Carly tosses her bag down near the door and flops onto the sofa. "Well? I want to hear everything, and I want the truth Mum."
"Alright...well...", Meredith sits with her on the sofa, turning towards her. "I told you how he was a soldier and how we met once he was released on honorable discharge because he was shot, and he recovered and such, and how he got cancer a few years later and we met right before he was diagnosed."
"Yes...but what else, what didn't you tell me?"
She sighs deeply and swallows. "Okay...your father was married a long long time before we ever met, and he has two other children. Obviously, they are older than you. I only met them briefly, as your Dad and I's relationship was still fairly new, even though he was sick. They were sweet. Molly and Matthew..."
"Molly...as in...oh my God, Mum!"
"Yes, as in Doctor Molly Hooper, the woman you must be training with. She's...your sister. Well, half-sister. You must realize though, that since your Dad and I were never able to get married because he died sooner than we both thought, there was no way for me to adopt them, and Molly was already eighteen at the time, so she took custody of Matthew. I honestly had no idea where they went after that. That's the truth. I had no clue that she worked at Bart's. They didn't really know me, hon. I wasn't going to just pop up and tell them that I had some sort of authority over them, because I didn't. Shortly after your dad died, I found out I was pregnant with you. I would've given anything for him to have met you. He would have adored you, Carly, just like he adored Molly and Matthew."
Carly tears up and looks at her hands, trying to process everything. Her mum scoots over and hugs her close, stroking her hair. "Your Daddy was the love of my life. I had never met a man so kind and so loving. I know he's looking out for all of you. He was an angel when he was alive, so I have no doubt that he is now too."
"They don't know...about...me...us.."
"I don't think they would have remembered me. And...no, they don't know about you. I'm sorry. I really did lose track of them after a bit. Like I told you, I wasn't their mother, and legally, I wasn't their step-mother either."
She nods and gently plays with the slightly worn engagement ring on her mum's finger. "I'm sorry he died...", she says quietly, sniffling.
Meredith tears up. "Me too sweetie. I miss him every day", she sniffs. Carly hugs her close and sighs softly.
"Hey Mum...?"
"Yes?"
"Would you ever date again?"
After a few moments of silence, she replies softly. "I don't think so. I don't think I would ever find anyone who could quite compare to him. Plus, even though he's been gone for a long time, I just...I think I would feel guilty. I still love him too much, I always will."
Carly nods quietly and hugs her tighter. "I hope I can find someone like that someday. I wish I knew him. Maybe if I get to know Molly, she can tell me more about him."
"I don't want to cause her a heart attack Carly, she doesn't know about us...I don't know if it's the best idea to just...tell her Dad had another child. She'd be shell-shocked."
"I'll figure it out..."
"Are you sure, Carly?"
"Mum, she's my sister. I've always wanted a sister, and apparently I have a brother too. It's important to me."
"I can understand that...okay. If she accepts it, maybe you can invite them over some time."
"Yeah, that would be nice."
{{ Mark laughs and pulls her close, peppering her with kisses. "Meredith Lawton, you are the most incredible girl I've ever met, you know that?"
She laughs in return and swats his chest playfully. "I am far from a girl, but thank you."
"Ah well, I think in some ways we are still young at heart. That's what matters right?"
"You're right, you're right", she chuckles and kisses his jaw playfully.
He grins and nuzzles her neck. "Thank You..."
"For what?"
"For staying, for loving me, for not...running when you realized I was sick and probably won't last."
"Any time I have with you is precious to me. You are an amazing man, Mark Declan Hooper. I'm so incredibly happy that you came into my life. You make me feel whole, happy, and loved. You being sick doesn't change that, it only makes me appreciate you more. That's the truth."
He smiles sadly and pulls her close against him, stroking her cheek. "I'm happy that you came into my life too Mer, I want us to be a family. I want my kids to have a mother they can depend on, to tell them that they deserve happiness and care. I want to have a wife I can trust with their lives and my life. I want you to feel appreciated too."
"I want nothing more, Mark; you make me feel appreciated every day and I can't wait to marry you. I know it's only a week away, and you're going to tell the kids. I'm actually glad we decided to go to town hall and have it small and intimate with just us and the kids. Hopefully they'll warm up to me because they seem like really sweet children. I know we've only been dating half a year, but...I do know without a shadow of a doubt that you're the man I'm meant to be with. I'd want this no matter what. Cancer or no. I love you with everything I am."
Mark kisses her tenderly and strokes her cheek, closing his eyes and suddenly trying to catch his breath. She hurriedly grabs his oxygen mask and places it over his face, trying to keep a straight face. "They'll love you...I love you too, so much", he whispers breathlessly as she places the mask on.
"I know you do; you've shown me over and over again. Just rest now, okay love?"
He nods slowly and cuddles her close to his chest, his eyes slipping closed. He removes the mask in the middle of the night, feeling a little better and placing a kiss to her head as she dozes on his chest. He pulls the blanket up closer to her shoulders and drifts back to sleep. The next day he is transported to the hospital having a lot of difficulty breathing, his lungs slowly giving out. Molly is in and out of his hospital room, sometimes alone and sometimes with Matty, kindly being polite to Meredith, not thinking they were that serious at the time, and her eighteen year old mind not quite focusing her attention on the context.
Very early the next morning, when nobody was within his dreary room, Mark D. Hooper, age forty-one, died helplessly, his lungs finally failing him. Of course his children were destroyed, and Meredith's heart was broken, mourning the loss of the love of her life, and the fact that she never got to marry him. It wasn't until six weeks later that it was mended just slightly, upon finding out she was pregnant with his third and final child. }}
The next day, Carly works alongside Molly again, this time meticulously watching her every move and having light conversation with her, never quite working up the nerve to bring up their heritage just yet, but making progress in having her as a sort of a confidante in the medical field. She speaks with her about Universities and programs she may enjoy when the time comes, Molly's input valuable seeing how renowned and awarded she is in her field.
Lady Smallwood huffs as she comes into Mycroft's office. "She's working with her now, Mycroft. Remember the student shadow program? Turns out she's following in her big sister's footsteps, literally. You've waited much too long, as I had warned you and now look. It has brought us here. You always said there were no such thing as coincidences and the world is rarely so lazy. It brought them together because you would not."
"Yes, yes, alright. You have made your point. I'll have to drop by Doctor Hooper's home and make the announcement after dinner."
"John Watson will be there tonight, they're having a friendly dinner to discuss the comings and goings of their lives."
"Mhh, it's quite possible he can prevent Sherlock, or even Molly from attacking me over the news. Probably best."
"Or he could join them."
"That's a chance I'll have to take, apparently."
She snickers. "Well, good luck with that, Mycroft."
John knocks on Molly's door and she greets him kindly, waving him inside. He smiles softly at her and then at Sherlock who is playing violin on the sofa, Toby curled up on his lap.
"Rosie at Mrs. Hudson's?"
"Yeah of course", John smiles softly. "So, Molly. You're looking well. I'm so glad you've made a full recovery."
"Yeah, well, physically anyway", she smiles slightly.
"Right. Is Ella helping you at all?"
"Oh, yeah. She's very sweet. She's helping me a lot, just er..."
"Nightmares..."
"Yeah, nightmares."
"I'm sorry Molly. Believe me I know, they suck. But hopefully they'll fade out eventually like they did for me. Plus, you have Sherlock now. I hope he's helping you. Isn't that right Sherlock?"
Sherlock stops playing and puts his violin away carefully, sauntering over to them. "Of course I am helping her John, she is my Molly."
Molly blushes a bit and looks up at him, smiling shyly. Sherlock smirks and kisses her cheek.
"God, I don't know when I'll get used to this!", John exclaims.
Sherlock chuckles in his deep baritone and places a hand on Molly's back.
"Oh! The chicken should be ready fairly soon. John, would you like a beer?"
"Oh yeah sure, that would be great Molly, thanks."
She smiles, "No problem." Molly goes to the kitchen and grabs one for John and one for Sherlock, who both thank her. "So, John, how is your dating life? Caroline is really sweet. I enjoyed getting to know her a little the last time she was here."
John grins and folds his hands, peering at them shyly. "Yeah, she's...she's great. Really. I mean...I never thought that I would find anyone that made me feel as...as good as Mary did", he says sadly. "It almost makes me feel guilty, but I know in my heart that Mary would want this for me, and for Rosie. She was just like that; selfless and sweet, so understanding."
Molly swallows the lump in her throat and looks at him. "John, you're right. Mary would want this for you. She told me that does want you to be happy, and she's thrilled that you found someone that puts a smile on your face again..."
Sherlock gives Molly a look that screams: "I thought you were going to lead into this and not blurt it out"
Sherlock clears his throat and blurts out, "Well, I think that's a discussion that needs a bit more time and much more backstory."
John looks from one to the other, confused. "Wait, Molly...what do you mean Mary told you...and Sherlock, what do you know about it, and how come I don't?"
Sherlock and Molly sigh in unison and look at John wearily. Molly speaks up first. "John, it's a long story, and pretty unbelievable...it's probably best if we save the story for after dinner."
"Molly, if this is regarding Mary, I want to hear it now."
Molly looks over at Sherlock for strength, and then plays with her fingers a bit. "Alright, that's fair. Well...it actually started when I...died..."
Two checks of the chicken and a half hour later, Molly finally finishes telling John all of the details about herself and Mary, and how incredible it is for her to even remember what it was like being a ghost or a spirit or whatever else they wanted to call it. Tears stream down John's face and Sherlock hands him a tissue.
John's voice trembles as he speaks. "She...she said all of those things? She's alright...with...Caroline? She's been keeping an eye on Rosie?"
Molly sniffles and nods softly. "Yes. She wants to be around to see your happiness, Rosie's happiness."
John looks down at his hands and sniffs, taking a breath. "I want her to find peace...I know that when she first died I was adamant to keep her alive in my mind and I was open to seeing...whatever I saw, but I do want her to find peace. I will always want that for her. I loved her; I still do. She's the mother of my daughter. I will always hold her inside my heart."
Sherlock looks a bit solemn and clears his throat. "I know she can hear you, John. Especially with everything Molly has said. I have no choice to believe that because Molly never fibs, and if she says it happened, it happened. Mary will be looking out for you, but I do agree that she deserves peace as well. I think we all do."
Molly nods and goes to the kitchen, taking the food out of the oven and plating everything. Sherlock comes up behind her and gently wraps his arms around her middle, setting his chin on her shoulder. "I know that was difficult... but thank you, for telling him. I think he really needed it."
She turns in his arms and places a soft kiss to his lips. "Me too. I'm glad to give him a little more closure."
"How was work today? I didn't really get a chance to ask, and I was so busy I couldn't stop by. I'm sorry...were you alright?"
Molly smiles softly and nods. "Yeah, I was okay today. Carly was really helpful. She's such a smart kid, I like working with her. I may just miss her when she goes back to class", she chuckles.
Sherlock chuckles and kisses her cheek. "That's good then, I suppose." He helps her bring the food to the table and grabs the wine from the rack, popping the cork open and pouring some for all three of them as they sit down to eat.
Tom paces in his cell, sighing and leaning against the wall, his head hung low. He has one more day to go until his release. Hearing word that his cousin has skipped the country, he feels an aura of relief, hoping against hope that he will be able to finally turn his life around and leave all the crime, murder, blood, gore, and destruction in the past and become a normal citizen of London like the general public. Maybe, just maybe, he could even find another woman like Molly Hooper to have a real life with. All he craves is redemption, and he is so thankful when news floated around about Molly's miraculous survival. There was a true part of him that loved her, but he would never disturb her again simply because of that. Well, that, and the fact that she was finally with the man she truly loved: Sherlock Holmes.
Miranda comes home from work, a bit tired and ready to put on her pajamas. As he enters her flat, Matty is there and he gives her one of his sweet handsome grins that always lightens up her mood. "Hey you!"
"Hey", she returns the smile and gives him a peck on the lips. "I'm going to shower and throw on some pajamas, okay?"
"Yeah, I actually made dinner so it should be ready when you get out of the shower. How does pork chops sound?"
"Ooh, sounds great. Honestly, I'm starved so I think anything would sound amazing right now anyway", she chuckles.
He nods and gently pulls her close, rubbing her back and giving her a soft, lingering kiss, which she eagerly returns.
"Mmm, go on and I'll get everything ready."
Miranda smiles at him lovingly. "Okay babe, thanks for making dinner, that was really sweet of you."
"Any time." He winks and goes back to the kitchen to finish checking on dinner.
Mira goes upstairs and showers quickly, changing into lounge clothes. When she goes downstairs, she notices the lights are dimmed and she smiles, peeking into the kitchen and dining area. She sees the table all set and there are candles and flowers on it, their dinners set out. Suddenly she feels his arms snake around her middle from behind and a gentle kiss on the side of her neck. "Do you like it?"
"Oh Matty, it's beautiful", she says softly, turning towards him and stroking his cheek. "Thank You"
Matty nuzzles her nose gently and kisses her softly. "No need to thank me. I wanted to. You deserve it." He escorts her to her chair and pulls it out for her then helps her push in and sits himself down, smiling cutely at her before they dig into their meals.
When they are full and all the dishes are cleaned, Matt takes her hand and leads her into the sitting room, as she gazes at him, slightly confused. He bites his lip and turns on the stereo, which plays soft classical music, then pulls her close in his arms and begins to dance with her.
"Matty...", she whispers and peers up at him.
"Yes, my love?"
Mira looks into his eyes and strokes his cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too. More than time or distance or challenge. Nothing will ever stop me from being in love with you; not ever."
She tears up and nuzzles his nose gently, swaying with him to the music and taking in the comforting feeling of being united with him, even if it's just for the moment.
Mrs. Hudson chuckles as she cleans up Rosie from her dinner. The little girl was the sweetest, but she makes some pretty big messes. However, it's no different than cleaning up after customers when she was under-staffed at Speedy's, so it was no issue for her. Rosie grins, chocolate covering her face and hands from the special chocolate cupcake Martha had promised her if she ate up all of her grilled cheese like a good girl. She squeals happily and shows her messy hands to her. "Uh-oh!", she giggles. "Choc-it!"
Martha laughs gently and wipes down her hands with a warm, damp dishcloth. "Yes, I see that Rosie, you are such a chocolate mess, aren't you? You must have really liked your cupcake!"
Rosie nods happily and smiles adorably before her face is cleaned up just as her hands were a moment before.
"Well, let's change you for bed, hmm sweetie pie? I'm sure your dad will be grateful if you are in your little onesie before he gets back from Aunt Molly's house. I'm just grateful that none of it landed up in your pretty curls for once."
She giggles and raises her arms to Martha, allowing her to slip her out of the portable highchair that she can store in her large kitchen closet. She almost immediately cuddles close to her, laying her little head on her shoulder, enjoying the smell of "Hudders" light perfume, the one that smelled like safety and of calmness. Martha carries her over to her room and changes her, then slips her soft, fuzzy, footie onesie. It's Rosie's absolute favorite: Pale pink throughout with little flower vines embroidered on the sleeves and violet feet to keep hers warm at night as she lay in her crib.
"There we go Miss Rosie. All cuddled up warm for the night", Mrs. Hudson smiles fondly at how small she looks on the big bed.
Rosie grins cutely and pulls her feet up to her head, rolling around on the bed and giggling. Martha laughs softly and scoops her up. "Come on now, before you get hurt and fall off. Why don't we go and read some stories? Would you like that?"
Rosie nods and points to the array of books she has in her sitting room. "'ook!"
Mrs. Hudson chuckles, "well those ones are a bit too old for you yet silly, but your Daddy packed a few for you. Let's start with those." She takes them out and sits on her sofa with her, cuddling the tiny girl into her side as she begins to read.
John sets his utensils onto his plate and wipes his mouth. "Wow Molly, you can really cook. Dinner was fantastic."
Molly blushes and smiles softly. "Thank you, John. That's very kind of you to say."
"She really can, I've only noticed that recently myself. She can bake too. She may even get me fat at some point", Sherlock chuckles. "You know, despite my /remarkable/ metabolism", he smirks, and John rolls his eyes, scoffing.
"Cock."
"Yeah, I know." He laughs and gets up, assisting Molly with the dishes. After a few minutes Sherlock straightens up and a look of annoyance crosses his face.
Molly squints a bit, curiously. "Sherlock?"
"Mycroft is here. What the hell is he doing here!?"
Molly bites her lip. "Well, I'm not sure, but it must be important, don't you think?"
"It's always /important/ in his book, and I am not in the mood for his games. I never am, frankly."
John sighs and places the last dish in the dishwasher. "He is a bit much to handle, but then again it runs in the family."
Sherlock snarls a bit in frustration and advances to the door quickly, flinging it open to see Mycroft on the stoop, leaning on his umbrella, his finger hovering over the doorbell.
"For God's sake Mycroft, stop loitering by the door and get it over with. The quicker you express your unnecessary verbiage, the faster we can get you back out the door."
Mycroft strides inside the home, taking a look around. "Well, it's about time you've taken up residence at a much nicer location, little brother. Albeit, you're not alone anymore."
"Yes, yes, yes. Spill it."
"Unfortunately, brother mine, this is a conversation that needs to be held with care, and is, however alarming to you, not even regarding you. I've come to speak with Doctor Hooper."
"Why? What do you want with Molly?" Sherlock gently pulls Molly to his side and she looks up at Mycroft, a bit shocked as well.
John furrows his brow and speaks up. "Now, what kind of game are you playing Mycroft? Seeing if Molly is a good enough match for Sherlock? Playing big brother? I think that's a bit humiliating don't you think? Even you know that Molly is a remarkable woman, and if there is anyone that Sherlock could possibly thrive with, it's her."
"Please, Doctor Watson. Don't you think I know that? We experienced the same sight, and sounds, all those months ago. No, I've come, as I said, on a sensitive matter that pertains to Doctor Hooper and her family only. So, if you two don't mind..." Mycroft motions for John and Sherlock to leave the room.
Molly crosses her arms. "Mycroft, Sherlock is my family. And so is John now, I am his daughter's godmother. Anything you have to speak with me about can be spoken about with them present. I assure you."
Mycroft sighs and motions them towards the sitting room. "Fine", he says bitterly. "But this is not a pleasant thing for me to come out with so you must bear with me."
They all sit around and look at him expectedly. Sherlock tightens his jaw. "Why the hell do I get the feeling you are about to say something that is nearly as big as when you finally came to me about Eurus?" he snaps.
"Unfortunately blud, it's quite similar. I suppose the backstory should come first. Well...without saying why, as it is extremely confidential, the British Government became interested in the Hooper Family back when Molly's mother was in the picture, and her father was in active duty. From there we kept an eye on them."
Sherlock wraps an arm around Molly's shoulder, knowing that speak of her mother is an extremely sore spot for her, due to the abuse, and her father is due to the loss.
Mycroft takes a slow breath. "I suppose this is where this long-winded story begins..."