Thank you guys so much for the reviews, it means so much and I'm so thankful. And another big thanks to my beta There's A Time Lord In Lima, you are amazing!

Ducks in a Row

Twenty nine weeks old

As October comes to an end and the air takes on a seemingly permanent chill Molly realizes Halloween is just around the corner.

Memories of her childhood come back to her, warming her heart when she thinks about sharing the same traditions with her daughter. She looks down at the costume in her hand and smiles, running her hand over the fabric and glancing across the room at Sherlock sitting on the bed with Annabelle in his lap.

She approaches them and bends down to press a kiss to his cheek, showing him the garment in her hand and somewhat fearing his reaction. She has a feeling traditions don't have a place in his past.

"Do you like it?" she asks, as hopeful as she can be. "My mother put me in it when I was about her age. I think it's only right if this is her first costume too."

She watches Sherlock wrinkle his nose slightly but he looks up at her and smiles anyways, allowing her to breathe a sigh of relief. As time had worn on Sherlock had begun to take her feelings into account, something that had both surprised her and made her thankful he was hers.

"Are you sure you like it?" she asks as she chews her lip. She may admire his ability to regard her feelings but she wants him to be truthful with her as well. The one thing she fears is living a life where they both have to pretend.

"I'm sure," he tells her firmly, taking her hand and kissing her fingers. "If you like it than I say she wears it. Although I'm not sure why it's necessary. She's too young to eat candy and it's far too cold for her to be outside."

Through a smile and an eye roll Molly waves off his protectiveness and scoops Annabelle up, tugging off her tiny dress off and unbuttoning the costume. "We're not going trick or treating; Mary's invited us to a Halloween party at her place."

Sherlock scoffs, "a party? Is a party really needed? It's bloody Halloween."

Molly shoots him a look that sends him into silence as she finishes the final button on the costume and lifts Annabelle up for her father to see. "Well? What do you think?"

He can't help but smile as he takes the smiling baby into his arms and smoothes her hair back. "You were a bumblebee for Halloween?"

Molly feels her cheeks blush as she nods. "Yes, my mother thought yellow would suit me. She was always one for dressing up and things."

She gives Annabelle a satisfied look before she moves across the room and into the bathroom, picking up her brush and running it through her hair. She's wearing a blue dress that hits at the knees and cinches in at her waist while her hair is down and waving around her shoulders.

She hears Sherlock's footsteps behind her, sees him in the mirror carrying Annabelle on his hip and they're both smiling. He leans against the door frame and watches her.

"You look beautiful," he tells her and the sincerity and love laced in his words makes her feel like a teenager again. She turns around and stands on her tiptoes, pecking his lips before moving over and kissing her daughters forehead.

"I love you. Both of you."

…

Sherlock has never been to Mary's house before.

He remembers John inviting him over a couple of times along with Molly but he always manages to find a new excuse to stay away. He wasn't a people person and he'd rather be alone with Molly if possible. But tonight he puts on a smile and politely responds to everyone who introduces themselves, keeping his deductions safe in the confines of his mind.

The last thing he needs is an embarrassed Molly and an angry John.

He holds Annabelle close to him as Molly goes to find Mary and say her hellos, watching the other children around him play and laugh and it makes him fear the day his little girl will be grown up. A hand on his shoulder brings him back to reality and he turns and meets John who smiles widely.

"I didn't think you'd come." he says and Sherlock winces slightly when he realizes that if it hadn't been for Molly he probably wouldn't have. Pushing the thought aside he shakes Johns hand and they move to a quieter part of the house and sit on the couch.

John smiles at Annabelle in her costume and takes her into his arms, bouncing her on his knee. "It's been a while since you lot have been over," he says casually although the looks in his eyes suggest he's thinking something bigger.

"We've been busy," Sherlock responds truthfully, feeling a tinge of regret. He truly does miss his best friend.

John shrugs and flicks one of the antennas on the costume, looking at Sherlock. "I'm guessing this wasn't your work?"

Sherlock looks appalled at the suggestion and the two men burst into a fit of laughter, drawing the attention of those around them. It feels like old times and they hang on to the moment as long as they can.

John runs a hand over his face and suddenly his eyes take on a serious look and he watches Sherlock, contemplating.

"Sherlock can I ask you something?" Sherlock looks back at him and nods slowly.

"I think I'm going to propose to Mary, and I wanted to know if you think I'm in over my head… and before you try and sell me that crap about you not being good at relationships I'm gonna tell you to shut it. You obviously know way more than you think." He looks pointedly at his best friend and Sherlock sees the fear in his eyes.

The fear of losing someone else he loves. He can't even think about the possibility of losing Molly.

So after clearing his throat he puts his hand on John's knee, because he wants him to know he will always be there no matter what happens. Because he owes him that much.

"Do you love her?" Sherlock asks. John looks at him like he's crazy and nods.

"Alright then, and does she love you?"

"Yeah, she does Sherlock. Or at least I hope she does."

"Then ask her. If she loves you the way you love her there's no reason for you not to ask." He shrugs his shoulders and wonders why so many people don't think of it as being that simple. He quietly pities them in his mind.

"You know it's truly a miracle… how fast you grew up that is." John suddenly says with pride in voice and shakes his head. Sherlock looks up and sees him grinning at the baby in his lap. He's proud of himself too.

…

They leave the party early enough that they can get Annabelle bathed and in bed and the conversation with John stays in Sherlock's mind the whole time.

He's never thought of marriage before, has kept it tucked away in the very back of his mind where it's now covered in dust and cobwebs. He never planned on finding a girl, never planned on being a father or any of the things he is today.

So when John talks of moving on with his life and doing things that are so normal to other people he begins to wonder if he should be following suit. He just wants what's best for his family.

And when Molly comes into the bedroom that night after putting Annabelle down Sherlock rolls onto his back and stares at the ceiling, waiting. He feels Molly's head come to rest on his chest, over his heart and her breath tickling him. He clears his throat to catch her attention.

"Something on your mind?" she teases. He runs a and through her hair and wonders if he should. He doesn't want to scare her away but then he remembers everything he's put her through and the idea is borderline ridiculous.

"Do you want to get married? Someday that is, in the future." He feels her body tense, her pulse elevating as she turns in his arms and looks up at him.

"I don't know," she says softly. "I guess it would be nice to finally be able call you my husband. What brought this on though? If it's about Annabelle then I want you to know Sherlock we don't have to do this just because it's the right thing to do."

Taken aback by her words Sherlock sits up, flicking on the lamp beside him so he can see her face. "Is that why you think I'm asking? Because it's my duty after everything I've done?"

He wonders if that's what people really expect from him.

Molly groans and tangles her fingers in her hair. "No Sherlock, you know what I mean. I'm just saying we don't have to rush in to anything. I'm perfectly fine with us taking our time." She climbs into his lap and takes his face in her hands. "As long as I can be with you; that's all I want."

And with that they seem to melt together, a blur of touches and kisses and swollen red lips that taste like cherries and coffee. It's beautiful and terrifying all at the same time, bringing back memories of a painful past and at the same time creating new memories and bonds that bind them forever.

When it's over he holds her close and savors her warmth, listening to her breathing even out when she succumbs to sleep. He's about to close his eyes when his phone chimes on the table beside him and he rolls over to grab it.

He taps the screen and sees one text from John. He feels the smile spread across his face, so wide it makes his cheeks ache.

She said yes.

Yeah, today was just begging for some fluff. I hope everyone has a great Monday, see you at the next update!