It's Not Real

Chapter Twenty Two

"William Sherlock Scott Holmes, I offer you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion, now and always." As the ring moved into place on his hand, Evelyn felt herself choke up once again. It was all feeling very real, and she'd never been so happy in all of her life.

"William and Evelyn you have now both made the declarations required by law and have made a solemn and binding contract with each other in the presence of your witnesses, guests and the registrar of marriages. You have sealed your vows with the joining of hands and exchanging of rings. It therefore gives me great pleasure to pronounce you are now husband and wife."

Evelyn pulled a gleeful face at her husband while he laughed, desperate to snog him senseless.

"Congratulations! You may now kiss!"

The words had barely left the registrars mouth before Sherlock swept in and pulled her close with his hands wrapped around her head, wasting no time to press their lips together. He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs, holding her to him. At the sound erupting around them they laughed against each other.

Along with the clapping and cheers, John Watson was whooping loudly, accompanied by whistling who one can only assume to be Greg Lestrade.

When Sherlock finally gave his new wife some breathing space, he lifted their joined hands, pointing at them and beaming proudly. Evelyn shook her head at him. "You're ridiculous."

He simply kissed her again. "You're the one that said yes to marrying me."

She shook her head. "That wasn't ridiculous. That was the smartest decision I've ever made."

He looked off, rocking his head. "Eh... We'll see."

"Shut up." She tugged him down for another soft press of lips, hanging onto his shoulder.

"Alright, you two, save the rest for later. You have paperwork to sign." John gestured them over towards the table where the marriage certificate was waiting.

Sherlock groaned, ignoring his best friend. "Can't I kiss you for a bit longer?"

"Do you want me to be Dr. Holmes?"

Sherlock looked surprised. "You'll change your name professionally?"

"Yeah, 'course. I want your name. Besides," She gleamed. "Think of what I can get away with under the name Holmes."

"Thinking of using Mycroft already? That's my girl."

She shrugged. "Nepotism." He barked a surprised laugh, holding her even tighter. "Do you want me to have your name?"

"Very much so."

"Then we have to sign the papers," she offered her right hand. "Can you put that one back where it belongs, please?"

Sherlock slipped the diamond ring from one hand to another, settling it against the fresh band. "That is quite sexy."

Eve gave a vibrant grin. "Right?"

———

"I think we owe Mycroft big time."

Sherlock hummed in response, not entirely paying attention, his mouth still happily attached to the side of her throat. He was pushing her farther into the flat with hands on her hips, pressing the length of his body against her back.

Eve sighed blissfully, arching her neck to allow her new husband better access. "Do you think we should invite him for dinner next week?"

"Absolutely not."

She snorted. "Maybe I'll just send him some fresh cakes."

"Better," he moved to hold her face, kissing along it. "Bake him that lemon drizzle cake you did the other day, he'll be very appreciative."

"Sherlock, he did commander an entire venue and its employees because we couldn't hang around to get married," she fiddled with his tie, pulling him down closer. "And he made sure you and John had custom suits. And pulled the strings so I could have the run of a bridal boutique. How does he do that?"

"He also kept the press at bay, I'm still trying to figure out how it got leaked. Oh, and got you two weeks leave from work." Sherlock shrugged. "Just another day for him."

"Two weeks?" She raised an eyebrow. "What does he think we'll be doing?"

Sherlock gave a toothy grin. "I have some ideas."

"You're such a bad boy. Was the quickie in the pub toilets not enough for you?"

Greg had organised for them to have a drink in The Cadogan Arms after the ceremony, which Mycroft had also closed down for the wedding guests only, although there was a suspicious amount of officers from New Scotland Yard there waiting. Most of them she recognised from being in the room when Sherlock had snogged her in the middle of their office. Evelyn supposed they were a part of their story.

Within ten minutes of getting through the door and saying hello to people, Sherlock had tugged her down a long corridor until they got to the toilets, shoving her in keenly, bending her over the sinks and hiking up her dress. She'd nearly knocked the mirror off the wall in her frantic efforts to stabilise herself.

She was grateful for Anthea, who had shown up at some point though Eve wasn't entirely sure when, for standing guard. When they'd emerged looking red cheeked and flustered she simply smirked down at the phone she always had in hand, offering a nod as Sherlock thanked her.

He chuckled against her forehead. "As exhilarating as that was, no. I want to make love to my wife in our marital bed," he gave a coy glance down her form. "Then I'd quite like to fuck her senseless on every surface in our flat."

Eve grinned up at him. "That can be arranged."

"We have two weeks," he kissed her softly. "Although I think we might complete that task in two days. We could move the rest of your belongings in somewhere between all the sex."

"You're incorrigible."

"Let's dance first, though."

Sherlock watched her brows furrow delicately as he pulled back and fiddled with his mobile for a moment, setting it down on the mantle once he was satisfied. Then a song began to play through the tinny speakers.

Sherlock pulled her against him in the centre of their living room, entwining their fingers and lifting her hand so they could sway to the music.

Evelyn recognised the tune immediately. "Why... How did you– Why this song?"

"It was playing the first time I kissed you from the radio in the dining room," he smiled softly. "And it's one of your favourites. Your parents danced frequently to this when you were young."

Her eyes were filling with tears, the way he was looking at her with so much adoration causing a small sob to leave her mouth. "You remembered me telling you that?"

"Of course I did. I remember everything about you, Evelyn. Everything."

She soothed her hand along the back of his neck, resting her head to his chin. "You're the loveliest man I've ever known."

"Don't go spreading that around, will you."

She laughed. "Too late."

At last
My love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
At last