A/N- Chapter 14

I am sorry for not updating for nearly a whole month. I've had my college exams coming up so I needed to focus on them.

I'm sorry we're still on the Christmas chapters but hopefully I'll be able to update at least every week so that we're able to move on to get to the Study in Pink Chapter.

Speaking of that I'm planning to start the whole S1 chapters after I have done a chapter for Valentines and for Easter.

IMPORTANT: This story does not follow the original timeline of the show. John and Sherlock meet before A Study in Pink and have been together for a year.

Hugs, hugs and more hugs to those who have liked/ followed/ reviewed this story so far.

DISCLAIMER- I don't own anything. All characters you see in this fanfiction belong to BBC Sherlock. All I own is the plot and my OCs.

Any mistakes are my own so please tell me if you see any grammar mistakes.

Feedback feeds my muse so please leave a review and tell me what you think of this chapter.

On the third day- Tree Decorating.

On the third day of Christmas my Sherlock gave to me a day decorating the tree.

''Sherlock could you pass me that box please?'' John asks as he wraps a string of lights around the base of their Christmas tree.

Sherlock sighs, pushing himself up from the couch and grabbing the sides of the box and slamming it down next to John.

''If you could stop sighing as well and actually help me with this tree like you said you would, that would be great!'' John shouts, trying to untangle a section of lights that are hanging on one of the trees branches.

''I never said I would help you.''

''You said we should decorate this tree otherwise you're going to throw it out the window!''

''Oh, well by 'we' I meant 'you','' Sherlock says, flickering through the messages on his phone. ''There's no new cases, John.'' He complains and throws his phone at the end of the couch.

''Sherlock! Stop or you'll break it. If there's no cases then come and help me.''

''Boring!''

''I mean it; get your arse over here now. Otherwise that experiment you've been working on for weeks will go down the drain.''

Sherlock huffs, sliding his legs off the couch and slumps forwards walking towards John, the way a child would if he was asked to tidy his toys up.

John rolls his eyes and leans down to pick up the box with the rest of the lights inside. ''You can start with these.'' He places it in Sherlock's arms and goes back to fixing the tangled wire.

Sherlock sits down on the couch again and opens the box. He pulls out green, red and gold Christmas lights.

''John this is ridiculous! Half of them have shattered,'' Sherlock complains, inspecting the broken bulbs.

''These were the only lights left at the shop. Anyway, you broke last year's ones with that bloody experiment of yours.'' John turns around, finishing off wrapping the wire of lights and walks towards the door.

''I apologised to Mrs. Hudson didn't I? Besides, it was only a small electric shock.''

John shakes his head, recalling the incident and takes his coat off from the peg behind the door and puts it on.

''Where are you going?'' Sherlock asks.

''I promised Mike I'd meet up with him. I'm sure you can handle decorating the tree. Have fun!'' John says as he rushes down the stairs and out of the flat.

The door slams shut, leaving Sherlock alone and looking miserably at the tree.

''Well, better get to work then,'' he mumbles to himself and starts to pick out the leftover decorations in the boxes.

-X-

''Sherlock?'' John shouts, closing the door behind him and wiping his feet on the mat. ''Sherlock?'' He calls again when he is halfway up the stairs, wondering if Sherlock has actually finished off the decorating. Probably not.

''Sherlock where are-'' John is cut short as he enters the flat, feeling the sudden warmth from the fireplace wash over him.

The curtains are drawn and the lights are turned off except for the ones trailing around the Christmas tree. The blue, red, green and yellow flashing lights merge together, making it hard to separate one from the other.

The mantel is covered in fake snow with three stockings hanging below it with John's, Sherlock's and Mrs. Hudson's names printed on the top. John chuckles when he sees that Billy, Sherlock's skull is wearing a small Santa hat with a candy cane sticking out of its mouth.

''So I guess that you approve of my decorating then?'' A voice sounds from behind John as hands slowly remove his coat, draping it over the armchair.

John turns around, smiling when he looks up at Sherlock. ''Sherlock, this is amazing,'' John whispers as he wraps one arm around him and pulls him down for a kiss.

''There is one more thing to add,'' Sherlock says, opening his hand to reveal a golden star. ''Would you do the honours?''

John nods, walking him and Sherlock over to the tree and taking the star from him. He reaches up, standing on his toes and with a little help from Sherlock; the star is placed neatly on top of the tree.

''Looks like you're going to be decorating at Christmas more often,'' John teases as he comes back down.

Sherlock pulls a face of disgust and John laughs, pressing his head against Sherlock's chest. ''You're a real Grinch do you know that?''

''I try hard to be.''

John chuckles, wrapping his arms around Sherlock. ''Thank you,'' he mumbles into Sherlock's shirt, nuzzling his head into the soft material.

''There's no need to thank me. You asked me to do it so I did.''

''I don't just mean for decorating the tree.'' John lifts his head up, smiling softly. ''I mean for everything you do. For being there for me and making me laugh in the weirdest of ways.'' He pulls Sherlock down gently so their foreheads are touching. ''For loving me and not leaving me,'' he chokes out, biting on his bottom lip as Sherlock's hands cup his face.

''I would never leave you. Not ever.'' Sherlock tilts John's face up so their eyes meet. ''Ever.''

They stay like that just stood in the middle of the room; John's head slowly slipping down to Sherlock's chest again, his eyes closed and his arms are loose around Sherlock's waist. Sherlock is the opposite, his chin on the top of John's head and he holds on to John tightly, not wanting to let go. His eyes are open, scanning over John. He mapped out John's body a long time ago. He took in every detail of John from the harsh lines that form on his forehead when he's angry to the way the corners of his lips curl upwards when Sherlock makes a particularly good deduction.

He has a special place for John in his mind palace. Every last detail of him is filed in there. He hopes that if he does this he won't ever forget. Not that he would forget anything about John but he wants to make sure John, in some way, stays with him forever. Even if one day he doesn't have John anymore, he will always have his memories.

Sherlock is brought out of his thoughts when John stirs, moving his head as he draws back from Sherlock slightly. ''As lovely as this is my stomach sounds like twenty angry whales. I'm starving.''

''Chinese?'' Sherlock asks and moves back from John to go find the menu even though they order the exact same thing every time.

''Perfect. I'll put the kettle on.'' John stretches, walking towards the kitchen. ''Did you get rid of those thumbs in the fridge like I asked you to a week ago?''

''Yes I found a suitable home for them,'' Sherlock says as he rummages through the pile of papers on his desk for the menu.

John is about to ask what he means by 'suitable home' until there's a loud scream from downstairs, causing him to nearly drop the two cups he is holding.

''SHERLOCK HOLMES!'' Mrs. Hudson shouts, storming up the stairs.

John looks to Sherlock who gives him a small smirk before running towards him, grabbing his hand as they dash into their bedroom, laughing hysterically.

A/N: They behave like children don't they? Mrs. Hudson does put up with a lot from the both of them. But she loves it.

Thank you to: Anime-Books Lover, Awkward Sarcasm, BadWolfof221B, Britishfangirlfromamerica, Cathleen86, CharlotteSometimes13, Colorful Rainfall, DeadWoman, Demetra Rose Riddle, EisenSchatten, Fordge, Frizzylocks, Goddess-of-the-Night04, HappySkyWhale, Jaqueque maria clara dela cruz, JuliaJekyll, KattieWatsonHolmes, KeepDreaming'xo, Kite06, LadySnape88, Larissa Baptista, Lilith Malfoy Snape, , Moored Mermaid, Ms. Umbrella, Opalwings915, Padfoot333, Quill Angel, RandomDalmatian326, Rose's Companion, Seidenfuchs, Shiloh26, Sierra Wood, The Name You Will Never Know, Usah, dracomalfoylover666, ebunnixx, eforrest213, emh97, fangirlobessive, jigsawjazzz, lil28, mad-as-a-hatter1997, mielka, nadster23, oreta29, qverlord, rowexz, shinigami1043, sneakysnakes, snotrocket, sunisrisingonawinchester and teaganboda for story alerting this fic.

And Anime-Books Lover, Artemis Fairy, Ayame Natsuomi, BakerStreetKidm Britishfangirlfromamerica, colourful Rainfall, DeadWoman, Demetra Rose Riddle, Fordge, Frizzylocks, HappySkyWhale, Jaqueque maria clara dela cruz, KeepDreaming'xo, kite06, Larissa Baptista, Lilith Malfoy Snape, LittleDreamer48, MarthaPotter15, Moon and stars are never far, Opalwings915, Padfoot333, QueenOBlades, Quill Angel, RiderPhantomhive, Rose's Companion, Shiloh26, Sierra Wood, dracomalfoylover666, emh97, enjoyblood, fangirlobsessive, kathaka9, qverlord, rowexz, snotrocket, sunisrisingonawinchester and tmntforever for putting this on their favourites list.

Jaqueque maria clara dela cruz,snotrocket, EsienSchatten, DeadWoman, HappySkyWhale, dracomalfoylover666 and Quill Angel for putting me on their Favourite author list.

And Jaqueque maria clara dela cruz, DeadWoman, Rose's Companion, BakerStreetKid, HappySkyWhale , Quill Angel and dracomalfoylover666 for putting me on their author alerts list.

This is a reply to Mary Lou for their reviews as I can't reply to them through PM:

Thank you so, so much for all your reviews!

I do plan on continuing this series for as long as I can! I actually have planned how I am going to end this fanfic although that is very far off yet.

I never even thought about them all going to visit the Holmes parents for Christmas. You've given me a good idea. Thank you!

'Isn't Mycroft just the most romantic guy around? Actually, for being two oddballs, the Holmes brothers do alright in the love department.'

That made me burst out laughing! Yes the Holmes brothers are surprisingly very good at romance. Well, they are still both in a relationship so I guess they aren't doing such a bad job at being romantic.

I didn't make it very clear who Greg was dressed as but he was Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story :)

You will find out quite soon what is in Sherlock's pocket. I'm afraid it will be quite heartbreaking for John though.

As for the mystery man well... that has to stay a secret for now but all will be revealed during The Great Game chapter I'm going to be writing soon.

Again, thank you very much for writing all those lovely reviews and it means so much to me that you are enjoying this story. I hope you liked the update?

Sorry if I left anyone out/ added you twice or spelled your username wrong!

The next chapter is mystrade. I've really missed writing this so I'm going to make sure that I don't go another month without updating it. I have my exams the next two weeks and a week off after that so I will be able to write then.

Next chapter should come out next Saturday/Sunday. I know I always say this but I promise you that there will be a chapter then.

Thank you so, so much for your continued support and please don't be afraid to drop me a PM.Anyway bless you for reading and I will see you next Saturday/Sunday.