Sherlock and Molly spill the beans.


The moment Mycroft and Anthea walked into the room together, they noticed that the party was in full swing. Greg, Mrs. Hudson, Meena, John, Mary, Sherlock and Molly were all talking amicably. However, when the door to the flat opened, they all stopped to greet and wish the newcomers a Merry Christmas.

Sherlock frowned, though, when he saw that his brother had only come with his PA, now-girlfriend. Their parents were nowhere in sight.

"Where are Mummy and father?"

"Currently on a cruise in America. They wanted me to tell you that they're sorry to miss the party, but send their love."

"Oh, I hoped that they would show up. I guess it can't be helped. Thank you for relaying the message, Mycroft. I'm rather surprised you came."

"And why is that?"

"You've never been one for social engagements."

Anthea patted Mycroft's arm. "True, but I like to think that I've helped him in that area. Perhaps a little, hm?"

His face softened just a bit as he replied, "Yes, you have."

Sherlock couldn't stop the smile that spread on his face. Clearly, Anthea was good for his brother. Who knew he'd see the day when Mycroft fell in love?

"Mycroft, would you like a cookie?"

The elder Holmes brother looked down at the platter of delicious smelling Christmas cookies Mrs. Hudson held in front of him and he smiled just a bit. "I usually prefer cake, but Anthea has been encouraging me to try different things. I suppose one won't hurt." He took a cookie in hand and bit off a piece, chewing slowly. Surprisingly, he enjoyed the sugary confection.

"Mrs. Hudson, I now see that Molly was right when she said you make very good cookies." He looked at his brother and a brief mischievous look danced across his features. "These are certainly better than ginger nuts."

Sherlock gave Mycroft a mock frown. "You dare insult my favourite cookies in my presence, Mycroft? I could throw you out of my flat for that."

"You could try, brother mine, but I doubt Molly would let you. She'd be displeased if you did something so churlish." He glanced over at the pathologist as she held baby Rosie and chatted with Greg and John by the fireplace.

"Perhaps, but I think Molly would still understand my sudden need to thrash you," Sherlock quipped.

Anthea grinned at the brothers' verbal sparring. She was used to their silly arguments from time to time through the years, but this teasing was more...affectionate. Of course, she wasn't going to say that out loud. "Now, now, boys. Play nice."

"Oh, Anthea, you know as well as I do that Mycroft doesn't play. He has no time for it since being the British government takes up all of his time."

"That's where I have to correct you, Sherlock. Mycroft is actually well acquainted with play, aren't you, dear?" Anthea nudged the man with her elbow, a saucy smile on her lips.

Mycroft coughed and twitched ever so slightly. "I believe I will get something to drink."

Sherlock just laughed and migrated over to Molly and the others.

"I'm sorry to hear about the divorce, Greg," Molly said sadly as she bounced Rosie on her knee. "I was really hoping you and your wife would be able to mend your differences."

"Yeah, well. Can't say I didn't try. I still love the woman and we had a good run up until the end, but sometimes you just have to let go." He took a long drink from his glass of wine.

Meena added, "It's healthier, too. That is, when you've done everything you could."

Greg nodded and sighed. "Thank you, but we shouldn't talk about something so melancholy at a Christmas party. What about you and Mary, John? Have you found out what you're having yet?" At this, the inspector motioned to Mary's large stomach.

"Twins. A boy and a girl," John said with a proud smile on his face. "Rosie's already excited to be a big sister. Every day, she keeps asking when they're coming."

Everyone laughed at that and even Mycroft let out a light chuckle.

"At this point, I just want them to get out of my body so I can have a proper drink," Mary said with a sigh. "Sparkling cider just doesn't have the same appeal as champagne and I feel as big as a house."

"Just as long as you don't give birth with me next to you in the car," Sherlock replied with a shudder. "I still have nightmares about the night of Rosie's birth."

"Consider it practice if you find yourself in a similar situation in the future."

Sherlock furrowed his brow and was about to ask Mary what she meant, but she gave him a wry grin, her eyes surreptitiously switching between he and Molly. At once, he understood what she was alluding to.

Mary knew about he and Molly's engagement. She had always been quick at deducing and her savviness gave her an edge over most people. It was something Sherlock had always admired about her.

Molly eyed Sherlock briefly and nodded her head. Obviously, she noticed Mary's little hint and was giving him the okay to tell their guests why they were at the party tonight. He cleared his throat and got attention.

"Speaking of the future, I have an important announcement to make. As you all know, Molly and I have been in a relationship for the past few months. Some of you were shocked about it, whereas, others weren't really surprised. Either way, you all gave us your support and we appreciate it very much."

He took Molly's hand in his and she squeezed. "Molly and I have known each other for many years. For a long time, we never gave in to our feelings, just kept them hidden or ignored them for fear of rejection. That was one of the biggest mistakes either of us could have made. But we decided that we don't want to waste anymore time living in the past."

"Molly and I have only dated for a few months, but we've known each other for a lifetime. And we both agreed that we can't imagine life without being together. With that in mind, I asked her to marry me and she accepted my proposal."

Everyone gasped or stared in shock at this new revelation. Well, Mary and Mrs. Hudson knew, so they had huge smiles on their faces the entire time. John sputtered, but he grabbed Sherlock by the shoulders and hugged him warmly.

"You sneaky git! I never saw that coming, mate!"

"Well, we were careful to keep it under wraps."

"Not with me, though," Mary said, looking like the cat who ate the cream. "I always suspected there were some genuine feelings between you two."

John stared at her in shock. "Wait, you knew?"

"Of course, love. Why do you think I said we should make Sherlock and Molly Rosie's godparents?"

Sheepishly, he replied, "Because they're our closest friends?"

"You're so cute."

Meena squealed and hugged Molly and Sherlock at the same time. "This is such great news, you guys! Let me see that ring!"

Molly had been wearing her gloves in the flat under the pretence of having cold hands, but now that the cat was out of the bag, she tugged the soft fabric off and showed everyone her ring. It was a brilliant yellow sapphire surrounded by four tiny diamonds that sparkled in the light.

"Oh, my gosh. It's so beautiful." Meena touched her cheeks with her hands and did a little jump.

"Thanks, Meena," Molly said with a laugh.

Greg shook his head at the ring and turned to punch Sherlock on the arm, then he gave Molly a hug. "Congratulations, you two. It's about time you let someone make an honest man out of you, Sherlock."

The consulting detective frowned. "I've never understood that term. What does marriage have to do with honesty? There are plenty of relationships that are honest without having the commitment of marriage, like familial relationships. That doesn't make them any less important."

Molly nudged Sherlock on the side. "It's just a saying, love. Accept the compliment." She beamed at Greg and everyone else as they said their congratulations, hugging them or shaking their hands.

"Alright. But I still think it's silly."

"Wait until you get married, then you'll really find a lot of things silly," quipped Mrs. Hudson with a smirk as she kissed Sherlock and Molly's cheeks.

Mycroft even looked pleased. "I know I that I never say this, but I'm proud of you, brother mine. Molly Hooper is "quite a catch" as the saying goes and I dare say, you would not find a better woman to compliment you."

"Yes," Anthea echoed. "You're perfect for each other and I'm very happy for you both."

"Thank you, Mycroft, Anthea. That means a great deal to me." Sherlock felt that his face might hurt from all of the smiling he was doing, but he couldn't bring himself to care. The praise and well wishes he and Molly received from their friends and family made his heart warm. This was what they had needed all along. All of those years being separated and now, they were finally in a place where they could have their happy ending.

Sherlock used to scoff at such things, but now, he saw life through a completely different set of eyes. His heart and soul belonged to Molly Hooper and that gave him a wonderful sense of peace.