In-Laws and Out-Laws

Genre: Family; Humour; FUTURE FIC

Pairings: Scott and Naomi, Johnnie and Josie, Greer and Sam

Main characters: Scott, Naomi, Johnnie, Josie, Sam

"So," Greer mused, from her spot in The Nook, with a knowing glance to Johnnie. "At what point do you suppose they… advanced?" Greer knew that Scott and Naomi had planned to join them, so the Lestrade siblings decided to set the stage a bit for their spouses.

Sam nearly choked into his imported beer. He was more than grateful that the pub had managed to start importing his favourite Canadian brew from his days past in Saskatchewan – something he knew he had his sister-in-law to thank for. Josie, through hard work, dedication, and loyalty, had managed to earn a promotion to assistant manager at The Weathered Oak. As such, her paycheque was larger and her hours a bit more flexible – though she still preferred to be on the floor, serving her customers with genuine delight – always there to fill in if a waitress called in sick. Josie Lestrade was, to say the least, a very contented woman of late.

"Oh, honey," Sam said, with a roll of his eyes. "They advanced, as you call it, quite some time ago. They only just now acknowledged it to each other. These things take time. Even they knew that. The REAL question is, at what point do they get around to telling us about these latest developments?"

John shared a look with his sister, which she responded to wordlessly. Taking a moment to force back a smile, Greer responded with the deadpan tone she had learned well over the years from her Dad, and both of her Uncles. "Well, they've never been in much of a hurry. I reckon they'll tell us when they bloody well get around to it…"

John felt his mouth twitch into a smile, finally deciding he wouldn't be letting any cats out of the bag with it to just play along and follow his sister's cues. "I absolutely agree there, Greer. Our brother and Naomi have known for AGES that they loved each other. But now… I think… something about them has evolved… their next logical stage is here, they don't need to tell us THAT. And thank GOD for that! I was going MAD with their slow burn. I'm sure Scott knew that too, the cheeky bastard! That damned sixth sense that twins often have… it's a pain in the ass at times…"

"Going mad? WHY, really?" Greer asked, as she sipped her scotch. "Scott has always dealt with relationships on his own terms and in his own time. And his losses…" Greer trailed off, her voice catching only for a moment from residual grief, but still, held fast by a very recent remembrance of a very happy event.

"Things happen the way they do, and WHEN they do, for a reason, darling," Josie pointed out. She sat next to him, swirling her wine casually. "Oh John… you KNOW that as well."

"Well of COURSE I know that," he huffed softly. "What I meant was, I feel what Scott feels. Joy and pain both… believe me, he feels far more joy these days. Naomi has been a godsend… and Liam too. Trust me. Jose," he said, looking his wife in the eyes, "not everyone has what we have, and Scottie missed out, but only for a time thank God, and we all miss Meg. Oh… she was so beautiful," he sighed regretfully, "in every way… but she was not his forever. Naomi IS his forever… I FEEL that. I suppose I'm relieved more than anything. I've always felt… UNSETTLED when Scott is. As I know he's felt the same way when I am."

Sam smiled reflectively, as he stared into his pint. Next to him, the youngest of the Lestrade siblings simply shifted, considering the points that had been made. In the end, she turned her gaze to her husband, with a small crooked smile, appreciating his wisdom and with and a tiny shake of her head, wondering when the happy couple were going to grace them with their presence. Sam took it for its worth, and simply met her dark brown eyes with his, reminding Greer Sherla that she, too, was a very contented woman of late.

The group fell to a brief silence, before Greer noticed her absent brother approaching with Naomi. Sam nudged her with a subtle grin and a squeeze to her waist. "No sweetheart," he warned. "Rein it in my girl, this is THEIR moment…"

John winced as he felt a warning grip upon his arm… one he had long since learned to heed, when Josephine was telling him to shut the hell up. Turning momentarily to his wife, he was met only with a knowing smile, serene as a Sunday stroll.

Scott cleared his throat softly, before taking a deep breath. In return, he was met with joyous expressions from his baby sister and his twin. Seeing this, he sighed deeply, rolling his dark brown eyes dramatically.

"So, we're nicked, are we?" Naomi said, with a bright smile. "Never could put anything past a Lestrade," she confessed. "Takes a copper to recognize that, doesn't it," she said, with a pointed look to Greer.

"And a paramedic, whose job it is to pay careful attention to any and all details… lives may depend upon it," John pointed out, with a crooked grin to his twin.

"Try teaching teenagers effectively without paying any heed to what they're up to," Sam said lightly. "It can't be done, it's impossible. You've been nicked, alright. Not much gets past a high school teacher, either. If it did, I'd have been chewed up and spat out quite some time ago."

"Copper indeed," Greer snickered. "Takes a copper to know herself when she's been nicked, Constable. You're an astute one I'd say. You'll make a fine Detective one day, should you choose it."

"I'd say she'll make an even finer Lestrade one day," John said casually, taking a pull from his glass. "A ready-made nephew as well. What say, Sister? Liam seems to fit in, doesn't he?"

"Like a tiny little toddler foot in a tiny little toddler sock, custom made by Auntie Sally, or even Uncle Sherlock… that's how perfectly our sweet little Liam fits in," Greer mused, half serious, half teasing. Innocently, she sighed softly and made a pointed glance towards the ceiling as she took an exaggeratingly delicate sip at her glass of scotch.

"Oh, just sod off, the lot of you," Scott finally said, in his own defence. "This isn't anything any of us here haven't seen coming miles away. It's just all been very… gradual. SO gradual it's been seamless, I reckon."

"Seamless… yes, that's the word I'd use too. It's taken time that we needed, WELL worth the wait," Naomi pointed out. "Though I'd say Scottie and I have been far more patient than YOU lot. Seriously…!" she laughed. "So, Gregory Scott, shall we and my in-laws, that is to say your out-laws make it official to these impatient in-law siblings of yours?"

"Hmmmm," Scott said thoughtfully, drawing out the moment and trying not to throw his head back with a hearty laugh at the raised eyebrows of both Josie and Samuel at Naomi's off-hand "in-laws" remark. "I suppose… perhaps… we can't hide it forever and John is bound to lose patience eventually and just spill it…"

"Oh, HEY now, I think our baby sister may be the one to spill it before I would. Copper confidentiality be damned, she's not on duty with US…" John protested, as Greer fired him a stink-eye.

"We are what you MIGHT call… an ITEM," Naomi finally said, with a crooked smile to Scott. "Officially," as she held out her left hand. Taking a cue from her, Scott held his out as well.

"Seriously?" Sam enquired, his eyes suddenly huge. "Oh my God… Wait… what? You're… you've been married? When… who knew… what the HELL…?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much Samuel?" Scott smirked, as he motioned impatiently to his brother-in-law. "Now slide your arse over and make room for the happy newlyweds, ya goofy bloody Canuck."

"Truly?" Josie asked, with a glance to John, as she watched her husband's face glow with delight. "You're not just yanking on our chains?"

"YES," Naomi gigged. "Truly. Scott and I were married on the hush yesterday… John stood up for Scott, Greer stood up for me… what part of this isn't translating? Because frankly this is getting a bit awkward…"

At Greer's amused raised eyebrow, Naomi reverted with a held back laugh, to "Ma'am. With all due respect Detective Sergeant. Ma'am."

"At ease, Sister," Greer finally said, after several moments contemplation. "Now just to tell Mum and Dad!"