It was seeing that silver ring which prompted Sherlock to make his decision.
Since the night they had spent together on Valentine's Day, those small encounters with Molly had been moments he treasured. The little kisses in the lab when they were alone, sharing meals together in public, each one had been special and he had tucked those memories away into his mind palace. As his love for Molly grew, so did the longing he felt to be with her physically as well. He no longer feared the thought of sex, but anticipated it, knowing absolutely that when it happened it would be right, because it was with Molly, the woman he loved.
He had daydreamed several times about the potential scenario and how it might play out. Not all of them ended in the bedroom, but a significant number of them did, and he couldn't help hoping that one of them would be what actually happened. Those condoms had been burning a hole in his pocket, waiting for him to use them. He had even thought about what would happen if Molly became pregnant, and the idea of fatherhood no longer frightened him either. He thought he'd quite like to have a child who was a combination of both of them, and he began to daydream about that as well.
Thankfully, John had stopped asking him about what was going on between him and Molly, obviously more interested in his current relationship with Mary than Sherlock's.
On the evening of the 29th, before he headed for the restaurant, Sherlock placed the engagement ring box into his coat pocket. If Molly agreed to marry him, and she was ready to make love, he would not deny himself what they both wanted. The engagement ring was a public declaration of their intent to marry, and he felt Molly would certainly understand he was fully committed to her, as she had spoken about on the first occasion when they had discussed sexual matters.
She looked so lovely and his heartbeat accelerated when he saw her and presented her with the rose at the Japanese restaurant. He had been amused to discover her rather inadequate attempt at using chopsticks, yet another thing to file into his mind palace. Feeding Molly and himself had actually been rather enjoyable.
When they returned to Molly's flat together, and he smelled those ginger nuts, he knew she too had been planning a special night for them, however, he had never expected in his wildest dreams for her to actually propose before he had the chance to do so.
As soon as he saw the ring she was holding out, he knew it was not the right size for his ring finger, and that it must have been hers. If she had bought a ring, she would certainly have looked for something that would fit a man's hand. His quick glance then noted engraving on the inside - MH, along with a date, most likely when she had been given the ring. And that was when he understood exactly what type of ring it was. He didn't have much experience with that kind of thing, but he had heard of purity rings and knew what they meant.
Abstinence until marriage. It hadn't really hit Sherlock until then. Molly hadn't said so in so many words when they had discussed sex. She had talked about love and commitment. The ring though, it obviously spoke of a deep commitment to something beyond fulfilling the desires of the body. It was a commitment to honour the God she believed in, the God he was starting to believe in himself, now that he had been thinking every now and then about that church service he had attended and the words of that preacher.
Of course, he didn't want Molly to think she was the only one considering marriage, which was why he didn't respond to her proposal immediately. That had turned out to be a big mistake. He had completely forgotten those wretched condoms were still in his other pocket. What had originally seemed a good idea, suddenly seemed less of one, now that he had this new knowledge about Molly.
It was fortunate she had not held it against him when he showed her his true intentions. What he had not expected though, was for her to offer her body to him. It had been the hardest thing in the world to refuse her, and yet he knew it was the right thing to do. This was their future they were talking about, and he wanted everything between them to be right, which meant he had to help Molly honour her commitment to remain pure until their wedding night.
Now Sherlock looked at Molly, after that tender kiss, and marvelled at the extraordinary woman in his arms. The depth of her love overwhelmed him, in that she had been willing to give herself to him even without the benefit of marriage.
He took her hand and led her over to the sofa, then turned off the irritating background television noise. He picked up the silver ring from where she had placed it on the coffee table and placed it on the pinky of his left hand, then looked at her. "Tell me more about your faith, and why you have this ring."
She did so, explaining the manner in which she had been raised in the church, and to believe in the sanctity of marriage, which included remaining a virgin for her future husband. Come to think of it, it was a little intimidating really, to know that when they consummated their relationship it would be the first time for both of them, and Sherlock decided that once he got home that night, he was going to research things to make sure everything was perfect for both of them.
After Molly had finished talking, Sherlock ventured a question. "So, when should we start planning the details of this wedding of ours?"
Molly pursed her lips. "I guess as soon as we let people know we're engaged. Are you going to tell John tonight? I'm guessing he will be really surprised."
Sherlock's lips quirked with amusement. "On that you are mistaken. Actually, he was with me when I purchased the ring, and he was the one who suggested I propose on the twenty-ninth, rather than Valentine's Day."
Molly looked at him in astonishment. "You were already planning to propose before Valentine's Day?"
He linked his fingers with hers. "I was. In fact, that same day after we went to church together was when I asked John to come out with me so I could find a ring. It was very strange because while we were at your church I had this vision of you walking towards me in a wedding gown. That is what indicated to me that I wanted to marry you."
Molly's eyes were wide as she gazed at him. "I had no idea you would be ready for marriage so quickly, if at all, we had barely been together a month at that point. I was a little concerned you might think catering to legalities as beneath you."
Sherlock shrugged slightly, even as his fingers tightened on hers. "Molly, when I said those words to you, when I told you I loved you, I knew you were the only woman for me. There couldn't ever be anyone else, and I knew I wanted a permanent future with you. Being in that church together and having that vision though made me realise I want the legal commitment as well. I wasn't about to take the chance of letting you get away and move on to someone else."
Molly giggled at that, and she nudged him with her shoulder. "That could never happen, but I have to say I'm glad we're on the same page." Then she bit her lip suddenly. "Sherlock, I guess this is a question I need to ask too, although it's something I can live with if you say no."
Sherlock's brow furrowed. What could she be talking about? "What is that, Molly?"
"Would you be willing to consider having a baby with me?" Then she added hastily, "I'm not saying right away of course, and I know it might be an overwhelming prospect for you, but is it something you would consider?" She gave him a worried look, and he released her hand to stroke her face gently.
"It might surprise you to know that I had already thought about that, and I think I'd quite like to have a miniature version of you running around, maybe even more than one."
She gave him a relieved smile. "I'm so glad." She reached a hand up to tweak one of his curls. "But I'd rather have a child who has your wonderful curls and dark hair, and your eyes too, of course."
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens," he responded, bending forward so he could capture her lips with his own in a lingering kiss that left them both breathless.
After they broke apart from their kiss, Sherlock decided it would be best if he did not stay too much longer. He wanted to tell John the good news, and he supposed it would be prudent to call his parents as well. He knew his news would be quite a shock, although he was sure it would not be an unwelcome one. He was about to tell Molly he needed to leave, when he changed his mind, and decided it might be better to call his parents while Molly was with him. That way she could speak to them as well.
"Molly, I think I'm going to call my parents from here and let them know about our engagement," he told her as he reached into his pocket.
Molly bit her lip. "I hope they like me."
Sherlock grinned at that. "Molly, to be perfectly frank, I don't think they will care who I marry, as long as it is a woman of childbearing age." He couldn't help rolling his eyes a little. "Mummy has been desperate for grandchildren, but I think she had given up on me at this point."
Molly giggled and leaned her head against his shoulder as he placed the call.
"Hello?" came a voice on the other end of the line.
"Hello Mummy," said Sherlock.
"Sherlock? Is that you?" was his mother's response.
Sherlock rolled his eyes again. "Seeing as you only have two sons, and I don't think Mycroft and I sound particularly alike, of course it's me," he answered, giving a sideways glance at Molly and smirking.
"Why are you calling so late, dear?"
Sherlock frowned and looked at his watch. "Mummy, it's barely half nine."
"Your father and I don't keep late hours, Sherlock. We aren't as young as we used to be, you know," came the pert reply. "Anyway, why are you calling us?"
Sherlock decided to tease his mother a little. "Can't a son just call his mother to say hello?"
He could almost see his mother rolling her eyes at that before she responded. "Some sons might, not you. So get on with it, then."
Sherlock took a deep breath, then released it slowly. "Very well, Mummy, the reason I'm calling you is to let you know I'm getting married."
There was silence on the other end of the line.
Sherlock counted to ten, and when there was still no response, he wondered if the call had been disconnected or his mother had fainted from shock. "Mummy? Are you there?"
Finally she spoke. "You're getting married?" It was almost a whisper, as if she could hardly believe it.
"This is hardly the type of thing I would be joking about," he responded a little impatiently, then added in a gentler tone, "Her name is Doctor Molly Hooper, and she is the head pathologist at Saint Barts. We have known each other for years, and I have been in a relationship with her since shortly after Christmas. I hope you will give us your blessing."
There was silence for a few moments, and Sherlock could hear the unmistakable sound of sobbing before his father came on the line. "Sherlock, your mother is a little overwhelmed at the moment, but I can assure you, we are both very happy for you, son."
Sherlock felt Molly's hand on his knee as she whispered into his ear, "Should I say hello to them?"
Sherlock nodded and spoke into the phone again. "Would you like to speak to her? She's here with me. Well actually, I'm at her place right now."
He heard his mother blow her nose and then she came back on the line. "That would be lovely."
Sherlock handed his phone to Molly, and she said tentatively, "Hello?"
Sherlock listened to the conversation, mostly Molly's side of it, and he heard her reassurances to his mother that yes, it was indeed true that they were getting married, and no, they hadn't yet set a date, but they didn't wish to wait too long, and yes, he was treating her very well.
Molly's eyes flicked to his as she responded to that and his lips quirked, remembering her fierce defence of him when John had dared to ask the same thing. He supposed it wasn't surprising his mother would be concerned. He had shown a singular lack of tact with people in general in the past.
Finally the phone call was ended and Sherlock breathed a sigh of relief. At least that was out of the way.
Soon after that, Sherlock stood to leave. "I had best be going now," he told Molly reluctantly. "Once I'm on my laptop, I can do some research on how quickly we can get married. I'll text you later, okay?"
Molly slid her arms around his waist and looked up at him. "Okay."
He placed his hands on either side of her face and bent down, even as she raised herself up on tiptoes and they kissed. Warmth stole through his body as it always did, and he sincerely hoped that he and Molly wouldn't have to wait too long before being married. He longed to move his hands along her body, to explore the softness of her skin. He sucked on her lower lip gently then pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. "I love you, Molly."
"Love you too," she whispered. He could see her chest rising and falling quickly, and he knew she too was finding it just as difficult as he was to keep things in check between them.
"I'll talk to you soon," he promised, as he swung on his coat, then headed out and back to Baker Street.
When Sherlock got home, he was surprised to see that John was there with Mary. They were sitting together on the sofa, looking very cosy. John looked up as he entered. "How did things go, Sherlock? Did you propose then?"
Sherlock's lips curved upwards. "Actually, she beat me to it. Apparently, being February twenty-ninth means it's a woman's prerogative to propose."
John chuckled. "I have to give her credit for being willing to take you on, on a permanent basis."
Mary gave him a nudge. "John, that wasn't very nice." Sherlock could tell by their interaction that Mary and John were getting very close themselves.
He pursed his lips. "Well, in any case, I said yes, and she agreed to wear the engagement ring I bought for her. I hope you don't mind having someone else around here on a permanent basis when we get married." Even as he spoke the words, he realised he hadn't even asked Molly if she would be willing to give up her flat and move to Baker Street. He supposed he could move in with her if she really wanted, but that would mean commuting back and forth when he had clients.
John cleared his throat rather nervously, and Sherlock narrowed his eyes. Was John going to tell him he didn't feel comfortable with Molly living there as well? He was very surprised therefore, when John spoke.
"Actually, Sherlock, this may seem a little fast-moving for you, but then again, you seem to be moving things along rather quickly in your own relationship, so perhaps it isn't that odd after all. I'm moving in with Mary."
Sherlock's brows lifted in surprise. That was certainly unexpected, but he supposed it couldn't have come at a better time, if indeed Molly moved in with him after they married. At least they would have some privacy.
Sherlock looked at the couple on the sofa for several moments, trying to process these things. Mary was positively beaming. "I'm very happy for both of you," he said, finding his voice at last. "When will you be moving out?"
John shrugged. "Over the next couple weeks, I guess," he responded, taking Mary's hand.
Sherlock nodded, then suddenly realised he had a question to ask of John. "With moving out and all, would you still have time to be the best man for my wedding, or am I going to have to ask Mycroft?" He grimaced at the thought. He still needed to tell Mycroft about Molly, although his brother undoubtedly already knew something was up. Sherlock was quite aware that Mycroft had him under constant surveillance, and he could not have failed to notice Molly's comings and goings lately.
John smiled at him. "I'd be honoured, Sherlock."
After Sherlock retired to his room for the night, he spent some time on his laptop in his room. First he researched what to do about getting married, and discovered that there was a minimum 28 days notice for intent to marry. Remembering he had also been thinking about making sure the wedding night was perfect, Sherlock spent some time online researching that as well. By the end of it, he was certain he would be able to please Molly adequately as well as himself, at least he hoped so.
He sent Molly a quick text to let her know of the minimum time constraints on preparing to marry and that he had asked John to be his best man. Then he asked if she wished to move in with him after they got married, explaining also that John was moving out, in the hopes it would help her make a decision in his favour.
Sherlock smiled at her answering text.
Maintaining two residences once we are married does not seem very practical. Yes, I will move to Baker Street.
Sherlock climbed into bed and thought again that he needed to speak to Mycroft the following day.
And as he drifted off to sleep, his last thoughts were of how wonderful it would feel to share his bed with Molly. Suddenly it seemed rather large for one person.
Author's note: What did you think of Sherlock's thoughts about respecting Molly's beliefs and recognizing the meaning behind the purity ring?
Did you like the phone call conversation with Sherlock's parents? I love writing them into stories!
Were you surprised by the news John had for Sherlock? Yeah, I know, I sped up the timeline significantly, but hey, this is a dream, after all, and anything can happen!
Only one chapter left. Hope to hear from you