Thanks again for the reviews/follows/favorites, you guys are awesome. You too, There's A Time Lord In Lima! I would probably go crazy without you! Hopefully this story is playing out well for you guys, I'm kinda nervous that it's not flowing the right way so feedback would be great. And I promise there will eventually be way more Sherlock and Molly but the start is a little slow.
Ducks in a Row
Four weeks old
Nearly two weeks after the diaper changing incident Annabelle and Molly make their first trip to 221B Baker Street.
At first, Molly's a bit nervous even though it's not actually her first trip. It is however her first in quite some time. She hasn't been back since Sherlock had all but thrown her out, meaning her last memories are anything but pleasant. Still, he had insisted they both come visit and since John was at work it would give them time to spend together.
She found she couldn't say no even if she wanted to.
The drive from her flat to his is relatively short and Annabelle coos in the backseat the entire trip, as if she knew exactly where they were going. The thought warms Molly's heart and eases her nerves, even if it's just slightly.
To her surprise, Sherlock is waiting outside when they arrive, hands in the pockets of his coat as he glances up and down the streets. When he sees her car he smiles and pulls her in for a small hug, something he had been doing lately. Molly wasn't sure what to make of it; they never did talk about an actual relationship. She considers herself lucky she at least had a man who would take responsibility. At this point the only thing that's constantly on her mind is Annabelle and her well being.
Even Sherlock Holmes could wait when it came to that.
As the hug ends Sherlock opens the backseat and removes Annabelle, holding her tightly and kissing her hair. She still smells of baby powder and lavender.
"We should hurry, Mrs. Hudson's practically paced a hole in the floor waiting for the two of you." He leads them inside and up the stairs where they're practically ambushed by the older woman, who pulls Molly into a bone crushing hug before turning all of her attention on the tiny person in Sherlock's arms.
"Oh, Sherlock dear, she's absolutely gorgeous! Look at you little one." She fusses at Annabelle as Sherlock transfers her into his landlady's arms, smiling and motioning for Molly to follow him down the hallway once the two are content with each other. Molly looks back first, slightly doubtful. But when she sees the older woman cradling Annabelle and humming softly she's able to smile and follows after Sherlock.
"I hope you're not trying to show me one of your experiments," she warns, coming to a stop outside of Sherlock's bedroom where he's now standing. He rolls his eyes and shakes his head, annoyed.
"Unfortunately, no. When Mrs. Hudson found out you were coming she made me clean them all up. She spent a good hour scrubbing everything before she deemed it suitable for Annabelle. I want to show you what I've done though." He ushers her inside the bedroom and when she looks around she blinks several times. Just to make sure it's all real.
While she's never seen Sherlock's bedroom before she's positive it's never looked like this. Everything is completely organized, books on shelves and clothes in the closet. It's obvious it's been cleaned recently but that's not what really catches her eye. It's the bassinette in the corner, along with a rocking chair much like the one in Annabelle's nursery.
"What is all this?" she asks, moving to inspect the new furniture. Her hand glides over the smooth wood of the chair and she feels tears prick at her eyes. Sherlock appears beside her and he looks so utterly proud that it makes her laugh.
"I thought that in case you ever needed to bring Annabelle over that I should be prepared. John helped me put this thing together," he tells her, nodding towards the bassinette, "and this is actually a gift from Mycroft." He points at the rocking chair and his nose scrunches up with distaste at the mention of his brother.
At first, it's almost too much to take in and Molly moves to take a seat on the bed, examining the whole room and realizing that Sherlock is actually trying to be a father. The thought makes her chest tight and she wipes away a tear that falls down her cheek. When Sherlock sees it, he looks panicked.
"Are you alright?" he joins her on the bed, leaving a bit of space between them. She takes a moment to collect herself before she pulls Sherlock into a hug and buries her face in his neck.
"Sherlock Holmes, this is by far the sweetest thing you've ever done." Her voice is muffled by the fabric of his shirt and he feels the tears bleed through it. Awkwardly, he pats her on the back until she releases him and dries her eyes, seeming rather embarrassed.
"Sorry about that. My hormones haven't exactly evened back out yet." She sniffs and looks at the bassinet again, an idea forming in her mind.
"Do you think you would you like to keep Annabelle here with you one night? It'd probably be good for her to spend some time with you and with Mrs. Hudson here there's only so much trouble you and John could get into. Of course it doesn't have to be soon, whenever your ready." She swallows as she brings her ramble to and end and runs her hands furiously through her hair.
She hates how he can still do that to her.
When she looks at him again his eyebrows are furrowed in thought, his bottom lip caught between his teeth.
"I suppose it would be alright. John does like to whine about how little he sees her. If she stays here I'll be able to have her for more than a few hours and we'll finally have a night without all the constant complaints." Molly's laughter sends wave of heat through him and he blushes.
Soon after making the arrangements to bring Annabelle to 221B for a 'slumber party' sometime in the future Molly announces it's time for the two of them to leave. Sherlock swallows his disappointment as he bundles Annabelle up snugly and carries her down the stairs after a quick goodbye from Mrs. Hudson.
Outside in the night air he buckles her safely in her car seat and turns to meet Molly, who watches him carefully. He quietly shuts the door and folds his arms across his chest.
"I'm glad you came," he tells her, "I know Mrs. Hudson really appreciates it, as well as myself." She nods her head quickly, licking her lips as she lets out a breath. Sherlock wonders why she won't look at him.
"Well I guess you two better be off then," he announces, standing back so Molly can slide into the car. He smiles at her and waves a goodbye through the window to Annabelle who's fast asleep and completely unaware of the gesture.
As soon as he disappears inside of 221B she collapses back in her seat and sighs, running a hand over her face. It would be an utter lie if she said Sherlock's actions didn't evoke some sort of feeling within her, something different than before. Before she had thought of it as a crush, bordering on infatuation before that night in her flat. She had been almost positive then that it had morphed into actual love, and she had physically ached for him when he left her bed the next morning.
But now, now she hadn't the slightest idea what she was feeling. It was like electricity between the two of them and every time she touched him she risked being shocked. Of course one look at the sleeping little girl in the back seat was enough for her to clear her head and push Sherlock Holmes to the back of her mind.
At least for the time being.