Out of Memory:

Full Circle

by Copper Beech

I knew long before I spoke the words, of course. He knew it, too. In fact, the whole world seemed to know it. Still, it needed to be said. The right time just had to present itself.

The moment came on the day of our marriage. It was a day for practicality. Holmes and I did not feel the need nor desire for a public wedding. Ours took place in a magistrate's office.

It was not as gloomy as it sounds. Mycroft was there as witness. And the words we spoke, while not romantic, did express our fidelity and did make official the bond we formed that spring day on the Downs when we first met.

After the ceremony, Mycroft shook his brother's hand in a sign of affection and connection. Then he took up mine and in doing the same, welcomed me to the family. Having done so, he left us to form our own.

Holmes and I found ourselves on the cold winter street. With few words, we made our way to Charing Cross Station. By evening, we were walking through the door of my farmhouse. We had planned to spend a week in France, but it had been a long day and it seemed more sensible to spend a night at home before embarking on the journey. As much as I loved Mrs. Hudson, I did not want to have to explain why we were not on the boat for France, and so I suggested to Holmes that we spend the night in this familiar place.

Holmes and I carried what little luggage we had and dropped it unceremoniously on the drawing room floor. I excused myself for a moment and went to make sure the bed in my room was furnished with clean linen. That accomplished, I went in search of another blanket. It took me longer than expected and when I returned to the bedroom, I found Holmes waiting for me. He was staring out the window. I moved next to him and did the same.

I remembered a time when he appeared at this window. At that time, my aunt was still living with me and a visit from Holmes would cause me no end of grief. I had to ask him not to come again. He understood, but it hurt both of us. He was here, now, however, and my thoughts turned away from the past and to him. As softly as I once said words at this window that asked him to leave, I now spoke words that invited him to stay. "I love you Sherlock Holmes." Very few words were needed after that.