The Casebook of Keyland Jones.

Chapter Twenty - Christmas is Here

221b was full of life. Keyland was ordering everyone around, cooking, and decorating.

"Hey Keyland." Sherlock said as he put the decorations up.

"Yes Sherlock?" Keyland answered from the kitchen.

"I bet you ten quid that Mycroft and Andrea kiss tonight." Sherlock said with an impish grin.

"You are SO on." Keyland laughed.

Later on Keyland was in the kitchen when she heard movement in the hall.

"Sherlock would you get the door I think its them!" Said Keyland her hip length braid swinging as she put the roast beef on the table. Sherlock's throat grew dry as she cast her sparkling brown eyes on him.

"Sherlock?" she said impatiently.

"Right the door!" Said Sherlock running off to let everyone in.

221b threw off a very festive vibe, Sherlock had hung fairy-lights everywhere and even Billy was wearing a Christmas hat. Mr and Mrs. Holmes stepped into the flat and Mrs. Holmes immediately picked up on Sherlock's nervousness.

"Hello mummy hello dad." Sherlock said giving them both hugs.

"Hello Sherlock! Wow you really went all out." Mr. Holmes smiled.

"Thanks Dad!"

"Where is Keyland?"

"Right here Mrs. Holmes." Said Keyland rounding the corner and enduring some hugs.

"Something smells amazing!"

"That would be Keyland's cooking." Sherlock said proudly. 'Maybe' he thought, 'She will cook for me when we are married. I mean she cooks for me now, but I wonder if this would change our dynamic?'

"Well come on in and sit down." Keyland said with a smile. "We have some eggnog if you would like?"

"Sounds wonderful Keyland." Said Mrs. Holmes, sitting down next to Sherlock on the couch. Mr Holmes went into the kitchen to help Keyland serve the drinks.

"Why are you nervous?" Mummy asked.

"What?" Sherlock said caught off guard.

"Did something happen with Keyland??"

"No not yet...I mean no." Sherlock sputtered.

"William." Mrs. Holmes said sternly.

"Oh alright fine! I'm going to propose to her." Sherlock whispered furtively.

"You what???" Mrs. Holmes said softly. "You two aren't even dating! Sherlock!!!"

At that moment Keyland and Mr. Holmes returned with the glasses of eggnog.

"Want one Sherlock?"

"Yes please." She handed him the glass and their fingers brushed, causing them both to jump lightly as if shocked.

"Thank you Keyland." Sherlock said, his face glowing pink.

"You're welcome..." She said staring at him for a moment before heading quickly back into the kitchen... Mr. Holmes smiled at his wife and headed back into the kitchen to visit with Keyland.

"When Sherlock?" Mrs Holmes asked, demanding.

"Tonight."

"That's too soon." She said.

"Keyland is leaving." Sherlock said sadly.

"Why?"

"To go see her father."

"Where?"

"Ireland."

"So go with her."

"I can't she wont let me."

"Is that why you are proposing?"

"..." Sherlock looked at his shoes.

"William Sherlock Scott Holmes! I thought I'd raised you better than that!" Mrs. Holmes whisper-scolded, her eyes flaming.

There was a knock on the door. Sherlock quickly got off the couch and opened the door for Andrea and Mycroft.

"Hello Brother." Sherlock said.

"Yes merry Christmas and all that." Myc said bitterly. (He really didn't like parties and was only there to please Andrea...)

"It's so good to see you Sherlock!" Smiled Andrea. "Its been far too long." She set the presents under the tree and went into the kitchen to talk to Keyland. She knew Keyland would be having a rough time, and was trying to be a supportive friend.

Dinner went well - Especially the creme brulee- and soon it was time to open presents.

"Wow Andrea this is very nice."

"That's not the best part. Its also a sword and gun." Andrea smiled.

"You're joking." Mycroft said.

"Nope give it here." Said Andrea as she showed off the properties of the umbrella.

"Well thank you Andrea." Smiled Mycroft, suddenly he gave her an awkward hug. Andrea squeaked in surprise and there was an awkward pause.

"Sherlock." Keyland said breaking the silence. "There is one more gift for you." She said handing him a large parcel. He took it and shook it trying to deduce it.

"Stop trying to deduce it and just open it." Keyland laughed. Sherlock suddenly got very warm. That sometimes happened when she laughed.

He opened the gift and pulled out the finest coat he had ever seen.

"What are you waiting for put it on!" Sherlock pulled the coat on over his purple dress shirt.

"What do you think?" Keyland said nervously.

"What do I think?! I love it Keyland!" Sherlock said pulling Keyland in for a hug. Mr. And Mrs. Holmes shared a look.

Keyland wished that moment could last forever. But sadly the party was over too soon.

"Goodbye everyone." Mr Holmes said as his wife joined him under the door frame. She went to walk through it but her husband stopped her. He pointed up to the frame where there hung a bundle of mistletoe.

"Do you see what I have to put up with?" Mrs. Holmes said in fake exasperation, as her husband pulled her in for a kiss.

"Goodbye you two." Keyland giggled. Mycroft and Andrea looked at each other horror growing on their face.

"We can use the other door." Mycroft stated as he walked into the kitchen. To his horror the other door had Mistletoe too.

"Mycroft remember, out traditions define us..." Sherlock quipped.

"Ignore him Myc, It's not that bad." Andrea said as she kissed Mycroft quickly on the lips.

"Goodbye guys." She said as she breezed through the door.

Mycroft stood paralyzed in the doorway.

"Goodnight Myc." Sherlock said shoving him into the hallway and taking down the mistletoe.

"Pay up Keyland." Sherlock smirked.

"You are a dirty cheat! I know you put up that mistletoe Sherlock Holmes!" Keyland said as she handed him the money.

"But you love it." Sherlock said with a wink, as he put on his coat.

"Where are you going?" Keyland asked.

"I thought we could take a walk." Sherlock smiled.

"Alright but just a short one." Keyland agreed.