Chapter Six- Love

Being a fourteen-old-girl can be very confusing. Being a fourteen-year-old girl with out a mother is extremely confusing and challenging. This was life for Rosie and Alex. John Watson had never remarried after losing Mary, not because he didn't want to, he had dated and such, but he figured that no one would get his relationship with Sherlock like Mary had. He also had Rosie to think of now and he didn't want to create a wedge between them.

Alex, on the other hand, had grown up with two fathers. By the age of nine, she had been subjected to every kind of homophobic slur you could think of but she didn't care. Some children had a mum and a dad, some had two mums, some had two dads. So long as children were loved and looked after, Alex couldn't care less who people's parents were. Alex didn't know what it was like to have a mother around. By the age of 11, she knew she must have a mother somewhere, but she didn't question where her mother was, much to the surprise of Mycroft and Greg. When they asked her about it, just to make sure that she was being taught things at school, she simply replied that she knew she needed a mother to exist, but she didn't need one to be loved.

Both girls were well adjusted to living a life without a mother. Of course, they had maternal figures, for example, Molly and Mrs Hudson. Alex also had her stepsister Sally Lestrade and half-sister Keira Holmes, along with Sargent Sally Donovan who worked with Greg. Having these women around had proved useful especially when Alex and Rosie hit puberty. John and Mycroft took it in their stride. John, being a GP, was unphased and unabashed when it came to periods and bodily changes. Everything between him and Rosie was open, and Rosie had found this reassuring. She could talk to her Dad about anything that was troubling her, periods including. She often found on her start day a little basket of new tampons, chocolate and heat pads on her bed with a note from her Dad and it always made her smile. Mycroft had been fairly easy about this new change as well. Having seen Keira safely through puberty, he knew what he was doing. He had talked to Alex about puberty and sex, being open and honest as well. Alex had been reassured by her Dad's honesty but when she got her first period, Mycroft hadn't been around, it was Greg and he was as useful as a chocolate teapot. He got all embarrassed and flustered and Alex had to walk across to Baker Street with toilet paper in her pants to talk to Molly who kindly helped the eleven-year-old out. Mycroft and Molly spoke to Greg and it took a while, but Greg was finally comfortable around periods and puberty.

"I left it all to Jess with Sally." Greg sighed when explaining why he hadn't coped, "She was really good about it. Maybe I should have talked to Sal about it, might have been useful."

But periods and puberty opened doors to other "problems" that the fathers weren't prepared for.

Boyfriends.

John had had more time than Greg and Mycroft to adjust to this new chapter in his life as a father. Being at a mixed school, Rosie had already had a couple boyfriends, her longest relationship lasting a year, but her shortest being two months. Alex on the other hand, had not had a boyfriend. Being straight and being at an all-girls school didn't allow for much in the way of dating. But all that was about to change.

Rosie was happily in a relationship with Ethan Jones, a boy in her history set. They had been dating for about 6 months when Alex met Jeremy Armstrong-Jones. He was her dance partner for a while but left the school when he joined the rugby team at his school. He actually ended up playing with Alex's younger brother who was now 11 and part of the Secondary School team. There had been chemistry between the two, of course they had. One of their most successful partnerships had been when they played Romeo and Juliet. They had been thirteen at the time and unbeknownst to them, it was the last time that they would perform together. Alex missed Jeremy when he laughed. He had a wicked sense of humour and always managed to make her laugh at the most inappropriate times. He was gentle and kind, always making sure she was alright and comfortable in hold and in the roles they were playing. Her new partner, Antoine, wasn't as kind or considerate. He was a bit of a diva and thought far too much of himself. Jem and Alex stayed in touch after he left, exchanging messages and Alex would phone Jem to complain about Antoine and Jem would listen and offer ways she could get her own back, making Alex smile. Then one day, she received an odd text from Jeremy:

Hey Lexie. I am free this weekend. No rugby training and I know you aren't prepping for a show either. Would you like to spend the day in London with me? You don't have to and if you're busy I totally understand.

Ever yours

Jem x

Alex smiled when she read the text. She knew that things between them were beginning to change. They had spent many evenings recently on the phone, getting to know each other. They played 21 questions where they asked each other a question like "what's your favourite band?" and they replied with one answer. To this question, Alex had said, 'Panic! at the Disco' and Jeremy had said 'Coldplay'. But now it seemed as though Jem was asking her on a date, which wasn't something they had discussed. Not that Alex minded. Jem was a good-looking man. He had hazel eyes like hers, hazelnut brown hair that was medium length and curled up at the ends. He was slim and tall, often wearing jeans, a shirt and boots. He also wore glasses when he wasn't performing or playing rugby and Alex had to admit, she preferred him in the glasses. She was attracted to him and as much as it scared her to admit it, she was crushing on him too. But right now, she needed the advice of her best friend.

She clambered off her bed where she had been sat and made sure that her door was firmly shut. It was a Thursday evening and she should be alone. Bertie had football training, Dad was in a cabinet meeting and Pop was working late.

[Side note, Bertie and Alex had talked with Greg and Mycroft having decided that calling both of them 'Dad' was getting confusing, especially when talking to others. It was then that they decided that Mycroft would remain Dad and Greg would become Pop, which he liked anyway].

She had the house to herself, in theory, but whether she did or not, she didn't want to risk her conversation being overheard. She was sure that someone had heard her talking to Jem in the evenings but she could have been talking to anyone. Convinced that her door was shut and she wasn't going to be overheard, Alex sat on her window seat and rang Rosie. It took a couple of rings but she picked up.

"Holmes?"

"Hey Watson, how are you?"

"I'm good. Just ploughing through my English homework."

"What are you doing?"

"Victorian Gothic Literature. We read Edgar Allan Poe's 'Tell-Tale Heart' in class and now we have to write our own Penny Dreadful!"

"Just pick a case that Uncle Sherlock and Uncle John have solved and put it into the Victorian Era!" Alex laughed, "We're doing Henry V and First World War Poetry. Wish we could do gothic literature. I love Dr Jekyll and Mister Hyde."

Rosie laughed. "You might get to do it later."

"True" Alex replied and a comfortable silence fell between the two friends.

"Everything okay? I wasn't expecting you to call."

Alex sighed, "Do you remember Jeremy?"

"Dance Jeremy?" She asked, "Romeo Jeremy?"

"Yeah, we stayed in touch after he left. I think he's just asked me out."

Alex had to pull the phone away from her ear as Rosie shrieked in delight. She chuckled as Rosie calmed down enough to ask:

"Oh my God! That's amazing! What did he say? What are you going to do? What did you say?"

Alex filled her friend in on the conversations that she had been sharing with Jem and the message that he had sent twenty minutes ago.

"And? What did you say?"

"I haven't yet."

"What? Are you freaking kidding me? He's good-looking charming and he likes you! You have to say yes!"

"Would you be okay with it if I said yes?"

"Of course I would. We're not twelve anymore, Al. We've grown up and moved past what happened then. Besides, I'm with Ethan now. Ooh we could double date!"

Alex had to laugh. "We'll see how Saturday goes and I'll let you know."

"Alexandra Lestrade-Holmes, if you do not call me, I will consider it a personal betrayal."

"Alright, I'll call you." Alex replied laughing.

"You'd better. Now, I'm going to let you go so you can put that poor boy out of your misery."

"Bye Rose" and she hung up. As she put her phone down, she heard the front door open and shut and her Dad call,

"Lexie? You in?"

"Yeah, I'll be down in a minute!" she called back, and, after sending a reply to Jeremy confirming her wish to spend Saturday with him, she bounded down the stairs to inform her father of the new chapter beginning in her life. Mycroft was thrilled for her as was Greg when he got in. By the time Alex closed her book and said her goodnights that evening, Mycroft was busy telling everyone that he knew that this would happen from the moment Alex and Jeremy met. But Alex couldn't care less, they liked him and that was all that mattered to her for the time being.

Saturday came and went in a blur of excitement and fun. Alex and Jeremy enjoyed being in each other's company. They visited the National Gallery and Alex got lost in the wonder of Michelangelo, Rembrant, Turner and all the old Masters. Jeremy loved watching the emotions flash over her face as she got lost in the world and the pain of the painters. They had lunch in the gallery café and then Jeremy surprised Alex with a trip to the Royal Opera House where the Royal Ballet were performing Swan Lake. Alex had seen it and even performed it many times but seeing it with Jem was like seeing it through fresh eyes.

"How many times have you seen and or performed Swan Lake?" he asked her during the interval.

"A couple. Why?"

"You were doing the footwork in time with the company." He smiled.

Alex blushed, "Oh, I'm so sorry Jem, I didn't realise…"

"No, it's fine. I like it." He said softly, taking her hands, "Show's you have a real passion for your craft."

Alex smiled back at him and the next thing she knew, his lips were on hers and she was returning the kiss.

A few weeks later, and Alex and Jem were properly dating, making the most of every free moment they could get. Bertie was vexing her by teasing how she had never shown up for a rugby match before, but now she could watch Jem run around in shorts, she would turn up. Alex and Jem had also agreed to go on a double date with Ethan and Rosie. They settled the date for a Thursday after school where there was no dance practise or rugby training. Ethan, being a swimmer, had said he would train later that evening. Alex knew a Milkshake Bar/American Diner not too far from her school and had suggested that they all go there and hang out for a couple of hours.

Jem was the first to arrive at the school gates. He smiled at Alex, walking up to her and kissing her softly. Alex returned the kiss and ignored the wolf-whistles from the Normanites. Clara Norman was the coolest girl in school and she had had it in for Alex from Day 1. She was pathologically jealous of Alex. Her father was a diplomat and was never at home so the fact that Alex had two Dad's, one of whom was always around was a personal slight against Clara. Jem just kissed her all the more and when they pulled apart, Alex was blushing.

"Ugh!" came the voice of Rosie. Alex turned to see her walking towards them, hand in hand with Ethan. "Get a room you too!"

"Payback for all the times I've walked in on you snogging someone's face off!"

Rosie playfully slapped Alex's arm and smiled, "Good to see you Holmes."

"And you Watson. Hi Ethan!"

"Hi."

They then headed off to the diner.

It wasn't a long walk from the school. Rosie walked with Alex and the two boys followed behind. They sat down and ordered their drinks. Alex and Jem were having dinner with Mycroft and Greg later so they weren't eating, but John was working late so Rosie and Ethan ordered some food. They spent some time chatting and laughing before Ethan asked Alex.

"You guys met through dance right?"

Alex nodded, "Jem was my partner for three years before he left the school."

"Why did you leave?"

"My Dad didn't approve of being a dancer so I left and focused on rugby and then he left my mum and I just couldn't face coming back. But Alex and I still dance from time to time and I help her rehearse outside of the school."

Ethan smiled, "I'm sorry about your dad, bro."

Jem shook his head, "Don't be. He was a dick."

"So, Ethan. Tell us about swimming. Bertie swims all the time, but I don't see the appeal of it. Maybe you could change my mind!" Alex interrupted. She didn't want to talk about broken relationships today. This was supposed to be fun. She squeezed Jem's hand quickly though to let him know that she wasn't mad or anything. Ethan talked about his swimming and why he liked it and then Rosie brought up the time in a science lesson when their teacher had talked to them about the science of swimming and Ethan had gotten up and corrected all her science.

"I did that in one of our R.E classes. My teacher's theology was all wrong and I couldn't stand it so I corrected her. I got a weeks worth of detention mind you."

Rosie laughed. "I bet your dad wasn't too impressed."

Alex took a sip of her milkshake, "Actually, it was Pop who was cross. Dad commended me for sticking to my principles."

"Well, you are Mycroft's daughter after all. It was bound to happen at some point."

"Yeah, I think he just wishes it had been in something other than RE."

Rosie laughed, "Oh yeah sure!"

They spent a few more happy hours laughing, gossiping and just being kids before Alex and Jem had to leave to meet her fathers.

"Thanks for this afternoon, Jem." Alex said, looping her arm through his.

"Thanks for organising it!" he replied, kissing the side of her head.

Alex stopped suddenly and Jem looked back at her concerned.

"Lexie?" he asked.

Alex looked at him and smiled, "I love you." She said.

Jeremy looked at her for a few moments. Then his face broke out into a smile, "That's good. Cause I love you!"

Alex ran at him and kissed him, wrapping her arms round his neck. He returned the kiss and lifted her off the ground. Alex smiled as she kissed Jem. She loved him and he loved her. She was in love and she finally got what Rosie had been going on about.