"Do you really have to go to leave so soon?" Molly asked softly as her fingers threaded through Sherlock's hair.
It was late, she was knackered but she knew the kind of danger he was in. He'd told her all about the situation with Katherine and that he was heading to Cambridge to help bring an end to it hopefully. Apparently, it was a lot bigger case than he'd originally imagined. Still, Molly preferred he was with her and safe.
"Yes," he murmured, nearly asleep. "It's better this way."
Molly nodded. She tried to memorize this moment. They were alone, Sherlock was stretched out on the sofa with his head resting on the remainder of her lap and their baby girl swam laps in her womb (having loads of energy because Molly had just had a slice of cake). A dying fire burned in the living room's fireplace. It was so peaceful and precious to her to have this quiet time with him.
A tingle of fear travelled up her spine then like the bristle of cactus points. She would never ask Sherlock to give up on his detective work, but she did wish it wasn't so dangerous sometimes. She did not want to imagine her life without her husband. He'd made her happier in the last year than she'd ever been. Her life felt so complete. As if sensing her mother's worries, their little one gave a good kick towards Molly's bellybutton.
Sherlock's eyes flew open.
"That!" His orbs were very round. "I felt that."
Molly smiled down at him. "Hmm, she's just saying hello, Dad."
"She's strong!" His voice was full of wonder. "How can she be so strong already?"
Molly quirked a brow. "I can't imagine."
He turned his head sideways and mumbled into her swollen belly. "You will have to learn to share, um . . . what are we calling her this week?"
"I'm trying out Elisande. Pretty, don't you think?"
He shrugged and poked out a lip. "I still don't know why we cannot name her Gerty."
Molly expunged a noisy breath. "Because it's horribly outdated and I dislike the sound of it."
"Gerty Cori developed the theory of carbohydrate metabolism. She was a gifted chemist and the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine," he swirled his hands in the air above his head. "Our daughter needs an esteemed namesake . . . Oh! There, she did it again. I think she agrees with me."
Molly laughed. "She kicked you. The message won't get any clearer. She hates it."
She massaged his scalp until his eyes rolled back and he closed them.
"Mmm, how about Rosalind?" He asked. "Rosalind Franklin helped discover the double helical structure of DNA. She was a London Chemist."
"I will take Rosalind under consideration," Molly laughed. "It's not bad."
He smirked. "Though perhaps we should name her Marie or Mary. There are a lot of notable scientists with that first name-"
Molly brushed his hair back from his face. "What is your obsession with giving our daughter the name of a famous researcher?"
Sherlock's eyes flickered open and then narrowed in thought. "She cannot help but have a formidable intelligence with you and me as her parents. She will have something to contribute to the world, I know it. She deserves a suitable name-"
Molly smiled down at him, smoothing her thumb over his brow. "Surely you want her to make a name for herself, though, and not to be saddled with someone else's legacy?"
He blinked rapidly several times as he stared up at the ceiling. Then his lips parted and his eyes widened.
"Damn, you are right. She must have a unique moniker," he puffed a breath. "I am an idiot."
Molly suppressed a laugh. "Oh, Lord, I wish I had been recording that. A rare moment of humility from my great man."
His brows twisted. "Rare? Lately I find myself humbled every time I look at you."
She frowned. "Why?"
"Molly, you have suffered severe morning sickness, sleepless nights, pain in your joints, and all manner of malady to carry my offspring yet your humor has never suffered. I do not think . . . no, I know I would not be so dignified if our positions were reversed."
Her heart skipped a beat. Unable to lean down, she kissed her fingers and then touched them against his lips.
"I love you, Sherlock. I don't complain because I am deliriously happy."
His eyes searched her face as he gently clasped her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist. As ever, delightful ripples danced along her nerve endings.
"Truly?" He rasped. "Even though I am gallivanting about, solving crimes instead of taking care of you as I ought to be?"
She gripped a handful of his hair with her free hand and gave it a gentle tug. "Now, see here, Mr. Holmes. You take care of me by making the world a better place. Do not ever feel guilty about what you do on my account. I would not change anything about you."
His eyelid twitched and a slight sheen glossed his eyes. "Even my unfortunate tendency to spout insensitive tripe at nearly every opportunity?"
She sniffled as her eyes watered over. "I especially love the ridiculous things you say, Sherlock. Don't ever change. Please, please, don't ever change."
He shuffled off her lap and then sat up beside her and kissed her suddenly. His fingers splayed out over her jaw while his other arm gripped her around her shoulders. His hand trembled when he pulled back to stare down at her.
"I . . . love you, Molly. Dear God, I love you so much. I am sorry I have to leave. Please know that I think about you constantly. I feel as if I have a gaping hole in my chest when we're apart," he said gruffly.
She covered the spot over his heart with her hand as a tear rolled down her face. "I do too, but I know you'll return to me."
He nodded quickly. "Every time, always."
"It's all clear. Doesn't even look like anyone's been in yer place."
Fil watched as Dr. Adams smirked. A gust of wind mussed her hair. She pushed it back from her face.
"No bombs under my bed? I hear they can be nasty!" She wagged her brows.
Fil shrugged as he looked back at the four story apartment building.
"Nope," his tone was clipped.
Dr. Adams raised her brows when his gaze returned. She seemed taken aback.
"Okay, um, well, let's go up."
As she started towards the L-shaped, brick complex. Leem grabbed Fil's arm.
"Why are ya being such a prick right now?" He hissed under his breath.
Fil sneered at his brother. "I ain't. I'm doin' my job."
"Does your job entail treatin' Kat like a leper? You've not said two words to her since we landed."
Fil shook off Leem's grasp. "I thought chattin' her up was your department . . . um, among other things."
He hefted his duffel bag higher on his shoulder. He resented his older brother a little for his quasi-relationship. Although, he didn't know how involved they'd gotten (he suspected they'd been physical, however). For years, Leem had preached that the two of them should avoid getting close to anyone, especially clients, and yet, he'd done exactly that. It baffled Fil. Leem was always so self-controlled. He was the sane one.
However, Fil liked the doctor. She had a sly sense of humor and treated him with more respect than most. He tucked in his lip as a pang of guilt shot through his guts. He was mad at his brother, not Dr. Adams. He shouldn't take it out on her.
"I should punch you for that," Leem muttered.
"Oy, if you didn't know what you're doin' was wrong, you woulda hit me already."
Leem rubbed a hand over his face. Fil pressed his lips together tightly. It was tough love, but Leem needed to hear it. He threw a hand in his brother's path before he could storm after the little doctor.
"I get it, big brother," Fil said quietly, "but she's not for the likes of us, remember? You know this kind of bird is way out of our league. As soon as she's outta danger, she won't look twice at you. Come on, Leem. How many times 'ave you told me not ta get involved? How many?"
A guilty look flashed across Leem's face and he looked up apologetically. "Have I been makin' a fool of myself?"
Fil smiled. "Just a bit. I don't judge. If she looked at me the way she looks at you, I can't say I'd do any differently. I just . . ."
Leem dipped his head and held up a hand. "You don't have to say anymore. I know, Fil. I know better."
Fil winked. "Hey, this case has been nuts. You were shot. No one's thinking straight. We've earned a break after this, I'd wager. Mycroft is confident this will all be over in a week. We should go ta Brazil when this is all through. Disconnect for a while. You remember how much fun we had last time, hmm?"
Leem appeared to nod without enthusiasm. He smiled tightly and started after Dr. Adams. Fil sighed and followed as his brother hurried to get the door for the doctor. She grinned shyly at Leem. Fil actually hoped he was wrong about her and that she did genuinely care for his brother so as not to injure his self-esteem.
"You coming or what?" Leem called from the doorway.
Fil picked up his pace. "I'm coming! Cool yer jets."
Leem disappeared into the building after Dr. Adams. Suddenly a thought hit Fil cold and hard to the chest like a brick of ice. Leem had been restless, it seemed. Every so often, Fil saw his eyes wander after a couple or a young family. Hell, even Fil was guilty of that at times. They were thirty-four and thirty-three respectively. Everyone else their age seemed to be getting married, starting families and moving on in life while they were stuck on pause. Dr. Adams and his brother might actually be falling in love with each other. He swallowed. He wanted happiness for his brother, but didn't want to lose him. It had been him and Leem forever and he couldn't imagine gadding about alone. If his brother took up with Dr. Adams and they made a go of it, he'd be a third wheel in short order.
"Well, crap," he muttered to himself as a wave of self-pity washed over him. "That's the shits."