Here's another chapter to tide you over. I've got my writing bonnet on, so I'm setting off to work on this story cause the ideas just keep coming! Keep reading and reviewing, and I'll keep posting! Farewell for now!
-SSB
Christmas dawned bright and early the next morning, the light pouring in Caitlin's windows waking her. Letting out a yawn, she rolled out of bed, heading into the bathroom to shower. She had been right. She had hardly slept a wink, and the sleep she had managed to get was filled with dreams of a certain dark haired detective. Sighing as she wrapped a towel around herself, Caitlin just shook her head and began to get ready for the day.
After dressing and a quick cup of coffee, Caitlin made good on her promise and went downstairs to visit with Mrs. Hudson. Once the older woman had ushered her inside, she began to quickly fuss over Caitlin and insisted on cooking her breakfast. As the two ate, they chatted about this and that before Caitlin pulled a small but brightly wrapped box out of her pocket. Handing it to Mrs. Hudson, she just grinned at the woman's surprise. Urging her to open it, Caitlin watched as Mrs. Hudson let out a sound of delight.
"Thank you so much dear, they're beautiful!"
As the older woman put on her new pair of earrings, Caitlin grinned,
"I'm so glad you like them! One of my friends makes jewelry, and when I saw them I instantly thought of you."
"I absolutely love them. Here's just a little something from me. I remember you telling me you liked it."
As Caitlin pulled a small bottle of perfume from a gift bag, she beamed.
"Thank you so much! I love it! I do think it's become my new favorite, in fact I'm almost out!"
Standing and giving each other a hug, Caitlin stated,
"I better get upstairs now, before those two dig into their gifts without me."
Mrs. Hudson just laughed and hugged Caitlin again before shooing her out with the promise to visit her later.
Knocking lightly, Caitlin watched as the door swung open to reveal a slightly ruffled Sherlock.
"Merry Christmas!"
"Indeed."
Snorting at his clipped response, Caitlin just followed him inside. Greeting John with a hug, she wished him a Merry Christmas, before heading to the bag she left the night before. As John re-entered with a cup of tea for her she traded the gift bag for the teacup. Smiling at his surprised and curious expression, she took a sip, before going over to Sherlock and dropping a cheery Christmas bag in his lap. An inquisitive and slightly surprised glance confirmed that he didn't expect to get a gift from her. As Caitlin turned at the gleeful sound from John who had opened a box of rare cigars, Sherlock began to pull the tissue from the bag in his lap. John thanked Caitlin profusely before getting up and kissing her lightly on the cheek. Taking her empty teacup, he left for a moment to give her a refill, leaving her alone with Sherlock. Curling up on the rug by the fireplace, Caitlin watched as Sherlock unwrapped a small bundle from its tissue. Caitlin started to worry her bottom lip when he didn't say anything. Finally she just asked,
"Sherlock?"
Looking up from some sort of reverie he'd obviously been in, Sherlock gave her a small grin.
"Thank you."
Smiling widely, Caitlin replied, "you're welcome," before adding, "I thought you might be able to use another scarf if your blue one gets dirty. Or," she smirked, "If you have to tourniquet anyone on a particularly nasty case."
Snorting in amusement he ran his hands over the soft wool before throwing it around his neck.
"Maybe I'll use this one instead."
"Don't you dare, Holmes."
Chuckling at her as John re-entered, he just pulled his gift a little closer around his neck.
"What's so funny?" John asked, before noticing Sherlock's new wardrobe addition.
"That's nice Sherlock, is that from Caitlin?"
As he just nodded slightly, Caitlin mock scowled at Sherlock, answering,
"Yes. It's Sherlock's family tartan, the Kennedy."
Just sighing as the two began a silent stand-off, John handed Caitlin her new cup of tea before he sat back down to read the paper.
The day wore on, and after eating a small lunch/dinner, the three continued to lounge around. They passed the time by chatting or just relaxing and enjoying the silence. At one point Sherlock started to throw darts at the smiley on the wall, enjoying how it aggravated John, becoming almost gleeful when he got Caitlin to join in. Currently, John was unwinding in his chair, and Caitlin was lying on the rug with a pillow by the fire, watching as Sherlock became lost in his 'mind palace', whatever the hell that was. Turning to watch the flames as they crackled merrily, Caitlin could feel her eyes getting heavy. Before she knew what had happened, she had drifted off. After about 10 minutes, John glanced down to find Caitlin fast asleep. Nudging Sherlock from his trance, he motioned for the other man to lift her up. Sighing exasperatedly, Sherlock bent and scooped Caitlin up. Raising an eyebrow as if to say now what?, John opened the door and led Sherlock upstairs, luckily finding her door unlocked. As he was walking, Sherlock felt Caitlin shift closer to him in her sleep, lightly grasping his shirt in her hand. Glancing down, a look of curiosity graced Sherlock's face before he silently walked into her bedroom and placed her in bed. Pulling a blanket over her, he sort of half grinned before turning to walk back out and head back to his own flat.
Sitting up in bed the next morning, Caitlin was confused for a moment before she realized that she was in her own flat. Rubbing her hand tiredly over her face, she looked to her bedside table for the time before noticing a couple of packages next to her clock. Picking one up, she placed it in her lap before reading the small card.
Merry Christmas Caitlin!
Always,
John
Smiling, she opened the thin box to find some very fine, and obviously expensive stationary. On top of the paper lay a smaller box, and upon opening it, found a beautiful fountain pen. She found a little note that read,
I thought you might like to have something to write home with.
-JW
Placing the two boxes next to her on the bed, she reached out to grab the last one, and read the small card attached to the top.
I did a bit of snooping and thought you might like this. Merry Christmas.
-SH
A curious grin graced her face as Caitlin pulled the simple wrapping off. Gasping, her eyes grew wide as she looked at the book in her lap. Sherlock had given her a mint condition, first edition, of 'Pride & Prejudice.' Running her hands almost lovingly over it, she opened the cover and squeaked. It was signed. The book was signed!
"Oh Sherlock…" Caitlin whispered.
If she didn't know any better, Caitlin thought she could be starting to fall for this man.
Later that afternoon, Caitlin ran downstairs quickly, popping by the boys flat to invite them for dinner. John answered, since Sherlock was out, and gladly accepted, promising that they would both be up later. Happy that they would be coming, Caitlin continued on down, running a few quick errands, before rushing back home to start dinner. Turning on the oven and pulling out all her needed ingredients, Caitlin rolled up her sleeves and got to work.
A couple of hours later, a flour smeared Caitlin had finished everything. Leaving the bread to keep warm in the oven, she hurried into her room to quickly shower and dress before John and Sherlock arrived. After hopping out of the shower and drying her hair, Caitlin pulled on a nice purple v-neck sweater and some jeans. Sitting down for a moment at her dresser, she applied a touch of make-up, and brushed her hair. Slipping into some flats as she headed out the door, she was making sure the sitting room was neat and the table set, when she heard a knock. Nearing the door, she snickered as she heard what she knew to be John scolding Sherlock on the other side. Opening the door with a smile she greeted the two men, one cheery, the other pouting slightly. Once they were inside, Caitlin offered them a seat before asking,
"Would you like a drink?"
"That'd be nice."
Pouring a glass of wine for John and handing it to him, Caitlin looked at the other man.
"Sherlock? Drink?"
"No."
Ignoring his flippant tone, Caitlin poured herself a glass before sitting.
"I'm so sorry for falling asleep last night, I guess I was more tired than I realized," she laughed as John smiled at her, grinning when she noticed Sherlock's lip twitch into a very small half smile.
"Not a problem," John replied.
"Also," Caitlin began, "thank you both for my gifts. I love them."
John started to say "you're welcome" when he noticed the small look shared between Caitlin and Sherlock. Oh he was definitely going to take the mickey out of Sherlock later. Breaking eye contact, Caitlin climbed to her feet, and announced that 'dinner is served.'
Serving John and Sherlock before getting a bowl of her own, Caitlin said,
"I hope you like it. I called my mom for the recipe. Chicken and sausage gumbo has always been one of my favorites."
Bringing in a plate of french bread, Caitlin joined the two at the table. Taking a bite, John grinned,
"It's delicious! It has a good spice to it."
Giggling, Caitlin took a bite of her own before replying,
"I'm glad. My Mom comes from a big family, and they're from Louisiana. She taught me how to cook, so I like making her recipes. They remind me of home."
She smiled a little wistfully, before noting,
"You're awfully quiet tonight Sherlock. Usually by now I'm butting heads with you. Are you ok?"
Sipping his water, he took another bite before answering quietly,
"I'm fine."
John just looked at Caitlin and shrugged.
After dessert and coffee, John and Sherlock had to excuse themselves early. Packing a to-go container to send home with John, with the promise that she would cook again for them, she opened the door. As Sherlock started to follow John out the door, Caitlin gently grabbed his wrist, stopping him.
"Sherlock thank you so much for the book. It's incredible."
Before he could react, Sherlock found Caitlin had wrapped him in a hug. Lightly placing his hands on her back, he half-smiled.
"You're welcome."
Releasing him, she smiled.
"Good night Sherlock."
"Good night Caitlin."