Xxx you guys are amazing. I know I've said it a lot but I couldn't do any of this without you. Don't forget to find me on tumblr at anneofgreengablesthings! DID YOU SEE THE SERIES 4 TRAILER? IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO MARY/BABY I AM SUING MOFFAT FOR EMOTIONAL DISTRESS!

She dimly heard the judge's rumble until his last sentence ... "hereby declared Mr. William Scott Sherlock Holmes shall serve as legal guardian to his daughter Miss Felicity Grace Raymond-Holmes until she is of age. This is a trial run - I will have Social Services look in once a month for the first three months, a probation term. Will they please rise?" The judge tapped the gavel, and Lissie and Sherlock rose, looking at him intently.

He broke into a smile beneath his powdered wig. "I wish you both the very best, and I trust Social Services will find nothing awry. Court dismissed."

People were gathering their belongings and preparing to leave. Lissie flew down the aisle and up to the viewing box, running in the stuffy courtroom.

Sherlock was speaking to his lawyer. The lawyer shook his hand and moved away, to speak to Mycroft.

"Sherlock," she said slowly. He turned, stiffly, unsure.

She ran into his arms, shaking in relief and joy and pent-up worry. How many times had she ran to him like this to be comforted? And to think she'd once thought running from him would solve everything.

"I'm sorry for running away, oh, I'm so sorry," she heard herself whispering.

"It's over now; it's all over," he said, finding his voice, holding her head to him in one hand and other on her back. "Your speech was absolutely brilliant."

"Thanks," she said, muffled by his suit. He held her for a few minutes more, then pulled away.

"Lissie," he began, "I have a celebration gift of sorts. Since I missed Christmas and everything."

Awkwardly he handed her a little jewelry box.

Curious, she pried it open. Inside was a delicate ring. "It's from my wedding ring and Elsie's," he said lowly. "I had the stones made into one."

"It's beautiful,"'she exclaimed, slipping it onto her finger and admiring it in the light."A piece from each of you. But you didn't know for sure we'd win?"

"I knew," he said wryly. "I trust in Mycroft and big guns, to paraphrase that Latin poem. Or at least, I wouldn't let myself think about the alternative."

They stood there as court employees left.

"What do we do now," he queried, more of a statement than a question.

She slipped her tanned arm through his suited one. "Let's go home."

He smiled with a real smile that crinkled his eyes and lit up his face. "All right."

The sun made dappled pattens on the ground as they walked out of the court and down the street. Lissie kept a firm grip on Sherlock' s arm; she was not letting go ever again.

221B was beautiful in all its shining quirks -the skull, ever-present microscope, smiley on the wall... it had never felt more like home.

Sherlock's phone rang then.

"Hello, Mummy. Yes, I knew it was you. Because everyone else texts, Mum. What? My told you about the case? Yes, we won. Mmhmm. Mum...fine. Very well. Yes. Yes. Goodbye." He hung up and turned with a horrified look.

"Lissie, Mycroft has decided we should meet Mummy and Father for lunch. It'll take us a bit to drive out, it's at their home."

"But, that's what-"

"Normal families do? I know. Still, we can pretend to be normal, can't we?" He wiggled his eyebrows and drew in his cheekbones.

She laughed. "Normal is boring. But I'll give it a shot. Grandparents! Just imagine."

They were still dressed nicely, but Sherlock nervously patted at his hair. "You look very nice," she reassured him.

"I can't have My showing me up, can I? And they always say I don't eat enough...just because I'm not chubby like My..."

She laughed again, feeling how free their conversation could be. Oh, yes, there would still be awkward moments and fights and everything that came with a young father and a teenager. But for now she could enjoy the sunshine and peace.

"They'll love you," Sherlock said as she hesitated outside the home. "They'll smother you, in fact..."

She smiled and pulled open the door. Mycroft and an older couple were seated around the table. The woman rose and hurried to hug Sherlock.

"Sherlock, love, why don't you come round more often? You boys should see your poor old parents."

She patted his cheek and turned to Lissie.

"You have Sherlock's eyes," she said, studying her. "Welcome to our family."

"Thank you," Lissie managed, returning the embrace. Sherlock's father shook his hand and patted Lissie's shoulder.

"Have a seat, have a seat. How old are you, dear?"

"Sixteen, sir."

"Wonderful! I remember when Sherlock was that age, always annoying Mycroft when My came home from uni..."

Mummy Holmes beckoned Sherlock into the kitchen, behind the swinging doors. He followed.

She faced him and asked in a whisper, "Why didn't you tell us, Sherlock?"

"Tell you what?"

"That you were married? Or that you had a daughter?"

He brushed his hand through his hair. "It was sudden. I'm sure My told you what I told him. And then Raymond took her...Mum, when I learned Elsie had died I couldn't think straight. I made myself forget. I wouldn't say her name or look at our pictures. I'd never stopped looking for her, though, if I'd known there was a child-"

Mummy patted his arm. "I believe you, Sherlock. But Lissie is nothing to be ashamed of. You could have come to us, instead of letting Mycroft relay information."

"I'm sorry, Mummy," he said, surprisingly contrite. Then, eagerly, "What do you think of her?"

"She's beautiful. Oh, love, she's very like you, but I'm thankful she doesn't make crude deductions - yet."

He smiled and they moved into the living room, where Lissie was enjoying tales of his teenage misshaps.

Fluff from here on out? Maybe... I still have some cards up my sleeve but only if you are interested?