So first of all, I love that I have twice as many comments as views, that us super cool!! I love the conversations we have here so thank you to torchwoodandoctorwho Lee_13_ very_hot_mess and Squigers, yous are all amazing and it makes me smile everytime I see that yous have commented. I love you all with all of my heart❤🧡💛💚💙💜

Second of all, I really did try with that picture but there is something definitely off about it. He looks rather like a characature but oh well. I think his face is possibly too round and his eyes are too big. He is almost recognisable though so that'll have to do.

Ok, this is part two from yesterday's elementary (I think the titles are clever: elementary, my dear Watson🤣🤣) I got a bit carried away so this is longer than I was expecting, oops. k, enjoy. Also, I'm afraid that I am awful at tenses so it's quite possible this flips between past and present and I really dont know if it has so sorry about that.

Warnings: children? 🤣🤣 I dont know my lovelys, this is fluff and I cant really think of anything but let me know if you spot some in the comments as always:)

Word count: 2400.

Sherlock's pov

We pull up outside the school gates and look around at all the knee height urchins. There were several barreling around at full speed and others hiding nervously behind their parents legs, peering out with frightened eyes. A large proportion of the parents here were of the female persuasion and the few fathers there were looked rather out of their depths. A strange feeling of apprehension washed over me as I remembered that we live in a heteronormative society and having two fathers was outside of the norm. I pushed it away though as there were more pressing things to worry about, mainly that John seemed to be trying to talk to me.

"Sorry darling, what did you say? I dont seem to have been listening." He rolled his eyes at me and began again.
"I said, do you think we need to sign in at reception or just go straight to the playground and wait for the teacher?"
I pull out my phone and consult the text I had received from the school last night that reassured that there was nothing to worry about and outlined the structure of the day with the all important information parents needed to know such as where to drop off and pick up their offspring and at what time.

"It says that we should check in at reception and then wait in the playground." I announce.
"Check in at reception like as in the year below year one or as in the office?" I scrunch my nose up and read through the text again.
"The office I think." I decide and begin to look for the arrows pointing to where we should hopefully be going.
"If even the great Sherlock Holmes can't work it out, they should possibly work on their wording." Laughs John and pokes me gently in the ribs.
"I did work it out! I think anyway. This is maybe one of the only times I agree with the Yanks, it is possible that elementary or Kindergarten or whatever they call it is less confusing than reception."
"I suppose so, we should probably go and check in at one of the receptions though. Come on love."

"Coming, Rosie, are you... wait, where is Rosie?" I had turned around to find an empty space where Rosie used to be.
"Well this isn't good." I mutter as we both look around frantically.
"Yeah, no shit Sherlock."
Just then I spot her playing on the monkey bars with some other children and breath a sigh if relief.
"She's over there John."
He looks over and smiles.
"She certainly is one for adventure. It's a shame to pull her away from her fun but we really do need to go check in, can you go get her please?"

I nod and stride over quickly, scooping her up as she squeals and carrying her back to John over my shoulder.
"Come on irregular, we have to go and sign in with daddy, say goodbye to your new friends. You can catch up with them later."
She waved cheerfully at them.
"I'll see you soon." She shouted. We arrive back at John and I put her down gently onto the ground.
"There you are munchkin. I'm glad you've settled in so quickly but please could you stick with us just until we've got everything sorted?"
"K daddy, let's go!" She grinned and slipped one hand into his and the other into mine.
John seemed to have found out where reception was and he strides of with confidence, swinging Rosie between us as we go with her squealing excitedly.

We enter a set of automatic doors into a waiting area with various colourful pictures on the walls, some were smiling photographs of teachers and students, others clearly art work produced by some of the younger children judging by there intense colours and lack of clear theme. There were also several pieces of students writing done in rudimentary cursive on decorative paper displayed. As we arrived, another parent was talking to the receptionist who glanced in our direction and smiled as we came in.
"I'll be with you in a sec, just take a seat." We did so and waited for the conversation to end.

I leaned over to John and muttered under my breath, "the mother is a recently divorced business women who is already running slightly late to a meeting by being her judging by her clothes and the fact she keeps checking her watch, this shouldn't take too long. She wants to be off as soon as possible. But then again, her son appears to have an extensive list of allergies so it may be 10 minutes on second thoughts." I scrunched my nose up slightly and John licked his bottom lip, a nervous habit he had that I think is adorable.
"Ok, Rosie, this shouldn't be too long lovely." He called to her as she stood, looking up at the various pictures displayed. She smiled at him and dashed over to sit on his lap.

"Let's play deductions Papa!" She turned to me and looked hopeful. I looked at John and he shrugged his shoulders.
"Ok, Rosie, I'll play with you now but you have to promise to try and tone it down when you're in class ok?"
"Ok, I'll try." She beamed at me sweetly.
"Right then, what can you tell me about the receptionist?" Rosie examined her for a moment then turned back to me, looking pleased. Then she began her narrative in a conspiratorial hushed voice.

"Her name is Maria, she loves cats and lives in a small terraced house with 2 of them: a black and white one and a ginger tabby. She also lives with her long term girlfriend and won't be here for too much longer as her maternity leave should start in a few months."  She deduced. I smiled proudly at her.
"Excellent. And how do you know these things?"
"She is wearing a necklace with an M charm which could be the first initial of her partners name but is more likely to be her own as she also has a pen that says Maria on it and pens aren't usually gifts given by partners. It could be someone else's she has borrowed but paired with the necklace, I should think that it is a safe bet to assume it is hers. You can't afford a big house on a receptionists income and I don't think her partner earns much more as a nurse, there is a photograph of the two of them on her desk, so there house must be small and most affordable houses around here are terraced so I made an assumption. There are also pictures of two cats on her desk and an ultra scan. It is unlikely that she has pictures of someone else's cats and unborn baby on her desk so they must be hers and she must be pregnant."

"Astounding my dear Watson, soon I shall take you on cases instead of your father as you are clearly the intellectual superior between the two."
"Oi, I'm right here you know. Actually, no. You are quite right. Rosie, you are certainly a prodigy. The teachers are going to have one heck of a time trying to teach you anything."
"I shall take great pleasure in teaching them." She beamed.
"I'm sure you shall my dear, I'm sure you shall." I leant over and gave her a kiss on her neatly plaited golden hair.

"Thank you, bye." Called the receptionist as the woman in a black pantsuit and intimidating high heels left with her unhappy looking son.
"Hello, how can I help you gentlemen?" She smiled warmly as we approached.
"Hi, yes. We would like to check in for Rosie Watson please." John said, smiling back at her.
"Oh of course, you must Doctor Watson. I love your blog." He blushed slightly and looked down.
"Oh umm, thank you."
"And that must mean you are Sherlock Holmes, lovely to meet you. I just say that I was thrilled when you two got together. Me and my girlfriend had been hoping you would for years."
It was my turn to flush as I glanced happily at John.
"I must say that I was rather glad too. Congratulations on the baby by the way."
"Oh, thank you. Observant as ever I see."
"Actually, that was Rosie's deduction."

Her little face appeared over the desk and she smiled.
"I like your cats Maria, they are ever so cute."
"Goodness, aren't you clever. I suppose that you get that from your father. Doctor Watson is a brilliant man."
We all laughed at this.
"Well thank you. I've been trying to tell people that for years but they never listen." He chuckles.
"It just so happens that I've always thought you were brilliant my dear."
"Although I enjoy a compliment as much as the next man, we all know that's not true. I happen to know from excellent sources that you think I'm a bit of an idiot." He poked my nose as he said this and I pull a face.
"I do not!" I protest.
"Fine then, not an idiot. What was the word you used? Ah yes, average."
"Well I, i... ok, I did say that but I didnt mean it. I also said you were the best and bravest man I've ever met so maybe we can focus on that?" I pouted at him and he laughed.
"Don't worry, I know you love me, even if you are a bit of a pri... tentious idiot sometimes." He stopped himself from saying prick, suddenly remembering that we are in a primary school.

"Ok, if you two have finished flirting, I have just about finished signing Rosie in. Here is her class number and the name of her teacher. You can go through now. Or you can stay here and chat which is also good. My girlfriend is going to freak when I tell her that you two were flirting right in front of me." The receptionist laughs and we both blush slightly. I take the paper she is handing me and smile at her.
"Right, yes good. Uh hum, we will just go through then shall we? It was lovely to meet you Maria. Good luck with the baby." Says John, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Yes, thank you Maria. Send our love to your girlfriend. Come on then Watsons. We've got a class to go to."

We waved goodbye to Maria and made our way to the classroom it said on the sheet she had give us. It also had directions which helped avoid any further confusion which was helpful. Soon, we arrived in a brightly coloured corridor and knocked on the door to classroom R2. A smiling, round faced woman beckoned us in and we entered. Inside the classroom were several other sets of parents and children. They were all talking to each other and the teachers, checking their children had everything they needed and saying, in some cases, tearful goodbyes. Rosie looked around in pure joy at the vast array of dolls, colouring materials, sand trays, books and other toys. Just then, the teacher spoke.
"Ok everyone, my name is Mrs Apple and I will be your children's reception teacher this year. There are about 5 minutes before the bell goes so if everyone could say their goodbyes now so that the children are ready to start then that would be wonderful. If anyone has any last minute questions, feel free to ask me or Miss Hickley who is giving you a wave now. I look forward to teaching you all and getting to know you in the coming year." She smiled at us all warmly then turned back to her conversation.

We bent down to Rosie and she gave us both a hug.
"Goodbye Munchkin, have an amazing day today ok? We'll be back to collect you at 3. Love you heaps. Oh, and try not to upset the teacher too much ok? It's only your first day." John sniffed slightly and I could see that he was trying not to cry. I gave his hand a quick squeeze then turned to Rosie to make my goodbye.
"My dear Watson, try not to get too bored and just enjoy yourself. Me and you dad are so proud of you and love you more than anything. I know that you are going to have so much fun and do great things. I'll see you soon and you can tell us all about your amazing adventures in reception. Love you."
Rosie kissed us both on the cheek and laughed slightly.
"Its only reception you know, I'm going to see you in a few hours. Theres no need to get emotional." John laughed and quickly wiped his tears away.
"I know baby but im just so proud of you. It feels like you've grown up so quickly."
"We just love you is all my dear. All parents act like this whenever their children reach any sort of milestone. Apparently, me and your dad are no exception." I say, very aware that my eyes appear to be filling with liquid and trying desperately to get my emotions under control.
"I love you two daddy, papa." She kissed us again.

Just then, the bell went and Mrs Apple spoke again.
"Ok everyone, I'm afraid it's time for the parents to go now. Don't worry, they'll be back to pick you up soon and until then we are going to have so much fun!" All the children waved one last time then trotted off to sit down on the carpet. I smiled as Rosie spotted the children she had been playing with on the monkey bars and ran over to them, striking up a conversation instantly. I took John's hand in mine and squeezed it gently.
"She's going to be absolutely fine John. More than fine, she's going to be amazing." I say as we turn to leave.
"I know she is, she is our daughter after all." He sniffed again and then smiled, "right then, I saw a lovely little coffee shop on the way and I could just do with a nice cup of tea, shall we my darling Holmes?"
"We shall, my dear Watson."

The end

I hope yous enjoyed that:) I was off school again today but feel much better now so I'll hopefully be in tomorrow. I have a Google meet call in a minute so I'll see how I feel during that:) anyway, I hope yous enjoyed this long ramble of parent lock fluff, I enjoyed writing Rosie as super clever. It's been a long time since i was in reception so this is an artists impression of what it's like as i can't really remember😶😶. Ok, I guess I'd better try and make myself look slightly presentable for this call, bye. Be kind to yourselves, take time to check in on your mental health and, if you have the energy to spare, check in on those around you too (you dont have to if you arent in the right head space though, your own mental health is always the priority)
Love yous,
Isabella
🐹🐹❤🧡💛💚💙💜