player."

Mr. Hooper's jaw dropped and then turned into a grin. "Glad to see you've picked someone smart."

Molly smiled and grasped Sherlock's hand. "He's an absolute genius."

Sherlock's room in the Hooper house was right next to Molly's. He was unpacking when a knock came at the door. He walked over and opened it. "Oh, hello, Mr. Hooper."

"Sherlock, hi. May I come in?"
"Of course. It's your house. Thank you again for allowing me to stay here."
Mr. Hooper smiled. "Of course. Well, I'm just going to cut to the chase. Has Molly told you anything about Jim?"

Sherlock nodded. "Everything."

"Then you understand why I'm here."

"You're about to tell me to tread lightly and keep my hands to myself."

Mr. Hooper nodded. "Are you prepared for an ultimatum?"

Sherlock swallowed. "I-I think so."

Molly's father cleared her throat. "I trust my daughter's judgement. She trusts you, so I trust you. So long as you don't betray that trust, you will be treated as a part of this family. You betray my trust, or hurt my girl, I will make you wish you'd never been born."

"Does that mean I can't kiss her if we get caught under the mistletoe?"

Mr. Hooper laughed. "You are both almost eighteen. I can't keep you under my thumb forever. Like I said, I trust her judgement. For what it's worth, I won't mind if you kiss her. Just...I don't want any grandkids yet."

Sherlock's cheeks flared as he understood Mr. Hooper's meaning. The older man chuckled and clapped Sherlock on the back. "C'mon. Mrs. Hooper's making dinner."

While her father was lecturing Sherlock, Molly was talking with her mother.

"Sherlock seems like a sweet boy."

Molly smiled. "The sweetest. He really cares about me."

"Cares about you? Molly, have you seen the way he looks at you? He's absolutely in love with you. Hasn't he told you that?"
Molly nodded. "He doesn't have to, though. He tells me without speaking, in his own way."

Mrs. Hooper smiled. "C'mon. Let's go eat."

Molly carried out a stack of dishes, followed by her mother with the soup.

"I hope you all are hungry," Mrs. Hooper said.

Everyone, including Sherlock, agreed emphatically.

"See, Sherlock, I told you they'd like you," Molly said, sitting next to him on the chaise in her room.

He sighe. "Your parents and sister like me. We still can't speak for your grandparents and aunts and uncles."

"Sherlock, their opinion doesn't matter to me. You're ran the gauntlet and passed the test." She hugged him tight. "Did my dad talk to you?"
He nodded.

"Are you going to be in trouble being in here?"
"He told me that he trusts our judgement, and so long as we don't give him any grandchildren anytime soon, my name's not Mud."

Molly giggled. "My dad's secretly a giant teddy bear. He wouldn't hurt a fly."

Sherlock kissed her cheek. "Remind me all who's coming."
Molly counted her relatives off on her fingers. "Tomorrow, mum's parents, Grandma Margie, and Grandpa Joe. The day after, on Christmas, Dad's mum, Grandmother, and my great-aunt Marisol."

Sherlock's brow raised.

"Yes that Great-Aunt Marisol. Also my aunt Lara and Uncle Martin will arrive with my cousins Ben and Loo. Twins. Both nine."

"Anyone I should walk on eggshells with?"
Molly grinned. "Only Great-Aunt Marisol and Grandmother. Ignore whatever they say."

Sherlock nodded. "So definitely don't mention our baby pig?"
"Not to them. Grandma Margie, and Grandpa Joe will think its really funny."

A/N: Did it make up for last chapter? I hope it did. Love you all. I would love some reviews or PMs. xx