Céline was getting ready for class in the bathroom and Mycroft was fast asleep in bed. They had not moved in together but Mycroft found himself staying with her a few times a week when he was able. It worked well because in the new semester at school Céline had taken on teaching another introduction class that started right at 8 am every day of the week. As she got ready her thoughts were drifting to that afternoon. She was supposed to go dress shopping with Mary. When Mary invited her she broke some news over the phone. Sherlock would be Watson's best man. Céline could understand the two men becoming close again. Once more they solved crimes together. While not as frequent, she had been aware of it. Since she had blocked him Sherlock had not reached out again. However, she still struggled with everything that had gone on despite her new relationship with Mycroft. She struggled with missing Sherlock. Her train of thought was suddenly broken when Mycroft's alarm went off. She giggled a bit when she heard him groan with annoyance. A few moments later he had joined her and hugged her from behind.

"I won't be able to come back over for a couple of days." Mycroft groggily spoke, kissing her cheek.

"That's fine," Céline replied. "Mary needed me to help with wedding prep anyway." Mycroft nodded and went to take a quick shower. As he got in Céline went back to getting ready. After a few minutes of thinking, she spoke up,

"You know, they would love for you to go," Céline spoke over the water. She was hopeful that Mycroft would come to the wedding, even if they didn't show any sign they were together. Early on they had both decided to keep their relationship a secret, from everyone. It was far more strict for both Céline and Mycroft than it had been years before when Céline and Sherlock were together. This decision was something Céline pushed. Knowing full well that Sherlock would not take the news of their relationship well. Mycroft had agreed. However, he had not told her about his meeting with Magnussen. It had been almost six months since the meeting.

"Who? Mary and John?" Mycroft asked.

"Yes," Céline replied. "We can sit at two different tables. We can pretend." Céline replied. Mycroft finished his shower and toweled off, wrapping the towel around his waist. He cupped her cheek and kissed her.

"I don't know if I can pretend that well." Mycroft softly spoke.


Sherlock was pacing his room, the room was filled with smoke. Heavy bags were under his eyes. He and Watson had finished a case the previous evening. Sherlock hated finishing cases. The night after, since his brain wasn't occupied with the case, it went to all the repressed emotions he had. The guilt and pain. He had lost Céline due to his own actions and his regret hit a chord deep inside of him. It had kept him up all night. He looked at his phone for a long moment, considering dialing her. But he decided not to. He rubbed his eyes and tried to think of something else when it hit. Watson had asked him to be his best man. Sherlock rushed to the living room and began to think about what to write for his speech. It served as a wonderful distraction.


After class Céline met Mary at a bridal shop. On her lunch between classes earlier that day John had called and made Céline promise that she would make Mary pick the dress she wanted without compromise. Céline was waiting as Mary was in the changing room. They were on the sixth dress. When Mary came out she was in a big ballgown. Mary shot Céline an uncomfortable look and Céline giggled, taking a sip of champagne. Mary went to the mirror and looked it over, a mortified expression on her face.

"It's a no again, isn't it?" Mary asked Céline, turning her head to look at her friend. Céline nodded in agreement, studying the dress.

"It's a bit too Disney princess." Céline teased.

"Yeah, I'm a bit past my prime to be Snow White aren't I?" Mary spoke, turning back to the mirror and studying the big billowy dress. "At this rate, I don't think I'll find one, maybe we should throw in the towel?" Mary suggested. The entire dress hunt had made her anxious. She wasn't used to dressing herself up for special events.

"No! We can't give up now!" Céline spoke, getting up from her seat to approach the racks of dresses around them. "What do you want?"

"A dress." Mary teasingly remarked, waddling over to where Céline was looking. Céline shot Mary an eyebrow perk, giggling.

"Duh, you want a dress." Céline giggled, "What kind of dress?" Mary thought about the question. But caught a glimpse of the price tag of the rack.

"Céline…these are a bit…" Mary began.

"Mary. Morstan." Céline scolded. "Just pick one. Trust me." Mary could see that her friend was being serious so she picked a dress that caught her eye. Mary sent Céline a guilty look before disappearing into the changing room with the saleswoman. Céline heard her phone buzz and checked it. It was a text from Mycroft.

I can't spend the night, but what about dinner?

Céline smirked and replied back.

Sure, Mary and I will be finishing up in the next hour.

Mycroft replied without a second to spare.

I'll pick you up at your apartment.

Before Céline could reply she heard some shuffling and looked up. Mary had entered in the most beautiful long wedding dress with a lace top with jewels adorning it.

"It's over budget," Mary spoke, clearly in love with the dress.

"It's beautiful." Céline corrected, smiling. Mary gave her a sad look.

"I don't want to look." Mary sadly spoke. Céline laughed and brought her a drink.

"Drink this and look." Mary gave her an amused look but turned down the drink.

"No, you're right I'll look," Mary spoke, giving in. She stood in front of the mirrors and brought her hands to her chest. "Oh gosh, it's beautiful." Mary dreamily spoke, turning to look from all angles.

"Is it the one?" Céline asked, standing beside Mary. Mary shot her a look.

"I can't be the one it's too expensive," Mary replied sternly. Céline gave her a smirk.

"It's not too expensive for a University Professor with a savings account." Céline winked. She turned to the attendant. "We'll take this one." Mary took her arm.

"Céline! I won't let you!" Mary snapped. The saleswoman looked between the two women not sure what to do.

"We will take it," Céline spoke sternly, she got away from Mary's grasp and retrieved her bank card to pass to the saleswoman. When the woman left Mary crossed her arms.

"Are you sure?" Mary asked, a serious tone of voice.

"I'm positive." Céline smiled. Mary teared up and embraced her.

"Thank you so much," Mary spoke.


After wrapping up Céline and Mary were waiting for a taxi.

"Céline, I'm sorry again," Mary spoke, sticking her hands in her pockets.

"Mary, I told you the dress was nothing…." Céline began but Mary cut her off.

"No, about Sherlock. I tried to talk to John about it but…" Mary tried to explain.

"Mary, it's you and John's wedding. I want it to be what both of you want. Sherlock and John are best friends. It's fine, really. I'll be ok." Céline replied. Mary let it hang in the air for a moment.

"Alright, but if you need to leave early. I won't hold it against you." Mary spoke.

"Thank you, Mary." Céline smiled.

"One last question then, since you're fine attending." Mary nervously spoke.

"Yes?" Céline asked.

"Will you be my maid of honor?" Mary asked. Céline had her breath taken away and just stared at Mary. She had never dreamed of having a friend ask her to be something so important. Tears filled her eyes.

"Really?" Céline asked. "You want me to be your maid of honor?"

"Of course, you're my best friend." Mary smiled. Céline hugged her friend.

"I would be honored," Céline replied. Mary nodded gratefully and a taxi finally came by. Céline flagged it for her.

"I'll call you tomorrow. We can talk about the details?" Mary suggested. Céline nodded and waved goodbye to her friend before walking toward her flat. It was close to the dress shop. When she approached Mycroft was waiting for her on the sidewalk in front of her flat. Céline felt a smile on her lips when she saw him. The sun was just starting to set.

"Well, hello there." Céline smiled. Mycroft kissed her on the cheek and took her hand.

"Thank you for accepting my last-minute invitation," Mycroft replied. Céline blushed and shrugged.

"I had some time to pencil you in." She teased. Mycroft chuckled and the two went to dinner. They didn't talk about the wedding, they just talked about and debated some decisions in parliament that went through the previous day. When they returned to her flat after dinner both hesitated at the door. "So, you can't stay the night?" Céline flirtily spoke. Mycroft's gaze softened a bit.

"Well…I have to be at work early." He spoke. "Very important."

"Ah…well, how about coming up for a few minutes. Maybe a cup of tea?" Céline suggested, softening her eyes and softly biting her lip because she knew it always worked on Mycroft.

"Now that you mention it, I'd love some tea." Mycroft chuckled, letting her lead him upstairs.