Author's Note:
The wedding is this chapter! Thank you to everyone who has been reviewing!
"Didn't tell him, then?" Mycroft looked up from his cell phone with a small smirk, studying his younger brother curiously. "I know you are upset but what else did you want me to say? You deserve each other, no matter how much either of you think otherwise." He set his phone in his lap and shifted in the seat as the car started to move. It was awkward, certainly, but he was Sherlock's best man. And older brother. "I couldn't let you just walk away. I knew you would regret it."
Sherlock just shook his head. "John and I are fine Mycroft. We ended up talking about it. You think I am upset that you told me I should marry John? Well, that isn't it. Not even close." He shrugged and looked away from his older brother, opting to stare out the window as the scenery scrolled by. "It doesn't matter anymore, so just forget about it."
"You ended up talking about it? You told him that last night, while he was curled up against you, that you were considering not marrying him?" Mycroft shook his head fractionally and smirked. "Doubtful. Are you going to tell my why you are actually upset, Sherlock? I am your best man, it would be a tad nice to know why one of the grooms is so upset on such an eventful day." The car pulled to a stop in front of the manor and he kept his gaze locked on his younger brother. "Lestrade is taking John and Amy in now. Mum will have your daughter through the ceremony. She has also asked if you will be wearing John's dog tags."
"Look, John and I have gone back and forth on this whole we aren't good enough for each other thing. He doesn't think he is good enough for me and I certainly don't deserve him, but we still make each other happy. Somehow…and I guess that is enough? I don't really know Mycroft." Sherlock continued to stare out the window as he spoke. "And yes, of course I am going to wear them. John wanted Harry to hold little Sandi. Unless she isn't going to make it?" If that woman had fallen off the wagon before one of John's most important life events, he just might do something drastic. Hopefully his fiancé's sister wouldn't be a disappointment like Mycroft turned out to be. Agitated, he finally got out of the car and slammed the door shut.
Mycroft opened his mouth to reply but sighed as Sherlock got out of the car. He got out himself, looking at his younger brother over the roof of the vehicle. "Harry is. Right now Mum has her so Lestrade and Stamford can help John get into his tuxedo. Bit difficult with a bum shoulder," he muttered as he walked around the back of the car and toward the front door of the manor. "The wedding starts in an hour. It would be best to get you in your tuxedo." He entered the manor with a tight smile, taking a sharp right. The plan was to keep the two on opposite ends of the house before the ceremony so everybody knew for sure that they wouldn't see each other.
Sherlock followed his older brother into the mansion. "So, what is the point of this whole separate thing until the ceremony. A tradition, obviously…but why?" He didn't really care about the answer but talking about something was better than not talking at all he supposed.
"There is my baby boy. Are you nervous? Excited? I am a bit both!" Nancy exclaimed, beaming like the proud mother she was.
"Yes, a bit of both as well. I need to get my ridiculous tux on, Mum."
"Oh hush! You will look very handsome young man. Mycroft will show you where to get changed." Nancy looked to her eldest son. "Make sure he wears the tie."
"Yes, Mum." Mycroft smiled tightly and led his younger brother to an empty room, the tuxedo hanging on the back of the door. "It is supposed to be twenty-four hours, really, but it is to make the entire thing special. It's just about as silly as shagging on the wedding night," he said softly, turning on his heels as the door opened. Lestrade walked in with a smile.
"John is all set. Listened to your Mum, Mycroft. He has all of his military badges and awards on." Greg glanced at Sherlock and furrowed his brows. "Why aren't you dressed, then?"
"Gregory, hush." Mycroft motioned for his partner to leave as he turned back to his younger brother. "We have decided you will be walking doing with aisle with Mum. Only fitting since John was the one who proposed and because you still have a living parent."
Sherlock followed after Mycroft quietly and finally started getting dressed after Gregory left. It was weird enough as thinking of the Detective Inspector as Greg but Gregory? It almost made him laugh. "Well, John and I pretty much shag every night. So, it will be nothing different except we'll be married. Hope the tux isn't a rental. John seems intent on 'ripping it off' as he put it." He gave a faint smirk as he buttoned the coat in place. "Whatever makes Mum happy. God to honest, I don't care about this ceremony. I offered to elope with John in Las Vegas, but I think he thought I was only joking…" He shrugged and growled as he fought with the tie.
While it was common knowledge that the two men did, in fact, shag like rabbits, it was information Mycroft didn't really want to hear. "Right. Of course you do. Don't announce that at the ceremony tonight, please." He moved forward and batted his younger brother's hands away, moving to tug at the tie. "Mum bought both of the tuxedos. She seems to think you will want to keep them for sentimental reasons." Once he finished with the tie he moved so Sherlock could see his reflection in his mirror. "You two will be staying on the third floor, end of the wall to the east. Biggest guest room, king size bed." A small smirk tugged at his lips. "Just keep quiet."
Sherlock eyed his reflection. "I look stupid," he muttered, already uncomfortable in the clothing. "Sentimental…? She does realize who I am, right? Sometimes I think Mum has disillusions about me… As far as keeping it quiet, John also seems quite intent on making sure everyone hears. He wants to see if Mum will interrupt like she did to you when you brought that girl home. The only time you ever did that." He smirked and shrugged. "I told John, she probably would but I don't think he believes me. So, he wants to test the theory I guess. Frankly, I am surprised given his usual shyness." He shrugged again. "Where is the wedding anyway? I am sure you have told me before but I probably wasn't listening."
"It is in the backyard. Big enough and it looks wonderful." Mycroft studied his brother's form in the mirror, eyes narrowing as he blushed. "Erica was a very lovely girl and I told her to- Never mind." He straightened his worn tie and cleared his throat. "After Afghanistan he needs some sort of adrenaline rush in his life. Do you really think she will walk in on you two?" He eyed Sherlock with a slight smirk. Despite the situation, it would be hilarious. Even just the thought of their Mum walking in on John and Sherlock's wedding night made him laugh.
"I say about sixty-forty chance. I guess I will be more surprised if it doesn't happen." Sherlock drummed his fingers along his leg, to prevent them from taking off the tie that he felt like was suffocating the life out of him. "I know you think we should have waited to get married, but I did consider your advice. We are going to take the honeymoon later, after John is completely healed, so we can have a proper one." He smirked before going on. "Usually, you try and cram advice down my throat, and last night…you didn't…the one time I actually cared about what you thought and…" He shrugged, fingers now fidgeting with the cufflinks.
Oh. That is what had upset Sherlock. Mycroft dropped his head for a moment, studying his feet intently. "I didn't know what to say. I am not exactly an expert at marriage and I'm going to be entering my own soon." He lifted his hands to tug at his own cufflinks. "I knew you were nervous and that before weddings most people experience that." His gaze lifted to Sherlock's in the mirror. "I don't know what you wanted to me to say, exactly. I tried to calm you down the best I could over a text message." What did one say to a text like that in the middle of the night? It wasn't like he could make an informed and educated decision. "You two fight a bit. Just because John wants something ordinary that you can't give him doesn't mean you need to rethink your entire future with him. He will figure it out. So will you."
"Well, I ended up just thinking and John woke up. And after thinking for awhile, I realized why I am marrying John. So, I figured it out on my own and told John. Well, sort of. I thanked him really. Anyway, shouldn't it be wedding bells soon? The sooner I can get the hell out of this suit, the better." Sherlock itched at his wrists beneath the tuxedo, unsure if it was because he was feeling uncomfortable or because the clothing was insufferable. "It is fine...we are...fine..."
"Sherlock, you two really are perfect for each other." Mycroft met his brother's gaze and gave him a warm smile."Let us go marry you off to the perfect man." He opened the door to the room slowly. "You are going to feel nervous. Your heartbeat will be faster than anything you have ever experienced." He placed a hand protectively on his younger brother's shoulder. "But when you see John standing there at the end you will know that it will all be worth, that it all has been." He pulled his brother into a quick hug, pulling away and clearing his throat. "Mum will be waiting for you at the back doors. She will walk you out there. See you soon." With that Mycroft left, moving toward the backyard to take his spot.
Sherlock merely nodded at his older brother's pep talk. He stayed in place a little while, still resisting the urge to tear off the damn tie. Eventually he met his mother by the back door.
Nancy smiled and linked their arms together, patting her youngest son's hand in reassurance. "I am proud of you my dear. You look handsome. My handsome baby boy is growing up too fast on me."
"Mum!" Sherlock whispered but then smiled as they began walking down the aisle. Everyone was staring at him. He ignored the crowd and looked forward, keeping his gaze fixed on John.
Oh God. This was happening. There Sherlock was, walking toward him, smiling. Was he smiling? John felt like he was going to pass out and he suddenly remembered to breathe, gasping for air. He felt the priest's hand on his back and he steadied almost instantly. This was their wedding. He bit his bottom lip and turned to face the priest as Sherlock came to his side. His husband in a few minutes. The words went by in a blur and before he knew it Sherlock's left hand was resting in his own and he was slipping the silver ring on to his partner's finger, repeating words as his hands shook. He slowly lifted his left hand as the priest instructed and, for the first time during the ceremony, lifted his gaze to meet Sherlock's.
Sherlock tried to concentrate on the priest and the words, but the ceremony was taking so long. He managed not to twitch and fidget at the altar. He smiled again when John looked at him and gave a gentle squeeze of reassurance when it was his turn to put the ring on his partner's finger as he repeated whatever ridiculous words were expected of him. Did that mean this was almost over?
The familiar weight of the ring on his left hand calmed him slightly as he turned back to the priest. John barely heard the man in front of them say 'John Hamish Watson' and when he recognized the pause he turned to Sherlock, took a deep breath, and smiled. "I do," he said a bit quicker than he intended, a small blush spreading over his cheeks.
Sherlock went back to half listening but when he heard John speak he became more alert. His turn. "I do," he said without any hesitation. Was this where they kiss? He probably should have been paying more attention during the wedding plans or the very least done some sort of research on it.
John's chest was tight as the priest continued to speak, everything around them was a blur until he heard another pause. Kiss. It was time to kiss. He wrapped his left arm around Sherlock's neck and stood on his toes, hesitating slightly before meeting his husband's lips. Married. Sherlock Holmes was his husband.
Sherlock returned the kiss without hesitation. Married. He was actually married now. It was a strange thought but it made him happy. John made him happy. Happiness is all that really mattered, right? Okay, the kiss was over. Now what? Right now he kind of wished there had been time for a rehearsal, because he absolutely no idea what was expected next. Was there a certain order to leave? Did they go first? Last? He decided he would just wait and see what his husband would do and then follow suit.
"C'mon." John turned and grabbed Sherlock's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as he led his husband down the aisle. People stood and cheered, people he had never seen before. Mrs. Hudson was smiling and Harry was grinning and cheering, much to the dismay to little Amy. He had talked with Mycroft and Lestrade before the entire ceremony and knew exactly where to go. "We are going to your Mum's ballroom, because she has one, and that is where the reception is." He turned to look at his partner as the crowd quieted the farther away they got. "I love you."
"Yes, it is where I took my dancing lessons." Sherlock walked hand in hand with John. They walked into the ballroom and was greeted by dim lighting, tables of finger food and deserts, a full sized bar, empty tables, an extra long table for the wedding party. "Let's sit. The servants will bring us the main course."
Nobody was in the room yet and Sherlock just wanted to sit? John looked up at his husband with a small shake of his head. That wasn't going to happen. He stood on his toes, his left hand moving to yank at Sherlock's neck so he could meet his lips. It was frantic and exited but he couldn't help himself. The emotions rushing through his body were difficult to contain.
Sherlock couldn't help but smirk and returned the kiss. He wrapped his arms around John in a hug. "They won't be far behind, but we can continue this and get caught if you want." The smirk returned and he nipped at his husband's bottom lip.
Bloody ceremony. John wanted to take Sherlock to the room and shag him senseless. He moved in for a second kiss but stopped when he heard the voices getting louder. "Later," he whispered with a lopsided smile. He glanced at the head table for a quick moment. Seats at the center for the two of them, one for Mycroft and one for Sherlock's Mum. "C'mon." He pulled slowly out of Sherlock's embrace and toward the table, taking his seat. "I will even sit next to Mycroft for you," he said with a laugh as the older Holmes brother took his seat next to John.
Sherlock sat down at the table and it didn't take long for a servant to come and take their order. He ordered in the man's native tongue, Mandarin. The older man smiled and then had a brief exchange. After the servant left he turned to John. "That is Charlie, well not really his name but it was what dad called him because he could never pronounce it right. Anyway, he has been with the family a long time. Before I was born. He is the only one I really got on well with and the only servant I didn't try to get fired or successfully have fired. No surprise Mum picked him for here. He said if you left me, he would put an ancient Oriental curse on you so you had better watch yourself." He smirked a bit and shrugged. "Welcome to the family John. Your life is probably about to get a hell of a lot more complicated. The Holmes...are...strange to most..."
"Sherlock! Don't talk about your family like that. You may be grown and married now, but you are still my baby boy and I will tweak your ear like a child if need be." Nancy admonished lightly.
Right. Of course she would. "Any chance you want to switch seats?" Sherlock whispered out of the corner of his mouth to his husband.
John listened intently, his eyes going wide as Sherlock continued to speak. Curse? His gaze shot to the man walking away before instantly moving back to his husband. Sherlock had never really mention how, exactly, he had grown up. John knew that it was different but hearing him talk about servants and actually seeing the manor made him green with envy. By fifteen he was working to support his Mum and Harry, who already had a drinking problem at that time. "I love it," he whispered softly. "It is wonderful, really." He smirked softly at Nancy's words and ignored Sherlock's statement, moving his left hand to rest on his husband's thigh. "I put myself on your right side for a reason, dear," he said with a bit of a smirk, his hand moving so his fingers could draw light shapes on the inside of Sherlock's upper thigh.
Sherlock couldn't help but squirm a bit at John's touch. He smirked a little. Two could play this game. "Mum, tell John to keep his hands to himself."
Nancy sighed. "No one likes a tattle tale, Sherlock. If you two insist on misbehaving I will make you sleep in separate rooms tonight. Now, start acting like adults."
That little... "You bastard," John said out of the corner of his mouth with a chuckle. His hand slid away slowly and he made sure his fingernails scratched through the fabric of his husband's pants. The idea of sleeping in separate rooms was mortifying and that was enough incentive for John to behave. Well, behave more than he had been. As the food was set down in front of them he shifted and moved his foot, hooking it around Sherlock's ankle and giving a small tug. He couldn't keep to himself now. He wanted to constantly be touching Sherlock because if he couldn't shag him just yet then any sort of contact would have to do.
"Sherlock, please behave," Mycroft stated as he kept his eyes locked forward, clearly searching for Lestrade in the crowd. "You will draw more attention than is necessary for such a lovely event."
Sherlock was about to retaliate when he heard Mycroft speak. "Me? I'm not the one doing anything!" He whispered angrily. He sighed and fought the urge to just leave. Now he remembered why he skipped out on spending holidays at the mansion. Something like this always happened and he usually ended up the one in trouble.
John tensed instantly and turned to place a kiss on Sherlock's cheek. "Shhh, calm down. Wedding. Be happy." He shifted so he could place a soft kiss on his husband's lips. As he pulled away his hand went back to rest on Sherlock's thigh, this time the touch was soothing. "Mycroft, it was me. Don't blame everything on Sherlock." He glanced at his brother-in-law.
"Fine then, Captain Watson. Please, do keep your hands to yourself until after the reception?" Mycroft asked coldly.
"I've got to touch him during our dance, Mycroft," John shot back with a proud grin, sitting up a little straighter when it was obvious that the other man had lost the little argument. He cleared his throat and used his right hand to take a small bite of food. "Managed to sneak some icing from the kitchen when we arrived," he whispered out of the side of his mouth, keeping his gaze on his plate. "Going to need to lick it off you later."
Sherlock was a stone's throw away from leaving in a childish fit. He took a deep breath and took the first bite of food.
"Mycroft. Mind your business. The boys are just excited. Or at least Captain Watson is." Nancy looked to her son-in-law with a knowing smile.
This made Sherlock smirk and he relaxed finally. "You have definitely got him pegged Mummy."
"Oh hush. You are no better. Don't think I don't know. A mother knows these kinds things, you know. Why do you think you have an entire wing to the mansion to yourselves tonight?"
John blushed, keeping his eyes trained expertly on his plate as he squeezed Sherlock's thigh. Did embarrassing him run in the Holmes family? He shifted in his chair slightly, his military awards clinking against each other. "Sherlock, I don't think I can dance in front of everybody," he whispered as his wide eyes locked on the empty area surrounded by tables and people. The petty argument and banter surrounding them was suddenly forgotten in favor of his twisting stomach and nervously shuffling feet.
"Yes you can my dear doctor. Just like I showed you at the flat. Count to three and move with me." Sherlock leaned over and whispered in his husband's ear. "If you do it right, I will find some extra sheets and you can tie me up. Have complete control." As he leaned away, he smirked down at John.
John tensed instantly at Sherlock's words, swallowing hard at the thought. If that was meant to help him focus it had failed. All he could think about now was his husband beneath him, tied to a bed, and covered in the icing he had nicked from the kitchen. Not good. "Thanks for giving me a raging hard-on," he said with a small chuckle. "I can't dance like this."
Sherlock smirked. "I was trying to help motivate you, guess it didn't work the way I wanted it to." He shrugged and managed to eat half the food on his plate, as he hadn't been that hungry to begin with but it was expected of him so he had done it anyway. It was better than listening to his mother tell him he was too skinny and needed to eat more.
John lowered his head and tried to calm himself down. He could feel his heartbeat through his rib cage and wasn't that hungry. He gently shoved his plate away after taking only three bites. The food had been delicious but the dance and the overall distraction of his husband was a bit too much. "If it makes you happier I think that tux makes you look amazing." The hand on Sherlock's thigh traveled a bit higher.
Sherlock glanced down at his tuxedo. "I hate it," he muttered. "It is extremely uncomfortable." Shit. John was persistent today. It wasn't that he had a problem with it, he was just tired of hearing his mother and brother telling him to behave like he was some small child. He leaned over and whispered in his husband's ear once more. "Keep that up and I will make out with you in front of everyone after we are done dancing." He couldn't resist John forever and he knew it.
John smirked and turned his head, gently meeting Sherlock's lips. "Do it," he whispered with a wry grin. "Make me weak to my knees in front of everybody."
"Captain Watson, please!" Mycroft snapped under his breath, as he eyed them with a frown.
John smirked and nipped at his husbands bottom lip before turning to face forward in his chair, his hand sliding up to cup Sherlock through his pants.
Sherlock was about to reply but instead squirmed into John's touch. The moment was short lived when he felt his chair yanked away roughly. He glanced over to his mother, who was glaring daggers at them both.
"Such ungrateful boys you are! I asked you nicely to behave. But you insist on being disrespectful to your host in her own house. The person paying for this and honeymoon. Fine! Be heathens, but I won't stay here and put up with it. When you are done acting like foolish teenagers, leave!" Nancy was clearly upset and she left the ballroom in a hurried flourish.
"Mum…wait!" Sherlock sighed and slumped into the chair. The whole room was quiet and staring at the wedding party's table. It just wouldn't be a family gathering if there wasn't a big fight. Just like when he was a kid. It was why he had avoided coming back to the mansion whenever he could. He was certain he was going to get shit from Mycroft next. He glanced over to John. "You should go find her and apologize. The longer you wait to do it, the longer she will be mad at you. Mother tends to hold grudges. Quite like father in that respects."
John tensed and watched everything unfold, the color draining from his face. No. Shit. That wasn't supposed to happen. He stood slowly, morphing instantly into his military posture. It was the only way he was going to be able to do this. He walked stiffly through the tables, keeping his eyes locked forward and ignoring the gazes of everybody else. The moment he was in the hallway he looked for Nancy, the fingers on his left hand clenching and unclenching multiple times. "Mrs. Holmes?" He asked softly as he found her, approaching her slowly.
Nancy wasn't one to lose it like that usually. It had all just piled up on her. First she lost her husband and then she was sick with worry and grief over her youngest son being missing for three days. She hadn't let herself cry the entire time. She needed to be strong for her boys. Now here she was, unable to stop the tears and not wanting to. She heard John's voice. She sniffled but didn't turn to face him. "Nancy," she corrected softly. "I am sorry for ruining your wedding day. It has been a rough month," she tried to explain, sniffling once more.
Rough month. John felt his stomach twist and he forced himself to not throw up. Her rough month was his fault. Siger dying to rescue him. Sherlock going missing because he visited John in the hospital. He tensed. "Nancy, it is alright." He heard the tell-tale signs of crying and didn't hesitate to move in front of his mother-in-law and embrace her. "I am sorry for disrespecting you. I didn't listen and that upset you." He turned his head to place a soothing kiss on her temple. "I am so sorry."
Nancy returned the hug, needing the comfort being offered. "You are a good boy John," she said through more sniffling. "This is the first time I have cried since Siger's passing. I had to be strong for the children. And then Sherlock went missing..." She trailed off in broken sobs. After a moment of a hard cry she cleared her throat, released her son-in-law and stood up straight, dignified. "There we go. All better. Just needed a good cry is all. We should get back. You boys still have to dance."
John smiled warmly at the woman in front of him, only faltering slightly at the mention of the dance. "Yes. Quite." He swallowed hard and nervously kneaded his hands. Dance. "Would you like me to escort you, then?" He offered his arm to her. "You are the best Mum-in-Law a man could ask for."
"Yes, please." Nancy hooked her arm in his, patting his hand lightly. "I think you might be my favorite son. My other two boys are just as stubborn as their father. They sent you, instead of coming themselves. Shame on them." She smiled and began walking with him back to the ballroom.
"Nancy, it wasn't either of them who upset you," John stated with a small shrug. "I can't keep my hands off of your youngest son and you politely asked me to do so. I should have listened." He smiled as they entered the ballroom, looking up at his husband as he walked through the tables with Nancy. "I promise you a dance tonight." He placed another kiss on her temple. "And I will try not to step on your feet."