The Charred Remains
Chapter 9: And Together We Pledge
A/N: Here we are again! I hope you like this chapter, and not hate me too much! I do promise that the next chapter is the last letter, and then the chapter to follow the next has a small appearance of Sherlock. I will frustrate you all so much before this story ends, but I do promise a happy ending! I want to thank my betas MeddlingAdler and Grizziesmom. They are so fantastic, and without them my story would not be as amazing as it is! Read on and let me know what you think! I do love to hear from you all!
My Dearest John,
I've been looking forward to writing this letter the most out of any that I have written so far. I do hope that by this point that this letter won't come as too much of a shock. From the very beginning you knew this letter would arrive. The big event I'm referring to is the day of our wedding. Of course I will include the day you proposed to me in this letter, but I wanted you to know right up front what to be expecting within. This might be the hardest letter for you to read given that you remember little to nothing of our life together, but I hope that everything I've written up to this point has prepared you, as well as sparked something…anything so that when I get to see you in only a few days' time, you won't be too distraught.
Though this has been the one letter I've been looking forward to the most, it is also the one letter I've struggled to start properly. I suppose it would only be prudent to begin with the night you proposed to me. Everything that has been explained in the last few letters has been crucial up to this point. I don't even know how you're feeling about me, or us at this point, but I only hope that with what follows in this letter, I don't completely scare you away.
The night you proposed to me, honestly, started out as any ordinary night. I was sitting at my desk with my laptop, working on a security programme for an army base in Baskerville when you arrived home from the clinic. It was half past six, I hadn't prepared dinner. Nor was I going to because I was completely wrapped up with my latest job. I did look up, however, when you approached from behind me.
"Evening love," you greeted, bending to press a kiss against my temple.
I made a noncommittal noise in response, too wrapped up in my codes to really say or do much. I heard you moving about behind me, shrugging out of your jacket. I narrowed my gaze so that I could concentrate better on my work. I had a rather tough deadline to keep, and I didn't need you to distract me away from it, so I tried hard to ignore the noises you had taken to making. I was just settling into my working mode when I felt your hand cup the back of my neck. I jumped, startled from my reprieve. I snapped my head around to glare at you.
"I am working John. You know this job is important. I can't be bothered until I've reached a fair quitting point for the night. You've even harped at me to keep my attention on this job since it's for your precious army," I turned back to my screen, my words a mere muttered mess.
You weren't swayed in the least. A shiver raced down my spine as your thumb began to make small circles against the skin on the back of my neck. I let out a frustrated sigh.
"I know. I know. Usually I wouldn't dream of bothering you while you're working because I know it comes first, but I made reservations for us tonight, for dinner. I was hoping I wouldn't have to cancel them…" the word, again, was left hanging. There were more than a few times your reservations had to be cancelled due to my work.
Sighing again, I finally turned around to look at you, frowning slightly, wondering if I'd missed some sort of important date. It wasn't our anniversary, or one of our birthdays…there wasn't anything special about the night that would warrant a fancy dinner. I arched my back, stretching the muscles.
"Cancel again. I really do need to get this finished within the next week. It's not a simple job John; I need to concentrate all my focus and energy on it. I'm sorry to ask you to cancel yet again, but there's just no way I can tear myself away right now."
Oh God, the crestfallen look on your face when I suggested you cancel dinner hurt me. I frowned. The flash of pain in your gaze really was upsetting me. You'd never reacted this way before when we had to cancel. I frowned, lifting a hand to rub down my face, a breath escaping through my lips. I opened my mouth to cede in your favour, but you'd already turned away from me.
"Uhm, okay. It's not a big deal I suppose. I'll call the place and cancel. I'll find something to make, no problem. I'm sorry…I knew you were busy…it's…it's not a big deal."
Your voice was so quiet; I hardly heard your words. You never ask much of me; never demand things from me; never try and make me be who I'm not. You respect me, my work, and the levels of concentration my work requires. You sacrifice a lot just to appease me, and I can honestly say, I haven't been good at that ever since the beginning of our relationship. I sighed again, pushing myself to my feet. I turned back to my laptop to be sure I saved my work before hurrying after you. I had a lot of ground to make up for. The worst thing I could ever imagine is losing you, which I think might have happened if I hadn't made a sacrifice of my own for you.
"John, wait, don't cancel," I called, catching up to you before you made it into the kitchen.
You whirled around to face me, a bewildered expression on your face. I smiled warmly, approaching you. I wrapped my arms around your waist and ducked my head slightly to press a kiss against your forehead.
"You've gone through a lot of trouble to create date nights for me, and they rarely happen thanks to the work. I think I can quit early tonight and just work a bit longer tomorrow. I don't want to miss another date night," I murmured, stepping back a little, but keeping my arms around you. God, it always felt so good to just hold you against me.
The smile that suddenly lit your face was so worth it, and I couldn't help but break out into a grin of my own. You pushed up to press a firm kiss against my lips before spinning away and heading towards the bedroom.
"You'll need to dress up Mr. Moriarty. We're going to a rather fancy restaurant," you called over your shoulder before disappearing into the bathroom. I grinned, following behind you.
Later, we emerged from the bedroom showered and dressed to the nines. It was a challenge for me to leave the flat with you when all I really wanted to do was throw you down onto the bed and ravish you. However, for some reason or another the dinner was important to you, so I would wait until we came home. I called down to have my driver ready for us, but found you'd really taken care of everything. I looped my arm with yours, and was not going to let go until we'd take our seats at the restaurant.
We arrived at half seven when the driver pulled up outside The Ledbury. I grinned over at you. I'd heard a lot about this restaurant, and I was surprised you managed to reserve a table for us. Once outside the car, I wound my arm around your waist as we walked through the door. You told the host our name and were shown to a table a bit off from the rest of the patrons dinning in the restaurant.
I honestly have no idea how I got so lucky to have you in my life. The table was intimately set for two. A vase full of plump, red roses sat in the middle adorned on each side by two, white, long stemmed candles, a velvety red table cloth, and a bucket of ice with a bottle of champagne chilling. I was a bit dazed, looking at the scene that was set before me. I looked up at you, your face radiant in the glow of the candlelight. I couldn't help the grin that spread over my face.
"John…how…why?" I couldn't form any longer sentences. I lowered myself into a chair pulled out by the server. You followed suit soon after. I had eyes only for you, truly stunned. My heart raced as I mechanically unfolded the white cloth napkin into my lap.
"Just enjoy the dinner Jim, that's really all I'm asking. We haven't had a nice night out in ages. I figured it was long overdue," you stated, your grin was easy and comfortable.
I truly felt anything but comfortable. I mean, I really had no idea what to expect, but my heart refused to calm down its erratic tattoo against my ribs. You looked so calm across the table. I was envious for a moment before I inhaled deeply, attempting to calm myself. A slow smile curled my lips. I let myself relax into the chair, accepting the flute of champagne you poured for me. You leaned back in your chair to ask the waiter for something, or so I presumed because you whispered to him and then he turned away towards the kitchen. I raised a brow at you. You simply grinned.
"Just relax Jim. I promise you've nothing to worry over. Just sit and enjoy a nice dinner with me," you cocked your head as you smoothed your hands along your thighs.
I sighed, nodding, "I think I can do that, but only because it's you," I teased, lifting the flute of champagne to my lips, letting the sweet, bubbly liquid slide down my throat.
The evening passed in a relaxed, romantic sort of fashion. We caught up with each other. We talked about work, family, news; anything really. It was just so nice to talk to you about mundane things. I hadn't realised until then that I had been missing you. I was so wrapped up in my latest project that I'd completely blocked you out. I also realised just how selfish of me that was. I know I am so lucky to have you because you understand my need for work to come first. You never push me, or demand attention. You simply are always just there when I need you, and I love you all the more for knowing the infinite amount of patience you have in order to deal with me. I know I am not easy to get along with.
The dinner went well. As we began to wind down, I was feeling utterly relaxed. I completely forgot about the security system I'd been working on for the past month. I only needed you. I licked the last traces of chocolate from my spoon, letting it fall back onto the plate that once housed my dessert. I was perfectly content and very ready to get you home. I leveled my gaze at you, hoping you'd get my message.
You grinned slyly in response. You edged your seat back, rising from your chair. I moved as well to follow your lead. You held up your hand to stay me. I cocked my head in confusion.
"Just hold on a second Jim, I dropped something. Stay there so I can find it," you muttered, heading around the table and kneeling near my chair. You were bent down, hands brushing along the floor.
I hadn't a clue what you were looking for, but I saw the moment you found it. A smile took over your face and your eyes brightened considerably. I moved to rise, but you placed a hand on my knee to stay me once more.
"What now, John?" I asked my voice a bit edgy. I wanted to get home.
You remained kneeling, but as I looked you over, I spotted the black, velvety box now in your hand. Everything around us ceased to exist. Suddenly it became impossible to swallow. My hands began to tremble minutely. Surely, I was imagining this. I know what it looked like, but I could hardly think that you…that you'd be asking me…I wiped my hands along my thighs in hopes of calming myself.
"John?" I breathed, eyes wide.
You smiled warmly in response, opening the lid of the box being slowly as you gazed up at me, "Jim," you responded, your voice unwavering.
I could only stare at the twin silver bands glittering in the light of the restaurant.
"God, this must seem so damn cheesy! But then again, I am John Watson and cheesy is, apparently, what I do best," you said with a grin as you lifted the box towards me.
"I think I can only really ask this once, so, here goes."
You cleared your throat, a very quick flash of apprehension shone in your blue eyes before you seemed to steel yourself.
"James Moriarty, will you do me the honour of marrying me so that we can spend the rest of our lives together?"
I couldn't talk for a few long seconds. I could, embarrassingly enough feel my mouth agape, but no words were coming. I was screaming yes in my head so loud I didn't understand how you couldn't hear me. I suddenly saw the pained look of misery enter your gaze. I gasped, reaching out to grab you, pulling you up between my legs so that I could claim your lips. It was a heated rush of tongues and teeth. I wrapped my arms tightly around you, nuzzling into your neck.
"Yes John, a thousand times yes," I breathed into your ear. I slowly eased back so that I could look into your eyes.
I was not prepared for the emotion I saw in them. I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, my hand rising to cup your cheek, but you intercepted it. You cradled it between two of your hands, slipping one of the cool silver bands around the appropriate finger. I watched you, completely in awe of the entire thing. I cannot believe I nearly gave this up just for work. I slowly lifted my left hand to study the band, the ring that would signify our future together.
"Wow. I always thought it was an over-statement when people said that they felt so happy and complete in this moment. It's utterly true. I have never felt this happy before in my life Jim," you said so softly. I leaned in to steal a chaste kiss from your lips.
We both jumped when a sudden loud applause broke out in the restaurant. I grinned like a mad man, standing and helping you to your own feet. I wound and arm around your waist, pulling you close so that our foreheads were pressed together. The smile on my lips refused to die, and my lips refused to be parted from yours for more than was necessary to breathe or speak. I was well aware of the people surrounding us, but I only had eyes for you.
"You're not the only one feeling so elated John. I never imagined I would ever find someone to love in my entire life. I was used to being the loner, the weird kid in class, or the kid constantly being picked on. I was content to just be alone for the rest of my days, but then I met you. You turned everything upside down, and I cannot imagine a day in my future without you John Hamish Watson. You've made me so happy."
I pulled you close, just relishing in the feel of your body tucked up against mine. I felt you chuckle lightly, your own arms coming around to hold me just as tightly. I felt you turn your head, your lips right against my ear as you spoke, only for me to hear.
"I think it's time to go home and celebrate, Jim."
I nodded in agreement. We linked hands, exiting the restaurant. Patrons and staff alike all stepped forward to give us well wishes and clap us on the back. It was odd to be on the receiving end of such positive attention. I was absolutely glowing in the attention, and I was even happier to show everyone that you were mine, and would be mine for the foreseeable future.
That night we went home and celebrated using our bodies. It's odd how, only using your lips, you can show how much you love someone. We explored every single inch of each other's' bodies a few times over. It was the most emotional love making we'd ever had. We didn't settle down for sleep until the first rays of dawn were peeking over the tall buildings of the city. I had my hand linked in yours as I lay draped over your chest. I tilted our linked hands, loving the glinting of light from our rings.
"I do love you John," I breathed, turning my head to press a kiss against your chest.
"And I you, Jim. I can't wait to marry you," you murmured, bending your head to brush a kiss into my hair.
I couldn't wait either John. I couldn't wait to make you mine in every way that mattered. It was only a matter of time now before we would be joined in eternal bliss. It was the happiest day of my life, but something that I must write about in a separate letter. I feel that this letter may come as a sort of shock to you, but it is nearing the end of things I must write down for you. By my estimate there is one more letter left. I am just looking forward to seeing your bright blue eyes once more, love.
Again, get some rest. I will be joining you again soon enough. I love you John. Never forget that.
Love Always,
JM