"You seem occupied, brother. Would there be a reason why?" Mycroft was standing to Sherlock's right, watching the guests as they milled around talking and laughing. He had watched his younger brother most of the evening and noticed how he had watched his partner. He had also been watching his own better half, Greg Lestrade. It had not escaped him that he was upset with him and he didn't blame him, just wished to find a way to make it up to him.

"If you're not here to discuss what it is you did to upset Lestrade, then go away Mycroft. I have more important things to worry about than what ever it is you have to say." Sherlock was scanning the room for John. He had lost sight of him when he had looked away to answer a question from one of their guests.

"He is with Gregory as we speak, so John is safe Sherlock. As for what I did to upset Gregory, I am unsure. We had been doing well when we arrived but then after dinner...I am unsure as to what happened." He was confused by the sudden mood change of his partner. They had danced a few songs and had even been enjoying themselves until something had happened to change Greg's mood.

Sherlock scanned the room for both the blond head of his blogger and the graying chestnut hair of Lestrade. He looked around the room and met the smiling sky blue eyes of his missing blogger. He tilted his head and gave him a small smile. He was ready to go home, to just be alone with John on their special day but had told him he would try and be patient a little longer. He slid a hand in his pants pocket and sighed as he felt the familiar weight of the ring box against his fingers. He had been planning on asking John to marry him for a while now. Hoped it would make the blond doctor happy, which in turn would make him happy. He loved John, was in love with the short, feisty ex-army doctor. He'd done everything he could to ignore the feelings, hoping they would just disappear if he did. Unfortunately they had not, had only gotten worse and by the time Sherlock had been able to recognize them he was in love. He loved the sound of John's voice, his laugh when he'd heard a particularly funny joke. He loved the feel of John period. From head to toe with or without clothes, he loved John just because he knew John loved him as he was. Despite how everyone else called him names, tried to discredit him, John never wavered in his love, trust and devotion for Sherlock. He knew he wasn't the best when it came to expressing himself but he was hoping that this would help to reassure his blogger that he wanted him forever.

He could feel his brother's gaze on him and let out a weary sigh. "What is it Mycroft? You're standing here breathing on my right side for a reason." He turned to look at his brother, trying to figure out why he was hovering.

Mycroft looked at him, his ice blue gaze looking back at his brother. "I simply wanted to wish you congratulations Sherlock and to tell you that I am very proud of you." He offered his brother a small smile at his look of surprise. "Yes, I know, there is a first time for everything and Gregory says that it is always good to let you know when you have done well." He paused and looked around the room, finding the eyes of his beloved Detective Inspector. He couldn't help the flush he felt covering his face as his eyes held his. He had loved him at first sight and more so every day since. Giving him a smile meant only for him, Mycroft turned back to Sherlock. "John is good for you Sherlock, everyone has said so and I believe that you are good for him, even if no one else can see it. I wish you the best of luck brother, for both you and for John." Mycroft nodded his head to his brother and gave him a smile unseen by the other since they were children.

Looking at Mycroft, Sherlock smiled. He knew it was rare to hear any type of praise from his usually stoic brother. It was surprising however to hear Mycroft praise John as he had. "Thank you Mycroft. I will be sure to inform John of what you have said." He was surprised by his brothers words but couldn't help the small curl of pleasure in his stomach. So this is what it feels like to care. Sherlock found the feeling wasn't all together unpleasant. He searched the room again, looking for John. When he'd gone over it twice and still hadn't seen him, he excused himself from his brother and went in search of his partner. He found him standing by the front door, back facing the ballroom. As Sherlock moved closer he noticed the tense shoulders and could hear John muttering to himself. Not wanting to startle the blond, Sherlock called out to him softly. "John?"

John whipped around at the sound of his name. Taking a deep breath he smiled up into the face of his favorite detective, "Hey, Sherlock, everything ok?" John was trying his best to remain at the party but if he were honest with himself he wanted to go home. Go home and spend the rest of the night with it being just him and Sherlock. He thought he wanted to propose in front of everyone but couldn't decide if it would be easier if it were just the two of them. "Are...are you ready to go home or do you wish to stay here still?"

"I am ready when you are John. You know the only reason I am still here is because of you." Sherlock looked at John, could see his partner was ready to go and would not be against the suggestion if it were made. He waited patiently as he watched the way John seemed to struggle with his decision, until finally he saw the answer appear in his eyes and felt his stomach tighten in anticipation.

"Let's go home, I...I don't really think we'll be missed and I just want...I want to be alone with you." John sighed softly, he reached for the brunette and pulled him closer. He'd been ready to propose in front of everyone but wasn't sure how Sherlock would react. Looking up into the eyes that had held him captivated since the first day he met him, John pulled Sherlock down for a kiss, groaning against the mouth pressed against his. Pulling back, he looked at Sherlock and couldn't stop the question from leaving his mouth, "Marry me Sherlock. Marry me and...and spend the rest of your life with me. I'm not a genius like you and...and I know I don't always catch on to everything as fast as you do, but I swear to you I love you. Have been in love with you for years." John pulled the ring box out of his pocket and kneeled in front of his partner. "I may not be perfect but you're perfect for me and that's all I can really ask for out of life. To be happy and loved and in order for that to happen, I need you." He opened the box and showed the ring to Sherlock. He wasn't aware of the crowd that had gathered in the doorway watching them, he was only aware of the fact that Sherlock was looking at him as if he didn't understand what he was saying. "Sherlock, for god's sake, say something." John looked from the ring to Sherlock then back again. He was beginning to feel as if he had made a mistake in not waiting until they got home.

"I was going to ask you, John" Sherlock sank to the floor in front of John, his eyes never leaving the ring box. "I...I was going to ask you because it was the only thing I could think of to show you just how much you mean to me." He pulled the ring box out of his pocket and opened it to show John the ring he had gotten him. He looked at the tan face, into the sky blue eyes that had widened in surprise. "It's the same color of your eyes, after our first night..." Sherlock drifted off, he could feel the heat suffusing his face as he watched the look of comprehension dawn on John's face. The ring was a platinum band with diamonds encircling it. The middle stone was a blue sapphire, the same color of John's eyes when he's reached his orgasm. An image Sherlock has never been able to let go of. He knew it was sentimental and completely out of character for him but it was for John, and for John he would let him see. "I love you and...and I know I have not been fully open with that confession and I apologize but I will say yes if you will please, do me the honor saying yes as well." Sherlock was not known for second guessing himself nor was he known to ask for something he really wanted but for John he would. Knew he would do what ever the short blond, blue eyed blogger would ask of him. He watched the tears in the eyes watching him spill over and slide down the tan face and was relieved when the blond head nodded a yes. Grinning widely, he reached for him just as they heard the hallway echo with cheers and claps and shouts of congratulations. "I love you, John Hamish Watson."

John knew he was grinning like a loon but couldn't help it, Sherlock had said yes as well asked him to marry him! Life couldn't get any better and John stated so. "This...this is the best, most perfect day ever." He leaned up to kiss Sherlock and sighed. "I love you Sherlock Holmes, and...and if you will let me, I'll prove it to you everyday for the rest of our lives." He heard the crowd behind them, looked across the room at Greg and Mycroft and grinned. Greg and John had come up with the plan of throwing both brothers off of their game by putting distance between them. It kept Mycroft on his toes and Sherlock unable to figure out what John had planned. He gave Greg a small nod then turned back to Sherlock as he was pulled up off the floor.

Looking around at everyone, Sherlock smiled and reached down to pull John up off of the floor. "Let's go home my dear Dr. Watson. I think I'm in need of a check up." He winked at the blush that covered John's face, nodded his head briefly at his brother and Lestrade and pulled John out of the building behind him. "I believe an examination is in order Dr. If you would be so kind as to assist..." He leaned over and kissed John, pouring all of his love and devotion into the kiss.

Gasping, John pulled back and looked up at his tall, pale detective. "W-we can do that Sherlock." Face flushed red, John couldn't help the surge of lust and love. As they left the banquet hall, he silently thanked every god he could think of for bringing Sherlock into his life.

Across the room Greg and Mycroft stood next to each other, smiling. Greg had known the plan and in order for it to work he had needed to keep Mycroft in the dark. "You're not to upset with me are you?" He looked up at the tall ginger and smiled shyly.

Mycroft watched his brother as he knelt in front of the blond doctor. Looking down at Greg he smiled softly, "I will always forgive you Gregory, especially for this. You have helped him find someone who will be there no matter what. It is good to finally see love has made him stronger." He reached up and stroked a finger down one of Greg's cheeks. "Just as it has made me. Thank you, for everything you have done." He leaned forward and kissed his favorite D.I. "Are we done here or are we expected to remain after the guests of honor have left?" He wanted his husband to himself and was unwilling to wait any longer.

Greg sucked in a breath and grinned, "Let's go, they're not the only ones allowed to have some fun." He grabbed Mycroft's hand and pulled him behind him as they left the ballroom. Greg sent a text to John saying congrats and that he'd hear from him later.

Mycroft text Sherlock and let him know he was still proud of him and very much happy for him and John.

They didn't expect a response, they knew that the couple that had just left the building were busy with planning a future than spanned more than just watching each other from across the room.