Sherlock made a breakthrough in the case two days later, just in time for the weekend. Molly had Friday and Saturday off which was a rare occurrence with her hectic work schedule. He was thrilled to be spending quality time with her and had planned a surprise night out for them.

Molly was reading her book on the sofa, glasses adorning her face, when Sherlock came home from NSY. He seated himself beside her, pulling her into a hug, his chin resting on her shoulder as he pressed soft kisses below her ear.

"What's all this for?" she asked, delighted by his affections. He continued to trail his lips down her neck as he answered.

"Mm, because I love you," he murmured against her skin. Lifting his head up, Sherlock ran his knuckles softly across her cheek. "And I closed the case so I'm taking you out tonight."

"Oh really, now?" Molly smiled.

"Yep," he grinned, popping the 'p.' "It's not often I get to show off my girlfriend, is it?"

"You are a show off," she laughed, playfully swatting at his shoulder. "I thought you detested the word 'girlfriend.'"

"I do but not for the reason you're thinking," he informed her. "You're much more than that to me, Molly, you're the love of my life."

"And you're mine too," she told him, "but you can't go around introducing me like that."

"Who says?" Sherlock smirked. Molly rolled her eyes in amusement and ventured toward the bedroom to get dressed. "I could help you in there." She could practically hear the wink in his voice.

"Tempting, but I got this one," she replied, throwing a wink his way before shutting the door.

Molly stepped out of the room moments later, her hair braided to the side. She wore a yellow flowy strapless summer dress with a handkerchief skirt paired with a mini faded denim jacket and strappy black flats on her feet.

"You are so beautiful," Sherlock spoke breathily. Molly blushed under his adoring gaze as he lifted the back of her hand to his lips.

"And you are handsome, as always," she told him.

"Shall we?" he asked, offering the crook of his arm to her. Molly slipped her arm through his and they ventured down to the street, walking to their destination in the warm summer air.

"So, who did it?" Molly questioned. "The murder, I mean."

"The brother, believe it or not," Sherlock answered. "Sibling rivalry gone wrong."

"Not like your sibling rivalry, I hope," Molly joked.

"No," he chuckled. "Contrary to popular belief, I could never do that to Mycroft nor him to me."

Molly gasped, "you care."

"Molly," he warned.

"Oh, you so care!" she sang. "You two love each other, I knew it!"

"Please, Molly, not out loud. Big brother is literally watching," Sherlock laughed.

Upon entering the restaurant, Angelo greeted them happily.

"Sherlock, to what do I owe this visit?" he asked. "And who is this lovely young lady on your arm?" Molly stifled a giggle.

"This is Molly Hooper," Sherlock replied adoringly, "and she is the love of my life." She felt breathless when he introduced her as such. Surely he had been joking earlier, but he was serious.

"There's something you don't hear every day," Angelo smiled. "I'll give you my best table." They followed him to a table toward the back and took their drink order; a bottle of strawberry wine, Molly's favourite. Sherlock became quite partial to it as well. When Angelo returned, he placed a candle in the center of their table.

"Sherlock, this is lovely, really. Thank you," she told him, as he poured wine into her glass.

"I wanted to," he smirked. "Besides, you deserve it, Molly." He paused a moment, mulling things over in his mind. "You deserve much more than I'm capable of."

"Don't talk like that," Molly warned him. He opened his mouth to protest. "No, Sherlock, I won't let you talk yourself down like that." She took his hand in hers, her thumb running across his knuckles. "You are all I have ever wanted. I know there are times when we'll be too busy for each other and we'll fight and it'll be messy, but at the end of the day, we love each other and that's all that matters."

"What would I do without you, Molly Hooper?" Sherlock breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she was right.

"You are so not gonna win," Molly giggled as they made it inside of the hallway. Mrs. Hudson peeked to see what all the ruckus was about and smiled to herself as she saw a tipsy Sherlock and Molly. She was sure her herbal soothers would be needed tonight; or maybe just earplugs.

"Molllly," Sherlock purred when they finally made it into their flat. "I always win."

"Oh really? Prove it then, detective boy," she challenged.

"The game is on, Miss Hooper," he replied with a smirk.

"No way! No, absolutely no way! You definitely cheated," Molly laughed.

"I did no such thing; you need to observe more," Sherlock told her.

"Give me a little credit, my mind's all fuzzy from the wine," she countered.

"So is mine, but I solved the case," he winked. "Miss Scarlet in the ballroom with the revolver." They sat on the floor in front of the coffee table, the Cluedo board covered in cards.

"You think you are so clever," Molly teased.

"I am so clever," Sherlock boasted. "Very clever, in fact."

"Humour me," she told him. He leaned in close and brushed his lips lightly up and across her jawline, stopping at her ear.

"I was clever enough to finally tell you how I felt," he whispered. "I love you." Sherlock stood and offered his hand to her to help her up. He walked over to the end table beside the sofa and put a record on Molly's turntable that sat there. Billie Holiday's I Can't Believe that you're in Love with Me began to play and all Molly could do was smile as he pulled her into his arms.

"Your eyes are blue, your kisses too; I never knew what they could do. I can't believe you're in love with me," Molly sang as they danced barefoot in the sitting room. He twirled her around and brought her in close, her back now against his chest with his arms wrapped around her waist.

"And after all is said and done, to think that I'm the lucky one; I can't believe you're in love with me," he crooned softly in her ear. He slipped off her denim jacket, tossing it onto the yellow chair she claimed as her own. Molly sighed with pleasure as he placed open-mouthed kisses on her bare shoulder, trailing his lips ever so slowly toward her neck. Molly turned around to face him and guided him to the sofa when the next song began. She seated herself in his lap and kissed him fervently, undoing the buttons of his shirt. Their wine soaked kisses were delicious and addicting. As the music played and a light summer rain fell outside, they lost themselves in each other for the night.

Author's Note: Y'all, I love writing tipsy!sherlolly lol