Once more life kept me rather busy, but finally I'm ready to post the next chapter. Thank you all very much for waiting so patiently. Only one more chapter to go. :)

Title: And Blood Doesn't Count
Part: 10/11
Author: Usagi-Atemu-Tom
Rating: PG 13
Genre: Adventure, Mystery
Warnings: Spoilers for Season 3, AU to Season 3, Happy End
Pairings: Sherlock/John

Feedback: Always welcome and dearly appreciated

Summary: The wedding finally starts. The bride walks down the aisle. For a lot of people, this won't end up as a happy day. John and Sherlock, dish out their revenge.

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, everything belongs to their respective creators including certainly the great Sir Conan Arthur Doyle as well as Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss and of course the talented actors who gifted the characters with their great personality.

And not to forget, much thanks to Patroklos for suffering through my spelling mistakes and grammatical errors and also her invaluable patience in general with me taking so long lately!

With John firmly in place and music announcing the entrance of the bride, the excited whispers of the guests quietened down until only the melodic sound of the organ could be heard. The doors opened and Cathy entered the church. She was accompanied by a procession of young bridesmaids strewing flowers along her path. Under different circumstances, John would have thought the scene rather charming. The little girls looked cute in their white dresses, complimenting the stunning dress of the bride. Cathy looked absolutely radiant, John noted before he could help himself. But no matter her character, he could still admire beauty when he saw it, couldn't he?

For a moment he felt deep sorrow within him as he mourned the wonderful friendship they had shared as children. When she was small, she'd sought John out for the sake of his company, not because he was wealthy and the son of a powerful family. The memories softened his resolve slightly, as he watched her walking down the aisle. But then he remembered Sherlock, how for one short moment John had seen under the usually collected facade and caught a glimpse of a great heart. A heart that belonged to him alone and which had been deeply hurt by the thought of John's death.

Standing beside his best man, watching the beaming bride proceeding towards them, John remembered the heartbreak of suffering through Sherlock's death a second time. Cathy had seen him falling apart, had stood by and allowed his parents to terrorise him until his will to fight had left him for good. And hadn't Sherlock said that she was planning to drug him this very night to ensure they had sex? When he thought about it objectively, John realised that what she had planned was nothing other than rape.

No, Cathy didn't deserve his mercy. John was usually tolerant and he had the patience of a saint, Sherlock could attest to that, but everyone had their limits and his own family, as well as his childhood friend, had managed to reach his spectacularly. Glancing at Lord and Lady Watson, who were standing in their place as the groom's parents, looking proud and arrogant, John threw them a dark, foreboding look. They didn't notice, as they were busy watching the bride, but it didn't matter.

When Cathy arrived at her place by his side, John took her hand, as was expected, and both turned towards the vicar, who started the service as everyone sat down. This took some time, and John was amused to notice the man was a bit unsure at the beginning and stumbled over his words. After all, he had been informed by Mycroft that John would marry someone else today and now he was standing here, still with Cathy by his side.

John withheld any reaction until they came to the moment where the vicar addressed the couple directly.

"Cathy Stormhill", the elderly man asked, "do you take John Hamish Watson as your husband, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"

She smiled at John, eyes twinkling.

"Yes, I do!"

"And do you, John Hamish Watson take Cathy Stormhill as your wife, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"

John smiled back at her, but it was obviously fake.

"Of course I do", he stated with a strong voice before his face turned thunderous and he added harshly, "not!"

Silence feel over the church as people tried to digest what he had just said. In the background he could see flashlights going off as reporters eagerly took photos of what was turning out to be a huge scandal. Cathy's smile fell when he announced his refusal so viciously and she looked unsure at first, then crestfallen. Lady Watson's reaction was much more vehement. She jumped half out of her seat, her mouth open as if she wanted to protest. Her whole posture screamed of outrage. Mission accomplished so far then. John first turned to Cathy, looking at her angrily.

"I've finally found out what you've done and what you plan to do tonight, Cathy", he told her in a tight voice. "You can thank God that I'm not going to tell this church full of guests the details, or my best man would be forced to arrest you. I think the humiliation of my refusal in front of the whole wedding party should do for now."

"But John, I don't... understand", Cathy whispered, lips shaking with emotion.

"Spare me, Cathy. If you don't understand now, you will soon enough. And as for you!"

He whirled around, looking at his parents with eyes blazing.

"You've done a fine job these last few months of more or less terrorising me into this whole circus", he growled furiously. "But no more, I'm done following your commands!"

John paused for a second and Lady Watson opened her mouth ready to protest, but he cut her off with a large, fake smile.

"Spare me, mother. I'm not listening to any more of your shit. I admit you're right about one thing, though, I really need to get married. But I've decided to do it on my own terms, you understand, I'm sure."

John grinned at a totally bewildered-looking Greg before he turned towards Cathy's parents, who looked shocked beyond belief.

"Mr and Mrs Stormhill? I'm so sorry about all the inconvenience, but as you can see, I'm just not fit to marry your daughter", he apologised with false sincerity. Under different circumstances he might have felt honest regret, but he remembered Cathy's parents very well. They'd been just as arrogant as his own family.

"And, since I'm not marrying your daughter today, I'm sure you understand that you'll need to change your seats with the parents of the person I do intend to marry instead."

The Stormhills looked offended. Cathy, who seemed to have had enough after first being given a dressing down by John and then being ignored, started to sob and ran over to her parents. They took her in their arms, glaring angrily at him.

"If you expect us to stay one minute longer at this... this WEDDING, John Watson, you're deeply mistaken", the mother ranted, lifting her nose high. "We're leaving! Cathy, come along!"

They wheeled around with a crying bride between them.

"Well, I'm so sorry you're leaving so soon", John called after them sarcastically. "But maybe it's for the best. As a doctor I advise your daughter to seek psychological help. Best arrange an appointment as soon as possible. Their waiting list is always months long."

Cathy's father turned around, face furious.

"For traumatising and embarrassing our poor child on her wedding day, Watson?"

"No", John replied innocently, "for her addiction to gambling. Oh, didn't you know about that?"

Cathy let out a cry of anguish, before breaking away from her parents and fleeing the church. Mr and Mrs Stormhill followed quickly, but not before threatening John's parents with dire consequences. The reporters were scribbling furiously in their notebooks and shooting dozens of pictures.

"John Hamish Watson, you... you!" His mother was beyond fury now. She stood in place, one hand clamped into the fabric of her blouse as if she was suffering a heart attack. His father looked equally angry, already beyond words.

John simply waved them away, not looking sorry at all. He was on a roll now. Turning towards Greg, who had been watching the whole scene, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, John grinned before regarding his friends. Mary was beaming at him and Harry had to hold both hands in front of her mouth to ensure their parents didn't realise she was laughing.

Mrs Hudson, Molly, Mike and his wife on the other hand looked torn between shock and amusement. John's eyes next searched out Sherlock's family, who had all been sitting in the front pew, near Cathy's parents. Violet and Siger were both smiling, though Sherlock's mother couldn't help shooting dirty looks at Lady Watson now and then. Mycroft looked as unfazed as always, but John could have sworn his lips were twitching slightly, suppressing a smile.

John nodded at the older Holmes brother before turning directly to Mycroft's parents.

"Violet, Siger I hinted that just because I won't be marrying Cathy today doesn't mean I won't marry at all. My parents have so been hoping for a wedding and they invited all these guests, I'd rather not disappoint them. I wonder if you'd do me the honour of taking the place of the bride's parents, since that is the role in store for you. I apologise for the short notice, of course."

Violet and Siger Holmes exchanged shocked looks, before glancing accusingly at Mycroft who couldn't help the small smile directed towards his parents as he nodded in confirmation. Violet jumped up, running to John with a joyful cry.

"Oh John! John!" She pulled him into a tight hug. John chuckled, returning the gesture once he was over his surprise.

"I'll take that as your blessing then?" he asked with a grin and Violet sniffed a little, unable to hold back tears of happiness.

"Silly boy, you've been part of this family for a long time", she scolded fondly before turning to her oldest son. "Mycroft dear, you could have warned your poor parents. Don't you think I've had enough heart attacks over the past few days?"

"I thought you might enjoy this kind of surprise, Mummy", Mycroft declared with a small smile. His parents shock their heads good-naturedly.

Sadly the happy moment was interrupted by John's mother who, after enduring so many shocks, had finally regained her senses.

"John Hamish Watson!" she shouted, stomping over. All her good manners had been forgotten in the face of her fury at what John had done.

"You're not telling me that you plan to marry Mycroft Holmes of all people!" she hissed, trying to keep her voice down. "That's a rather poor joke, even for you. As if you haven't done enough already! Look at our guests! And oh God, the reporters are having a field day. How could you?"

"Oh please, don't be ridiculous, mother", John snorted. "Of course it would be a poor joke if I married Mycroft. As you might remember, I'm in love with someone else, not him. And do I look as if I care what our family or the reporters think? You wanted this circus. You invited them here, so deal with it!"

He pushed her away before she could utter another word and turned towards the pews where most of his friends were sitting.

"Dear guests. I apologise for the trouble and confusion about who exactly I'm marrying today. As some of you know, it was never my intention to get married, especially to Cathy. That's one of the many reasons why I just turned the bride down. There are a lot more, but I refuse to provide this family with any more ammunition for gossip. As I told my mother just now, I do indeed plan to marry today, since she's so desperate for me to do so. But I warn you now, this marriage will be anything but the posh event they're used to.

"As I'm sure my mother has neglected to inform you, my previous partner was a man. Oh yes, shocking I know", John added sarcastically when he heard the first gasps of outrage from some of his aunts. "Anyway, if you're not interested in seeing two men getting married, feel free to leave any time."

As if on command, most of the older members of his family stood up. Mothers grabbed their crying children and with a lot of shuffling and moaning they slowly left the church, all of them throwing looks of outrage towards his mother who had paled considerably. John had to admit he was surprised when more of his family stayed than he had expected. Though, he guessed it shouldn't be too much of a surprise. Most of them were younger than his parents, a generation that had grown up with the concept of homosexuality. His family might look down on such couples all the same, but it wouldn't prevent his cousins and aunts from staying behind to gather titbits they could later talk about behind his back.

It was not as if John cared. He knew a lot of their actions were based on envy. More important than those members of his family who had stayed behind were his own friends. Of course, Molly and Mrs Hudson, as well as Mike and his wife, were all sitting in their seats, looking rather confused. Greg certainly mirrored their expressions. He was still gaping at John.

"Well it's not as if I'm surprised you don't want to marry her", the stumped Detective Inspector spluttered, "but where the hell has all this fighting spirit suddenly come from, mate? Of course I'm glad to finally see you standing up for yourself a bit, but didn't you say you were too tired to fight for now?"

John grinned, glancing gleefully towards his mother.

"Yeah, I know I said that, Greg, and believe me, I certainly was at the end of my strength. Today, though, I witnessed a second miracle. You have no idea how much strength such a moment can give you. I feel like I could go against the whole of the world."

Grinning over at Mary and Harry, the only other people besides the Holmes family who knew what he was talking about, John addressed the rest of his friends.

"What I'm going to say now is really only important for my friends, and for Sherlock's, John announced. "The rest of the family can think what they want, I don't care. Six months ago we had to mourn for a very good friend, most of us for the second time. On the first occasion, it was all Sherlock's doing. Now I just want to tell you that despite all the shock and confusion you're about to experience, you mustn't blame him for what happened the second time. For once, it wasn't his doing. Sherlock has suffered enough because he was tricked into believing that I was dead. Thankfully, he and Mycroft were able to uncover the whole scheme just in time. I promise we'll explain all the details later today, but right now I just want to prepare you for another shock when he walks in here alive. We all know Sherlock loves his dramatics."

"Ah, I'd say today you've given the whole church a far better show than I ever could, John", a familiar voice objected from the entrance of the church. Molly and Mrs Hudson let out a shriek of joyful surprise. But it was nothing compared to the one John's own mother uttered, when she saw Sherlock Holmes standing in his glorious wedding suit at the door.

"YOU!" she shouted hysterically, at the sight of Sherlock alive, drowning out both Molly and Mrs Hudson. "That's impossible. My agents told me you were still in Germany with no idea of what's been going on."

Sherlock looked unfazed as he stepped towards them, while John glared daggers at his own flesh and blood.

"If I had any lingering doubt left, your confession just now would have taken care of that beautifully, mother", he let out between clenched teeth. "I can't believe you actually did this. How could you?"

His mother was silent, her face pale while she looked around, as if searching for someone. Mycroft stepped forward, smiling at the frantic woman with false cheer.

"Lady Watson", he addressed her quietly, making sure no one outside their small group could hear his words. "If you're looking for your fancy guards, I'm afraid they're already under arrest. After we successfully smuggled my brother into the church to see John, it was easy to take care of them without risking exposure. I believe they're already back at headquarters, about to answer several uncomfortable questions regarding actions undertaken without authorisation."

"Guards?" Greg, who had been gaping at Sherlock until now, choked out the word, frantically trying to understand what was going on. Meanwhile Molly, Mrs Hudson and Mike had rushed over to greet Sherlock with hugs or kisses, all of which he endured with unusual patience. Mary, Harry and Mike's wife followed at a more sedate pace, but they still arrived in time to hear the answer to Greg's question.

"Yes, guards, to ensure no one could interfere with John's marriage to Ms Stormhill today", Sherlock said, looking unperturbed but for the anger burning in his eyes. "Which is why I had to be smuggled inside to meet John. There's no doubt that if I had shown up here as myself, they would have seized me before I could have taken a step inside, maybe even worse."

"Taken you... what the hell!" Greg cursed under his breath but was prevented from further comment when John's mother finally regained her composure.

"I'm not going to stand here and allow you to accuse me like this", she declared haughtily. "John, I could never have imagined that you would embarrass me like this, you ungrateful boy. Why have I been punished with not only one but two children that have dragged the family name through the mud? Hamish!"

She looked over towards her husband who had remained in his seat, seemingly unaffected but, to John and also the keen eyes of the Holmes brothers, very pale. When his wife addressed him, he stood and walked over.

"Yes dear?"

"We're leaving!" Lady Watson announced. "I refuse to stay a second longer while my own flesh and blood plans to do nothing but embarrass me further."

"I wouldn't advise you to leave yet, Lady Watson", Sherlock interrupted, before she had a chance to turn around. She glared at him, narrowing her eyes. Sherlock didn't react in kind. Quite the opposite, in fact. His lips twitched into a quick, sardonic smile, before he nodded towards the many people still inside the church.

"Look at all the people here, especially the reporters. You value the power your family has and the lack of scandal so far. You strive for control which is why you work at the same place my brother does, so that you can neutralise any threat before it can taint your family's reputation. Today you suffered a huge blow to that power. But if you, the mother of one of the grooms, leave now, think what the headlines in tomorrow's papers will be. Can you afford to lose any more face than you already have, dearest 'mother'?"

John held his breath for a moment, as Sherlock dared to address his mother as a son-in-law might, worse, the mocking undertone couldn't be mistaken. Lady Watson certainly understood the insult for what it was, as her reddening face confirmed. When she looked around though, noticing for the first time since her angry outburst the eager faces of family and reporters alike, waiting for more juicy gossip, she took a deep breath and straightened her posture.

"You'll regret this", she hissed and John wasn't sure if it was meant for Sherlock or himself. Probably both of them. "When the wedding is over, you'll have to face the consequences of your actions."

John opened his mouth to give an angry retort, but Mycroft was faster.

"Oh, I'm sure consequences will follow at the end of the day, Lord and Lady Watson", he confirmed smoothly. "In fact, I insist that you as a family join John and Sherlock's closest friends for a short debriefing later tonight. There's a lot we have to discuss, including some evidence I'm sure everyone will be interested to see."

John didn't think his parents could blanche any further, but Mycroft engineered it beautifully. Grinning, the doctor turned first to Sherlock, then to the unlucky vicar, who was looking very confused.

"Well, now that's taken care of, I'd say we have a wedding to finish. Everything else can wait until later, don't you agree?"

"Oh, if we must", Sherlock sighed theatrically, before his mask fell and he sent a contemptuous smile towards the not-amused Watsons who were returning to their seats rather stiffly.

"Wait a second, you're REALLY going to marry, John?" Molly asked, flabbergasted, before glancing at Sherlock.

"Quick conclusion", he told her dryly, before shrugging his shoulders indifferently. Molly squeaked.

"Oh my God! Congratulations to you both."

"Just don't expect this whole thing to be one of those cosy, mushy romance-novel weddings you like to indulge yourself with, Molly", Sherlock reprimanded her, though his voice sounded a lot kinder than it would have with anyone else. She still blushed slightly, but looked unhurt about his comment.

"I'm still happy for you", she declared stubbornly before smiling shyly at John. "No offense, John, but I prefer this kind of wedding to anything else that could have taken place today. It certainly suits you better, both of you."

"Yeah, a wedding simply to spite my parents is just like Sherlock, isn't it?" John chuckled, looking fondly at his lover, who frowned in response.

"Don't forget to mention it was all your idea, John."

"And who agreed?" was the uncaring reply. Greg let out a groan.

"Dear God, what have I got myself into?" he complained and buried his face in one hand. "Do you still insist of me being your best man, John? Alright, in that case I will need a lot to drink to get through tonight. Oh, and you two owe me for all the shit you're putting me through right now."

"Technically it's John's parents who owe you", Sherlock corrected arrogantly. "Come on, Lestrade, if you're John's best men, you should take your position or we're never getting this wedding done."

"Ah, just a moment", interrupted Mrs Hudson, taking Sherlock's hand. "Greg is John's best man, but Sherlock dear, you need someone as well."

The consulting detective looked stunned.

"A best man? Really Mrs Hudson, I don't think that's necessary."

"Nonsense, every groom has his best man, it's tradition", their landlady protested forcefully. "Even you have to stick to it, Sherlock Holmes!"

"I agree", interrupted Violet, who had not yet returned to her seat. "A best man can be a friend or a relative, Sherlock, therefore I think I have the perfect solution for you."

She glanced over to Mycroft, and both her sons groaned when they realised her plan.

"Mummy!" Sherlock complained loudly.

"Sherlock!" she replied warningly. "Mycroft has always tried to keep you safe, not to mention he has assisted greatly today in your reunion with John. Wouldn't you say he deserves the honour?"

John glanced over at Mycroft, whose lips were suspiciously twitching downwards. He didn't look like he felt honoured in the slightest. Sighing John turned towards Sherlock's mother, trying to look innocent.

"Violet, may I suggest something?"

"Of course, John", Mrs Holmes answered.

"We all know that Mycroft doesn't like to be in the spotlight, as he surely would be if he stood as Sherlock's best man now", John explained, voice soothing. "Originally Cathy's best friend was supposed to be her matron of honour. So I was thinking, even if Sherlock is not a bride, maybe we could still stick to a matron of honour for him?"

"And who did you have in mind?" Violet asked, a small smile playing around her lips. She had seen right through John's charade but had obviously decided to play along.

"Well, how about Molly?"

"Me?" the woman in question squeaked in surprise. "But... but..."

Her voice faltered and she looked unsurely from a politely nodding Mycroft, to a beaming Violet, and a pleading John. Lastly her gaze fell on the groom in question. Sherlock looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, until finally one of his rare, small smiles played around his lips.

"No one deserves it more than you, Molly", he agreed and she smiled shyly back.

"I guess, I could do it," she stuttered, still a bit nervous.

"Great! If that's all taken care of, I think we can start the ceremony, don't you agree?" John declared, cheerfully, clapping his hands. "Come on, get to your seats, guys!"

He ushered everyone to their places, before grabbing Sherlock's hand and leading him towards the altar, where the vicar, Greg and Molly now stood waiting. Sherlock let out one last, long-suffering sigh before he looked at John with a surprising amount of fondness in his eyes.

"The things I do for you, John Watson."

"Well, considering the many break-ins and confrontations with armed criminals I've followed you to, I'd say we're even", John grinned, which earned him an upward twitch of Sherlock's lips in return.

With an unspoken signal, both men faced forward. The excited crowd slowly quietened and the vicar, after taking a moment to collect himself, stuttered through the opening words of the ceremony. Since the poor man had no idea how to handle the situation, he deemed it best to start from the beginning.

However Sherlock, already bored and impatient after only two sentences, declared in no uncertain terms that they could skip the parts everyone had already heard and get straight to the main questions. John had to soften the verbal blow a bit, or the poor cleric might have lost his ability to speak once more.

After that, the ceremony went smoothly for a while. John and Sherlock both answered the "Do you want to take this man as your lawful wedded husband?" with a clear "Yes" though Sherlock's impatient "Yesyesyes, can't you speak any faster? This standing around is really tedious!" rather detracted from the solemnity of the occasion. The next halt occurred when Greg and Molly were asked to present the rings for the exchange. Greg had been holding onto John's ring since the moment the doctor loudly declared his refusal to marry Cathy. Sherlock, though, had forgotten to hand his ring over to Molly for safe keeping.

"Oh well, just give me the ring then", John told him with a shrug and a grin, holding out his hand expectantly. Sherlock pulled the requested item out and looked sceptically at the ring John was supposed to put on his own finger.

"Do I have to wear it permanently after the ceremony?" Sherlock asked him disdainfully, mouth slightly tilted downwards in displeasure. The vicar looked scandalised, mouth open. John even noticed one of his relatives, a cousin if he recognised correctly, snorting into his hand to suppress his gloating laughter.

In the front row, Violet half rose out of her seat.

"William Sherlock Scott!"

But all John could do was laugh happily at the question, grinning at Sherlock.

"Not if it's too sentimental for you, love", he answered merrily. There was a cough as if someone was choking (John was betting it was the same cousin) and Greg exchanged a quiet snicker of amusement with Molly over their antics.

"We'll see", Sherlock decided generously, finally handing the ring to his husband-to-be. John went first, taking Sherlock's hand carefully in his own.

"Sherlock, to be honest, I'm a bit overwhelmed and unprepared right now", he began. "This morning, I still believed my best friend, the person I loved most in the world, was dead and I had no idea how to continue with my life. But now I'm standing here and I know it's customary to exchange personal vows. I also know, of course, that you don't care about such sentiments at all", John quickly added when Sherlock was about to open his mouth. "But I really want to. So, with this ring I vow that I will always love you and that next time I'm indisposed for a case that takes you away from Baker Street I'm coming with you anyway."

He took the ring and placed it firmly on Sherlock's third finger. Afterwards he allowed his lover to take his own hand and Sherlock presented the other ring to John.

"You're right John, I really don't care about all this sentimental nonsense, but I guess you've always been able to persuade me to make exceptions", Sherlock replied softly. "I'm not good at this, you know that, John. In my opinion, weddings are simply a farce, meaningless vows between two people who might already be cheating with the best friend of the supposed love of their life.

"I don't let my heart rule my head, as you so often do, John. I see facts, I look at the evidence and draw my own conclusions. More often than not I've criticised you for wasting so much time writing your blog, for romanticising our adventures instead of keeping to the facts. Honestly, I shudder to think how you'll describe this latest case. Please don't concentrate too much on cloying expressions of love and sentiment.

"Don't get me wrong, though. No matter my personal opinion about weddings, John, believe me when I say I'm proud to stand beside you at this moment. As most of you know, I am the most unpleasant, rude, ignorant and all-round obnoxious asshole that anyone could possibly have the misfortune to meet. I'm dismissive of the virtuous, unaware of the beautiful and uncomprehending in the face of the happy, so if I didn't understand why I was being asked to stand here by your side until today, it's because I never expected to be anybody's most beloved, and certainly not of the bravest and kindest and wisest human being I have ever had the good fortune of knowing.

"So, here we are today, maybe not under the most favourable of circumstances for a wedding. Yet here we are, in front of your... ", Sherlock coughed a little and John got the feeling he was the slightest bit embarrassed, even though to everyone else he looked as cool and collected as always.

"Well, that is to say, OUR friends, to affirm our partnership in the presence of witnesses. I know that, even though you have tried to appear nonchalant for my sake, this ceremony has meaning for you. Really John, you can't hide that from me. So, I'd like to say that in this church you're surrounded by people who are important to you, unfavourable family aside, but know this", Sherlock paused, swallowed and John couldn't help but notice that for once his partner looked overtly nervous. "Today you stand beside the man you have saved - in short, the person who loves you most in all this world. I will never let you down and I have a lifetime ahead to prove that. Let this ring be a symbol of my vow to you."

Sherlock lifted John's hand a little higher before putting the ring on his finger. He was so immersed in the task, he didn't notice until he was done the sudden silence that had fallen inside the church. One look at John confirmed that he had dangerously shiny eyes. Greg looked touched, while Molly, Mary and Harry had tears in their eyes. Mrs Hudson and Violet couldn't hold back sobs, and even the other men were looking rather astonished.

John smiled as Sherlock's confusion continued to grow until the detective turned to him, unsure.

"Did I say something wrong?" Sherlock whispered. "Why do you all look about to cry?"

John had to rub his own eyes quickly to hide the evidence of his own tears, before giving Sherlock a heartfelt smile.

"No, you did nothing wrong", he replied quietly. "In fact, that was quite beautiful."

John looked pleadingly towards the vicar, who appeared to have lost his voice as a result of Sherlock's speech.

"Can I?" he nearly begged, waking the man from his stupor.

"Oh, of course, of course", the vicar said, coughing once before declaring. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and... er, wed. You may kiss your husband."

No sooner had the man finished these words, than John had pulled the still half-confused Sherlock into his arms and caught his lips in a loving, lingering kiss. In the back of his mind, John heard the first clapping of their guests. Some women were sobbing, he suspected these included Sherlock's mother and Mrs Hudson. His musings evaporated though, when his husband finally caught up with him and started kissing back eagerly.

They were wed.

TBC...