#engaged!lolly

Thank you for the prompt! I happen to love sunflowers! 😁🌻 This was such a fun prompt, hope you enjoy!

*

The Sun and Her Flower

Molly’s hand trembled as she reached for the flower on her desk, not sure whether she should laugh or cry.  She stroked one of its golden petals, rubbing the softness of it between her forefinger and thumb, before moving on to the small, velvet box just to its left.  As she opened it, revealing the expected (yet also unexpected) diamond ring, she heard footsteps approaching from behind her, then the rustle of fabric that sounded very much like someone kneeling.

Pivoting on the spot, she found Sherlock Holmes down on one knee, looking more terrified than she had ever seen him.  She was half tempted to throw her arms around him and scream, “YES!!” before he even had a chance to ask the question, but the larger part wanted to hear it, to savor it.

After two shuddering breaths, he spoke, his voice low.  “Molly Hooper… I… forgot my whole bloody speech,” he finished on an exhale, a shaky smile appearing.  Molly covered her mouth with her free hand to smother a giggle.  He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them to see the flower still resting on the desk, and he remembered.  Lifting his eyes to her, he tried again.

“A sunflower’s beauty is lost on many.  To some, they’re a bit like glorified weeds.  I once thought of you as a sunflower,” he began, reaching for her hand, which she placed in his without reservation.  “Unusual.  Complex.  Lovely, but in an unassuming way.  However…” he stroked his thumb along the back of her hand, “I’ve since come to see things differently.  You, Molly Hooper, are the sun.”  His shaky smile returned.  “And I am the glorified weed, always seeking your light.”

Molly let out a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a sob, but she was grinning widely, so Sherlock took it as encouragement, and finally asked, “Will you marry me?”

Sherlock: *working*

Molly: *enters; carrying shopping* Hey *kisses his forehead* did you manage to get anywhere with the case?

Sherlock: *nods* It was the brother.

Molly: *grins* Knew it *glances at him* I bumped into Tom earlier.

Sherlock: *pauses* And?

Molly: *shrugs* We had lunch, caught up for a little bit *hesitates* he...wanted to get back together.

Sherlock: *frowns* What did you say?

Molly: *smiles* I told him I'll be an engaged woman if that ring ever leaves the sock drawer.

Sherlock: ...

Sherlock: *blinks* I found it.

Molly: *steps closer; nodding* So, dinner tonight was... *sits in his lap*

Sherlock: *sighs* You couldn't wait?

Molly: *pouts* I've been waiting for three months. I thought I'd make it easier for you. This way, you don't have to do it in public and we can just celebrate.

Sherlock: *smiles* I love you.

Mummy Holmes: *sipping wine* So. What did you want to talk about?

Sherlock: I'm engaged.

Mummy Holmes: *chuckles* Of course you are.

Sherlock: *frowns* I am! Her name is Molly-

Mummy Holmes: *rolls her eyes* Oh, don't bring that poor girl into this.

Sherlock: *annoyed* It's true! She's meeting us here tonight. She had to work-

Mummy Holmes: *sighs* Look, dear. I only pry because I care about you. Janine was one thing but poor Molly hasn't done anything.

Sherlock: *pinches his nose* I'm not making up a fiancee to get out of anything. I am going to marry Molly Hooper.

Molly: *arrivs; smiling nervously* Oh...you couldn't wait to share the good news, I see.

Mummy Holmes: *blinks* It's true.

Molly: *nods* Yeah. Although, no ring. Something about Nana-

Mummy Holmes: *jumps up and hugs her, practically crying* Oh, my darling. Welcome to the family.

Molly: *awkwardly patting her back* Err, thanks. I'm glad you're pleased.

Sherlock, Molly & Rosamund: *watching TV on the sofa*

Rosamund: *innocently* Aunt Molly? When you and Uncle Sherlock get married, will you change your name?

Molly: *distracted; shrugs* Yeah, I guess.

Sherlock: *frowns* What about your research?

Molly: I could always publish under 'Hooper'. Doctor Holmes has a nice ring to it.

Sherlock: You could hyphenate. Hooper-Holmes.

Molly: *nods* I could. But I want the world to know who my husband is.

Sherlock: *blushes* Oh.

Rosamund: ...

Rosamund: Are you two even engaged?

Sherlock & Molly: ...

Sherlock & Molly: *glance at each other* Um, nooo...

Molly: *resting her head on his chest* I'm not missing out.

Sherlock: Mmm?

Molly: *shrugs* People always seem to mourn the loss of their freedom before their marriage...they say things like 'I'll never get to shag a random stranger ever again' like it's some big problem *smiles* I don't feel like that.

Sherlock: I'm pleased to hear it.

Molly: *chuckles* What I mean is, there's nothing out there that I'm missing out on. I'm gaining a beautiful husband and a wonderful life full of exciting other firsts to look forward to.

Sherlock: First pregnancy?

Molly: *nods* Exactly. First baby.

Sherlock: First birthdays.

Molly: First sibling.

Sherlock: *excited* First experiment.

Molly: *smiles* First day at school.

Sherlock: *eyes sparkle* First case.

Molly: First graduation.

Sherlock: First partner.

Molly: First date.

Sherlock: First wedding.

Molly: *emotional* First grandchild.

Rosamund: *giggles* Come on, Uncle Sherlock, you're not even trying.

Molly: *smug* What were you saying about me needing self-defence skills?

Sherlock: *lying on the floor, sweating and panting* I've...changed my mind. I don't want to marry you anymore.

Molly: *rolls her eyes* Stop being a baby.

Rosamund: *laughing* You got beaten up by girls, Uncle Sherlock.

Sherlock: *sits up; groaning* Worthy opponents.

Rosamund: *sits next to him* Hey, Uncle Sherlock, if I can push you on the floor again, can I walk with you down the aisle?

Sherlock: *sighs* It's the bride that walks down the aisle, Rosie.

Rosamund: *grins* I know.

Molly: *stifling laughter*

Molly: *in John's old room, lying in bed; via walkie talkie* ...then we had a couple of drinks in a nightclub with a stripper, over.

Sherlock: *downstairs in his bedroom, also lying in bed; via walkie talkie* A stripper? Should I be worried, Miss Hooper? Over.

Molly: *chuckles* Well, since I'm getting married to the most handsome, brilliant detective tomorrow I don't think so. Over.

Sherlock: Remind why we're not shagging right now? Over.

Molly: *admiring her engagement ring; smiling* It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. You should know that. Anyway, we have a whole holiday for that sort of thing. Over.

Sherlock: *smirks* Mmm. Looking forward to it. Over.

Molly: What did you get up to? Over.

Sherlock: John organised a murder mystery dinner evening *mutters* waste of bloody time, of course it wasn't the sister.

Molly: *smiles* Who got it right? Over.

Sherlock: *annoyed* Anderson! It was my stag night and Anderson of all people solved the case *pouts* it's a good job John Watson isn't a murderer.

Molly: *shakes her head fondly; glances at the clock, giggles* Less than fourteen hours...

Sherlock: *smiles* Thirteen hours and forty eight minutes.

Molly: I'll see you at the altar. Over.

Sherlock: Until then, Hooper. Over.

Molly: *sighs happily* I love you. Over.

Greg: *waiting*

John: *approaching*

Greg: *relieved* At last! I was going to send a car *looks around* Where is he?

John: *gestures* On his way. Watch yourself, he's in a right mood.

Greg: *groans* Again? You'd think a murder investigation would cheer him up.

John: *sighs* Richards asked Molly to move in with him.

Greg: *raises an eyebrow* Really? It's only been two months.

John: *nods* I know.

Greg: What did she say?

Molly: *behind him; pulling on gloves* She said no.

Sherlock: *walking towards them; still grumpy* She's living with me.

Greg: *confused* What about Richards?

Molly: *mumbles* It...was a cover.

Sherlock: *lying* Sorry.

John: *shakes his head* Well then...why were you in such a strop this morning?

Sherlock: *rolls his eyes* Our wedding venue is unavailable on the date we want.

Molly: *smiles* The anniversary of when we met.

Sherlock: I'm in the process of persuading the current holders to withdraw.

John & Greg: ...

Sherlock: *looking between them* Don't worry. You're invited.

John & Greg: ...