Chapter 6
I awoke the next morning to find myself sleeping in Sherlock's bed, still dressed in his maroon dressing gown. I reached beside me, but felt nothing but empty blankets and air.
Looking up, I saw the clock said 10:58. Yawning I got out of bed and padded to the bathroom where I splashed water on my face. I peered into the mirror and clearly saw my dark circles underneath my eyes.
Blearily I left the bathroom, clutching his maroon dressing gown closer to my body. Rubbing my eyes I moved into the kitchen and began to make coffee. My head was still thumping and I had a feeling today would be a caffeine day. After I made the coffee I walked into the sitting room.
"Mommy!" Lily shot up from the floor.
"Hey, honey." I took a sip of my coffee, just savoring the taste.
"Sherlock and Dr. Watson told me not to wake you up!" She pouted. I looked up and met Sherlock's eyes. He gave me a small smile.
"That was nice of them, and thank you Lily for following their instructions." I bent over and gave her a kiss on the nose. She giggled.
"Love you!"
"Love you too." I smiled indulgently at my daughter. She hugged my leg as I moved to take a seat on the arm of Sherlock's chair.
Lily went back to coloring right at my feet. Sherlock was right, he did look after her. In that moment I felt so much affection for this anti-social man, with whom I had agreed to let take me out on a date.
"How are you feeling?" John asked me. I looked up at him.
"Fine." I took another sip of my coffee.
"How's your head?" He was staring at me intently.
"Hurts a little." I admitted. "But I can't tell if it's from caffeine withdrawal or the blow to my head."
"Probably from both." John commented. He got up, careful not to disturb Lily. "Let me check."
I handed Sherlock my coffee, who took it gingerly. I'm sure John noticed the strange closeness between us. John said nothing and removed the bandages from my head. Then he tenderly began to examine the wound.
I winced a couple of times. Sherlock had noticed and kept glaring at John. Finally, I grasped his hand as a way of getting my pain out. Fortunately he tolerated it.
"All done, Aria." John said finally. He returned to his chair, while I remained clutching Sherlock's hand. "Everything looks fine Aria. It's not gathering any kind of infection, which is what we were afraid of and wanted to avoid."
"Thanks John." I gave him a soft smile.
"No problem." He returned my grin. "So are you two a couple now?"
"Well I suppose so." I tightened my grip on Sherlock's fingers. "We haven't really had a chance to discuss it."
"Right." John said. Sherlock's phone began to ring. He gently extracted his hand from mine.
"It's Lestrade." He got up from the chair as he answered. "Sherlock Holmes." With this statement he disappeared into the kitchen.
"Mommy!" Lily leapt up, apparently finished with her drawing. She handed it to me. It was of the five of us. Sherlock was easy to spot as she gave him curly hair and he towered over everyone else in the picture.
"Great job!" I smiled at her, while being careful not to crease her picture.
"I want Sherlock to have it!" She cried, trying to get onto my lap. I obliged her, settling her across my knees.
"I will give it to Sherlock honey. Hopefully he's not too busy when he gets off the phone." I promised her, praying that there wasn't anything important going on.
"Sing to me mommy." She rested her head back onto my shoulder. I complied with her request.
"I've seen the world,
Done it all
Had my cake now.
Diamonds, billions,
In Bel-Aire now.
Hot Summer Nights,
Mid July,
When you and I
Were forever wild.
The crazy days
City lights, the way,
You'd play with me,
Like a child.
Will you still love me
When I'm no longer
Young and Beautiful?
Will you still love me
When I got nothing
But my aching soul?
I know you will
I know you will
I know that you wi-ill.
Will you still love me
When I'm no longer beautiful?
I've seen the world
Lit it up
As my stage now
Channel it
Angels in
A new age now.
Hot summer day
Rock N' Roll
The way you'd play
For me at your show
And all the ways
I got to know
The pretty face
And electric soul.
Will you still love me
When I'm no longer
Young and Beautiful?
Will you still love me
When I got nothing
But my aching soul?
I know you will
I know you will
I know that you wi-ill.
Will you still love me
When I'm no longer beautiful?
Dear Lord, when I get to Heaven,
Please let me bring my man.
When he comes
Tell me that you'll let him in
Father tell me
If you can
Oh that grace,
Oh that body
Oh that face
Makes me want to party
He's my sun
He makes me shine
Like diamonds.
Will you still love me
When I'm no longer
Young and Beautiful?
Will you still love me
When I got nothing
But my aching soul?
I know you will
I know you will
I know that you wi-ill.
Will you still love me
When I'm no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me
When I'm not young and beautiful?"
I finished the song making John clap. Looking up I saw Sherlock leaning against the doorway. I blushed and looked down at Lily embarrassed.
"You were brilliant!" John exclaimed.
"I'm not that good." I said softly.
"Well, I couldn't sing like that." John gave me a smile. "Wasn't she brilliant Sherlock?"
"Yes," was all Sherlock said, giving me an indescribable look. "Lestrade needs us down at the station."
"Alright." John groaned. I made to get up.
"Let me just get dressed." I stated, beginning to slide Lily off my lap, only to be stopped by the quickness that was Sherlock Holmes.
"No. You are going to stay here and rest." He looked at me with his look. The one in which makes you feel so tiny in comparison to him. I nodded, just as Lily reached for her picture, still clutched in my grasp.
"Have fun, then," I told him, shaking my head at Lily.
"Aria, do not leave this building." Sherlock warned, acting all intense. "I would prefer if you didn't leave my flat, but you need to collect some clothes, entertainment, and snacks."
"I won't leave the building. I promise." After satisfying Sherlock, the two took off. I gathered Lily, took her to our flat, where we both got showers, dressed, and I took up several of her things to the guy's apartment.
It was warm today in the building, so I dressed in an one shoulder t-shirt and a pair of simple, black yoga pants. I dressed Lily in a pair of lime green capri's and a matching tunic. We both decided to go barefoot; shoes were such a hassle.
We dragged a couple bags full of toys, books, and activities into their apartment. Lily was occupied with everything, so I just kept refilling her glass of juice.
I was able to focus on cleaning. I washed the dishes, dried them, put them away, swept the floors, and then began to laundry.
By 7 o'clock, I had everything put away or else I was in the middle or ironing the clothing. I stopped to make dinner – mashed potatoes, peas, and sausages. 8 o'clock came and Lily was growing bored with the Discovery channel. I watched some of Australia's Deadly Dozen with her. She had exhausted most of her activities.
"I'm bored." She stated, rolling onto her back. Her expression brightened. "Mommy dance!"
I had finished Sherlock's shirts. I easily agreed and turned on the radio. Lorde's Royals came on, so I turned up the volume. Lily and I began to dance and then once the song was over, I popped in a mixed tape.
Time flew by and before I knew it, the guys were standing in front of the door. Both of them had amused expressions on their face. I was in middle of a pirouette when I happened to notice them. Elton John's Tiny Dancer filtered out as Lily continued to dance. Then to my horror Lil' Jon's Get Low began to blare. I snapped out of my trance and rushed to shut it off, bathing the flat with silence.