Sherlock found his way towards the back gardens of the house and looked around. He usually wasn't one to notice such things but he had to admit that the grounds had an appealing picturesque quality to it. The sun was pleasant and breeze carried with it the scent of countless flowers. He stood still for a moment, soaking in the warmth of the sun and listening to the gentle humming of bees coming from somewhere in the distance. He decided to follow the sound for a bit, hoping to perhaps come across a small hive that he could observe. He walked a few steps then heard a rustling to his right. He turned to see Meredith kneeling by a patch of flowers with a large basket sitting on the ground beside her. He approached her, making sure that his shoes made enough clatter on the small pathway so that he didn't startle her. He reached her just as she went to stand up.
"Can I offer you a hand up?" he asked, extending his own. She took it with a smile. After she got to her feet, she reached down and placed her small pair of pruning shears in the basket, which was now teaming with colorful blossoms.
"Thank ye lad. It's nice te see a young man with good manners. Dinna see it much anymore."
Sherlock just chuckled to himself before replying. "It's nice of you to say so, but there aren't many who would agree with you."
"Ay, I suppose so. I've read the papers too ye know. I know the reputation ye have. But I have a way of reading people, and I think ye are more kind than ye want people to know." She laughed at the startled expression Sherlock wore then said, "Dinna worry….yer secret is safe with me."
"Er….thank you." Sherlock said, not sure what else to say to that. As Meredith reached down to pick up her basket of collected blooms he continued. "I've actually come to ask you for some information." She turned to look at him with an arched eyebrow.
"And what would that be?"
"Just some recommendations of the local area. Places to visit and such. John and I will probably head to a pub later this evening but I want to make sure we don't go anywhere swarthy."
"Oh is that all? Ay, I can tell ye which directions to take. But I wouldna' go t'night." She pointed towards the sky. "I can feel it in me bones. Tis gonna shower tonight. Wait until morning and everything will be fresh. No better way to see Dublin, iffen ye ask me."
"Alright then."
"Is it just pubs ye after?"
"Actually we will be needing to visit some shops as well. Neither John or myself came with any clothing or toiletries."
"That's no problem then. I can send ye in the directions of a few shops that may have just what ye need." As she spoke to Sherlock, she noticed a look on his face like he wanted to ask something else but was hesitant to do so. She didn't want to seem like she was prying, but curiosity got the best of her. "You alright lad? Something on yer mind?"
Sherlock started to reply then stopped himself. He tried again but still hesitated. Meredith noticed and tried to put his mind at ease. "Whatever it is, ye can trust me to keep to me trap shut." She assured him.
Sherlock chuckled lightly at her words. "I need a…..specialty shop."
"Ok. Want te be more specific, or should I just close me eyes and point?"
Sherlock sighed lightly and decided to just get on with it. "I need a jewelry shop." Meredith's eyes lit up with delight.
"Oh how wonderful! Going te buy something for that bonnie lass that's with ye? I know just the place!"
"Actually it's not for Brianna."
A look of surprise settled on Meredith's face. "Her mother, then? I must say I'm surprised but I've seen stranger things. Follow yer heart, I've always said."
Sherlock shook his head slightly. "That's exactly what I plan to do. But no, it's not for Edie either." He watched as Meredith went from surprised to confused.
"Then for who? All that's left….with ye….is…." she stopped as realization set in. She stared at Sherlock for a moment to see if he was serious, and the deadpan look on his face only confirmed it.
"Well I'll be!" she said with a smile. "I could tell the two if ye were close, but I never would have guessed. All te same, the heart wants what te heart wants."
"Yes, well it came as a surprise to me as well. I had never expected it to happen."
"And that's usually when it does, lad."
"So I've learned. So you can help me?"
"Ay! I can do better than that. Come with me."
She turned and walked towards the house with Sherlock behind her. They entered through a small side door that opened into the kitchen. Setting her basket down on a small table, she walked into another small door that led to a quaint but tidy office. She opened a small book and looked through the pages until she found the information she was looking for. She then reached for her phone and dialed a number. After a moment, he could hear a man answer the line.
"Duncan! It's Meredith. How ye doing?" Pause. "Good te hear. Listen te me. I've got a special one fer ye." Pause. "No it isna like te other one. Pox rot that one. She got what was coming te her, if ye ask me." Pause. "Anyway, I'm asking as a special favor te me on this one. He needs something special, and dinna go about giving him the boot in a price. Trust me when I say, ye make good on this one, it will do ye good." Pause. "Good. When should I send him?" Pause. "Alright. I'll make sure he's there. Thank ye Duncan." She hung up and looked at Sherlock. "Well that's settled."
"Judging from your tone, I take it know the shop owner well?" Sherlock asked. The twinkle in her eye was all the answer he needed.
"Ye could say that. Duncan is an…old friend, and one of the few remaining craftsman left in te area. Most people today go te these fancy shops and pay good money fer things that are just copies of each other. No artistry anymore! If he doesn't have what ye looking fer, he can custom anything."
"Thus the recommendation?"
"Ay, partly. In truth, there are still some people 'round here who aren't tolerant of such things." She answered, gesturing with her hands. Sherlock knew exactly what she meant. "Duncan, however, takes such pride in his work, he dinna care who it's for."
Sherlock nodded in understanding. "I thank you. When is he expecting me?"
"His shop usually opens at 10 of te morn. But he said ye can go about 8. He's going in te take care of a few repairs and said ye are welcome te come see what he has. Can ye be up and about that early?"
Sherlock smiled. "I don't see that being a problem."
"What about him?" Meredith asked, pointing upstairs. "I'm sure that I can find something te occupy him until ye return, iffen we wakes while ye are gone."
Sherlock's smile only got wider. "You won't have to worry about John. After what I have planned for us tonight, he won't wake up until well after I've returned." He paused for a moment, thinking, then asked "Is there a clothing shop fairly close by? We still need a few of the basics before we can go out properly."
Meredith nodded. "About 2 blocks to te south there is a shop called McAlpin's. They have clothing and other things. Try there."
Sherlock thanked her for all her help and set off.
….
An hour or so later he let himself quietly into their room, in case John was still sleeping, which he was. He was carrying several shopping bags which he proceeded to unload into the wardrobe. He purchased 2 pair of jeans that he knew would fit John perfectly, as well as a few t-shirts and a jumper that he was sure John would love. Or rather, one that he would love to see John in. It was the soft oatmeal color that John seemed to favor but it had cobalt blue stitching that Sherlock was sure would set off those blue eyes that he loved so much. He also bought him some pajama bottoms for when they were relaxing together, a pair of casual shoes, and a military style jacket. When he reached the bottom of the bag that held the clothes he purchased for John, he pulled out the final pieces and quickly put them away. He had never had to purchase underthings for another man before and found that he was slightly apprehensive about what he had purchased. He knew what style John preferred but had spent some time deciding what color John would like best. He knew that he was choosy with his own, and wanted to show the same discernment in choosing John's. He had come across a red pair that he couldn't resist, so he bought them along with a few others.
Once that was finished, he began unpacking the bag that held the clothes he purchased for himself. The shop didn't have any of the suits he usually preferred, so he settled for things more casual until he could get to a shop downtown. He bought himself a pair of jeans, as well as a pair of leather boots and a matching leather jacket. It wasn't his usual style but he liked it for some reason. He also bought some pajama bottoms as well as another housecoat for relaxing in. Instead of t-shirts, he bought himself a few button down shirts. He knew John liked him in them, so that settled that. He brought the final small bag into the bathroom and began to unpack the essentials: toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes, hair product, razors and shaving foam, aftershave, shampoo, body wash, and deodorant. He was surprised to have found a bottle of cologne that John favored so he had purchased that as well. Once that was all put away, he walked back into the room and put the last item he purchased on a whim on a table. If they were in for a rainy night tonight, he had a feeling it would come in handy.
He walked over to where John was sleeping and sat beside him. He watched him for a few moments, torn between waking him and finding something to occupy himself until he wakes on his own. Another moment passed before he decided that he wanted to spend time with him, so John would just have to forgive him for being selfish. Besides, it was almost time for dinner and he knew that John would want to shower first.
He placed a hand on John's shoulder gently and spoke to him. "John?" John's only response was a soft snore. Sherlock smiled to himself, then spoke slightly louder. "John?" John response this time was a loud grunt, which caused Sherlock to laugh outright. "Come on, John. Wake up. It will be time for dinner soon."
John yawned then stretched his arms over his head. "How long did I sleep?" he asked sleepily.
"Almost 3 hours." Sherlock replied. At that, John's eyes snapped open.
"What?! Geez, why didn't you wake me Sherlock?" he asked.
"I didn't want to disturb you. You needed your rest."
"Now you're starting to sound like me." John chuckled.
"They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
John smiled, then sat up, propping himself against the headboard with his pillow. Sleep hadn't left him completely, so he was still heavy lidded and yawned again. "Then maybe you'll listen to me more when I tell you that YOU need your rest, yeah?"
"No promises."
"Of course not." John rubbed his eyes. "So what did you do while I slept?"
"I went shopping."
John stared at him, completely dumbfounded. "YOU? You went shopping?" he asked incredusly. "I must still be dreaming!"
"John, we needed necessities, and seeing as how you don't have a habit of sleepwalking it fell to me to get what we needed."
John still looked skeptical. "This I have to see." Sherlock gestured towards the wardrobe.
"Help yourself."
John stretched one more time before climbing out of bed and padding softly to the wardrobe. He opened the doors and his eyes widened as he saw everything that Sherlock purchased. He took out the Military jacket Sherlock had purchased and turned around to look at him.
"This is….incredible."
"I thought you would like it."
"I love it." He immediately slipped it on and found that it fit him perfectly. He hugged him in all the right places, outlining his strong shoulders. "How did you guess my size so accurately?"
"We've lived together for over a year. I think I've had more than enough time to observe any and all details about you."
"Coming from anyone else, that would almost sound creepy." He laughed. He looked through the remaining items, surprised at how well Sherlock had guessed what he would like, although he shouldn't be. Sherlock knew him better than anyone, and this only proved it. His gaze fell on the leather jacket, which he instantly pulled out. "This is yours?"
"Yes."
"Wow."
"What?"
"Nothing. It's just that I've never seen you in anything but your Belstaff coat. I almost can't imagine you in anything else."
"Well, when we go out, you won't have to imagine. I can show you."
"Can't wait." He replied with a grin. "Alright then. I guess I should take a shower before dinner." Sherlock watched him as he collected a few items, then paused as he found the bright red pants Sherlock had purchased. "Um….Sherlock?"
"Yes?"
He held up the red pants. "Care to explain?" he asked, fighting his giggles.
Sherlock shrugged. "You needed them. I bought them."
"But RED?"
"Why not? They'll still serve their purpose." He said neutrally. He wasn't going to admit out loud that he got the red because he wanted to see John in them. But all John needed was to look at Sherlock to know the truth.
"Alright. Red it is then." he said. He finished gathering what he needed and headed towards the bathroom. "I won't be but a few." He called.
"Take your time John."
Sherlock heard the shower running as soon as John closed the door behind him. He got up and walked over to the window that overlooked the gardens below. He still had a million things running through his mind. The most important thing would be taken care of tomorrow when he went to visit Duncan. All that was left was the details. He remembered what Meredith had said when they had first arrived. She had quoted her late husband as saying 'The magic was in the details.'
It was an interesting theory, and he wasn't one to let a theory go untested. He just hoped he got the results he hoped for.