Secrets and
Revelations
Sherlock Holmes nervously paced the sitting room; his confrontation with Mary Watson had left him unsettled. He had no idea what to say to Watson, whom he expected at any moment. He had to think of a way to tell him all that had transpired. There was no easy way. He would be blunt and to the point. As if on cue Watson knocked on the sitting room door, waited a few moments then let himself in, an unessacary ritual, but done out of respect for Holmes privacy. He looked exhausted; he obviously had been working all night at hospital and had not been home. Holmes smiled at the notion that Watson came to see him first, and on any other day would have been overjoyed, but today was not the case. Holmes studied Watson carefully, taking in every detail. He did not want to forget how happy Watson could look, even when exhausted. It was ironic that he had to be the one to ruin that happiness.
Watson sat in his favourite chair rambling on about his night’s work and how satisfying it had been. He told of several patients he had seen, but was especially proud of the twins he had delivered. “It was a complicated delivery, but now Mother and babies are doing fine, both boys I might add. She is going to name the second boy John. Can you believe it Holmes! What a wonder the miracle of birth, and soon I shall know what it is like form a fathers standpoint rather than that of a doctor. I cannot wait until the day my son is born. Of course it could be a girl. I shan’t be too disappointed, as long it’s healthy. “ He beamed with pride as he spoke of his impending fatherhood.
Holmes sat down opposite, the look on his face told Watson something was wrong.
"Holmes what on earth is it, you look as if someone has died."
Holmes cleared his throat and leaned forward. "There's no easy way to tell you this, so I'll come right out and say it." He took a deep breath "Mary is aware of our relationship."
Watsons jaw dropped and his eyes widened." But Holmes... THAT is not possible. I have been most careful." Watson ran his hands through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
Holmes placed his hand upon Watsons knee and looked him straight in the eye. "She SAW us. Twice I might add."
Watson looked bewildered, and his mouth felt dry he licked his lips and tried to speak, his voice a hoarse whisper. "Oh my God, Holmes When? Where? How did she us? And how do you know?"
Holmes coughed and looked slightly uncomfortable, "Mary came to see me earlier and we had a bit of…" Holmes gave an ironic smile and reached for a cigarette, he was in desperate need for some form of fortification, and cocaine would not be appropriate just now.
"Had a bit of a what Holmes?" Watson's bewilderment gave way to sheer panic
" Well it can only be termed a confrontation, she confronted me I denied, she presented me with evidence I remained silent. The whens and wheres are mute the point is she saw us, she knows. And I am afraid she’s gone." Holmes cool manner infuriated Watson.
"What do you mean by gone? He shook his head in disbelief.
"Her parting words were, tell John I am leaving him if he cares, she also said that you shouldn't try to find her or she would expose our relationship."
"How could you let her go in her condition? I have to go after her" Watson jumped up from his chair and moved quickly to the door. Holmes blocked him.
"What do you think your doing, I have to find my wife" Watson was in a panic. "Holmes If I don't go after her I'll never see that baby! Never know if I have a son or a daughter, Holmes don't you see, I hurt her now she's going to hurt me. She knows this child is as important to me as it is to her. Holmes how could you let her walk out?"
Watson leaned into him and broke down and cried, he was unsure why he cried, was it for the loss of a wife or child or was it the fact that he brought it all on himself. He played a game, took a gamble and lost. Now he had to pay the price.
When Watson had calmed down some he led him to the sofa and sat him down, gently he lifted Watsons face to meet his own. "I will find your wife, and I will keep an eye on her if that is what you wish" He turned away and sighed deeply.
Watson smiled and squeezed Holmes hand. "Would you do that?"
" I would do anything for you Watson" His cold arrogance faded and was replaced momentarily by his softer side. "I am not entirely blameless in this little game of ours"
Watson was much relieved and left feeling certain that Mary would come home, perhaps not right away but when their child was born she would need him then, though she always said a strong woman needs no man to take care of her, she can take care of herself. But there was always hope.
He had gone to the Forresters, they said they didn't know where she was, and he knew they were lying. But it didn't stop him form going back again. "Please I just want to know she’s alright,” He pleaded with Mrs. Forrester
"I'm sorry John, Mary is not here, and if she were I could tell you now she doesn't want to see you." She tried to sound sympathetic.
"Let me see her! She's my wife for god sake " He tried to push through the front door.
Mrs. Forrester stood firm. "You should have thought about that before you hurt her! Now I suggest to you leave before I am forced to call a constable!"
"Fine, just tell her I need to see her" He left, again a broken man.
The weeks past and Watson grew more depressed, Mary had been correct he did seek solace from Holmes, but it was a cold comfort. He knew that each moment Mary was gone meant the likelihood she would never return. He knew he had no one but himself to blame.
Holmes could see the hope fading and Watson growing more and more despondent. Watson had taken to drink and he neglected his practice.
Holmes offered him a use of his old rooms, this at first seemed to cheer him, but soon he was back to the blackness of depression. He even began refusing to accompany Holmes on any cases; this was the last straw. Holmes could no longer sit back and watch his friend self-destruct. He decided it was time to take action.
Inspector Lestrade sat at his desk reading over some old files when the knock came at his door. "Why Mr. Holmes what an unexpected pleasure this is"
"Yes to be sure. Now if you'll be so good as to tell Mary Watson that I wish to speak with her. DON'T give me that I don't know what you mean look, I know full right and well that the Dear Mrs. Watson has been staying with you." Holmes looked directly at Lestrade.
" Before you go asking why I didn't tell Watson, I knew you’d find her, it was just a matter of time, and out of all of us including me she’s the only innocent, I felt I owed her a confidence." Lestrade smiled, he had a soft spot for Mary. She reminded him of his dear sister who passed away many years before.
"I wasn't going to say a word Lestrade I will call upon Mrs. Watson tonight at 8, if you would be so good as to inform her. Tell her it is in her best interest." Holmes waved his hand in the air and walked out.
Lestrade shook his head "Such an arrogant self important bastard, some day I'll tell you to your face!"
Lestrade came home early to find Mary sitting in the chair that had become her favourite, near the fire. She smiled. "How was your day dear?” She teased.
"I had a visit from Holmes, he says he needs to speak with you and will be here at 8."
She wasn't surprised, nor did she try and leave. She was to far gone in pregnancy to run. She would hear what Holmes had to say, it could be amusing.
When Holmes knocked at 8 Lestrade let him in and then left, Mary was still in the same chair by the fire. Holmes stood there.
"Do come in Mr. Holmes, I’m pregnant not made of glass." Her tone was one of amusement mixed with coolness.
He approached her carefully. "I have come on behalf of Watson. He is in bad shape he has been since you left. I hate to admit it, but there is nothing I can do that will bring him round. " He paced nervously.
"He has brought this on himself Mr.Holmes as you are well aware"
"Yes I KNOW, but you haven’t seen him, he's depressed, he's taken to drink, and he’s neglected his practice!" Holmes was voice was high and strained; he spoke quickly and was near incoherent at times. His eyes were filled with pain, the pain of watching someone he loved destroy himself. He looked her in the eyes "Mrs. Watson I am begging you. If you ever loved John, please see him, speak with him, you owe him at least that." Holmes
sighed.
Mary shifted "I
owe him nothing." She struggled to her feet, and nearly passed out Holmes
rushed forward and steadied her. NO
Please don't let her be going in labour!
"Mrs. Watson are you alright?" he was as pale as she was and there was genuine concern in his voice.
She clung to him as she tried to stand; her pain at last had begun. Oh God don't let this happen with HIM here, why now? "Mr. Holmes, I think.." She gasped as the contraction took hold of her. "I need a doctor."
Holmes picked her up and carried her to the bedroom; gently he placed her on the bed. " I will be right back, I am going to fetch the landlady to stay while I go for a doctor"
Holmes tried to leave but Mary grabbed at his hand. "PLEASE, The pain is to great. Don't leave me alone.. I beg you.."
Holmes sat on the bed and spoke calmly. "I understand that it hurts, but you need a doctor, and unless I can get Mrs. Stanley to stay with you I can not get the doctor. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I promise I will NOT get John." His words were soothing and she found herself instinctively trusting him, though she couldn't say why. She nodded and when this contraction at last subsided she released Holmes.
Holmes called down to the landlady there was no reply. He waited a few moments and called out again. Still no reply. Mary cried out again. NO! NO! NO! This is not going to happen it's to absurd! Holmes began to nervously pace. I cannot do this, but I can't just leave her here alone. He called down again. Still no answer.
He ran down the stairs and out the door, he looked around but there was no one passing. DAMN! On any given night there's at least 5 people around where are they all tonight!
He leaned against the doorframe and took in the night air. He had been gone from the bedside for 15 minutes. She must be frightened. I'd best get back to her.
Holmes returned to Mary’s bedside, by now her waters had broken. Holmes was amazed at how quickly her labour had progressed. He reached for her hand, Mary did not with draw it, and she laughed. "This is so ironic, that you of all people should be here for this." She drew in a sharp breath. Her contractions were coming closer, and she was scared. Holmes is not a doctor can he help me? I should be grateful he hasn’t walked out. Oh JOHN. She began to cry.
Holmes did something that took Mary by complete surprise. He drew his arms about her and hugged her reassuringly. He held her through the next two contractions. The hours passed by slowly, and Holmes stayed with her, he alternated between holding her and just holding her hand.
The last exam revealed that she was crowning, He encouraged her to push. He sat behind her his arms supporting her shoulders and she leaned against him struggling to bring her child into the world. She was frail and Holmes worried that she would not have the strength. He spoke soft encouraging words in her ear, "Your doing fine, just a little more.. You can do it. That’s it." He moved from behind her to check the progress; the baby's head was almost completely delivered. "One last Push Mary, come on you can do it. Good girl. That’s it” With one last grunt and push Mary Watson gave birth. "Well done!" Holmes picked up the newborn and cleaned it up as best he could. The baby cried and screamed and it wiggled about so Holmes feared he would drop it. He swathed the child and handed it to its mother, "You have a beautiful daughter." Mary smiled at Holmes and took her daughter, "Thank you, thank you for everything,” She cried, but they were tears of joy.
Lestrade came home to be greeted by the site of Mary sleeping in his bed and Holmes sitting in the chair by her bedside holding her new born.
Holmes looked up and smiled. "Inspector Philip Lestrade, let me present Miss Emily Jane Watson” He handed the baby to Lestrade. "The doctors just left. Mother and child are fine. She'll have quite a story to tell you when she wakes I must be going, there's a man out there that needs to be told he's a father."
When he arrived at Baker Street Holmes found Watson on the sofa, he had drunk himself unconscious. The news would have to wait; Holmes picked up Watson and dragged him up to his bedroom. He placed him fully dressed on the bed and shook his head, kissed his forehead and whispered, "Congratulations, you’re a father.”
In the morning Watson came down the stairs in the same clothes, he saw Holmes sitting at the table. " I had an dream last night." Holmes gazed at him "Oh?"
"I dreamt you were congratulating me because I had become a father." Watson tried to yawn but winced instead.
"Ah, so you hear me then. It's no dream my friend, Mary has given birth to a beautiful little girl." Holmes smiled and handed Watson a cigar.
Watson sobered quickly as Holmes handed him his walking stick. "Shall we go see your daughter?"
Holmes watched Watson with his daughter, he had never seen him look so completely happy, and all signs of his depression were gone. He was his handsome self. He beamed with pride as he held the baby who cooed with delight at the attention her father paid her.
Holmes left silently; he knew he wouldn't be missed. He walked back to Baker Street feeling lonely
Holmes realised that Watson had other responsibilities now, he knew full right and well that his friend would not abandoned him, and yet he also knew that he could not continue taking him away from his family. Watson had to reunite with Mary, even if Mary was to hurt right now to see it. He had seen the way they looked at each other when they visited the child. He decided he had to do something; he contrived a case, the consequences of which would be felt strongest by Watson. The case was recorded as "The Final problem"
When Watson returned he was devastated. He remained at Baker Street for a few months; during this time Mary and Emily visited frequently. Watson lived for Emily; he was a devoted father and doted on her. He and Mary attempted to repair their marriage it took a lot of work, but eventually Mary consented to try again and they moved into a little house in Kensington. They weren't the perfect couple and Watson was by no means blissfully happy. He was a changed man, he missed Holmes terribly and not a day went by where he didn’t think of him, Mary knew this and had come to accept it, her husband had lost his one true love, but he contented himself with raising their daughter. Mary knew John didn’t love her as he did Holmes, but he did care about her, and for now that would be enough.