It's Not Real

Chapter Twenty Two

"Pulled it back, well done, keep going."

Sherlock was utterly flummoxed. "Watson!"

"Sorry," John clapped the groom's shoulder. "Sorry, I'll stop now."

Sherlock gave Evelyn a look of 'can you believe this shit?!'. She giggled.

"I desired you so strongly and yet I was forcing myself to keep those feelings locked away. You, of course, had no idea of my persistent struggle, and continued being your brilliant, beautiful, perfect self. You can see how this was an issue for me," Sherlock pursed his lips, thinking back on a memory, a small smile appearing. "But no matter much of an idiot I was, I fell in love with you anyway. Truly, madly, in love with you. When I kissed you for the first time, I was never going back, and I kicked myself for ever thinking being without you was doable. It was always you, Evie. You make me better."

There were sniffles and a couple of oh sherlock quietly being muttered from the chairs around them, and she was greatly amused at the sound of John Watson blubbering while trying to hide it, but Sherlock and Evelyn only had eyes for each other. She was aware of the tears leaving tracks down her own face, but couldn't find it within her to care. Sherlock moved to wipe the tears off her cheeks for her, and she instinctively leaned into his touch.

"I love you." She said quietly.

He smiled brightly. "I love you more."

She huffed a laugh. "We're not doing that right now."

With more laughter from their friends, the registrar glanced between them both questioningly, her own mouth turned up in amusement. "Shall we continue?"

"Please do, before my so called best man tries interrupting again."

"Okay. Do we have the rings?"

Evelyn turned towards Mary who is ready and waiting with the pouch already pulled open. She tips it into Eve's upturned palm and grins widely.

When Eve turns back to Sherlock he is being handed something John has just pulled from his inside breast pocket. She looks from her almost husband to the small matching band of his he held between his thumb and forefinger. He gave a crooked smile, eyes gleaming with mischief.

"I have a ring."

"An engagement ring. I know we've barely been engaged twenty four hours, but this one means something different."

"You've had these as long as you've had this," Eve waves her left hand. "Haven't you?"

"Might have."

She chortles. "Eager indeed."

"Prefer meant to be," she inhales sharply, watching his fingers remove the engagement ring and set it on her right hand, ready for the wedding band to sit closest to her heart. He shrugs. "Tradition."

He looks to the registrar, waiting for her to continue, but even she seems a bit choked up. "Yes. A ring is the ancient and traditional way of sealing the contract you have just made. It is an unbroken circle, which symbolises unending and everlasting love, and is an outward sign of the lifelong promise you've just made to each other. William, please take Evelyn's left hand in your right and repeat after me: Evelyn Margot Wilson, I offer you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion, now and always."

Sherlock eased his thumb over the back of her hand as he held it gently. "Evelyn Margot Wilson, I offer you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion, now and always." Then he pushed the ring onto her finger, the fit perfect.

"Evelyn, please take William's left hand with your right and repeat after me: William Sherlock Scott Holmes, I offer you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion, now and always."