I Do?

She stood there gazing at her reflection in the mirror. She hardly recognized the woman peering back in the mirror. The angelic veil glowed with the sunlight hitting it from behind. She ran her hands down the beautiful white silk gown and moved a little listening to the swish of the tulle underneath. The make-up was perfect and her hair was swept up. A dainty pair of her mother's pearl earrings topped it all off. But, it wasn't the outward reflection she didn't recognize, it was what was inside she didn't recognize. Since when had Molly Hooper settled? How did she get to this point. She was about to settle for a man she wasn't passionately in love with. She would say I Do in less than an hour and then there would be no going back. She had been so happy, or so she thought. She was excited about planning the wedding about making a home and family with Robert. At least that's what she had talked herself into. She knew were her heart truly lie, but up until three weeks ago he had never given her a glimmer of hope and after 7 long years it was time to move on. So she found herself a nice bloke, convinced herself that she was in love with him and now here she stood. This was supposed to be the happiest day of her life and she was trembling with fear, frustration and longing.

She sat down not giving a damn if she wrinkled her beautiful gown. She closed her eyes and she thought back to 3 weeks ago when everything had been turned upside down and once again Sherlock had made her doubt herself and her recent decisions. Up until three weeks ago she had finally got a hold on her heart and had to a point gotten over him. She was no longer a stuttering, nervous wreck around him. She had her own life now and it no longer revolved around Sherlock. After Sheringford she had seen him change, change into a better person. She also noticed that once she had resigned herself to moving on he seemed to change towards her. In the last six months he had been around to see her more both at the lab and at home. He had even asked her to help him solve several cases. Something had changed in him when she decided to give up and get a life. She believed he was just relieved he no longer had to worry about her school girl crush. But only she knew it was more than a simple crush. She had been hopelessly in love with him for several years now and it was destroying her.

Then suddenly three weeks ago everything changed yet again and her whole world was turned upside down. She had the day off to do her final fitting on her dress and tie up some loose ends. She was just stepping into the dress shop when her phone pinged. She glanced down…

You're not at the lab. Where are you? SH

Final fitting at the gown shop. MH

Need you to meet me at Baker Street. Got a lead on the case. SH

Sorry, can't. Just got here and I have a fitting MH

She shoved her phone down into her pocket and went into the little dress shop. She was placed in her dress and when the curtain opened to move out into the studio to the larger mirrors her mouth dropped open to see Sherlock standing there. There was a look in his eyes she had never seen before. His eyes bore through her and if she didn't know any better she would say they were filled with desire. After several moments she saw the mask go back up again, he cleared his throat and straightened his stance.

"Sherlock, what are you doing here?" She said taking a deep breath and turning around to look at herself in the mirrors.

"We have a lead and I need your assistance. I will wait." He huffed as he threw himself in a seat behind her. She shrugged her shoulders and stepped up on the elevated platform to see the dress better. It took roughly 30 mins to be pinned and tucked into place. The entire time she could swear she felt his eyes on her. She could hear him feverishly typing away on his phone but more than once she had glanced back at him to find him staring at her. Every time this happened her heart would skip a beat and start racing.
After the final pin was in she looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. She looked like a bride. They brought the veil over and carefully placed it on her head. She took in the full effect and smiled even brighter. She turned and looked at Sherlock. He had is eyes glued to his phone and he was typing away.

"Sherlock?"

"Hmm?" He replied without looking up.

"How do I look?" At that his eyes rose to her and he stopped typing. His eyes raked over her and a look crossed his face she had never seen.

"Beautiful," he said in a low voice. She looked at him with startled eyes as if she couldn't believe the word he had just given to describe her.

"You look beautiful Molly." He stood and cleared his throat. "No doubt Ronald will be pleased. I have to make a call. I will wait outside for you."

She watched him retreat outside and around the corner. She shrugged her shoulders and turned back to the mirror. What she didn't see was Sherlock around the corner standing in a alley trying to catch his breath. When he had looked up at her his heart had stopped for a moment. In that moment he imagined her walking down the isle to him. He imagined dancing with her in the big white dress. He imagined taking that dress off her, laying her down on his bed and completely taking her as his. He shook his head violently. What the hell had come over him. Since that phone call he had kept her at arms length and had told her he only said it to save her life. By the time he figured out he meant the words she was already engaged to whats his name. Now seeing her like this made him realize he had to get a hold of his "feelings." God how that word tasted like poison on his lips. But there was no denying it now. He had to shove his feelings for Molly away and never let them out no matter what happened. He took a few more deep breaths, stood up straight and walked back around the corner. He found her standing there pulling her gloves on.

"Ok, Sherlock, I'm ready. What's this lead you have?"

"I will tell you in the cab." He hailed a cab and off they went.