It didn't take Greg long to arrive after that. He was shaken, and there were bags under his eyes from a few too many late nights. He was dressed for work, and looked strange next to Fran in her casual clothes.

"How did this happen?" He asked blankly. It was a perfectly legitimate question, but his tone implied it was rhetorical. Fran was awkwardly sitting on the couch, an empty bag from The Sweet Shop on the floor beside her. It was an awkward air that filled the room. Claire checked her mobile, as if she could have missed its chirp, as if she had someone that would text her, but it was blank. She decided to send a text to Sherlock, but she couldn't think of any way to explain what had happened. Hey, Sherlock, guess what! Fran and Greg are having a baby! Isn't that so great? Claire looked around the room for inspiration, and all she saw were two blank stares focused on her, as if she was supposed to explain to them what happened now, as if she knew. This provided the inspiration she needed.

KMN

She considered what it would be like if Sherlock took this seriously and came over with a gun. At least it would cut through this awkward silence.

If I was to kill you now, I'd never get to torture you through many other things most likely worse than what you are encountering.

What are you encountering?

Trust Sherlock to always be on the negative side of things.

Guess

This could be interesting, and if it took her away from the blank gazes, it was worth it.

Fran's lonely and brought herself multiple cats that now live with her?

Claire tried to imagine Fran as a cat woman. It wouldn't be too hard, but Fran was more a dog person. Dogs were loyal and dependable.

Fran can't have pets in her flat

Claire briefly wondered where Greg and Fran would live. Right now, they didn't look like they would be living anywhere.

Someone died?

That was pretty broad for the great Sherlock Holmes. She was about to tell him so, when she got another text.

I got it! Fran's pregnant with Fred's baby?

That was pretty close, but not completely on target

So close, and yet so far. Greg's baby

She looked up at Greg. If he was to get rid of the horrified expression on his face, he'd be a pretty good father.

No kidding? Lestrade's going to be a dad?

Whether he played the part well or not, Greg was going to be a father. The awkward silence in the room, and the non-moving Greg and Fran were starting to freak Claire out.

"At ease, people. This isn't a funeral" She commanded them, but instead of relaxing they went into stiff positions of what they thought looked relaxed, also known as the exact opposite of relaxed. Claire sighed

Seems that way. I've got to deal with the living dead, I'll be home later

"Now what?" Fran asked. Two pairs of eyes set on her. The focus then shifted onto Claire.

"How should I know?" Claire said, answering their gazes. Greg and Fran looked at each other

Do you want some help?

Came Sherlock's reply. It touched Claire that he was willing to try and help out. That was a rare thing for Sherlock to do. She was about to decline his offer, but then thought better of it. Surely one more person in this awkward triangle couldn't be a bad thing? Of course, it would mean Sherlock would never offer to another thing in his life, but if Claire had to fight through this weird silence, why couldn't Sherlock too?

I would love some

Claire felt a bit sorry for Sherlock. She was bringing him into a depressing circle, and he couldn't even send her John or Sarah instead, as he normally would have done, because they weren't coming back for another day.

Claire thought about how lucky she was. She hadn't ended up in this situation herself. She'd seen Sarah and now Fran be trapped, but had been able to avoid the net herself. She was grateful for that.

But in a weird way, she wasn't.

Sherlock eventually arrived to the not-so-cheery group, two blank faces and one pleading one. He sighed.

"When will you people learn?" He asked. He'd learnt from experience the best way to get a reply was to insult. The people he was talking to weren't very feisty right now, however, and no one replied. "What's the opposite of shut up?" He asked the group. Yelling talk at them wouldn't have the same effect.

"Look, everyone, this isn't getting us anywhere" Claire said "Fran is pregnant with Greg's baby. So what do you want to do?"

"I don't know" Greg whispered. Fran just nodded.

"Are you going to try and get rid of the child?" Sherlock asked

"I don't know if I could handle a child" Greg admitted. Fran remained silent. Sherlock looked at her.

"One vote keep, two votes get rid of" Sherlock announced, looking at Claire. "You're up"

"I can't just kill it!" Fran cried

"My vote's keep" Claire said, sitting down next to Fran

"What am I going to do?" Greg asked, running his hand through his hair

"Fran really wants that child" Sherlock told him "So you're screwed"

"Thanks for your support" Greg complained sarcastically.

"Thanks for making me come here" Sherlock replied sarcastically "This day is now totally ruined"

"I trump that. The rest of my life is ruined" Greg added conversationally. At least he was talking

"Fran's a nice girl. I'm sure you'll learn to love it"

"Oh yes, you're sure, because everything you say is gospel" Greg whined

"You ask me to come to the crime scenes" Sherlock argued

"Mycroft likes it when I invite you" He shrugged

"I should have known" Sherlock muttered. Maybe he was losing his touch. He was missing so much these days.

"So are you going to get married?" Claire asked

"Err..." Greg said uncertainly

"I guess so" Fran said, also uncertain. She hadn't thought this far through

"You guys don't have to get married. It's becoming more and more common that people don't bother with marriage" Claire helped

"You're getting married" Sherlock instructed. He saw the look of wanting in Fran's face. Sure, it wasn't the way she'd planned, but if she was going to get a family, she wanted to do it right.

"Then it's settled. We've still got all Sarah's bridal books, all the people she employed for everything, we can use all the same people if we need to" Claire encouraged. The two still weren't convinced. "Why don't you two go on a holiday somewhere?" Claire suggested "Get a chance to know each other better"

"I haven't taken a holiday in a long time" Greg admitted

"Me either" Fran agreed

"Perfect. You two go away, and I'll start the basic planning." Claire insisted. Fran and Greg smiled at each other. Claire let out a relieved breath. It was improving, at least.

Then why did she feel the same uncomfortable feeling she had felt when planning Sarah's wedding?