Author's Note:
I updated a little later than I wanted. Still trying to get a routine down. Have a lot going on right now, but I will try to add another chapter in a week or less.
John woke up with a soft sigh, cracking his eyes open and curiously looking around before everything clicked. He and Sherlock were asleep on the couch and the kids, by the sound of it, had managed to tuck themselves into bed. It took several moments before he slowly untangled himself from Sherlock's arms, wincing at the amount of pain in his body. Probably not the best to sleep sitting up. Sherlock was still asleep and he didn't want to wake his husband up so he just made his way to the bathroom, starting up a shower for himself and simply standing under the warm water.
Sherlock had heard John get up and go to the bathroom. He sat up with a groan and stretched out his long limbs. He was surprised he had fallen asleep, maybe he hadn't adjusted to the time change like he thought he had. He finally got up off the couch and he moved into the bathroom as well. "Do you want some company my dear doctor?"
John smiled a bit to himself, glancing toward the shower curtain before finally pulling it back a bit so he could look at his husband. "If it's from you, of course," he murmured. It was clear that he wasn't uncomfortable with himself at all around Sherlock despite the fact that he'd managed to put on a bit of weight. With this current PTSD issue he knew he'd be losing some of it pretty soon. "We need to keep an ear out for the kids, though. No idea when they'll wake up."
Sherlock raised a brow as he began undressing. "And who else would want to shower with such an adorable doctor, who's married? Lots of women I bet. They still look at you, you know. Despite your wedding band." He smirked a bit. "Even a few blokes now and then." There was no jealosy in his words. He had finally grown out of that a few years back. He was just trying to help make his husband feel better. He got in the shower. "When they wake up, I can go out to them." He gave John a quick kiss on the lips.
Right away John blushed, looking at his husband before he happily met his lips. "Too bad I am married to the most handsome man I have ever met," he whispered softly as a hand moved slowly down Sherlock's chest. He hardly ever noticed people looking at him simply because he was starting to find himself unattractive as it was. Why would anybody want this? Hell, sometimes he wondered why Sherlock hadn't run off to find somebody better looking than him.
"Well, I am pretty amazing and perfect." Sherlock smirked a bit but it twitched a frown as he studied his husband. At the beginning of their relationship he would have tried to distract John with kisses and touches but they were beyond that. He did wrap his arms around his husband in a comforting hug though. "You know, the reason I married you isn't because you are adorable. Although, that was part of it." A small smirk. "I married you because you strong, brave and besides me," another smirk, "the most amazing person there is." He finished with a quick kiss to John's lips.
Leave it to Sherlock to instantly cheer him up. John couldn't help the soft smile that tugged at his lips, looking up at his husband tiredly. "Thanks," he murmured softly before letting himself relax completely against the man. Already everything was catching up to him and he felt far more sluggish than he had the previous day. Mentally he wasn't prepared for anything. "I still don't understand why you're married to me."
Sherlock smiled and held his husband close to him. "Well, then we are even. I don't understand why you are married to me." He gave a small smirk and gave John another kiss on the lips. "I married you because I love you and your adorable, obviously." The smirk got a bit bigger.
John chuckled just a bit and moved to grab the shampoo, starting to wash Sherlock's hair without a second thought. "I love you, too," he murmured softly. It wasn't too hard to start feeling happy with his husband right there doing everything he could to cheer him up. "More than you will ever know."
Sherlock leaned down so John could reach easier automatically. "I think I have an idea how much you love me. I mean, all the crazy things we have done together." He smirked mischievously. "Some of them were wildly fun. Remember the riding crop?" Jesus. The riding crop. Tying John to a chair. He hadn't meant to let his thoughts run rampant with one of their role play games. They needed to get separate hotel rooms before he went insane with sexual frustration.
The riding crop. The thought alone made John chuckle just a bit, biting his bottom lip as a blush spread quickly over his cheeks. "Yeah, I loved every second of that." It was hard to believe he had simply because he was more keen to enjoy soft and loving and that had been the complete opposite. "I remember the time in the aeroplane cargo hold far too well."
"The alley way on our honey moon. The alley way behind our flat, when you pretended to be with the Yard." Sherlock smirked. "When I hand cuffed you to our bed and blind folded you. Smeared strawberry cheesecake on you and then licked it off you in hotel in Kabul." He really needed to stop thinking about these things before he got a hard on with no real way of taking care of it other than himself. Besides, John needed him right now. He leaned in and gave his husband a soft, slow lingering kiss on the lips. "I love you John Watson."
All of the talking was simply making him blush and all John could do was easily return the kiss, one hand sliding from Sherlock's hair to smear shampoo down the man's side. "I love you, Sherlock Holmes," he said softly before pressing their bodies together. For a moment he felt attractive and all he wanted to do was hold Sherlock and let him know how absolutely amazing he was as well. "I love you so much."
Sherlock smiled and gave John another kiss. "I know you do, even if you are smearing shampoo all over me." He smirked a bit as he reached up and got some of the suds from his hair and he rubbed it under his husband's chin. "I always wondered what you would look like with a beard, now I know." He smirked again and even though there were now bubbles in his way he gave John another kiss on the lips.
And now they were simply playing around, something that made John smile and even manage a bit of a laugh. "I think I would look absolutely horrid," he murmured softly before standing on his toes to start a slow kiss with his husband. Without a thought his tongue slid into Sherlock's mouth and he let out a soft moan as he did so.
Sherlock smiled too and he was about to reply but John was kissing him gloriously. He couldn't help but press into his husband a bit. He hadn't come into the shower with the intent to start anything with John. He decided to let his husband have control over whatever, and followed John's lead with the kiss.
No more than kissing. That was all he was going to allow himself. John exhaled softly from his nose as one hand slid slowly down to grip Sherlock's arse and give it a small squeeze. Without a thought he pressed his hips forward before forcing himself to pull away. They didn't have time for a slow shag like he really wanted which meant it would have to wait until their next hotel. "I love you."
Sherlock fought not to react to John pressing against him and managed a stifled moan. "I love you too." He leaned in to give his husband another kiss, still letting John have control of it like last time. He was certainly looking forward to their time alone in the next hotel. He needed to pull away from his husband. "We should stop before..." He trailed off and shifted a bit.
"Before they wake up and interrupt us again?" John smiled softly but it hardly reached his eyes and reflected how tormented his mind really felt at the moment. "One more day and we will have our own room. Then we can go nice and slow." The last few had been rushed and while the sex was always good he simply wanted to feel Sherlock and enjoy it. "I'll ride you if you fancy."
Sherlock managed a small smirk and nodded. "Of course. Nice and slow. I'll kiss you all over, talk to you." It had been awhile since they had made love like that. Lately it had all been rough and needy shaggings but John needed more than that right now and he was more than happy to oblige.
John just nodded as he moved to shut the water off and grab a towel. "Good. I miss that." Having children had definitely taken those opportunities away from them. "It will be fantastic, I'm sure." After giving Sherlock a quick kiss he moved out of the shower and inspected himself in front of the mirror, running a hand gently across the scar on his left shoulder.
Sherlock followed John out of the shower. He moved behind his husband and wrapped his arms around John. He leaned down and pressed his lips against his husband's scar. "I know you don't like the scars but I do." He smiled and kissed the scar again. "They define who you are. The man I fell in love with."
At least somebody loved them. John could never forget the look of horror on Amy's face when she saw them and was old enough to understand what they were. It made him swallow shakily before letting his head fall back to rest on Sherlock's shoulder. "The define me as an idiot for getting shot," he murmured with a soft sigh. "I just hate the way I look now." Too much fat, too many scars.
"You aren't the only one with scars Love. I was an idiot and got shot and poisoned." Sherlock managed a faint smirk. "If you hadn't been shot the first time, we probably would have never met. And I..." He took a deep breath, "...I probably wouldn't be alive." It wasn't something he particularly wanted to think about but it was true. "So, I'm glad you were 'an idiot for getting shot.'" Another small smirk found its way to his lips.
They typically weren't one for such emotional conversations but here they were in a hotel bathroom. John just smiled and turned his head and placed several soft kisses on Sherlock's neck. "I love you. You're fantastic," he murmured. It had been a while since they had just had a moment to themselves and he was really enjoying it.
Sherlock smiled. "Of course I am. I'm amazing and perfect, remember?" He wrapped his arms around John in a hug. "I love you too." He held his husband close, his head tilting a bit so John could kiss his neck easier. This moment with his husband was nice but he knew the children would be up soon so he was determined to enjoy it as long as he could.
Having Sherlock hold him like this was relaxing him completely and despite the fact that John was given permission to kiss his husband's neck more, he stopped as his body became far too calm. "Perfect," he whispered as his tiredness became apparent. "I need to go lay down, I'm sorry," he whispered with a small blush. Their moment alone was nice but he was definitely losing his battle with the issues in his head.
Sherlock frowned a bit. Damn it. He was failing John right now. "Do you want me to lay down with you?" He wasn't sure if his husband was dismissing him now or not. He reluctantly let go of John, missing his husband's closeness already. The moment hadn't lasted nearly as long as he would have liked but now he was just being selfish by wanting to hold his husband close again.
Shit. That was the opposite of what John warned. "Of course you can," he replied softly as he turned and instantly wrapped his arms around Sherlock. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Sherlock. Having my husband hold me would only help me feel better," he said with a soft smile. Maybe that would help the man feel a little better. "I promise it isn't you. I love you."
Fuck. He was making John feel worse by being stupid and selfish. Sherlock managed a small smile. "Come along then Love. I know, I'm not the only one who needs to stay out of their head from time to time." He grabbed his husband by the hand and led them to their bed. The children were still sleeping. Good, time to cuddle with John and hopefully make his husband feel better.
Without hesitation John curled against Sherlock's side, head on his husband's shoulder. One hand moved to rest on the man's stomach, aimlessly moving around as he listened to Sherlock's heartbeat. "I love you so much," he murmured softly. This was exactly what he needed and already his mind felt far more calm than it had in nearly a day.
Sherlock smiled and lifted a hand to run through John's hair soothingly. The other found his husband's hand and he intertwined their fingers together. "I love you too." John seemed to be finally calming down. Good. He wasn't totally useless as a husband after all. John could always make him feel better and he wanted to return the favor.
That was all it took. The fingers through his hair made John smile, pressing closer to his husband without a thought. "I love you," he repeated, this time his voice much softer and his words slurring together a bit more. All it took was Sherlock to calm him down and that thought alone slowly helped him drift off into a light sleep.
Sherlock smiled. Good. John was taking a nap. The children would probably be up soon. He wasn't tired but he stayed curled up next to his husband, the hand still running through John's hair. "Easy my dear doctor. Everything will be fine." He hadn't talked to John while the other man slept in awhile but he hoped it would help keep his husband calm and the sleep restful.
Amy shifted on her bed, sitting up with a small and squeaky yawn. Both of her hands lifted up to rub at her eyes and as she turned to look at Sherlock it was clear she had slept rather well. Her blonde hair was everywhere, blue eyes hardly opened as she smiled sleepily toward her parents' bed. After several silent moments of inspection she noticed that her Dada was asleep and simply waved at Sherlock.
Sherlock smiled and waved back to little Sandi. He tried not to move too much, worried that he would wake up John. He heard Thomas shifting and groaning but the boy wasn't quite awake yet. He ran a hand through his husband's hair, hoping to keep John asleep and calm as possible.
Right away Amy knew what that hesitant wave from her Papa meant and she silently moved off of the bed, standing on her toes to look over it to make sure that Thomas was still asleep. With a small nod she made her way into the bathroom, shutting the door as quietly as she could manage. Before long the sound of the toilet flushing managed to come into the room, as well as the sink running - she'd jumped up on the counter to wash her hands - and then she reappeared in the hotel room. Still half-asleep she slowly made her way toward the telly, climbing on to the couch and easily turning it on so the volume wasn't on at all.
Sherlock smiled as he watched little Sandi move about. He curled into John and closed his eyes. He wasn't sleeping but it was nice and peaceful.
Thomas stirred and woke up slowly. He noticed that Amy was up already immediately. The room was quiet though. He glanced over to his parent's bed. They both were asleep it seemed. He climbed out of bed quietly as he could and moved over to his sister by the telly.
As soon as Amy had company she smiled, looking up at Thomas and offering the remote to him. "Morning, 'Mas," she said softly. Another yawn opened her mouth widely and before long she was eagerly resting against her older brother. "Dada and Papa is asleeps," she whispered with a small giggle.
Thomas grinned. "We can watch some American cartoons Sis," he whispered excitedly. He flipped through until he found something called Cartoon Network. He kept the sound low and put the remote on the arm of the couch. He wrapped an arm around Amy protectively.
As the cartoons flashed across the screen Amy could do nothing more than watch, occasionally yawning and shifting to constantly be close to her older brother. "So's when you gets growed up does that means that we can't be friends any mores?" She knew that at some point they would both grow up and that would mean not living together anymore.
Thomas frowned. "What? Of course we will still be friends. We'll be friends forever. You are my Sissy Poo." The arm around Amy pulled her a little closer in a sideways hug.
Amy nodded and a sense of relief washed through her. "I just wanted to knows a'cause Dada and his sissy doesn't talk and I doesn't wants that to happen to us." She gazed up at him with wide, curious eyes. After a small sigh she nervously dropped her gaze to Thomas' feet. The last thing she wanted was to lose her brother.
The frown returned. "It won't happen to us, I promise. I won't let it happen. Ever. I'll always be here for my Sissy." He turned and put his other arm around Amy to give her a proper hug.
Before long John heard the voices of their children talking in the small living room and before long he was starting to come out of the light sleep he'd managed to find. "Are you sleeping?" His voice was rough as he lifted his head to glance up at Sherlock, eyes only half open.
Amy smiled at hearing that, clearly happy that Thomas was never going to leave her. "Okay. I believes you," she whispered with a nod. "And I knows that you is never gonna leaves me."
Sherlock groaned. Damn it. Had he fallen asleep? John had that affect on him. Able to make him relax and just drift off even if he wasn't really tired. "No." The words were grumbled but there was a slight smirk on his lips.
Thomas smiled. "Good because it is true." He looked over to the bed, when he heard his parents talking. Time to get ready for the day then. "Going to shower Sis, I'll be back soon." He released Amy from the hug and got off the couch. He got a fresh pair of clothes and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
All John could do was smile at the sound of Sherlock's rough voice. "Sure," he whispered with a smirk of his own as he stretched his body and then met his husband's lips. "Thank you for holding me," he whispered softly.
Amy watched as her brother left before getting off the couch and running toward the bed. It took her several moments before she managed to climb on. "Dada, Papa!" She jumped on the mattress and giggled as she noticed how close they were.
Sherlock smiled at John. "Of course my Love, that's what husband's are for." He turned his attention to little Sandi. "Good morning Baby Girl." He smiled again, this time at their daughter. "Are you ready to see America?" He planned on driving this time, so a repeat of yesterday didn't happen.
John kept himself curled against Sherlock, not ready to leave the comfort even if Amy was on the bed with them. He hardly cared if their daughter saw. They were doing nothing wrong, simply holding each other.
"Yes, Papa," Amy said with a nod as she made herself comfortable right at their feet. "And I thinks that 'Mas is super excited a'cause he likes the history stuffs, y'know?" Already taking after John in terms of language.
Sherlock smiled at little Sandi's word choice. He was pleased for John. He snuggled a little closer to his husband, since John didn't seem to mind then he certainly wouldn't. "I think it will be fun for the whole family."
A blush spread instantly across John's cheeks and in that moment he knew without a doubt that Amy was, biologically, his daughter. Feeling Sherlock snuggle closer to him made a soft sigh slip through his lips and before long his eyes were closed again. "Very fun," he repeated after his husband as a soft smile tugged at his lips.
Amy giggled and flopped on to her stomach as she studied both of her parents. "I likes it when you snuggle since it shows that you's is more in love," she murmured with a grin. "And I likes that you's is in love."
Sherlock smiled and tilted his head against John's. "I like when we snuggle too Baby Girl." He hoped someday she would find someone to snuggle with like this. That's what every parent wanted though, right? Admittedly though, the thought made him a bit anxious and worried. God, Amy wasn't even four yet and he was already wondering if she would find someone and get married. Be happy.
John chuckled and studied their daughter the best he could with his head resting on Sherlock's chest. Already he could tell that his husband was thinking but he decided to keep the man as distracted as possible so his thoughts wouldn't get the best of him. "Are you excited, Amy?"
Amy nodded eagerly and bit her bottom lip as she moved a bit closer to John and Sherlock. "Yeah. But I thinks you should has some time alone so I is gonna go and sits on the couch, yeahs?" She reached out and patted each of their shins before sliding off the bed and making her way toward the couch and the telly.
Sherlock smiled as he watched their daughter move to the couch to watch the telly once more. "I was just laying here and wondering if little Sandi will ever find happiness like we did. Worried about things that may or may not happen. God John, I just want her to be happy. That's normal though, isn't it?" He didn't realize it, but he hugged his husband closer to him.
Thomas came out of the bathroom clean and in new clothes. He was doing a lot better than yesterday. His parents were still on the bed so he moved back over to Amy to watch cartoons with his sister.
John looked up at Sherlock with a soft laugh, smirking just a bit. "Very normal," he replied after a long moment. "Except she isn't that old, love, and I don't fancy her with somebody at all. Not my Baby Girl. Not yet, at least." But he understood what his husband meant in every way possible. "I feel the exact same way when I look at both of them."
Amy looked at Thomas and smiled. "They is in love so I moves over here to gives them some snuggling time," she explained softly as she crossed her legs happily.
Sherlock smirked a bit. "There was that boy at her birthday party when she turned three." John had been so worried and tensed about a boy liking their daughter and the thought was amusing to him.
Thomas glanced over to their parents and nodded a bit. He wasn't sure if ever wanted to find anyone. It wasn't like anyone would like him anyway. He barely liked himself, so why would anyone else? So much for the confidence he had found. He sighed at himself and looked back to the telly.
John narrowed his eyes dangerous and then shook his eyes. "No," he murmured despite the playful smile on his lips. "She is never dating any sort of boy or girl. Ever." After he cleared his throat he craned his neck and gently met his husband's lips. No more talking, just kissing.
Amy looked at her brother with a giggle and shook her head. "Don't be thinkings like that a'cause Papa found somebody, didn't he? And you is just likes Papa so you is gonna be just fine."
Sherlock smiled and returned the kiss. "I love you," he murmured into John's lips. He wrapped his arms around his husband, pulling John even closer so their bodies were pressed against each other. Little bit of snogging would be all right before they left.
Except, Daddy was amazing and perfect and he wasn't. He wasn't anything like his Daddy at all, despite the fact that Amy said so all the time. "Maybe. I don't know. Not sure if want to find anyone really, anyway." He gave a slight shrug.
John smiled slightly against his husband's mouth, one hand moving to run through Sherlock's hair as the other went down the man's bare back. The children seemed to be keeping themselves distracted enough so he figured they would be safe to snog just a bit before their day started officially.
Amy looked up at her brother and smiled just a bit. "Don't be silly, 'Mas," she said softly as she shook her head. "You's will find somebodys and then lives happy ever after like a prince."
Good. Very good. Snogging was always good. Sherlock continued to kiss John as he tightened his embrace on his husband a bit. He could hear the children's voices but couldn't make out the words. He wasn't too worried about it though, because his lips were against John's.
Thomas wasn't sure he believed in the whole 'happily ever after' thing. It happened in movies sure but real life had already beaten him down for the most part. No need to tell that to Amy though. "Yeah, maybe Sis."
It had taken quite a lot of self control to not roll them and straddle his husband. John pulled away after several more moments to take a deep breath. God, his husband was an absolutely fantastic kisser and sometimes he completely forgot about that. They hardly had the time because they were constantly attempting to avoid getting caught by Thomas. "I missed that," he murmured.
"I promise," Amy said with a soft smile before craning her neck to place a soft kiss on her brother's cheek. "And they will be very lucky to has you a'cause I thinks that you's will be just as good as Dada and Papa at hasing a family."
Sherlock smiled. "I did too. We should probably be proper parents and take our children out to see America, yeah?" He smirked a bit as finally released John. He got up off the bed slowly, with a small groan. Just another reminder that his husband wasn't the only one getting old. He wasn't going to complain though. "Be right back Love." Since they had showered last night, there was no real need to this morning so he simply got a change of clothes and then went to go get in the bathroom dressed.
Thomas smiled and nodded. Despite Amy's promise he wasn't really sure if it was something he actually wanted. He had never even been interested in anyone before and he wasn't sure if he ever would be either.
Now they had to get up which meant no more relaxing. John hardly moved, just laying on the mattress and keeping his eyes locked intently on his husband. The last thing he wanted to do was walk around a city full of people when it would be loud and crowded but everybody seemed so keen to do it. There wasn't much more he could do except suck it up.
Amy glanced over toward the beds with bright eyes when she noticed that Sherlock was up and getting dressed. "'Mas, it is times to go!" She jumped off the couch and darted toward her suitcase, rummaging through it before grabbing a pair of pink pants, a white shirt, and bright blue shoes and socks. "Papa! I wants to get dressed!"
Sherlock grinned at little Sandi as he walked out of the bathroom. "In you go Baby Girl." He frowned when he looked over to John. His husband was still upset. Lot of bloody good he was for John then. He had tried and thought he had succeeded but apparently not. Right then. He wanted to stay with his husband all day and comfort the other man but they had children and this was supposed to be their holiday together as a family.
It wasn't hard to notice the frown from his husband so he quickly got out of bed, grabbing his clothes and waiting for the bathroom door to shut before changing. Jeans and simple rugby t-shirt, something that didn't look too horrid for a family outing. All he was doing was focusing on how focused he needed to be a good husband and father. Once the day was over he could curl up on the bed and sleep so that kept him going. "I'm fine," he said softly as he approached Sherlock, a small smile on his face. "I promise."
Sherlock knew better but merely nodded. "All right Love." He gave John a quick kiss on the lips. "Breakfast at the hotel again today or do we want to go out somewhere before heading to Ellis Island?" Maybe he would be able to cheer his husband up while they were out. He just needed to figure out how. He was determined to be a good husband and father but sometimes doing both at the same time was difficult.
John returned the quick kiss before watching Amy skip out of the bathroom and glance up at them expectantly. "Hotel. I think it would be a bit safer given our luck yesterday," he murmured with a wink. The food would probably be a bit better than anything the could find, probably a little healthier.
"I wants biscuits," Amy declared as she held her hands up and then grinned when John obediently picked her up. "Withs the gravy and some jucie just likes 'Mas."
Sherlock frowned at what John said but he couldn't really argue with that logic so once more he nodded in agreement. He wasn't hungry but the family would need to eat.
Thomas turned off the telly and went to join his family. "Bacon and eggs for me!" He grinned. He was excited to finally go see things in America since they hadn't really gotten to yesterday. All his fault, he supposed.
Already they seemed to be turning into typical Americans. That thought alone made a gentle smile tug at John's lips as he studied his husband. One hand reached out and he gently squeezed at his husband's shoulder to signal it would all be just fine. It had to be. Some part of their lives had to go right, didn't it?
Amy looked down at Thomas with a massive smile, squirming slightly in John's hand before she finally settled down and got relaxed. "Or can I has tea? I wants tea and juice. Both."
Sherlock couldn't help but smile at the children. Hopefully their enthusiasm would rub off on him because all he could do right now was worry about his husband. "All right then, let's get some breakfast and then go see New York City."
Thomas grinned again and nodded as he took his Daddy's hand and followed his family onto the lift. Today had to go better than yesterday and he was determined to never let go of his parent's hands.