Chapter 21

Three days after giving birth to Thomas, Molly was finally released from the clinic. Mycroft accompanied her in the car that took her back to Sussex, where they were welcomed by a very impatient Sherlock. After what seemed to him like a never-ending wait, the detective was finally able to hold his son. Molly gently took baby Thomas from his carrier and placed him in his father's arms.

"Put your hand behind his…"

"Behind his head, yes I know."

Sherlock examined the little creature in every detail and with a great fascination. The baby was looking back at him with piercing blue eyes that looked just like his. He felt a feeling rising in chest on which in couldn't quite put a name, something almost animal. When Thomas suddenly grabbed one of his fingers with his tiny hand, he let out a gasp of surprise.

"It seems that you two are getting along well", whispered Molly in his ear. "Can I leave him to you for a minute? I really need to use the bathroom."

"Yes of course", he replied, his eyes still fixed on Thomas with sheer amazement.

Mycroft had been observing the scene in silence so far.

"Enjoy it, they grow up quickly. I still remember the day when Mummy brought you back from the hospital."

"You thought: this is the end of my happy days."

"No you're wrong. Actually I was thrilled to have a little brother. And I also knew that from that moment, I would never cease worrying about you. Maybe now, you will understand what it means."

Yes Sherlock knew exactly how it felt. If someone ever tried to hurt Molly or Thomas, he wouldn't hesitate one minute to kill him.

"I guess so. But you should stop worrying about me. I'm not a baby anymore."

"Oh sometimes I still doubt it. But whether you want it or not, I will always see you as my baby brother."

Sherlock looked up to his brother. It seemed that even the usually imperturbable head of the British government had softened in presence of his nephew. The iceman had finally melted.

"Sherlock…", he continued, "even after all those years I keep thinking about what happened with Carter and I am sorry I was unable to protect you. This is my fault, I should have realised…"

"Don't be ridiculous", cut Sherlock. "You were in college, how could you have known? And Mum was sick. The only one I could blame is dad, but he's gone so what's the point? On the contrary you were the one that made it stop. I just want you to stop meddling with my life because I am fine now."

Mycroft contemplated his brother, carefully holding his son and completely fascinated by him. Yes he was doing fine indeed. And he would be a great father, much better than their own.

"I hope Mummy will get to meet her grandson one day. She will be proud."

For once Sherlock didn't come back with a punch line or an insult. He just nodded.

Molly reinterred the room, carrying her photo camera.

"I want to take a few pictures! Sherlock look at me! Thomas look at Mummy!"

Molly checked at the shot on the screen but looked disappointed. "Hum… let's do another one , this one could end up on Awkward Family Pictures !"

"You know I don't like it…", complained Sherlock.

"Yes but this a special moment. We will show it to Thomas when he grows older, so you don't want to look like you're carrying an alien!"

Sherlock rolled his eyes, he was always uncomfortable with pictures but Molly loved them. So he did an effort to look more natural.

"Much better ! OK with the uncle now !", exclaimed Molly gesturing at Mycroft.

The elder Holmes looked embarrassed and muttered an excuse "No, no it isn't necessary."

"Oh come on!", said Sherlock, always looking for an occasion to bother his brother. But Molly suspected he also genuinely wanted a memory of them together.

Mycroft moved from his corner and went to join them. He looked even stiffer than Sherlock and his smile was forced but it was still a good picture. They would laugh looking back at it in a few years.

"I will send it to you Mycroft, thank you again for your help with the clinic".

"It is only natural. And will you consider my offer for the nanny?"

Sherlock raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"Mycroft, wanted to send someone over to help us for the first weeks. It is very nice of him but I told him it would be unnecessary", explained Molly.

"Absolutely unnecessary! I won't have a stranger looking after my child", exclaimed Sherlock.

"Sherlock, your wife is tired. The doctor insisted she needs some rest. She cannot take care of Thomas and the house on her own."

"On her own ? So you think I am completely useless that's it ?"

Mycroft let out a resignation sight. "This is not what I said and you know it."

"Oh this isn't what you said ?", continued Sherlock with a provocative tone.

"No ! But you have no experience when it comes to…"

A baby cry suddenly filled the room. Little Thomas seemed upset by the verbal fight taking place in the room and made it known very loudly.

"Perfect, you made him cry. Thank you Mycroft!"

"I made him cry?"

"Stop Stop !" said Molly taking back the infant from Sherlock's arms and comforting him. "Mycroft thank you very much for your offer, but I think Sherlock will manage. Look, I was out for 3 days and the house is pretty tidy."

"Fine, I leave it to your responsibility then. I will be going now, and I hope to get some news of my nephew."

"Humpf", snorted Sherlock, "you probably left a spy camera in his teddy bear".

"Don't worry Mycroft, we will keep you updated!", said Molly walking him back to the door.

^/^

Finally alone with Sherlock, Molly came to sit on his lap as she liked to do, still carrying baby Thomas in her arms.

"You enjoy it do you ?"

"What ?"

"Bickering with your brother?"

He grinned in response.

"I couldn't help hearing part of your conversation as I was coming back. I'm glad you told him that. He was probably feeling guilty during all those years, that's why he always so protective with you."

"I know", muttered Sherlock.

He circled her waist to draw her closer to him. His other hand was gently stroking Thomas' hair. He felt Molly relaxing and she placed her head against his shoulder. She looked indeed tired, but she had never looked so beautiful. Her skin scented different than usual, a mix of hospital, sweat and… milk. And her breast, well her breast was impressive. It was all terribly arousing but he knew this would have to wait for a while. Thomas wasn't crying anymore. He was slowly falling asleep with an adorable smile on his lips.

"The nurse at the hospital said we are very lucky because he's a quiet baby. And he smiles a lot."

"He looks like a funny boy."

"If you want to start helping, I'm going to give him his bath soon. Want to do it with me ?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world !"

^/^

Baby Thomas is home and his daddy couldn't be happier ! Thank you again for you kind reviews. I am on vacation so I will try to update soon. Have a great summer !