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Chapter 22

The first days with Thomas at home were a bit hectic, but soon they managed to organise themselves and found a routine. Molly would be in charge of the nights, as once Sherlock was settled in bed it was more difficult for him to get up. And he would take care of Thomas during the days, allowing Molly to take a long nap in the afternoon.

Molly was quite impressed by Sherlock's parental skills. He never did things by halves, and now that he was a father he wanted to be the best one. During Molly's pregnancy, he had read almost every available book about babies and children (he even had his own annotated edition of What to Expect when you expecting). Sherlock was incredibly proud of every of his son's progress, and Molly didn't doubt he would become one of this highly annoying parent who keeps bragging about their offspring. It was both touching and very funny.

After one month they were both absolutely exhausted. But sometimes between two diapers to change, they would still find a little bit of time for the two of them.

"He's sound asleep, which means we have at least three hours of peace ahead", said Molly joining Sherlock in bed. It was 4 in the morning.

"Good", muttered Sherlock with a sleepy voice, "come closer it's cold."

She was more than happy to cuddle against him and get warm. He shifted to find the right position for both of them, and his hand came to rest under her nightgown, wandering from her hip to her belly. Molly suddenly froze.

"What is it?"

"Nothing… I feel fat"

"You what?"

"I said I feel fat. My stomach looks awful."

"You took 32 pounds during pregnancy which is in the average, and you already lost half of it. You have a body mass index of 22 which is not even close to overweight, so the use of the word fat is clearly hyperbolic. You have the body of a woman who just had a child, which is perfectly logical and I disagree concern the aesthetics aspects. Actually I personally enjoy it."

"You just like touching my breast", she said with a smile.

"Well I would be stupid if I didn't. Besides, I took more than 17 pounds myself since we have been together and I didn't hear you complaining about it."

It was one of her little victories in their relationship. After years of erratic eating habits, she had finally convinced Sherlock Holmes to have three meals a day.

"It's different, you were underweight!"

"Well anyway, as I said, you are not fat. And… if the underlying question behind your remark was Am I still attracted to you? The answer is yes. By the way, how much longer do we have to wait?"

Due to Molly's stiches the doctor had advised they should wait at least 6 weeks before having intercourse.

"2 weeks, more it there are complications but I think it should be fine. It's healing well."

"Good."

"I was wondering… when we have sex again, do you think I should take the pill? We never talked about it before because we thought we couldn't conceive but now we know it's not impossible."

"Do you want other children?"

"Yes, what about you?"

"Absolutely."

"The thing is… we were very lucky to have Thomas but the chances to have another child naturally are pretty slim. So, even if it would be very early to be pregnant again, I don't want to miss one opportunity."

"It's up to you."

"I'm sure of it", she answered, resting her head on his chest.

^/^

"Come on quick, he's doing it again!", shouts Sherlock.

Molly rushes from the kitchen. Her son has crawled for the first time this morning and she missed it because she was in the shower. This time she arrives just in time to see her baby boy creeping and catches him in her arms as he's about to fall.

"Look at you Tommy, Mummy is so proud of you! You were crawling like a little monkey!" She places a big kiss on his cheek and the baby giggles back at her. He looks more and more like her every day. But his blue eyes didn't fade so they will probably stay this way.

"You want to try again? You want to crawl back to daddy?"

She puts him back on the floor and gives him a little push in direction of Sherlock, who is seated on the floor. After a short moment of hesitation he moves towards his father who has already his arms open ready to welcome him.

"Fantastic!", exclaimed Molly. "We have to catch it on video next time. Gosh my little boy is growing up so fast!"

"He's going to crawl and walk at full speed soon, I won't be able to go after him."

Molly doesn't know what to answer that so she gives her husband a faint smile.

"The book says babies usually start crawling between 7 and 10 months", continues Sherlock, "and he's only 6 months old!"

"The paediatrician said very he's very bright."

Even if he denies doing any experiment on his son, Sherlock is closely monitoring Thomas' development and noticed that he is always slightly ahead of every milestone. He's very proud of it of course, but he cannot help worrying as well. He fears that Thomas would be like him, different.

He was particularly anxious before his 6 month check-up. Sherlock's own paediatrician appointments had always been a nightmare. He didn't want to be touched or answer the stupid questions. He remembers the concerned look of the doctor when he said the ink blot represented a bat. Mycroft later explained him that normal children usually saw a butterfly. He found it absolutely ridiculous but it had worried Mummy. Then there had been the other doctors, and those words: autism spectrum, Asperger, sociopath… Molly had confessed her husband fears to Thomas' doctor who answered there was absolutely nothing to worry about. He was a happy, healthy little boy, particularly communicative for his age.

In so many ways, a miracle.

^/^

Molly doesn't have time to write in her diary anymore. But sometimes late at night she still takes a moment to think about her day and her future. The dark times Sherlock and her have gone through are far behind. Ever since Thomas has entered their life everything has changed, because this baby is a true sunshine. She loves her son more than anything and she loves seeing the smile on her husband's face when they're together. She doubts she have ever seen him so happy, even on a case.

But being anxious by nature, she cannot help having fears. Because even if their life seems normal, it isn't. They are still in hiding and have no idea for how much longer. What will happen the day Thomas will go to school? Will they have to lie to their son about his own identity? What if he wants to bring friends at home? This is a heavy burden to carry for a little boy. She prefers not to think about that now. They will solve one issue at a time, as they have always done.

It reminds her of what Sherlock has said earlier about not being able to go after Thomas. That is an immediate problem. Now that their son can crawl and soon walk, it will be harder for Sherlock to look after him. She had though she could go back working part time soon, but… it isn't safe to let the two of them alone. If anything happens and Sherlock isn't quick enough to react, he would never be able to forgive himself. Then she will stay at home, even if means to depend again on Mycroft's money. One day maybe they will go back to London and she could work at Bart's again. Maybe Sherlock would take back some cases and Mrs Hudson would be delighted to babysit Thomas.

One day maybe… But today it doesn't matter, she will fall asleep happy.