Author's Note:
Sorry for the delay on the update in this story. There was a recent loss in the family. Other stuff and things were going on as well. But I am back now! Pretty cute chapter!
Shit. Why did this always have to happen when he and Sherlock finally managed to get closer to each other? With a final kiss to Sherlock's shoulder he slowly pulled out of his husband and moved to grab a towel. Before he left the bathroom he grabbed the bar of soap and gently ran it over his body to add some bubbles to his skin in an attempt to throw their son off about what had been going on. With that he darted from the bathroom, instantly going to the bed and embracing Thomas. The soap smeared across the boy's clothes but he hardly cared because in that moment he wanted to make sure Thomas was all right. "Shh, it's all right, I'm here," he whispered as he ran a hand through their son's hair.
Amy whimpered, woke up, and looked at the scene in front of her before sliding from the bed and climbing into Sherlock and John's without a care, easily going back to sleep.
Sherlock turned around so his back was to the wall and slid to a sitting position. He sighed and finished himself off half heartedly. He wouldn't have even bothered if he thought it would just go away on his own. But John shagging him had been rather amazing and enjoyable, so he was certain his hard on wouldn't simply go away.
Thomas didn't seem to notice or care that his Dad was wet and soapy. He clung to John, trying to take deep calming breaths. He felt a little stupid. It had only been a bad dream. He was almost ten now, he shouldn't be such a baby about things anymore.
John instantly pulled Thomas into his lap, holding the boy as close as he could manage. It scared him because he knew what nightmares were like and the last thing he wanted to do was know that his son was going through the same thing. "Shhh, it's all right," he murmured as he started to rock them back and forth. "Crying is good, I do it after nightmares, too."
Sherlock finally got up off the shower floor and turned the water off. He dried off and wrapped a towel around him. He wanted to find different clothes to wear. The polo shirt and shorts still didn't feel right on him. He walked out of the bathroom and glanced over to John and Thomas briefly. He was just going to walk by but he was supposed to be doing a better job at being a father. He moved over to his husband and their son. He sat down near them and lifted his hand to gently rub against the boy's back.
Thomas relaxed a little when he felt his Daddy's hand on his back. "I don't want to cry. Could...I have some privacy to write in my journal?" He glanced up at his Dad and then over at his Daddy.
John smiled softly and nodded, placing a soft kiss on Thomas' cheek before slowly letting him go. "Of course. There's a little bit of a living room over there so why don't you get and sit there? I'm going to relocate your little sister," he murmured with a chuckle before sliding off the bed and moving to pick up Amy.
Right away she whimpered and curled into John's still-damp chest, face scrunched at the amount of noise in the room. It was clear that she wouldn't be sleeping for very much longer.
Journal? Sherlock didn't even know Thomas was keeping one. He watched their son get a spiral notebook from his luggage and then go to the table by the telly and sit down. He glanced over to John, who was now holding little Sandi. Well, he supposed he would find new clothes to wear after all. He got up off the children's bed and went to his suitcase. Black jeans and a buttoned up shirt. It would do. He went back to the bathroom and it didn't take long for him to get dressed and walk back out to be with the rest of his family. He had taken his husband's boxers in and put them on while in there and the thought made him smirk.
John watched his husband for a moment before slowly moving to sit on their bed, holding Amy close to him as he just looked down at her. His thoughts were easily keeping him occupied and he knew that if he voiced them to his husband that they might end up getting in a row. But as he gazed down at their daughter he couldn't help but notice the little bits of Sarah he saw in her. While his hair was more of a sandy blonde, Amy's was far lighter and resembled Sarah's far more. Her little nose, thankfully, came from her Mum as well. "My precious Amy," he whispered as he closed his eyes and pressed his nose against the crown of her head.
Sherlock watched John with little Sandi, a small smile on his lips. He didn't want to interrupt their moment and he turned to look at Thomas. Their son was still writing in the journal. Right then. He wasn't entirely sure what to do with himself at the moment. He sat down on the bed he was sharing with his husband and pulled out his mobile and sent a text to Mycroft.
I'm sure you know already, but the family and I made it safe to America. -SH
Since their mother had died, he hadn't really spoken to his older brother about much. He had avoided visiting at the manor. It had just been too painful. The same with seeing Mycroft, just too many memories. He couldn't avoid his brother forever though he supposed, so he had sent the text.
When Sherlock sat down next to him John moved to gently lean against him, keeping Amy in his arms as she slowly started to relax and fall back asleep. In that moment he was incredibly thankful for having his husband in his life and for how the man was willing to just turn around and take care of a daughter that wasn't his own.
Still in New York, then? I am glad you are all safe. -MH
John glanced at Sherlock's phone with a soft smile when he saw Mycroft's name, a rush of happiness going through his body. Sherlock was definitely growing up.
It is nice hearing from you. -MH
Sherlock leaned into John without really even realizing it. It was more of an automatic reaction than anything. He sent another text to Mycroft after reading his brother's messages.
Yes. We will probably be in New York City a day longer than anticipated. Our first day had a bit of a mishap but everything is fine. Nothing to worry about dear brother. -SH
He took a deep breath and hesitated before he sent another message.
Yes, well...figured you should know. Wouldn't want you to send your assistant or something ridiculous to check up on us. I will keep you updated as the vacation progressed if you would like. -SH
And off they went, talking like brothers were supposed to. Right away John relaxed at the thought, smiling as he tilted his head and placed a soft kiss against his husband's cheek. "I'm so very proud of you," he said softly, one hand managing to move to rest gently on the man's thigh. "And I know that you will make it through this." Texting Mycroft was definitely the first step to all of that.
I would appreciate that. Gregory wished you all a very happy holiday and requests that you no longer tell Siger of your murder investigations. I fear we have a budding detective on our hands. -MH
Sherlock smirked a bit. He dropped his hand down for a brief moment and gave John's hand a squeeze before typing another text to his brother.
Siger was well on his way there before I started telling him about my investigations. I'm sure he and Thomas will make an improvement for the Yard when they get there. -SH
After he hit 'send' he leaned over and gave his husband a quick kiss on the lips. "I love you."
"I love you, too," John whispered as he gave his husband another quick kiss, smiling softly at the entire moment. Never in his life did he think he'd end up with a family and yet here he was, a little family sitting in a hotel room on holiday. "I'll make everything up to you," he murmured with a nod toward the bathroom. He knew for a fact that the next city they visited they'd planned on getting their own room for a night. Having some time alone was definitely something he was looking forward to.
I am glad to see you have yet to lose your sense of humour. -MH
Sherlock only smirked bigger as he read the next text, despite the fact that Mycroft couldn't see it. The smirk just kept getting larger as he heard what John said. "Mmm, I'll hold you to that my dear doctor." Maybe his husband was right. He would make it through this. There were times he didn't think he would but now he finally seemed to be moving forward. Texting his brother was proof of that.
Nice to see you that you still don't have one. -SH
"I know you will," John replied softly as his eyes started to shut. Before long he was napping happily against his husband, Amy curled against his chest and snoring slightly at the angle she was at. It didn't take too long for her to slowly start to wake up though, blinking owlishly at her Dada before glancing over at her Papa. She didn't move, though, and instead gazed up at him from the comfort of John's arms, her little chest moving in even breaths.
Now, now, dear brother, we both know that isn't true. -MH
Sherlock smirked again at the next text. He glanced over to John and saw that his husband had fallen asleep but little Sandi was now awake. "Hey Baby Girl," he whispered. He glanced behind him and saw that Thomas had fallen asleep, pen still in hand and face pressed against the paper the boy had been writing on. They would need to be quiet. He put his mobile away in favor of paying attention to Amy.
Amy took several more deep breaths, eyes just staring up at Sherlock before she smiled. It was soft and sleepy and before long she was curling against John with a giggle. "Hi Papa," she whispered as she reached a hand out and gently grabbed one of his fingers. A yawn made her whole body stretch and with that John shifted a bit, face scrunching before he relaxed again.
Sherlock smiled again and shifted a bit so little Sandi could reach his hand a bit better. Well, what now? Half the family was sleeping. It was a hotel room, so it wasn't like they could go to another room. Maybe he could take Amy out somewhere for a bit, so John and Thomas could nap in peace.
Before long Amy was slowly squirming out of John's arms and moving to settle in Sherlock's lap. "Can we goes walk 'round a'cause everybody else is asleeping," she said softly as she squeezed Sherlock's finger and wiggled it a little. "Maybe we can goes to the pool."
"Okay Baby Girl, but let's leave Dada and Thomas a note so they won't worry about us." Sherlock got up off the bed, holding little Sandi to his chest securely. He scrawled out a message for his husband and left it on the bed next to John. He took a key card to the room and then left it quietly.
The moment they were out of the room Amy giggled. "But Papa," she whispered softly. "I has to gets my swimming suit if we is gonna go swimming," she added with a nod. "Unless you just wants to walk 'round a'cuse then we'll do that. I just wants you to be happy," she declared as she craned her neck and placed a kiss on Sherlock's cheek.
Sherlock smiled. Right. Of course. How could he have forgotten? "You are absolutely right Baby Girl." He snuck back in the room and grabbed little Sandi's swim suit. He had seen one of those family restrooms near the water park, where she could change. He took them downstairs and went into the bathroom once he made sure it was empty. "Come on. Let's get you ready to swim." He planned on sitting on the side and just watching their daughter rather than getting in.
As Amy was set down she giggled, easily starting to change before handing her dress off to Sherlock when she was finally in her swimming suit. "Okay Papa," she said softly, looking up at him with bright eyes and a wide smile. "I is ready to go swimmings now." With a nod she reached just one hand up, wiggling her fingers expectantly so Sherlock would take her hand and they could walk toward the small water park.
Sherlock took the dress and then little Sandi's hand. He led them to the water park and when they were close to the shallow pool he let go of her hand. "Be careful Baby Girl. Papa is right here, watching you." He moved about midway down, took his shoes and socks off and put his feet in the cool water as he sat down on the ledge. The cuffs of his trousers got a bit wet but he didn't seem to care.
Amy had started to run toward the water but the moment Sherlock told her to be careful she slowed down, looking up at him as she slowly walked into the water. The moment it was up to her waist she splashed happily. Before long she was running toward a small fountain in the middle of the shallow pool, playfully slapping at the water before giggling and stumbling away.
Sherlock watched little Sandi with a small smile. He wished he could be carefree and happy like that. He wished that she would always be like that. That life wouldn't ruin her. It was stupid, irrational and selfish of him for Amy to stay a little girl forever. He supposed, no matter how old she got she would always be his little girl.
After a while Amy made her way to the edge of the pool, her cheeks flushed as she took several deep breaths. "Papa," she said softly, carelessly setting a wet hand on top of Sherlock's thigh and clearly not caring that he still had his clothes on. "Does you knows that I loves you?" A soft smile tugged at her lips as she swayed a bit in the water.
Sherlock broke out into a full smile. "As a matter of fact I did Baby Girl. And you know what? I love you too Sweetie." He didn't care little Sandi was wet, he scooped her in his arms and gave her a hug. He kissed her forehead before gently setting her back into the water.
A loud laugh escaped Amy's lips as she was scooped up and the moment she was set back down she blushed. "And I wants to be just likes you when I is all growed up," she added with a small smile. "I wants to be a you." A small nod moved her head as she splashed some water aimlessly before letting out a small sigh, clearly showing that she was starting to get tired again.
Sherlock smiled softly. He still didn't understand why the children wanted to grow up like him. While he constantly said he was 'perfect and amazing' he still had a hard time wrapping his head around Thomas and Amy idolizing him. "You look like you are ready for another nap Baby Girl."
After another yawn Amy narrowed her eyes and shook her head. "No." Clearly she was starting to get in a typical three-year-old moods, wanting to argue with anybody around her. "I doesn't wants to sleep a'cause I wants to be with you while they all sleeps." After that pause she took a step back to get herself further away from Sherlock.
Sherlock sighed softly. It was better to let herself wear out than argue. It would be less exhausting for him anyway. He kept his gaze upon her intently though, worried that her weariness might lead to a tumble or fall. It had been a long really, and jet lag was probably still getting the better of his family. He had already adjusted but his sleep schedule had never been normal to begin with.
After several more minutes in the pool Amy slowly made her way back to the edge, gazing up at Sherlock with a large yawn. "I thinks that I am tired now, Papa," she said softly, keeping her body in the pool as both of her arms lifted and folded on the edge. Her blue eyes were heavy and with some effort she climbed out of the pool and sat down next to him. "I is tired."
Sherlock smirked. "All right Baby Girl. Let's get you back upstairs." He picked up his shoes and socks and decided to just walk barefoot back upstairs. He picked up their daughter's clothes and then little Sandi next, not seeming to care he was getting his clothes wet. He grabbed a towel and dried Amy off the best he could with his hands full. John and Thomas hadn't come looking for them so he figured they were probably still sleeping. He took them back upstairs and entered their room quietly.
John looked up from a book in his hands the moment Sherlock and Amy came back into the room, smiling just a bit. "Hey," he whispered as he closed the book and set it on the bedside table between the two beds. The pool had been a good idea because now their daughter was absolutely exhausted. The problem was now that their son would probably have some energy once he woke up.
"Hi Dada," Amy murmured as she curled tighter into Sherlock's chest as another yawn took over her body. "I wants my 'jamas and then I wants to sleep," she declared softly.
Sherlock smiled at John. He glanced over to their son, Thomas was still sleeping. "Hey," he whispered back. He dropped the shoes and clothing by the door, he would pick them later. He moved over to little Sandi's suitcase and got out her pajamas. He set her on the bed gently and dried her off a little more fully before changing Amy out of the swimming suit.
John watched with a smile as Amy was changed and stood up to stand beside his husband. "Look at that, you being such a wonderful father," he whispered as one hand moved to rest on Sherlock's lower back. Watching the man act like a father always warmed his heart and he could do nothing more than smile about the fact that it was happening.
Amy stood up on her feet the moment she was in her pajamas, smiling happily up at her parents. "So's you guys loves each other lots, yeah? Is that why all the peoples always come and talks to you? A'cause they is jealous of how much you loves each other?"
Sherlock smirked a bit and instantly leaned back into John's touch. He gave a slight shrug at his husband's words because accepting that John was right was still something he could not do. Maybe someday he would think himself fit to be a father but today wasn't that day. He looked down at little Sandi, the smirk growing. "That is exactly why Baby Girl."
John chuckled and moved forward, gently picking Amy up and spinning her around several times before laying her down on the bed. "Righto Miss Amy," he said with a nod, looking serious for a moment. "It is time for princesses to go to sleep," he murmured as he tucked the blankets in around her body. "We will be over there near Thomas if you need anything." With that he placed a kiss against her forehead and ran a hand gently through her hair.
"You too, Papa! I needs a kiss froms you too!" Amy looked up at him expectantly.
Sherlock watched John and little Sandi with a smile. How could he possibly be a perfect father when his husband was obviously the better of the two them? Out. He needed to stay out of his head. "Of course Baby Girl." He leaned down and gave Amy a kiss on the forehead. "Sweet dreams."
Talking. Thomas groaned. He hadn't meant to fall asleep while writing in his journal. He lifted his head and found that the notebook stuck to his face. He grumbled and removed the object, setting it back down on the table. Sleeping in that position hadn't been comfortable at all. He looked over at his parents tucking Amy into bed. How long had he slept? Was the day over already? Had he ruined the first day of holiday for his family? He sighed at his thoughts and began writing in his journal again.
As John turned to go and pick up Thomas he noticed that the boy was awake and writing again. "Hey mate," he said as he moved to stand in front of the boy. Right away he made it obvious he wasn't looking in their son's journal and instead focusing intently on him. "We were fancying a bit of a movie, I think. When you're done writing would you want to watch one with me and Daddy?"
They were? Sherlock just went with it. "We'll even let you pick, Son." He moved over to the door to pick up the discarded items from the floor and put them away. There had been a time in his life, he never would have even bothered but ever since having children it had basically been ingrained in him without him really realizing it.
Thomas shut the journal the moment he saw his Dad walking over and he shrugged. "I guess." The thought didn't really excite him but it was hard for him to get excited about anything when he was feeling bad about everything else.
It didn't take long for John to notice what was wrong and right away he moved to sit beside his son, wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulders with a soft smile. "Is everything all right?" It was a shot in the dark and he knew that Thomas probably wouldn't say anything but it was worth a try. He felt absolutely horrible when his son looked like he wasn't happy at all.
Sherlock frowned as he looked at Thomas. The sad look in the boy's eyes. Their son seemed upset or bothered by something and he never really knew how to approach Thomas then. John always seemed to though. He was supposed to be a better father. He could do this. He took a breath and walked over to his son and husband. He knelt down on the other side and slowly put his hand on the boy's back. "You can talk to us about anything Son."
Thomas glanced from his Dad and then to his Daddy. "It is just stupid stuff." He gave a slight shrug. His dad's would just disagree with him and tell him nice things he didn't deserve so he didn't really see the point in sharing.
"Nothing is stupid," John replied right away, raising an eyebrow as he continued to look at the boy. "You're our son, our little boy, and we feel horrible when you look unhappy or upset. We just want to help you," he said softly as he licked his lips. "Please talk to us, that's what we're here for. I'll even get up if you fancy just telling your Daddy."
Sherlock couldn't help but begin deducing Thomas. The posture. Tone of voice. Lack of eye contact. Their son lacked self confidence. Perhaps even possessed some sort of self hatred, or at the very least doubt. Perhaps it was so easy for him to see because these were exactly how he felt when it came to being a father and he could certainly relate. "You know how I'm always saying I'm perfect and amazing Thomas?" He gave a small smirk as the boy slowly turned to look at him. "Guess what, I'm not. I worry about things. I get scared. Sometimes I don't know what to do or say. I get nervous. And sometimes...I even hate myself a little. But you know what? It's okay because I have John, Amy and of course you to help me when I struggle with my worst enemy, me." That hadn't been as hard for him to admit as he thought it would be.
Thomas stared up at his Daddy with wide eyes. "But...your are like Superman. You aren't scared of anything and...and...and..." He tried to think of a valid argument but all he could do was sputter incoherent words.
All John could do for the longest moment was smile, looking between the two of them as he slowly started to relax. That's exactly what Thomas needed after the day they'd had. Maybe this would show their son that he was a wonderful boy despite all of the little imperfections that he seemed to struggle with, things that everybody had. In that moment he was beyond proud of his husband. "And Superman is just like you, isn't he?" He whispered as he rubbed Thomas' arm in an attempt to help him calm down just a bit from the visible shock of the moment. "You're just like Daddy."
Sherlock watched Thomas with a small smile, studying their son intently. The boy was just staring at him with wonder and he began to think maybe he said the wrong thing. That maybe he crushed his illusion that Thomas had for him.
For a long time, Thomas just stared up at his Daddy. He finally moved, shifting to kneel on the chair so he could reach Sherlock's face despite the fact the much taller man was already kneeling on the floor. He put his hands on his Daddy's face. "If you ever think you aren't perfect and amazing then you are wrong, because to me you are." He smiled and then looked at John. "Thank you for being the best Dad ever." He wrapped his arms around his Dad in a hug.
Well that certainly went better than expected. John returned the embrace, winking at Sherlock and grinning. It was going to take some work but he knew they could brighten up Thomas' life as he continued to grow up. It was their job as parents anyway so he knew that they had to make everything as positive as possible for him. "And thank you for being the best son ever," he whispered as his hand ran up and down Thomas' back gently. "We are so very blessed to have you."
That had certainly turned out better than he thought it would. Sherlock watched John hug Thomas with a smile. Okay. Now he was back to not knowing what to do or say. He decided to be quiet and hope things would get better from here.
Thomas blushed and shrugged. He didn't understand why his parents were always so nice to him but maybe he could get used to it. "What movie should we watch?"