Daddy Dearest

Chapter One

He stood in the pouring rain under a store porch. He was cradling the rocking bundle in his hands, trying to silence the protests coming from her little mouth. The few people that were walking the streets in the downpour peered towards the stoop with their black umbrellas high overhead; scowling at him as if the baby was a disturbance to their walking. Whenever he felt them staring, he'd lift his sopping wet head up and glare at them. They'd shy away then, looking flustered and practically tripping over their own feet as they quickened their pace. He always smirked when that happened.

Even when he was suppose to be dead, it was hard for people not to feel intimidated by James Moriarty.

He looked back down at the squawking bundle in his arms, beginning to rock her more than before.

"Shhh. You have to be quiet. People are staring," he said in a high-pitched voice, reaching up a hand to try to shield her head from the rain. "The store will be open soon...I'll get you formula..."

The rattle of the door caused him to look up again. He could see the shopkeeper through the glass, moving to stand up. The shopkeeper looked startled at seeing the man standing there soaked to the skin with a baby. The middle-aged shopkeeper moved to open the door, staring at the man.

"Can I help you sir?"

"Formula. I need formula..." He knew that he wasn't being very eloquent, but it was hard to with a crying baby in his arms. He sighed, keeping the bundle close to him as he pushed into the store.

"I don't carry that," remarked the storekeeper.

"Well then direct me to someone who does," said James. He moved to shift the baby into a different position, using a free hand to yank a package of paper towels off the shelf. He could see the shopkeeper looking at him with wide-eyes as he did so.

"I'm going to pay. I'm going to pay...Everything's always about money," muttered James as he moved to slap the paper towels onto the counter, gently lying the baby to rest on the counter top. The baby kicked her arms and legs up into the air, still squawking in an ear shattering tone.

The shopkeeper stood awkwardly off to the side; standing near the cash register as if he had need to guard it. He was studying James as he tore open the thin plastic around the paper towels, moving to try to dry off the baby's face. The shopkeeper's eyes widened as he reached for a broom nearby. The realization of who this man actually was finally hit him.

"You're...I know who you are..." muttered the shopkeeper; his sweaty hand clamping around the broom handle.

James sighed. Even moving to what felt like the ends of the earth apparently wasn't enough to be able to stay hidden and unrecognized.

"If you value your life, I'd put the broom down," said James in a sugary sweet voice without looking up from the baby's face. "He's a silly shopkeeper isn't he?" cooed James to the baby in a high-pitched voice then. "Always thinking I'm the big bad wolf. I'm not so bad, now am I?"

The baby finally stopped squawking then; happy to be somewhat dry. A grimace of sorts still was on her face though as she stared up at James. Looking up from her face, James could see that the shopkeeper had put down the broom to try to reach for the phone instead.

"So predictable..." James bent to kiss her forehead before moving quickly towards the shopkeeper. He grabbed both of his arms and had him immediately pinned to the wall. The shopkeeper's face was pale white then as he shook; his fear filled eyes trained on James Moriarty's smirking face inches from his.

"P-please...Don't hurt me..."

"Hurt you?" He tightened his grip on the man's wrists for a moment then. "Where would the fun in that be? Seeing the fear is better...Now, unless you're about to call a friend to get me baby formula, I'd suggest you dismiss the idea of making a call. Understand?"

The shopkeeper made a move to open his mouth in protest for a second before quickly pressing his lips into a tight line, nodding his head.

"Good. It's nice to know we understand each other..."

"M-my wife and I have some formula upstairs...Let me go get it for you."

James cast his gaze up towards the clock on the wall behind the counter.

"You have exactly two minutes to get the formula, or I'm coming after you."

The shopkeeper nodded his head. James smirked again as he thrust the man off to the side. The man made quick work of getting to the back of the shop and racing up the stairs. James walked back over to the baby, picking her up gently in his arms to cradle her again.

"It's okay...Your food is coming...Then you and I can go back home. To the coffin, as I like to put it...You'll realize how tiny and claustrophobic it is when you're older..."

Thundering footsteps could be heard as the shopkeeper quickly ran back down the stairs and to James. He had a can of formula in his hands, causing James' mouth to turn upwards in a soft smile.

"Thank you. Now bag that and the paper towels," James commanded, watching closely as the trembling man did as he was asked.

James shifted the baby in his arms to dive his hand into his pocket. He placed the money on the counter top. It was more than enough to cover the price. The shopkeeper widened his eyes at the sight, causing James to sigh.

"I told you I'd pay. Did I not?" He moved to snatch the bag out of the shopkeeper's hand. "Now if I hear that you ratted me out, I will be back for a less pleasant visit. Understand?"

The shopkeeper just nodded his head, still white in the face. James smirked as he moved to walk outside with the bag and the baby in his arms.

"Come on, Sherry," he cooed to the baby again once he was outside the shop. The typical rainy weather continued to fall down on them as he tried to shield her the best he could. "It's time to go back home. Your Mummy is due to visit today, and I can't have you unfed."

Sherry didn't cry this time as the rain splashed her face, looking up at James with her soft grey eyes. She let out a soft noise as if in reply to James' statement.

"Yes," James said softly as he walked, keeping his head down so no one else would recognize him. "Daddy dearest will take good care of you until she arrives."

Without another word, he disappeared down a back alley, heading back towards the small flat that he and his baby daughter called home.