Disclaimer: It's not mine. But oh, if it was... this part would totally be canon.

Chapter 23

Molly was secretly glad that the wedding had been postponed a month. She had protested in the hospital that, what with all the months of planning that had already gone into it, of course the big day must go on.

But Mary had insisted, saying that there was no way she was going to have Molly covered in bruises and bandages on her wedding day. "Think of the pictures!" she had said, her eyes giving away the genuine concern that she had for her best friend.

So Molly had smiled and let herself be defeated, and now she was glad of it. She felt truly beautiful in her deep purple dress, perfectly curled hair, and sparkling shoes (flats, of course. Sherlock was right in one respect, and she did not want to ruin her best friend's wedding by falling on her face). It was time.

She stepped out into the aisle, walking in time to the music. She felt everyone's gaze on her, something that usually made her uncomfortable, but not tonight. Molly was a new woman, and tonight she deserved to feel beautiful.

Only one person's stare made her blush. Sherlock stood next to John at the altar, looking much as he always did in a black suit and a deep purple shirt that Mary had picked out, much like the one that had always been Molly's favorite. Which Mary knew, of course. Good Lord, that woman had thought of everything.

She could still feel his eyes on her as she took her place across from him. She raised her head, meeting his gaze head on, almost defiantly. She refused to let him hurt her tonight. Their stares intensified until the music changed, and they both pulled away to look down the aisle.

Mary looked incredible. Her gown perfectly described her and her personality, as well as fitting her so well it looked like it had been sewn onto her body. Her nerves were evidently written all over her face, but although it was a rare emotion for her, in Molly's opinion it made her all the more beautiful.

She walked slowly, almost shyly towards them, and Molly couldn't help but grin at John's expression. He was enamored of her, and the absolute adoration he had for his bride was written all over his face. The two were made for each other, and it showed.

When Mary arrived at the altar, it seemed that John couldn't wait any longer. He forgot the fact that they were standing in front of over 200 people. He didn't care that the wedding ceremony wasn't even finished. John was a creature of impulse, and at this moment he couldn't contain it. He grabbed his bride's face, kissing her deeply, passionately, and all together too soon.

Sherlock smirked at John's impatience, and saw Molly giggle as he kissed his soon to be wife. Awkward laughter spread throughout the church, but the couple didn't hear it. At first Mary was trying weakly to push him off, but it was to no avail. All efforts stopped as she melted into the kiss, wrapping her hands around John's neck and kissing him back with just as much passion. It was a beautiful, sweet kiss that proved just how much they belonged together, and neither wanted it to end.

Unfortunately, there was still some business they had to attend to. Sherlock stepped next to John, cleared his throat, and in a low, deep voice said in his ear, "I believe that part comes after the actual ceremony."

The two broke apart, both of them turning bright red as they turned toward the officiator. Smiling, Sherlock, Molly, and the rest of the wedding party followed suit, and watched as the two spoke their vows and pledged themselves to one another.

Sherlock didn't understand weddings. They had always seemed like such boring affairs, filled with promises that most likely wouldn't be kept. But John and Mary were something different. Since he had come back, he had watched the two of them interact, and they seemed to make each other better. She was to John what Molly had been to him, the person who fixed him when he was broken.

In that moment, Sherlock realized something about sentiment. It wasn't always an advantage. It opened far too much vulnerability to enemies that were seeking to abuse it. It was constantly available to those who would seek to exploit it, and it was an obvious way to get to him, to hurt him.

But it wasn't a weakness, either. Sentiment provided a release from one's own mind with the concern of another. It combined the strengths of different people into a working unit that was able to handle whatever was thrown at them. It gave him someone to fix a person when they were broken, and it gave someone to do the same for him.

Sherlock decided in that moment, that no matter the drawbacks, sentiment was in fact a strength. And as he looked at Molly, he realized it was a strength he needed, and wanted, more of in his life.

He missed the vows and the rest of the ceremony, unable to focus on the happy couple in front of him. Finally, the moment came and John and Mary kissed again, this time as man and wife, the room exploding into applause.

Well there it is... the long awaited and not quite finished wedding. I love this scene more than words can express. I love beautiful, stronger Molly. I love Sherlock figuring everything out. I love Mary, looking out for her best friend on her own special day, and I LOVE John, far too in love to care about the world around him. Let me know if you guys liked it or not! I love hearing from you, and thank you for the support so far.