(Hey everyone! Tell your fellow adlockers if you love the story! Kiss kiss! ~throughtheparadox)
Almost 24 hours and still no sign of Sherlock Holmes.
Irene asked Mary to keep the news of her pregnancy between herself and John and of course they agreed. Everyone set out to look for Sherlock but gave up as soon as the sun set down. Wiggins went to meet them on Baker Street and said that Sherlock wanted to be left alone.
"Hello?" Irene greeted as soon as she heard Mary's voice on the other line. "Any news?"
"No. But he's been calling people, arranging things. A tux arrived in Baker Street earlier according to Mrs. Hudson." Mary replied. Irene heard John's voice on the background.
"Is that her?" said John and Mary affirmed. "Give me the phone... Erm... Hello?"
Irene smiled a little. "Yes, John?"
"I... I think he's preparing for the wedding." John mused and Irene heard Mary laugh. "Really John? As if that's not obvious." The doctor's wife replied, chuckling happily. Irene joined in as well.
"Ganging up on me, aren't you? So are like bestfriends now?" John said and Irene imagined him rolling his eyes.
"Yes, I think we are." Irene replied, a smile stretched across her face. Her hand unconsciously brushed over her stomach, her thoughts lingering on Sherlock. Their previous encounter was forgotten, her heart knowing that without that hesitation and overthinking, he wouldn't be the man she loved.
She heard Mary grab the phone back and Irene snapped out of her reverie.
"We'll let you know if we hear from him again." said Mary and Irene thanked her. Putting the phone down, she sighed.
Her thoughts flew to the child she was carrying, thinking how life could've been so much easier if she was not who she was and Sherlock was not who he is and they were just an ordinary couple expecting a child. Would it be exciting? Breathtaking?
She heard a rapping on the door and peeped through the hole only to be greeted by her fiancé's face.
"Hi." Godfrey said, letting himself inside Irene's residence.
"It's late. What're you doing here?" Irene asked, hiding the annoyance in her voice.
"I... I wanted to make it up to you. We're gonna be married the day after tomorrow and I want to set things right." Godfrey said, his hands skimming Irene's arms.
Irene gave him a smile. "We've talked about this. I'm okay. We're okay."
Godfrey smiled back, leaning in to plant a kiss on Irene's lips. Irene wanted to push him away but knows she shouldn't so she pulled away gently when Godfrey's hands started exploring her body.
"What's the matter?" Godfrey asked, a drunken look on his face.
"Can't we wait until the honeymoon?" Irene asked, putting her hands between them.
Godfrey chuckled, nuzzling her neck. "Don't tell me you've never..."
Irene rolled her eyes and tried to think of a plan. "Yes. Exactly. Erm... I just want to it be... you know... special. Erm... Or some beer could probably get me going. What do you say?" she proposed and Godfrey looked slightly annoyed but he nodded, paving his way to her bedroom.
Grumbling to herself at his actions, Irene went to the kitchen to get some beers from the refrigerator. Irene replaced the content of one can with iced tea, the child in her womb in her mind. As she entered the bedroom, Godfrey was reclined on the bed, a sultry look on his eyes.
'Seriously?' Irene thought to herself but acted as if she was seduced. Sitting beside him, she handed him a beer can and he started drinking. Godfrey leaned in to her, kissing her arms and Irene can feel her insides turning. Handing him a second can of beer, one that she injected with a sedative, she smiled at him once he chugged it down.
A few minutes later, the sedative kicked in and Godfrey Norton was knocked out.
"Good thing I don't have my riding crop. I could've beaten the hell out you, you prick." Irene hissed as she tried if he was really unconscious.
Irene rushed to get herself into a warm shower, wanting to be rid of Godfrey's scent off her body. Her fingers skimmed through her belly, smiling as she did so.
"Where are you, Sherlock?" she sighed.
Drying herself off and putting on her night clothes, Irene checked on Godfrey and smirked when she saw him still.
Pacing in the sitting room, Irene checked her phone and found a text.
GUEST ROOM TERRACE.
Irene rushed to the guest room and found a familiar figure standing on the terrace. She opened the door and he turned, his collar turned up, scarf in place-an image of perfection.
Sherlock Holmes.
Irene felt her bottled up emotions creep up to her neck, her hand trembling at her sides when she saw him. Sherlock opened his mouth, but whatever he was about to say was lost when Irene slapped him.
"Wha-what was that for?" Sherlock hissed, his hand caressing his cheek.
Irene crossed her arms on her chest, her grey eyes blazing. "For making everyone worry about you." she replied, he voice cracking. "Where have you been?"
"I needed some time to think. Gather evidence. Work things out." Sherlock replied.
"Be Sherlock Holmes, is that it?" Irene spat, rolling her eyes. Sherlock wanted to protest but decided against it.
"Are you sure your guest is fast asleep?" Sherlock asked instead, eyeing the corridor since Irene left the guest room door ajar.
Irene nodded. "How long have you been here?"
"Your fiancé and I arrived the same time, I was tailing him and led me here. I figured you'd handle him quite well." Sherlock explained. "I wasn't disappointed."
Irene stared at him, her heart pounding loudly in her chest. She was overwhelmed with so many feelings, watching Sherlock's gaze on her. Cursing to herself, Irene launched herself at the detective, her fingers running through his curls, and he put his arms around her for support. His lips moved passionately against her, hands gliding up and down her back.
"I thought you were mad at me." Sherlock said, smirking when Irene pulled away.
"Wipe that smile off your face." Irene said, frowning. "I still am."
"Then why'd you kiss me?" Sherlock blinked, confused.
Irene rolled her eyes. "Sometimes I wonder why I love you, Sherlock, and I realised this is exactly why. I'm insane."
Sherlock smiled at that, looking at her. His eyes suddenly went alert, holding her gaze. "I have a plan laid out. I've established a pattern in all the data I've gathered, seeing that the pattern is not a pattern."
"I'm not catching you, Sherlock." Irene said.
"The pattern, Irene. It's not a pattern." Sherlock mused, making her understand.
Irene looked at him, her face reflected on his blue eyes. Slowly, Sherlock's words echoed in her head and she understood.
"If... If that's the case, then what's the plan?" Irene asked, a smile lighting in her face.