Well... THIS escalated quickly. I wasn't expecting to finish this so quickly, especially considering that just a few hours ago I had only toyed with the idea of a second chapter from Rosie's side of the wedding and hadn't even thought about a plot for it. I hope I've made it tie into the first chapter without too many continuity errors!
Rosie Watson stood in front of the full length mirror, her eyes closed as her godmother, Dr. Molly Hooper-Holmes finished fastening up the back of her bridal gown.
Molly managed to manipulate the fastenings through tear-blurred eyes, thinking back to how Rosie's mother, Mary Watson, had looked on her own wedding day so many years ago. Such a joyous day this was, but it was so bittersweet as well. Rosie stood in front of them looking so much like Mary had that both Molly and their landlady and dear friend, Mrs. Hudson, couldn't help but grab for the tissues.
"Oh come on now Auntie Molly, you're going to ruin your makeup! What will Uncle Sherlock say?" Rosie lowered her voice, imitating her godfather. "Molly darling, turn off the taps. You're going to look dreadful in the photos, we've only one child you know, it's not as though we're going to have another shot at this," Rosie teased gently, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"Oh hush now dear girl," Mrs. Hudson said lightly. "Your godmother is about to become your mother-in-law. You know what sort of reputation THEY have. Don't sass her, now!"
Molly giggled softly, Rosie's efforts having the desired effect. "Well, Hudders, maybe I'm just thrilled that this darling beautiful creature is about to become my daughter for real. Oh you're going to give Sherlock and I the most GORGEOUS grandbabies!"
A male voice cleared his throat awkwardly behind them. "Slow down, Molly," John said, "I'm having a hard enough time giving my daughter away to your son in marriage. One thing at a time please!"
"Daddy!" Rosie cried, launching herself at her father. John found his breath catching and a burning in his chest rising to his throat as he took in the vision of his daughter in her mother's wedding dress. He had known Rosie had planned to wear it, but mentally he hadn't prepared himself quite yet for the reality of seeing her actually in it on her wedding day.
John caught his daughter and hugged her close to him, shutting his eyes tightly, composing himself. Finally, after a few moments, he opened his eyes and pulled away from her, grasping her shoulders and looking down at her with mock seriousness. "You know Rosie, you're not married yet. It's not too late to change your mind," John teased. Rosie smiled at him.
"Nice try dad," she giggled. "Will and I already had our pre-wedding row. I think it was probably just nerves. Would you believe we actually fought about whether we should serve chardonnay or pinot grigio?"
Mrs. Hudson laughed from the corner, where she was making last minute adjustments to Rosie's bridal bouquet. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Cabernet sauvignon of course, silly girl!" She winked at the bride, her spunk and sense of humour intact in spite of her advancing years.
"Well… it was worth a try anyway," he shrugged. Rosie glared at him. "Oh my sweet girl, I'm joking!"
"Shouldn't you be upstairs with the men, John?" Molly said, her eyes drifting back to her son's beautiful bride. "You know, adjusting your ties and scratching your arses or something? We're waiting on word from Mycroft anyway. He should be back from Sherrinford anytime now."
"I suppose you're right," he conceded, turning back to Rosie. "I just wanted to see you one last time while you're still my little girl," he said to her, his voice beginning to thicken again, "and not a married woman I've just willingly given away." John smiled at his grown daughter and laughed softly. "I really am so incredibly happy, Rosie. I could not have chosen a better man for you myself. Today you have chosen to marry your best friend, and that is a blessing beyond measure." Try as he might, John Watson could not stop the tears from falling down his cheeks this time. Rosie smiled softly, and offered up a lacy handkerchief for her father to try his eyes with.
"Oh, GO ON now, John Hamish Watson," Mrs. Hudson said, sniffling frantically. "You're ruining everyone's makeup now. Go on, Will and Sherlock are upstairs waiting. Mycroft will be along shortly and Greg is wandering about keeping things organized."
"Right then," he said, grinning. He paused to give his daughter one last kiss on the cheek.
"I'll always be your little girl, dad," she said reassuringly. "And Will is already your godson. We're just mixing things up a bit is all, changing the dynamic, rearranging the relationships a bit. Go on now. They're waiting."
No sooner had John left the room when another knock was heard on the door. "Are you decent, dear girl?" Mycroft's voice was heard from the hallway.
"Oh don't be ridiculous, brother," another voice was heard saying. "Of course she's decent. We would never allow an indecent woman to marry OUR nephew."
Molly's eyes grew large. Mycroft had done it! She glanced over at Rosie, and the two women threw themselves at the doorway.
"Aunt Eurus!" Rosie cried, throwing herself at the older woman with a wild bear hug and pulling her into the room. Molly, more dignified but just as grateful, embraced Mycroft and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Thank you, Mycroft," she said quietly. "This really means so much to Will and Rosie. Eurus has made so much progress over the years thanks to them and I know they wanted her here very badly."
Mycroft nodded, smiling briefly. "It was my pleasure, and the desire for her to be present today was mutual, I assure you. She's been looking forward to this for weeks, but it was only last night I finally obtained the clearance to grant her a full weekend pass. That by itself was a surprise, we really only hoped for her to be granted release for the day. Oh, by the way, a word of warning. She has brought her violin. She wanted to bring her cello, but I'm afraid the helicopter couldn't accommodate such a large instrument without damaging it. She will make do, I am certain. I have a suspicion she has something very special planned, and I'm not sure she hasn't been conspiring with Sherlock either."
"Oh hush, Mycroft," Eurus scolded. "You'll ruin the surprise. You always were a stick in the mud, I see nothing has changed in 60 years."
"Indeed," Mycroft said, with as much dignity as he could find. Even Mycroft had mellowed somewhat over the passing years and he knew deep down she was right. "Well, with that having been established, I believe I shall take my leave now. My nephew and brother are upstairs, I believe. I think it's time I joined them. Ladies," he said, smiling politely, and "Rosie," he said, with much more warmth in his smile this time. "You are a vision of pure loveliness. Welcome to the family. Did you know that I predicted this day back when…" he started to brag, as Molly rolled her eyes and shoved him out the door.
"We KNOW, Mycroft. You are terribly clever and wise," Molly said with mock facetiousness. "Now go fix your tie and scratch your arse with the men."
Mycroft uttered surprisingly little protest as his sister-in-law ushered him out the door unceremoniously.
As the door was closed, Molly and Rosie picked up the beginning strains of a song they hadn't heard in years. Looking over at Eurus, they observed as Mrs. Hudson worked on bringing her hair into an elegant salt and pepper updo, deftly dodging the bow that Eurus moved in smooth and graceful motion, playing a piece that Will had composed for her for her birthday when he was just a babe of 6 years old.
Molly and Rosie paused what they had been doing and wrapped their arms around eachother's waists. The listened, enraptured, as Eurus played, until finally she reached the closing notes. "Do you think William will remember this?" she asked, smiling at them. "I hoped to play it with Sherlock for you."
Rosie sighed happily. Oh, how she loved the women assembled in this room… but it was suddenly getting stuffy in here, and she realized, she needed a little time to herself before she marched down the aisle on her dad's arm and changed her life forever.
Eurus rose from the chair she had seated herself on to examine Mrs. Hudson's handiwork. With a smile, she approved, reaching up gently to touch the small curls that framed her ears. Glancing upwards, she noticed Rosie's reflection from behind her.
Eurus turned around and approached her new niece. "Why don't you go for a little walk, Rosamund," she whispered softly. "I agree it's stuffy in here and I've only just arrived. They… I mean WE mean well, but..." she trailed off, losing her words. Rosie nodded, smiling.
"You're right, Auntie. I'll be back in a bit. Thank you," she said, kissing the older woman on the cheek. A look of confusion briefly crossed over Eurus's eyes before she reached up to brush Rosie's cheek gently with her hand.
"I'm going for a short stroll," Rosie announced, turning towards the door. "Don't worry, I'm not buggering off and standing Will up at the altar. I just need to clear my head a bit is all." Molly's brows furrowed in concern.
"Oh no worries Molly dear," Mrs. Hudson said lightly, hooking her hand into Molly's elbow. "Greg is prowling the hallways. She won't get far. Even in his younger days, I never saw Sherlock as bored as Greg gets these days. I've never seen an honoured guest volunteer so quickly for something as mundane as a wedding party wrangler. I suppose retirement is a pair of shoes he's yet to break in."
No sooner had Rosie left, it seemed, than she returned on Greg Lestrade's arm. "I found this pretty little bride skulking about her groom's floor. She came dangerously close to botching the whole thing, I think," he winked.
"Oh, that's just an old wives tale Gregory," Eurus scolded lightly. She approached the retired DI, smiling. Greg returned the smile, offering his arm to her.
"Old wives who never bollocksed up their luck by parading in front of their grooms in their wedding attire, no doubt," Greg smiled at her, unable to stop the hint of a flirt he hadn't quite intended.
Eurus shook her head at him, sighing lightly. Men could be such silly creatures, but so charming at the same time. It was a good thing she wasn't prone to being influenced by masculine charm and handsome faces, or Greg Lestrade would surely… wait… where was that thought going again?
"Ladies, I believe a marriage ceremony awaits," Greg announced to the room, tearing his smile away from Eurus. "Will and his entourage have headed down to the chapel, I suggest we get a move on to meet John there.
With one final smile to one another, Rosie, leading the group, headed out the door, into the hallway, and towards her forever.