My mind was slow to settle from the events with Moriarty, but once my body was well enough to travel, John took me home to Sussex and my family, where in that peaceful climate, both mind and body could mend as I was surrounded by the support of those I held dear.

Molly had been shocked most of all by the word from London of the depths to which I had fallen, and I feared the result of the breach of trust between us. As one morning soon after I returned to Sussex, I watched a storm rage outside, my thoughts turned back to Moriarty, the darkness of the day drawing my thoughts into memories of my darker past. The opened doors of the patio terrace allowed small amounts of the pounding rain to wet my skin and dampen my clothes. Molly-having risen and visited early in the morning as she often had a habit of- drew towards my side. She stepped close, but just out of my arms' reach, hovering as if uncertain of her place until I reached out my hand for her to grasp. I drew to my side, half wrapping her in an embrace,

"I used again," I stated, needing her to know, needing to confess myself instead of through John's reports.

"I know," she replied.

"I was wrong, I'm sorry." At this, I turned from facing the window and letting her slip slightly from my side, I took her hands in both of mine. "I thought I could know everything- the sum of the world at my fingertips." I cupped her cheek in my cool hand, watching tenderly as she nuzzled into my palm. "I became so obsessed with knowing everything that I lost sight of the one thing I already knew- have always known- that I love you, Molly Hooper, more than anything else on this earth." Molly opened her eyes wide and watched me with more love in her eyes that I felt I could ever deserve. "From the first moment we met as children, our lives have been so intertwined with each other that it would be madness to part them, would it not?"

I could feel the smile flicker across my face as I felt more than saw Molly's head nod into my palm. "I know I have done you a disservice, my lady love, but if you would forgive and could see yourself becoming Mrs. Holmes, you would make me the happiest man on the earth."

Tears of joy and a bright smile made my Molly's face glow warmer than any sun, chasing the chill of the rain away as she lifted her head and nodded once more.

As she stepped towards me, and I gathered her to myself, I asked again, properly this time, "Will you marry me, Molly, though I know I don't deserve you."

"Yes, Sherlock," she whispered into my shoulder. "Yes."

Author's note: Short chapter, I know, but trust me, next chapter has enough drama, that it's probably better to leave this chapter on a happier note.

While the proposal scene wasn't directly quoted or anything, I couldn't help but think of and be influenced by Mr. Rochester's first proposal to Jane in Bronte's Jane Eyre. If you've never read the book, but you love you some tall- dark-brooding-leading man, I highly recommend.

I've been considering putting a list of the Frankenstein roles that the Sherlock characters are playing in the notes- is that something you'd be interested in seeing or feel you need, or do you just want to draw the connections yourselves?

Would love to read your thoughts and comments!