Natalie

The Wedding

Things were the same. Just regular day by day. Since Dad came back he pulled me right out of the school system. But Mark and I still hang out often. We've been dating two and a half months. And the wedding is tomorrow.

Oh, it's going to be fantastic! Just fantastic. With all the planning and the shopping and just everything. I'm so very excited!

I woke up and pulled myself up the stairs for my morning tea, something I've gotten better at. I went into my room, now fully awake and grinned. "It's wedding day!" I yelled before gathering up all my things. The dress, my flowers, shoes, hair stuff. "I'm going over to get ready with the other bridesmaids Dad! Bye!" I blew a kiss up the stairs and received a Sherlock groan in response.

I ran outside and hailed a taxi. I texted Mark on the way there, making sure he was awake and the like. Finally we arrived at the Watson's house. I rushed inside, still in my pajamas. "Natalie!" Mary had answered the door. "Get in here!" She grinned and gave me a hug as I made my way into the mess of the living room. We did hair and nails and makeup before slipping into our dresses. Once we were all ready we moved on to Mary. Her dress was gorgeous. White with a fluffy bottom, it had these cute sleeves and I can't even focus today! Anyway, we all popped into a limo they had rented and drove off to the wedding.

It went splendidly, until Dad's best man speech. He did okay, I thought it was good for him. I sat between Molly and Mark. We all ate and it was magnificent. The newly weds got their first dance and then Mark asked me to dance. I smiled and took his outstretched hand. And then it hit me. I don't know how to dance. I suppose it was written all over my face because Mark leaned forward and whispered into my ear. "Don't worry, just follow my lead, we'll figure it out as we go." And then, we danced. We were dancing, completely lost in the sound of Dad's violin and each other. So lost in fact, we danced right into John and Mary. Immediately my hand flew to my mouth, to hide the giggles. Mary and I made eye contact and we just lost it. On arm still on Marks shoulder the other still on my mouth, I laughed, bending my head down and colliding with Mary's as she did the same. We laughed for about ten minutes, John and Mark exchanging looks and smiles. As we began to calm down Dad got everyone's attention.

He then made another short speech, or should I say vow. His first and last vow. To be there always for The Watsons. All three. After a mental 'I knew it!' I lead Mark to the astounded couple. "You said three?" They both questioned. Sherlock nodded and began to explain the signs he had noticed. I noticed them too, by the way. Mary was definitely pregnant. "But I'm a doctor!" John said, freaking out just a bit.

"On his wedding day, John. You weren't focused on the signs Mary showed, but rather on Mary." I smiled as they shared a glance, though both still panic stricken. "Don't panic."

"You too will make wonderful parents, you won't need me once there's a real baby!" Sherlock reassured them with his goofy grin, but I saw the hurt in his eyes.

"Yea, John! You helped out with me! Who else would have set my bones straight and patched my bullet wounds when I was little?" I told him as if it were normal for right year old to be getting shot. "Though hopefully you won't have to do that much with your child. Just keep them a good distance from any Holmes." I joked. "I'm only joking, I baby-sit for cheap." I winked.

And then we continued to dance. As Mark and I resumed dancing I looked over his should to see Father, looking around awkwardly, out of place. So I did what I knew I should do. "Mark, I'll be right back. I owe my Father a dance." He understood and I walked over. "Come on." I smiled and lead him further into the dance floor.

"N-Natalie, I really don't know-" He began to stammer, as much as Sherlock stammered at least.

"Good, neither do I. Just pretend, it works for me." I grinned and danced with Dad. This time we didn't run into the happy couple, but we did go past them. I flashed a cheeky grin and John winked at Sherlock. We finish our dance and he spun me to Mark, looking rather pleased with himself. He left with my promise to be home within two hours. Mark and I chatted and laughed and danced the night away. It was eleven-thirty before we knew it. "We better leave, we've only got 30 minutes." We told the Watson's goodbye and left. It wasn't too far so we decided to walk home. I never knew someone loved London as much as I did.

We walked through the town, holding hands. I had his suit jacket on because it was chilly and the dresses were sleeveless and gorgeous. We were walking and it was 11:50 and we were only half-way home. "Why don't we grab a cab, we'll get there with time to spare." He grinned and hailed us a taxi. He climbed in and talked to the driver as I got in. We were driving along, turning onto Baker Street. Then we missed the flat.

"Um, sir. Our stop was back there." I said politely, looking at the rearview. I couldn't see his face, it was too dark. but as soon as he spoke, I didn't need to.

"Natalie, so nice to meet you. Mark's told me so much." I could hear the grin in his voice and I scrambled for my phone.

"You handed it to me, remember?" Mark said, sounding guilty.

"But. But how could you? No. No this a dream. That's all. Just a crazy dream." I shut my eyes in disbelief, expecting to wake up with Sherlock beside me. But all I saw when I opened them was them was a sorry looking Mark and the outline of my kidnappers head. "Wow. That's all I have to say to you." I told Mark and then immediately turned my head away from him, disgusted. "Where the hell are you taking me?" I asked annoyed, my arms crossed, still in Mark's jacket.

"It's a secret. It's somewhere Sherlock can't find you." He practically chuckled. We drove for another thirty minutes, my phone going off twice. Then John began to text. Sometimes, you've just gotta love him. Mark pulled it out of his pocket and this time I was ready. I grabbed the phone, pushing the call button and holding it away from Mark, curling into the corner by the door. And just my luck, the car stopped at a light, another right in front of us. I opened the door and took off in my high heels, across the street and tithe sidewalk, looking around quickly as I did so.

Then John answered the phone. "Natalie? Thank God! Where are yo-" I was able to scream one word into the phone before Mark placed a hand holding a rag over my mouth. Chloroform. I struggled to stay awake, to hold my breath, anything. But I eventually collapsed and was dragged back into the cab. But John got my message. All with that one word.

Moriarty.