Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Steve Moffat, Mark Gatiss own Sherlock and his realm. I just own my computer, my version of Openoffice, and my sick fantasies. English is not my native language, and this story is un-betaed, so please forgive the mistakes and the typos.

Well, we are at the end of, like Molly said, "our silly, sad, love story" - and I'm still trying not to cry over this news. This story has become progressively more and more important to me, for many reasons; mostly because this is my very first story written in a language that was not my native language (once again, I'm sorry for the mistakes and the typos). I'm a very insecure person, who tends to hide everything I create, because every time I do something I always need the approval of someone I trust. I know that sometimes I can be very annoying with my insecurities, and my stupid fear to "do something wrong", this is why I want to thank Irene for her patience and for trusting me and helping me to build this story. Thank you for every comment, kudos and for reading this story until the end, I want to hug and kiss everyone of you! Thank you so, so much! Flavia

P.s. : The fairy tale was tested successfully on my 7 years old cousin. No 7 years old cousins was harmed during that test. Flavia

And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would
Like to say to you
But I don't know how

Because maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall

"Wonderwall"- Oasis

Four Months later

It was 2 am. Sherlock appeared on the threshold of their bedroom, exhausted but still careful to not make any sound with his bare feet; his dressing gown was hanging down from his right shoulder, and his curls disheveled in every direction. He slowly closed the door and put the baby monitor on his bedside table, before diving face-down on the bed, his voice muffled by the pillow. "I hope he will sleep at least three hours in a row this time".

Molly giggled and ruffled his curls."Thank you, but, you know, I can manage this..."

He moved to his side and turned to face her. "You already did it last night and you need some rest... So, don't worry, it's fine for me..."

She smiled at him and caressed his cheek."Would you have ever believed it?"

He kissed her palm and breathed his answer against it. "What?"

"You, being a father...The great Sherlock Holmes, Mr caring-is-not-an-advantage...".

He came closer to her, taking her hand in his and lacing his fingers with hers. He looked down, admiring their entwined hands. "If someone had told me, eleven years ago, that you would become not only my friend but also my girlfriend, that I would have almost died for you and that we even would have had a child together... Surely I would have sent him to piss o- ouch!".

She hit him playfully on the shoulder. "Sherlock!" He smirked and looked up at her "No. Sorry, wrong choice of words". He came even closer to her and brushed away a strand of hair from her face. "Molly... The truth is that I can't even imagine my life without you. I'm grateful to have met you that day, 11 years ago. To have finally seen you, 7 years ago. To have you loving me, now." He caressed her lower lip. " I would never have imagined that someone could love me..."

Molly took his face between her hands. "You are loved Sherlock, you will always be loved. Your family, your friends love you...".

"Molly, this is only thanks to you. You helped me to become human." He kissed her and positioned her on her back. "You gave me a home and a family, a reason to stay alive and I love you so much".

Molly started to giggle and Sherlock furrowed his brow. "Sherlock, sorry. I am sorry. I was just thinking of what would be John's face if he could hear you right now..."

He lifted up on his elbows and looked her straight in her eyes. "Wha- Really? I'm just trying to make love to you and you're thinking of my best friend?"

Molly burst into a laugh and Sherlock silenced it with a kiss, then stopped and murmured on her lips " Molly, be quiet... You don't want to wake up Charles, do you?"

Molly bit her lower lip and smiled playfully at him. "Sorry... But I'm sure that you are the noisy one...". Her hands began to tickle his waist and Sherlock jumped, landing on his side while Molly continued to tease his waist. "Ah Moll-stop! Ahahah- please...". He rolled onto his back and captured her wrists in his hands. "Molly, seriously, stop!"

She giggled, climbed on top of him and kissed him "I love you, Mr Holmes."

He kissed her back. "I love you too, Dr Hooper."

Three years later

Charles was sitting in front of the fireplace, his chubby face barely covered by his curly blonde hair and his unusual eyes (one deep brown and the other light blue) fixed on the old skull placed between his legs.

"I don't know what to do Billy". The little kid sighed dramatically, his tiny pointer finger following the cracks on the skull. "Mummy is always in bed, because she needs the rest, Daddy says…". Another heavy sigh. "That little baby inside her tummy is sucking in all her energy... She's evil, Billy, I'm sure. Who knows what she will do to me, to us, when she will be free from her prison in Mummy's tummy!".

A lone tear fell on Billy's polished cranium. "Maybe they will understand that she's an evil monster, and send her away... But what if they don't? What if they prefer her to me?".

"Charles, what did I tell you about Billy?". His father's stern voice interrupted the boy's confessions, and the boy sprang to hide behind Sherlock's armchair.

"I- I felt alone, Daddy…". Charles said. "Mummy's sleeping... Again", he added with a bored murmur.

"She needs to rest, I've already told you, Charles…". Sherlock approached the boy's shelter, kneeling down to his height. "But now I'm here, and you don't need my skull to keep you company anymore".

Charles looked up at his Dad and chewed on his lower lip "Dad, can I ask you something?"

Sherlock came closer to his kid and sat down in his armchair, before putting him on his lap. "Of course son, nothing awful, I hope..."

Charles snuggled in his lap and buried his face on his father's shoulder. "Can you send her away?".

"Her? Who are you talking about, Charlie?".

"The sister! I don't want her to come here, and steal you and Mommy from me!". Charles started to sob, inconsolable, and Sherlock had to restrain himself in order to avoid laughing in his son's face. He chose to cuddle him a bit more, and waited for his cry to subside, before starting to speak again.

"Charles, do you really believe that your sister would do something so cruel like stealing your parents away from you? Neither your mum nor I would allow anyone to take us away from you...It will never happen".

"Never?". The little boy started to dry his tears with his cardigan's leaves, still pouting.

"Never. And I'm going to tell you a secret… But you don't have to tell your mum, do you understand?".

"It's a secret, dad... Of course I'm not going to tell anyone else! It's ovv- No, it's obius!" Charles ended, a proud smile on his face.

"Yes, you have to excuse your silly old father for asking something so clear. Well, this is the secret, young man: there's a good chance that you're going to receive that chemistry kit I caught you ogling the other day, when your granny took you at the toy shop".

"Really, dad? That one that Mum kept saying I'm too young to use?".

"Trust a graduated chemist, son: it's never too soon to start experimenting. But you will receive that chemistry kit at one condition". Sherlock's voice grew serious, and in return his son's expression turned sober too.

"You have to promise me that you're going to love your sister as much as you love your mother and me. I can assure you that she will love you equally, for the rest of your life. Do you think you can vow to do that, Charles Hamish Hooper-Holmes?".

The boy seemed to ponder it for a second, and Sherlock worries started to grow. He remembered his own mother's horrifying tale of that time when Mycroft had put him, a tiny and helpless six months old baby, in a basket and tried to place him in a stream not very far from their home. Thankfully, their dad had managed to prevent the fratricide, and Mycroft's excuse at being caught ("Well, it worked for Moses...May be he could find a Pharaon's family, too, instead of annoying me with his cries and poo!") had been hidden in his Mind Palace for a long time...until now.

"Well, Dad… I think I can do that. I promise to love my little sister as much as I love Mommy and you!".

Sherlock hugged his son, finally more relaxed. "Very well… Now, I think I heard your Nana opening the oven… Do you smell cookies too?".

"Yes!" Charles said, and he sprinted downstairs. Sherlock stood up and opened slightly the bedroom's door. Inside, Molly was still sleeping soundly. Satisfied at himself for his handling of what could have been a difficult family crisis, he closed the door and joined his son and his landlady downstairs.

A month later

"Are they here yet?". Charles sleepy voice woke up John Watson, who was currently dozing off on his old flat's sofa.

"No, Charles… Why don't you have a nap? I promise I will wake you up as soon as I hear them downstairs."

"Uncle John… I'm not tired", Charles yawned back, snuggling on his left side. "Also, I don't trust you staying awake, I saw you had your eyes closed two minutes ago".

Mary, followed by her daughter Elizabeth, decided to take a look out of the window, and smiled at the grumpy couple sprawled on the sofa.

"I don't think you have to wait much more, Charlie… Your mum and dad are here!".

Outside, a sleek sedan, followed by an even more shiny Jaguar, parked with precise maneuvers. A driver opened the passenger's door, and a tired-looking but smiling Molly Hooper get out of the car; just a minute later Sherlock Holmes appeared, carrying a child seat with him.

As soon as the door was opened, Molly found her hyperactive son on the threshold, already hugging her legs. "Oh, Mommy, I missed you so much!".

Molly smiled, before taking Charles in her arms and leaving a big kiss on his cheek. "And I missed you too, my little bumble bee!".

Behind them, Sherlock coughed to draw their attention. "I think it would be better for us to move this sweet reunion upstairs... Unless you're planning to leave my parents and my dear brother outside. Oh, wait a minute… It's not a bad idea, isn't it?".

Both Molly and Mrs Hudson, who had reached them, gave him a scolding look. "Fine, let's just go upstairs…".

Half an hour later, an impromptu family party was taking place at Baker Street. Just the usual suspects (the Watsons, Sherlock's parents and brother, Mrs Hudson, Lestrade and Mike Stamford), joined the Hooper-Holmes while they showed everyone, quite proudly, the latest addiction to the family.

"Marie Miranda Hooper- Holmes… Quite the tongue-twister, don't you think?", Lestrade asked John, while drinking a cup of tea.

"Yes… But with Sherlock as a father, I think she has been quite lucky. It could have been much worse...", Mike joined the conversation.

"Well, after all I can't name all my children after you, John Hamish Watson…", Sherlock interjected, her daughter hoisted on his shoulder. His reply was the cue for the infant to finally burp. "See? Even my daughter agrees…"

On the sofa, Mycroft was keeping company to the firstborn. "So, little Hamish, what are your impressions of your sister?".

Charles frowned at his uncle's choice of name, then shrugged. "She's quite wrinkled… Even more than Mrs Hudson. And she smells funny, too. Aside from that, I think she's ok… For now".

Mycroft nodded somberly. "You're going to behave yourself, I hope… No pranks, no tantrum. As an older brother, you have now a mission of the uttermost importance, a lifetime commitment to devote yourself to. You know what I'm talking about, don't you?".

"Yes, Uncle Mycroft, I remember what you told me the last time we met. The older brother must protect the youngest siblings, at all costs".

Mycroft smiled at his nephew, satisfied. " Very good, Hamish".

"Uncle Mycroft, my name is Charles!". The older Holmes brother held out against the temptation to ruffle his indignant nephew, and the shadow of a smirk appeared on his thin lips.

"I think it would be better for you to apologise to Charles right now, Mycroft…", Molly admonished the man who controlled the entire country. "You know that the longer he pouts, the harder it will be for his maxillary bones to return normal…". Molly sat down next to her son, admiring her significant other showing proudly their newborn daughter to their circle of close friends. A lonely tear fell down, and she quickly brushed it with the back of her hand.

"Is anything wrong, Molly?". Mycroft's concerned tone sounded strange to her ears, but a quick glance to the other Holmes reassured her that he was really worried.

"No, Mycroft, but thank you for your concern. Nothing is wrong... Everything is quite perfect right now, trust me. Truly perfect... Finally."

One and a half year later

Molly was lying in their bed, with their beautiful children sleeping between her and Sherlock. Her hand was holding their daughter's hand while Sherlock embraced their son, who was sprawled on his chest. Molly's gaze was fixed on Sherlock's sleeping face: this was one of these nights when she loved getting lost in her memories.

She remembered their first nights together at Baker Street, when she always woke up before him, fearing that their nights together were just a dream. She remembered how she liked to stare at his sleeping face, to memorize the curves of his parted lips, and his long dark eyelashes resting on his alabaster cheekbones. He always seemed much younger when he slept, as if all the worries of life disappeared as soon as he closed his eyes.

She recalled a few hours before, when she had closed herself in the bathroom, for the fourth time in her life a pregnancy test in her hands.

"Negative... It's negative. I'm not pregnant, Sherlock." She had whispered to him, when he had asked for her permission to enter the room. She didn't know why her voice sounded so disappointed; after all they weren't trying to have another child. The memory of the child that never was, had assaulted her mind. Sometimes she surprised herself thinking how old he or she would be, what kind of brother or sister would be for Charles and Marie. It was silly, and useless, Molly knew it; but she couldn't stop and imagine herself as the mother of three beautiful and intelligent children.

"Are you sad because you are not pregnant? You didn't tell me that you wanted another child". Sherlock kneeled down to be at her level, seen that she was sitting on the closed toilet.

"I don't know… I wouldn't be opposed to the idea, I think".

"So... Do you want to try and have another?".

"Sherlock, I… I don't really know. I'm afraid that another child could disrupt the equilibrium we have reached. Everything is so perfect right now, and I don't want to ruin this perfection"

"Molly, our family isn't perfect. We are bound to be imperfect. We are just human beings, and maybe our children will be the best part of us, or maybe not. Maybe our life, the road we are walking on, our errors, our right choices, everything we have done it's just a dream. The truth is, I don't want perfection. I don't need it. Everything I want, is you, and our children. Two, or three, or five, it doesn't matter... As long as you are with me".

Molly threw away the pregnancy test, and quickly washed her hands, before hugging Sherlock tightly. "I'm going to say something very sappy, and ridiculously sentimental, Mr Holmes. May I?"

"Permission to be sentimental denied, Doctor Hooper. You're talking too much, and to quote Shakespeare, I will stop your mouth", he murmured, before kissing her.

The next day

Charles and Marie were very fond of "Diana Memorial Playground" at the Kensington Gardens. Molly loved it too, probably for a different set of reasons: while she appreciated the provision of loos, nappy-changing facilities and the lovely café, (and most of all, the fact that unaccompanied adults weren't allowed), her children, brainwashed by years of their father's tales about pirates and buccaneers, absolutely loved the vast wooden pirate ship sailing a sea of sand.

She was sitting on a bench with Mary by her side, watching their significant others playing with their children, when the pathologist felt compelled to open up with the former spy.

"Sherlock and I talked about having another child, yesterday". Her confession seemed to please Mrs Watson, and Molly found herself engulfed by a massive hug.

"Oh, I'm so happy to hear it! So happy, for both of you!"

"Mary, please calm down! We just broached the subject, we haven't decided anything yet. There's always the possibility that I won't get pregnant. I'm not getting any younger, you know."

Mary pulled back, and nodded. "I understand… And even in the case it won't work out the way you want, you have already a beautiful family. Would you have imagined it, ten years ago, that you would have been here, in a park, watching the love of your life playing tag with your children?"

Molly could hear Marie's giggles, and Charles shouting playful threats to his father, who was tickling both of them. "I read a sentence, a long time ago... Or I heard it in a song, I don't remember. Anyway, it said "True happiness can not be found so easily ". And now I understand it. After all the pain, the suffering, I've endured - we have endured- I wouldn't change a minute of our lives, because now I know that every tear, every heartache, had brought me what I have now. I have two beautiful and clever children, and a genius man-child who can't avoid to insult our son's teachers or to annoy his own brother like a five years old, but who would sacrifice his own life to protect his family and his friends. I wouldn't change a thing of our past, even the most painful events, because now I know that all those tribulations gave me the life I have now. And it's really a happy life, Mary."

Molly paused, beaming at the sight before her eyes: Sherlock picking up their daughter from the sand and putting her on his shoulders, while Charles was running to her. "Mum, Dad is buying us ice-cream!"

"Oh, Sherlock! They are already so hyper, do you really think that they need more sugar in their organism right now?".

John reached them, his daughter just behind him. "Who is talking about ice-cream? Because I think that it's quite a wonderful idea!"

Mary put an arm around Molly's shoulder. "And you're thinking about having another child… Why, when you already have two kids and a Sherlock causing havoc?"

"Well, it seems I can't get enough of it...", Molly replied, before leaving the bench and reaching Sherlock and their children.

Later that night

Sherlock entered their bedroom and quickly locked the door, took off his shirt and jumped under the covers, suddenly flipping Molly on her back. "Sherlock! What?!"

"Shh... We have only half an hour before Marie wakes up and begs us to let her sleep in our bed!"

"Door?"

"Locked."

"Good." Sherlock pulled up her nightshirt and started to cover her breasts with light bites and kisses. "...Sherlock...".

He suddenly stopped and lifted his mischievous gaze to her. "Shh... Molly, be quiet..."

She covered her mouth with her hand, and started to giggle. "Sorry, sorry... I'll be quiet, I swear!" Sherlock moved on top of her and murmured upon her ear, " We don't want a repeat of what happened last month, do we?"

Molly blushed and started to laugh nervously, hiding her face on his shoulder. "Oh my... I forgot, poor John!". Sherlock hugged her tightly and moved on his back, after kissing her cheek. "Well... We can't blame him, after all it was our first time without the children...". He cupped her smiling face and murmured with his deep velvet voice, "And you have no idea how much I love to hear your moans, Dr Hooper...". She stopped his confession with a kiss, breathing her answer against his lips. "And you have no idea how much I love to hear you say my name over and over and over Mr Holmes...". She kissed him again and guided his large hands to her backside, while rolling her hips over his groin. "Molly..." She caressed his chest "Please be quiet, Mr Holmes!".

Suddenly he gripped her waist and flipped her on her back. "Oh, you little minx!". Molly tried to muffle her laugh against his chest and Sherlock kissed her again. "Maybe I will punish you..." He gave a little peck on her lips. "My, my Molly...".

She caressed his cheek, beaming at him. "My...my silly old boy... You have a job to do, am I wrong?". He grinned back at her. "Sorry, Doctor Hooper, I will get back to work right now." He kissed his way down and started to pull down her pants... Then it was a soft knock on the door.

Sherlock sighed and dropped his head on her stomach. "Too late", Molly giggled and caressed his curls; the knocks became more insistent, and it was followed by a tiny voice asking "Daddy? Why is the door locked?".

Sherlock stood up and started to hunt for his shirt under Molly's smiling gaze." Hurry up Daddy! Someone requires you! ". He gave her his best scowling gaze and reached the door. "Sorry Marie, I'll be there in a minute". Finally Sherlock opened the door and he was welcomed by his daughter's suspicious glare. "Why was the door locked? And what have you been doing to Mom?".

Sherlock blushed. "I... ehm... I just kissed your mom, nothing else." The little version of Molly with short disheveled red hair lifted up her gaze to him, still absolutely not convinced. "Are you sure? I heard weird sounds."

Molly decided to rescue her boyfriend, she went to Marie and picked her up. "Mommy!"

"See my little woman? I am fine, you have nothing to worry about."

"Then why I heard that sounds?" Molly gave a peck on her cheek and stroked her curls."Because your Daddy is a very silly old man and he was tickling me."

Marie turned to her dad. "Is it true?" Sherlock put his hands on his heart, "I swear, hand on heart".

Marie glared at both her parents, not completely persuaded that they were telling the truth. She let Molly put her on the bed, and promptly stretched herself out in the middle of the mattress, like it was her designated place.

"Well... Why aren't you tickling Mommy anymore?", she asked, as her presence was absolutely not an obstacle to their previous action. Molly had the good grace to blush, and Sherlock bit his tongue.

"Because I think I've found a better victim!" he announced, before starting to tickle his daughter. Marie's shrill laughters began a second later, and just five minutes passed before Charles appeared on the bedroom's threshold, pouting.

"Would you please behave? There's someone who's going to school tomorrow, and needs to sleep!".

This time it was Molly who left the bed and grabbed her son by his waist, her nimble fingers finding easily his weak points.

"Mom! Stop it, Mom, I'm not a kid anymore!". Charles' indignant cries soon turned into giggles, and it went on like that for ten minutes, until the kids declared their defeat and their parents started to feel the exhaustion assault them.

Molly was sitting with her back on the headboard, her daughter on her lap and his son beside her. "Well children, it is time to sleep, don't you think?"

Marie rubbed her eyes with her fists "Mom, I don't want to sleep..." Her brother peered her over their mother's shoulder. "If you don't sleep the monsters under the bed will drag you by your fe-" Marie opened wide his worried eyes.

"Charles!" He was suddenly stopped by the concerned voices coming from both his parents, who looked at him with angry faces.

Charles grinned awkwardly at them, before turning to his sister. "Bu-but I swear that I'll protect you from them!" Charles turned to his dad whispering "Is it good?"

Sherlock gave him a wink and put him on his lap. "Well, Charles: what do you think of being a good example for Marie and go to sleep?"

Charles furrowed his brow "I don't know, I don't feel tired anymore...". Sherlock turned his gaze to Molly, who was lulling Marie to sleep. "So… What do you think if I tell you a story?" Marie awoke suddenly raising her hands to his father. "Yes Daddy! I want a love story with a princess! But not the boring one".

Charles put his best bored face and rolled his eyes, "Not again Marie!".

She pointed her chubby index finger to his brother. "My Princesses are strong! They kill the dragons and save the princes!".

"Fine, fine, but can I put a pirate somewhere?". Molly tried to not giggle and looked at Sherlock, who was smiling back at her. "I have a better idea, what do you think of this story?"

Once upon a time there was a pirate, but he wasn't an ordinary pirate with the rum, the brawls and everything else. He was a very weird one, because he didn't behave like one of them. Well, he loved the adventure, of course, but he loved much more reading the people, discovering their secrets and reading their soul and their hearts, maybe because he didn't have one or, at least, he always thought that he didn't have it and therefore, that a heart was absolutely unnecessary. But the truth is that he did have one: his heart was a little furry thing hidden deep in his skinny raggedy body.

Sometimes, his poor furry heart tried to make him feel its presence, making some weak beats that were quickly suffocated by the pirate, because he was a very silly man: always so proud of himself, of his immense genius, that he was convinced that he didn't need the sentiments, he didn't need an heart, and that's why he was always alone.

He was a silly, skinny, lonely man with a large ship with many things inside, but no one to share them... Until one day he met an old soldier, left alone by his comrades after the war, and looking for someone to share the adventures and to forget his past.

The pirate and the old soldier soon became friends and the pirate's little furry heart began to lose a bit of fur and to beat a little more. One day the two friends arrived on an island, ruled by a proud warrior princess. The first thing she did, as soon as they arrived, was to put them in jail: they were pirates after all, and she wanted to protect her realm. This was the right thing to do, so she sent his soldiers to capture them.

The pirate's pride was so wounded by being captured, that he asked to meet the princess. When they told him no, he started to reveal all the dirty little secrets of the princess's soldiers so they choose to send him to the princess, only to shut his annoying mouth. The pirate was a genius, yes, but he was also a very silly man because the first thing he did as soon as he saw the princess, was to laugh in her face.

He was expecting a big strong old woman, but what he saw was a small young woman, more similar to an elf that to a human.

The silly Pirate thought she was some sort of joke and started to laugh. "Very funny" shouted the Pirate to the soldiers "Someone of you stupid men, can bring me to the presence of the real princess?".

The princess turned her brave gaze to him. "I am the real princess, you stupid man!"

The pirate stopped his laugh and lifted up his gaze to the short woman "How dare you? I am the most brilliant man of this world and the others! I discovered the enigma of the seven seas! I defeated the pirate Blackbeard only with the strength of my brain! I-".

The princess abruptly stopped him. "I know all of you, you stupid man. I expected to see a genius, really." She came close to him "But the only thing I see is a lonely, silly, sad man who forgot that he had a heart."

He grinned at her. "I don't have a heart! I don't need it!".

The princess laughed at him. "Oh you silly pirate! You have one, I can see it! This is why I want to make a deal to you".

"What deal, princess?"

"The deal is that you and your friend will stay with me as my guests in this island for a year and a half. You are a master at reading people and your friend is a brave man and I need your help: there is a cruel sorcerer who for years has tried to conquer and destroy my reign. He is heartless and a genius, like you and he is building an army to destroy me. I need your help to defeat him and exile him forever; only then I will let you free."

The pirate seems intrigued by the puzzle she had offered, so he bowed down to the princess. "I accept the deal."

For a year and a half the pirate, the soldier and the princess worked together to destroy the sorcerer's army, which was hidden everywhere throughout the realm. The months passed and the pirate seems more and more fascinated by the princess. She was a tiny woman with an unsuspecting strength, a brilliant mind and, more importantly, a very big gentle heart. This is why the Pirate's little furry heart started to grow, and lost another bit of fur every time the silly Pirate was close to her.

This is why the silly Pirate was angry at her, and why every time he was close to her he always tried to throw her down, offending and mortifying her: simply because that fool wanted in every way to prevent himself from falling in love with her.

One year and half had passed, their mission was complete and the pirate and the soldier were escorted to the ship that would make them free at last. Unfortunately, they had underestimated the power of the vindictive sorcerer, who was so angry that he decided to take his revenge on the pirate. So, during their last day on the island, the sorcerer turned himself into a wasp and stung the silly Pirate with a magic potion that made him fall asleep for two years. But the sorcerer was stupid because with his revenge, he lost all the powers and returned to be a miserable, poor human being: so he ran away and hid in a forest, waiting that would return all the powers.

The princess took care of the pirate for two years, trying in every way to wake him. You know, she had tried all their ways: tickling, cold water in the face, the magic, every type of potion imaginable; even a kiss. Nothing worked. The soldier and the princess, tired of waiting, tried one last time. Still nothing.

The princess was so angry and tired that she yelled at him and started to cry. "Why you won't wake up, you stupid man!"; then she slapped him three times under the shocked gaze of the soldier. "Princess! Stop! Why did you do it?"

"Because I'm angry, I am tired and I love him... And I couldn't tell him before..."

At that moment they heard a groan coming from the pirate, and both turned on him.

"Do you love me? Really?". The princess started to cry tears of joy. "You are awake!"

The silly pirate rubbed his offended cheek. "Yes, and you hurt me! You have an unsuspecting strength, do you know that?". "Yes, I know, and I will have no problem to use it on you, again." He hugged her tightly to his chest. "I know, but not today. Because today, my dear Princess, I've discovered to have a heart, finally..." and the Princess could hear it beating, finally free.

"I told you, you stupid man, that you had a heart!" The pirate sighed in relief and put his and her hands on his heart, amazed to hear the beating organ. "I just needed someone helping me to find it, and finally I found you."

The silly pirate kneeled in front of the princess and took her hand. "Please forgive me for everything I said to you, I am just a stupid man. Thank you for staying by my side for all these years. Even in my dreams, you were there, working to save me". The pirate stood up in front of his savior and kissed her. "And I love you too, my dear Princess. You are the most amazing woman I've ever known, and I want to stay with you until the end of time."

Sherlock stopped his tale and gave a little kiss on the foreheads of his sleeping children, before chuckling softly. "Well, good for me, I did it again!"

Molly reached his hand and squeezed it. "Goodnight, my silly Pirate."

He kissed their joined hands, resting upon his heart."Goodnight, my princess. Goodnight."

The end

So, this is it. Let me thank my dear Flavia, for her amazing talent and imagination, for seeing in my short drabbles the potential for a real story. And thanks to all of you, dear readers. Thanks for sticking with this story, for every review, for every kind PM and comment on Tumblr. Thanks for being so amazing and loyal. Goodbye... Until the next story. Irene