Sherlock opened his eyes to the muted light streaming in through the covered windows. He felt warmer than usual, and when he looked down he remembered why. John was still with him, his head on Sherlock's chest and their legs were intertwined. His breathing was slow and even, with soft snores punctuating every so often. Sherlock stored that information away for later, knowing that he will enjoy teasing John about it.
He looked around and tried to judge what time of the morning it was. He listened to the bustle going on outside the door and guessed that it was during shift change, so that meant approximately 7 o'clock. He knew that it also meant that someone will be in fairly soon for his morning check-up and to bring him breakfast. He looked at John again and wondered if he should wake him beforehand, but then decided against it. Besides, he would wake up soon enough and Sherlock was loathe to end this time they spent together.
The telly was still on from last night and the morning news was just starting so Sherlock positioned himself where he could watch it without disturbing the sleeping man beside him. About 45 minutes later came a quiet knock at the door, and the aide who had been there the night before stuck her head inside.
"Good Morning! Are we awake yet?" she asked quietly.
"Half of us are, yes." Sherlock answered, just as quietly.
She opened the door a little wider, allowing the light from the hallway to spill inside the room. As she entered, carrying a tray, she finally saw the scene before her: two grown men curled around each other in the tiny hospital bed. She instantly pursed her lips in hostility. Sherlock just held a finger to his lips.
"Please let him sleep." He whispered, squinting because of the light.
"This is your bed, not his!" she hissed.
"I slept better because he was here." Sherlock insisted, instantly coming to John's defense. The aide just stared for a minute. "Please."
After a minute more her features softened up and she sighed. "Well I guess it's alright then. He does seem to bring out the best in you." She remarked. "And anything is better than your behavior yesterday."
Sherlock grimaced. "Yes, about that….I do apologize. I promised John that I would be on my best behavior for the staff, as well as the other patients around me. Please forgive me Ms….?"
"Edith, dear. But you can call me Edie. Don't worry your little head about it. I've dealt with much worse although they didn't have the happy results I see before me. As long as he doesn't interfere with your care in any way, I'm happy to let him sleep wherever he chooses." She replied with a smile. "You two do look so cute and cozy. If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been together?"
"Not quite 24 hours yet, but we've been friends for much longer." Sherlock answered.
"Ah well that explains the glow coming from you. New love always has that affect on people. Take my advice dearie….make it last as long as you can. Once the "newness" wears off, you'll want it back. But enough of that. You need something special to mark this milestone!"
"Well I'm limited in my options at the moment." Sherlock replied, gesturing at the room around him.
"I know! How about a nice photo of the two of you cuddled together? I can take it on my mobile and print it for you at a shop just down the street. It'll be back to you by luncheon."
"You would do that for me?"
"Of course dear. I guess I'm just a romantic softie at heart." She pulled her mobile from her pocket. "Alright then. Cuddle up close."
Sherlock happily did as she asked. He heard a few clicks from the mobile, then watched as she approached him to show him the photos she had taken. She scrolled through them and asked which one he liked the best. In truth, he loved them all. But one in particular caught his attention.
It featured them front and center, with Sherlock's arms fully enveloping John. Although it had caught him with his eyes closed it gave him a look of sleeping peacefully, and the muted light coming through shaded windows behind them lent an aura around them that was purely ethereal.
It was perfect, and Edie heartily agreed.
After arranging his tray where he could reach it easily, she left the room and closed the door quietly behind her. Sherlock began to dutifully eat the breakfast, knowing that it would please John. About halfway through, he felt John stir beside him. He watched him yawn then stretch his legs as much as possible. Sherlock gently kissed his forehead.
"Good morning John."
John's eyes flittered open and slowly came into focus. Sherlock relented his hold on him so he could sit up completely.
"Good morning yourself. Sleep ok?" he asked.
"Better than I have in a long time." Sherlock replied with a smile. He watched in amused fascination as John got out of bed and stretched the kinks out of his neck and back. Turning to face Sherlock he noticed the tray of half eaten food.
"So, no poison in the food today?" he chuckled.
"I guess we'll find out in an hour or so if I'll end up doubled over in the loo." Sherlock retorted with a grin.
"Well I'm just glad to see you eating. Speaking of which, I can really use a cuppa right about now. I'm going to go downstairs to the café and see what they have to offer. Want me to bring you one?"
"Yes, that would be lovely."
"Black with two sugars, right?"
"You know me so well…." He rumbled. John leaned over and gave him a chaste kiss on the forehead.
"And I look forward to learning the rest of it. Alright then. I'll just pop down there and I'll be right back." He walked towards the door then turned around at the last second. "Try to stay out of trouble until I get back."
"Honestly John. I did promise you, and you know me to be a man of my word."
"I know, I'm just teasing you, you git. Back in a few." He replied, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
Sherlock got up and stretched himself then reached for the bag still nestled under the bed. He didn't want to lie around in pajama pants all day so he began looking inside to see what else John had brought him. His hand abruptly stilled when they brushed against the velvet box, a box he would know anywhere. He pulled it out, just to make sure he wasn't imagining it.
So John had found it.
He sat for a moment. If John knew what was in the box, why didn't he confront him about it last night? The thought was intriguing. He was still deep in thought about it when he heard another knock on the door and a familiar voice called out "Knock knock!". Turning he saw sweet Mrs. Hudson entering so he dropped the box back into the bag for later contemplation. He then got up and walked over to her to envelop her in a warm hug.
"Mrs. Hudson! How thoughtful of you to drop by. Or did you just come to tell me my half of the rent is late?" he jokingly.
"Oh Sherlock, the things you say!" she chuckled. "I was on my way to the market and decided to pop in to see how you doing."
"Well as you can see, I'm doing rather well. And I have John to thank for that. Please, have a seat."
"Thank you dear, although I can't stay too long. I left my taxi waiting downstairs. Yes, I suppose John deserves all the credit. Honestly, Sherlock. I've never seen him carry on the way he did when he told me what happened. He nearly made himself sick with worry."
"So I gather. Believe me Mrs. Hudson, I know how much I owe him and I fully intend to repay that debt."
Mrs. Hudson on patted his knee a few times. "There's a good lad. Now I've got to run. I'll pick up a few things for you to restock the fridge for when you get home. I'll even whip up something sweet for you to celebrate your return. Hurry home Sherlock. The flat's not the same without your pacing and mumbling." She said as she got up from the chair with a smile.
"Don't worry Mrs. H. I'll have you missing the peace and quiet in no time." Sherlock replied with a smile of his own. "Besides, we'll have more than that to celebrate when I get back." She gave him a look of puzzlement but he didn't elaborate any further. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and walked her to the door. "Now off you go. Don't want to keep the cabbie waiting."
"Of course dear. Ta!" After another quick embrace, she left the room and was gone.