The Holmes Called A [Sherlaide III]

Sign of Four [A]

A Week Later     

I hum to myself as I climb the stairs up to the flat, worn out and a bit mucky from a stormy day out with the ZSL Bird Tagging Team. Next time I'll remember my raincoat and boots. Great weather for the ducks, not so much for the ones trying to tag them.  I almost laugh at the thought, but all I can focus on is getting a hot shower and washing away the ickiness.

Just as I'm reaching for the handle, the door opens and Sherlock comes into view, "Welcome home, Love... Enjoyed the rain today, I see?" He remarks at my soggy, windblown appearance.

"Of course. Enjoy your cases today?" I ask while stepping in. We share a quick kiss before he answers.

"I did. I actually had two cases that were above level seven so the Yard wasn't too upset about me solving them," Sherlock then moves aside, revealing not only John but Mary and Rosie, as well as Greg, Missus H and Molly. What in the world? "Don't worry about your appearance. It's just a gathering of friends, Love. Come in and sit down."

"Alright then..." I walk the rest of the way in and greet everyone. Once the obligatory exchanges are over, then John and Mary call everyone's attention. I've perched in my chair, eager to find out why everyone congregated here. I of course have my own suspicions, but it's no good to jump to conclusions. Sherlock, who is standing next to the chair, reaches down and gently squeezes my shoulder. I'm not sure why so I look up. He's just smirking. So obviously nothing bad.

John clears his throat and stands up with Mary. Rosie refuses to be held, so they set her down and she toddles over to me and Sherlock as her parents collect themselves. She climbs up and I smile, helping her up into my lap where she can occupy herself with my multiple velcro patched, zippered pocketed ZSL Jacket. Finally the army doctor starts to speak, "Well, everyone, I admit it's a lot nicer having you all here like this..." He sort of fades off and Mary picks up.

"Well then, I suppose it wouldn't do to keep you guys waiting much longer. We didn't want to steal the thunder from the wedding so we waited to tell you the news until after Sherlock and Adelaide got settled. But we called everyone together to tell you all that we're expecting a little brother or sister for Rosie in March."

Rosie doesn't seem to acknowledge this revelation, but the rest of the room is quickly filled with cheers and celebration.  I look up at Sherlock and know instantly that he deduced Mary's pregnancy a while ago but said nothing. I smile and chuckle at his smirk before getting up to congratulate the Watsons, carrying Rosie with me. Sherlock, meanwhile, walks over to talk with John and Greg.

Eventually Molly leaves to clock in for her shift at St. Bart's, and Missus Hudson heads out for a Date. Greg ends up getting a call to a new crime scene, so Sherlock and John leave with him, promising not to be long.

Mary and I elect to sit on the futon and chat while we wait for our husbands to return. Rosie makes herself comfortable in my lap again, refusing to be let down this time. Mary chuckles, "She's certainly become fond of you, Adelaide."

"It does seem that way, doesn't it?"

"Yeah..." She sighs and takes a sip of her tea, "She adores Sherlock too, even though he insists it's the opposite."

"He tends to over analyse Rosie's behaviour. And I think she just confuses him because she isn't a Mini-John." We both burst out laughing, knowing that Rosie is one of the few people who can befuddle Sherlock on a regular basis.

Once our laughter session has died off Mary hums, "So, Adelaide, have you and Sherlock got any plans for little ones?" Her question stuns me into a hot pink blush that I can't recover from before managing to answer.

"W-well, right now we're just focusing on adjusting to married life and getting settled. Since we're both pretty well established aside there isn't much to keep us from starting a family. So if it happens, it happens, b-but we're not actively trying for a baby at the moment."

"Ohhh!" She giggled, "Well, I think you and Sherlock will be wonderful parents. We'll definitely be excited for you both when it does happen. I just hope Sherlock doesn't ruin it for you when you find out."

"What do you mean by that?"

"At our evening reception, Sherlock slipped up during his speech when addressing us and then explained that he had been keeping track of my symptoms before advising me to take a test. And with this, he deduced it a while ago but luckily kept his mouth shut this time."

"No wonder he was smirking," I chuckle, "But maybe it'll be different with me? Who knows?"

"It would be hilarious for him to have to find out the normal way rather than deduce it." I smile and chuckle along with her.

It would be fun, wouldn't it?

Thank you for reading!!! Love y'all!! 😘❤