Only Yours

11

Sherlock's P.O.V

I have gone into total shock.

My knees are shaking and I can hear the blood rushing through my head. In the distance I hear John screaming but I do not react. All I can see is the child.

It is obviously my baby and for a second I am reminded of the shows me and John used to watch before I 'died'. Jeremy Kyle was my favourite. Wouldn't it be funny if I went on that?

'Sherlock, Sherlock, Sherlock.' I look up and come back to reality. John's eyes are wide and he is obviously freaking out. 'Before anything happens, Sherlock, we need to go inside.' He picks up the infant holder thing and starts walking. The letter falls off and I catch it in mid-air as John enters Baker Street.

I need to read this when I'm alone.

The first thing that comes out is a birth certificate. Random words stand out to me.

Sex: Male

Name: William Sherlock Holmes

Mother: Irene Imogen Adler

Father: William Sherlock Scott Holmes

D.O.B: 16.08.2014

Place of Birth: St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London

He was born about twenty minutes from here.

I drop the certificate and look at the letter, which is covered in scratchy black handwriting and the occasional... tear? Oh god.

My dearest Sherlock,

This will probably surprise you and I apologise for that. The thing is, I cannot care for this child. I wish I could but I would have to stop my work and I would then have no source of income. And I am very good at my job. Remember?

I was at the wedding, with John's sister. She is the only person who knows that you are the child's father but she took it badly. I thought you might suspect something when she was angry with you but apparently not.

I was surprised you didn't realise it was me. I was going to tell you but then John proclaimed his love for you and I couldn't break it to you then. I hope this doesn't change the way John feels for you, you seem genuinely happy. I thought sentiment was a chemical defect! I apologise, this is a hard letter for me to write.

You have no idea how hard this is for me. I know how difficult this will be for you, raising a child, but I know you will come to love him.

If you would kindly refrain from telling anyone but those you trust completely that I am this babies mother I would be most grateful. It may affect my work if people know I've had a child. And honestly, he looks nothing like me anyway, so I'm home free unless you tell the press or something. And after you read this letter...well, you have every right to be angry but please don't tell.

The moment I saw him I could see how much he looked like you. If you need proof take a test but I doubt you will need it. If it's obvious to me, a 'normal human,' it will be clear to you as well. I mean, he has your eyes hair and cheekbones.

I may have loved you, once upon a time, and I think you could have loved me to. But I fall in love almost every day.

You can rename him, if you want. I don't care. He just looked like a William.

Maybe one day we can meet up for dinner. That is, if I see you again. I doubt our paths will cross. It would be too painful.

Congratulations on John. Be a good Father to our boy.