Prompt from Hades Lord of the Dead: Overindulgence on New Years' Eve.

After some serious last-minute writing, I have finished right on New Years' Eve! Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's challenge with me, and special thanks to Hades Lord of the Dead for setting things up. It's been amazing reading everyone's stories and reviews, and I am looking forward to doing it again in 2019! Happy New Year!

"My, Mrs Hudson, you have certainly outdone yourself!' Watson exclaimed, looking at the long table laden with goodies of all kinds.

Mrs Hudson beamed happily at him. "It's just so good to see you and Mr Holmes in the house again! It's felt so strange these last few years without you two, I wanted to see in the New Year in style."

"Besides, we do have quite a party coming," Holmes mentioned, getting up from his armchair to inspect the feast himself. "The Irregulars alone will polish off most of this, and my brother has no mean appetite either."

"Not all Irregulars anymore," Watson reminded him. Holmes had been both pleased and dismayed to find that in his absence, Wiggins had joined the police force, and was currently working at Scotland Yard as a Constable. "Though it is nice to be here, after all these years." Still, the smile faded from Watson's face as he thought about where he had spent his last few New Years - or more precisely, who he had spent them with.

A knocking on the front door saved Holmes from having to reply. Mrs Hudson bustled to the front door to open it, letting in Inspector Lestrade. He thanked her, brushing the snow off his hat and coat before hanging them up in the entranceway. "That's quite a spread," he remarked, eyes widening at the many dishes laid out before them. "It's been a long shift today, I'll be looking forward to getting into some of that. New Years seems to drive all the crazies onto the streets."

Gradually, the other guests filtered in, each one marvelling at the food set before them. Still, until the final guest could arrive, they had to satisfy themselves with drinks and conversation, even as the clock struck steadily forwards.

Finally, at only an hour to midnight, Wiggins hurried through the door, slamming it closed behind him. "Sorry, guv," he said breathlessly. "O'Neill wanted me for a case, wouldn't let me go. Had to run here from the Yard once we finished."

While Lestrade muttered grumpily about what he would do to O-Neill tomorrow, Mrs Hudson pushed Wiggins into a seat, chivying them all to the table after him. "Now, we can finally begin. Happy New Year to you all!"

"Happy New Year!" The crowd chorused, and then the meal began.