Author's Note: Goodness, what a beautiful, amazing ride this story has been. This is the most popular fic I've ever had and the outpouring of reviews I've received on here, tumblr and AO3 have been overwhelming in such a positive way. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for reading, faving, following and reviewing. Y'all may not realize it, but your love for this fic has been extra motivational for me. You are the reason I fought through my sick days to get these chapters out and write on! Without any further ado, here is the last installment. Please enjoy and thank you again!

p.s. fan art has been made for this story and some have been added in earlier chapters on Ao3. The lovely artist, rebka18, plans to create one piece for each chapter, so keep checking back on Ao3 (SimplyShelbs16) for new art. :)

In a beautiful cottage located in Surrey, the hustle and bustle of a happy family could be heard and seen through the open windows. It was the fifth birthday of Charlotte and Victor Holmes. Friends and family gathered, fluttering about and conversing with one another. Mrs. Hudson was talking with Sherlock's parents, reminiscing. Rosie was playing with Charlotte and Victor in the sitting room while Sherlock helped Molly prepare food in the kitchen. John and Greg were discussing various cold cases and making small talk. Mycroft and Lady Smallwood, now Lady Holmes, were conversing among themselves whilst observing the activity around them.

Molly was tossing various veggies in the salad she was creating. The timer beeped on the oven.

"Sherlock, could you get those chips out?" Molly asked popping a cherry tomato that dropped on the counter into her mouth. He took the pot holder and slid the tray of homemade chips from the oven and set it on the stove to cool.

"Daddy, do you like my drawing?" Charlotte Holmes asked, her chocolate brown eyes shining. Her cinnamon brown hair was done up in a waterfall braid, courtesy of Molly.

"It's wonderful, sweetheart," Sherlock told her, lifting her into his arms. He brought her over to the fridge to pick out a magnet to hang it with. She smiled brightly at him, resembling a miniature version of Molly.

"Hey, Lottie, we're gonna play Cluedo, wanna join?" Victor called out. His ebony curls and piercing blue eyes resembled his father in every way. Both children were very intelligent for their age, which didn't come as much of a shock to anyone.

"Sorry daddy, I gotta go now. The game is on!" Charlotte exclaimed with a giggle. Sherlock set his daughter down to join in with her brother and cousin Rosie. It was then he heard a laugh slip from Molly's lips. He sauntered behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist as she tossed the salad.

"Is something funny?" Sherlock asked with a smirk, his lips next to her ear.

"She sounds like you," Molly smiled. He leaned down to press a few small kisses along the side of her neck, distracting her from the current task at hand. Little did they know, John Watson, best friend extraordinaire, snapped a photo at that very moment knowing they would appreciate having it later.

"Mm, I love you," Sherlock murmured against her skin. Molly leaned into him, relishing the feel of his lips. He always found a way to make her heart race and stomach flutter.

"I love you too, Sherlock," Molly sighed with contentment. "I'm gonna have to ask you to stop distracting me though. There'll be more time for this later." She turned her head to give him a wink. It wasn't long before everyone had gathered in the backyard garden that Molly grew over the years. There was a large picnic table set by the azaleas. There was a small pond with a trickling waterfall running into it that Toby avoided like the plague. Sherlock's beekeeping set up was on the other side of the garden near the small patch of sunflowers. It was a lovely summer day. The food was set out by Molly. The plates and silverware were brought out by Sherlock and Mycroft. There were fish and chips, vegetable salad, fruit salad and finger sandwiches. And of course the twins' birthday cake that Molly baked was still on the counter in the kitchen, only to be brought out until everyone finished eating lunch. A platter of ginger nuts sat next to it, much to Sherlock's delight.

They ate and conversed with one another in shared revelry. Everyone poked fun at one another and told stories of the days long ago. Greg and John were teasing Sherlock about finally joining the silver fox club, though he was nowhere near as grey as they were. He only had streaks of it here and there through his curls. It was surprising for Molly to find him insecure over it and so she had took it upon herself to remedy the situation. It was as if the conversation was just yesterday.

2 years ago

"What is this?" Sherlock groaned, looking in their bathroom mirror.

"Looks like a little bit of grey. Don't worry about it," Molly replied nonchalantly.

"I'll have to dye it. I can't be seen as an old man solving crimes," Sherlock complained. She noted the insecurity he was attempting to keep hidden. He used whatever excuse he could to justify dying it.

"Sherlock," Molly crooned, bringing his hands down from his head, "I find it to be rather sexy." This caught him by surprise.

"R-really?" Sherlock smirked.

"Mhmm," Molly replied running her fingers through his hair and kissing him deeply. When the kiss broke, he looked back in the mirror at his mussed hair due to Molly's roaming fingers.

"S'pose it's not so bad," Sherlock agreed.

Another memory brought up by Molly was that of the first time Sherlock attempted teaching Charlotte and Victor the basics of observation. They were in London, eating at Angelo's together.

One year ago

"Close your eyes," Sherlock instructed Victor. "Now, tell me how many people in this establishment are wearing hats."

"The man with the ugly shirt, the short haired lady in the booth beside us and the man at the register, so three," Victor replied. He opened his eyes to see if he got it right and to play a joke, Sherlock put his deerstalker stuffed in his Belstaff on top of his head. "Hey, that's not fair! You weren't wearing that before!" Sherlock, Molly and Charlotte laughed and it wasn't long before Victor joined in.

"Alright, Charlotte, your turn," Sherlock smiled. Charlotte closed her eyes awaiting her assignment. "Who all here is wearing yellow?"

"Ooh, Mummy, of course and the lady with the cane. Um, the man with the ugly Hawaiian shirt and the lady that just left," Charlotte answered.

"And how do you know the lady that just left was wearing yellow?" Sherlock asked.

"There's only one table behind us and that's where she was sitting. I felt the breeze of her passing by us as she walked out of the door. I noticed her when we first came in to sit down," Charlotte replied proudly.

"That's my girl," Sherlock complimented.

Back to the present, Charlotte and Victor were playfully bickering, causing everyone to laugh at how much they sounded like Sherlock and Molly arguing.

"Your room always looks like a tornado hit it," Charlotte told her brother.

"I prefer to call it an organized mess," Victor argued.

"It's chaos," Charlotte replied.

"It is chaos," Rosie agreed. The adults were very amused at the scene before them. Redbeard approached the table, nudging at anyone's legs to give up a piece of food. Toby was curled up in the grass, sleeping the day away. After lunch was finished, Molly brought out the cake and Sherlock lit the candles. He played 'Happy Birthday' on his violin as they all sang along.

"Alright, make a wish!" Molly exclaimed. Charlotte and Victor blew out their candles and everyone clapped. They ate their cake and insisted that Uncle Mycroft indulge himself for them.

"Who wants to play pirates?" Victor asked.

"I do," Rosie and Charlotte said simultaneously. This was a usual occurrence for them, bringing back childhood memories to Sherlock with a wistful smile. They each chose their personas, Looting Lottie, Red-Handed Rosie and Victor was Yellowbeard with the pirate dog, Redbeard.

Sherlock's mind drifted to another memory that had happened six months ago. He was undercover on a case of national importance and had been away for nearly two weeks. Molly and the twins watched the news every night to keep up and watch out for any sign of Sherlock breaking the case wide open. The night he did, he came home to find the news reports on his success playing on the telly and saw his wife and children doing a victory dance for him. When they saw him at the door, they all ran to him with hugs and kisses and 'I missed yous.'

"So will you two take the case?" Mycroft asked. Sherlock looked to John then to Molly.

"Go on and take it. Rosie can stay here. We'll be fine. Go have an adventure," Molly smiled.

"Alright, we'll take it," Sherlock agreed, John nodding by his side.

"Uh, when do we leave?" John asked.

"Tomorrow morning," Mycroft informed them.

After everyone left, Molly was washing dishes and Sherlock was drying them. His dress shirt sleeves were pushed up to his elbows. The kids were still playing pirates outside as Rosie was staying for the next three days. Molly blew soap bubbles out of her hand and into Sherlock's hair, laughing uncontrollably.

"Oh, now you've done it, Molly," Sherlock growled playfully, scooping up a handful of bubbles and spreading them on her right cheek. He spread a small clump on her nose and she scrunched it up the way he loved. It was soon an all-out bubble war. Eventually, Molly tried to run but he caught her hips in his hands, pulling her back to him as they laughed together. He began tickling her sides and she couldn't stop squirming in his arms.

"Sherlock," Molly laughed breathlessly, "stop. Please."

"Not until you surrender," Sherlock teased.

"Never," Molly giggled.

"Never?" Sherlock questioned. "We'll see about that." He stopped tickling her in favor of trailing his lips down her neck.

"Never," Molly gasped at the new change in strategy. Sherlock stopped kissing her abruptly, causing Molly to complain with an overdramatized whimper.

"Mm, are you sure? I believe surrendering would be best for both of us, don't you think?" Sherlock whispered.

"Yes, okay, I surrender," Molly conceded. Sherlock gave her a beautiful smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. It was a smile she loved and one only reserved for her. His lips went back to work before turning her around to press them upon her lips. He gathered her in his arms, holding her close. They swayed together in the kitchen though there wasn't any music; just the sounds of a calm summer evening and the children playing outside. It was all very domestic.

"So perfect," Sherlock muttered.

"Hmm?" Molly replied in a daze.

"Domestic bliss must suit us," Sherlock smiled before he dipped Molly and kissed her firmly. This was their life of being in love and they wouldn't have it any other way.