pennywaltzy:(Banner by @strangelock221b)Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures - It all begins

pennywaltzy:(Banner by @strangelock221b)Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures - It all begins with an invitation to Mycroft’s wedding to his PA and seven days at a resort in Jamaica, with the assumption that Molly pretends to be his girlfriend that his mother might be under the impression that he’s going to propose to sooner rather than later. It ends up being so much more than that…READ CHAPTER 1 | READ CHAPTER 11 | BUY ME A COFFEE?The dinner had gotten to be a bit much, and eventually, once he was sure his presence wouldn’t be missed, Sherlock slipped away towards the sandy beach to get some peace and quiet. He took a bottle of the local beer brew and sipped on it slowly, trying to sort his thoughts into an appropriate place in his Mind Palace to get some peace in his head. It seemed to be a futile task, but he was at least trying.“You love her.”Sherlock scowled at the unfamiliar voice saying something that would sound just like what his brother would say. Robert was drinking a low alcohol beer out of a glass bottle, looking out at the ocean. Sherlock shrugged in response, sipping his own beer quietly. “It’s not as though we’re faking our relationship anymore.”“Yeah, but with your brother being here it makes it all more complicated, doesn’t it?”“It does,” Sherlock admitted. He turned to the man who would soon be family. “Is there anyone for you?”“No,” Robert said, shaking his head. “In my line of work, I don’t go through women quite the way the fictional Bond does, but it’s not like I can give a woman what she truly wants.”“And that is?”“Time with her, my attention, priority in my life…” He had some more of his beer as he walked closer to Sherlock. “Which is why if you love Molly, you’ll give her all of that.”“What makes you think she wants it?” Sherlock asked, more curious than accusatory.“Because she loves you too. Talk to her for just a little bit about you and you can tell. She’s truly, madly, deeply in love with you. Wouldn’t be surprised, with the lies Mikey said you were feeding your mum if your relationship moves at the speed of light.”Sherlock scoffed but it came out as a sort of strangled chuckle. Oh well; the idea that he and Molly could end up…he didn’t know, married by the time they left the island…it was ludicrous. Pure fantasy. Sherlock was going to say more when there was a sound of heavy footsteps behind them. Not Mycroft’s soft steps, but not Sherrinford purposeful steps. Both men turned and saw Sherlock’s father coming over to them.“The festivities are in full swing,” Siger said. “Your presence is being missed.”“Just needed some peace and quiet,” Robert said with a grin, tipping his beer bottle towards Siger. “I’ll head back now.”“Sherlock?” his father asked.Sherlock shook his head. “As long as Molly’s having fun, I can take a few more moments to sit.”“She is, and she’s close to Mikey and Andrea,” Siger said. “Could I join you for a bit?”“I suppose.” Sherlock had some more of his beer then, waiting for Robert to go back to the others and his father to sit next to him. His relationship with his father was, perhaps, better than his relationship with his mother, but it was still strained because of his past actions, though it was mending. It was just slow-going.“She’s a good woman for you,” his father said as he settled in the sand next to him. “But your relationship is much newer than you told your mum, isn’t it?”Sherlock had the rest of his beer and set the bottle in the sand. “I always wondered if either of you had seen it, seen through the stories I was telling.”“Well, I knew you were in love with her, but I hadn’t entirely been sure it was a real relationship,” Siger admitted.“You’re the second person today to tell me I love Molly,” he replied. “We only officially began dating today.”“Well, then I’ll rein your mother in on the engagement ring issue,” Siger said, patting his son on the shoulder. “But I’m glad you both are here. Your eldest brother…we hadn’t intended for him to come with us, but your mother was so pleased he was back, and seemed to be making amends–”“What do you mean?” Sherlock asked.“He said he’s paying back the funds he took from us.”Sherlock shook his head. He had known there was some shadiness in his brother’s past, but stealing from his parents? “Has he given you a cent yet?”“Not yet,” Siger said. “I know, I know. We should probably doubt his word, but…”“How much did he take?” Sherlock asked.“Ten thousand pounds.” Sherlock’s jaw dropped. “Your mother, she wanted to invest it, and he made bad investments, with what he did invest.”“I never knew.” Sherlock shook his head. “How can you trust him, though?”“Motherly hope. The money really isn’t the important thing; we’ve made it back over the years, with Mycroft’s help.” That tidbit surprised Sherlock, but he waited for his father to continue. “Your mum wants to believe he’s changed. But he’s not the same as you are; you’ve made true changes. I don’t think he’ll pay us back a dime. I don’t think he’s changed. But I hope he will, for your mum’s sake.”“Why didn’t you tell me more about him when I asked?” Sherlock asked.“We were ashamed, I suppose. We trusted him, and he used us, even though we were family. We just…wanted to pretend it had never happened, so not talking about it meant not talking about him, not even with you. Mycroft never forgot, however, and that’s something I feel bad about, that right now, his wedding is not the joyous occasion it could be.”“We need to get him to leave,” Sherlock said.“I know, but convincing your mother…”“Is akin to asking for a miracle,” Sherlock said, acknowledging the way his mother was. “She never mentioned him, but I suppose that’s how our family is. We keep secrets.”“And we’re about to be married into a family who keeps secrets for a living,” Siger said, patting his son’s shoulder. “But I’ll try and convince your mum to talk to Sherrinford about leaving and trying to reconnect at a more appropriate time.”“I think Mycroft would appreciate it,” Sherlock said as light footsteps sounded behind them. He looked up and saw Molly approaching them, a curious smile on her face. He gave her a smile back, trying to reassure her, and he watched her relax. “I think my date would like me to be around the party again.”“Oh, I was hoping I could join you,” Molly said. “It’s a bit…much…back there.”Sherlock nodded and his father gave him a wink before standing up to go back to the party. Molly took his spot and Sherlock put an arm around her shoulders, and she leaned her head against him. “Was it my brother?”“A bit, yeah. He keeps leering at me,” Molly said. Sherlock tightened his hold on her. “Do you want to go back to the room? I think you’ve disappeared long enough so that a permanent leave might be expected by now.”“I think that sounds like an excellent idea,” Sherlock said, pressing a kiss into her hair. He had done his fair share of schmoozing at the dinner, meeting the extended members of Andrea’s family and dealing with his own family. Molly was right; if they retired for the night he doubted anyone would mind. He got up and helped her up from her spot, and he took her hand in his as they headed back to their room. With any luck, the combined might of Robert and his aunt and his own nuclear family would get Sherrinford to leave before much more time had passed, and they could celebrate in peace. -- source link

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