Sherlock: The Next Generation

Christmas

"I do not see why I have to dress up for the stupid occasion that is the birth of Jesus Christ."

"You complain about it every year, Sherlock! My answer is the same as always. Because you have no choice and I am making you!" John put his hands on his hips, fixing his half naked partner with a glare. "It's hard enough preparing for everyone to come round. Please put some clothes on. You cannot go around in nothing but a sheet. I know it's just family but you have set a bad enough example for our kids as it is."

"Have not," Sherlock pouted as he complied, pulling on the purple shirt that John especially loved.

"You have. For fourteen years you have been teaching Hamish bad habits. Martin too, at that. If they don't eat today I will be blaming you."

"But it's not my fault," Sherlock whined, looking at John with the most innocent expression he could muster. John wasn't impressed.

"Come on... The kids will be getting impatient," John smiled, grabbing Sherlock's hand and leading him downstairs. Sherlock sighed. John knew he was actually looking forward to the day. Well, the time spent with John and their children. Probably not so much the time when Mycroft arrived. Sherlock still did not really get on with his brother.

"Merry Christmas!" It seemed that Mrs Hudson had already gotten the children into the festive spirit, considering all three of them were holding presents from her with glowing eyes. Waiting for their dads arrival.

"Merry Christmas, Mrs Hudson." Sherlock quickly kissed Mrs Hudson on the cheek before sitting down in his chair. John did the same, perching on the arm of Sherlock's chair.

"I've got presents for you boys too." Mrs Hudson handed them both packages of an identical shape. "Well go on, open them!"

Molly was the first to open hers, tearing at the paper. She let out a squeal of delight as it revealed a purple and white knitted jumper with a darker purple M sewed onto it. She immediately launched herself at Mrs Hudson, hugging her tightly. "Thank you!" She instantly discarded the jumper she was currently wearing to pull on the new one.

Hamish and Martin both opened theirs with a bit more care. Martin grinned at the sight of his green and white one with a blue M on it. Hamish just looked at his blue and white jumper with a green H on it with a light frown.

"I don't like wool jumpers," Hamish commented, holding it at an arms distance.

"Stop being such a spoilsport," Martin poked his twin. "Put it on!"

Hamish sighed. A few moments later a mischievous look crossed his deep blue eyes. "If I'm going to wear any jumper it will be yours." It took Martin a few moments to realise what his twin was suggesting. With a light laugh they swapped jumpers. It may be an old trick, but they were identical enough to trick a few people (well, everyone but Uncle Mycroft and Arianna). The two pulled on the jumpers, smirking.

"I think I know what is in this," John smiled, glancing at Sherlock teasingly.

"Brilliant deduction, John," Sherlock replied drily. "I will open the present, say thank you and not wear it."

"Come on."

"No. You will not get it on me." Sherlock opened it as he spoke. It was a plain blue jumper with a white S on it. John's was the opposite; a plain white one with a blue J on it. He pulled it on without comment. Sherlock just thanked Mrs Hudson and quickly hid his.

"Sherlock, dear, will you be playing your violin this year?" Mrs Hudson asked as she bustled about, helping get things ready.

"A little, but I think I will let Martin do most of the playing. He is the more talented one." Martin glanced up from where he was helping Molly build the various lego presents she had got from him and Hamish, a light blush staining his cheeks.

"You're better at the violin, dad."

"For now," Sherlock smiled, heading into the kitchen to help John cook. Martin frowned, turning back to helping his little sister. Molly had instructed him to begin building all the people, a simple task, to make everything move faster. There was a surprising amount of people, though. All characters from the hobbit and lord of the rings. Those had been the sets that Molly had asked for.

Hamish just looked amused as he helped build a castle. They had all been roped in to help ten year old Molly. It seemed she wanted to impress Benny and Myc when everyone came round. The twins were quite happy to help, though.

Everyone arrived in the afternoon, causing the living room to become slightly cramped. Myc, Benny and Molly all played with Molly's lego. It was rather entertaining to watch, actually. Hamish and Martin sat on the floor in a corner, leaned against each other as they did their various things. Hamish was reading while Martin texted. He was texting his girlfriend, Karina, and his best friend, Max. The two people he was closest to, aside from Hamish, Sherlock, John and Molly. The adults were all chatting and helping John and Sherlock get the meal ready. Sherlock was glaring at Mycroft a lot, as was normal.

After the meal Sherlock played a bit of the violin, only a few songs before he forced Martin to play with him. The two played quite a bit together, taking a break for the exchanging of presents. The Martin was forced to play at least one song on all of his instruments. Not that he really minded, he was a just a bit self conscious. Molly quite happily played a bit of flute, though she had only been learning it for a few months. Overall the day went well, aside from a few snide comments between Mycroft and Sherlock.

"Today was great!" Molly grinned as she sat on Martin's bed later on in the evening. The three of them had snuck into the twins' room to leave their dads in peace. "You know what the best thing about this Christmas is?"

"What?" Hamish and Martin spoke at the same time, identical smiles on their lips.

"That we're all together! Martin is here rather than in Scotland! It isn't the same when someone is missing from the house."

Hamish's smile was almost sad as he hugged Molly. "I agree." In a year and a half he would be going to university, meaning that Molly would be the only child left in the house for term time. But he wouldn't think about the future. Just treasure the moments they all had together.

"Me too." Martin was the last to join in the hug. "I miss you guys when I'm away. You're my family, my siblings. And the best siblings I could ever wish for."

Sherlock moved away from the door, a smile on his lips and a warm feeling in his heart. He hadn't been eavesdropping. No, definitely not. Okay, maybe he had. But it wasn't too bad. They were his children.

"What are you so happy about?" John arched an eyebrow as Sherlock returned to the living room. "I thought you didn't like Christmas."

"I still don't," Sherlock shrugged. "But I like my family. And Christmas brings us all together. So I'll accept its existence. Grudgingly."

"Then you'll put on this jumper to show your acceptance," John smirked, holding up the jumper from Mrs Hudson that Sherlock had previously discarded.

"No way." Sherlock suddenly stood up, edging away from John. John also stood, following Sherlock slowly.

"Come on. It isn't that bad."

"I will not wear it."

"I will force it onto you."

"On you go." Sherlock's many coloured eyes glinted and John glanced around, realising that they had entered their bedroom.

"As you wish." It didn't take John long. He shot forward, surprising Sherlock and forcing him down onto the bed. It took a while to get the jumper on. John had to concentrate all his efforts on pinning down a struggling Sherlock as he did so. By the end both were panting, pupils dilated and cheeks flushed.

"That was a wasted effort," Sherlock drawled out, shifting slightly under John. "Because you're just going to have to take it back off."

"A thing I will gladly do." Their lips met and Sherlock flipped them over so that he was on top.

"Merry Christmas, John."

"Merry Christmas, Sherlock."