Epilogue. The End of the War.
The war was over. It had been long and it had caused devastation. The world and all its people were weary. Many had been lost and their loss was keenly felt by those that remained. It seemed that all the old world and its ways had been lost, swept away in a gust of death, the world began again. In a haze of disillusion everyone continued with their lives, the world grinded back into normality, and yet there was a grey hue to the world. The colour there once was, drained and gone forever.
"John? John what are you doing up there?"
I sighed as I heard my wife's voice calling me from downstairs. I felt in no mood for socialising. I was getting old and becoming tired of the world, the war was over and I felt I was over, everything in me refusing to carry on. I heaved myself up and walked downstairs, Elaine was waiting for me at the bottom dressed in all her Sunday finery.
"You look beautiful." I said, kissing her cheek.
"You look tired. Are you sure you want to go, you really don't have to force yourself for me."
She stroked my face with her finger and I held it.
"I'm alright, besides I'm not doing this for you, I'm doing it for Mary."
Elaine smiled,
"Yes and a good thing she asked you too."
"It should be Holmes."
"Mr. Holmes isn't here John."
I knew, and the pain was stifling. Mary was getting married today to a young doctor I had introduced her to at the hospital. He was a good enough man, and kind. Mary had asked me to give her away and I had agreed. Mycroft had refused an invitation to the wedding stating he was too busy, he had seen Mary but once since our return to London all those years ago. I had never seen him so affected; he merely looked at her before leaving without a word. Perhaps the memories of his brother were too hard to bear, even for one such as Mycroft. Holmes had not yet returned from wherever he had spent the last years of the war, we had heard nothing of him.
I looked at myself in the glass and sighed, yes the war had made me old. In the reflection I saw a flurry of white and Mary was standing looking at me. I turned and held out my hands which she took, smiling.
"You look stunning Mary." And it was true, it was hard to believe that this was that raving and frightened girl I had opened my door to so long ago. She was a woman, a beautiful and capable woman that Holmes would have been proud of, "Are you ready?"
She nodded and took my arm. I led her to the waiting car. As we left I looked back at the house, one more thing was changing and I felt I could cope with no more.
I waited anxiously outside the church while Mary was being fussed over by the older ladies. I lit a cigarette to calm my nerves hoping Elaine would not turn the corner and catch me; she did not approve of what she called my 'incessant smoking.' I breathed in gratefully and closed my eyes wishing the wedding was over. I could hear faint steps behind me, I opened my eyes,
"I'm sorry my dear but the…" I stopped and dropped the cigarette, standing before me, thin and pale but the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, was Holmes. He smiled and came forward.
"Expecting someone else Watson? Or have you taken to calling men dears?" He smiled again, taking the hand I wasn't even aware I had offered. I gripped it to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
"Holmes. You're alive."
"Of course I'm alive, didn't you expect me to be?" His manner was as nonchalant as ever. I threw my arms around him and held him to me, to my shock he didn't flinch; I could feel his hand on my back.
"No Holmes, I didn't expect you to be."
Holmes removed himself from my grasp and laughed.
"Watson the war has made you more sentimental than you were before – if that's at all possible," He smiled and lit his own cigarette, "It would take more than an army to beat me."
"Yes I think it would Holmes."
He smiled again, flicking some ash from his fingers to the floor. Then he looked at me and I could see how much he had aged.
"Did you know about the wedding?" I asked.
"Yes, I read about it in the paper on the way over."
"Are you pleased?"
"Of course."
I didn't know how to carry on, we had been apart for such a long time and so much had changed.
"Holmes?"
"Yes Watson."
"You should be the one who gives her away."
He again flicked ash from his cigarette on to the floor, but he did not look at me.
"Are you certain Watson? It has been you who has been always here for her, not me. Do you think she would…?"
I stopped him,
"I know she would be delighted Holmes."
Together we walked into the church, Mary was with Elaine waiting for me, they were chatting happily together, I pushed Holmes forward. They both paused.
"You're here." Mary's voice was quiet, almost reverent.
"Mary you are the most beautiful girl I think I've ever seen." Holmes said, taking her hands and kissing her cheek. She closed her eyes as he did so. He then turned to Elaine.
"Mrs. Watson," Holmes bowed to her, Elaine walked over and kissed his cheek. Holmes flushed in embarrassment.
"Welcome home."
"Thank you," He smiled and turned back to Mary, "Will you allow me to walk you down the aisle?"
She took his hands, and then looked at me.
"It's quite alright Mary; let your uncle give you away."
She smiled and looked back to Holmes.
"Yes, I would like that very much."
Holmes gave her the most genuine smile I have ever seen him bestow on anyone and took her arm. Leading her into the church I thought I saw peace fill his eyes, Mary's never left his face. I felt Elaine slip her arm into mine.
"And all is well with the world." She whispered into my ear. I looked at her and kissed her.
"I love you." I whispered.
"I know."
Together we followed Mary and Holmes into the church, Holmes shook the hand of the man who was to become Mary's husband and then took his seat next to me. I settled down and felt Holmes' leg next to mine and smiled. This is where I was always meant to be, at Holmes' side and I felt a sudden rush of excitement as I realised that this was not the end, we may have become older but we were still together in spite of everything and my heart surged with joy and thanks. I knew then that we would always be together in some strange way, that our lives were bound and I felt tears form in my eyes. No this was not the end; there would never be an end…
