Chapter 14

« I'm sorry? »

« You asked what would be your role? I said I want you to be my wife."

Molly froze for a moment, and then burst into laughing.

"Your wife?" she repeated between two giggles, "your wife?"

Sherlock's face remained impassive, but he briefly looked down. Molly had seen him doing this before, it meant he was hurt.

"You weren't serious were you?", she inquired.

"I was, actually", he replied drily. "I just expected a different reaction, nevermind." He put his hands on the wheels of his chair, ready to leave the room.

What had she done? He had just proposed and she made fun of him. Of course she wanted to teach him a lesson but this had gone too far.

"No wait! Sherlock!", she exclaimed. "Stay please". She dragged her chair to sit closer to him.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted that way, it's just that…you took me completely by surprise. The last time we saw each other you broke up with, and quite brutally. I went through very hard times. And now you come back into my life and ask me to… marry you? You have to admit this is a bit weird to say the least."

He looked at her with a puzzled expression. She could feel it was one of those moment in which he was struggling to understand a concept that was completely foreign to him.

"Is it a yes or a no?"

"Sherlock I'm incredibly honored by your proposal…"

"But?"

"But it's too early. As I said, we just broke up, we need to see if we can pick up the pieces before thinking of going anywhere further. And we had been together for only three weeks, this is not enough we need much more time."

« I don't need more time », he replied. «Actually it took me far too long to understand it. You are intelligent, trustworthy and, despite what you tend to believe, physically attractive. You have seen the worst of me and it never turned you away. I always thought that relationships were pointless, that it would make me weak. But you proved me wrong, you've healed me Molly. So… the only logical conclusion to this is that I would be crazy to let you go. And your behaviour for the past five years led me to think that the feeling was mutual."

Molly took his hand.

"Oh... it is", she said with a smile. "But why getting married? I never thought that this would matter to you."

"Oh it doesn't. But I know it means something for you."

"You're right. And that's why I want to take my time. But… God I've missed you so much!"

She got up from her chair and went to sit on his lap, as they used to do before.

« I thought I'd never see you again », she whispered, burying her face in the crook of his neck. She felt his arms embracing her, and he placed a single kiss on her temple.

She looked back at him, and replied by kissing him tenderly on the lips.

"It's a shame you had to cut your hair. I really miss the curls", she said with a smile.

"This isn't a military hospital anymore, I can't take the risk to get recognized."

"Are you allowed to go out?"

"Yes, this isn't a prison."

"Then we should go on a date tonight."

"A date?"

"Yes, it's when two people…"

"… who like each other go out and have fun", finished Sherlock.

"It's a good definition. I'm surprised you know about it."

"John taught me."

"Oh I see."

« So Molly Hooper, should we have dinner tonight? »

« I would love to Mr... Vernet ».

^/^

That night, Sherlock and Molly shared a delicious meal at a French restaurant in Meiringen. And after that romantic evening, and a couple of wine glasses, they resumed the lesson they had started before Mycroft had interrupted them.

Molly's head was resting on Sherlock's chest. By the window she could see the beautiful mountains illuminated by the moonlight.

« It's a good thing I now have a room that locks», he said, passing his hand through her soft hair.

"Yes, I appreciate that. And that was the best date I ever had."

"Don't tell me it was the best sex because I won't believe you."

"It was… the most special".

Sherlock grinned.

"Did you feel anything at all?", she inquired.

"Not really. But it was globally pleasant."

She caressed his cheek affectionately. "It's just a start, it will get better with time. And if you talk to your doctor about it I'm sure he can help. I could come with you if you want…", she suggested.

"No."

"Alright", said Molly a bit disappointed. "It's fine, no rush".

He remained silent, she knew the subject made him feel uncomfortable.

"Are you upset?"

"No… it's just. There was this woman next to us at the restaurant. Blond, retired History teacher, recently back from a trip to India."

"Ok… what about her?"

"She kept staring at us the whole night. I could hear her thinking: what is a woman like her doing with someone like him?"

"You know… for many years every time I thought about you I would wonder, what would a guy like him do with someone like me? I think this woman was just jealous because I'm dating a gorgeous man who has the most impressive biceps."

His deep baritone laugh filled the room.

"I told you, that's what swimming does."

"Well keep on swimming, I like that."

"Are you going to stay?"

"I can stay until Monday".

"And then?"

"I have to go back to London… to pick up my stuff."

"Mycroft could have it sent over here."

"No! From now on Mycroft doesn't have anything to do with us anymore. I mean… he's your brother and I will be polite if I have to see him but I won't work for him anymore. I don't want to be paid to stay with you. I shouldn't have accepted in the first place. If I stay here, I will pay for the hotel myself. I have a little money that my father left me, it's not much but it will do. And then if we settle somewhere else I will find a job."

"Alright. And if you want to be impolite with Mycroft, please do. I would be delighted."

^/^

After two days, Molly went back to London, more in love than ever. The fresh air of Switzerland had indeed done wonders to their relationship. She still wanted to take things step by step, but she was confident that they had a future together. She moved out the flat rented by Mycroft, put her few possessions in a storage facility and asked Helen to keep Toby until her return to England. One week later, she was back to Meiringen and never regretted it.

In the mornings Sherlock would attend his rehabilitation program. The progress he had accomplished was truly amazing. He had acquired a great independence in daily activities thanks to his upper-body strength. And his sessions with his psychologist had helped to balance his mood.

Sex was still a delicate issue. But thanks to Molly's insistence, Sherlock finally accepted that they attend together the center's specialised consultation. He was a dedicated pupil... and a fast learner. To Molly's delight, he had quickly registered all of her most sensitive spots. She was surprised to discover that he could be a very tender lover. He was so careful that at times it seemed he was almost afraid to hurt her.

At first she found it hard to reciprocate. What could you do with a man that has no sensation below the waist? But in a way, it forced her to be more imaginative. She knew that Sherlock had always been more cerebral than physical, and that he liked being flattered. She remembered one of the Yard officers once saying that he was getting off on compliments. So she didn't hesitate to tell him how good his caresses were and describe him exactly how she felt. It was still a work in progress, but they had a real intimacy and complicity. Something she had never shared with anyone before.

When the time came to leave Meiringen, Molly was both excited and scared. They had lived in a bubble for the past three weeks, and now they had to come back to reality.

Mycroft made the trip to Switzerland to organise Sherlock's transfer. He had a brief private conversation with Molly in which he acknowledged his mistake, arguing that he always acted with his brother's best interest in mind. Molly accepted his apologies but remained on her guard.

Seven months after the day on which Sherlock had requested her help at Bart's Hospital, Molly and him moved in together into a beautiful house in Sussex. The path had been painful, and both of them had changed along the way, but the game was still afoot.

^/^

I'm sorry I know this took forever! But I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

And a Merry Christmas to you all! I hope I will have more time to write during the holiday ;-)