After she finished her shower, Molly sorted through the basket in the bathroom for all the small items that needed to be washed, including Sherlock's boxers and socks. She put them in the laundry basket she had brought from her flat and took them to the kitchen.
Sherlock looked up as she came in. His elbows were on the table, fingers steepled in their usual manner, and he had a faraway look on his face.
"Are you in your mind palace?" asked the pathologist, as she deposited the clothes into the washing machine.
"Nope," he responded. "Just thinking about how amazing our wedding night is going to be, and thinking of how I can stay busy over the next few weeks." He stood up as he spoke. "Don't turn that thing on until I've had my shower. I have no clue whether it would affect the water pressure."
"Duly noted," Molly said, adding the washing powder to the machine. "I'll turn it on later and put the clothes on the airer tomorrow morning. By that time, my jumpers and other things should be dry. I'm going to make some tea. Would you like some for when you get out of the shower?
"Yes please." The detective took his fiancée's hand and kissed it, before leaving the kitchen for his shower.
Molly turned on the kettle to boil the water, then grabbed the list she and Sherlock had made, setting it down on her bedside table. She picked up her Bible and devotional and returned to the kitchen.
After the tea was ready, Molly sipped hers while looking at the daily reading. This time she was able to look up the Bible passage in her actual Bible, because Sherlock wasn't using it. The day's devotional was, she felt, a definite sign from God. It talked about the body being a temple, and about purity. It was remarkable how often God spoke to her through these readings, how appropriate they happened to be.
When the detective returned to the kitchen, hair still damp from the shower and wearing a dressing gown, Molly thought as she often did, how handsome he was. "Take a look at this," she invited, as he sat beside her to drink his tea. She slid the devotional over to him.
When the sleuth finished reading, he said, in a voice of wonder, "How is it that so often things are relevant to the exact situation at hand?"
"It's the way God speaks to us," replied his fiancée. "We can't see or hear God physically, so this is the way we can communicate best with Him. I have so often gotten answers to questions just through reading my daily devotional, or the Bible in general. It happens too often for it to be coincidental. This reading today just reinforces to me that we are doing what God wants us to do, and that He will bless us because of it."
"You're right. I do feel this peace about things right now. I'm sure it is still going to be a struggle at times, to hold onto those values, but I do believe it will be worthwhile." He took Molly's hand and looked intently into her eyes. "I love you."
She smiled. "I love you too."
"Can I borrow your Bible again?"
"Of course. You don't need to ask."
"Yes I do. You might be wanting to read it yourself."
"I can use my app. I'd rather you use the real thing. I'm going to put on the washing machine now and check the clothes upstairs."
"Okay." Sherlock took the Bible and found the next book, Mark. He began to read.
Molly turned on the washing machine, then went upstairs to the small bedroom to check the status of her clothes. A couple of the thinner blouses were dry, but the jumpers were still slightly damp. She took the blouses and hung them in the wardrobe in the master bedroom. Noting the new clothes still on the bed, the pathologist went to work, making room for the two dresses and rest of the clothing. When she had finished, the wardrobe was full to bursting. After some contemplation, Molly removed a few of her older clothes she hadn't worn in a long time. They could be donated to charity. She contemplated putting on one of Sherlock's dressing gowns over her chemise, but figured there was no point. She had already been in and out of the kitchen in her nightie, so modesty was rather moot at this point.
Returning to the kitchen, the pathologist began to do the dishes.
Sherlock was still reading. Without looking up from the Bible, he said, "It really is remarkable how the different accounts of Jesus have so many parallels. The book of Mark seems to be one of the shorter books. I'm almost done with it."
"You are doing so well," Molly told him as she dried the dishes. "I'm glad you are making the effort to keep reading."
"It's fascinating, like a part of life I missed before. It gives life new meaning, especially now that I know this life isn't all there is."
"I know you've already read through John, but I was thinking I should have pointed out what is considered one of the most important verses in the New Testament."
Sherlock looked at her curiously. "Which verse?"
"It's John 3:16. I think it's the first verse we memorize as children."
"Do you want me to look it up?"
"No. I'll just tell you. The verse says, 'For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.' Mind you, I prefer to say everlasting. Eternal indicates no beginning or end, which only can be ascribed to God. Everlasting life suggests a starting point, but with no ending. That verse really is the cornerstone of the Christian faith - belief in Jesus and what he did for us."
The detective smiled at her. "That's one of the things I love most about you. You really know and understand your faith. I have so far to go."
"But you are learning, and that is what is important, gaining knowledge."
"I feel like my eyes have been unveiled, like the words from that song last week at church., in 'The Power Of your Love.'"
"You remember the lyrics to that song?"
"Yes, I didn't delete them, because the words spoke to me, even before I made the decision to accept Jesus as my Saviour."
"Hearing you talk like this Sherlock, it's such a miracle, such an answer to prayer."
"Well, I guess your prayers and my parents' must have counted for something."
"I guess so." With the kitchen back in pristine condition, Molly plopped down on the seat beside Sherlock. She picked up her "Our Daily Bread," then watched her fiancée as he read. He had such a lovely profile. She gave a little sigh of contentment.
The detectived flicked his gaze across to her. "What's with the sigh?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. I just like looking at you."
He smiled. "I like looking at you too, Molly Hooper. I'm going to just finish these last three chapters, then go to bed. Are you ready for bed too?"
"Yes, I think I'll head there now. It has been a long day, physically and emotionally." She stood up and kissed his cheek, then made her way to the bedroom and got under the covers.
She was still awake when Sherlock came in ten minutes later and he settled into bed beside her. "Molly," he whispered. "Are you still awake?"
She turned to face him. "Yes."
"Can I kiss you goodnight? Can I still hold you?" He sounded uncertain, and Molly loved him even more for his willingness to let her set their guidelines.
"Yes, and yes." She moved close to him and kissed him gently on the lips. Turning her back, she fitted her body against his and pulled his arm around her. "Goodnight, my love."
She felt Sherlock kiss the back of her head before his arm tightened around her and he said, Sweet dreams, my darling."
Author's note: This was a bit of everyday, domestic stuff. One reader made the comment about it being mundane, but sometimes real life is that way. This is not fluffy fiction. It's intended to be realistic fiction, with some drama in it. I apologize if people find that boring.
I do try to put some interesting stuff into each chapter too. Like the way God speaks to us. My daughter has that happen so often when she needs encouragement - her devotional, or Bible verse for the day speaks to her.
It breaks my heart when I hear of people who are atheists. If there's nothing beyond this life, what is the point to it? I have nothing against people who believe in nothing, but it still makes me sad.
John 3:16 - Read it, believe it and be glad of it.
