Chapter 15

"Molly! Molly!" the abrupt snap of Irene's fingers roused her from her momentary rapture, "Did you hear at least one word of what I was saying to you?" asked the woman seated in front of her, elegantly crossing her legs, inevitably attracting the gaze of the male member of a couple seated at the table next to theirs.

"Yes, of course" Molly answered sipping her tea, supporting her friend's doubtful gaze, "Wasn't it that you were thinking about Sherlock's marriage proposal?", Molly shook her head firmly "No, I can swear it" she snorted irritably pointing out "And his, wasn't a proposal. He just asked me what my answer would be if he asked me. But he didn't".

Molly put the cup on the saucer saying "Why don't we change the subject?", she looked up at Irene who was turning her attention in a completely different direction. Molly gave her a light kick under the table "You're not flirting with that man, are you?" she hissed in a low voice. Irene Adler turned to her amused "Sorry, darling. It's stronger than me, I just can't help myself!".

Molly couldn't help but hide a smile and roll her eyes, "Anyway, I was telling you I can't come with you and Sherlock tomorrow night to the New Year's Eve prom organized at Bart's because…I'm seeing someone" Irene announced triumphantly. It had only been four days since the capture of the dangerous criminal who had been hunting her and Sean for the past three months and she got already back 'on track'.

"I know, I know" Irene said making a gesture with her hand in the air as if to belittle the argument, "I'm not made to be alone" she said leaning back, "Don't you ask me who the person is?" her eyes glittered like those of a child about to reveal a secret. Molly frowned trying to figure out for herself who the man or woman in question was since given the delicacy of Irene's situation, she hadn't had much of a social life.

"Well, then?", she asked impatiently and Molly laughed and gave in "Okay, tell me", Irene waited a few moments and then whispered "Mycroft's PA, Anthea", Molly's gaped at her "Really? I never would said Anthea liked women…well, together you two make up a stunning couple!" she said reaching out to take her friend's hand, "I'm so happy for you".

"Thank you. Confirmation of Sean's full recovery will be the icing on the cake. When do you have to call Dr Stevens in Baltimore?" her friend asked, gesturing the waiter to bring the bill, "Tomorrow afternoon at four" she replied taking out her wallet from her purse, "Perfect. I'll be at your flat at three thirty so I'll help you arrange your hair for the great ball, Cinderella. And I'll be there for the call", they exchanged a knowing smile.

Irene and Molly said goodbye as they exited the tea room. The Woman took a cab to meet with a real estate agent who would show her a house for sale in which she seemed very interested, while Molly took another cab to go back to her flat.

She made herself a frugal meal of sandwiches and salads. Sherlock had sent her a text in the early afternoon to tell her that he and John were going to meet a new client and so she didn't expect to see him until half past five the next day, by which time Sherlock would pick her up for the Bart's dance party.

Molly was surprised when the day after Boxing Day, Sherlock told her he had received an invitation to the usual annual hospital ball at Bart's, and asked her if she would like to go with him. Sherlock was not the type of social events, the worldliness irritated him mainly because people tended to avoid him. His deductive abilities made people uncomfortable and Sherlock made no secret of having a lot of fun showing off his prowess.

In any case, Molly had gladly accepted and for this she had spent several hours with Irene around shops. She took a long hot bath and slipped into bed to read, but soon her eyelids became heavy and so she turned off the bedside lamp and quickly drifted in a restful sleep.

Molly did not know what time it was when she heard the sound of the lock on the front door being opened and well-known footsteps heading towards her room. "Have you already solved it?" she asked half asleep, "Nope. Missing a couple of details to fit together" Sherlock's baritone voice answered.

She remained with her eyes closed but attentive to his movements in the room. He hung his jacket and shirt behind the door and put his trousers and socks on the little bench at the end of the bed. And then gently lifted the blankets and crawled into bed, spooning her "Oh, that's fine!" a whisper of approval left Molly's lips as she placed her hand on the forearm Sherlock had around her stomach.

"You looked dead tired. Was Irene so awful with you?" he whispered giving her a kiss on her cheek. Molly nodded "You have no idea! You can't imagine how many stores we enter, how many dresses I've tried on…I don't understand what's fun about shopping!".

Sherlock chuckled sliding his left leg between hers and pulling Molly closer to him "But did you find a dress?", Molly didn't hold back a yawn "Yep, it's hanging in the closet if you want to see it", he lovingly rubbed his nose on her neck "No, I prefer to imagine it. Why don't you describe it to me?".

Molly intertwined her fingers with those of Sherlock "It's a siren line dress. Soft pale pink tulle, overlaid with a pearl grey lace fabric with embroidery and sequins. American neckline and open back", she yawned again "Does the fashion's language make sense to you?". Molly felt him smile against her neck "Goodnight. Sleep well, my love" he said as she adjusted her body better against his.

Sherlock had never imagined he could feel so complete and satisfied simply by sleeping next to Molly, holding her in his arms. Five whole days had passed since he had opened his heart to her, since they had made love for the first time and Sherlock's hidden fear, which is giving in to his own feelings would somehow modify his being and his work, hadn't happened. He had been able to separate his being the famous consulting detective from his being a man in love with an amazing woman.

And it was precisely as a man in love that after returning to Baker Street, having changed to go to sleep and after half an hour of turning and tossing, he got dressed again and went to Molly. Sleeping with her, having her body next to his would, as always, calm his restless mind, thus giving it a way to rest and give the best of itself again.

And as a consulting detective the next morning, at dawn, Sherlock slipped away from Molly's warm embrace for he had to go back to work and solve the mysterious theft of a painting from the country house of a wealthy oil tycoon.

I'M HERE. I'LL WAIT FOR YOU – SH

Sherlock got out of the cab and lit a cigarette, waiting for Molly to join him. The building's door opened after about five minutes. Sherlock blew out a long plume of smoke and watched closely as Molly approached.

Her long hair was wavy and loose but resting on her left shoulder. Her face was lightly made up and she wore a long black coat that hid her dress from view. Just what he wanted. Sherlock recognized the rapid heartbeat and tightness in his stomach were physical effects Molly exerted on him and smiled at her when she was a few steps away from him.

"Difficult case?" she asked looking at the cigarette between his fingers, "Not difficult, I would call it complicated. Too many people involved" Sherlock threw away what was left of the cigarette, "You are…" he whispered slowly running his eyes along her figure, "You are breath-taking". Molly blushed "You're not bad either" she said eyeing the elegant black-tie beneath his Belstaff and rising on tiptoe and lightly brushing his lips with her own.

Sherlock didn't miss the chance to kiss her fully, "Are you sure you want to go to Bart's?" she asked catching her breath. He smiled slyly letting her go and opening the cab's door for her, "Absolutely. I can't wait to dance with you" he said as she sat down. As Sherlock did the same, he told her that before reaching Bart's, he would have to stop by an office.

"Office? It's Saturday today, no public offices are open on Saturdays, especially at almost six pm and on New Year's Eve!" Molly pointed out, "I've to collect a favour" he winked, "Of course! Where should we go?" Sherlock gave her a quick sidelong look, "At Marylebone Registry Office", Molly frowned confused "I need to check a marriage's certificate" he explained.

The cab arrived in front of the flight of steps of the Old Marylebone Town Hall about ten minutes later, "Would you like to come with me?" Sherlock asked opening the cab's door, she nodded and got out of the car.

He, waiting for her to be beside him, adjusted his coat and then reached out to take her hand. At the front door was a man of medium height, bearded but completely bold, well dressed, who was waiting for them. "Mr Holmes" he said with a broad smile extending his arm towards Sherlock to shake his hand, "I'm the Registrar Martin Reed" he introduced himself, "Good evening" Sherlock said realising Molly's hand, "This is my fiancé, Molly Hooper". She politely shook hands with the Registrar as simultaneously gave Sherlock a dumbfounded look.

"Please follow me, this way" the man invited them, turning his back to Sherlock and Molly and heading towards a staircase at the end of the corridor. "Fiancé?" Molly asked softly as Sherlock took her hand in his again, "Mmm" he mumbled without looking at her, "Are we pretending? You need a front?" she insisted tugging his hand, "Not at all. It's who you are, my fiancé" he stated firmly.

Molly was moved by his assertiveness, knowing full well how much he hated to label bonds between people or religious beliefs, or anything else society normally used to identify with a particular name.

The Registrar Reed stopped at the top step of the staircase "Mr Holmes, everything is ready in the Marylebone room. Feel free to join us at any time you want", the man smiled at Molly shyly and after a short nod toward Sherlock he walked away leaving them alone.

"Uh, I guess you probably got some questions" he said following the Registrar briefly with his eyes, "Yeah, just a couple" Molly replied, freeing her herself from his hand, "What's ready in the Marylebone room? Who should we join? Why are we here, Sherlock? Your case has nothing to do with it, does it?" Molly assaulted him with a barrage of her questions.

Sherlock looked down and then to the door where the Registrar had entered, "No, you're right. We're not here for my case" he took a step and looked down at her, "I'll explain everything. Just promise not be mad at me" Sherlock said with pleading eyes. Molly took a deep breath while still holding his gaze, "I promise. Just tell me what you've done, before I think the worst" she replied offering him her hand.

He cleared his throat as he stroked with his thumb the knuckles of the hand Molly had given him, "It's a surprise" Sherlock began to say, "After all this time, after everything I've put you through…I wanted it to be clear to you how much I love you" he swallowed as he shifted his weight from foot to foot, "So I spoke to John the day after our…clarification. I asked him how men usually show the extent of their love for their beloved. He suggested I think about a striking gesture, something crazy" he trailed off.

Molly raised a questioning eyebrow, an idea was forming in her mind "On Boxing Day, in bed, while I…well, you should remember…I asked you what your answer would be to my possible marriage proposal…So, I thought about organizing…", "Our wedding?" Molly asked with her heart beating like the wind. Sherlock nodded biting his lower lip, observing her with puppy eyes and trying to deduce Molly's reaction to his revelation.