Mrs. Holmes [Book III]

Chatter

Early December

"It's weally cold outside!" Rosie shivered as she bounded up the stairs. John followed her, hunched a bit from the cold. London had gone into a wicked cold snap for so early in the winter. The Watsons had also simultaneously lost power. Thus their sudden trip to 221B Baker Street all the way across the river.

Susanna had perched in Sherlock's chair with a nearly empty mug of peppermint hot cocoa after an arduous work day, propped and supported with a couple of pillows and blanketed with Sherlock's coat. Ziva was sprawled over her lap, purring happily as Susanna pet her. Susanna was officially in the third trimester and she wanted little else but to relax. Her entire body, essentially from the neck down, was sore and achy from housing their quickly growing baby.

Her abdomen had all but ballooned to accommodate the child and she felt like she was carrying around a twenty pound bowling ball in her front. It was plainly obvious that she was almost full term. The baby had also grown so much as to be confined to either bouncing on her bladder or being stuck in her ribs. There was no other option and right now, the former was true.

Sherlock used the piano bench behind his chair as his own perch, working at her neck and shoulders to help relieve the strain. He had spent most of the day putting finishing touches on the nursery, formerly John's room, and now it was ready for furniture and decor; due to arrive within the next few days.

Both looked at the doorway as Rosie ran in. Susanna brightened and held out an arm to welcome the little girl, "Hello, Rosie!"

"Hello, Aunt Zuzu!" Susanna set her mug on the side table and let Rosie climb up to hug her. Ziva, disturbed, jumped off and marched over to one of the other armchairs. The young Watson grinned at Sherlock, "Hello, Uncle Sherlock!"

"Hello, Rosie," He ruffled her blonde hair, much like Mary's now, and looked up at John as he wandered in, "So your electricity actually went out, John?"

"Oh yes. It's colder than it is outside, actually. Brr!" John shivered and Rosie slid off the chair so that her dad could help her take off her mittens, coat and cap. Afterwards she beelined back to Susanna and hopped up again.

Rosie, since they'd informed her, had been fascinated with the baby. She was already committed to helping take care of them- an honored role that she took with great pride and responsibility. Her loyalty was definitely inherited from John, and Susanna had remarked several times that the Watsons and Holmes would probably be forever bound, with the former watching over the latter. In all seriousness, it was probably true.

"Oi, be gentle with Susanna, Rosie." John reminded, walking over and sitting down in his chair.

"It's alright, John. She's being quite gentle." Susanna reassured, adjusting so that Rosie could sit down next to her. John smiled at the sight. He didn't plan to try his hand at romance again, but it made him happy to see that Rosie had the mother figure she needed.

Sherlock lifted his hands from Susanna's shoulders, "Your drink will get cold, Love."

"It's fine. I was nearly finished anyways." Sherlock nodded and stood up to take her mug back to the kitchen. John clesred his throat.

"So, er, have you two done up the nursery yet?"

Susanna smiled, "Sherlock hasn't let me up there because of the fumes. But by the time everything else arrives the room should be ready. For the first little while though, the baby will be with us in our bedroom."

John chuckled, "I imagine the stairs will not be fun during recovery."

"Indeed."

Sherlock came back and this time picked up his electric violin. As he played a medley of Holiday tunes, Rosie cuddled up to Susanna, who conversed with John. Everything felt quite intimate and peaceful until Sherlock stopped playing, "Mycroft."

As he said his brother's name, the British government himself strolled into the living room, "Greetings, all."

"Hello, Mycroft. What brings you by?" Susanna enquired. Mycroft twirled his umbrella, his expression unreadable. Sherlock turned from the window and gazed heavily at Mycroft.

"Is this a matter of national security, brother mine?"

"Not quite," Mycroft emphasized the words, then looked squarely at Susanna, "It's a matter of Family Security." Sherlock stepped behind Susanna and placed a protective hand on her shoulder. John knew it was nothing Rosie needed to hear, so he sent her down to Missus Hudson.

"Have I done something wrong, Mycroft?" Susanna dared to ask.

"No, not at all. None of this issue is your responsibility."

"Then what is it?" Sherlock probed.

Mycroft exhaled, "My sources have picked up chatter concerning the Trowbridge family. An enemy of Niles seems to be plotting a strike against him and while any member of the family could be targeted, Susanna's pregnancy has not gone unnoticed."

Sherlock's other hand rose and grasped Susanna's other shoulder. John watched his best friend's expression darken, becoming more brooding than it had in months, "Any idea who?" Susanna asked. Both of her hands had come to rest over her protruding belly. For someone who was quite likely on a hit list, she exuded calmness.

Mycroft shook his head, "No. At the moment all we can say is that the Trowbridge family, and by extension you, are endangered."

"So Susanna is under threat because of her father?"

"It's not like it hasn't happened before, John. It has and I've lived my entire life being watched by my Dad's enemies." Susanna piped up, lifting her left hand to rest atop Sherlock's on her shoulder. She squeezed his hand and he responded in kind, but was eerily silent.

"So it doesn't scare you?"

"It does. But I'm not going to let my fears take control of me."

"We will not take any unnecessary risks, Mycroft," Sherlock stated firmly to his brother, "I won't put Susanna and the baby in further danger."

"Sherlock, rest assured we are already investigating. It would naturally go faster if you decided to help." Mycroft answered. Sherlock considered the subtle offer.

"What clues do you have?"

"A few, but they're significant."

Sherlock exhaled, "The faster the suspect is apprehended, the safer Susanna and the baby will be. John?" All the army doctor had to do was nod. Sherlock took a sharp breath, "Very well. John and I will take on the case as well."

John noticed that Susanna's expression dimmed when Sherlock agreed to help find the person who was threatening her family. Neither of the Holmes brothers saw, but John read her expression. Susanna didn't approve. She didn't like what Sherlock had just gotten into.

It's not like it hasn't happened before, John. It has and I've lived my entire life being watched by my Dad's enemies.

John caught her gaze and sent her as reassuring and understanding a look as he could.

Thank you for reading!!