Beneath The Skin [A Sherlolly Fanfiction]

Chapter Six

" Sh-Sherlock?" Molly stuttered again, tears of happiness and fright pouring from her eyes as she stared into her lovers own, filling her to the brink with love, almost to the point of explosion. She closed her eyes tightly, not wanting to watch this vision of the man she loved disappear. She felt two large, warm, familiar hands connect with her own and her entire being lit up with happiness. One of the hands disappeared to stroke her pale cheek and Molly shivered with delight.

" Molly. I'm here. It's me." Sherlock's strangely comforting voice was quiet as he brushed away her escaped tears. Molly sniffled and shook her head, tears flying down onto her nightdress. Sherlock picked her up carefully and sat her in a sitting position at the end of the bed. He kneeled down to see her and, whilst one hand rubbed hers delicately, the other touched her swollen belly curiously. How could it be possible for a person to grow inside his pathologists stomach? How could his child be nesting in her womb at that very moment? Sherlock looked up to see Molly sobbing gently, shaking slightly. Sherlock cupped her face in his hands. " Why are you crying? And why are your eyes closed?"

" I just don't want this moment to end." Molly whispered. A sad smile came over Sherlock's face and he cleared his throat.

" I'm here Molly, I'm real. And I'm never leaving you ever again."

" Show me." Molly whispered. Then, more proudly, " Show me that you're real." She leaned in, shaking madly, looking for the soft, perfectly shaped lips that were the love of her life's. Searching for something that could tell her that he was real, that he was back. That he would care for their child with her and bring him up right. Suddenly, her lips were found by Sherlock's and fireworks exploded inside her, the childish butterflies in her stomach returning, taking over her body. In a passionate frenzy the two kissed, until, overcome by human needs, they pulled apart to breath, Molly finally opening her eyes and drinking up Sherlock for the first time in months. She studied his facial features and a smile came over her face. " You really are back." She confirmed.

" Did you ever doubt me?" Sherlock asked softly, stroking away stray tears if happiness and strands of hair that had fallen from her bun. Molly looked down and fiddled with her hands and, worriedly, Sherlock gently tipped her head up so she would look him in the eye. He raised an eyebrow. Molly sighed.

" Well, I wasn't sure you'd want to, since, well," she glanced at her belly and put on a weak smile, " you know." A tear slipped from her eye, and she waited for Sherlock's response. He had been holding both her hands again, and like before, one came away to sit on top of her round belly. Sherlock looked down at it lovingly and then back up at Molly, a soft smirk rising on his features.

" Molly Louise Hooper, I love you so very much; more than anything. I don't know how I'll cope with being a father, badly or well, but I will cope. If I have to work the hardest I have in my life, I will, because there is nothing more in this world that I would like than to start a family with you." Sherlock said sincerely, looking deeply into her eyes. Molly gasped involuntarily, and tears pitter-pattered onto Sherlock's curls. She was shocked in submission, until a tiny inaudible word escaped her mouth.

She then repeated it. " I love you, you prick." She grabbed his coat lapels and pulled him into a passionate kiss. This time, neither of them gave into their need for air, and they merely continued to kiss. That is until Molly's eyelids began to droop and she started to feel extremely tired. Sherlock put his hand on the small of her back and held her while he pulled away.

" Tired?" He asked. Molly yawned and then nodded at him, closing her eyes. Sherlock smiled and pulled the blanket over her small form, then took off his jacket, shirt, and scarf, climbing in beside his pathologist. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her cheek and whispered, " Sleep well." before folding his hands under his chin and retreating to his mind palace.