I promised an epilogue and here it is. Thanks once again for all your support. I have admit I cried a bit while writing this, mostly, I think because I was saying goodbye to the story than anything else... enjoy. TA!

I own nothing.

Epilogue

Mycroft breathed a sigh of relief as he finished signing his name to the bottom of the paper on his desk. His wasn't the only name or the most important of course, just one of many. He slid the document into it's awaiting jacket and called for Anthea.

"Yes sir." She said as she appeared in the doorway of his office.

"Everything's finished. Can you make sure it's delivered?" He said holding the crisp white envelope with a slightly shaking hand.

She closed the door and rounded the desk, then she took it from him and laid it down. She slowly ran her hands up the planes of his chest to rest on the back of his neck. "He's fine now, he's safe and he's even happy thanks to you." She kissed his cheek and hugged him tight.

Mycroft held her close, "I know love, I know... it's just been a very long three years, that's all." He said with his forehead resting on her shoulder.

After a couple of moments Anthea pulled back and rubbed her thumbs across his cheeks, "Don't you have some news to deliver?"

He straightened his suite coat, "Of course, I'll see you at home." Mycroft pulled her in for a deep kiss then collected his umbrella and turned to exited his office.

"Forgetting something?" She called to him holding a small bag in her hand.

He raised a questioning eyebrow until he saw what she was holding, "What would I do without you?"

"Never mind that!" She smiled.

Mycroft entered 221B to the sound of breaking glass and John Watson's not so muted cursing. This comes not a moment too soon, he thought.

"Oh, thank God!" John said meeting the taller man at the top of the stairs, "Can you do something with him? I have a pregnant wife at home and he's acting like a toddler." He whispered.

"Thank you John, I have some news that should alleviate our current situation." Mycroft said.

John beamed, "Oh, that's great! Can I tell Mary?"

"Yes, but perhaps we should leave it at that for now."

"Of course, of course." He nodded, "Sherlock!" John called stepping into the kitchen.

"What?" The pouting detective answered.

"I'm leaving, your brother's here to see you."

"I know that, John. I heard his brolly on the stairs. Give Mary my love."

Mycroft sat down in John's chair and exhaled deeply. "Must you always give that man such a hard time Sherlock? The first time I met him I could swear his hair was blond, now it's positively gray."

Sherlock approached and sat across from him brother, "You're one to talk of hair Mycroft." He said with a scowl. "Is this an official visit or another one in which I'll be needing copious amounts of scotch?"

Mycroft couldn't help but grin remembering the conversation in question, "Both perhaps. You've been fully pardoned brother. Your house arrest is over and you can go back to solving crimes and causing my hair to fall out and John's to turn gray."

"Why am I sensing a 'however' coming?" Sherlock asked with his hands steepled under his chin.

"Just some friendly advice. When you're running around risking your life, having your adventures. Remember who is sitting at home worrying about when and if you're coming back. Molly Hooper is, as I've said before, quite remarkable and she has proven herself tough enough to withstand you and your lifestyle. However, don't test her too much and for the love of God don't take her for granted." Then he leaned up with his elbows on his knees slightly closer to his brother and said, "And you should know that if you ever hurt her, I will exact the kind of revenge upon you that will make James Moriarty and all his minions seem like a box of new born kittens. Do I make myself clear?"

Sherlock just nodded his head and Mycroft relaxed back into his chair satisfied with the response.

After a moment Sherlock took a deep breath and eyed Mycroft cautiously. "Can I ask you ask you a question?" Sherlock asked tentatively, because he wasn't sure he really wanted to know the answer."

"Of course."

"What did she do to engender so much loyalty and admiration from you? I don't think I've ever heard you praise someone as much has you have Molly Hooper."

Mycroft smiled at his baby brother, this man with the mind of a philosopher yet who chose to play detective games. He often pictured Sherlock wondering the halls of his Mind Palace looking for the answer to an unknown question, desperate to find it. He had tried to help Sherlock, tried to guide him and steer him away from drugs and danger. Somehow he had always failed, but not Molly. Mycroft had placed him in the line of fire and Molly had pulled him right back out. Sherlock could see so much, yet somehow he still missed the simplest of things.

"She saved my brother's life, Sherlock." He felt himself fighting back tears as he realized the emotions of the day were truly getting to him.

Sherlock, sensing the tension as well, opted for a joke. "So did Irene Adler, any kind words for her, brother dear?"

"I will not compare Dr. Molly Hooper to the psychopathic dominatrix that tried to kidnap you and spirit you away to a city full of drug dens and brothels."

"Molly made you fairy cakes, didn't she?" Sherlock asked with out a hint of a smile on his face. Mycroft rolled his eyes. "I knew it, she wouldn't tell me, but I knew it had something to do with baked goods!" He laughed.

Mycroft waved his hand in the air, "Take this." He handed Sherlock a small velvet cover box he produced from his pocket.

"And this is when I need the scotch." He opened it to reveal stunning vintage wedding and engagement rings. "This isn't Nanna's set."

"Ah no. It's not." Mycroft said looking quite board.

"Oh..." The realization dawning on his face.

"Yes, Amanda has Nanna's. Those are Grandmother Vernet's. You never met her. She wasn't very friendly as I remember. Nevertheless Mummy insisted."

"So Molly get's our unpleasant grandmother's rings. While your PA gets Nanna's... I was her favorite, hardly seems fair."

"I'm the eldest Sherlock, it's the way of things. Molly won't mind, she never knew the wretch of a woman, neither did you for that matter. And stop referring to my future wife as my PA, it's rude."

Sherlock looked down at the set again. "Do I need to remind you that we started our relationship only a week ago?"

"You've been in love with that woman for years, stop being a child and propose. Now put that away unless you wish to do it right now, she coming up the stairs."

"Shit!" Sherlock stood up and shoved the box into his pocket as he cursed himself for missing her arrival because he was so detracted by his meddling brother and his delivery of the wrong rings.

"Mycroft, I didn't know you were stopping by." Molly said putting her purse and work bag down.

He walked up to her, "I was just delivering some news my dear. It's done, the pardon has been approved." He said with a smile, secretly hoping for a Molly Hooper hug.

"Oh Mycroft!" She said as she threw her arms around him and pulled him in a tight embrace. "Thank you, so much!" As she pulled back Mycroft kissed her on top of the head and beamed.

"It was my pleasure Molly."

"Mycroft, would you please stop pawing all over my... my..."

"Do shut up Sherlock, until you know what to properly call her I dare say you can't keep me from hugging her." Mycroft said then he gave Molly another hug just to prove his point. Molly giggled. "Well I'll leave you to your evening. Amanda and I have plans." He said as he gathered his things. "Remember what we talked about. Mustn't waste time, there's been enough of that don't you think?"

"Yes thank you Mycroft, give our love to the missus." Nervously fidgeting with his hands in his pockets.

Once he had taken his leave Sherlock pulled Molly into his arms. "You are far too friendly with my overbearing brother Molly Hooper." He said before capturing her lips for a heated kiss.

"Mmmm, of course you'd be jealous of Mycroft! What was he talking about anyway."

"Oh, he saved us a trip," Reaching in his pocket. "This isn't the set I wanted for you but it seems "Amanda" got a hold of Nanna's so..." He said putting air quotes around his soon to be sister-in-law's name then handing her the box.

"And of course you couldn't just tell him you already proposed, so he was pressuring you. You really could attempt to be nicer to him, you know that?" She said opening the box. "Oh, they're gorgeous."

Sherlock shrugged his shoulders, "Oh no, he was feeling far too proud of himself today, make him wait." Then walked he back towards his chair.

"But I could have asked him to walk me down the isle while he was here."

Sherlock turned to look at Molly, "You want Mycroft to give you away?"

"Sherlock, my dad's gone and I have virtually no family left." She looked a bit sheepish about it.

"I'm aware of that Molly, but why Mycroft?"

She thought for just a moment before simply saying,"Because I'm proud to call him my brother."

And that's a wrap! Thank you all for reading my story. It has been an absolute pleasure sharing it with all of you. Please give me you're final reviews, they are deeply appreciated. If you think there's a follow here let me know... I'm considering it.