#molly: ...

Molly: *working*

Sherlock: *outside, peering through the window* Right, there she is. You remember what to do?

Blackbeard: *tilts his head*

Sherlock: *sighs* Just give her this *tucks a small box into his collar* and look innocent.

Blackbeard: *barks softly; trots through the door and over to Molly, nudging her leg*

Molly: *looks down; shocked* Blackbeard?! *looks around; mutters* What are you doing here? I'll lose my job *grits her teeth* I'm going to kill-

Blackbeard: *nuzzles her*

Molly: *removes the box from his collar; confused* What is he up to?

Blackbeard: *panting happily*

Molly: *reads the note* 'Dear Mama, Dad's sorry he started that fire. He was only trying to make you dinner, not kill that cat. He was going to wait until the dinner but here is just as good.'

Molly: *opens the box; sees an engagement ring, smiles*

Sherlock: *peers around the door* Am I forgiven?

Molly: *shakes her head fondly* This couldn't have waited until later?

Sherlock: *slowly approaches* Well, we met here. It's fitting.

Molly: *raises an eyebrow* And there's still scorch marks in the flat?

Sherlock: And that.

Molly: *hugs him* You're an idiot. I didn't need a big gesture. Of course I'll marry you.

Sherlock: *kisses her head* Good.

Molly: ...

Sherlock: ...

Blackbeard: *watching them, his tongue hanging out*

Molly: Can you take Blackbeard home before I get the sack?

Sherlock & Molly: *lying in bed*

Sherlock: *sleepy; mumbles* I love you.

Molly: *smiles* You don't have to keep saying that. You meant it *shrugs* I believe you.

Sherlock: *hesitates* And, yet, you can't say it back.

Molly: *sighs* I do, you know I do, it's just-

Sherlock: *nods* I'm not going to rush you.

Molly: *takes his hand that's wrapped around her, kisses it* Thank you for understanding. But we have to get up sometime.

Sherlock: *pulls her closer* Not exactly...

Molly: *raises an eyebrow* Oh?

Sherlock: *smirks* I may have mentioned to Mike you were feeling under the weather.

Molly: *shakes her head* What am I going to do with you?

Sherlock: *nonchalant* I have one or two ideas.

Sherlock: *standing in front of the mirror in his dressing gown, fiddling with an engagement ring; breathes deeply* I- erm, I've thought about this moment...a lot. You're the only thing I need. Will you marry me?

Sherlock: ...

Sherlock: *swallows* Would you- would...

Sherlock: *shakes his head* Molly Hooper, I need to ask *hesitates* will- will you... *sighs; ruffles his hair in frustration*

Rosamund: *enters the living room; rubbing her eyes* Uncle Sherlock? What's up?

Sherlock: *sighs* Nothing. I need to ask your Aunt an important question and...I'm worried about the answer.

Rosamund: *blinks* Oh *sits on the sofa; tilts her head* is it something bad?

Sherlock: *smiles* I hope not *hands her the ring box*

Rosamund: *examining the ring; giggles* It's pretty.

Sherlock: *nods* Yes.

Rosamund: *jumps up; hugs him* Don't be scared, Uncle Sherlock. Aunt Molly loves you.

Sherlock: *pats her head fondly* I knew I could count on you, Rosie.

-the front door opens-

Molly: *calls* Hellooo? I've brought that liver you wanted.

Sherlock: *tucks the ring into his pocket; breathes deeply* Wish me luck.

*early morning; 221B*

John & Rosamund: *tiptoeing upstairs*

Rosamund: *giggling*

John: *whispers* Shh. You'll ruin the surprise.

Rosamund: *nods* Okay.

John: Right, on the count of three. One...two...three...

John & Rosamund: *throw the door open and jump into the flat* Surprise!

Sherlock & Molly: *abruptly stop snogging, the latter leaping from the former's lap*

John: *covers Rosie's eyes* What the hell?

Sherlock: *quickly tying his dressing gown; shrugs* It's my birthday, isn't it?

Rosamund: *excited* I got you a present *waves the poorly wrapped gift* I wrapped it all by myself!

Sherlock: *lifts her into his lap* Well, then, let's open it, shall we?

John: *glances at Molly* When did this-

Molly: *blushing madly; making coffees* We, um, went to the cake place yesterday. When you said you couldn't come, we came back here anyway and...you know.

John: *uncomfortable* Yeah...

Sherlock: *smiles* Bee socks. Rosie, thank you *kisses the top of her head*

Rosamund: *delighted* I wanted to get the bee onesie but there was none left.

Sherlock: ...

Sherlock: What a shame.

Rosamund: What did you get Uncle Sherlock, Aunt Molly?

Molly: *nearly spills water* Oh, um...just a-an experiment.

Sherlock: *stands with Rosie in his arms* Yes, we were doing it all night.

Rosamund: Cool. Can I see?

John: *takes Rosie* I think it's about time we had our breakfast, missy *hurries out*

Sherlock: *smug* See you at dinner *pulls Molly close; kissing her neck* now, where were we?

Sherlock: *working*

Molly: *leaves the bathroom; wearing his dressing gown*

Sherlock: *still working* Feeling better?

Molly: *nods* Yeah, thanks *shakes her head* I can't believe he stood me up. I thought he was different.

Sherlock: I'm sorry.

Molly: *chuckles* Not your fault *wanders over to the mirror; staring at her reflection* I can certainly pick them.

Sherlock: *stands* I'll make coffee *fills the kettle* Feel free to spend the night. I'm not going anywhere.

Molly: *smiles* Thank you but I've taken up far too much of your time. As soon as my clothes are dry, I'll get out of your... *spots a photo on the mantlepiece* way.

Sherlock: Something wrong?

Molly: *picks up the 'godparents' photo frame, admiring the christening photo of herself, Sherlock & Rosie huddled close and smiling*

Molly: *gestures the frame* When did you get this?

Sherlock: I had it made after the christening.

Molly: *tearful* It's lovely *pauses* you had it made?

Sherlock: *stirring coffees* Mmm. They make some excellent engagement and wedding frames, too *hands her drink*

Molly: ...

Molly: *swallows* Well, I-I should...take a look.

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*

Sherlock & Molly: *spooning in bed*

Molly: *sleepy* Morning.

Sherlock: *yawns* Breakfast's nearly ready.

Molly: *smiles* Is that a euphemism?

Sherlock: *rolls his eyes* Nooo. Mummy pulls out all the stops for her favourite guests.

Molly: *opens her eyes sharply* Oh, my God. What are we going to do?

Sherlock: Hmm?

Molly: *panicking* As far as your parents are concerned, I spent the night in the spare bedroom. What will they think? What will they say? What do I do?

Sherlock: *shrugs* Tell them you really enjoyed the room. A lot.

Molly: *horrified* Is that supposed to be funny?

Sherlock: *pats her arm* Relax, my parents are quite modern. They only care about our happiness *gets out of bed* I'll go down first.

Molly: *watching him* I'm not going to say no to that.

Sherlock: *ties his dressing gown; smirks* That's good to know *kisses her; leaves*

*the kitchen*

Sherlock: *enters the kitchen*

Mummy & Daddy Holmes: *having breakfast*

Mummy Holmes: *casually* Morning, dear. Sleep well?

Sherlock: *making coffee* Yes, thank you.

Daddy Holmes: Sweet little thing, isn't she?

Sherlock: *breaks; happily* I love her so much.

Mummy Holmes: *delighted* Oh, my special boy *throws her arms around him*

Sherlock: *sighs*

TEN MINUTES LATER

Molly: *nonchalantly enters the kitchen*

Mummy Holmes: *squeals* There she is *hugs her tightly; muffled* welcome to the family.

Molly: *blinking; glances at Sherlock*