Last Chapter! Hope you have all enjoyed this as much as I've enjoyed writing it…will have to think of something else to do now…

Disclaimer - As usual, I do not own the wonderful Holmes and Watson - I am just borrowing them. The other characters do belong to me, though.

Chapter 17

Holmes has often scolded me for what he calls my 'happy endings', in that I find I must write a little of the aftermath of the case in which we have become engaged, for the entertainment of my readers and myself. I must admit, however, that I do not intend that this case be published until the latest moment possible, primarily due to the identity of the murderer, and the fact that neither Holmes nor I intend for him to be tried.

Our Christmas Day that year was a happy occasion, spent in the company of some of the kindest and most wonderful people I have ever met. The fact that young Jeremy was unmasked as the murderer only served to ensure that his family were even more determined to make that Christmas an enjoyable and special occasion. After a large, and scrumptious breakfast, the presents around the tree were distributed. I was touched to find that there were a small number of presents labelled for me, with my gifts including a large set of books, and a magnificent notebook from Holmes, bottles of whisky, cufflinks and a box of sweets. My present to Holmes - a microscope which he had wanted since August - was gratefully received. I was most moved, however, by the present that Holmes had wrapped for Cora from both him and I. He must have remembered Cora talking of the burned teddy-bear in our interrogation of the children, because he had given her a large, golden-brown bear, with a red ribbon tied around her neck. Cora cried out in excitement and joy, and flung herself at Holmes, and I had to smile as he awkwardly returned her hug.

I grinned, and Holmes looked at me warningly, as if threatening that he would not be pleased if I told anyone of this occurrence. I made a mental note to tell Lestrade the next time I saw him.

After the presents were given out, everyone left for church, apart from myself, as I was still in too much pain to walk very far. Holmes had protested, saying that he would gladly stay to keep an eye on me, but I reminded him that I needed rest, and would be unable to get any with Holmes around. Holmes had laughed and nodded, and walked off to church with the family, offering, I noticed with a grin, Meredith his arm as they walked. Holmes seemed all together happier on that day than I had seen him in some time. He was still his usual sarcastic self, but a couple of times that day, I swear I saw him laugh out loud. For myself, I was glad that the pain in my hand and leg had abated, and that Holmes seemed in good spirits, despite the fact that he did not have a case to occupy him.

When everyone returned from church, there was a huge Christmas dinner, followed by what can only be described as a lull, as everyone collapsed around the fire. Indeed, the only people with any energy seemed the children, who dragged Meredith off for another snowball fight, despite the fact that she objected most harshly.

Christmas day then, was a wonderful, traditional, family Christmas. Forty-eight hours ago, I would have never believed that I could use those terms to describe this Christmas, but as I slipped into bed, despite catching my leg on the side of the bed a couple of times, and wincing in pain, I was quite contented.

The next day, when I came down to breakfast, I was surprised to see that Holmes was dressed for travelling "Going somewhere, Holmes?"

"We both are, Watson. This house is being emptied, I am afraid. The inhabitants are leaving in a couple of days to travel and the like, whilst it is redecorated. Lord Marcus begs you forgive them, but they only decided last night, after you had gone to bed."

I nodded, and grinned "That's quite alright. In such a good cause, Holmes, I do not mind having to leave."

"I sent one of the maids up to pack your bags, Watson. I hope you do not mind…I did not know whether you were up to it." I shrugged, and took my place in a chair next to Holmes, serving myself some breakfast. Holmes looked at me "How are you, this morning, my dear friend? Are you up to travelling?"

"I will be fine. The train should not be too busy…and as much as I have enjoyed it here…or at least parts of the time here…I will be overjoyed to go back to Baker Street."

"Good man." Holmes patted me on the shoulder and smiled quickly. "I do hope that there has been a good murder when we go back to London, to keep me occupied."

"I thought that you said that murders do not happen over Christmas…"

Holmes looked at me in some amusement. "What on earth do you call the death here this Christmas, Watson…?"

"Not a murder…a mercy killing, perhaps, or self defence."

Holmes nodded, and looked out of the window, before stiffening "It looks like the local constabulary have arrived…"

"What about Jeremy?"

"Marcus called the police this morning. Meredith and Gregory have taken the opportunity to do some schoolwork with him in another part of the house whilst they are here. Come, Watson…"

We need not have worried. The constabulary were, as Holmes said rather unkindly, bumbling idiots, who were so much in adoration of the wonderful Sherlock Holmes, that they took every suggestion that he made. Holmes told the local inspector of Sir Jonathan's poverty, his advances to Meredith, his gains from the will and his attempted murder of both myself and Meredith, and with no prompting from Holmes whatsoever, the inspector immediately guessed that Jonathan had committed the crime. Pleased that they would not have to take time out of their busy schedule of drinking, gambling, eating and making merry, they all trotted off, happy as sand boys, ten minutes later.

Once they had gone, Marcus had turned to Holmes and placed a hand on his shoulder "Well, my dear Holmes, I do not know how you did it, but you have saved us all. Thank you."

A couple of hours later, Holmes and I stood in the driveway of Morton Manor. Our luggage was packed onto the same carriage that we had arrived in, and we were waiting to bid our hosts goodbye. The snow was still thick on the ground, and the children, who had already bid us goodbye had gone off to play, their joyful screams and shouts ringing around the more friendly-looking Morton Manor. An idea struck me. Smiling, I bent down, pretending to tie my laces, and instead, scooped up a large handful of snow. I straightened, and without Holmes noticing, aimed and threw it at him. I have always been a right shot, and the missile landed right on target - straight in his face.

Holmes yelped, sprang back a couple of metres, and cried "What in the blazes…!" He looked at me, doubled up with laughter, and muttered threateningly "Watson!"

I straightened as I heard a voice behind us "Um…am I interrupting?"

I smiled "It is nothing at all, Lady Meredith. I wanted to thank you for your hospitality."

"And thank you, Doctor Watson. For more than I can say…"

"That is quite alright." I shook her hand and then shot a look at Holmes. "I shall go and wait in the carriage," I said "I think I need to sit down."

Nodding, Holmes smiled, and I withdrew a little, although I could still hear the conversation between the two. "What will your family do now?" he asked.

"Jane and Edward are going to their new house in London with Peter and Ruth. Marcus and Gwendolyn are giving them some money for the upkeep, and Jane is to take piano lessons. I think Martha is going with them too. It is quite a large house, and Jane wanted to make sure she was safe. Gregory is going down to his house in Exeter, and I believe that Dr Watson has inspired him to try writing as a career."

Holmes smiled fondly "Poor Gregory."

Meredith chuckled. "Ralph and Jeremy are to go off to school, and I think Gregory is to take them travelling during the summer. Kitty is staying with Marcus, Gwendolyn and Cora. They are going over to Paris for a time on holiday whilst the re-decoration is being done."

"And you?" Holmes' voice was so quiet, so concerned, that for a moment, I did not think that it was his voice at all.

"I am to go to London with Jane on Friday. One of my mother's friends runs a girl's academy in Kensington. I have been offered a position as a teacher. It is not what my father would want, but I think I will be happy."

"What will you teach?"

"Literature and Classics."

"You will do very well, I am sure."

"Mr Holmes?"

"Yes."

"I wanted to thank you. You have restored our future, made sure that Jeremy is safe, protected my family. I…" Meredith seemed rather overcome by emotion, and then smiled "Thank you."

Holmes nodded. "That is quite alright, Lady Meredith. I assure you, it was my pleasure."

Meredith grinned. She then took a step forward, placed a hand on Holmes' chest and kissed him, lightly on the lips, just once. He seemed a little surprised, and his face coloured a little (giving me something else to tease him about…), but he did not seem displeased. "Goodbye, Mr Holmes." Meredith smiled and started to walk away.

"Lady Meredith?"

She turned, smiling "Yes?"

"May I…erm…call on you in London? We might perhaps go to an opera or something?"

Meredith's smile widened. "That would be very nice. Thank you, Mr Holmes."

She turned again, and walked back into the house. Holmes turned, and saw me looking out of the carriage window. He walked over and leaned on the frame. "I shall never hear the end of this, shall I?"

"Never, unless you take that girl to the opera as soon as she arrives in London."

Holmes chuckled "Yes, Watson."

Soon afterwards, we were bid goodbye by Lord and Lady Throckmorton, and Holmes climbed in the carriage, taking care not to hit my leg. The driver had been ordered to take us all the way to Cambridge, so that I would not have to do too much walking with my bad leg, and we both sat back to enjoy the journey.

"Well, Watson. It has surely been an eventful Christmas…"

"'An eventful Christmas!'" I laughed "I was shot! And our host was killed."

"Good riddance."

"Of course."

"I suppose it was not too un-enjoyable."

"Do not pretend, Holmes! I saw you last night, laughing out loud at one of Sir Gregory's jokes."

"I thought you were asleep!"

"I was resting my eyes."

As we passed through the village, there was the noise of music from the green, as a large brass band started to play Christmas carols. Holmes winced "Why?" he muttered "What could not be gained by adding a violin to that band?"

"Come, admit it, Holmes. It is not that bad. Perhaps next year I shall take you to the brass concert in Regent's Park."

"If you do, I shall go straight home again."

"I will pay for the tickets…"

Holmes growled at me, and looked away. From his reflection in the window, however, I could see that his eyes were twinkling, humorously.

At eight o'clock that evening, we returned to Baker Street. Holmes, rather embarrassingly, had to nigh on carry me up the seventeen steps, and then offered me his bed, since there was no way I would be able to get up the other flight to my bedroom. We sat in our comfortable chairs, whilst Holmes scanned through his correspondence. "A bill, another bill, a missive from Mrs Hudson to tell us that she will be home in a few days, a card from my brother, a letter from a Lady Carlise who has lost her dog, a letter from a Mr Goggs who has lost his wife, a letter for you, another one for you, and a telegram from Lestrade…" He read it out "HAPPY CHRISTMAS STOP WILL COME TO BAKER STREET ON BOXING DAY STOP MUST FIND LADY CARLISE DOG STOP LESTRADE". Holmes' face was quite comical. "A dog, Watson?"

"Seems so, Holmes."

Holmes looked at me, then at the door. "How long will it take for you to get down the stairs?"

"A couple of minutes. More if you get impatient and push me again."

"How about dinner at Simpson's? It will still be open."

We looked at each other, glanced at the telegram in Holmes' hand and grinned at each other. "Let us go, Holmes." I smiled "Before we are bored to death by Lestrade."

Holmes ran across the room , grabbed both our coats and hats, and helped me into mine, before smiling "Happy Christmas, Watson."

"Happy Christmas, Holmes."

--

Mere House,

London.

To dear Mr Holmes and Dr Watson,

I thought that you might like to know that Martha gave birth to a little boy on 23rd January. She has named him Henry John Sherlock Litton. We do hope that you do not mind. Marcus, Gwendolyn and the girls are back from France and the house is finished. It is now bright, airy and beautiful. The boys are enjoying Eton, and have settled in well. Gregory has started his book, the first few chapters of which have been provisionally accepted by the publisher. You will of course know that Meredith is well and is enjoying her new role as a teacher. I hope you enjoyed the opera on Saturday night.

Yours,

Jane Simmons.