Sherlock smiled and returned the quick kiss. He followed John and Thomas out of the museum and glanced at the restaurant his husband mentioned. "Looks good to me." He wouldn't be eating but the children would probably like it, their son especially. He followed his family inside and looked around the place. It didn't take long to get seated and even though a high chair had been brought for little Sandi to sit in, he kept Amy held close to his chest.
Thomas followed his Dad with quiet wonder. Another American place to eat! He climbed up onto his chair next to John and looked at the menu curiously. What would he get to eat tonight?
John smiled at their little boy before opening the menu. There was a children's menu that had several different options like chicken tenders or a grilled cheese. "Children's menu," he said softly to their little boy, ordering water for all of them when the waiter came by. They could have a decently healthy meal once a day. As he looked at the menu himself - pointless because he knew he'd get a salad - he couldn't help but glance up at his husband. God, he and Amy were adorable.
Amy shifted a bit he turned to look at the table. There was a deep breath before she looked up at her Papa. "Can I has a grilled cheese?" Her big blue eyes locked intently on Sherlock while she waited for an answer.
Sherlock smiled down at little Sandi and kissed her head. "Of course you can Baby Girl. Do you want anything else with it? Maybe some crisps?" Well, they would have to ask for chips or the waiter might not know what they were talking about. He was missing contact with John today, so he reached his foot over and rubbed it along his husband's leg.
Thomas frowned at water being ordered for him but he had been allowed to eat a lot of stuff that he usually wouldn't get back home, so he didn't say anything. "Chicken tenders for me please. Can I get crisps too Dad?" He glanced up to John hopefully.
They were all settled in and John smiled. Everybody was happy, a good thing considering there had been bumps in the road when it came to their vacation. But once everybody settled down everything was perfect and he loved it. When the waiter came up he ordered for everybody. Chicken tenders and chips - fries, he'd corrected, because he could spoil Thomas and Amy just a bit - for their son. Grilled cheese for Amy. A salad for himself, one that he would split with Sherlock if the man ended up being hungry. When he felt that foot on his leg he smiled, looking up at his husband and biting his bottom lip. Perhaps he could convince the man to make love that night.
Amy grinned at her Papa when he ordered the grilled cheese, pressing her face against her Sherlock's neck to hide her excitement. Every day she became more and more like a Watson. Blushes, as if on cue that would spread across her whole face and even to the tips of her ears. Nearly everything got her a bit flustered.
Sherlock smiled down at little Sandi, glad she took after John more than him. He'd had to work really hard to get where he was now. A lot of learning from John, to make him a little more human. He ignored his thoughts and instead focused on his husband across from him, a slow smirk forming on his lips. He continued to run his foot along John's leg, it was a good distraction from his never ceasing working mind.
Fries! Yes! Thomas was really excited about getting them. He glanced between his parents. He never knew why they looked at each other like that. It was an adult thing he supposed. Everyone was quiet but happy, so he kept his curious thoughts to himself and glanced around at the other people around them.
Oh, they were definitely going to have sex tonight. At the rate it was going, John already planned on topping. Every once and a while he liked to take control. In bed he was usually carefree, fun, letting Sherlock top. But that night he would get to be inside of his husband and enjoy the bit of flirting that they'd already started. When the food was set down in front of him, he just smiled and handed a fork over to his husband so they could split the salad that he had ordered.
The moment the food was set in front of them Amy grinned, biting her bottom lip and gazing at her meal in pure excitement. Chips. Without a word she reached forward and grabbed one, putting it in her mouth. And that's when she tensed, taking in a deep breath before she spit it out. There was a pause before her bottom lip started to shake and she suddenly started crying. The food had been hot and now her mouth was in pain.
Sherlock shook his head at the offered fork. He wasn't terribly hungry. That and little Sandi had started crying. He frowned a bit and then brought Amy to his chest and kissed the top of her head. "Baby Girl. Everything is all right. It will go away in a moment." If he had been a proper father, he would have been paying attention to their daughter and she never would have eaten the food when it was so hot.
Thomas began eating excitedly but he stopped the moment he heard his sister crying. Daddy seemed to have everything under control but how was he supposed to enjoy eating when Amy was so miserable? He continued to eat, but it lacked his usual vigor he had when it came to eating anything really.
John smiled softly at Thomas as Amy stopped crying, her sobs turning to sniffles against Sherlock's chest. "You can eat, Thomas," he whispered as he leaned to the side and pressed a gentle kiss against their son's temple. "You're fine. Look, Amy is doing better, isn't she?" Another sniff came from the other side of the table as he made eye contact with Sherlock, taking a bite of his salad and chewing it slowly.
Amy looked up at Sherlock with a sniff, her eyes a bit red. "'S hot," she mumbled before reaching forward and grabbing another french fry. For a moment she blew air on it, cooling it off with a soft smile before taking a bite from it. And then she smiled, chewing happily and bouncing a bit in her Papa's arms. "See, 'Mas! 'S good!"
Sherlock smiled once little Sandie calmed down. He still felt awful about it happening to their daughter to begin with. He tried to stay out of his head but it was difficult when he began doubting his ability to be a good father to the children. How did John do it so easily and he seemed to fail every other turn?
Thomas bit his lip, embarrassed everyone had noticed him being so worried about Amy. He nodded some and continued to eat quietly, and managed a small smile at his sister. He was glad she wasn't crying anymore though.
Once everything had calmed down John relaxed a bit, a smile on his face as he really settled into eating. Each bite was a bit more eager than the last, showing how hungry he was. Or eager for that night. Both were valid possibilities. As he finished his meal up he reached his leg under the table and gently ran it up his husband's shin to show that he did have plans for them.
Amy simply kept eating, biting into her grilled cheese slowly after blowing on it to make sure that it wasn't going to burn her as well. Already learning lessons and picking up on them after everything. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she stretched and let out a sigh as she chewed, looking around at everybody at the table.
Sherlock was so focused on how he had failed to protect little Sandi it took a moment for the foot on his shin to register. When it finally did he blinked a bit and managed a faint smile over at John. His husband would probably notice how distracted he was with his thoughts now unless he could distract John first. He went back to rubbing his foot along his husband's leg a slow smirk forming on his lips.
Thomas was glad no one was pointing anything out about him anymore and was content to just keep eating in silence. Daddy seemed upset by something, he had that frown he got when thinking but then Dad did something to make Daddy smile so maybe everything was okay now. He would ask later perhaps.
John just chuckled, grinning at Sherlock before he looked over at Thomas. "Is it good, then? Your chicken and chips?" After a mischievous grin spread across his lips he easily plucked a chip from his son's basket, stuffing it in his mouth with a laugh. "Oh, yes," he said with a nod. "Absolutely delicious. Good choice." With a wink toward his son he lifted a hand up and ruffled Thomas' hair.
Amy watched the entire exchange before looking down at her basket, pausing, and then picking a fry up. "Here, 'Mas," she said as she leaned from Sherlock's arms to place a chip in his basket. "Since Dada stoled one you can has this one," she explained with a sure nod.
Oh good. John hadn't noticed then. Sherlock was content to pretending to be fine as long as it kept his family happy. Maybe it would help keep him out of his head a little longer if he tried to keep up appearances. He wasn't sure why he struggled with this problem constantly, he was damned good at everything else. Being a parent shouldn't be any different but it was still an obstacle he couldn't quite overcome.
Thomas gave his Dad a shy smile but it turned into a grin for Amy. He leaned over and took the chip from her and ate it. "Thank you Sis!" He grinned again and finished off his meal. It was really good. Food in America was rather amazing to him.
There had been a moment where Sherlock had looked scared and upset with himself after Amy burned her mouth but the moment seemed to have passed. They were all happy after that, then. As happy as they could be, at least. "Well, it looks like we're all nearly done," he said as he shifted a bit in his seat. When they got back he knew the family would all be in one room to at least watch some telly together.
Amy grinned and then giggled a bit, nodding happily. "You's welcome, 'Mas. I know you likes chips and I is getting full anyways," she explained softly as she lifted a chip up, inspected it for a moment, and then made sure it was cool. And then she lifted it up to Sherlock's mouth with a grin. "Here, Papa."
Well, his family was happy at least. That was all the really mattered to Sherlock. He managed a small smile and ate the chip little Sandi offered. He never could tell her no. "Thank you Baby Girl." He kissed the top of her head. He was ready to leave whenever the family was. He ignored the oncoming headache, easy to do since it wasn't as bad as some of the other ones he had recently.
Thomas grinned at Amy and Daddy. He wished he got that kind of attention from Sherlock. Dad gave him all sorts of attention but...it just wasn't quite the same. It wasn't that he was jealous really, just wished he was loved as much as Amy. He dropped his head, frowning to himself.
There was that frown on Thomas' face that was all too common now. A sign of jealousy when it came to Sherlock and where his attention was. Without a thought he reached out and gently rested his hand on their son's back, curling his fingers to gently scratch so that he could hopefully relax a bit more. It hurt him to see their son like this because it made him feel like he wasn't doing enough. Then again, he hardly mattered when it came to Thomas.
Amy giggled and ate another chip, chewing it slowly while she looked up at her Papa. Here eyes were bright, showing how much she really did love the attention. She seemed to get a lot of it from everybody, not just Papa. But she loved it most when it was Thomas because he was her brother.
Sherlock smiled down at little Sandi. Anytime she was happy, was enough to make him beam like the proud Papa he was. He glanced across the table at John and Thomas. He cursed himself mentally. He was supposed to be a better father to their son but obviously he was failing at that. It was evident all over Thomas' face. He would never get parenting down.
Thomas tried to relax into his Dad's touch but when Daddy looked at him, he looked down into his lap guiltily. His hands fidgeted at his sides, hating himself for getting upset over how much Daddy loved Amy. He just wanted Daddy to love him too. Was he asking too much? He sniffled at this thoughts and then excused himself from the table and ran to the bathroom to cry.
John cleared his throat and then reached a hand back to rub at his neck. Thomas was hurting, felt left out, and he suddenly felt guilty. A nervous blush spread across his face before he glanced across the table at his husband and daughter. Without a word he slid out of the booth and easily went after Thomas. "Hey," he murmured as he got into the bathroom, easily finding their son. "Shh, Thomas, it's fine. What's wrong?"
Amy bit her bottom lip, looking across the table before her head dropped back to look at her Papa. "Did we does something wrong?" Her worry for Thomas was constantly there and when he cried or acted left out it really hurt her. Sometimes she felt like it was her fault that Thomas felt left out and she didn't like it. "I should go and says that I is sorry, Papa."
Fuck. Sherlock watched Thomas run off and he was pretty sure it was his fault. He would never be a good father to that boy was he? At least John had gone after their son. His husband was always the better of the two when it came to the children. "No Baby Girl, you didn't do anything wrong. You don't need to apologize for anything, I promise." He kissed the top of her head as reassurance.
Thomas wiped at his eyes when heard his Dad come in. "I'm just being stupid. Its...nothing...I'm fine..." He sniffled and managed to stop crying. He probably upset Amy leaving like that. He wasn't a good brother or son was he?
John bent down, slowly wrapping his arms around their little boy. "It's not stupid if you feel hurt," he explained as he gently ran one hand up and down the boy's back. Seeing their son hurt like this always tugged at his heartstrings. All he wanted to do was stop it all but he knew that he couldn't. Sherlock was the parent Thomas loved most. Even if he gave their little boy all the attention he could, it would never be enough.
Amy grinned and stretched a bit in her Papa's arms, placing a kiss on Sherlock's cheek. "I loves you lots, Papa. You is a good Papa to me and to 'Mas," she stated with a sure nod. "And you and Daddy is really good at being parents."
Sherlock smiled, even though he still felt like he was failing as a father. How could he not smile with little Sandi in his arms though? "I love you too Baby Girl." He didn't bother to argue he wasn't a good at being a parent. He didn't want to upset their daughter.
Thomas returned the hug tightly before slowly pulling away, his lower lip quivering. "How come...Daddy doesn't love me the way you love me? The way he loves Amy..." He sighed as he trailed off, his gaze dropping to the ground. "He...he's been trying though since we got to America...to be better..." He was just being stupid and selfish about everything wasn't he?
John looked at Thomas, running a hand gently through his hair before shaking his head. "He loves you just as much, Thomas. Every night he goes on and on to me about how proud he is of you. Every day you make him so proud because you remind him so much of himself."
Amy shifted in his arms, making small noises of determination before she finally had herself in a position where she could easily sleep in his arms if the need arose but she could also look at him, smile, and talk. "You and Daddy is good daddies," she explained with a sure nod. "You really is. 'Mas and I is super lucky."
Sherlock smiled as he looked down at little Sandi. "If you are tired Baby Girl, take another nap sweetie." It would give him to time to brood and think, without worrying about upsetting Amy. He just wanted to get back to the hotel at this point so he could have some time alone.
Thomas sniffled. "How...how come Daddy never says stuff like that to me?" Was he just being stupid for needing constant reassurance that Sherlock loved him? Probably. Just a big baby. That's all he was. He sighed and dropped his head.
John studied Thomas for a long moment before he pulled their son into yet another hug. "Because Daddy sometimes thinks you know that. When Daddy was growing up he didn't have his parents saying that they loved him. He sees a lot of himself in you," he murmured. Right now he hurt, he didn't know what to do. But he knew that later that night he would have to talk to his husband about this all.
Amy mumbled and narrowed her eyes in a very John-like manner. "But I wants to talk with you, Papa," she explained sternly. When she had her mind set on something then she would stick to it as long as possible. "And you looks like you wants to be talked to."
Sherlock couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. "All right Baby Girl. What do you want to talk about Sweetie?" There wasn't much he wouldn't do to humor little Sandi. Making sure she was happy was one of the most important things to him. He shifted in the chair slightly. He would never say so, but sometimes holding their daughter so long got a bit uncomfortable at times.
Thomas returned the hug, nodding as best he could against his Dad's chest. "Okay..." He didn't know what else to say now. He hated when he became such a big baby like this. It was stupid. Maybe that was why Daddy didn't love him as much as Amy. "Can...we just go back to the hotel now?" Maybe writing in his journal would make him feel better.
John gently ran a hand through Thomas' hair, nodding a bit and smiling. "We'll go back. I think we are all done eating," he said softly. "We'll walk back, me and you, and figure everything out. You can watch telly with Amy," he said with a quick kiss on their son's forehead. With that he stood up and stretched before taking their son's hand. "Let's go." He winked and led them out of the bathroom.
Amy looked up at Sherlock tiredly, letting out a shaky sigh before her eyes closed. "I wants a sister," she mumbled, words slurring slightly. And then she was fast asleep, even curling up a bit more to put her thumb in her mouth.
Sherlock stroked little Sandi's head, hoping their daughter would finally sleep. Amy would make quite the fuss in the car and right now he needed a quiet ride on the way to the hotel. He looked up when he saw John and Thomas coming. Good. He was ready to leave. He could tell their son had been crying. Probably his fault somehow. He sighed and stood slowly, so as not to disturb Amy in his arms.
Thomas nodded a bit, sniffling and followed his Dad out of the bathroom. He avoided looking at Daddy, since Sherlock seemed to stare right through him sometimes and would know everything and he was embarrassed about his stupid little scene.
John stayed close to Thomas, looking at his husband for a moment. When they got back and all started getting ready for bed he would talk to Sherlock. There was nothing horribly wrong, of course, but he wanted to make sure that they fixed everything. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he gently squeezed his son's hand. "C'mon, we'll get back to the hotel and you can get ready for bed." Perhaps a nice shower would help their little boy calm down.
At the slight movement Amy let out a soft noise around her thumb, wiggling slightly in Sherlock's arms before relaxing again. Not completely asleep, apparently. But she was exhausted and it was obvious that, before long, she wouldn't be fighting the sleep.
Sherlock put little Sandi in the car seat carefully and then got in the car. He drove the family back to the hotel, too busy thinking and maybe a little worried to say much. He figured John would talk to him once the children were in bed anyway. He had done something wrong, he just knew it. He was good at making Thomas upset. He sighed at his thoughts as he parked the car. He got and took Amy out of car as gently as he had put her in.
Thomas nodded and followed his parents to the car. The ride was awfully quiet. It was all his fault wasn't it? Did Daddy think he hated him now? He stared out the window, trying not to cry again. He sniffled when the car came to a stop and got out when his Dad was there to help him.
John look down at Thomas before picking him up. Every day their son got bigger but on same days all he wanted to do was carry their little boy so that he could feel loved. When he talked to Sherlock he would make sure to let him know everything that was going on. "I love you so much Thomas," he whispered softly as he rubbed the boy's back in order to keep him calm. Already he knew that it was going to be a rather long night.
Amy shifted a bit in Sherlock's arms, letting out a soft whimper before her eyes slowly fluttered open. "Is we at the hotel?" All she wanted to do was fall asleep but they were moving so much. When they moved she just wanted to see everything that was going on around them, not miss a minute of America.
Sherlock smiled down at little Sandi. "Yes Baby Girl. Shhh, go back to sleep." He wasn't sure if she would but it was close to bedtime anyway so putting her down once in the room shouldn't be too difficult. He wanted to talk to John about Thomas, but he wouldn't be able to do that until the children were asleep.
Thomas frowned at being carried but didn't fight it. It would only make Dad feel bad. "I know Dad. I love you too." He hugged John and when they got to the room, he wiggled out of his Dad's arms. He just wanted to be alone, maybe write in his journal some.
John watched Thomas for a long moment, studying their little boy intently before looking over at Sherlock. Sometimes he felt lost when it came to their family. There was a long moment before he turned and made his way to their bed. Right now he was struggling. That night they would talk and figure it all out, though. That was what they always did and it always worked.
Amy whimpered and held herself closer to Sherlock. "Wants to stay awake with everybody," she mumbled, her words slurring together as she tried to force herself to focus. "A'cause that's what..." And then she dropped off without a care.
Sherlock smiled a little and put little Sandi down gently in the bed. He watched John leave with a small frown and then glanced over to Thomas, who we quiet and writing furiously in that journal of his. He sighed and decided to go check on his husband. "John?" He called out as he closed the door between the two rooms, to give them some privacy. He got in bed next to his husband. "Do you want to talk about what is bothering you?" He snuggled into John, wrapping an arm around his husband.