#sherlock: ...

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?

Molly: *enters the dark flat*

-sniffling-

Molly: *confused* Sherlock? *switches a light on*

Sherlock: *sitting in his chair, hugging a bottle of whiskey; sniffs* ...go away.

Molly: *sighs* Look, I know it was a bit of a shock-

Sherlock: *pouts* You're better off without me. You and the baby.

Molly: Okay, I think you've had enough of that *takes the whiskey from his arms*

Sherlock: *whines* Don't you see? I'll ruin your lives! A husband, a father...why can neither of you see that?

Molly: *frowns* What?

Sherlock: You and Mary. You both insist on feelings...having them, sharing them. Why couldn't you keep them to yourself?

Molly: *crouches down; puts her hand on his knee* If you want me to go, I'll leave and you'll never see us again. I'll make sure we're away and out of your life. Is that what you want?

Sherlock: *looking away; mumbles* Yes.

Molly: *smiles* Sherlock-

Sherlock: *annoyed* No, okay, I don't want that. I caught them! I caught the blasted feelings you and Maryhave been sprinkling around here like damn rose petals *sulking*

Molly: *helping him up; trying not to laugh* Okay, why don't we get you to bed.

Sherlock: *murmuring* I'll be a bad husband. A lousy father. Your fault, all your doing...

Molly: *helps him into bed* Okay, Sherlock. Whatever you say.

Sherlock: *half-asleep* It'll hate me...

Sherlock & Molly: *working, staking out the opposite apartment & sharing chips*

Molly: *peering through binoculars* What makes you so sure she murdered her husband?

Sherlock: *watching; shrugs* Just a hunch.

Molly: *nods* Well, I trust your suspicions more than anything.

Molly's boyfriend: *sitting on the sofa, drumming his fingers* Molly...

Molly: *sees movement; excited* Hang on, she's getting up...

Sherlock: And?

Molly: *disappointed* And she's put the kettle on.

Molly's boyfriend: *annoyed* Molly!

Molly: *looks around* Yeah?

Molly's boyfriend: *smiles coldly* Hello.

Molly: *bites her lip* I'm sorry, Matt. I know this is taking longer than I thought but... *gestures* it's important.

Molly's boyfriend: *sighs* I thought you said this was our night.

Molly: I know but...I can't leave it. We're at a crucial point in the case.

Sherlock: *eating chips* Car.

Molly: *turns back; grabs the binoculars* Maybe it's an accomplice...

LATER

*Molly's bedroom*

Sherlock & Molly: *lying in bed; the former holding the latter close*

Sherlock: I'm sorry I ruined your evening.

Molly: *smiles; strokes his arm* Don't worry, I had fun. Even if it turned out he was only on holiday.

Sherlock: Mmm.

Molly: ...

Molly: Sherlock?

Sherlock: *sleepy* Mmm?

Molly: *smirks* You could've just asked me to stop seeing him.

Sherlock: ...

-knocking-

Molly: *opens the door*

Sherlock: *smiling* Happy Birthday *hands her a present; enters the flat*

Molly: *blinks, stunned* Come in...

Sherlock: *removing his coat* Forty today. You must be pleased.

Molly: *shuts her door; rolls her eyes* Yeah, delighted. Um, what are you doing here?

Sherlock: *gestures* Open it.

Molly: *raises an eyebrow* Shouldn't I wait until tonight?

Sherlock: *somewhat excited* Nope.

Molly: *sighs* Fine *opens the present to reveal a small box; chuckles* Really?

Sherlock: *frowns* What? I remembered!

Molly: *examining the engagement ring; amused* I don't even get candles? Dinner? You can't even get down on one knee?

Sherlock: *folds his arms; pouting* Since we've had this arrangement for thirteen years, I thought you'd be relieved.

Molly: *slips on the engagement ring; giggles* Can I at least get a kiss?

*a bookstore*

John: *impatient* Why are we here?

Sherlock: *examining a book* Hmm?

John: *sighs* We solved the break in ages ago. Why are we back?

Sherlock: *shrugs* The owner said we could have anything we wanted for free *flipping through pages* I'm looking for something for my mother-in-law.

John: *rolls his eyes* Still, since when are you interested in books? *pauses* What did you say?

Sherlock: Mummy *snaps the book closed* she enjoys reading.

John: *looks at the cover* About butterflies?

Sherlock: *nods* Yup *leaves*

John: ...

LATER

*221B*

Molly: *baking*

John: *helping; thoughtful* Hey, has Sherlock ever mentioned butterflies to you?

Molly: *frowns* Mmm, can't say he has. Why?

John: *sighs* Nothing *takes a cake* just something he said.

Molly: *slaps his hand* Hey! Those are for my brother-in-law. You can have the ones over there *gestures*

John: *rubs his hand, nods* Right, okay *reaching for another cake; pauses* your what now?

Molly: *waves a hand* Oh, my brother. He just loves my baking.

John: ...

John: Hmm, I didn't know you had a brother.

Molly: *smiles* Yup.

LATER

*John & Mary's*

John & Mary: *having dinner*

John: *drumming his fingers* So I think Molly and Sherlock are married.

Mary: *helping Rosie with a yoghurt; feigning shock* Really?

John: *nods slowly* Yeah. The question is...who to?

Mary: ...

Molly: I'm pregnant.

Sherlock: ...

Molly: ...

Sherlock: Hmm. I thought we'd enjoyed Sweden a little too much.

Molly: *nods* Mmm.

Sherlock: *hands her tea* What are you going to do?

Molly: *confused* Don't you want a say? I mean, it's your baby, too.

Sherlock: *sits opposite; shakes his head* Not my decision. It's you that has to go through this Molly. But I swear to you, you won't be alone, whatever your decision.

Molly: *relieved* Thanks.

Sherlock: ...

Sherlock: *glances at her* I'd like to be a Dad.

Molly: *excited; giggles* Me too. Well, a Mum, I mean.

Sherlock: *raises an eyebrow* So we're doing this?

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.