They had breakfast together but two eggs don't last like the feeling of what he needs.

Okay, so if all goes as planned, we'll have three more chapters after this before Christmas. I already wrote two, I only need to find the time to type them down. I'm trying my best! This one is a little shorter, the others should be better, I think. They all look long in my tiny little notebook so.. :D

Hope you enjoy all those :)

All Time Low - Remembering Sunday

John managed to cook dinner before Mary was home, and she was clearly surprised about that. He had been so distant lately, it hadn't felt like he was putting much effort into their marriage, but this seemed like a step forward.
And while Mary praised his pasta, John tried not to spoil everything by mentioning his guilty feelings and the plans he had with this dinner.

Afterwards, they agreed on doing the dishes the next morning and watch some telly instead, but John soon turned down the volume and looked at his wife.

"You know, when I had this conversation with Sophie - "
"Which conversation?" Mary interjected and John reminded her of the text messages they had shared.
"She said we should meet up when you're better, you and me and Sophie and her boyfriend. You certainly look a lot better yet, so what do you say?"

Mary's face showed a sign of shock and surprise for a second, but she soon caught herself.
"I… I'm not sure that's such a good idea. I mean, I'm still a bit weak sometimes, I don't really want to go out…"
"You went out with Molly today quite long."
"Yes, but… I am not sure Sophie's boyfriend would be up for it."
"Sophie said he would so don't worry about that."

Mary was running out of arguments, John could clearly see that. Had he been a good husband, he would have stopped pushing her and just accepted that she didn't want to; however, being a good husband was no longer one of his top priorities. If Mary kept secrets that involved their child and marriage, then John would play his part.

"Come on, just a nice dinner with friends. If you don't feel well, we can always leave."
Mary nodded hesitantly.
"Wonderful! I think this Saturday would be good, don't you think? I mean, it's soon, but we don't have any plans for the upcoming time, and surely you must get bored all alone in here! It will do you good to get back out there and meet people!"

Even to his own ears, John sounded way too excited and happy, but Mary seemed too busy being uncomfortable to notice.
"You're probably right… I'll write Sophie to ask if they're free this Saturday."

Mary reached for her phone, but John stopped her.
"Oh no, don't worry about it, I'll do it. I will set it up with Sophie and you will just enjoy a perfectly planned evening."
He had to sound convincing here, he could not risk Mary just saying that Sophie would not be available and dodge the meeting this way. This had to work.

Luckily, Mary resigned and let John type the message to Sophie without arguing, even though she eyed him warily.

John did his best to suppress a triumphant grin; this was going better than planned. He could already see Sherlock's face when he told him about the progress. He would definitely approve of this approach, and maybe he'd actually grin for once.

John missed Sherlock's grin when there was new progress in a case, it had been way too rare lately. Or maybe it was his own fault, with all this love drama. If was really ridiculous, all this chaos, when the only thing John wanted was to see Sherlock grin.
He should never have stopped solving cases with him.

His beeping phone interrupted his thoughts - Sophie confirmed the date.
"Saturday is fine, she proposed a nice restaurant not far from here.
I'm really looking forward to meeting Sophie, she seems to be such a huge part in your life lately. I'm glad we're doing this," he told Mary and she actually laughed.
"The way you're smiling makes me think you might be in love with her! If it makes you so happy, then I'll try my best to feel good so we can go."

John bit his lip. In love with Sophie? Most likely not.
At least it had not been her face he had thought about just now.
This was very concerning.

"I don't even know her yet, so don't worry about it. Now that this is settled, want to have some snacks? I bought some in case we wanted to have a movie evening today."
Mary nodded and watched John closely as he got a bag of biscuits from the kitchen. When he sat back down on the couch, she huddled close to him and turned the volume of the telly up again. John tried to concentrate on the show that was playing, but he felt uncomfortable all the same. This was wrong, this was not what he wanted.

Only a little longer. Only a little more until you have all your answers, and then you can solve this and it'll be fine, he told himself and forced a smile for Mary.

It would be fine.