As morning rolled around John shifted on the bed, shivering and pulling a blanket over the both of them to cover their naked bodies. Before long the kids would be up and he knew that he would have to really wake up but for now he settled for letting his eyes close again so he could relax.

Sherlock groaned and curled into John when he felt movement. How long had he slept? He wasn't sure. He cracked open an eye, sometime in the morning. Early morning because his husband was next to him and not taking care the children. He opened his other eye and shifted so his head could rest on John's shoulder. He was going to take advantage of cuddling with his husband for a bit before he had to get up and shower and get ready for the day.

Sherlock was awake, that much was obvious. There was a slight change in how the man was breathing but not too much of an indication otherwise. "Morning," he said softly, turning his head to place a gentle kiss against the top of his husband's head. This was absolutely perfect for them and he loved it. "Last night was perfect," he murmured with a grin.

Sherlock smirked into John's shoulder and then he tilted his head so he could give his husband a quick kiss. "It was. I look forward to having a room to ourselves the rest of the trip." He smirked again, his head coming to rest on John's shoulder again. "What do you want to do today? I think Thomas would like the Smithsonian. If I text Mycroft today, he can probably set up the meeting with the President tomorrow."

Just like that John remembered they were on vacation and would need to be keeping their children as occupied as possible. "Smithsonian sounds good. President tomorrow," he murmured softly, stretching before turning fully to face his husband. Simply laying there and looking at the man was more than enough to make him smile like a complete idiot. "I love you so much," he whispered as he pressed their foreheads together. There really was nothing more perfect in his life than Sherlock.

Sherlock smiled. "I love you too." Another quick kiss on the lips. "Do you think Arlington Cemetery would be appropriate for the children or are they too young to know and understand?" Well, Thomas might but it could be scary for little Sandi. She was still little and got frightened by things.

After that little kiss John just smiled at Sherlock, lifting a hand up to run it through his husband's hair. "I think that it might be good for the both of them." In reality, they had both dealt with loss in their lives. Amy no longer had a mother and Thomas had watched his own mother die during the plane crash. "It would be a bit of information you know that they won't learn in school at home, yeah?"

Sherlock nodded some. "All right. Then we will do that today as well. Probably do that first, while it is daylight and spend as much time at the Smithsonian without feeling rushed." He could hear water running in the next room. Thomas must be up and taking a shower. They should probably get up soon as well.

The sound of the shower in the other room indicated that their morning was almost over. John smiled and dipped his head down, starting a slow kiss with his husband. Now they just needed to spend time with each other and make it all last as long as possible. He continued the kiss with ease, moving to straddle the man as the blankets managed to keep them both covered.

Sherlock was surprised but pleased with the kiss and returned it with a smile. He placed his arms around John, as his husband came to settle on top of him. He didn't want to break the kiss, so like usual he began breathing through his nose. His fingers trailed along John's back lightly.

John grinned against his husband's lips, breathing through his nose as well as he kept the kiss going. When he desperately needed to take a deep breath he pulled away, instantly ducking his head to bury it into the side of Sherlock's neck. "I love you so much," he whispered softly as one hand moved to run through the man's hair. There was no better way to start their morning, in his opinion.

Sherlock smiled. "I love you too." He groaned when he heard a knock on their door that was connected to the children's room. "Looks like we need to get up now." He had known they would have to get out of bed sooner or later but he wasn't ready yet but they didn't have the luxury of staying in bed anymore.

When he heard the knock John smiled, placing one last kiss against his husband's lips before getting out of bed and pulling on his briefs and some shorts before making sure Sherlock was covered. The moment he opened the door Amy darted in, looking at them before jumping up on to the bed. "Good morning, Miss Amy."

"Hi!" Amy grinned like an idiot as she snuggled with her teddy bear, looking at Sherlock with bright eyes. For a long moment she was quiet before she cleared her throat. "You guys wrestled last night, didn't you? A'cause I hearded you."

Sherlock was about to crawl out of the bed after John but the door was already opened and little Sandi was on the bed. "Hey Baby Girl." He gave John a slight smirk at the question their daughter had asked them. Even separate rooms they had apparently kept the kids up. "Yes, Dada and I wrestled last night."

Thomas rolled his eyes a bit. "Sis, Dada and Papa need to get ready still. C'mon. Let's go watch cartoons in our room." He looked over to Amy with a grin.

Just like that the entire family was in the room. John smiled and leaned down to place a gentle kiss against Thomas' forehead. "Good morning," he said softly as he ran a hand through the boy's still damp hair. "Daddy and I are going to shower really fast and then we thought we would start our day. We are going to take you to some really cool American places," he explained as he grinned.

Amy jumped up and down on the bed, flinging her teddy bear on to the floor in front of Thomas. "I wants to see places!" With all the grace of a young child she got off the bed, tripping a bit before she finally got to her older brother. "'Mas, I wants to see things and take pictures withs you!"

Sherlock smiled as he watched the children. He would have to wait to get out of bed until they left. So, he shifted a bit making sure the sheet kept him covered. He had never really been modest but he always made sure they didn't see him when he was naked.

Thomas grinned down at Amy and took her hand and picked up her teddy berry in the other. "I do too and we will! But first Dada and Papa have to get ready!" He gave his sister a gentle tug and led them back to their room, making sure to shut the door behind them.

When the door was shut again John just chuckled. They had managed to get the two most excitable children in the world and he felt so happy about that aspect. "Why don't we get clean for our day?" It was going to be extremely important, after all, and they both needed to be presentable. "We can't meet the president smelling like sex, can we?" A small snort echoed through their room before he made his way into their bathroom and started the water.

Sherlock smirked at John. "I think the President won't be until tomorrow. I need to text Mycroft to know for sure." He got out of bed, not bothering to wrap in a sheet or put clothes on. He should probably check with his brother now, just in case. He reached into his trouser pockets and pulled out his mobile.

When can you arrange for us to meet the President? We are in D.C. now. -SH

No President until the next day. All that meant for them was another day of a bedroom to themselves. John smiled and moved into the bathroom, undressing as he did so. "I imagine Siger misses the kids," he said so his husband would hear. They were all so close despite the spats that Sherlock and Mycroft constantly got into.

Tomorrow is when he is expecting you. It will be a brief meeting, have issues to handle. -MH

Sherlock read the text and then put his mobile on the table near the bed. He got up, and grabbed a set of 'tourist clothes.' He would save his last set of posh clothes for tomorrow. They would probably have to do the laundry today or the next day. He moved into the bathroom with John. "Maybe we can can call them a little later today, put the phone on speaker." He gave his husband a quick kiss before moving into the shower.

That little kiss made John smile like an idiot before he climbed into the shower himself, raising an eyebrow for a moment. "I scratched you last night," he murmured softly, running a hand down his husband's shoulder with a slight wince. He was hardly that rough unless Sherlock asked for it so, to him, it was a bit of a surprise. Apparently the sex had been really good.

Sherlock glanced down at the marks and shrugged. "So you did. Not that I mind. Besides, I mark you all the time." He smirked at John before reaching down and grabbing a bottle of shampoo the the hotel offered. He scratched it into his husband's hair first, massaging John's scalp gently.

A soft hum slipped through John's lips as Sherlock started to wash his hair. "Yeah, you do," he whispered with a small blush. God, did he love it when his husband marked him. Everybody around them would always know that he was Sherlock's and that sent a shiver through his spine. "You spoil me," he said as he moved closer to his husband and gently wrapped his arms around the man's waist.

Sherlock smirked. "You deserve it." He wrapped his arms around John in return and moved them a bit so the water could spray over his husband's head and wash out the suds. "Speaking of spoiling you. I brought...a surprise for you. A couple really." He smirked again, wider this time.

Surprise. This was the first he had heard of anything and right away John's eyes were wide and he was looking up at the man. "What?" A small smile tugged at his lips and he couldn't help a slightly laugh that slipped past his lips. "You have planned rather well," he murmured softly before biting his bottom lip. "When do I get to see these couple of surprises, then?"

Instead of answering, Sherlock let go of John and grabbed the small bottle of conditioner and began applying it to his husband's hair. "You will just have to wait and see. You will just never know." He smirked yet again and leaned down to give John another quick kiss on the lips. "It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you."

They were related to some sort of time, then. John smiled a bit and stood on his toes, giving Sherlock a longer kiss before stretching on his toes and trying to figure it out. "You have not mentioned these at all, I am rather curious," he murmured softly before grabbing the shampoo and starting to wash the man's hair. "You can't just bring it up like that, love. I fancy a hint."

Sherlock kept his head down so John could reach easier. He thought a moment before answering. "We have used them both, and you quite liked them. We don't use them often and we have never used them at the same time. Although, I suppose that it could be arranged for the next time around."

That wasn't a hint at all, it was a bloody riddle. John gently washed the shampoo out of Sherlock's hair with a huff, putting conditioner in it before shaking his head. "That's not fair and you know it," he murmured softly as he narrowed his eyes for a moment. "You know I'm not that smart."

It was his turn to huff this time. "Yes you are. You just don't give yourself enough credit." Sherlock gave John another kiss, this one lingering longer than the previous ones. He didn't want to leave the shower. He would much rather stay wrapped around his husband but they had children. They would have to get out soon. To prolong the inevitable, he reached over and grabbed a bar of soap and began lathering up John's body.

John could do nothing more than chuckle, looking up at his husband and grinning from ear to ear. "I love spending time with you, too," he said softly before shifting a bit on his feet. One hand moved to gently run down Sherlock's body, a blush spreading across his cheeks as he felt his husband's hands wander. "I'm not as fit as I used to be," he said softly.

Sherlock took his time, hands sliding up and down John's body. If he thought he could get away with it, he would give his husband a blow job right there in the shower but he wasn't sure if John would be able to get another erection so soon. Instead, he moved his lips to one of his husband's scars. "You look wonderful to me," he murmured and then kissed another scar.

And there Sherlock went kissing his scars. John smiled just a bit before lifting a hand to run slowly through his husband's hair. "I always look wonderful to you," he said softly, tilting his head to press a gentle kiss against the side of his husband's head. "Scars and all." After a small pause he moved a hand to run gently down his husband's torso. "You will always look fantastic to me."

"Well, you are adorable. Hard not to think you look wonderful." A smirk. " And of course I look fantastic, I am amazing and perfect." Sherlock pulled away from John's chest. "We should probably get out and take the children to breakfast, they have been patient this morning. Then we can go out and see a bit of D.C."

By now he was more than used to being called adorable by Sherlock so John just smiled and turned to shut the water off. "Yeah, let's get ready," he said with a small shrug. "I know they are excited. More American food which will make our son the happiest boy in all the world."

Sherlock stepped out with a slight smirk. "Thomas is certainly enjoying it. Little Sandi seems to like all right." Their son seemed to be fascinated with anything that had anything to do with America. Their daughter just seemed to like whatever Thomas did. He got out of the shower and dried off before changing into a set of clothes John had packed for him.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Thomas ends up moving to America once he grows up," John said softly as he started to get dressed himself. With everything going so well he was clearly in a far better mood than he had been for a quite a while. "But Amy might be sticking around in London." Their children were growing up rather fast, too, and it amazed him everyday. "What are we going to do with them tonight? Maybe a movie or something?"

Sherlock raised his eyebrows a bit. "Thought we were going to take them to the Smithsonian and Arlington today? Unless you want to save that for another day." He shrugged a bit, because it didn't matter that much to him. Soon though, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. "Or have my surprises made you forget the plans already?"

For a moment John was quiet before moving to sit on the bed, looking up at Sherlock with a raised eyebrow. "I meant after that, yeah?" There was a pause before he got back up, standing on his toes and giving his husband a quick kiss. "You know they might want to do a bit more. So perhaps dinner and then a movie." There was a long moment before he shifted on his feet. "Or you could show me those surprises."

Oh. Right. "Well, Arlington is bit of a drive. Both will probably take up all day. Especially if Thomas wants to look and read at everything we come across." He moved to John and gave his husband another kiss. "Eager now are we?" The smirk returned. "I suppose I could be persuaded to do that. I promise you will like it."

"How could I not be eager?" There was a pause before John raised an eyebrow, one hand lifting to run through his husband's hair. "You brought it up out of nowhere and now I can't stop thinking about it." He tilted his head and pressed his nose against the side of Sherlock's neck, taking in a deep breath in of his husband's scent. "I just fancy a hint."

Sherlock smirked because he was eager as well. "I gave you a hint and if you think about it all day then maybe you will figure it out." The smirk got bigger and gave John a quick kiss on the lips. He stayed pressed into his husband a bit longer before letting go and finished getting dressed. "Come on, let's get the children breakfast and then we will go to the cemetery first."

A small noise slipped out of John's lips before he followed after Sherlock and into the other bedroom. The kids were just watching telly and looking rather excited about it. "Breakfast!" A large grin spread across his lips as he move to place a gentle kiss on Amy's head before moving to lift Thomas up and playfully spin him around. "A nice, big American breakfast, too!"

Amy grinned up at Sherlock, her dark blue eyes wide just because of all the excitement. "I wants the hashbrowns," she said with a nod. "Can I has those? A'cause I wants them."

Sherlock smiled and picked up little Sandi, placing a kiss on her head. "Of course you can. Do you want tea, like Dada and me? Or apple juice like Thomas?" He shifted Amy a bit, so she was secure and bit more comfortable against him. He turned off the telly and began leading his family downstairs.

"Dad!" Thomas squealed but giggled. "Put me down!" He squirmed a bit, trying to get free so he could walk instead of being held.

After a few moments John set Thomas down and grinned happily, ruffling the boy's hair before looking at his husband. Their little family was absolutely perfect and he couldn't help the absolute look of joy on his face. "C'mon," he murmured as he gently took his son's hand so they wouldn't get separated on their way downstairs.

"I wants apple juice today," Amy said with a small nod. "A'cause I wants what Thomas has all the time now." It was obvious that she was growing up and wanted to be just like her older brother.

Sherlock smiled again. "All right. We will get you anything you want. And you can grow up to be just like Thomas if you want too. I am sure you will be very good at it." He put her in a booster seat. "Do you want anything else besides hash browns and apple juice Baby Girl?" He wasn't hungry but he could make a plate for their daughter.

Thomas held onto his Dad's hand tightly. He was still worried about getting lost. What he wasn't found like last time? He pushed his thoughts aside and sat down in a chair by Amy. "Dad can I have scrambled eggs and toast please?"

John smiled warmly and nodded in response to his son's question. "Yeah, of course. I'll get that for you." And, of course, he would get apple juice for their son. With one last glance toward the table he moved and started getting Thomas' food ready, putting a bit of fresh fruit on the plate just to make sure he was eating something that was healthy.

Amy shook her head. "No. I just wants the hash browns, please," she declared as she wiggled a bit in her booster seat before looking over at Thomas. He wasn't getting hash browns. "Uh, and toasts? I wants those, too."

Sherlock smiled and nodded. "Of course I will get you some toast too Baby Girl." He followed after John, taking his husband's hand briefly and gave it a squeeze. He then picked up a plate and began putting hash browns and and toast on it for little Sandi. He glanced over to the table from time to time, to make sure the children were okay.

Thomas smiled at Amy. "You ready to see more stuff Sis?" He was really excited. He wasn't sure where they were going today but he figured it would be really fun.

Watching Sherlock act so protective was rather endearing and for a moment John could do nothing more than grin. "They are fine, I promise," he murmured as he finished making Thomas' plate and then started one of his own. There was a far bigger serving of food on his own plate and it was obvious that he was absolutely starving. When everything was put together he made his way back to the table, sitting down and sliding their son's plate across it so he could start eating.

Amy looked at the plate in front of her brother and took a deep breath, looking a bit confused for a moment before looking up at Sherlock. "Does my plate looks like his, Papa?"

Good. John was eating again. Sherlock smiled and walked back over to the table and set the plate down in front of little Sandi. "I got you hash browns and toast like you asked for Baby Girl." Would she want him to get another plate of food, to match what Thomas had exactly? It was certainly a possibility since their daughter seemed rather insistent on being just like their son lately.

Thomas began eating immediately, clearly hungry. "Thank you Dad," he said after he had finally swallowed a large bite of eggs.

"Of course," John said to Thomas as he shifted a bit in his seat and glanced between Sherlock and Amy. There might be a tantrum coming up in the near future depending on how their daughter felt at the moment and he wasn't entirely sure he was ready for one. Not in public, anyway. While he wanted to ask his husband if he planned on eating, it was obvious he would need to wait to see what would happen with their daughter.

Amy shifted a bit in her seat and then tilted her head. "Okays," she said with a nod, picking up her fork and scooping a bit into her mouth with a happy little grin. Crisis averted, apparently.

Sherlock waited, hoping little Sandi wouldn't throw a tantrum. He smiled at her and then went back over to where the beverages were and made himself a cup of tea. It was microwaved but it would have to do. He sipped it on as he walked back over to his family. He took the remaining seat between John and Amy. "What do you think of seeing Arlington Cemetery and the Smithsonian?" He asked the children.

Thomas was almost done eating by the time Daddy came back to the table. He had always been quick at eating. He nodded eagerly. The Smithsonian was what he had hoped to see while visiting in Washington D.C. He didn't know much about the cemetery but he was certain it would be neat. It was in America after all. Everything he had seen so far was so cool.

John smiled as he continued to eat, taking several deep breaths and pacing himself so he wouldn't get sick while he was eating. After a long moment he sat back, pushing his half-empty plate away and sipping slowly at his coffee. "I think that it should be a rather good time," he murmured as his free hand moved to rest gently on his husband's knee. After the night they had shared he found himself just wanted to be closer to the man.

Amy swallowed the bite in her mouth, taking a deep breath before nodding. "Yeah, I wants to go to those places," she murmured softly before she continued to eat. For her it was going to be great simply because they wouldd all be together. That was really all that mattered.

Sherlock sipped his cup of tea, watching his family in silence. He gave John a smile when he felt his husband's hand on his knee. Both the children seemed happy with the plans. Although, little Sandi was probably just happy because they were places Thomas wanted to go. They would have to find a place for Amy at some point. Some place she would like.

Thomas ate quietly until he was done, so he could finish faster and then they could go out and see more of America! "Today will be fun! I will take lots of pictures for you Sis."

John finished up his coffee, yawning a bit and shamelessly leaning to the side and resting his head on Sherlock's shoulder. "I love you," he said softly, looking up at the man before stretching and letting his mouth snap shut as Thomas started to speak. The next day they would find something for their daughter to do, something he knew would capture her attention. In Washington D.C. it might be difficult to find but they would do it for their daughter.

Amy grinned at the idea of pictures, nodding her head eagerly in agreement. "Yeah, I wants to do pictures a'cause then we can all remember it and make a book." After a moment she wiggled in her chair, kicking her feet up and down.

Sherlock smiled at John. "I love you too." Well, it was time to go it looked like. He got up and picked up little Sandi with ease. "All right. Time to go. Are you ready to see all kinds of new things and take pictures Baby Girl?" He smiled at his family and led them down to their car so they could begin touring D.C.

Thomas got up and took his Dad's hand, almost skipping along in his excitement and practically pulling John with him. "Dad! Come on! Let's go! I want to see things!"

Off they went, going to start their entire day and get everything ready for their kids. Once everybody was in the car he slid into his seat, adjusting a bit before checking on the kids. "It's a short drive so no need to squirm too much," he said as he reached a hand out to rest on Amy's leg. "We will be there in no time."

Amy looked up at John, smiling just a bit before taking several deep breaths and sinking into her seat. No crying or squirming, it would make Dada unhappy. "Okays," she murmured, glancing over at Thomas curiously.

Sherlock drove them to Arlington first. It wasn't that far. Not even five miles. "Dada is right Baby Girl. The drive will only take about fifteen minutes. Look out the window with Thomas and enjoy the US capital." Like they promised the drive didn't take that long. He parked the car in no time. He got and and got Amy. "See, that wasn't so bad now was it beautiful?" He kissed her forehead with a smile.

Thomas grinned at Amy before looking at the window. DC was so different that New York City. This was going to be fun. When the car came to a stop, he waited for his Dad to help him out before leaving the car.