Three weeks had passed since Sherlock found out what the note ment and nothing had happened. Well, that wasn't right. He and John had gotten to know Minerva more and even the dog seemed to tolerate them. Also, December had rolled around and it was a day before Christmas.
Sherlock was currently at the shopping centre, looking for a present to give to John. Usually, he wouldn't buy presents, as it was some sort of sentiment, but doing it just felt right. He had already walked through countless ailes, getting more annoyed by the minute. Eventually he ended up in an aile, wich had the perfect gift for his flatmate. Sherlock smiled, as he grabbed it. John would love it.
***********************
The flat in 221B Baker street lit up in all colours. Christmas feeling was in the air, you could smell it. Well, not literally. John had forgot to set a timer and the biscuits burnt in the stove. But apart from that it was a wonderful feeling. The doctor had bought a gift for Sherlock a week ago. It was a blue wool scarf. He hoped that the detective would like it.
***********************
The attic flat, on the other hand, wasn't as bright as the one downstairs. Only one light was lit in the room. Minerva sat on the floor, stroking Archie, who was lying on her lap, refusing to leave. The woman knew, that it would only be her and the dog this evening, while everyone else was celebrating. It was sad, yes, but this evening would hold a bad surprise.
***********************
"Is everything ready?" A man inquired.
"Yes everything is prepared." Another voice answered.
"Perfect."
***********************
The little party at Sherlock's and John's flat was wonderful.
"Oh, this is just beautiful, boys." Mrs. Hudson cheered. It was a wonderful evening indeed. Everyone was there: Molly, Mrs Hudson, Lestrade even Mycroft had called once. Christmas was really the most magical time of the year.
"She's right, you did a great job." Lestrade confirmed. The little meet up was exactly what he needed to get work out of his mind, at least for a few moments.
The comfortable atmosphere was penetrated by loud voices, coming from the attic flat.
One of the voices was so familiar, Greg knew exactly who it was and he never tought that he would ever hear her yelling.
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"Why do you spent Christmas alone? That's not what mom would have wanted!" Cordelia shouted at her sister.
"First, that is none of your business, second, I don't care what she would have wanted!" Minerva yelled back.
"You never spent Christmas with us, you've been shutting yourself out!"
"Oh, so now it's my fault?! You've always been that naive, oblivious, ignorant moron!"
"At least I have people who care about me!"
"At least I know when I hurt someone!"
"AT LEAST I WAS WANTED!" Cori yelled, unaware what her words would do.
"What?" Minerva couldn't believe her ears.
"Minnie, I-I'm sorry, I-I shouldn't -" Her sister tried to apologize, but fell silent when she saw, that the face of the woman opposite her hardened.
"Get out."
"W-What?"
" I said: GET. OUT. NOW!" Minerva pointed to the door, while trying to hold back her tears.
She slammed the door, after her sister was out of her flat. The tears she held back, now had a clear path and rolled down her cheeks as she made her way to the sofa and sat down. Archie, whom she had forgotten about, jumped on the sofa next to her and laid his head onto her lap.
"I'm sorry, you had to hear all that. Merry Christmas, Archie." Minerva sniffled, as she wiped her tears away.
*******************
221B had fallen dead silent. The sisters' argument still echoed in the walls. In the hallway, Cordelia's footsteps could be heard before finally a door closed.
"That was...intense." John was the first to speak up.
"I will go, check on her." Mrs. Hudson excused herself and made her way upstairs.
Again the flat was silent. Sure, everyone was shocked, but Sherlock had taken advantage of the fight, to study each person in the room.
Molly had looked mostly scared, Mrs. Hudson's face had been plastered with worry, John was still struck by shock and Lestrade... he had dilated pupils and his facacial expression showed a mix of worry and surprise.
"Greg, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you work with Minerva?" Sherlock inquired. The DI nodded.
"What was she like?" The Detective asked.
"Well, definitely not like this. She was more relaxed, I think. But that was seven years ago." Greg answered.
"Relaxed? I thought that word didn't exist in her vocabulary. When she's working, she seems more stiff to me." Molly spoke up.
Silence again.
*********************
Shortly after her sister left, Minerva heard a knock on the door.
"Come in." The woman's voice was a bit hoarse. The door opened and her aunt entered the room.
"Oh, Minnie dear, I am so sorry." Mrs. Hudson comforted her niece.
"It's okay." Minnie tried to reassure her.
"No, it's not. She shouldn't have said that. Look what it did to you." The elderly woman pointed out. And she was right. The older twin sister looked like a mess of tears.
"I told you, holding your emotions back, won't do any good. How long has this been going on?"
"I stopped counting." Minerva whispered.
"You should get some rest, dearie. I'll check up on you in the morning." Mrs. Hudson promised.
"Thank you."
********************
The next morning Sherlock woke up to the smell of breakfast. He trotted into the living room and took a seat in his armchair.
"Good Morning, sleeping beauty." John greeted him from the kitchen.
"What is the time?"
"Uh..nine o'clock. You must have slept like a rock. Care for some scrambled eggs?"
"No, thank you. What is that?" Sherlock pointed to a wrapped something next to John's armchair.
"Oh, that. That is my Christmas present to you." The doctor explained a handed it to the Detective. Said man, began to unwrap the object and a blue wool scarf came to light. It looked just like his old one, but the feeling was different.
"Thank you, John. It's beautiful. I do have a present for you aswell."
"You do?"
"Yes. Let me go grab it." Sherlock went to his room and returned with a gift box, wich he handed to his flatmate. John opened it and pulled out a jumper with reindeers and Christmas trees on it.
"Sherlock, it's woderful, thank you." John smiled.
Suddenly, Sherlock's phone started vibrating.
"Lestrade? Yes. Where? Linhope Street? We're on our way."
"What is it?"
"There's been a murder in Linhope Street. I'd say we better hurry." Sherlock suggested.
"What about Rosie? We can't take her with us." John objected.
"I'll text Molly. Come on now."
**********************
Minerva was woken up by Archie, who was licking her cheek. She hadn't realised that she had fallen asleep on the sofa yesterday.
"Good Morning, Archie. You're hungry, otherwise you wouldn't look at me like that, right? Well, come on then." She got off the sofa and filled his food bowl. The gesture found much appreciation. Minerva decided to change clothes and freshen up.
The moment she stepped out of the bathroom, her phone began to ring.
"Hello? John? What is it? Killed? Y-Yeah I'll be there in a bit. Bye"
She hung up. Her sister, killed? That couldn't be. She grabbed Archies leash, let out a short whistle to signal the dog to follow her and left her flat.
Fifteen minutes later she reached the house, in wich her sister had rented a flat. Upon seeing the police tape, she felt a strong wave of flashbacks rushing through her brain. The memories, she thought she had forgotten, came back. And she nearly passed out, when she saw a very familiar person leaving the house.
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Chapter three, yay
Hope you all like it
Have a niche day/ night
HH
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Love, Lies & Death ( A Sherlock Fanfiction)
Fanfiction"How are you dealing with your Philophobia?" Sherlock asked, completely ignoring John, who looked more confused as ever. "You haven't forgotten about that, have you?" Minerva smiled at him. Nine years ago she had met him and already knew something...
