10 years later…
The music swelled, Johann putting a little more pressure on the keyboard as he crescendoed up. Mrs. Hudson cooed and clapped her hands, clearly delighted by the little performance, feeding into the boy's ego and keeping him going.
Sherlock sighed and settled down beside Molly, pleased at having had the work of playing Christmas music removed from him.
"Glooooooooooooooria," Mrs. Hudson chorused.
Sherlock resolved to remove her wine glass at the next opportunity.
"Kid gets better every year," Lestrade muttered as he grabbed another helping of pudding. "With all that talent he must have a girlfriend by now."
"Or boyfriend," Molly said. "But no. He remains… 'unattached.'"
Sherlock decided it was better to leave her in her ignorance. After all, they had enough time before he settled down at least that casual flings really didn't matter all that much.
"But Harry's mentioned Ella has a boyfriend," Molly said with a smile. "Isn't that right?"
Harry Watson snorted and shrugged. "Talking about moving in with him too. Here's hoping it doesn't last. Hey brother, when's your girl getting married?"
"Not anytime soon I hope," John said with a smile. "Two children married…lord knows how that would go."
"Well, with her tendency to rush into decisions," Sherlock said. "And with her casual partner she met at a bar last week…I'd give you three weeks before you're finding a ring on her finger."
"Shut up," John said, glowering as he downed another swallow of his drink. "Perish the thought."
Johann stopped playing and stood up, causing Mrs. Hudson to make a noise of disapproval and shoot a glare at the bunch of them.
"All right, enough talking about your children like they're not here," Johann said, folding his arms over his chest. "I'll let you know if I ever seriously date anyone. I've already told you that. Ella is allowed to have a boyfriend, and your approval isn't needed. John, there are worse things than your daughter finding someone to marry. And father, your judgement isn't needed here."
Without another word he stalked over to the window, staring out for a moment before settling himself against the frame to watch.
"Did he text you?" Sherlock asked.
"Yeah," Johann muttered, brushing a lock of hair out of his eyes. "Two days ago. Said he'd be here at seven."
Sherlock glanced at the clock, catching that it was nearly seven thirty.
"He'll be here," John said, even as he took another large gulp of his drink. "Never you worry, Jo."
The teenager sighed and sank a little further into the wood.
"You heard anything from him recently, John?" Molly asked, twisting her napkin nervously.
"Not a bit," John said. "But then again, it's Mary who usually puts in more effort than I do."
Mary sighed. "Last I talked to him was three months ago. Wanted advice about Kazakhstan."
Sherlock frowned at that, but he stopped himself from fully completing a deduction. It was better not to know, honestly. He'd figured that out after the first mission that had landed Alex in the hospital. Better not to think about the realities and dangers of what he was facing every day.
Johann suddenly straightened and gasped.
"They're here!"
Sherlock folded his hands, doing his best to stay seated even as he wanted to run towards the sound of car doors closing.
There were footsteps on the stairs.
"Hello? Mrs. H?"
"Ooh," Mrs. Hudson said, looking like she might stand, hand flailing for her cane. But Johann gave her a quick glare and beat her to rushing to the door.
"We're up here!" Johann called, bouncing as he watched figures appear on the stairway.
"Calm down," Alex said with a laugh as he finally managed to get through the doorway. "Dear lord, how much sugar have you had tonight?"
"Coffee," Johann said. "I'm eighteen, not eight."
Alex rolled his eyes, but did indulge his younger brother in a quick hug before pulling away, looking up at Johann with a look of clear joy in his eyes.
"It's good to see you again," Alex said. "So, I heard there are final plans in the mix?"
"Yes," Johann said. "After some consideration, I've decided to go to America for my studies. I've been accepted at Berkeley to continue in their biology department. Aunt Bea is positively delighted I'll be coming back to visit more often now."
"I'll try to swing by if I'm ever in the neighborhood," Alex said. "Though I don't think there are any plans for that anytime soon."
"No, you don't," a voice confirmed from behind him.
Sherlock shook his head, admiring the way Rahim was still carrying all of the presents up, patiently balancing the multiple packages even as his glasses began to slide down his nose from the angle his chin was at to keep them tucked against his chest.
"Rahim, you need to get him scheduled over there as much as possible," Johann joked.
Rahim chuckled and shook his head. "Not much call for America other than the occasional meeting with CIA. But they usually just video conference us when they can. And besides, Mycroft removed me from having anything to do with Alex's work schedule years ago. I merely know it, I don't influence it."
He managed to set most of the presents on the coffee table, though Alex had actually stopped to help him with the last few. Sherlock noted the way Alex's ring glinted in the light, freshly polished. He nodded at that, before looking up at Rahim for any other signs that would set him at ease.
The kiss Alex delivered to the man's cheek was more than enough. Three years of marriage and still happy. Sherlock only held onto the hope that it would continue in the same way.
"We'll try to schedule some vacation time over in California then," Rahim suggested. "Come visit you."
Johann sighed dramatically, but his smile said what he was really feeling.
"Now, before we do anything else, Rahim and I have a gift for you four," Alex said, nodding to Sherlock and Molly and then his own parents.
Rahim smiled and reached for a small box on top, passing it over to Sherlock and Molly and encouraging the Watsons to scoot closer to see.
"Please say this isn't cruise tickets or some other nonsense," Sherlock muttered, watching as Molly undid the bow before tearing into the paper, pulling it back to reveal a box.
"Oh, like you couldn't benefit from a little time with just you and Molly," John scoffed.
"It's for all four of us, John, I believe I'd have to deal with you and your wife too," he said.
"If you don't behave I'm taking it away," Alex said threateningly, even as he snuggled closer to his husband.
Molly finally managed to get the box open, pulling out a small piece of paper. Sherlock eyed it in confusion, especially when he realized it was a photo, not just a note of some kind. Molly turned it over to reveal.
"Oh my god," Molly gasped. "Oh…it's…you're…"
"Yep," Alex said, grinning.
"Fuck," John somehow managed, reaching for his drink again. "But…er…wait…did you two?"
"It's from a surrogate," Rahim explained. "She's about four months. And we've already been told its—"
"A girl," Sherlock said, staring down at the sonogram photo and doing his best to keep it together. "You're…having a child?"
"Yes," Alex said, beaming as he glanced between the four shocked faces of his parents. Or rather three. Mary appeared to once again be unsurprised.
"So that makes us…" Molly said, clearly on the verge of tears.
"Grandparents," Alex said. "We decided we'd leave it to you to work out your chosen titles to her. But that is indeed the reality. You four are going to get a beautiful little granddaughter in five months' time."
Sherlock was stunned. He tried to form words, but his mouth seemed unable to do anything but hang open in silent astonishment. Molly giggled beside him, wrapping her hand in his.
"We're going to love her," Molly said with a brilliant smile. "I'm so happy for you two!"
"Congratulations," John said, though Sherlock could see the midlife crisis he was finding himself in at the news.
"You'll have to keep us updated," Mary said. "Though are you sure this is wise? Starting a family when you're…well…"
Alex sighed. "Rahim is in tech. Less risk. He'll be fine. And to be honest, what I started to realize is that I grew up without my parents and turned out just fine. And it's not like a doctor or nurse are expected to have horrible circumstances like yours. My job is what it is. I'm merely making the best of it."
Sherlock nodded. It was true. Life was short. Alex was in love. He wanted a family of his own, and why shouldn't he have that?
"I think it will be fine," Sherlock said after a moment. "After all, he'll have us to support him however he needs. He always will."
Alex smiled at him, curling his hand into Rahim's and clutching it tightly.
"What the hell," John muttered. "I'm bloody proud of you, all right? It's a shock, but I'm happy to hear the news, I really am."
"Even if it's making him resort to drinking," Sherlock muttered.
He had a pillow chucked at him, though John's aim was impaired enough that it sailed past his head.
"I'm going to be the best uncle," Johann said with a goofy grin. "Though I do believe this could be hard if I'm in America. Maybe I'll think about coming back here at some point. I don't want to miss you sucking at being a parent."
"He'd never suck," John grumbled. "After having Sherlock Holmes as a father, I'm not sure he could possibly do any worse."
Mary laughed and smiled at Sherlock. "I think he'll do quite well. They both will."
"We are still here you know," Alex said with an eye roll.
"Yes," Sherlock said. "I suppose you are."
He stood up and went over to Alex. He laid one hand on his shoulder, though he did glance at Rahim as he did so too.
"You'll both do well. I know you will," Sherlock said. "But if you need anything…you let us know. Molly or I or your parents will all help with whatever needs doing. And if you might recall, I'm not so terrible at babysitting, nor is Molly, so you're welcome to find nights for yourselves too. But all things considered, I only see a child strengthening the love you already share."
"Wow, that was incredibly cheesy," Alex said with a chuckle. He nonetheless leaned in, putting his arms around Sherlock and catching him in a tight hug.
Sherlock held the smaller man to him, sighing as he thought about how much they'd have to prepare for in the coming years. But if he'd learned anything, it was that some challenges in lie were worth it. And this moment certainly seemed like it was.
A/N: Well that was incredibly cheesy...but I did promise you fluff so there you are! I wanted to let all of you know my oneshot Parent continuations story is up. It is called Blink And You Miss It and can be found on my page. So check that out if you're interested and send me requests if you'd like. No guarantees when I'll get to them as I do need to catch up on the WIP I've been neglecting to finish this.
Thank you so much to all the people who've supported me. Loved all the comments and kudoes I've received. Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. I'll miss you all!