There was an odd sense of comfort enveloping him, as if within John's arms the rest of the world disappeared. He wondered if this was the feeling Junior and Simon got when Lucy hugged them, one of being completely safe and loved. As they moved he breathed in John's cent, harder than the smell of honey and berries he got from Lucy, but uniquely John. Johnson's Baby Shampoo, and lynx, and just a tang of nervous sweat and shoe polish.

"Mummy is scowling at us" Sherlock told him, his warning tone breaking the sense of safety.

"Is that a problem, she knows we're involved" John asked

"Yes, but to her guests I'm a happily married man, who is currently close dancing with his friend and colleague" Sherlock hissed.

"Sherlock it's the 21st Century, I'm sure most of them aren't homophobic, and who cares if they are, I love you?" John soothed, aware that the taller man was shaking slightly. "Sherlock, what's wrong?"

Sherlock took him by the hand and led him off the dance floor to a darkened corner, to his relief the party was in such swing that nobody spared them a second glance, but John's worried expression had been noticed, and he was aware of a white gowned figure hurrying towards them. He flashed his wife a warning look, and she stopped and returned to her previous location next to Katherine.

"John you are aware of my, arrangement, you know what I have to present to these people"

"Sherlock nobody cares!"

"She cares"

"Lucy?"

"No, I don't think Lucy gives a fig, I don't in fact think she'd raise an eyelid if we shagged right here in the ballroom." He laughed, "My mother however is a vicious harpy who has threatened us somewhat if we did something to upset her."

"Threatened US?" John asked raising his voice slightly

"Somewhat yes"

"And by us you mean?" a dangerous edge to his voice

"You, me, Lucy, Mycroft, Katherine, the boys….us"

"What exactly, did she say?" John asked, his face bright red and eyes darting "and how exactly did she threaten our children?"

Sherlock looked into his eyes, seeing the seething anger behind the soldier's eyes, making him if possible even sexier. "It was made clear, that if I were to upset the party there would be dire consequences. Which I not going to happen, because we are going to smile and joke and pretend to be normal, and then tomorrow we will go home?"

"We are…normal" John growled

Sherlock laughed "In this room we are happily married, we love our children and live together with them in marital bliss we are not normal in this room".

"Sherlock, be serious" he leant against the wall, "I know you and your mother have a difficult relationship, but surely she…"

"No John, she's more powerful than Mycroft, more ruthless than Lucy and she's cleverer than me. We do what she wants, to the letter and then we all leave safely together."

John smiled at him, "I want to kill her" he said the edge back in his voice.

"hmmm you wouldn't get close" Sherlock shook his head "She's the bet guarded woman in the country"

"Better than the Queen?" John asked

"Better than the whole commonwealth" Sherlock confirmed

They looked across to where Lucy, Katherine stood flanking Violet. John looked across at Sherlock and giggled.

"Do you know that picture from George VI funeral?" he asked

"The three Queens?" Sherlock asked

"Yes, I present the three Mrs Holmes'" John told him with a flourish, which made Sherlock's eyes sparkle with mischief and lips to quirk into a genuine smile.

"The three Lady Holmes', in fact" Mycroft drawled coming up behind them.

"Have you finally ennobled Sherlock then Mycroft?" John asked, genuinely interested.

"No need" Sherlock told him, running a gentle hand over his lover's knuckles. "Lucy is already a Lady Holmes"

"What…really?" john stumbled

"Her Mother held an Irish title; Irish titles aren't patriarchal, so when Lady Eirawin died, Lucy received the title."

"So why doesn't she use the title?" John asked intrigued

"She does on her Irish Passport" Mycroft added

He was stilled by a look from Sherlock, and the atmosphere suddenly chilled between the two brothers.

"Come on John" Sherlock suddenly said "Let's go and introduce you to Lady Lucille Steadman Holmes."