A Sherlock Christmas

Part 6: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

To: Sherlock, Molly, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, Mycroft, Anderson, Angelo, Donovan, Mike, and Mrs. Holmes

From: John H. Watson

You're all invited to 221b for a Christmas celebration! It is Rosie's first Christmas and we will be having a delicious Christmas turkey with some sides. Also I got a name distributor to email names to each of you for your secret Santa.

It is on December 25th from 5:00-8:00pm

Hope you can all make it. We're very excited and we want to make it very special for Rosie!

John sent out the email and wondered if inviting Anderson and Donovan would be the best option if he wanted Sherlock there. But it was too late.

"Two more Secret Santas isn't so bad," John reassured himself. "Alright-"

"Da da!" Rosie squealed

"Yes, Rosie?"

She squirmed around trying to get her words out. She knew how to speak but some words were more difficult than others. John had learned how to interpret her behaviour over the past few months thanks to Sherlock, and he knew what she wanted to say.

"It's a game," John explained, "where you get a random name from someone in the group. And you buy a gift for that person. But they don't know it's you who got it for them."

"Why dada?"

"Well it's more fun that way. Because it's easier to just buy a gift for one person rather than one for each person."

Rosie stuck out her tongue and laughed. John chuckled at her and scooped her up in his arms. They danced around the living room as John played another record. Not long after, Rosie fell asleep on John's arms. So he went and put her to sleep.

"Alright, maybe I'll have a little rest and clean up a bit later," John reasoned with himself. "Just a few minutes."

John fell asleep next to the crackling fireplace. The scent of smoky firewood and hot chocolate wafted through the air. It was delightful and sent John into a deep slumber.
___

"John!" John was jolted awake and noticed he fell asleep in his chair. "John, it's Mike Stamford," a voice called out through the front door.

John stretched and rubbed his eyes in an attempt to wake himself up. "Coming!" Then he walked over to the door and opened it.

Mike was holding a giant box wrapped in red and green wrapping paper. He handed it to John and they walked into the flat. John forgot to clean the mess, but Mike didn't seem to mind. They put the gift down next to his chair and started to clean up Rosie's toys.

"So John, where's your flatmate, Sherlock?" Mike smiled. "He's not causing too much trouble is he? I was just wondering where he-"

"Sherlock's not here." John responded, not bothering to elaborate.

"Oh. Okay.... Do you have any idea when he'll be here?"

"No idea." John told him. "I wish I did, but Sherlock... is Sherlock."

Suddenly they heard a knock on the door. John asked Mike if he could answer while he tidy up the flat a bit. John even bought a few Christmas candles to liven the place up. It always smelled like old books with a hint of firewood. But now it would smell like "Winter Blast" and "Snowy Wonderland"

"Hello dear." Mrs. Hudson gave John a hug and put her gift next to Mike's. "It looks lovely in here. The decorations are wonderful."

"Thank you very much, Mrs. Hudson. And you really didn't have to bring over food."

Mrs. Hudson walked over to the kitchen and put a few things on the counter. "Oh it's my pleasure!"

Eventually, everyone arrived and perhaps this Christmas wouldn't be as lonely as John thought. He looked around and smiled.

"Alright everyone! Let's start with the gifts and then we'll have some dinner," John announced.

And his Secret Santa plan worked. Everyone had brought a gift and signed it with the name of whom they were giving it to. And in a few minutes, Angelo would be here with some delicious turkey and stuffing.