Chapter Text
"Now where to begin?" Enola said to her wide eyed twins as they looked up at her from their cribs next to each other. They would doze off soon after their feed, but Enola wanted to begin the habit of bedtime stories early. Her mother had read to her from a very young age and it was one of her most cherished memories.
"On her first full day away from her beloved offspring, your mother watched her best friend marry your father's best friend," she said in a soft voice. "One of the guests, a former university classmate, asked your clever detective mother to investigate a recent burglary at her house, where strangely, only an antique vase was stolen. Very curious. It will be my first proper case since you two came along, so you had better behave when I am on the job."
"Do I get a part in this bedtime story?" Tewkesbury smirked from the door, where he was leaning against the frame. His sleeves were rolled up, his arms crossed and his hair slightly ruffled. He looked very handsome, and very dear. Fresh from the study where he had snuck in some urgent correspondence with his steward before bedtime.
Enola rolled her eyes. "Meanwhile, your father managed to introduce some tension between the wedding couple, marring what would otherwise have been a perfectly beautiful, joyous occasion."
"I did not!" Tewkesbury protested, eliciting a warning hush from Enola. He lowered his voice. "How was I to know Lord Coolidge would happen by as Wilhelm and I were leaving the place, of all people? Or that his wife would be mean spirited enough to use a chance sighting to spread uncharitable, unfounded insinuations?”
"The moral of the story, my darlings," Enola went on blithely, "is always to anticipate what may go wrong with a plan."
She peeked into the cribs. Fast asleep.
Tewkesbury came up to her and looked down at their children, his arms around Enola. He sighed contentedly.
“Happy with the world, are we, Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether?” She teased .
“Exceedingly,” Tewkesbury replied, nuzzling her hair. “Are you, Enola Holmes?"
"All evidence would suggest that I am, too,” Enola smiled. She turned, put her arms around Tewkesbury and looked him in the eye.
“I know my mother raised me to be independent and to be able to fend for myself,” she said seriously. “And I plan to teach our children the same lessons. They are fortunate to be born into privilege, but as we both know, that doesn’t mean there is less danger for them. But they have us, and our mothers and friends, and even Sherlock and Mycroft,” she rolled her eyes at the mention of her brothers. “They are not alone, *we* are not alone.”
“No, we are not alone,” Tewkesbury said tenderly. “I promise you: You will never be alone as long as I breathe, Enola Holmes.”
Enola reached up and kissed her husband sweetly. Eyes shining, she replied: “We will be fine, we will be just fine, come what may.”
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Epilogue
Five years later…
Summer, 1996
Enola and Tewkesbury lounged under the broad, sturdy branches of her favourite tree in the Ferndell grounds, enjoying a short respite while the twins were otherwise occupied.
They had brought letters along to read, and Tewkesbury looked up from his missive from Wilhelm to find Enola engrossed in what looked to be a note from Emmie. He waited.
Finally, his Marchioness looked up at him, excitement in her eyes. Tewkesbury raised his eyebrow, knowing what had sparked that look.
"The game is afoot?" He teased.
"Did Wilhelm tell you?" She demanded excitedly.
"Tell me what?" He asked innocently. "Oh yes, about the birthday party for little Lily next week?"
Enola smacked him on the arm. "No, Lord Nincompoop! You know what!"
Tewkesbury chuckled. Enola was so easy to wind up. Had been since the first day he'd met her.
"I gather you are keen to accept their invitation to join them on their trip to the Cape Colony?"
"Yes! I can help them find Lily's mother, and the twins will get a chance to see a whole new continent!" Enola practically glowed with anticipation. "Oh for them to see a place we have only read about in books!"
Tewkesbury smiled indulgently. This *was* indeed a fine opportunity for a grand family adventure.
Wilhelm and Emmie had recently adopted a 4 year old little girl -- she was the offspring of one of Wilhelm's cousins, a vineyard owner in the Cape of Good Hope. The cousin had died of malaria the previous year, leaving Lily orphaned -- Wilhelm's cousin never revealed who her African mother was. Emmie and Wilhelm wished to find out what happened to Lily's mother, and reconnect her with her maternal heritage if possible.
The Oldenburgs were proposing a trip to the Cape with the Basilwethers, children and all. Wilhelm was the executor of his cousin's will, and had matters to attend to at the vineyard. They could stay on the estate while Enola made her enquiries.
"I admit, the thought of seeing the flora of Africa first hand is irresistible to me, too," Tewkesbury grinned as he wife squealed with delight. "When..."
Just then their two scallywags came running from the orchard, Edith and Eudoria strolling leisurely behind them.
Erica and William ran up to the tree and began tugging both their parents' hands, one each.
"Papa, mama, Edith said you can demonstrate the corkscrew for us!" Erica said excitedly.
Tewkesbury groaned. Why had he agreed to let them start jiujitsu lessons this weekend at Ferndell? Couldn't they have done flower pressings or horseback riding first?
Enola only laughed. "Did you enjoy your first lesson with Edith?" she asked her children, who both nodded enthusiastically. "Show your Papa and I what you learned."
Nice distraction, Tewkesbury smirked.
The twins immediately got into position as Edith and Eudoria came up to them. They showed off a few simple moves. Tewkesbury was impressed.
"They are fast learners, like their parents," Edith said fondly. Tewkesbury had never seen her less stern and fierce. She looked almost...pleased. Eudoria caught Tewkesbury's eyes and hid a grin, as if she could read his mind.
"Now your turn!" William said, trying to pull his father off his seat on the ground. Resigning himself to his fate, he let Enola demonstrate her mastery of the corkscrew move on him, tumbling to the soft grass with an ooph. The twins squealed with delight.
"More!" Erica exclaimed. He had to put a stop to this, Tewkesbury thought.
"Children, we have exciting news," he began, looking at Enola, who grinned conspiratorially. “What can you tell me about the continent of Africa…”
The end!!!