When Mulder stepped into Scully warm apartment he took in the glow of her lamps and the sound of soft music floating through from the kitchen. He smiled at Scully as she bustled in behind him and took the suit bags out of his hand. She rushed through to her bedroom and hung them on the door of her wardrobe; an unconscious move that made Mulder's heart beat a little faster.
He followed her through and put his carry all on her bed before unzipping it and pulling out a bottle of wine. "I have to admit I'm a little nervous Scully…" He said with an embarrassed smile.
Scully laughed, "You know my mom Mulder, why would you be nervous?"
"In the past I've met her as your partner, your friend…now I'm…" he laughed, "Scully what the hell am I?"
Scully chuckled lightly and walked over to hold his hand, "You're still my partner and you're still my best friend…you are also the love of my life, and now you and my mom both know that. She has promised to behave herself Mulder so you don't need to worry."
Mulder leaned down to kiss her gently before taking her bottom lip into his mouth. He smiled into his kisses as he spoke against her lips, "Damn Scully, how the hell have I kept my hands off you for so many years?"
"Well I could say I've wondered the same thing Fox, but I'm glad to hear that you have finally got your act together." Margaret stood smiling in the doorway.
Scully rolled her eyes, "So much for being good mom…"
Margaret laughed and walked over to Mulder, lifting up on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. "Fox, it's a pleasure to see you…and an even greater pleasure to see the smile that you have put on my daughter's face."
Mulder smiled self-consciously, "It's good to see you too Mrs Scully…I hear that you've cooked?" He asked expectantly, also hoping to change to subject.
"Fox, please call me Margaret…and yes I have. Not only are you distracting my daughter to the point of neglecting her mother I am also expected to cook!" Margaret smiled cheekily and walked towards the door. "You two get cleaned up, dinner is in 15mins."
Mulder looked at Scully with a panicked expression. "She likes you Mulder, a lot, she wouldn't tease you if she didn't…and I wouldn't let her get away with it." Scully ran her hand down to his hand and threaded her fingers through his. "Sure you're OK?"
Mulder smiled, "Fine…I'm spending the evening with two of my favourite women." He paused and added, "Your mother doesn't stay over? I mean I'm happy she's here…"
Scully laughed and slapped his ass lightly as she walked towards the door, "My mum will be gone by midnight at the latest Mulder, our evening is only delayed slightly."
Mulder shook his head and smiled before following not far behind.
After a lovely meal Mulder, Scully and Margaret were sat in the living room drinking wine and chatting companionably.
"So I walked around the corner to find Mulder in a lip lock with this Sheila woman, and if you could have seen the look on his face!"
Scully and Margaret laughed and Mulder smirked.
"The woman jumped me Scully! I didn't even have time to reacted…" Mulder laughed good-naturedly.
"You can't help it if women find you irresistible Mulder." Scully smiled.
"Scully I think you're exaggerating there…" Mulder blushed slightly at Scully's comment in the presence of her mother.
"Oh I don't think so Mulder, we hardly walk in to a room before women are practically falling over each other to get to you!" Scully winked at her mom who was laughing happily at their exchange.
Mulder shook his head, "Now I know you're exaggerating…however I wouldn't notice any of these imaginary women, my eyes are always firmly on you."
Scully blushed as Mulder reached across the sofa to run his fingers over the back of her hand, she hadn't expected him to be so gregarious in her mother presence but she had to admit she loved how comfortable he seemed to be with recent developments.
Margaret watched them with a smile, "Dana, I would love a cup of coffee before I go…"
Scully looked at Mulder.
"Don't worry Dana, Fox and I will be just fine for a few minutes." Margaret smirked.
Scully got up and briefly squeezed her partner's hand; she picked up their coffee mugs and headed to the kitchen.
"So…" Margaret smiled at Mulder, "I feel like in the absence of her father I should be asking you about your intentions…but I know Dana wouldn't appreciate that."
Mulder laughed nervously and rolled his eyes, "Our Dana likes people to know she can look after herself."
Margaret nodded, "But we both know that's not true don't we Fox, Dana is strong but we all need someone."
Mulder nodded, "I've always trying to be there Mrs Scully…Margaret…I've always tried to support her."
"I know that Fox and I know how much she relies on you, you're the only person I've know her to truly depend on. So I guess I do need to know…you won't tell her down will you?" Margaret asked intently.
Mulder shook his head, "Never Margaret, I promise you. I know I've let her down in the past, but that was through ignorance and naivety. I understand what I have now, I would never betray that...or betray her."
Margaret nodded.
"I love your daughter Margaret, more than I have ever loved anyone and I can tell you with complete certainty that I will never love anyone else. If I lost her…for any reason…I know that would kill me." Mulder looked down sadly and Margaret moved to sit next two him and took him hand gently.
"I knew I liked you Fox…"
Mulder looked up and smiled, "I don't want to be presumptuous…but some time very soon I will need to ask you a question."
Margaret grinned, "Don't ask Fox, just do…"
She reached behind her neck and removed her necklace; Mulder noticed three rings hanging from it. "I'm not sure if these are as expensive as the ones in your family Fox, but these rings belonged to my mother and father…they thought the world of Dana, and she adored them…I mean I don't want you to feel obliged…"
Mulder looked at the rings, "You know a little about my family background Margaret, while we didn't lack money we certainly struggled with love. Your daughter has taught me about love and her family taught her…so these rings are priceless…if you're sure?"
Margaret smiled and her eyes welled up, "I can see why Dana loves you so much Fox, welcome to the family."
Margaret leaned in to hug him and Mulder's heart beat faster, a few hours into his new life with Scully and he had a family. His cup runneth over.
Margaret pulled back and quickly pushed the necklace and rings into Mulder's hand as Scully walked back in with the coffee.
She took in the scene and looked between her mother and Mulder, seeing that both appeared happy she smiled at them both, "I won't ask…I daren't."
The three of them chuckled happily and Margaret moved to allow Scully her seat next to Mulder.
An hour later and Margaret was ready to leave. "I'll see you both soon?"
Scully nodded and hugged her mom, "Of course, I'll be in touch."
Mulder leaned to kiss Margaret's cheek, "Are you both free for brunch next Sunday?" Margaret nodded and looked at her daughter.
"Of course, you know I have no life to speak of Mulder." Scully grinned self-deprecatingly.
Mulder laughed, "We'll work on that, together." He smiled at Margaret, "Join us for brunch then? Maybe we could make the day of it if the weather is good, go somewhere nice?"
Margaret grinned at Scully, "I knew I liked him."
Scully laughed, "I told you he has a way with the ladies mom…"
"Ahhhhh but I'm only interested in impressing Scully ladies…" Mulder smiled.
Margaret laughed, "You'll have no problem there Fox…I'll see you next week then?"
She briefly hugged them both again and headed out of the door. "Take care of each other."
Scully smiled as she shut the door and slipped her arm around Mulder, "Always…"