Monday, 1st July

It was nine o'clock in the morning, and Sherlock looked around the sitting room as Martha Hudson made her goodbyes to Molly and Victoria.

The past week had gone very fast. With Molly on night shift, mornings after she returned home had been spent in shopping for mostly kitchen items like new glassware, crockery and cutlery, as well as a shiny new set of pots and pans. The ones at Baker Street had been a hodgepodge of various saucepans that actually belonged to Mrs. Hudson, and a few which Molly had brought to Baker Street when she had moved in. They had decided this would be a good opportunity to buy new things to go along with the new home.

They had also bought new bathroom items to go with the decor of the bathroom in the new house. Molly had enjoyed herself in these pursuits far more than Sherlock. As far as he was concerned, a towel was a towel. As long as it dried his body properly, he didn't care what colour it was or whether it matched the decor. Being a dutiful husband, however, and always willing to indulge his pregnant wife, Sherlock trotted from one shop to the next, agreeing with Molly on whatever she liked. The only time he had to venture an opinion of his own was when she specifically requested he make a choice.

Thankfully, there had been no need to take Victoria with them on these outings. Martha had been only too glad to spend whatever time she could with Victoria, knowing that her services would be required less often after the move.

Sherlock had spent his afternoons, while Molly was sleeping, in looking after Victoria and packing up the rest of what was to be moved to the new house. He had also put the new purchases into cardboard boxes.

Now, these boxes were neatly stacked by the door, awaiting transport to their new home.

Sherlock had made three trips to the new house himself while Martha watched Victoria, in order to oversee the delivery of the new bed on one day, the bedroom furniture on the following day, and two days later, the fridge, washing machine and dryer.

The moving van was due at any moment to transport the furniture and the boxes.

The flat didn't look empty of course, many things were staying put, but shelves were definitely barer. The television and other portable furniture and electronic items were close to the entrance, ready to be moved as well.

The elderly landlady let out a huge sob, startling Sherlock from his quiet survey of the room.

"Martha, we are not leaving, really." He laid a hand on the distraught woman's shoulder. "As I've said before, I will be back here frequently with client consultations, and we will visit often as well."

Martha looked up at him as tears flowed down her cheeks. "I know, dear, but it simply won't be the same. I've always enjoyed bringing up extra food for you, and I know how you appreciate my scones. It is going to be terribly quiet around here, especially at night time."

Sherlock felt a stab of guilt. He hadn't really thought about how using the flat just as a day time consulting room would mean that his landlady no longer had anyone nearby at night. "I'm so sorry. I feel it has been rather selfish of us to retain the tenancy of the flat when you could have leased it to someone else."

Molly too looked distinctly uncomfortable, and Sherlock realised she too had not considered how quiet it would be for Martha once they were gone.

Victoria, seeming to pick up on the feelings of the surrounding adults, began to cry.

"It's okay, lovey," said Martha, "Nanny will be just fine." She looked at Sherlock again. "Sherlock, I would rather see you and your family here every now and again than lease the flat to anyone new. It will just take some getting used to, that's all. When you were gone for those two years, and John left soon afterwards, I managed without any tenants, and I was not expecting to ever see you again. At least this time I know you will be here regularly."

Sherlock bent and kissed her cheek. "Thank you, Martha. As soon as our house is somewhat in order, you will have to come for a visit."

He heard a loud knock on the door downstairs as he spoke. The moving men had arrived.

John was expected soon as well. He had offered to drive Sherlock, Molly and Victoria to their new home, ahead of the moving van, once things had been loaded.

Three hours later, Sherlock and Molly were busy unpacking various items while Victoria was in her playpen. This was the first thing Sherlock had made sure was accessible, along with a box of toys, so she could be kept occupied while her parents worked.

Once the furniture had been put in the proper places, John helped Sherlock re-assemble the cot and put it upstairs in the room which was to be Victoria's. Sherlock had been grateful for his best friend's help before he headed back home.

Molly was in the kitchen, putting away things in cupboards. She had suggested she take care of it, and Sherlock had agreed. The kitchen was primarily Molly's domain, so it made sense that she put things where she wanted them.

Sherlock set up the television and Blu-ray player as he listened to, as usual, Victoria playing discordant sounds on her xylophone when she pressed two notes at once. At least she was keeping herself amused, he thought, although he would much rather have been listening to some nice, classical music.

He opened a box containing framed photos, including his favourite wedding photo, which was of him and Molly standing together in Hyde Park in front of a tree, with his arms wrapped around her from behind. He placed that in the middle on the mantel and set other framed pictures on either side of it - ones with him and Molly, ones with Victoria, as well as a family photo from their wedding.

"Sherlock," called Molly from the vicinity of the kitchen, "why don't you bring Victoria in now, it's well past lunch, and I've made us some sandwiches."

"I'll be right there," he called back, then scooped up Victoria, noting that she needed to be changed. He wrinkled his nose but decided to take care of it for once, seeing as Molly had been getting their food ready. "On second thought, give me a couple minutes to change Victoria."

The changing bag was in the room already, and he pulled out what he needed from it, changed Victoria and carried her to the kitchen, holding the dirty nappy gingerly so he could follow Molly's advice about throwing the solid little lump of poo down the toilet.

Molly glanced at him and took Victoria to put her in her high chair while Sherlock completed his task, then washed his hands.

"Thanks, honey." Molly kissed his cheek. "I'm proud of you for voluntarily changing her dirty nappy this time."

Sherlock shrugged. "You had been getting lunch ready. It was the least I could do."

Molly indicated the kitchen counter on which were two plates with sandwiches and two cups of tea. Fortunately, there were two stools that had not been removed by the previous owners.

"We should probably go out tomorrow and look again for a dining table," said Molly, as she placed a bib around Victoria's neck and put a plate in front of her that had a piece of bread with butter and jam that she had cut into small pieces for their daughter to eat.

"And sitting room furniture as well," said Sherlock. "Hopefully we will have better luck next time." The only sitting room furniture they had taken with them was Molly's yellow armchair, having decided that the sofa should remain for clients, and of course, Sherlock's favourite chair had to stay at Baker Street; it was a fixture there. There had just not been enough time to go out a second time looking for that furniture.

Molly sat beside him and picked up her sandwich. "Just as well they left us these stools, or we'd have nowhere to sit."

He smirked, taking up his own sandwich. "At least we have the most important article of furniture - our bed."

Molly grinned back at him. "Speaking of which, I need to make the bed too." She took a bite of her sandwich.

They continued to talk in between sips of tea and bites of their sandwiches. "So, did you place everything in the kitchen to your satisfaction?" he asked.

"I did. I actually had a lot of fun figuring out where to put everything. How about you?"

"Television is set up as is the Blu-ray player. I unpacked our photos and put them on the mantel and also put some books on the built-in shelves. The room will look a lot better though, once we have more furniture in it. Your armchair looks a little lonely."

After they had finished their lunch, Sherlock could see that Victoria was almost falling asleep in her high chair. "Why don't you go and make the bed and I'll get Victoria cleaned up and put her down for a nap?"

"Sounds like a plan." Molly rose to get plates and cups over to the dishwasher. Sherlock could see the smile on her face as she put them inside. A dishwasher was certainly a nice perk to the new house. Then she gave him a rueful smile. "We won't be able to use in until we buy tablets for it though."

"We can explore the area later, see what's nearby," he said, as they walked upstairs together.

Sherlock laid Victoria gently into her cot, and her eyes opened suddenly, looking around the unfamiliar room. Tears welled in her eyes and she began to cry. "No, Dada."

Sherlock stroked her forehead and bent to kiss it. "It's okay, sweet pea. Daddy's here." He knew it must be frightening for her to be in a new place, even though she was in her cot. She was too young to understand that this would be their new home. He just hoped she would get used to it quickly.

He sang Brahms' Lullaby as he often did when Victoria was unsettled, and before long her eyes closed and she went to sleep. That was when he realised the baby monitor, which was in the changing bag, still needed to be set up.

He left the room quietly, leaving the door open and walked along the passage to the master bedroom.

Molly had made the bed and was putting clothes away in drawers. "I heard you singing to Victoria to get her to sleep," she said, closing a drawer and walking towards him. "I hope she gets used to being here quickly. I'm finding it rather surreal myself."

Sherlock put his arms around her to draw her close to him. "I can think of a way to make it more real." His lips quirked. "How about we break in this new bed?"

She looked at him coyly. "We have been working hard. I'm definitely up for a little relaxation."

He grinned at her. "That should be my line, although I'm not sure relaxation is exactly the right word. It might be rather more energetic than that." He moved his body against hers suggestively and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

Molly gave a little sigh of contentment as her hands came up to curl around his neck.

He moved her backward until the back of her legs were against the bed. Sherlock noted idly that the bed was slightly higher than the old one. He released Molly so they could climb onto the bed together and resume kissing.

When kissing was not enough, they took their time, removing one another's clothes. Sherlock looked in fascination at Molly's belly when it was exposed. For the first time with this pregnancy he could clearly see the way her abdomen had begun to swell, and he laid his hand on it, rubbing gently. "Hi, little one," he whispered, moving his head close to speak to the baby in her womb. Then he kissed it. He felt Molly's hand stroking his own head, and he looked up at her. "You're even more beautiful when you're pregnant."

Molly gave him a seductive look through her eyelashes. "Then I suggest you prove it before Victoria wakes from her nap."

He smiled and kissed his way up her abdomen, paying attention to one breast, then the other. He continued to her neck and finally back to her lips.

His one hand, however, travelled a different path, bringing out all those little moans and whimpers from Molly he loved to hear that heightened his own desire. It was immensely satisfying to know he was the one who could thrill her senses even as she thrilled his.

And when their bodies joined together, he unleashed his own passion until they were both panting and breathless from the experience.

They lay together afterwards for a few minutes until their breathing regulated once more.

"Now I have to make the bed again," said Molly with a pout after they rose and dressed again.

The bedcovers did indeed look a little rumpled, but all things considered, Sherlock was quite pleased with the new bed and mattress. Yes, he thought with satisfaction, it should hold up quite nicely for the next few years. "I'll help you make the bed." It was only fair, he had contributed to its current state.

After this had been done, Sherlock went to get the video monitor, and he set it up quietly in Victoria's room, then joined Molly in doing more unpacking.

Sherlock checked his phone to see what grocery stores might be nearby. He couldn't use his laptop as the internet was only being connected the next day.

"There's a Sainsbury's nearby," he told Molly. "Once Victoria is up from her nap, we can head there and buy some things to restock the fridge." They had been trying to use up as much as possible of the refrigerated items at Baker Street, so less would need to be transported.

"That sounds good. It's going to be strange to learn the layout of a new supermarket. I'm so used to going to Tesco."

Sherlock nodded. "It will definitely take some getting used to. We will have to start looking for a car soon so that you can just drive to the supermarket when necessary."

Molly pursed her lips. "Goodness, that is going to be strange as well. I haven't driven since our honeymoon."

A wail came from the monitor which Sherlock had placed in front of them on the kitchen island where they were sitting as they drank cups of tea.

Molly took a last sip of her tea and rose to bring their daughter downstairs.

Sherlock finished his own cup and put both in the dishwasher. Ah yes, we must remember dishwasher tablets, he thought as he closed the door of the dishwasher.

Fifteen minutes later they were outside, and Sherlock hailed a taxi, instructing the driver to take them to Sainsbury's.

Sherlock really didn't care for shopping, especially food shopping, but he had learned it was part of being a married man, that he could no longer live on take-away and Mrs. Hudson's offerings. Usually, though, Molly was the one to do the shopping because she actually enjoyed browsing the supermarket and looking for what was on sale that week.

On this occasion, however, Sherlock pushed the shopping trolley around with Victoria while Molly carefully inspected every aisle, trying to learn where different things were for future reference. Every now and then, she'd pick something up, toilet paper, tissues, everyday essentials.

"Don't forget the dishwasher tablets," Sherlock said when they reached the aisle with kitchen cleaning products, and he had seen Molly pick up some Fairy washing up liquid.

"Oh, thanks for reminding me," Molly said, looking at the various items and selecting some Finish tablets.

In the snacks aisle, Molly looked at Sherlock. "What do you say we buy some smoky bacon crisps? I think the house should never be without them."

Sherlock grinned, recalling their honeymoon and that lovely sexy outdoor episode involving smoky bacon crisps. "Go ahead. I think Victoria will enjoy those too."

After an hour, Sherlock was getting bored, and Victoria was beginning to protest her extended stay in the shopping trolley.

"Come on, Molly. If we don't get finished soon, our daughter is going to get very vocal."

Molly stood up from where she had been inspecting something-or-other - probably comparing prices on two different things to find the best value, that was definitely a Molly thing to do. "Okay, you're right. I think we have everything we need for now, anyway."

They headed for the checkout with their rather laden shopping trolley.

When it was their turn, the young cashier, whose name tag read Brittany, asked, "Do you have a NECTAR card?"

"I'm afraid not," answered Molly. "We've just moved into the area."

"Well, you can apply for it online. You'll be able to use it for points here, in some petrol garages and other places."

"I'll do that," said Molly.

The cashier's eyes suddenly widened as she noticed Sherlock unloading some things onto the conveyor. "Oh my God, I know who you are! Sherlock Holmes, shopping in our Sainsbury's!"

Sherlock suddenly wished he had worn dark sunglasses and put on a beanie, but that would have looked ridiculous in summer. It was hard to go around incognito when he was so well known. He put a finger to his lips. "Please, don't tell everyone. We'd just like to shop like regular people."

Brittany immediately lowered her voice. "Oh, I understand. I wouldn't like being recognised by everyone either. Your daughter is so cute! If you ever need a babysitter, I love kids, and I'm available most evenings. I live just a few streets from here." She began to scan the items.

"Thank you, we'll bear that in mind, Brittany," answered Sherlock. It might be nice to have someone local who could watch Victoria if an unexpected need arose, or he and Molly wanted to just enjoy a private evening together alone, he reflected.

"What bags would you like for your shopping?" asked Brittany of Molly. "We have our 'bags for life' which are 10p each or did you just want paper ones?"

Molly looked at Sherlock, who shrugged.

"I think we'll buy the bags, especially if we are going to come here regularly in future," she said.

Sherlock swapped places with Molly so he could put the shopping in the bags after they were scanned, and a few minutes later, they were out of Sainsbury's

Sherlock breathed a sigh of relief and headed for the nearest cab on the side of the road.

The helpful cabbie assisted him to put the bags in the boot while Molly got into the back with Victoria.

Fifteen minutes later they were home and unpacking the new items.

Molly put some sausage rolls and chips into one of the two inbuilt ovens for dinner and then cooked some peas on the ceramic cooktop which was situated on the kitchen island.

He had to grin at Molly's excitement when, just before dinner was ready, she put a glass under the dispenser for crushed ice for her drink. She had wanted an ice maker so badly when they had been at Baker Street and had purchased a new fridge, but it had not been practical to run a water line for it as the fridge was far from the sink. Sherlock had promised her a fridge with an ice maker when they bought a home of their own, and fortunately, a water line was already present for their new fridge to produce ice.

"Would you like crushed ice for your Coke as well?" she asked Sherlock, standing by the dispenser with his glass. "Or cubed?"

"Crushed would be great, sweetheart," he responded, grinning at her.

Sherlock put Victoria in her high chair as Molly brought out the sausage rolls and chips from the oven and set the trays on tea towels on the kitchen island, and he gave her a tiny piece of crushed ice from his glass.

"Sherlock, don't give her ice! It's not good for her teeth!" He heard the scolding tone in Molly's voice as she looked over at him from her place in front of the cooktop, where she was spooning a serving of peas onto their plates.

Sherlock thought it rather ironic that Molly had been happily crunching on ice herself from her own glass. "If you can do it, why can't she?"

Molly rolled her eyes. "Sometimes you say the most ridiculous things, Sherlock. Victoria doesn't have adult molars like we do, and ice is too cold for her to be crunching on."

Sherlock didn't really think that was a satisfactory reason to deny Victoria the pleasure of some ice crunching, or at least sucking, but he wasn't about to argue over something so trivial. He'd just slip Victoria ice chips when Molly wasn't around. "Very well, no more ice for our daughter."

"Thank you." Molly walked to him and kissed him to thank him for agreeing. Sherlock was always happy to agree with things when it meant kisses from his wife.

Molly returned to the kitchen island to cut up a sausage roll and some chips into little pieces for Victoria, along with a little bowl of peas. Sherlock rose to put sausage rolls and chips onto their own plates to join the peas.

Once Molly had set Victoria's plastic plate and bowl in front of her, Sherlock and Molly also sat on the kitchen bar stools to eat.

"I feel bad that I haven't done much work on the play lately," said Molly as they ate.

"I think you can be forgiven for having more pressing matters to attend to," Sherlock told her. "Besides, you did manage to put together copies of the play and arrange for a first run-through this coming Sunday afternoon, and I distributed them at church yesterday. I also called Greg to ask him to come, and he said he'd be there. Philip Anderson and Martha are also coming."

"I have a feeling these next months are going to pass quickly, because we have so much going on."

"Undoubtedly. For now though, let's take it one day at a time. After dinner, you can sign up for the NECTAR card, and I will look for places for us to visit and look at furniture tomorrow. I might also see about nearby car dealerships so we can look on Saturday, once I've researched the kind of vehicle we would like."

"What about making some appointments with clients?"

"I guess I can do that too. At the very least, I'll make sure to go back to Baker Street with Victoria too, see how Martha is doing."

After dinner and cleanup, Sherlock and Molly went into the front room. Victoria was deposited in her playpen, and Molly perched on Sherlock's lap in the yellow armchair as they used their phones.

Sherlock wished he'd thought to get the BT people out earlier to connect the internet. He really disliked using his phone for research, even though he had enlarged the text font on it almost two years ago, as Molly had also done recently with her own. She was still firmly in denial about needing reading glasses, but he knew it was only a matter of time until she accepted the fact that she needed them.

Tasks accomplished for the day, and Victoria settled into her cot once more, which again took some time due to the unfamiliar house, Sherlock and Molly also retired to bed for their first night in their new home.

Sherlock took Molly into his arms and nuzzled her neck. "So, shall we celebrate our successful moving day with some passionate lovemaking in our new home?"

Molly gave him an impish look. "I thought we did that this afternoon."

"Afternoons don't count, they are merely bonuses." He caressed the side of her face.

Molly heaved a dramatic sigh. "Well then, I suppose I shall have to allow you your marital rights, my husband."

"How gracious of you, fair wife," he responded, always willing to do a little role-playing.

He proceeded to kiss her until they were both breathless and ready to move onwards to the main event.

Afterwards, fatigued from their exertions but extremely content, they slept snuggled together in the new bed of their new house.

Author's note: A note of thanks to an English Sherlolly shipper who offered a lot of help with the Sainsbury's portion of this chapter (including the NECTAR card and shopping bags info).

So, finally, Sherlock and Molly are in their new home! If you have ever moved house, you'll know what an immense project it is. Are you like Molly, who enjoys shopping, or Sherlock, who does not?

As usual, any feedback you might have for this chapter is very welcome. I thought about putting a note at the beginning that the love scene might merit a hard T, but when I re-read it, there's really nothing that could offend anyone in the way I wrote the love scene - at least, I hope not.