Aww I liked this, it was sweet!

I owe you a major apology. I read this story when it was first posted, but have only just now realised I never reviewed it (
My favourite line from this story is: “Fifteen years isn’t that long.” What a hoot, I can just imagine a precocious little Sherlock not only knowing exactly how old his mother is, but being bold enough to say it!
Sherlock’s precociousness comes out in such lines as “I’m not stupid” and his estimation that he could master the violin piece in four years, not seven. Not to mention the affair of him mentioning the affair – wonderful! More people should be that honest, there’d be more accountability and less secrecy in this world, which can only be a good thing, IMO.
“Trust me on that” followed by “Absolutely not” made my heart ache for poor Sherlock. He had such trust in his mother and hope that his dream would be realised, that the thought of it all going pear-shaped was devastating.
“Swearing the pox” is a phrase I haven’t heard before, and yet it is so descriptive. Even though I don’t actually know what it means, I can definitely figure out from the context that it’s something extremely bad!
“I-I’m right?” Poor Chris! I reckon it was at about this point that he realised he was sunk, and him holding out for the next twelve hours was just a show of manly pride.
“Sherlock jumped up” I wonder why? Was he bored of his mother’s story? Impatient to collect on his debt? Or just eager to show his parents that their money wasn’t wasted? Whether it was one of these reasons or some other, that childhood conversation obviously had a profound effect on his life to remember it for thirty-two years.
This is delightful story, full of the intricacies of knowing and using your own power for the good of others.
And I think Chris is right – no one NEEDS violin lessons!

I like the character of Linda. As her interaction with Sherlock in the beginning shows, he tires her and has different requirements from other children, but she is used to them and knows how he works, as her reaction to him coming into her room is just to fix it up for both of them only with a "knowing sigh" - she's dealt with Sherlock doing this before. She took Sherlock's announcement that he wanted to learn how to play the violin with surprise, but was also encouraging when she asked him why he was interested so suddenly. Her interactions with him, both that he can wear her out but she loves him and encourages his dreams make her a very believable mother figure.

Sherlock's sly confidence, intelligence came through very well in the scene where he lays the wager, saying that he'll "be able to learn it in four". I suspect that he wants to prove that he'll still be playing the violin and show his parents that he really means it. It's realistic that she has a hard time imagining herself aging as far as Sherlock is proposing the wager to: "I can't even imagine being fifty." It's also nice that she's willing to help him get started by helping to get him a violin teacher and encouraging him any way she can, and that she knows her husband so well that she's sure he'll agree to once he understands the complete situation and with some friendly suggestions on her end. It's sweet how she pats Sherlock on the back to reassure him. It feels very warm andbelievable.

I was surprised that Chris refused at first, although the reasons he cited made sense: Sherlock's insightful and blunt tendencies have caused trouble in the past, such as the incident mentioned when he told his piano teacher that her husband was having an affair. Judging from the description of her "laying the pox on her household", he only managed to make her angry, and Chris doesn't want it to happen again. However, it sounds like Linda knows how to guide Chris into agreeing, since the evidence in the conversation suggests that they've had conversations like this before: "Here we go around the mountain again..." It's interesting how she leaves the ultimate yea-or-nay to Chris, but knows how to guide him into the decision that she feels is best for Sherlock.

I'm glad that Linda's gentle coercion worked on Chris, judging from how he asked "If he does take violin lessons..." He probably does think deep down that it would be good for Sherlock, but was reluctant to agree with Linda immediately because of previous incidents. It was also nice of Uncle Eli to let her know about the violin that was for sale and offer to bring it for Sherlock's use. It seems like Linda set this whole thing up really well, from talking to Eli to her connections at the musical department. I'm glad that, from the sound of her, Josephine is a tutor that Sherlock will like and not accidentally drive away like the piano teacher. It was sweet that Chris acknowledged that Linda helped him make the decision without being upset with her for manipulating her. I can see where Sherlock got his smarts from.

It was wonderful seeing everybody get together thirty-two years later. The snippet of conversation about Karen ("Anyway, after all of that drama...") made the conversation realistic and drew the reader's attention to Sherlock when he interrupted the conversation to show his family that he's been keeping up his violin lessons and improved his playing a great deal. It was also just like him to remember the ten-pound wager after so much time. The happy acknowledgement from Linda that Mrs. Hudson has taken her place as a maternal figure for Sherlock adds a great feeling of the old meeting the new. It's also profoundly sweet that Linda considers the money worth it to see violin lessons have such a positive impact on Sherlock's life: "And it was worth every pence."

I didn't see any spelling errors, so excellent job there, too.

Great job - this story was very sweet, and I love the feeling of the old and the new in Sherlock's life coming together at the end. Thank you for writing this fantastic piece.

Reviewing the story now. I know about Sherlock in BBC, so it's not a problem to me.

I like the first part on how you wrote the interaction between Linda and Sherlock. It's rare to see how Sherlock was when he was growing up in London. Nice to see that touch, even though it's brief.

The wager Sherlock placed with Linda that he could still have a chance to play the violin is... quite interesting to say the least. But I also like it since it's heartwarming between them. Never expected to see that in a Sherlock story, regardless of medium.

It's funny how Chris and Linda, at first, didn't agree on how to get Sherlock to have a music teacher for him. But at the end, they were able to work things out. Heh. A thumbs up on that part. I wish all arguing couples would do that in real life so that it'll save us heartaches and headaches like. I've been there before, directly and indirectly.

The last part of the story is truly where the heartwarming part is when Sherlock's efforts have paid off. This is the part where I really connect with. It does make someone like me cry at the emotion of that part. Although I'm not, so that may be a different story.

I don't think there are errors worth checking since the others have pointed it out. Cheers, mate.

The plot of this fluff is beautiful. I love the idea of showing Sherlock’s early relationship with his mother, and then transitioning the entire story into his adult life. And as a musician myself, I’m always fond of pieces involving Sherlock’s violin skills...those, to me, seem often underplayed in both the BBC series and fanfiction. So bravo to you.

This review is written sequentially to specific scenes in the story.
[“To what...pleasure”] This initial introduction of what Mrs. Holmes says to her son reads a bit awkwardly. Granted, this child is Sherlock Holmes, but he is a child, not an adult. It seems a little bit formal that Mrs. Holmes would greet her son this way. This is, I will admit, more of a personal preference. I do, however, want to note here that the dialogue throughout the entirety of the story seems vaguely formal and forced.

[Well...announcement] This reaction to Sherlock’s request doesn’t reflect well on the fact that this oneshot is -as far as I can tell- from Linda Holmes’ POV. I would suggest that you should express more of how she specifically feels. Unless she’s psychic and can see into the future, it is expected that she wouldn’t have expected such a request from Sherlock. However, you can say how it makes her feel. Is she nervous? Startled? Excited? Tell us about her emotions, and how they affect her thoughts and physical being. Paint us a picture.

[“I thought...so I can do it too.”] This is Sherlock we’re talking about. Does he do anything simply because he thinks it sounds neat? I would suggest that to stay true to his character, he should have a more detailed set of reason for wanting to take up violin.

[“I’m not...do it in four.”] Sherlock’s bold claim here is incredibly true to his character. I love the confidence and logic that this bit of dialogue is saturated with.

[Though she was tempted…] What are Linda’s reasons to want to deny Sherlock’s request? This seems so random. Also, what are the reasons she changes her mind? I feel that this sequence of thoughts could be elaborated upon.

[“Absolutely not..”] There’s a possibility that I laughed out loud, here. In addition to being a really smooth, well written scene change, it’s a great bit of comic relief as well, and an amazing way to introduce Sherlock’s father to the story. Hilarious.

[And when she was alone…] Please don’t begin sentences with “and” if you can help it. I want to point out that you do it again a few sentences later. Just a bit of housekeeping for you.

[Whether Sherlock realized it or not…] This line seems to state the obvious, and is a little out of place in this scene. I understand what you’re trying to convey here, I think that it needs its own scene or story entirely, if you want to write about Mrs. Hudson and Sherlock’s relationship specifically. This story IS more about Sherlock’s biological mother, and the comment about Mrs. Hudson diminishes from that, in my opinion.

[Thirty two years later…] This entire scene is very well done, as far as Sherlock’s characterization. Everything from him interrupting his mother to remembering the ten pound wager to telling about a top secret case screams Sherlock Holmes. I loved it.

This was definitely an enjoyable read. Thanks for taking the time to read what I had to say about it.

It was lovely as are all of your Sherlock stories. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Aww, yes. This is the cute fluffiness I needed this afternoon :D

I love that even if she's given up paid work for her kids, Linda's still a genius, she still reads, she still has her own life that doesn't always involve being addressed as "Mummy." You write little!Sherlock so much like a... puppy... it's just too adorable.

I'm so impressed that Sherlock, at six, can theoretically say "Oistrakh" with no problems! And "estimates" anything. So much a little boy, yet so much of a genius.

[ten-years-old] I'm not entirely sure here, but I think it's "when you're ten years old" and the hyphens come in if you said, say, "Sherlock was a ten-year-old child."

You know, you've once again tumbled to a fascinating aspect of Sherlock's character that had never occurred to me previously - he's portrayed in canon as having absolutely no patience whatsoever, but in order to master an instrument, he MUST have had enough patience to keep trying, and enough humility to learn from someone better than him.

[lay a wager] This seems a little stilted, even for a genius like Sherlock... YMMV!

I like that Linda demands a high standard from Sherlock, even when he's six... asking him to make a lifetime commitment to an instrument he's never tried!

Oh, lol, I could tell that Linda's assurance in Chris was misplaced. I have to agree with him, actually, in spite of what we know about Sherlock's eventual talent. He's evidently ditched the piano and lessons really are expensive. (Item: it's always been my headcanon that Mycroft learned the piano and was quite accomplished... but ditched it as an adult.)

LOLFOREVER at Linda's reverse psychology. My mother knows, even now, that the best way to get me to to NOT do something is to say "Well, I don't care, do as you please!"

[duty as a wife] I'm not sure whether this was meant ironically or not! I'm a little affronted by the idea that someone's happiness is the responsibility of another person, but Linda is not me :p

"If he does..." oh, LOL.

You've captured what Sherlock would designate as his mother's witless babble really well in the time-jump :D

[surrogate] Allll the fans know this is true :D That said, it seemed a little out of place to say it so factually here, instead of showing it? Again, I could be reading it wrong.

AWWW. I love Sherlock the Mummy's boy. :D I'm surprised the cheeky thing didn't demand 35 pounds, factoring in inflation and the fact that it's been more than double fifteen years :p

As a slight Britpick (?) I think the last line would be "every penny", but not completely sure.

So adorable. Well done xx

I'm super sorry about the mess up. Somehow, I got logged out of when I was trying to post the review. No idea how that happened.

Anyway, here is the review under my name:

Thank you for allowing me the honor of being the first person to review.

I was wondering if there was such thing as a Sherlock fanfic involving a wager. I can see Sherlock engaging in one in order to prove a point, but not to the point where humiliation is on the line.

The whole first part is really well written. I love how Sherlock wants to learn how to play violin because he heard a piece by Tchaikovsky, and his mother's reluctance to let him learn. Her reasons why are well founded and relatable for any parent whose ever had a kid come up to them asking to take lessons for something.

Typical Sherlock, estimating that he'll master the violin in four years. :D

I love the banter between Linda and her son when debating on if he'll like it, especially his “how do you now that I won't?” comeback.

I also like the wager that they make. Ten pounds to keep up an instrument until adulthood sounds really reasonable, and a good enough bribe to get a kid to keep it up.

Was not expecting Chris to refuse, but at the same time, I appreciate him holding his ground. The reasons why he won't pay are again, relatable for any family who doesn't have the extra money. I also love the side story about how Sherlock made his piano teacher cry by telling her that her husband was cheating on her.

Well, Linda has a point. Then again, even if the husband hid it, (why do I have the feeling that Sherlock could just tell by smelling the foreign perfume clinging to his clothes and the lipstick marks on his neck?), Sherlock would still know what was going on.

The third part really sets in stone Linda's influence over Chris. It's clear, based on how she is able to use her problem solving abilities to get what she wants, who wears the pants in this relationship.

The ending is pure perfection. It may have been fifteen years past the established wager deadline, but I love how Sherlock wins his bet by playing Tchaikovsky for his mother, in front of witnesses who can back up what he did.

Aww, she knew and all she had to do was make a bet on it. Nice!

What else can I say? It's extremely well written, and I love the premise that Sherlock learned how to play the violin to win a bet. Real life can be a pain, but I'm glad you took the time to write this.

Lovely! Nicely done. ;)