It didn't work, John!

Chapter 5

At half past seven John shook Sherlock's shoulder.
Sherlock looked at him with a scowl.
John knew that he didn't like to be torn from his thoughts, but they were expecting visitors after all, and if Sherlock was allowed to stay in his thought palace, he would probably spend the whole night there. So John decided to get him out of there.
"Come on, Sherlock," he said, "help me in the kitchen, please."
Sherlock looked at him like he'd asked him to kiss Anderson.
He shook his head and closed his eyes.

John shook him again.
"Sherlock, I expect you to get up right now and join me in the kitchen. We've got company coming over, and I could do with your help."
Sherlock opened his eyes, looked up at him.
John put all the strictness at his disposal in his voice and said:
"Now!"
Sherlock nodded, rose and came obediently into the kitchen.
It fascinated John time and again that this man, this incredible, brilliant, stubborn man - bowed to his authority.
A warm wave of affection flowed through him.
Sherlock was something special. And he, John, was allowed to love him. And was loved by him. Wow.

In the kitchen, John asked his fiancé to set the table. For four people.
"Four?" Sherlock asked in surprise.
"Yes," John said. "I'm quite convinced Mycroft will come. He's not going to throw his beloved Gregory to the lion alone, he's going to join the arena."
Sherlock laughed, imitating a lion's roar, then went about setting the table.

The bell rang at eight o'clock sharp. So Mycroft had indeed come along. Greg wouldn't have been so punctual.
While Sherlock went to the front door to save the guests from the noisy chattering Mrs. Hudson (the good lady was very sweet, but sometimes a bit too much trouble), John turned the steaks over, jolted the roast potatoes, mixed the bacon with the beans, mixed the salad one last time.
Greg entered the kitchen in a good mood, sniffed towards the stove and grinned contentedly.
Mycroft looked rather disgruntled.
It was obvious that Sherlock was bursting with curiosity (he would have called it eargerness to learn himself). But John had inculcated in him: first we eat in peace. Then you may attack them with questions.

The food was delicious. Greg tucked in, he hadn't eaten much more than a donut and lots of coffee all day.
Mycroft nodded appreciatively as he tasted the first bites. And having established that the good doctor could indeed cook properly, he ate with good appetite.
Sherlock wasn't hungry, but he ate for John's sake, who had kindly put the smallest steak on his plate.

When John, who enjoyed his role as host, had finally cleared the plates and served espresso, Sherlock looked over at him. John nodded at him.
And now it burst out of Sherlock:
"Now what the hell's my brother got to do with raising kids?"
Mycroft raised his eyebrows.
Sherlock went on:

"Well, Greg, your reaction to my remark to Anderson was very clear. You are one of the most honest people I know and it was obvious that the subject matter had meaning for you and therefore for my brother. At that moment you involuntarily put your hand in your back pocket. It had your wallet in it.
So it is certain that there is something in your wallet that matches the topic you mentioned. What could that be? Well, probably a photograph."
He was watching Greg. Saw his face turn red. Then he nodded.
"The photo of a child... Yes. And since you are so moved by the subject, it should be clear it's your child. That you have with your ex-wife? ... Yes, it's your ex-wife. So this child is in some way intended to influence my brother's competence in child rearing? The only conclusion is that you intend to take the child with you..."
He paused.
Greg turned his face away and swallowed.

Mycroft frowned again.
"Yes, after Greg's wife had kept his daughter away from him for three years, she's decided that teh girl's in the way of her new marriage and wants to put her in a foster-care."
He snorted.

"If I didn't keep an eye on the good side, Greg would never have known about this. We're going to fight this and we're going to take Charlotte to live with us. I've called in my best lawyer. Greg's ex doesn't stand a chance."

"Well, Mycroft... are you sure you want to do this? I mean, you and a child..."
Mycroft sparkled at him.
So did Greg.
Then he snapped at Sherlock:
"Sherlock, I know you can't see this, but Mycroft is one of the most warm-hearted people there is, and he will be a good father to Charlotte!"
To everyone's surprise, Sherlock nodded. He took John's hand in his and said:
"Yes. The little one will be fine with you. And what's more, she will have two uncles to look after her and babysit her when her fathers need, well, some time to themselves. and teach her a lot of things that dads don't allow her to do."
And he smiled the most honest grin he could muster.

"Let's drink to that," said John. He led the others into the living room in front of the fireplace, got the good scotch from the bar compartment and poured it. They sat together for a while and talked, it felt good. Somehow it felt for the first time like what they were: family.

Later, when John and Sherlock were alone, Sherlock asked somewhat uncertainly:
"Have... did I do good, John?"
John looked at him and smiled.
"The uncles thing, Sherlock, I get the feeling you meant that honestly?"
"Yes, John. I did."
He swallowed.
"Was it wrong to say it like that?"
John reached down and kissed him.
"On the contrary, my dear. It was quite wonderful. The best thing you could have said. Besides the little thing that you should have checked with me first... I guess we'll have to discuss the order of things. But since what you said was in line with my thinking, let's leave it at that."
He kissed Sherlock again.
Then he sat astride Sherlock's lap.
"You know, Sherlock," he said, "parallel to the idea that you correct unwanted behaviour by punishing it, there's the other way round."
"What do you mean, John?"
"Well, that you encourage desirable behaviour by rewarding it."
Sherlock licked her lips.
"And you think you can work both... systems... in parallel?"
"Yes, Sherlock, depending on the person's particular behaviour."
Sherlock smiled.
"And then... how did the person in question currently behave?
John kissed him again.
"The person in question has earned a great reward."

And yes, that night, John rewarded Sherlock. Again. And again. And again.