A/N: This chapter is not going to be easy to write. Having never given birth, or been anywhere near a delivery room, my knowledge of labor and delivery is derived almost solely from "A Baby Story" on TLC. I will try my best though... poor Scully. Anyway, this is going to be a really long chapter... I've been working on it for around 3 hours now... that's a long time for me.

Anyone know why the line breaks are acting so freaky, and why this whole site is in 10 pt font? It's really driving me bananas.

10:32 a.m. July 24th, 2000

Mulder had just arrived in Skinner's office for a meeting when his cell phone rang. Under normal circumstances, Skinner would have given him a disapproving look, but Scully being in the hospital changed things considerably.

"Mulder."

"Mulder, it's me," she said, her voice quavering. "My water broke."

"What? Are you having contractions?"

"Yeah. Big ones, really close together."

"I'm leaving right now. I'll be there as soon as I can. I love you."

"I love you too."

He turned the phone off, then grabbed his suit jacket off the back of the chair.

"I gotta go. She's in labor."

"Want me to drive you?" Skinner offered, standing from his desk.

"No, I'll be okay."

"Alright. Keep me updated and let me know if you guys need anything."

"We will. Thanks."

11:04 a.m.

She was dozing when he entered the room. It was just like any other time he'd come into this room in the past month, except there was a fetal monitor keeping a close eye on their baby. She had one hand tucked under her cheek, and the other hand protectively over her stomach. He sat down next to her and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. Her eyes opened and she smiled a little.

"Hi."

"Hey. Go back to sleep. You need to rest."

She shook her head and gripped his hand.

"This can't happen today," she whispered. "It's too early."

"It'll be okay, honey. It's only 3 weeks early. That's not too much."

"But the baby is so small."

"I know. Everything is going to be okay. The doctors know what they're doing and we've been doing enough reading on preemies that we know what to expect. You just concentrate on saving your energy. You've got a hard job ahead of you."

"No kidding."

"Is there anything I can get for you?"

"Did you call my mom?"

"Yeah, she's on her way."

"And your mom?"

"She's trying to get a flight right now."

"But she'll be here?"

"Yeah, she'll be here."

They smiled together and he kissed her forehead.

"We're going to have a baby."

"Yeah, we are."

She smiled then closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Contraction?" he asked once she had opened her eyes again. She nodded.

"They're not so bad yet."

4:27 p.m.

"Four centimeters?" Scully almost shrieked. "That's it? These contractions are about as effective as handcuffs on an escape artist."

"I know it's frustrating," Dr. Hahn said, making a note on the chart. "But no matter how long this takes, this will eventually be over."

"You're so encouraging," Scully grumped. She had known Shannon Hahn since med school, and felt that if she was going to take her discomfort out on someone, Shannon could handle it.

"I do my best. Are you sure you don't want Pitocin? It will speed things up."

"This baby will come when it's good and ready."

"Then do you want an epidural?"

"I'll think about it."

Shannon nodded and headed out of the room.

"Hon, you'll probably be much more comfortable with an epidural. Maybe you'll be able to get some sleep."

"No, I want to do this on my own."

"It would be on your own, honey."

"I know that. I just..."

She sighed and looked down at her hands.

"I want to experience all of it. This isn't going to happen again."

"It might. You never know."

"That's true. Let me just think about it for a while."

"Okay. You know I trust your judgment, right? I'll support whatever decision you make."

"Thanks. I knew you would."

He smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear as another contraction came. She closed her eyes and hmmm'ed until it passed.

"Bad one?"

"Yeah."

"I have to say, I'm glad you're not one of those women they show on the Discovery Channel that scream and threaten to kill their husbands."

"Seems like a waste of energy."

"That's my girl."

He reached over and rubbed her back gently and she closed her eyes again.

"I'm so tired," she mumbled.

"I know. Just rest while you can, honey."

1:47 a.m. July 25th, 2000

"Dana, are you sure about the epidural?"

"Get it now. I can't take this anymore."

"Alright, just let go of me so I can go find your doctor."

"You can't leave!"

"Sweetheart-"

"You can't leave me," she repeated.

"Well then how am I supposed to get a nurse?"

"I don't know," she whimpered, swiping a hand across her forehead.

"I'll just use your call button, okay?"

She nodded and he pressed the button.

"Is there anything I can get for you while we wait?"

She chuckled a little.

"You sound like...a... I can't even think of the word right now."

"Oh honey, you really need drugs."

The words had barely escaped his mouth before none other than Bill Scully Jr. sauntered into the room.

"What are you doing here?" Scully snapped, almost lunging at him from the bed. Mulder gently held her back.

"Mom called. I caught the red-eye. How are you feeling?" he asked, as if their last conversation had been pleasant.

"I feel like throwing something heavy at you."

"Not so good then, huh?"

"What are you really doing here, Bill? Have you come to tell me how stupid I am?"

"My little sister is having a baby. I want to meet my niece or nephew. That's why I'm here."

"Well... go home."

"Dana-"

"I don't want you here, Bill. I'm in pain and you're just stressing me out. Leave. Don't come back."

"You put her up to this," Bill accused, turning to Mulder. "You talked her into having your baby and marrying you and now she acts like she doesn't want her family around."

"Bill, do you really think anyone could talk your sister into anything? I mean, really, think about it."

"You have some kind of control over her that I just don't understand. I-"

Dr. Mitchell walked into the room at that moment, cutting the conversation short.

"Hi Dana. Want that epidural now?"

"Yes, please."

"I'll get it ordered and the anesthesiologist will be here shortly."

"You're my hero."

He smiled and turned to Bill.

"We should probably clear out the room for this. Why don't you have a seat in the waiting room down the hall?"

Not being able to argue, Bill turned and left the room.

"Honey, if I say that I'm in love with Dr. Mitchell, would that freak you out?"

"Nah, I think I'm in love with him at this moment too."

6:12 a.m.

Scully sat in bed, watching the sun come up. The epidural was starting to wear off, but she wasn't in too much pain yet. She was dilated to 6 centimeters, which wasn't much of an improvement, but it was over halfway. The baby's heart rate was still good, but the stubborn streak was rapidly increasing. He or she was not keen on making their appearance anytime soon.

Mulder sat in a chair next to the bed, his head resting on the mattress next to her arm. He was snoring softly, and if she closed her eyes, she could imagine that they were at home right now. She ran and hand through his hair and envied his slumber. She'd gotten around 10 minutes of sleep in the last 24 hours. She was just plain uncomfortable.

She felt the baby stir slightly and she waited to see if sleep would come again. It didn't. She smiled and moved her gown aside so she could see her stomach better. She could see the outline of a foot and she traced it gently, still hardly believing that a real, fully developed baby was in there.

Mulder sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes against the increasing light from the window.

"Morning," Scully smiled. He smiled back and reached over to rub her stomach.

"Morning. Did you sleep at all?"

"No, not really. I closed my eyes, and that seems to be enough. I feel a little better."

"Good. Have you thought about names anymore?"

She sighed.

"I still like Claire for a girl, but like you said, Claire Samantha Mulder would make her initials CSM, which puts me off the name almost entirely. I also like Elizabeth, but that's quite the long name for a little girl. And I like Haley and Callie and Olivia, but you don't like any of those."

"You said you kind of liked Violet."

"For a middle name. But her middle name is Samantha, and I'm not going to change that."

"What about Grace?"

"I like it, but again, middle name."

"You liked Maisy at some point too."

"Maisy Mulder? Sounds like a stripper."

"What about Paige?"

"I don't know."

"Scully, that's the only one we could both agree that we could tolerate."

"This is hard."

"What was Melissa's middle name?"

"Jean."

"What's your mom's middle name?"

"Leeann."

"That's pretty."

"It is kind of nice. Okay add that to the tiny list of names."

"What about boys?"

"Mulder, I have no idea. We haven't even decided if we want to use William for a first name or a middle name."

"We're going to have to figure this out eventually."

"I like Levi still. That's my favorite."

"What else do you like?"

"Tyson. Garrett. Phineas."

"Phineas? Really?"

"We could call him Finn. It would be cute."

"Boys aren't cute, honey."

"Yes they are."

"I just want our child, boy or girl to have a name that can't be turned into a playground insult."

"Mulder."

"I heard 'Fox, Fox, dumb as an ox' one too many times in my younger years."

"I got teased for my name too."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Dana was more of a boys name when I was younger. And Charlie calling me Danny didn't really help my image."

He chuckled.

"So what do you like for a boy?" she asked as he traced the lines on her palm.

"Asher."

"That could so easily be turned into Ashley."

"Well I like it for a middle name. It means happy. I like that."

She thought about it for a moment.

"It's okay. Let's see if it grows on me."

"That's all I ask," he replied, standing up. "I need to use the bathroom."

"Thanks for that announcement," she retorted.

12:32 p.m.

"Vacate!" Scully exclaimed, poking her stomach. "Get out of me, kid. You've overstayed your welcome."

"I think it's time for a visit from the Epidural Guy," Mulder remarked, earning a small chuckle from Maggie.

"Oh shut up," Scully answered, her teeth clenched. "I haven't figured out how yet, but this is your fault."

"Is that right? Get back to me when you've fully developed that theory."

She narrowed her eyes at him and crossed her arms over her chest.

"If I'm not fully dilated by now, get me a trampoline so I can jiggle this kid out."

"Honey..."

"Don't honey me."

Maggie quietly slipped from the room.

"Dana, you need to take a deep breath and settle down."

"Take a deep breath? That's your encouragement? You're terrible at this. I don't even know why I asked you to do this with me in the first place."

"Scully-"

"You know, you're really starting to drive me nuts. Why don't you just go home for a while?"

He sighed and stood up.

"Alright. Call me when you need me."

He headed for the door.

"Don't leave!" she shouted. He turned back and looked at her. He had never seen a more forlorn expression on her face.

"I'm not leaving, Scully. I was going to go see about getting you another epidural. Shannon is just down the hall. I'll be back in a minute."

She sighed and nodded, and true to his word, he was back in a matter of seconds.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you," she confessed. He smiled and took her hand.

"You're uncomfortable and tired right now. I would be yelling at me too. If you need to yell to feel better, then go for it. More power to you."

"I love you, you know. I wouldn't change this at all."

"I know that, honey. I wouldn't change it either."

7:23 p.m.

"I can't do this anymore, Mulder," she whimpered. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Yeah you can."

"No. I'm too tired."

"It's too late to do anything else right now honey. Just a little longer, okay?"

"Just one or two more pushes, Dana," Shannon said. "That's all we need."

"I can't."

Mulder pressed his forehead to hers and looked into her eyes.

"Babe, you're the only one who can do this."

"I'm so tired."

"I know that, honey. But you can't quit now. Just like you couldn't quit when we were in Antarctica and we had to walk so far and you were delirious and cold, you still had to do it. And you did do it, honey. And you can do this now. You're doing such a good job, just a little more."

His pep talk seemed to revive her a bit and she nodded.

"Okay. I can do it."

"Are you ready, Dana?"

"I think so."

"Alright, here comes the next contraction."

The room grew quiet and Scully didn't even make a sound as she pushed.

"Dana, just a little more and you'll have your baby, okay? Just one more good push like that."

"You can do this, honey."

The room was quiet again.

"Okay Dana, don't push anymore."

There was quiet chatter from the nurses as they handed Shannon some blue rubber thing that Mulder couldn't identify, and a receiving blanket.

"It's a boy!" she announced finally.

Scully struggled to sit up and see her son as the new baby let out a strong wail. They handed the baby to her and she couldn't even cry she was so exhausted. She just stared and stared at him, and Mulder reached over and used the blanket to wipe his son's face.

"Hi, sweetheart," she said softly, tracing the baby's face with her hand. "Mulder, he has your lips."

Mulder chuckled and sat down next to her on the bed.

"Look how big his hands are," he commented, as the baby grabbed onto his finger. "And he has your blue eyes."

"They might turn hazel like yours later."

"Dad, you want to cut the cord?"

Mulder looked up at the nurse. It wasn't the suggestion that he cut the cord, but the word 'dad' directed at him that gave him pause. He smiled and nodded as she handed him the scissors, which were the strangest looking scissors he had ever seen, then cut the cord where she indicated.

"Mulder, he really looks just like you," Scully commented, once his attention was turned back to them.

"Maybe a little, but I see a lot of you in him too. You did good, honey."

"Thank you. You did too. You didn't even pass out."

"That's because I didn't look to see what was going on down there."

She smiled and kissed the baby's cheek.

"He's perfect," she whispered, more to the baby than to Mulder.

"Dana, we're going to take him from you for a minute-"

"No."

"We just need to clean him up and get his measurements and then we'll give him right back, I promise. I'm not going to take him far."

She reluctantly handed the baby over, then lay back against the bed.

"Mulder, will you go with him?"

"I can see him, he's only a few feet away."

"Okay."

He brushed her hair back from her face and leaned down to kiss her.

"I'm so proud of you, honey."

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without you."

"Six pounds, seven ounces, nineteen and a half inches long," Shannon announced, handing the baby back to Scully. "What are you going to call him?"

"We're not sure yet."

"Well let us know when you pick something so we can get his birth certificate all written up. Congratulations guys. He's beautiful."

"Thank you Shannon."

After a few moments, most of the nurses had left, save for a few who were cleaning up the room.

"Do you want me to go get your mom?"

Scully shook her head.

"No, I'm not ready to share him yet."

"Even with me?"

"Of course I can share him with you," she said with a smile. "You need to hold him, Mulder."

He smiled and took their son from her, being careful to support his tiny head.

"Hi buddy," he greeted, as the baby yawned. "We're going to have to name you soon."

"Let's call him William."

"Are you sure? I thought you wanted that for a middle name."

"Yeah, but he looks like a William, doesn't he?"

"Yeah, he does. William it is."

William let out a big yawn and closed his eyes.

"I guess that's enough excitement for one day."

"Yeah, being born is hard work."

Mulder chuckled and looked down at Scully. She hadn't slept in 36 hours. Her hair was a mess. She didn't have make-up on. She had red rimmed, watery eyes. But she was beautiful.

"We have a baby," she whispered.

"Yeah, we do. Hard to believe, isn't it?"

She nodded and rested her head against his shoulder.

"I just want to sit here and watch him sleep, but I'm so tired."

"Go ahead and go to sleep, at least for a little while. They're going to have to move you back into a recovery room soon, so take a cat nap while you can."

"I love you, Mulder."

"I love you too."

Their eyes met and she suddenly felt like her heart was going to explode in her chest. She thought that the love she had for Mulder was as deep as it could be. But now sitting here with him, their baby in his arms, she knew that that loved had just scratched the surface. She'd never loved like this before. The thought brought tears to her eyes, and she let them roll freely down her cheeks. Mulder leaned over and kissed them away.

"Go to sleep, honey. We'll be right here when you wake up."

She smiled. That little promise was all she had ever wanted.

A/N: AHHHHHHHHHHH! I am soooo glad I'm done with this chapter! It seriously took me forever. I am never writing a labor and delivery chapter again, for as long as I live. Julia, thank you for making me laugh about ice-chips and doing the splits on a crate of dynamite as I was struggling through this. I will buy you a cleaned up and salon-ed Langley for your birthday, okay?