A/N: If there was a hallmark card that said, "I'm sorry I never update my fic" those of you still reading this story would be on the recieving end. The opening of this chapter irked the crap out of me and I finally beat it into submission with the help of Rach.

Dedication: To Katy. Cali Girl. If I could adequately describe how indepted to her, it'd be longer than this fic.

Disclaimer: I own them, I so totally do. Chris Carter, I'd like my damn money naow! If you bought that, you can have the ocean front property and I'll throw the golden gate in free.

They talked until the sun was peaking through Elli's curtains. By the time they drifted off to sleep, Callie was privy to all of Elli's deep, dark secrets. For the first time in years, Elli slept without a nightmare. When Scully woke them up at ten a.m., Elli wasn't crying. She didn't have dark circles under her eyes from being up all night and she didn't have Dink in an death grip.

"Mmm. I hate mornings." Callie rubbed the sleep from her eyes as Elli helped her roll up her sleeping bag.

"Me too." Elli nodded, running her hands through her messy auburn hair.

"You okay?" Callie asked.

"I'm fine." Elli smiled, "You can't tell anyone 'member?"

"I know. I'm not tellin' no one." Callie promised her.

"Mmkay." Elli nodded.

"Who want's breakfast?" Mulder tucked his head in the door.

"What we havin'?" Elli asked.

"Poptarts and Cereal." Mulder replied.

"Did Mom have an anuersym?!" Elli asked, her face contorted in shock.

"No, she just didn't feel like cooking." Mulder chuckled, "Are you gonna sit there and gawk or are you gonna go stuff your face with sugar and carbohydrates?"

"I opt for stuffing our faces!" Elli grabbed Callie's arm and pulled her out of the room and to the kitchen before anyone could change their minds.

Elli grabbed the Cinnamon Toast Crunch and poured herself a bowl, soaking it in chocolate milk. She practically dove into it, shoving spoonful after spoonful in her mouth.

"What on God's green earth are you doing child?" Scully asked, leaning against the island and eating a Pop Tart.

"It's good!" Elli said around a spoonful.

"Say it. Don't spray it." Callie chuckled, nibbling on a strawberry Pop Tart.

Elli flicked a piece of cereal at her and giggled.

"Elisa Jo, NO." Scully warned.

"I'm beginning to think THAT is my real name." Elli rolled her eyes.

--

Callie's mother picked her up at noon; Elli lay on her bed listening to Savage Garden. Scully knocked on the door and walked inside, "Hey Kid."

"Hey Mama." Elli scooted over and Scully laid down on the bed next to her.

"Did you have a good sleepover?" Scully stroked Elli's curls absent mindedly.

"Mhm. The best." Elli smiled.

"Favorite part?" Scully asked, smiling.

"The creation of the 'She-Woman, Man-Hater Club'." Elli chuckled.

"Hey, Kid?"

"Yeah?" Elli turned on her side to look at her mom.

"You know I love you right?" Scully asked, tucking a fallen lock behind Elli's ear.

"A'course." Elli nodded, "I love you too, Mama."

"And you can always come to me about anything?" Scully asked.

"Duh. Who else would I go to?" Elli asked.

"I just.... no matter how much we fight, I'll always love you." Scully promised.

"Does that mean I can get my belly button pierced?" Elli asked hopefully.

"Elisa!" Scully laughed and pulled her daughter into a hug.

"Well?!" Elli asked, "How old do I have to be to get it done?"

"Fifty." Scully told her.

"Mah-ahm." Elli huffed.

"Talk to me when you're fourteen."

"Mah-ahm! You think I'll forget? I won't." Elli promised.

"Fine. I tell you what. If you can get Daddy and Uncle Walter to say it's okay, then I'm all for it." Scully laughed.

"NOT fair!"

--

"Daddy." Elli walked up behind Mulder at the computer and wrapped her arms around his neck, her head resting on his shoulder.

"Yes, Daughter?" Mulder asked.

"What are your thoughts on navel piercings?"

"No way in hades, Baby Girl." Mulder chuckled.

"This. Sucks!"

--

That evening they decided to go on a walk through the park, it was warm out and all they needed were jackets. Elli skipped between Mulder and Scully holding their hands. "I know a song that gets on everybodies nerves, everybodies nerves, everybodies nerves, I know a song that gets on everybodies nerves and this is how it goes..."

"She is your daughter." Scully glared over at him.

"In my defense I did not sing the song that gets on everybodies nerves, I sang the song that never ends." Mulder shot back.

"He's right Mommy. There's a BIG difference." Elli grinned.

"That's my kid." Mulder gave her a one arm hug.

"You're in a happy mood Miss Elisa." Scully chuckled as Elli walked in front of them and turned to walk backwards.

"I like when you call me Miss Elisa." Elli smiled.

"Why's that?" Scully asked.

"Cause it sounds like Melissa." Elli smiled, "Remember? I used to call her Missa Lissa."

"I remember." Scully gave her a sad smile.

"I didn't mean to make you sad Mommy." Elli frowned.

"You didn't." Scully shook her head, "I'm glad you have good memories of Missy."

"Hey Els." Mulder spoke suddenly, "Look, swings!"

"Can I go?" Elli asked.

"Duh." Mulder teased and off Elli shot across the wet grass and to the playground.

Mulder and Scully sat down on a bench, Scully leaning into side and his arm around her shoulder. Their hands interlaced on her lap. The sun was sinking down behind the clouds and Elli was waving at them from the swings. "Thank you."

"No problem." Mulder traced his fingers up and down her shoulder.

"So, we'll tell her at the restraunt?" Scully asked.

"That's the plan."

An hour later they were dining on chinese food; Elli's plate was full of Egg Rolls and a little bit of Kung Pao Chicken, "This is the bestest food ever."

"I agree." Mulder tapped chopsticks with her.

Scully picked at her white rice and tried not be nauseated at the smell of the Shrimp Scampi. She nibbled on a sweet roll and sipped her sprite.

"Mom, are you okay?" Elli asked.

"Well..." Scully sighed and looked at Mulder.

He nodded encouragingly and took her hand.

"Els.... We have something to tell you." Scully told her with a smile, "You're gonna be a big sister, Baby. I'm pregnant."

Elli was momentarily silent.

"Elli?" Mulder looked at her, worried.

"Wow." Elli forced a smile, "That's great! I'm gonna be a sister!" She walked around the table and hugged them.

Dear God, Elli prayed, Don't let it be a boy. God, give me a sister. Don't let them win.

A/N: Okay. I'm gonna try UBER hard not to make you guys wait that long again. I swear. I love you all. Special thanks go to my Aunt for the phone call and telling me to update. Love you Aunt Carla!