Author's Note:
Wo-ow, that last instalment was popular! One thing I forgot to mention last time is that there will be a companion piece to the two Irregulars stories near the end of the book. I was almost finished, and I realized that most of these later stories were serious and/or angsty, and I wanted to do one more humor piece. So I ended up subverting another prompt. ^_^
Last night, my beta sent back the first ten stories, all edited. I'm very excited! Plus, I'm rather going to town with my illustrations, but I think you'll like them. There's one in which Holmes and Watson look more than a little bit like Jeremy and David *cheers*, and another one in which Holmes looks very Jeremy-ish.
Last but not least, I know yesterday I was supposed to update you guys on AMM on the blog. Well, I came down with a cold (yes, AGAIN—I had only just gotten over the last one), and I was chilled, trembling, achy, and completely miserable. (My hands, for some reason, still hurt like the dickens—not good. You're pretty lucky to still be getting this chapter today. D= ) The only truly productive thing I did with my day was the illustrations. I'd still like to do an AMM update, but I'm not sure when that'll be. Just keep an eye out on the blog.
To my reviewers:
nomdeplume30: *Cheshire grin* Thank you! Watson's "I'll show you affected!" was one of my favorite lines; and Holmes moving furniture and pointing to Watson and the boys as dreadful murderers were more favorite bits. Hey, I don't mind reviews that tell my story back to me—really! Your long review was a perfect start to my day—I'm so glad you loved it so much!
Moonspun Dragon: Yup, that's the quote. We'll just say everybody gets cookies, though. ;D (I neither confirm nor deny, dear girl. *dignified look*) I can definitely see Jeremy and David doing this, especially since David is so good at doing ticked-off!Watson. =D Thank you!
Kadigan: "Lethal levels," lol! There are indeed few things cuter than Sherlockian domesticity. And yep, that's the quote. Thank you!
Spockologist: Well, Jeremy!Holmes never went out without a suit coat, except for DEVI, when he's throwing away the lamp. There are numerous times, actually, when he's either in his shirtsleeves or in his dressing gowns (and therefore not in a suit coat). I think forgiveness is a big part of Watson's nature—I don't think he was ever the type to hold grudges. Thank you!
SabrinaPhynn: Ohhh, because Wiggins is in your fic, and… heh. I'd go with a little brother, personally. ;D Anyway, I'm sure Mycoft, Sherlock, and the Doctor will appreciate those cookies! Thank you!
O'FoggageGreen: Being part Scotch-Irish myself, I couldn't pass up making Watson fully Scottish—and I love the idea of his name being Hamish. (Thank you, Dorothy Sayers!) Yuuup, dat's da quote. ^_^ Thank you!
insideouttuoedisni: Well, I'd imagine you couldn't fit a suit coat on underneath feminine clothes, unless they're loose; so Holmes does have an excuse. =) And yeees, 'tis the quote. Thank you!
medcat: *grins* Thank you! I did love that line. *blushes* Thanks again!
LeDragonQuiMangeDuPoisson: You didn't know that? Yeah, actually, MFL was the first film I ever saw Jeremy in—I didn't know till nine years after the first time I watched the movie that he also played Sherlock Holmes. =) Anyway, thank you!
© 2011 by Aleine Skyfire.
All rights reserved.
==37. Cemetery==
Rating: PG
Summary: "Mary, dear, you were one of the purest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. It is no wonder Wa—John—loves you as much as he does."
Warnings: graveyard angst
Word Count: 549
"Hello, Mary. I apologise for not having visited sooner, but I was unavoidably delayed. Events have moved with dizzying speed since I first received word of your death—if only Mycroft's telegrams had not been lost! I might have been here months sooner and so spared your husband some of his pain… or shared it, at least.
"I was caught up in a murder investigation, dear Mary—yes, I know, I am incorrigible. But the murderer was none other than the man who was hunting me all these years! He is now safely behind bars, and I am free to live my life once more…
"Dear God, how can I say that? How can I even think it? How can it be that I live on while you and your son… Mary, dear, you were one of the purest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. It is no wonder Wa—John—loves you as much as he does. You deserved every happiness in life—where is the justice in that life being cruelly ripped away from you? You and your child? I would gladly have traded places with both of you. John needs you more than he needs me."
Saltwater dots the small, modest tombstone.
"You were as a sister to me, Mary. I did not deserve your friendship—not after my initial callous and petty reactions to your marriage. But you gave me your friendship, anyway, for your heart was great and your love was strong. You and John were perfectly suited to each other in every way, flawless soul mates. I had never seen such a marriage before, nor have I since.
"I wish I could have had more time to know you better—two and a half years is far too short. I wish I could have met your dear boy. I am quite certain he is a lovely blend of his mother and father, and that you are proud of him. I want to know more about him, but the grief is still far too near for John to speak of him. I cannot ask him. Not yet. Perhaps not ever.
"I look forward, however, to meeting Arthur Sherlock someday. I wonder what he thinks of being named, in part, after me. For my part, I am deeply flattered. I had always a feeling that you and John would do it, if you ever had a son, and I understand why my name is middle rather than first. It would have been much too hard on John.
"Well, I… had best be off. John will likely be wanting me, soon. He is doing better, you know. He's getting his colour back, and I daresay Mrs. Hudson and I can contrive to put a pound or two back on him. And I swear to you, I will take care of him as best I can. …But… before I go, Mary, well…
"Would you please… find my parents… and give them my love? I'd be much obliged."
The detective, true to his brusque nature, hurries out of the cemetery. A single red rose rests serenely on the little tombstone.
Mary Morstan Watson
Beloved Wife and Mother
May 14, 1861—November 2, 1893
Arthur Sherlock Watson
Beloved Son
December 3, 1891—November 2, 1893
Author's Note:
*passes tissues around* Yeah, missing scene from EMPT, or perhaps "epilogue" is better. I should note right now that I'm not the first to do this scene—KCS beat me to it. But it's been a long time since I've read that story, and I wanted to do my own version—and I didn't want to do anything else for the prompt. =)
Permit me to quote myself from "17. Silent": For the record, I don't hold to the idea that Holmes detested/envied Mary Watson, or that he was a wreck for a long time after the wedding. A short time, like just a few days… now that, I can believe. I stand with KCS and Aragonite—Sherlock and Mary had a good relationship.
Since Watson and Holmes were already like brothers, it's not inconceivable that Mary would have grown to be something of a sister to Holmes. In fact, one of the last five stories in the book fleshes that out a little bit, in a scene from the Watsons' wedding day.
As a side note, a hearty congratulations to Prince William and Kate Middleton! I didn't watch the wedding (didn't even know when it would start) live, but I've read some of those Yahoo! articles… American I may be, but I am very happy for them. (Have you seen Kate's wedding gown? Ohhh, it was gorgeous!)
Next Monday… "Honour." Short but sweet. ;-)
Please review!