Mrs. Holmes [Book III]

Baby's First Bath {Susanna}

That Evening

"I know you're a bit cold, Honey, but it's time for a bath. The water will warm you back up." I soothe William as I carefully get him ready for his first bath. Sherlock's assuring that the bath water is at optimum temperature.

"Newborns don't tend to enjoy their first time in the water. But as long as we keep the soap out of his eyes, he'll be fine," Ma hums, stroking William's head and belly, "You'll be nice and clean, won't you, sweetie?"

"The boys were never happy with bath time growing up. Mycroft hated it the most but Sherlock generally cooperated." Violet remarks. She and Ma came over to supervise William's first bath.

William gets a disgruntled expression as I cover him with a washcloth, "It's alright, William, this will be quick. I promise."

"The water is ready," Sherlock calls from the bathroom, "Everything is set up."

I scoop William up and quickly move into the bathroom. Sherlock indeed has everything set out- a cup to pour the water with, gentle baby soap, a soft cloth, and the reclined bath seat for William. I smile and Sherlock reaches up from his spot beside the tub, cradling William so I can kneel down as well, "Gently, now." Ma cautions as Sherlock lowers William into the seat.

William whimpers softly, "I know, Honey. Shh..," I get a small cupful of warm water and slowly pour it over him. I wince as he escalates to crying, "Oh, honey..."

Sherlock starts. He takes the cloth, wets it, puts a tiny bit of soap on and gently dabs around William's head and face. He saves his hair for last and scrubs it delicately. I pour another cup of water over and lightly cover William's face to prevent any suds from getting into his eyes, nose and mouth, "It will be finished soon, Little One." Sherlock promises and starts on his neck and shoulders. I hold onto William's hand and his fingers wrap around one of mine as he cries even more.

"You've got a strong grip, Honey!" I remark and try to distract him. But to no avail, he continues rasping lusty cries. I frown, pouring more warm water over him. Then I take over the washing and finish him up; Sherlock strokes his head to calm him down. As promised, we get the bath done swiftly and I quickly wrap him up in a towel, patting him dry the rest of the way. Violet brings another hat and a puppy printed onesie in with the diaper set.

Now that he's out of the water, William calms down completely and gazes at me with his big blue eyes. I smile, "Was that so bad?"

He makes a funky newborn noise in response and we go about getting him changed and dressed. Ma and Violet step in, wanting to help. So Sherlock and I clean up the bathroom.

Ma calls, "Susie, look at this!"

I walk back over and she's holding a tendril of William's chocolate hair between her fingers, "What, Ma?"

"He's got a cowlick!" She releases the hair and then I see a cowlick in the front. I finger it and giggle.

"Oh dear, that should be fun with curls!"

"What is it?" Sherlock inquires, alert should anything be wrong.

"Our son has a cowlick, Darling. Come see," I feel my husband approach, rather than hear him do so. He looks over my shoulder as I play with the stubborn lock of deep brown hair, "That he gets from my side of the family."

"Indeed. All your brothers possess cowlicks, if I'm correct."

"Yes. Susanna had one too when she was little, although hers was right on top. They're manageable."

"Ma!" I protest, not wanting to bring up the dreaded cowlick of my youth. She laughs and pats my shoulder, "That extra bit was not necessary." William squirms and I pluck him up again. Sherlock waits for me to turn around before touching our son's cowlick as well.

"Why wasn't it evident before?"

"Anything's possible. But you probably cleaned off whatever was keeping it down."

"Possibly."

A short while later the grandmothers depart and leave us alone with William again. We retire to the bedroom and lay down on our fronts with William on his back in between us. He folds himself up and them flails his limbs out again, "You're just not tired yet are you, Honey?" I hum and run gentle circles on top of his belly and chest. He coos at me and I smile, stroking his arms and head next. It's extremely important to provide sensory input, and the physical contact is a plus as well. William wiggles his hands and fingers, trying to turn and look at me, "I'm right here, Honey."

Sherlock watches for a minute before removing William's little booties and counting, with his finger, William's toes. This seems to tickle and William scrunches up- not to cry, but to try and avoid the strange sensation, "His feet are sensitive."

"Many babies' feet are."

"Mmm," Sherlock concurs and then grasps one of William's hands. He lights up when our baby boy grabs his pinky with both hands, "He does have a healthy grip, doesn't he?"

"Yep." I giggle again.

Thank you for reading!