Robert Holmes stood by the window, watching the two figures getting into the waiting car. As it drove off into the night, he turned away with a chuckle. His wife turned on the bedside lamp and looked at him inquisitively.

"It looks like it's just the two of us at breakfast, Miri," he said to her as he climbed back into bed.

She took a second to process the information and then her face lit up with a beatific smile. All these years together and his insides still fluttered when she smiled at him like that.

"He'll probably tell us some nonsense about a case," he added.

Miriam Holmes kissed her husband on the lips and then looked at him with admiration.

"This is better than we hoped for. It was very clever of you to suggest he come to Ruth's wedding."

"The boy needed a little push and I was curious to meet her. Mycroft's reports lack certain details."

Miriam nodded, empathically, "I see now what he sees in her. She's everything a mother can hope for her son. You'll make sure that he keeps her happy, won't you?"

"My dear, I have every faith that Sherlock is perfectly capable of doing that all by himself."