Thanks to AGirloftheSouth for looking this over. :D

I do not own, nor do I profit from.

A wet and cold wind blew John through his front door. He shut it firmly and took off his wet jacket.

"Look at you!" Martha Hudson rushed over and grabbed the drenched coat before quickly hanging it on the wall hook nearby, "nearly soaked right through! You'll be lucky if you don't catch cold being out in such a storm."

John shivered.

"Come with me and have a cup of tea before going upstairs. It's ready and will do you good."

His landlady's hand on his shoulder, John obediently followed her into the downstairs kitchen. As he sat down in an empty, worn chair, a blanket was thrown over his shoulders. Despite wanting a hot shower, and his dinner, John was thankful for Mrs. Hudson's care.

John had been glad when the alarm woke him up that morning after a night of odd dreams involving rings of every type and inscriptions made up of tacky lines used in romantic comedies. His work day had been filled with fussy children, hypochondriacs and a very grumpy Sarah. She had broken up with her new boyfriend and was happy to share her frustration with co-workers.

During his lunch break, John had gone through the conversations he'd had with Lestrade and Mycroft, before he decided to ignore them both until he had talked with Sherlock. He was tempted to call but chose to wait until they were face to face - hopefully by then the ten percent of his imagination that continually whispered the doubting words 'but maybe', would have been silenced.

Just before leaving for home, John had received a text from Sherlock sharing the news of his closed case and the arrival time for his flight the next morning. Of course there was also a reminder of the promised three days off and a warning if said promise was not fulfilled. John had confirmed the time off and said he would be at the airport to meet Sherlock.

"John!"

Chin falling off of his palm, John quickly sat up straight and turned startled eyes to the older woman standing next to him.

"Sorry about that Mrs. Hudson, I got lost in my thoughts there for a minute. Guess I'd better make sure I get to sleep early tonight with Sherlock coming back tomorrow. You never know if a case might suddenly pop up once he's home."

Placing John's cup of tea in front of him, along with a piece of chocolate cake, Mrs. Hudson patted his back before sitting down herself.

"Oh, Sherlock's coming home tomorrow? That's a good idea then. You want to be well rested. You never know what he might have planned."

"Yes, and with Lestrade and Mycroft..." John's voice trailed off as he glanced up to see Mrs. Hudson sipping her tea with a mischievous smile. "Wait, what was that? Mrs. Hudson why do you think Sherlock might have something planned when he gets back?"

Realising she had revealed more than intended, the good lady gathered her thoughts swiftly before lowering her cup.

"Oh nothing you have to worry about. Sherlock and I had a nice chat a few days before he left for Paris. He wanted to buy something for the two of you and was making plans for when you had these few days off. That's all, nothing to worry about."

Despite her words, John felt the opposite of comforted. A purchase for the two of them? There were no birthdays or holidays to buy for and nothing they needed in the flat. He recalled some of the more unpleasant bit of the previous conversations, before pushing them away. He leaned across the table and took Mrs. Hudson's right hand.

"Sherlock didn't happen to talk about buying wedding rings for the two of us did he?"

Fidgeting in her seat, Mrs. Hudson looked everywhere but at John. "Oh, I don't know as I should be telling you that. You know I don't share what others confide in me. Well except for Mrs. Turner but by the time she tells me anything the whole street already knows."

Forcing lightness into his voice John attempted to reassure the distressed woman.

"It's okay. You don't have to tell me everything. I don't need to know what he has planned just if he bought rings. We've already been talking about a civil partnership you know so it's not a real surprise. I'm just curious. If I'm wrong you don't have to say anything at all, I promise"

John was certain his face made more of a grimace than a grin but it seemed to be enough to loosen Mrs. Hudson's tongue.

"Well, I suppose if you've already been talking about it then it wouldn't hurt." With concern removed, excitement filled her face.

"Two days before he left, I went upstairs to leave a package that had just been delivered. After finding out Sherlock hadn't eaten yet that morning, I brought him back down with me for some lunch. Honestly, if it weren't for the two of us I don't know how he'd survive."

John fought to remain patient.

"While we were eating I could tell Sherlock was excited about something. I had no idea what was going on in that head of his, so I told him there were to be no more of those dangerous experiments. Just in case. When I think of the damage he might have done with that last one..."

She shook her head.

"Anyway, he promised me it wasn't an experiment. Told me he was going out to pick out wedding rings for the two of you. I was so happy I think I might've hugged him a bit too tight. It's a good thing he's gained a little weight since you moved in."

Rings, John thought, Sherlock hadbought wedding rings. Just like Lestrade and Mycroft had told him. He forced himself to focus on Mrs. Hudson as she continued.

"Poor thing had some strange ideas when it came to an inscription though. He even talked about adding a stone. I think I managed to get him to see sense when I told him it needed be something that would represent the both of you. After that he jumped up, you know how he does sometimes, yelled 'brilliant!' and took off so fast you would have thought someone had lit the back of his suit on fire." She chuckled affectionately while smiling at John.

His hands were sweating. John was certain of it. But there was still hope.

"Mrs. Hudson," John cleared his throat, "do you happen to know if Sherlock's actually gone and purchased the rings?"

Her eyes lit up as she answered, "Oh yes, picked them up the morning he left! Paid them extra to make sure they were ready before he had to go. And that's all I'm going to say about the matter young man."

Not good, not good at all, John moaned inwardly. Standing, he set the blanket on the seat he'd just abandoned and started for the flat door.

"John? Something the matter?"

He turned and pasted a convincing smile on his face. "Nothing's the matter, nothing at all. Just starting to feel the chill set in from the cold rain, so I'd better go upstairs and change. Thank you Mrs. Hudson, you have a lovely evening. Make sure you don't go out into this horrible weather yourself."

He closed the door, preventing any further conversation, and slowly made his way up the stairs. Any appetite he might have had gone, John decided a hot shower and bed were his best choices. He was going to need time to figure out how to delicately handle the upcoming proposal. Praying for a clearer head after he showered, John stripped his clothes off, letting them fall to the floor without care for where they landed as he made his way to the bathroom.