FINISHED WRITING IT! going to upload the last few chapters now... ENJOY!
"Happy birthday!" they shouted as she walked into the living room in her dressing gown and striped pyjamas.
John had moved back to 221B with her again a few months ago and had been helping Lestrade with cases for the last year as his 'work experience girl'. She had only managed to contact Sherlock once in all that time, after he called Molly to find out if she had fully recovered.
The big news in the last year though was that Sherlock was proved innocent. One of the men he captured came clean, told the police everything. John had been much happier that day but the day after became worse than ever, missing Sherlock even more.
She smiled. She looked at the wrapped presents on the table. Necklace from
Molly, another detective novel from Mrs Hudson and a card from Lestrade, containing £100. She smiled at them again. She pretended to look surprised when she opened them, even though it was very obvious what they were.
"The big one eight eh?" said Lestrade, giving her a hug. She hugged him back.
She released him and turned to her father. It had been two years since he thought Sherlock had died. She still saw the sadness in his eyes.
"Here." he handed her a wrapped present. She smiled and gave him a small hug before opening the package. Inside she found Sherlock's old skull and microscope.
"I..." she wiped away the tear falling down her cheek. "I thought... I thought you got rid of these..." she put them down on the table and pulled him into a tight hug.
"They're all I have of him left. You remind me so much of him..."
"Dad..." her voice broke.
They continued hugging until they heard a knock at the door. She frowned. It wasn't a knock she recognised and considering everyone was already here, it puzzled her even more. She knew it wouldn't be a client, they hadn't had one in
9 months.
"I'll get it..." said Mrs Hudson, with confusion in her voice. John turned to his friends and they began to converse.
Marie walked over to the window and looked outside. She smiled broadly as she saw Sherlock standing in the street. She held up the skull and winked at him.
She saw him smirk as he turned to walk down the street.
"Marie?" she heard Mrs Hudson call as she climbed the stairs.
"Yes?" she replied, trying to remove the grin on her face.
"No one there... They just left a present on the doorstep." she passed her a small package wrapped in brown paper with a string. She opened it to find a small jewellery box. She opened it slowly and glanced at the people around her, all looking confused.
She looked into the box. A smile spread over her face. Inside was a silver charm bracelet with three charms attached to it. One was a M, one was a J and one was a S. She read the small card inside the box lid.
When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
She thought about it for a moment. Three charms together... She looked at the charms and smiled. He's coming home soon...
"Well whatever it is it's made her more than happy." she heard Lestrade say.
She slammed the lid shut and put the box in her pocket.
"What?" she said, pretending nothing had happened. They laughed at her.
"Secret admirer..." Lestrade said mockingly. John frowned slightly.
"Well you had better go get changed." John said with a small smile. "We're going out for lunch."
"Okay." she said with a quick smile and ran up the stairs. She entered her room and looked at the dress she had already got out her wardrobe. She looked at the violin resting in he corner. She picked it up and placed it on her shoulder. She closed her eyes as the bow touched the strings.
She had learnt to play while trying to make use of her right hand. She had managed to train her fingers to their full potential again. She loved the violin. It comforted her as it reminded her of Sherlock and his amazing talent.
Now she had been given the note from Sherlock, she knew he would want it back pretty soon so she made the most of it, playing 4 pieces before changing into her dress, fixing her hair, brushing her teeth and doing her makeup. By the time she walked back downstairs, the group had finished having a cup of tea and a long chat, obviously about her as they stopped talking as she walked into the room.
"Dear, you look lovely." Mrs Hudson said with a smile on her face. Marie touched the necklace Molly gave her and looked down at her dress. She looked at the baggy top, detailed black and white roses and then to the tight black skirt at the bottom. It was a present from her dad. He had bought it for her a week ago as an early birthday present. She smiled back at the older woman.
"Thank you."
"Right." said Lestrade, clapping his hands together once. "Let's go!"
The group walked down the stairs and out the door. They hailed a cab and squeezed into the back.
They arrived at the restaurant and sat down at their table. They were enjoying their conversation when Marie looked out the window and saw Sherlock standing outside. He began walking away from the window.
"I need some air..." Marie said distantly while standing.
"Are you okay?" John asked with concern on his face.
"I'm fine!" she called back as she grabbed her dark coat and walked outside and round the corner.
She saw the detective leaning against a wall.
"Well don't you look lovely."
"Sherlock!" she said with a grin on her face.
"You're not wearing my bracelet? I'm hurt." he said with a smirk.
"Not changed a bit have you?" she said as she leant against the wall next to him.
The corners of his mouth twitched "Happy birthday."
"Thanks."
They stood in silence for a while. Sherlock reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
"What happened to it being impossible to keep up a smoking habit in London?"
"Well I haven't been in London, have I?" He smirked and she shook her head at him.
"So... Have you found them all yet?"
"Nearly." he said letting out a puff of smoke.
"How many more?"
"Just one." he said while nodding towards a small shop across the street. She followed his gaze to see a man leave the shop. He dropped his cigarette and stood on it with his heel.
"Coming?"
She looked back at the restaurant then at the detective. She had missed running with Sherlock.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world."
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly into a smile. His long legs broke out into a run and chased after the man. She tried to keep up with him as he darted round a corner. She pulled off her heels and continued running.
"Sherlock!" she shouted as she saw him jump on top of the man. The man put up a fight but Sherlock kept him on the ground. Suddenly they flipped over. The man raised his fist but Marie hit him hard in the back with her heel. He cried out in pain and Sherlock kicked him in the chest, sending him flying backwards. He punched him hard him the side of the head, knocking him out cold.
"Well he was an easy one..." he said as he got out his phone and sent a text to someone. He out it away and looked at her.
"You're welcome." she said, putting her heels back on. He smirked at her but it soon vanished from his face.
"It's over..." he said with a small frown. He looked at her. "They're gone.
They're all gone..."
She smiled. "You can see dad again."
The frown lifted from his face. "You're right. Lets go." He strode away towards the restaurant.
"Wait, what?"
"I haven't spoken to him in two years."
"He'll freak out! Can't you wait another few hours?" she called after him.
He stopped and looked at her. "You're right." he quickly hailed a cab. "I'll see you back at the flat." he said before closing the door and driving away.
She sighed and watched the cab leave. She crossed her arms and made her way back to the restaurant. She didn't know whether to tell her father or not. She wouldn't know what to tell him...
"Where've you been? We were getting worried." said John, looking into her eyes, concern spread over his face. He stood and gently put his hands on her arms.
"Just needed some air..." she said. She couldn't meet his gaze. She didn't know how he would react to seeing his dead best friend. She swallowed as she sat down and began eating her food. It was going to be a long night.