Mrs. Hudson's Soup
Genre: Family
Pairings: None mentioned
Main characters: Greg, Scott, Johnnie, Greer, Sally mentioned
"Scott, I'm sure it's fine," Greg said, as he stood in the kitchen in 221C.
"It has to be PERFECT, Daddy. Mrs. Hudson…" the young boy trailed off, his voice catching.
Greg moved towards his boys, as Greer sighed sadly and quietly stepped in. "It's alright Scottie," she whispered. "I'll stir it so it won't burn. I've got your back."
"Baker Street will NEVER be the same again," Johnnie said, as he moved towards his father. Gratefully, he glanced towards Greer, stirring the soup with one hand and wiping away tears in a rather frustrated fashion with the other.
"No, it won't, boys. But sometimes we need to say goodbye. Other times we need to remember and do justice to the memory. Now, Auntie Sally is feeling rather poorly and you're making Mrs. Hudson's soup for her. That's called a legacy, and it means that you're carrying on something on behalf of someone who is gone and can no longer do it themselves…" Greg said. He took a deep breath himself, before continuing. "Now, it smells perfect, it looks perfect, and I'm sure it IS perfect. Now look at Greer," he said gently, as he observed his daughter, quietly strong for the brothers and father she adored.
"She's just… carrying on, as though nothing were different. But Daddy, it IS different," Scott sniffled.
"Yes, son, it is. Things will never be the same again, but LOOK. Greer is sad too, watch her. But she's carrying on. She knows things are different and she misses Mrs. Hudson too, but she's strong. She'll help you through your sadness. Sometimes you'll be the ones helping her through sad times too. That's the thing about family!"
Johnnie and Scott shared a look before they glanced at their sister, now visibly fighting a deluge of tears, yet diligently still stirring their soup pot.
"We're sometimes sad, but sad together," Johnnie said thoughtfully.
"We're never really alone, are we?" Scott asked.
Greg smiled. "No, we're not. But in the meantime, Auntie Sally is in need of your soup. I'm hoping you've made plenty for leftovers."
"Mrs. Hudson didn't know how to make anything small," Johnnie pointed out. "So she didn't teach us to make her potato leek soup any other way. Oh Daddy, we'll be eating this bloody soup… oh I'm sorry," he blushed. "This sodding… oh no that's even WORSE," he giggled, looking to Scott, whose expression was lightening with every word of his twin brother's awkward explanation.
"I think what he means is we'll be eating this damned soup… oh no… well…" Scott blushed, as he watched Greer, a small smile forming as she stirred and tasted. "We shall have lunch for a few days, Daddy."
Greg smiled at this, relieved at the lightening in his childrens' moods. "Well, I happen to know that Mrs. Hudson's soup is only better the next day, so we've nothing to be concerned about!"