Mulder shifted his feet and tried to stand still as the quartet tuned up nearby.

He straightened his cummerbund and pulled at his bow-tie nervously telling himself that everything would be just fine. They'd gone over the details a million times and he knew nothing could possibly go wrong…but this would be one of the most important days of their lives and he wanted it all to be perfect.

An elbow nudged him gently on his left side, "Dad, you're making me nervous!"

Mulder smiled up at Matt, "I want this day to be perfect for you..."

"…And it will be. Everyone I love is here, I am marrying the woman of my dreams and I have you two here by my side." Matt smiled over at his brother, "Will, please talk to dad, make him breathe…give him a drink…do something!"

They all chuckled together and Mulder suddenly felt a hand on his waist, he turned to see his wife smiling at him patiently. "Mulder, I can see how tense you are from back there, just relax. Everything is organised, everything is perfect…enjoy the day."

Mulder smiled and felt his shoulders unwind, "Yes, dear…" he said teasingly and squeezed Scully's hand before he watched her slip back into her seat.

"Why didn't we think of that?" Will said chuckling, "Call mom…she always does the trick."

Matt smiled back at Scully and winked before looking at his dad with concern, "Is mom okay?"

Mulder nodded, "She's fine, kid…days like this she misses your mom and dad…we all do."

Matt smiled, "I've had two amazing moms and two amazing dads…most kids are lucky if they get one of each. They're here with us, they always have been…in the love you've both given me…with our family."

Will smiled over at his brother, "Matty, I've just had the nod from Allison's dad…we're ready to start."

"You ready?" Mulder asked Matt with a smile.

Matt grinned as the music started up, "Dad, I was born ready!"

The three men turned to face the congregation. Matt focused on his bride walking towards him while Will watched his parents with a warm smile. He saw his dad grin at his mom, then his mom mouth 'I love you' in return…while obviously fighting back her tears…then he glanced back at his dad and saw the end of his reply '...always' before they both moved their attention back to the bride and groom.

Will smiled, Matt had been right the evening before – if both of them end up with people who make them even half as happy as Mom and Dad then they'd be just fine.

Mulder made a beeline for his wife and held out his hand, "May I have this dance, Scully?" he asked with a smile.

She smiled at her mom, "Would you excuse me? I believe this man of mine needs some attention for a while."

Margaret laughed, "You two go and have some fun…"

Mulder took Scully's hand a walked her towards the dance floor, he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her temple softly, "Happy?" he asked softly.

"Very…" Scully said serenely. "We know she's a lovely girl, Mulder, they're going to be happy."

"I guess we do have to give them up eventually…" Mulder said with a sad smile.

"We're still a family, Mulder, we're just growing. We'll have visits…and holidays…maybe even grandchildren…" Scully said as she ran her hand over his chest and smiled.

"Why do I suddenly feel very old?" Mulder asked with a smirk.

"We're still relatively young, Mulder…we still have each other…and now that Will's away at college during term time we finally have the whole house to ourselves. This is unprecedented!" Scully said in a teasing tone.

"You make a valid point, Scully, how will we entertain ourselves? What will we do?" Mulder pondered happily.

"How will we keep warm during all those cold winter nights in front of the fire?" Scully added.

Mulder kissed her temple and smiled, "I love you. Back then I couldn't imagine being able to love you more, but I feel like I love you more every day."

Scully smiled and ran her thumb over the tiny Celtic tattoo on his finger just above his wedding band, "Thank you…for helping me to build our family…for the last twenty years…"

"Twenty-six years, Scully...twenty-six years since you walked into my office…" Mulder said happily as he spun her out and then brought his partner back into his chest. Because they were still partners…in every sense of the word.

"Nobody down here but the FBI's most unwanted…" Scully said softly with a contented smile and pressed her lips against her husband's chest.

"You always mattered to me you know…from that very first day…" Mulder confirmed and quickly kissed the matching tattoo on her finger, "It just took me a while to realise that you, then later the boys, were all I ever really needed."

THE END