I push Asha gently in the swing again smiling as I hear her soft, baby giggle. Mum sits back in the bench with her eyes shut, enjoying the peace. She looks exhausted. I should offer to babysit Asha more often.
"I got you a present mum."
"Hmm?"
I stop the swing and pull out a small box from my coat pocket. She thanks me as she takes it, gasping softly when she opens it.
"I know we weren't going to do presents this year but... You deserve something special." I say. She opens her mouth to speak but I interrupt: "I know you're very skint mum, I'm not expecting anything in return. It's just nice to get along and spend time with you."
She hugs me tightly until Asha begins to cry for attention.
-----
I sigh at the very boring case the new client has just explained.
"He's cheating on you. End it, kick him out, order pizza, invite your girls over and turn up to single ladies." I say standing up to get myself something to eat. She stands there staring at me. I look at her pointedly and gesture to the door. "Bye."
Just as I bite into the most amazing slice of cake ever made, John and Mary come bounding up the stairs carrying wedding planning things. They're getting married in 5 months.
"Where's Sherlock?"
"Hello to you too John!" I reply sarcastically. As if on cue, Sherlock prances out of his room in a suit, snatches my slice of cake and demolishes it.
"DAD!" I say slapping his chest.
"Don't hit me."
I huff and go to cut myself another slice.
-------
"Need to work on your half of the church Mary, looking a bit thin." Sherlock says.
"Ah, orphan's lot. Friends, that all I have. Lots of friends."
I turn the page of my Swedish book, frowning at some unfamiliar words.
After finding them in a dictionary, I tune into the conversation again.
"Fibbing, Sherlock." Mary states.
"I once broke an alibi by demonstrating the exact severity of-" Sherlock begins.
"I'm not John. I can tell when you're fibbing."
I grin at her answer. Sherlock sighs, defeated.
"Okay. I learnt it on YouTube."
"Opera House please."
I sneeze and run to get a tissue. I hear Mary talking to someone on the phone. John leaves the room saying it would probably be for him too. I hide my smile knowing 'Beth' is code.
-----
Eventually Sherlock and John go off on a case. I look at Mary and burst out laughing.
"Now finally we can watch that TV show in peace!" She exclaims turning on the TV. Grabbing some food I plonk down on the sofa next to her, still giggling at our success.
YOU ARE READING
Forgiveness and Sacrifice (Sherlock's Daughter)
FanfictionKayla Holmes is moving on with her life, picking up the pieces. She's living as much of an ordinary life as she can - solving cases, studying, babysitting... Until she discovers a secret, that threatens to tear her down again. Can she hold herself...
