Chapter Text
John looked over the top of his book, glancing over at Sherlock. The other man had Rosie propped on his hip, pointing at something on the mantle. John closed the book quietly, pushing himself from the chair and walking over. He put his chin on Sherlock's shoulder, smiling when Rosie looked to see what had made the shadow on the mantle, and why there were hands below her legs on Sherlock's waist.
"Sorry to interrupt," he murmured, keeping his voice low as Sherlock continued to talk. The small girl shook her head, and murmured out a 'it's okay daddy' before turning back to listen to Sherlock.
It had taken almost a year for them to adopt, and when they did, they had ended up with Rosie. The young girl, although just now turning seven, already knew what was up. The day of her sixth birthday she had reached up, cupping Sherlock's face, and said 'I know you're not my real dad, but you are the one that matters'.
John blamed the intellect on Sherlock. He taught the girl everything, and maybe, he even taught her too much. But hearing her say he was her dad had brought tears to Sherlock's eyes. It had taken just a couple months later for her to say the same to John.
John stayed where he was, leaning against Sherlock, listening to him tell Rosie about the uses of tobacco - he always brought it up whenever he could - and he smiled. This was his family.
-
Later that night, Sherlock was curled in bed, Rosie in between them both, and John began to think, as he always did before he fell asleep.
He always thought.
It was something he started in the war and never stopped.
It had taken John literal years for him to get here.
But now that he was here, he never wanted to leave. He had Sherlock. He had his own little girl, Rosie. He had a family that was his to call home. He had everything he ever wanted. And god, he never would let that go.
Yes, tomorrow he would have to get up early and he would fight with Sherlock about what to cook. But that didn't matter. Because he had everything.
And as he thought of that, he let himself fall asleep.