Author's note: I thought of this one last night and had to write it. Reviews as always are welcome while flames are not. I only own Cassandra, everyone else belongs to Doyle.
She was seven and at the stage where she had to know everything, though she was always at that stage since she could speak. Sherlock Holmes never thought Cassandra wold ask him something that he could not answer. Whenever she did ask a question he was quick to answer it and the young girl would move on to something else. However, this time it would prove to not be the case.
He was smoking his pipe sitting in his chair when he felt a small body lean on the armrest of the chair.
"Yes, Cassandra?" He asked.
"Holmes, where do babies come from?"
He was startled at first to say the least. He nearly dropped his pipe when she asked that question. Of all things, the child had to ask him that? Where had this sudden urge to know something like that come from? He wondered. Why did that child have to be so curious? It would be a safer place to start before he had to think of a way to explain reproduction to a seven year old. He finally decided.
"Where did this come from?" Sherlock Holmes asked.
"Well, Jess and I were walking home with the other boys yesterday. Billy was talking about how his mum is having a baby and everyone was telling him she would fine. I didn't know what to say since I don't know anything."
Ah, yes, Billy did ask him if he would be needed much since he wanted to make certain his mother would be all right. He knew the woman had been with child several other times, but many were still born.
"Perhaps you should ask Mrs. Hudson."
Cassandra frowned. "Why? Can't you tell me?"
"I could, but I think it would be best if you went to Mrs. Hudson. She knows more about it than I do."
"I will later, but first you tell me. You always said that I need all of the facts. I should know from different sources."
He cursed silently. He should at least try to watch what he tells her, then maybe he would stop finding himself in situations like this one. That child listened too much to what he said.
"Are you certain you would rather not go to Mrs. Hudson first?" He tried one last time to persuade her otherwise.
"I'm certain, Holmes." She said with a nod.
Sherlock Holmes sighed. "Well, for a child to be made there must be a man and a woman."
"And is that where they are married?"
"Sometimes, yes. But, at other times no. You see, Cassandra, to have a baby...there are certain things that only a man and a woman can do with each other."
"What things, Holmes?"
No, he would not be getting into that. Never, that child will go on not knowing that answer. Well at least she would not find out from him. For now he needed to think of a way to tell her without telling her exactly what it is.
"Marriage bed." He said quickly. "The process is the marriage bed, Cassandra."
"But, what if they are not married?" She asked.
"It is still called that even if they are not because it is something that only a married couple should be doing."
"So because of the marriage bed, a child is made?" Cassandra asked slowly.
"Yes, not right away mind you. It does take some time since the baby has to grow enough for there to be evidence that it is there." Sherlock Holmes explained. "There are even times when something is wrong and either the man or the woman cannot help in creating the child."
"And that is when they are barren, right?"
"Yes, Cass."
"I think I understand, Holmes." The young girl admitted.
He smiled at her. "I am sure you do."
There was a knock on the door and Jess walked in. "Cassandra, me and the others wanted to know if yew wanted to come out and keep our eyes on Mister Keller. We think he's up to something."
Mister Keller was an elder store owner who had convinced the Irregulars he was up to no good. He was actually one of his agents and only kept the children on their toes, Cassandra knew this of course, but she always went along with it anyway.
"Can I go out, Holmes?" She asked.
"Do not stay out for long. Mrs. Hudson will have dinner ready soon."
She smiled and nodded. "Yes, sir."
He watched as the two little girls scampered out of the sitting room. He stood up and walked over to the window looking out. Cassandra and Jess met the boys outside and then preceded out to Mr. Keller's shop as they ran down the street. Sherlock Holmes knew that Cassandra was growing up, and it seemed to him that it was faster. To him she was still the four year old who always stood on her tip toes and watched him with his chemicals. Now, she was seven and most likely knew more things than any other child, but who still needed to play with her friends.