A/N: So ….. the story's gonna meet an actual end here but there's an epilogue…
The last week of the case has passed. I discovered more proof that proved Stapleton's guilt which brought me happiness, but brought Holmes despair: Stapleton was in love with Emma.
From Monday to Friday Holmes has closed himself in his room and mopped for Emma, his love. I finally had a plan: I will arrest Stapleton and arrange a meeting between Holmes and Emma in the same time.
On Friday evening I went into Holmes' room and told him that there will be a surprise meeting between him and two other people on Saturday.
"Who are they?" was all Holmes' reply.
I said, smiling mysteriously: "The surprise will be kept secret until the true meeting between you three." Holmes nodded.
On Saturday evening Holmes and I arrived in Devonshire punctually. We went to visit and had dinner in The Baskerville Hall. Holmes, ignoring my true intentions, talked politely to the Baskervilles, thinking probably that I was planning nothing but a visit which might distract him for a while and perhaps bring him another Nay, what h was thinking was definitely wrong. He agreed to come here by curiosity, not knowing what I had in mind.
"Victory is near." I said to myself.
Yes, it was near. As I went out of the house and walked with Holmes on the moor, I felt it in the bushes, in the trees, in everything on the moor. I felt it in the wind and also in Holmes' questioning look as I moved from one topic to the other without touching the one concerning Emma and our current case.
Stapleton, who has certainly received my telegraph, came out as the right time, without realizing that the writer of the anonymous telegraph was Holmes' Boswell. He soon found himself surrounded by Holmes, Lestrade who has just appeared, and I.
" You are arrested." Said Lestrade. Stapleton, surprised by this attack, took several minutes to think and then replied calmly: "For what?"
"For the murder of Isabella Bentley," said a feminine voice coldly.
The three of us turned to see Emma standing there her arms crossed looking icily and haughtily at the man who killed her sister and best friend. Her eyes were only fixed on the criminal
Holmes' POVMy heart beat like a drum. I was lost about what to do with this unexpected situation. Emma and everybody else were calm, but not me. I tried to tell myself that with will end my first and last love, that from now on I will concentrate on other cases and try to live without the girl I have given my heart to, that this can be nothing but a small distraction for me… but it's no use. Emma has occupied all my heart and mind. Nothing else could enter in, nothing at all.
Oh WHENEVER will this stop! I love her, I care for her, I need her, and I want her! WHENEVER will she understand! Goodness…
As these thoughts passed in my mind I was staring at my feet. As I raised my head I heard Stapleton's cold and triumphant voice: "If there is no objection Emma will be mine."
"NO! NEVER!" I exclaimed. Everybody jumped. I took a deep breath and began my first and last proposal:
"Miss Ben - Emma, I…I really wanted to tell you that…that I fell in love with you from the first time I've seen you. How I adore you, darling angel! How I wish that you are mine! I walked in my modest apartment telling myself that this will be but a small distraction, a small test .In other words, that this will not last long and become important in my life. But… you expected the result, didn't you? It didn't work.. I love you more and more each day as time goes by. Emma will you marry me?"
Emma was startled for a moment. Then came the answer that changed my life…
"For ever and a day!" Emma exclaimed in an incredibly ecstatic voice.
I felt so incredulous and happy that I could fly in the sky. Finally! FINALLY! Goodness she was finally mine! I felt as if I could run towards her and hold her in my arms this instant But no, for whatever happens, I was still a gentleman.
I offered my arm to Emma. "Shall we leave for London now my lady?"
"Certainly my lord."
We were soon on the train and got back an hour later. I invited her courteously to stay in my apartment for the night since the weather was horrid. She consented, and I led her into Watson and I's room.
" I love you." I said closing the door.
" So do I my lord." She said sweetly.
"Emma? May I hold you?"
" You need not ask." She said laughing.
I grabbed her and took her in my arms.
" Forever Emma." I murmured in her hair.
Yes, forever. I will care about her , love her, protect her and be hers from body to soul… forever.
A/N: All you need to wait for is the epilogue….. and sorry for the delay."