Scene inspired by the cutest youtube video ever, absolutely look up 'Sweet Baby Experiences Rain For the First Time'. OMG. For those inquiring about Nicholas, you can read all about his adventures in my other fic titled "Just Like Da"

"There we are, look at that, isn't it pretty?" Ashwini gripped Anthea's fingers before she dropped down to her knees, the lilac bushes just out of reach of her little hands.

Home

Now it was a proper home. Ashwini was properly theirs, already Molly was calling her 'Winnie' for short, and Mycroft supposed it was a charming enough nickname. His daughter, (good heavens, that was new) adapted beautifully to her surroundings, and was content especially in her mummy's arms. Mycroft begrudgingly admitted that Sherlock was right. The first morning home, Mycroft had risen to peek into the nursery. There by the window as the sun was rising stood Anthea, bathed in the morning glow, Ashwini cradled in her arms. Mycroft was quite certain this was what good men went to war for. Days were busier than ever, and both were loathe to hire a nanny yet. Anthea could easily work from home, and Mycroft had no qualms about it. Until things ultimately settled though, he alternated days at the office unless there was a crisis that he had to fly out for. He didn't often get to hold Ashwini, too busy, was his excuse, but he did smile at her, and he spoke to her when they were in the same room.

A whole month after her home-coming, Mycroft took a precious day off, of his own accord. Or at least it was a day off by their standards, which meant at least two laptops were running and emails were constantly checked, but then, at least they weren't at the office.

Ashwini, just over a year now, got around rather quickly on her hands and knees, though walking and running were well under-way. Her motor skills were not as keenly developed, having been in a very small and overcrowded orphanage, but the pediatrician said that once in her own home, Ashwini would flourish, and indeed she had.

So much space! So many things to do and touch and see and explore.

"I think crawling is faster for her, for now," Mycroft said as Ashwini made her way across the lawn to the flower beds.

"For now," Anthea agreed, coming to stand beside him. Her phone beeped in her pocket. "Oh, bollocks, watch her for a few minutes, it's those papers from South Korea, I'll be ten minutes," she said, starting to head into the house, pausing to pick up Ashwini, giving her to her father.

"But-" he struggled with the baby until he was able to right her, boosting her up a little with his knee.

"She's alright, just keep her out of the flower beds!" Ashwini, seeing her mother leave, opened her mouth and began to bawl.

"Oh- bollocks," he muttered, startled by the sudden tears.

"Just calm her down," Anthea called, phone to her ear, hand over the receiver. She disappeared from view again, heading to the office.

"Um…just calm the child," he groused. "Yes, of course," he bounced up and down, trying to keep his own heart-rate down. Babies sense stress, like dogs. Perhaps that wasn't a good comparison. "Shall I set you down?" he asked her. No. Don't ask questions, just do, that's what Anthea's book said. "I'll set you down." Once on the lawn, Ashwini broke off fistfuls of grass, still sobbing. Mycroft, hands on his hips, watched her. If she was determined to cry, then there was nothing he could do about it. Besides children at this age suffered separation anxiety. What did that bloody book say to do? Oh, distract the child. Well then, what to do about that?

By chance, a fat rain drop landed squarely on Ashwini's head, then another, and another. She stopped crying for a moment, so startled at whatever was dropping onto her. She touched her head, letting out a feeble sob. She looked upwards to the grey sky, as another drop of rain fell, and another. She giggled, holding her hands out as it began to rain.

"It's raining," he said. "Time to go inside," he reached for her.

"No!" she insisted, but he picked her up. The clouds opened up just as he reached the back steps. Ashwini let out a squeal, long and shrill, struggling to get out of his arms.

"You'll be ill," he said. He set her down to open the door, but she scurried out of his grasp, running out to the lawn again, holding her arms out, hands opening and closing. After a moment she gave a joyful stomp, managing a little hop. She turned holding her arms up and laughing.

"Da!"

And there it was.

He stopped, standing in the rain, watching his, yes, his, daughter, laugh and giggle at her first summer rain, trying to catch every drop in her hands. He watched, amused and yes, even marveling as she gleefully stood, getting wetter by the minute, studying her surroundings. After a moment, common sense got the better of him.

"Come here," he said, crossing the short distance between them, his tone light. "You'll get sick,"

"No!" she laughed. He gave her bottom a light pat.

"Yes," He set her in the doorway. "We can watch from here-" but she squirmed out from between his legs, out into the rain again, arms outright. Bloody hell, it was like Sherlock all over again! She whirled around, hands opening and closing, her dark eyes sparkling with excitement as if to say 'See? Don't you see how wonderful this is?!'

She licked her upper lip, tasting the water on her skin, laughing up at him. She waved her arms and jumped again, so very pleased at this new sensation. He came to stand with her, and she held onto his trouser leg, holding her free hand up to the sky grasping at the air. His waistcoat was now properly ruined by the rain, his shirt well and truly soaked. Their hair clung to their scalps, but the rain was not cold, and there was no breeze or chill. Ashwini looked so very happy and pleased with herself, he didn't even mind. He couldn't mind. Not when she was so intent on sharing her joy with him.

"What on earth are you doing?" Anthea cried from the doorway. Mycroft scooped up Ashwini.

"Now see we're both in trouble," he murmured in her ear before sitting down in the doorway. Anthea fetched towels and Ashwini stood still while he rubbed her down, wrapping her up in another dry towel.

"Bring her in, quick!" Anthea worried.

"It's very warm out," Mycroft said. Ashwini stood, bundled up between her father's knees, his arms tucked around her small frame.

"But-"

"Look at her, 'Thea," he said quietly. Ashwini was quiet now, watching the back yard change, flowers drooped under the weight of the rain, petals scattered and soggy along the flower beds. Everywhere there tracks of water running down, off of grass, off the fruit tree, down the banister and steps. "She likes it."

"I think you do too," he looked up as she bent, pressing a kiss to his forehead. She sat down, squeezing herself next to him in the doorway, resting her head against him. In a few moments, the showers passed and Mycroft stood, but Ashwini did not reach for Anthea, she held onto Mycroft's hand, tugging him along inside. "Bath time," Anthea said. "That's all you, papa."

"Well…er-" he began, suddenly realizing he'd never bathed a child before.

"I've already got everything set out and ready, just strip her down and don't let the soap get in her eyes." Another kiss, and then Anthea was down the hallway, back to dealing with South Korea. Ashwini had removed the towel, dragging it along behind her. "You'll be fine," Anthea called from the office.

"Right," he murmured, and picked up Ashwini, heading upstairs.

Anthea smiled to herself, knowing the bathroom would be an absolute mess after Ashwini's bath. But then, she was fairly certain Mycroft would enjoy that too.