A/N: And here we are, at the very end. For a change of pace, this epilogue chapter is told from a different POV. The character who started us down this path is now showing us what he sees when the boys come visiting several months after the events of the last chapter, and what he sees is happiness :)

Willietheplaidjacket, who did an illustration for chapter 1 of this fic, has bookended the story with another bit of art. You can find it on my tumblr. My username there is anyawen. Come see it!

Thank you, again, to Team Beta. I owe you. Margaritas are on me. Stop by to collect any time!


Mike looked up as his office door opened abruptly, smiling as he heard John's admonition to Sherlock.

"It's polite to knock first, you berk."

"Tedious. Here, Mike. This is for you."

John shot Mike a wry smile at Sherlock's rudeness as the detective deposited something on Mike's desk with a heavy thunk.

A jar filled with a viscous, golden liquid sat on the stack of papers Mike had been reviewing.

"Hullo, John. Sherlock. What's this then?"

"Honey," Sherlock replied, the unspoken 'obviously' apparent in his tone.

"From our hives," John added, stepping closer and catching Sherlock's hand.

Mike caught the look of surprised delight that flashed over Sherlock's face as he glanced down at his fingers tangled with John's. The army doctor didn't miss it either, his face breaking into a dazzling smile as he tugged Sherlock to stand just a bit closer.

"I heard you were keeping bees," Mike said, picking up the jar and looking at the tag tied around the lid with a bit of twine.

The notation '#1/19, 2016' was printed in Sherlock's neat handwriting, under which were the words 'Thank you' in John's scrawl.

"One of nineteen?" Mike asked, looking up again.

"The first jar of the year, every year, is yours," John said, smiling.

"A vastly inadequate repayment for your introduction."

"But it's a beginning."