The Troublesome Trio
Chapter 11
Max- age two years old
'Mrs Hudson, you are looking as lovely as usual. I hope we are not intruding on any plans; I had made plans with Holmes to care for Ella, but I don't know if he ever informed you of those plans. We both know how he can be.' Watson strode in from the bright Spring day into the foyer of 221B Baker Street with his daughter still waking up in his arms and greeted the sweet landlady who seemed to weather any storm with the staunchness that would rival that of a general. The lady-general merely gathered up his coat and hat and placed them upon the appropriate pegs before turning to face the good doctor whom she had the most respect for.
'He had the decency to mention that you might be calling this afternoon, which is more than I should expect from him. But a time would be appreciated. Might be seen as a normal thing to give, not that anything that comes from Mr Holmes's rooms is ever quite right. Though he has kept it down to a bare minimum this week.' She saddled up close to Watson and Ella, and dropped his voice down a few levels to avoid being overheard by the household detective. 'I do believe he has been looking forward to little Ella's visit today. I saw a hint of something violet in there when I brought him his breakfast.' And with that hint of knowledge, the landlady gave the Watsons a slight nod and strode briskly back to her domain in the kitchen where she felt most comfortable, leaving the pair to climb the staircase and brave the storm together.
And Brave the Storm they did.
The door remained as unsuspecting as ever, which did not clue in Watson to what awaited them behind the door. What did alert him to something lurking behind the study door was the lack of noise; usually there was some sort of noise, be it frantic violin music or opera or foreign tracks of some interest to the detective. But at the moment it was completely silent.
Watson gave Ella a gentle shake to awaken her completely and to ensure that she would not be frightened from what should ever appear from the door. The little angel yawned and rubbed the sleep from her eyes before glancing about her surroundings, trying to determine where she was. Excitement glittered in her eyes as she recognized the hallway and door to be the home of her favourite uncle in London.
'Papa, where's Unc' Sher! Wanna play!' The little bundle of light green cotton began to wiggle in her father's arms as she looked for her third favourite person in the world.
'Alright Ella, let us see what your Uncle has done this time.' And, bracing himself for the worst, opened the door to the rooms that he once lived in.
The horrendously strung lines of purple and pink tissue with red hearts that hung over the fireplace clashed with the general masculinity of the mess. But the carefully designed card that read 'Happy Late Valentine's Day' drew the entire scene together. The man sitting behind the card was just as carefully groomed with a starched collar folded over a scarlet red vest that matched the décor of the room. Holmes smiled at the pair.
'It seems that I missed this most important occasion for females due to my last case, and I find that, given my available time with Max, today will be a most agreeable time to celebrate it. Max will not realize that will are enjoying the festivities late, only that we are enjoying them. So!' At this Holmes leaped to his feet, bound over to the stunned Watson, and grabbed his niece from the still arms. He then shooed the grown man from the room before facing the giggling girl.
'Now, shall we try Nanny's cookies or cake first?'
A/N: I blaim college in all its devious forms for the total lack of updates to this. However, since I will be home for a little bit, I should be able to produce a few chapters. Here's to my heroes, my best friends. You know why and who you are.