Author's Note: Tada! For those of you who don't know, I've updated chapter 24, so go back and look! It's longer and there's romance and gasp!- the mystery item of Sherlock's! All that I promised and more awaits. The word that's on all of your minds, and a happy ending approaches. (Yay, happy, aww, ending) Also, sorry that this chapter is a tad short. SO, I give you, chapter 25! *Bows and exits elegantly* Oh, and review please! Even if it's just what you found funny, or likeable, or just to say hi, or to guess what word I was thinking of! (Seven Letters, hint, hint)

Chapter 25

"Mycroft called while you were out. Something about taking over at intermission." Tilly didn't glance from the children's toy as John and Sherlock trudged into the room. She looked up to find Sherlock and John being followed by Greg and Molly.

"You didn't tell me we were having guests." She took off her goggles and rushed to hug Lestrade and Molly.

"Hello, there, Tilly." Greg lifted her up and spun her around, causing Tilly to giggle incessantly. Sherlock rolled his eyes, John chuckled, and Molly smiled. Tilly ran to her next, just as Mrs. Hudson came up the stairs with tea and biscuits.

"Molly, Molly, who's the lucky fellow?" She bounced around pointing to the ring on the woman's finger. Molly blushed before she answered.

"His name is Tom. He's quite handsome, you'd like him, Tilly. In fact, I've been given permission by your uncles to invite him here." She smiled as she twirled the ring. Tilly gave a clap of glee.

"How did the case go, then?" She asked Greg. She perched on the armrest of the sofa as he took a seat next to her.

"Well, Sherlock called the police for once, but when we got there with bomb disposal-"

"She doesn't need to know that bit." John interrupted, flustered. Tilly watched as a blush coated Sherlock's pale cheeks as well. Eagerly, she turned to Greg.

"What aren't they telling me, Lestrade?" She said sweetly, batting her eyelashes. He glanced to Sherlock, but decided that incurring the wrath of the detective was alright, just this once.

"We found the bomb turned off, with the two of them snogging their faces off. As if they hadn't a care in the world." He chuckled. Tilly smiled before her expression hardened.

"Bomb?" She raised an eyebrow at her uncle. He started babbling excuses, until she saw the ring on his finger. Then she glanced to see a similar ring adorning the hand of the army doctor.

"You did it!" She shrieked, launching at Sherlock. She hugged the tall man as tightly as she could. Sherlock felt his face burning, but he smiled and returned the hug.

"Wait, she knew?" John questioned.

"What did she know?" Greg asked.

"Oh, Tilly, did he-?" Mrs. Hudson looked at her. She beamed and nodded at the older woman.

"Oh, wonderful! Who did the proposing, then?" Her gaze went back and forth between the two men expectantly.

"Proposing?" Greg managed, coughing on a biscuit he had just taken a bite out of. Sherlock navigated his way out of his niece's hug and held up his hand sheepishly, John doing the same with his own hand.

Greg smiled, but still looked a little flabbergasted. Mrs. Hudson and Molly were cooing over the two of them, while Tilly was grinning like a cat with a bowl of cream.

"Who popped the question?" Tilly exclaimed. Both men grinned a little. Tilly stomped her foot impatiently.

"Well, Sherlock got me to admit that I was in love with him, under the threat of being incinerated." John threw an exasperated look at the detective. In response, Sherlock merely grabbed John's hand and squeezed it.

"Then the bloke kissed me, and managed to slip a ring on my finger." John fiddled with the attractive platinum band proudly. Sherlock watched fondly and smiled.

"You owe me ten quid, Tilly." Molly said.

"Why?" John asked. What could she owe money for at such a young age?

"Not yet; who actually said the words, 'Will you marry me?'" Tilly interrogated the two of them. The sort-of engaged pair suddenly found the ground very interesting, as they refused to meet the gazes of anyone in the room.

"You mean neither of you actually asked?" Tilly said incredulously. Both men shook their heads, still not meeting her eyes.

"You two have got to be the biggest love-struck twits I have ever had the fortune to meet." Tilly muttered. Molly nodded and Mrs. Hudson giggled. Before anyone could pester the couple further, a tall man dressed similarly to Sherlock strode into the room.

"Oh! Everyone, this is Tom. Tom, this is everyone." Molly said shyly, watching her friends examine her fiancé.

"Pleasure to meet you." He said politely. John looked on in amusement as Greg kept looking between Sherlock and Tom in shock. Mrs. Hudson offered him tea and he accepted, taking off his coat and following her to the kitchen.

Tilly beamed at Molly and Molly's unease dissipated. Sherlock and John wandered into the hallway.

"She's right, you know. You never actually asked me to be your husband." John's eyes twinkled as Sherlock stammered incoherently.

"I assumed…" He looked to John expectantly.

"You assumed I'd say yes?" John watched the man he was in love with look slightly unsure for once and laughed, but not unkindly.

"Are you saying I should ask formally, then?" Sherlock quirked an eyebrow.

"Or I could ask?" John said playfully. Sherlock tried to control his surprise. John smirked.

"You always have to have the last word, don't you?" He joked, kissing the taller man lightly on the lips. Sherlock responded heartily, deepening the kiss until they had to break away for air. He grinned at the man he was in love with, and they both broke out in the unmanly giggles they were accustomed to share from time to time.

"I'll outlive God trying." Sherlock added, causing John to smile wider.

"So, Sherlock…"

"So, John…"

"Will you-"

"Do me the-"

"Honor of-"

"Marrying-"

"Me?"

The kiss that followed sufficed as a mutual yes.