Sherlock had to take a moment to breathe. This was definitely a shock. How could he have had a daughter? It defied all logic. He had so many questions.

"What's your mother's name?"

"Amy Williams." Sherlock knew that name. Amy Williams. He loved her so much.

"Where is she now?" Cass looked down at the ground.

"She's...no longer with us." Sherlock was absolutely destroyed. He loved Amy. He loved her. He was completely distraught.

"What happened?" He asked in a slightly shaky voice.

"Brain tumor. It was...unable to be removed." Sherlock held back a sob. The woman he cared about most, gone.

"When did you change your name to Holmes?" He hoped to change the subject.

"After the funeral." Well, close enough.

"Cassandra, I am so sorry." He was so close to tears. Amy. Poor, sweet Amy. Tears slid down Cass' rosy cheeks. Sherlock hated seeing his daughter like this. Daughter. That word felt so new to him. So strange. So...fascinating. Soon he was unable to conceal his emotions. He let the tears fall. He had only cried like this once before. Redbeard. He held his head in his hands, quietly sobbing. He felt warm arms wrap around him.

"I'm sorry too, Daddy." Cass whispered. Sherlock hugged her back, tears still falling. Amy Williams was the one woman who truly loved him. And he loved her back. Why did he have to leave? Why?

---------------------------------------------

John returned to Baker Street in a taxi. He wasn't really visiting relatives, but it was the most realistic lie he could come up with. He walked through the front door, Mrs. Hudson walking up to him.

"John! I'm glad you're home!" She gave John a small hug. He hugged her back.

"It's good to see you, too Mrs. Hudson. Is Sherlock upstairs?"

"Yes, and he's got company. A young girl." John smiled.

"Really?" Mrs. Hudson nodded.

"And it's the strangest thing. I was about to walk in when I could have sworn I heard...crying." John's smile went away.

"What? Are they alright?"

"Well, I didn't want to intrude or anything."

"I've got to check on them." John hurried up the stairs and opened the door to his flat. He saw Sherlock sitting on the couch.

"Hello, John." He greeted in a calm manner.

"Sherlock, are you alright?" He looked at John with furrowed eyebrows.

"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I be? Did you get the impression that Anderson was here or something?" John rolled his eyes.

"Mrs. Hudson said she heard crying earlier." Sherlock sighed.

"Of course she did. What else did she tell you?"

"She said you had company. Where is she?"

"In the restroom. She'll be out in approximately 39 seconds."

"Yes, of course she will. What's her name?"

"Before I tell you that, there's something you should know."

"What?"

"Have I told you about...Amy Williams?"

"Amy Williams. No, I don't think so."

"She was an old flame. And apparently, I knocked her up."

"You-you got her pregnant?" John stammered.

"What do you think 'knocked her up' means?" John sighed.

"Right. So, who's-?" Suddenly, John was starting to get the point. "Wait a minute. So this woman...she's your...you have a...daughter?"

"Yes."

"Oh my god. So what's her name?" But before Sherlock could answer, Cass walked out of the restroom. She saw John and smiled.

"Hi. Daddy, who's this?"

"Don't call me that."

"What would you prefer I call you?"

"Sir would be nice."

"I am not going to call my own father 'sir'."

"Then just call me 'father'."

"Fine. So are you going to answer my question?"

"Of course. Cassandra, this is John Watson. John, this is...my daughter, Cassandra Holmes." Cass shook John's hand.

"Nice to meet you." She said, smiling. John smiled as well.

"You too." And they all talked and got to know each other a bit better. And as they talked, Sherlock began to feel much better about the situation. Maybe he could be a father.