On July 10th, 2015, Hope Lestrade is born two months too soon.
The contractions start in the middle of a case. At first she thinks it's Braxton Hicks, but then her water starts to break. She starts to panic. Sherlock calls for Greg, who rushes after them to the hospital. He barely recognizes Molly when he sees her on the hospital bed. Drenched in sweat and screaming in agony, her hand hasn't been so tight on his since the day she found out she was pregnant. His heart has never pounded so violently in his chest.
Three more pushes and it's done.
A terrible rush of guilt fills both parents as they watch their little girl, remembering when they once said that they couldn't wait to meet her. Molly was so careful with her daughter the moment she found out she was pregnant with her. She didn't drink, smoke or eat any of the wrong food, but what about before she found out? What had she done wrong?
"You didn't do anything wrong," Greg insists. "But whatever happens, we'll get through it."
Molly nods and reaches through the incubator for her daughter's hand. Her tiny grip is surprisingly strong around her mother's finger. They take it as a sign of hope. Her namesake.
When she's strong enough to go home, both her parents come home to a Welcome Home! sign surrounded by John, Mary and Imogen Watson, Sherlock Holmes and Mrs. Hudson. Each and every one of them holding pink balloons reading: It's a Girl!
"Amazing," Sherlock ponders as he holds the little girl in his arms. "She looks like you, Gabriel."
"Greg!"
Sherlock looks up at the D.I. with his signature smirk and simply says: "I know."