Phillip's Christmas Lullaby

Genre: Friendship

Pairings: Greg and Molly, Sherlock and Sally, Phillip Anderson and OC Jackie, all background

Main characters: Greer, Phillip

When Phillip Anderson showed up at 221C for the annual Baker Street Christmas Eve get-together, he wasn't expecting Greer Lestrade to remember him, let along attach herself to him for the evening.

The little girl, eagerly anticipating Christmas morning, was keyed up enough by the activities of the day to know that something else special was happening, even if she wouldn't get to stay up long enough to take all of it in.

Phillip, having missed the party the year before, hadn't really seen much of little Greer since Sherlock and Sally's wedding, when he had taken it upon himself to babysit.

He had watched her through the ceremony, as Molly had acted as matron of honour, and Greg himself had escorted Sally down the aisle to give her away. He had assisted with not only Greer, but Johnnie and Scott Lestrade as well once the ceremony itself had begun. He had even voluntarily assumed primary childminding duties for the following reception and dance as well. He fondly remembered Greg and Molly's youngest collapsing limply against his shoulder as he tried to find a quiet spot away from the din of the celebration, the young girl's weary twin brothers tagging along and clinging to his coat tails. Greer had been just under a year old at the time – too young really to participate, although her brothers had acted as co-ringbearers.

Phillip had enjoyed his colleagues having a true night off, celebrating, and as for himself, he didn't mind looking after the little ones in the least. He had little opportunity to do so as it was, having none of his own.

He had seen Greer after that, at the odd gathering, celebrating birthdays, or most notably the goodbye gathering for DS Ambrose, which secured Kieran's spot on the team with Sally's return from mat leave, rounding out Greg's CID team as it currently stood. Greer had enthusiastically stuck to him when she wasn't seeking out her dad, or pre-occupied with playtime hosted by Rosie and Julian.

Phillip released his fiancée Jackie's arm long enough to reach down and catch Greer in shock as the young girl launched herself at him. Greg stood back and grinned. Maybe Phillip hadn't noticed that he held a certain knack with the little ones, but Greg had.

Later on, Greer would crash in Phillip's arms, with his quiet whispers of promises of the morning to come.

"Look, Lady Greer," he would say, softly. He had looked out the flat's basement level window at the prompting of Rosie and Julian, who as always seemed a pair joined at the hip, and pointed at the low level view illuminated by a nearby street lamp highlighting the scene in a soft glow. A gentle snowfall had begun, almost cheesy in its Christmas Eve postcard cliché. Quaint to a fault, but charming to the hilt nonetheless.

Greer, tired but still keyed up, sat contentedly on his arm with her hands wrapped around his neck.

"Do you know what that is, Milady?"

Jackie, more than happy to share her fiancé with Greer Lestrade, appeared at his other side, smiling softly.

"It's snowing!" Greer replied. "Father Christmas is coming!"

"Yes, he is," Phillip said warmly. "It also means that little girls and boys have to go to bed. Father Christmas won't come until they're sleeping you know, even if they've been good all year."

Molly, approaching from behind with Greg, overheard this.

"Would you like daddy to tuck you in, or Phillip?" Molly asked her daughter. "Father Christmas doesn't care who it is, as long as you're asleep." Greg glanced at her with a smile.

Greer was fading fast, and as her arms tightened around Phillip's neck, the answer was clear.

Jackie and Molly, without a word, moved off towards the living room to wait patiently, while Greg escorted Phillip towards Greer's bedroom.

"She may need a lullaby," Greg whispered. "She usually does, especially when she's excited before she powers out. I hope your singing voice is tuned up."

Phillip Anderson shot a look of dismay at Greg. "I don't even sing in the bloody shower," he whispered back.

"Bollocks. I've heard you in the bloody shower at the station. You're not that bad. Greer doesn't care anyway. Hell, she likes MY voice. Just think of a nice little Christmas tune and go for it. She's only thinking of Father Christmas anyway."

Phillip thought about this as he gently set the snoozing girl down. She stirred only slightly as he helped Greg to change her into her pajamas and tuck her in. His boss grinned at him and said, "You're on," as he stood back. Greer stirred and opened her eyes from under her covers, gazing up at him with blearly but expectant eyes.

Neither man noticed Molly and Jackie in the doorway as Phillip began to sing the lullaby to Greer. When he had finished, and the young girl was slumbering to her father's satisfaction, Greg motioned Phillip to lead him out. Phillip smiled at Jackie and followed her out to the living room, as Greg quietly closed the door to his daughter's room and took Molly's offered arm.

Phillip had no idea at the time, but Jackie did. The following Christmas, they would be bringing their own little girl with them to 221 Baker Street to celebrate Christmas Eve, and Greer Lestrade would be waiting for them, eagerly anticipating Father Christmas, and Phillip Anderson's bedtime lullaby.