10. The Christmas party
Christmas eve had the three of them working hard to prepare for the party. Mary was busy in the kitchen making hors d'oevres while John put decorations up. Even Sherlock helped by decorating the tree, however his haphazard placement of ornaments showed that he had never done it before.
"Spread them out Sherlock. Don't put them all in one place." John criticized, " and layer them, some in the back some forward so that they catch the light."
"If you're such an expert, why don't you do it?" Sherlock countered.
"I'm trying to hang this mistletoe." John said standing up on a chair and reaching for the ceiling.
Sherlock came over and motioned for him to get down. " You're both too short for this sort of work. Let me do it."
Sherlock climbed on the chair hanging the sprig of mistletoe on the hook. John steadied the chair for Sherlock who placed one hand on John's shoulder as he climbed down carefully. He kept the hand on John's shoulder as he looked into his eyes and kissed him ardently. As their faces slowly separated John noticed Sherlock's eye dart quickly over his shoulder. He turned to see Mary staring at them while holding a cheese tray.
No one moved for several seconds. Then John reached out a hand and said, "Mary..." Just as the doorbell rang. It rang again, and no one moved to get it, so Sherlock did. He opened the door and there at the entrance was Detective Inspector Lestrade.
"Am I early?" He said entering the room with a six-pack of beer. "Sherlock, you're looking well. I told John that you would recover. All broken up over you he was. And I brought a little something for the party."
Mary put the tray on the table and went across to take the beer from Lestrade. "Thank You." She said. Let me put this in the kitchen. John followed her with his eyes as she walked past without glancing at him. Then he looked at the floor and took a deep breath.
Lestrade and Sherlock immediately began to talk shop. "Now that you are doing so much better, I was wondering if you could help us with a case."
"New case?" Sherlock asked.
"No an old one. That bomber case that laid you out. We still haven't caught him." Lestrade said.
"What about his contacts?"
" All cold. He's gone to ground."
John picked up the box of decorations and hid it behind the tree. Mary had definitely seen him and Sherlock together that time. There was no doubt about the emotion in that kiss. What was she doing in the kitchen? She might be crying. She might be trying out butcher knives. John knew better than to interrupt her when she was thinking. Luckily he was distracted by the bell.
John opened the door and let in Mrs Hudson. "Here's some wine for you dearies." She said, "And this is for you Sherlock. My goodness you almost look like your old self." She handed Sherlock a wrapped present and his violin case. "I was hoping you might play us a tune like you used to do." She said but open the present first.
John put the wine on the table, unwilling to do more than peek into the kitchen at Mary before stepping back into the living room. Sherlock unwrapped the present. It was a pair of elf slippers complete with jingle bells on the curled toes. "Why thank you." Sherlock said mechanically.
"Don't mention it dear, why don't you try it on?"
"Perhaps later." Sherlock said placing the shoes carefully under the tree.
"Such a nice place you have here John." Mrs Hudson said, "And where is your lovely wife?"
"She's in the kitchen, she'll be out shortly." John said.
Sherlock began to play a few notes on his violin. He made a brief stab at 'We wish you a merry Christmas' before playing a different tune. A tune altogether more stirring and passionate. John recognized it. It was Beethoven's Romance no. 2 and Sherlock had played it for him the morning after their first time together.
John turned toward him lost in his playing. The first time he had heard it, Sherlock had been in the other room, but now he saw him, his eyes closed as he moved his torso in deep slow movements playing low and high notes. John couldn't take his eyes off of him. The rest of the room fell away and there was only Sherlock who he knew was playing just for him.
It was only after Sherlock played the last note that John noticed that he was crying. He turned embarrassed that everyone would have seen his overreaction to Sherlock's playing but they were all on their feet clapping. Even Mary who had come out of her hiding place of the kitchen to watch him play. Sherlock took a bow and another one.
"Very good. Very good" Lestrade said.
"That was just lovely." said Mrs Hudson as they walked across to congratulate him.
The door rang and John took the opportunity to wipe his eyes again as he rushed to get it. He opened the door and it was Mycroft. Mycroft smiled at him. Could he tell that he had been crying, John wondered? John motioned for Mycroft to come in and noticed that Mary was standing at his side. He looked at her. She smiled at Mycroft.
"And this must be Mrs Watson. Charmed to meet you madam. I am Sherlock's brother, Mycroft." He kissed her hand, "I just wanted to thank you for taking care of my brother. And here is a small token of esteem." He handed Mary a gold bag. Inside it was the finest Beluga caviar.
Mary drew in a breath, "My, thank you. Let me go see if we have a butter dish to put this in." and she ran off with her prize to the kitchen.
Mycroft then reached out to shake John's hand.
"It is always a pleasure to see you Captain John Watson. I never felt that I was able to adequately thank you for the care that you have bestowed on my brother after his accident. He is indeed privileged to have you as a friend."
"It's no problem." John said.
All of this time Mycroft held his hand firmly but gently. Even though they had finished talking, he still held his hand as he stared at John with an uneven smile on his lips. Sherlock raised his eyebrows and turned to stare at his brother. Mycroft let John's hand go.
"Ah, Sherlock." He began, "You seem much improved under John and Mary's ...loving care."
"Hello Mycroft." Sherlock said coldly, "We both know that you didn't come here to see me."
"I just wanted to wish you a Happy Christmas, and now I think that I have just spied cheese cubes on toothpicks."
Mycroft went off to the kitchen and Sherlock came to whisper in John's ear. "It's murder standing so far away from you all of the time. Did you like my playing? I know you did because I saw you cry. Come away with me, John. Come back home and live with me. We can announce it tonight. Everyone will be here."
"John," Mary called, "Do you think that you can help me with these gerkins?"
"Of course dear." John called walking over to her.
He twisted the jar which was very stubbornly fixed closed. He wiped his brow.
"It's getting a bit hot in here." John said, "Maybe I should take off this sweater."
He looked up to find three pairs of eyes, (Mary's, Sherlock's, and Mycroft's) riveted on him.
"Then again. Maybe not." He said as a 'pop' informed him that the jar was now open.
The bell rang and John handed the jar to Mary as he went over to answer the door.
It was Molly. She wore a long green coat and had a sprig of holly in her hair.
"Some wine for the party." She said handing it over. John gave the wine to his wife and then helped Molly off with her coat.
"Oh Good King Wenceslaus!" John exclaimed as he looked at her. Molly was wearing black knee high boots and a green dress, but the dress was incredibly short and it was so tight it looked as if it was painted on.
"Oh you look nice, Molly" Mrs Hudson said as Lestrade finally remembered to raise his jaw which had fallen open at the sight of her dress.
"Hi Sherlock." She said.
He nodded and went back to talking to Lestrade. They were both sitting on the couch now but Lestrade was obviously distracted by the fact that when she stood by them trying unsuccessfully to get Sherlock's attention, the bottom of Molly's skirt was above Lestrade's elbow.
Suddenly they heard an erotic moaning sound "OOOHHHH!" and everyone but Mary stared at Sherlock.
"It can't be..."Molly began.