Author's Note: Hi guys! Thanks for the kind reviews and the birthday wishes. People liked Cate which is good because I tried to create a new character and not someone like the rest of our cast. This chapter ended up being a lot different from what I originally planned but I like it better. I hope you all enjoy it. I don't know… I'm really overwhelmed with uni right now that it has me doubting everything I'm doing. But that's okay, I still do it all. Please read, review, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: Clearly I don't own Sherlock. The show is the baby of Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, while Sherlock Holmes itself is the creation of Arthur Conan Doyle.

The First Time She Chose The Baby's Room

It wasn't some instinctual need to begin nesting for Anthea. She was never the maternal type and she knew that and owned it. She loved but she didn't have any protect or look after genes within her. If she did the fridge wouldn't be in a constant state of emptiness and she'd probably handle Mycroft's bad attitude towards his migraines in a better way. It was Jamie who was the source of knowledge and the ticking down of time. She made the realisation come crashing down onto Anthea like being hit in the face with ice water.

Jamie had called Anthea at work while Anthea was in the back of the town car on the way to 'give a lift' to someone.

"So I was going through Hope's clothes and taking out the things that don't fit anymore and putting new stuff in." Jamie rattled on even though that sentence could have been said in half the words. Anthea didn't want to still be on a phone call to an important personal person when she picked this person up.

"Yeah?" Anthea sighed. She looked out the window to see where about they were. Walter looked at her through the rear-view window.

"And I know you don't know what you're having but I have a lot of cute outfits that would look good on a boy or a girl and won't have people assuming either. You want to stop by soon? Sort through and see if you want any?" She heard Hope make a noise in the background followed by Jamie softly speaking to her. Anthea closed her eyes and scratched behind her ear.

"That's nice. Maybe later we'll talk about it." Anthea made eye contact with Walter again. He made a twirl with his finger. He was asking Anthea if he should circle around a bit and delay them. Anthea held up her fingers close together asking for him to stall just for a little while.

"Kind of need to know now. Carol's picking up the unwanted stuff in an hour. She's got a bunch of clothes Katie doesn't want anymore and she's going to donate them." Jamie rambled some more. Anthea was feeling a bit like Mycroft when people took too long to explain a simple concept.

"Well no then. Sorry Jay, I don't have time for baby stuff right now. I'm busy." She tried to sound appreciative but the antsy agitation slipped through. Jamie did not appreciate that.

"You're going to have start making time, Al. That baby's not waiting for you." She sounded snooty and annoyed. When did this become about time in general? Anthea was talking about now. She frowned.

"What? I'll have time. I'll be bored when I have to go on maternity leave."

"That's not long enough." Jamie chided. "Alice, you have nine months to set up a whole life for a new person. You haven't even considered where they're going to sleep yet." Anthea stopped looking around. Her brows furrowed and her eyes widened.

"I haven't had time. Work and-"

"Like your boss won't give you flexible hours." Jamie scoffed but it wasn't harsh. She was past her annoyance already. "I'm just offering you some clothes. They grow so fast and it'll save you maybe half an hour worth of shopping. I don't know. You'll still need new stuff but this will be good in a pinch. If you don't have time to do washing, and wash your hair, and send that email in that free hour while the baby is sleeping."

"Jamie…" Anthea muttered. Walter pulled into somewhere and parked.

"Oh, I'm fine." Jamie said before Anthea could even pose her question. Anthea relaxed and her mouth pulled into something more relaxed then its previously sour expression. "I'm tired but fine. I'm taking extra time off from work and when I go back its super flexible. You want to keep that high profile job of yours. I'll be there for you the way Sherlock, Molly, and the landlord are there for John and I bet Sherlock will be there too. And if someone chooses to stick around I'm sure he'll bend all the rules but I'm just telling you that you need to get ready soon."

Anthea pursed her lips. She looked down at her feet. She stroked her belly. She hadn't even begun giving this little one a home yet. She was so wrapped up on being Anthea and all things Mycroft that she hadn't started trying to be a mum yet. What did she even want to be called? Mummy at first, but then Mum? Or something else? Mycroft had promised her safety and security for the child regardless of the outcome but there was nothing secure for them yet. Maybe Anthea had even less maternal instincts than she thought. By now Jamie had so much ready. Mary who was in a horrible situation with John, worse maybe than what Anthea and Mycroft were going through, still had everything planned. Anthea couldn't just go with the flow on this one.

"Ali?" Jamie checked to see if her friend was there after a long silence. Anthea could imagine her checking the phone's screen to see if the call was still connected. Anthea tucked a curl behind her ear. She began nodding before she spoke.

"Yeah, I'm here." She breathed. "I just…" She shook her head. "I'm busy but you know me, keep the clothes you think I'd like and donate the rest. Thanks a lot."

Another pause. This time it was far shorter.

"I got a little annoyed but I didn't scare you, did I?" Jamie asked sincerely. Anthea laughed silently.

"It takes more than that to scare me. You just light a fire, that's all." She said. She heard Jamie hum cautiously. Anthea looked at the mirror again to see Walter doing his best to purposely not watch. Agents, or in this case ex-agents. "I've really got to go. I am really busy today. No time for phone calls and washing hair." She played off Jamie's regret with a joke. "Thank you for thinking of me."

"Always." Jamie said. "Love you."

"You too. Bye."

Click.

Anthea stared at the phone in her hand.

"Something serious?" Walter asked. Anthea looked up and at him through the rear-view window. He looked concerned. Anthea gave him a polite smile and shook her head.

"Just a reality check that I need to start being a mother." Anthea cocked her head to the side. Walter said nothing only looked at her critically. "Buy stuff, prepare stuff." Anthea explained further.

"Oh," Walter smiled. "That's the fun part." Anthea's smile turned more natural, Walter's smile being infectious.

"Anyway," she nodded forward. "Duty calls." Walter looked forward and the car whirred back to life.

Oh, she'd need a baby seat too, and a stroller. Though somewhere for the little one to sleep would probably be a good start.

Jamie dropped the clothes off on Friday when Anthea only had a half day. They went through them together while Hope napped hugging her teddy. That too helped set the realisation of having a baby in for Anthea. These tiny clothes were being handed down from her best friend to clothe her own little baby. Maybe if this had happened before Anthea went to see Sherlock Anthea wouldn't have been so quick to forget she was pregnant. She was carrying someone who would soon need clothes and someone to stay. They could wear this cardigan Jamie bought to keep Hope warm. They'd be able to wear these tiny little converse. This child would need Anthea to help them survive. It was exciting and terrifying at the same time. One look at cute little Hope with Jamie's nose and James' bright smile would set the excitement just past the fear.

After Jamie and Hope left Anthea decided to pour herself a cup of raspberry tea. She stood in the kitchen sipping it slowly, staring at the box of baby clothes on the counter. Those clothes were a good start and Anthea thought that they might calm her down. Instead it was the kindling to light the fire in her mind. Those clothes needed somewhere to belong now. They needed a chest of draws or at least one of the built in wardrobes in this place.

Anthea put her cup of tea down on the counter and licked her lips. That's what had to happen before anything else could be done. She needed to find a room for the baby to sleep in. They needed a room of their own for all their stuff and somewhere where they could always feel safe. Anthea and Mycroft could both understand that feeling and Uncle Sherlock probably knew that better than anyone with all his boat holes. And Anthea thought she had a good room in mind.

Anthea walked down the hall. She opened the door into the cream and white room. The smell that hit her smelt like her flat. The sunflower poster frame and hanging on the wall was a little dusty but as heart-warming as always. Anthea's little home away from home for quite a while. Her little solitude in Mycroft's big empty house. Anthea didn't completely know which rooms were available, Mycroft was particular about his spaces, and though she loved this room if she had to give it up for anyone she'd give it up for her little one.

The room was nostalgic and beautiful. The colours were soothing but were they right for the kid? Maybe cream but it was also kind of dull. It would need to be mixed with something. Pale purples and greens were good gender neutral colours that surely wouldn't over stimulate the baby. She wasn't sure if either of them went with cream and Anthea kind of liked the idea of two major colours. Maybe with white instead. Then again cream was nice and warm. Like brown. Brown with cream could be nice. The furniture had to be considered to. Anthea wandered into the room. She needed to decide if any of this furniture was salvageable. She'd like to keep it all but it wasn't entirely possible, especially if the colours were changed.

Anthea stepped into the room. She investigated the vanity. This could work well for a chest of drawers. It could do for now anyway to store the child's clothes. Maybe it could be repainted or stripped and varnished. Anthea opened the draw top left drawer. Inside she had a pair of pyjamas, or items she used as pyjamas, that she forgot she even owned. Anthea sniffed a single laugh. What else did she have in here?

"What are you doing in here?" Mycroft hummed. Anthea turned around to find him standing in the doorway. He had his coat and gloves on and carried his briefcase so he must have just got home from the club. His face was full of mild curiosity mixed with a hint of tiredness. Anthea exhaled her breath. She shut the drawer before turning back to Mycroft.

"Starting to organise a room for my, the baby." She said. Mycroft looked behind her at the room. He looked at the flower power tear.

"This room?" Mycroft looked disdained as he asked the question. Anthea nodded. Mycroft pursed his lips, looked around some more, and shook his head.

"No." He said and began walking away. He left Anthea standing in the cream and white room with a frown on her face.

"No?" She repeated. What did he mean no? She sighed and shrugged her shoulders before chasing after the incredulous genius. "Mycroft!" She called out. He was taking off his coat and laying it on the couch. "No?" She asked again. "I need a room for the baby."

"Obviously." Mycroft scoffed. He walked over to the kitchen bench and put his briefcase on it. With curiosity more than interest he peered into the box Jamie brought over. "But that's not the room. That's your room." Anthea cocked her head to the side.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise I needed permission to use my room for something." Anthea teased. Mycroft sniffed. Anthea quirked an eyebrow at him. He rolled his eyes.

"Follow me." The genius exclaimed dramatically. With great effort to look like he was putting in great effort Mycroft lead Anthea upstairs. This attitude was funny now but what would it be like coming from a toddler or a teenager? And what if they got some of Anthea's rebellious attitude too?

Mycroft lead Anthea to a room on the hallway down from their bedroom. It was two doors down and adjacent. Mycroft opened the door and gestured with a hand for Anthea to enter first and he followed behind her.

From first appearance the room was clearly ignored. There was a couch or something with a white sheet protecting it from dust. There were boxes for exercise equipment, including the treadmill. Anthea assumed the other boxes still had their items in them. There was an odd Grecian statue of a woman – probably a Goddess - and a rack of swords. On the wall was a strange surreal painting of a beach. The walls had the same colours as the study and the carpet had been removed to show dark wooden floors. Ignoring that the room was perfect. It was a large space with a large bright window letting natural light fill the room. That light currently showed off the dust but it demonstrated potential.

"I didn't even know this storeroom was here." Anthea whispered. Mycroft hummed and nodded his head.

"This house is older than both of us together and therefore was not designed for me." Mycroft spoke. He took a breath. "I suspect this room was originally meant to be a nursery or… some sort of room one leaves children in to… entertain themselves." He pursed his lips in thought. Anthea laughed breathlessly. He probably worded that better than Sherlock or Eurus would have but it was still so hilarious for a genius to be so disconnected.

"It's a beautiful space." Anthea breathed. "I'm surprised you didn't use it."

"I didn't want children." Mycroft replied. Anthea looked up and met Mycroft's eyes. Time froze for a moment before Anthea looked back into the room.

"You sure you would be okay with a screaming baby upstairs? No matter what you choose to do?" She asked, looking at that bright window. It had such a view of the garden. Mycroft stepped closer to Anthea.

"It's not for me." He said. "You want the child on the same floor you sleep on for safety and security." Had he been thinking about this more than she had been? No, this was just that common sense of his. She looked up at his face and smiled. His mouth twitched and he looked at the ground.

"I think it'll be perfect." Anthea sighed. She looked at the painting again. She knew the style. "Is that Varya's?" Anthea asked Mycroft rolled his eyes.

"Yes. It's from her university degree. You can tell as she hadn't established her identity yet and her use of colours and symbolism aren't as confident as they are now. Still obsessed with her image at the time." He scowled a little.

"Why don't you put it somewhere where people can see it?" Anthea asked.

"And give Varya and ego boost?" Mycroft scoffed. "I think not. I'd rather have it hidden in a storeroom." His jaw clenched and unclenched. "Or it could stay in here." Anthea pouted her lips and began nodding.

"Sure." She said, still nodding. She looked at the painting again. It wasn't dark like many of Varya's works so that wasn't a problem. And how cool to have a painting by your famous relative in your bedroom? It was kind of like a gift from their father too, in a way. Or Anthea would like to think that.

Silence.

Anthea could just imagine all the possibilities this room offered. There was plenty of room for a bookshelf or two. The crib could go near the left wall. The change table could either go next to it or on the right. A nice rocking chair could be right in the sunlight from the window. There was a stirring of warmth in Anthea's chest. This could be her little one's home.

"Cream and brown or grey and white?" Anthea said softly.

"Hmm?" Mycroft hummed, his steel eyes falling onto her. It appear he too was looking around or at least looking at the painting.

"The colour scheme for Margot or Will." Anthea explained. "Cream and brown, or grey and white?" Mycroft's eyebrows bounced up and down as he thought about this.

"They both sound suitable." He replied thoughtfully. "However if you want to capture some warmth rather than just a coolness then I'd suggest the cream and brown." Anthea nodded in agreement. She looked up to Mycroft and smiled.

"I like warm." Anthea said.

Author's Note: How was it? I enjoyed writing it so I hope you enjoyed reading it. Please let me know, I could use it during the bombardment of assignments I'm currently going through. Thanks to our one and only guest reviewer; Christie. The others had accounts and know how much I appreciate them. Thanks to everyone who reads. I'm going to update in six days because of assignment bombardment… It'll still be in the middle of it but gives me more time. See you then!