Based on an estimation of where Sherlock had heard Molly's footsteps stop, he located the room she was in on the first try. It was an impersonal space, decorated in taupes and pale blues and devoid of pictures in frames and trinkets. Guest room, he surmised. Molly was curled up in a ball on the full-sized bed, tears sliding down her cheeks. He sat on the edge of the mattress, quiet for a moment while he decided on what words to use. He didn't exactly understand why she was so upset.

"She needed to hear it, Molly," he said.

"Maybe, but you were a bit harsh. She's still my mum. And that wasn't how I wanted her to find out about the baby."

"So this was one of those situations where I was supposed to use…what was it…"

"Tact?"

"Yes, that's it."

Molly smiled weakly. "Well you have been improving lately. It was a full five minutes before she told us to clear off."

Sherlock traced designs in the palm of her hand. Molly had a sneaking suspicion they were mathematical equations. "I didn't mean for that to happen. I was just frustrated about how she treats you."

"I know. Thanks for trying."

There was a soft knock on the door. A second later it opened, and Colleen peered in. "Mind if I have a moment alone with Molly?"

"Of course." Sherlock stood up and headed out into the hallway.

"Oh, and Sherlock? There's an empty space in the detached garage where you can park your vehicle. I'm assuming you want it hidden," Colleen said.

Sherlock paused at the top of the stairs and just stared at her. Then he dipped his head. "Yes ma'am." He continued on his way.

"Wait, so you're not throwing us out?" Molly asked.

"Definitely not. I apologize for the rash way I acted, Molly. It wasn't right. As much as it pains me to admit it, that irritating fellow has a point."

"Mum—"

"No, let me say my piece. I have been a control freak, and it did get worse after your father died. I reckon it was my way of coping. But it was wrong for me to be so hard on you and James." Colleen took Sherlock's place on the edge of the bed. "Deep down I knew I was the reason he left, but I didn't want to acknowledge it. I haven't seen him or the kids since last Christmas."

"You shouldn't blame yourself. You did everything you could for the family when Dad was dying."

"Even so." Colleen dabbed a tear away from her eye. "Will you forgive me for my behavior for the past ten years?"

"As long as you forgive me for not coming to see you," Molly answered.

"Well you're here now." Colleen reached out and squeezed her hand. "Let's turn a new page, alright?"

"I'd love that." The queasy feeling had passed. She sat up and dried her face with a tissue.

"I can't believe I'm going to be a grandmother again!" Colleen's eyes brightened. "You're going to be an excellent mother."

Molly grinned demurely. "I'm not sure about that, but I'll certainly do my best." She glanced out the window, watching Sherlock drive the Land Rover around to the garage. "I'm aware that he isn't exactly your ideal son-in-law."

"Indeed he isn't. But I trust your judgment; there must be something you see in him that I can't. And it's obvious that he loves you."

"I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said about him."

Colleen laughed. "One step at a time. I daresay he's going to make one oddball of a father."

"I put a tarp over the car for good measure." Sherlock stepped into the room, a wary look on his face as if he was unsure of what he was walking into. "How are things up here?"

"Just peachy. Molly and I have agreed to start over, as if nothing happened," Colleen said.

Sherlock relaxed. "An excellent idea." He hesitated. "Does that include me?"

Colleen narrowed her eyes. "Hmm. I still have my reservations about you, but I'll try to see past them."

"Likewise."

"Right now, however, we should address the blood seeping through your sleeve. What happened?" Colleen rushed over to him and grabbed his arm before he could conceal it.

"Blast. It's nothing, really," Sherlock lied.

"Don't expect that to work. Mum was a nurse before she retired," Molly said. "Let her look at it, Sherlock."

"I don't need it looked at. I can patch it up on my own." Molly glared at him. For a minute he just glared back, but eventually he rolled his eyes and shrugged off his coat, wincing as the sleeve slid off his right arm. He pulled up the sleeve of his shirt to reveal a blood-soaked bandage.

"Oh dear. This needs redressing immediately." Colleen peeled away a bit of it, and her eyes met his. They were the same brown as Molly's. He looked away. "This looks like a gunshot wound."

"That's because it is. Can we hurry up with this?"

"Calm down, young man. First thing you're going to do is lie down and elevate your arm. Molly, I could use your help."

Molly pulled the sheets aside and coaxed Sherlock into settling under them, despite his endless protests. Then she stacked up a few pillows and placed his arm on top of them. Colleen watched with admiration as he complied to everything she did. It's like charming a snake. A very stiff-necked snake, she thought. "Let me fetch my first-aid kit," she said, bustling off to find it.

"First-aid trunk, more like. She always was prepared for anything when James and I were growing up," Molly remarked.

"Must you hold me down?" Sherlock asked.

"Absolutely. If I didn't you'd make a break for it." Molly fingered one of his curls. "Don't forget that you're human too. You can't keep behaving like you're indestructible."

"I've been described as inhuman before. Generally alongside the adjectives 'unfeeling' and 'heartless'."

"Well they're only half right. Now hush."

Sherlock opened his mouth to add to his tirade, but Molly's lips closed over his. He quite forgot what he was going to say.

"Oi, there's plenty of time for snogging after I get that gash stoppered," Colleen chastised upon reentering the room. "Mercy, no wonder you two are already in the family way."

Molly quickly jerked away, blushing furiously. Sherlock attempted to maintain a straight face, but the corners of his mouth refused to stay down. This was remedied as soon as Colleen began tending to his wound.

"Sorry, love. No morphine this time 'round," she said.

Sherlock inhaled sharply and screwed his eyes shut as she cleaned off the blood and bandaged him up again. Molly's hand slipped into his, and he focused all of his attention on not gripping it too hard. She pretended not to notice the pressure.

"There. You'll be good as new before long." Colleen patted his arm, perhaps with a little more force than was required. He groaned.

"What he means to say is 'thank you'," Molly said before anything offensive rolled off his tongue.

"Hmm." Colleen pursed her lips, far from convinced. She packed up her medical supplies. "You both must be famished. I'll go whip up something. Oh and Molly, he needs his rest, and I suspect you do as well. So no activities, if you please."

Molly blushed beet-red. "Mum!"

"You heard me." With that, Colleen headed downstairs.

"Wet blanket," Sherlock muttered.

"Sherlock!"

"Just stating a fact."

"Aren't you always."

Sherlock ran the hand of his uninjured arm down her back. "And I didn't make any promises."

Molly giggled but pulled away before he could lure her past the point of no return. "She's right. I know you think you can hide how exhausted you are, but it's clear as day to me." She kissed his forehead. "I'm going to go help her with the food. You get some shut-eye."

Sherlock noted the determination in her eyes that signified full self-control. He sighed, musing over what rotten timing the return of her more confident side had. "Fine. Just keep in mind that I shall be rather bored while you're gone."

"Of course you will be." Molly squeezed his hand. He was fast asleep by the time she reached the door.