Sherlock: The Next Generation

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

John sat down in his chair with a sigh. Sherlock looked up from his laptop with an arched eyebrow and questioning eyes.

“Molly refuses to wear any of the nice clothes I bought her,” John almost whined, earning a strange look from Sherlock.

“You have never complained about that before.”

“She’s going to nursery tomorrow! She has to wear something nice.” At that point Molly walked into the room, nose stuck in a fantasy book. She smiled brightly at her fathers and skipped over to Sherlock, looking up at him with puppy dog eyes and arms outspread. She really did look quite adorable wearing one of John’s old jumpers that pretty much substituted as a dress because it was so big. Sherlock shook his head slightly in amusement and moved his laptop to the coffee table. He then scooped the little girl into his arms and onto his lap. John moved to perch on the arm of the chair, a light frown crossing his face.

“Why don’t you try on that new dress I got you, Molly? It would look really pretty on you,” he asked his youngest child softly. “You could wear it tomorrow to nursery.”

“Don’t want to.” Molly’s mouth was an obstinate line and her arms were folded. “It’s stupid. I don’t like it.”

“You don’t know that,” John sighed and looked at Sherlock desperately. It had been hard enough finding what he thought were appropriate clothes for his daughter never mind getting them rejected. Because of course, John had no experience in the area, nor did Sherlock (not that he had any interest in helping). John hadn’t expected it to be so hard to look after a girl... not after twin boys, one who was basically Sherlock. Oh boy he had been wrong. “Is there anything you want to wear?”

Molly brightened slightly, putting down her book. “Your jumpers! And nice clothes.”

“Nooo,” John shook his head at the cute but Sherlock like girl when she suggested that she wore his jumpers. “You already have enough of my clothes.” He didn’t comment on her second statement. He thought the clothes he had picked out were pretty!

“But I like your jumpers!” Molly pouted, earning a slight chuckle from Sherlock has he continued to text. At three years old the little girl was already learning how to manipulate both of them. Admittedly they did all dote on her a bit. But the only other girl in the family was Arianna and she was basically a little Mycroft. Not one to adore and say “aw” to.

“How about we go through all the clothes I got and see if there’s any you like. Then I’ll give you another jumper.” John couldn’t believe that he was bargaining with his three year old daughter. Then again, she was half Sherlock.

Molly frowned slightly, considering it. “Fine.”

John let out a relieved sigh and got up to go into Molly’s room. The next half hour consisted of John bringing out a variety of clothes which all received an obstinate shake of the head from Molly. Well, there were a few t-shirts, jumpers and trousers that were kept. But not much.