Little Christmas Things

by Brad'sPyjamas

In which there is Christmassy fluff and baby stuff, Uncle Mycroft, Mummy Holmes and everything else you could possibly need for a Watson-Holmes family Christmas. This story follows on, almost directly, from "Little Things" and there will be a 221B ficlet posted each day from now until 25th December. Co-written with Kizzia.

10. The baby awakes

"The baby awakes"

John presses back against the warmth of Sherlock's body, willing himself to relax, to allow his eyes to close. Sherlock's response is a muffled, sleepy non-word as he pulls John even closer, hand flexing comfortingly on John's stomach.

It doesn't help.

Hamish has been fretful all day - bar the interlude at the crib service - unable to really settle until he dropped off an hour ago. John knows he's probably being ridiculous, letting Harry's spiteful insinuation that he'll fail Hamish panic him, but he can't shake the sense that something's wrong, that Hamish is ill. After all it's December, the month for nasty viruses and babies are notorious for not displaying symptoms until they're really poorly.

So he lies there in the dark, eyes fixed on the deeper shadow of the cot across the room, alert for any noise, any movement.

Nothing.

All he can hear is the steady drag of Sherlock's breath and the insistent pounding of his own heart.

But the absence of noise makes it worse. What if … then there's a whimper.

Soft, just on the edge of hearing, but a whimper nonetheless. Followed by another; louder, longer and ending in a wail. John's out of Sherlock's arms and across the room before the other man can do more than stir, absurdly grateful as Hamish really starts to bawl.