Saturday, 6th July 2019
"Thanks for coming, Mum." Molly gave her mother a hug as she entered the house.
"Glad to help. Besides, I want to see the new house. Will you give me a tour before you and Sherlock leave?" Molly's mum looked around. "Where is Victoria anyway?"
"Sherlock's just getting her cleaned up after breakfast."
"And how are you feeling? You're looking good." Mrs. Hooper looked down at Molly's abdomen. "I do believe you are starting to show. Are you over the morning sickness?"
Molly smiled and rubbed her baby bump. "My trousers are certainly not fitting as well these days, I'll have to switch to my maternity ones soon. I'm feeling fine, haven't been sick in a while now. Did you want to see the scan pictures of the baby? They're on the fridge."
"Of course, darling."
Before they headed to the kitchen, Molly indicated the front room.
"Looks a little bare," was her mother's comment.
"Sherlock and I went out furniture shopping on Tuesday. We ordered a new sofa and armchairs. I'll be putting my old yellow armchair upstairs after that in Victoria's bedroom."
She ushered her mother towards the kitchen. "We also ordered a dining table and chairs. The new furniture will be coming later next week. In the meantime, we have a couple of bar stools here at the kitchen island that the previous owners left behind for us."
"Good morning, Ruth," said Sherlock as he lifted Victoria out of her high chair.
"Good morning to you," she responded, then looked at Victoria. "And how is my dear grandbaby doing?"
"Nanny!" Victoria reached her arms out for Molly's mother.
Mrs. Hooper kissed her granddaughter. "Mummy is just going to show me your new house and then we can spend hours and hours together."
Molly took the scan photos from the fridge and showed them to her mother. "I know you can't see much, but there's our baby," she said, unable to keep a note of pride from her voice as her mother looked at the images and smiled.
For the next few minutes, Molly showed her mother the house. Mrs. Hooper exclaimed over the lovely modern kitchen, the size of the house and its 5 bedrooms, and the roof terrace that was outside the fifth bedroom. "Well, you certainly have room for more children if you want more than two," she commented, eyeing Molly.
Molly grinned. "We aren't ruling that out. We wanted to make sure we had a house big enough to accommodate several children as well as give Sherlock a place to use for an office where he can have peace and quiet if he is working on a case."
They walked back downstairs and found Sherlock sitting in the armchair in the front room, reading a book to Victoria who was on his lap.
"I'll take over for you," offered Molly's mum.
Sherlock stood and handed over the book and Victoria. "We won't be too far away," he said. "We're going to a car dealership in Hampstead."
Molly's mum smiled at him. "Take as long as you need. I haven't had a chance to spoil my granddaughter for a while, so I'm looking forward to spending time with her."
Molly and Sherlock kissed Victoria goodbye and took a taxi to the car dealership Sherlock had found.
As soon as they entered the showroom, they were approached by an employee.
Sherlock and Molly had already prepared themselves by looking online at cars and had a reasonable idea of what they were looking for.
"Can I help you, sir? Madam?" The man asked politely.
"Yes," answered Sherlock. "My wife and I have been looking at cars online, and we are interested in the Volkswagen Golf Estate. We would like to take one for a test drive."
"Certainly. Are you looking at a manual or automatic transmission?"
Sherlock and Molly looked at one another. This was something they had not discussed. "Could we try both?" Molly asked.
"Of course."
"Why don't you start with a manual, and then I'll drive the automatic?" Suggested Sherlock.
Molly nodded.
The car salesman, whose name badge said Arthur, returned with the keys to a manual transmission car, and Molly went behind the wheel while Sherlock sat in the back seat.
Arthur directed her on a route that was obviously used for test drives. It felt strange, being behind the wheel again after so long. She was amazed at all the advances in technology that were standard on cars nowadays. As she drove, Arthur asked, "Will you be parking on or off the street?"
Molly glanced briefly at him. "Unfortunately, our new home only has on-street parking."
"In that case, may I recommend the Estate R? That model comes with Driver Assistance as part of the standard features which will make parallel parking easier."
"That's good to know." Molly glanced in the rear view mirror at Sherlock, who nodded as well. They had already discussed the merits of having a vehicle with those features.
"What did you think?" asked Sherlock when they were back at the dealership and Arthur had left them to get a key for a car with an automatic transmission.
"It was lovely. The handling was smooth, but I have to admit, changing gears constantly because of the traffic was a bit annoying."
Sherlock nodded. "That's why I thought it would be prudent to try an automatic transmission as well. I think it might be worth the extra cost." He looked at Molly with a smirk. "Besides, with an automatic transmission I could keep one hand on the wheel and the other holding your hand."
Molly giggled. "That's not a valid reason for choosing an automatic."
He raised a brow. "Why not? I happen to like holding your hand."
She dimpled at him. "I like holding yours too."
A few minutes later, Molly was in the back seat of another car, while Sherlock drove this time.
As he drove, Arthur talked about the merits of the automatic transmission. "The beauty of this car is that it has a DSG, which is Direct Shift Gearbox transmission. That makes the gear-shifting faster than a regular automatic. There's another added bonus with a DSG called the 'hill hold' feature. That helps prevent the car from rolling back if you are on a hill. When you take your foot off the brake to press on the accelerator, it keeps the brake applied for two seconds, preventing the car from rolling back."
"That is an excellent feature, not that we have many hills to worry about in London," commented Sherlock.
"But if we were to drive to your parents in Sussex, I'm sure it would be useful," put in Molly.
"True."
Back at the dealership once again, Sherlock looked at Molly while Arthur returned the key. "I must say, I very much enjoyed the automatic transmission. The car was very responsive to the lightest touch. I do not believe a manual transmission would have done any better."
"So we get the GSD one then."
"DSG, love. Just remember, Direct Shift Gearbox."
Molly giggled "Yeah, that one."
Arthur returned. "So, which did you prefer - the manual or automatic?"
"The GSD," catching Sherlock's rolled eyes, she amended it to, "I mean, the DSG one."
Arthur beamed. "The one your husband drove is actually a Golf Estate R. You could drive it off the lot today if all your paperwork is in order."
Molly pursed her lips and looked over at Sherlock before addressing the salesman. "I don't really fancy a black car. Are there any other colours available here?"
Arthur scratched his head. "We have a red one."
"Not red," said Sherlock firmly.
"I can look on the computer for you. You just need to tell me what colour or colours interest you, and we can check what is available."
Sherlock nodded. "That would be acceptable."
The salesman ushered them to his desk, and Sherlock and Molly sat down. "Also, are there any extra features you would like that are not standard?" He handed them a brochure.
Sherlock and Molly looked at the brochure. "I do not think any extra features are necessary," said Sherlock. "Is there anything else you think we should add?" he asked Molly.
"I'm happy with the way it comes too." She looked at the colours. "I like the silver or blue metallic."
"I concur."
Arthur tapped in a few keys on his computer. "We do have both available at other dealerships in the London area."
Sherlock crossed his legs casually. "Excellent. Now, I think we should discuss the price. Obviously, I am not going to pay the price you have listed. I would like to negotiate."
Molly listened in awe as her husband explained that they would be paying by cheque which would be much easier than having to arrange financing. He explained that if he was not satisfied with the price, they would be happy to go elsewhere. He also explained that he was sure the dealership would love to use his name in saying they had sold him a car.
Molly couldn't help smiling at this. If it would get them a better price on a car, she wouldn't complain about Sherlock using his fame. After all, they did have a mortgage now.
Molly didn't interrupt, merely listened.
By the end of the negotiations, the two men had come to a deal and shook hands.
"So, which vehicle would you prefer? The one with silver or blue paint? We can have either one here for you on Tuesday."
Sherlock smiled. "I'll let my wife decide that one."
Molly thought for a moment. The dark blue was lovely, but would probably show dirt more than the silver. "Let's go with the silver," she said. Even as she said it, she could hardly believe they were buying a car! It was all rather exciting.
"Before you pick up the car, we will need proof of insurance," Arthur said, after Sherlock had written out a cheque for the deposit. The balance would be due upon pickup.
"We will make sure that is arranged. I will call you on Monday with the details of the insurance agency we will be using," Sherlock responded.
He took Molly's hand as they left the dealership. "It's past lunchtime. Should we go have a bite to eat before we head home?"
"Sure. Let me just text my mum that we are going to do that."
Molly pulled out her phone and sent a quick text.
Well, we've bought a car and will be picking it up on Tuesday! We are going to go out now for a late lunch. How are things with Victoria?
Molly kept her phone out as Sherlock flagged down a taxi.
"Take us to an area near here with lots of restaurants," he instructed the cabbie.
Molly's text alert sounded while they were in the taxi.
Congratulations, darling, your first car! Victoria and I are doing just fine; you take your time. xx
A few minutes later, they exited the taxi to find many restaurant choices.
"How about this one?" suggested Molly, stopping outside Côte Brasserie, a French restaurant.
"Whatever you want, love," said Sherlock, and Molly beamed at him. She knew he'd be happy to just eat chips, but he was also content to eat wherever she liked.
They were shown to a table where they looked at their menus. There was a special 3 course menu for only £14.50. Molly had discovered that being in her second trimester and past the morning sickness meant she was eating more. "Can we do the three course special?" she asked, knowing the answer.
"That's fine."
She sighed happily. Sherlock was definitely an indulgent husband, especially when she was pregnant.
They both selected Mushroom Soup as the starter. For the main course, Molly thought the Chicken and Bacon Parmentier sounded good, while Sherlock opted for Steak Frites. Molly was amused that Sherlock was getting his chips, anyway. For the dessert menu, Molly had a hard time choosing.
"I don't know which I'd like better, the Creme Caramel or Dark Chocolate Pot. Which one do you want for dessert?"
Sherlock shrugged. "I have no preference, so we'll just get the ones you like and share them."
The waitress took their menus away and returned shortly with their drinks, Coke for Sherlock and pomegranate juice for Molly. She had opted for the juice as something different and found she quite enjoyed it.
They enjoyed their leisurely lunch, and Molly was feeling comfortably full by the end of it. She had eaten most of the desserts herself. Sherlock had only tried a little of each.
"Ready to head home?" asked Sherlock once they had exited the restaurant.
"Yep," said Molly, patting her stomach. "That was such a lovely lunch."
"We'll have to go there again sometime." He waved down a passing taxi.
"You won't be doing that for much longer, Sherlock," Molly observed as they climbed in.
As they rode towards home, Sherlock said, "I'm going to text Mycroft and find out what insurance company is used for the town car he uses."
Molly laid her head against his shoulder. "Okay."
She didn't even realise she had fallen asleep until she felt Sherlock nudging her awake. "We're home, love."
Molly's eyes snapped open. All that food must have made her tired, she figured.
Sherlock paid the driver and helped her out of the taxi.
"We're home!" she sang out as they entered the house. It felt so strange to be calling this place home. It had only been a few days, so she supposed that made sense.
Victoria appeared from the front room "Mama!"
Molly scooped her up and went into the room, followed by Sherlock. "Were you a good girl for Nanny?"
Victoria nodded as Molly's mum said, "She was a little angel, as usual. She showed me how well she can play music on her toy xylophone."
Molly saw Sherlock cringe slightly at that. "I'd hardly call it music, but she will improve - I hope."
She gave him a playful nudge. "Were you a master of violin as soon as you began playing?"
His look towards her was serious. "I don't remember learning, Molly. My sister said she taught me, but I have no memory of it. My earliest memory of playing the violin was in picking it up and playing it, feeling I just knew where the notes were. And then my skill grew from there."
Molly couldn't help feeling sad for Sherlock. So much of his past remained a mystery, and she knew he would probably never regain all those lost memories. "I'm sorry for bringing it up, honey."
Sherlock bent and kissed her cheek. "Don't worry about it. It's just part of my past."
"Well, I suppose I should get going," said Mrs. Hooper. Molly had forgotten she was there. "Oh gosh, sorry, Mum. Yes, thanks so much for watching Victoria for us."
"You're welcome. Anytime I can help, you know I will. Just so you know, Victoria has not had a nap. We were too busy having fun."
Molly's mum kissed her and Victoria, then Sherlock's cheek as well.
"I'll get a taxi for you," said Sherlock.
Molly watched as Sherlock flagged down a taxi with ease and got his mother-in-law settled into it.
Molly suddenly remembered that Sherlock had been about to text Mycroft when she had fallen asleep in the taxi. She put Victoria down into the playpen and asked him, once he had closed the front door and returned to the room, "Did you get hold of Mycroft regarding insurance?"
"Yes, he recommended NFU Mutual. I'll give them a call on Monday and get our insurance set up, then call the dealership."
Molly clasped her hands together. "First a house, now a car. What next?"
He slid his arms around her from behind, "A graduation to attend, for one thing. Did you remember to ask Mike for a couple days off?"
"Yep, I'll work the midnight to eight shift on Sunday night and then have the next two days off." A thought came to her, and she swivelled her head around to look up at him. "Where are we going to stay for the two nights we are in Liverpool?"
"Mycroft is taking care of that. He said he is booking rooms at the Crowne Plaza near the university for the Monday and Tuesday night's." He also said we are not to reimburse him."
Molly turned her head away from Sherlock to look down at Victoria, who had decided to bang on her toy drum for once instead of her xylophone. "Your brother is remarkably generous."
She felt Sherlock's arms tighten around her as he placed a kiss to her neck. She couldn't help her soft sigh of pleasure. She always loved it when Sherlock did things like that. His breath fluttered against her neck as he said softly, "I expect there will be a pool in the hotel if you would like to bring along your maternity swimming costume."
Molly thought dreamily about the last time she had worn her maternity swimming costume, when she and Sherlock had been staying at a hotel in Los Angeles, and she had been almost 7 months pregnant with Victoria. Spending time in that hotel pool had led to a most enjoyable time afterwards in the privacy of their own room. She tipped her head slightly, inviting another kiss. "We won't be able to enjoy a pool in the same way as last time. We have Victoria to think about."
His hands smoothed along her abdomen as he accepted the invitation of her neck, placing another kiss against it. "True enough, but once we are back in our room and she is asleep..." his voice trailed off.
Molly felt her insides curl with anticipation. Oh, the unspoken innuendo in his voice was so sexy. She swallowed. "I like the sound of that."
Regretfully, she felt his hold on her slacken, and he stepped back. "I really need to learn not to speak that way with you when I can't follow through with what I'd like to do because our daughter is only a few feet from us."
She turned towards him. "At Baker Street she was always only a few feet away from us, seeing as the cot was in our bedroom."
His lips quirked. "Yes, but she's awake right now."
She reached up to put her arms around his neck. "Well, we might have to behave for now, but I don't think kissing in front of our daughter will cause any permanent damage. She's enjoying that drum too much right now."
He gave her a mock frown. "You know what kissing does to me, yet you insist on me kissing you and torturing myself?"
"Yep, I'll make it up to you later." She smirked at him.
He pulled her into himself, giving her a tap on the bottom. "Naughty little temptress." Then his lips were on hers, kissing her thoroughly, and she enjoyed every second of it. The banging of the drum almost matched the thudding of her own heart. Her reaction to passionate kissing might not be quite as obvious as Sherlock's, but she was torturing herself as well, knowing they could not take things any further at this moment.
Well, she reflected, at least she didn't have to wait months to be with Sherlock as they had done during their engagement; it was just hours. Victoria had not had a nap today either, so she might go to sleep earlier than usual.
They broke apart finally, both a little out of breath. Molly suddenly realised the drumming sound from the playpen had ceased. She looked over into the playpen.
Victoria had fallen asleep and was lying on her side next to the drum, one hand still curled around the attached stick.
Molly bit her lip and looked at Sherlock. "Should I wake her? It's a bit late in the day now for her to have a nap. She might not go to sleep at her regular time if she sleeps now."
"I have a better idea. I'll take her up into her cot. If she wakes, she wakes, but if she continues to sleep," he gave her a suggestive look, "perhaps we don't have to wait until later tonight to continue celebrating the purchase of our new car."
Molly giggled and gestured towards the playpen. "Be my guest."
She watched as Sherlock bent down and lifted Victoria carefully from the playpen, disengaging her hand from the drumstick and cradling her gently in his arms. She stirred but then burrowed her face into him.
Molly couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as she watched the tender way he looked at his daughter, temporarily distracted from the emotions aroused from their passionate kissing minutes earlier.
She followed Sherlock as he carried Victoria upstairs and laid her in her cot.
Victoria's eyes opened briefly, then fluttered shut again as he dropped a kiss to her forehead, "Sleep now, little one."
Molly picked up the video monitor and took it to their bedroom, just in case.
Sherlock followed and closed the door behind him as Molly set the monitor onto her bedside table.
Sherlock strode towards her and lifted her into his arms as easily as he had lifted Victoria, deposited her just as gently on the bed, then kissed her forehead as he had done with Victoria.
"Are you expecting me to sleep now, too?" she asked in a teasing voice.
"Definitely not." His lips met hers in a fiery kiss that showed there was to be no sleeping involved whatsoever. What ensued was definitely much more pleasurable than sleep, and fortunately, uninterrupted by their daughter.
Author's note: Phew, I did a lot of research for this chapter - found a car dealership and read the brochure, (love that DSG feature!), found a restaurant and read the menu, investigated insurance companies. I want my readers to feel immersed in the story, as if they are experiencing what is happening in a real way. I do hope I was successful. Incidentally, I wrote this chapter in February (yeah, a long time ago!), and the menu for the restaurant has changed, because I checked, but hey, this story is dated for last year, so one would expect changes.
Can't you just imagine Sherlock negotiating to buy a car? I had fun with having him use logic to drive the price down.
If you are curious about Sherlock and Molly talking about another time when she wore her maternity swimming costume, you can find it in my story, Londoners in Los Angeles.
What was your favourite part of this chapter? Please spare a moment to share some kindness and leave a review in the box below.