So Author's quick Note:

I wrote the original so long ago, and I had this chapter half written on my laptop for ages...

So, I Finally decided to do something with it. Keep in mind i have two children under 4, so despite going over this with spell check a half dozen times. I'm SURE i missed something. You can totally inform me of my errors, and whatnot.. but be kind in your judgement of me, for I am sleep deprived. I Hope it's satisfactory.

...

"You're joking?!"

"Nope, I'm being completely serious. That's just about exactly what he said"

"Nooooo. Really?" Mary's face contorted a bit at the thought of Sherlock Holmes being in love.

"You didn't see it either then? I felt completely side swept, Though now that he said it aloud it does explain a few things."

"Like what then?" Mary grew curious.

"Well, when we picked him up from the drug den that one time, and took him to the lab. Molly slapped him 3 times."

"What of it?"

"Well Sherlock would never have just stood there and let someone slap him repeatedly like that. It was completely out of character. The Sherlock I know, would have either dodged it immediately, or stopped her hand long before it reached his face. I've seen him fight while high, and his reflexes are not hindered in the slightest."

"Are you suggesting then, that he let her slap him because he loves her?" Mary blinked a moment then nodded. "Actually that makes sense"

"And this one time" John went on. "before you and I met, She came over for a Christmas party at 221b. Sherlock had been keeping to himself most of the evening, until Molly came up the stairs." John twisted in his chair trying to remember the night in exact detail. "Suddenly he started acting out. He became much more vocal, deduced everyone, and made us all feel crap. Molly especially." John took a long sip from his tea.

"He assumed, incorrectly I might add, that she had gotten all dressed up for a date. He was noticeably bothered by it. Then, only after he had made her feel absolutely horrible about herself.. did he realize that the gift he had been basing his deductions on was a gift for him. He had made a complete ass of himself, and then... he shocked us all by sincerely apologizing to her. He even gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek. I've known Sherlock for years now, and I'd never once heard him say I'm sorry to anyone else."

"By Gods John, do you know what this means?!"

"Yes, yes I do, oddly enough. Which is why I have decided that something should be done about it. But truthfully, I'm terrible at arranging these sort of things, and he's likely to get whiff of the situation unless you're involved. No offense love, but you're an excellent liar."

"None taken deary, I'm well aware."

"And modest..." he nudged his wife playfully.

"Let's hear it then, what do you suggest we do?"

"Well, first... he'll never be convinced of being wrong in this matter. He'll never attempt to date her on his own, so I was thinking we get someone of higher authority in his life involved. Someone he'll actually listen to, or at least, do their bidding." She paused for dramatic effect.

"We need to tell Sherlock's mum."

"Oooooh, you are wicked dear. Honestly it's quite sexy to see you scheming like this." John smiled cheekily at his wife's suggestion. "Let the game begin"

…...

Sherlock Holmes despised Christmas.

A feeling of dread came over him as the taxi pulled into the country drive that lead to his childhood home. Soon he'd be bombarded with his mother's concerns for his health, his father's terrible taste in cologne, and his brother's constant nagging. On the plus side, his mother had told him not to come alone, so he was able to convince Mary and John to come along with their baby. Perhaps she would distract his mother's attention for a large portion of the evening.

The front door came open as soon as the car stopped in front of it.

"Come in! Come in! Oh, do come in!.. Just give me that sweet baby! I won't hear of anything else."

Mrs. Holmes was in a state of pure bliss; cooing and soothing little Abby Watson who had been crying for the last 15 minutes of their car ride. The baby calmed down almost immediately, and started playing with Mrs. Holmes' nose.

"Oh the little Angel! I've heard so much about you little Abby, yes I have." Lost in the babies sweet face, she headed inside and left the others to grab their luggage from the cab.

Sherlock shrugged off his coat and scarf immediately after entering, tossing them over a chair in the living room, and plopping down on the sofa.

"Wake me when this is over"

"Oh come come Sherlock, surely you wouldn't dream of missing this opportunity to spend some quality time with your dear older brother. Now would you?" A dry familiar voice came from the doorway.

"Go away Mycroft, I'll not have you ruining my holiday nap. Go... play chess with dad or something.. and remember to let him win ever so often. If he loses too often he loses confidence and becomes mopey. Mummy will be upset."

Mary and John complimented the lady of the house on the magnificent smells that were wafting from the kitchen.

"Oh, its nothing really.. Would you like some wine to tie you over?"

Both nodded eagerly. "Oh yes. Wine will do."

As she pored, Luna leaned in closer and whispered:

"Will Miss Hooper be joining us as we discussed over the phone?"

"Oh yes. I believe she'll be arriving soon. We gave her the address and let her know you wanted her to attend."

"She was confused at first, having never met you. I told her that you wanted some of Sherlock's friends to attend this year, because you were sick of making so much food for only 4 people. She doesn't have a family of her own, so It wasn't hard to convince her."

"Oh this will be just lovely. I'm ever so glad you told me about Sherlock's little secret." Mrs Holmes was just tickled pink to think that her Sherlock might actually be interested in someone or something other than a case.

Just then the doorbell rang.

Sherlock quirked his head. "Oh Great! Who else is coming? Did you invite Anthea again Mycroft?"

"Actually, yes brother mine, but she shouldn't be arriving for another hour or so according to this text."

"Then?" Sherlock walked to the front door where his mother was already greeting her guest. Abby still in her arms, though now the baby was sleeping.

"Come in! Come in. I'm Luna! I've heard so much about you from your friends, John and Mary let on a great deal about how you are always helping my Sherlock about his work.

Molly blushed.

"Oh, no, they shouldn't, I'm.. it's my job really...I do bodies.. I mean.. Oh God!.. I'm sorry. I do corpses.. I mean!. Oh that sounds awful.. I'm a"

"Pathologist.. yes dear, they mentioned. Come along. Come along... Sherlock! Come take this coat!"

Sherlock stood mortified staring at Molly. How did he not see this happening?

"Molly, what an unexpected surprise?" he glared at John who had recently joined them

"You didn't know I was coming? Oh , Oh God! Sorry.. Your mum.. she.. John said she invited me..so I just thought. I thought you would have known.."

"Sherlock! Her coat, don't be rude!"

Sherlock did as his mother bade and took her coat for her.

"Oh doesn't she just look lovely Sherlock." Mrs. Holmes appraised Molly's appearance.

Molly had somehow managed to dress well this evening. No doubt Mary played a part in this.

She wore a simple black sweater over a plaid blouse and a red knee length pencil skirt.

Her hair was let down but pulled back a bit, much like it was at the Christmas party from several years ago. Only now it was much more simply done. No makeup, just Molly. Truth be told, he found her lovely always, but certainly in this moment she stood out as even more so. Not that he'd let on about it, especially not in front of his mother.

He coughed and mumbled "yes", before hanging her coat in the closet

"Oh, don't let Sherlock's lack of manners upset you dear. You look absolutely lovely, and you're MY guest tonight. He just hates when he can't predict these sorts of things." She gave Sherlock a light pat on the cheek.

"Come along! Come along.. Let me get you some wine, and give you a tour of the house. I just need to drop this baby off in the nursery. I haven't changed it a bit since Sherlock and Mycroft were little. I was hoping by now I'd have a grand-baby of my own to look after on occasion, but since these boys seem to hate their mother so, I'm borrowing this one for the holidays." She gave Abby a kiss on the cheek.

"Is it the same nursery from when he was little?" She asked with a little more curiosity in her voice than she wanted to admit to.

"Oh yes deary, come with me. You must see it."

Molly followed Sherlock's mom down the hallway. She mouthed an "I'm sorry" to Sherlock as she passed him.

After they were out of earshot, Sherlock turned to John.

"This is your doing isn't it?" his eyes narrowed as he towered over his friend.

John nodded smugly, "Yep, but let's not risk the chance of your mum overhearing us. I would hate to ruin her Christmas celebration."

Sherlock groaned but agreed with him.

"We'll discuss this back at the flat on Monday.. until then.. non of your shenanigans."

…...…

After the grand tour of the Holmes' Residence, Mrs. Holmes had them all sit at the dinner table.

"Dinner should be ready in just a moment." As she retreated to the kitchen to check on the food.

Luna had little place cards all about the table, and surely enough she had seated molly directly beside her son.

"Wine dear?" Mr. Holmes Sr. offered.

"Yes please." Molly held out her glass. She needed something to take the edge off.

Sherlock was refusing to look at her.

"So, did uhm... Did you solve any new cases recently or something?" Molly attempted small talk.

"No."

"Oh. You must be pretty bored then."

"Yes."

Your mum really loves babies. She's uhm.. not what I expected"

"Yes."

Just then, the sound of a spoon tapping on crystal was heard. "Attention! Attention! Merry Christmas everyone, and welcome! Now that we're all here, and supper is about to be served, how about a lovely toast? Boys? Would one of you do the honors?" Mrs. Holmes beamed up at her children from the head of the dinner table.

"I did it last year" Mycroft whined. "It's your turn."

Sherlock looked entirely put out, but stood up anyway..

"Fine." he spat, glaring daggers at his older brother from across the table. "Fine." He repeated with a cough.

"A toast..." Sherlock looked around the table at the faces of his closest friends and family. The uncomfortable resonance of affection stirring in his chest. Molly's innocent sweet face peering up at him from his left side. His mother's wide cheeks glowing brighter than the candles she set on the table. His father holding and bouncing Abby Watson on his lap as he waited expectantly for Sherlock to continue. John and Mary holding hands under the table as they smiled knowingly at their friend. Mycroft and Anthea clicking away on their cell phones, despite sitting right next to eachother at the dinner table, small smirks resting on their faces.

"A toast to satiate the emotional needs of the family ...and friends.. that plague me." he cleared his throat. "May little Abby grow to be more like her mother, and less like her father with every passing day. No offense John, but you aren't exactly the "thinking" type. And Mary has you completely beaten in terms of looks and charisma."

Mary let out a booming chuckle, while John nodded in solemn agreement.

"To my overweight and incompetent brother, and his..."colleague" Anthea… " he tilted his head in his mother's direction.

"May you… be happy" Sherlock looked positively sick saying this, but faked a smile for his parents none the less.

Mycroft laughed.

"Mum. Dad." May you find enough companionship with baby Abby this weekend, that your own children never have to hear about giving you grand-babies ever again."

"And Molly..." He looked down at his rosy cheeked pathologist, and for a moment he forgot himself. An awkward silence passed, as he looked down at her. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he thought carefully on what to say next.

"Molly, you…" another pause.

"Thank you for coming." he clinked his glass against hers and swallowed the whole thing in one go.