John got presents...
John stepped back inside and closed the door. He nearly ran up the steps to the flat and closed the door and locked it. He grabbed the abandoned letter opener and tore through the edge of the envelope. He tipped the packet on edge and four things fell out: a passport, a packet of airline tickets, a smaller envelope and a folded note.
He picked up the passport. It had his picture, but was in a different name; Martin F Smith. It was an old, well used passport with stamps from countries all over the world. The airline tickets took him first to New York, New York and then to Washington, DC. The tickets were also stamped with the Martin F Smith name. He picked up the smaller envelope. In it was a stack of American bills no smaller than a half inch high. The denominations were no less than a $20 bill.
Finally, John picked up the note
Read the rest of his letter, John. MW
John laughed out loud. The Holmes brothers, for all their external conflict were so alike in their love of the dramatic and intrigue and sometimes so in sync one could have thought they were separated Siamese twins. He did as the note suggested and picked the letter back up, taking it and the contents of his parcel back to his chair.
By now, my love (I hope you don't mind this endearment. I never thought I'd be able to use it with you!) you've received Mycroft's version of an apology to you; a clean passport, American cash and tickets to Washington, DC.
There will be a car at the door tomorrow morning at 10:00 am.
Once you arrive in Washington, DC, take their version of the Tube. Take the Yellow line to L'Enfant Plaza. You have a reservation under Marty Smith at the Mandarin Oriental Washington just off that stop. You should arrive there around 7 pm, Eastern Standard Time. There will be further instructions for you when you arrive. But know this, my love, we will be together soon, you and I. I cannot wait to see you again. I cannot wait until you are in my arms.
Yours,
Sherlock
John set the letter down. So, he was going to Washington, DC in the morning. And he was going as Marty Smith. He would be with Sherlock before Christmas.
He first straightened the flat and wrote a short note to Mrs. Hudson:
Mrs Hudson,
I am going away on a trip for at least a couple of weeks. I am not sure when I will return, but I will let you know what is going on as soon as I know. Please know that I will stay as safe as possible, but I am happy to be going where I am. If anything else, it will get me away from the reminders of Sherlock in this flat.
Have a Happy Christmas!
Dr. John Watson
John then bustled about finding things that he would need for the trip. He checked the weather. He checked his flight. He finally checked the clock on the mantle and realized he had time to sleep before he had to be ready to go. Just as he was brushing his teeth, his phone chirped, signaling a text.
zzz, my lov
How am I to sleep when I know I will see you so soon JW
zzz wl hlp. b4 uno it, UlB W me
I know. But I am still amazingly wide awake JW
I was just about to nap, though JW
CU soon.
He was still too bouncy. He decided to write one last blog before the New Year.
A little more to go before the end of this...read on...but REVIEW FIRST!