A/N: Once again, so sorry for the huge gap between updates, my only explanation is life. Amongst all the royal baby excitement, it's almost time to meet Baby Holmes - enjoy!
"How is she? Is everything ok? What's happening?" Sherlock practically shouted at the poor nurse, who was attempting to organise the chaos around her, whilst a nervous Sherlock pestered her for information.
Molly had been taken to an empty suite, and the doctor was currently examining her, whilst Sherlock interrogated the nurse, his anxiety causing the loss of the few manners he did possess.
"Your wife will be fine, Mr Holmes, just keep calm and everything will be okay," the nurse replied calmly, unfazed by his behaviour. After all, she dealt with expectant fathers every day. As she finished speaking, the doctor completed his examination, and stood back.
"Everything appears to be ok, Mr and Mrs Holmes, baby is fine and labour is progressing normally, despite being premature," the doctor said with a smile. "You aren't at the delivery stage yet, and probably won't be for another hour at least. I will be back in about half an hour to check on you, but in the mean time, Beth will remain with you, so if there are any problems, or you have any questions, you can speak to her."
"Thank you doctor," Molly said, a lot calmer now that everything was under control, although her composed state may also have been the result of whatever it was they had injected her with when she arrived. Sherlock merely nodded tensely as the doctor took his leave.
Suddenly, Molly grimaced as a wave of contractions started, and Sherlock rushed to her side, offering her his hand which she crushed in a vice-like grip, whilst he gritted his teeth, hoping that she wouldn't break his fingers.
"Remember Molly, breath in, and then out," the nurse said gently, reassuring her, to which Sherlock rolled his eyes, but bit his tongue, stopping himself from reminding the woman that his wife wasn't stupid, and had attended several pre-natal classes.
Taking a deep breath, Molly regained her composure as the contractions lessened, loosening her grip on her husband's hand. "How long is this supposed to last?" she asked the nurse with a smile.
"A while yet dear," she replied kindly. "For the next lot of contractions, how about we try some whale music?"
At this, Sherlock couldn't contain himself. "Whale music? It has been scientifically proven that whale music is no better for easing labour than -"
"Sherlock," Molly said warningly, raising an eyebrow. Then she spoke to the nurse. "Yes please, I'd like to try that."
"Has giving birth made you lose your mind?" Sherlock exclaimed, then fell silent at the look she gave him.
So it was that the whale noises were played, and as the next wave of contractions started, Molly still grimaced and shouted and swore, proving, at least to Sherlock that all these modern, new-age techniques didn't work.
As his wife groaned in pain, Sherlock made the seriously bad point of mentioning this. "See, I told you that these ridiculous methods are ineffective, and Molly is still in as much pain as she was without them. The only difference is that I now have to suffer through them!"
At this, Molly lost her temper, her usually patient nature forgotten. "For God's sake Sherlock! I wouldn't be in this pain if it wasn't for you!"
"Well, actually Molly -"
"Don't 'actually Molly' me! Get out, now!" Molly shouted, gesturing towards the door, looking rather fierce.
"But-"
"Go!"
And so it was that a rather indignant Sherlock was shooed from the room by the nurse, and left to go and find John in the cafe until his wife had calmed down a bit.
Upon his arrival at the cafe, Sherlock was greeted with cheers from John, Lestrade, Mary and Emma, the last two who had been summoned by a text from John. "So is it a girl or a boy?" John asked excitedly, whilst the women grinned.
"My offspring has not yet arrived, but Molly has banished me from the room for the time being after I expressed my opinions on whale music," Sherlock said with a sneer.
"Oh, Sherlock, trust you!" Lestrade grinned, shaking his head.
"I'm sure she'll come around in a bit, just give her some space, at least until she starts delivery," Mary said, raising an eyebrow.
About an hour later, the group were sat in nervous silence, still awaiting word that it was okay for Sherlock to return. Suddenly, his phone rang. Everyone listened intently as Sherlock answered.
"Hello?"
"Yes."
"I'll be right there, you'll be fine."
"Love you too, see you in a minute."
Hanging up, Sherlock turned to his friends, who were all looking very excited. "She's about to begin delivery," he told them, his face completely white, and looking as terrified as any of them had ever seen him.
John clapped him on the back, giving him an encouraging smile. "You look as scared as I did when Emma was born. Don't worry, you'll be fine, Molly will do great, and next time I see you, you'll be a father."
Mary and Lestrade gave their similar sentiments, and then Emma reached up for a hug, and said good luck.
As he walked away, Sherlock braced himself for the life changing moment that was fast approaching. "Here we go," he thought to himself, and smiled.
A/N: Slight cliffhanger! What do you think it will be, boy or girl? ;) Please review, I always enjoy reading them :)
