Please review this chapter…I need to know if it's good or not. Lol :)
ENJOY!

"So, when did you two finally realize your feelings for each other?" Joan's mother smiled at the adorable couple across the table.

"The day after I lied to him about his father renewing my contract as his sober companion. I knew I wanted to stay with him, but I didn't know why…well, not at the time anyway. I thought it through and I realized that I was interested in more than just his job as a detective. He amazes me every day and his work is invigorating." Joan explained, sneaking amorous glances at the detective beside her.

Sherlock smiled and placed his hand over hers, under the table. "Thank God for lying."

Joan's mother grinned. She could almost feel the love between them; it was almost like it was coming off of them in waves. "And when did you know you loved my daughter?"

"Mom…" Joan rolled her eyes. She was embarrassed enough; she didn't want it to become humiliating.

Sherlock squeezed her hand to show her it was alright. "I never wanted a sober companion…I was extremely against it. Little did I know, the one and only thing in the world that I didn't want would become my best friend. She helps me out tremendously and never ceases to amaze me with everything she does. The day that she agreed to be my apprentice –partner-" he corrected himself, "was the day that I finally realized…I love this woman. Your daughter is the single most important thing to me in the world. She loves me for all quirks and temper tantrums...and I know how hard it is to love someone like me. I have, all my life, rejected any sort of human contact and affection out of fear of losing them. I was about to lose Joan, but, to my surprise, she stayed...and I couldn't be happier. I look at this woman," Sherlock looked into Joan's deep brown eyes and his tone softened, "and I see the most perfect, most intelligent woman. When I realized my feelings, I knew, then and there, that I must always be with her. I used to think she was a crutch, someone to use when available, but now I see, she is not a crutch…just someone I need to be with and want to be with for the rest of my life…I love you, Joan."

Joan's smile had widened and she felt herself blush. She knew he was only saying what they had practiced and what her mother wanted to hear, but, deep down, she felt like some of the things he had said, he said out of truth. Joan couldn't help but think that Sherlock meant what he said. "I love you too."

Joan's mother looked over at her husband and he smiled. Mr. Watson took his wife's hand and squeezed it.

"Why didn't you tell us about the relationship, Joanie?" Mr. Watson asked with a smile so she knew he wasn't angry, just curious.

"That is entirely my fault, sir. I thought we should keep our relationship under wraps until we were sure that it would work out. I would hate to disappoint the family…" Sherlock spoke up to defend Joan.

Mr. Watson nodded. "I'm not angry at your choice to not tell us…I just wish we would've been in the loop."

Joan's phone started to ring and she looked at the screen. "Excuse me; I have to get this…" Joan stood and headed for the door to take the call outside.

Sherlock watched her go and felt uneasy. He was now alone…with her parents…

Mr. Watson noticed Sherlock's nervousness and spoke up. "No need to be nervous…We aren't mad."

Sherlock turned towards them and gave a sheepish smile. "I'm really sorry about not telling you…I should've."

Mr. Watson chuckled. "Don't worry about it, boy. We're glad Joan has you."

"Ever since she lost that patient, she's been distant. You've made her become less distant and opened her eyes by showing her that everyone makes mistakes. We were worried about her career change to an investigator, but with you as her guardian, we believe that this was her destiny. I'm very glad she has you. She deserves to be happy and you clearly make her the happiest person in the world." Mrs. Watson smiled and placed her hand on his, "You're good for her."

Sherlock smiled and Mrs. Watson pulled her hand away as Joan sat back down at the table.

"Who was that?" Mr. Watson asked, interested.

Joan looked pale and Sherlock gave her a concerned, questioning look.

"Um…Work…" Joan was shaking and Sherlock placed his hand on her shoulder.

Sherlock whispered in her ear, "What's wrong?"

Joan gave him a worried look and he could tell she was on the verge of tears.

Sherlock felt his heart drop. What could possibly make her this upset? She had seen dead bodies, dealt with traumatized kids, and even seen a naked drug dealer. Whatever happened must've been extremely terrifying to make her this emotional.

"Joanie, are you alright?" Mrs. and Mr. Watson looked at their daughter, their faces masked with concern.

"Yes…I-I…Sherlock and I need to go…" Joan stood up and pulled Sherlock with her. "I'm sorry mom, dad…We need to leave," Joan glared at Sherlock, "now."

"Okay…I guess we'll see you at the wedding, then." Mr. and Mrs. Watson exchanged confused expressions.

Joan bit her lip and pulled Sherlock out of the diner, onto the sidewalk.

…

Sherlock followed Joan into the brownstone cautiously. She was either scared to death or extremely pissed off…or both…

"Joan, what's the matter? You didn't speak to me at all on the ride over here and you seemed extremely shaken up at the restaurant." Sherlock followed her into the kitchen. "What happened?"

Joan turned around and glared at him. She must've seemed really hostile because Sherlock retreated three steps back. "You want to know what's wrong? I'll tell you what's wrong. That phone call at the restaurant…it was from Noah. He told me that his boss wants to hurry this case along because another pressing matter had come up."

Sherlock furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

"We have to get married…tomorrow." Joan glared at him.

Sherlock froze. "Tomorrow?"

Joan spoke through gritted teeth. "Yes."

"Is that why you're so angry…? I thought we were comfortable with the idea about us getting married, waiting a year, and getting a divorce…" Sherlock eyed her apprehensively.

"I'm not mad about that." Joan clenched her fists.

"Are you going to make me guess?" Sherlock looked at her clenched fists and took another step back, fearful that he was about to be struck.

"You talked to Emily."

Sherlock froze. "Um…yes I did…" He started to sweat.

"Why?"

"I thought that it would be a nice surprise to have your best friend at the wedding…I was just trying to make you happy."

"Do you even know what you did?" Joan took a hostile step towards him and noticed him tense up. "After Noah called, Emily called. She explained what happened at the diner."

"And?" Sherlock recalled the hurtful words said by Emily and frowned.

"She said she can't trust me anymore. I didn't tell her for a reason, Sherlock. I knew that if I told her, she would blow it all out of proportion. She knows about how you were an addict and knows about what you did with Sebastian Moran."

"You told her?" Sherlock glared at her.

"Of course I told her! I tell her everything!" Joan threw her hands up in anger.

"You tell her everything?" Sherlock narrowed his eyes.

Joan knew what he was implying. "No. I didn't tell her about Irene."

Sherlock bit the inside of his mouth. Don't say anything. Don't say anything.

"I wouldn't tell her about Irene. I know my boundaries but you clearly don't!" Joan raised her voice.

Sherlock closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He kept telling himself not to say anything; it would just make everything worse. He always made things worse.

"I lost a friend today because of you!" Joan felt a tear roll down her cheek. She wiped it away before he could see.

"What?" Sherlock opened one eye to peer at her.

"She told me that since I hid something from her, she doesn't trust me! I kept a secret from her...a BIG secret. It was going great until you had to open you big mouth and make a mess of everything!"

"I didn't mean to break up your friendship…" Sherlock spoke softly. He was afraid that he was going to set her off.

Joan scoffed. "You never mean to! That's not an excuse! You should've told me before you took matters into your own hands."

Sherlock's jaw locked. "I tried to make you happy. It seems that making you happy is impossible." Sherlock knew he had just crossed a line.

Joan glared and grinded her teeth.

"Keep in mind that you do not have to do this. I never even asked you to help me."

"Help you with what?"

Sherlock ignored her. "I know this marriage is what broke up your friendship. There is a clear solution for you to make up. All you have to do is cancel the wedding."

"You know I'm not going to do that to you. I'm doing you a favor-"

"Favor? I never asked you do me a favor. I was perfectly fine with going home to London. You had to go and make up this whole lie because you were trying to help me. But did you ask me what I wanted? No." Sherlock bit his cheek to stop himself from saying more.

Joan stood with her mouth agape in shock. "I was helping you. I saved your ass."

"My ass didn't need saving." Sherlock tried to hold back what he said next but failed. "You know what? Don't even bother showing up tomorrow. I don't need you. I don't love you."

Joan felt like her heart had just been ripped from her chest. "You know what? Fine." Joan ran up the stairs and into her room. She slammed the door and leaned against it when it was closed. She put her back to the door and slid down the door until she was on the ground. Joan put her head in her knees and let the tears come.

Sherlock stood staring at the spot Joan had been before she stormed off.

I've screwed everything up. Why on earth did I say that I didn't love her? I do…I do love her…

Sherlock felt as though he had just solved the most complicated mystery in the world.

"I love you Joan Watson."

THANKS FOR READING! I THINK THERE WILL ONLY BE TWO MORE CHAPTERS :P. THE GOOD NEWS IS, I HAVE ANOTHER STORY PLOT READY TO GO! IT'LL BE SHORTER THAN THIS ONE BUT IT'LL BE INTERESTING!
PLEASE FAVORITE, FOLLOW, AND REVIEW!
REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW! THEY MAKE ME SMILE AND WANT TO UPDATE MUCH MUCH MUCH FASTER!

^.^~*HAPPY EASTER!*~^.^