Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to BBC's Sherlock or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes or anything like that.

The last week of December was always one of Molly's favorite times of the year. People were still happy from the joy of Christmas time and they were also looking forward to the fresh start that a new year can bring.

She and Sherlock spent quite a lot of time together whenever their families didn't pull them apart and it was heaven for the month of time. In the evenings they would curl up together in front of the telly and just sit together, or they might discuss the newest book Molly was reading. They hardly ever set an agenda for their time together and that suited both of them just fine.

New Year's Eve arrived faster than either of them had expected, but they were pleased to be attending the community party that night. Sherlock had been unsure he wanted to attend something so normal and mundane, but Molly had persuaded him with the promise of a kiss at midnight.

The party was not an overly formal event, but Molly did pick out a lavender purple dress for the occasion that she accented with silver jewelry, including Sherlock's Christmas gift to her. Sherlock in turn dressed in a deep purple shirt and slacks that his mother had insisted on picking out for him.

Molly arrived first with her family and they gravitated towards one of the large, circular tables Mr. Hooper quickly finding the buffet spread. Molly sat with her mother for a while and was pleased when she learnt that there would be music and dancing later in the night.

Sherlock was not particularly surprised when his mother had insisted that the family must arrive at the party at least ten minutes after the start time stated on the invitation. Never to be shown up or considered rude Mrs. Holmes had calculated exactly what amount of time was appropriate to be considered "fashionably late."

So at exactly thirteen minutes after Molly and her family arrived at the party the Holmes family walked in. Sherlock arrived and immediately felt as though all the air had been suddenly sucked from his lungs. Molly was absolutely gorgeous with her hair carefully twisted up and away from her face, her make-up soft and warm.

Both his mother and father seemed to notice his reaction and smiled to each other as though sharing a secret. Mycroft behind Sherlock nearly ran into him at the abrupt hitch in his step and sniggered in a way that was almost out of character.

"If you like her so much brother, you ought to just propose tonight." Mycroft teased.

Sherlock growled in reply. "Says the man who is in love with his assistant, old enough to be a father twice over and still comes home to mum and dad alone for holidays."

"Boys, no fighting." Mrs. Holmes cut them off before Sherlock and Mycroft could create a scene. The two huffed like school boys and then followed their parents over to the table that the Hoopers were currently occupying.

Sherlock's attempt to sit next to Molly was thwarted by his own mother who immediately began talking to Molly and her mother about some upcoming social event for the New Year. He was irritated by this of course, but found little use in arguing with his mother so he sat for a while simply watching the three women converse.

Once the music started however, Sherlock knew exactly what he had to do in order to get Molly solely to himself. So he gracefully stood, took a short step toward Molly and offered her his hand.

"Would you care to dance with me?" He asked.

"Yes, I would." Molly smiled widely and took Sherlock's hand as she stood up.

Sherlock swept her onto the slowly filling dance floor and puller her close as a popular song with a waltz beat began to play. He lead and Molly was more than happy following along with the beat securely wrapped in his arms.

"How have you been?" Sherlock bent close so that Molly could hear him over the music.

"I just saw you four hours ago," Molly teased, "but I am doing well."

"I see you are wearing my gift." Sherlock noted with a small nod to Molly's wrist where the bracelet hung.

"Yes, I thought it would be appropriate." Molly conceded in a faux posh voice that caused her to descend into giggles. "Honestly thought it is beautiful, thank you."

"I knew it would suit you. I was right of course." He murmured with his mouth near her ear now.

They were silent for a while then and they simply shuffled around the dance floor and enjoyed the simplicity of being close to each other. After three songs however they were both ready for a break and Sherlock kept Molly close as they wound their way through the crowd and back to the table.

As they arrived Sherlock quickly excused himself to gather drink for Molly and himself. Something about the two matrons and the way they were talking gave Sherlock the distinct impression that he did not want to be anywhere near them at the moment.

Sherlock was correct as always and Molly wasn't sure whether to silently curse him or congratulate him for his escape once she was stuck at the table with the mothers. The second she was seated at the table they began bombarding her with questions. She was asked if Sherlock had said anything and if they had talked about their possible future together.

"We haven't really had a lot of time to talk I guess." Molly replied when the question finally cut off.

"Yes dear, of course, but have you thought about what you would say if he were to propose?" Mrs. Holmes asked with a small, knowing smile.

To be honest Molly hadn't really thought about it. She had tried very hard for the last couple of months not to think about her future with Sherlock at all in fact, and she told them as much. Then she had to ask a question that seemed to be at the forefront of her mind.

"Do you think he is going to propose?"

"I don't know dear, but it isn't like you two are simply love struck teenagers any more are you?" Mrs. Holmes answered with Mrs. Hooper nodding in the background. By the time this conversation had ended Sherlock returned to the table with drinks in hand.

"Did I miss anything important?" He asked playing dumb. Molly knew Sherlock had a pretty good idea of what had just happened and he knew that she knew.

"Of course not darling," Mrs. Hooper replied, "sit down for a while. It was so nice of you to get Molly something to drink."

Sherlock reluctantly sat at the table and listened to the chatter at the table. He and Molly stayed close, they held hands under the table and later in the evening they capitalized the opportunity to dance yet again.

They talked very little and Sherlock could tell that Molly seemed to have been pulled into her own world and decided it was best to let her think. So as they danced he simply reveled in holding Molly close.

It was fifteen minutes until midnight when Molly seemed to reach some decision in her internal debate and began talking more. She asked him about his plans for school and this was the first time that he admitted to her that he was moving to London after his last term.

Up until now Sherlock had simply been working as a liaison with Scotland Yard through e-mail, but once he moved to London he was hoping to work more closely with the police. Molly was surprised that Sherlock planned to move to London but was pleased with the idea.

With five minutes left until the New Year families started gathering together and a variety of bubbly drinks was passed around. Molly was reaching for a glass when Sherlock stopped her. Laying a hand on hers and wrapping his free arm around her from his position standing behind her.

"I can think of a better way to toast the New Year than ingesting that." He had to lean down to whisper in her ear, but he was more than rewarded when Molly reacted favorably.

"I'm sure we are not the only ones who think that." Molly relaxed and turned to face Sherlock with a smile on her face. She had seen many of the other couples pass on the drinks in favor of their partner's arms.

Ten

The counting had started.

Nine

Molly smiled up at Sherlock.

Eight

Sherlock easily returned the smile with a warmth that made Molly's heart glow.

Seven

Molly joined in on the counting, laughing just a little.

Six

Sherlock graciously joined in as well.

Five

Four

Three

Both Sherlock's and Molly's voices were lost in the crowd.

Two

They leaned towards each other and listened to the voices swelling around them.

One

Zero

Pandemonium surrounded them, but it faded out in their world as their lips met for a simple and celebratory kiss. Sherlock had been right for a third time that night Molly mused to herself. This was the best way to toast the New Year.

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