One year later - Edinburgh

Molly shifted in her seat. Baby Holmes took that opportunity to jab a heel into her ribs. She gave her belly a little shake.

"I am excited too, little one," she murmured.

When it came her turn to to be recognized, Molly heaved herself up and lumbered to the front of the auditorium. She approached her dean and began to smile. By the time she stepped into place, she beamed. Her cheeks hurt. Happy tears stung her eyes. After all the trials and tribulations she had endured to become a doctor, she could not believe she had succeeded.

Before she knew it, a certificate was in her grasp.

"It is with great pleasure, I bestow upon you this diploma, Dr. Molly Holmes. You are going to make great contributions to the world of medicine-" Dr. Eliza Finley's eyes flicked down, she smiled ruefully "-erm, . . . eventually."

Molly accepted her papers and patted her swelling stomach. She quietly thanked her passenger for its patience. Had the wee one decided to come on their due date, Molly might not be accepting her diploma.

"Thank-you."

She glanced over at her husband. His leg was hopping beneath him but he smiled broadly. Her heart skipped a beat. There was a time she thought him one of the most selfish people she had ever met, but he had since proved her delightfully wrong on that account. For, how many husbands would drop everything to move halfway across the country just to support their wife's career aspirations? He was, in fact, her eyes began to sting again, remarkably selfless. She could not recall a single complaint in the preceding year, only an enthusiasm for all the novel mysteries his clients in Edinburgh had tasked him to solve.

Still, she chuckled as she scrutinized him further. His eyes skittered to the clock. She nodded in empathy with his impatience. She missed her uncle and Gomery and the cavernous morgue beneath Bart's. She was quite finished with Scotland herself.

Scotland Yard beckoned.