Author's Note: Thank you for the lovely reviews, guys. They've been keeping me feeling pretty good about where this is all going recently. This chapter went mostly how I planned but some surprises came up and they added a layer of hidden depth I didn't initially intend but tend to love so I'm not complaining. I'm pretty satisfied with it and I'm hoping we can keep this streak of well received chapters going! 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 Margot Came Home

Anthea was so excited. She hadn't been this excited in… well, maybe ever. She was finally getting to bring her daughter home. Finally, she uses in her head, as if it had been a long time. A few days and she was saying finally. She was surprised Mycroft wasn't mocking her. To be fair, it was Margot's whole existence so to the tiny baby it was a long time and it was finally. She'd get to be home safe with her Mummy and… Her father too if that's what he was going to do.

It didn't look like Mycroft was in a rush to leave. Everything he had done, though not over the moon and excited, suggested staying. However that could just be because he was obligated to stay for a month. His parents were here for the first week of it making it easier on him. It didn't really matter. What mattered was Margot was coming home.

Anthea had picked out an outfit to bring Margot home in. She'd told herself she would use one of the gender neutral outfits she had at home ready for her. A yellow pair of pyjamas almost made the cut – being safe and happy and warm. Instead they were going to be what she put on after her first bath at home. But Jamie went shopping yesterday and, while Anthea and Mycroft were out, handed Violet some "girlier" outfits she had bought. Things that she thought were cute but didn't want to dress Hope in because she dressed Hope in bright colours. These more "boring" colours were apparently better suited to Anthea. She was right.

Mycroft scoffed while Anthea was going through them.

"Honestly, an infant doesn't even know what it's dressed in. Margot isn't even aware of her sex, let alone the gender roles that are expected to go along with those." Mycroft was muttering as Violet and Anthea went through the outfits, sitting cross legged on the floor facing each other with the clothes between them. Siger watched from the couch with a cup of tea, smirking at his son. "If we really wanted to prove a point we'd specifically dress her in masculine colours."

"Dresses come in blue, son." Siger said softly. Mycroft rolled his eyes.

"You were an educator, father, you're supposed to be a forward thinker." Mycroft chided.

Anthea held up a black dress that came with a matching ribbon for the baby's hair. It was like an Anthea outfit but for a baby. Violet gasped and touched it to feel the soft material.

"Trust Jamie of all people to immediately start categorising and judging a baby from the moment it's born. She spouts all this nonsense about knowing Anthea more than anyone and she claims to understand me but then she does something like this." He waved to the clothes. Siger leaned forward to look closely at the embroidery on a beanie. "That woman in honestly one of the most intrusive and idiotic people I know, and that is saying something. We should simply stick with our current gender neutral wardrobe until Anthea decides to buy new clothes for herself."

Anthea found the sweetest little outfit. It was a brown hooded jumper with pink flowers all over it. The little pants that came with it were pink and brown stipes. To touch it was so soft – like a brand new jumper before you ever wash it but even gentler to the touch. It was small, perfect for the tiny baby that Margot was now. Even then it might be a little big but it was smaller than anything else they owned. Anthea held the outfit up to Mycroft. He quietened as he examined it.

"This is Margot's coming home outfit." Anthea said. Mycroft nodded three times in silence.

"Yes." He said, raising his eyebrows. "I think that is… practical and effective." Violet tried to hide the smile on her lips as she looked at Anthea carefully and nodded. She was communicating that those words meant Mycroft liked it. Anthea already knew that but confirmation was always welcome.

Once again Violet and Siger gave Anthea and Mycroft the peace of going to get Margot by themselves. Jamie and Sherlock, too. Both were really interested in seeing the baby brought home, as Sherlock was in Rosie too, but understood the peace needed for the new baby. They drove to the hospital in one of Mycroft's cars. He'd apparently had Walter help him fit a car seat into this car but Anthea wasn't aware of when. They were already on their way but Anthea voiced her concerns one more time just in case.

"You really could have gone to work today." She said to Mycroft. He grimaced and kept driving. "Jamie would have come." She stopped. Mycroft still said nothing, eyes on the road. "She still would if you want to go in." Anthea really understood the importance of work. She wouldn't hold it against Mycroft if he went, she missed it and could only imagine how hard it was for everyone without Mycroft there.

"I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times," Mycroft sighed. "If I wanted to be at the office today I would have gone." He was firm about it. And yet. Anthea pouted in uncertainty.

"They're has to be a lot to do without you there." She said. "They're probably going crazy."

"Let them." He muttered.

"Myc."

"Anthea, I want to take you." The tone of his voice officially ending the topic. Anthea almost felt like saying 'yes, sir'. Was he annoyed that she kept asking if he wanted to go to the office? Was he annoyed that she assumed he wanted to go to the office? Was he just annoyed that someone was assuming anything? It was hard to say. Anthea gave him the chance to get out of it, he couldn't complain about it at least.

Mycroft played the role of assistant as Anthea got Margot changed and ready at the hospital. He handed her the clothes when they were needed and took away what was passed to him. It was good to see that he was capable of following instructions, especially without any complaints.

"Oh, look at you!" Anthea cooed at Margot once she was dressed and ready. Anthea picked her up and held her to her chest. "You looks so pretty.' She saw in the corner of her eye as Mycroft opened his mouth to say something and decided against it. "We get to take you home now! You get to be with your Mummy… all the time." She stopped in the middle of the sentence, unsure whether to add Mycroft into the equation. She didn't even know what to call him to Margot and that was a bit of a problem. That should be addressed probably, now she was coming home.

In front of Margot Anthea would be Mummy now, a new name and title to add to the list. What would Mycroft be? He had a month to decide if he stayed or went but if Anthea avoided calling Mycroft anything in that time being at home would be a nightmare. It would be easier to have a name now that could be changed later.

Mycroft knew what happened when Anthea faltered, it could be seen in his eyes and the particular purse of his lips.

"What should I call you?" Anthea asked Mycroft. "For the next month who are you to her?" Mycroft lifted his umbrella off the ground and began examining the tip. He used his thumb to wipe of some dirt. Anthea swallowed her breath. "You can just be Mycroft." She offered. Mycroft looked up from the tip of the umbrella. "I just need to know how to address you." When she finished he looked back at the umbrella. The tip went back on the floor and he swirled it a few times in his grasp.

"Forgive me," He hummed. "This is not something I ever gave any thought to. This was all supposed to be an impossibility in my life." He said. So he hadn't even given it any thought during the pregnancy at all? It really showed how little he wanted this. Even when Anthea was unsure she knew she was Mummy. Mycroft being Mycroft should have thought about it ten times over unless he was shutting it out of his brain completely.

"Mycroft is fine." Anthea tried to sound supportive but it was difficult to hide all her disappointment. She didn't expect any better so why was she disappointed. "You don't need a label if you don't want one."

"No." Mycroft jumped on the end of her sentence. "No," He said calmer. "It's a difficult name for an infant to comprehend as her receptive language develops." He stopped. Anthea waited, unsure as to where he was going. "I think I wouldn't mind if Margot knew me as Daddy." He spoke to the umbrella rather than to Anthea. His voice was unconfident and yet at the same time held a level of certainty. It was like it was the only choice, like how Anthea knew she was Mummy.

Anthea raised her eyebrows. She mimed a silent 'oh' and with a slightly tilted head did a strange kind of awkward nod.

"Okay." She said.

Daddy? Mycroft wanted to be Daddy to Margot? Not father, and not even dad. One side of Anthea's brained reasoned that he came from a family where all the adult children still called their mum 'Mummy' so it made sense. The other side of her brain screamed that this was Mycroft Holmes and he would rather be tortured than be anyone's daddy. Yet that little bit of disappointment had fled and Anthea couldn't help but feel a little lighter from this news.

"Right." Anthea exhaled heavily. "Margot, Mummy and Daddy are going to take you home now." She said, smiling at Margot. She looked at Mycroft just to gauge his reaction on Anthea actually using the term. He may change his mind having heard it out loud. The genius nodded.

When they pulled up to the house Anthea felt like a wave of serenity had washed over her. This grandiose, intimidating abode was a safe place for her daughter. Anthea and Mycroft could handle themselves but past the gated security Margot was home. In her heart of hearts it didn't matter to Anthea if she still lived in the flat she lived in when she met Mycroft, taking Margot home was always going to feel great. She just really appreciated how safe the estate was as they had to drive up the long driveway.

Mycroft removed the base from the car seat, showing Anthea how to do it as her did. Once again Anthea had visions of Walter showing Mycroft how to do it a day or two ago. He then insisted on carrying the seat with Margot in it inside. Apparently holding the handle of a safety item with Margot in it was okay, it was bodily contact that was what got to the genius.

"Don't get used it, dear." Mycroft hummed at Anthea's sly smirk. He was carrying her stuff again. "I'm only actively taking part in hard work because a woman who has just given birth should not do such things." So chivalrous and gentlemanly but in that backhanded kind of way that he only got away with. Anthea loved it. He'd been saying that for days now.

"When does this end?" Anthea asked, a cheeky song in her voice. Mycroft hummed and looked down at Margot.

"We'll see." He said. Anthea laughed. She really wasn't used to feeling so content when she didn't know what was going on at work and there was still this unspoken uncertainty between her and Mycroft but… How could she not feel great today?

Anthea took the lead to open the door with her keys to save Mycroft from putting Margot down. She closed the door behind him and followed him on his way to the main living space.

Violet was in the kitchen chopping something. She had been insisting on cooking dinner every night she was here. Anthea felt bad and Mycroft kept insisting she stopped – in a moaning kind of way – but the two were so bad at taking care of themselves when it came to food so it was actually really nice.

Siger sat on the couch reading a newspaper, answering whenever Violet expected an answer. She was chattering at him rather than with him, yet the old man appeared to enjoy it all the same. On the other end of the couch, leaning on the arm and staring into space was Sherlock. He looked bored out of his mind. Anthea and Mycroft exchanged a look.

"Brother mine." Mycroft said. Everyone stopped and looked the way of the couple. No, not couple, trio. Mycroft quirked an eyebrow at Sherlock. Sherlock pouted and shrugged. Anthea followed none of the silent conversation.

Violet cooed from the kitchen. She walked around and through to where Mycroft and Anthea were. She held her hands together against her chest. Having food and cooking products on them she didn't want to touch the baby but she certainly wanted to look at her.

"Hello precious angel." She sung softly, not to wake the sleeping Margot but want to speak to her anyway. "Welcome home, sweetie."

"She says thank you." Anthea muttered, smiling at Violet. Violet laughed and stroked Anthea's arm. Mycroft turned to Anthea and looked at her like she was insane. Anthea bit her lip and shook her head. She didn't know why she did it either, just because it was make Violet happy.

"She's going to be a happier, healthier baby now she's surrounded with love, dear." Violet said to Anthea. "You just wait."

"I hope so." Anthea nodded.

As Violet returned to the kitchen to give the baby some space Mycroft walked over and placed the car seat on the coffee table. Siger folded his newspaper and discarded it on the seat between him and his younger son. He leaned forward to peak in. As he saw his granddaughter his face broke into a huge smile. He stroked her cheek once and continued to watch her. Mycroft's attention was back on Sherlock.

"Why are you here?" He asked suspiciously. Sherlock eyed him.

"Do I need permission to come to your house now?" Sherlock cocked his head to the side. "Would you like your key back?"

"Of course not." They were both speaking calmer than they would have about a year ago. The words were the same but they weren't buried in spikes and daggers. "I simply want to know why you chose now."

"I wanted to see my niece." Sherlock answered flatly.

"How did you know she was coming home today?" Mycroft asked, his voice light and curious. "Mummy?" He asked.

"No." Sherlock said, rolling his eyes.

"James' wife, then." Mycroft said, lifting his chin.

"I didn't contact her." Sherlock replied. Mycroft smiled and chuckled.

"You had John ask her when Margot was coming home." Mycroft was smug. To him he had won something. Sherlock's lip twitched.

"He has her number and we share a niece now. Some line of communication must exist." The younger genius defended himself.

"Me? Anthea?" Mycroft offered. Sherlock scoffed.

"No, this is information you won't share with one or both of us."

A beat.

Siger and Violet exchanged a look.

Mycroft took a breath.

"Sherlock, I would have told you had I thought you'd be particularly interested." Mycroft said in a quiet voice. "You would have received a text message tonight regardless." Sherlock shook his head, dismissing it as nothing. He moved closer to his father to get a closer look at Margot.

"I know." He said. He smiled down at the baby. "We're getting there."

Violet began chopping again. Anthea hadn't realised she stopped until it began again. Siger relaxed back into the couch. Mycroft and Sherlock ignored all the reactions around them. Anthea was the only one who had the decency to pretend nothing happened. Compared to the old days nothing did happen. Sherlock was still looking at the baby when he next spoke.

"She's too good for you." He teased his brother. Mycroft let a single laugh escape his throat.

"Which one?" He asked. Sherlock looked up. His sky eyes flickered between Mycroft and Anthea.

"Oh, I already told you both you could do better than each other." He pointed at them both.

"Sherlock!" Violet chided. Siger was hiding a chuckle under his hand.

"It's Margot I'm talking about." Sherlock continued, unphase by his mother.

"I don't know, I think I've got this." Anthea hummed, shrugging a shoulder, her lips dancing up at the edges in that content smile she was getting used to. Sherlock breathed out his nose. He looked at Anthea with fondness.

"It's your job, right?" He said. Mycroft rolled his eyes. Anthea's eyebrows danced up and down. Taking care of a baby? He job was sometimes like that. Sometimes it felt like organising a whole bunch of children. Or taking care of Mycroft's mess of a life? That was partially work too. Being a mum? Well it was a new responsibility but it was going to be a full time job, whether alone or with help.

"And I'm pretty good at what I do." Anthea answered.

Sherlock stayed for half an hour at the most. His only motivation appeared to be making sure Margot got home safely and was developing, though who really knows with Sherlock. The prime example being the latest slip into drugs that was apparently all for John. If there was another life after this Anthea was going to have strong words for Mary.

With Sherlock gone and Violet and Siger staying here meaning they could see Margot all they wanted, Anthea was eager to get Margot situated in her room. Mostly because she wanted to see it. She wanted to see her daughter safe in her crib as opposed to a bright clear box. She wanted to think of something other than the hospital when she thought of her tiny little girl.

Mycroft followed Anthea upstairs without saying a word. He wasn't hiding his presence, his footsteps were audible and he made no effort to hide his breathing or anything. He was just there. They walked through the hallway and towards the baby's, Margot's, room.

Anthea entered the welcoming cream and brown space and flicked on the lights. For some reason it just felt perfect now, this was the perfect environment for Margot. She was just a newborn and there was nothing to know about her as such yet but the colours and decorations just felt right. It had to be Anthea's hormones because that was just ridiculous. While Anthea walked into the room carrying Margot, Mycroft stayed at the entrance, watching as he leaned on the doorframe.

Anthea place Margot down in her beautiful crib and tucked her in the way she'd been taught to do by Jamie and again by nurses at the hospital. Anthea kind of wanted to give her a teddy or something to make it even more inviting for a child but she'd been told to keep stuffed toys out of there for now so she did. She guessed Margot looked pretty cosy. The baby certainly didn't protest to the crib. She even yawned and wriggled like sleepily making herself comfortable. That was stupid and absolutely a coincidence because a baby couldn't know how to do such symbol riddled behaviour but it was a lovely image to see. Anthea kind of frowned in her disbelief but smiled at it anyway. He daughter was already a little weird and that was great.

Anthea didn't want to leave. She could stand here watching Margot for hours. Considering that he hadn't shifted or made a noise to complain Mycroft was content standing at the door too. Anthea glanced over her shoulder to see that even his head was leaning against the doorframe as he looked in tranquilly.

Wow. It was incredible how much one little baby could change the atmosphere of this whole place. This big empty house a place of confidence and safety but never tranquillity. Maybe Anthea had helped that too, she brought something else along when she moved in. Before her it was nothing but a place for Mycroft's belongings.

Anthea remembered how alive this place had felt when Jamie, Thatch, and Hope were staying here. This place so dark and lonely once felt lived in. The house felt like it was happy. It was kind of like that except now the house felt at peace. Like now the house was finally fulfilling what it had done for decades before Mycroft bought it; supporting families. Once again there were people here who loved, and laughed, and yeah; fought, but belonged here. This was not the same place Anthea remembers entering late at night and hearing footsteps echo through its lonely halls. It was a home now and it liked it that way. Anthea had made it that way but more so Margot had made it that way. Anthea wondered if Mycroft could feel the difference.

Author's Note: So? What did you think? I hope you guys can see all that's going on here and I know you're all a pretty smart bunch of people so I have faith that you will. I really look forward to reading your thoughts and opinions, it always makes my day. Thanks to last chapter's guest reviewers; Guests x2, and Othelia (who I think JUST got an account based on a follow alert I just got). Thanks to all my readers and reviewers. You are awesome! I have a busy weekend ahead of me doing normal things like seeing friends and next chapter needs some preplanning so I might take six days to do it. See you then!