AN: I am extremely sorry for the inexcusably long hiatus. My second semester was probably the worst in my life for many different reasons. Now, however, I hope I can update much more frequently. To answer some questions...
My original idea for the story was to have Sherlock be the one married to Ann Marie. Eventually, however, I came to realize that there were far too few stories about the elder Holmes brother and settled on using Mycroft. Would he have taken the offer? Perhaps. But he would not have liked it.
My interest in an at-first-chaste marriage with such an age gap began with me hearing the soundtrack to "A Little Night Music", the musical adaptation of "Smiles of a Summer Night".
I Can't
The girl was not at dinner, and without her light conversation and watchful eyes, Mycroft found himself eating more than he should have. Stomach aching mildly, he ascended the stairs and opened the bedroom door.
He found her sitting on the bed, her eyes red and her face freshly tear-streaked. Her bottom lip was quivering. He had forgotten how delicate some women could be.
"Ann," he sighed, sinking onto the bed and kissing her wet cheek. "I am sorry."
"Why don't you want me?" she questioned, eyes pleading pitifully with him.
"I do want you," whispered Mycroft as he stroked her hair back. "But I can't."