A/n I went ahead and showed a bit of the reunion, not much, but enough to tell a story. The song mentioned is Savage Garden's I knew I loved you, have a listen if you don't know it, I think it fits Sherlock and John well. Thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter.
John had, had a plan, he was sure that Sherlock suspected his upcoming proposal, but he didn't care. He was a man that took his commitments seriously and he was committed to Sherlock and he wanted to show it. He had it worked out, they would go to Angelo's to eat and he would ask there, no getting on a knee and no theatrics, just the question.
That plan was effectively derailed about fifteen minutes into the reunion. What Sherlock had failed to mention was that his family reunions were more of a two day party, attended by family, friends, and other guests. People came at random intervals and the plan was to stay in one of the many guest rooms on the estate if it became to late to leave.
At first it was fun, Mrs. Holmes was a great storyteller, much to Sherlock's and Mycroft's embarrassment, Mr. Holmes, though, was more introverted than his wife, but equally kind as far as John was able to tell.
No the problem arose when John began speaking to the others at the event. They all seemed to think that he was one of four things. An escort/pet, a gold digger, and or a disillusioned man that thought he could change Sherlock. The smallest subset of the guests actually believed him when he said that he was with Sherlock because he was happy with him and wanted to be be there. Even when they didn't come out and say it, it was clear that they were thinking those negative things, and if it was clear to him, it must have been as obvious as yelling across a silent room for Sherlock.
Twenty minutes in John was fed up with it and boiling with rage. Spying Mycroft across the room, John made his way over. It took took him about ten minutes to lay out his plan, and another half hour for the driver to purchase the needed item.
Once he was given the sign, John made his way to the stage dragging Sherlock with him, and soft music began to play behind him. He didn't speak, he just pulled out the plain white gold ring. Sherlock, for once, didn't use words either, and as the man sung, but some things you just don't question, John was slipping the ring on his finger amiss the startled crowd's applause.
By the time the first line of the chorus, I knew I loved you before I met you, was sung, they were already dancing.
Sherlock awoke the next morning, in his old bedroom, newly engaged, with John asleep right next to him. On the side table was the note of the day. Sherlock had wondered what John was going to choose for x, since there was such a limited word pool.
X- is for the x-rays you've done, both in the hospital and for fun
Sherlock had to smile at the last few words. A few months ago, John had revealed that as a child he wished for x-ray vision, so as a gift Sherlock had ran several items, including the skull, through the x-ray machine and gifted them to John.
He remembered how fondly John had smiled then, he had archived the memory in his Palace. Something that he never told John was that, when they fought, and John would storm out, he would pull that memory out to stop his insecurities from running rampant.
He looked at the ring on his finger and then at the man that had placed it there. Maybe he wouldn't need to look at that memory so much anymore.