A Living Mystery

A Case Of Parenthood

A/N This is very fun to write XD. Chapter 3 is a go.

Everyone in the room froze, the only sound was that of Eris's quiet sobs. Sherlock frowned at Molly "What are you talking about? That's impossible."

The woman sighed and held out a file "Five years ago you donated to a baby laboratory. Eris was the only result before the laboratory shut down after a fire, everything was destroyed. The test doesn't lie, you should know that Sherlock."

The detective observed the file, his expression unreadable. John strode over to his boyfriend, his face the pinnacle of shock "You. Did. WHAT?"

"It was for a case..." Sherlock mumbled, looking up at John with a sort-of sheepish smile.

"Of-bloody-course it was for a case." John said, throwing up his hands in exasperation.

Sherlock felt a tug at his trousers and looked down to see Eris looking at him, eyes dry but still red around the rim "Papa?"

For the first time Sherlock had no idea what to say. Molly had a hand over her mouth to hide a smile and Lestrade was grinning widely. As for John, his heart had completely melted at the sight.

"Y-yes?" Sherlock answered. Eris smiled and hugged his leg, toy dog in her hand.

The detective stood frozen and John let out a breathy laugh "You look terrified."

Sherlock glared at his boyfriend "I am completely at loss in the world of children. So yes, this is bloody nerve-racking."

John walked over and took his hand "Well, lucky for you, I know a bit on how to handle children." When Sherlock gave him a weird look he answered "My sister."

Eris tugged at Sherlock's pant leg again and held out her arms "Up."

The detective scooped her up and held her at arms length "So this is my daughter?" Eris reached out and poked his nose, keeping a straight face before bursting into laughter. Sherlock's mouth twitched and he pulled her in so he was cradling her in one arm, the other holding John's hand. "Raising a child certainly can't be that hard."

Molly, Lestrade and John looked at each other at the same time and bit back laughter. "Of course darling." John replied and tugged at his arm "We should get going, it's getting late."

The couple said their goodbyes to Lestrade and Molly who informed them of when they had to come fill out the proper paperwork for Eris. Hailing a cab, the two took the little girl home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What dat?"

"A skull."

"What dat?"

"A disembodied arm."

"What dat?"

"Toes I'm using for an experiment."

"Who dat?"

"That's John, my boyfriend."

Eris recoiled, her expression terrified. "Boyfwend mean like Mommy's?" She whispered and John looked over worriedly.

"What do you mean?" Sherlock asked, anger and worry beginning to boil in his chest "How was he mean to you?"

Eris shook her head "Mommy's boyfriend yell. Hit Mommy. Make her cry." She answered.

Sherlock's heart constricted, he wasn't even aware it could do that. But he felt extremely protective of Eris already, just like the other people he loved. It seemed like another part of him had finally returned, a part he didn't even know he was missing.

"Well, John isn't like that. I love him very much and we would never let anyone hurt you." Sherlock reassured his daughter with a small smile. John watched and felt his heart swell, it was the most adorable sight.

"And if you ever do get hurt," John began, walking over to his boyfriend and Eris who sat on Sherlock's chair while he made tea "I happen to be a doctor."

He leaned down and hugged Sherlock around the neck, making Eris giggle. "Jawn." She repeated "Jawn. Jawn. Jawn. Jawn..."

"Oh god not this again, she really is your daughter, huh?" The doctor laughed, burying his face in Sherlock's curly hair, so similar to Eris's.

Sherlock grinned and put his hand over John's, fiddling with Eris's hair at the same time. They stayed like that until the kettle began to whistle insistently.

John sighed and went to turn off the stove. He poured the water into a pot and dipped in a sifter full of lemongrass. Then he carried the tray of tea and biscuits and placed it on the table in front of the chairs.

Eris reached out to touch the pot then pulled her hand away when she felt the heat. She pouted "Burn. It gonna burn me."

John grinned "Smart girl. Would you like some chocolate milk instead?" He offered kindly.

Eris beamed at him and nodded her head "Yes pwease."

John got up once more and opened the fridge for the milk, making sure he stood in front of it so the girl wouldn't see any more disturbing sights. Eris followed him as he made the chocolate drink, observing as he poured, scooped and stirred with interest.

Sherlock watched the two, his daughter and the only person he had ever loved romantically. It was like they were and actual family. "Here you go." John said, leaning down and handing a mug to the small girl beside him.

"Thank you Doda!" the girl squealed, running back to Sherlock "Look Papa, I have milk!"

John stood in shock at the way she addressed him, like her second father. He blushed when he looked up at Sherlock who was equally surprised though he was trying not to show it. Eris was already recognizing them both as her parents and it seemed like there was no way of stopping it, they were her dads now. Which meant they were a family.

John walked over to his chair in a daze, plopping down and sipping a bit of tea. Eris gulped down the milk and ran around with her toy dog, occasionally mumbling dialogue and narration to go with whatever make-believe game she was playing.

The doctor sighed and smiled at Sherlock "We have to go get some stuff for her tomorrow. There's no way she's going to live off of a dress and toy dog."

Sherlock looked up and frowned "But she seems to be doing that right right now." John rolled his eyes.

"Yes, but those clothes are going to get dirty soon and you don't want your daughter running around like that, do you?"

The detective grumbled but didn't argue. "Our daughter."

John's head snapped up "What?"

"Our daughter. We live together with a child so we're both going to raise her. Plus she already calls you 'Doda' which I suspect is a combination of 'Doctor' and 'Dad'" Sherlock explained. There was a faint blush on his cheeks.

There was a silence before John strode across the room in one step and planted a kiss on Sherlock's cheek. "Of course I'll help you raise Eris, all you had to do was ask."

They leaned their foreheads together before John sat down next to Sherlock in the same chair, they were so close they were almost on top of each other. John leaned his head into Sherlock's chest and the detective wrapped an arm around him.

Eris noticed and ran to climb into their laps. They sat there happily as the night grew older outside, falling asleep in the dusty flat as a family for the first time.

A/N I made myself squeal, I'm dying. And don't worry, it gets fluffier (Though, I might add some angst...)

DON'T DIE!

~Prongs❤