It had been a month since the night shift that landed Molly in a hospital bed. Sherlock was pacing the sitting room. He had been bored lately, not having any cases above a six. Molly had been quite busy lately at the hospital, working a double shift over the past three days. He missed her, to say the least, although he had stopped by to experiment on a thumb and bring her lunch.
"Oxytocin," he muttered to himself. John did a double take.
"Please tell me you're not planning to experiment with that particular chemical," John asked, remembering the unwanted lesson that it was released post-coitus.
"No; it's much more than an experiment," Sherlock told him.
"I'm serious, Sherlock, do not treat something so intimate as an experiment; it would hurt Molly," John warned him.
"For the last time, it is not an experiment. If you must know, I have been considering taking the next step with Molly in our relationship and yes, I plan to inform her that I am ready for it," he explained.
"Okay, sorry I asked," John replied, mentally telling himself to stop questioning Sherlock about his relationship with Molly.
The next day, John stopped by Baker Street with Rosie to find Sherlock and Molly working on an experiment. She was laughing so hard, she snorted and there was the faint smell of smoke.
"Something wrong with the hot plate?" John asked, waving the smoke away.
"Sh-Sherlock shocked himself when he plugged it in," Molly laughed.
"I hardly find it amusing, Molly," he huffed. "Ah, got it just right."
"You just lucked out," she teased.
"Luck? Nope. Skills," Sherlock replied.
"If it's skill, then do it again," Molly challenged him. He opened his mouth to counter her but nothing came out, so he closed it again.
"Did you see that Rosie?" John asked his daughter. "Your Aunt Molly has rendered Uncle Sherlock speechless." He was chuckling then.
"Aunt Mowwy!" Rosie exclaimed.
"Hello, cutie pie," Molly cooed.
"Rosamund, tell your Aunt Molly that it was skill," Sherlock told her.
"No!" Rosie laughed.
"Et tu, Rosamund?" he sighed in defeat.
"So, I've got a conference this weekend and was wondering if you two could watch Rosie for me," John requested. "Besides, you'll probably need the practice." He smirked cheekily at them.
"I don't see why not," Molly and Sherlock spoke in unison.
"Yeah," John remarked, "that's getting a bit creepy now."
Molly was an early riser; that was no secret. So when John came by Saturday morning to drop Rosie off, she left a sleeping Sherlock sprawled in her sheets. She didn't dare wake him when he was actually sleeping for once. Rosie had already been fed before being brought over, so that just left time to play until her nap.
When Sherlock finally woke, he found Molly's dining room chairs holding up blankets that were strewn across the furniture. A large duvet lay on the floor with throw pillows scattered about. His lips quirked into an amused smirk.
"I see you've redecorated," Sherlock teased, peering around to find Molly and Rosie among the linens.
"Oh yes, Rosie seems to like it very much," Molly giggled.
"Unca 'lock!" the little Watson ran to him, still a bit wobbly on her legs.
"Hello Rosamund," he greeted, kneeling down to her level. Molly looked on with a warmth in her heart. "I think I saw a collection of your Aunt Molly's frivolous animated films you would like." He chuckled when he saw his girlfriend roll her eyes.
"You watch?" she asked, looking up with her bright blue eyes.
"Oh, I don't know," Sherlock joked. Rosie stuck out her bottom lip and it struck a chord in him.
"Pwease, Unca 'Lock?" she pleaded.
"Oh, alright then," he smiled. She wrapped her little hands around his upper arm and hugged him.
"I wuv you!" Rosie smiled brightly. Molly watched his face soften further, pure wonderment in his eyes.
"I love you too, sweetheart," he spoke in a gentle tone. Sherlock went off to retrieve Molly's collection of Disney movies. When he reappeared, Molly seemed as excited as Rosie.
"Who is it that I'm helping babysit again?" Sherlock joked.
"Hush you," Molly laughed.
"Any particular reason you're so excitable?" he asked.
"Disney movies all day? I'm in," she smiled as he seated himself next to her. Rosie then climbed into their laps, ready to watch Beauty and the Beast. It was Molly's favourite. She had fallen asleep by the third movie, just on time with her nap.
When John came by to pick up Rosie, Molly answered the door and showed him where in the fort Sherlock and Rosie had dozed off together.
"I don't believe it," he chuckled, snapping a photo. "Want me to send it to you?"
"Got one of my own, actually," Molly admitted. "Rosie, sweetheart, your daddy's here." She gently lifted her off of Sherlock's chest and handed her over to John.
"Not too much trouble then?" John asked.
"Oh, no she was wonderful," she replied.
"I meant Sherlock," he laughed.
"Yes, very funny, John," Sherlock yawned.
"Well, we best be off," John announced. "Thank you both for watching her."
"It was no problem," Molly told him. Once the door closed behind him, she made her way back to Sherlock.
"Come here," Sherlock gestured for her to sit in his lap. She seated herself, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Hello, my love," she smiled, her fingers playing with his curls. He pulled her closer by her waist and planted kisses along her neck.
"I love you," he whispered, almost inaudibly before capturing her lips. His hand drifted up to slide down her tank top and bra strap, pressing kisses onto her shoulder.
"Sherlock," she sighed before gazing into his eyes. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," he replied, kissing her fervently. Sherlock stood and lifted her with him, whisking her away to the bedroom.