Chapter 14: Our Little Girl
AN: So finally, I got over my writer's block with this one. Ariana is now two years old xxxxxxx
"Morning, my little angel." John greets cheerfully, sitting down on his daughter's bed.
"Dada!" Ariana squeals, jumping into her father's lap.
"Let's go find Papa." John smiles, picking up Ariana and heading to the living room.
"Papa!" Ariana shouts, struggling in John's arms until he puts her down.
She walks around the room, looking every where for her Papa.
"Papa?" She asks cautiously, standing in the middle of the room and looking up at her Dada.
"It's alright, Ana. I'm sure he'll be back soon. Let's make breakfast, shall we?"
Ana nods in reply and grabs John's hand as they walk into the kitchen.
"So, what does my little birthday girl want for breakfast?"
"Strawbry milkshake and pancakes." Ana says cheerfully, looking expectantly at her Dada.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. We don't have any strawberries for milkshake. I can make you pancakes though." John replies sympathetically, giving a hopeful smile.
"Okay, Dada." Ana smiles brightly, nodding her head.
"Alright then."
John starts getting to work on the pancakes when Ana exclaims loudly, "Papa!" as she tries to struggle out of her high chair.
"Alright, love. Calm down." John speaks softly, holding her chair to stop it tipping over with Ana's furious struggling.
"Papa!" Ana exclaims again, despite her Dada's words.
"Son tout droit, chéri. Je suis à la maison." Sherlock reassures his daughter, walking into the kitchen with a handful of shopping bags.
"Bon. Bon." Ana giggles, clapping her hands together excitedly.
"In English please, Sherlock." John asks pointedly, folding his arms.
"I said, it's alright, I'm home." Sherlock says in his , rolling his eyes at his partner.
"I really wish you wouldn't teach our daughter French without talking to me about it first, love." John sighs, walking around the table to put the shopping away.
"Apologies, John. Although, I could teach you some French if you'd prefer." Sherlock replies softly, helping his partner with the shopping.
"Sherlock, it would take forever to learn French at my age. I never really understood it in school. Thirty years later isn't going to make it any fresher in my mind." John looks up at his partner and gives him an apologetic smile.
"I've been told I'm a very good teacher. And it would give Ariana a great advantage." Sherlock smiles in return, kissing John's cheek.
"How, Sher? She's two years old."
"She's very clever for her age, John. Don't underestimate our daughter."
"Alright then, Sher. Just please don't teach her anything without telling me first, okay?"
"I promise." Sherlock grins, pulling out a box of strawberries and a carton of milk.
"Strawbries!" Ariana exclaims excitedly, clapping her hands and bouncing in her high chair.
"How did you know?" John asks with a smile, before looking over at his daughter.
"She's been asking for strawberry milkshake for a while now. And every time we go out, she asks for one." Sherlock replies in his 'obviously' tone.
"I love you, Sher." John chuckles, leaning up to kiss his partner.
"I know." Sherlock smirks, pulling the chopping board and knife out to cut the leaves off the strawberries.
"Aren't you a lucky little girl, eh? Having Papa go out to buy strawberries and milk for your milkshake."
"Je sais. J'aime Dada et Papa." Ana smiles sweetly, her eyes sparkling.
"Nous vous aimons trop, princesse." Sherlock replies, stopping cutting to smile softly at their daughter.
"What did she say?" John asks, looking between his partner and his daughter.
"Je sais means 'I know'. And J'aime means 'I love'. She said that she loves us." Sherlock smiles, looking over at his partner.
"J ... J'ame?" John asks in a confused tone, trying to pronounce the word.
Sherlock actually giggles before picking up a pen and writing the word on John's hand.
"It's pronounced, jem-e. Don't worry, I'll teach you." Sherlock says softly, kissing John's forehead.
"Alright, let's finish breakfast first." John smiles, going back to pouring the pancake batter.
x..x
"So, do you get it now?" Sherlock asks with a grin, watching John process a number of French words at once.
"I think so." John replies unsurely, before nodding at his partner.
"Comment allez-vous?" Ana asks brightly, grinning at her Dada.
John watches his daughter for a moment, just wondering when she became so much like Sherlock before he replies.
"Très bien, merci." John smiles, touching her nose.
Ana claps in response, her grin getting bigger as she jumps into her Dada's lap and hugging him tight.
"I told you I could teach you French. And it only took ... six hours. We've wasted so much of the day, John."
"It's alright, love. The guests don't get here until five, we've still got time to get every thing ready." John smiles, ruffling Sherlock's curls.
"Shall we start now then?" Sherlock asks, already jumping out of his seat.
"Alright then." John sighs, placing Ana down on the floor and standing up.
"I'm having the cake delivered shortly, I hope you don't mind, John. I saw the one you picked out and went to the shop to get it personalised."
"I could have taken care of that, Sher. I really didn't mind."
"Nonscence, John. Isn't it a father's job to be in his child's life and help organise events?" Sherlock asks, turning around to look at his partner.
"Je t'aime, Ma Chéri." John replies softly, leaning up to kiss Sherlock.
"I'm impressed, John." Sherlock smirks, cupping John's cheek.
"Like you said, sometimes when you just focus, you can remember stuff that you'd thought you'd forgotten."
"You continue to amaze me, Mon Amour."
"Merci. Now, are we setting up or not?" John grins, heading into the kitchen to start the buffet.
"Can we get it done in two hours, John?"
"If you co-operate, Sher."
"I think I've proven to be quite co-operative today." Sherlock huffs, pulling trays out of the cupboard for the buffet.
"That you have, love. And if you're good, I've remembered another French phrase from my university days."
"And what would that be?" Sherlock asks curiously, noticing John's slight smile.
"Je veux te faire l'amour." John whispers huskily into Sherlock's ear.
"Oh." Sherlock squeaks, blushing brightly. "I think that could be manageable after the party."
"Of course." John gives a suggestive smile before going back to making sandwiches.
"Tease." Sherlock whispers as he walks past.
"You-hoo." Mrs Hudson calls, coming into the flat with her arms full of sandwiches on trays.
"Granma Martha!" Ana squeals, running over to their land-lady and wrapping her arms around the woman's legs.
"Hello, Ana. My, aren't we getting big? I can't believe it's been nearly two years already." Mrs Hudson smiles proudly, looking down into the little girl's big blue eyes.
"Hi, Mrs Hudson. Ana let Grandma Martha come in, sweetheart." John replies, un-latching his daughter from the land-lady's legs. "Oh, Mrs Hudson, you shouldn't have. We told you we'd sort out the food."
"Oh, it was no bother, dear. Anything for this little one."
"Then let me help." John suggests, before turning to Sherlock. "Here, can you grab Ana, please?"
"Of course, John." Sherlock smiles, grabbing his daughter and sitting her on his hip.
John smiles back before grabbing a tray off Mrs Hudson and turning to go back to the kitchen.
"Besides, dear, you've got that little one to look after. And if Sherlock's teaching her anything, you're going to need the extra help."
"Don't I know it." John chuckles, looking back into the living room where Sherlock is bouncing Ana on his hip.
x..x
"Ah, that must be some more guests." John announces, jumping up from his seat and going to answer the door.
"I'll just head on up, dear." Mrs Hudson says, sneaking past John on his way to the door.
"You make yourself at home, Mrs H." John smiles at her before opening the door, "Greg. Mycroft. So good to see you both, come in."
"Yes, I'm sure." Mycroft drawls with a fake smile, which just reminds John that he and Sherlock are most definitely brothers.
Greg elbows him and throws an apologetic smile at John before apologising.
"Ignore him, John. You know he's not really a party person. But, he loves his niece just as much as we all do."
"I know. Now, before we go up, behave. I won't have the same as last year when you and Sherlock were sniping at each other. Ana doesn't need that."
"Just so long as my brother behaves." Mycroft replies, moving past John to go upstairs.
"Sorry. I'm still trying to break him in." Greg grins, clapping John on the shoulder.
"It took me nearly nine months to break Sherlock in, even now he still has his off days."
"Bloody Holmes', eh?"
"Yeah." John agrees as they make their way upstairs.
"So, do you want to open your presents first, Ana?" Sherlock asks with a bright smile.
"Sherlock, maybe it would be a good idea to have the buffet first." Mycroft suggests and receives a glare from his younger brother.
"It's alright, Mycroft. She can open her presents first." John replies, handing his daughter a present.
"Of course." Mycroft replies with a fake smile.
"Dada! Papa! Granma Martha got me a doll!" Ana squeals loudly, waving the doll in front of them in turn.
John smiles at his daughter before sitting himself on the arm of Sherlock's chair and smiling wider when the younger man wraps an arm around him.
Mycroft looks up at his little brother and gives a genuine smile that Sherlock actually returns before looking back down at his daughter.
John and Greg grin at each other having both seen the rare and sweet exchange between the two brothers. Sherlock squeezes John's hip in warning as Mycroft squeezes Greg's hand a little too hard.
"Ana, how about you open this one from me and Uncle Mycroft." Greg says, pulling his hand out of Mycroft's grip.
"YAY!" Ana exclaims, climbing into Greg's lap.
"Here you go, darling." Greg smiles softly, handing his niece the little box.
Ana quickly rips the paper off before lifting the lid.
"It's a bracelet." Ana gasps, looking up at her uncles.
"It's a Christening bracelet. Lot's of children have them."
"It's bootiful." Ana says softly, looking at the name engraved on it; Ariana Mary Watson-Holmes.
"Beautiful, Ana. Remember." Sherlock corrects, giving his daughter a gentle smile.
"Sherlock, she's two and can speak French better than any thirty year old. Cut her some slack." John chastises gently, rolling his eyes.
"She speaks French?" Greg asks incredulously, looking up at the couple.
"Oui, très bien en fait." Ana replies absently, playing with her bracelet.
"Très bon, Ariana." Mycroft smiles proudly, with a perfect French accent.
"Does everybody speak French in here? I mean, I haven't spoke French in fifteen years." Greg asks, looking around the room.
"I do, so does Mycroft and so does John, now." Sherlock replies with a proud smile, looking up at his partner.
"Good, so I still have Mrs Hudson and Molly then. Thank God."
"Gregory, I can teach you French if you'd like." Mycroft smiles, reaching over and grabbing his partner's hand.
Sherlock makes a gagging noise while John just smiles at the exchange.
"Do grow up, little brother." Mycroft chastises, leaning over to kiss Greg softly.
"Mycroft! Not in front of our daughter!" Sherlock snaps, gripping John's hip hard.
"Ow, Sherlock. Loosen up on the grip." John snaps, pulling Sherlock's hand away.
Mycroft just smirks before pulling the bracelet out of Ana's hand and slipping it on her wrist.
"Thank you, Uncle Myc." Ana smiles brightly, looking back at the bracelet.
"Here you go, Ana." Molly says sweetly, handing her another present.
Ana grins, ripping the paper off and pulling out some very small dresses.
"Me and Grandma Martha had a talk and she said she'd buy you a doll so I bought some clothes for her."
"Thank you, Aunt Molly." Ana replies, throwing her arms around the young woman.
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
"What you get me, Dada, Papa?" Ana asks expentantly, looking up at her parents with big eyes.
"Well, we have a few for you, Ana. Here's your first one." John says with a smile, holding out a box for his daughter.
Ana climbs off Greg's lap and walks over to her Dada and Papa, taking the present from John's hand.
"It's bootiful, Dada, Papa. I love it." Ana smiles, gently pulling the necklace out of the box.
"Here, want me to put it on?" John asks softly, holding his hand out.
"Thank you, Dada." Ana nods, letting John clip the necklace around her neck. "Ariana." She reads on the necklace, looking up to smile at her parents.
"Here is your other one, sweetheart." Sherlock adds, holding out another present.
"Thank you, Papa." Ana smiles, pulling out the Alice In Wonderland DVD and necklace.
"Daddy says you've been talking about it for weeks." Sherlock replies with a soft smile, leaning up to kiss John's cheek.
"Papa, it's perfect." Ana grins, climbing up into her Papa's lap and kissing his cheek. "Thank you, Dada." She adds, kissing her Dada's cheek too.
"You're welcome, love." John beams, stroking his daughter's cheek.
"I love the necklace too."
"We're glad, sweetheart."
"And you're final present is this." Sherlock grins, holding out a box for Ariana.
"A charm bracelet!" Ana squeals happily, pulling the bracelet out of it's box.
"It's a special one. Usually, a daddy will buy their daughter a charm bracelet and buy her a charm every birthday. Me and Papa have decided to start you off with your first two charms, one with your date of birth on and one with a teddy bear on for your second birthday ..."
"And whenever something interesting happens, we'll buy you another charm. So, your first trip to a new place or a dance recital or if we just find a charm that we think you'll like then we'll buy it." Sherlock interrupts, grinning at his daughter.
"John, shall we get some food for everyone?" Greg asks, nodding toward the kitchen.
John gives him a puzzled look but get's up anyway and follows Greg into the kitchen.
"Okay, what's wrong with him? I mean, he's actually being human. How did you manage that?" Greg chuckles, grabbing a couple of sandwiches for himself.
"I guess having a daughter is a good start. But I don't know, he's different yet exactly the same. It's weird." John giggles, shaking his head slightly.
"Yeah, I know. Anyway, are you going to ask him or not?" Greg asks with a quirk of his eyebrow.
"I don't know, Greg. He doesn't seem the type."
"Neither was Mycroft but look." Greg replies, wiggling his ring finger.
"Yeah but Mycroft's ... well, he's Mycroft. Isn't he? Besides, he's not married to his work. Is he?" John asks sadly, putting sandwiches on three plates and adding some nibbles.
"John, I may not be the world's only consulting detective, but anyone with eyes can see he's mad about you. He wouldn't be bonding with your daughter if he wasn't."
"I know he is. But why would he want to do something as tedious as marriage?"
"You really are an idiot." Greg chuckles, following John's lead and loading up some plates with food.
"I know." John chuckles in reply, picking up the plates and moving back into the living room.
"Here you go, Mrs H, Molly." Greg smiles, holding out the two paper plates to the women.
"Ana, have something to eat, sweetheart." John instructs gently, handing a plate to his daughter. "You as well, love." He adds, handing a plate to Sherlock.
Sherlock gives the plate a disgusted look but starts picking at the food anyway.
"Good boy." John grins, kissing Sherlock's curls.
"Thank you, Gregory." Mycroft smiles honestly, taking the plate from his partner.
"You're welcome, darling." Greg smiles back softly, sitting down next to his partner.
Sherlock makes another gagging noise and John elbows him in the ribs to shut him up. The younger man scowls in return before continuing to eat his food.
x..x
"Well, it's been ... delightful, but me and Gregory must be getting home. We'll see you soon." Mycroft announces, giving his usual over-polite smile.
"Oh, good. I thought you'd never leave. I'm just surprised I managed to keep my food down while you two were canoodling." Sherlock replies distastefully, giving his brother a whithering glare.
"It's a good thing Ana is already asleep and doesn't have to hear you to bickering." John interviens, referring to the curled up ball in Greg's lap.
"Oh, yeah. You'll probably want her back." Greg replies sheepishly, bringing Ana into his arms.
"Why don't you put her to bed for us." John suggests with a smile.
"It's alright ..."
"It's fine, Greg. Go on."
"Alright." Greg nods, picking up his niece and walking to the bedroom.
"Go with him, Mycroft." John suggests pointedly, motioning toward the bedroom.
Mycroft nods aawkwardly, standing up and following his partner.
When he reaches the bedroom, he sees the sweetest of smiles on his partner's face.
"You want one, don't you?" Mycroft asks softly, walking to stand next to his partner.
"Na, I mean it'd be nice to have one but there's no pressure. It's okay. We've got a beautiful little niece."
"If you ... if you want to, we could look into adoption. I've never thought about being a father before but I would, with you." Mycroft replies honestly, running his fingers through Greg's hair.
"Myc, honestly, if you don't one, it's fine."
"I've seen what a child's done for Sherlock, he's better somehow. More driven yet less irresponsible. He's grown up so much in just two years." Mycroft smiles a wistful sort of smile.
"God, you look so young when you smile like that. So beautiful. How can I make you smile like that?" Greg asks softly, watching his partner.
"You could ... have a child with me. If you want to, that is, my dear."
"Are you sure? I mean, I'd love to but I want to know that you're sure."
"Yes, I am. I genuinely am. I've always wanted this. But when I realised my sexuality it became more of a dream than something that would happen. And now it doesn't have to be. Gregory, I ... I want to have a baby with you." Mycroft replies, grinning at Greg.
"Me too, Mikey." Greg grins back, kissing Mycroft softly.
x..x
"Sherlock?" John says suddenly, standing up and moving in front of Sherlock.
"Yes, John?" Sherlock asks, looking at his partner curiously.
"Listen, being with you, it's made me think about a few things ..."
"You're leaving? John, you're not going to leave, are you?" Sherlock asks worriedly.
"What? No, Sherlock. God no, I'm not leaving you." John smiles reassuringly, touching Sherlock's curls.
"Then what is it?"
"You haven't deduced it yet?"
"John, I told you, I don't understand relationships."
"Well, I hope you'll understand this." John smiles shyly, getting down on one knee in front of Sherlock. "William Sherlock Scott Holmes, will you marry me?"
"John ... Um, yes. Yes, of course I will. Definitely." Sherlock replies in shock, leaning down to kiss John passionately.
"Okay then." John giggles, stroking Sherlock's curls.
"John." Mycroft interrupts, "We're going to go."
"Alright, see ya soon then, yeah." John replies sheepishly.
"And, congratulations to you both." Mycroft smiles genuinely, even giving the pair a wink before disappearing.
"I think I'm going to be sick." Sherlock groans, dropping his head in his hands.
"At least he approves." John chuckles, placing a kiss on Sherlock's head as he stands.
Sherlock looks up and gives John a soft smile.
"I love you, John Hamish Watson."
"I love you too, Sherlock Holmes."