Chapter Six
Sorry for the delay. I know I wanted this chapter simply for the scene with John and Sherlock at the jeweler's, but I couldn't get the rest of it to work. Finally, I set it aside for a few weeks and then reread my story before setting to work again. I finally found it!
Sherlock stepped into the lab at St. Bart's, glancing at the time as he did so. Good, Molly shouldn't be back for another five minutes.
Sherlock moved over to the lab bench which Molly would pass after she entered through the doors and made her way to her office to put her bag away before starting once again on work. He reached into the inside pocket of his coat, carefully removing the long-stemmed, white amaryllis flower, setting it on the end of the lab bench, shifting a couple beakers and papers aside so the flower was more noticeable. He then pulled out his phone, sliding the parchment stationery card from the back of it and placing it underneath the flower.
Sherlock moved over to the back of the lab, slipping through the door that led to another hallway and making sure to turn the lights off. He turned and leaned against the wall adjacent to the door, keeping his eye on the lab through the door's small window. He didn't have to wait long.
Molly strode into the lab through the main doors, her bag over one shoulder and her travel Thermos containing her afternoon tea. She began heading towards her office when she paused next to the lab bench. She stared down at the white amaryllis, frowning. She then stepped forward and delicately picked the flower from the bench, spotting the card Sherlock had left underneath it. She picked the small card up and read the message.
Sherlock stepped a little further back away from the door—just in case—as Molly glanced up, looking around the lab. She put the amaryllis to her nose and smelled it, and a smile broke out on her face as she moved towards her office.
Sherlock smiled. Step one, success. He moved away from the door and headed through the hallway towards the hospital's exit.
John moved through the store, searching. He had no idea what to get his mother for her birthday. Which is how he had ended up in this jewelry store. Surely, something would catch his eye.
He made his way to a cramped back corner, where there was a counter. John browsed nearby shelves as a man talked to an employee behind the counter.
"…engraving?" asked the man.
John frowned. That voice was familiar.
"Just like you asked," replied the employee. "'Property of Molly Hooper' and your name inside."
John's eyes widened. Molly Hooper? Was Molly's secret admirer here?
"Thank you," the man replied, and the voice finally registered with John.
Eyes wide, John stepped out from behind a shelf to look at the counter. Sure enough, Sherlock Holmes stood there, taking a bag from the employee.
Sherlock? John wondered. He's the one behind Molly's secret admirer? What is he doing?
"My pleasure," said the employee.
Sherlock turned as he stepped away from the counter, his expression falling as he halted upon seeing John standing there. "John…"
John shook his head a little. "This is a whole new low, even for you."
Sherlock frowned a little, half shocked and half confused. "What…"
"So, what, you lead her on, then break her heart so she never dates ever again and can be at your beck and call whenever you want?" John went on, trying and failing to keep his temper in check.
Sherlock's eyes widened as he realized what John was assuming. "No, no, that's not what this is!"
John waved his hand at the bag Sherlock was holding. "You're pretending to be her secret admirer!"
"I'm not pretending; I am!" Sherlock replied.
John froze, staring at him for a moment before frowning as his hand dropped. "What?"
Sherlock sighed, his shoulders and gaze dropping slightly. "Molly has too much experience—too much proof—that I am a selfish, callous, unemotional arsehole. I couldn't just come out and say it. I had to do something to prove that I love her."
John's eyes widened as he stared at his friend. "You…you love her?"
Sherlock looked up at him, his gaze sincere. "Yes. It took entirely too long and too traumatic of an event to see it, but, yes. I love her."
John flashed back to that day at Sherrinford. "The phone call."
Sherlock nodded. "When I thought I was going to lose her…"
John's gaze fell as he remembered how Sherlock reacted to that call.
"Say it," said Molly. "Say it like you mean it."
Sherlock faced the screen, his eyes closed. He took a breath. "I-I…" He lowered his head but then raised it. "I love you." He opened his eyes and looked towards the screen, staring at it as his voice softened. "I love you."
Sherlock stepped closer to the screen as the countdown reached its final seconds, his expression and voice frantic. "Molly, please."
"I love you," said Molly.
Sherlock gasped and reared back from the screen as the clock froze. He sighed and buried his head in both hands, bending forward.
"You didn't win," said Eurus. "You lost. Look what you did to her. Look what you did to yourself. All those complicated little emotions. I lost count."
"No," said Sherlock. "No." His face twisting with rage, he pulled back his arm and smashed it down onto the lid, shattering it. He drew back his hand and slammed both fists down onto the lid again and again. He then seized the side of the coffin and lifted the whole thing before smashing it down repeatedly on top of the trestles, disintegrating the box into pieces while he cried out over and over again in rage, grief, and frustration.
Wow… thought John. He really does love her… He looked back up at his friend, who looked tense. "Well, good luck."
Sherlock sighed. "I'm going to need it."
"Oh, trust me," John told him. "After what you've done the past two weeks, no, you don't."
Sherlock nodded as he then helped John pick out something for his mother's birthday. They didn't broach the subject of this secret admirer business until they had left the store and were walking along the pavement.
"So, Shakespeare," John began.
Sherlock rolled his eyes. "Oh, God…"
"Who knew you were a closet romantic," said John. He glanced down at Sherlock's pocket. "What'd you buy her?"
Sherlock glanced sideways at John before shifting his shoulders slightly.
"What, you think I'm going to laugh or something?" said John.
Sherlock sighed before pulling the shopping bag out of his coat pocket, taking a small burgundy velvet box out and stuffing the plastic bag back into his pocket. He handed the box over to John, and John pried open the box, finding a silver necklace inside. It was an anatomical heart with the words "Property of Molly Hooper" engraved on the front.
"Wow," said John. "It's very…you." He closed the box and handed it back.
Sherlock pocketed the box, staying silent another few moments before speaking again. "Do you think she'll like it?"
John smiled. "She's going to love it."
Sherlock stood in the hallway at the back of the lab once more, his eyes on the small burgundy velvet box and daisy he had left on the lab bench. His heart was pounding; he hadn't been this nervous for any of his other gifts. It didn't make any sense. He knew she had a more morbid sense of curiosity than the average person and would love that Sherlock was giving her a more literal heart than what is popular among society. But would she really like it? Maybe romance is not the area to involve these specific interests.
Sherlock was broken from his reverie as the lab doors opened. Easing further away from the door, he watched as Molly's gaze was immediately drawn to the lab bench.
Probably a habit by now, he thought. She looks forward to being surprised.
Smiling slightly, Molly reached forward, holding the jewelry box as she peeled the parchment off of it. She turned the card over and read his message, frowning as she then set the note next to the daisy and opened the box. Her jaw dropped as she stared down at the necklace.
Sherlock watched her uneasily as she stared, her jaw open and her eyes beginning to shine with tears. Oh, no. Did I offend her?
Molly slowly removed the necklace, staring closely at it and the words written across the front of it.
Please don't find the latch, Sherlock begged. He didn't know what he would do if Molly found out it was him before he was finished wooing her.
Molly moved the chain of the necklace, opening the clasp and fastening it around her neck, a smile on her face as she gazed down at it resting on her chest.
Sherlock breathed out a sigh of relief, smiling as he watched Molly scoop her gifts up, her hand coming to rest over the heart pendant.
Sherlock placed the bowl of corn onto the table.
"Oh, Molly, what an interesting necklace," said Mrs. Hudson.
Having turned back to grab a serving spoon for the corn, Sherlock smiled a little. He dropped the smile as he turned back but not before John caught his eye and gave him a little smile.
John turned to the group. "Oh. Another gift from your secret admirer?"
"Secret admirer?" asked Greg.
"You haven't heard about this?" asked John. "It was about, what…two weeks ago?"
"Almost three now," Molly corrected.
"Right," said John. "Someone started leaving her flowers at Bart's. And a few notes, right?"
Sherlock's brows rose a little. Hmm. John's doing an excellent job pretending he's in the dark. Maybe I should have brought him in on the whole faking my death plan.
"…although Sherlock said he was a good guy."
"Oh, you figured out who her secret admirer is?" asked Greg.
"Wasn't that difficult," muttered Sherlock as he sat at the table. "He bought a rare flower that only one florist in London sells. And it's not a very popular one, so she hadn't sold many of them."
Greg gave him a look. "And you're okay with all this?"
Knowing exactly what Greg was implying (how Sherlock hadn't figured out he loved Molly when apparently everyone else could see it was a complete mystery), Sherlock decided to play dumb, frowning back at him. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, you've always had some kind of problem with Molly's dates."
"It's hardly my fault she's had poor luck with relationships," Sherlock responded. "I was just trying to help her out. It's only fair that she's finally found a decent one."
"All right." Greg turned to Molly. "So, he gave you a necklace?"
Molly smiled. "Yeah." She leaned over, holding the pendant out to him.
Greg's brows rose again at the unorthodox heart. "'Property of Molly Hooper.'"
"Yeah, it's, erm…" Molly blushed again, "it's supposed to be his heart."
"Wow, this bloke's pulling out all the stops," said John.
Sherlock did not miss the amused tone in John's voice. He was going to hear about this one later.
"It's so romantic," said Mrs. Hudson.
"So, you're really not going to tell everyone who he is?" John asked Sherlock, his brows raised.
Or maybe John can't be subtle, thought Sherlock as he rolled his eyes and responded. "Quit fishing for a name, John. Molly's already said she wants it to be a surprise. Besides, you'll all find out soon enough."
"Oh, we will?" asked John, interest piqued.
"It has been three weeks," said Sherlock. "This man can't expect Molly to have patience for much longer. I give it another week, maximum."
"Ooh, should I hold you to that?" asked Greg. "A tenner?"
Oh, that's too easy, Sherlock thought. "I don't gamble."
As they ate, they continued to chat and discuss cases and whatnot. It was as the meal was wrapping up that something caught Sherlock's ear, taking his attention away from his musings of what he was going to get Molly for her final gift.
"…out shopping with Meena one day last week and I found it in the window of an antique shop," said Molly. "It was so beautiful, but I would have to save up money to get it. It was expensive."
Sherlock stared down at his plate, trying to pretend he wasn't listening.
"Expensive?" asked Mrs. Hudson.
"Yeah, it was a few hundred quid," Molly explained. "I hope it's still there when I have the money to get it."
"Could you find something that looked like it online?" asked Mrs. Hudson.
"Well, I've tried, but with it being a Japanese antique, it's hard to find anything that looks similar to it," Molly explained.
"Well, maybe if you go to the owner and offer to pay a little at a time if they hold it for you?" suggested Mrs. Hudson.
Molly nodded. "Maybe. It just reminds me so much of one my grandmother had. I'd really like it if they could hold it for me."
Sherlock smiled a little before schooling his features. He'd just solved the dilemma of what to buy Molly for her final gift.
Sherlock walked into the venue, stopping to take a look around. There was Molly with her three friends, the chain of the necklace visible by her collar and hair pin in place. He smiled as he made his way around the edge of the room, keeping to the shadows. He stopped near the DJ booth and waited. When a new song started, he caught the DJ's eye.
The DJ stepped down and moved over to him. "Yeah, mate, how can I help you?"
Sherlock pressed a piece of paper and a twenty-pound note into the man's hand. "After five more songs, please ask for Dr. Molly Hooper and then read the note and play the song listed there."
The DJ read the note he had been given and smiled, pocketing the money. "Dr. Molly Hooper. You got it."
"Thank you," said Sherlock.
"Good luck," the DJ said, going back to his booth.
Sherlock moved back into the room, making his way to where he could see John by the bar.
"Sherlock," said John in surprise. "Didn't think you'd come to something like this."
"All part of the plan," Sherlock told him.
"Plan?" asked John.
"Yes, plan," said Sherlock. "I'm telling Molly tonight."
John glanced over at Molly across the room and back to Sherlock. "Really? Tonight?"
"Yes," said Sherlock. "And I need your help."
"Sure," said John as Sherlock began leading him over to the side of the room.
"After our dance is finished—" Sherlock began.
"Dance?" asked John, looking over at Sherlock with a smile.
Sherlock rolled his eyes. "Yes, dance. Afterwards, I would like to take Molly somewhere private to talk."
"In this crowd?" John pointed out, looking around at the Bart's and Scotland Yard personnel.
"That's where you come in," said Sherlock. "I need you to take care of the crowd."
John nodded as he smiled. "I'll handle it."
"Thank you, John," said Sherlock.
John moved off into the crowd to track down Scotland Yard and Bart's staff that were familiar with either Sherlock or Molly. Sherlock looked back at Molly, watching as she blushed while her friends all exclaimed, no doubt talking about the recent developments with Molly's secret admirer.
Sherlock moved to one side of the room and waited. After another couple of songs, the DJ picked up his microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a special request. Is Dr. Molly Hooper here?"
Sherlock glanced over to see Molly freeze and look over at the booth as her friends all stared between them.
"This is from a 'Dear Friend.'"
Sherlock smiled as Molly's eyes widened.
"He says that 'It's about time that the two of us met. You deserve the truth, and I love you too much to keep you in the dark any longer. Molly Hooper, will you do me the honor of sharing a dance?'"
The crowd parted as Molly sat frozen.
Come on, Molly, Sherlock pleaded. It's worth it, I promise.
Her friends started nudging her, so Molly snapped out of it and began to stand. That's when the DJ started the song. Molly moved to the dance floor as Sherlock edged through a few of the people in the room, getting close to the dance floor.
"I do swear…that I'll always be there."
Sherlock stood in the crowd, waiting for his moment. God, I'm such a drama queen.
"I'd give anything and everything, and I will always care."
Molly reached the middle of the space and started slowly looking around, circling.
"Through weakness and strength…happiness and sorrow…"
Sherlock waited for Molly to stop, facing the other side of the room, before he began moving through the people in front of him.
"…for better or worse…I will love you with every beat of my heart."
Sherlock breached the edge of the crowd and stepped onto the dance floor as several people he knew gasped. Molly spun around, her jaw dropping as she stared at him. He could see her mind working through all the clues that had been there all month long.
Keeping eye contact, Sherlock moved forward until he stood in front of her, and he held out his hand. Still stunned, Molly reached out to place her hand in his. Smile growing, Sherlock gently pulled her towards him, moving their joined hands out to the side and wrapping her other hand around to rest it at the small of her back. She reached her other hand up to place it on his chest.
Molly finally found her voice. "H-how… W-what—"
"Shh," Sherlock gently told her, smiling softly. "Just listen."
"From this moment, life has begun. From this moment…"
Molly turned her head to the side, placing it against his chest.
"…you are the one. Right beside you is where I belong. From this moment on."
Sherlock placed his head on top of hers, treasuring this moment with the woman he loved. As the song went on, they simply swayed on the dance floor. Sherlock found himself humming along with the music a little before he broke the silence.
"I mean it, Molly," Sherlock said as he moved their connected hands down so he could wrap his own around her back next to his other.
Molly brought her head back and looked up at him, moving her hand onto his chest alongside her other.
He was looking down at her, gazing into her eyes. "I mean every word."
"You're the reason I believe in love."
Molly's mouth almost fell open as he stared into her eyes.
"And you're the answer to my prayers from up above."
Molly's eyes began watering as she gazed up at Sherlock.
"All we need is just the two of us. My dreams came true because of you. From this moment, as long as I live, I will love you. I promise you this: there is nothing I wouldn't give. From this moment—"
"I will love you," said Sherlock alongside the lyrics, "as long…as I live."
Tears began to fall down Molly's face as he stilled their swaying bodies.
"From this…moment…on," finished Sherlock as he reached up to wipe his thumbs across her face to dry her tears, each hand cradling the sides of her face. He then leaned his head down and placed his lips on hers.