I'm so sorry, that I've taken so long to update this, I've been very busy! Happy New Year to everyone, I hope you all have a great one, everyone write lots of amazing fics this year, I wish great success to you all! This should be a great year for updating, I'm going try writing for different categories, so expect some Merlin, Vampire Diaires, Harry Potter and True Blood! And lots of Sherlock! (Hopefully!) Happy New Year!
Also, I did some research, and after a little poke in a review, some more research. Athena was the Greek Goddess of wisdom (blame the wiki page if that is wrong) and she was also a goddess of other things, which I will take the liberty to put down.
' Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom, of household arts and crafts, of spinning and weaving, of textiles. Inventor of the flute, the plough and the ox-yoke, the horse bridle and the chariot. Athena, goddess of war, guardian of Athens, the city named for her; defender of heroes, champion of justice and civil law.' Wiki
So if any of you have any complaints, I will die knowing that the ever faithful internet was wrong!
All the tension that had built up inside John over the past few days dissipated at the sight of what he presumed was the formidable 'Mummy'. Standing in front of him was an ageing, but very beautiful woman. A silky mane of black hair, streaked with grey hung down her straight, proud back, and green, piercing eyes looked into his, reminding him suddenly of Sherlock.
"Ah, Sherlock, John. Please, come in." She gestured them inside, opening the wooden door wider. After a quick glance at Sherlock, John hesitantly took a step inside. He barely had a chance to appreciate his grand surroundings before his hand was taken in a vice like grip which he presumed was a hand shake. He looked up to the smiling face of Sherlock's mother.
"Hello John. I'm Sherlock's mother, Athena Holmes. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, I've heard so much about you from Mycroft. You've been a wonderfully calming influence on my Sherlock. He was always so reckless."
"I am here Mother." Sherlock grumbled. Athena gave him a withering look.
"The goddess of wisdom." John muttered.
"Well, I wouldn't describe myself like that exactly, but it is certainly my name sake." Athene smiled, and it dazzled John momentarily. Sherlock was so like his mother.
"I would say Grandma had a certain amount of fore sight when she named you, Mummy," John recognized Mycroft's familiar as he entered into the hall way from one of the many rooms.
"I'm sure she did Mycroft. Now come here Sherlock, it's been such a long time since I've had a hug from my boy. You've grown so much."
Sherlock sent John a help me look, but John just smiled, chuckling. He should have brought his camera, Lestrade would have loved him. Sherlock rolled his eyes as his mother's strong arms wrapped around his now seemingly frail frame, but he did pat her uncomfortably on the back, sending evils at John. John was now rather beginning to enjoy himself. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.
Before he knew it Athena had offered him her arm, and he took it willingly, Sherlock left to follow with Mycroft.
"Now, John, I'm sure you've heard all about me, you must tell me something about yourself. How is Sherlock behaving these days? He doesn't visit very often. I do miss him so."
In truth John had heard nothing at all about Athena, but didn't say anything. So he started to chat amicably about some of the recent cases he'd been on with Sherlock, Sherlock's rather annoying habit of leaving body parts in the fridge, the violin and his moods. Athena stayed silent all the while, chuckling often, occasionally adding a comment, like 'that sounds like my boy' or 'typical Sherlock'. John was quite happy to keep the topic on Sherlock, he didn't want to mention their new found relationship, although he was sure she definitely knew. How could she not? She was after all, Sherlock's mother.
The group entered into a large, airy dining room, which was filled with the soft glow of mellow candle light. A small, but elegant table was laid out, creaking under the weight of the silverware that adorned it. Sherlock was sat next to John, opposite Mycroft, and John was faced with the view of Athena's rather beautiful face.
"So, John, would you like to entertain us with the story of how you and Sherlock met?"Athena leant forward.
"We met through a mutual acquaintance mother." Sherlock stated.
"Yes, but when true lovers meet, it's almost so much exciting."Athena smiled. John choked on his wine. Wow. True love already. People moved quickly.
"When I and Sherlock met, I shot a serial killer to save his life. Sherlock was the next on his list." John sent a look at Sherlock. He didn't mention the fact that Sherlock had practically volunteered for his own death.
Athena beamed, laughing. "Didn't I tell you Sherlock? Things are always more interesting than they seem."
"I would know." Sherlock sent a piercing look at John which made him shiver.
"And what about the first time you met Mycroft then?" Athena's grin grew wider.
"He kidnapped me, took me to an abandoned warehouse, and tried to bribe me into spying on Sherlock."
Athena burst into a fit of giggles. "That's my Mycroft all over." Mycroft flushed pink. John chuckled. This really would be a night to remember. He decided he did like Athena.
After some more prompting from Athena, he started to talk about some of his more exciting experiences in Afghanistan, before his injury, he told them things he'd never told anyone, not that they were particularly embarrassing, but he'd never had a proper audience before. They seemed happy to sit and listen, and Sherlock glowed with pride from the corner of John's eye, although he would never admit this moment of supposed weakness later. Before he knew it the first course had arrived - duck egg and fois gras. It was delicious. Time passed quickly after that, blending into good food, conversation and Sherlock's hand in his. Second course came around in no time – sea bass and sails. Well, the snails were certainly an experience. Sherlock looked slightly tipsy, sending the occasional bread crumb flicking in Mycroft's direction, which Mycroft all too obliging sent flying back in his direction. Athena merely tutted at their childish antics, she was obviously used to them. As she talked more, John realised how much she was a combination of Sherlock and Mycroft, amiable, but sharp and witty. John liked her a lot. And she didn't bring up his relationship with Sherlock, which was just fine with him.
By the end of the evening, he had relaxed back into his seat, smiling at Sherlock, who was grinning right back. Mycroft looked more laid back than John had ever seen him, face glowing red from the many glasses of wine, patting his full belly, almost smiling, still sparring with Sherlock. Athena looked just like John would imagine a queen, sitting regally on her throne, smiling. This would be on a list of his evenings to remember. As the last of his sorbet slipped down his throat, he stood up with Sherlock. He looked across at the antique father clock in the corner. He was surprised; five hours had passed in the blink of an eye. Time really did pass when you were having fun. To his great surprised he received a warm, but tight hug from Athena, and the usual hand shake from a slightly tipsy Mycroft. He walked out the door he had once been so apprehensive about, holding Sherlock's hand, which had never left his the entire evening. Overall, a wonderful evening, he thought.
"Now take care of my Sherlock, John. You know how much he means to me. I wouldn't be very happy if he got hurt." And once again John was reminded of the cold, steel side to the formidable woman. He certainly would be keeping a closer eye on Sherlock now, if he valued his life.
As the door closed behind them, Sherlock turned to John. "Did you have a good time then?"
"Yeah, it was great. Athena seems an amazing person."
"Well, she is my mother after all." Sherlock grinned.
"Did you have a good time then Sherlock?"
"Surprisingly, yes. I'd forgotten how much fun food fights with Mycroft are."
John couldn't help but smile. Sherlock just had to meet his parents. Now that would be interesting.