An hour later, silence had finally fallen over 221B. The flat had been cleaned, the child was fed and her grandparents read her one bedtime story after the other. Outside, the sun was setting behind the tall buildings of London, painting the sky in vibrant red and the first stars were already shining through the thin clouds. The room was tinged in orange light. Greg and Mycroft had collapsed on the couch again and Mycroft had never been more grateful for his parent's fascination with small humans. They leaned against each other in silence, allowing themselves to show their affection for each other after trying to hold back – out of sheer awkwardness- for most of the day.
"That wasn't so bad!" Greg said, absentmindedly running his fingers over his boyfriend's arm. "You're parents are very nice." He added quietly.
"That wasn't what I was worried about." Mycroft whispered. "Although it was a remarkably mortifying experience."
"Oh c'mon Myc, it wasn't that bad." "They hugged me!" He leaned his head on Greg's shoulder. "This is all very new to me" he said quietly. "I know." Greg kissed his forehead. "Do you trust me?" he asked. "Of course." "Then why won't you tell me what you're so afraid of?" Mycroft flinched and pulled away. "Because I can't" "Okay." "You're hurt." "I'm not. I'm worried." They sat in silence. Night had fallen and the stars had come out, leaving the flat dimly lit. Mycroft's breathing grew slow and steady and Greg saw that he had fallen asleep, curled up against him, hand clutching his shirt. He smiled and kissed his forehead again. The sound of bedtime stories had ceased and Mr and Mrs Holmes closed the door to Rosie's bedroom quietly. "Time to bring another child to bed?" Mrs Holmes smiled warmly, as she spotted her son on the sofa. Greg chuckled "It's alright, let him sleep."
She nodded "We'll be staying in Sherlock's room if you need anything! Good night." "Good Night Mrs Holmes." "Wanda!" She winked and closed the door behind her.
Greg carefully pulled a blanket over himself and Mycroft, who was now fast asleep, eyelids twitching from a vivid dream. He wrapped his arms around him and carefully rested his head on Mycroft's, listening to his lover's soft breathing until he himself drifted of in a dreamless sleep.
Protestant wailing woke Greg Lestrade exactly 4 hours later.
It took him a moment to remember why he was lying uncomfortably on a small couch with a softly snoring man, still wearing his expensive suit, on his chest. Gently, he pushed Mycroft off, making sure he stayed asleep, curled up under the blanket like a very clumsy cat.
He walked inside Rosamund's room and switched on the small, dim lamp on the bedside table. "What's the matter little one? Can't sleep?" Rosie looked up at the newcomer with big, glistening eyes, mumbling grumpily. "Now there" Greg lifted the child out of her crib and placed her on his lab. "Do you miss your Daddy?" he asked softly, busying the child with the plush bumblebee Sherlock had bought for her. "They'll be back very soon, you know. Don't you worry." He rocked her gently, smiling as she stopped wailing and closed her eyes, bumblebee clutched firmly in her arms. "There you go little Rosie. All safe and sound." Greg gently put her back in bed. Rosamund protested softly but exhaustion swiftly overwhelmed her and she was fast asleep again. Warmth spread in Greg's stomach and he sat down next to little Rosie's bed, watching the crib mobile that was dancing softly above their heads. John had bought it but Sherlock had taken the liberty to make some adjustments, so small magnifying lens and a miniature skull had joined the dolphins and sharks that were dancing above the Babies' head. The lights of by-passing cars outside flickered over the walls. There was absolute silence, only the soft breathing of Rosie and himself.
Mrs Hudson was surprised to find the flat in a relatively clean state on the next morning. Aside from the sofa cover, which was carelessly thrown on the coffee table, the rooms looked suspiciously clean and tidy. With a tinge of worry, the landlady placed the morning tea – she just couldn't help herself - on the kitchen table and went to check on Rosie. She opened the door quietly and stepped inside the child's room. Golden light was breaking through the curtains, reflecting softly on the magnifying lens hanging from the crib mobile. Rosie sat in her bed, chewing on her bumblebee's wing, a soft giggle bubbling from her mouth as she saw Mrs Hudson enter. Next to her crib was Inspector Lestrade, head leaning against the crib, one hand between the bars. To her great surprise she recognized Mycroft leaning against the Inspector's shoulder, one arm wrapped around him, the free hand on his chest. She smiled warmly. "There might just be a heart inside that man after all.". Quietly, she tip-toed through the room, fetched Rosie and closed the bedroom door behind her.
Mycroft was the first to wake as he heard familiar voices talk merrily in the other room. His parents and the housekeeper landlady seemed to be having breakfast together. Groggily, he sat up, stretching his stiff limbs. Greg stirred at the movement, yawning. He looked around the room in confusion, before remembering where he was. "What are you doing here? I thought you were asleep, I didn't mean to wake you." His voice was deep and rough with sleepiness. "You didn't. It got cold without you. I came to find you and you were asleep, so I joined you." Greg grinned happily. "That's very sweet." He kissed Mycroft softly, running his hands through his hair. He was warm and soft and familiar in his hands. The fabric of his shirt had left soft lines on Mycroft cheeks. Greg kissed them. "We'd better get some breakfast before my parents eat it all!" Mycroft declared, getting to his feet with a groan. He helped him up and pulled him into a close embrace. "Whoa" Greg laughed "you're usually not this… cuddly." "It's the sleepiness, I think." He muffled.
"You should be sleepy more often, it's cute." "I am the british government, I am not cute." came the still rather sleepy sounding response. "sure. let's get you some coffee."
"Aaaww there they are, awake at last! I made some coffee for you and there's still some eggs in the pan!" Mrs Hudson greeted them warmly, much to Mycroft's surprise, who had expected to be casually ignored again. "Oh and don't you worry dear, you're secret's safe with me." she added with a wink.
Mycroft smiled.