I NEEDED this! You captured Watson's pain at Holmes being absent so poignantly, as well as Holmes' misery at the separation it was breathtaking. I particularly liked how you compared how they coped this time - 3 wks to the three years.

Loved how Holmes showed his tender regard for Watson by fixing up the Christmas decorations and food to show they were now together and no longer needed to be melancholy (both of them).

Also the ending when they came together? Watson would be proud of my sigh. I always enjoy a Holmes returning to his Watson and this was especially splendid at Christmastime!