A/N: Apologies cannot even begin to explain how guilty I feel about leaving y'all hanging for as long as I did. Work has been hell to say the least and with the stress of it all, the writing bug that had once gripped me disappeared under the layers of stress, ne'er to be seen until the spring thaw set in. And that would be my loopy brain as I have been up since 3 am...on my birthday no less. So what better way to celebrate being another year closer to 30 than to start the road of bring this story to a close. Enjoy :)
Mary was still in the office and John had gone to check on something out in the dining-pub area. I saw the office door shut and looked at Sherlocl, "Was Mary ok?"
Sherlock gave me a confused look. I rolled my eyes and left him standing there with Billy. I opened the door to see Mary sitting in the desk chair, her face pale. I closed the door and bent down, watching the skirt of the dress, "You ok?"
"Yea," she said shaking her head. "Just got woozy, had to sit down a minute."
"Have you talked to your doctor?" I asked feeling her forehead. She was a bit clammy, but didn't seem to have a fever. "I know you said you've been feeling off this week."
"I'm married to one," she grumbled as Sherlock joined us. He handed her a glass of water. "No, I haven't said anything to him. He's been so worried about me since the whole thing last week, I didn't want to worry him anymore than neccessary."
"Nauseous?" Sherlock asked her. She nodded. "When you went to Emergency last week, did they do a scan to confirm you miscarried?" I don't know who shot him a worse death glare, me or Mary. He put his hands up in defense, "The only reason I brought it up was when Charlotte was pregnant I did a lot of reading and research-"
"Get to your point," Mary snapped.
His eyebrow twitched in annoyance, "One of the issues I read about was something called 'Vanishing Twin Syndrome'. It happens in women with multiple pregnancies where one of the fetuses is absorbed by the other often resulting in symptoms of a miscarriage and confirmed with ultrasound."
"So what you're saying is you think I'm still pregnant?" Mary asked. I looked at Sherlock to see him nod slowly at her. "Great and here I've been drinking like a fish. No, they didn't do a scan. They saw my symptons and that's what they told me."
"And you never followed up at your doctor?" I asked straightening to a standing position.
"I was a bit depressed, so no," Mary sighed. "Whatever. I'll call the office on Monday and see if they can get me in."
"You're taking this rather well," Sherlock observed.
"Well Sherly," she growled standing up and poking him in the chest, "There's a little more important things to be dealing with right now. So trust me, when I have the chance, I will have my freak out."
We watched her stomp out of the room. I made a face at Sherlock when he looked at me and went to walk by him. He threw an arm out and pulled me against him and latched his lips onto mine.
"Are you absolutely certain you don't want to get rid of that blasted bet for tonight?" he asked, his lips still grazing mine when he talked.
"That would negate the point of a bet," I chuckled. "We best get back out there before Mary has to come get us."
"Do we have to do this?" he huffed as he let me go.
"There's no pulling out of this now. You're going to enjoy yourself whether you like it or not," I said giving him a stern look which resulted in him rolling his eyes at me. I grabbed his hand and opened the door, leading him out to where John and Mary were standing. John nodded at us and walked back out as Mary fixed Sherlock's collar, much to his displeasure.
"Alright, let's go," she said motioning to follow her.
Sherlock offered his arm for me. I slipped mine through and stood on my toes to kiss him on the cheek. Mary held the kitchen door open and the noise from the dining area trickled back. We heard whoever was dj-ing stop the music and a few seconds later John's voice trickled back.
"Hello, thank you all for coming," we heard him say. Sherlock sighed. "I know it's hard to believe and I'm sure the phrase 'seeing is believing' can really go along with this, so without further ado. Mr. and Mrs. Sherlock Holmes."
I nudged Sherlock so he'd put a smile on his face as we walk through out into the dining area. We passed the bar and to a combination of applause and cheers made our way to the table set up for where I assumed we were to sit. I caught a quick glimpse of the pub as I'd never seen it before. There was an area for dancing and tables pushed together here and there, each seat filled. I caught sight of the Brennan's from Ireland I had met along with Mary's family, my mum and Sherlock's parents. Greg, Mrs. Hudson and Molly were all sitting with George along with a few others. There was also family members that I assumed were from Sherlock's side that I had never met.
Sherlock led us over to our designated table and we waited for John to finish talking. Only part of me was listening, but I remember hearing bits and pieces about how glad he was his best friend found someone that could turn him into a more pleasureable person to wish me luck through our many years of wedded bliss.
"Dull," Sherlock said under his breath. I punched him in the leg unde the table where no one could see, giving him the happiest look I could muster in my ire. "I have to entertain myself somehow."
I rolled my eyes in response. "You're very lucky I love you."
"A fact I am well aware of," he replied kissing the back of my hand.
Dinner was served and turned out to be absolutely wonderful. Bryna ended up coming to sit with us when she got too fussy with our parents. My mum actually seemed to be getting along beautifully with Sherlock's parents. It seemed whatever was between his dad and my mum had been left at the door. A few people came up to our table as we were eating to talk or introduce themselves (as in the case of Sherlock's relatives) and surprisingly, Sherlock kept his comments to himself.
Just as we were finishing up the main course, I watched as Mary stomped past us in a rush towards the door, a look of rage on her face. I followed her path and was lucky Sherlock was paying attention otherwise I would've ruined my dress as I had been about to take a sip of champagne when I saw who she was stomping towards.
"Charlotte?" Sherlock asked, concern in his voice as he took my glass away to set on the table. I gathered my skirt and stood up to go back up Mary. I knew how her reaction was probably going, and I didn't need her stressing herself out over something stupid...or someone stupid.
"-believe you showed your face here of all damn bloody places! You have some balls!" Mary was snarling at the sandy haird man. John and I had reached her at the same time. Both of us tugging her back. She threw her arms in front of me and turned back to spit at him. "You don't deserve to see her this happy you arse! Not after what you did to her. If her sister was still alive, you'd be dead upong setting foot on the property!"
"Mary," I said not looking at Justin as I felt his gaze on me. I tried not to let the shiver down my spine show. "This is stress you don't need. He's not worth. If anyone taught me that, it's you. Go with John. I'll handle him."
"The only thing I'm doing, is going to get Greg so he can throw his ass in jail," she growled allowing John to pull her away. I watched her retreating form as she did indeed head to where Greg was sitting.
"She's right you know," I muttered, not looking at him.
I heard him sigh, "I didn't come here expecting to see you or what seems to be your wedding. I came for a drink and food and Brennan's always had the best of both and it's been at least two years since I left the country." I was silent. "Congratulations I suppose."
"You suppose? Ok, sure, thanks. Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
"You seem pretty happy."
"I am. You leaving me was probably the best thing that could've happened. I have a wonderful husband and a beautiful little girl and none of the crap I used to have dealing with you on a daily basis," I said crossing my arms. "I would leave now before Mary makes our Detective Inspector friend drag you out even though Greg has more class than that."
"Good. You deserve what you have," I heard him say. I turned as he was walking out the door, glad he was gone. I rolled my eyes and walked back over to Sherlock, glad that had gone better than it probably could've gone.
I got back to our table to see Sherlock giving me a cool glance. I saw down and took Bryna from him, "What?"
"What was that about?"
"Mr. Observational doesn't already know?" I chuckled smirking at him.
"Our daughter was fussing so I was unable to simultaneously watch you and her at the same time."
"That was Justin."
"You're ex?" I nodded. "Mary invited you're ex?"
I shook my head, "No Mary did not invite my ex. That's actually the first either of us has seen him since he left."
"Did he mention why he left?"
"Does it matter?" I asked looking at him. I grabbed his hand, "Before you came into my life, that is exactly the answer I would have wanted. Now? I could care less where the hell he's been and why apparently he felt the need to leave. You and Bryna are all that matter."
"I'm not worried," he chuckled. "At least not about you. I am more concerned on Mary's behalf. She seemed much more distraught over it than you."
"That's what best friends are for," I sighed wrapped my arm around his and resting my head on his shoulder as Mary fumed to John and Greg about the situation.
