13 May 2012

Children don't do what I have done.

We're just about to head back to London. Mycroft needs to get back to school, and hopefully Sherlock will be tired out enough to have a bit of an early night!

He isn't banned from the internet or anything, by the way, but I think he's staying quiet after a few of you said you were disappointed in him, as he's worried he might get even more tellings off. No bad thing, in my view. He'll be back soon enough :)

John and I went to see Mum this morning. Sherlock wanted to come - presumably to eat her biscuits and glare threateningly for us, but John had a chat with him and he was content enough to stay and go to the park instead. New things to climb on, promise of ice creams, and football and new places to explore always a good bet. Carla, it seems, even persuaded Mycroft into playing footy, aided and abetted by the dogs, no doubt.

So John and I headed off, and it was...fine. Slightly awkward, all of us making small talk and being civil. But definitely a step in the right direction. She asked about the boys, and how John's job was going, I sort of asked a bit about her new man, but to be honest, I'm not sure I want to know too much. Anyway, yeah, it was a good step forward.

It was nice to see Nicky, too. And I'm worried about just how passionate Danger gets after a few drinks when playing sports on the Wii... Stand back, folks! (he won the archery and the tennis. Maybe he really was once a pro tennis player... I won canoeing by dint of being the only one to go even vaguely in the direction I wanted to go...Nicky cleaned up on most of the rest, but she gets to practice all the time!)

198 comments:

John H. D. Watson said...

I didn't expect the Wii thing to actually be fun!

Slightly awkward, all of us making small talk and being civil.

Ha. You're now well prepared for my family.

pandabob said...

Makign small talk is always weird but I think in your (your plural not your singular) situation it is probably best for now to stick with small talk :-)

No one is going to tell you off Sherlock we all know that is not our job so it would be really nice to know what bits of the weekend you enjoyed most once you feel up to talking to us again :-)

Alcohol, competitive people and a wii have got to be an interesting mix but it all sound very fun. here's hoping the trip home is uneventful and that you enjoy being back at school Mycroft :-)

Anonybob

Greg Lestrade said...

Where have my paragraph breaks gone again??

I'd say we should buy a Wii, but I can only imagine the epic battles that would ensue. I'm slightly scared!!

I am prepared for your family... Just waiting for you to be prepared for me to meet them ;)

John H. D. Watson said...

I never took them, don't get out the cuffs...

Maybe we should? I don't know, did you like it? I don't think it's going to hold Sherlock's attention for long.

Any time, honestly.

Greg Lestrade said...

I did enjoy it, but it's more something to do with friends, I guess. And it's not like we ever have people over, what with the security and the size of our flat... Plus the insurance bills would go up, the way you flail about!

And we should, sadly, go. I'll drive. Don't want you getting carried away with racing or anything... Nicky said we can keep the cage the goos are in to bring them home in.

John H. D. Watson said...

That's a bit sad, isn't it? I'd say we should make more of an effort, except I don't know quite where we'd find the time.

Mycroft said...

I don't know why you're so surprised I played football. I do have to do it at school. Anyway, it's not really football with the dogs involved, it's more like wrestling or chasing dogs.

I had a really nice weekend, and I'm a bit sad about going back to school, but I've got a week off at the beginning of June, and it's the summer holidays starting early July, so there isn't really much school left.

pandabob said...

I'm glad you've had a good weekend Mycroft :-)

Breaking school down in to short periods makes it disappear very quickly doesn't it! I still feel like my little one only just started school and in a few short weeks she won't be in reception anymore!!

Hope you're all home and settled soon :-)

Mycroft said...

I also think John should have been the one who drove us home, as it's the last day of the football season and Lestrade has been shouting at the radio, cheering, groaning and celebrating in turn.

pandabob said...

good for him :-)

Anon Without A Name said...

Given what I've been reading about the football this afternoon, I think you're right, Mycroft. I would have been doing the same if I'd been listening to the radio.

Lestrade - good result for Arsenal :-)

John H. D. Watson said...

I also think I should've been the one who drove us home, for the record. There was quite a bit of arm waving as well.

Small Hobbit said...

I thought of you, L, when talking to my brother-in-law yesterday - he's a West Bromwich fan. I have to admit to being slightly happy when he said he thought Arsenal were likely to win ;)

Mycroft said...

I think it's lucky the results were coming in before we hit traffic. At least on the motorway it's all fairly straight wide roads.

I can't tell if Lestrade was happier that Arsenal came third or that Manchester United didn't win.

Anon Without A Name said...

There's no need for him to be unkind :-p

Greg Lestrade said...

Happy that we're in the champions league! Think we're bloody lucky to come in third. And City were incredibly lucky to win, really, by the sound of it. Bad luck, Nameless. Nail-biting, wasn't it?

And I barely broke any traffic laws.

pandabob said...

The last few minutes of the footballing afternoon were more exciting than I can ever remember but then exciting for the neutral means painful for someone :-(

Congrats to Arsenal Greg it is a bit of a miracle they made third but something to look forward to next season :-)

Anonybob

Small Hobbit said...

So pleased you all had a good weekend.

And I'm also pleased to say that the wedding went really well. The bride looked stunning, everyone thought the church service was good, the meal was excellent, the speeches were short and funny and the evening reception went very smoothly.

What else? I managed not to strangle my mother-in-law by strictly limiting the time I spent in contact with her. I didn't fall off my heels, although the lawn where they took some of the photos was very soft and I sank in so often I took my shoes off and walked around in stockinged feet. And now everyone knows that on one occasion the groom, when asleep, tried to knife the best man, due to the malaria tablet he'd taken.

There are a few pictures on my Tumblr if anyone wants to see them: http://thesmallhobbit.tumblr.com/post/22985569704/the-wedding

Thank you all so much for your best wishes - it was a great day.

REReader said...

Awkward-ish small talk is...awkward, but civil is very promising. It's all small steps, and in this case in a good direction, no?

I'm so glad you enjoyed your holiday weekend, Mycroft! And I guess it does help a bit that they break up the school year with weekends and weeks off scattered throughout. (I didn't go away to school until the middle of graduate school--until then I went to schools/colleges/universities in New York and commuted--so I can't even really imagine.) Did you have a chance to try canoeing at all yet? And if you do that, will you still have to play football? (And ha! It does sound as though it would have been better for John to do at least some of the driving!)

SH, I'm so glad the wedding turned out great! Those are lovely photos--the bride and groom look SO happy, and you look beautiful! And taking off your shoes to walk around barefoot is a good wedding memory--it will make everyone smile every time it comes up, and what could be nicer than that? :)

Did you play football, too, Sherlock?

John H. D. Watson said...

SH - you look lovely, and the bride and groom look very happy! I'm so glad it all went well.

Greg Lestrade said...

SH - glad the sun shone on you all! It looks lovely, congratulations to everyone involved! And you look great in your dress.

pandabob said...

Lovely photos SH glad it went well :-)

innie said...

The pictures are gorgeous and it's nice to see everyone looking happy and relaxed! Congratulations again, SH!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you've all had a nice weekend away, it sounds like it was packed full of fun.

Not long till your next time at home you're right Mycroft and lots to learn before then so hopefully you will be so busy time will fly for you.

I'm glad your visit to your mum went OK Lestrade and that she was nice to you and John and asked interested questions and that you asked a few about her new man, it all sounds like another step in the direction of happier times.

those are lovely photos SH happy people on a happy day.

EBSanon

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks EBSAnon. It was definitely a step in the right direction. Just have to stop her calling Mycroft 'Michael'... It won't endear her to him! But I'm glad it went as well as it did.

Anonymous said...

I can't say I haven't been a little worried that I might have encouraged you to do something that might have made a mess of a nice weekend so I'm glad you went a different and happier route to be honest!

I hope she never calls Mycroft Michael in front of Sherlock, I can't see that going down well or more I can't see him sitting silently annoyed like Mycroft probably would.

EBSanon

Greg Lestrade said...

I think we'd have to spend a long time persuading Sherlock not to stare daggers at her anyway, even without that!

As for telling her about Bryan...I'll just see how things go. And if there's a time I feel it's right or not. She did at least keep mentions of him to a minimum. Probably because John was giving her a grade 3 glare... ;)

Anonymous said...

No one is brave enough to misbehave under a nanny John glare!!! (I can't really see how there is a minimum that is above not at all but there you go)

Sherlock loves you two so much that you can't blame him for being protective can ya.

EBSanon

John H. D. Watson said...

I wasn't glaring! Not when she was looking at me anyway.

Greg Lestrade said...

EBSAnon - well, she did really like him. Scary to think we both had the same terrible taste in men once... Just hope hers has improved as much as mine has, eh? And Sherlock is very sweet, yes. Was a little clingy when we got back.

Danger - you might have reduced it from a grade three to a one... And not all the time. Just at certain moments. I don't mind, nice knowing you're on my side :)

John H. D. Watson said...

Well she shouldn't say things like that, that's all. That's probably not fair of me since she doesn't know what Bryan did, but still.

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade - I was a bad fan and missed all the action in favour of sitting on the beach with my husband (I've just been away for a couple of days for a friend's wedding).

Very glad to hear your meeting with your Mum went OK.

SH - lovely photos, the wedding looks fantastic :-)

Anonymous said...

I guess her liking him does come back to the other thing so not totally her fault but still rather odd even to mention Bryan when you have the lovely handsome doc on your arm! (probably best not to ask what 'things like that' means is it John?)

kids are generally clingy when they know adults are having a difficult time, there's no hiding it from them however much we thnk we can.

EBSanon

Greg Lestrade said...

Nah, she shouldn't say anything about him in front of you, it's just not polite. But there we go, I know I'm lucky to have you, she'll just get used to it.

Nameless - I did nearly have a heart attack during the final minutes. And have just seen Fergie's face on Match of the Day as he got the message about the last goal at QPR vs. City... It did bring a smile to my face, I'll admit.

As for Joey Barton... He should be in the cells for assault or something, never mind a red card and a bit of ban.

pandabob said...

I have to agree it's weird that your mum will mention Bryan with John around but my mum is often found calling my brothers fiancee by the ex girlfriends name ;-)

Joey barton is a mystery to the world!!

The picture of Fergie's face was to good not to smile at nameless BUT for the first time ever I did feel a bit guilty about it because I knew you wanted them to win it.

Anonybob

Small Hobbit said...

Thank you all for your very kind comments. It was a lovely day and I'm still very happy (no surprise there). I have a lovely bouquet of flowers that I was given during the groom's speech, as was the bride's mother; totally unexpected and coming complete with a note thanking me for all my support (aaah).

Anyway, back to work now and hello grey sky. Have a good week all badgers.

Greg Lestrade said...

AnonyBob - it was all 'Well when you were with Bryan you used to come and see me much more often' type thing. Never mind that back then I didnt have two boys to look after, and for a fair amount of it I wasn't a DI!

Anyway, back being a DI today, in grey rainy London. But who has Forensic evidence? I have forensic evidence! ... Just got to find the bloke now...

pandabob said...

so the reply is 'well when I came with Bryan you didn't keep referring to (insert name here) I wonder if there might be a link' ;-) said with a completely straight face of course :-)

Yay for forensic evidence :-) I hope you don't get too wet searching for him now!

(not the time to say we've been playing on the beach in the sunshine this morning I'm guessing ;-) )

Anonybob

Greg Lestrade said...

Getting fairly wet. And his mum has been to classes on how to cause maximum annoyance to police officers... but I'm sure we'll find him. He's not clever enough to hide for very long.

John H. D. Watson said...

Ah, the ideal criminal.

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, except they're normally the sort who arent clever enough to give up when it's obvious they're on a loser.

Your morning at work okay?

John H. D. Watson said...

Not bad. Unreasonably exciting. Man tried to hold us up with a pork chop for an earlier appointment.

REReader said...

I'm guessing he was successfully dis-pigged? :D

Best of luck safely and swiftly tracking down your less-than-clever-enough perp, L...

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, we've all felt like doing that once or twice, haven't we?...oh, no...wait...

Was it obviously a pork chop? Or did it actually look dangerous?

Sorry for delay in replying... old friend just phoned. And ive had one of the more bizarre conversations of my life. Which round here, is saying something.

John H. D. Watson said...

Oh? Tell us your bizarre conversation and then I'll post about my bizarre pork chop experience when I get home.

pandabob said...

bizarre even compared to 'a man tried to hold us up with a pork chop'? ;-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, I haven't spoken to her for a while, so we caught up a bit, told her about you, she got very excited. I invited her around for dinner, given our conversation yesterday, and she said that would be great, and could she bring someone with her... and then told me she's getting married! And invited us to the wedding...

And THEN.... asked if I'd like to be a sperm donor.... as she and her wife-to-be want to start a family. At which point my brain shut down....

John H. D. Watson said...

...Wow. All right, that might top being threatened with pork.

What did you say?

pandabob said...

ok that wins over the chop incident!!

I guess it's quite a compliment but a big decision to make! good luck with it :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

I don't say anything coherent. She said I should talk to you, now she knew you were in the picture. And there was no pressure, she just thought she'd ask.

Remember ages ago, I joked about getting you an evening course in animal husbandry?... might have come in useful after all. ;)

(i also can't see 'being threatened with pork' as anything but a terrible euphemism...)

John H. D. Watson said...

Well, I can certainly see why she wants your genes.

(i also can't see 'being threatened with pork' as anything but a terrible euphemism...)

Yeah, I knew as soon as I posted that...heh.

REReader said...

Well...it's a big compliment, after all. And it is something to think about--IF it's an idea you might be able to get comfortable with. And if you believe she's a responsible person, who would make a good parent. Which means you need to talk to her and her partner, which apparently you're going to be doing anyway. (And maybe check up on her a bit.)

Since it's definitely NOT something you could possibly say yes to right off the bat, even if you'd considered it already. I'd take her at her word at the no pressure, and add no rush.

Greg Lestrade said...

Mmm, as opposed to you, doc, who just wants to get in my jeans :)

I said they should come around any night they're free. I haven't met her partner before.

Even if I said yes, all that would mean at first is that they'd want to test me for every genetic thing and disease under the sun before going any further.

They have a short list... they've been conducting interviews with 'potential sperm', as she put it...

I don't know if I could do it though, honestly.

John H. D. Watson said...

Would you have any part in the child's life or...just the sperm, and that's it?

Greg Lestrade said...

She said it would be up to me, but they would prefer the donor to play some part in the child's life. But I can't imagine doing either, to be honest.

I think I would have felt differently until meeting you and the boys, but now... It's all different now.

Small Hobbit said...

Am I only in thinking this is quite funny?

And what sort of characteristics go towards a short list? As I think about it more, it startst to look like a designer baby - with the added problem that although you would chose the donor because you wanted certain attributes there's no guarantee you'd get them.

And then if you couldn't be involved in something you'd helped to create.

Rather you than me! (Although obviously not literally - I've done my bit for the continuation of the human race)

pandabob said...

I assumed the short list was based on people they knew who looked a bit like the other partner, blue eyes or brown, tall or short, hair colour etc in the hope that the baby would look like both of them SH that might be a false assumption though

John H. D. Watson said...

L - yeah, I know what you mean. It is all different now.

Greg Lestrade said...

SH - I think their list of selection criteria is fairly long and stringent, and while some of it is to do with looks, there's also lots of health questions and then the whole issue of involvement with the child.

Makes me realise that for all I know my dad could have all sorts of medical issues that I've no idea about that he's passed on to us. So much for family medical history.

Danger - It's odd, isn't it? Sometimes I do almost forget the boys aren't ours :)

REReader said...

Sometimes I do almost forget the boys aren't ours

That's because in many ways, they are. (That would be "yours" in the plural there.)

pandabob said...

'I do almost forget the boys aren't ours'

Isn't that the whole reason the question is a difficult one to answer Greg? you now know that bringing up children with love and care has nothing to do with DNA and everything to do with loving them.

I have all kinds of thoughts and feelings about things like this, I won't bother you with them as it's not my place but as someone who would happily look after any child who needed it and who would wish the experience of children for anyone who wanted them I know that if I was ever asked to help someone out in a similar way I would find it a hard decision to make.

Anonybob

Anonymous said...

I don't find anything funny about it, it's quite amazing and flattering to think she believes you have the genes/traits/qualities/looks she'd love to have in her child, it's a nice ego boost.

What I think it's funny is to imagine how Sherlock would react about you having a baby with someone else and not John!

Small Hobbit said...

Anon, I didn't mean the idea of L being the father of the lady's child was funny, just the way she brought it up - probably not what a DI would be expecting to be discussing on a wet (or even dry) Monday afternoon at work.

Greg Lestrade said...

AnonyBob, Anon, yes, to all your points!

I think, now, I'd find it incredibly hard to biologically have a child and then not be the one to bring it up, and also, just...I can't imagine anything other than the biologically impossible, in that if I had a child, I'd want it to be John's... so, unless scientists work really hard and find a way to make that possible, then I think we've got the absolute next best thing with raising the boys together.

pandabob said...

I suddenly find myself wishing science could make that advance :-) you four with a baby as well would just out cute anything else on earth :-)

John H. D. Watson said...

L - does that mean you're going to tell them no?

Anonymous said...

Surely it's not just Lestrade's decision John is it? OK if his answer is a straight forward no then fair enough that's his decision but he can't say yes or even possibly without you being OK with it can he?

I don't mean that in any funny way just that you need to make your feelings known, if you have any, because I know my husband (yes ok you're not married but you are his other half) wouldn't get to (or have to) make a decision like this on his own.

EBSanon

Greg Lestrade said...

EBSAnon - it is most definitely John's decision too if I don't decide that it's a straight 'no'. I mean, even then it's sort of partly his choice, too.

But no one gets their hands on my sperm without his say-so, I assure you ;)

Anonymous said...

I don't think it's her hands she intends to use ;-) unless my knowledge is extremely out of date!

EBSanon

Greg Lestrade said...

Ha, no, I was assured it would all happen at some clinic that specialises in fertility.

Anyway, her partner might meet me and hate me. They might rather prefer a very handsome doctor to provide the donation... They do already have an airline pilot on their shortlist!

Anonymous said...

if her partner meets you and hates you you'd have to question her sanity, and therefore her fitness as a parent, anyway wouldn't you!!

I'm sure there is always an airline pilot on lists like this but I've never really understood it, why would you want your child to take after someone who spends their life leaving places? or who thinks they can actually fly? it sound like asking for trouble to me :)

EBSanon

Greg Lestrade said...

...might have been an air steward, now I think about it... something to do with planes. My brain was well gone by then.

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade, Anonybob - I only managed to catch up with the footy on TV yesterday. I will admit, Fergie's face was a picture. But what a way to end the season. Obviously I would have liked to have seen United win, but I think to end the season in that way - it all coming down to almost the final ball - is good for football.

Lestrade - wow, that's a question and a half to land on someone. I can understand your initial reaction. It does sound as if, despite some ambivalence about the issues involved, you've already made up your mind.

It's a complicated one, in that you need to consider John's feelings on the matter (every couple decides stuff like this differently, and what works for you guys is what works for you guys; my take has always been that when it's my body involved, it's my decision, and I'll take his opinion into consideration when making that decision - but that doesn't work for everyone).

John - if you don't mind me asking, how are you feeling about it all?

if I had a child, I'd want it to be John's

This made my heart melt a little :-)

pandabob said...

most exciting end of season I can remember you're right Nameless :-)

I hope you're having a less bizzare day today Greg :-) did you ever catch the guy yesterday?

Anonybob

Greg Lestrade said...

Danger, sorry, didn't answer your question... Probably no, yes. I'm sort of...99% sure it's no...

AnonyBob - we just got him this morning! He didn't give up easily... But I'm very happy we've got the right bloke.

pandabob said...

Glad you got him :-) always good to get the right bloke :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, had a good result in court yesterday, too (I wasnt there, but it was one of our cases), so things are good right now!

And you asked the other day why I might have been punched in the face, when Mycroft told me to be careful - it's because, traditionally, Ive always wanted to make a good impression on Mrs Holmes, and somehow, fate has always conspired to give me a broken nose or black eye or similar whenever I've seen her.... But not this time!

(I say that, sitting here nursing my bruises, which is what reminded me.)

REReader said...

... Bruises?

Just how "not easily" did that arrest go?

pandabob said...

Good times for the police are good times for all of us so that is very good news :-)

Thanks for the punch explanation and I'm very glad you finally managed a none bruised meeting with Mrs Holmes :-)

nursing bruises? that doesn't sound too good! I hope you don't have many and not too bad ones.

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, it took three of us to get cuffs on him...

I'm okay though, no hits to the face! Just some slightly tender spots elsewhere. Don't worry, I know a good doctor (as long as no one's holding him up with a lamb shank or anything...)

He definitely wasnt top of my list of blokes to roll about on the floor with.

REReader said...

Lovely.

Ah, well--I'm very glad it wasn't anything worse! (And I'm sure your personal physician will inspect any and all damage most carefully. ;))

John H. D. Watson said...

He definitely wasnt top of my list of blokes to roll about on the floor with.

That'd be me, I hope. Do you want to get lunch before I pick up Sherlock?

Nameless - I'm not sure my opinion is really relevant in all this. And that's probably a good thing.

Mazarin said...

Well done! I figure no bleeding or broken bones is a pretty good outcome from arresting someone who didn't want to be arrested. Besides, as much experience as you have on the force bruising was likely the least of your concerns!

Arnica and a scotch and some TLC when you get home will fix that right up.

The boy's face bruising continues to rainbow into astonishing color combinations. We're on the green/yellow part now, with some black. And because he can't catch a break, something is not well with his hamster, so she's off to the vet tomorrow.

pandabob said...

If you don't mind me asking why isn't your opinion relevant John?

I hope your boy gets a bit of better luck soon Maz :-)

Anonybob

John H. D. Watson said...

Because it's Lestrade's body and his life, I mean really, if they want him involved it's the entire rest of his life that would be affected, and I don't think I have any right to stick my nose in. Especially as I can't seem to manage a single objective thought about it.

Maz - how does he feel about the colours his face is turning? I think Sherlock would be fascinated. I hope everything goes well at the vet.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure it's a thing you should be objective about, it almost has to be about feelings doesn't it? Would it not be the rest of both of your lives (and the boys to a certain extent) that would be affected? You both seem to have proved that this isn't a temporary 'thing'.

pandabob said...

His life or your lives?

I can see what you're saying but I also think L was quite clear lastnight that he would not be doing anything without it being ok with you.

It is a difficult idea to process though so it's understandable that you and L are both having difficulties with it!

Greg Lestrade said...

But if they wanted me involved then they'd get you involved too! We'll talk about it. I mean, I still think the answer is probably no, but anyway.

Also, Jo and Lisa said they could come over tomorrow if you were okay with that?

Sorry, didn't answer about lunch as I was in interview. I take it you're fetching Sherlock now?

Maz - I didn't say no bleeding or broken bones.... hope your boy continues to improve and the hamster is okay!

John H. D. Watson said...

Yeah, on my way there now.

Tomorrow's fine.

pandabob said...

we need some sort of accident report forms for you Greg, like nurseries and schools have when kids get hurt, then you could classify your work related injuries so we'd know when to worry about you ;-)

I am hoping you wouldn't still be at work with broken bones though!

Mazarin said...

Maz - I didn't say no bleeding or broken bones...

Oh, well, heck then. That's not cool. Is it you, then, or some other poor copper, or the arrestee? Also - Jesus, what a question. That's one to ponder on, for sure. It's the "involved in their life" thing that would trip me up a bit.

John - he's so not interested in his eye it's unreal, other than he's ready to "look like [him]self" again. Other than that, it might as well have not even happened. He's gone 9 for 9 (9 hits in 9 attempts, which is rare) in his games since then. I think he feels like he's got something to prove - if maybe just to himself.

Greg Lestrade said...

You okay, John? Sorry, I feel like I've totally messed this up.

Maz - glad he's playing again already!

And all of, us a bit. Lots of Sharp bits on the floor where he'd thrown every plate and utensils that came to hand at us.

John H. D. Watson said...

I'm fine, love. You haven't done anything wrong.

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm off tomorrow. Can do something nice when you finish work?

John H. D. Watson said...

Yeah, I'd like that. I'm sorry I'm...being weird.

pandabob said...

hell John someone, other than you, asks your partner to make a baby and you feel the need to apologise for being weird about it!!

I know it's not the easiest thing to do when something jumps up out of the blue and blasts ideas into the world but you really need to try and tell Greg what you're thinking, even if it's not all to do with the exact situation just things that have been brought up by it.

I know you're more of a thinker than a talker but sometimes it just has to be done :-)

Anonybob

Greg Lestrade said...

Is it about this? I mean if it's something else, or whatever... want me to call you?

John H. D. Watson said...

L - about this, yeah. I suppose I didn't expect to have such strong feelings about it. You could call, yeah. That'd be nice.

Piplover said...

Greg, John, I hope you're both all right. It sounds like this is going to be a life changing decision, so I hope neither of you feel pressured. I don't want to give advise, as I'm the last person who should possibly be giving advise about kids. But I will say that, if the answer is no now, that doesn't mean it has to be no forever.

Perhaps now just isn't the right time for your household. That doesn't mean that a few years down the line you can't consider options.

It just seems, from reading your journals, that you are all finally reaching a place of stability, and the introduction of a baby, whether you are raising it or not, might stress that stability more than you want.

Anyway, I hope I wasn't too forward. Good luck, with whatever you choose!

REReader said...

Look, this is a decision that has to be made with both the head and the heart, so feelings are vitally important.

I know you'll come to the right decision for each of you and the two of you, together.

Small Hobbit said...

The more I think about this the more complicated it seems to get. It's bad enough when there is a "traditional" couple who conceive in the "original" way (trying very hard not to put this in the wrong words). But now, with advances in science that, as in so many other ways, have outstripped the emotional response, things become considerably harder. What was once two people is now four and each has their own wishes and fears. Good luck to you all as you find the way forward. And as ever, you are all entitled to have your own feelings, however irrational they may seem (because whoever said love was the most rational thing around).

Joanna said...

Oh God, Jesus. John, Greg, I'm sorry I've thrown you both into some sort of turmoil.

John, when I called Greg with this whole suggestion, well, the last I heard about him was that he and Bryan had split up and he was, well, at the time he did say he was sort of seeing someone, but I had no idea how serious you two had got, or that you had the two boys or any of that!

John, believe me, the stress and months of talking (and not talking) Lisa and I went through to decide which of us would carry the baby (her), and the fact that even now, every now and then one of us still has a bloody crisis about it and if it's the right thing to do - and all that is with us having agreed that if we have another, I'll carry it! So God, we don't expect you to just say yes or no - it's a huge question! And you mustn't feel any obligation, of course.

Sorry to have thrown all this at you with no warning - and, well, we'll see you tomorrow for dinner, apparently, but just say if you'd rather we gave you two a bit of space! You probably want to kill us. (But we would have wanted to meet you sooner if Greg wasn't such a dark horse - and you even live close to us. You've done well to tempt him back North of the river. Thought we'd lost him to the South forever.)

(Sorry, Greg, I Googled you, and, well, it was pretty obvious this was really you and not someone else.) (And sorry, John, because this was probably like your private place to talk about all this and now here I am crashing into it with my size tens.)

Anonymous said...

dear god John please keep talking to Greg about this none of us would expect you to do it here now.

John H. D. Watson said...

Hi, Joanna. Please don't worry about it, it's really not your fault. I suppose I'm used to working out what the right thing to do is before I have any sort of emotional response and that's proving a bit tricky here.

Please do come tomorrow, I'm looking forward to meeting you both.

Greg Lestrade said...

Anon - John and I have been talking about it. Just called him and talked more, too.

Jo - is this the price of fame? Being Googled?? :) And I'm very much looking forward to meeting Lisa, and to you meeting John and Sherlock. It's a shame Mycroft won't be around, but you'll just have to come again in the holidays.

Joanna said...

Well, John, I'm still sorry for chucking this at you both out of the blue.

Lisa says I'm a muppet. (Luckily the baby should be getting her brains!).

You sound lovely, by the way.

Now I've read a few entries though, I've got to ask, does your Sherlock know what we asked Greg to do? He sounds like the type who'd have a strong opinion on it. Should we watch for bear traps on our way into your flat tomorrow?

pandabob said...

Hi Joanna :-) I hope you and Lisa have great luck in becoming parents, even if its not right for John and Greg to be the other part of the equation.

I have friends who had a baby the way you're talking about and I was, and still am, so happy for them that they found the right men as dads because the child is now the very lucky holder of four people who love it :-)

I'm glad you and John are talking about it all Greg :-) there'll be lots more talking to do before any decisions are made I'm sure!!

Anonybob

Sherlock said...

I don't understand why everyone is worried, it would be just like when we watched Sally's sister's baby and we could just give it back at the end of the day so it would be okay but I don't want to share my room.

John H. D. Watson said...

Joanna - er...well, there's Sherlock's strong opinion for you. I'm not surprised it's about not wanting to share his room. He may have rather a lot of questions when he meets you. If he gets to be too much, just say so.

Greg Lestrade said...

What John means is, if he gets too much, just use it as practice for what you're getting yourselves into... ;)

John H. D. Watson said...

Ha. And be glad you get a few years to build up to it...

Greg Lestrade said...

Almost like that, Sherlock. But with added DNA. Which is the complicated bit.

What shall we cook for Jo and Lisa, champ?

Sherlock said...

BAKED ALASKA!

Joanna said...

Wow, Sherlock, that sounds YUMMY. Do you really know how to make it? I'd be soooooo impressed, and I bet Lisa would be too.

(And don't let Greg say it's too difficult, because I bet it would be worth it, right?)

Greg Lestrade said...

Are you paying her, Sherlock?

Why do all my so-called friends always gang up on me with you and John??

Sherlock said...

He's made it before and it's not THAT hard and I would help a lot and he can set it on fire!!!!

REReader said...

I have to agree, Sherlock--setting food on fire is always a big plus...when it's on purpose, that is. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm not going to ask about main courses. It would end with fire, live animals and some sort of chemical spill leading to the street being evacuated or something.

Jo, you're a terrible influence on young children, clearly, and I'm not sure I could ever release any of my little tadders into your care... :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, RR, and if I don't have time to make the meringue, John could probably just manage to set the ice cream alight anyway :)

pandabob said...

it's got to be chops for main course hasn't it? John cooks them so well I've heard ;-)

I like the idea of flaming baked alaska Sherlock you really do have the best ideas :-)

REReader said...

Perhaps a little carmelization would improve the taste of ice cream? :D

John H. D. Watson said...

I feel better now, oddly enough. Nothing can be too far wrong while the internet's still mocking my cooking skills...

REReader said...

How much better would you like to feel? Shall we continue? ;D

pandabob said...

we only take the mic out of those we love and all that ;-)

Glad you're feeling better :-) happy John is a lot nicer than feeling weird John!

Anon Without A Name said...

We can talk about the jumpers too, if it helps?

John H. D. Watson said...

There is nothing wrong with my jumpers!

REReader said...

There is nothing wrong with my jumpers!

As a knitter, I fully concur! Not every garment needs to be high fashion, after all...

:D

Joanna said...

Glad you feel better John.

I'm going to have to apologise in advance for Lisa - since Greg's name came up in the whole baby discussion we've been referring to him as Spunky Greg, as I've got a cousin called Greg too. So if it slips out as a nickname... well, it's not a crude hint!

pandabob said...

words with double meanings are the bane of the english language ;-)

John H. D. Watson said...

Ha! I quite like that... Maybe that's what can go on your Christmas jumper, L. What do you think?

REReader said...

(Erm...perhaps I should say that I spend most of the winter in jumpers myself? About 50/50 with fleece. :))

Maybe that's what can go on your Christmas jumper, L.

Let me know if you want a little help on the production end, John. :)

Anon Without A Name said...

Maybe that's what can go on your Christmas jumper, L.

I think I just imagined something rather different than you intended there, John 0_0

(And I didn't say there was anything wrong with your jumpers. But I think it's telling you immediately felt the need to rush to their defence)

Greg Lestrade said...

'Spunky Greg' can only go on my jumper if there is also a picture of a sperm wearing a Christmas hat. Maybe with a tinsel tail.

John H. D. Watson said...

You say that like I don't still owe you for the Robin Sparkles jacket...

Greg Lestrade said...

You don't wear your Robin Sparkles jacket!

I ruined my shirt today I think. And I really liked that one. Probably beyond even your and Mrs H's skills of clothing-rescue though.

John H. D. Watson said...

Is it just blood or is it torn up as well?

Greg Lestrade said...

Few slices and rips. It was the white one with the blue checks. And it was all nice and soft and worn. I hate new shirts with scratchy collars.

Anonymous said...

you know how weird that sentence sounds right John?

I guess in your world 'just blood' probably works though.

I love the idea of the jumper Greg I think you would look stunning!

EBS anon

ps glad you've both done a lot of talking today.

John H. D. Watson said...

Sorry, probably beyond help, yeah, or at least beyond mine. You could ask Mrs H. Her mends are microscopic.

Greg Lestrade said...

Mmm. Might do. I'll just tell her you couldn't control yourself and clawed it off my body...

I thought you'd have made me strip down for an impromptu doc's exam the minute I stepped in the door... I could be bleeding to death here you know! Obviously next time I want attention I shall have to wield a pork chop. ;)

John H. D. Watson said...

It was a close thing, but you would've told me if it were serious, right? You have the last couple of times so I'm trying to be less pushy. I could do it now, of course...

Greg Lestrade said...

You were never pushy. Just took me a while to get used to being cared about.

I'll get Sherlock installed in bed and return ready to be examined :)

I haven't really looked regarding seriousness, it's mostly my back. I just changed my shirt. There wasn't THAT much blood on it.

John H. D. Watson said...

You haven't even looked?! Right, forget everything I just said about being less pushy, I take it back.

Greg Lestrade said...

Ha! I'll be down in a minute. He's pretty sleepy.

I don't think there's anything still stuck in me, and I stopped bleeding, so I thought it could wait for you rather than visiting the FME.

John H. D. Watson said...

I knew I should have come by your work after I picked up Sherlock...

All right, see you in a minute.

Greg Lestrade said...

....and then what would people think, ripping my clothes off in my office...

ouch! Doc, your bedside manner needs work...

REReader said...

How bad was it, John?

Greg Lestrade said...

He only found two tiny tiny bits of glass or porcelain or whatever. And I got a force 3 Look.

pandabob said...

You see I assumed you'd been fine but the doctors exam had just been too much fun ;-)

It's a good job he's got you to look after him John :-)

REReader said...

I got a force 3 Look

In that case, I guess I can skip the lecture... :)

("only." *rolls eyes*)

Anonymous said...

Probably, L, you shouldn't ask why we all fuss so for a little while, don't you think?

Greg Lestrade said...

Anon - I know, I bring it on myself.

I'm fine though. Except I just went for a run after walking Sherlock to school and John to the surgery... And now some of the cuts itch like crazy and I might go mad.

pandabob said...

there are much worse things you can bring on yourself Greg than people caring and fussing ;-)

Would/has a shower helped the itching? You really do make your body work for you don't ya!

I hope you and John have something nice planned for this afternoon, sneaky daytime time off should be made the most of :-)

Anonybob

REReader said...

A shower was the first thing I thought of, too, Anony--great minds and all that!

(I hope that a shower helped, L--no safe way to scratch around healing cuts you can't see, alas. Or mosquito bites.)

Small Hobbit said...

L - you'll just have to find a nice firm post to rub up again, like the cows do ;)

Greg Lestrade said...

I took a shower when I was back from running, given how sweaty I was! Helped a bit, but then I couldn't exactly rub myself dry properly, and I just got all itchy again.

SH - I'm trying to follow the docs orders and not scratch!

Taking my mind off it by starting the cooking for tonight.

John H. D. Watson said...

You want me to pick up anything on the way home?

Greg Lestrade said...

Could you get some buffalo mozzarella from the cheese shop? That'd be good. Probably...three big balls? :)

John H. D. Watson said...

Heh. Three big buffalo balls, got it. What are you making?

Greg Lestrade said...

That's just for the starter, insalata tricolore.

Thought I'd do fish for mains, and baked Alaska for pud, seeing as I was so ganged up on.

John H. D. Watson said...

Small price to pay for Sherlock being half in love with Joanna already!

Sounds delicious.

REReader said...

It DOES sound delicious. (And me eating cheese and crackers for lunch... :D) What time are your guests coming?

Are you helping cook, Sherlock?

John H. D. Watson said...

He is helping. They're making focaccia. I'm watching from a safe distance. L's going to have shower to get the flour out of his hair I think.

REReader said...

I'm not sure whether to giggle or drool! (And my diet is very grateful I can't smell any of it, that would be too much! :D)

Which of them is being enthusiastic with the flour? :)

John H. D. Watson said...

At this point...both of them. Heh. We're luck the dogs aren't here or the mess would be epic.

REReader said...

Hee! You should take pictures, if not video!

Greg Lestrade said...

It hurts if I stretch my arms up to wash my hair... you'll have to do it for me, doc :)

John H. D. Watson said...

I might be able to manage that...

Of course, it might not hurt if you'd got all the bits out after it happened instead of waiting hours and hours!

Greg Lestrade said...

Not my fault that no other docs are good enough for me now...

John H. D. Watson said...

Just remember, next time this happens and I rip your clothes off in your office to check you over, you have only yourself to blame.

pandabob said...

you're asking for trouble making offers like that John he'll be off looking for trouble ;-)

Hope you all have a nice dinner :-)

Anonybob

Greg Lestrade said...

Dinner is nice, even if I say so myself.

And Sherlock is maybe a little bit in love with Jo, I think, as she loves the degus, baked Alaska and offered to paint him a fake tattoo one day....

Maybe she'll be his next Target for a date :)

REReader said...

Well, it sounds like you're having a good time, anyway!

John still has to take Sherlock out on a date, you know--turn about is fair play!--and I believe you were on the list in there somewhere, L... Although, fake tattoos are pretty awesome. :)

John H. D. Watson said...

Yeah, I think we've been thrown over for someone younger and more exciting...

Greg Lestrade said...

(i should add she also offered to paint John and I for Pride this year. She's an amazing painter, does lots of body art. I think we should say yes. John has yet to be completely persuaded, but I think he's playing hard to get...)

John H. D. Watson said...

I am not wandering around all day without a shirt on!

REReader said...

I bet she could work around a tank top... :)

Anon Without A Name said...

I thought you'd agreed on vest and hotpants for this year?

Greg Lestrade said...

She could paint you a shirt! I want something ridiculous... wings and a Roman soldiers breast-plate.... or like I was a prawn... or thunder clouds...

John H. D. Watson said...

Nameless - I have agreed to nothing!

L - a prawn? I can't tell if that's autocorrect gone mad or not.

REReader said...

Maybe she could paint you a jumper, John...or a suit jacket!

Greg Lestrade said...

A prawn!

I was trying to think of things that are interesting on top and on the bottom. I mean, not in the same way you are... although I do think about that a lot ;) but visually interesting...

If you don't want to be painted that's fine. Just remember you will be eventually, when I rub off on you ;)

John H. D. Watson said...

I won't say what I'm now picturing painted as a prawn.

REReader said...

I won't say what I'm now picturing painted as a prawn.

*splutter*

Greg Lestrade said...

Surely that's more of a lobster... fiddler crab?

How much hope have we got of Sherlock going to bed before Jo and Lisa leave...

Rider said...

And here was I resisting comments about pink things longer than they are wide with rounded helmet like ends that are often swallowed....

And then John goes and does it!

John H. D. Watson said...

L - pretty much zero, I think.

Rider - Jo's a bad influence, or so she keeps telling me.

Greg Lestrade said...

I can assure you he didn't do it at the dinner table...

Or did you just mean comment about it?

pandabob said...

Dinner sounds like it has been great fun, I'm glad you've all enjoyed it :-)

The body painting thing sounds just a little bit scary but also like it could be really great fun ;-)

I hope Sherock has gone to bed OK

Anonybob

Greg Lestrade said...

Sherlock has, finally, gone to bed, and I'm sure will be a bundle of fun in the morning!

I hope John had a nice night, though - even if he did refuse the offer of being paid to hand over my sperm secretly... Which, really, is an outrage - we could have mixed up some fake stuff and sold it, then split the profit!

pandabob said...

morals get in the way of all the best business ideas ;-)

Was it strange having other people in your house or are you going to do it more often? you all seem to have really enjoyed the whole thing :-)

Anonybob

Anon Without A Name said...

I have agreed to nothing!

Blimey John, that might be a bit risqué, even for Pride 0_0

Lestrade - saw this and thought of you... http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/full/580544983.jpg?key=551242&Expires=1337190083&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=qap7pwMySxeBbAiuN~fhHdqPlMTsHaZwaPww-OEJdTUyP-vkgp0WpxiC2HzYh0u99UoMdPPPZWcmomy051940N4cgVs9BNOqmEZJGZydO5iabYu48sIZJ-ipTI4BuhPVA7dADrlyivE7moSCItdAt5Tz8tzCkWILwYZYQK6ruHk_ My congratulations to the Police Federation on the staging (apols for daft long url).

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - I get 'access denied'. (From the website...and probably from John, now I've laughed so hard at your comment about his (lack of) outfit for Pride!)

John H. D. Watson said...

I get access denied as well. And...let me rephrase: I have NOT agreed to ANYTHING. And now I must go and clean up the kitchen.

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade - oops. probably because I got the url from a site that doesn't allow hotlinking. try these instead: http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/thirdparty/jpg/2012/May/Week3/16229163_400x240.jpg (small pic), or http://www.topnewstoday.org/i5/9/03/67/img_2267039_620.jpg

And John said it, not me! I'm innocent :-p

REReader said...

Nameless...*collapses in helpless laughter*

(I get "access denied", too.)

I think a fun evening is worth a grumpy morning now and then. :)

John, I still think you should ask Joanna to paint you something you would normally wear. :) (Are you feeling better about things tonight? I hope so...)

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - you'll be in John's bad books now...I can't even look at a photo of that woman without going off into a rant! But I did catch a few choice cuts of her appearance, and some of the officers speaking out did very well indeed.

And I should be helping with the kitchen...

Anon Without A Name said...

*runs and hides from the wrath of John*

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