Sorry to have kept you waiting so long. I meant to post earlier but work just kind of blew up and then my PC had a melt down. All excuses I know hence the apology.

So...the moment you've been waiting for...boy or girl? Drumroll please.

Chapter 21

Sherlock had never quite felt such a mix of terror and boredom. He hated seeing Molly in so much pain though at least the gas and air eased it somewhat. He'd also never been confronted with a Molly who was quite so scathing towards him. She seemed to criticise and mock everything he tried to do for her but when he asked her if he should leave she berated him even more.

'It's your fucking fault we're here in the first place...you and your bright ideas. I know Molly, let's have a baby he said. Didn't offer to carry it and give birth to it yourself though did you...'

'Molly, don't be ridiculous...'

'Swanning about all over the place in your skin tight suits and designer shirts. You haven't had to look like the back end of a bus for the last few months have you...'

'They're not skin tight...'

'I wish I'd never met you...'

He was silent after that right up until the moment that Molly burst into tears and clutched at his hand. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. Meeting you was the best thing that has ever happened to me. And I do want your baby, our baby, it just...I'm scared Sherlock.'

For the first time in a while he took her hand and she didn't either reject him or crush the bones in a vice like grip.

'I'm scared too but I know you can do this. And I wish I could take the pain away Molly. I hate seeing you hurting like this.'

He leant forwards and pressed his lips against hers and he felt a swell of warmth in his chest. She was his Molly and she was amazing. He swallowed heavily and felt a nervousness he hadn't really felt before. He was getting too close, he shouldn't be feeling like this about her, he was meant to be alone, emotionless, dedicated to his work. He...they...just needed to get through this and then everything could go back to normal...

...Matthew Sigur Holmes was finally born at 3.07 that afternoon. It was a natural birth and although Molly lost a bit of blood both mother and baby were deemed to be doing well.

Whilst they sorted Molly out Sherlock followed the midwife as she weighed and tested the baby and then she wrapped him in a pale yellow blanket and passed his son to him and he looked down into his baby's face and felt such an amazing rush of love for him. Here was something...someone he could allow himself to love.

He turned back to Molly carrying their son smiling as she held her arms out to receive him.

'Molly, you were unbelievable. Look at what you've created...what we've created...I love...I love him.' Sherlock stuttered over the words and internally berated himself. He needed to be careful, it wouldn't be fair to lead her on, to have her think something that could never be...that would just be cruel.

They spent their first hour alone with their son in a private room just the three of them. Sherlock knew he needed to ring Mrs Hudson so she could let everyone know of the birth but they just wanted these few private minutes alone with the son that they were both already besotted with. He was such a perfect blend of the two of them. He had his shape of eye but Sherlock suspected they'd be brown like Molly's eventually. He had her mouth and a smattering of wispy blond hair which again Sherlock suspected would end up dark as his had.

He couldn't imagine loving anyone more and it brought with it an underlying anxiety that he needed to keep both his son and Molly safe.

Their time alone soon ended though and Sherlock took himself outside to get some fresh air, make some calls and smoke a cigarette. He'd managed the whole of Molly's pregnancy without one but enough was enough...if he was giving up sex then he needed another addiction to keep him occupied.

The next few days passed in a whirl. Molly was released from hospital 24 hours later and when he brought her and his son back to Baker St there was a steady stream of visitors, flowers, gifts until Sherlock thought his head would explode.

The worst one was when Molly's mother finally put in an appearance. Sherlock immediately knew that he was up against a tiger mom.

He opened the door to a woman who was a very well put together older version of his Molly and as soon as she saw him her eyes narrowed.

'Mr Holmes, we finally meet. I've heard a lot about you and I'll be honest, most of it hasn't been good.'

He gave her a rueful smile. 'I wouldn't have believed you had you said otherwise. Mrs Hooper I believe. I'm pleased to meet you. Do you want to come upstairs?'

He gestured her into the house but she waited in the hallway rather than going up.

'So, not only do you ruin my daughter's chance of happiness with Tom now you go and ruin her whole life by persuading her into this selfish scheme to have your child. I have to say that my opinion of you couldn't be lower. So why exactly can't you be with my daughter fully?'

Sherlock took a moment, biting back the desire to tell her to mind her own business. She was just looking out for her child and now he was a parent himself he could appreciate that sentiment.

'Listen, your daughter is...is very dear to me. I care a lot about her but my first commitment is to my work. I need to keep myself free from distraction and...'

'Bullshit. Free from distraction...you have a baby Mr Holmes that's the single biggest distraction that you are going to have for the rest of your life. Do you love my daughter?'

'I...I...don't know, maybe...but love isn't always enough.'

'It is if you want it to be. You do know that she's in love with you don't you...or are you not as good a detective as they say you are?'

He kept quiet at this, his lips drawn together in a tight line. How was she confounding him so badly? He could see exactly where Molly got the strength of character to slap him when he'd been high. He'd assumed it was from her dad but he saw now that he was wrong.

'If you can't be the man she needs you to be, the man she deserves, I suggest you stand aside and let someone who IS man enough take your place. Now, I would like to go and see my daughter and meet my grandson. I suggest you make yourself scarce...you aren't needed.'

She took herself off up the stairs and left Sherlock fuming to himself in the hallway. In the end he grabbed his coat off the hook and went for a walk, making his way down to Scotland Yard. It was about time he found himself a case.

It was three hours later when he finally found his way back home and he was relieved to find that Mrs Hooper had left half an hour earlier. Molly looked tired but thankfully Matthew was asleep in his cot giving them both a chance to unwind a little and chat.

'Hey, why didn't you stay when mum was here? I'm sure she would have liked to get to know you better.'

Sherlock snorted making Molly frown. 'Oh don't worry Molly, I think your mum feels she knows more than enough about me.'

Molly sighed and closed her eyes briefly. 'Oh God, what did she say? I'm so sorry Sherlock.'

He shook his head. 'Don't be. I'm glad she's looking out for you, she should, she's your mother. Anyway I'm sure she didn't say anything I didn't deserve to hear.'

Matthew awoke with a cry and a now familiar smell started to permeate through the front room and they both grimaced a little. Sherlock stood and went to pick him up. 'You rest, I'll change him. Then I'll tell you all about the case I've picked up from Lestrade, it's only a five but it should get me back in the game.

MHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMH

Molly watched Sherlock walk away with their son and she smiled to herself. She was honestly glad that he'd persuaded her to come back to Baker St where she'd have some help. Matthew had been quite an easy baby so far but she had been exhausted by the birth and all their visitors. Hopefully now it would get a bit quieter and they could settle into more of a routine.

The only thing she was sad about was that she hadn't been able to breastfeed. Her milk hadn't come in very well and after a few days of Matthew worryingly losing weight she had finally given in and used a bottle and although he'd took to it really well she couldn't help feeling like a bit of a failure.

Mary had reassured her when she'd came to visit with Rosie a week later. Telling her that it was quite common and even pointing out the advantage.

'You'll get your body back so much faster and don't forget the wine...you can drink again.'

Molly had rolled her eyes. 'Ugh, I can't imagine anything worse than a hangover with a baby. I think I'll pass.'

Mary had winked. 'It means Sherlock can have access to your boobs again.'

This had Molly giggling and shaking her head. 'Mary, you're incorrigible. Anyway, I don't think that's likely to happen. It's been a bit of an unspoken rule that the sex would end with the pregnancy. He's already been talking about "getting back to his old self" and "concentrating on his work". That's all code for thanks but no thanks Molly Hooper.'

Mary rolled her eyes. 'That man is a fool if he thinks this is all over. Just you wait Molly. A couple of weeks from now your libido will kick back in and I'm telling you right now you will climb him like a tree...he won't know what's hit him.'

This had Molly laughing outright.

'What? You don't think I'm right. You ask John what I was like.'

Molly carried on laughing. 'I shall do no such thing. Anyway, by then I'll probably be thinking of moving back home, I have to eventually. Toby's gonna hate it though, he seems to love it here...well, sleeping on Sherlock's bed at least.'

Mary looked at her sternly. 'Molly Hooper whatever you do do NOT leave here before the two of you have had sex. I mean it. Let me know when you do though and we can always put into place the next phase of the plan if we have to.'

Molly looked at her feeling very confused. 'Do you always have a plan for everything?'

'Trust me...always. Life's no fun without having a scheme or two running.'

She hadn't really thought that much about their conversation in the following days but bit by bit she started to notice herself obsessing over Sherlock and what he was or was not wearing. She'd find herself watching him as he moved about the flat, imagining herself peeling his clothes off him, pushing him down onto the settee and straddling him. She wanted to run her hands over him, lick him from neck to groin, take his cock into her mouth until she swallowed his come. With that final thought she closed her eyes and let out a muted groan. 'Oh God, Mary was right. This is killing me.'

He wandered back into the front room and Molly watched him, her eyes narrowing as she thought through all her options. Was she really considering seducing Sherlock Holmes?

The answer came back fast...yes, yes she was!

So, quite a lot to unpick. I hope those who wanted a girl aren't to disappointed. I always tend to pick a boy seeing as John had a girl (or maybe I'm biased as I have two boys myself). Then there was the visit from Mrs Hooper. I like strong women so love the idea of someone really giving Sherlock what for when it comes to Molly.

And last Molly's hormones are kicking in and she's ready to seduce him...hope you're all on board with that xx