This was absolutely brilliant, one of the best sherlock ff! You have an amazing talent, and i wouldnt be surprised if u are a real writer or becoming one. This is so well-written, perfectly paced and true to character of each protagonist! Even Gatiss and Moffat would do with a few pointers from you! Absolutely loved it, please write some more ️

This story was beautiful, and I very much enjoyed reading it. Thank you, God bless; and keep writing!

I absolutely loved this collection of stories. Thank you for sharing.

LORD the level of sass in this chapter is GOLD. GOLD I TELL YOU. Mary approves! xD

Hello again!

I know it has been a while, and I actually read this chapter quite some time ago, but never got around to reviewing it, although for some odd reason, I did think I had taken notes on it. Oh well. This review will not be as comprehensive as usual, but I hope you are still glad that I am making the effort, as I always do, to review each chapter, knowing the value of those reviews as a writer myself.

It was fun to watch everyone getting ready for Rosie's birthday party and the various conversations about the games etc. You know I love seeing Sherlock, Molly and their children in a domestic setting. The familial squabbling between the boys resonates of what I see between my own daughters.

I have to say, I'm glad you explained what "Nando's" was later in the chapter, because I too had no idea! Is it a very popular place/chain in London, or something? Is it more than just a restaurant?

Gosh darn it, I am absolutely certain I did take notes on this, because I remember talking about how awesome that photo wall was that you described.

Also, it was great to have Sherlock try and convince Molly to read John's book, while he acts as if it is no big deal.

I enjoyed Sherlock's teasing of Greg about his car as well.

I had to laugh at Mrs. Hudson. She is so very much like the way I portray her as well, one of those women who just says what she thinks and doesn't care what people think about it., She's more like Sherlock than anybody realizes! Her little matchmaking attempt was priceless!

Very interesting, what you wrote about the updated Cluedo. Sign of the changing times. In my own honeymoon story, I wrote about the way three of the original tokens for the game had been changed. Kind of sad, the way there seems to be this constant need to update classic games.

Okay, now I know absolutely that I did make notes on this, and I have a feeling I tried to review it and it just didn't post, and I didn't know it. Then I must have deleted my notes. I remember clearly writing about the funny way Sherlock and Greg were competing for the last piece of cake, and how I loved the way Molly won and how Sherlock lunged over to kiss her so he could get a bit of the cake. I thought that was completely adorable, and I love that little glimpse that shows how much they are still in love after so many years. It also says a lot for Sherlocks comfort level in public displays of affection.

Sherlock's gift to Rosie was lovely, as was the conversation that followed. Beautifully written.

And a lovely ending to the chapter as Sherlock and Molly have that conversation, and he tries to get her to read the book. So cute.

Well, it looks as if I've done a decent job with the review after all! Wouldn't you love it if every leader was as comprehensive? ;) I know I would. Not that I would complain about even a "great chapter"review. It's very validating to be appreciated.

Awesome story! I was on the edge of my seat with every new chapter. I love how it had fluff, angst and intrigue. I even started to think that Vivian was Mary's mom so I'm disappointed not to have learned the contents of the file. All in all good job!

Loved this chapter!

It was so sweet, the way Sherlock had missed Molly so much after being away for two weeks, and that he was in a hurry to get some "alone time" with her. I can totally relate (having made two 3 1/2 weak trips to Australia without my husband, Who can't stand the idea of flying so far). Being absent from your spouse for so long, certainly makes the heart grow fonder for them when you return. Loved, loved that feeling of urgency to be with her.

Of course, you had to throw a spanner in the works as usual, didn't you? You i'e very good at those untimely interruptions! Ha ha, reminds me of the timely interruptions in my own major story. (Note - untimely in your case, timely in mine as they were trying to wait for r the wedding night).

The whole lead-up was very sexy and fun and showed how much they still love each other. I think that is one of the reasons I love this story so much, because you take it so far into the future, and still show the passion between Sherlock and Molly. I don't think many writers would be able to do this, unless they were in a relationship of their own that was long-lasting. I love the idea of established Sherlolly that Includes children, and you really fulfill that desire within me. I have a story started that takes place 10 years into the future with my Sherlock and Molly, but I'm not sure I would take it as far into the future as you have. So I think your story is an excellent example for readers to see that passion can indeed extend many years, a lifetime, in fact.

Anyway, sorry for the tangent. Back to the story.

I also love the way you show that Sherlock can still make Molly blush. I totally agree with that, that she will always be like that. It just fits into my perception of her.

"Bedroom - now", so easy to imagine Sherlock's commanding tones. Totally sexy! And the bedroom scene before the interruption was incredibly romantic, sexy and beautifully written.

Then, the way you seamlessly change the whole chapter into something that was so much more serious, was amazing. The whole William thing and Sherlock's reaction, and subsequent nightmares was really well done.

I loved the way you showed Sherlock and Molly talking about things, and her gentle direction for him.

It's funny, lately I've been thinking about Mary's death, and Sherlock's guilt about it. While I do think it is normal for him to feel that way, and he did play a part in it, I think his guilt exceeds his culpability. I think Vivian had that gun on her for a reason, and that she always intended to shoot Sherlock. The fact that he made those arrogant deductions probably did not make a difference.

I love the way Molly explained to Sherlock that his confession to Rosie might actually change Rosie's perception of her mother more than her perception off him, because of the choices Mary made. She chose Sherlock over her own child, even if it wasn't deliberate. That could be a bitter pill to swallow. It was a brilliant piece of writing and completely logical. I also really liked the way you addressed the fact that Norbury still has the power over them because she is still out there, even if in prison, and that what she did still affects Sherlock so many years later. Of course, she would have to have been extremely old by this point LOL.

"It was a lot bloody easier when I didn't do feelings." Great line. Oh, Sherlock, you have gained so much and you know it! I love the way he listens to Molly and her clever thinking. They have such a wonderful connection. Talking things out with a spouse is so much easier than trying to go it alone.

Love the "your arse is still as gorgeous.." line. It is something I think is important for people to understand. When you have been married for a long time, there's no reason to not continue to flirt with one another and kiss one another frequently. I think it's extremely important to keep that up, to continue the romance, as it were. And oh yes, I think we can all agree that Sherlock has a very sexy bum!

Thank you for writing a story that comes off as being completely realistic, rather than fanciful. You really get to the heart of things, in a way I feel is important when writing realistic fiction, as I also try to do. The serious conversations are such a big part of that in adding realism. You don't see that with a lot of writers, most of whom are writing for pure entertainment. I don't feel you write that way at all. You show life lessons as well and that is why I gravitate towards your writing, because it reflects my own way of thinking and writing style.

Thanks again.

I feel I must mention where you talk about Teddy's growth spurt. My oldest daughter is exactly my height, but my second daughter is now taller by several inches, and the third is quickly creeping up on me. So I totally understand how Molly feels LOL

I like the way you are putting in these hints of a future relationship between Rosie and Will, they are obviously very comfortable together and text each other a lot.

Had to laugh at Rosi taking a picture of the banana bread to send to Will!

I also liked the little talk where Molly shared about her own mother dying. It is so sweet that they can talk together that way. It shows Rosie's absolute comfort with her godmother.

Of course it makes perfect sense that Rosie doesn't remember her mother, she was only a baby after all, but I can see that it weighs on her.

Absolutely hilarious idea for that T-shirt for Sherlock's birthday, what a brilliant thought! John has certainly used many rather unpleasant terms to describe Sherlock in the past!

The whole scene with the box of Mary's things is so well written as well, and it makes complete sense that Mary would have been compiling something for Rosie "just in case". I definitely think she would have had contingency plans in case she could not be there for her daughter, and of course the DVD proves that. The imagery of her perfume wafting up into the air is lovely. And it is believable that the smell would bring back memories of Molly's friend.

The postcard is very intriguing, I am assuming at some point that will come into play.

And how interesting that you are showing the scene where Rosi finds out that Molly was engaged to someone else before Sherlock. I enjoyed the way you wrote the conversation, and I feel the same way, that Molly was engaged for an awfully long time and that in the end they split because she realized he was her second choice. My head canon is that she broke up with him immediately after the wedding that night, and a couple of my stories reflect that as well. I think that night was the catalyst, when you really saw that Molly is still in love with Sherlock, and she recognizes it for himself and how unfair she has been to Tom (ever notice the way she can't stop looking at Sherlock when he's playing the violin during the wedding dance, rather than looking at John and Mary?). The length of her engagement is the whole premise for one of my own short stories, you have to feel sorry for Tom!

We are also on the same page that Molly did not know about Mary's past until after her death. I don't think they had the chance to become close enough for Mary to divulge that sensitive information. My personal head canon is that Molly had no idea Mary is the one who shot Sherlock until later either. I actually have a premise that it is something she only finds out when Sherlock tells her after Sherrinford, which is post season four (and it comes as a big shock too).

Lovely chapter, as always!

Great bunch of stories. Well done.

Sorry it's been a while. I read this chapter some time ago but it was on the bus so I couldn't make notes. So finally I am going to go through it again quickly and make a few so I can review (I know most people won't review if they are in a place where it isn't convenient to do so, I don't like to miss reviewing a worthwhile read, even when it means I have to come back to it). My philosophy, if it's with reading, it's worth reviewing.

Oh, learning an instrument with a parent. I can understand the difficulty, my own girls don't want to learn for me even though I am a professional opera singer, and I refuse to pay someone else to teach them singing. When I trieyto give them pointers, they don't take it well because I'm their mum. So ,good for Sherlock for sticking with teaching his son violin!

Liked the marble run thing and I can just imagine how convoluted those things can be!

Liked the exclamation about the dogs name and type of dog.

My goodness, how brave of Rosie to travel alone on the Tube alone at such a young age.

"No hairbrush" Yup, I can relate to that one. My girls hated having a hairbrush because of sensitive scouts. My middle daughter still hardly ever brushes her hair and it is always a mess of tangles much to my distress.

So, Rosie learned a little more about her mother's death. Well, it had to happen. I hope when she knows all the details she will not think less of her Uncle Sherlock, blame him the way John did erroneously.

How cute that Bea set up the bed for Rosie (with Will's help of course).

Gotta laugh at the reactions of the kids when Bea said that Sherlock and Molly were kissing. I have older kids and They still find it embarrassing when my hubby and I kiss in front of them. But what the heck, I don't care, and I just tell them they should be glad their parents love each other!

Liked Sherlock's quip about having to sell one of the children to pay for dinner, cute! Liked Molly's response, too.

As usual, a lovely chapter with many clever little things throughout. Thank you for an always fun read.

First off, cute chapter title! And Bea/bee, I get it!

I absolutely love the terms besotted and smitten. You don't hear them very often anymore, but they are words that indicate wholehearted devotion and that is the way I sometimes describe Sherlock and Molly's love as well, as seen by others. I can eill see Sherlock feeling that way about his daughter. I definitely think he would spoil a daughter as well.

Had to laugh about Molly's reaction to the stabbing with the kissing and the shouting. Ha ha, I guess that was confusing, but of course she would've been concerned and relieved at the same time.

Going into labour early, not fun! And both of them being wheeled up to the maternity ward, oh dear! At least Sherlock was there.

Have to give credit forMolly having two vbac's after an initial caesarean. Did you ever say why she had a caesarean the first time? I don't recall.

Poor Sherlock, trying to explain the c-section.

And oh, I adored the "special cuddle" idea much more than the idea of explaining the anatomical process of sex. Was Molly really so specific in her description to a seven-year-old? I'm definitely in Sherlock's camp on that one. No need to explain such adult things to such little ones. Plenty of time for them to be grossed out at the idea of it later!

It was really funny though, how Rosie asked if his "special cuddle" was the same as sex.

"Corrugated evidence" LOL. Even though she said the wrong word, that's still an impressive word for a little girl to say!

Sherlock, the doting dad and family man - oh my heart! Time to get Moffiss to read our stories and see how it can be believably done without losing his identity as a detective.

*sniffs* This chapter really made me tear up.

It's out in the open now. Sherlock's place in Mary's death. I was holding my breath for most of the chapter. (Well I mean, I obviously breathed a little in there somewhere. No passing out for me!)

You did it justice. You really, really did. From the way Rosie found out - an old newspaper article - to phoning John for permission to disclose that difficult truth, to Sherlock banishing himself to the garden afterward to deal with his emotions, and Rosie's acceptance and easy forgiveness - were beautifully, realistically written. Sherlock's introspection was wonderfully written. He still feels so much guilt over Mary's death, and I'm glad he has Molly to help him through it. I loved Rosie's strength in this chapter, her questions and gentle pleading insistence on the truth, and I am so, so incredibly relieved that she takes after Mary in the 'not holding grudges' department. I was prepared for a John-like blow up, but I'm so glad it didn't happen. And then I thought - it really makes sense that it didn't happen, because most of Rosie's confusion and anger would be directed at Mary. There's still so much truth to come out, still, about her, and I feel for Rosie, deeply.

And then there's those beautiful little pieces of humor to lift me up - Sherlock being a sports dad and his observations on the competitiveness of pre-teen girls, 'Angry Vivaldi', and *places hand over heart and tears up again* trying to fit everyone on the sofa.

Thanks again for a great chapter!

Yay! Molly is pregnant again! I am definitely in favor of multiple babies between Molly and Sherlock!

What a funny scene to imagine with the security dye pack exploding. For some reason I was thinking it was blue, until you said it was red, I believe I have seen blue ones here or heard of them. The idea of Sherlock having the red in his hair is funny. And the comment by Rosie was even more funny about it covering his grey ha ha.

Molly and her quip about the hat. I think she hates it as much as Sherlock does, because it covers that gorgeous hair.

I also really enjoyed the way Sherlock was wondering how he ever solved cases without having Molly there to kiss afterwards, and of course to do more with, before the kids came along! Totally get that!

Oh my goodness, I really like the way you have begun to address the whole thing with the aquarium/Mary's death. I can imagine how difficult it would be to explain to a six-year-old anything about what happened.

Oh, I had to laugh at the handcuffs scene and what Sherlock said to the boys. It's nice that they got the treehouse. And oh, the image of Teddy in Molly's silk nightie and a macaroni necklace just cracked me up!

I can totally understand Sherlock still feeling guilt over what happened, the pain and loss will never go away, but I'm very glad that Molly has been there to help him get through it and to continue supporting him. Learning to forgive ourselves as well as others is an important life lesson.

Such a sweet gesture of Sherlock to buy the echo octopus, it just goes to show that he pays attention and cares so much about Rosie. It is truly heartwarming.

The idea of going to the beach sounds fun, and I thought it was so funny the way Sherlock was not at all happy about it. Really liked his little oblivious out loud and inappropriate talk about solving a murder at the one beach and the way Molly said they would go to the other one LOL. May I ask where those beaches are?

But oh, did I laugh at the whole idea of the boys finding that man's thong. Tell you a little secret. In my story, Molly got one of those on her hen night from Mrs. Hudson for Sherlock, and the poor guy was quite mortified when he found out. That is most definitely something a man would only wear for a special occasion, and one he most definitely would not want his kids seeing it, So I absolutely loved the humour of it. I'm sure that kind of thing has happened to people in real life! Absolutely hysterical to know that John was there and saw it as well. Can you say "mortified" in that case as well?

I really enjoyed the way you balance the humour with the serious. It is so important in a story to do that, so thank you for always delivering!

Ah, loved this chapter. I know, I'm beginning to sound like a broken record. Your married Sherlock and Molly resonate so closely with the way I see them, as being very emotionally stable, loving, devoted to one another and yet still very passionate.

The image of Molly holding the new baby at the beginning was so sweet. I'm glad that Sherlock decided to take some time off from cases. I well remember adjusting from one child totwo was a big one, because all of a sudden you have to learn to divide your attention. Going from 2 to 3 though is a cakewalk, because you have already learned the art of dividing that attention!

To laugh at all the antics with William and his wanting to "mend" Sherlock.

"We'll just have to keep going until one of them looks like Molly." Once again you're Sherlock is so like mine. Mine has the same kind of conversation with Molly about wanting at least one of each, no matter how long it takes, at which point Molly set him straight! Definitely a bit not good for him to make that comment to John though when Teddy is less than a month old!

I love how you set up that whole thing with Rosie and the bed and her sudden fear of not being wanted. The foldaway bed thing was rather funny too and William wanting one of his own.

I had to laugh at William's solution about giving Teddy back to the hospital, and Sherlock's response. Only he would think to say something funny like that about the return policy rather than scolding William and saying you don't return family members.

"I'm not going to apologize for loving my wife in a thorough and energetic manner." Absolutely love the banter and again it strikes a chord with me as being very similar to the way my Molly and Sherlock behave after they are married. I love sexy banter and flirtation, it never gets old! (Not even after 20 years of my marriage).

And I knew a change of location was in the works! Pretty quick work and I can totally believe Sherlock doing all the research about it. He researches everything! Glad they found a place so quickly. I can imagine it cost an arm and a leg as well.

I really love that you had them take Rosie there by herself so they could give her their undivided attention. And when Sherlock says that "the five of us" I knew he was thinking about baby number three! Give Molly time to recover, man!

And gosh darn it, my Sherlock had trouble assembling a cot-bed too, I just don't see him as the handyman type. He would be all gung ho about being able to do it and then mess up royally. Sherlock must have some flaws after all! It is eerie how similarly you portray him as a couple to my own way of looking at them.

We need to get the writers of Sherlock to read these types of stories to prove they could make him a family man and make it work believably. He doesn't have to lose his identity as a detective just because he is married. It gives him added depth as a character, more dimension. It's actually quite a logical thing in my opinion to show his development that way, especially how it is possible after Sherrinford.

The conversation about Mary was very sweet, and the way Molly told Sherlock he would never let Mary down. I do think he will always feel a measure of guilt about her death, even though it really was not his fault, it is human nature to blame ourselves for things and second-guess our actions when things go wrong.

I like the idea of their joined hands and how Molly looks at them and never get tired of it. I never get tired of holding my husband's hand either. It's the little things, the sweet touches, the little kisses that means so much in a continuing bond with your spouse.

I like how Molly said about her unending faith in "us," rather than "me," as Sherlock had suggested she has. Her love has always been a constant as far as I'm concerned throughout the series, even when she was engaged to Tom, it was still there.

And haha, I like the way Molly picked up on the "five of us" thing and how Sherlock ended up saying about a couple of the rooms being quite large and able to accommodate Sharing a room - he has a one track mind, doesn't he?

Love the cute little flirtiness at the end and the idea of saying goodbye to the old sofa!

Sherlock/Molly flirtation/playfulness/sexy banter is always a winner in my book!

Beautiful, as always!

This was such a fun chapter! I loved that it was a bit lighter for a change, though still excellently portrayed the bittersweet essence of children growing up. Right away, Molly's bemused observance that children 'helping' set up for the party doesn't exactly entail much helping at all made me laugh. I loved feeling like I was sitting quietly in a corner, observing all the sights and sounds and familiar love of a close family celebrating a birthday. It was so /real/.

The sibling banter about games, the Will's growing relationship with Rosie, and all of the subtle, gentle signs of the passage of time (Greg's retirement and classic car; 'the hair' John knew and loved; the party at Nando's and Ubers. Mrs. Hudson mistaking Will for Sherlock.) were lovely. I feel like some weird affectionate distant cousin who just wants to lovingly give hugs and pat heads and kiss cheeks and sit their silently beaming at everyone and man, can I seriously just pop into their kitchen for an hour? Would that be too much to ask?

I adore that John is writing a book! ACD blog-to-book awesomeness for the win!

The affection and love in this chapter is palpable. The ease with which everyone talks, teases, plays Cluedo - all of it is so wonderfully written. Everyone's gifts for Rosie were lovely - and Sherlock's - oh, that chair, that speech! *wipes eyes, clasps hands over heart*. He has always been eloquent when he wants to be, and Rosie's sixteenth birthday was no exception.

As always, Molly's observance and reassurance of Sherlock throughout the evening (nudging his calf with her foot under the table, her little smiles, her hand at the small of his back) were a lovely testament to their deep and abiding love for each other.

Either you have been blessed with a family that is as wonderful and happy and supportive as Molly and Sherlock's, or you have an extremely good imagination for it. I hope it's the former. Thanks for this!