A/N: Hello darlings, I have good news and potentially upsetting news.
Good news first: This chapter is extra long and you all finally meet the little Lestrades. I know! They're adorable and I fell in love with them as I was writing and I think you will too.
I was trying to avoid it but here's the potentially upsetting news: I have been finding it increasingly harder to keep my chapter a week deadline and have come to a decision about that. I am going to take a posting hiatus.
Don't despair, I'll continue to write for the story. I am not abandoning you all. I could never do that. What I'm saying is that for at least the next month there won't be any new chapters posted.
But that doesn't mean you guys can't message me or anything, I'd still love to hear from you, my wonderful readers. I'll still post progress updates on my profile page and you can always check out my tumblr where I blog about my life, Superwholock and this story.
So without further ado here's chapter 15.
Disclaimer: I do not own BBC Sherlock, those are the creations of Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and most importantly Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It's their sandbox and I'm just playing in it.
xXx
Mycroft got out of his car and walked into the café he was meeting Rosa for tea. She was already sitting at their table that was a bit removed from the rest.
Rosa looked up and smiled as Mycroft sat opposite her. It had been two weeks since she had asked for his help, the horror was still fresh in her mind but she was no longer losing sleep fearing someone wanted to kill her.
"How are you doing dear?" Mycroft asked, a hint of worry trickling through his voice.
"I've been better but not nearly as bad as I was a week ago."
Mycroft nodded. A cup of tea was placed in front of him, and they sat in silence sipping their drinks.
"I see you're out of the cast."
Mycroft instinctively flexed his left hand, "Yes it's good to be free of that blasted thing."
Rosa nodded. There was silence between them again, this time Rosa's expression was contemplative. Mycroft waited silently knowing whatever his best friend had in mind, she would let him know when she was ready.
"I've been meaning to ask you something since tea with Gregory" Rosa said finally.
"Oh what's that?"
"There's a lot of similarities between him and Sex on Legs Greg from the end of second year."
Mycroft smiled, "That's not far from Greg's nickname when he was starting out at the Yard."
"You're dodging the question My."
"You never asked a question, you made an observation."
"Fine. Is Gregory Sex on Legs Greg?"
Mycroft took a deep breath, "Yes he is."
"What? And you didn't tell me you finally found him?" Rosa asked, annoyance coloring her tone.
"I didn't tell you because I'm sure he doesn't remember" Mycroft replied calmly.
"And what has that to do with you not telling me that you finally found the man you've been pining after since the end of our second year in uni?"
Mycroft sighed, "Because my dear, you don't know how to keep things like this to yourself. Have you ever thought that the reason I didn't call him all those years ago was because I was scared it was all just superficial interest of a night out drinking, and that I was content with the possibility of what could have been?" Mycroft's annoyance was subtle, but Rosa had known him for years and picked up on it.
She narrowed her eyes, glaring daggers at her best friend. "If we weren't in public, I'd punch you. You should very well know by now that if you had asked me to keep it a secret I would've. Furthermore, I think you should tell Gregory how long you've been pining after him. I'm not saying you should do it now, that'd possibly scare him away, but if you two get serious you should consider telling him. You never know if you left the same impression on him that he did on you."
Mycroft pursed his lips and Rosa's expression softened. She reached out covered Mycroft's hand with her own.
"You haven't been in a serious relationship in the time that I've known you and I think this has something to do with it" Rosa said softly.
A small smile crossed Mycroft's face. He knew exactly why he hadn't had a serious relationship in 20 years, because none of them had been Greg. Sure Mycroft had dated, but everytime the man he was dating started to talk about the future in long range terms, Mycroft distanced himself. A few of his partners had called him out on the distancing and My had always blamed it on the nature of his job. No one ever knew it was because his heart had been stolen by a gorgeous brunette at a bar who later became a well respected Detective Inspector.
xXx
It was Greg's day off, and luckily enough it was on a Saturday. This was enough to make his ex-wife cave to his request to spend time with the kids.
Greg knocked on the door of his former residence. It was a few minutes before Daniel opened the door, surprise swept across his face.
"Dad, what are you doing here?"
Greg smiled, "I'm here to get you, Thomas and Lizzie, and we're going to spend the day together."
"Does mom know?"
"Of course I know." Daniel jumped with his mother's sudden appearance. "Now go tell your brother and sister, and make sure they get ready to go soon."
Daniel nodded and dashed up the stairs. Amanda sighed.
"You might as well come in." She said as she walked into the kitchen. Greg followed closing the front door behind him.
"How have you been?" Greg asked politely.
"Alright, although you could have given me more warning that you wanted to spend time with the kids."
"You know how my job is and I didn't want to get their hopes up in case I couldn't come today."
"Just be glad we had nothing to do this weekend."
Greg was going to reply when Elizabeth came bursting through the kitchen door and running to Greg, arms open for a hug. With a smile Greg picked her up and twirled her around. He stopped still holding her in his arms, Lizzie's hands clasped at the back of his neck.
"Hey Princess!"
"Daddy where have you been, there's so much I have to tell you."
"I'm sorry Princess, I've been busy with work. But you want to know what?"
"What Daddy?"
"I have all day to spend with you and your brothers."
An excited smile split across Lizzie's face. "All day?" She asked excitedly.
"All day" Greg said with equal enthusiasm. Lizzie squealed with excitement. "But you know we can't do all the fun things I have in mind if you don't get ready."
"Well then put me down!" She said patting his shoulders. Greg chuckled and did as asked. As soon as her feet touched the floor, Lizzie was running out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Still grinning Greg looked over to Amanda, who was stirring a cup of coffee, an unamused expression on her face. Greg sighed.
"What is it this time?" Greg asked bracing himself for the argument that always closely followed that expression.
"You missed Daniel's game again." Amanda replied in a cold tone.
"I know and I feel horrible about it. I was in the middle of a case, and I honestly tried to get away but it was see my son's game or let a killer get away."
Amanda's eyes narrowed. "You always use that as an excuse. Your job shouldn't be more important than your kids."
"I'm sorry for trying to make this world a safer place for our children. Christ Amanda, you don't make it any easier for me to see them."
"Well I can't let them drop everything just because you have a few moments to spare. Someone has to teach them how to be responsible."
"Responsibility. Oh that's rich coming from you."Greg saw Amanda swell up to unleash more spite, but knowing the kids could overhear them Greg cut her off before she could get started. "You know what, I don't want to argue about this right now. I'll make sure I get them back by 8."
Greg walked out of the kitchen before she could say anything else. He froze when he saw Daniel standing on the bottom step of the staircase with a solemn expression.
"You know I don't mind."
"What's that?" Greg asked.
"I don't mind that you missed my game. It's just mom being a harpy."
Greg's expression turned stern. "Don't talk about you mother that way."
"Sorry. But dad, I know how important your work is and if catching the bad guy means that you have to miss my games then I'm ok with it."
Greg smiled, walked over to the stairs and pulled his oldest into a hug. "When did you become so wise?"
Daniel pulled out of the hug and grinned, "Don't know must've learned it from my dad."
"Alright smart ass. Why don't you get your ball and coat and check on Lizzie to see what's taking her so long. I'll see what's holding up Thomas."
They walked up the stairs together, Daniel dissappearing into his room while Greg crossed the hall and knocked on Thomas' door.
There was a quiet "Come in", and Greg opened the door slowly and stepped into the room. He scanned the room noting piles of books stacked all over, and Thomas sitting cross legged on his bed, a book open in his lap his head bowed over it. Greg smiled at his son and walked over to the bed, sitting down next to him.
"So what are you reading this time?"
Thomas lifted the book and showed his dad the cover, while still reading.
"Ah, The Once and Future King. I thought you've read it already?"
Thomas smiled and placed his bookmark in the book closing it. "It's a classic dad. You can never get tired of a classic."
"I know that, just wanted to see if you did."
Thomas rolled his eyes and stretched his legs out over the edge of the bed.
"Shall we go see if Danny got Lizzie ready to go?" Greg asked.
They left the room and went Elizabeth's room opening the door to find a frustrated Daniel squeezing his soccer ball, while his little sister was going through her drawers.
"Woah there, wouldn't want to flatten the thing." Greg said putting a hand on his eldest's shoulder.
"She's trying to find her tutu, but refuses to believe me when I tell her mom probably has it in the wash."
"I saw it here yesterday" Lizzie insisted.
Greg squat down next to Lizzie and put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to stop rummaging around her drawers and look at him.
"Sweetie I know you want to wear your tutu to show it to me, but it's alright. You'll look pretty no matter what, and you'll always be my princess."
Lizzie sighed and brushed some of her hair out of her face. "Ok daddy." She grabbed a pair of jeans and a pink t-shirt out of her drawers and ran into her closet, closing herself inside it. A few moments later she walked out in the outfit she had taken in with her a pair of pink high top shoes in her hands.
Lizzie sat down and quickly pulled on her shoes, jumping up after the lace were tied.
"Alright lets go" Lizzie said grabbing Greg's hand and pulling him out the door, her older brother's following them.
xXx
Greg and his kids just got done at the spending time at the park and were headed to an ice cream shop that happened to be near Thomas' favorite bookstore.
They had just gotten their ice cream and sat at a table outside, when Greg's mobile ringed.
He moved his cone to his left hand and dug his phone out of his pocket, answering it without looking to see who was calling.
"Detective Inspector Lestrade."
"Oh so formal, am I interrupting something."
"No you're not My, I had my hands full so I didn't have time to look before I answered."
"Ah. Well I was calling because I've got some time right now and I was wondering if you wanted to get some lunch; if you're not too busy of course."
"I've got my kids today, but if you don't mind them coming along I'd love to get some lunch."
He looked at his children eating their ice cream. Daniel was looking at the people walking by the shop but Greg saw the slight tilt to his head that indicated he was listening to the conversation. Thomas was absently licking his own ice cream cone while reading his book. Lizzie was intent on eating her ice cream and keep it dripping down her arm.
"I didn't know you had them today. I don't want to intrude, so why don't you forget about lunch."
"Are you sure? I don't want you to feel left behind. I'm sure they'd love to meet you."
"No it's quite alright. I know how precious your time with them is. I just got back from tea with Rosa anyway."
"Alright My. Are we still on for tonight?"
"Yes. I'll see you at yours around 7?"
"Can we make it 8:30, I've got to have the kids back by 8."
"Not a problem. See you tonight."
"See you tonight." Greg hung up his phone and slid it in his pocket.
He looked up and three sets of eyes were on him.
"Do you have to go dad?" Daniel asked, a bit of sadness crossed his face.
"No, I don't have to go anywhere. You lot are stuck with me."
They relaxed at this statement and smiled.
"So who were you talking to?" Lizzie asked.
"A friend." Greg replied smiling. He went to eating his half melted ice cream.
"Sounded like more than a friend." Thomas said without looking up from his book.
"Ohh daddy, are dating someone? Can we meet her?" Lizzie asked excitedly.
Greg took a deep breath. "Since when is it any of your business whether I date or not, missy?"
"I just want you to be happy daddy. You haven't really been happy for a while."
Greg furrowed his eyebrows, worried that his kids have seen just how unhappy he'd been.
"So are you going to answer my question?"
"Yes I'm dating someone. Hopefully one day you all can meet them."
"My's an interesting name dad. What's it short for?" Daniel asked.
"Not you too." Greg sighed, he was bound to have this conversation with his kids, might as well be now. "My is short for Mycroft."
"That's not a lady's name daddy."
"I know, that's because My isn't a woman."
Understanding dawned across Lizzie's face. Greg looked to his sons to see Thomas still reading and Daniel nodding acceptingly.
"I'm sorry I called Mycroft a lady daddy, I didn't know."
"It's alright Princess." There was an awkward pause before Greg asked, "So you guys are alright with me dating a man?"
"Of course we're alright with it." Thomas said finally looking up from his book. "As long as you're happy dad, we don't care who you date. We love you no matter what."
Daniel and Lizzie were nodding their heads in agreement, Lizzie more enthusiasticly. Greg let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
"Alright you three, lets go get cleaned up and it's off to the bookstore."
xXx
It was 7:45 when Greg got the kids back home. They walked in hands full of bags from the bookstore and a few other shops. Amanda came into the hall, her arms crossed.
"Mommy we had a great day with daddy!" Lizzie said animatedly.
"Did you now?"
"Yes we went to the park and I climbed a tree, then we got ice cream and went shopping. I got some dance books and a new tutu!"
"That sounds like fun honey."
"Also we learned that daddy has a boyfriend named Mycroft and one day we're gonna meet him."
"Interesting."
"Alright why don't you three take all this upstairs and get ready for bed" Greg said handing Daniel the few bags he had carried in.
"But I'm not even tired daddy!" Lizzie said throwing her arms around Greg's waist, burying her face in his shirt.
"I know Princess but it's nearly bed time. If you stay up all night you'll be really tired tomorrow." Greg replied returning Lizzie's hug, placing a kiss to the top of her head.
Lizzie sighed and pulled out of the hug, "Alright. When will we see you again?"
"Hopefully soon."
"Pinkie promise." Lizzie demaned holding her hand out, pinkie extended.
Greg crouched down and wrapped his own pinkie around Lizzie's. "Pinkie promise."
Lizzie smiled and shook their intertwined pinkies; she then wrapped her arms around Greg's neck placing a kiss to his cheek.
Greg smiled placed a kiss of his own on her cheek before standing up straight. "Alright Princess, get moving."
Lizzie ran up the stairs with her bags. Thomas stepped up to Greg next, giving his dad a hug as well.
"Thank you for the books. I had fun today" Thomas said as he pulled out of the hug. He walked up the stairs, leaving Daniel to say goodbye.
"It was nice spending the day with you dad." Daniel said as he hugged Greg. "Like I said earlier, don't feel too pressured at making my games, they're not as important as your work."
Greg smiled as Daniel went up the stairs, until he saw the dark expression on Amanda's face.
"So you're dating Mycroft. How long have you two been dating? Were you together before the divorce?"
"Of course we weren't together before the divorce. We've been dating for two months now."
Amanda's eyes narrowed, "Two months. Were you even going to tell if Lizzie hadn't spilled the beans?"
"Of course I would have told you eventually. I know how you get Amanda, so I wasn't going to mention it, especially if it didn't last."
"I always knew you had a thing for Mycroft, what with the way you talked about him. That's part of the reason why we had our problems, you didn't love me and now I see why."
"That's complete shit and you know that. I loved you plenty, we just grew apart. I was trying to find a way to bring us closer when I found out about you cheating."
"I wouldn't have had to find companionship elsewhere if you had spent more time with me. It was always your job and bloody Sherlock Holmes, before you'd spend time with me."
"I've told you my job is important and Sherlock has helped me do solve more cases, thus making it safer out there, I thought you understood that. You know what, I'm tired of having this argument. You do this everytime."
Greg quickly left the house and drove home.
xXx
Greg walked into his flat and flipped on the lights. No sooner had he taken off his coat and shoes, there was a knock at the door.
Greg opened it to find Mycroft standing on the doorstep. Mycroft's eyes swept over Greg, taking in his agitation and defeat.
"This is a bad time, I should go." Mycroft said apologetically, turning to leave.
"No, My don't leave." Greg said putting a hand on his boyfriend's shoulder to keep him from getting further away.
Mycroft looked back at Greg. "You sure? You look like you want to be left alone."
"I'm sure. The last thing I need right now is to be alone." Greg said with a sad smile.
"Alright." Mycroft sighed and stepped into the flat, closing the door behind him. Greg stepped forward and kissed Mycroft lightly before going to the kitchen and grabbing a couple of beers out of the fridge.
He went into the lounge where he found Mycroft sitting on the couch, jacket and shoes off, his leg crossed. Greg smiled and sat down next to the redhead.
"Comfy?" Greg asked handing Mycroft one of the beers.
"Very." He replied taking the drink with a nod. There was a few moments of silence. "Another fight with the ex-wife?"
"Yeah."
"I'm here if you want to talk about it."
Greg debated not saying anything but decided otherwise.
"I told the kids about me and you. Which they were great about and want to meet you."
"Ok."
"Lizzie told Amanda, cause bless her heart she's just glad that I'm happy and wants to share it. Well Amanda accused me of cheating on her with you."
"That's preposterous. We've only been together a couple of months."
"I know but Amanda was looking to pick a fight. She then blamed me for her cheating saying that I spent too much time at work and that I didn't love her."
"Your work is important to you and if she took that as you not loving her then she doesn't understand you well enough."
"Yeah" Greg said with a sigh. He was lost in thought, wondering if what she said had been true.
He and Amanda had dated a long time; Greg had liked her well enough but he had always been on the lookout for the gorgeous redhead he met the summer his band was touring. When it had become apparent that he wouldn't find Mike, he had caved to Amanda's prodding at getting married. Plus his mother had been getting on his case about settling down and giving her grandchildren. And one thing you don't do is argue with Maggie Lestrade.
That brought him back to the mystery that had presented itself to Greg two weeks ago. Mycroft had some similarities to Mike, but Greg wasn't sure enough to ask his boyfriend about it. Greg didn't want to ruin his relationship with Mycroft in the off chance he wasn't the gorgeous redheaded political science major at Oxford that had stolen his heart.
"What are you thinking about?" Mycroft asked snapping Greg back to reality.
"Nothing important."
Mycroft placed a kiss to Greg's temple and put his arm around the older man, sitting back pulling Greg with him.
"Don't dwell on it too much." My said softly before placing another kiss on Greg's cheek.
Greg sighed and leaned his head on Mycroft's shoulder "I won't."
xXx
Oh dear! I just realized I forgot to thank my lovely reviewers from the last chapter.
A big thank you to SeverusDmitri18, AzrielLolita, Miss R. Hood, and HarnGin, your kind words are what keep me writing.
Well did you like it? I hope you did.
I look forward to see you all again when I'm come back.
