Chapter Text
John Watson and Sherlock Holmes returned to 221B Baker Street after having a late night take away to celebrate solving the case. They should have been tired, but the adrenaline was still coursing through them and they were still wide awake. John sat down while Sherlock played the violin. John had to admit, when he was told Sherlock played the violin, he was worried that it would get on his nerves, but he had to admit he was quite good. Suddenly he stopped playing.
“I should tell you something else about our new living arrangement.” Sherlock said, turning to his new acquaintance.
“What’s that?”
“It won’t be just the two us.” He began.
“You got a dog or something?”
“Unfortunately, no. Mrs Hudson wouldn’t allow it despite my best attempts to convince her.” Sherlock smirked. “I’m referring to my daughter, Kate, she’ll be living with us.”
“Sorry, you have a daughter?” John asked in disbelief, no one at any point had mentioned a daughter.
“Yes, she’s been living with my parents until I could find somewhere more permanent. She’ll be here tomorrow.” Sherlock explained.
“Her mother?”
“Dead.”
“I’m sorry.” John said, wondering if the loss of a loved one played a part in why he was so… well, Sherlock.
“Don’t be, she wasn’t pleasant and Kate is better off. Doesn’t remember her. She died when Kate was a seven and half months old.” Sherlock then went back to playing and John had to speak over the music.
“So, it’s just been the two of you?”
“Yes, quite nice really.” Sherlock smiled fondly as his mind filled with memories of his daughter, all of which he recalled in high definition.
“She like you? I mean with her own deductions and all that?”
“She’s clever, but not as clever sometimes I’ll call her stupid, but she knows I don’t really mean it like that. Her deductions aren’t bad, she’s pays attention, unlike most people.” Sherlock explained. He then pulled out his phone and handed it to John. His screensaver was a young girl who looked about sixteen. She had dark hair with a slight curl, like Sherlock, and her eyes were a dark green which he suspected came from her mother. She had a bright smile and looked less standoffish then her father did.
“She another sociopath?” John asked, as he passed the phone back to him.
“No, better social skills then me, but she’s still managed to pick up some of my more undesirable habits.”
“Like what?”
“Doesn’t always know when she says the wrong thing.” Sherlock explained. “I’m not much better either, so it’s not like she has a good role model, tried smoking once but put a stop to that.”
“Teenagers.” John shrugged while Sherlock smirked, silently agreeing with him.
“Not always easy but she really is my pride and joy.” Sherlock smiled; his fatherly pride obvious on his face. "You know all those cheesy things they say about being a parent? how it changes you for the better and all that malarkey?"
"Yeah?" John smiled.
"Absolutely true."
“Does she know about the… you know?” John asked, trying to find a way to bring up the drug bust earlier.
“The drugs? Yes, she does. We’ve never hid anything from each other. She’s practically my sole motivation for staying clean, despite the benefit they have on my thought process. She’ll be here tomorrow morning, you two will get along.” Sherlock assured him and with that he went back to his violin and John went back to his tea, intrigued by this new development.
The morning, John woke to sound of chatter and plates clanging together. He quickly dressed and went to the kitchen where he found Sherlock and Mrs Hudson. Sherlock had the paper and a cup of tea, while Mrs Hudson ran around tidying things up. On the table was a freshly opened tin of biscuits, John went to grab one, but Mrs Hudson slapped his hand away.
“Those are for Kate, not you.” She gently scolded. Sherlock smirked behind his paper and checked his watch.
“She won’t be here for another fifthteen minutes so she won’t notice if there’s one missing.” Sherlock pushed the tin towards John who happily picked a biscuit.
“You must be looking forward to having her around all the time now Sherlock.” Mrs Hudson said as she fluffed a pillow.
“I am, I find it quite dull without her.”
“You’ll like her John, lovely girl and very polite. Understands I’m not a housekeeper.” Mrs Hudson said with a pointed look towards Sherlock.
“No one asked you to buy the biscuits.”
“They’re a welcome home gift and a one off so don’t get used to it.” She turned her attention to the window. “What if she comes early?”
“Mycroft is bringing her and if he is anything, it's punctual.”
The trio then sat in silence for a few minutes while the men drank their tea and Mrs Hudson looked out the window. Sherlock then stood without a word and made his way downstairs, John looked at him confused, but then Mrs Hudson exclaimed happily.
“There she is.” She cheered and then followed Sherlock to the front door, with John close behind her.
A stylish black car stopped in front of the flat, Mycroft stepped out first and nodded his head at the trio, behind him the young girl from Sherlock’s phone climbed out. Sherlock dashed down the small set of steps and scooped the girl up in his arms. She laughed as he twirled her round before putting her down. Sherlock went to grab her suitcase while Mrs Hudson and Kate hugged. Mrs Hudson kissed her cheek and commented on how tall she had gotten. Kate then turned her attention to John who stood there awkwardly, not sure how to act with the touching reunion taking place before him.
“You must be Doctor Watson.” She stuck her hand out for him to shake. “Kate Holmes, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I heard you only knew about my existence last night, or early this morning if you want to be technical.”
“Was a bit of a surprise but since meeting your father I have been constantly surprised.” John explained. Kate smiled at him and nodded.
“Let me guess; he mentioned playing the violin and going days without talking but never mentioned a daughter, am I right?”
“Yes, said potential flatmates should know the worst about each other.”
“And mentioning her would imply she is the worst of me, when that is not true.” Sherlock defended himself, taking Kate’s suitcase into the flat with Mrs Hudson and Mycroft close behind him.
“I should warn you, we are quite similar in some areas, think you can handle it?” She asked. People found it very difficult to tolerate a Holmes, they were an incredibly difficult brand of people to deal with, but from what she had heard from her uncle (albeit very little) on the way over, she was confident that John would be one of them.
“I think I can handle it.” John assured her and the two made their way into the flat.
“So, Iraq or Afghanistan?” Kate asked. John laughed.