It's been ages since an update but since Christmas is right around the corner I thought I'd surprise you all with a new chapter. We've jumped ahead a few months here, about two or three I'd say. Liam is about eleven months old and Annabelle is four.

Ever After

By the time fall rolls around once more Liam has grown considerably, looking more and more like Molly with each passing day. His hair is the same shade of auburn and laid flat against his head while his eyes are the same dark shade of brown, wide and full of curiosity.

As time wears on it becomes evident that the little boy is beginning to show signs of walking and ever since Sherlock has been incorrigible about it. After missing Annabelle's first steps nearly three years ago he had promised himself that he wouldn't miss his son's for anything, and while the thought was sweet it was beginning to drive Molly crazy.

Life was hard enough with a toddler and an infant but adding a paranoid father to the mix made life nearly impossible. On more than one occasion she would find her husband following their son around as he crawled about the house, calling out to Molly whenever he showed signs of taking those first few precious steps.

The first time it happened and he had shouted at her from across the flat she had assumed the worst, running from the sitting room into the nursery with wide and frightened eyes only to find Sherlock staring down at Liam who sat on the floor, giggling up at his father who had his arms folded across his chest in what seemed like disappointment.

Molly had gaped and felt her cheeks burn red. "Sherlock, what's going on?"

The detective had merely sighed as her concern flew right over his head. "I thought he was going to take a few steps but he only managed to pull himself about halfway up before he fell. Nothing of importance."

After that Molly had to remove herself from the room to stop herself from strangling the world's only consulting detective for giving her the scare of a lifetime but once she calmed down she told herself it was merely a misunderstanding and nothing else could possibly go wrong.

She had never been more wrong.

Over the next few weeks Sherlock had made it a habit to follow Liam around wherever he went, which, for a child who had yet to even walk, wasn't difficult but managed to drive Molly absolutely insane. On top of the insistent observations, Sherlock thought it was to everyone's benefit that he learned all possible statistics concerning human development and recite them throughout the day and night.

After the fourth night of being woken up well before six a.m. to receive a series of facts from her seemingly nocturnal husband Molly had had enough. She knew Sherlock could sense her irritability as the day wore on but it didn't seem to stop him from reading aloud from his medical journal he had snagged from John or following the children around as they continued to make a mess of her house.

In the end though, she lasted much longer than she had originally planned and it wasn't until after dinner that she had finally had enough and whirled around to face her husband as she gripped a soapy plate before exploding.

"Sherlock, please. For the sake of my sanity could you stop with the bloody book!"

Blinking in surprise at his wife's sudden outburst Sherlock sets the book down on the counter and stands back, his eyes clouding with something Molly can't decipher.

"My apologies," he said in a deep voice, "I was merely trying to inform you of some helpful facts about our son and when he may take his first few steps. "

Molly purses her lips and for a moment feels the slightest hint of guilt tugging at her but a powerful mix of exhaustion and irritation keeps her from breaking down and apologizing. Instead she puts the plate down and pinches the bridge of her nose in an attempt to ward off an oncoming headache.

"I know Sherlock but is it really necessary to recite every single thing and follow Liam around all day? I love that you're being so involved but you're driving me insane."

Sherlock scoffs. "How else am I supposed to keep track of his developments? I'm merely trying to make up for a past mistake, but I'm sorry if I've been disturbing you too much."

Molly can tell from the look etched onto Sherlock's face that he was hurt and she internally groaned when she realized the argument was escalating more than she had intended.

Reaching out she placed a hand on Sherlock cheek and stroked it with her thumb, looking him in the eyes.

"Sherlock love it's alright. I know what you're trying to do but have you ever stopped to think it may be a bit much? You're with Liam every day; I highly doubt you'll miss it when he does begin to walk so maybe we can take it easy for now?"

Immediately she saw his face soften at her words and he leaned down to place a kiss on her cheek before his lips skimmed across to her ear.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, "I suppose it would be alright if we refrained from the constant observations… for now of course."

With a giggle Molly gave him a warm smile and pulled away to finish the dishes as Sherlock walked to the living room to ensure it wasn't completely destroyed by their unoccupied children. It was quiet for nearly a full minute before she heard the frantic sound of her husband's voice.

"Molly, come quickly!"

Torn between rushing to check on the situation and giving Sherlock another scolding she ends up dropping the plate she was washing back in the sink and moving toward the sound of his voice. She stops in the doorway and puts on her best scowl, ready to reprimand him once more but she stops when she catches sight of the scene in front of her.

Sherlock is standing in front of Liam with Annabelle at his side, holding his mobile and gaping excitedly as the little boy looks up at him questioningly while standing on wobbly legs. Molly has to quickly clap a hand over her mouth to keep herself from gasping aloud.

Liam looks up at his father again, who is encouraging him to walk to him across the room, holding out his free hand. The little boy looks at his father again before taking one shaky step forward, arms flailing in an attempt to keep his balance.

Molly can feel the tears welling in her eyes as he continues to take a few more steps before he reaches Sherlock who sets down his mobile and scoops Liam up, kissing and cooing over him with immense pride. Molly rushes over and begins doing the same, every trace of anger she had felt just moments ago suddenly disappearing.

She looks at Sherlock who has yet to stop smiling and opens her mouth to apologize, but before she has the chance he presses a finger to her lips and shakes his head and in return all Molly can do is smile and celebrate.