The Science of Starting Again//Book Five

Chapter 12~Growing Pains

Teddy's P.O.V

They were dancing together, surrounded by friends and family, waltzing away with practised steps and smiles on their faces. Onstage Sherlock played his violin, swaying softly to the melody that filled the room. As the song began to end I watched as John's hand slid down Mary's back, holding her there, before he began to dip her backwards. A surprised gasp left the woman's mouth before she said, "Really?!", eyes alight and a giggle following after the exclimation. I couldn't help but laugh softly into my hand. That was such a John thing for him to do.

When the song finished applause broke out across the room, the couple kissing as though every eye in the room wasn't on them; as though they were the only ones here. Attention turned from the happy couple to Sherlock who had now taken to the microphone to do one last speech before the night's parties really began.

"Ladies and gentlemen, just, er, one last thing before the evening begins properly. Apologies for earlier. A crisis arose and was dealt with," he said, making me chuckle and Lestrade nudge me softly with his elbow. I looked up at him and grinned before turning back to Sherlock.

"More importantly, however, today we saw two people make vows. I've never made a vow in my life, and after tonight I never will again. So, here in front of you all, my first and last vow. Mary and John: whatever it takes, whatever happens, from now on I swear I will always be there, always, for all three of you."

There was a slight pause which was quickly followed by Sherlock's stammers and a few whispers.

"Wait, what does...?" Lestrade whispered from beside me. My eyes turned to Mary who looked equally surprised and with narrowed eyes I focused on her, confusion sweeping across my features until finally I realized-

"Er, I'm sorry, I mean, I mean two of you. All two of you. Both of you, in fact. I've just miscounted," Sherlock quickly said, inhaling sharply. Although everyone else in the room seemed to have not picked up on Sherlock's blunder, I had, and so had the newly married couple. The pair exchanged equally confused looks before Sherlock spoke again.

"Anyway, it's time for dancing," he said before motioning for the dj to start the music. Instantly neon lights start flashing and an old song (much too disco-y for my taste) began to play. "Dancing, please!"

As Sherlock left the stage and the people around me started moving towards the dance floor I stayed where I was, his words still echoing in my mind. All three? All three! Of course that would only mean one thing, one thing I hadn't picked up on because I had been distracted all day and had barely been around Mary. One thing that Sherlock knew and had accidentally let slip.

Mary was preganat.

John was going to be a father.

"Hey, you okay?" Lestrade asked me, making me snap out of my head. I looked towards the trio a few metres away and watched as the confusion on the couples face changed to shock, surprise, fear, then finally happiness as Sherlock explained his deductions.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine, Lestrade," I replied slowly, turning towards him. All around us people were dancing, oblivious to the little bittersweet panic that was happening inside my head. I gave Lestrade a little smile in the hopes of throwing him off my panic, flicking my hair over my shoulder.

"I'm good. It's just dancing, you know? I'm shit at dancing. And I'm feeling a little thirsty so I'm just going to go get a drink-"

"Of water?" Lestrade finished, raising one eyebrow. I rolled my eyes.

"Yes, of water," I groaned, crossing my arms before giving him a soft shove with my right shoulder. "You stay here. Dance, have fun. I'll come back soon."