A month and a half later Mulder and Scully were back in Laura's office for their latest scan. On Scully's tiny frame she now looked obviously pregnant and watching her lie back on the bed Mulder couldn't help but reach to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and then lean down to gently kiss her forehead.

Laura knocked quickly and then entered with a wide smile, "If it isn't my favourite little family!"

Mulder stood up straight but held his gaze lovingly on Scully for a few more seconds before looking up and nodding at Laura with a smile, "And my second favourite doctor..."

"Well, I'd say either you two have finally woken up to yourselves, or you have an unusually close friendship…" Laura said with laughing eyes as she moved to stand opposite Mulder.

Scully smiled and rested her hand on top of her partner's, "To be honest Laura, I'd say a bit of both…"

The doctor nodded, "You're happy Dana, I can see it beaming out of you."

Scully nodded and squeezed Mulder's hand, "I've never been this happy."

Laura grinned appreciatively at Mulder, "So you're taking good care of her, Fox?"

Mulder smiled and was about to answer when Scully cut in, "He's been amazing, Laura…"

"I feel like I'm interrupting girl talk…" Mulder winked at Scully.

Laura reached for the wand, "We're coming to the best bit Fox, don't be rushing out on us now."

Scully smiled at Mulder as she quickly slipped open her gown and Mulder moved to hold her hand.

Laura squirted some gel onto Scully's belly and then moved the scanner gently. "Still no stretch marks…" she observed, "…have you been using the oil I recommended?"

"Yes…everyday…" Mulder replied.

"Oh, now that's what you call motivational application…" Laura said to Scully with twinkling eyes as the sound of their baby's heartbeat filled the room.

Scully chuckled, and then both she and Mulder looked up at the screen keenly as Laura turned it towards them.

"So…" Laura started automatically, "the baby is twenty-one weeks in, which means about ten and a half inches long…any heartburn or other issues?"

Scully shook her head, "I feel amazing, I can't remember ever feeling this good…"

Laura smiled at Scully, "The winning combination of pregnancy and love is obviously good for you, Dana."

Mulder smiled.

"So now for the big question…and if you don't want to know I would recommend that Dana looks away for the next part of the scan."

Scully looked up at Mulder and he nodded reassuringly. Then she turned and smiled at Laura, "We definitely want to know; to be honest, I can't wait!"

Laura grinned and moved the wand down, Scully gasped and covered her mouth smiling widely.

"What?" Mulder said looking at the screen impatiently and obviously not seeing what Scully could see.

Scully reached to turn his face towards hers gently and beamed, "You're going to have a daughter, Mulder…we're having a little girl!"

Mulder grinned, he would have been equally happy with either but now he knew for sure his mind raced into the future and he thought back to the daydream he'd had about a little girl with red hair and freckles.

"A beautiful little girl…" Mulder said and smiled up at Laura, "Hopefully she has Scully's nose…"

"And your eyes…" Scully contended.

"And your freckles…" Mulder added with a smiled as he ran his thumb over her cheek and then leant to kiss her softly. "I love you," he whispered.

Scully's eyes welled up in gratitude that they were really together for this.

"She's going to be a real daddy's girl," Scully said to Laura with mock exasperation.

Laura chuckled at the couple affectionately and started to wipe the gel from Scully's belly. "Well, everything looks perfect…so as much as I'd like to say I'll see you every week I think we can leave it for a month, especially as Dana can obviously monitor her own progress at home."

"Oh, well I'd like to see you…" Scully said a little sadly. "Maybe you could come around for dinner next week? Purely social, no shop talk."

Laura smiled, "I'd love to…are you both living together?"

Mulder nodded, "I still have my apartment…but we've just moved Scully into a new place, two bedrooms. We've been concentrating on getting her settled but I'm practically living there…let's just say it's a slow move, my stuff is sneaking over bit by bit as the weeks go by."

"It's only a matter of logistics that he hasn't moved in properly yet. We just haven't had the time, and obviously, I can't help with everything," Scully explained a little sadly.

Laura nodded thoughtfully, "Well how about we sort that out next week? If you can organise some additional muscle we can get you all moved in before the baby completely takes over your life. Then you can both focus on decorating that second bedroom."

Scully nodded, "I suppose…some of my things are still in boxes…which won't be practical as I get bigger…and I think I'll feel more settled once everything is set up and Mulder has moved in properly."

Tears suddenly sprung to Scully's eyes and Mulder looked horrified, "Scully? I didn't realise this was upsetting you…shit…why didn't you say anything?"

Scully smiled and shook her head, "I'm fine Mulder, honestly…they're partly happy tears…I think I only just realised how much I want you to be properly moved in, for that to be our home."

"Right…" Mulder said decisively and nodded at Laura, "Wednesday or Friday good for you?"

Laura thought for a second, "We're closing for some building work on Wednesday and Thursday…so Wednesday is good…"

Mulder nodded and immediately pulled out his phone, pressed a couple of buttons and brought it to his ear.

Laura raised her eyebrows at Scully, "Well, I can't fault him…he's a man on a mission now…"

Scully smiled at Mulder affectionately, "He can't bear to see me upset, I feel bad…"

Mulder looked down at her and shook his head mouthing, Don't be silly… and then gently ran his fingers up and down the inside of her forearm, just as he knows relaxes her.

"Byers…it's Mulder…" Mulder said as the phone was answered, "You guys free on Wednesday next week?"

Silence.

"Great, can the three of you come around and help me move?"

Silence.

"Of course, into Scully's...well, into the new place..." he smiled down at Scully, "...into our place."

Laura smiled at Scully who licked her lips and sniffed as a happy tear slipped down her cheek.

"Yes, that would be great… There's not much but it will be quicker between the four of us, Scully's friend is coming over and she's going to help Scully get set up at our end while we pack up my old place."

Silence.

"Perfect, and thank you guys…this obviously means a lot."

Mulder hung up and smiled at Scully, "Frohike knows someone with a van, so they're going to help me move, and that leaves you two to set up properly at ours. I'll feel better leaving you to do that knowing that Laura will be with you to make sure you don't get carried away."

She arched her eyebrow and Mulder chuckled.

"Just because you can do everything, doesn't mean you always should, Dana…" Laura agreed with a smile.

Scully laughed and rolled her eyes, "Great, two of you at me!"

"Because we care, Scully…" Mulder said softly, "…about both of you."

Scully nodded and reached up to kiss him softly, "I know, Mulder."

"I felt a flutter again…" Scully said beckoning Mulder over and then placing his hand on her little bump.

"Hey little girl," Mulder said softly, "Having a party in there?"

Scully smiled up at Mulder from the couch, "You leaving soon?"

Mulder nodded, "The boys are picking me up in an hour, just going to have a quick shower."

"Thank you for doing this," Scully said as she stood up and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

Mulder shook his head and then leaned to kiss her temple softly, "This is where I want to be Scully, here with you…"

Scully nodded, "You'll be gone most of the day?"

"Until at least mid afternoon, I want to get the keys and everything sorted."

"So I won't see the place again?" Scully said sadly.

Mulder looked concerned, "I hadn't thought…do you mind?"

Scully thought for a second and then shook her head, "You're bringing the best bit home with you…"

"My fish?" Mulder asked playfully.

"No Mulder, your tight ass!" Scully teased and slid her hand down to squeeze it teasingly.

"Ahhhh, God Scully…" Mulder groaned as he tightened his arms around her then reluctantly pulled back slightly. "What time is Laura getting here?"

Scully looked at the time, "In about two hours, why?"

"Can I convince you to join me for my shower?" Mulder said with a smile and ran his hand over her cheek.

Scully grinned and started to back him up towards the bathroom, "Ooooo...you could wash my hair…"

Mulder smiled, "Yeah…that too…" He slowly began to undo the buttons on her blouse and then slipped it off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor.

Then Scully opened her pants and slid them down along with her panties, kicking them to one side before unclipping her bra and turning away from Mulder.

He stood motionless as he watched Scully turn on the shower and then climb under the spray.

"Mulder...you're wasting time!" Scully called back as the water soaked through her hair.

Breaking out of his spell Mulder flung his clothes off at the speed of light and then climbed into the shower behind her.

He reached out and smoothed his hands over her wet shoulders and down her arms, "Oh Jesus, Scully…this is the best idea I've had since…well, since the last time I saw you naked…"

Scully turned and arched her eyebrow, "So...this morning? And last night? And yesterday morning…and…"

Mulder grinned, "What can I say, Scully? You're inspirational, you give me a lot of really great ideas…"

Scully laughed, "Come here…"

Mulder wrapped his arms around her waist and Scully sighed when she felt his hardening cock against the side of her belly. She kissed his chest gently before Mulder stepped back and picked up her shampoo.

"Can I?" He asked with a smile.

Scully nodded and turned. Mulder loved washing her hair, he seemed to get a kick out of looking after her. He rubbed the soap through his fingers and then began to massage it through her hair.

"Mmmmmm…that feels good…" Scully hummed stretching her neck.

He massaged the bubbles gently but firmly into her scalp and Scully felt shots of electricity, which seemed to spread from his fingers and down her neck.

Mulder smiled as he worked and occasionally leant around to place a soft kiss on her cheek or neck.

"Turn…" Mulder said softly, causing Scully to open her eyes and smile as he directed her under the water.

The water drained away the bubbles and Mulder watched Scully's nipples tighten as the cool air chilled her wet skin. After combing his fingers through her hair to ensure it was rinsed Mulder gently leaned to capture one nipple between his lips, he sucked gently and simultaneously flicked the tip with his tongue before moving on to her other breast.

Scully groaned deeply and threw her head back, "You're so good at that…" she gasped, "…I can't wait until later when you can really go at them…"

"Really?" Mulder kissed his way up her neck licking her soft wet skin.

"They won't always be over-sensitive Mulder, I'm looking forward to when you can really bite them…"

Mulder groaned into her ear and reached to pull her close.

"I want you to scrape your teeth over them Mulder…and then pound into me until we're both screaming for release…"

Scully felt Mulder's knees buckle and he growled against her shoulder, "Oh Jesus Christ, baby…"

"Of course, that night I think maybe my mom should babysit…the noise and all…" Scully continued with mock innocence and then gasped with amusement when Mulder turned her around and reached to slide his fingers straight into her core.

"You're so fucking hot, Scully…" Mulder said groaning heavily and driving up into her with two strong fingers.

Scully gasped and dropped her head back onto his shoulder.

He panted and ran his teeth across the back of her neck as he enjoyed the feeling of her core gripping his fingers.

"S'good Mulder…" Scully gasped.

"Come for me, Scully…" Mulder growled and sucked on her skin powerfully.

"Ohhhhh yeah…yes…oh fuck…yeah!" Scully groaned as she came hard in his secure embrace.

Holding her tightly Mulder waited for her orgasm to subside before moving in front of her and stepping under the water. He leaned to kiss her gently, sliding his tongue into her mouth and then around her lips.

Scully opened her eyes and smiled, "You're pretty good at that too…"

"Just pretty good?" Mulder teased.

"Pretty breathtakingly sexy..." Scully corrected and quickly licked up the centre of his toned chest.

"You take my breath away Scully, you're stunning..."

Scully smiled and then reached for his liquid soap, she squeezed a generous amount into her hand before hooking it back on the rack and then spreading it over his wide chest. She smiled up at him as she smoothed the soap thoroughly over every millimetre of skin.

"Turn…" She echoed his earlier direction and then reached to pour more soap into her hands before sliding them over his wide back and down to his firm ass. Scully smiled adoringly and placed a soft kiss on the bottom of his shoulder blade, "My sexy man…" she murmured.

Mulder turned and allowed the water to rinse his back, "Never…not for one day in my life…have I felt as loved as I do when I'm with you. Not even close Scully, not by a mile. I wonder if this is the first time anyone has ever really loved me..."

Scully felt tears spring to her eyes at the thought of the life her partner had led; a life so lacking in love for a man who had always craved it so intensely.

"We're going to make up for that now Mulder…" Scully said gently, she placed his hand on her belly and smiled, "…me and your daughter…we're going to love you so much that you'll forget what that void ever felt like. I promise."

Mulder nodded gently and cupped her face, "I believe that…"

Scully reached up on her toes to place a chaste kiss on his full lips, "Come on…out…" Scully said.

Mulder looked shocked by their sudden departure but managed not to sound too disappointed, "You don't need conditioner?"

Scully shook her head as she was already making her way out of the shower, "No, baby hormones seem to be very good for my hair…"

Mulder

"On the bed, Mulder…" She directed and Mulder raised his eyebrows.

He sat down and then felt his arousal ignite again as Scully folded to towel that she had used to dry him, dropped it to the floor and then moved to kneel on it between his legs, "Scully, you don't have to…"

Scully smiled and leaned to lick up the underside of his already straining erection, "Mulder, this is just for you..."

Mulder's mouth opened and closed a few times his desire obviously contradicting with his concern, "You're…"

"I'm fine, Mulder. I'm not a china doll…" Scully chuckled.

"You're my china doll…" he grinned, before Scully's mouth descended over his cock and almost swallowed him whole, "Oh fuck...!"