Just under another week had passed and no more headway had been made in discovering just who had put the price on Mycroft's head; then again it was a long list to navigate. People fell into one of three categories when it came to Mycroft Holmes, they either valued him as an ally but stayed cautious, hadn't ever heard of the man who ran England – and sometimes America – from the shadows, or they despised him with every fibre of their beings. It was this third, largest group who were hateful enough to contract Mycroft's death. An endless plethora of hate.
Everything had been going so very well for Mycroft's new family and even Lady Smallwood had been unusually nice to him. Then he'd asked Sherlock to do one little thing he'd not wanted to cooperate with and Sherlock had retaliated for lack of a better word. That was how the elder Holmes brother had found himself opening the front door at 7:40 in the morning on a Wednesday to his parents and one of his mother's glare. That glare had haunted the Holmes siblings since childhood's hour and Myc couldn't prevent the involuntary gulp as his mother barged her way in with her husband to trail after her carrying several full bags each larger than the last.
"Children! Children!" Growled Madalena. "You adopt two boys and don't tell us we have grandsons?! No, you left it to Sherlock."
Oh Myc could have killed his idiot of a little brother.
"Mother-" He began but she cut him off instantly, she wasn't in the mood for his conflict negotiation today.
"Don't you dare 'mother' me, Mycroft Amyas Reinhardt Holmes. You have some serious explaining to do. Talk. Now."
Oh shit, he'd been full named. It was always worse when she did that, it made even Sherlock shut his mouth and look apologetic. The best thing to do in this situation was to very calmly explain himself and then take his mother's anger head on.
"It's true," he admitted with a sigh. "Artemis and I have adopted two boys, a five-year-old and an eighteen-month-old. They were – they were hurt by the same people who hurt Artemis."
The white-haired Holmes dumped the bags down at his side then and lay a hand over his heart sympathetically.
"Poor boys." Said Siger.
Mycroft was grateful for his father's presence, he always managed to subdue Madalena's ire.
"Artemis and I adopted them because Artemis is probably the only one who can fully understand what they have been through, love them."
Blue eyes glanced to his mother while she soaked up what she was being told, she looked him up and down as if assessing the legitimacy of his words. He couldn't quite describe the relief that flooded through his tall frame when the storm inside her eyes calmed.
She jutted a finger out at him. "Don't think you're done explaining, Mycroft, I have more questions and I am not leaving until I have satisfactory answers."
The British Government opened his mouth to comment but Artemis, who had apparently been at the top of the stairs the whole time eavesdropping, got their first and drew everybody's attention to her.
"I can remove her should you like."
Missus Holmes lifted an eyebrow while Myc just waved the offer off.
"No, my love, that shan't be needed."
He let his eyes linger on his fiancée just a second too long so he could take in the deep purple blouse she wore and the way her holster tugged it tight ever so slightly around her generous breasts. Maybe don't linger while your mother is right next to you, Mycroft's brain told him.
"Where are the children?" Siger asked in an attempt to move the situation on. "We're eager to meet them."
That was Siger Holmes, the ever kind and peaceful one of the family who was actually good with people. It was with his father's words that Myc finally managed to close the front door.
"Of course, Father." Mycroft knew he wouldn't be getting out of this any time soon. "Artemis, would you please finish getting the boys up." The raven-haired assassin nodded. "Thank you."
She vanished off while Mycroft guided his parents and the bags into the living room where he parents quickly took seats.
"Hiding our grandbabies away." Madalena muttered to herself as she took off her coat and left it over the sofa's arm.
Mycroft sighed yet again, even as a kid his mother had caused a lot of that. "It wasn't that I was hiding them from you, Mother, it was just that they have been through so much and I didn't wish to overload them. You have seen how Artemis is, they were going through the same things."
"They still feel though?" Asked the white-haired Holmes quickly. "They're still children?"
Mycroft raked a hand down his face as he stood before his parents. Why had Sherlock felt the need to just dump this situation on him? If situations were reversed Mycroft never would have done this to Sherlock and John; mostly because it wouldn't have been fair on Rosie.
"The younger one will likely forget almost all of his time with his captors, he doesn't cry but otherwise is like any other child his age. His elder brother though, he refuses to speak, he can he just elects not to and I'd ask you not try to force him. He is quite subdued and hesitant about revealing anything emotionally."
Before any more questions could be asked or answered the boys were led in by their mother and three sets of eyes flicked over to them. Madalena quickly let out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a hum and her face turned to a smile.
"Hello sweethearts."
"They're beautiful." Siger beamed.
Mycroft had to admit they were, even with the darkness Hades had tried to force down their throats the boys still clung to an adorable childhood innocence.
Artemis strode over to her future husband and let him snake an arm around her waist to keep her close. To many holding onto her in such a fashion was the equivalent of caressing a live grenade but he knew she'd never harm him.
Missus Holmes shot to her feet probably a little too quickly as a large grin firmly settled on her face. She just looked at the two boys for a moment with utter awe. For a long time she'd been forced to accept that she'd not be getting grandchildren, but then Rosie had come along and she'd been enough for Madalena and Siger. However, to have these boys in her life was no less a blessing.
"Can I hold him?" Missus Holmes asked as she slowly approached Artemis who held Galahad.
The elder woman distinctly remembered the killing Artemis had done the last time they'd met, how brutally efficient and uncaring she'd been, yet there she stood holding her son with such gentleness.
"All right," The former assassin agreed only to hand over little Galahad to his grandmother.
Delighted with the boy settled in her arms Madalena almost felt as though she could die happy. It was that moment Mycroft decided introductions were long overdue, besides, this was the first time he'd been able to formally introduce them as his sons.
He gestured to each boy in turn. "Mother, Father, these are Lysander and Galahad, my sons."
Oh Mycroft hadn't anticipated just how pleasant saying 'my sons' would be. In fact, it wasn't until that moment that he felt as though this really was his family.
"Such lovely names, Mycroft."
"I agree," said Siger, "very charming."
The suit-clad man should have known his mother would approve of such unusual names, she'd always favored them. According to Uncle Rudy there had been a period of Madalena's pregnancy with Mycroft that she'd been determined to name him Ptolemy, so Mycroft was sure he'd dodged something of a bullet.
It was nice to see his mother bounce Galahad on her hip, those boys deserved all the love they could get. Mycroft could still see those cramped bunker rooms in his mind, unfortunately they were part of his mind palace now as well.
Missus Holmes stroked her new grandson's soft black hair. "Hello, Lysander, I'm your grandmother and he is your grandfather." She nodded towards Siger. "We are delighted to meet you."
With glee she carried Galahad over to the sofa to sit beside her husband who instantly took him into his own arms for a hug. Meanwhile, Lysander had slowly shuffled so he was between his mother and father, he used them as a sort of moral support.
"We brought the two of you presents." Announced Siger.
Mycroft's blue eyes glanced to the large bags when his mother started to rummage through them. Myc had feared it would be an array of toys and such. He didn't mind the kids being spoilt, of course, since they truly did deserve it, but he didn't want them being crowded. Presents came out, unsurprisingly looking like an early Christmas, and were set out at Madalena's feet almost enticingly. When Lysander made zero attempts to move even an inch Mycroft rested an encouraging hand on the child's shoulder.
"Go on, it's all right."
The reassurance had the five-year-old head over slowly and kneel down before the wrapped presents. Ever so carefully he bent down to rest his ear against one of the larger boxes, then, when satisfied with what he heard, he lifted the box up only an inch from the floor and made sure to keep it level.
Missus Holmes' brow furrowed in confusion. "What is he doing?"
"Confirming it isn't a bomb." Responded Artemis without a moment of hesitation, like every child needed to check that their presents weren't live explosives. Of course Myc's parents were shocked but the suit-clad man refused to react as Artemis continued. "I assure you it's not an explosive device, Sander. Open it."
Trusting his new mother's words he started to rip the paper away to get at whatever was inside, that was when Galahad decided he wanted to play as well. He fussed in his grandfather's arms until he was set down gently beside his brother. The grandparents seemed enraptured by the boys.
"If I am expected to train your new security I will need to leave now, British, unless you wish for me to remain here."
Mycroft shook his head a little. "No, I need to get to the office as well, little assassin."
Siger lifted a brow. "And exactly who was going to watch these little angels?"
"... My assistant."
He'd not quite had time to satisfactory vet a nanny just yet.
Missus Holmes shook her head. "Well it looks as though we got here at the right moment then. They'll stay here with us, won't they, Siger."
Siger nodded quickly in agreement. "Yes, dear. It will be nice to spend some time with them."
Mycroft thought about the idea for a few moments, it would be better than asking Anthea to do it since she'd never really liked children. That and his parents did have experience with … unusual children. Still, he and Artemis couldn't just wander off to MI6 and expect Lysander to understand so he went to the five-year-old and crouched down; his suits weren't happy about that.
"Lysander, would you be all right staying here with your grandparents today? Or would you like to come with us? I promise you they won't harm you or Gally."
Sander looked from his father to his mother, clearly he sought out reassurance.
"Sei mutig." (Be brave) She told the boy in his native German and it seemed to be all Lysander needed to hear.
He turned his attention back to his father and nodded as he pointed to his new grandparents behind him.
Madalena seemed please with the outcome. "There it is settled."
It would be good for Lysander and Galahad to have grandparents, people not raised in war or secrets, it might do the boys a world of good and aid them to adjust to their new lives.
Trusting his parents to care for his sons, Myc and Artemis readied themselves to leave, said goodbye to the boys then headed for the office to begin their day. By Mycroft's standards he was now very, very late but he was certain he could make up the time by lunch.
Artemis would spend most of the day training their new security as well so she'd be in her element. He didn't care which armed force they'd come from, they weren't as good a shot as his beloved Artemis and a repeat of Hades in MI6 wouldn't be allowed to happen again; hence the periodic training the former Reaper now performed.
~X~
It was on his return to his office that Mycroft's phone started to buzz violently in his pocket, as he ascended the stairs he fished it out to read the caller id which said Gregory. Myc hardly even paused to answer the call.
"Yes, Gregory? What can I do for you?"
"I was hoping for a favor." Began the police detective. "I know you're probably busy stopping the next world war and all but I just got called in and I think Sherlock has already heard about it. Could you watch Violet for me until tonight?"
"I'm afraid I have a few more meetings that have been rescheduled one too many times already. Once I'm through I'd be happy to take her."
Greg sighed. "I assumed you'd be busy. Em, I guess I can ask Donovan to watch her maybe."
Mycroft could already see the disappointed expression on little Violet's face and he didn't much care for it.
"My parents are watching the boys today at my house." The British Government explained. "I'm sure they'd be happy to watch Violet as well until you are able to collect her." He turned left towards his office. "Besides, it might be nice for Violet to meet Lysander and Galahad."
The silver-haired policeman seemed a bit hesitant. "Are you sure your parents won't mind?"
Frankly, the way Mycroft saw it his parents had been the ones going on about wanting to spend time with more grandchildren and Violet was basically Myc's niece at this point so he didn't see a problem with it.
"They love children, I assure you it won't be a problem."
"Okay, that's great. Thanks, Myc." There was a tone of relief in Lestrade's voice.
"Just make sure Violet knows Lysander doesn't talk. Tell her not to try to force him."
Violet had always been a courteous girl, she'd never force Lysander to do anything he didn't want to do, of that Mycroft was certain.
"Yeah, I'll let her know. Thank you so much, Myc."
Then Greg ended the call and Myc hoped Sherlock didn't frustrate his friend too much. As he made his way up yet another flight of stairs he made a quick call to his father to alert his parents to Violet's arrival and then finally reached his office. His mother and father had seemed delighted to have another child to spend time with so that had dodged one argument.
Mycroft had to admit he'd have rather liked to see Violet's first interaction with his boys but he couldn't put off his meetings again and if he tried Anthea would probably murder him and sit his corpse in the meeting regardless.
Forty minutes after Greg had arranged with him to care for Violet for the day Mycroft managed to escape his first meeting with Sir Edwin and Lady Smallwood. He got roughly thirty seconds of breathing space before Anthea pushed a dossier into his hands and all but shoved him down a hall towards conference room six where he remained for a further hour. By two in the afternoon Mycroft had finally dwindled his day down to one final meeting which, annoyingly, involved Sir Percy Statham and his usual idiocy.
When it finally ended the suit-clad man decided that he wasn't needed for anything else, he'd done all the pressing paperwork earlier that morning and could do anything else that came up from his home office. So, at half three the auburn-haired man informed his assistant that he'd be working from home for the rest of the day, dodged Lady Smallwood, grabbed Artemis and headed home to be with his family. All his life he'd worked his fingers to the bone just to have a reason not to go home to that big, empty house, but with his sons there and a little girl he'd come to care deeply for Mycroft actually wanted to be there; even if his parents were at the house as well.