He helped her into the car, still shaking himself; still scared that the beings may change their minds and return to terminate their newborn son, just to be on the safe side. He couldn't help checking instinctively over his shoulder for any trace of them.
"Calm down, Fox, they've gone" Monica reassured, "They're not coming back"
Scully was cold and shaking and covered in blood but Monica had assured him that she was absolutely fine; they should get to a hospital nonetheless, just to be on the safe side.
He eased her into the back of the car and Monica passed him the bundle of blankets that contained his son. He held the infant for mere seconds before gently nestling it into Scully's arms where she held him close to her chest, never letting her eyes leave him.
He didn't appreciate it at the time, but that image stayed with him forever and always thereafter. The memory of his lover and his son safe, protected, and no longer hunted. Her delicate arms cradling their precious child. He'd seen her vulnerable, just like she'd seen him, they'd shared laughter, tears, fear all in its rawest form, but this, this was the purest sight he'd ever seen with his one in five-billion.
Monica jumped in her own car and started the engine ready to follow up behind them.
"How're you both doing back there?" He let his hand find her smooth leg and gave her a gentle squeeze.
"We're doing just fine" She replied weakly.
"Well, lets get you both to a hospital, get everything checked over and go home, alright?"
He found a blanket in the passenger's side and laid it over her. She was tired, and he could feel the adrenaline begin to seep out from her as she realised the danger was over. Exhaustion quickly replaced it.
They pulled into the emergency room bay and Mulder dived out to get help and a wheelchair. He was met by a bored looking receptionist who barely made eye contact when he announced that his partner had just delivered a baby. She called a code on her microphone and two paramedics appeared out of nowhere, immediately helping unload Scully and the baby from the back of the car.
"You the father?" One of the paramedics shot at him.
He hesitated, "Umm, yeah, I am"
He never figured himself as anyone's 'father' before now.
"Follow us, Sir, we're taking your wife to a private bay"
Mulder didn't correct him on their marital status, or lack of. It seemed easier to avoid such trivial particulars.
They arrived in the private room and a doctor entered soon after.
"Sir, if you'd like to go with your son to the paediatric care unit we'll just check over your partner now"
Mulder was a lost sheep amongst the commotion as the nurses ushered him about. He wasn't entirely sure where he stood with everything; even now the baby was here.
"Mulder" Scully's voice grounded him once more.
She carefully handed him the bundle that contained their child. He was scared she'd be reluctant to intrust him with the most treasurable part of her life but she did, she trusted him wholly with their son.
"We'll be right back" He assured, and left her alone with the doctor.
The nurse led him down a long corridor to the paediatric unit.
"Let's get him cleaned up and checked over, shall we?" The nurse smiled, taking the baby from his arms.
It was the first time he'd properly seen his son as the tiny baby was removed from the blankets. He looked weird, wrinkly and red, as newborns always do, but he was amazed by the power of emotion that so quickly engulfed him. In that instant, from that moment on, he'd have moved mountains for his son.
"Do you have any names lined up?" The nurse asked.
The little wriggling infant entranced Mulder as he cried quietly to himself while the nurse placed a stethoscope to his chest.
"Umm, I'm not sure, I imagine his mother's got something in mind…" He trailed.
The nurse threw him an odd look. He was the father, surely he should know.
"I mean, there are a few possibilities… that we have in mind" He corrected, trying to make it sound a little less strange.
When the nurse seemed to be approaching the end of her check up he asked nervously, "So, he's alright? I mean, everything is okay?"
"Mr Mulder, you have a very healthy, happy, baby boy. You should be very proud"
He was definitely proud. All of a sudden it became very clear why millions of couples across the globe entered into the whirlwind that was parenthood.
As soon as the doctor had confirmed she was fine, Mulder brought their child back in to see her. A nurse placed a cot next to her bedside and Mulder sat opposite.
He answered before she had a chance to ask, "He's absolutely fine, a happy, healthy baby boy" He recited.
She smiled and melted into the bed in relief.
"How're you feeling?" He asked, taking her hand in his.
"Better. Still sore. I needed a few stitches but I've been cleared. We'll get discharged shortly, I'm sure"
She winced a little as she rolled onto her side to face him. He kissed the back of her hand softly and whispered, "You did real good, partner"
"Thank you…" She spoke with a heartfelt gaze.
"What for?"
"For being here, now" She fought back tears, "It means so much to me"
"Scully, of course I would be here. I want to be with you, with our son. I know this isn't easy, I know we have issues, hell I have a lot of my own personal demons to address, it's a long term progression…." He trailed off, realising how incredibly screwed up his life was, had become, "But… I want to be a part of your lives. If, of course, it's what you want too…"
She couldn't look at him, she didn't know how to answer, the words refused to form into any tangible sentence. Tears welled in her eyes.
"Scully…?" He wasn't sure what she was feeling; he could feel her breaking, the emotion finally at a crucial tipping point, "Please, talk to me. Is it something I've done…?"
She buried her head into her pillow, angry with herself for having such an outburst. It wasn't what she did. Dana Scully was above such pettiness as crying. It was a weakness she avoided at all costs.
"I just… I didn't think our son was ever going to meet his father. I'd come to terms with the fact that I'd lost you, we'd lost you. We buried you in the ground, dead. I'd lost hope, let go..."
"None of that matters"
"It matters to me. I failed you"
"You saved me. One hundred times over, you saved me. On our work in the X-files, and as a friend, as a lover. You pulled me back from the brink on too many occasions than I'd like to admit."
The baby stirred in the cot beside them.
"He's got your eyes" Mulder commented, changing the subject.
"Can you…?" She gestured, and Mulder scooped up their son and placed him back in her arms.
She soothed him until he fell silent once more.
"Did you ever imagine we'd be here now, after all these years?" She asked.
"I saw you as a mother. I always knew you'd make a good one. I just never imagined I'd be the lucky bastard who got to share it with you…"
Mulder leant in and placed a delicate kiss on his son's soft head, and as he did he felt her kiss his. They were a family, a very odd and unconventional family.
