Secret Untold || SHERLIAM || Female William James Moriarty AU

Chapter 5: The Announcement

"Everyone, I have a story of my own" The whole guests at the universal export looked at Lilliana, who was sitting at the head of the second table opposite of Sherlock who was also sitting at the head of the other table.

Sherlock smiled at Lilliana and also intrigued on what she will be saying at the same time.

"But first, I would like to thank everyone for waiting for me, having hope in me. I am incredibly proud of how far all of you had come. Especially you, Louis. You are stronger than ever and Albert and I are so proud of you" She spoke in a gentle yet firm voice as she looked at Louis.

"Before I could freely move my body around, while I had just woken up from my comatose, I felt lost. I did not know the true purpose of living and I didn't know what to do from that point onward. I remembered the days that I sat on my own bed, contemplating why I was still alive"

She paused as looked at her husband, smiling. Sherlock gave Lilliana a warm and encouraging smile, which seemed to give her the strength to continue.

"But then, I found my purpose again," she said softly. "It was all of you who reminded me why I kept going. I had indulged myself in a fantasy where all of us reunited and was living happy under the same roof again and there was one person, in particular, who saved me in ways I never thought possible."

She looked directly at Sherlock, her eyes shining with gratitude and love. "and so.. when Sherlock suddenly got down on one knees and asked 'Liane, will you be mine, today, tomorrow and always and be my wife?' I was shocked, ecstatic because how could a person like him love someone like me nevertheless, I said yes"

She looked at Billy, "At the altar with Billy as the officiant, we shared our vows, sealing our fate together. I still remember it as clear as the day. It truly was the happiest day of my life."

She smiled, her eyes glistening. "From the day I woke up, I have been trying to find my own way to atone but no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to find the right answer and once again, I started to lost hope in myself but..."

She breathed deeply as she continued. "Somewhere along those dark days, I had an epiphany"

Sherlock widened his eyes, he remembered this.

"Even though flames do flicker and never uphold their shape.. they will never cease to be flames and I realised that constant change is the essence of the matter.. It's okay to feel lost, to feel troubled and it's important to feel so in order to live. There is no correct answer to atonement and there might be none at all... but that shouldn't be the reason not to pursue an answer so I kept searching and searching.."

Lilliana looked at Sherlock, eyes filled with nothing but love and adoration.

"If I made any mistakes along the way, I want you to help me correct them, to keep the fire in mg heart ablaze and to have the luxury of living together  and share our worries together"

" 'Even in my own way of atonement there is no certainty. Just like a lighthouse guides ships across the waves, I also need you to steer me straight should I stray off the path and I want you to live with me, too'" Sherlock continued. "Liane.. everything you said, it was our vows" Sherlock spoke, his eyes getting teary.

She smiled warmly at Sherlock, her eyes shining with gratitude and love. "Sherlock, you have been my rock, my confidant, and my greatest love. You saw me for who I truly am, beyond the disguise, beyond the masks. You gave me the courage to embrace my true self."

Sherlock's eyes glistened with emotion as he met her gaze. The room was silent, captivated by the intimate moment between the couple.

"And now, during the last three months we have been apart. I discovered something and I have to share with all of you," Lilliana continued, her voice steady but filled with excitement.