They had finally arrived at Mrs. Scully's house at roughly 1:50.Once they parked the car Scully took a deep breath and sighed. Mulder took her hand to comfort her, and then he kissed the back of it.

"Nervous?" he asked her.

She nodded, "Are you?"

"Don't worry. It'll be fine." She grabbed his hand and gave it a tight squeeze.

"You don't have to worry about Bill," She started as they got out of the car and began to make their way up to the front door. He grabbed her hand, the one that had the beautiful ring he had gotten her. "I told mom that you were coming and to say something to him about giving you any trouble." They paused and he looked at her. "You know Mulder," they continued to make their way to the door. "In time, he'll accept you into our family. That I promise you." Since this house used to be hers as well she just walked right in.

"Dana sweetie!" She walked over to her daughter with a wide smile and gave her a big hug. "Fox! I'm so glad to see you again."

"It's always a pleasure to see you Mrs. Scully." She gave Mulder a hug as well and smiled widely at him. "It's very nice of you to come and visit for Christmas." Just then as they walked into the living room where all the adults were Bill walked right up to Mulder and Scully. As he was saying hello to his baby sister whose hand was still laced with Mulder's he saw a diamond ring on her ring finger. His eyes became huge.

"Dana! You aren't seriously marrying that man?" He gave Mulder the dirtiest look that he had ever given Mulder ever since they had met.

"What are you talking about Bill?" Scully asked him with a look of confusion on her face to why Bill would make such an accusation.

"You know damn right what I'm talking about. Ever think it had to do with that diamond ring on your finger?" at hearing this Mrs. Scully, Tara Bill's wife, Michelle Charlie's wife, Charlie, and Scully's Cousins began to listen in on their conversation. Mrs. Scully was actually the only one who walked over and joined in.

"Bill, if Dana was getting married I'm sure she would have told me. But Dana, where did you get that beautiful ring?" Everyone in the room was now trying to catch a glance at what was on her finger.

"This isn't the way I wanted you all to find out…" She trailed off. Mulder just looked at herand once she looked back she regained her confidence to tell them the whole story.

"To find out what, dear?" Her mother had asked.

"Bill, it's not an engagement ring… Mulder got me this ring for Christmas. We're… We're in a relationship now." Mrs. Scully smiled at her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend.

"Aw that's wonderful news you two. I'm very happy. I always knew that-"Bill had cut Mrs. Scully off just as she was going to reach out her arms for yet another hug from both of them.

"What?" He had looked disgusted.

"Bill." Mrs. Scully shot him a warning look as to say 'You better not say anything.' He had walked away and returned to his wife.

"Mom, where're the children?" Scully had acted like nothing had just happened.

"I'm guessing there all outside with your cousin Jill."

"Jill's watching all those kids by herself?"

"Yeah," She sighed. "You know, I'd tell you to help her but lunch is just about ready. Will you and Fox tell them to come inside?"

"Sure." Mulder and Scully walked over to the sliding door and as soon as they opened it they saw about 10 children ages ranging from two to ten outside running around making snowmen, snow angels, and just about anything you could imagine being possible to do in the snow. "Jill!" She grabbed Mulder's hand and ran to her cousin whose long blonde hair blew across her face in the wind.

"Danes!" She hugged her cousin tight and then she saw Mulder.

"Oh, who's this?" she asked Dana. She knew that they were obviously seeing eachother.

"This is Fox Mulder. He's my partner at the F.B.I. as well as my boyfriend."

"It's nice to meet you." She smiled.

"My mom said it's time for lunch so we have to get all the kids-" She was broken off before finishing her sentence by a few yells.

"AUNTIE DANAAAAAAA!" a bunch of little children cheered and ran up to their favorite aunt. Scully had picked up the smallest one- Matthew and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He was about two years old and could talk but most of the time it was hard to decipher the words that were coming out of his mouth.

"Who's dat man?" He asked as pointing to Mulder as he clutched onto his aunt.

"You can call him Uncle Fox." She smiled at her blonde haired two-year old nephew as Mulder waved hello and more children came to Scully saying hello giving her hugs and asking who Mulder was.

"He's your husband?" and older girl asked.

"No, Hilary. He's just my boyfriend. And co-worker." She patted the little red head on the shoulder while smiling down at her. " Hilary, who was Jill's older sister Julie's ten-year-old daughter just laughed.

"Oh. Auntie Dana I was going to say 'When did you get married?'" She ran into the house.

Scully still carrying Matthew, Mulder, and Jill began to walk into the house after getting all of the kids. "It's so cold" Scully whispered to Mulder as they began to walk back. He pulled her closer as they walked.

"Lunch is ready!" Mrs. Scully called from the dining room as she began to bring the food in.

"Mom, I have to talk to Mulder about something. We'll be down in five minutes." She grabbed Mulder and pulled him into her perfect square of a bedroom with peach colored walls and a pink comforter. "You're being quiet, Mulder." She gave him a hug. "Please don't be this quiet." He gave her a kiss.

"I'm sorry. I guess I'm a little nervous."

"Why? You know some of my family already. Besides you and Bill seemed to get along last time you two saw each other. There's a football game on tonight. Go bond over that with my brother's and cousin's."

"Alright, for you." He held her tight.

"I'm sorry we broke our great news like that. I wanted it to be different but-" Mulder had cut her off in mid-sentence.

"Do we still have that overnight bag in the car?" Mulder was now staring out the window, looking at the snow storm.

"Uh yes. Why?" She pulled away looking up at him.

"If it keeps snowing like this well we might have to stay the night."

"I think you're right," She walked towards the window getting a better look at the weather outside. "Would you mind?" She walked back to him placing her arms around him again.

"Nah." He opened the door, ready to head out.

"I'm hungry let's go."

The table was full. There were about ten children and fifteen adults. The adults sat at one table and the kids sat at one set up in the small room which was near the dining room. As Scully and Mulder came from upstairs they found there place at the dining table after getting their food. "Everybody who doesn't know," Scully announced "This is Fox Mulder." She gestured towards Mulder who was smiling. "He's my partner in the F.B.I. as well as my boyfriend."

"Nice to see you again, Mulder." Charlie said friendly as he reached across the table to shake Mulder's hand.

"Hey Charlie. Nice to see you again too." He reached out and grabbed his hand.

"The Patriot's game is on tonight. You're watching it with me Kevin, Mike, Chris, and Bill right?" Charlie asked taking a bite of his salad.

"I'm Kev." Kevin, Scully's cousin who was sitting next to Mulder said hello and offered his hand which Mulder gladly took.

"Fox Mulder." He smiled.

"So you're watching the Patriot's game with us, eh?"

"Guess so. Who're they playing?" Mulder asked trying to make conversation.

"The Broncos. Chris and Bill are sure they're gonna win. Me? Well, I'm leaning towards the Partiots."

"Same here." Chris interrupted Kevin and Mulder's conversation. While the men all talked about football the girls talked about other things.

"So how's the baby, Tara?"

"She's been kicking… a lot. She kept me up all night last night."

"It's next month isn't it?"

"The doctor said the end of next month." She smiled.

"Mommmmmmmmmmmy!" her little boy Matthew cried. He was soaked in water.

"Ah Matthew." She began to get up to get her son when Scully told her not to.

"I'll get him for you, Tara."

"Ah thank you Dana. All this walking around has been making me very dizzy, lately."

Scully walked over to Matthew and bent down to him. He was crying. The little two-year-old hated being wet. "Matthew, sweetie. What happened here?" Scully asked politely to the little boy who had tears streaming down his red face with water all over his shirt and pants.

"Aunt Dana, I was feeding him like Uncle Bill had asked me too," Hilary had started. "But while I was doing that Matthew swung his arm and knocked over a cup of water. Are you Uncle Bill or Aunt Tara upset with me?"

"Oh no of course not. It was an accident. It wasn't your fault." She reassured her little neice with a warm smile. Matthew looked up at his auntie and stretched out his arms, asking to be picked up. He was soaking wet and got part of Scully's blue sweater wet where he was hoisted against her hip. "Now as for you young man," Scully smiled. "Let's get you some clothes. Tara, do you have any extra clothes for Matthew?"

"Yeah… In the blue and green striped diaper bag in the living room. Thanks again Dana."

"No problem." She walked into the living room to get the clothes to change Matthew, and then she walked into the small powder room to do just that. "All better buddy?" Scully asked as she walked out of the bathroom holding the child in her arms.

"Yupppppp!" Matthew smiled. Once she put him down he ran right to his daddy's lap and sat there until he was done finishing his meal. As Scully had cleaned up Matthew Mulder had once again realized what a great Mother she would be.

"You know Tara, if you're getting dizzy you might want to talk to your doctor about it. Being a doctor myself I would tell you to not to be so active."

"I have an appointment scheduled next week. I plan on telling her then."

"Until then you really should try to cut down on moving around as much."

"How can I with this occupying me twenty-four seven?" She laughed as Matthew found his way onto Tara's lap. "Matthew where's baby Madeline?" Matthew pointed to her stomach and said, "In mommy's tummy!" He giggled as everyone did there laughs and awes at the soon to be big brother.

"Football game's on, Mulder!" Charlie said as the men dropped their plates off to the sink and made their way to couch where they all crowded around the TV.
"Mom, I don't think Mulder and I would be able to make it back to D.C. tonight. Is it alright if we stay here for the night?"

"Of course dear. Will you help me in the kitchen." Scully agreed. Her mother had that, I need to talk to you about something face on.

"Okay, mom what do you need to talk to me about?" Scully picked up a plate rinsed it off and loaded it into the dishwasher.

"Did you ever think about marriage with Fox?" She lowered her voice.

"What? We just started an actual relationship a few days ago! Why are you-"

"Calm down, Dana. I saw the way he looks at you." AT that Scully smiled and looked down. "Have you?"

"I've thought about what if I married him. But we never actually talked about it…" After that the whole topic on her marrying Mulder was over. She was glad it was over. Deep down Scully felt even though they have only been in a relationship for a very short time that he was the one. She knew it. She knew it once she started falling in love with him. He was the one for her; they were perfect for one another. 'We completely balance each other out.' She thought as she loaded the last dish into the dishwasher and started it up.

All the kids, except for Matthew and Melody Charlie's three year old were outside playing in the snow once again. Matthew and Melody were actually curled up next to Mulder who was intently watching the football game but also talking to the kids. "Uncle Mulder, can you peez tell us anoder story?" Melody asked shaking her red hair out of her eyes. Mulder looked up at the screen, two minutes to go til half time.

"Sure." He picked up Matthew and brought Melody and him into the other room. "Alright, what kind of story do you two want to hear now?" Scully walked into the room her arms crossed as she sat down next to Mulder and pulled Melody into her lap.

"Not watching the game Mulder?" She joked, having a small smile escape her lips. "No spooky stories, Mulder. They're only toddlers." She looked at him noticing how good of a father he would be.

"Calm down G-woman," He lightly touched her cheek. "I have the perfect story for these two."

"About what?" Mulder didn't answer. Instead he just smiled and began his story for the two. Mid story they had fallen asleep in both her arms and Mulder's arms. "Looks like your perfect story put the to sleep." She chuckled quietly hoping not to wake the kids. "I'll get them two blankets." She and Mulder put the kids gently down on the couch, their heads on a small pillow, and they made their way upstairs to get two blankets. When they returned the children were still fast asleep as they covered them with blankets. "Are you going to go watch the game, now?"

"Mmm yeah. Why?" He asked as they walked back into the living room.

"I was just wondering." She walked off to where all the women were sitting so she could join in the conversation. It was 6pm; everyone had decided to stay the night on account of the weather. Mulder had left to go to the car to get their things once the game had ended and all the guys who wanted the Patriots to win cheered, and all who had their hopes for the Broncos sat disappointed. Bill and Mulder were actually being friendly during the game. They actually talked like they didn't despise each other. The women were talking about weddings and family life. Scully felt a little left out on the subject.

"Fox seems like he would be a good father, Dana." Jill said which invited Scully back into their conversation. Scully smiled and looked down.

"He would be."

"I saw him with Matthew and Melody." Tara said nudging her sister-in-law in the side. "It was very cute." Scully only smiled once again. "Oh, Dana! You haven't seen my wedding photo album." She took her photo album out and handed it to Scully who smiled and told her she would look at it later on tonight and that she was going upstairs for a while.

It's been awhile since Scully went through her old things from when she was just a girl. There were things stacked in her closet that she wanted to go through. As she sighed and took down the first box Mulder had came into the room. "Going through some things?" He wrapped his arms around her.

"Yeah… I haven't went through these boxes since I left this place."

They both sat down on the bed and looked through Scully's old photo albums and other things she had.

"Football? You liked football?" Mulder was amazed as he held up a football.

"Well, when you have two brother's and a father who are crazy about the sport it kind of rubs off on you." She smiled up at Mulder.

As they finished the last photo album it was nine o'clock. "Dana…?" her mom knocked on the door and opened it to find Scully and Mulder laughing as they shut the photo album from Scully's past. "Sweetie, we're about to open presents." Scully smiled.

"Okay, mom. We'll be down in a minute."

---

The adults sat on the sectional drinking their tea or coffees watching the children open their many gifts. The adults had at least one gift as well. Mulder had received a grey greater from Mrs. Scully and Scully had received a bit more presents than Mulder had received. As the kids opened their last presents by 9:30 their parents had told them that it was bedtime. After all the moaning and groaning they had received from the upset children they were settled down and put to bed.

---
The last to go to bed were Charlie, Charlie's wife Michelle, Mulder, and Scully. They sat drinking coffee around a very warm fire in the living room. There was a very in-depth talk about anything and everything ranging from each other's line of work to the plans that both couples had for the next few months.

"I think we're going to head up to bed, now." Charlie said as he got up from the couch and stretched his arms.

"Melody tends to wake up in the night," Michelle sat up as well walking towards the hallway. "She'll be addled if we aren't there."

"G'night." They both left and headed up to bed. Scully just curled up closer to Mulder under a blanket and watched the fire.

"Tired?" he asked her staring down at her in his arms.

"Not remotely."

"Me either." They continued to sit and enjoy the peacefulness the fire had given the room. "When's the last time you played in the snow?" He asked her. She turned all the way around to look at his face with a look of confusion on her own.

"What?"

"When was the last time you played in the snow?"

"Gee- Mulder I don't know… Probably when I was twelve or thirteen." She continued to look at him. "Why do you ask?"

"Would you like to go out in the snow with me, right now?" That made Scully think for a while. She also glanced at her watch which read 1 am.

"Sure?" she got up walking towards the stairs. "We'd have to be quiet…" He gave her a wry smile and followed her into her bedroom where they changed into something to wear out into the snow.

---
"Hey!" She yelled, trying to be silent. Mulder had yet again thrown another snowball at stomach. She scooped up some snow into her gloves and molded it into a sphere and sent it hurtling through the air right to Mulder's chest.

"Oh you're gonna get it!" he warned as soon as the snowball had hit him.

"Oh am I now?" She teased.

"Yes, you are." He started off towards her, he proved that he was faster by taking her into his arms and picking her up. She wrapped her arms and legs around him. He began to kiss her lips and then jaw bone.

"Mulder, maybe I should throw snowballs at you more often." She started giggling as he continued to place kisses all over her face. He put her down and they continued their snowball fight with a few kisses every now and then. "I could do this forever." She laughed.

"For the rest of your life?" He ran up to her and grabbed her waist. The snow whirled around them both and the snow began to fall harder than ever. Their surroundings were a grey blur. She thought at what he was saying; she thought he was kind of hinting a proposal in the future. She threw that thought to the side thinking that it was too farfetched. "Dana Katherine Scully," He was staring into her glassy blue eyes and holding her cold face with his hands. "I love you more than I have ever loved any one in my life." Suddenly Scully began to take that thought that she just threw away back into consideration. She was at a loss for words; he was waiting for a reply from her. "Someday, I am going to make you my wife." He was once again waiting for a reply from her; she was still at a loss for words.

"I… I love you Mulder." She paused in thought; thinking of what she would say next. "Are you… are you proposing to me?"

"No… not yet. Soon, I promise." He pulled her into a long kiss, the snow still falling around them rapidly. "Would you say yes? Or is this to soon?" he asked, hoping that he would hear the answer he wanted.

"It's not too soon at all. I've loved you for the longest time. I'm as certain as you have ever been… I am certain that you are the one. I love you." A tear fell from her cheek. Mulder smiled at it and she left a smile escape her lips as well.

"Good. Because I love you too." He guided her back into the house.

---
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID DUCHOVNY!
This chapter was pretty long. But I needed to make it that long so it could get to where I wanted it to be by the end of this chapter. Please lay me with some reviews. Did you like this chapter? Was it cute at all? The next few will be good I promise. R&R
-Andrea