- And so is it as dreadful as I predicted? MH
- It's nice, but yeah, very crowded. The church was cramped, and this hall isn't much better. How they managed to seat everyone I don't know.
- Oh my god, Myc, you were right. John's old commander just rocked up, and he's doting over him.
- I think you'll find I am almost always right, my dear. MH
- Sure, sure.
- Please tell me you're looking at Sherlock's reaction. MH
- Oh if only I could take a photo. He's so jealous. Good thing the guy's a war hero, or I'd be worried Sherlock might try to take him out.
- It would have almost been worth attending to see that look on Sherlock's face. MH
- You could still come, you know.
- No, I'm about to start my run. Talk to you after his speech - I want details. MH

Greg didn't care that he was on his phone for most of the reception. He, of course, put it away while Mycroft exercised, and for the dinner. Thankfully he'd been seated besides Mrs Hudson and Molly, and so he had company to talk with.

And then it was the dreaded moment: the speech. It had started out as expected, and Greg noticed many things in there that he'd suggested Sherlock include - occasionally word for word. But somehow, he managed to pull it off. People were actually moved by it… and John was hugging him. Greg wished it was on video somewhere, but decided Mycroft could interpret the recording he was making with some descriptions.

Greg was thrown a bit when Sherlock asked him to explain the locked room murder. He'd been daydreaming a little fancifully about how his wedding with Mycroft might look, and suddenly felt panic at proving his worth. His solution was not ideal, even he knew that once he'd said it. But, he couldn't do anything about that.

And then it got …weird. Something was wrong. Greg was worried Sherlock was panicking so much his thought processes were becoming muddled up - particularly when he exclaimed 'murder'. Sherlock's words rung through his head: can't I just solve a murder or something? And then he got a text message that was clearly not from Mycroft. Adrenaline surged through his body as he left the room. Trust a wedding Sherlock was attending to need to be locked down. He made the call easy enough, and local police were to be there soon. He considered calling Mycroft… but there wasn't really much point.

So, he stood out near the front door, unable to hear the rest of what was happening. He tapped his foot impatiently. He eyed John's commander leaving the hallway and walk up the stairs to his room, no doubt. Nothing suspicious there. Well, until suddenly Sherlock, John, and then Mary, followed him in a panic. He wanted to ask what was wrong, but he had to stay at his post as requested.

Before long, some frazzled guests started spilling out towards him. He couldn't answer their questions, and had to just tell them to stay inside the building at all times. He also couldn't explain why. He did try to convince them that everything was fine, just a little emergency, but he wasn't sure if anyone bought it.

He decided to go and ask Sherlock and John what was going on, and if the guests could be allowed to leave the building. He followed the sounds of talking until he was faced with an open door, and inside, all four of them.

"Hey, um, can I tell the guests that everything's fine yet… what's going on?" Greg asked, noticing their worried faces, and John helping the military man onto the bed.
"James has been stabbed." John informed him.
"Oh god…"
"Yes, delayed action stabbing…the same as the bloody guardsman, actually. Small wound through the tight belt, keeping everything in place until…" Sherlock ranted quickly, before Mary shot him a look.
"Right, well… hang on, you're not going to do anything here, are you?" Greg asked, suddenly worried.
"What?" John asked.
"Well, he's not bloody dying yet, is he? Surely you're going to just take him to the hospital before he starts bleeding out?"

All four of them froze upon hearing Greg's words, and John looked rather sheepish.

"Uh, yeah…yeah, of course." John muttered, retracting his hands from James' body. Greg eyed him warily. John could be a bit gung-ho at times, and leap into things before thinking. Greg was honestly glad he'd interrupted them in time before they realised their mistake.
"Alright, well, shall I call an ambulance then?"
"No, just take me to the hospital. I'm in no danger so long as I continue wearing my uniform." James spoke, a little begrudgingly.
"And be sure to bring the photographer back with you." Sherlock added.

Greg frowned. He was taking the man to the hospital? And what's this about the photographer?
"Yeah, alright." Greg stated in a bit of a daze. He waited for the commander to stand, with John's help, and then they all walked out of the room. Greg pulled out his phone to google the nearest hospital, and saw he had some texts from Mycroft.

- And so, how was it? MH
- Gregory, is everything alright? Surely he's not still speaking? MH
- Your lack of response is concerning. MH

Greg sighed and quickly sent a message back before bringing up the maps.

- Stuff happening. Talk soon.

It wasn't long before Greg was escorting Major Sholto into the hospital. Greg told the staff the situation, and then found himself back in his car with a new problem. Tracking down the photographer. It was starting to get dark. Greg sighed.
That's going to make is easier to find him.

His sarcastic thoughts were interrupted by his phone ringing. Mycroft.
"Hey, Myc, look, sorry about before…"
"What's going on, Gregory?" Mycroft stated, worried.
"I'm fine, don't worry. Sherlock was giving his speech, and then everything just went crazy. He starts talking about a murder, and then asks me to lock the place down. Next thing I know, he, along with John and Mary, chase John's old commander up the stairs. After I tried to calm the guests, I go to find out what's happening, and I find them all in a room. Turns out, the Major had been stabbed through his belt like that guardsman Sherlock bothered you about. But get this, right? They were about to try to treat him right there! Luckily, I interrupted them. And then suddenly, I'm driving the Major to the hospital, and I have to bring the photographer back to the wedding! I mean, how am I even supposed to find him?"

Mycroft listened intently.
"Give me five minutes. I will find him."
"Oi, I can do it…"
"Oh, I have no doubt, my dear. However time is of the essence." Mycroft stated, and hung up.

Greg groaned in frustration. He wasn't annoyed that Mycroft took over for him. He was just annoyed at the whole situation. First Mycroft doesn't go to the wedding, and then he's back on the job during it. Before long, Greg's phone rang again. Mycroft was quick with his instructions.
"Thanks, dear. I love you." Greg stated.
"I love you too. See you soon." Mycroft replied.

Thanks to Mycroft's information, it hadn't taken long to track down the photographer and escort him back to the wedding. He had his suspicions that this was the would-be murderer, but said nothing. It was only a gut instinct, he didn't have any evidence or even idea as to how. That was, until, Sherlock managed to pull a confession out of him.

Greg wanted to get the arrest over quickly. He called the police back to the building, much to the chagrin of the officers, and explained the situation to them. He would make his official statement in the morning. He pulled out his phone to call Mycroft, and found that it was almost out of battery. He was confused for a moment, and then realised why. He'd accidentally managed to keep his recorder on for the whole time since Sherlock's speech. He laughed, proud of his accidental genius, and stopped the recording. Convicting the man just got a whole lot easier, now that he had his confession on tape.

John and Mary waltzed to the music Sherlock composed, and Greg grinned at them. He was glad that they were so happy. After everything they'd all gone through, they deserved moments like this. Peaceful and happy. It didn't escape his attention that Sherlock was finding it difficult to watch, despite his flawless playing. But, Greg resigned to himself, he'd get used to it. It might not ever stop being painful for him, but it would get easier. And in the mean time, Greg was there for him. Sherlock's impromptu vow struck a chord with Greg… and then he shook his head by the fumble the end.
Typically Sherlock.

Greg smiled. That man could never stop being awkward when emotions were involved. He did notice something was up, with the way they all stood in the middle of the dance floor chatting after Sherlock's stumble. And from Sherlock's face as Mary and John moved away to dance. Greg moved his way over to him, but Sherlock had already made his way back to the music stand. He put the sheet music in an envelope, and then left the building. Greg followed. It wasn't like he had anyone to dance with, anyway.

"Sherlock!" Greg called as the man walked away, his dark coat hiding him in the shadows.
"Greg?" He called back, standing and waiting for him to catch up.
"Listen… it'll get better, ok?" Greg offered once he'd joined Sherlock.
"Hm. I know."
"No, it really will. What was with the, er, vow? The awkwardness at the end? I know something happened."
"I… I don't believe I can tell you. That's up to them." Sherlock spoke to the ground.
"Right. Well, whatever it is, I'm here for you, alright?" Greg said, patting Sherlock's arm through his large coat.

"I hadn't expected them to move on with their lives as quickly as this." Sherlock grumbled.
"What do you mean?"
"Everything's already changing. Soon they won't want me around anymore… I'm not exactly child-friendly."
"Wait, what?"

Sherlock looked shocked.
"Er…damn. Please forget I said anything."
"Shit, pregnant? Yeah, I get it. Overwhelming."
"Greg."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll pretend I know nothing." Greg laughed. Sherlock smiled and looked at him with genuine appreciation.
"Thank you."

They stood in the cool night air in silence for a while.
"Are you going to go back in?" Sherlock asked after a while.
"Nah. Seeing as you scared off my date, there's no real point. Might as well leave with you."
"Sorry about that again. If it helps, I did try to get him to come for you."
"Oh, um, thanks. But it's alright. I'm rather looking forward to finding out how he's gonna make it up to me."

Sherlock laughed.
"Well, I'm glad. Just keep it to yourself."
"You don't want to know about the noises I can get your brother to make?" Greg asked playfully. Sherlock groaned and began to walk away. Greg laughed and walked with him.

"You're not going to be alone, you know." Greg stated as they approached his car.
"I know. Didn't you hear my vow? I'm not going to abandon them, ever."
"I mean you'll always have me, and Mycroft."
"I know, thank you. You've become like family to me, Greg. And I imagine soon you will actually become family to me."
"Not saying a word." Greg said, blushing.
"But John's family too. And that makes Mary, and the little one, my family too. I will do anything to protect my family."

Greg smiled proudly.
"You know, you're more like your brother than you care to admit."