The Science of Starting Again//Book Five

Chapter 26~ Thirteen Years

Third Person P.O.V

What warmth had grown between Mrs Holmes and her daughter could not seem to thaw the ice between Mr Holmes and his youngest. Even the hostility between John and Mary could not compare. The day Teddy had arrived with the others had ended on what could be considered a high note: there had been little complaints of any kind, the two brothers had behaved themselves so far, and Teddy and her mother managed to get through the rest of the day together in ease. There were no words spoken between Teddy and her father, though. When they first caught each others eyes, Teddy noticed just how old he had become since she had left. He didn't seem as scary as what she remembered. He didn't stand as tall as he used to, and the harshness of his face had given way to wrinkles and sagged skin. His eyes were still as bright as ever, though, and they had stared at her for so long she began to think that maybe she had something on her face. He turned away eventually, though, and they didn't make any kind of contact after that. 

Now it was Christmas day and Teddy was in the bathroom, hands shaking and skin clammy once more. She had had horrible nightmares the night before, some of them involving past teenage memories. Occasionally her father would appear in them the way she used to remember him; tall and stern and disappointed, anger in his voice whenever he said her name. Even as she stood in the bathroom staring at herself in the mirror, she could still hear his voice echoing in her head. She splashed some water on her face, washing away the thoughts that plagued her, before getting herself ready for the day.   

They had a cooked breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and other items, many that Teddy mostly picked at, eyes downcast so they didn't accidentally meet her father's. After breakfast they gathered in the living room and exchanged gifts. Teddy couldn't help but enjoy herself during this, even letting out a laugh every now and again. There were jumpers, home ware, and baby clothes given to the Watsons (who managed to put up a friendly enough act in front of them all); gardening tools, dancing shoes, and food hampers for the Holmes parents; ties, whisky, and fancy pens for Mycroft; suits, dressing gowns, and laboratory equipment for Sherlock; even clothes, a tent, and a new pocketknife were gifted to Billy; while Teddy herself received chocolates, books, bath bombs, and- to her utter shock- a base guitar. She held the item in her hands, lightly strumming it, before looking up at her mother.

"It's not the same one," her mother explained, taking her husband's hand. "But it's as close to the original as we could find."     

Teddy didn't miss the 'we' her mother had said. With wide eyes she looked at her father, who only nodded slightly, not meeting her gaze. With a small smile Teddy held the bass close, surprised to find that after all these years her fingers still knew where to place themselves. 

"Thank you," she whispered. 

As the day went by the group drifted slightly, with Mrs Holmes, Sherlock, Mycroft, and Billy occupying the kitchen, Mary the sitting room, and both John and Mrs Holmes hovering around different areas of the house. Teddy, meanwhile, found herself drawn to the library. It wasn't as grand as the one they used to have at the mansion but it had enough books to keep someone occupied over a season or two. She traced the letters on the spine of each book, trying to guess which ones were from the mansion and which ones had been brought after she had run away. At the moment, it seemed like the latter were winning. Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Billy.

"Got you a drink," he said, placing it on the small coffee table. Teddy thanked him before pausing, looking down at the drink with a slight frown. Meanwhile Billy had taken to admiring her bass which was propped up against an armchair.

"Does it have alcohol-" Teddy began, just as Billy asked about her bass. "Sorry?"

"I said that your bass guitar looks nice. Do you know how to play?" Billy asked. Teddy nodded, looking at the musical instrument fondly.