Epiloge

Things were running quite smoothly now. It had been months since Sherlock's return. He began taking cases again, his office being 221B. Mrs. Hudson watched the children while Sherlock worked.

Laura was excelling with her piano and singing. She would often entertain clients while they waited for John and Sherlock if they had to pop out to the lab or something. She also took the advice Daniel had given her and John helped her with. She started a blog. She was quite the little story teller. She loved to tease her father when she was "reliably informed" that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were two of her most devoted readers.

Addison took more after his mother. His little garden table was laden with disected insects of pretty much every kind found on the property. He had even tried to move up to small reptilian creatures. Sherlock and Molly encouraged his interest, but firmly drew a line at the presence of snakes ( for the sake of safety, and Molly's nerves ), spiders ( for the sake of Sherlock's nerves...who knew? ) and any woodland four legged life or household pets.

Sherlock did notice Addie had a gift for reading people's true feelings. He wasn's sure if that was from him or Molly. Somehow it didn't seem to matter.

Mycroft went back to his usual dealings, but was always present for the family dinners Molly kept insisting upon. The one thing Sherlock wasn't sure he was comfortable with was how much time his mother seemed to spend corresponding with Captain Monteque.

mmmmmmmmmm

Sherlock groaned as John closed his laptop.
"I was working on something! "
"Too bad. You promised Molly we would be at the house an hour ago. "
"She understands. "
"Nice try. Today is special and you know it! "
"No it isn't. Birthdays are for children. "
"No they aren't. Now I happen to know you have a very special cake waiting for you and that your daughter has been working very hard on it. You wouldnt want to hurt her feelings, would you? "
"Not much on fair play are you, John? "
"Nope. Now come on. I want to see Mary and Maggie. That is if Addison lets me near her. He's become quite attached. "

mmmmmmmmmm

Sherlock had to admit, he was having a great time. He and Laura played a happy tune together and everyone else danced. Even Mrs Hudson!

Then it came time for presence, and he got uncomfortable. He never did like recieving gifts, as they were usually very unsuitable or given as a joke.

But this time, it was different.

Mrs. Hudson gave him a new scarf, one made by hand. This meant much to him, as he knew it must have taken weeks, and hurt not a small bit with her hands.

Greg gave him a rather handy gift. His own clearance badge for Scotland Yard.

Sally, she gave him a gift certificate to a very nice but pricey tailor, suggesting he get some new shirts, as with his new weight, the buttons were straining more than usual.

Mycroft gave him a new coat, identical to his old one, for his renewed life. He quietly suggested the old one go to Laura. She might need it someday.

Violet gave him a portait, taken from a picture that was taken of he and his family after one of the family dinners. Sherlock and Molly were looking at eachother and smiling warmly. Laura was laying down her with head in Sherlock's lap, his fingers absently playing with her hair. Addison playing with the diamond rose on his mother's ring.

Sure, it was not the usual seated pose, but it fit them, and it was perfect.

John and Mary gave them two tickets for a cruise. While Molly wasn't happy about being so inaccessable from the children, he explained that they thought that it would be nice for them to share thier love with the sea.

Even Lestrade promised not to call Sherlock about a case during the cruise unless it was at least...a 12.

Addison gave Sherlock a small reptile...dismantled.

Molly and Laura had both solicited Violets help aquiring thier presents to Sherlock.

From Molly, he got an exquisite black onyx panther with icey blue eyes. She told him she'd seen one in a magazine and it suited him so well.

Then came Laura.

She approached her father, holding out a long box. Sherlock could see from the size and shape it was jewelry. Something he didn't really wear, except for his wedding band.

Laura looked at him as he looked at the box and deduced him quickly.

" The only thing you wear is your wedding ring. Why do you wear it? "
"Its a symbol of who I am. Molly's husband, and my committment to her. "

"Ok. So this is the same. I had to get grandma to ask somebody to make this for you. Its who you are, too...and your committment to always coming home to your family. "

Duly intrigued, Sherlock took the box from his daughter, with a warm thank you. He slowly lifted the lid and peered at the object. He shook his head in wonderment and announced his daughter was a proper genius.

Inside the thick satin lay a gold chain. Hanging from the gold chain was a very finely designed bird.

It was a Phoenix.

The End

OK y'all... I DID have a big case for Sherlock and John to work on during this story, but decided not to put it in because it would make the story go off in too many directions and take away from it.

So, I hope you will all be happy that I have decided, instead of abandoning the idea for the case, I would make it into a sequel to One Small Thread.

So, the adventure will continue...

Hopefully I will get the first chapter up sometime tomorrow or this weekend, but no promises. I don't even have a title yet. LOL But I will put in the description that it is a sequel to this.

Hope you all enjoyed!