Here's a pretty long one for you guys! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 21

Lestrade and Addie enjoyed a dinner of Chinese take-out and laughed at the cheesy fortunes in their fortune cookies. Addie managed to sweet talk Lestrade into getting some ice cream at a little hole-in-the-wall shop.

"What kind are you gonna get Mr. 'Strade?"

"I'm thinking some cookies and cream sounds good."

"Oooh, good choice. I like chocolate. And sprinkles! Do you want sprinkles?"

"No thanks, sweetheart. I'm good."

Addie shrugged and dug into her ice cream. "Sherlock loves ice cream. Did you know that? Sometimes Mr. John has to remind him that ice cream isn't a real meal. His favorite is strawberry. And Mr. John likes Metropolitan ice cream."

"Neapolitan?" Lestrade asked.

"Yeah. That's what I said. Metropolitan. Anyways, Mykie likes vanilla. Sherlock says that's cuz Mykie is boring and plain, but-"

"Hang on. Mykie?"

"My other brother, Mycoff. But I call him Mykie sometimes. He likes vanilla and Sherlock says he's boring, but Lockie doesn't know that Mycoff likes strawberries and chocolate sauce on his ice cream."

"Sounds good," Lestrade said. "How's your chocolate with sprinkles?"

"Super yummy! How's yours?"

"Delicious," Lestrade answered licking his lips. Addie laughed at him and licked hers as well.

"What time is Sherlock and Mr. John s'posed to be back?" Addie asked after their ice cream was eaten and her sticky hands taken care of.

"He said about 6:30. He told me he'd text me when they're back in London," Lestrade said.

"But…but it's just past 7. He's late. Why is he late?" Addie asked, suddenly getting nervous and worried.

"Maybe they hit some traffic."

"They took the train. Trains don't hit traffic."

"Well, maybe they missed the train and had to wait for a later one."

"But Sherlock wouldn't miss the train. 'Specially because he pinky promised me that he'd be on time. You can't break a pinky promise!" Addie was biting her lip now and looked close to tears.

"I'm sure they're fine, Addie. Just running a bit late, is all," Lestrade said trying to comfort her before she had a full-blown freak out.

As if someone heard his pleading, he suddenly got a text.

Mechanical problems on the train. Could take a while. I'm sure Addie's close to a meltdown right now. Tell her I'm fine. Be back soon.

-SH

Lestrade thanked the heavens and quickly showed the text to Addie to let her know Sherlock and John were alright.

"How long is 'a while,' Mr. 'Strade?"

"I'm not sure, dear. And I don't think Sherlock knows either. But I'm sure it won't be too long," he said, trying to sound reassuring.

"But what are we gonna do now? Go back to Cotton Yard?"

"Where?" Lestrade asked, confused.

"To your office at Cotton Yard?"

Lestrade chuckled at her mispronunciation, but then realized that he didn't really know what to do either. What if she had to stay the night? He didn't have anything for her except her pillow and her game, which were in his car. Should they go back to the Yard? Who knows how long the mechanical problems would take. He decided to text Sherlock and ask.

What should we do? Go back to the Yard? Wait there? Or should I call your brother? Myron or something?

-GL

Don't contact Mycroft. He's on the other side of the city. He'd take forever to get there. Plus he's really busy, can't get away. So he says.

-SH

So that was his name. Mycroft. Lestrade filed that information away for later use. He started contemplating what the heck kind of parents these three had to have had to name them Mycroft, Sherlock, and Adelaide when his phone went off again.

You'd be better off taking her to your place. Closer and quieter. Put on a film or give her a book. She'll be fine.

-SH

Alright. Call me when you're close.

-GL

"What did Sherlock say, Mr. 'Strade?" Addie asked after Lestrade put his phone in his pocket.

"He says to take you back to my place. He'll pick you up from there later on."

"How late is later on?" Addie asked nervously. "Do I have to spend the night? Cuz I don't have any pajamas and Sherlock usually reads me a story before bed. But he's not here, so who's gonna read me a story?"

"He didn't say anything about staying the night. I'm sure he'll be back before we have to deal with all of that," Lestrade said. Addie still looked slightly panicked and on the verge of tears. "Don't worry. It will be ok," he tried to sound reassuring. "Anyways, ready to get out of here, kiddo?"

Addie put on her brave face and nodded at him as he took her hand to lead her to the car. When they arrived at Lestrade's flat, they entered the living room and were both at a loss of what to do next. They stood there awkwardly for a bit before Lestrade spoke up.

"You, uh, want any water or something? Juice? Tea?"

"Do you have apple juice?" Addie asked.

"I think so," he said opening the fridge. He pulled out the juice and poured Addie a glass. "Here we go. One glass of apple juice for the lovely lady," he teased.

"Thanks, Mr. 'Strade," Addie smiled.

"And some tea for me," he said heading over to the couch. "What do you want to do? Sherlock said you like to read. I don't think I have any kid books though. Umm…how about a film?"

"A film is ok," Addie answered.

"Let's pick one out then. What do you like?"

Addie shrugged.

"Come on over and look at the choices. We'll go for something kid friendly. I don't have much, but I have some Disney ones for when my nieces come over."

"Do you have 'specktor Gadget?" Addie asked.

"No, sorry, kiddo. Anything else?"

Addie looked at the array of Disney films before her, looking uninterested. Then one caught her eye and she smiled widely.

"Can we watch Peter Pan? Sherlock and My used to watch it wif me a lot. Sherlock would pretend to be the pirates and Mycoff would play Cap'n Hook. Sherlock also played Peter Pan and I played Wendy. And I like Tinkerbell cuz she's funny. And she can fly. And has lots of pretty glitter. Can we watch it, Mr. 'Strade?"

"Of course we can, sweetheart," Lestrade smiled, imagining a little Sherlock and Addie running around playing Peter Pan.

Addie smiled and settled herself on the couch with her pillow as Lestrade put in the film. He soon settled down too and they were both lost in the world of Neverland. Addie moved closer to Lestrade during a particularly intense fight scene and mentioned how this part always made her nervous for Peter's safety. Lestrade let her cling to him but she didn't move away after Peter came out of the fight unscathed. He wondered if she was still anxious and looked down at her. Addie was fast asleep against his side, hugging her pillow and holding on to his shirt. Lestrade smiled and leaned his head back on the couch. He too drifted off, thoughts of Sherlock as Peter Pan and Addie as Wendy running through his mind.

Sherlock and John had called Lestrade repeatedly once they finally arrived back in London, only to get Lestrade's voice telling them to leave a message. It wasn't too late, but late enough that Lestrade and Addie wouldn't be out anywhere. Sherlock eventually got annoyed with calling and decided they should just head over to Lestrade's place and see if they were there.

John started knocking and buzzing but there was still no response. By now Sherlock was irritated and set to work on picking the lock. Finally the door opened and they heard the sound of the telly going in the living room. That might explain why their knocking wasn't answered. Sherlock was ready to give Lestrade a piece of his mind for making them go through the trouble of practically breaking into his flat but he stopped when he walked into the room. Addie was fast asleep curled up next to Lestrade on the couch. Lestrade was also asleep with his arm around her and his head lolling on the cushion behind him. The end credits of Peter Pan were scrolling down the screen as "You Can Fly" played repeatedly. Sherlock couldn't help but smile and his anger slowly faded away. John snapped a photo of the two before going over to stop the film and turn off the telly. Sherlock approached Lestrade and shook his shoulder to wake him. Lestrade startled and jumped slightly, which in turn woke Addie up.

"Oh, hullo," Lestrade said, yawning and stretching. He looked at his phone and saw he had 6 missed calls and 2 voicemails. "Shit! Sorry about that. Must have left it on silent. Didn't cause too many problems, did it?"

John laughed and Sherlock glared at Lestrade.

"Right," Lestrade said sheepishly. "Hang on a sec, how did you get in my flat? I don't recall ever giving you a key," he said crossing his arms and giving him a pointed look.

Sherlock ignored the question. "Oh, look. Addie's awake," he said heading over to her, thankful for the distraction from Lestrade's narrowed and suspicious eyes.

"Lockie! I missed you!" Addie said hugging him around his leg. "You took forever! You pinky promised you'd be back in time," she said with a slight pout.

"Addie, you know the train broke down. I got here as soon as I could," Sherlock said.

"Yeah, I know," she answered, still pouty. But she brightened up when she saw John. "Hi Mr. John! I missed you too! Did you have a good trip?" she asked, hugging his middle.

"Yes, sweetheart, we did have a good trip. How was your day with Greg?"

"Who's Greg?" Addie and Sherlock asked simultaneously.

John and Lestrade rolled their eyes at Sherlock. "Lestrade. Greg Lestrade. Did you have fun with him, Addie?"

"Oh, yes! I played my game while Mr. 'Strade trained Mr. Rogers at Cotton Yard. And Miss Sally took me to get some water and some crisps cuz I was really hungry. Then Mr. 'Strade and I went to get some Chinese food and then he bought me ice cream! He got cookies and cream and I got chocolate wif sprinkles. It was yummy! Then we came here and watched Peter Pan. Rennember when we used to play Peter Pan, Sherlock?"

John smirked as Sherlock's face got a bit red. "Um, yes, I do, Addie," he answered awkwardly. "Anyways, it's late. We should be getting back."

"Yeah, yeah of course," Lestrade said, a bit sad to see Addie go. He enjoyed his time with the little girl and found himself wishing she could come over again soon. He helped Addie gather up her pillow and her puzzle game.

"Thank you, Lestrade. I appreciate you watching Addie for us. I hope she behaved herself," Sherlock said as he shook his hand.

"Yeah, no trouble at all. It was great," he answered as John shook his hand and thanked him as well.

"G'bye Mr. 'Strade. Thanks for watching me! I had lotsa fun!" Addie said, nearly knocking him over to give him a hug..

"No problem, kiddo," he said, grinning like an idiot. "You're always welcome here. Anytime."

Addie kissed his cheek and said, "Love you Mr. 'Strade." He returned the kiss on the cheek and waved as Sherlock gathered her into his arms.

Addie stuck out her arms as if she was flying and giggled as Sherlock held her up high. "Second star to the right and straight on til morning!" she shouted.

"Next stop: Neverland!" Sherlock laughed as he flew her around and out the door, Lestrade grinning and chuckling as they left.