"The cottage"

1 month later

I had been thinking about it for some times, but I was not sure how to break the news to Holmes. Being a doctor, it was easier for me to think in a certain way. He was not, of course he had a brilliant mind, but this particular "subject" was something so very far from his daily matters that I doubted he would take my suggestion seriously. But indeed I had to talk to him, I could not wait anymore. Weeks were passing fast and I was started to show my condition. It was really necessary to take some decisions. I hoped he was in the right mood, because I was very nervous and my last intention was to put on a verbal fight with him.

Taking a deep breath, I entered the sitting room finding Holmes reading the newspaper.

"Good Morning, Watson!" he greeted me happily. "What took you so long? I have great news for you!"

"Good Morning to you too, Holmes!" I replied, taking time. "Good news for me? Well, please let me know!"

"My dear Watson, I noticed that lately you've worked a lot despite my suggestions to slow down a bit and also that your back is causing you some trouble. And I guess nausea is not helping too. So I have decided to take you on holiday for a while, and since next week it will be 4 months you are pregnant, we can celebrate the event. My brother Mycroft has a beautiful cottage in the country near Bath, we would go there and relax and have some times for ourselves. What do you think? It is a great occasion, for there is also a kind of flower exhibition, I think you'll like it." He smiled back at me, waiting for my answer and obviously thinking I would have agreed to his idea.

That, of course, was a great idea. He was right, I worked too much in the last three weeks and a holiday was most welcome. I could imagine the beautiful countryside and the delicious little cottage, surrounded by green grass and bushes of pink and blue hydrangea, and the small path made of stones to the little door. And the inside of the cottage, that was amazing! And I could see Holmes taking care of me and loving me. So powerful this fantasy was that a lump formed in my throat and I stared at him without words. I could not help but cry. I cried on his shoulder and let him holding me for I didn't know how long. When I felt a little better, I thanked him.

"I'd love to spend some time alone with you, you know. Thank you for being here for me!"

"I guess that is a Yes, then! We will have a beautiful holiday, my dear! And we could talk about the question that bothers you so much, too." he stated.

After all these years, I should have known him very well. But I found myself shocked at his words. And glad at the same time, for it was easier for me now to approach the argument. I would have said more, but I was crying again. And this time I was not ashamed. Holmes was there, holding me and gently rubbing my sore back, reassuring me with gentle words. We stayed like frozen in that moment for a while, then we had breakfast (that I promptly vomited a few hours later) and talked to Mrs. Hudson to arrange all the details for the departure. She was going to come with us.

We left London on Monday morning. The weather was wonderful. We took the 9:45 train and we arrived at our destination in the late afternoon. Mrs. Hudson was already at the cottage waiting for us. She was more than excited to go with us and insisted on leaving alone one day before to see that everything was fine. As I said before, after we broke the news to her about my condition, she became more and more gentle with me and in some way with my friend, that stopped calling her "nanny" as he did before. I was, however, his favorite and she cooked for me with pleasure. She was afraid that the long trip by train would have tired me and insisted with Holmes about booking a first class wagon, so I could eventually take a nap if I would. The dear lady didn't know that he had already taken that decision some days before. Their attention towards me amazed me, but sometimes it was stressing, because I could not decide to go out for a walk alone if I wanted to, or if I was not hungry and didn't eat with the usual appetite they immediately worried and insisted on asking questions about my health. I was affected by what physician call "swing mood", and they always pardoned me if I was a little upset.

We spent the trip on the train quietly talking. I eventually fell asleep after lunch in an awkward position and when Holmes woke me up my back was killing me. I didn't say it to my friend, God knows I complained too much in the few months. I did my best to not show him, refusing his help when he made a move to carry both of our luggages and insisting that I was perfectly well. At the station we took a cab to the cottage, but we had to walk a short path in the woods to reach our destination. We were half way to the cottage when I stopped, unable to continue. The damn bag was so heavy and I could not carry it anymore.

"Are you alright, Watson?" Holmes asked me, pretending not to be worry.

"I think so! Just give me a minute… "I answered him.

"Let me take your luggage, please. No argument, this time!" he warned.

I did not reply. I was grateful for his help. We reached the cottage easily following the path in the wood.

Mrs. Hudson was waiting for us at the main door.

The cottage was like I had imagined it, small but very nice with its little wooden windows and its thatched roof contrasting with the white walls. I could not detect the surroundings because it was almost dark, but the whole place gave me a sense of peace and quiet. The inside was delicious; we entered in a small living room with two armchairs and a fireplace, a small table and some old furniture. The ceiling was low, painted in white and with wooden exposed beams, and so were the doors, in fact we had to pay attention to lower our head as we entered the kitchen, were the table was ready and waiting for us. I was too concentrated on the architecture of the cottage to notice that Mrs. Hudson was following me and asking me to give her my coat. I was just ravished by the atmosphere of that place. Then I felt a gentle hand on my arm and the voice of my dearest friend, who was calling me.

"John, please, stop walking around and give me your coat."

I did. But I was still entranced by the cottage. I was not paying attention to the chattering of my "guardians". Holmes noticed it and took me by the elbow, forcing me to sit at the table.

"Holmes, this cottage is something beautiful. I have never seen one like that. It's perfect!" I announced.

"Well, I have never been here before. But I like it too."

"I love it!"

"We can explore the rest of the house later. Now, why don't we eat something? You must be starving!"

"Did you deduce it from the gurgle of my stomach?"

"You are the doctor, I am the detective! Now, please, eat something or Mrs. Hudson will kill me. She thinks I am not able in taking care of you."

"You both take care of me very well, Holmes." I smiled at him.

"I am doing my best! Thank you!"

Eventually, we had our dinner and went to see the rest of the cottage, Mrs. Hudson had prepared the larger bedroom for us while she took the smaller one. Said that if we needed anything, we just had to call her. She was exquisite, as usual.

She retired soon and left us in the living room.

We didn't need anything that night, we had exactly what we wanted, just ourselves.