AN: I apologize for the delay, it's been ready for awhile but I was shy to post. I feel like the last chapter was a good place to stop, but you've all been so wonderful I chose to write this next little piece of fluff for you (definitely different from the previous chapters)...

Anyways, here's the final chapter. I hope you all enjoy! :)

Sherlock had faced many adversaries in his lifetime, all with an unshakable confidence and an air of indifference. Therefore it was rather ironic (read: comical) that a woman who was by no means an "adversary" could drive such a man into a fit of nerves. Yet it was true. Summoning all the strength he had, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and uttered the phrase he never thought he would say…

"Molly Hooper, will you marry me?"

"No."

Sherlock's face of sincerity (or what he thought sincerity looked like) dropped, along with his jaw. He took a look around 221B Baker Street, hoping the reason for such a blunt refusal would show itself on the walls. Obviously, it didn't.

"What do you mean No?" he asked incredulously.

John Watson, being the good friend that he is, could be heard snickering from the sofa. One stony glare from the detective shut him right up. Sherlock switched his glare over to the blonde woman standing in front of him- the one who turned him down- and impatiently waited for her explain herself.

Mary Watson returned his scowl, with a tinge of mirth behind the expression. "Really Sherlock, is that how you plan to propose? It was rather fortunate that you practiced on me, surely she would have said no!"

Sherlock threw himself onto his armchair and pouted like a child. "But she loves me."

Mary rolled her eyes, and had a seat in the chair across from him. "No one doubts that she loves you, silly. However no girl wants to be proposed to by someone who looks like they might be sick!"

This received more snickering from John before he added his two cents. "She's right mate! If Molly sees that you're nervous-" Sherlock scoffed "-or you look unsure, she's going to say "no" in order to spare you. You know it's true, she's self-sacrificing and all that... In case I haven't told you lately, that woman is a saint for putting up with you!"

Sherlock dropped his head and nodded regretfully, "I know, I know. You remind me all the time."

Taking a slightly more serious tone, Mary steered the conversation in a different direction. "Let me ask you something, Sherlock. Why are you doing this? Why is it so important to propose now?"

A loud sigh escaped from the detective. Sherlock had gotten much better at expressing his feelings (with certain people of course), but that did not mean he enjoyed it, nor felt comfortable in doing so. But even he wasn't so foolish as to attempt such a thing as proposing marriage without consulting someone first. Mary Watson had already proved herself to be very useful in reuniting him with Molly. Now John's presence… was proving to be anything but helpful.

"Molly and I got back together five months ago, and while everything is going well- great even- I can't help but feel that something is… off." He finished with a grimace.

"Off?" Both Mary and John parroted.

"Yes, it's almost like something is missing. And she doesn't bring up marriage, or having children… I think she doesn't want that anymore, or maybe she just doesn't want that life with me."

Mary gave him a warm smile. "Don't underestimate her feelings for you, Sherlock. I think she is just waiting for you to bring all that up; you know, trying not to pressure you. There's no question that you marrying Molly is a wonderful idea, but you need to work on your- umm-"

"Delivery?" John offered. "Yes! Thank you John…" Mary agreed, and continued. "Your work is cut out for you! We know she would accept in a heartbeat. What we need to work on is convincing her that YOU are ready for marriage. Which you are, right?"

Sherlock sneered. "Of course, I would not be suggesting it otherwise. As a matter of fact, I bought her engagement ring shortly after we reconciled-"

"Wait!" Mary interrupted loudly, "If you have a ring, why didn't you use it to propose to me?!" The look on her face was one of indignant offense. The former soldier laughed at his wife's reaction; when one was friends with Sherlock Holmes, questions such as this one was within the realm of normal.

"Well Mrs. Watson that was just acting. Surely you understand that I wasn't really proposing to you. Therefore, why would I use Molly's ring?" He turned to address his best friend. "Seriously John, if your wife is upset that I am not actually propositioning her, maybe I shouldn't be coming to you two for relationship advice."

"Git," John muttered under his breath. "If you've had the ring this whole time, why haven't you asked yet?"

"I was waiting for the right moment," Sherlock said as he shrugged nonchalantly.

Mary startled both men when she abruptly stood up and started gathering her belongings. "John let's get going…"

"Oh- okay," John responded looking confused. Looking equally as confused was Sherlock, who was displeased by their hasty departure. "Where are you going? I thought you were going to help me!" he whined.

Mary walked towards him with a smirk gracing her face. "Oh I am helping Sherlock. I text Molly from your mobile, and told her you wanted 'to talk.' She'll be here in about five minutes."

She took a moment to appreciate the look of horror that covered his face. "B-but… Now? I am not- I don't think…" he stuttered while pacing the length of his sitting room.

John patted his shoulder before joining his wife's side. "You'll be fine. Just remember: tell her that you love her, convince her that you actually want this, and… don't look like you're about to wet yourself!"

With one final glower, Sherlock shooed his visitors out the front door. John and Mary's cackles could be heard throughout the house as they descended the stairs. He allowed himself one more grunt of annoyance before getting to work. If Molly was on her way, then he needed to make the place look somewhat presentable… and he needed to think of what he was going to say.

Luckily for Sherlock, what was supposed to be five minutes turned into fifteen, buying him some extra time to prepare. He was never one to clean up for company, but since this guest would likely be moving in- if all went according to plan- then it was imperative that he show her that he was capable of maintaining a hospitable home.

Shortly after taking a seat in his chair, Sherlock heard a familiar gait climb the stairs. With each approaching step he felt his heart rate elevate. He stood up and walked towards the window to have a look outside, willing his 'transport' to calm down. This was possibly the biggest moment of his life, and he wasn't about to ruin it by succumbing to a panic attack.

His finely-attuned ears heard her pause at the front door. "You wanted to see me?" Molly inquired while removing her outerwear. Sherlock inhaled deeply, turned to face her, and took several determined steps in her direction.

"Molly!" he squeaked out, slightly irritated by the awkwardness he was allowing himself to feel. 'Good lord! You have been intimate with her, it shouldn't be so difficult to carry out a conversation with her!' he thought before a voice- eerily sounding like John Watson- responded: 'You've never had a conversation like this before… well, you know aside from Janine.'

Sherlock shook all conversations out of his head and decided to focus on the one he should be having with Molly. "I was wondering if you would-" He paused briefly trying to sort his thoughts.

"-like to solve crimes." Molly finished cheekily while quirking her eyebrow. She chuckled and waited for him to get the joke. When he still looked confused, she waved it off and walked over to greet him properly. "So how are you, love?"

As Molly leaned over to peck him on the cheek, Sherlock seized the opportunity to bring her closer by wrapping his arms around her waist. "Hmm… I am doing much better now that you are here."

He meant it, too. The tension Sherlock had been feeling prior to Molly's arrival melted away completely. This happened frequently, he realized. Whenever he felt uneasy or overwhelmed, she was the balm that soothed him. He had already acknowledged the fact that he would be with her for as long as she would have him; would it really be so bad to be legally bound to her as well? Was it really that difficult to say-

"Marry me?"

Molly stiffened in his arms. "What?" she asked apprehensively, meeting his gaze. Sherlock blanched. That wasn't how he had intended to do it. Though he hadn't exactly prepared a speech, there were several things he had wanted to say before blurting out his proposal.

"Sherlock? Did you just-"

In twenty years, would it matter that he didn't wax poetic? No. Would it matter that he didn't get down on bended knee? Probably not. The only thing that would matter would be the sincerity in his request. He chose to soldier on, leaving behind any notion of the "right way to propose."

"Marry me, Molly Hooper." While his body language read as nothing short of confident, his voice exposed his unease. He reached into the pocket of his trousers to pull out the black velvet box, and opened it slowly to reveal a beautiful princess-cut diamond resting on a platinum band. It was simple, it was elegant, and it was entirely Molly.

"Marry me Molly, so we can start our lives together as soon as possible. Marry me because I love you more than I could ever hope to articulate. Marry me because referring to you as anything other than "wife" is no longer acceptable."

Molly didn't answer. Instead, she delicately placed her small hand in his and allowed him to slip the ring onto her finger.

Feeling much more assured, he flashed her a smug smile. "So is that a yes?"

She let out a watery laugh and blinked away several tears. "Yes Sherlock… My answer is yes, of course I'll marry you!"

Sherlock had anticipated (more like calculated the odds) that she would say yes, however hearing her confirmation was indescribable. The magnitude of relief and happiness that washed over him was intense; enough to make him feel dizzy. His arms wrapped around her waist once more before lifting her up and swinging her around the room. The laughter that filled the room turned into soft moans as their lips met in a celebratory kiss.

"Are you sure about this?" Molly asked as the two parted.

Sherlock grinned at her mischievously. "Do you doubt me, Doctor Hooper?"

Molly returned his grin with one of her own. "Of course not Mister Holmes. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into… You'll be stuck with me forever!"

Sherlock chuckled and tightened his grip around his patholo- no wait- his fiancé. "Molly my love, that's exactly what I am counting on!"

AN: So there we have it, our conclusion. I tried to include babies like some of you all requested but I didn't know how to fit it in without rushing the progression of the story... That only means I'll have to write another story where they're parents, right?

Thank you all for reading and reviewing. You have been wonderful and so encouraging... I can't thank you enough for your support! Love you guys and everyone in our weird little Sherlock family!

Please be sure to review, and send any ideas you have my way! :)