Author's note: One of the things I have found, writing a continuing story for my characters in "real-time" beyond TFP, is that I am able to write stories that include issues that are happening around us.

So, although this story was unplanned, in light of all that has been happening with the COVID-19 concerns, all the school closures/shutdowns (even through my own disappointment of our opera company cancelling their latest production which we have been working on), I felt inspired to write.

Perhaps this story will only be read by my regular readers, perhaps some others will read the title and come to it out of curiosity. I have no idea. I just wanted to do something that addresses what we are seeing around us. Regardless, please use wisdom and discernment in the coming days and stay safe.

I'd like to first share this Bible verse with you.

2 Timothy 1:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Hearing the front door open, Molly raised her eyes from observing Victoria putting different coloured blocks into a shape sorter that had been a Christmas present from the Holmes grandparents.

Sherlock entered the front room with a multi-pack of toilet paper. "I got the last one," he said. "Actually, I wouldn't even have been able to get any, except that a woman with probably the last two packages saw me eyeing the empty shelves and gave me one of hers."

"That was kind of her. Goodness, I only asked you to get some because we were running low, and Kayla told me that toilet paper was becoming a scarce commodity when she went shopping yesterday." She looked at the oversized package which was enough for at least three months. "At least these should last us for a good while. I can't believe people are stocking up with multiple packages of toilet paper."

Sherlock shrugged. "They are a non-perishable item, as are paper towels of which, incidentally, there also were none that I could see. Things are definitely getting out of hand. I saw online that someone was even mugged for their toilet paper right here in Harringay."

Molly looked over at Christina, who was peacefully sleeping in her bouncer. "It's dreadful, the lengths people will go to when they are feeling panic about something. One would think the world was about to end."

Sherlock's expression became solemn as he set the toilet paper package on the floor. "With this pandemic, I have to wonder if it has happened to get the world to recognise we need to look outside ourselves for answers."

"One can only hope. Perhaps this will lead to the revival we have been praying for. Just hearing about the higher than usual mortality rate and the way the virus has spread worldwide so quickly is scary."

"Countries closing their borders; schools and universities shutting down everywhere, I would never have expected anything like this to ever happen." Sherlock shook his head and walked over to the playpen to pick up Victoria.

"No, Daddy," she protested, struggling to get down immediately. "Wanna play."

He put her back down and sat beside Molly instead. "So much for giving my daughter some affection."

"I'm here if you feel the need for it," offered Molly.

He leaned in to give her a tender kiss. "I must admit, I'm relieved that Mike agreed that you should not return to work right now. If you got sick, I don't know how I would deal with our daughters by myself."

"I don't know how I'd take care of them without you being around either. If you insist on going out to do cases, make sure you are extra careful. Where is the hand sanitiser you were going to get to keep with you?"

Sherlock's lips twisted. "That is another item that is unavailable right now, but don't worry, I'll just head over to Baker Street tomorrow and make my own in my lab before I do anything else. I won't schedule any more consultations right now either. I thought I'd go check on Martha while I'm there too, see if she needs anything."

"That's a good idea. Older people are especially at risk for serious outcomes with this virus, and I'd feel better if she was able to stay in her flat as much as possible to limit the chance of exposure." Then she thought of what Sherlock had just said about hand sanitiser and added, "My goodness, no hand sanitiser thought? Don't people realise that washing with soap and water is better anyway? Hand sanitiser is really meant for when you don't have access to water. I mean, if you are on a case and out in the field, looking at a murder victim with no water nearby, that makes sense to have something to clean your hands with."

"It is what it is, love. Everyone has their own fears and concerns and ways of dealing with it. If it makes them feel safer to have fifteen bottles of hand sanitiser throughout their home, that's their prerogative."

Molly couldn't help smiling a little at the image of someone having a bottle of sanitiser in every room of their house, but her smile faded quickly. "If people didn't go crazy, there would be enough of everything for everyone."

"As the saying goes, 'you're preaching to the choir.' I agree. That being said, why don't we switch the subject to something better? I want to share some good news with you."

Molly looked at his mysterious smile. "What good news?"

"I was going to wait to tell you on your birthday, but I'll tell you a little early."

Christina stirred at that moment and opened her eyes, then let out a little cry. How was it children were so good at interrupting important conversations?

"Hang on a sec. Time for the milk machine to go online again." She got up, unbuckled the baby, then returned to the sofa, pulling up her jumper and unclipping the hook for the maternity bra.

Sherlock, ready as ever, grabbed a cushion for Molly to rest her arm on so she could begin feeding the baby.

Once Christina had latched on and was suckling away, Molly glanced at Sherlock. "So, the good news?"

He had been watching in fascination as usual, reaching over and placing a gentle hand to Christina's head to touch her soft little cheek. "Ah, yes, Well-"

He was interrupted, this time by Victoria. "Done, Mummy."

Molly looked over to where Victoria was holding her shape sorter. Apparently she had successfully placed all the shapes into it. "Good girl, princess," she said.

"Do you want Daddy to take the shapes out of the box so you can put them in again?" asked Sherlock.

Victoria nodded. "Again!" she said. Molly wondered if she had picked up that word from the television show she had put on a week earlier that had captured Victoria's interest with the colourful characters. The Teletubbies was a toddler-friendly show, and when Victoria seemed interested in it, Molly checked the tv guide online so she could put it on for Victoria to watch. It was the first time Victoria had seemed interested in a television show, and it was a helpful distraction when dealing with two young children.

Sherlock rose and emptied out the shape sorter so Victoria could put the shapes in it again. The gift had been useful in helping Victoria understand colours and shapes, better than using the baby book which offered only a two-dimensional view. Victoria could now recognise both shapes and colours very well, something that especially pleased Sherlock, who had spent many hours trying to "educate" her on such things.

Again, Sherlock returned to the sofa. "What were we talking about?"

Moly rolled her eyes. "This good news of yours."

"Ah, yes. Well-" he paused, as if to draw out the suspense, and Molly huffed out an exasperated breath.

"I think two interruptions is enough time for me to wait. Tell me already," she said, an impatient note creeping into her voice.

His eyes twinkled. "Very well. I pre-ordered a year's subscription to Disney Plus, which will be available here shortly."

Molly's lips curved upwards. Sherlock knew she was a big Disney fan. "Oh, that's wonderful. It's the perfect birthday present for me! Promise me you will watch the Marvel films with me. And the last Star Wars film when it comes out, seeing as we didn't get to see it because I was too close to my due date for Christina."

He bent to kiss her cheek. "Of course, love. I would quite like to see the conclusion of the Star Wars trilogy too. Do you remember how we went to the cinema for the second one?"

Molly giggled, stroking her hand over the baby's hair. "We went twice, as I recall. You were getting entirely too frisky when I wanted to watch the film the first time, and we left early."

Sherlock heaved an exaggerated sigh. "Ah yes, our fist little row occurred as a result of my, er, friskiness. But really, how can you blame me? Sitting in a darkened cinema with a very alluring wife-"

"And acting like a teenage boy with his first crush," she finished, and he smirked.

"Just so you know, I do have something else for you for your birthday. It is your fortieth, after all. It can wait till the day, though."

Molly made a face. "Don't remind me. Forty seems so old."

He frowned at her. "May I remind you, I am almost forty-three, my love. Do you consider me old?"

"Of course not, silly. I guess it's just a woman thing. I certainly don't feel any older, but the notion of turning forty is intimidating."

"Rest assured, my love, in my eyes you will always be young and beautiful on the inside no matter how our outward appearances change."

She sighed happily. "You always know exactly what to say to make me feel better."

"Isn't that the responsibility of a loving partner?"

She smiled up at him, then remembered something else she had been meaning to tell him when he returned from his emergency shopping trip for loo paper. "Oh, I got an email from our church earlier as well. With all that is going on, for now we will not be passing the peace or taking up the offering to minimise risk of spreading any infection. The offering plates will be put at the back of the church."

"Wise precautions. The offering doesn't affect us anyway, as we do ours electronically through the bank once a month," he pointed out.

"I know, just telling you what the email said. I'm sure you got an email as well about it. Oh, and there is a chance that church services will be temporarily suspended if things continue as they have been doing. I have seen on the news that this is happening in many places in America too. For now, all church-related activities, or other meetings that occur at church have been suspended as well."

"Guess I won't be going to NA this week then," Sherlock commented.

"I'm just hoping the worst of this is over by Easter. Your parents are coming up, remember?"

Sherlock nodded. "And they are very excited to see the girls. I feel like a second-class citizen even more, now that we have two children. It's like grand-babies first, sons last." He pouted, and Molly laughed, not bothering to respond. He knew he was loved by his parents, even if their attention was more focussed on the newer members of the family.

She switched Christina to the other breast as Sherlock readjusted the cushion for her other arm, meaning it rested on his own lap.

Molly felt Sherlock's arm slide around her shoulder.

2020 was certainly taking some unexpected and unpleasant turns. But she had a lot to be thankful for. A loving family, good friends and a heavenly Father who would see them through.

No matter what happened, Molly knew that God was sovereign and in control. Somehow, some way, good would come out of this. She firmly believed that, and it was just a matter of waiting to see what would happen.

"I love you, Sherlock," she said, leaning her head against his shoulder.

He turned his head and she felt him kiss her temple. "I love you too."

Author's note: Yes, rather shorter than my usual story. It's just supposed to be a snapshot into the lives of my characters and an opportunity to offer some insight on what is happening in the world right now. I also get to continue their journey with foreshadowing of another proposed story I have in mind for them that leads to yet another one of my dream stories, if I ever get around to writing it.

As often happens in my post TFP stories, because they are all linked, there is a reference to events that occurred in another of my stories here, Star Wars - Use the Force.

I do hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into my continuing story for Sherlock, Molly, and their family.

Would love to hear from you, both with your thoughts on the story and in regard to how your area/nation is dealing with the COVID-19 concerns. I'd especially be interested in hearing from any international readers who may take a look at this - how is your country dealing with things?

Finally, I urge you to not panic, to seek God's wisdom in your own handling of the situation. In America, the president has called today a national day of prayer. Let us put aside our differences and come together not only as individual nations, but as a world united.

In the words of the president:

TODAY IS A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER. GOD BLESS EVERYONE!

Please, no disparaging political comments. Whether you are a fan or not of our president, I appreciate those words and their intent. Note - it was not "God bless America," it was "God bless EVERYONE."