OK I've calmed down slightly today, but only a little bit. This chapter is a little bit of fluff for you. I'm posting it surrounded by Christmas decorations and listening to Christmas music so it seems very apt. You'll see why. I hope you all enjoy it.

Chapter 6

Molly managed to 'look after' Sherlock a couple of times more after that but it wasn't nearly often enough for her liking.

She felt as though their relationship were stunted somehow by his desire to keep things secret. Deep down she worried it was because he was ashamed of her, of them, and the case was just an excuse.

Christmas was fast approaching and once again she was faced with spending it with her family rather than with a loved one. She couldn't help feeling a bit nostalgic about the previous year when she and Tom had spent Christmas in her flat. They had lain in late, listened to Christmas Carols as they'd made an all the trimmings Christmas meal together. Later on they'd snuggled up and watched the Doctor Who special. Tom aside, it had been perfect.

This year she would be back to interrogations from her mum about why she had broken up with Tom, why she was still single and have to listen to how perfect her 'married with kids' sister's life was.

Sherlock appeared oblivious to all her concerns. He'd grudgingly accepted an invite from his parents to take John and Mary to theirs for Christmas. He'd intimated to Molly that being with Mycroft for Christmas would fit in with his plans for this case.

'I promise you Molly, the case will soon be at a close.' He narrowed his eyes as he observed her, deducing her. 'You don't believe me...you believe the case will end but what...ahhh, you think I don't want our relationship to become known. I have told you it will, why don't you believe me?'

Molly looked into his confused face, 'I do...at least I think I do. Oh I don't know Sherlock. This, us, I suppose I still don't quite believe it myself and the fact that no one else knows...' she trailed off feeling sad.

He kissed her lightly, 'I will prove myself to you, I promise.'

MHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMH

That had been two days ago when he'd visited her at her flat to say goodbye before she set off for her mum's house. Today was Christmas Eve and she was obliged to stay until the day after Boxing Day. She'd already had to put up with her mum's endless jibes about her single status and about how she was a fool to let Tom get away and it didn't look like she was planning to stop anytime soon.

She sighed miserably as she sat in the chintzy front room nursing her first but definitely not her last glass of wine of the evening and ignored the door bell.

She heard her mum making her way down the hall, from the kitchen, exclaiming about who it could possibly be at this time on Christmas Eve.

She was brought out of her lethargy though when she heard a familiar low voice from the front door.

She heard her mum exclaim and call out for her as the door closed and two set of footsteps made their way back up through the hall.

'Molly,' her mum said quizzically, 'there's a gentleman here says he's your boyfriend?'

'Partner, I said I was her partner. Sorry to drop in on you both like this but I wanted to see you, Molly, before Christmas.'

Molly had stood up as they entered the room, shock written all over her face.

Sherlock strode over and kissed her hard on the mouth. 'Oh my' she heard her mum exclaim from somewhere behind Sherlock.

'I realise this is unexpected but I couldn't bear not seeing you for so long. I hope you don't mind.' He looked round at both women as they rapidly shook their heads.

'No, no, of course. You'll stay for dinner, there's plenty to go round Mr..erm..Mr?'

'Holmes, Sherlock Holmes, but please, call me Sherlock. I'm pleased to finally meet you Mrs Hooper. I'm sure Molly has told you all about me.'

'No, no she hasn't. Hang on, Sherlock Holmes... the detective. Oh, you're the one from all the newspapers. Molly mentioned you worked together sometimes but I didn't know, I didn't realise you were...were...Molly why on earth didn't you say anything.' She turned angrily to her daughter who was still in a state of shock.

Again, Sherlock stepped in, 'that's probably my fault Mrs Hooper. My job is, unfortunately, in the public eye and I have tried to protect Molly by keeping things quiet. However, that shouldn't extend to family and now I have met you I can see where Molly gets her looks from.'

'Oh, Mr Holmes...Sherlock..you're quite the flatterer aren't you. Can I get you a drink, wine, whisky?'

'I'm afraid I do have to drive later so tea if that's alright?'

'Yes, of course, Molly.' Her mum gestured to her to follow but Sherlock grabbed Molly's hand and turned to her mum, 'you won't mind I'm sure if we just have a moment to ourselves.'

Molly's mum blushed, 'oh..no...no, of course not,' and she made her way out.

Molly turned to Sherlock smiling, 'What on earth are you doing here?'

'I didn't like you feeling as though I wasn't serious about us. So, I told mother about you and when she heard you were less than fifty miles away she lent me her car and told me not to come back until you were happy.'

Molly put her arms around Sherlock's waist and her head on his chest, 'well, I am very happy now and I think I love your mum already. Thank you.' She felt his arms wrap around her and they stood like that for a minute until Molly realised she could be kissing him instead.

They were still locked together when Molly's mum returned with a tray of tea. She'd gone all out for Sherlock, Molly noticed, with a teapot, milk jug and sugar pot. She never normally made this much effort so must be feeling a bit in awe of the consulting detective.

Sherlock was on his best behaviour during the meal, complementing the food and the hostess. Molly could tell most of it was insincere but her mother couldn't and she appreciated the effort he was making.

'So how long have you and my daughter been together?' Molly blushed as her mother launched into her normal interrogation.

'About five months and yes it's serious. I have no doubt she is the only one for me and I already know I'm the only one for her.' With this he placed his hand on Molly's looking into her eyes. Molly felt dizzy and knew she was blushing to her roots. She had never heard Sherlock talk so sincerely about their relationship before.

He'd successfully out manoeuvred her mother derailing her normal line of questioning, 'oh, good. I'm very glad to hear it. I hope you'll be making an honest woman of her then.' Nope thought Molly just skipped a few steps.

'Mum...please.'

'That's between your daughter and I but I'm sure you'll be one of the first to hear.'

'Good, and children, is that something you'd like?'

'Mum...come on, stop this.'

'I know my own mother is very keen for grandchildren and as my brother is unlikely to oblige I'm sure that delight will fall to myself.' Molly wasn't quite sure that either she or her mother fully understood what that answer meant but it succeeded in stopping the flow of questions.

As the meal came to an end Sherlock thanked Molly's mum for her hospitality and explained he needed to set off back to his own family.

Molly threw on her coat and followed him outside to a yellow VW Beetle. She giggled as she saw it, 'sorry, is this your mum's car?'

All she got was a grimace from Sherlock.

'And you drove this fifty miles for me?'

'Yes, I hope you appreciate it.'

'Oh I do Sherlock, I do.' She reached up pulling him down by his lapels until his lips met hers. Once again the kiss deepened and Molly felt herself being pressed up against the car. He wrapped her in the Belstaff and she let her hands slide down his back until she was pressing on his backside pushing his hardness against her.

'God, Sherlock, please tell me we're not going to have to wait too much longer.'

He groaned against her neck. 'No, not much longer. I think we've waited quite long enough.'

He finally pulled away from her, folding his tall frame into the ridiculous car.

Molly watched him drive away until he turned the corner and she could see him no longer, before she hugged herself and walked back inside to face the rest of her mothers interrogation alone.

A little bit of christmas fluffiness before we turn a bit angsty. Come on, you know it has to happen, we've all seen the show.

Give me your feedback, I crave it, I need it. Thank you.