Disclaimer: Sherlock Holmes belong to Sir ACD and in this reincarnation Moffat, Gatiss and the BBC. We own nothing and are only writing this for fun.

Tell Me This Night Is Over.

Chapter Six.

Molly stepped outside into the alleyway and walked the short distance to a little park that had been set up for St. Bart's staff ages ago so they could have a pleasant spot for lunch. She spotted John in his poufy jacket and beamed, picking up her pace. "Hello John," she leaned in to kiss his cheek, "You look wonderful."

"You are such a liar Molly Hooper but thank you anyway." John smiled and wrapped his arms around her slender frame. "You on the other hand, look absolutely gorgeous. I really like your hair that way." There were no big changes that Molly had done; she just looked softer and more confident in some way. Whatever it was, John approved. "Thank you for meeting me here, I just wanted to give you this." He pulled out a copy of the printout and handed it to her.

"Oh!" Her face lit up and her fingers started tracing the little features, "Look at that," she glanced up at John's face, "Boy or girl?"

John beamed at her. "Boy." It still felt surreal saying it out loud but it was quite a thrill too.

"He's adorable and those are very much his daddy's cheekbones," a bit of sadness flirted with her lips before she firmed them up into a brighter smile, "But that chin there is all you John. Almost already has the little dent there." She gave him a one armed hug, "He's so beautiful."

"He is, isn't he? The most beautiful baby boy in the world." John's voice was soft but pride bled out his every pore. He knew he was biased but really, how could he not be? He reached down and petted Sentinel who was keeping vigil by his side.

"Thank you so much for bringing me a copy of the ultrasound." She looked down at the dog and ruffled his ears, "And you and the little one are going to just be best mates aren't you, you gorgeous thing?"

Sentinel practically attacked her hand with licks at the kind words. He really was the friendliest thing you could think of, as long as John was relaxed and friendly. If John sounded even the slightest bit unsure, speaking to someone, or if he didn't know the person, Sen went directly into protective mode. "Oh I can only imagine the trouble they will get into together."

She chuckled, "Prepare to always lock the desitin up. I remember my Mum complaining about me painting the cat at one point too. Apparently I thought it needed to be pink."

"Well there are a distinct lack of pink kitties in the world." John agreed with a grin. "I must say that I am impressed though that you could do it without the cat scratching the life out of you."

"I know. Mum used to call her God's most patient cat. She was just one big fluffy white ball of love really. I carried her around like a baby doll, last I saw her Mum still had albums full of pictures of just me and the cat and this was before digital."

John smiled at her and reached out to run his fingers over her cheek. "Sounds like both you and the cat were very much loved, just like it should be."

She smiled back at him, "Just as loved as you already love this little man," she tapped the edge of the picture, "Have you been thinking about names?"

"A little, though nothing definite. I want to carry on the tradition of unusual names...Though perhaps not to the point of Mycroft...I can't be that cruel to the poor kid." John gave her a crooked smile. "It's...difficult, deciding on your own. I will find the right name though, I know I will."

She felt a little spike of guilt as always, knowing that Sherlock was out there and should be here with John, arguing about names and deducing a thousand different things from the ultrasound. She reached over and squeezed John's hand, "You will. Because no one knows...knew Sherlock better than you."

John shook his head. "No, I thought I knew him, maybe but I didn't. I didn't know him at all because the Sherlock I thought I knew would never have thrown himself off a roof like that. Not with a hell of a better reason than being called a fraud." He breathed deeply, not wanting to get into this. He was fine, well better anyway and this was supposed to be a happy meeting. "I'm sorry Molly. I should go home. Thank you so much for your help earlier and for being a friend."

She kissed his cheek again, "Okay. Thank you again for bringing the picture. You go home and rest. And remember if you need anything, I'm just a phone call away."

"I know, that goes the other way around as well. If you need anything or just want to talk, feel free to call or come over. You are always welcome." John gave a low whistle that Sen alert and ready to go. "Take care, find a bloke. You'll make him the happiest man in the world."

"I'll work on that," she waved until John and the dog disappeared into the crowd then looked down at the ultrasound picture. "Sherlock the things you're missing." She shook her head and wished again that Sherlock could come home soon.

oOo

Greg rolled his shoulder where he'd wound up tackling a druggie built like an American football linebacker during a pursuit. The bastard hadn't even needed to run, all he'd wanted was to ask him about the man seen exiting the bar which the second sniper had been poisoned to death in. But no, the idiot had run, because of the drugs in his pocket, and Greg had given chase, tackled him, and nearly dislocated his shoulder in the process. It hurt like a bitch but at least he was home now.

He looked into the hall and smiled when he saw Mycroft's office door open in unspoken invitation, which was quickly accepted. His lover was looking down at something with a bemused, half charmed smile on his face and he eased his hip onto the desk corner, "What's this then?"

"My nephew." Mycroft sat a little straighter in his chair and eased to the side so that Greg would be able to see properly. "Handsome fellow I think, the Holmes' genes are clearly coming through." He tore his eyes away from the ultrasound image and looked his lover over. "You alright?" He placed a worried hand on Greg's thigh.

"Mm? Yeah I'm alright. Hard take down, I'll just have a stiff shoulder for a day or two is all." He leaned in to peer at the ultrasound picture, "God he's almost all Sherlock isn't he? Except for the chin, that's pure John but the rest..." he shook his head, lips tilting up, "I think I see a mini chemistry set in John's future."

"Yes, I think that will be a distinct possibility. Hopefully though it will take a few years at least for him to have worked himself up to bodyparts in the fridge." Mycroft ran a long finger over the picture. "I'll give that shoulder a rub down later; we should get it to feel a bit better."

Greg turned his head to brush his lips over Mycroft's temple, "You do have a magic touch." His hand covered Mycroft's on his thigh as he continued to study the picture. "I've been scheming with Sarah and Mrs. Hudson by the way."

"Oh? Is this scheme going to get either of us punched or hurt in any way by a hormonal ex army doctor?" One brow rose in curiosity and a little amusement.

"Well hopefully not. Christmas is right around the corner and none of us think that John should be there in the flat on his own for it. So we're plotting a Christmas party."

"Christmas?" Mycroft had forgotten the Holidays were coming up; he'd never been big on celebrating, not since he reached adulthood anyway. "I think a Christmas party can be very nice, especially considering that John is on the dreaded bed rest now."

"That's what Sarah thinks too. She knows he'll be going spare plus the memories of Sherlock that'll be popping up every five seconds. He'll need the distraction and it'll be good for all of us in the know about the baby."

Mycroft nodded even though he couldn't help but think of Sherlock, wondering how his little brother would spend this Christmas. Mycroft wished he could come home, that he didn't have to be alone...Wished there was more he could do to help him. "Why don't we make it into a little of a baby shower as well? Help John stock up on the things he'll need."

He lifted a hand to play with the soft hair at the nape of Mycroft's neck, "We're on the same page. The ladies pouted when I made that suggestion and have been trying to make a case for a separate baby shower so I'm going to rely on you convincing Mrs. Hudson that it's not good for John's stress levels while I work on poking Sarah to realize that John isn't going to want a second party, especially not after the holidays."

"No, I can't see that he would be in a very festive mood. January sixth is...was Sherlock's birthday, plus it was the month they met. Things will be rough on Dr. Watson after the holidays and a party would be the last thing needed." Mycroft felt that twisting sensation in his gut again. He really, really did not like this guilt thing.

"I remember that," Greg's lips curved up a bit, "Sherlock's insistent 'He's with me.' and John just being quiet and unassuming and looking at me politely, not wanting to trod on my authority," he made a soft laugh, "Then the way he didn't even know he was speaking out loud during Sherlock's tangent. That was the first time I'd ever seen Sherlock surprised, when John said 'Brilliant' and 'Fantastic'."

"First time Sherlock actively tried to impress someone as well. Showing off like some peacock." Mycroft smiled a little. "That was when I knew I had to have a conversation with Dr. Watson. Spine of steel underneath those cuddly jumpers."

"Well he was in the Army and on the front lines, made it to Captain. Takes a lot of strength of spirit to be a commanding healer on the front lines of a battlefield." Greg grinned, "It's always fun to watch people underestimate John too."

"You are a strange man Gregory, a strange man indeed." Mycroft chuckled throatily. He did understand what Greg meant though, he himself was always underestimated, in fact he strived to be underestimated in all aspects but it was still fun outsmarting everyone around him.

"Good, you'd get bored with someone who wasn't at least a little strange." He tilted Mycroft's head up for a kiss.

"Mmm, true." Mycroft whispered it against Greg's lips before he took hold of the other man's tie to pull him more firmly against his mouth, deepening the kiss. "Now let's go get that shoulder taken care of."

"Gladly." Greg let everything but Mycroft's mouth and hands fade from his mind. He could worry later.

oOo

Molly climbed the steps to 221b and knocked, smiling brightly and giving Mrs. Hudson a hug when she opened the door and let her in.

"Oh don't you look lovely dear," Mrs. Hudson stepped back to let Molly come further in, "You're the last to arrive. Mycroft is doing his best to ignore the fact that Sentinel is looking at him like a chew toy and John's obstetrician is trying to coax his nurse into singing carols with him."

"Sounds wonderful," Molly pulled off her coat, hanging it on the hook behind the door, her pretty red jumper and dress jeans keeping it casual and festive. She hadn't wanted to wear one of her dresses and remind John of last Christmas. She carried the bag with all her presents in it to the living area, where John was seated in his chair at the center of everything and Sentinel next to the chair was indeed staring at Mycroft.

Mycroft stared back, not daring to take his eyes off of the black beast. The moment he turned away the animal might maul him.

John found it all very, very amusing. Sentinel would find himself with an extra treat or two today. It took a lot to make Mycroft Holmes look that nervous, it deserved praise.

Molly covered her mouth to keep from laughing at Sherlock's brother, something she noticed Greg was struggling with as well, and walked over to bend down and hug John, "Merry Christmas John."

He hugged her back as best he could from his sitting position. "Happy Christmas Molly, it's great to see you here." It was nice having people around, it kept the darkest thoughts away. Plus he was allowed to sit up, that alone was a Christmas present. He wondered though how Dr. Weisz had managed to get the formidable Janice to come along with him, it was clear the nurse would rather be anywhere else but where she currently was.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else." Molly looked up when Sarah called out for her help in the kitchen, "Are you sure you want to risk me in the kitchen Sarah? I'm really awful, no joke. I did literally burn water once."

Sarah blinked from where she was peeking around the entrance to the kitchen, "You burned water? How is that possible?"

Molly shrugged. She could have actually told Sarah, because once when she'd mentioned it to Sherlock he'd broken down how it was possible in seconds, but she wasn't going to bring up Sherlock here and now. "Greg's an excellent cook though."

"Alright then, Lestrade in here, now, this turkey is a heavy thing."

Greg gave Mycroft's hand a squeeze, "Yeah alright. Molly why don't you sit and keep my Government company until I finish helping Sarah get the turkey sorted."

"Oh, um yes alright." In her nervous rabbit way, Molly made her way to sit beside Mycroft. She knew he'd not actually seen Sherlock since the jump off the roof, no one else really had, but sometimes Sherlock needed patching up and he came to her for it. And if anyone was going to guess about the fact that she had actually seen Sherlock, it would be Mycroft.

Mycroft glanced sideways at the young woman next to him, keeping one eye on the slobbering beast sitting besides John, still eyeing him like he was a juicy steak. He leaned in so he could speak softly into a delicately curved ear, keeping his voice low enough that only Molly could hear him. "Thank you." Nothing else needed to be said about that, she would know what he meant.

Then he slipped back into his usual persona, arching a brow and raising his voice a little again. "Contrary to popular beliefs I do not actually eat Pathologists for Christmas dinner, no need to be so nervous Dr. Hooper."

"No, you have no need to worry Molly. Mycroft here only has a taste for a certain Detective Inspector." John grinned.

"Do you really want to go there John?" Mycroft's voice was very, very smooth.

"Um...no."

"Wise decision."

"Oh stop that you two," Mrs. Hudson swept past going into the kitchen, "You really should follow the examples of the season."

Dr. Weisz laughed, "Martha is quite right, peace on earth and goodwill to man after all." He sat down on Molly's other side, all jovial goodwill, "Hello Dr. Hooper is it?"

"Yes," she smiled and offered him her hand, which was kissed on the back with gentlemanly flare, "But you can call me Molly, most everyone does."

"Molly then, and you should call me Bradley. You must be the wonderful friend that assisted John and Dr. Sawyer with the MRI."

She ducked her head shyly, "I don't know about wonderful but yes."

"Nonsense, you risked your job to help a friend, that's wonderful."

"Dr. Weisz is right, it is wonderful Molly, well above and beyond any friendly obligations and I really do appreciate it. Adore you even." John smiled at her, a hand going to the side of his stomach, where his little boy seemed to have some sort of kicking competition.

She turned a brilliant pink and forced the thought of just how little John would adore her once Sherlock came back and he realized how much she'd kept secret from him from her mind in favor of whipping out her camera and taking a picture of him, "The baby moving?"

"Mmmhmm, quite active this bloke. Right now it feels like he's training for some big kickboxing tournament." John had never liked having his picture taken but this was different, maybe he would even ask Molly for a copy later on, to have something to show the sprog as he grew.

Greg's voice rose from the kitchen, "With your kidneys if memory serves." That prompted chuckles from almost everyone, "How goes the name game by the way?"

"Sherrinford is a proud name from Mummy's side of the family." Mycroft spoke up as he crossed his legs and continued his surveillance of the shifty canine.

"I really hope that is a joke Mycroft, as much as I want a name with meaning I don't want him to get his arse kicked on the playground, not even if I teach him how to kick back." John wrinkled his nose; Sherrinford was not a favorite name, maybe as a second name that he could live with it...maybe. "I have a few names floating around but I'm leaning toward Benjamin...Benjamin Johannes."

Molly blinked then started giggling helplessly, "After Franklin and Kepler?"

John grinned at her, happy that she got it. "Yup, after Franklin and Kepler." John had thought long and hard about names, and thought that Sherlock would have approved of these for a son, at least John hoped so.

"Okay," Greg came back in, having been shooed out of the kitchen by the ladies with a tray of nibbles. He set the tray down within John's reach and went to sit on the arm of the couch next to Mycroft, "For the less well informed among us, who is Kepler? Even I know who Franklin is."

Molly continued to giggle, "Seventeenth century mathematician," she giggled louder, "Astronomer and astrologer."

Greg snorted, "I'm guessing he was a big deal?"

"Very much so, being a mathematician, working close with both other scientists and even royalty. He worked out that the planets moves around the sun not in a round orbit but an elliptical one." John sent Greg a wry look. "Mostly though I chose him because Sherlock didn't know the earth revolved around the sun...spectacularly ignorant."

Greg snickered, "Both a salute and a raspberry. Good show."

Molly finally managed to get a lid on her giggles but they almost started up again when she thought of what Sherlock would think when he came back. If he hadn't deleted the name Johannes Kepler from his mind. She cleared her throat to keep from dissolving into laughter again, "It's a lovely name."

Sarah came out of the kitchen with punch, "Yeah but watch him wind up being called Benny-Jo."

Mycroft's lips pursed at that and he looked honestly puzzled. "Why on earth would anyone call him Benny-Jo? Benjamin is a perfectly sound name on its own without being shortened."

Janice nodded, fawning over Mycroft almost as much as over Dr. Weisz.

"Yeah and it's a mouthful to call a teeny tiny baby," Greg smiled at his lover, tangling their fingers together, "Mark my words that kid is going to get a nickname eventually. Happens to most people. Like how Joseph, Richard, and Gregory become Joe, Rick, and Greg or Margaret becomes Molly."

"Gregory Lestrade how dare you!" Molly grimaced, "Ugh where did you learn that?"

"Well aside from the well of creepy information sitting next to him, your full name is on your reports Molly." John grinned at her. "As a DI working homicide, I think Greg's read a few of them."

"I hate that name. It's a horrible, horrible name," her nose wrinkled.

"Baroness Thatcher would be disappointed to hear that," Sarah sat down on the floor comfortably.

"I bet she didn't like her name much for a long time either though," Molly stuck her tongue out at Sarah, "It makes me think of great big German barmaids smacking the idiots who get handsy."

Greg choked on air and began to laugh.

Mycroft just blinked at her in confusion. "Margaret is a lovely name."

"Yes it is." John agreed. "And imagine the success you would make at Octoberfest with it, lots of handsy Germans there." John was having a great time, spending time with friends, teasing and laughing, he was even friendly toward nurse Majors. "Oh by the way, where do you have Anthea Mycroft?"

"She's enjoying a day off...She was quite worried that Dr. Sawyer would make her sit in the car again if she came."

"Oh poor thi-ow!" Sarah rubbed her arm where John had kicked her lightly, "What I'm not allowed to be petty anymore?"

Mrs. Hudson answered that, "It's Christmas dear!"

Greg studied Sarah, "You made Anthea sit in the car...how did you manage that?"

"Shut the door in her face...more like in her phone really."

Molly blinked, "Um, why?"

"I just don't like her," Sarah shrugged.

"Well that is quite alright, you are not her favorite person either." Mycroft answered, shifted in his seat, leaning minutely closer to Greg.

John rolled his eyes; he'd just asked to be polite. There was no love lost between him and Mycroft's assistant but he didn't really dislike her either, didn't feel much one way or the other for her. "Never mind, I just hope she'll have a nice Holidays." The flat smelled of Christmas dinner and mulled wine, it smelled like home and the people there were family, John's chosen family. It might be the hormones but right now at this moment, John loved them all...Even Mycroft.

Mrs. Hudson came bustling in, a plate covered in sliced turkey in her hands, set it down, fixed John a plate, and sat down on the ottoman, striking up a conversation with Janice and pulling the mood into more friendly waters overall as they all ate.

Greg held a bit of turkey in front of Mycroft's mouth with a challenging smile. He honestly didn't think his lover would eat from his fingers in front of everyone but it was still something he wanted to try and see about.

Both of Mycroft's brows rose and he sent his lover a look before sighing and nipping the turkey piece out of Greg's fingers with his lips. "Wonderful turkey, you ladies have outdone yourself."

John looked on in horrified fascination, it was sort of looking at a train-wreck, scary and horrible and still you couldn't look away.

Greg's brows lifted in surprise and then his smile shifted from challenging to fairly adoring and he leaned down to brush a kiss over the corner of Mycroft's mouth, unaware of a beaming Molly snapping a picture of it. He shifted to murmur a promise to reward Mycroft for indulging him later, after they went home in his lover's ear, low enough so only Mycroft heard him.

Mycroft just squeezed his lover's knee and smiled enigmatically. Greg really didn't have to reward him in any way. Every day he got to spend with the other man was a gift and a reward but he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, knowing that whatever reward Greg would come up with it would be highly pleasurable for both of them.

"Mycroft is right, this is an amazing turkey." John was happy for Greg and Mycroft, he really was but he wanted what they had and knowing he'd lost it hurt.

Greg leaned back and ate a bit of the turkey himself, remembering that John had lost his Holmes. He heaped praise upon Sarah and Mrs. Hudson, angling himself so that his body blocked the view of him holding Mycroft's hand from John. He didn't want to rub salt in the wound. He tossed a bit of turkey at the dog, grinning at Sentinel when he caught it in a flash of strong white teeth without moving from his spot next to John. "How has Sentinel been since you've been stuck on bedrest John?"

"He's brilliant, couldn't ask for better help." John petted the dog and snuck him another piece of turkey. "Sen gets me water bottles the paper and everything I could need really. A tea towel tied to the handle of the fridge has made sure he can open and close that as well. I am getting terribly, horribly spoiled by him." He smiled warmly and continued to stroke Sentinel's soft fur.

Molly nibbled on her own food, "Well you spoil him, he spoils you, it's a symbiotic relationship."

Greg chuckles, "That's a good description."

Sarah grinned, "Mmmhmm. How have things been at the Yard?"

"Frustrating," Greg frowned and drank some punch, "Very, very frustrating. The sniper murders are making everyone irritable, whoever did it left almost no concrete clues."

John hummed something vague in agreement and noticed the carefully blank expression sliding over Mycroft's features. Oh he definitely knew more than he let on, John wondered if Greg knew. "You'll crack it eventually Greg, despite the knobs you have working with you." He didn't mention Sally specifically, not wanting to drag that mess up in front of Dr. Weisz and Nurse Majors.

"Maybe. It's not really helping that no one actually cares about catching the killer of killers for hire, not even me. I should probably be ashamed of that but I'm not." Greg shrugged.

"I'm sorry I asked," Sarah grimaced, "How about we shift to something more fun? You know, like opening presents."

John groaned. "Oh lord...presents. Please don't feel obliged to even pretend to like them...I kind of ordered them online at four in the morning on a major sugar high."

Mycroft actually chuckled at that. "Well the saying is that it's the thought that counts isn't that so?"

"Yeah...Only I don't really remember what I was thinking." John squirmed a bit in his seat.

Sarah giggled, "Oh I badly want to know now. Definitely present time." She scooted over to the tree like a child hopped up on chocolate.

"Who spiked Sarah's punch?" Greg watched her as she passed out the presents beneath the tree to their proper recipients, John of course getting the bulk.

Dr. Weisz chuckled, "Ah no need for alcohol when the season brings all the joy in the world."

"A season can't really bring joy though. We might tell ourselves that all is well and cozy but this is just another day and if you go by actual statistics more murders and suicides and violence happens on Christmas than any other time of year."

"Thank you for that Mycroft, for bringing such cheer to the occasion." John's voice was as dry as the desert. "Just be quiet and open your gifts."

Greg set a small, simply wrapped box on top of Mycroft's pile with a gentle smile then looked over at John, "Goes for you too Little John, dig in."

Molly chuckled and peeled back the paper on the gift from John, lifting it out of the box and laughing delightedly at the little vinyl bobble head of the cartoonized Epstein Barr Virus, "It's adorable!"

The tip of John's ears turned a vibrant red. "Um...Well...Better to have it in this form than the real one." Oh Christ, what had he been thinking? John should definitely be banned from using the internet in the dead of night after two bowls of chocolate ice cream.

Mycroft slipped a plain white envelope on top of Greg's pile of presents and then his nose twitched slightly as he unwrapped the pink fuzzy handcuffs from John.

"I thought Greg's handcuffs might chafe." John grinned unrepentantly.

"They do actually," Greg worked his finger under the flap of the envelope, "My wrists thank you." Not to say he wouldn't be happy to tie Mycroft to the bed if he ever got the chance but there was an agreement to leave no marks on his lover that could undermine his authority. He slid the paper from the envelope, pursing his lips curiously at the weight of it. Some sort of official document from the quality of the paper. He unfolded it and promptly found himself speechless.

It was the deed to Mycroft's house but it wasn't just Mycroft's house officially any longer because there, in strong black ink, was Greg's name right along with Mycroft's under ownership. He looked up to meet Mycroft's eyes, his own communicating a thousand different emotions, a slight lift at the corner of his mouth making the point that every one of them were positive.

Mycroft gave him a small private smile in return. He wanted this, wanted Greg. He knew his lover stayed with him anyway but he wanted it official, wanted it to be their home, the two of them together. He opened the small package from Mycroft, smiling at the tasteful, elegant tie-pin engraved with a crown. "Thank you."

"Likewise," it was a soft reply and Greg felt much more secure in his plans for tomorrow morning. Another sort of Christmas gift that he'd been rolling around in his head for a while now.

Sarah barked out a laugh when she opened her gift from John. Heavy black roach-stomper boots with steel toes, "Oh we're sticking to the arse-kicker label are we?" She reached over and squeezed John's knee, "Thank you."

"You are very welcome and of course we're sticking with the arse-kicker label. It is what you are after all." He smiled at her warmly and continued to watch his friends open their gifts. He actually chuckled at Nurse Major's red cheeks when she opened her biography on Fabio, he hadn't been able to help himself.

Greg actually fell into Mycroft's lap laughing when he opened his gift from John. It was a book, the title proclaiming 'How to Bring Your Government To Its Knees' in bold white letters.

Mycroft looked from the laughing man in his lap, to the book and then to John seated in his chair. He clucked his tongue and gave a sigh of deepest suffering. "Oh John...Really?"

"I'm not making any apologies, I was I supposed to help myself when I saw that title?"

"Because you are a grown-up?"

"I thought we had firmly established that I'm really not." John's smile turned slightly wistful for a second before returning full force.

Dr. Weisz chuckled warmly, "No need to be completely grown up Mycroft my boy. A little fun is good for the soul," He grinned when he unwrapped his present from John, another of the giant microbes series, this one a little plush of the human ovum. "Wonderful! A new one for the collection."

John grinned at the older doctor's amusement. "I don't know if that makes me amused or disturbed, knowing that you collect them."

"Oh why not a little of both. Now are you going to start opening your mountain there or not?"

Molly nodded in agreement and Greg grinned from his position in Mycroft's lap, "Yeah, get to it John."

"Okay." John reached for the present at the top of the pile, noticing that it was from Mycroft. As he opened it two oatmeal colored jumpers tumbled out, one in his size and the other one teeny tiny one. "Oh..."

Greg squeezed his lover's hand in approval and settled in to watch John open the presents. Most of them were baby related, almost completely fulfilling the layette requirements, but there were things for just John in there as well. In addition to the folding stroller he'd given him, Greg had also given John a robe and slipper set since he knew his friends was ratty beyond belief.

John was feeling much too emotional as he opened his mountain of gifts, stroking gently over each item, paying special care to everything baby related. He appreciated his friends and their help so much and after this he might actually be ready to become a father, at least when it came to the physical things the baby would need. Emotionally he'd just have to grit his teeth and pray to the fates that he didn't mess the kid up too badly.

"Thank you, thank you so much for all of this." He had to clear his throat a few times to get rid of the choked up feeling.

"You more than deserve it deary," Mrs. Hudson got up to pet his hair back affectionately, "You're so important to us."

Greg nodded, "To all of us John."

And there was that choked up feeling again, John was just happy that he managed not to start blubbering. He might be pregnant but he really didn't fancy crying in front of his friends. "You're important to me as well, never doubt that." He looked down at his lap until he felt somewhat confident that he'd gotten his emotions back under control. He was so lucky to have these people in his life and he was never going to let himself forget that or forget to tell them that they mattered. If there was one thing he'd learnt it was that life was short.

To be continued…