Sophia Holmes and the Sign of Three (Sherlock's Daughter Fanfic) *Completed*

Chapter Eleven - The Sign of Three Part III

A little while later, and still reeling from the fact that dad has quite literally left the Best Man's speech until the last minute, dad calls me into the living room.

"I need your help," he says, not looking at me directly.

"If it's about the speech, I can't help," I reply. "I'm going around to Mary's in a minute for hair and makeup."

"It's not," he replies. "And it won't take long. I just need help road-testing this waltz for John and Mary."

I raise my eyebrows. "You want me to dance? It's been a while since we've done this."

"Well, you're a bridesmaid," dad points out. "You have to dance, so we need to get you back to your usual standard. Look, don't worry – it's relatively simple. All you need to do is follow my lead and try not to step on my feet."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's easier said than done," I reply, rolling my eyes. "Go on then." I walk into the middle of the room where he's cleared a bit of space, and dad heads over to the CD player to press 'start'. There's enough of a delay on it so that he has enough time to get back to me before it begins to play.

An unfamiliar tune begins to play, and I frown as we begin to move. I can tell from the strokes that it is dad playing, but I can't remember him playing it. "Is this a new one?" I ask as we turn.

"I've had it on the back-burner for a little while," dad replies, but I narrow my eyes at him.

"You really are a terrible liar. You made this one up this morning as well, didn't you?"

"It's a work in progress," dad admits, as the door to the stairs opens. He glances over his shoulder at it. "Shut up, Mrs Hudson."

"I haven't said a word," she replies, coming into the room and setting the tea tray down on the table.

Dad sighs as we continue to waltz. "You're formulating a question. It's physically painful watching you thinking." He stops suddenly, losing track of the steps and lets me go as he walks backwards.

"I thought it was you playing," Mrs Hudson says.

Dad gestures to the CD player. "It was me playing." Picking up a remote control, he switches it off and bends down to make a notation on the sheet music lying on the table. "I am composing."

"You were dancing. You pair look lovely dancing together."

"I was road-testing," dad corrects.

Mrs Hudson laughs, confused. "You what?"

Dad throws down his pen in annoyance and turns to her. "Why are you here?"

"I'm bringing you both your morning tea," she says, pouring a splash of milk into each of the teacups. "You're not usually awake."

Dad sits down in his chair and frowns. "You bring us tea in the morning?"

I frown and look at him in disbelief. "Where did you think it came from?!"

"I don't know. I just thought it sort of happened."

"Your mother has a lot to answer for," Mrs Hudson says, taking a cup and saucer over to him, and then to me.

Dad blows over the rim. "Mm, I know. I have a list. Mycroft has a file."

Mrs Hudson giggles and sits down in John's chair opposite him, and I take my seat up at the dining table. "So," she says excitedly, "it's the big day, then!"

Dad takes a sip from his tea. "What big day?"

"The wedding!" she reminds him, half convinced he's forgotten it. "John and Mary getting married!"

"Two people who currently live together are about to attend church, have a party, go on a short holiday and then carry on living together," dad counters. "What's big about that?"

"It changes people, marriage."

"Mmm, no it doesn't."

"Well, you wouldn't understand 'cause you always live alone," she says, and I stop short from taking a sip of my tea.

"He's not alone, he has me."

"And your husband was executed for double murder," dad adds. "You're hardly an advert for companionship."

"Marriage changes you as a person, in ways that you can't imagine." I'm really sure he can.

"As does lethal injection," dad replies, smiling pointedly at her. Weird how we were both thinking about exactly the same person, but in completely different ways.

"My best friend, Margaret – she was my chief bridesmaid," Mrs Hudson continues, and dad sets his cup and saucer down on the table beside him and rolls his eyes. "We were going to be best friends forever, we always said that; but I hardly saw her after that."

Dad stands up and looks at the tea tray, ignoring her. "Aren't there usually biscuits?"

"I've run out."

"Have the shops?" He walks pointedly towards the door to see her out, but Mrs Hudson stays seated in John's chair.

"She cried the whole day, saying, 'Ooh, it's the end of an era'."

Dad sighs. "I'm sure the shop on the corner is open," I say, but Mrs Hudson still doesn't take the hint and continues.

"She was probably right, really." Dad closes his eyes and grimaces. I think in truth he really is concerned about what will change after John and Mary marry. "I remember she left early. I mean, who leaves a wedding early?" She shakes her head. "So sad."

"Mmm," dad says, sensing his opportunity. "Anyway, you've got things to do."

"No, not really," she replies vaguely. "I've got plenty of time to ..."

"Biscuits," dad says sternly, and Mrs Hudson gets out of the chair, tutting as she walks towards the door.

"I really am going to have a word with your mother."

"You can if you like. She understands very little." He closes the door on her, then turns around to me, sighing.

"Nothing's going to change," I tell him, for what feels like the fiftieth time. It's got to the point now where I'm trying to reassure myself as well - especially with Mary's confession . "John never could resist staying away."

Dad nods, though I can still see a trace of doubt in his eyes. "Are you off now then?"

"Yep," I smile, pecking him on the cheek. "Off to battle. I'll see you at the wedding."