Molly felt elated today, dressed in jeans, a yellow polka dot blouse and a white cardigan. She grabbed her purse on her way to the door when Sherlock looked up from his laptop.
"Molly, brilliant, just made a breakthrough on my experiment," he informed her.
"That's great!" she exclaimed. "I have to go to Meena's though."
"Oh right, the baby shower," he remembered. "Don't forget Meena's gift." Sherlock held it out to her. He had actually helped her pick it out surprisingly.
"Oh, thank you," Molly replied. "It would do no good to arrive without it." She slipped the gift bag onto her wrist and kissed his cheek. "I'll see you later."
"Have fun," Sherlock called out to her as she left.
Molly had stayed behind after everyone left to help Meena tidy up.
"Thanks for helping, Molly," Meena told her. "And for the chemistry sensory mat. It's very you." She laughed at this.
"Oh, it was nothing," Molly told her. "When Sherlock and I saw it, I knew we had to get it for your little one."
"Sherlock picked it out with you?" she asked.
"Oh, yeah, he didn't want me to say anything about him having a hand in it, so just pretend you don't know," Molly explained.
"He went into a baby store with you, though? Sherlock Holmes?" Meena questioned.
"Yes, Meena," she laughed. "Anyways, I better get going; there's an experiment calling my name."
"You two are so weird," Meena laughed. "And don't think I didn't notice that gorgeous engagement ring, Molly! I need details soon!"
"It's cool to be weird!" Molly exclaimed as she took her leave.
When Molly arrived home, she found Sherlock on the sofa, fingertips steepled together beneath his chin. She seated herself on the opposite end, and though he was in his mind palace, Sherlock was always aware of her presence. He came to long enough to lie down and settle his head on her lap. Her fingers gently twisted his curls just the way he liked it.
Molly ended up lost in her own thoughts until the feel of his lips on her wrist brought her back to reality. He pressed an open mouthed kiss over her pulse point before kissing the finger adorned by her engagement ring.
"Did you have fun?" he asked.
"Mhmm," Molly answered.
"And she liked the gift?" Sherlock questioned.
"She did," Molly told him. "Want to share your findings of your experiment?"
"You know me so well, Molly Hooper," he smiled before they stood, venturing off to the kitchen together.
"What's this?" she asked, pointing to a flower stuck upside down in a glass.
"Separate experiment," he replied, switching on the blacklight. Molly followed his lead and turned off the kitchen light as he removed the flower from the glass of bright liquid. It was glowing in the dark from the mixture it had been set in.
"Wow, it's gorgeous," Molly marveled.
"For you," Sherlock smiled, putting it in a vase and handing it over to her.
"Why, thank you," she told him, rising up on her toes to kiss his cheek. "So, what's this breakthrough you've made?"
"Ah, yes, well," Sherlock clasped his hands together, "ever since we pursued our romantic endeavors, I have been cataloguing in my mind the chemistry of love." Molly's lips quirked up in amusement. "Of course, I compiled all of the various chemicals that play a part in all of this: testosterone, oestrogen, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, oxytocin and vasopressin."
"Go on," she encouraged.
"All are obviously necessary for romantic entanglements. I had studied up on all of them more closely; especially the latter two which are released post-coitus," he told her.
"You sound like Sheldon Cooper," Molly laughed. He gave a look of confusion at her remark. "Nevermind; you were saying?"
"Right, well, I had learned that the post-coital release of oxytocin and vasopressin supposedly deepened the bond of a relationship. I did not believe it, as it sounded fanciful, but have come to realize there is truth behind it from our own experience," Sherlock explained. "Now, please, keep in mind that I don't view our relationship as an experiment, I was simply trying to apply logic to something I did not understand at first."
"I know," she assured him. "Tell me more." Her eyes were bright as she looked up into his.
"In conclusion," he continued softly, "I feel deeply bonded to you; our chemistry has always been obvious. On a more sentimental note, which I realize is quite unlike me, but I am quite emotionally bonded to you as well. Though, I suppose that's evident."
"Nonsense," Molly remarked. "Being sentimental is not unlike you; you're one of the most sentimental people I know." She wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her head against his heart. He buried his hands in her hair, holding her close. It was a quiet moment that spoke volumes, the only sound was their breathing and the beating of their hearts.