** Hello everybody! I hope all of you are spending a great vacation. I hope the wait wasn't too long but here is your belated Christmas present: a long wedding chapter ! I hope you will enjoy it and wish you a Happy New Year! **

Chapter 15

From the few conversations they had on the subject, Molly knew that Sherlock came from a wealthy background. She had the confirmation when they arrived at Wisborough Green. Sherlock had told her that after Meiringen, they would move to a family property located in West Sussex. It turned out to be a beautiful stone house, almost a manor. Madeleine Vernet, Sherlock's maternal grandmother, had lived there in the seventies, before going back to France, her native country. The house had remained empty ever since.

Mycroft had ordered some refurbishment works in order to adapt the house to Sherlock's situation: wider doors, lower furniture and a specially equipped bathroom. The property was large enough for them to use only the ground floor. The first floor would remain unoccupied, with a succession of empty bedrooms and antiques covered by a thick layer of dust.

The older Holmes had also collected a few of Sherlock's belongings at Baker Street: some files from his earlier cases, his violin, all the science equipment and, to Mrs. Hudson's relief, the infamous skull. He informed the landlady that he would continue to pay for the rent and would like the place to remain as Sherlock left it. She had never imagined Mycroft to be such a sentimental man, but it suited her this way. She didn't have the strength, or the will, to look for another tenant after John had moved out.

Molly had the entire content of her old apartment transferred to Sussex, including Toby who was introduced to Sherlock for the first time. In the beginning, the atmosphere was a bit tensed between the two alpha males of the household. Sherlock didn't like the cat to come in their bed and Toby was determined to get Molly's undivided attention. However, the feline quickly discovered a new exciting playground: the garden. He turned out to be a great hunter and enjoyed bringing back dead mice and other rodents to his mistress. While Molly wasn't very fond of those morbid gifts, Sherlock thought they could be useful for his experiments. This was how Toby became Sherlock's official body parts' provider, and a new friendship was sealed.

Molly took great care in decorating the house, their house, the symbol of a new life together, far away from hospitals and doctors. Even if they wouldn't be completely free until Moriarty's network was dismantled, the future looked brighter. As soon as they would be fully settled, she would start looking out for a job.

As the first days of spring were coming, Sherlock asked Molly the same question he had already made her three months ago, this time with a beautiful ring. She said yes.

^/^

The wedding was planned for the 1st of May. The fact that Sherlock was still officially dead didn't help with the procedures but Mycroft informed them he would take everything in charge. In other circumstances, Molly would have loved to plan every details of the ceremony, from the flowers to the color of the napkins. In fact, she had imagined everything in her mind since she was a lonely little girl reading stories of princes and princess. But the reality would probably be very different. There wouldn't be any guests or fancy wedding dinner, just a few papers to sign in front of a clerk at the registry office. But it didn't matter as long as she was marrying the man she loved.

Wisborough Green's shopping options for wedding dresses being very limited, Mycroft arranged for Molly a private appointment with a renowned stylist in London. His personal assistant Anthea was also there to help her. None of the dresses she tried on that day had price labels, which meant they were probably outrageously expensive. She didn't like the fact that Mycroft was involved, and would once again pay for the expenses. But he insisted to see it as a wedding gift and, the dress being her only personal touch, she put her principles aside. She picked a simple but beautiful organza piece, with a matching veil. She asked for it to be delivered to Sussex on the morning of the wedding, knowing too well that if she kept it at home, Sherlock would find a way to see it before the date.

As the big day was getting closer, Molly was feeling increasingly nervous. She had always been unhappy in love, had always made the wrong choices when it came to men. Why would it be different this time? Her biggest fear was that Sherlock would change his mind, cancel off the wedding or, even worse, abandon her and say no during the ceremony. But when she woke up on the morning of May 1st, he was still sleeping peacefully at her side. She gently passed her hand through his hair, which was starting to grow longer and had regained its usual color

"Hello", she whispered.

"Good morning Miss Hooper", he replied, "and this is the last time I can say that, tomorrow morning you won't be a Miss anymore".

"I know this is… weird. Are you feeling nervous?"

« No. Why should I? »

"Well, because we're getting married today and this is usually how people feel before."

"Hum, I see. So you do feel nervous?"

"Yes, actually I'm terrified. I'm getting married, this is the most important day of my life and…" She looked at the time on the alarm clock. "God I'm already late!", she exclaimed.

Molly jumped out of the bed, quickly pulled up her hair in a ponytail and starting to pace around the room.

"I'm still in my pyjamas and they are about to bring the dress. What if the car gets stuck in traffic, and the dress is late, what will I do? I need time to do my nails, and my hair and everything and then I don't even know where I'm going! Can you believe it? I'm probably the only bride in the world who doesn't know where she is getting married! Are you hungry? You can grab something in the fridge, I don't have time to cook and I don't think I can swallow anything anyway. Oh God what if the dress is late, I don't even have anything white that could work instead."

With that, she rushed to the bathroom and locked herself in it, leaving Sherlock puzzled. He knew that women could turn into complete lunatics on their wedding day. He had seen examples in one of the stupid reality shows Molly and him had watched during his time at the hospital. How was it called again? Oh yes…bridezillas. Was it what was happening to his Molly? Suddenly he wasn't feeling so relaxed anymore. His phone rang, and he knew who it was without even looking at the screen.

"Hello brother dear. A morning call? How kind of you. What is it? Don't tell me you couldn't resist and already ate half of the wedding cake. That would be… unfortunate."

"I was just checking on you. The car is set to pick you up at eleven, remember?"

"Do you think… you could make it ten?"

"Problem?", inquired Mycroft.

"No I just thought… that Molly would feel more comfortable to get ready if I'm not around."

"Right."

There was an awkward silence.

"Sherlock?"

"What?"

"If you think this was a mistake, it is still time to cancel everything, I can take care of it."

"Why would I want to cancel?", he said with indignation. "I'm just… nervous, it is perfectly normal to get nervous on your wedding day. Just send the car, at ten."

He hanged up, and put back his head on the pillow, decided to get more sleep. This moment of peace didn't last long as a scream came out from the bathroom.

"I have a pimple! On my wedding day, a pimple! We need to do something, do you think we can change the date?"

Sherlock sighed. This was going to be a very long day….

^/^

Molly took a last look at herself in the mirror. She had done her hair and make-up herself because she wanted to keep it quite simple. The dreaded pimple had been hidden under a bit of corrector, and her features were enhanced by some blush, lipstick and mascara. She had done some curls in her long hair and was wearing a pearl necklace inherited from her grandmother. It matched perfectly with the beautiful organza dress, which had hopefully arrived on time. She took a deep breath, it was time to leave.

A familiar large black car was waiting in front of the house. She knew that Mycroft had sent it, but she wasn't expecting to find him inside. The idea to share the ride with her future brother-in-law wasn't a very pleasant one.

"Good morning Molly, you look… radiant."

"Thank you", she answered a bit defiantly.

The car started, Molly was gazing outside the window, carefully trying to ignore Mycroft. Despite his earlier apologies, she hadn't quite forgiven him yet for the pain he had caused her. They travelled for a while in a deep silence that he was the first to break:

"I never imagined this day would come, seeing my brother getting married. You know, he didn't even come to my own wedding. He said it was… a ridiculous and incredibly boring idea. I guess you deeply changed him."

She hesitantly turned to face him while he continued:

"Once again, I am sorry if I may have seemed you harsh in the past. But after all what happened to Sherlock, I didn't want to take the risk to see him getting hurt again."

"And are you reassured now?"

"I know you that your feelings are sincere. And mutual."

"They are", she confirmed.

"But getting married is only the beginning. The real challenge is to make it last, and sadly feelings are not always enough. It takes a lot of patience, efforts… sometimes renunciation."

"Are you talking from experience?"

His smile told her he wouldn't answer that question.

"I never properly thanked you for what you did for Sherlock. I want you to know that I am immensely grateful. You saved my brother. Now it is my turn to repair my mistakes and make sure he can be free and safe again. I promise you I will find Moran. And… that you don't have anything to fear from me anymore."

"Thank you"

"You're welcome. I think we have reached our destination."

The car stopped. Molly looked outside and couldn't quite believe her eyes.

"It's… a church!", she exclaimed, turning to Mycroft for explanations.

"It was all Sherlock's idea, I merely took care of the logistics. Now I will join the guests and the groom who are already waiting inside. I won't make you the offence of walking you down the aisle. I think you are strong enough to do it on your own. Good luck, Miss Hooper. I wish you the best."

^/^

It was a small church, a chapel located in the middle of the countryside, exactly the type of place Molly would have chosen herself. She was catholic and she wished to marry at church. But she knew that Sherlock was a firm Atheist so she was surprised he had made that concession for her.

She put her veil down and entered the doors. What she saw inside took her breath away. The place had been entirely decorated with candles and her favourite flowers, white roses and lilies. The guests stood up at her entrance. There was Mycroft, next to a man Molly had never seen before but who was probably his husband William. Anthea was there was as well, along with Helen the nurse. And waiting for her by the altar was Sherlock, looking gorgeous in a dark suit, white shirt and blue tie. When the first notes of the Ave Maria played, she couldn't hold back her tears.

While walking down the aisle, she thought of her father, wishing he could have been there with her. When she sat down next to Sherlock, he gave her one of his rare bright smile and lifted up her veil to wipe her tears away.

The priest conducted the ceremony, and Molly's heart was beating in her chest until the much expected moment of the exchange of vows:

"Sherlock Alexandre Scott Holmes, will you take Molly Violet Eleonor Hooper here present for your lawful wife? Do you promise to love and cherish her, in sickness or health, for richer for poorer, for better and worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live ?"

"I do", he replied without hesitation.

"Molly Violet Eleonor Hooper will you take Sherlock Alexandre Scott Holmes here present for your lawful husband? Do you promise to love and cherish him, in sickness or health, for richer for poorer, for better and worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, for so long as you both shall live ?"

"I do", she managed to articulate, her voice almost breaking with emotion.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife".

^/^

Mycroft had taken care of the legal matters. The priest had been informed of the situation, but since he had received the information in confession, their secret was safe. They signed the wedding certificate with Sherlock's real name, which would be registered only after his return. But for the time being, they received new passports under the name of Mr and Mrs Vernet.

After the ceremony, a meal was delivered by a caterer at Sherlock and Molly's home. And when all the guests had left, Sherlock and Molly found themselves enjoying their first evening as newlyweds.

They watched a movie together, then moved to the bedroom. Molly had long ago abandoned her wedding dress for a more comfortable outfit. Sherlock had kept the suit on except for the jacket, and Molly was undoing the tie for him between some kisses.

"So was it really the first time ever you were wearing a tie?"

"Yes, and the last."

"Too bad, I liked it. And the blue matched your eyes, you looked absolutely dashing."

"So did you", he whispered into her hear.

"Is it true what Mycroft said, did you really plan all this?"

"I did."

"Sherlock that was… amazing. I mean it was perfect, in every single detail. How could you know? And don't tell me it was only deductions."

"I remembered. All those wedding shows you made me watch at hospital. I remembered your reactions, what you liked, what you disliked." Molly ignored that since they had started dating, she now occupied a whole room in Sherlock's mind palace. A room that kept becoming larger and larger.

"I though you deleted all the non-important information?"

"Who said you were not important?"

"It was perfect", she said after another kiss. "I wished… my dad could have been there, I think he would have been proud."

"I missed John", added Sherlock.

"Oh yes of course. I mean all of them, Lestrade, Mrs Hudson. She would have loved it!"

Sherlock smiled.

"Maybe, when we come back to London one day… we could have another ceremony?", suggested Molly.

"If you want to. In the meantime… I have a wedding gift for you."

"Really ?", she cried in excitement.

"Yes it's under your pillow".

Molly immediately looked under it, what she found left her quite surprised.

"A newspaper?"

"Yes, the Scotsman to be exact".

"I'm not sure to get it."

"Page 27, top left article."

She quickly went through the pages, found the article and started to read it out loud :

"Respected surgeon arrested for tax fraud. David Sheppard, 35, surgeon at the the Royal Edinburgh Hospital…". There was a picture of a handcuffed man being taken by the police. He had changed but Molly suddenly recognized him and her face fell. "Sherlock tell me you didn't do that..."

"It's hardly me fault if the man didn't pay his taxes…"

"Oh of course, and you dare to tell me you or your brother don't have anything to do with his arrest? I had TOLD you not to look into this!"

"Molly I…"

"I thought I had been clear. This is the past, I don't want to hear about him anymore and especially not today. I don't care about it and this was… stupid of you." She put down the newspaper in an angry gesture and looked away.

Sherlock waited for a moment before

"He is married, two children. And apparently he didn't lose his old habits."

Molly turned back to him.

"Does he beat his wife?"

"Yes. I saw the medical reports from her file. Pretty nasty wounds but she didn't press charges. He will spend two years behind bars, if she is smart enough that will give her the opportunity to leave him."

Molly nodded.

"I wanted you to know that this bastard got what he deserved, and in my opinion and it's not even enough. But, I promise we won't talk about it anymore."

"Ok". She came back to curl against him and placed a kiss on his cheek. "I'm sorry… I overreacted. Thank you. And actually I had a gift for you too."

"I'm hardly surprised", said Sherlock with a grin.

"It's in the drawer of your bedside table. Well it's not much it's just…"

Sherlock extended a hand to open a drawer and took out an envelop with his name on it.

"In fact I would prefer if I'm not here when you open it", said Molly.

"Why ?"

"Because… I don't know. I just don't want to be there when you read it. It's…". She was blushing like the shy mousy girl he had once known at Bart's. "I'm going to change in the bathroom, I bought some nice lingerie when I was in London, especially for tonight, I'm sure you will like it. But please wait ok?"

"Fine", said Sherlock rolling his eyes.

As soon as the door closed, he opened the envelop in which he found a wedding congratulation card. It was all very Molly-like with pink ribbons, flowers and even a dove.

Inside were a few handwritten words:

"Little girls' dreams don't always come true.

Mine did.

I loved you since the very first day, and I will until the very last.

You are a special kind of prince charming.

But you are mine.

And I am yours, forever.

Molly"