"So why the sudden urge to propose to Scarlett?" John asked Sherlock as they walked in the cool spring air. John still wore his black zip up coat but Sherlock had taken to just wearing his blazer instead of his grey coat at that moment in time. The two of them wandered the lings of jewellers, not knowing the best one to pick for an engagement ring.
"Just because I have only told you about this plan does not make it a sudden urge," Sherlock told John. "I've been thinking about it for a while."
"And why?" John asked and Sherlock blinked a few times and then shrugged.
"I should suppose that marriage is something which can say that Scarlett and I are together."
"You are now," John pointed out.
"But I want it to be legalised John...and besides...this is something which Scarlett wants."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know my own girlfriend's view on marriage. She wants that relaxing lifestyle in the country with all these children. I just can't provide her with that," Sherlock shook his head.
"So you're giving her the next best thing?" John checked and then he chuckled in disbelief. "You're compromising with her!"
"Pardon?" Sherlock stood still for a moment and looked on as John bounced on the balls of his feet and Sherlock simply furrowed his brows.
"You're basically giving Scarlett something she wants in return for not wanting to give her a family," John spoke as if it were obvious and Sherlock looked blankly at him.
"And why would you think that?" he raised a brow.
"Because you're manipulative and always get what you want," John clarified and Sherlock couldn't help but grin and nod.
"That is true...but that is not the reason as to why I am proposing."
"Oh?" John asked.
"Marriage is something which is very traditional John. It is something which happens between a man and a woman when they love each other and want to be with each other for life. I can't imagine being with anyone else but Scarlett and for the last few months I have almost lost her and she has managed to put up with me. I think nearly dying makes you realise that you want to speed things up in life," Sherlock informed his friend and they began to peer into the window of a jeweller again as John remained silent at what Sherlock had told him.
"That's...deep...very deep Sherlock," John said.
"Well I'm not shallow," he replied. "And besides...I want people to see that ring on her finger and realise that she is taken. And do you want to know the best apart about it?"
"Do tell."
"She's mine," Sherlock grinned and John chuckled.
"I didn't think being tied to someone was your type of thing."
"We're not going to be bound to each other, are we John?" Sherlock rolled his eyes. "I just want to legally be together."
"And none of this is to do with the fact that Mycroft hates her?" John raised a brow. "You're not doing this to spite him?"
"I'm not that low John," Sherlock said. "Although you make an excellent point...I don't think Scarlett would want to invite him."
"I'm pretty sure she wouldn't," John muttered and then pointed at a ring in the window. "What about that one?"
"That's nice...a little flashy," Sherlock said and then he saw it. On the bottom row of the line of rings it sat proudly, looking up at him and he nodded once, moving into the shop without showing John it. Once inside, he felt the cool breeze of the air conditioning and his feet stepped into the plush carpet as a large circular counter stood in the middle of the room, men and women finely dressed in their uniform as they showed people sat on stools the items.
"Hi there!" a chirpy voice spoke and Sherlock looked at the woman as she appeared to have jumped out of nowhere.
"Good afternoon," Sherlock said politely. "I was wondering if I could take a look at the ring on slide number thirteen?"
"You may do," she said and looked at John and then back to Sherlock.
"Are you planning on using it for an engagement?" she asked them and began to go round the back, finding out the cushioned slab to take to the counter as Sherlock and John followed her.
"Yes," Sherlock spoke.
"And have you set a date?" she wondered and Sherlock looked at John who simply shrugged.
"Yet to decide," John answered when it was clear Sherlock wasn't planning on answering.
"Oh right," she said. "So how long have you known each other?"
"How is that relevant?" Sherlock muttered, following John as the woman led them to the counter.
"Are you blind?" John asked him.
"No my vision is perfectly fine, thank you very much," Sherlock spat out.
"It's not...me and him..." John explained as the woman stood behind the counter, raising an eyebrow as Sherlock and John stood the other side of the glass.
"Sorry?" she asked, not understanding.
"We're not gay," John sighed and the woman blinked a few times and shook her head.
"I'm sorry," she said with a laugh whilst Sherlock looked quite un amused. "It's just that we have many people who come in here and...well...I presumed wrong..."
"Apparently so," Sherlock drawled and he looked at the ring and pointed to it, allowing the woman to remove it from its place whilst John tried to cool down his reddening cheeks and Sherlock picked the silver band up and admired it.
"It's a square step cut," she spoke. "It's from our exclusive range and of course, Tiffany's is only the best...it is a distinct diamond which is exquisitely cut and shaped in a square, layered slightly, as you shall notice and the band which it sits on is silver."
"It's really nice," John said as Sherlock set it down and looked at it, a small grin seeping onto his face.
"How much is it?" he wondered.
"Five thousand and five hundred pounds," she spoke and Sherlock nodded.
"That shall suffice."
...
"Five grand!" John exclaimed as Sherlock carried the small bag in his hand, walking back to his true home with John.
"Don't forget the five hundred pounds," Sherlock said and John shook his head, raising his hand to his temple and rubbing it.
"How did you even afford that? Your card didn't even melt when you paid for it!"
"Cards don't melt John..."
"It is a figure of speech."
"An odd one," Sherlock muttered. "And I am a Holmes, John...even thought my family may hate me I still carry some of their money. Father made sure to that before he died."
"And you just blew it all on a ring!"
"Is she not worth it?" Sherlock asked John.
"What?" John asked.
"Is Scarlett not worth that amount of money after all she has been through?" Sherlock pondered.
"Well...yes...I mean...of course she is-"
"Then this conversation is irrelevant," Sherlock stated. "And I do feel for you."
"Why?" John wondered.
"Women love to gossip," Sherlock said, reaching for his keys in his pocket and giving John the Tiffany bag, making the Doctor place it into his briefcase which he had taken after Sherlock had picked him up from work. "And once Scarlett tells Sarah how exquisite her ring is then your girlfriend may expect the same."
"Jesus Christ..." John complained as Sherlock opened the door to 221B Baker Street and he climbed up the stairs, dodging a few boxes before seeing Scarlett knelt on the floor, polish in one hand and a duster in another as she continued unpacking the boxes. Sherlock had been adamant that they return to Baker Street. It was the only place he considered good enough for him to live at.
"Where have you two been?" Scarlett wondered as Sherlock swept into the room and John quickly dashed off down the corridor, going to hide the ring in the bathroom cabinet for Sherlock to then go and hide it.
"John and I had some business to attend to," Sherlock said. "Drink?"
"I'll have a vodka," Scarlett mumbled.
"Bad day?"
"I didn't realise unpacking would take so long...and some of this stuff we could do to change...I was just thinking about redecorating actually..."
"As you wish," Sherlock said and flicked the switch to the kettle.
"Seriously?" Scarlett raised a brow.
"As long as I am consulted," he told her and she nodded.
"You're being very reasonable," she said.
"I can be when I want to be."
...
A/N: Thank you so very much to all of my usual reviewers last night! So glad you're still liking it! More to come soon I promise!