I don't own Sherlock!
11 years later.
'Checkmate.'
Sherlock pouted as Molly moved her chess piece gleefully. 'That's cheating. You cheated.' He grumbled. Molly snorted. 'You're a sore loser if I've seen one, Sherlock Holmes. Besides this is the first time I've ever beaten you at this game so take it like a man.' Sherlock rolled his eyes at her statement but secretly, he was proud. He didn't know many people who could best him at chess and he was delighted that Molly had joined that class of individuals.
Still he couldn't let go without a little teasing. 'I let you win.' He said with a smile. Molly only scoffed and clambered over to his side before seating herself in his lap. Sherlock automatically leaned back and let her settle in his lap. He kissed the top of her head and she smiled.
'Odd.' She murmured after a few moments. 'What is?' He asked. 'I haven't heard any bickering from the children for a-' A loud slam of a door and thundering footsteps cut Molly off and she sighed. 'You're handling this one.' She muttered to her husband. The door to the study they were in flew open and Nadia ran into the room.
Molly barely had time to withdraw from Sherlock's embrace before her daughter jumped into her lap and erupted into tears. Sherlock frowned and Molly sat sideways so he could see their daughter. 'What's wrong sweetheart?' She asked while Sherlock ran his fingers through her long curly hair. Nadia looked up at them with tear filled eyes.
'Nobody wants me around.' She said, more tears running down her cheeks. Sherlock and Molly immediately made protesting noises. 'We want you around.' Sherlock said in a reassuring tone. Molly got off Sherlock's lap and let Nadia take her place there. Sherlock looked at his daughter, waiting for an explanation.
'You're my daddy. You're supposed to want me around.' Nadia said grumpily as she rubbed her eyes. Sherlock smiled softly. The door opened and Aidan peeked in. He spotted Nadia sitting on his father's lap and he groaned. The door opened fully and he walked in.
'There's no need to be such a bra-' Aidan stopped short when he saw his sister's face. 'Were you crying?' He asked. Nadia turned her head away and refused to speak to him. Aidan sighed and turned to his mother. 'We voted that she stayed out of Scrabble while we played.'' He confessed. 'I didn't think it'll make her cry.'
'Why did you vote her out in the first place?' Sherlock asked as Nadia cuddled into him and he reassuringly rubbed her back. Molly settled back in her own chair and gestured for Aidan to join her. Aidan went over to his mother's side and she moved a couple of inches so he could sit with her.
'I only voted her out cause she always wins.' He said quietly. 'It's not fair to Charlotte and Kian.'
'What's not fair to us?'
Sherlock and Molly looked towards the door where Charlotte and Kian Watson were. Charlotte had inherited Mary's natural blonde hair and fierce personality. People assumed just because she was blond, she would be a cute and girly ten year old going on eleven but the only time she wore dresses were at social gatherings. Even then it was a constant battle to get her to stay still. She was almost the spitting image of Mary and John often grew terrified at what she'd be like in her teen years. Mary couldn't be more proud.
Kian on the other hand was very much like his father. He was quiet and soft spoken most of the time but if one got on his bad side, they often found their clothes had been completely ruined in the wash or his latest, pouring sugar into the engine of a car. He was only eight.
'Nadia beating you all the time in Scrabble.' Aidan supplied. 'It's not my fault I'm smarter when it comes to that.' Nadia snapped. Sherlock snorted and Molly gave him a look. 'She has a point.' Sherlock said in self defense.
'Well then let's just play another game.' Kian said, sitting down on the plush carpet floor. 'Monopoly?' Molly suggested. 'Nope. Then it'll be both of them crying to you. We totally own that game.' Charlotte said with a smirk. Nadia scowled. 'Only cause you cheat.' She said sulkily. Kian snorted. 'You cheat and you still lose.'
Aidan giggled and slipped off his mother's chair and joined Charlotte and Kian on the floor. 'Let's do deductions!' Charlotte said excitedly. Molly groaned. 'Isn't there anything else to play? Clue?' She asked. Charlotte and Kian immediately began protesting.
'No. Anything but that.' Charlotte said, making a face. 'Why?' Molly asked. 'Because Nadia and Aidan keep saying the victim did it.' Kian said. 'It's the only logical explanation.' The twins and Sherlock said simultaneously. Molly shook her head fondly. 'Why am I not surprised?' She said with a smile. Sherlock smiled softly and faced the children.
'So deductions then?' He asked. The four nodded and Nadia slid off her father's lap to join the others. 'Okay then. A man a driving when his car stops. He'll be Man A. There's another man a few meters away in a field. He'll be Man B. Man A's car backfires and by the time he turns to ask for help for Man B, Man B is dead. What happened?'
All four foreheads scrunched up in thought. 'Did Man A kill him?' Charlotte asked. Sherlock shook his head. 'What were his injuries?' Aidan asked. 'Trauma to the head.' Sherlock replied. 'Bullet?' Kian asked. Again Sherlock shook his head.
'Hammer?' Charlotte blurted out. Sherlock gave her a look. 'Charlotte what are the rules?' He asked. 'No asking questions or providing answers that don't contribute to the game.' She muttered in a grumpy voice. 'What was Man B doing?' Nadia asked. Sherlock paused. If he said too much he'd spoil it for them but it was an instrumental piece of the puzzle.
'He was watching something.' Sherlock said vaguely. 'Well that's a truck load of help isn't it?' Charlotte said. Nadia bit her bottom lip. 'Well it was something not someone that killed him.' She said. 'Was it a bird?'
Sherlock blinked. 'How did you come to that conclusion?' Nadia blushed. 'Well some birds drop stones on prey like turtles to crack their shells. It could've been an accident.' She said, her voice dwindling out as she got to the end. Sherlock blinked again. 'That's…actually a smart idea.' He said slowly.
'Really?' Nadia asked. Sherlock nodded and she smiled triumphantly. 'Where was Man B from?' Charlotte asked. 'I don't recall but he just recently travelled to Australia.' Sherlock replied. 'Was it a boomerang?' Kian asked. Sherlock's eyes widened with surprise.
'Yes Kian it was. There might be hope for you yet.' He said. Kian grinned and Charlotte gave him a high five. Nadia pouted for a few seconds before breaking into a small grin. 'How did you know?' Molly asked. Kian shrugged. 'I once had a boomerang. I threw it and it came back and hit me on my nose. I didn't die but it really hurt.' He said.
'Well Kian wins.' Sherlock said. 'First time ever.' Nadia said with a playful smile. Kian rolled his eyes but there was a huge smile on his face. 'Another one?' Sherlock asked. All four heads nodded and Sherlock shared a 'Told you they'd love it' smirk with Molly. Molly only rolled her eyes. Her phone beeped and she looked down at it.
'Dia, you skipped school on Monday?' She asked looking at her daughter. Nadia turned red and covered her face with her hands while Charlotte smirked. 'I didn't skip school. It was just one period.' She said in a small voice. Sherlock frowned. 'Nadia?' He said, waiting for an explanation. He couldn't understand why she would skip school. Granted he hated it and he thought everyone there was a moron but he hadn't been there from the start so he figured it'll be different for his daughter.
'Did someone say something to you? Threaten you?' He asked, his mind already looking for the least noticeable way he could dispose of a child. Probably let Mary do it. Nadia shook her head violently. 'No dad. No one's…why would you ever think that? No.' She said hurriedly.
'So what's the problem?' He pressed. Aidan, Nadia and Charlotte exchanged glances before Charlotte spoke. 'She went on a date.' She said proudly. Sherlock could not help his mouth falling open. Opposite him, Molly squealed and started firing questions at the trio but all he could think of was the fact that his little girl was being snatched up by a endorphin filled male who only had one thing in mind and was probably looking for the quickest way to take it.
Nadia glared at Charlotte. 'It was not a date. It was an outing.' She said through gritted teeth. Charlotte stuck her tongue out at her and Kian laughed at her expression. She turned back to look at her father who was going red for an entirely different reason.
'Dad, it's not what you're thinking.' She said calmly. Molly caught Sherlock's face and tried to contain her giggles. She knew as much as anyone that aside from his family being taken from him, Nadia being introduced to boys and sex was his second greatest fear and she could practically hear the thoughts running through his mind.
'We only went out for fro-yo.' Nadia said. Aidan looked at his father's face and decided to put him out of his misery. 'She's practically done with the whole syllabus for science, Dad. She just took a walk with a boy and he ended up getting her frozen yoghurt. No harm done.'
Sherlock considered Aidan's words. Aidan was just as protective as he was when it came to Nadia. Surely he won't let anything happen to her. Sherlock began to calm down. 'Does this person have a name?' He asked. Nadia nodded. 'Trevor Lupton.' She said. Red began to appear at edges of Sherlock's eyesight again.
It couldn't be Audra's offspring. She'd had kids after he had. Plus she'd changed her last name. Neither could it be Eva which only left one painfully possible answer. 'Jasper Lupton's son?' He growled. Nadia bit her bottom lip.
'Is that not good?' She asked meekly. Molly saw where this was going and she jumped in before Sherlock had the opportunity to ruin what could possibly be a beautiful thing later in the future. 'I'd prefer you kept future 'outings' to when you're actually not supposed to be in class but there's nothing wrong in it.' She said calmly. Sherlock turned to Molly in disbelief. 'Future outings? Nothing wrong in it?! Who are you and what have you done with my wife?' He exclaimed.
Molly rolled her eyes at Sherlock's outburst. 'It's not like they're getting married, Sherl. They went out for fro-yo. There'll be no virginity stealing anytime soon.' Nadia went red and she groaned while burying her face in her palms. Charlotte and Kian only giggled at her while Aidan patted her back reassuringly.
'Anytime soon! That suggests it's going to happen in the future.' He spouted. Molly gave a frustrated sigh. 'Yes it will happen in the future. She's going to get married to a man just like I did. Although you're acting very much like a child right now.' She said in a slightly annoyed voice.
'The difference being you weren't a virgin.' Sherlock muttered under his breath. Molly picked up a chess piece and threw it at him whilst Nadia got up. 'Well this has been rather awkward and embarrassing on both sides so why don't we just cut this conversation short?' She said quickly, her ears slightly red as well. She dashed out of the room before either parent could object.
Aidan took one look at his parents before getting up as well. 'Yep, I'm not waiting around to see the aftermath of this.' He said, referring to their impending argument. 'God no.' Charlotte muttered and she and Kian followed his lead.
The door shut behind them and Sherlock turned to his wife. 'Well you weren't.' Sherlock supplied, blanching at Molly's glare. 'True but I was fairly innocent before I met you.' She retorted. Sherlock snorted. 'No you weren't.' He said. 'Yes I was.' Molly argued. 'If it wasn't for your perfectly tousled hair, ridiculously fitted shirts and baritone voice, I would've gotten along just fine, thank you very much.'
'Liar.' Sherlock said teasingly. Molly couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips and she rolled her eyes again. Standing up from her seat, she once again found her place in Sherlock's lap. Eleven years had done nothing to quench their desire for each other and the presence of their children only made sneaking around naughtier.
'Want to prove Aidan right?' She mumbled, her lips already at his neck. 'Might as well.' Sherlock replied with a smile as he hoisted her up and slipped his hands underneath her skirt.
Leonardo Holmes glared at his sheet music in frustration. He was supposed to be rehearsing for a piece but he kept getting stuck at a certain part and he couldn't seem to move past it. At nine years old, he was the spitting image of his father with Sherlock's brain but Molly's heart. He was every bit as inquisitive as Sherlock was but he was smart enough to know that there were limits. Unfortunately that particular gene was repressed in his other siblings.
The door swung open and Sherlock peeked in. 'Aidan said you were having difficulties?' He said by way of explanation. Leo said nothing and Sherlock opened the door fully. 'What seems to be the problem?' He asked. Leo dropped his violin carefully before facing his father. 'I'm supposed to have a recital next Wednesday but I can't get past the first part.' He said in frustration.
Sherlock came in and looked at the piece. It was fairly complicated but nothing his son couldn't handle. 'How long have you been practicing?' He asked. 'A couple of hours.' He said gloomily. 'Why didn't you come to me?' He asked in surprise.
'Because, Mrs. Carlton keeps going on about how good you played at my age and I didn't want to disappoint you.' He said, tears welling up in his eyes. Sherlock's heart clenched painfully. Mrs. Carlton was his violin teacher and he had blossomed under her teaching. He'd also come top in her class in everything. He could see how she'd expect the same thing from his son and for the first time in his life, Sherlock felt bad for excelling at something his son was having such difficulty with.
He knelt down to his son's level and wiped away the tears that were already dribbling down his cheeks. 'Leo, you are my son but you aren't me.' He said gently. 'For anyone to expect you to succeed at everything I did is ridiculous.' Leo sniffed and looked at his father. 'But you said you'd want me to play the violin and you like it when I play.' He said in a small voice.
'Only because it makes you happy.' Sherlock replied. 'When I was younger violin helped me through a lot and I see you have the same passion for it. That's the only reason I push it with you. If you want to stop this instant you can and I will not be in the least bit disappointed in you.' Leo's bottom lip trembled slightly.
'You really won't be angry?' He asked in a small voice. Sherlock shook his head and Leo enveloped him in a hug. Sherlock wasn't expecting it and he teetered back slightly but his arms went around his son and he hugged him back just as tightly. Sherlock felt a pang somewhere deep down in him and he kissed the top of Leo's head.
The hug lasted for a few more seconds before Leo pulled back. He sniffed and rubbed at his nose and Sherlock brushed his curls out of his face. 'So should I call and cancel your classes?' He asked. Leonardo shook his head.
'No. I love playing the violin. It just gets difficult sometimes and there's a lot of pressure.' He said. 'Well no matter what you do, I'll still be proud either way.' Sherlock said. Leo nodded. 'I know. Want to help me?' He asked looking at his father shyly. Sherlock took in a deep breath and stood to his full height. 'Definitely. We'll play it together okay?' Leonardo nodded, his tears forgotten and he raced to his violin.
Sherlock picked his up and waited for his son before they began together. As Leo flowed into the second part of the piece, Sherlock could help but swell with pride at his son. Definitely a moment for my mind palace.
Mary sat down with her youngest daughter and started to take out her pigtails. What Mary thought was early menopause had turned out to be Amber Watson. She had never been more embarrassed and John had never been more delighted.
'So did he kiss you?' She asked. Molly gave her a look. 'Mary.' She said in a warning tone. 'What?'Mary replied with a smile. Nadia blushed. 'No he didn't. We only held hands.' She said. 'But you really wanted him to.' Charlotte said with a huge grin. Nadia glowered at her.
'Like you didn't kiss Alexander Lockhart.' She spat out. Mary's eyes widened she looked at her daughter. 'It was a dare.' Charlotte said in her defense. 'And you took it?' She asked. Charlotte coloured slightly but she nodded. 'Well I was being called a wimp and a sissy so I decided to rectify that and go ahead with it. And then I kicked him.'
Molly frowned. 'Why d'you kick him?' She asked. 'He tried to touch me.' Charlotte replied. 'That's my girl.' Mary said giving Charlotte a high five. Charlotte slapped her mother's palm enthusiastically before going back to her dart throwing. Nadia settled on a place on the floor with Jules Verne's 'Journey to the center of the Earth' in her hands.
Molly shook her head and took Amber into her lap. She was a delightful girl of three with John's oatmeal colored hair and Mary's brown eyes.
'Kian would you keep still for a moment?' Charlotte asked as she threw a dart. 'Keep still; you'd kill me if I keep still.' Kian whined. 'Oh don't be a child.' Charlotte said teasingly. The door to the drawing room swung open and Molly's last child, Alaina Holmes ran in.
'Uncle My said to give this to you.' She said as she ran up to Mary. She handed over an envelope and Mary took it before looking back at her. 'Did you read it?' She asked. Alaina shook her head fiercely. 'I would never.' Alaina said. There was a pause and then she spoke up again. 'Although whatever it is, I would advise you send Joanna to do it instead.'
Mary scowled at her and Alaina smiled at her. She went over to her mother and gave her a huge hug. 'How was your day with your uncle?' Molly asked as Alaina scooped Amber up in her hands. 'Uneventful.' She said as she blew a raspberry on Amber's tummy. Amber squealed and Alaina smiled. 'Was it really uneventful or that's what Mycroft told you to say?' Molly asked.
Alaina only smiled at her mother and Molly decided to give up. Alaina nudged Nadia with her foot and Nadia brushed her away. 'Isn't that your second time reading that?' Alaina asked. Nadia put the book down and looked at her sister. 'Alright, I'm happy to see you too. Can I go back to my reading?' She asked with a grudging smile.
Alaina nodded and Nadia ruffled her hair fondly before looking back at her novel. When Alaina was three, Sherlock and Molly had discovered that she could multiply three digit numbers with ease. By five she was devouring books her older siblings had difficulty understanding. Special teachers annoyed her and she stayed away from most people cause in her words she was tired of waiting for them to catch up. It was only when Molly was tucking her in one night and she asked what was wrong with her that Molly knew she had to do something.
She constantly needed to update her knowledge of things and was always curious so after many nights of debate and temper tantrums from Sherlock, they decided to let Mycroft step in. After only six months with him, she seemed more settled and stable so they let him continue.
Sherlock was afraid letting her stay with Mycroft would in some way affect her personality but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Of all of Sherlock and Molly's children, she was by far the most cheerful and the nicest. She always had a smile for anyone and as Aidan would say, her optimism was nauseating.
'So does dad know yet?' She asked Nadia. Nadia put her book down. 'Know about what?' She asked. 'Trevie.' Alaina said teasingly. Nadia colored slightly. 'Yes he does. He found out this morning.' She said quietly. Alaina's eyes lit up.
'How did that happen?' She asked. 'Blame Charlie.' Nadia said with a hint of annoyance. Charlotte stopped her dart throwing and came over to where the two girls were sitting. Amber had scrambled out of Alaina's arms by then and she ran over to Kian.
'He was going to find out anyway.' Charlotte said as she sat down next to them. 'How did he take it?' Alaina said with glee. 'He went extremely red and there was some insinuation to him taking my virginity.' Nadia muttered. Alaina exploded into giggles and Nadia glared at her.
'Just wait till it's your turn.'
'Aidan's bisexual.'
John choked on air.
'Bisex-What? Really?'
Sherlock rolled his eyes.
'Yes John. Obviously.'
'Not to me.'
Sherlock made a face and John gave him a look. 'How-Did he tell you that himself?' He asked. Sherlock shook his head. 'Don't be absurd John. He doesn't know.' John stared at his best friend. 'So, and I'm just throwing this out there, how do you know if he doesn't?'
'His behavior.' Sherlock replied, his palms pressed against each other as he watched his son play football with Anthony Beaumont, Camille's twelve year old son. Anthony had fallen and Aidan was helping him up. 'Look at the way he holds Anthony.' Sherlock said.
John looked at them. Aidan hoisted Anthony to his feet and his hands lingered on the older boy's body. 'That doesn't mean he's bisexual.' John protested. Sherlock held up a finger. 'Keep watching.' He said. Anthony picked up the football and the two boys talked for a moment before Aidan reached up and ran his hand through Anthony's hair.
He picked out something from his hair but not before Sherlock and John caught the look of absolute adoration on Aidan's face. Anthony flashed an unassuming smile at Aidan and Aidan's face lit up. Sherlock gave John a pointed look and John sighed. 'What if he's just gay?' John asked. Sherlock gave John one of his 'Don't be daft' looks.
'Of course he's not John. Have you seen the way he looks at Charlotte?' Sherlock said in an obvious tone. John frowned. 'The way he looks at Charlotte? What way does he look at my daughter?' Sherlock rolled his eyes. 'Oh would you relax John. Besides he's my son. What have you got to be afraid of?'
'It's exactly for that reason that I'm cautious.' John shot back. Sherlock smirked. 'He's…aware of the fact that she's developing but he won't touch her. Nadia would kill him before you do.' Sherlock said in a soft tone.
'Besides, you know Aidan. Nadia's going on dates with Trevor Lupton. Of all the members of the male species why him?' Sherlock whined. John let out a laugh. 'Really? Well that's nice isn't it?' He asked. Sherlock gave him a very nasty glare and John couldn't help the string of giggles that poured out of his mouth. Sherlock made to talk but the door opened and his seven year old daughter, Alaina came bounding in.
She ran straight up to her father and grabbed him in a hug. 'You're a bit late today. Fun with Mycroft?' Sherlock asked as he squeezed her to him. Alaina pulled back with a huge smile. 'Yes I did. I'm learning Latin.' She turned to hug John as well and he returned it with a smile. 'Latin? Isn't that a bit advanced for you?' John asked. Alaina nodded.
'Yes, which is great because I can finally slow down on something.' She replied. John nodded. Alaina glanced out of the window where Anthony and Aidan were. 'So he still doesn't know?' She asked her father. John gaped. 'How in the hell do you know?' He asked. Alaina's forehead furrowed.
'It's kind of obvious.' She said in a cute voice. Sherlock looked at her proudly before giving John a smug look. Sherlock's phone beeped and he looked down at it before a grin stretched across his face. 'New case?' Alaina asked. Sherlock nodded and tossed his phone to John. John read the text and groaned.
'This sounds like a load of trouble.' He said but he'd already begun to put his coat on. Sherlock wrapped his scarf around his neck and crouched down to Alaina's level. 'Keep an eye on things for me okay?' He asked. She nodded and Sherlock gave her a kiss on the forehead before leaning up and going out the door.
John affectionately ran his fingers through the girl's hair before leaving as well. Sherlock bounded down the stairs before pausing to go into the nursery where he was sure Molly was. As was expected, she and Mary were sitting there with Amber, Nadia, Charlotte and Kian. Amber was asleep whilst Nadia and Charlotte were discussing in a corner whilst Kian was sitting with his mother. Molly looked up at the open door. 'I've got a case. It's an eight.' Sherlock said in explanation.
Molly waved him away. 'Have fun. Just get back home in time.' She said. Nadia however wasn't letting him go that easily. 'An eight?' She said in excitement. 'Can I tag along then?'She asked. Sherlock gave her look. 'Maybe when you're thirteen. Maybe.' Sherlock replied. Nadia pouted and Sherlock winked at her before closing the door. John caught up to him and was about to pop in to tell Mary when Sherlock dragged him along.
'She knows John. Let's go.' He said. John made a noise of protest but followed his best friend. Back in the nursery, Nadia threw a hopeful look at her mother who snorted. 'Don't even think about it.' She said. Nadia huffed and turned back to Charlotte.
Molly hummed under her breath as she settled in her bed. She was going to have to take a trip down to Italy. Avellana was getting married to her second husband and she'd have to be there to try and maintain some semblance of peace at what she was sure was going to be a whirlwind of a party.
She'd been the head of the morgue for six years now and it had thrown her for a loop at first but now juggling her job and her responsibilities had become second nature to her. Yes she had a personal assistant but it was only to ensure things didn't clash. With having four children, a demanding job and the responsibilities of being a Holmes wife, things were bound to clash.
I won't have managed any of it without Sybil. Molly smiled sadly as she remembered her late mother-in-law. It was five years since she'd died and Molly still missed her every day. During the first year of her passing, Sherlock had been a wreck. It wasn't noticeable to anyone on the outside but she'd held him through many a night while he cried out his pain. If not for the kids, Molly doubted if she'd have been able to pull him through it.
Her door opened and Molly snapped out of her musings. Leonardo peeked in bashfully and Molly smiled slightly. 'Leo? What's wrong?' She asked. Leonardo came in and padded over to her bed before slipping in. He snuggled up to her and she ran her hands through his curls. 'Is Daddy coming back home before bedtime?' He asked as he looked up at her.
Molly looked at the time. It was thirty minutes to nine. She knew not to call or text Sherlock when he was on a case but they had a rule which stated that they tucked in their children every night when they were both in London and Sherlock had seen the repercussions of breaking that particular rule without telling her beforehand.
The living room couch was easy on the eyes but not on the back.
Molly bit her bottom lip and turned to her son. 'I'm sure he will.' She said in her best reassuring tone. Leonardo made a face. 'You sure?' He asked. Molly was going to reply but the door swung open quite dramatically and Sherlock came in.
Leonardo's face lit up and Molly gave a satisfied sigh. 'Yes I'm quite sure.' She replied. Sherlock smiled at his son and wife and Leonardo scampered off the bed and took his father's hand. 'Come on. Let's go.' He said, tugging Sherlock out of the room. Molly giggled at Sherlock's slightly startled face and she rose up from the bed and followed them.
They ended up in the boy's room and Nadia and Alaina were already there waiting. Sherlock settled on the edge of Aidan's bed and Molly sank into Leo's bed where her daughters were sitting. 'Whose turn is it?' Nadia asked. 'Me!' Leonardo said excitedly, already pushing a novel into Sherlock's hands. Sherlock looked at it. It was 'Brisinger' by Christopher Paolini. He looked down at his second son.
'Sure?' He asked. Leonardo nodded and Sherlock sighed and leaned back into the bed. 'One chapter.' He reminded before settling down and turning the first page of the book. Much to Molly's surprise, Sherlock had turned out to be an excellent story reader and he did a wonderful job of voicing characters and making the story come to life. Although with that voice, who could blame him? Molly mused.
Forty minutes later, Sherlock was done and he and Molly were leading Nadia and Alaina back into their bedrooms. Molly tucked in Alaina while Sherlock dragged the covers over Nadia. He leaned forward to kiss her and was about to get up when Nadia held him back. He looked at her expectantly.
'You're not really upset about the whole Trevor Lupton thing are you?' She asked softly, looking up at him. 'If you don't want me to see him again, I won't.' She said. Sherlock fell silent for a moment. Here was his chance to make sure none of the Lupton's ever came close to his daughter or family ever again and it was practically being served up on a golden platter. Sherlock looked into his daughter's trusting grey blue eyes. She must have seen something she liked in him if she was willing to go out with him. She doesn't suffer fools gladly. Sherlock sighed and found himself saying 'It's alright.'
Nadia beamed and he couldn't help but mirror her smile. She wrapped her arms around him and Sherlock kissed the top of her head. 'Although if he messes up, I will come after him.' Sherlock added. Nadia giggled and nodded. Sherlock tucked her in and went over to Alaina's bedside while Molly went to Nadia's.
His second daughter already had droopy eyes and Sherlock ran his finger through her brown hair before leaning down and kissing her forehead. He got up and went out of their room to get to check in on his sons. Aidan was still awake and was working on a Sudoku puzzle. He was about to close the door when Leonardo called him back.
He opened the door and made his way over to his second son. Leonardo was lying down in bed, his curls tousled over his face. He still had hints of baby fat and his cheeks were still slightly pillowy. No more trips with Mycroft to bakeries anytime soon. 'Thanks for today.' Leo said softly. 'I enjoyed playing with you.' Sherlock replied. 'My offer still stands. If you want to quit, I won't be in the least bit disappointed.'
Leonardo nodded in understanding. 'I know. I just got a bit frustrated.' He said. 'Alright then.' Sherlock said softly. 'Get some sleep.' He said, leaning down to kiss his son's forehead. Leo wrapped his arms around his neck in a hug and mumbled a sleepy 'Love you' in Sherlock's ear. Sherlock's heart swelled with affection and he echoed it.
Leo pulled away and snuggled deeper into his covers. Sherlock ran his fingers through his son's curls one last time before getting up. 'Go to bed, Aid.' He said patting his firstborn's head. Aidan pouted. 'Last one.' He called to his father. Sherlock pursed his lips but shut the door. Molly was just coming out of the girls' room and she wrapped her dressing gown tighter around her.
'I have to go.' He said to her. 'I only came back to tuck them in.' Molly nodded her assent and gave him a brief hug. 'Text me if you won't be back till tomorrow.' She said as she pulled back. Sherlock nodded and he gave her a kiss on the cheek. Molly smiled and watched her husband walk out before turning to the boys' room.
'Five more minutes, Aid!'
Sherlock slowly opened the door, expecting Molly to be asleep but to his surprise, she wasn't. She was sitting up in bed, reading. Her eyes flitted to him and she placed down the book. 'What are you still doing up?' He asked as he came in and took off his Belstaff.
'Our bed was made for two not one.' She said lightly. Sherlock chuckled and began to strip down. Age had done considerably little to him over the year. His body was still as defined as it always had been and although he wasn't as skinny as he'd been before marriage; his lean figure had been maintained. Molly's eyes flitted over his figure appreciatively and Sherlock smirked.
'Thought you'd gotten more than enough of me, Molls.' He said with a glint in his eyes. Molly smiled. 'That's not even a probability.' She said. Sherlock threw on pyjama bottoms and he slipped into bed next to her. Molly cuddled up to him and he wrapped an arm around her loosely. Her brown eyes looked up at him and Sherlock nuzzled her cheek softly.
'Thank you.' He murmured into her ear. Molly shifted slightly and looked at him properly. 'What for?' She asked. Sherlock fell quiet for a few moments. How could he possibly translate his gratefulness into words? He was grateful for her, for loving him despite his flaws, for giving him a family, for just being her. 'For everything.' He said, deciding to settle with that.
Molly smiled affectionately at him. 'You've had a hand in it too.' She said softly, understanding what he was saying. 'And you've helped me come a long way. I doubt if I could do any of the things I do now if you weren't with me to back me up and carry me through it.' Her fingers trailed patterns on his chest and her wedding ring caught the light of her bedside lamp.
Sherlock fell into a deep silence and Molly looked up at him. 'I can almost hear you thinking, Sherl. What's wrong?' She asked. 'D'you think I push them too hard?' He asked. Molly sat up and looked at her husband. 'Is this about Alaina?' She asked.
'No. Mycroft paces himself with her.' Sherlock said. 'It's Leo.' Molly looked at him in surprise. Leonardo was a calm soft spoken boy but when his mind was made up on something it took a lot to change it. 'You think you push him when it comes to his academics? Cause he's passing with ease. They all are.'
'It's the violin.' Sherlock said. 'When I started playing, I was…distraught. Playing and composing stabilized me and that's why I pursued it. Leo's happy. He doesn't have that drive and as a result things are a bit more difficult for him. And today he got stuck but he didn't want to ask for help because he didn't want to disappoint me.'
'I see.' said Molly as Sherlock took in a deep breath. 'Well does he want to quit?' She asked. Sherlock shook his head. 'He says he loves it but I can't tell if it's cause he does love it fully or it's partially because of me.' Molly smiled.
'And to think there was a time when you'd have cared more about mould growing on culture solutions.' She said with a small laugh. Sherlock scowled at her and she tweaked his nose. 'Love, he's fine. If there was something wrong, we would know. And he knows you love him.' Sherlock sighed.
'Yeah I know but I don't want to apply too much pressure on him.' He said. Molly leaned in and gently pressed her lips against his. 'You're not.' She said softly, pulling back a couple of inches. 'You're an amazing father, Sherlock. Sybil would be more than proud and so would your father too.' She whispered.
'You really think so?' Sherlock said, uncertainty seeping into his voice. Molly carded through his hair. 'Never been more sure of anything in my life.' Molly said, giving him a kiss. She settled back into the bed and Sherlock wrapped both arms around her. He kissed the top of her head and Molly snuggled into him.
Her breathing slowly steadied and she drifted off to sleep. Sherlock smiled down at her and sunk in deeper in his bed.
Caring for her and his family wasn't an advantage. On an average day he experienced more than five different emotions each ranging in intensity having their varying levels of annoyance. And they didn't always come at different times of the day. Sometimes he was thrown for shock to anger to excitement all in the space of ten seconds. It was exhausting.
He won't give them up for anything.
Caring wasn't an advantage but for them, it was a privilege.
I have written and re written this sooo many times, it's insane. I even had another completed version of this but for some strange reason, it just didn't feel right. I feel as though this feels better.
So we've finally gotten to the end of this fic! I'm sooo sad. I can't believe it's over. I've had sooo much fun with this fanfic and you guys have been just AWESOME! I'm going to miss the feedback a whole lot *cue tears*
That being said, I honestly hope you all like this. And I hope my portrayal of the characters wasn't too OC or weird. I also hope you like the second generation of Holmes and Watson's. I'm still open to one shots or anything so requests will be honored.
Thanks to all the people who reviewed: AJP910, NiceNipps, Bookworm45669, Rocking the Redhead, Renaissancebooklover108, ladylillianrose, BFRbia, Nerdfighter1324, GryffindorDetectiveOfStarfleet, ThouArtPenguin, Bella Cuore, crooney83, lavanyalabelle, guru mistic, nowsusieq, SammyKatz, Silkenslay, Princess of Imagination, Florence, Adi Who is Also Mou, Itmonster20, mistressholmes221b, Jime221, musicgeek923, The awesome beckster, Angela Robin, everlastingtrueromance, justsherlolly, kherington77, ImmunoMaster, Justmandy0811, Domitheus, Ashley, wordgirl75, miischall.399.94, QueenNaberrie, Lady of Sign, Appleduck, RoseWilliams15, Icecat62, coloradoandcolorado1. If I have missed anyone, I'm really sorry but just know that your review touched my heart and made me really excited. Also a big thank you to all my guests.
Umm…I guess that's it. Hope you all enjoyed it and I am glad that I was able to bring fun and joy to some people even if it's just a little bit.
Cadburytrooper96