Stupid cold, I told to myself while wrapping myself with my arms trying to get some heat as I walked to 221b Baker Street. I could've taken a cab but I had to insist in walking, I didn't bring that much money with me and I didn't even know what Mr. Holmes and Watson plans were.
A case, it must be one of those cases where they found mutilated bodies in a grimy attic. What was I even thinking? Of course they would go in to find the responsible for something like that, Mr. Holmes was a detective after all.
There was this Speedy's café outside the flat that John had told me. I turned to look from it to the principal door. There it was, 221b. I walked up the steps and rang the bell, in a matter of seconds an old but enthusiastic woman opened the door and smiled widely at me. She was wearing a green dress with a brown belt.
"Hello, you must be the babysitter, am I right?" She clapped waiting for me to answer.
"Yes, you're right, I'm Elise Overland" I stretched my hand and she shook it excitedly.
"Elise, what a lovely name! I am Mrs. Hudson, the landlady, oh but come in, come in" She opened the door widely; I cleaned my shoes on the welcome carpet and walked in. Mrs. Hudson walked up the stairs in front of me until we reached another door then she turned to look at me. "Wait here, sweetie" I nodded and leaned against the wall.
Mrs. Hudson opened the door and went inside; she seemed to be checking if they were home but surely they were. Suddenly a very strong noise came from inside the flat, I could hear Mrs. Hudson almost shouting as she moved things from one way to another.
"I've told you to keep these out of Hamish's sight!" the woman said and the door flung open again "All done, you can come in".
It was a nice place, small but very comfortable I must say. My eyes glanced at every corner of the living room, there were bookshelves filled with different types of books in them, a desk with even more books and folders. Then I noticed a skull.
"Okay, this is…new" I turned my eyes from the skull to the mirror, it was full of images of several places and there were also notes written on them or in yellow post-it notes. One of them was placed in the middle of the mirror with a word written in red.
"Masque…" I said in a barely audible voice.
Then a sharp object flung across the living room and landed at least ten inches far from me making me jump and let out a squeak.
"A theatrical entertainment that included poetry, singing and dancing, performed in the 16th and 17th century, especially in a royal court" the deep voice of Mr. Holmes came from the other side of the living room, for instance I turned to look at him horrified but at the same time amazed.
Nothing came out of my mouth but the words he'd told me the day before were still echoing in my head.
"Good morning, Elise" Mr. Holmes smiled at me from the couch where he was sitting.
"Morning, Mr. Holmes" I replied returning the gesture at him.
"Sherlock, please…I don't like titles" I nodded and bit my lips softly. Somehow this man scared me. And why should I be scared? You must be wondering, well quite simple…
HE JUST THREW A FUCKING KNIFE AT ME.
"Sherlock, have you seen Hamish's coat…oh" John came out of the hallway and looked at me, he then proceeded to greet me. "Hello, Elise".
My entire body gave a sigh of relief when I saw John coming in the living room and grabbing a small blue coat.
"You seem cold, coffee?" Sherlock stood up from his seat and walked to the kitchen.
"I, Uh…" I looked back at John who made me a gesture to say no. "Sure, coffee is great" John rolled his eyes. That wasn't my fault, I was never taught to say no to a host.
"Sherlock, why don't you go and finish dressing Hamish, I can manage with the coffee" John took the cup of coffee from Sherlock's hands.
"Two sugars…do not add milk, we don't need an ambulance here" Sherlock responded and went to help the kid upstairs.
A small chuckle came out of my mouth as I took off my coat and placed it on the sofa.
"How does he do that?" I asked John as he handed me the cup of coffee. "I mean, Molly told me you both solved criminal cases and stuff like that, and she also told me about Mr. Holmes's ability to deduce…" I took a sip from the coffee.
"Well…science of deduction…he never stops to amaze me either" He invited me to take a seat.
We both hung into a conversation where he explained me about Hamish's behavior. Apparently the kid was very calm and obedient; he would take piano lessons from three to four every Monday and Tuesday.
"So, that means you're leaving…for more than a week?" My cup of coffee was now empty. I placed it over a napkin in the small table in front of me.
"Looks like it" John leaned forward and looked at the fireplace. "But don't worry, we'll be back as soon as we solve the case" a confident tone covered his voice, such as his expression.
"Ready, John?" Sherlock said as he entered to the living room with his coat on and tied up his scarf around his neck.
"Why can't I come with you?" A small voice could be heard saying this behind Sherlock.
I looked down to the boy who'd spoken. He looked so much like Mr. Holmes, but he somehow resembled John as well.
"It could be dangerous, and besides you have to go to school" Sherlock kneeled to be at his same height.
"School is for babies, I want to go with you" the kid crossed his arms in front of his chest but Sherlock just chuckled a bit.
"Oh please, I am pretty sure that when we come back you won't let Elise leave, right?" John said as he placed a hand on Hamish's hair.
The boy raised his head and his blue eyes looked from John to me. I waved my hand at him and smiled; he just ignored me.
"We'd better get going, Elise, are you coming?" John called and I put on my coat and hat.
We took a cab to the train station and during the trajectory Hamish sat far from me, Sherlock looked out the window and John was talking through his phone. Hamish would glance at me more than once, I caught him doing it and just smiled at him like before, but he just leaned against John and hugged his arm.
I didn't know if John and Sherlock were a married couple, maybe they weren't but they had a child. It was very hard to find gay couples with kids these days, it was not very acceptable coming from society but I always thought that nobody tells you who you should love, it just happens.
I seemed unable to hold my tears back as I saw John and Sherlock saying goodbye to Hamish. I never liked goodbyes, and I sucked at them.
"Be good to Elise, and do not make experiments okay?" Hamish nodded before John placed a kiss on his forehead.
"One for Poky too" the kid was referring to his stuffed bear, which he never let go at any second since I first saw him. The bear was missing an eye and had a red bowtie. John just smiled and kissed the bear too and Hamish giggled.
Sherlock's watery eyes were noticeable, but he hugged Hamish after taking a deep breath. The boy hugged him back with his arms around Sherlock's neck.
"I love you, poppa" Hamish said in a barely audible voice but still very clear to understand.
It seemed hard for Sherlock to reply to his son's comment. He just closed his eyes and kissed Hamish's head before speaking.
"I love you too, Hamish" The detective let go of his son and turned to look at me. I wiped the tears out of my eyes and got closer to grab Hamish's little hand in mine as his parents got into the train. A man with a whistle started to call the remaining people to get in the train. Then the engine started moving and after a matter of seconds, the train disappeared in the distance leaving just a path of white smoke behind…and a little boy at my charge.