A/N No profit made, no infringement intended- enjoy!
The rest of the first day passed without much fuss. A nurse arrived and told them that Sheri would need to come to the nursery area so she could have further evaluations and measurements taken by the paediatrician on staff. Sherlock wanted to follow along, but John persuaded him to instead go to the dining area for some lunch. When Sherlock would have baulked, John reminded him that getting too hungry or thirsty would just wear him out and make conditions ripe for a nasty headache. Sherlock had to agree, as he absolutely hated getting a migraine. He trailed along after John with no further objections, and did manage to eat a decent lunch and have some tea, after John had firmly told him coffee was not an option. He did relent and let his husband have a pastry for dessert.
Sheri was brought back to them after they returned to their room, with the news that she had passed all of her tests with flying colours. They were also told that they could dress her in the clothes they had brought for her, so Sherlock immediately put her in the sleep-suit that was a pale gold and covered with honeybees and hives, complete with a background graphic of hexagonal shapes like a honeycomb. John laughed when he saw the design - trust Sherlock to find baby clothes with bees! The outfit included a knit cap with tiny bees on it. She looked adorable, and John and Sherlock spent some time taking pictures of her in the set.
When it was time for her next sleep, John took Sheri and sat in the rocker. Sherlock took his Strad from the case and played a few lullabies for her. She settled quickly, and John laid her down on her back in the cot, foot to foot, swaddled snugly in a light blanket. The afternoon passed quickly, and soon it was time for them to go to the cafeteria and have dinner.
After Sheri's evening feed, Sherlock put away the violin, and went into the loo to change his clothes, coming out in pyjamas and a dressing-gown, and slippers. John changed also, and they went to bed, a bit nervous that they wouldn't hear their daughter stir. In spite of this, they both dropped off quickly, and slept while Sheri did. She had barely started snuffling in her cot when Sherlock heard her and sat straight up, found his slippers, and went over to his daughter. He checked and changed her nappy, and proceeded to give her the next feeding of formula. John stirred, but Sherlock just shushed him and he turned over and settled back to sleep.
Sherlock spent quite a while talking to their daughter. He told her about 221B, about all the relatives and friends she would soon meet, and finally, he told her about her Daddy.
"He's a doctor, so he will be able to take very good care of both of us, always. He is not very tall, but is very strong and dependable. I trust him completely with my life and heart, and with yours. He will never let any harm come to you. He may have difficulty saying some things, but I am sure he will tell you he loves you very easily, after all.
"He gets impatient and sometimes swears a bit, but he has an unshakeable moral compass which he does not ever compromise. He will defend us with his life if he needs to, without fear for himself. He is an expert marksman and will no doubt teach you to shoot one day, so as to defend yourself if needed. We do occasionally run into some rather unsavoury characters, but we will keep you safe, always.
"John – erm - your Daddy - does have an irritating way of being right when it comes to what people are like, and expect - but don't you ever let on that I know it and admit it. He will be your primary source for this type of thing, I am sure - I have never quite fit into this world, I am afraid.
"Finally, your Daddy is the most important man in my life - I never thought I'd find anyone to love and share my life with - and now we have you as well, my little love. We will both be here for you, whatever you need, always. I love you so much, Sheri." He brought her up to his lips and kissed the top of her head, marvelling at the new baby smell.
John slept straight through until the next time Sheri woke up, which made Sherlock happy. He had fed her, changed her again, and after placing her carefully in the cot, he also lay down and returned to sleep. At least they had got some sleep their first night as parents - he was sure that wouldn't always be the case.
After they gave her the early morning feed, a nurse arrived to supervise them bathing the baby. Sherlock did the honours, since he was certain John had handled more infants in his training and his daily surgery hours. At first, he was very worried about Sheri becoming slippery, but when he saw how she could be bathed on a towel or soft blanket, (even though they had done this with a doll in their parenting class) he felt more confident. He again dressed her in some of the clothing they had brought - this time a peach-coloured sleep-suit with sprigs of light green flowers sprinkled over it. The colour suited her complexion nicely, and accented her light blonde curls.
A bit later in the day, they phoned Greg and Molly, and Mrs. Hudson. Everyone was pleased and cooed over the baby, and Molly asked how they were getting on so far. She smiled when Sherlock looked at them haughtily and assured her that they were doing just fine, thank you very much. "So Sherlock-y!" she said, and they all laughed. They all agreed that Sheri looked just like Sherlock as a baby, from pictures he had shown them, except for her hair colour. They also all expressed the hope that she would take on more of John's personality traits, even though they didn't know her exact parentage. John and Sherlock just grinned and agreed that yes, it would be best if she were to do that. Sherlock tried to look insulted, but they all knew it was only a token pout, and he soon abandoned the charade.
Later, the Holmes parents phoned back, and again wanted to see and hear all about what Sheri was doing and how her evaluations went. John assured them that everything was normal and that she was eating well, and everything seemed to be working properly, as changing her many nappies proved. Mummy was knitting yet another small jumper and leggings set for the cooler weather ahead. Sherlock and John were quite amused, and said that Sheri would be the most fashionable child ever seen in London at this rate. Mummy just grinned, pleased and so happy for her boys. Since John had no family left except for Harry, who drifted in and out of his life as her addiction problems waxed and waned, the Holmes parents had informally "adopted" John, besides welcoming him as Sherlock's spouse. John was at first a bit overwhelmed by this, as he had never expected to be so loved by his in-laws, but he soon adjusted and enjoyed the family interaction he had so sorely missed after his parents had passed.
Sherlock assured them that the recordings of their voices had been played to their new grand-daughter many times, and she would certainly be familiar with the sound of them speaking to her when the time for the first visit came. Both parents wanted them to come home to their Kensington flat for a week or so, so that they could help with the baby. After some discussion, John and Sherlock agreed. Since these were the only grandparents (aside from Mrs. Hudson) they felt they could indulge them a bit, after waiting so long for a grandchild. Even though neither of them had actually had a baby (which Sherlock just had to say aloud), they knew that Mummy just wanted a chance to coddle all of them for a while.
The next day passed quickly, and right after lunch, they were soon being driven home in one of Mycroft's ever-present black cars, complete with a car seat, of course. This had worked out well, since they were worried about taking a newborn on a train with all the people who might be harbouring disease. They had the formula for the next month, and a list of points to remember and record for their personal records, which Sherlock would forward to Baskerville every week. Sheri was sleeping peacefully at present, and John and Sherlock likewise relaxed for the ride back to London, sharing memories of the birth and first days with their daughter.
Thanks to all who are following this story- please leave a review.
~joan