Several weeks later...
"You nervous?" Lestrade asked.
Claire gave a small sigh and held up her chin. "Very."
He put his arm around her. "I know this isn't what you want to hear...but you look so much like your mother."
Claire looked at herself in the mirror. "You're right...it wasn't what I wanted to hear."
She pulled away from him and he felt instant guilt. "Love, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
Claire sat in a chair as Lestrade looked down at her from where he stood. He lowered his eyes and knelt down so their eyes could meet. His hand took hold of hers and he but his lip. "You won't always have me. And, I want to know that when my time comes...you'll be taken care of."
"I was always taken care of. Because of you, Dad," she said, giving him a smile.
He pulled her into a hug and smiled. They looked up when they heard music playing and he took a deep breath. "Well, it's time to go."
She nodded and they stood up, as he offered her his arm. Gently, she took it and they walked out of the room together. They found themselves in a long walkway where people stood at both sides of them. Some were crying, but most were smiling. Claire and Lestrade exchanged smiles as they walked down. Sherlock was at the end, wearing a suit and his typical serious stare. He gave Claire a quick wink and she smiled. Several of Claire's schoolmates and dear friends were there too, wearing gowns and teary smiles.
John was in the front row with his hands clasped in front of him. He smiled at her too and she blushed. One face, however, stood out from them all. The one at the end, standing next to Sherlock. He hadn't taken his eyes off her since she walked into his life. Now, he was watching her walk into it and staying there. Forever.
Mycroft held out his hand when they reached the front and Lestrade passed her on. Claire closed her eyes as Lestrade placed a warm kiss on her forehead. He took his seat next to John as she held onto Mycroft's hand. They stood, facing each other, as everything was silent.
She didn't hear much of what the preacher was saying. All she looked at was Mycroft. He did the same. Sherlock side-smiled when he noticed that they didn't hear the preacher ask him to put the ring on her finger. He gave Mycroft a nudge and Mycroft blinked. Sherlock handed him the ring and Mycroft gulped. He placed it on Claire's finger and she did the same to him. They held each other's hands as Mrs. Hudson did her best to hold back a sob. Then, Mycroft's eyes softened as he removed her veil and cupped her face with his hand. He stroked her soft cheek with his thumb.
Before Claire knew it, Mycroft had pulled her into a tender kiss as the room erupted with cheering and crying. Sherlock joined the applause with a side-smile and Mrs. Hudson was crying into John's shoulder. Sherlock gave Mycroft a pat on the back and the brothers bowed their heads to each other. Sherlock took Claire's hand and kissed it. "Mrs. Mycroft Holmes."
She hugged him suddenly and he stiffened. "Thank you for everything..."
His eyes softened and hugged her back. "You're welcome..."
After the ceremony, everyone gathered for dinner in another room. Mycroft and Claire sat together and everyone ate. Sherlock tapped his glass wine and cleared his throat as he stood up. Everyone was silent and Mycroft held his breath.
"I'd like to propose a toast to our groom..."
Mycroft looked down. "Oh, great..."
Claire held his hand under the table and smiled at Sherlock.
"...I love him like a brother..."
The room filled with a few chuckles.
"...and I know that our lovely Claire will love him as he's always deserved to be loved. As a man."
Sherlock gave Claire a nod and she mouth 'thank you'. "To Mycroft."
The crowd raised their glasses and echoed that. "To Mycroft!"
They all drank and Mycroft finally stopped holding his breath. He took Claire's hand and took her out of the room as everyone began to dance. They went outside the building and sat on the edge of a fountain that glimmered in the moonlight. Mycroft held her hand and she smiled softly as he spoke up.
"Moriarty...Sherrinford...they were just the beginning of what will happen. You understand that."
Claire paused but nodded. "Yes. With your area of work, the dangers won't stop coming."
Mycroft swallowed. "That's why...I've decided to resign."
Claire's eyes widened. "What?"
"I want to settle down. It'll only be brief, of course. I've spoken with Sherlock, but, I think it's for the best-"
Her hands gripped his collar and pulled him into a deep kiss. His eyes opened wide in surprise, but slowly closed them and he pulled her closer. He held the back of her head as he deepened the kiss. In the shadows, Sherlock watched them from afar and smiled. He shook his head and folded his arms as they continued. He had never seen Mycroft so at peace and happy. It made him smile more. With a nod, he gave a bow of his head once more.
"Take care...brother mine."
