Arrival

It was 11:23 when the midwife declared that it was time, much to Molly's agreement. She was taken through to the delivery room, with Sherlock faithfully still holding her hand, while John and Mary, who had returned an hour before, went back out to a waiting room. After much screaming, crying, murmured assurances and snapping at nurses for telling Molly to do something as obvious as breathe, the baby was delivered.

"Congratulations. It's a girl." The midwife told them, gently passing the tiny flailing bundle into Molly's arms.

"Oh. Oh look, Sherlock look!" Molly cried in delight, holding the baby to her chest, angled for Sherlock to see.

Sherlock was looking. In all his life he had never understood the fuss people made of babies, but in this moment he did. Something strong welled up inside of him as his eyes took in the tiny limbs, the smaller versions of his own and Molly's features on this daughter's face, and the soft layer of dark hair plastered to her forehead. He blinked rapidly and felt the hot tears sliding down his cheeks.

"She's beautiful." He choked out, causing Molly to tear her gaze away from the baby for a second. She had tears streaming down her own cheeks, but seemed shocked to see such an emotional reaction from Sherlock. He was too, but he didn't fight it, relishing the feelings.

"Yes, she is, isn't she?" Molly agreed, as they both looked back down at their baby.

"You've just come back from chasing criminals around Bath, and now you're suggesting we go there as a holiday?" Mary laughed

"Maybe not for a little while, but that hotel looked really nice, and you'd love it there, from what I saw of it." John explained, laughing and going a little red from embarrassment.

"Well our anniversary is coming up –"

"Oh, hang on." John felt his phone buzz in his pocket and fished it out. He looked at the text he'd received and broke into a wide smile, before holding it up for Mary to see.

It's a girl. Come and meet her. Same room as before. – SH

"Well come on, let's go!" Mary jumped to her feet, barely waiting for John.

When they walked in the room they were surprised to see Molly empty handed, and Sherlock with the baby nestled in his arms. Molly had wanted to hold the baby for longer, but since she had already got to hold her straight after birth, and through her first feeding, she had had to concede that it was Sherlock's turn. The sight was too adorable anyway. He was completely in love, smiling at his daughter and letting her hold onto his finger with a surprisingly firm grip.

"Do we get to say hi, or are you going to hog her all day?" John asked with a tremendous smile, as he and Mary came closer, trying to peer at the bundle in his arms.

"I've barely had her 5 minutes." Sherlock defended, but turned the baby in his arms so they could see her better anyway.

"Awww. She looks so much like you!" Mary exclaimed to Molly "But looks like she's got Daddy's hair, haven't you?" she cooed.

"And the mouth." John pointed out, holding his finger out for the baby to grab. "Have you got a name yet?"

"Well it's certainly not Hamish." Sherlock joked, before turning serious. "We were actually just discussing it before you came in. We, uh… seem to have rather different tastes."

"I can imagine." Mary smiled. "How about… Rebecca?"

Molly seemed to be considering it, but Sherlock crinkled his nose is distaste. "Could you have picked a more common name?"

"Hannah?" John suggested.

Sherlock's eyes flicked over him. "If you want to name a child after your Mother, I suggest it be one of your own."

"Well what do you suggest?" Mary asked him.

"Melody." He suggested after a moment's thought. "It is appropriate, since she was born during a case involving music."

"You want to name her after a case?" John chuckled "And you think I'm bad with my blog."

"It's a sweet thought Sherlock, but I don't think I want her name to be a reminder of the case that almost made you late for her birth." Molly reasoned, putting down his suggestion lightly. Then her eyes brightened with an idea. "How about River?"

Sherlock's eyebrows pushed together. "That's off Doctor Who isn't it?"

"You gave me the idea with Melody" Molly blushed, "But I do quite like the name."

"It's not bad, but it's not quite…" He looked down at their daughter again, as if he was trying to deduce the name of her. She would be intelligent, there was no doubt about it with the good genes behind her. But his brilliance would be tempered by Molly's heart. Somehow he felt the baby would be the perfect balance of the two. She would be wise. She would have a lot of inner strength. She needed a name that would do the amazing woman she would grow into justice.

"Eleanor." He said softly. It was the name of a French queen. And quite a brilliant one if he remembered his history correctly.

"Eleanor." Molly repeated, trying it out.

"It's a bit of a mouthful, but you could always shorten it to Ellie or Nora." Mary suggested.

"Oh that's sweet, I like Ellie." Molly smiled.

Sherlock grimaced a little at the shortening, but he could tolerate it, if it made his wife happy.

"It's settled then." He said "Eleanor Holmes."

"Eleanor May Holmes." Molly suggested, then blushed. "If you don't mind. My Grandma…"

"I think it fits beautifully." Sherlock agreed.

AN: And there you have it, the chapter you've all been waiting for. Hope it didn't disappoint, and feel free to leave a review to tell me what you thought of it (or just to say hi)