Chapter 31
Sherlock spent the next couple of hours, giving Molly and Laura an uncomfortable tour of the house and grounds. Mycroft opted to stay put in the house, giving the family time on their own. He took her to see the horses, which she loved. The grounds really were lovely. The tour of the house went slowly, as it seemed every room carried painful memories in it. Finally they went up the stairs.
Sherlock stopped in front of another all to familiar door, well down the hall from his mothers.. With a deep breath, he opened it.
" This was your room, wasn't it? " Molly asked. Tell tale Sherlock in evidence everywhere.
"Yes. They changed nothing. Its like I never left. Or wasn't bothered with. Whichever " He said simply with a shrug.
Molly looked about her, as Laura didn't seem to care that none of this belonged to her. It was her daddy's so she felt free to wander about.
There was a single bed in the center of the room beneath a large window. Along one wall was a large book case, books lined up by size and subject, and, of course, in alphabetical order. On his desk, papers were scattered on top, as well as a magnifying glass and remnant husks of dead insects.
Laura wandered into what looked to be a closet. Inside she found a large wooden box. Opening the lid, she peered inside. There were several wooden ships, amidst a small collection of other toys.
Sherlock walked up behind her. Molly knelt down to go through the box with Laura.
"These are very fine. But home made. Not store bought. "
"My parents didn't see my need for toys. Thought them useless. These... Davis made them. "
"Davis? "
"My father's man of business. He carved things as a hobby. I guess he felt sorry for me. "
"And this? " Molly said, smiling, pulling out a red sash and eye patch.
"Sherlock me hardy? "
Sherlock smiled at her. " Mrs. Bordeaux. She was our cook. I used to come down there when she cooked. She'd feed me snacks while I tried to play with her knives. I would jump on the chairs and such running through imaginary foes. Eventually that birthday, she gave me a toy sword. Much safer to sail the seas with. "
"Playing pirate? "
"Aye. " He said with a wink.
Laura listened in as a smile dawned on her face. She dug into the box and found the toy sword. She grabbed the patch and sash and ran from the room.
"Laura! " Sherlock called chasing after her, and laughing.
As they passed Violets room, she smiled. It was good to hear them laugh. It passed the time while she waited for her phone call.
Finally, Laura descended the stairs and slid to a halt in front of Mycroft.
Laura lifted her chin, at the same rate Mycroft's eye brow lifted. She had the sash wrapped haphazard around her waist, and the eye patch on her eye. She pointed her sword at Mycroft.
Mycroft saw her...no. He saw Sherlock. His heart lurched.
He shrugged it off and looked down his nose at the top of her head.
"Iiiiiii'll not let you get my booty Lord Mycroft! I stoled it far and squar! "
" We'll just see about that! You are, I take it, the dread pirate Holmes? "
" That be me! " She said, scrunchig her face up in a play sneer
"I've seen your kind before! I shant let you go this time! " Mycroft said, pulling his umbrella out to cross with her sword.
Sherlock held Molly around the waist, his hand on her stomach as they laughed watching the stoic Mycroft running around on the furniture playing with his niece. Suddenly, Laura stopped in front of them, and handed her eye patch and sword to her father.
"Your turn. I can't take him alone! " She said breathlessly. He was about to say he was too old for such things, until he saw the patronizing look on Mycroft's face...daring him to try.
Well...that was that.
Sherlock placed the too small patch on his eye, which settled on his brow, and grabbed the sword. Molly had been snapping pics on her camera phone of Laura and Mycroft playing, and now she got one she planned on getting framed. On top of the wingback chairs that only hours before they had sat dignified on, they were now standing on, sword crossed against umbrella, growling at each other. She had just taken the picture when a booming voice from the doorway broke the moment.
"This is NOT to be borne! You two childish FOOLS! Your mother is dying and THIS is how you behave? Like the ill mannered children you are! "
Molly didn't have to look to know who spoke. The pained look that crossed her husbands face identified him.
Sherlock turned to stone. He got off the couch, and placed the playthings down on the chair. Molly had thought she'd seen his eyes cold before. But this was different. She pulled Laura against her instinctively.
"Father... " Mycroft said after clearing his throat.
Sherlock said nothing.
"Violet said you two were coming. I had HOPED it was just her stupid wishful thinking. "
Siger ignored his older son, and went straight for Sherlock.
"Especially you. You really made a mockery of this family, didn't you, boy? Mister big shot with the make believe occupation. You REALLY believe Scotland Yard can't solve crimes without YOU? Your sense of self importance boggles even ME. "
"They DO need him. Ask uncle Greg. " Laura broke the silence that followed his tirade.
Siger spun around looking with distaste down at his only granddaughter.
"You are the offspring? " He asked
Laura rolled her eyes at him.
"My name is Laura. L. A. U... "
"I know how to spell it, damn you! "
Sherlock and Mycroft stepped forward.
"Well, as I look JUST like my daddy, but you STILL had to ask if I was his kid, I figured you didn't seem too bright. I thought I would help you out. "
Sherlock's shoulders shook with suppressed laughter but he said nothing. His little girl was holding her own.
"I will not be treated with such disrespect from this child, Sherlock. You should teach this girl her manners. "
"Excuse me...sir... " Laura extracted herself from Molly's hold and did a mock curtsy.
"Since you have been nothing but rude since you came in here, I thought that I would follow the example set for me...by you. Grandfather... " She said in a sneer that rivaled his own.
"Do not call me that. "
"Are you not my fathers father? "
"So they say. "
"So... " She looked at him like she was waiting, her eyebrows up. Finally she sighed and looked back at her father and uncle. "Was he always this slow on the uptake? "
Siger didn't have a chance to reply as the cook came in and announced lunch was ready.
They started the meal in silence. Molly was starving, but tried to eat daintily, not wanting to give Siger any reason to go off again.
Siger wasn't letting it go though.
"So, you are the wife? "
"Yes, Mr. Holmes. "
"Are you daft, or just desperate? "
Molly set down her fork.
"I am neither. "
"Right. Let me guess. Librarian? Gives Sherlock access to all those books he is so devoted to? "
"No, Mr. Holmes. I am a pathologist. A good one. At Saint Bartholomew's. I met Sherlock there, while he was working on his cases. "
"Cases" Siger scoffed.
"Yes. Cases. Your son is quite brilliant. If you bothered to learn about the things he has done. "
"Sherlock has always been demanding of attention. Its a sign of weakness. Now he finds a career in it. "
"Hardly. "
"Its true. He has even been called to Buckingham ... " She cut off seeing the slow shake of Mycroft's head. " Never mind. "
" Self important people are weak. Sherlock has always been weak. "
"He is not. "
"This is outside enough. " He said slamming his fist on the table, making Molly jump.
"I have been contradicted by every one of you... in my own HOME. I won't have it anymore! Do you all understand you little slut? "
Sherlock lost his mind.
He stood up and walked up to his father who was still seated.
"Listen to me, you bastard. Molly is my WIFE. You will NOT speak to her. Say what you want to me, but leave. her. alone. "
"I see where your brat gets it from. She deserves to be beaten"
Sherlock grabbed his father by the lapels and pulled him up till they were nose to nose.
"You touch one HAIR on my child's head I will see you meet a hasty demise. You hear me, old man? "
Siger stood up. He was just an inch or two taller than his son, but twice his width.
"Think you are big enough to take me now, boy? Go ahead. Try it. I will rid my life of you like I tried before your ill gotten birth. Too bad I didn't just finish your mother off when I tried it myself."
Sherlock stepped back as if he'd been slapped. "What? "
"Oh, I never did like disobedience, if you recall. I went through all the trouble to arrange the doctor, none to cheaply either, I'll say. She refused. So, I thought I could do it myself. She was always small. The drugs took her in easy... Stubborn little bugger you are refused to die. Of course, at least I didn't have to worry about more kids after you. "
Sherlock felt sick.
Then he felt a small arm on his.
"Its ok, daddy. Don't let him hurt you anymore. You have people who are glad you are here. This...person... doesn't matter. "
Sherlock looked down at her, shaking his head.
Siger scoffed. " Another soft one. "
"I'm sorry if you don't like me. I don't like you either. That's ok. I got plenty of family. I got uncle John, and Uncle Greg and Mrs. Hudson and... "
"Family! Hah! "
Laura narrowed her eyes at him.
"My dad and mom are from England. So that makes me english. But I am also an American. And I don't know about here, but in America, we have a saying. 'Family don't end with blood.' Family is people who are there for you, love you no matter what. "
"Of course you are American. Explains so much. "
"Yes. Explains why I don't care if you don't like the way I talk or act or anything. Lots of people hate us or look down at us for being the way we are. But guess what? WE... DON'T...CARE. I may not be proper, but I am me, and all your uppity crap isn't going to matter to me one bit! "
"Laura... " Molly said, trying to hide a smile. "Language. "
"Sorry, mom. Now, you can try to be nice, or you can be naughty. I have enough people that want to be mean to me. What's one more useless person? " Laura shrugged and turned away from her grandfather.
"Why you little... " Sigers hand raised.
Before anyone had a chance to react, Siger was suddenly sprawled on the floor screaming. He was pinned down by a very angry growling dog.
"Grandfather, meet another member of our family. Gabriel. I suggest you stop talking to me. He reads attitude real good and he WILL tear you to pieces. "
Laura smiled down at him and walked towards the door.
"I promised to gramma a visit. " Laura said before looking her grandfather in the eye and adopting her best try at an english accent.
"Gabriel...do keep him company, will you? "
Then she strutted from the room.
Sherlock looked in shock at the doorway. He was NEVER going to get used to Laura's sides. At least, he said, suddenly smirking... he hoped not. Life would never be boring with her around. He took Molly's hand to lead her out to follow Laura. He saw the look on her face and looked at her in question.
"What's wrong, darling? "
"N...nothing. " Molly said, her face shining as she looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "L..Laura...called me...mom. "
mmmmmmmmmm
Before I earn a britpick for it, I wanted to remind all Laura hasn't been in England all that long. Here, we use the word Mom. She will likely alternate, trying to fit in, between calling her mom or mum.
Anyway, back to the story.
mmmmmmmmmm
Voilet was sitting up in the bed when they came in the room. She looked...determined. There were two men buzzing around her room.
"Mother... you don't look like you got much rest... " Mycroft commented.
"I'll get more than enough sleep before we know it. For now... I have purpose again. Sherlock, son, sit down. Molly? Are you alright? "
"Yes ma'am. I'm fine ma'am. "
"Oh good lord, don't ma'am me to an early grave. Call me Violet. Or Mother, if you'd like. Now, in a few moments, I will require some time alone with the rest of you. But for now, I want to get my reason for you coming here out of the way. Get the technicalities out of the way. Sherlock, I told you your father didn't marry me for love. "
"Yes. "
"You didn't wonder why he did, then? "
"No. Not really. "
"Ah. Well, its simple. My family name... and money. Mycroft was given a trust fund when he was born. "
"Was he? " Sherlock looked at Mycroft. " Apparently being the british government isn't as well paying as I believed. "
"Indeed. " Mycroft tilted his head.
" Siger wouldn't allow one for you, Sherlock. Said he already had his heir. Bah, as if he had any title to pass down. I have already informed my solicitor. This house, is in my families name. It will be left to you and your brother. Since it is doubtful either of you will want to keep it, you are free to sell it and its contents upon my death. I would like that money to go to a trust for Laura, and any other children that come later... " She said, looking at Sherlock.
"Are you sure? "
"of course. The money...will be divided between you and your brother. My other properties, and their contents, will value roughly the same as your brother got. That will be yours Sherlock. That includes cars, furniture...all of it. "
"That is...generous. Thank you. " Sherlock said, looking at his hands.
"What about father? " Mycroft asks.
"Well, we have been married over forty years. I do owe him something. So I left him what he has earned. I even made sure he would be handed a fresh crisp pound... for all his troubles. "
Sherlock bit back a laugh. " He's going to be...upset. "
"He doesn't know the people I do. He thinks his position and the money is safe. You may have gathered you didn't get your intelligence from him? "
" I did! " Laura held up her hand bouncing.
"I bet you did, clever girl! " She said, smiling.
"Now, come and hug grandmama... " She held up her arms. Laura looked to her father who was looking at his mother with new eyes. He nodded his concent.
"Don't worry, gramma. We won't tell that mean man. "
" I do hope not. He has arrived, then? "
"Oh yeah. My dog is keeping him company. "
"Oh dear, Siger hates dogs. "
"I don't think meeting Gabriel is going to change his opinion. "
Violet laughed as she motioned one of the men to bring her the large box on the bedside table.
She motioned Molly to join them.
"This... I leave to you, Laura. They are old, VERY old, so don't use them for play dress up. Use them when you are older. But this... " Violet said, reaching inside and pulling out a smaller box. " This is for you, Molly. It has quite a history. "
Molly took the box and opened it. It was a gorgeous pearl choker with a cameo in the center.
"Its...beautiful. "
"It was my great grandmothers. She wore it on her wedding day, a gift from her husbands mother. That wedding was the last marriage made for love my line has seen. "
Molly hung her head.
" I don't deserve this. We didn't marry for love. "
" I understand. But dear, I have a request. I hear its hard to deny the request of a dying person. "
Molly gripped her frail hand in hers. "Don't... please. "
"Shh... now. Sherlock, come here. "
Sherlock came to stand behind Molly.
"I missed so much. TOO much of your lives. At least in person. But I know more than you think I do. I observe. I want one really wonderful memory to take with me. "
"What do you want mother? " Sherlock asked softly.
"Please, I know you have a lot going on. But... you are quite safe here. Stay for a little while. I will make sure your father goes away for a while. I ... Sherlock, I would like to see you married. "
"Im already married, mother. " Sherlock cocked a brow holding up his hand to show his wedding band.
"I didn't get to see it. And from what I researched, there wasn't an actual wedding wedding. "
"There wasn't time. "
"Tish... you'd be surprised what can be accomplished when you have the right connections. "
"Mother, this really isn't... " Sherlock stopped when he saw Laura bouncing up and down.
"I can be a flower girl, and wear a pretty dress and... "
Sherlock knew he lost the argument. Molly certainly deserved to have a decent wedding.
"When? " He asked with mock irritation.
"I 'd say...Saturday. "
"That's three days away, mother. Weddings take months to plan. "
"Did I not say something about having the right connections? "