Dinner finished, dishes washed and put away, the adults moved to sit in the living room. Harold lit the fire as they enjoyed the last of the wine. Before Maggie served the main meal, Scully managed to move Sophia into her crib without waking the child. One of Mulder's unwashed running shirts under her sheet, the tiny tot snuggled into the odour. Her Tigger tucked firmly under her arm, the bright orange animal becoming her main comfort object.

'I need to know what you want to do about your wedding,' Maggie demanded from her position on a winged back chair by the fire.

Greeted with a yawn from her daughter, Maggie continued to glare at Dana, demanding an answer. So far both Scully and Mulder had managed to side step the issue while Margaret wanted to get it sorted. They needed made decisions so she could start making plans. Ensconced on the couch beside her fiancée, Margaret worked hard not to show her delight at this new closeness. Mulder's arm casually thrown over the sofa, his hand making contact with Scully's opposite shoulder, drawing light circles on her upper arm.

'Father McCue is holing four o'clock on Friday open,' Maggie reminded, injecting a note of annoyance into her tone. 'You're brothers and their families will arrive Thursday afternoon on the same flight from Los Angeles. They're staying with me over the weekend and returning home on Sunday night. I need some time to organise my home, Dana,' Mrs Scully explained managing to sound irritated by the sudden intrusion. 'It's imperative I know where you intend to hold the ceremony and if you're planning any kind of reception after. Not to mention we only have a few days to organise a guest list and get the invitations out.'

'With everything that's occurred in the last twenty four hours, Maggie,' Mulder offered in consolation, 'Scully and I haven't had a chance to talk about it.'

'No time like the present,' Margaret berated, ogling the pair, 'the next days are going to be very busy for all of us. I understand you want to spend as much time with your children as possible but,' she reprimanded, 'plans need to be made, now, if we're going to pull this off.'

Scully knew that tone. She'd been subjected to it for eighteen years before leaving to attend college. 'Looks very much like we'd better discuss it now,' her right eyebrow rose in the ultimate Scully rebuke.

Turning to his fiancée, Mulder spoke candidly. 'Dana, I don't care where we get married, as long as we do. I don't care who's there, as long as you are. I don't care what arrangements are made, so long as you're happy.'

Nodding her understanding, Dr Dana Scully calmly faced her mother. 'I know I've asked a lot of you in the time frame and I'm grateful to have you doing this for us, mom,' Scully replied in a quiet, appreciative tone. Explaining their plans, Dana said, 'tomorrow I want to see the boys before going to the real estate agent and enquiring about the Mulholland's. I want to make sure we won't be surprised in the future by some relative or stipulation we've failed to account for. After that, we can take Sophia to look at the house in Triangle.'

'If the house is up to Harold's usual standards,' Mulder taunted, his breath cascading over Scully's ear, sending a shiver of apprehension down her spine, 'you'll love it, we'll move in immediately and your mom will have a venue for our wedding, solving all problems.'

'What about our apartments, Mulder,' Scully asked.

Casually shrugging his shoulders, Mulder stated, 'we can either sell or rent your home, whatever you prefer. We don't need to make a decision on that right away. Mines rented. I can cancel the lease easily. I bet,' teasingly, he gave Scully a devilish grin, 'you won't let me keep most of my furniture.'

An eye roll later, Mulder knew his suspicions to be correct. 'Your furniture can inhabit your office,' Scully countered.

Harold gave a contented chuckle at the byplay between them. 'I originally brought the house to live in,' he commented, 'so it has all the comforts of a real home. It's currently furnished in a style much like this,' he held up his arms, indicating the room they sat in, 'homely and easily lived in. However I find the commute into the city harrowing on a daily basis.'

'I bet you still live in your upscale suburban town house,' Mulder mocked.

'Indeed,' Harold returned, taking a key ring, set of plans and several photos from his attaché case and placing them on the coffee table before the young couple, 'I found the family home didn't suit an old bachelor like me. It needs a growing family. Let me show you.'

Offering the items to Scully, she carefully scrutinised the design. Taking each photo, Dana matched it to the location on the plan or the outside of the house. Unable to hide her surprise at the seemingly flawless house, Scully knew they'd take it. Harold continued to extoll the virtues long after Mulder saw the capitulation in Dana's blue gaze. It's perfect, a look informed him.

'You can stop now,' Mulder baited, witnessing the joy emanating from his partner, 'Scully's sold without seeing the place, Harold. We'll take it and start moving in tomorrow,' Mulder pocketed the keys.

'Everything that's happened, it's just too easy and that worries me,' Scully stated, a sheen glazing her eyes. 'I feel like we're been given this most precious gift, but it could all be torn away at any moment.'

Mulder took Scully into his arms, tucking her head under his chin. He also found the simplicity of discovering, then gaining custody of the children hauntingly tranquil. Everything had gone to plan. Finding proof, stealing the remaining embryos, hiding them at the FBI, Harold's involvement and subsequent aid to have their case heard by a trusted colleague sympathetic to their plight appear scripted to Mulder. In the years on the X-files, Mulder and Scully had to fight for the smallest clue, loose parts of themselves they'd rather not and battle nameless, faceless enemies for a tiny piece of the overall puzzle.

'Maybe someone's making it easy for us, Scully,' Mulder returned with the only explanation that made any sense. 'What better way to get us off the X-files. By permanently giving us what we've always wanted they've effectively closed us down forever. Besides, we're considering moving across the country to get away from this madness and start our new life.'

'You're what,' Maggie suddenly broke into the conversation.

Combing his hand through his hair in agitation, Mulder's cheeks reddened in embarrassment. Looking down at Scully, her eyebrow spoke volumes, you put your foot in it. You explain our discussion to my mother.

'Scully and I are considering a move to San Diego after we get permanent custody of the children,' Mulder started, watching his future mother-in-laws reaction. She seemed to hang on his every word. 'We feel a new location and fresh start would be beneficial to our family. We want Sophia and the boys away from any unpleasant memories they might have gained in the last week. Maggie, we've considered you and your feelings and don't want it to affect you. Would you like to relocate, possibly live with us, and be close to all your children and grandchildren?'

'Dana,' Maggie couldn't contain the hope in her facial expression.

'I always loved the sea,' Scully's gaze took on a faraway expression of hope and sadness as she remembered her father, sister and first daughter. 'When I went to MCAS Miramar a few years ago, I remembered the times Missy and I enjoyed as a child. Spending Christmas at Bill's, finding and loosing Emily…'

'Emily's grave is in San Diego, Maggie,' Mulder reminded, 'and we now know she was my child too.'

'Oh,' Maggie's sad look stated she understood the implications, 'you found out today, with the other children.'

'Yes,' Mulder answered softly, leaning down to plant a kiss on the crown of Scully's head. She held him tighter, gaining comfort from his embrace. 'We have to ensure we have Sophia, Caleb and William legally named as our offspring on their birth certificates before we make plans. We thought we'd take a vacation to look around next month and would appreciate you coming with us.'

'I'll see how quickly we can set a court date,' Harold interrupted, 'so hold off on your plans until you hear from me. I should have an answer by the end of the week.'

Accepting the Federal Court Judges help, Mulder acknowledged it with, 'let's get the planning for this wedding out of the way. Scully's been awake over 36 hours and we have a child who might be up several times overnight given her disrupted life.'

Coming out of her daze, Scully took a deep, cleansing breath, attempting to put her worries behind her. It took fifteen minutes to state her wishes. Using simple as the best policy given their time constraints, mother and daughter ironed out any issues and made arrangements. Between Maggie and Scully they divided up the list of jobs to be achieved by Friday at four. It seemed endless to Mulder who been given his fair share of the work load.

Ten O'clock rolled around and neither Mulder nor Scully could keep their eyes open. Taking the hint, Maggie made a move to leave. Collecting the used glasses, Harold took them into the kitchen, indicating Mulder should follow him for a private discussion while Maggie went to say goodnight her sleeping granddaughter.

'Son,' Harold placed a hand on Mulder's shoulder, 'I know both of your parents have passed, not that they treated you well on your last wedding day. I'm the closest individual you have to a living relative. I'm giving you the Triangle house for as long as you need it, consider it my wedding gift. Also I want you to come by my town house at six tomorrow evening. I'll have my housekeeper prepare a meal. Bring you Fiancée if you want. I'll have the jeweller that made Katherine's wedding set on hand so you can chose your rings.'

Cut to the bone by the offer, Mulder worked hard to keep his voice steady as he said, 'Thank you.'

'I just wish I could do more,' Harold returned, 'that you'd let me do more, you're the closest I've come to having a son of my own.'

'You've done so much for us already by allowing us legal access to our children in the shortest possible timeframe. I'm sure Scully realises just how much you've smoothed our path,' Mulder's tone displayed his appreciation, 'that doesn't mean she'll trust you.'

'The X-files haven't treated your fiancée well, Mulder,' Harold let the younger man know he found out all about the syndicates plans for Dr Scully. 'I understand her caution and her fears for you and the children.'

'I know you'll do more if you find it within your influence,' Mulder agreed. 'You have no idea what those children mean to Scully and I.'

'I think I do,' Harold's smile took on a melancholy air. 'I never found the right woman, Mulder. You've been lucky enough to get a second chance. Take her away from this darkness, let others fight the battle. God knows there are enough people trying.'

'Allow myself to be happy,' Mulder mocked. 'I think I realised that today when I held my son in my arms for the first time. I'm done chasing monsters with butterfly nets. I have a family to love and cherish as far away from the shadows that I've allowed to consume me for so long.'

Taking the younger man into a bear hug, Harold ensured Mulder had everything they needed to live in their new home. He quietly said his farewells. Joining Maggie and Dana as they exited Sophia's room, he held out the older woman's coat for her.

'I'll see you at the hospital tomorrow,' Maggie kissed her daughter and Fox at the front door. Harold escorted her to her car. Scully watched as the older couple spoke for several minutes. They climbed into separate cars before her mother drove off in the opposite direction to Harold.

'Something's going on there,' Scully's internal radar sent out warning sounds.

'You might just be right,' Mulder spoke into Scully shoulder. 'Harold and your mom have both been lonely for a long time.'

'What are you saying, Mulder,' Scully demanded.

'Harold's attracted to your mother, Scully,' he teased lightly, 'and why shouldn't he be, she just an older version of you.'

Before she could answer, Mulder's hand stole around to the front of her blouse, undoing the top buttons. Gently pushing the material away, he exposed her soft, flawlessly smooth skin. Giving himself permission to access Scully's shoulder, Mulder moved her bra strap out of his lips marauding way.

'What do you think you're doing, Mulder,' Scully asked sharply, attempting to step away from him.

'Making love to my fiancée,' he returned with a boyish grin, increasing the strength of his hold. 'I love you, Scully, no drugs this time.' Sighing, he knew he should give her more time to come to terms with the change in their relationship. Giving up for the time being, Mulder turned Scully in his arms. Now facing her, he said, 'no kinky, wild sex tonight, you look dead on your feet and I don't feel much better.'

She didn't get a chance to answer as Mulder's lips met hers. His tongue demanded entry, twisting and tangling with Scully's. While lost in her newly awoken passion, Mulder did something he only ever dreamed of. He picked Scully up and carried her into her bedroom. Carefully laying them down side by side, he began to remove the rest of her buttons from her blouse.

'Mulder,' Scully's logical brain finally broke thought the haze of desire.

'I'm just helping you get undressed for bed,' he grinned wickedly while his hand continued to the button on her suit pants. 'Why don't you give it try, turn about is fare play and I'll let you undress me any time.'

'I believe you,' Scully managed to get out in a level tone as his hand brushed against her thigh, attempting to remove her clothing. The simple act woke long forgotten desires. Desires she had no hope of keeping constrained after seven years of building tension and rampant fantasies.

Tiredness forgotten, Scully's hands reached for Mulder's shirt, ripping it open, buttons popped and flew everywhere. 'Ooo, Scully, I didn't know you had it in you,' Mulder teased breathlessly, finding a better use for his mouth. He hadn't meant for things to progress this far. He'd hoped they might sleep beside each other naked. It seemed Scully had other ideas.

'If the baby wakes in the night, Mulder,' Scully panted, her tongue tantalising a male nipple, 'you're getting up to her.'

'I'm getting up either way, Scully,' Mulder lifted his head, gazing into her eyes. Fast approaching a point of no return, he attempted to communicate the fact to Scully, 'but if you continue that, you're going to need to look after the little boy.'

Keeping a straight face, Scully reached for his zipper. Removing the obstacles in her way, she felt and found what she searched for. 'I'd say the little boy's grown into a big boy, Mulder.'

Speechless, Mulder growled low in his throat. Taking her head in his hands, he unleashed his hunger, kissing Scully as he'd always imagined, with controlled passion. Rewarded by her returning his desire, they came together in a rush, unable to wait any longer to consummate their soul deep emotions for each other.

'Scully,' Mulder gently teased her lobe with a kiss as they allowed their breathing to come back to normal, 'next time let's take it slowly.'

'Mmm,' she grunted, followed by a soft snore. Collecting her spooned body closer, he followed her into a deep, contented sleep.