The sister... [Recently edited]

Epilogue - And The Note [EDITED]

Mykala POV

"Sentiment."

I cough slightly as I stand at the top table, looking out across the room full of people who have watched us fight, fall apart, and somehow find our way back to each other.

My eyes drop to my newlywed husband.

Sherlock looks up at me with the smallest smile on his face.

A real smile.

Not the one he gives clients.

Not the one he uses when he knows something nobody else does.

Mine.

"Sentiment is something a man once told me was pathetic, stupid, and unnecessary."

A few people laugh quietly, knowing exactly who I am referring to.

I smile down at Sherlock.

"Yet today, I get to prove him wrong."

Sherlock raises an eyebrow.

"Sentiment, despite sometimes being those things, is also good. It is loyal. It is powerful. It is what connects us as human beings."

I pause, looking around the room.

"Sentiment is in everybody's nature. Some people just spend their entire lives pretending it isn't."

Sherlock gives me a knowing look.

"And I embrace sentiment."

I smile.

"I keep pillows my brother gave me because they remind me of home."

John smiles from his seat.

"I keep postcards from when my brother and sister-in-law went on their honeymoon."

Mary laughs softly.

"I kept the piece of paper that got me my first job in London. I kept the cardboard box my first present from the first home that truly accepted me came in."

My voice softens.

"I keep those things because they mattered. Because they remind me of people I love and moments I never want to forget."

I look back at Sherlock.

"And I will never apologise for that."

A hand gently rubs my arm.

I glance down at Sherlock's fingers against mine.

The room is full of tears.

Even Mycroft looks suspiciously like he is trying not to show emotion.

Which means he definitely is.

"Now, I would like to thank a lot of people."

I glance towards Mycroft.

"However, due to the schedule my brother-in-law insists on keeping, apparently I have a limited amount of time."

Mycroft simply raises his glass.

Everyone laughs.

"So I will thank the people who deserve it most."

I turn towards Greg.

"Greg Lestrade."

He looks surprised.

"You are one of the best police officers I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Thank you for everything you have done for my family. For protecting us, helping us, and for the countless times you have watched Joseph and Boo when Sherlock and I were busy."