A/N I don't own anything, no copyright infringement intended. not beta-read, all mistakes are mine alone. Enjoy!
The next morning, Sherlock and John were awake well before Mycroft was due to appear. They were dressed, although Sherlock wore his maroon dressing gown instead of a suit jacket, and having a late breakfast. John had borrowed Mrs. Hudson's larger teapot (theirs had met an unfortunate end whilst Sherlock was experimenting on something John would rather not know too much about) so they could offer Mycroft tea and a plate of fresh chocolate croissants she had baked that morning (although she was not their housekeeper!). Sherlock looked at them and sighed. Mycroft wasn't alone in having a sweet tooth, although Sherlock was loath to admit it in front of his big brother. If left to his own devices, Sherlock would probably subsist on coffee, tea, and chocolate biscuits, but he did love Mrs. Hudson's baking.
At half ten, they heard Mycroft's key at the entrance. Sherlock looked at John and they shared a smirk - trust him to be early! In a few moments, the tapping of his ever-present umbrella could be heard on the stairs. The British Government himself appeared in the doorway and seeped into the sitting room, immaculately dressed as always in three-piece suit, watch and chain, and of course, the umbrella with malacca handle that Sherlock had given him years ago for his graduation from Oxford. (John and Sherlock often amused themselves trying to imagine new weapons that might be secreted in Mycroft's brolly. A sword, a device for injecting poison, sedation, or truth serum; and a baton with taser-like electroshock qualities were the favoured choices at the moment.)
"Ahh, brother mine, good morning. And how are the prospective parents today?" Mycroft asked, trying for a pleasant greeting and hoping his little brother would not sabotage his efforts. "I must say that I was most pleasantly surprised when I learned you were desirous of children. I've brought the necessary paperwork, explaining the whole process in more detail. I know Sherlock has been to see Dr. Stapleton and talked with her – was there anything in particular you wish to know at this time, or shall I give you a day or two to peruse these papers first?"
"For god's sake, Mycroft! We are not living in an 18th-century novel; 'desirous' and 'peruse,' indeed! Can you possibly sound more insufferable than you already are? You are only feeling 'incandescently happy', as you would term it, because if we have children, Mummy will stop bothering you about grandchildren." asked Sherlock, waving his hands dramatically, clearly ready to jump up from the table. He was fidgeting in his chair, fingers drumming on it loudly. "I don't know why you are so opposed - you and Anthea have clearly been together since last – May, was it? Doesn't she want children when you are married? She seems to agree with you, you've lost weight since you have been together, despite dining out regularly..."
"Sherlock, love, calm down a bit, hmm? Why don't you go over and play the violin a moment and give me a chance to ask some medical questions I have? And not that chicken-scratching you do - some proper music, please," John said quietly, in a tone that implied no stroppy tantrums would be tolerated right now. Sherlock huffed through his nose and flounced to the other side of the room and got out his Strad and rosined the bow after tightening it, then started playing a soft melody whilst staring out the window at the foot traffic.
John said, "Sit down, Mycroft - do you want some tea? Mrs. Hudson sent up some freshly-baked chocolate croissants, too. Sherlock is just a bit – erm - over-excited. He has been telling me about his discussion with Dr Stapleton, but I'd like to go over it all again with you, please. This has been amazing news to me! Also, I wanted to thank you - most sincerely - for thinking of us and helping to ease our way into the study. I've wanted children since I was a young man just out of medical school, but then I went into the Army, so that put things off. After Sherlock and I realised we were serious about marriage, we talked at length about the subject. Seeing Sherlock with Greg and Molly's daughter made me realise he wanted a child just as much. It admittedly surprised me as much as it did him, but he is very comfortable with Emily and she adores him as well."
"Certainly, John, anything you wish. I will take some tea and a croissant, thank you. I can see that Sherlock has been just a tad hyper since we talked about all this initially, but of course, that is not unusual for him," commented Mycroft, smiling indulgently, as he did these days when his baby brother displayed his more eccentric behaviour. Since his brother had married John, Mycroft was more relaxed, and looked at his brother's antics with a more indulgent eye than before - possibly because it was now John who had the primary responsibility to look after Sherlock.
"Yes, well - yes, he has. It is just something we have talked about for so long. We thought we might never have the chance to actually have a child - or children - of our own. At best, we'd have to find a surrogate to carry the child, which would of course, not be that easy to find, and then find an egg donor to provide the other half of the DNA. That seemed almost insurmountable when we first talked. Now, Sherlock has told me that this new technology could help us both be parents to any children we might decide to have, with an artificial uterus providing the gestation. Is that correct?" John said, rushing his words just a bit, Sherlock's excitement and their talks the night before adding to his nervousness.
"Yes, that is essentially what they have accomplished so far. They use skin cells and create a whole line of stem cells, so that they are available later if need be. In future, this may have some far-reaching applications in the case of injury or disease for either of you, of course. But, for the present, they are able to create egg cells from either person and then use the sperm cells from the other. They very carefully monitor which parent provides which cell, so that the child will definitely be from both parents."
While he was saying this, his little brother had gradually walked quietly back to the table and sat, helping himself to tea and a croissant. He was listening attentively.
"In your case, you would be able to stipulate who would provide the egg, and who the sperm. If you should choose to have more than one child, the process could be switched if you wish. The mechanical uterus uses an amniotic fluid that is not distinguishable from the norm, and when the embryo is a few weeks along, the natural process of creating the fluid is taken over by the developing placenta. The placenta attaches to the wall of the gestation device, and functions as it would normally, with feeding tubes replacing a mother's body and supplying nutrients to the placenta. The fluid is exchanged every few hours, as it would be naturally. Since the uterus is completely external, you will be able to observe the developing foetus, if you wish. There is no need for routine ultrasound, as the foetus can be readily seen, but it may be done if a problem is suspected. Routine measurements are done to follow the development, and weight can be determined by a scale in the gestation device. The membranes that contain the fluid are also formed in the process.
"When it is determined that the foetus is full-term, it is simply removed from the device by Dr. Stapleton, and given to a team composed of a neonatal specialist and several nurses, respiratory technicians, and the like, to stabilise the infant and give it the first physical examination.
"You may both be present at the birth, naturally. If all is well, the child can go home with you in 72 hours. Except for brief evaluations, you will have the infant with you at all times. You will be given a set of instructions as to type of formula, vitamin supplements, and a few other things to maintain the integrity of the project. All regular exams and vaccinations will be done at a government-approved paediatrician's office. You will be given a set of the documents at each visit, so you can have a complete health record. Weekly measurements of the child's growth, nutrition, and similar evaluations can be performed at your flat, by you. We would, of course, provide you with the forms already created to keep the measurements, and you would bring them to the paediatrician when the child is seen for immunisations and the like.
"If I may say so, Dr. Stapleton thought of you immediately when we decided to expand the program to same-sex couples. She thought that the two of you would make excellent parents, as both of you have the knowledge to note any irregularities and contact her, as well as being committed to each other. I believe that is all I have to tell you, unless there are other questions or concerns - ?" Mycroft finally stopped talking and John was left with his mind racing, trying to absorb all the information that had just been imparted to them.
"Would we be able to get updates on the baby? As in videos, with the pertinent facts about weight, developmental milestones, and the like? I know this is all very hush-hush, but I'd like to know how things are proceeding, and I am sure that Sherlock feels the same," John said.
"I see no problem with that, as long as you do not share the video. I'll just have both your computers upgraded with the latest security features. When the child is born, we will make a video containing non-classified information and give it to you to share with your friends. That way you will have some video of the child immediately after birth, and can keep it as an official birth memento. Will that be agreeable to you both? Sherlock?" Mycroft enquired of his brother.
"Would we be able to visit occasionally? Dr. Stapleton said it wouldn't be a problem as far as she knew," Sherlock replied. "I'd like to do that, if it is possible. John, what do you think?"
"Yes, that would be great, actually - even if it is just once or twice, it'd be very interesting. I can imagine it, but seeing would be amazing. Of course, I'd like to visit. One other thing, Mycroft, before you go. Can we say anything at all about the baby? To prepare at least Mrs. Hudson and Molly and Greg -" John added.
"I see no problem with that, as long as you say that you have arranged to have a child using a surrogate, which is not completely a lie. When we know who will provide the sperm cells, you will know what to say as far as that goes if you wish to divulge that much information. Thank you for bringing that up; it will make things seem more – err – mundane - than it actually will be.
"Then, we seem to agree, yes? You will receive updates, and can check in anytime via computer, and can visit, with a phone call ahead of time, to arrange a time and date. That is all in keeping with your interest as the parents of the child, and in the interests of the project, as well," Mycroft said, standing to leave. "I'll have the final papers drawn up, and arrange for you both to travel to Baskerville so your tissue samples can be taken. This can get under way quite quickly, now that all this has been decided. I'll text you and return with the papers, or send Anthea with them, and you will be issued passwords for the Baskerville website, as well as identification badges for the facility."
Mycroft then looked across to his brother, who was now back across the room, playing softly and looking out the window, but he knew that he was listening closely to all that had been said. He addressed his next remarks to his back, trying to be stern.
" Sherlock, what Anthea and I decide to do about a family is none of your concern at present - and please do not say anything to Mummy or Father until I've had a chance to tell them. I'll be asking Mummy for Great-Grandmother Vernet's sapphire ring for Anthea's engagement ring. She prefers sapphires above all other stones, so I thought it would be very suitable for her. I am going to have a matching wedding ring made for her, and one for myself. So - now you know as much of my plans as I do of yours, brother mine," the elder Holmes brother finished, looking very pleased with both his brother and himself.
" Well, that is a surprise - cheers, Mycroft! All right, then - may we contact you in a few hours? I think we'll want to talk about this privately, but I am sure we will be in agreement that we do wish to do this," John said. He looked over at Sherlock, who had stopped playing and sat in his chair, staring at the fire, as Mycroft left and went down the stairs and out to the waiting car.
I hope you enjoy this update- please leave a review if you like. Thanks,
~joan