That Evening

"Brother mine, we have waited long enough. Doctor Coburn has to examine the baby."

"Mycroft, Mirabella would only be made more vulnerable-"

"Sherlock, I will ensure her safe transport here. I understand your wanting to keep her in the security of Baker Street, however it is crucial that you do what is best for your daughter and have her checked out."

The Consulting Detective groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose as his whole body slumped. He knew that his brother was right, and that he might very well have control usurped by Mycroft if he didn't relent.

He finally sighed and nodded, "Fine... Have the Watsons bring Mirabella to the hospital... Along with some things for Adelaide..."

"Of course."

Thirty minutes later, the Charge Nurses checked in the newborn Homes and the Watsons ferried her up to the Maternity Ward. Doctor Coburn had one of her nurses meet them at the lift to escort Mirabella to her examination, although John opted to go ahead and see how Adelaide and Sherlock were faring. So he left Mary with a kiss and got directions from the nurse's station, grabbed his friend a cuppa, and made his way to the room.

He nearly tripped over Mycroft on entry, as the stoic man had taken a seat on the far wall by the door. The army doctor murmured a quick apology which was brushed off. Seeing that the privacy curtain had been drawn around Adelaide, he cleared his throat; "I suppose he wanted a few minutes with her alone..?"

"Mm... Considering they have not had a moment of privacy since Adelaide went into active labor yesterday."

"... And how is he doing, really?"

Mycroft flicked his eyes from the monitors to John as he replied, "He's exhausted, and distressed, John. Her vital signs have improved a good measure in the past few hours but she still isn't responding to stimuli. Sherlock is having difficulty coping with the fact that she isn't waking up for him, and he's tried everything short of experimenting with firecrackers to rouse her," The British Government exhaled and then remarked on the large duffel John was carrying, "I see you brought the hospital bag."

"Yes, and we made sure to bring everything else Sherlock requested. Should I set it over there..?"

"No, go and see Sherlock first. He will want it near him."

John nodded and walked over to the thin, pastel green divider between him and his friends. Before he could speak he heard Sherlock's voice; "Come, John. Might as well pull the curtains back anyway," So he slid open the curtain and couldn't suppress a dismal sigh, seeing for himself just how rough his best friend was faring. John glanced over at the monitors as he tried to figure out what to say, only to hear Sherlock continue, "The bag please, John."

"Oh, of course, Sherlock," The blogger lifted the duffel bag and handed it to the brunette, who quickly set it on his lap and with shaky fingers, unzipped it and began sifting through the contents. John gave him a few seconds before asking, "What are you looking for, mate?"

Sherlock's bloodshot blue eyes flashed up at John, pausing in his search for only a moment before resuming; "Did you bring the blanket I asked you to, John?"

"Er, yes, but Mary re-packed it all in so it's probably on the bottom, cushioning the rest of the bag," The Detective hummed lowly in acknowledgement and plunged further into the bag, finally extracting the item of interest to him; a hand-sewn quilt with royal blue and white cathedral pattern. Sherlock held the neatly folded bundle in one hand and used the other to set the bag down at his feet. John cleared his throat, "That's a rather nice quilt, Sherlock..."

"Yes. It was a gift from Iona and my Mother, for Adelaide. She didn't want to use it until after Mirabella had been born- as a sort of reward. That's why I asked you to bring it."

"I see." Sherlock rose and gently unfurled it, shaking off any dust or wrinkles. John watched as he draped it over Adelaide, and tucked it in around her.

Neither sat down, just stood solemnly until they heard the door click open and turned their heads as Doctor Coburn and Mary shuffled in. Sherlock zeroed in on the baby carrier, holding a now fussy Mirabella who had clearly endured the examination in protest and was grunting and whimpering softly. Mary had a ghost of a smile as she lifted the carrier up onto the table and Doctor Coburn spoke; "Mirabella is in perfect health, Mister Holmes. I did a full work up and nothing negative to be seen."

Sherlock was already unclasping his daughter from the carrier as she finished. He breathed a short sigh of relief as he picked her up and brought her close to him, whispering a string of comforting words to her and trying his best to soothe her. Nevertheless, it's her Mum she wants. She isn't calming down.

The other adults in the room watched on for some time before Mirabella seemed to settle down in her father's arms. The scene was equally heartwarming and heartrending; none of them were quite sure what to say that hadn't already been said before.

Sherlock finally broke the silence, "Mycroft..."

"Yes, Sherlock?"

"Call Iona here, please.  John, Mary,.. if you wouldn't mind..."

John and Mary understood that that was their cue to leave, as well as Doctor Coburn. The physician nodded and left to respond to a call, and Mycroft followed behind to contact Iona and get another cuppa for him and Sherlock. Mary went over to Sherlock and gave him a hug.

"Let us know if you need anything at all, Sherlock."

"... Thank you, Mary."

John added, "Really, Mate, we mean it. And don't overdo it, okay?" Sherlock nodded tiredly and the Watsons finally left. Once it the room had cleared, Sherlock sunk into the chair next to Adelaide and expelled a heavy breath, adjusting his hold on Mirabella and leaning back in the stiff chair, gazing at his still-asleep wife.

This is not at all how this was supposed to be...

Minutes slipped by and he was barely aware when Iona arrived. Neither said anything to each other. Merely, Sherlock watched as she walked to the head of the bed and took hold of Adelaide's hand, brushing some of her golden hair back from her forehead as she processed the reality of it.

"Sherlock,.. do you think she might respond to Mirabella,  perhaps..?"

"... She didn't respond when she was crying, earlier."

"No, I meant as in if we would lay Mirabella in her arms... Maybe that would trigger something?"

Sherlock considered it and nodded slowly, "It might... That may work.."

They summoned Doctor Coburn and had her help them reposition Adelaide onto her side so that they could safely place Mirabella in the niche of her arm. Sherlock tenderly laid her down and pressed a lingering kiss on Adelaide's cheek, whispering: "She's here, Love... Mirabella is here..."

After a few minutes without a response, Sherlock took Adelaide's free hand in his and squeezed, "Angel... Please..."

"You're there, Ada, we know you are..." Coaxed Iona. Doctor Coburn observed for several minutes as this continued and was ready to tell them to stop when it happened.

Adelaide's heart rate sped up and she heaved a breath- letting out the tiniest of noises as her fingers twitched to life. They all held their breath, hoping it wasn't a fluke.

It wasn't. Her eyebrows furrowed and slowly, her eyelids parted. Sherlock blew out the breath he had been holding and all of the pent up anxiety and emotions finally released as he planted a kiss on her forehead. No sooner than he did, his legs all but turned to jelly and he collapsed onto the chair.

Adelaide managed to eke out a pained ghost of a smile for him as he ran his fingers over her cheek, even though her eyes were still dark and glazed over. Iona cried out with relief and the Doctor immediately called for assistance.

Sherlock leaned forward and placed another tiny kiss on the tip of her nose, "Welcome back, Lovey..!"

She smiled a bit more and then shifted her gaze to the bundle beside her, letting out a deep breath.

I made it...

Sorry for making you wait!! I hope you enjoyed it!!

Love y'all!!!