A Wife for Sherlock Holmes

by tavingtonsbeauty

Seems impossible, but the man known as Sherlock Holmes is easily bored. That boredom drove him to the arms of a highly intelligent woman who could keep up with him both physically and mentally. However, when a child is thrown into the mix, Sherlock steps up, to the chagrin of the woman, and they marry. With so much baggage on both sides will it work or be a match made in hell.

15. Home is Where the Heart is

A Wife for Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 15 – Home is Where the Heart is

Marion took a breath as she swam. Her hair, she had cut it back to her shoulders and it was tucked under her swim cap as she swam laps. It had been five months since the birth of little Lizzy and she was rather quickly gaining her old body back with yoga, exercise, good food, and swimming were all working quite well.

She popped up and looked at the time. She smiled. She still had fifteen more minutes before Sherlock would need her at least. She pulled her goggles back and swam more.

ZzZ

Sherlock looked down at the baby blanket as his daughter rocked while on her belly. Her head was up looking about. Her thick dark hair was all over. He smiled. She had rolled over onto her front from being set down on her back. She was trying to figure out her muscles to crawl. She was literally twice her size that she had been born at and was growing rapidly. He never was bored watching her learn about the world as she lay there watching him type on his computer. Her tiny hand was sucking on her fist. She rolled back onto her back and kicked her legs looking up at her father and grinning.

Sherlock laughed. "What are you about?" He asked as she wiggled her whole body. She was babbling and reaching up at him. He smiled more and dropped out of his chair. He moved over her and ducked his head down blowing a raspberry onto her tummy. She squealed and grabbed his hair as she laughed in pleasure.

He reached up and released her hands and then sat on his knees lifting her up into his arms. He made a face at her and she giggled again at him reaching for his face. He pressed his lips to her hand and blew again making for another round of giggles.

"You know I never thought you would be a good father." Mrs. Hudson said coming in bring in some tea for Sherlock.

"Why?" He asked not looking up from his daughter as he brought her to his chest.

"Because you are you." Mrs. Hudson said simply. "It is fun to watch you with her though."

"She is so smart. She learned to roll over two weeks early." Sherlock said. "She will rival Mycroft."

Mrs. Hudson made a face. "Hopefully she will be a little more social."

"I hope not. Maybe If I can keep her from dating for thirty years…"

Lizzy gurgled and then sucked on her hand again. Sherlock sighed. "Where has your mother gotten to? You are starting to get hungry."

"Doesn't Mari have some bottles for you?"

"She pumps for emergencies, but Lizzy much prefers the real thing. Can't say I blame her."

"Sherlock…" Mrs. Hudson said looking at him playfully.

Sherlock smiled. "Do you want to see Nana Hudson?" He asked lifting his daughter up. "You do…" He shifted and handed the little girl over to Mrs. Hudson who was seated in John's chair to her delight.

Mrs. Hudson laughed and held the little thing. She was quite the useful baby sitter when Mari, Sherlock, and John had to be out of the house. Sherlock was rather particular who watched his daughter, barely allowing his parents to watch her even though they were fully capable. His intimates were the only ones he really allowed without protest and that was when he decided to put her down.

Sherlock sipped his tea as he folded one long leg over the other. His daughter was a bean pole. She had grown both in weight, but also in length. He guessed she would be tall for her age all her life. He watched Mrs. Hudson smothering the little thing with kisses and reflected how it had been. He had never expected to be a father to create a perfect little person within the womb of his wife, whom he loved greatly, and have his child come into this world. Now he couldn't think of anything he would rather be.

He sipped his tea and heard a ring. "Client." He said. "Go run along, Mrs. Hudson."

"Should I take Lizzy?"

"No. There are two people in the stairs. Light footfalls of the second. My wife is home." He said. "John!" He called reaching to take Lizzy.

Mari appeared first as John came down the stairs into the room. She smiled as the baby began to fuss a little and reached for her. Mrs. Hudson smiled and passed her to her mother. Sherlock looked at his wife. She was beautiful with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, her clothing fit well and showed off her rather beautiful form. He smiled and pressed a kiss to her cheek as he led the way to the bedroom, taking her bag from her.

"Oh John, can you see to our guest a moment? I need to have Lizzy settled."

John nodded turning to the woman who was standing cautiously at the door. "Hi. Come in. He won't be a minute. Baby is hungry." He smiled dropping into his chair.

Sherlock closed the door as his wife moved to the bed and sat down. She pulled off her top and opened her nursing bra cupping the little one to her. She saw no reason to cover herself with just Sherlock there. He had set down her bag and then dropped to sit beside her watching his daughter nurse. He cupped her small head with his long fingered hand and smiled at his wife.

It was a beautiful thing to watch his daughter take her nourishment from his wife's breast. He always found it captivating and watched quietly. He smiled as he smelled his wife's perfume as well as the smell of honey of his daughters. He hadn't noticed that his wife had bathed her this morning. Her baby scent always was calming to him. He had read that was actually scientific, but he didn't care. She was his baby and he loved her with all his heart. He had no idea he would be so infatuated when his wife had come to him announcing her pregnancy to him. Now more a year later and coming up on his first anniversary, he could not be happier though he still had a hard time expressing it at times.

"I don't know how many times I have said it, but I am going to again." He looked at her, his green eyes bright. "Thank you." He whispered and pressed a kiss to her cheek. She turned her head and he pressed a kiss to her mouth softly. "Thank you for being my wife. Thank you for Lizzy. Thank you for…" She pressed a finger to his lips and smiled as she kissed him again. He chuckled and deepened the kiss.

"I do love you, Sherlock Holmes."

"As I you." He smiled and looked down at the baby as she nursed oblivious to her parents watching her. "She is rolling around a lot today."

She smiled at him. "You are documenting everything aren't you."

"Of course." He said.

"You are so cute as a father."

"Cute?" He looked at her. "Cute?"

"Seriously. You aren't even this adorable with me, but turn you loose with a baby girl and all bets are off."

He chuckled. "I have a client." He said rising.

"It isn't really of interest to you or you would have been out there already."

He chuckled again. How well his wife knew him. "Woman is convinced her husband is cheating on him and he is with their son's teacher." He said. "Hardly worth my time."

She chuckled. "Very few things are." She said.

"Most of those are in this room." He smiled and walked out of the door leaving the pair of them in peace.

She heard him speaking in the main room and smiled as he dismissed the woman for wasting his time. Fatherhood suited him. He was not as bored since he now had a baby to watch learning about the world, but he still helped solve cases. Lestrade called him at least once a week to help him and thus the DI had become part of the family too, acting as a third uncle of sorts to the baby since she already had Mycroft who had made it his mission to spoil her, and John, who was faithful there and watchful as though she were his own.

Marion knew her baby was finished and then brought her up to her shoulder as she opened the door. She had a rag as the baby lifted her head to look around. She had pulled on a shirt and walked out rubbing and patting Lizzy's back.

Sherlock looked up from where he was seated and smiled. "Give her here. I am sure you want a shower."

She nodded. "Yes. I reek of chlorine." She smiled and gently passed the infant to her father. Sherlock took the rag and lifted her to his shoulder as Mari turned and walked to the bathroom. At first she had been a little worried about leaving her with Sherlock for fear he would become distracted and forget her, but that changed within a day of her watching him with the baby.

Sherlock turned to John. "How is the dating going?" He asked.

"I have a date tonight."

"New girl?" Sherlock asked rising to his feet and patting his baby's back as he walked about the room.

"Yes." John said. He also found Sherlock all domesticated with his baby oddly fascinating and completely out of character for the self-called high functioning sociopath.

"She suits you better than the last one?"

"Oh?"

"Yes." Sherlock said smiling. Lizzy let out a burp that surprised the two men and Sherlock chuckled. "Well now, that would impress some sailors I know, sweetheart. Are you ready for your nap?" He asked looking at her as she settled against his neck. He looked at John. "Excuse me." He said walking toward the bedroom.

He quickly laid her on floor and knelt. He held her down as he changed her nappie, something he had gotten quite skillful at and something he never would have done before he had his own baby. She was only wet and it made for an easy change. He then laid her in her crib and laid a hand on her. She yawned and shifted a little before settling and closing her eyes.

He walked from the room and walked to the common room. He paused hearing his wife. She was taking a bath and he smiled. If John had not been there, he may have joined her. He then set about looking at some cases in his inbox.

Mari left the bathroom wrapped in a towel and dressed. She smiled seeing her baby softly snoring as she took her afternoon nap. Sherlock was always so good about getting her to go down. She smiled and wondered how her teething would go. At least her husband did not require as much sleep as she did.

She walked into the common room, still drying her hair. Sherlock had remarked he wasn't sure how he felt about her removing about half her hair, but it was lighter for her and she worried soon the baby would be pulling on it. He had agreed then and she still had long hair to past her shoulder, shaped and styled. She looked different and she smiled as Sherlock lifted and arm.

She sat down on the chair arm, her legs on his as he wrapped an arm about her, while reading the emails with his left hand. She was always amazed how long he looked. He was nearing forty and yet could pull off being mid-twenties something quite well. She was looking at her own phone and then she playfully wrote something as she did her own work.

Hi. Do you think John would be affronted if you just had me right here?

That got his attention enough to look up at her startled. She smiled playfully at him. "Oh come on, I am the only one who knows the real you." She said.

He lifted a finger to her nose and tapped it playfully. "Don't you go letting on." He said. He smiled at her. "Behave, Doctor Holmes."

ZzZ

A woman was beside herself with a screaming infant she was trying to feet. Her hands were shaking so much as she tried to talk to the Inspector. Her son, a young deaf boy was missing. The baby in her arms shrieked and fought unsettled by her mother also worrying.

Lestrade tried to talk over the screaming, but it was Sherlock who stepped forward. He sighed and took the baby and gently cooed to her as he poured the formula into the water in the bottle and shook it.

"Does he go often?" He asked as he shook the bottle looking at the baby. He gently pushed her back on her arm and the baby latched onto the bottle almost desperately. Lestrade blinked watching as Sherlock, who normally was annoyed by crying and hysterics took charge. Mari was right, the man was incredible with children and soon the baby had stopped crying as she sucked from her bottle.

"No." The mother said watching too. "He didn't have many friends. We had to fire the maid because she used the wrong shampoo. It burned his eyes." She said watching as Sherlock paced about the room with her baby. "How did you know how to do that?"

"I have my own little girl. She is five months." He smiled a little. "Can I see the boy's room?"

She sighed. "Yes this way…"

Sherlock looked about the room and nodded before handing the nearly asleep baby back to her mother. "We will get him back, Mrs. Harrow." He said.

Lestrade looked at Sherlock as he walked outside. "Well I never expected that from you…"

"Fatherhood changes you, Lestrade, you should know." He smiled a little. "The person who took him is close. Remembered his favorite stuffed animal to bring with him to keep him calm." He looked at Lestrade. "We need to find that maid."

Lestrade nodded. "Yeah, Okay."

ZzZ

Sherlock had left that evening to go help Lestrade. There had been a series of cases that had baffled the police, but Sherlock was starting to wonder if there was a broader picture to them as notes were being sent to the police taunting him.

Moriarty.

He helped find the latest missing – a young deaf child who had thought to have been lost, but was really taken by a jealous maid. He was out in the cold and had nearly died from exposure. Sherlock had learned some basic signs from his wife who was learning because she wanted to teach the baby sign language. At first, Sherlock had thought it was ridiculous, but in this case he saw the utility as he was able to tell the boy he was safe and asked if he was hungry.

The boy was hungry and had hugged Sherlock, refusing to let go until he was returned to his parents. He asked Sherlock's name. Sherlock had hesitantly signed his name out to the delight of the boy and his mother. The mother had kissed his cheek and thanked him.

Lestrade had just shook his head and followed Sherlock outside. The man was still just as good at solving crimes, but he seemed to actually care or perhaps as a father now, it was children he cared for. The cynic in him told him that it was because Sherlock was quite juvenile himself.

The consulting criminal was like a spider on a great web and he could make each thread dance.

ZzZ

Sherlock returned home and found Mari sleeping in bed and little Lizzy was awake moving in her crib. Sherlock could hear her making her little babble noises. Clearly not upset, but she would likely be hungry soon. He took a bottle and warmed it a little in the microwave. Testing the temperature he walked back to his bedroom. He smiled a little and reached in plucking her up. He held her to him as he walked out into the main room and put her in her swing with a bottle.

She looked at him, her dark eyes bright as she sucked on her bottle, her little hands holding it. He smiled and lifted his violin and began to play. It was a soft song, a lullaby he had been writing for her. Lizzy listened to her father playing and soon slept soundly.

Mari came into the room. She was wearing his dressing gown over her sleep pants and camisole. She is rumpled from sleep, but smiled at her husband who purses his lips nodding to the swing. Little Lizzy is sound asleep.

Mari moved the bottle and smiled at her husband as she folded into the chair. Sherlock ended the song and smiled. "She loves when you play." She said. "Always calms her."

"You as well."

"Yes." She smiled at him.

"Tell me, Marion, why have you been going to Belmarsh?" He asked cocking his head.

As per normal his lack of preamble shot through her guard. She looked up at him. "Why not?" She asked. "You never go."

"I have a reason not to."

"He isn't really all that bad."

"Is he?" Sherlock stepped forward. "He is insane, Mari."

"I have heard people say the same about you."

"Ah, but you have not killed people."

"I have been accused of that occasionally."

"Donovan could not find her ass from third base."

He smiled and looked at her. "I need to find Moriarty. Find him. Disable him…"

"Sherrin might be able to help you."

"I would never go to him for help."

"Why?"

"He would not help me or Mycroft." Sherlock said. "He hates us for what we did."

"No. He knew someone needed to stop him. He left bread crumbs only you two would find."

Sherlock turned to her. "How would you know of it?"

"I need something to pass the time." She smiled a little. "He told me. Most serial killers want to be caught."

"They get off on escaping."

"But it gets old." She looked at him. "Neither you nor Mycroft have really come to terms with the fact the most dangerous man in the country is your own brother."

"Second." Sherlock said putting his hands, palms together to his face. "He is in prison and there for not my problem right now." He looked at her. "He has charmed you." He said cocking his head. "Really. You got taken in? You do know what he did? To all those women? I think you would be a little more…"

"He is charming." She said cutting him off. "And that is why I know he is dangerous, Sherlock. I see a lot of your mother in him."

Sherlock winced. "Seriously? It broke her heart when she found out about him."

"The cost of having too much brains perhaps."

"Of thank God neither of us are burdened with that." He looked at her and arched an eyebrow. "Our whole family isn't normal."

She laughed. "All high functioning sociopaths?"

"Perhaps." He smirked. "Maybe it is a family trait."

"You aren't and neither is Mycroft." She smiled and stepped to him. "We have dealt with those people. You aren't one despite your claims. A sociopath could never love his daughter or the woman who carried her and you do."

"Well, I suppose you have me there." He said looking at her.

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. She leaned back, hanging from him as his hands naturally went to her hips. They were fuller since she had given birth, but childbirth had added to her curves, not detracted from them and her stomach was nearly flat again. Lithe, athletic, and beautifully his.

She smiled and turned. She went to the swing and lifted the sleeping infant into her arms and walked her to the bedroom. She heard Sherlock behind her, following, watching her in almost a predatory manner. She laid the baby down in her crib and cooed as her eyes opened a little. At the sound of her mother humming a soft lullaby, she drifted again into sleep.

Sherlock had closed the door and moved about undressing and getting ready for bed as she touched the tiny cheek. He came behind her and smiled, his large hand going and resting on his child's chest. She took a deep breath and began to snore lightly. Mari smiled and giggled a little even as her husband pursed his lips at her.

He took her hands and pulled her to the center of the room looking at her. The camisole had ridden up and he smiled seeing her taught, sensitive belly flesh. He reached up and pulled his dressing gown from her and let it pool at her feet. Next he walked her backwards to the bed, his hands making quick work of her sleep pants. He pressed her onto the bed as he knelt before her. He pressed a kiss to her knee and looked up at her, playfully.

"Do you know how long I have wanted to make love to you?" He asked. "Patience is not really one of my virtues." He said nuzzling the outside of her bare thigh. He then nipped it causing her to start and look down at him.

"Oh if people knew the real you…" She whispered at him. "They would…"

He shifted then silencing her with his mouth pressed her hers as his hands quickly pulled at her clothing and his own. He looked down at her as she looked up at him supple, wanting, and his. "I love you." He whispered.

"I know." She said and then gasped in pleasure as he continued his love making with sure, swift, and loving talent.

ZzZ

Elizabeth Holmes smiled as she entered the common room of 221 B Baker Street. It was a rare treat to have her daughter-in-law and the baby all to herself. She, however, froze hearing violin music as she came to the door.

Was her son there after all? She opened the door to reveal Marion standing with the baby on the floor looking up at her. Marion was playing the violin to the surprise of Elizabeth. The elder Mrs. Holmes froze in amazement and the younger smiled before ending the song she had been playing.

"That was beautiful!" Elizabeth commented and Marion bowed.

"It soothes her when Sherlock is away."

"Did he teach you?"

"Of course." Mari smiled as she put it to the side. It had been something he discovered she really had an aptitude for and she was a natural at it. She worked hard, knowing she would never quite be as good as he was, but he was no less impressed and proud at her accomplishment.

"Amazing."

"Let me make us some tea, mum." Mari said.

Elizabeth smiled and bent lifting her tiny infant granddaughter from the floor to hold her. She was Lizzy's namesake after all, something Sherlock had done to please his mother, despite his protests otherwise. She smiled and held the baby close to her watching as the big eyes took her in, knowing her scent, face, and heartbeat well.

Though the Holmes' lived in the country in an estate home, they were still close enough to come visit. Something Elisabeth did often to the chagrin of her two sons, but the pleasure of her daughter-in-law who loved the idea of family and being with them.

Mari smiled watching the grandmother with her own grandchild. She had asked once if Elizabeth had ever expected to have grandchildren. She had commented back her best bet had been on Sherrin, but when he had proved to be something of a terrible human being she had given up on her other two boys who were not interested in women at all so far as she could tell.

Now she had a daughter-in-law, a very social, loving, and fun daughter-in-law who loved to go shopping, to lunch, and just talk, something the elder Mrs. Holmes had craved. She had given up being a world renowned mathematician to be a mother to three boys who were the smartest, but most socially inept she could imagine. The grandbaby she now had made it all worth the pain.

Marion saw her daughter yawning and moved to collect her. She smiled at Elizabeth and drew a cloth over her as she nursed her before taking her back to the bedroom for a nap. Elizabeth smiled as she returned.

"She has grown since I last saw her." She whispered.

Mari smiled. "You can talk normally, mum. She would sleep through nuclear attack. She has slept through sirens of Lestrade coming, Sherlock yelling at people, and other such things."

Elizabeth smiled and took her tea in her hand. "How are you and Sherlock doing then?"

"Well. He is on a case as you note his absence."

"Is he or did you just tell him I was coming so he could escape."

"I…"

"Don't worry dear, it keeps it from being awkward for us all." Elizabeth smiled patting her hand.

"Well this time he is really on a case with Lestrade, but I feel I need him to bring home a note."

Elizabeth laughed. "Hardly. Shall we go shopping when the little dear wakes up?"

"Sounds wonderful." Mari said sipping her tea. "I know a nice little place for a snack as well. They have Chocolate croissants."

Elizabeth smiled. "That does sound lovely."

ZzZ

Sherlock looked across the table at his wife who looked radiant. Lizzy was being watched by her grandmother while the two went on the first date they really had been on for nearly a year. She smiled looking up at him in the awkward silence.

"This is almost as bad as a first date." She smiled a little as she lifted her wine.

"No at least we know each other."

She chuckled. "True, but I feel like I have just landed a date with the best guy at school." She said noting the subversive looks from people about them.

"Do you want to leave?"

"Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for the world." She said smiling more.

He chuckled and took her hand. "A year. Can you believe it?"

"No." She said. "I have put up with a fair amount in that amount of time."

"Indeed. Honestly, I think you deserve sainthood for putting up with me."

"Do you really think you are that bad?"

"Well I do have some redeeming qualities."

"Yeah you are pretty good in bed." She said smirking into her glass.

He rolled his eyes.

Their dinner came and he released her hand. She smiled as she dove into her plate and he did as well. After, while waiting for dessert, he took her hand again. "Marion…"

She looked up at him. "Yes?"

"I cannot possibly express how I feel. I am not really one for words of sentiment, but between you and John, you saved me. I love you. Know that. I love you with my soul and I can't let anything happen to you, ever." He said.

She smiled, leaning forward and kissing his palm lightly. "I am not going anywhere, Sherlock Holmes."

He smiled. "Good."

His phone chimed and he hissed.

Dessert arrived and it chimed again.

She cocked her head. "Someone wants you. Do you need to get that?" She asked.

"Not on my anniversary." He said.

The third one made him growl something. "Marion I am sorry, I truly am."

"You are the man I married. The world's only consulting detective."

"You are entirely too calm about this." He said opening his phone. "Aren't women supposed to be annoyed when someone interrupts their anniversaries?"

"That is assuming I am a typical woman."

"Well there is that." He said nodding. "You are anything, but ordinary." He opened his messages and read them.

Sherlock there is a murder I need you to look at. 360 Hibbard Street. G Lestrade.

Anytime you want to respond would be good. G Lestrade.

I know you are just ignoring me now. Come on, it will be fun. There are three dead bodies here, without any trace of a weapon or blood, or signs of poisoning. G Lestrade.

Sherlock arched an eyebrow. "It is Lestrade. Can I see you home first?" He asked. Marion's phone chirped and she looked down.

Is he with you Marion? Can you have him actually answer his texts? Greg

Yes. I will send him on his way. Marion She sent back.

Her phone chirped again as he lifted her coat for her. She pulled it on as he moved to pay. Her phone chirped again. On second thought, you come too. We need someone with linguistic skills and charm. Greg

She smiled and typed. Happy anniversary to us. Marion

Sherlock was waiting at the door as she walked to him, his collar up and his scarf around his neck. "Change of plans." She said. Greg Lestrade had had her help at times with linguistics before since she knew many languages and was able to do so quickly. In tandem with her husband and John the three were a force to be reckoned with.

"Oh?" He asked moving to flag a taxi.

"Yes. I am coming with you." She said lifting her phone.

Sherlock smiled. "Well my dear, a very happy anniversary to us." He said kissing her mouth as a taxi pulled over. He opened the door and she climbed in with a smile and he followed.

"Indeed, Mr. Holmes." She said.

"Where to?" The taxi driver said.

Sherlock lifted his phone. "360 Hibbard Street." He said checking the address.

"Very good sir."

Marion's phone chirped. Are you serious? Why didn't you tell me sooner? We can manage until tomorrow. Greg

You know he will want to see the scene. Besides. I am coming too. Thank you for the distraction. Marion

Okay then. See you when you arrive. Happy Anniversary! Greg

Marion looked at her husband checking his phone. "He says happy anniversary."

"Indeed. Perhaps he should gift wrap it. Why are you coming?" He sighed looking down to text John.

You are needed Dr. Watson. Games are afoot. 360 Hibbard. SH

Aren't you supposed to be on your anniversary dinner? John

I am. Mari is coming to. She was asked to be there. SH

"Seriously? Can't you two even date normal? John

Why do we need to date normal? We are married. See you there. SH

"Apparently my linguistic skills are needed." She smiled.

"Oh and here I was thinking of other things you could do with that lovely mouth of yours." He said smirking as he didn't look at her.

She laughed and swatted him playfully as they rode to the crime scene. For the Holmes' it was the end to a perfect night. A good dinner, lovely conversation, and a crime to solve that they both could be a part in.