The jury came. The judge called for their verdict. The foreman stood.

"Not guilty."

A cheer came up from where my family sat; even Mycroft had a small smile showing on his face. I kissed my Molly's cheek in joy then rushed down to the courtroom floor as they took the manacles off Mrs. Hudson. She was only just freed, when I came to a stop before her. Looking into her eyes, I didn't know what to do- say "Congratulations," apologize it took me so long to free her-

She wrapped me in a hug just like the ones she gave me as a child. "Thank you, Sherlock."

I smiled into her shoulder, "Anytime, Mrs. Hudson, anytime."

"I'm proud of you, Sherlock," Molly said, as she twined her arm through her mine as we walked home. "You were amazing, and you did it. You saved her."

I pulled her even closer. "Moriarty will not be happy that I interfered. I have no doubt that he'll come after me in earnest now, and, by association, all of you."

"Then we'll just have to be ready, then. And take what joy we can in the meantime."

I nodded once and smiled at her. "In that case, let's get married."

I hadn't realized the amount of effort that went into planning a single wedding, not that I minded- anything my Molly wanted, I would do my best to give her. But my mind became so occupied with planning my upcoming nuptials that I rarely had the time to think of the danger that loomed so ominously.

Reader, Molly and I were married. Oh, she was beautiful. I had never seen a bride so lovely, and Molly herself was in the pink of beauty. The sight of her when I turned to face her at the altar was one that I burned into my mind palace at the earliest opportunity. John and my brother may have made a bit of fun of me during the speeches at the wedding breakfast, but it paled in comparison to the joy of having Molly in my arms as we danced the day away until we took our leave from the few family members and guests that were staying the night (like John and Lestrade) to head upstairs.

Oh, Reader, I kissed her like our lives depended on it. I felt it in my bones, as if we would never have another chance. When we broke that kiss, we began to prepare for bed, but I had barely gotten Molly's veil extricated from her updo when John's voice and his pounding on our bedroom door broke our domestic reverie.

"Sherlock, there's been an intruder past the gates. One of the stable boys was killed. Mycroft thinks it's Moriarty, you need to come." John's panting breath could be heard through the door, as Molly turned just enough in my arms to nod for me to go. I grabbed my revolver from its drawer, running through its checks as I went to John, leaving Molly standing alone in our bedroom. I didn't realize until later that I hadn't kissed my wife goodbye.

It was later related to me that I had barely closed the bedroom door behind me when Molly found herself pressed back to front with a man, his hand tightly covering her mouth and a sharp blade stinging at her throat. She never even had the chance to scream.

Author's Note: We are getting close to the end! Poor Molly, what a way to end your wedding day! And yes, that was a reference to Jane Eyre; love that book so much.

It's Thanksgiving Day here in the US, and whether you're celebrating the day where you are or not, I hope you take a moment to think of just one thing that you're thankful for today. I know I'm thankful for everyone that's sticking along with this story! Thank you!

And if today's holiday is a rough day for you, today's chapter was posted for you. Hope it provided a bit of distraction, and know there's someone thinking of you and wishing you a better tomorrow.