What Next?

Chapter 15

John's POV

I was glad that Lilly was at least attempting to move on and have a seminormal life. She looked like she hadn't slept in weeks and her speech pattern was turning becoming sadder. I could see all the symptoms of clinical depression and Moriarty's sudden disappearance wasn't helping, but she had gone and gotten a boyfriend (her first) which was good. Sherlock on the other hand was pacing a hole into the carpet.

"He has to be somewhere!" Sherlock ranted refering to Moriarty's magic trick. "Sherlock, you need to focus. Lilly starts school again in a month and-" "Who said anything about her going back to school?" Sherlock interrupted. "You did, remember? She agreed to it too. She needs to get her eyes checked I think her prescription is in need of an update, Orthodontist too, also would you like to explain to me why you haven't got her on antidepressants? She rarely eats, doesn't sleep, and when no one's looking she stares at that stupid journal and those pictures." Sherlock only nodded in response and pulled out his phone.

"Optometrist appointment tomorrow at eleven am, Orthodontist appointment Tuesday at one pm, and a Doctor's appointment, with you I might add, at nine am on Wednesday. Happy? How could you tell that she was depressed?" "I know the symptoms when I see them."  Sherlock nodded and as he did I could see the gears turning as he thought. "Have you tried talking to her about it?" I asked him. He lookedat me as a puppy when told a comand it doesn't recognize cocking his head to the side. "Jesus, Sherlock! No wonder she thinks it's her fault you haven't even talked to her about it!" "I'll do it in the morning. She's on a date tonight." I nodded and turned my focus to the intricate web of information. It was color coded and the handwriting was almost perfect, so you could tell that Lilly had probably stayed up all night doing it. She was distracting herself from her guilt.

Lilly's POV

I pulled the light blue dress over my head. The dress gave the impression of curves that I didn't have, but I felt beautiful. I put on some red lipstick to bring out my green eyes and compliment my dress, slipped on my white heels, and waited by the door. Mrs. Hudson came in, "Oh, Lilly! You look absolutely beautiful! Did you curl your hair?" "Thank you Mrs. Hudson. No it's natural." She was about to reply when the doorbell rang. "Oh, that'll be your date!" She hurried to the door and let Peter in. He stopped in the doorway and stared at me. I felt myself blush as he offered his arm and we left. 

At dinner we laughed about our fathers and told each other about our mothers both of whom were no longer in the picture.

"You can't remember your mother?" I shook my head sadness washing over me. "No, she died when we were toddlers and Dad doesn't really talk about her." "Oh." I decided to change the subject, "What's school like?" "The one you'll be attending with me? It's nice, a bit dull if you ask me, but I think you'll be happy. The art classes are really cool. You're into art aren't you?" "Yes, but Uriah was always better than I was. The things he could do with a pencil, it was amazing." Talking about Uriah with Peter had a certain sweetness to it. I know Peter misses Uriah too and being able to talk about it with someone makes all the difference."You showed me the journal he gave you. It was amazing, I never knew he could do that. He just doodled aroud me, but I knew that he'd do anything for you." I smiled. For the first time in months I felt genuinely happy. 

Pete walked me back to the flat and stopped me as i reached for the door handle. I looked at him not understanding and without warning he pulled me into a kiss. His soft lips were warm and farmiliar. They were gentle and made me feel safe. When we finally broke apart he leaned in close and whispered, "See you at work tomorrow." I smiled and bit my lip, tasting him on me, blushing before he kissed me on the forhead and left. I went inside and got undressed and slipped into my pajamas I walked soundlessly to the sitting room where John and Dad were emerced in a deep conversation. I went into the kitchen and made tea. Making a cup for myself I went up to my room, I could feel Dad's stare on my back as I hummed walking up the stairs.