A/N- Now that the explanation chapter is posted, let's get on to the fluff and good stuff. This chapter, and probably the rest of the story in general is going to be much cuter!
Chapter 1- Small Girls, Worms, and Experiments
"Elspeth Molly Holmes-Watson!" John said exasperatedly to the four year old girl.
"Yes, Daddy?" Elspeth replied with an impish and hauntingly familiar smirk on her little face. John sighed.
"Elspeth, what's in the microwave?" he asked.
"Worms, Daddy!" she said enthusiastically, dark curls bouncing as she bobbed around.
"Why are there worms in the microwave?" he asked patiently, remembering his lover with a pang.
"It's a 'spirament, Daddy!" she replied, grinning. John shook his head, reminded so much of Sherlock that he almost wanted to weep. Experiments indeed.
"About what?"
"If the worms go boom when you put them in the microwave," she explained patiently, bright blue eyes sparkling with mischief and delight. John sighed again.
"No more worms in the microwave, okay Elspeth?" he said, hugging his rather grubby daughter.
"Not even for 'spiraments?" she said, disappointed.
"No, Elspeth," her adorable face had fallen at that. Then she looked at her father for a moment with an intent expression on her young face.
"You're sad again, Daddy," she said with finality. John was, yet again, stunned by what she had inherited from her other father.
"Yes, love," he admitted, knowing he couldn't hide it from her, "Daddy's sad."
"Am I acting like other Daddy again?" she asked fearfully. John kissed her messy brown curls.
"Yes, but it's okay," John smiled at his daughter again, then wrinkled his nose exaggeratedly, "I think it's time for your bath, young lady!"
Elspeth giggled, then ran upstairs to her little room for pajamas. John took a moment to reflect on his little angel. When they'd handed the baby to John, he was confused at first. How was he to care for her? But then he looked into her tiny eyes, as blue as Sherlock's, and realized that he would do whatever it took for this baby girl's happiness.
It was rather difficult at times, but only because little Elspeth looked exactly like Sherlock. He saw himself in her too, but if she wasn't the perfect little feminine copy of Sherlock, then he'd sell the flat. Her hair was long, dark and curly, but never seemed to look brushed. Her eyes had stayed the exact same shade as Sherlock's too. Though she wasn't tall, she was willowy even at four. He'd even caught a hint of Sherlock's cheekbones in her chubby baby face as she'd grown. He loved her with all that was left of his heart, and as devoted to her as he had been to his Sherlock. He was startled out of his reverie by thumping noises.
"Daddy! Come read to me!" Elspeth demanded once she got into his arms.
"What's the magic word?" he asked her.
"Please?" she begged. John smiled at her eagerness.
"Of course," he said as he gathered his baby girl into his arms.
After tucking her into the little bed in the room that was once his own, John sought his own bed in Sherlock's old room. Tears filled his eyes as he took in the familiar sight. Even after all these years, he missed Sherlock so much it hurt. He felt the familiar tears fall as he drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
Sherlock Holmes was ready to go home. He'd been working on destroying Moriarty's criminal web for over four years now. It was, quite frankly, exhausting. When he went home, he decided that he was going to try to put a cap on the number of cases he'd do. He had that child to think of now. Whenever his self-appointed task took him in or near London, Sherlock would make sure to take time to see how his John was doing. And his child.
The first time he'd come back was less than a year after his supposed death. After finishing his business in London, he went to find John. When he saw the man, Sherlock almost began to weep. His jumper was too big, he had bags under his eyes, and he was just overall in bad shape. But after drinking in his love's figure and mannerisms(his heart broke when he saw John using his cane again), he noticed what John was holding. It was a purple wrapped baby. Sherlock couldn't see much, just the shape and the blanket.
Luckily, he was disguised. He walked over and "accidentally" bumped into John, catching a glimpse of bright blue eyes and a shock of brown hair. Sherlock reeled, hardly hearing John's angry exclamation. He'd seen that face before- in his own baby pictures.
Over the next couple of years, he looked them up several times. The girl grew up before his eyes. The shock of brown hair turned into a tousle of dark curls. She was small, like John, but build thinly like himself. And those eyes! Now he knew why John was always going on about his eyes. They seemed rather unremarkable in his own face, but in hers they were beautiful. He wanted to be her father in the worst way. From the moment he saw her, he loved her as he loved John- fiercely, unflinchingly, and with all of his heart.
And now he was going home, finally.