Only Yours

Epilogue

'It's hard.' Jacob says softly as he stares at the row of graves. 'I barely remember them. I don't feel as if I can say that, though. I don't feel as if I can let anyone know that I don't remember my brothers. I can hardly picture Saphira's face. And my fathers...'

'No one can blame you.' Mycroft says, face pinched. He's an old man now, almost eighty years old, but his brain is as fast as always. 'You were young, Jacob.'

Ellen sniffs and Liam holds her hand gently. 'It's ok, mum.' He says bravely. 'It's ok.'

They are all gathered here, staring at the row of graves, remembering the day that destroyed all of their lives.

'It was in the newspapers this morning.' Jacob adds, one finger tracing his shirt, fingering the scar that sits there, a constant reminder of the destruction. 'And I passed it this morning. So many flowers...'

'I read it.' Irene whispers. 'I read the entire article, bought it with me here. I wanted to read it aloud for them. Sherlock and William would have found it hilarious-' she dissolves into a fresh wave of tears and Harry Watson supports her with one arm, gently wiping away the tears.

'Read it, Jacob.' Mycroft says, lips tightening. 'You're meant to be the best at that, aren't you?'

Jacob shoots a lopsided grin at the man who raised him since the accident. It may have appeared that Mycroft Holmes had no time for his brother or his brother's children but Jacob couldn't have imagined going anywhere other than to Mycroft, after it happened.

Jacob clears his throat and begins.

'Today marks the twentieth anniversary of the tragic accident that robbed the world of esteemed consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, then 51, and his family, John Watson (56), William Holmes (22) and Hamish and Saphira Watson-Holmes (17).

They were killed by a bomb planted by none other than James Moriarty, who it was believed was dead. His body, and that of his son Joseph's (23), were also recovered.

The youngest son of Sherlock Holmes, Benedict (now 26), survived the explosion. After the accident, Benedict was adopted by his father's brother and went on to become a famed British actor, starring in several great motion pictures and has since become one of Britain's national treasures.

The tragedy of the Baker Street Bomb has stayed with us in England ever since, especially considering Sherlock and his family had become one of the best loved families in our country. What was especially heart-wrenching was that William Holmes had welcomed his first son, Liam Jonathan, with girlfriend Ellen Freeman just a few weeks previously.

This horrific trail of horror left, and still leaves, all of us who knew the Watson-Holmes family, both personally and through the press, saddened and upset as we remember those who left us.'

As Jacob finishes the article Irene starts crying again, remembering her lost son. Ellen is clutching Liam, now twenty years old, tighter and the son of William Holmes shakes his blonde, curly head hard, trying to stop the tears from flowing down his face.

Jacob straightens himself and begins the yearly tradition. He walks past each grave, starting with Saphira Violet Watson-Holmes, 06/12/2005-18/6/2022. He then trails his hand along Hamish Mycroft Watson-Holmes, 06/12/2005-19/6/2022 and William Sherlock Hamish Holmes 17/18/2000-25/6/2022.

Finally he reaches the double grave of John H. Watson, 05/09/1966-19/6/2022 and W. Sherlock Scott Holmes, 19/7/1971-19/6/2022.

'Saphira was killed first.' Mycroft says quietly. 'Instantly. Then Hamish the next morning. John died mid-afternoon the same day, and Sherlock almost immediately after. They were holding hands.'