A/N: Yep, we're getting close to the big day! Only a few more chapters (or maybe just this one) before we meet little Mulder-Scully Jr. or Jr-ette. Let me know if there is anything you would like to see in the next few chapters.


"Mulder, I'm so bored. Like out of my mind, would rather be bleaching the grout, I've been watching soap operas kind of bored."

It had been the first time that she had complained since being admitted to the hospital two weeks before. He was so proud of her for dealing with the situation like this. She was as much of a get up and go type person as he was, but she seemed to be taking it all in stride. He didn't want her to be bored, or to feel neglected and forgotten. As her husband, it was his duty to cheer her up.

He put his plan into action the next night. He came by her room at 5:30, right after work. She grinned practically from ear to ear when she saw him.

"Hi," she greeted as he leaned down to kiss her. "You're here early."

"Yeah, traffic was light. Want to go for a walk?"

She was allowed one walk a day, and she always waited for Mulder's visit to take it.

"Sure."

He helped her to put her shoes on, then took her hand and led her down the hallway towards the elevator.

"It's nice out today. I thought we could go down to that pond."

She nodded her agreement as they stepped into the elevator.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright. My back aches though."

He pulled her close and tucked her up under his chin, then rubbed her stomach.

"How's the Twinkie?"

"Active."

"As usual."

"Yeah, and your child has graduated from kicking and punching to doing somersaults. Constantly."

"How much room does this kid have in there anyway?"

"You'd think not a lot, but apparently every child finds a way to disturb its mother like this."

"Is that right?"

"Mom was here earlier. She said that all four of us moved a lot but I was the worst."

"I'm glad you can't blame this active child on me."

"I still can. Your mom said that your nocturnal movements rendered her sleepless for the last month before you were born."

He rolled his eyes and took her hand as they stepped off the elevator and out into the hospital's courtyard.

"I'm glad that you and my mom are getting along so well, but I really didn't want you to bond like this."

"Like what?"

"Calling each other all the time."

"Mulder, she's far away. I don't want her to feel left out of this. Unless we get really, really lucky, this will be her only grandchild ever. I want her to be as clued in and involved as my mom is. That alright with you?"

"It's fine with me, Scully. Just, when she starts telling you embarrassing stories about me, kindly try and forget them."

"I will try, but I will probably fail."

"I guess that's the best I can ask for."

They strolled quietly for a while before settling down on a small bench next to the pond. She sighed softly and leaned against him.

"I'm going to miss this."

"Miss what, honey?"

"The quiet. Having you all to myself. You know, once this baby is born, it's never going to be just the two of us again."

"Yeah, I know. But it's a change I don't mind making. Besides, the older the kid gets, the easier it will be to send them to your moms for the evening."

"I like the way you think."

"I knew you only married me for my mind."


Half an hour later, they were headed back to her room.

"So what do you think the cafeteria has cooked up for dinner tonight?" he asked. She scoffed and ran a hand through her hair.

"Whatever it is, it won't be good."

"Oh come on. Their spaghetti the other night was okay. You said so yourself."

"That was because it was the only thing I have recognized in 2 weeks."

He chuckled and led her into the room. The shades were drawn and the overhead light had been dimmed.

"What in the world..."

Her eyes drifted over the room and landed on the little table in the corner. It was covered in a nice table cloth, and lit with two fake candles. There was a plate for each of them, heaped with steaming food.

"Mulder, did you do this?" she asked finally.

"Me? I couldn't have. I was with you."

"Mulder..."

"Just enjoy it, honey. You deserve it."

He pulled her chair out for her, then sat down himself, pouring them each a glass of water.

"What's all this for, Mulder?"

"It's our first date."

The look of puzzlement on her face delighted him.

"We've never been on a proper date. I do not bypass the wooing stage of a relationship, my dear. That's the easy way out. I'm going to woo you like you've never been wooed before."

"How would you know how I've been wooed before?"

"I know that if it would have been done the right way in the past, you would not be sitting here with me right now."

She grinned and shook her head.

"You sure are something else."

He smiled.

"We should eat before the food gets cold."

She nodded and picked up her fork.

"Mulder, how did you think of this?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've always surprised me with stuff like this. Thoughtful things. Most men couldn't figure out how to buy a nice card, but you always know exactly what I need. And you always go all out. How do you do that?"

"I just do. Maybe it's because I can practically read your mind or maybe it's because I love you more than any man has probably ever loved a woman. Or maybe I'm just lucky."

"I think I'm the lucky one."

"We can both be lucky then."

"Okay, it's a deal."


Their dinner was nice and relaxing. She told him stories from her childhood that he had never heard before. He talked about England and his summer vacation in Greece. They lay in her bed, staring at the stars outside and laughing over some of their first cases together.

"The look on your face when you realized that the brother could detach himself was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. If we weren't dealing with murder, I would probably have wet my pants laughing."

"How about the look on your face when you realized you were about to play tonsil hockey with Eddie Van Blundht?"

"I was not going to play tonsil hockey with him."

"Then what were you going to do? Count his teeth?"

"He was initiating the whole thing, and I thought it was you anyway."

"So let's say I hadn't saved your life right then. Would you have let him kiss you?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Why not? Mulder, it was you. Back then, even though I didn't realize it, I really did love you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I had loved you for a while."

"Since when?"

She sighed, playing with his hand that was resting on her stomach.

"Since you held that gun to your head and didn't hesitate to pull the trigger. I was so scared in that moment, Mulder. I thought I might lose you."

"But you didn't."

"No, but I still can't think about it without feeling sick."

"I'm sorry you have that memory," he whispered, kissing her cheek. "I'd take it away if I could."

"I know. But that memory, that event, it's part of what's made us what we are."

"I guess when you put it that way, I wouldn't change a thing."

She nodded her agreement, and they lay there quietly for a while.

"Oh, I almost forgot," he said, shifting around on the bed. She rolled over slightly so she could see what he was doing. It took him a minute, but he finally wrestled a small box out of his pocket. "Guess what came today?"

"Is that what I think it is?" she asked, reaching out for the box.

"Yes, but let me open it for you."

She grinned and almost clapped her hands as he opened the box to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. It had been his grandmothers, and they had taken it to the jewelers a while back to have it restored and resized. It was an Old European cut diamond set in a dainty platinum band. The band was carved with orange blossoms, and she had loved the ring the minute she saw it. He took it out of the box and placed it on her finger.

"Does it fit?"

"It's perfect."

"Good."

She stared at the ring on her finger for a moment before looking up at him.

"I never thought all of this would happen."

"All of what?"

"This. Us, and the baby. Being happy and being in love. I never thought it would happen to me."

"You deserve to be happy and loved. I want to make sure you never lose that feeling."

She smiled and leaned up to kiss him.

"I love you, Mulder."

"I love you too, Scully."

She couldn't help but giggle at their use of last names. Hearing "Scully" come out of his mouth was probably the most comforting thing in the world though, and while hearing "Dana" was nice at times too, her last name would always carry more meaning, coming from him.

He settled his arms around her and they got comfortable again.

"Are you going to stay tonight?" she asked hopefully, as sleep became a force to be reckoned with.

"Yeah. I might have to move to the cot later, but for now, I'm staying right here."

Smiling, she drifted off to sleep, letting the contentment seep into her soul.