Settling into life at the cottage had been very easy. Luckily, there a few bedrooms Mrs Hudson had one to herself and even though Sherlock could have one of, his own he spent most nights in Molly's room.

They had almost gotten themselves into a cosy little routine when they would have to remind themselves that they were there for their own safety. Sherlock keeps trying to get as much information as he could out of Mycroft but that was easier said than done a part of him wanted to head back to London and speak to his brother face to face though he knew if anything happened to Molly, their child or even Mrs Hudson he would never forgive himself.

Therefore, to keep himself busy he keeps trying to find a midwife for Molly. He knew that if he could trust anyone to find the right person to look after Molly he was the perfect person for the job. He was convinced that he had found the perfect person for the job he spoke to her on the phone and she sounds very lovely a quality Molly would like more than he would and all her qualifications seemed very up to scratch. He had invited her to come to have a meeting face to face but she would not be able to make down for another couple of days.

To keep his mind busy he would often go for walks around the village, often to see if there were any cases, he might be able to solve. Molly and Mrs Hudson enjoyed this time because it just left them time to gossip and chat.

"Do you remember the first time I turned up to Baker Street with a body part for Sherlock?" Molly asked.

"Yes, I do actually it was quite a shock to see toes put in the fridge." Mrs Hudson chuckled.

"If I remember rightly he was really toeing the line that day."

"God that awful." Mrs Hudson chuckled. "Though in my opinion, you should have really given him the finger."

They both laughed at Mrs Hudson joke. Molly found it nice to see that both she and Mrs Hudson shared almost the same sense of humour. It was at times like this that made Molly wonder about the other side of her family that she did not know much about.

"What did you say was my cousin's name again I keep forgetting?" Molly questioned.

"Mathew"

"What was he like then? When you knew him."

"He was always a sweet boy, had this mass of brown hair." Mrs Hudson said. "He never really liked me. Believed that me to be the enemy as got older. It wasn't much of a surprise to me he was always closer to Frank my husband."

For some reason hearing Mrs Hudson, mention the name of her former husband but a damper on Molly's mood. It was someone had thrown cold water over here. It slightly made her feel angry that they both had this massive gap in their lives that they did not know anything about each other. Molly knew that there was a question that she had to ask now, she knew that if she did not she might never feel like she has the courage to ask it?

"Why did you leave?"

Mrs Hudson had been expecting this question for a long time. Some would guess that she had been anticipating this question from the moment Molly walked back into her life but if she were being honest Mrs Hudson would say it was longer. Right from the moment, she left Molly; she knew that she would have to answer this question. Over the years, she always wondered what her response would be but now that that the time was here. Her mind went blank all the reasons she had built up over the years had gone because now that her beautiful, smart, and brilliant daughter was sat opposite her no reason she could think of would never be enough for what she left behind.

"My life was very different back then" she begins "I was already married but he wasn't always the most faithful man and one day I went to a party and I was introduced to your father and it was … well, love at first sight. We were a year into our relationship when I discovered that I was pregnant with you. I told Frank. He was not happy but he knew how much you meant to me even then. He allowed me to spend the rest of the pregnancy with your father, as long as after you were born I moved to America and left you and Henry behind."

Mrs Hudson looked up to see how Molly was taking all of the information. Mrs Hudson could see that just as hard as it was to tell it was also difficult to hear. "It's probably the hardest thing that I have ever done but I knew that if I stayed with you and your Dad it wouldn't have been a safe life for us as a family. Frank knew how to hold a grudge. If I stayed, he would have come after us. We would have had to watch our back all the time. There was a possibility that we have to change our identities. No that was not a childhood I wanted for you. You dissevered so much better than what I could have given you. It might not have been the easiest option but I knew it was the only choice that would keep you safe. I loved you and your father too much. I still do and always will.

"Why didn't fight for me?" Molly asked failing to hold back tears.

Words got caught in the back of Mrs Hudson's throat. "I … I"

"Why weren't you there for me? I needed you and you were not there. Yes, I had Dad but I still needed you I felt like the odd one out at school for not having a mum. You were not there for my first words, first steps. The first day of school, nope do not remember you being there. The one time I needed you the most was when I lost the most amazing man I ever knew when my heart broke I was left all on my own that's when I wanted you the most just to be there give me a hug and tell me that everything was going to be okay you weren't there. However, it was then that I realised that if I got this far without you I could continue. I was, still am, a strong independent woman and that was done without any of your input. So do not think that you can come into my life now and play happy families thinking that everything is going to be okay because it is not. No matter what happens no matter how nice you are or what we talk or laugh about you are always going to be the woman who walked out on me."

There was just silence between them. The unspoken words that they both knew that had been there all this time were now out in the open.

Molly managed to pull herself off the sofa. "If you'll excuse me I think I'll just go a lie down" she then walked out the room without another word. It wasn't until she was in his room that she breathed a sigh of relief.

She sat herself down on the edge of her bed putting her hand on her bump. Molly promised herself she would never have a relationship like that with her child.

"I'm always going to be there for you and I'm going to make sure you know how much you are loved."

She tried to lie down and have a nap but no matter what she did, she could not get comfortable, and with the words, that she said earlier still running through her mind Molly knew nothing was going to work. It was at times like this she missed Mary the most she wished she were still alive. Mary would have known exactly what to say and make her feel better.

Molly decided to face timed Sally, they had grown very close when Sherlock faked his death she knew that right now that she needed to talk to someone who would just listen and not judge.

It felt like forever waiting for her to answer but eventually, she did.

"Hi Molls how are you?" Sally greeted her.

"I'm good thanks how are you?"

"I'm good works busy as ever but you know me that is how I like it. How is the baby?"

"It's good it won't stop moving feels like it getting bigger every day I'm surprised that there is any room left in there I feel the size of the planet and I swear it likes to use my bladder as it personal cuddly toy epically at night."

"Aw, Molly I bet it will all be worth it in the end. How is Sherlock treating you?"

"He has been very good. Last night he sat up with me as we watched the baby move about he found it really interesting see how the baby moves and seeing some of its movements."

"He is definitely still an ass but he certainly cares about you." Sally smiled at her.

Molly could not help but blush. She still found it strange when others spoke about her and Sherlock.

"Molly I heard about your mum," Sally said.

"What how? Please don't tell me the whole of Scotland Yard know" Molly asked.

"No Greg told me you know how I like to play bad cop and I'm the best integrator that they have. I got it out of him. Greg's not the best at keeping secrets."

"Yeah I know he got me as his secret Santa once he managed half an hour before he let it slip," Molly said with a giggle.

"That does sound like him. So Molly how do you feel about your mother." Sally knew that this was a difficult subject for Molly.

"I'm not sure how to feel. I want to accept her but I am scared. I said some really hurt full stuff I know that I meant it all but I just don't know how to move on." Molly confessed.

"Well, maybe she wasn't there for you when you were growing up. She probably had her reasons. She, not bad sort Molly believe me in this job you see people who don't even deserve the name of mum but think about it if she had been in your life you might not have got the job you have right now and you would never have met Sherlock. Everything happens for a reason. Your mum will forgive you for what you have said. She will love no matter what. As much as I'd love to keep on talking Molly I have to go duty calls and all that."

"Okay, Sally thanks for the chat I really needed that."

"Anytime Molly please text me to let me know how it all goes. Okay?"

"I will do thanks, Sally. Bye" she said finishing the call.

She let Sally's words sink in. Everything happens for a reason. Molly decided that she needed to go talk to Mrs Hudson and apologise for what she said. Mrs Hudson sat in the kitchen with a cup of tea reading one of the newspapers when Molly walked in. They were still a bit nervous around each other. Molly came to the table and sat opposite Mrs Hudson.

"I know I shouldn't have said all those things the hormones aren't helping out. I cannot deny what I said was not how I felt and still sometimes feel but what has happened has happened the only thing we can change is the future so let focus on that for now."

"I'd like that" Mrs Hudson said taking Molly's hand on her own.

"I was wondering would you like to see where dad is buried?" Molly asked nervously "you don't have to if you don't want to."

"I'd love to."

Mrs Hudson was grateful for that it was a sunny day outside. The weather was lovely for the walk. She had forgotten how beautiful the scenery was out there she was falling in love with it all over again.

When they got to the end of the path Mrs Hudson could see a lovely looking river. It was then that she turned and saw what Molly was looking at. It hit here all at once seeing Henry's grave made it all real he was definitely gone and nothing was going to change that.

Mrs Hudson had so many things she wanted to say but now that she was here, her mind went blank. "It's lovely here so peaceful. He would love it. Was it you who decided for him to be buried here."

"Yes. When he got sick, we talked about it. He said he always loved this place. We had so many happy memories. I knew this was the place where he would want to be laid to rest."

"Oh, my dear you two were very close weren't you?"

"Yes, we were all each other had."

They stayed and talked there a little more and then they walked arm in arm back to the cottage.

"You know when you asked about my nephew?"

"Yes," Molly answered.

"He has a small tattoo on his wrist it's a fish. I just thought you should know."

"Okay… thanks. I wonder if Sherlock will be back when we get back."

"I doubt it he probably is saving a cat from a tree somewhere." Mrs Hudson joked.

When they got back to the cottage, they found someone waiting for them a man with dyed blond hair.

"Can we help you?" Mrs Hudson asked.

"Hi, I actually think it is me that can help you. My name is Michael I have been talking to Sherlock he been thinking of hiring me as your midwife." He said nodding to Molly.

"Oh yes hi," Molly said shaking his hand. "I was convinced Sherlock said that your name was Michelle and that you were female. It's my brain I swear it going to mush. Now I am rambling on sorry."

"It quite alright." He chuckled. I know I said I would not be here for another couple of days but I was in the area and I thought I pop in to say hi. Hope that is okay?"

"No that's fine how about we go inside and have a cup of tea and we can talk," Molly said.

"That would be lovely." He smiled at her.

As the moved inside of the cottage. Mrs Hudson could not put notice a little tattoo on Michael's wrist. As she looked closer, she saw that it was a fish. She silently hopes that Sherlock would be back soon.