Notes: Thank you so much for all the positive feedback i am generally surprised people are interested in this story. So here is chapter two. I hope you enjoy it :-)
It had gone one in the morning by the time Molly and Sam made it back to their flat. Neither of them had spoken to each other on the taxi ride home. It didn't seem right, this was a conversation that needed to be done in private. Sam felt exhausted emotionally and physically from what had just happened, but part of her knew that if she tried to go to bed now, sleep would not come. Looking at her mother, Sam was sure she felt the same way.
"Fold the chair up and go into the living room. I'll make us some hot chocolate and then we can talk," Molly instructed her daughter as she walked into the kitchen.
"Okay," Sam replied as she got out of her chair, clipping the seat belt back together. Next, she took the cushion out and pulled the middle up, and she left the cushion by the wheel. It had been decided long ago that if the chair was in the house, and not in the back of Molly's car, it would be folded up, so it didn't take up too much room in the hallway of their flat.
Once she was done, Sam walked into the living room and sat down on the sofa. She was glad that she had been in her pyjamas when the kidnapping happened, because it was one less thing to do, now she was home. It wasn't long before Molly walked in with two mugs, handing one to her daughter. She then grabbed the big blanket that always hung on the back of her sofa. Molly put it over both of them, hoping it would help Sam feel a little bit more comfortable.
Sam took a sip of her drink. "So, that's Sherlock then."
"Yeah," replied Molly. "How did you end up at the pool?"
"I was asleep in the dorm. My roommate is away, family issues, so I'm not sure what time it was. One moment I was asleep, then the next thing I know, Jim was there. I recognised his voice from when you both skyped me a few weeks ago. He was there, had his face right next to mine with a gun," Sam paused for a moment. "He told me to get up now … and go with him. If I tried to make a scene, he would shoot me. He had a helicopter waiting on the school field. If anyone from the school questioned it, I don't think they would have raised an eyebrow cause of who Mycroft is."
"He does have a lot of protection set up for you."
"Yeah. So, he got me to London, I don't remember much, it's all a bit of a blur." Sam saw the worried look on her mother's face. "He didn't drug me if you're worried. I know he would've, if I didn't comply with what he wanted me to do. So, I did as I was told."
"That makes a change," Molly quipped.
Sam smiled. "They set up the bomb vest on me. Took a couple of pictures, then I don't know how long it was before Da-, Sherlock got there. How did you know I was there? You were so calm."
"Jim texted me a couple of the pictures saying, 'Come to the pool if you want to see her alive'. I didn't text Mycroft because I thought maybe if I spoke to Jim, he wouldn't hurt you. I knew if I acted calmly it would be better for you."
"Sorry to say this, Mum, but do you think Jim was only dating you to get to … Sherlock …. and me? How do you think he found out?"
"I'm not sure, love. I've never once told Jim you were … um … Sherlock was your father."
"Maybe he hacked into some of the secret files Mycroft has about Sherlock," Sam mused. "Or he could have found something like my birth certificate while you were asleep."
"Quite possibly. Wait - how do you know about the secret files Mycroft has?"
"No reason," Sam said quickly, avoiding her mother's eye, quickly taking another sip of her drink.
Molly looked at her daughter suspiciously, but decided to not pursue the subject, for now. "So, what do you think of him? Now you've seen him in person."
"He's okay, I guess," Sam said uninterestedly.
"Sammy," Molly said using her favourite nickname for her daughter. "Please, we have to talk about this. Please tell me how you feel."
"That's the thing, Mum, I don't know how I feel. I dreamed about meeting my dad for the first time for as long as I can remember. Wanting to run into his arms for a big hug, like it's always done on tv and films. Then there he was, stood right in front of me and I ... don't know. I don't think he wants me, Mum. What if I don't want him?"
Molly put her mug down on the coffee table that was in front of the sofa, then did the same with her daughter's. Then she pulled her into a hug. She had done this when Sam was much younger and got bullied because of her disability. Gently stroking her hair, she whispered into her ear, "Oh, honey, your father, no matter how brilliant he can be … he is a very complicated man. Sherlock has only just found out about you under very stressful circumstances. It's bound to feel strange not just for him but for you too."
"How do you feel about it all?" Sam asked looking up at her mother.
"Just as nervous. I always knew I would have to tell him one day, but not like that. The main thing is that you are safe. I kept you a secret from him for a very … very long time. I hope one day he will be able to see that I didn't do it to hurt him."
"What if he's horrible to you?"
"I'll take it as long as he's not like that with you," Molly said, kissing the top of Sam's head. "I'll get Mycroft to contact the school in the morning and let him explain why you won't be in for the rest of the week, and hey, then it's half term, a whole week of having you home."
"Thanks, Mum. I can't wait to spend time with you. I've missed you while I have been away," Sam said, squeezing the arms wrapped tightly around her.
"I've missed you too," Molly responded.
They were both quiet for a long time. "I'm not calling him Dad though," Sam said suddenly, thinking out loud.
Molly chuckled. "Whatever pace feels best for you, go with that."
"Knowing the way I walk it will be a bloody slow one."
"Hey, come on now, I think it's time we both went to bed."
Molly walked with Sam to her room and helped her get into bed. This wasn't something she had done for a while now. Sam was getting more grown up and becoming more independent. Molly missed the days of telling her daughter a bedtime story. "If I'm not here in the morning, it's because I've probably gone to talk with Mycroft or your Da- … Sherlock. I'll make sure one of Mycroft's men will be here to make sure you're safe."
"You mean one of his men to babysit me." Sam yawned.
"If you want to look at it that way, then yes. Come on now, no more talking let's get some sleep."
Sam rolled over onto her side, Molly just about made out her words before she drifted off to sleep. "Goodnight, Mum. I love you."
"I love you too." Molly said as she walked out the room.
Sherlock stood by the pool, analysing what had just happened to him. That girl was his child. A child he had with Molly. One she kept from him. Mycroft knew. Mycroft!
"Sherlock, you all right mate?" John asked.
"Not particularly," Sherlock replied, as he walked away from John towards the exit.
John followed after him. "Where are we going?"
"We aren't going anywhere. I'm doing as Molly said and letting Mycroft know that I know. You can either go back to Baker Street or, go to see Sarah - you seemed interested in that option earlier. Good night."
The detective walked off, leaving behind a very confused John. "Yeah, see you later, mate."
Sherlock decided to take a taxi to Mycroft's place of work. Knowing the work his older brother did, there was a chance that he would still be there working at this hour. The closer the taxi took him, the more he could feel anger building up inside of him.
He did not remember the walk to his brother's office, but before he knew it, he was at the door. As he entered, his brother was pacing the office, with paperwork in his hand. He looked up, surprised to see him.
"HOW COME YOU KEPT HER A SECRET FROM ME?" Sherlock yelled, before Mycroft had a chance to say anything.
"Sherlock, what in great heaven are you talking about?" Mycroft asked.
"My daughter. The one you kept a secret."
"Molly told you?" Mycroft asked, surprised.
"No, but a criminal kidnapped her. Moriarty. Put a bomb vest on her and forced her to tell me her name. When she said Hooper Holmes, I thought she might be your child."
Mycroft gave Sherlock a condescending smile. "Really, my child, Sherlock? Why would you even think that?"
"Because Molly and I were close, we obviously had sex, but she would have told me. We were… frie- lab partners once."
"Yes, but then you decided to substitute your lab partner for drugs. Molly didn't want that for the child, so she did the right thing and came to me."
This made Sherlock even angrier. He pushed his brother up against the wall and grabbed his arm, pulling it behind his back. "I would have been right for them."
"No, you wouldn't, brother mine." Mycroft managed to get out. "You weren't fit to be a father then, and I'm still not sure now. That's why we all kept it a secret from you."
"Who's we? Who else knows about her?" Sherlock asked, letting go of his brother's arm.
"Mummy and Father, they are quite fond of her, and Samantha loves them both dearly."
"So, you have all been lying to me for the past twelve years. Was I ever going to find out about her?"
"Well, I hoped not," Mycroft said harshly. "If I am being honest, it would have been better for her."
Sherlock punched Mycroft in the face several times. "She's not a her."
Mycroft grabbed the handkerchief that was in his top pocket and wiped some of the blood coming from his bleeding nose. "This is why we didn't tell you about Samantha. You still act like a child and have no grasp of your emotions."
"I'm not a child, don't treat me like one."
"I will stop treating you like a child when you grow up. I'm going to say this to you now, Sherlock. Do not mess Sam around. She may come across strong and tough, but she is not. Sam has gone through so much in her short life already and lost a lot too."
"What are you saying?" Sherlock asked.
"Make a choice; be in her life and act like a father or leave her alone. Cause if you choose to be a father now but, in a year's, time decide to walk, it will hurt Sam more than you could ever imagine."
"I won't hurt her," Sherlock retorted.
"Not intentionally, brother, but I fear you still might. Think about it, and I mean properly think about it, if this is what you want."
Sherlock nodded and left his brother in peace. Walking the streets of London back to his flat, he thought about what would be the right thing to do. His mind kept taking him back to the image of his child hugging her mother.
Molly woke early the next morning. For someone who went to bed late, she felt far more rested than she should have done. Rolling over in bed, she grabbed her phone off the nightstand, turning off the alarm she had set, to see she had a text from Mycroft. It wasn't unusual for her to have a text from him.
Sherlock visited last night. I see he learnt about Samantha. I hope my niece is okay. You might want to go talk with him – M
Molly rolled her eyes at Mycroft's use of Samantha. Molly knew Sam always disliked being called that name. No matter how many times they had tried to get him to stop using it, he never did. At this point, Molly saw it as an inside joke between uncle and niece.
Sam is doing okay, she is sleeping. I will go to Baker Street after I have had breakfast to see if I can talk to him. Please, would it be possible to send over someone to watch her? MH x
Yes, I will arrange that now and I'll have a car waiting to take you to Baker Street. I don't think it is best we meet up today. Talk things through with my brother if he is willing. Give it a couple of days and get back to me. – M
Thank you and will do – MH x
Molly quickly had a shower and got breakfast before she walked outside to take the car Mycroft had waiting for her. Molly walked to her daughter's bedroom. Opening the door slightly, she could see Sam deep in sleep with the blankets tightly wrapped around her. Molly smiled to herself, knowing that Sam was safe. Molly knew she would never tell Sam that last night she had cried herself to sleep, over her daughter possibly getting hurt by someone she had brought into their lives when her guard was down. 'Office romance, my ass' Molly thought. She stayed a moment longer looking at her daughter, then knew she had to get on.
As she got to the car, Molly saw Sam's normal bodyguard/baby sitter, David, standing by it. David was in his late twenties. He didn't look much like a bodyguard, but she guessed that's why it worked, because who would presume, he was one? Molly was pleased David had been sent, she knew he was Sam's favourite.
"Hi, David, Sam is still asleep and should be up in the next few hours. If she is not up by eleven, can you wake her up to take her tablets?"
"Of course, Ma'am," he replied.
Molly blushed. Even after all these years, she found it odd been spoken to like she was royalty. "You know where everything is in the kitchen if you want anything." Molly started to get into the car. "Oh, one last thing, no playing poker with Sam. Last time she lost half her pocket money."
"First time I beat her at a game, Ma'am, but note taken."
"Thank you. I should be back by early afternoon."
"Take the time you need, Ma'am, we will be fine," David said as he shut the car door for Molly then walked inside her flat.
Molly felt sick to her stomach the whole ride over to Baker Street. The guilt of the secret she had kept for over twelve years was catching up with her, and all she could see in her mind was Sherlock's sad and confused face. Molly made herself look out the car window. Even though she knew Sherlock could possibly be hurt, it almost seemed worth it, because it meant Sam had been safe for all this time.
When she got to Baker Street, she knocked on the door and waited; it wasn't long before Mrs Hudson opened the door. "Oh, hello Molly dear, it's lovely to see you."
"Hello, Mrs Hudson. I was wondering if Sherlock was in, I need to talk to him."
"He is, dear, but I think he got back late from a case last night or should I say early hours of this morning. Strange one it must be to have grabbed his attention like this, but you know what he's like - give him a murder any day of the week."
"Yeah." Molly smiled weakly.
"John wouldn't mind having a word with you though. He told me that if you knocked, to get him for you. He's a nice lad," Mrs Hudson said knowingly.
Before Molly had a chance to stop the older woman, she was walking up the stairs to the other flat. Within a few seconds, she was coming back down the stairs with John not far behind her.
"Molly, I'm glad you came over. Sherlock seems to be resting at the moment. But I wouldn't mind talking with you. Mrs Hudson, do you mind if we use your flat, so we don't disturb Sherlock?"
"Of course. I'll leave you alone. Give you a bit of privacy." Mrs Hudson winked at him.
"If it's okay with Molly, would you be able to join us?" John asked her, before looking over at Molly and eyebrow raised. Molly nodded her head a little nervously.
"Oh, John, that is not my thing. Maybe when I was younger, I would have said yes, but you two have a nice time."
Both John and Molly shuddered at what Mrs Hudson was suggesting. "Oh no. It's not like that," Molly said quickly.
"I think it would be better if we went inside and let Molly explain everything," John suggested.
Once inside the flat, John made tea for himself and the two women. As he sat down, he helped Molly explain everything that had happened at the pool the previous night, and the secret Molly had been keeping.
Both John and Molly waited for a reaction to come from the landlady. "I always had a feeling you had a secret." Mrs Hudson smiled.
"Really?" Molly said, shocked. "But I was able to keep it from Sherlock."
"Oh, that boy can be blind sometimes to things that are right under his nose. It was the way you held yourself, Molly. I just knew there was something, but never asked."
"So, how did it happen between you and Sherlock?" John asked. "I mean, I know how Sam obviously came to be, but what led to … that?"
Molly bit her lip and decided to continue telling the version that Mycroft and Sam knew. "We were lab partners at university, he was a few years older but, in our class, because of his drug addiction and getting clean held him back from getting in. We worked well together … then one late night I was in his dorm, he didn't have a roommate he scared that poor bugger away in the first week… anyway, we were trying to finish one of our assignments. One moment we were working, the next thing I know is that he leaned over and kissed me, and one thing led to another and … well, Sam happened.
"Sounds like you two were close back then. Why did you keep it a secret from him?" John asked.
"He wasn't there when I woke up. I didn't see Sherlock for a few weeks afterwards, but a friend told me he had gone back to the drugs. I found him in a back alleyway, I called Mycroft who sent him back to rehab. A few weeks later I took a pregnancy test. I knew it was his … he was the only person. So, I contacted Mycroft."
"I bet he was shocked." Mrs Hudson added in.
"He was." Molly smiled at the memory. "I told him that I wanted to put the child up for adoption and that I didn't want Sherlock to know. With the drugs and everything, it didn't seem safe for her."
"But you didn't give her up. What made you change your mind?" John asked.
"Sam was born 8 weeks early. She almost died," Molly said, with tears in her eyes. Mrs Hudson reached out for her hands. "She stopped breathing at one point, that's what led to the brain damage. When a nurse told me that, I knew I had to see her. Even if it was just once. My dad, who had been there for me through my pregnancy, went with me to see her. The moment we both saw her, we couldn't let her go. She was mine, and I almost lost her, I wasn't going to give her up for anything. Mycroft wasn't completely okay with it, but I think he knows it was the right thing."
Mrs Hudson smiled "So, what is she like … Sam, was it?"
"Yes, Sam" Molly beamed proudly. "She's wonderful, brilliant and an absolute pain in the neck sometimes."
"Sounds like someone else we know." John joked.
"Are you talking about me?" Sherlock asked, as he entered the room. He stopped for a moment when he saw Molly was in the room, but then resumed walking over to Mrs Hudson's biscuit tin.
"Molly has just been telling us the good news, Sherlock, isn't it wonderful?" Mrs Hudson beamed.
"Yes, of course, it is, Mrs Hudson, but I would have liked to have known twelve years ago," Sherlock shot back, giving Molly a dark look.
Mrs Hudson gave him a disapproving look. "Hush now, Sherlock. You know now. You've got plenty of time to get to be a dad. You don't plan on dying, soon do you?"
"Not really." The detective replied. "Is she okay?"
"Yes," Molly replied. "She was asleep before I left, but she's got someone watching her, so I know she will be okay."
"So, what do we do now?" Sherlock asked.
"It depends on what both you and Sam want to do."
"Does she want to know me?" Sherlock asked nervously.
"I think so. She needs time to adjust to things, Sherlock, but I know a part of her does want you in her life. Is that's something you want?"
Sherlock thought back to everything he had analysed last night. He was intrigued by this child. He wasn't going to lie about the fact that he wanted to get to know more about her. "Yes, Molly. I'd like that very much."
"How about you come over for tea? Sam will be home for the rest of this week and next cause half term is coming up."
"Okay." The detective nodded.
"Look I better get going to get back to Sam. Text me what day works best for you?" Molly said goodbye to John and Mrs Hudson as she left the flat.
When she got back out onto the street Molly could see the car that brought her there, was still waiting for her. As she got in, she asked the driver to take her back home. Molly couldn't help but feel like she had a funny feeling in her tummy. She watched London pass by. She wasn't sure if it was nervousness or excitement. All she knew was she hoped this all worked out. The thought of Sam getting hurt by Sherlock was unbearable, but it was a risk she was willing to take if it meant Sam would have some type of relationship with her father. All Molly hoped was that it all turned out well.
Notes: So that's chapter two. I didn't want to have Sam immediately want to know Sherlock I think she would be a bit hesitant. I also hope with the little snippets of backstory that I added might help answer some questions.
Thank you too goodshipsherlollipop for Beta reading this for me. :-)
If you like the chapter comments are always welcome here and generally, make chapters appear faster.