The Past, The Present and Hopefully a Future
Chapter Fourteen: Sweetened with a Kiss
Flashback/Lyrics/Thoughts

Nick stared at his mother in disbelief, she had just finished telling him the story about her shared past with Sherlock and her run in with Moriarty, he was frightened and a little bit impressed at just how far the consulting criminal had gone in his attempt to understand just what made Sherlock tick, and how close he had gotten to making sure Nick never saw the light of day.

"You faked your death so Moriarty wouldn't find out you were pregnant with me?" Nick's emerald orbs blinked rapidly as he processed the information. He turned to Sherlock, "You didn't even know who he was yet, and he already knew your biggest weakness."

Sherlock's eyes narrowed as he stared out the window, not wanting to be reminded of his grave misjudgment in Moriarty's obsession with him. "Yes, I'll admit he was one step ahead of me for some time before I finally leveled the playing field. If not for your mum's instincts and her rash, albeit brilliant plan of faking her death, odds are neither of you would be here today."

"But you stopped Moriarty nearly 4 years ago," Nick turned to his mother once more, "Why did you wait so long to introduce us? We could have been reunited ages ago."

Both Sherlock and Talis bit back a smile at the fact that their son thought 4 years was ages ago.

"That wouldn't have been possible." Sherlock spoke up, his eyes meeting Talis', "You should know by now that I had to fake my death to ensure the safety of those I care about. That Moriarty's men wouldn't be called off unless they saw me die."

Nick nodded as he remembered the day with perfect clarity.

He had been in his room getting ready for school when the sound of dishes crashing to the ground had him running towards the kitchen. His mother stood there, shivering and as pale as a ghost, the shattered remains of her teacup and saucer lying on the floor. He approached her cautiously as Jae ran in from outside, they both exchange worried looks as Talis continued to stare at the telly as the image on the screen flashed in a breaking news bulletin: Consulting Detective Proved a Fraud; Commits Suicide.

"That's why mum was so distraught over the news of your death." Nick began putting the pieces together, "She said the reason she was so upset was because she knew I looked up to you and she hated the thought of me losing a role-model, but now I see there was more to it than that." He watched as his parents shared a long look.

"I suppose she got a taste of how I felt when I learned of her death." Sherlock smirked and Talis rolled her eyes, but Nick could tell there was a genuine amusement and affection behind their actions.

"Where were you for the two years you were 'dead'?"

Sherlock turned to look at his son, "I was out destroying the remnants of Moriarty's network. Just because he was gone, didn't mean his criminal empire wasn't." Sherlock steepeled his fingers beneath his chin, "They were simply without a leader, it was only a matter of time before one of his lieutenants rose to fill the void his death left."

"It took me a while to realize that your father was still alive." Talis fiddled with her wedding band. "I was tempted to go out an eliminate Moriarty's network, to get some sort of payback for losing your father, when I realized that someone was systematically doing it from the inside. Someone was infiltrating his criminal web. I knew it had to be your father. No one else was capable or crazy enough to do so."

Nick processed the information, letting everything he'd learned so far sink in.

1. Sherlock Holmes was his father
2. His mother apparently kept that a secret from everyone
3. His mother faked her death to escape Moriarty
4. His father faked his death to escape Moriarty (and take down his criminal empire)
5. SHERLOCK HOLMES WAS HIS FATHER

Sherlock watched as Nick stared unseeingly at a spot between himself and Talis and wondered if this is what John had felt when he had been asked to be the best man. He looked to Talis who was unfazed by the behavior and simply smiled and shrugged as if to say, he's your son.

Looking back at Nick, Sherlock took the time to really see his son. It was incredible just how much he resembled Sherlock as a boy, his mother was going to flip. They had the same unruly curls, the same smattering of freckles, although Sherlock was positive, that like his, they would fade over time. Same strong nose, defined jaw, impossibly high cheekbones, even though Nick's were still covered by a lingering layer of baby fat, the definition was clear to see to anyone who wasn't an idiot. The same mouth, although perhaps slightly fuller lips, the cupid's bow not as defined, but visible nonetheless.

His eyes though, were perhaps the most stunning feature on the boy. Sherlock knew his own ever changing eyes were considered enviable, but Nick, Nick had inherited Talis' impressive emerald orbs that sparkled with the innocence and wonder only a child could possess. Sherlock had no doubt that in no time at all they would be able to cut right through him just as his mother's could.

Nick took a quick breathe in and rejoined the world of the living. He blinked a few more times before leveling as serious a gaze as a ten year old could at his two parents. "Ok. So where do we go from here?"

Talis raised an eyebrow, "Here?"

"Yes," Nick sat up straight, "Is Dad-can I call you Dad?"

Sherlock smiled and nodded, Nick beamed.

"Is Dad going to move in with us? Are you guys getting back together? Are you still married? Is my last name still Jordan? Can I be a Holmes instead? Nikolai Bae Jordan Holmes, I think that has a nice ring to it don't you? Am I going to get a little brother or sister soon? Can I get a puppy?" He rapid fired the questions in a manner that reminded Sherlock that as much as Nick was advanced for his age, he was till a 9 year old little boy.

He looked to Talis, at a loss on how to answer, only to see her with a similarly stunned expression on her own face.

"Um." The consulting detective found himself in a rare moment when he had no idea what to say.

"Sweetie," Talis joined him in John's chair, resettling so he was sitting in her lap, "I love you, and I love your father," Sherlock hid his surprise, "but, just because we love each other doesn't mean that we're going to get back together." She looked to Sherlock who nodded apprehensively.

He raced through his mind palace looking for anything to help him in this situation; suddenly wishing he had paid more attention to all those TV shows with divorced parents. What would John say in this situation? He wondered before stumbling on what he hoped was the right answer. "But it doesn't mean that we love you any less, or that we don't want what's best for you." Sherlock leaned forward, putting a hand on Nick's knee, judging by the smiles on Nick and Talis' face, it was the right thing to say.

Talis reached out and took his hand in her own, Nick's little hand resting on top of theirs. The three shared a smile, knowing that while they might have a tough road ahead, they'd get through it together, as a family.

"When are you going to tell him?" Sherlock questioned as they walked downstairs after putting Nick to bed in John's old room.

The newly united family had spent the last two hours getting to know one another or rather Nick had talked nearly non-stop about various aspects of his life to this point, randomly throwing out questions for Sherlock when he remembered to take a moment to breathe. Talis simply watched them interact with a soft smile on her face, only interjecting when either of their storytelling deviated a little too far from the truth.

"I don't know." Talis sighed and sat down on the stair leading down to street level. "How do I tell him that I won't be around to see him grow up? That I won't be there to see him graduate, fall in love, get married, become a father?" with everything she ticked off her voice waivered harder, and Sherlock knew she was struggling to keep it together. "He's not much older than I was when my parents died, and I barely remember them." She turned to him with tears in her eyes, "What if he forgets me?"

Sherlock had never known Talis to be anything other than fearless and optimistic, so to see her at a loss like she was now, with a nearly paralyzing fear in her eyes was unnerving to say the least.

Sitting beside her he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into his embrace, which she fell into easily, her body molding perfectly to his side like the missing piece of a puzzle.

Muscle memory really was a fascinating subject and Sherlock made a mental note to read up on the subject at a more appropriate time.

"Tal, from what I've gathered Nick has an eidetic memory. It would take a massive blow to the head for him to forget you."

Talis couldn't help the giggle that bubbled forward at his absurd comment, Sherlock pulled her closer as the delirious giggles turned into sobs and she broke down in his arms.

Nick woke up and for a moment he panicked, he had no idea where he was, he definitely wasn't in the lush hotel that he had slept in the night before. It took him a moment before he remembered everything that had happened the day before. His mum had taken him and Jae around London, showing them all the places she had loved when she was growing up.

Then she had gone to have dinner with a friend and Nick had casually tricked Jae into dining at the sandwich shop beneath his idol/father's apartment. And oh yea!

WILLIAM SHERLOCK SCOTT HOLMES WAS HIS FATHER

…and he was currently in John Watson's old room at 221B Baker Street.

Smiling like it was Christmas and his birthday all rolled into one he looked around the room, knowing his parents must have tucked him in last night, seeing as the last thing he remembered was dozing on the couch as his fathered played the violin and his mother sang along to the Beatles classics he was surprised his father had in his repertoire.

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say, it's alright

Getting out of bed, he looked around the room; clearly this was Sherlock's new workspace, as the desk was littered with beakers, Bunsen burners and a microscope. Stepping closer he ran his fingers over the microscope, it was old, but in perfect condition, clearly it was a beloved instrument.

S.H.
May nothing ever escape your sight
3 T

He was pulled from his exploration when he heard the sound of movement in the kitchen and the smell of bacon wafting delectably into the room.

Clambering downstairs, he was greeted by the sight of his mother, dressed in a too large t-shirt and a baggy pair of pajama pants, manning the stove, all four burners going, a sight that never failed to make Nick wonder how his mother did it without burning anything. "Good morning darling," She greeted as she expertly flipped a pancake before turning to face her son. "Did you sleep well?"

He nodded enthusiastically as he stole a slice of bacon before his mother could stop him, giggling madly as she chased him around the kitchen.

Sherlock emerged from his room in a t-shirt, pajama pants and a dressing gown, watching the mother and son with an amused smile on his face.

"Daddy! Daddy! Help me! Save me from Mummy!" Nick ran to hide behind Sherlock, who's amused smiled melted into an expression of panic.

Fortunately Talis recognized the deer in the headlights look from the consulting detective, and knew just what to do. "Nicky, why don't you give your father a moment to wake up hm?" she held out her hand to her son, coaxing him forward, "I'm sure he's not quite used to the ruckus you bring this early in the morning."

Nikolai smiled sheepishly up at Sherlock, "Sorry dad." He whispered loudly before joining his mother's side.

Sherlock just nodded, a slightly less panicked smile on his face.

"Here Nicky," Talis led the boy to the coffee pot, "Let me show you how your father takes his coffee… caffeine always puts him in a better state." She pulled a cup down from the cabinet and poured. "Now," she handed Nick the bowl of sugar, "Add two scoops, and stir three times."

Nick did as he was told, as Sherlock took a seat at the table and watched, as Talis supervised, "Like this?" Nick look to his mother for approval, beaming when she nodded.

"Lastly," she bent to Nick like she was about to whisper some big secret, "Kiss the cup for a little extra sweetness."

Nick laughed at his mother's silliness but did as he was instructed before carefully carrying the steaming beverage to his father. Placing the cup and saucer down in front of Sherlock, Nick looked at him expectantly.

"Thank you Nikolai." Sherlock picked up the cup and took a sip, eyes closing in delight at the taste of the delicious brew, "It's absolutely perfect."

Talis smiled at Sherlock before placing two steaming plates of a full American breakfast on the table. "Now eat up you two, we've got a full day of moving in ahead."

Two hours later Sherlock, Talis and Nick were standing outside the home that Talis had bought the day before. Jae opened the door, and smiled widely, but Sherlock could tell that there was something amiss with it.

"Welcome home!" he called out, bending down as Nick ran forward and jumped into his arms.

"Jae!" Nick laughed as his au pair spun him around, "Where'd you go yesterday? I learned all about my mum and dad when they were young. Did you know mum faked her death to escape Moriarty just like dad did?" he prattled on as he headed into the house, pulling Jae along, "Which one is my room again?"

"That man is in love with you, you know." Sherlock commented as Talis nearly tripped over her own feet at Sherlock's revelation.

Regaining her footing she stuck her nose in the air, "I have no idea what you're talking about William." The tone of her voice and the use of his birth name told him she was done discussing the subject as she too disappeared into the home.

Sherlock couldn't help but chuckle as he shook his head, if she was going to meddle in his life with regards to a certain pathologist, then he would meddle in hers with regards to a certain au pair.

Good lord, where the hell is my muse going? Should be interesting to see Talis and Sherlock meddling in each other's love lives. Plus I'm planning on each of them recruiting Nick for help.

Heading back to LA for work, I'm hoping I'll get some writing done on the plane, but odds are I'll just fall asleep... something about planes just lulls me to sleep, I tend to fall asleep before they take off... ;)

Hope you guys liked the chapter!
Stay classy!

Getting2KnowL
=03252014=