After waiting 23.6 seconds, Sherlock was starting to worry that Molly might have legitimately forgotten how to breathe.

"Sherlock I...but..." Molly stuttered.

The consulting detective could read her doubts as clearly as if they were written on her face.

"You still think you don't matter to me?" The hint of annoyance in his voice was not directed at her, but at himself for his years of taking Molly for granted. "Molly, I have told you ever day how much you matter to me and I will continue to do so everyday, for the rest of our lives. I love you."

Molly stared at him for a moment, searching his face.

"You really do, don't you?"

Sherlock did not answer, he merely took the hand he was holding and placed a kiss upon each of her fingertips. Finally, a smile breaking across her face like a sunrise, Molly nodded.

"Yes, you are a selfish, inconsiderate arsehole. But you are also the cleverest, most loyal and brilliant person I've ever known. And I love you. So yes, Sherlock Holmes, I'll marry you."

"Does this mean I get to plan your wedding?" Mary Watson grinned from her spot on the sofa.

"I get to plan the stag do." John called from the kitchen where he and Molly were attempting to clear away some of Sherlock's experiments before the even considered cooking anything in there. The consulting detective was in his usual chair, arms full of six month old Lucy Watson.

"We haven't even set a date yet." Sherlock grumbled quietly.

"Sherlock, how long has it taken you two to get to this point?" Mary asked, mischievous grin still on her face. "Too bloody long is the answer. So what are you waiting for?"

Sherlock wasn't used to being faced with a question he couldn't answer, it was not a feeling he enjoyed. The detective's eyes found his fiance, who had given up on clearing up experiments and was leaning against the kitchen door-frame.

"I'm fine with any date you want." Molly smiled, shrugging her small shoulders.

"I...well..." A mild hint of panic crept into Sherlock's tone. Though he would never admit it, Sherlock was utterly clueless about weddings and all that went with them. Planning John and Mary's wedding had been easy enough because it was something he could do for them. But this? This was the beginning of his and Molly's life together. What if he chose the wrong date? What if it rained? Or snowed? What if Molly changed her mind? He most certainly would not blame her if she did.

"Look..." Mary started with a sigh "what about August? Nice summer wedding, far enough away that there's time to plan but not long enough to give either of you time to get cold feet." She finished with a giggle and a grin for John who'd taken his place beside her on the sofa.

Sherlock looked to Molly again, letting the decision rest with her.

"August sounds perfect to me. What do you think Sherlock?" Molly crossed to Sherlock's chair, settling herself on the arm and tickling Lucy's tummy.

"August it is then." He looked to Molly, the lopsided smile that he wore only for her gracing his face. Molly leaned towards him, placing the lightest of kisses on his lips. While neither of them were ones for overly passionate displays of affection, even the tiniest looks they shared with each other were full of love.

Mary cheered and clapped. "We have to go dress shopping Molly!"

Molly giggled at her friends enthusiasm. "In that case, I hope you're going to be bridesmaid?"

"Bridesmaid reporting for duty." Mary saluted with a laugh before crossing the room to pull Molly in for a hug. Sherlock cleared his throat and looked to John.

"As you already know yourself John, it is of course customary for the groom to have a best man. And that said best man is usually the groom's best friend. Since you have already done me the honour of asking me to be yours, I would appreciate it you could see your way to return the favour."

That was as close as Sherlock was ever likely to get to uttering the words 'you are my best friend' to anyone.

"Of course I bloody will, mate." John was off the sofa and scooping his daughter into his arms. Settling her on his hip, John gave his best friend no choice but to be pulled into a one armed hug. Sherlock grimaced but let John hug him anyway, he'd long since learned it was easier to just let people get hugs over with than complain about them.

The invitations had all gone out weeks ago, not that the guest list was going to number past 20. And here it was, August 16th. The Big Day. Sherlock sat in his chair, quietly sipping his tea while John rushed about from room to room, making sure Sherlock's suit was laid out for him, then ensuring his own was ready. Molly had spent the previous night at John and Mary's flat, after insisting that there were some traditions she wished to stick to. Mrs Hudson had left an hour ago to join Molly and Mary.

"Okay, that's your suit and shoes ready. Mycroft said he'd send a car over about 12, didn't he?" John asked as he busied himself rearranging things on Sherlock's desk.

"Hmm? Oh, yes." While the consulting detective might have looked the picture of calm on the outside, inside his thoughts were a storm. He was absolutely terrified.

"Right...well, time to get ready then." John announced, clapping his best friend on the shoulder before piratically bouncing up the stairs to his old room. Setting his unfinished tea down, Sherlock drew in a deep breathe before heading to his own bedroom.

The girls sat on Mary's bed, laughing together while Lucy babbled along happily from her cot. Mary was rather deftly braiding Molly's hair, letting the braid finally cascade over her shoulder. Molly's only instruction to Mary was that her hair be parted on the side. The braid was finished with some small yellow flowers placed in Molly's hair, to match her yellow bouquet.

"There we go, all done." Mary announced proudly.

"Oh Molly dear, you look lovely!" Mrs Hudson cooed, tears springing to her eyes and not for the first time that morning.

"Thank you, both of you." Molly beamed, squeezing her friends hands. Surprisingly the bride to be felt remarkably calm. Molly could finally see the puzzle pieces that were hers and Sherlock's relationship fitting together. For just a moment Molly let herself imagine what her parent's would have said had they been there. That thought was quickly banished, Molly staying steadfast that her wedding day was not a day for sadness. And besides, Sherlock's parents had wasted no time in accepting their soon to be daughter in law as their own. Molly had even found Sherlock's father to be somewhat of a kindred spirit.

"Right, time for the blushing bride to get dressed!" Mary retrieved Molly's dress from where it was hanging in her wardrobe. "Mrs Hudson, could you get Lucy ready while I help Molly?"

"Of course dear." Mrs Hudson scooped Lucy up out of her cot and carried the little one through to her own little bedroom.

"You're going to wear a hole in that carpet, mate." John watched Sherlock pace back and forth in front of him. They were seated in a quiet little registry office not far from Baker Street. Sherlock's parent's sat with Lestrade and Mycroft – who'd only agreed to attend after a threat from his mother to make him watch Les Mis again. As Molly wasn't particularly religious and Sherlock had made his views on such matters very well known, they'd decided on a simple registry office ceremony. The reception would be at Angelo's. Molly had requested that Sherlock try not to solve any murders at the wedding, if possible.

"They're late." Sherlock checked his watch for the 36th time since they'd been there.

"Only by 5 minutes. And anyway, bride's prerogative and all that."

Sherlock resumed his pacing. 5 minutes – and 6 watch checks – later Mrs Hudson bustled around the corner with Lucy in her arms.

"Oh Sherlock.." That was all the landlady could get out through her never ending stream of tears. John clapped his friend on the shoulder as they moved to stand at the front of the room, the registrar taking her place in front of them and their guests taking their seats behind.

"Ready, mate?"

Sherlock could only nod in answer, not trusting his voice. The soft sounds of the song Molly had chosen to walk down the aisle to – not that it was really even an aisle in Sherlock's opinion – filled the air. Mary entered first, grinning from ear to ear. Molly followed a few steps behind. Sherlock turned, his breath catching in his throat. His pathologist. His Molly, looking as radiant as the flowers she clutched in her hands. Wearing a simple white dress that suited her perfectly, her hair braided and hanging over her shoulder. Sherlock wondered why on earth he'd ever listened to Mycroft. Caring was in fact, the greatest advantage anyone could ever have, if one had someone like Molly to care for.

Mary took her place beside John, while Molly stopped in front of Sherlock.

"Hello." She said with that almost silent giggle that he so adored.

"Hello." He responded equally as quietly.

Vows were spoken, promises made. Rings placed on shaking fingers. And with a kiss that could have set fire to the room, Sherlock Holmes gave in to all the trappings of sentiment. He'd never regret it for a single second.

AN - Well there you have it. Molly's ring and dress can both be seen in the cover pic for this story if you're interested. Also the song I had in mind for Molly walking down the aisle is Heaven Is by an Irish boyband called Boyzone, give it a listen if you can, I think it's just the sort of song Molly would choose. :)