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Mycroft was always able to surprise Greg. But there was one thing that surprised everyone. Lestrade was convinced that Holmes probably couldn't cope with teenagers and children, but it turned out quite the opposite.
On the first summer vacation after the Lestrade family met Mycroft, Gabriel offered to go together. Amazingly, no one minded and they all had a wonderful time together by the sea. Mycroft turned out to be a great animator of games for children and a great conversationalist for teenagers.
However, there was one small drawback in all of this that Greg was aware of. Namely Victoria - Missy and Dale's daughter who wrapped her new uncle around her finger. She could talk him into anything she wanted, and her puppy eyes could reveal every secret in Mycroft. Even a state secret.
That's why it was Greg who took it upon himself to organize a gift for the girl's fifth birthday. He knew the child would learn a secret from his Uncle Mike, so they decided to arrive at the party tonight separately, as Greg was tasked with transporting the package.
Lestrade was smiling broadly. He hoped Vic would be pleased with the gift.
He turned into the yard and looked around. Everyone was already present, so the party must have started. He glanced back and checked that the package was well covered. He left the car and walked briskly to the door. He let go of the knock and just stepped inside.
Inside the house, you could hear the buzz of conversations going on almost everywhere. Greg went into the kitchen first and greeted his sister, sister-in-law, and mother. Then he went out to the patio where the rest of the family were. The twins were playing football with George and Charlie, and Victoria was swinging alone on a swing that hung from a branch.
He remembered well assembling the swing himself when they found out Missy was in her first pregnancy. Of course, it has been replaced several times since then, but the sentiment for the place has remained.
DI walked over to his niece and crouched down in front of her. She gave him a big smile and jumped right into his open arms.
"Happy birthday, princess" he whispered in her ear and stood up with her. He remembered taking her in his arms for the first time and falling in love with her at first sight. Now his little princess was five years old, and she will start school in the fall.
"What did you bring me?" she asked, looking straight into her uncle's eyes. They both shared the same eye color, which was why people often thought of her as his baby girl.
"Oh, then, kiddo" he tickled lightly and set her on the ground. He grabbed the little hand and led him to the patio.
Victoria released her uncle's hand and ran to Holmes. She held her hands up and he picked her up right away. He became very natural with the kids, and that really enjoyed Greg.
The ice man other people knew was totally different in front of Greg's family, and that was good.
Mary appeared in the doorway carrying a salad bowl.
"It suits you, baby" she looked at Mycroft and smiled broadly "You could think of..."
"Mom!" Greg interrupted her. Of course they have already had this interview several times, but they agreed that their work was too unpredictable to take additional responsibility for the child. They decided that all the other kids in the family were enough for them. They could pamper them at will, and at the end of the day, leave their tired children under the care of their parents.
Mycroft made no comment to Mary's remark in any way and focused on the five-year-old. As usual, she began to tell him her imaginary stories. He admired the children's imagination.
"Uncle!" she cried, gently patting his shoulder as she saw that he was thinking.
"Yes, princess?" it's a definite influence of Greg. He couldn't remember this man ever using Victoria's name.
"What did you bring me?" she was impatient. All the other gifts were already at home, waiting to be unpacked, but the girl still did not know where her uncles had hidden the gift for her.
"As I mentioned before, my dear, Gregory has promised to deliver your gift" he replied calmly, keeping eye contact.
"But he still hasn't brought it!" she folded her arms over her chest and lowered her head.
"I'm sure the gift is here" he muttered into her ear and set her down on the ground "I'll check if the cake is ready."
He started toward the kitchen, but he really wanted to check out the living room. All the gifts were there, but nothing new was released, so Greg was still holding the gift in the car. He jumped slightly as he felt hands on his back.
"Are you looking for something, darling?" DI watched him closely and missed nothing.
"I'm just making sure everything is in place" he smiled nervously and headed towards the kitchen.
Ten minutes later, everyone gathered on the patio. Missy was holding a cake and Dale picked up his little daughter to blow out the candles. Everyone sang a loud "Happy Birthday" and it was finally time for gifts.
The girl unpacked each parcel one by one, enjoying everything equally. There were several books, interactive toys, two new teddy bears, three board games and a doll stroller. She looked significantly at Greg.
"Now?" her buttery eyes tried to soften the DI, but the man knew the move well.
"But you have to wait a minute" he stood up and looked at Dale, who was ready to help him. When the men went to get the gift, Mycroft felt almost as excited as a five-year-old. He really had no idea what Greg had bought.
Dale and Greg were maneuvering a huge package that they had placed in the center of the living room. It was covered with a pale pink cloth, and Mycroft couldn't really deduce what was underneath.
Victoria walked over and looked at Greg uncertainly. The man crouched down beside her, whispering something in her ear. The baby chuckled and nodded.
They both reached for the cloth and revealed a huge wooden dollhouse. Painted in white and pink colors to match the whole interior design of a five-year-old room. It had three floors, a garage, patio and garden. Everything was a huge mock-up. The girl began to jump with joy and after a while she jumped into her uncle's arms. Greg was really proud of his work. He wrapped his arms around the little one and held her tightly until she calmed down enough that he could explain to her where she was.
"Mickey, there's still a box of furniture in the car. Could you…?"
"Of course" Holmes was impressed with his partner's carpentry skills.
In the evening, after they were in bed, Mycroft finally dared to comment on Greg's secret project.
"I didn't expect that" he hugged Greg's chest "I mean, I thought you were doing something for home or..."
"Or for you?"
"Exactly. I'm disappointed you kept it a secret from me" he muttered a little indignantly.
"I know very well that Victoria's gaze works wonders on you, Mike" he rubbed Mycroft's back and placed a kiss on his forehead "I promise I'll try to do something for you next time"
"Thank you, Gregory" he squeezed his partner's T-shirt "The dollhouse looks really cute. Since when do you know carpentry?"
"Ah, I think this is a long story" DI chuckled "Sleep, Myc. Someday I will tell you this for sure."
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