2 weeks after last chapter
"So, how did you know about my military career and the phone." John asked once finishing putting away the boxes in the upstairs room.
"I observed." He said simply looking out of the window. There were no cases and Maria and Mia had gone down to Speedy's to grab a quick snack, making everything quite dull. Watching as Maria holding the young girl, chatting enthusiastically while his daughter was eating what appeared to be a chocolate cupcake, getting chocolate all over her face. "There you are, I was wondering were you two went."
"I use to go to school with the girl who works there so we got a bit caught up. I got muffins if you two want something to eat." Maria explained, pecking him on the cheek.
"Ty some Daddy." Mia said presenting the deformed muffin to Sherlock. "It yum."
"Maybe later, How about we wash your face." He said going to the kitchen.
"John have one you must be hungry after moving those boxes." Maria said not giving him a chance to refuse the offer.
"Thank you." he replied, eating.
"Hello Mrs. Hudson." She greeted.
"Hello to you to Maria, did you want some help to clean up this mess, always happens with boys." She said busying herself with straightening things up a bit.
"Afternoon Mrs. Hudson." Sherlock said returning with a clean Mia who darted to Maria who was at the window. Sherlock followed her watching Maria pick her up, Sherlock then preceded to wrap his arms around the woman allowing her to lean on him, knowing her feet hurt after being at school all day in heels. "Still don't understand why you wear those stilts to work." He whispered in her ear, kissing the soft flesh there.
Maria giggled before stroking the young girls hair, she looked sleepy. "They make me look professional, it's hard to look it when you're short."
"They make you look sexier."
"Thats not a bad thing." She said offering a flirtatious smile. Sherlock smirked before kissing the woman, lips moving to accomodate the other, slow and intimate. Breaking apart after she gently bit his bottom lip and he let out a silent growl.
"Cheeky." He said resting his head on hers.
"What about these suicides, then, Sherlock? Thought that would be right up your street. Three of them, exactly the same. That's a bit funny, isn't it?" Mrs. Hudson said after she scanned a Newspaper on the floor.
"Four. There's been a fourth. And there's something different this time." Sherlock stated, giving the woman in his arms a quick squeeze, the woman not use to there being so many police.
"A fourth? How do you know?" John asked, As Sherlock motioned to the window, heavy footsteps could be heard on the stairs and in the doorway stood DI Lestrade.
"Where?" Sherlock asked.
"Who's she?"
"Girlfriend. Now where." not appreciating the way Lestrade was ogling her.
"Brixton. Lauristan Gardens… Since when did you get a girlfriend?" He asked.
"Not the point. What's difference about this one. You wouldn't have come to get me if there wasn't something new." He said as Maria giggled, thinking the jealous behaviour was quite an adorable look on Sherlock.
"You know how they never leave notes?" Lestrade said with a sigh, giving up on the matter for now.
"Yeah."
"This one did. Will you come?"
"…Who's on Forensics?" Sherlock said looking tempted.
"Anderson."
"Anderson won't work with me."
"Well he wont be your assistant." Lestrade argued.
"He need Assistant." Mia sleepily mumbled in Maria's arms.
"Will you come?" He said chuckling at the toddlers antics.
"Not in a police car, i'll be right behind you."
"Thank you!" he said giving a cursory nod to the people in the room before he left.
John is stunned while Mrs. Hudson and Maria share a knowing look at Sherlocks whoop of excitement, jumping around the room.
"Brilliant!" he says leading over the sofa, dashing to his desk, while stuffing things in his pockets.
"And I thought it was going to be a boring evening. Serial suicides, and now a note- oh, its Christmas!" He says picking Maria up and twirling her about, smacking her lips.
"Your going to wake the baby." Maria quietly said while Sherlock put her down and kissed both girls foreheads.
"You don't mind staying in until I return."
"I'd love too. But you owe me one." She said as she smiled, placing one last kiss on his lips.
Sherlock chuckled as he went to get his coat. "Of course, Mrs. Hudson Ill be late- might need some food."
"Im your landlady , dear, not your housekeeper."
"Something cold is fine. John make yourself at home-have a cuppa! Don't wait up!" he said as he bounded out the door. John looks after him, slightly bemused, grabbing a newspaper.
"Oh, look at him dashing about? My husband was just the same, but you're more of the sitting down type I can tell. I'll make you that cuppa, you rest your leg."
"Damn my leg!" A sudden flash of anger came from John, waking up Mia who immediately started crying. "I'm Sorry, I'm so sorry, its just sometimes… bloody thing."
"I understand , dear. I've got a hip." Mrs. Hudson said whilst Maria offered an understanding smile, soothing the child to go back to sleep.
"A cup of tea would be lovely, thank you."
"Just this once, dear, Im not your housekeeper."
"Couple of biscuits too, if you've got them."
"Not your housekeeper." Mrs. Hudson retorted, whilst Maria laughed at their antics.
"You're a doctor." Startled, John turns around to see Sherlock. leaning in the doorway, looking at him thoughtfully. "In fact, you're an army doctor."
"Yes."
"Any good?"
"Very good." He said whilst standing up.
"Seen lots of injuries then. Violent deaths?"
"Well, yes."
"Bit of trouble too, I bet."
"Of course, enough for a lifetime. Far too much.
"Want to see some more?"
"Oh, God, Yes!"
"Get your coat" Sherlock replied and John dashed to his room.
"I heard her crying." Sherlock said, patting Mias head.
"She was upset when John woke her up." She explained. "Do be careful… and try not to lose another flatmate, I cant be held responsible for what might happen if he comes to the school again." She said cheekily. Whilst Sherlock laughed.
"I will. See you later and tell her goodnight for me." He said as he and John dashed out of the flat.
"Sorry Mrs. Hudson, Ill skip the cuppa- I'm off." He told the woman before exiting the building.
"Both of you?"
"Impossible suicides- four of them. No point in sitting at home when theres finally something fun going on!"
"Look at you, all happy. It's not decent."
"Who cares about decent. The game Mrs. Hudson is on!"