The Holmes Called A [Sherlaide III]

Within Reach

Two Nights Later

Adelaide had just barely gotten into bed with that night's reading material when Sherlock and Teddy sauntered in from their evening walk. She flicked her blue eyes up and greeted them warmly, allowing the red Doberman to jump up beside her and give her a few kisses before he obediently retreated to his kennel for the night. Sherlock changed into his pyjamas and, with a suppressed yawn, climbed into bed beside his wife. His grey eyes scanned over the papers in her hands and he spoke, "Lovey, you said you would wait for me to get home before going over those." 

"I know, but I couldn't help it. Especially after hearing so many of the other couples announce their baby names tonight." Adelaide replied with a small, forced chuckle. Sherlock leaned over and rested his chin on her shoulder, gazing at the papers again. 

"That's not what I meant, Adelaide. I can see through the name lists," He reached over and plucked the suspect pages from her hands, revealing the information packets that one of the nurses had given them that morning when they'd gone for the routine checkup. The brunette sat all the way up and sighed, "Love, do you really want to consider changing our birth plan this late? Doctor Lear cleared you for a home birth and we already have everything set up." 

"I know it's late to change everything. But even though she's given the okay for home delivery, but I can't get over this fear that something is going to go wrong because of me."

"Even if something would go wrong, it would not be your fault. You know this."

"Yes..." 

"Mm... And you also know that Doctor Lear would not have approved home delivery if she had an inkling that something wasn't right."

"... I know..." 

Seeing her start to shrink, Sherlock sighed and grasped one of her hands, stroking it gently, "Angel, one of the main reasons we chose a home birth is because we don't want a hundred medical staff or trainees intervening and causing greater distress. We aren't that far from Bart's in case anything does go wrong, and even then, we have a midwife and doula on call, as well as Doctor and Nurse Watson, who insisted they be here." 

She chuckled, "And Myc." 

"Yes, who would stop the whole of England if needed to make sure you got the care you needed. I do not think it's worth changing our birth plan if Doctor Lear doesn't believe there's a significant enough risk to necessitate a hospital birth." Sherlock finished and lifted her hand to his lips, dusting a kiss across her knuckles and slipping his other arm around her waist. 

Adelaide smiled gently and leaned over into his embrace, sighing, "You're right. I'm just getting overly worked up, aren't I?" 

"No, you're just trying to protect our baby girl," He replied and pressed a loving kiss to her head before tsking, "Who is yet unnamed. So, shall we focus on selecting a name for her instead of agonizing over her birth plan again?" To his relief, she finally laughed and nodded. 

"Yes, Sherlock." 

"Good. Because everyone is anxious to know what the next Holmes child is going to be called." 

They both laughed and Sherlock took the packets from her hands, discarding them on his nightstand and replacing them with his own list of names. Adelaide produced a couple of pens and got comfortable again, knowing that it could be another long night before they settled on a name. 

They took turns sharing names, marking off the rejected ones and starring their favorites. Finally, they agreed on a list of their shared top five names. 

Casey, oddly enough, did not make the cut. 

Adelaide hummed and got an idea, "How about we each write our top three names and then see if any of them match up? Then choose that one?" 

Sherlock considered it and then nodded, "Sounds reasonable enough." 

"Okay. Now turn around, no peeking!" He rolled his eyes in jest but obeyed, scribbling down his choices. Once they had both finished their list, Adelaide let him turn back around so they could compare. 

To their pleasant surprise, there was a match between them. Adelaide giggled and they read the name together. It didn't take long after that for them to pick a second name either. Sherlock smirked and quickly texted John the now completed name, eager for his best friend's reaction. 

Adelaide and I have finally chosen a name for our baby girl. Mirabella Joanne Holmes. -SH

When the response came back, Sherlock snickered and showed Adelaide, who laughed as well. 

You dick. -JW

We could have named her Hamish. -SH

Don't go there, or our next kid's going to be William Scott. -JW

Sherlock chuckled and set his phone down, leaning over and snaking his arms back around his wife. She giggled as he pecked a series of kisses down her cheek and neck, "I think she agrees with her name, Sherlock. Feel." She took his hand and pressed it over her tum, where he could feel Mirabella rolling over pleasantly. 

He grinned and rested his chin on her shoulder again, "Only a few more weeks, and Mirabella will be here. Within our reach." 

I'm sorry for making everyone wait so long!! I've finally gotten over the flu but had writer's block, but it's finally out! So thank you all for your patience and support!! I love you all!!

Mirabella did get the most votes, as opposed to Fleurette. I will not disclose the tally but to those who did vote for Fleurette, that name is still on the table for the future. 

See you in the next chapter!! Happy (Early) Christmas!!