A few days later found Holmes in his room reading one of the books he had bought since his return to the "living". Watson came in as had become his habit since the honeymoon. He had a newspaper in his hand and a letter. He tapped Holmes's feet and the feet moved. Holmes peeked over the top of his book to look at his dear friend. "What are we to look at today?" He asked. Watson smiled and spoke "Your brother has found out that you are home. He wishes you well and to feel free to call on him if you feel like it. Also, we have a visitor downstairs, two in fact. Mary's parents have found out about you." Holmes lifted his eyebrow. "They heard that Mary and I had a tenant and they want to meet you. They don't know that you are you, but they want to know who you are."
"Meaning?" Holmes said putting his book down. "Meaning they want to know if you are worthy enough to live with their daughter." Watson said looking at his friend "Which entails your history and about you in general."
"Hmmm…" Holmes sat up "How are we to introduce me. I am sure my death was well enough publicized so everyone knows I am dead. You know them best, will they take being introduced to a dead man well?"
"Well, they might take it well, considering that Mr. Morstan and Mrs. Morstan have had dealings with secretive stuff and the army. So, You tell me, do you want them to know who you are?" Holmes thought for a moment then asked "Are they trustworthy?" Watson nodded. "Then we are to tell them who I am. But we must caution them not to tell who I am."
"Then I suggest you make yourself presentable Holmes. I will tell them you are your way down." Watson got up and put the paper and letter on Holmes nightstand. He left and Holmes got up. He went to his closet and grabbed a nice shirt and trousers and pulled them on. He then brushed his hair and checked his appearance in the mirror. Watson knocked on his door a moment later and Holmes opened it. Watson looked him over and nodded. They both went down to the parlor. In the parlor was an elderly couple conversing with Mary. The man was tall and lean. He had dark curly hair. He had the sharpest green eyes. Holmes made a mental note not to mess with him. The woman on the other hand was similar in height to Mary and had the same reddish hair. She also had the blue eyes of her daughter.
They looked at Holmes as he entered the room. He bowed as Watson introduced him. He shook the man's hand and kissed the lady's. "Please don't be alarmed, But you have the pleasure of meeting the 'Sherlock Holmes'" was all Watson needed to say before Holmes was nearly hugged to death by both Morstans. "Oh, we are so glad. We were so devastated when John came home in an emotional wreck without the one who saved us all from a mad man. Mary has told us all about you Mr. Holmes and we are so grateful that you did that, and that you saved our daughter. We are also glad you are alive. Mary had to explain to us why Mr. Watson here was so devastated and emotional after his return from his adventure to Switzerland." Holmes took a minute to respond. He was taking deep breaths and rubbing his chest.
"Well, I didn't want anyone to get hurt or killed by this mad man I was after. John was kind enough to help me." He looked at Watson and his wife as he said this. He then looked back at the Morstans when the wife spoke up. "Oh you don't have to explain yourself young man. After all, we know that you do your best to close your cases. But right now we want to know about you and your history. We couldn't get much out of Mary or John here." Holmes smiled. "That is because Mary doesn't know much about my history and Watson here knows that talking about me and my history is quite a story. It needs to be told by all those involved, which includes me, my brother, our dear Watson." The Morstans looked a little put down when Holmes said this, but Holmes put them at ease by telling them that he could easily arrange for his brother to come at once to help tell the story.
An half hour later Mycroft arrived and everyone got comfortable around the dinner table. There the story began.