Sorry, not much time to add a message with this chapter. Travelling today but need to get this up so we're ready for the Christmas Eve chapter tomorrow. To anyone else also travelling - take care xxx.

A Festive Request

The next morning Molly woke up to find Sherlock nuzzling her neck with his hand on her hip and his erection pressed against her bum. She wriggled against him hearing the low groan which sent a ripple of desire through her body.

His hand slid slowly under her t shirt as he kissed along her neck, 'I believe you stole this item of clothing from me without asking Molly and I think I want it back.'

She bit her lip and smiled, 'but then I'd be almost naked Mr Holmes. I wouldn't be decent.'

'Mmm sounds perfect to me...take it off.'

But before she could there was a cry from the corner of the bedroom. Elizabeth Watson had woken up!

Sherlock groaned and rolled on to his back with his hand across his eyes, 'bloody hell! Will she go back to sleep if we ignore her?'

Molly laughed as she sat up swinging her legs out of the bed, 'I don't know a lot about babies but I don't think it works like that.' She made her way over to the cot and picked up the disgruntled child before sniffing and grimacing.

Sherlock looked over and frowned, 'don't look at me Molly; you're the one who volunteered.'

She started to leave the room, 'you get some more sleep and I'll find a clean nappy and keep her occupied. Hopefully Mary will be able to pick her up soon.'

She left the room and Sherlock rolled back over wishing he hadn't been left with a burgeoning erection but faintly surprised by how comfortable he felt with the concept of Molly and babies. He had never considered having a child of his own but seeing Molly with a baby in his room seemed right somehow. He needed to think about that further but she was right he did need more sleep and he was soon drawn back under now Molly wasn't in his bed distracting him.

Molly meanwhile was starting to wish she hadn't volunteered for this. She was tired and stressed. Elizabeth didn't seem happy with anything that Molly tried to do to entertain her until she found some children's programmes on the television. She then immediately felt guilty for using such a medium as entertainment but Lizzie was perfectly happy and even ate her food without complaint.

It was just over an hour later that Mary rang. As well as the broken arm and ribs John thankfully only had a collapsed lung and he had taken to the treatment well, he was still in hospital but they were hoping he'd be home later that day dosed up with antibiotics and painkillers. 'How's Lizzie? Have you been OK with her?' Mary asked wearily.

'Yes, we're fine. She slept most of the night and she's had her breakfast.'

'Great. I'm just leaving the hospital. If it's OK with you I'm going to go home and shower before I come and pick her up.'

'Yes that's fine. We can have her longer if you need us to.'

'Oh it's us now is it.' Molly heard the gleefully questioning tone in Mary's voice before she continued more seriously, 'no it's OK. John's sister is on her way and will help to look after her and anyway I didn't leave you with much by way of food or nappies. I'll be there in about an hour.'

Shortly after Sherlock came out of the bedroom wrapped in a sheet and made himself a cup of coffee. He wandered over and sat on the floor near Elizabeth watching the show with her for a minute. He glanced up at Molly who looked half asleep on the chair.

'Molly? I want to ask you something but I know before I ask it that it's extremely selfish of me.'

Molly turned to look at him, it wasn't like him to be nervous about asking her something, 'go on, you can ask me anything...you know that.'

He glanced at her and chewed on his lip before talking in a low, quiet voice, 'stay with me...please, for Christmas.' He went on adding in a rush, 'I know you're due to go to your family and I know it's wrong of me to ask but please I would like you to stay.'

'Oh!' Of all the things Molly had expected him to ask this had not occurred to her at all.

She sat up straighter and frowned as she pondered what her mother's reaction might be and then realised that she hadn't even thought for one moment what her answer might be, she had known it before he had even finished asking.

'OK...yes I'll stay. I'll need to speak to my mum, sort out Toby and pick up my things so...'

Sherlock stood before bending to kiss her forehead. 'I have to go and give a statement about last night to the police, Lestrade has volunteered for the job though I don't know why he's making out he's doing me a favour...said something about not wanting me to end up spending Christmas Eve in the cells. Anyhow, I'll be out until about three so maybe you could come back then.'

He shuffled his way back to his bedroom to get dressed before turning back to her, 'ah...yes..maybe I should also mention I haven't actually got any food in. Perhaps you could pick something up?' And with that he shut his door leaving Molly rolling her eyes and pondering what she had just agreed to.

MHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMH

Three hours and a battle through the shops later and Molly had finally made it back home complete with enough food for a Christmas meal and another couple of days beyond. It had been hard work tracking down a turkey crown on Christmas Eve and she still felt slightly guilty about the middle aged woman she'd ended up elbowing but at least she had one.

The one thing she wasn't looking forward to was phoning her mum but she couldn't put it off any longer, she was due at Sherlock's in two hours and her mum would have been expecting her any time now.

She picked up her phone and dialled.

'Molly, is that you? Is everything alright dear, we were expecting you to be arriving about now?'

'Hi, yes I'm fine but mum...umm..something's come up and I'm not going to be able to make it home for Christmas.' She winced waiting for the anger but instead there was silence. 'Mum?'

'Please tell me this isn't because of work Molly.'

Molly knew she wouldn't be able to get out of telling her mum the truth, she had always been able to see through any of Molly's lies.

'No, no it's not work. I...um..well...'

'It's him isn't it...the detective. Oh Molly, please tell me he's genuine and not still using you.'

Molly closed her eyes, amazed as always at her mum's perceptiveness. She'd long known about Molly's feelings for Sherlock and it had broken her heart when she'd called off her engagement to Tom because of him.

'It's alright mum...he is. I...well..I think we have a chance...to be together, and I want to take it.'

'Well good, I'm not saying I won't miss you because I will but you're thirty three and you're not getting any younger. If this gets me one step closer to grandchildren then I'm happy. But mark my words girl I want both of you up here for New Year. I want to meet the man who has had my daughter jumping through hoops for almost a decade.'

Molly winced wondering if she could persuade Sherlock to meet her family but she decided she'd cross one bridge at a time.

They spent another ten minutes chatting on the phone before wishing each other a happy Christmas and then Molly hung up. She looked around her quiet flat and let it finally sink in that she was spending the next few days with Sherlock, alone in his flat. A slow smile spread across her face and she hugged herself before making her way to the shower to get ready. Then she remembers she needed to think about what she was giving him for Christmas.

MHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMH

It was almost half past three by the time Molly got to Baker St. She'd taken a cab and eagerly looked out of the window as they made their way through the busy streets. It was already half dark and the lights were shining out of every store. Last minute shoppers, mostly men, looking harried as they tried to find final gifts before it was too late. There were also a few early revelers as well as business men and women drinking in pubs celebrating the end of work for at least a few days.

For the first time ever Molly was truly looking forward to Christmas. She'd never spent it alone with a man she loved and she had never expected to manage to do it with Sherlock but here she was and she was determined to enjoy it.

When she pulled up she took her bags to the doorstep and rang the bell before returning to the cab to pick up the box of food and her handbag. By the time she'd paid the cabbie and turned back Sherlock was waiting for her in the glow of the open door already holding her bags.

She followed him in and up the stairs, 'is Mrs Hudson here for Christmas?'

He glanced back at her, 'no, she left about an hour ago. Gone to visit her sister in Leicester. She won't be back until after Boxing Day.'

Molly wasn't sure why but as she entered his flat she felt a sudden flutter of nerves. Now she was here she wasn't quite sure what to expect. Maybe she had misinterpreted his meaning, maybe he just wanted her here as a friend.

But he had carried her bags straight into his bedroom before he returned to find her decanting food from the box into the cupboards and the only spare shelf in the fridge which didn't look to be contaminated with anything.

He leant against the kitchen counter watching her as she moved around. He noticed the nervous glances that she cast his way every so often, the blush rising in her cheeks as she realised he was watching her. The way she would start to bite her lip and then stop as if aware he would notice it. He saw everything, her love for him, her compassion towards her family and friends, her dedication to her job and he felt a little overwhelmed that she was here and that she was his if he wanted her. And he did want her.

Since that morning three days ago when they had slept together he hadn't been able to get her out of his mind. Even in the depths of the case in Salisbury she had been there, at the back of his mind, helping him as she always did and waiting for him as she always had. He didn't intend for her to have to wait any longer.

He pushed off from the counter and walked towards her as she tidied up the bags and wrappers. It was as though she were trying to keep herself occupied, not really knowing what to do or say. Well that was alright because he knew exactly what he wanted to say and exactly what he wanted to do.

He caught her hand and pulled her round to face him before catching her chin with his other hand. He tilted her head so she couldn't help but look up at him, that blush of hers deepening beautifully. She tentatively smiled and he watched it become more genuine as he smiled back at her.

'Molly, my Molly.'

So here we are, just the two of them. No case, no distractions, so what do we think they'll get up too? Watch a bit if telly, play Cluedo or...