Molly takes a shaky breath as she slips a cute pink and yellow ombre jumper over her head, a white tee underneath. Today is the day that she will formally meet Sherlock's parents. When she will be introduced to them as his girlfriend. When she will have to put her best foot, and face, forward. She is utterly terrified. She has heard that they are kind, mostly mellow people, but they're Sherlock's /parents/. There must be a reason why their children ended up being who they are. Sherlock went through hell to get to where he is, and with all of his friends' help.

Slipping her black work-boot Uggs onto her feet, she walks over to the mirror and fiddles with her hair. She had chose a side braid; one of the hairstyles Sherlock likes best on her, but she's more thinking of what his Mother will think.

Interrupting her thoughts, Sherlock strides into her bedroom, clad in his classic black trousers and a sexy new dark teal button up. His curls are wild, but they look incredible that way. Molly can't help but grin up at him. "Hi."

"Are you ready to go? It's an hour and a half drive. My Mum is expecting us around three."

She nods and takes a deep breath, looking at herself in the mirror one more time. Sherlock wraps his arm around her from behind and places his him on her shoulder, making a cute pouty face.

"Molly, you look perfect. There's no need to fiddle with your choices. Honestly, you always look pretty", he murmurs softly in her ear, causing a rosy shade of pink to flush to her cheeks and neck.

"It's not...it's not just my clothes. It's everything. What if she hates me? What if she doesn't think I'm good enough for you? I hardly believe I'm good enough for you, Sherlock."

Sherlock stand up and spins her around, cupping her face. "Don't you dare say that. Molly, without you I wouldn't even be here. You more than deserve me. If anyone doesn't deserve someone, it's me to you. You are fantastic, and intelligent, and beautiful, and strong, and the kindest woman I've ever met. I can assure you that my mother will love you, especially because I do. I love you."

Molly looks down a bit and Sherlock tips her chin back up to meet her eyes. "I love you too…come on. We wouldn't want to be late."

He nods and gently hooks his arm in hers, grabbing what they need and heading out to Molly's car. Once they are on their way, Sherlock places a hand over Molly's free one. She is very apt to drive with one hand; habit, he supposes. He chew his lower lip before squeezing her hand to get her attention. Her gaze flicks to him as they slow for a red light. "Molly…I need to discuss something with you."

"Oh no, I'm already anxious, can't it wait?"

"Not really…it…it's about my Mum."

"What about her?", she looks into his eyes before casting her gaze back on the road as she drives.

"Well…she's very excited about this. About us and meeting you and…well…the entire prospect of a future for us."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"Well yes but she tends to get ahead of herself when she's excited and I just don't want her to put you on the spot with anything awkward, so I figure may as well warn you now."

"Warn me? Of what exactly?", she asks nervously.

"Er…well, as you know we have only been together for a handful of months now. We are learning how to function as a couple and I'm learning the ropes of how to actually share my life with another human being on this sort of level…and I know I need a lot more practice, and…and...I need to be…better still."

"Sherlock? You're starting to sound as nervous as me. What is it?"

Sherlock takes a deep breath then slowly breathes it out. "Well, my mother is not shy about the fact that she wants to be a grandmother at some point in her life regardless of how it happens, and I just thought that you should know that she may bring it up in her excitement, and I don't want you to be taken aback or unintentionally hurt by her pressing triumph", he blurts out a bit too fast.

Molly draws her lower lip in and nods slowly. "Oh."

"Oh?"

"I-…I don't exactly know how to respond."

"Oh", Sherlock falls silent and looks out the window a bit solemnly.

Molly squeezes his hand gently before locking their fingers together. "Sherlock, you know I want a future with you. You don't have to worry about my loyalties. I promise. I love you more than anything."

"But…?"

"But, after…what happened when I was younger, I don't even know if I'd have an easy time conceiving if or when we decided to try for children, if you ever want children. I…I have…scarring. I've been told that it could affect my chances, but that there's no way to know for certain unless I actually try. And I don't know if you're ready for that; like you said, we just started this relationship. I don't want to rush things with you because I care about you, and I know you need time."

Sherlock lifts her hand to his lips and kisses it softly. "I love you, Molly Hooper. I know that I want this. I know that I want you, and I was so foolish all these years. Being Rosie's godfather has taught me so much already, I can hardly imagine how I would feel as a father. My fears would be nearly doubled. Everything with my career and with who I am; my genetics, and Eurus. What I do know though, is that any child that is half of you, is an amazing child. One that I would easily protect with my life."

Molly tears up and blinks quickly as she drives, stroking his palm. "You are an amazing man Sherlock. I think if we ever had a baby, we could raise them right. I know we would do everything in our power to make sure they were taken care of and raised the right way. You have no idea how happy that would make me…I just don't know if I could. And if I can't…I don't want to disappoint you", she lowers to a whisper.

Sherlock swallows and shakes his head. "Molly, you could never disappoint me. I promise you that. Even if it ends up being the two of us together into old age, I'd be the happiest, luckiest man alive. Because I'll have you."

She sniffles and a tear falls down her cheek. Sherlock strokes it away. "You really mean that?"

"You should know that I do, Molly. I have plans for us. But I'm perfectly okay with having you and me. I just know that you have always wanted to be a mother…again…and If I'm to be a father alongside anyone, I would want that to be you of course."

Molly smiles cutely and shyly, looking at him once they arrive at his parent's cottage. She gently cups his face and kisses him lovingly, which he immediately reciprocates. When they pull away, he smiles. "Ready for this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose", she grins. They exit the vehicle and Molly grabs her purse. Sherlock takes her hand and leads her to the front door or the alarmingly red home, ringing the bell. His father opens the sleek wooden door and smiles sweetly.

"Sherlock! And this must be Molly", he chirps. "Oh, you're just as pretty as Sherlock said", he hugs he in a warm fatherly hug and she blushes, returning it.

"Thank you. It's good to finally meet you."

"Oh! Come in, come in. My wife is just taking the cookies out of the oven. She loves cooking for company."

Sherlock pulls an "I told you she was a lot to handle" face, and smirks slightly. Molly follows into the roomy, but cozy home.

His father talks to them for a few minutes before Sherlock's mum breezes out of the kitchen with a tray of chocolate chip cookies. She gasps dramatically and a grin spreads across her face. "Oh! I assume this is Molly!? Oh…darling you're perfect!", she coos and rushes over, taking Molly's face in her hands and looking her over.

"Mum. A bit much."

She clears her throat and steps back a bit. "Yes, yes, apologies sweetheart…I am just. Ohh...I'm so overjoyed that my little boy has finally found the woman that can reign him in. I admire you so much. You are so perfect for him already." His mum takes another step back and gently whacks Sherlock on the back of the head.

"Ow! Heyy!"

"Hey nothing! You're an utter fool for nearly letting her go. You're supposed to be the brilliant detective, eh? And you almost let this perfect woman get away from you", she scolds.

Sherlock sighs and rubs his head. "Yes, I know Mummy. I've told Molly as much too. Don't worry."

"I always worry, boy."

Molly suppresses a giggle at how intimidated Sherlock is of his mother. "Well, I was a fool too, I suppose I should admit. I almost moved on too early and it would have been disastrous. But I'm just glad that somehow, we found our way. Many, many years and trials and hardships, but we made it here together, right now. I couldn't be more grateful, Mrs. Holmes."

"Oh please, call me Mum!", she beams and sits, taking Molly's hand in her own. Quirking a half smile at Sherlock, she looks between them and sighs, handing Molly a cookie. "I see he's still acting the fool then, despite what he has claimed to learn?"

Molly looks a bit confused and she chuckles. "What do you mean?"

"Ugh well, he hasn't put a ring on that finger of yours yet, I see." Turning her attention to Sherlock she shakes a finger at him gently. "Every day that goes by is a day too late, son! I do want to be here to see my grandbabies you know", she exclaims.

Sherlock sighs and rubs his face. "Mother, we are going at our own pace, alright?"

"Well your own pace is too slow. You've known her for nearly ten years, loved her for at least three, and you're both finally together after every horrid thing that has gone wrong in your life, Sherlock. What the hell are you waiting for now?"

Molly blushes deeply and wrings her hands, a bit shy. Sherlock swallows hard, realizing that his mother did have a valid point. "We aren't waiting, per se. We are just being cautious, and we have our reasons; can you not put so much pressure on this. You're making her uncomfortable."

She raises and eyebrow and looks at Molly, patting her knee. "Dear, I never meant to make you uncomfortable. I'm sorry if I have. I just figured that talking about happy things would make my son happy. But then again, you know how difficult he can be to please, eh?"

Molly turns redder and laughs softly. "No need to apologize. Sherlock is…getting easier to mold. I think it'll be okay."

"Hello, I am in the room you know", Sherlock scoffs softly.

His father squeezes his shoulder. "Women are hard to live with, but impossible to live without once you've found a great one. Remember that, son. Every second is worth it and life is exponentially short. I think you of all people should know that by now. Don't waste precious time."

Sherlock looks at him and nods slowly. He peers over at Molly and his mother chatting joyously as if they were old friends and smiles, knowing for certain that Molly does belong. Both in his family, and with him into old age. If he could have one wish in the entire world it would be simple. His wish would be that he would die shortly before Molly does. That way, he would never have to live in a world without her.