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Chapter 10 – Birthday Girl
Mulder and Scully's Apartment
February 22 1993, 3.17 pm
Mulder and Scully were sitting in the kitchen, planning her birthday. She'd decided she wanted to invite some people over for dinner, and Mulder wanted to help her.
"So who's coming so far?" He asked.
"Mum and dad, Charlie and Jill with Christopher and Thomas, Bill and Tara, Ellen and Trent, and I still don't know about Melissa", she looked up from the page in her notebook. "She said she would make an effort to show up but with Melissa you never know."
"Do you miss her?" Mulder asked her as he caressed her hand with his thumb.
The question caught Scully off guard and her first impulse was to pull her hand out of Mulder's. But then something inside of her told her it was okay to show Mulder how she was feeling. There was no need to freak out. Mulder knew her heart; he could see her feelings even clearer than she could herself. And most importantly; she trusted him.
"Yes", she answered meekly, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes.
"It's alright to miss her, Scully", he told her comforting as he took hold of her other hand as well, placing her pen on the table. "And it's alright to talk to me about how you feel. I understand. She's your…" his voice broke slightly. "Sister."
"Oh, Mulder." Scully felt absolutely ridiculous.
She hadn't even thought about the fact that Mulder hadn't seen his own sister for more than 20 years. She had only thought about her own vulnerability and not how this was affecting Mulder. How could she have been so self-centered?
"I didn't even…" She began but he cut her off.
"It's okay. I… I didn't think about myself either before I told you I understood. Sometimes it just hits me, I guess. That doesn't make what you're feeling any less painful."
"I don't know, Mulder. Somehow it seems less relevant now", she smiled reassuringly at him. "I'll probably see my sister next weekend for my birthday, I'm just a spoiled brat, really! But you… you don't know when you'll see… Samantha, again", it felt strange for Scully to say her name out loud.
"You really think I'll see her again one day?" there was so much hope and yet so much fear in his voice.
Scully got up from her chair, never letting go of his hands though, and moved to stand next to Mulder. She sat down in his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. He buried his head in her chest and squeezed her tight, enjoying the comfort she was offering.
"I… I want to believe that, Mulder", she said truthfully as she stroked his hair back.
He looked up at her with a crooked smile on his face. "Say that again", he was grinning now.
She rolled her eyes at him but couldn't help the smile on her lips. "I want to believe", she giggled.
"You coming on to me, Honeybunch?" He wiggled his eyebrows.
"You bet I am… Poopyhead!"
"Poopyhead?" he asked her amused as their heads moved closer together.
"That's right." She whispered just before his lips caught hers.
While massaging her hip with his one hand the other immediately moved to her head into her hair so he could deepen the kiss. They sat like that for a while, hugging tightly and kissing each other lovingly.
A knock on the door broke their little trance. They both sighed annoyed with the disturbance.
"Are you expecting someone today?" Scully asked, confused about who could be visiting them on this fine Sunday.
"No, not a one." He told her as she got up from his lap – he missed her warmth instantly.
"Strange", she mumbled as she walked from the kitchen to the door.
Mulder followed her and watched her take a look through the peephole before she opened the door. As her eyes caught a glance at who was standing on the other side of the door she squealed.
Mulder chuckled as she opened the door in haste and exclaimed: "MELISSA!" Scully was like a little child. She jumped into her sister's arms, making Melissa drop the bag that had hung over her shoulder.
"Dana…" Melissa chuckled. "You missed me?"
"Of course I missed you." Scully finally pulled out of the hug. "What are you doing here?"
"What do you think I'm doing here, baby sis?" She laughed. "It's your birthday tomorrow, isn't it? You think I'd miss that?" Melissa caught a glance of Mulder who was standing behind Scully in the doorway watching the sisters' display of affections.
"Is this your Mulder?" Melissa pointed to him and smiled knowingly down at her sister.
"Yes." Scully chuckled and looked over her shoulder at Mulder who gave her a loving smile.
Melissa carried her bag in from the hallway outside the apartment and closed the door.
"I'm Fox Mulder. Nice to meet you finally, Melissa." He smiled and extended his hand to her.
"Yeah, yeah, I've heard a lot about you." Melissa said teasingly as she shook his hand and gave her younger sister a little smile that made her blush.
"Alright, Danakins! Enough of this! Where are you hiding that wonderful little nephew of mine?"
"He's in his room." Scully chuckled and pointed in the direction if Aidan's room.
A few seconds after Melissa had left them they could hear Aidan shriek: "Auntie Missy!" with as much excitement as one little boy could contain. Mulder and Scully broke into laughing fits.
They were still laughing as they walked back to the kitchen. Mulder plunged back down in the chair and pulled Scully down with him. She went willingly, straddling him.
"I think Aidan appreciate your sister's visit." Mulder said as he squeezed her hips, pulling her closer to him.
"Mmh…" She tried to suppress a moan at the feeling of being so close to him. "Aidan adores Melissa. He always has."
"What have you told her about me, Scully?" Mulder remembered. "She said she'd heard a lot."
"Not much." Scully was blushing and clearly not telling the truth. "Well… she asked me if you're a great lover."
"Did she now?" Mulder was grinning. "And what did you tell her?"
"Mulder!" She rolled her eyes at him. "Do you really need me to stroke your ego?"
"So you told her I'm the best lover you've ever had?" His voice was lower and husky now – it made Scully's stomach flip-flop when he talked like that.
"Yes." She told him looking him straight in the eyes.
He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. They shared a few lazy and wet kisses.
"I love this, Scully." He sighed happily and indulged in another sweet little kiss.
"Me too." She agreed, knowing exactly what he meant. She felt so completely happy.
They continued their small, slow kisses, feeling utterly absorbed in each other. They didn't even notice when Aidan and Melissa joined them in the kitchen.
"They do that a lot." They heard Aidan tell Melissa.
"I think that's sweet." Melissa chuckled.
Aidan gave his aunt a look that indicated he didn't completely agree with her.
Mulder let go of Scully's hips and placed one last kiss on her lips before she got up.
Melissa joined Scully by the counter where Scully was gonna boil some water for tea since Melissa wasn't really a coffee drinker. Aidan pulled at Mulder's arm for attention as Mulder couldn't seem to stop gazing at Scully.
"Yeah?" He focused his attention on Aidan.
"Can we talk somewhere else?"
Aidan's question gained both Scully and Melissa's attention. They both turned around and were looking at the guys with interest.
"Of course, Aidan." Mulder knew what the little guy wanted to talk about so he brought him to the bedroom where he kept the birthday present they were giving Scully the next day.
"Wonder what that was about." Scully said to Melissa as Mulder and Aidan disappeared into the bedroom after looking over their shoulders to make sure they weren't being followed.
"C'mon, Dana." Melissa chuckled. "Don't tell me you can't figure that out."
"What? You know what's going on?"
"Well, I can guess. It's your birthday tomorrow, isn't it?"
"Oh." Realization seemed to dawn upon Scully. "That's sweet."
"So…" Melissa sat down in the chair Mulder had been occupying earlier. "You and Mulder… sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G…"
"That's mature, Melissa." Scully couldn't help the big grin on her face.
"You really seem happy, Dana. And he seems like a great guy."
"He is a great guy. The best."
"So you say…" Melissa chuckled under her breath.
"Shut up, Melissa!"
"Okay, I have to pee, but don't think you're off the hook yet." Melissa threatened as she got up from the chair. "When I come back you're gonna tell me everything, okay?"
"Sure. Fine. Whatever." Scully tried to maintain an indifferent face as Melissa went down the hall to use the bathroom.
Scully wondered what Mulder and Aidan were up to. She couldn't stop smiling as she thought about how cute they were, trying to keep her present a secret like this. As the water had boiled she made a cup of tea for Melissa and one for herself as well. Just as she sat down by the table in the kitchen with the tea Melissa returned.
"I must say, that Mulder guy sure is feeling at home here." She said as she sat down and blew air into her cup to cool the tea.
"What do you mean?"
"Razor, shaving cream, not to mention the Sport Section next to the toilet, it all screams of man."
"Actually there's a perfectly good reason for that." Scully was smiling secretly into her cup of tea.
"Do tell, sister!"
"Well, Mulder lives here."
"What?" Melissa burst out, eyes wide open. "Are you shitting me?"
"No, Melissa." Scully couldn't help but downright laugh at her sister's outburst.
"God, Dana, this one must really be special!" Melissa's face turned into a big smile as the surprise slowly wore off. "I'm so happy for you."
Melissa got up and went over to give her sister a hug.
"Thank you, Melissa." Scully chuckled into her shoulder.
XxXxX
5.56 pm
They all sat around the dinner table in the living room. Melissa had decided to help Scully with the preparations for the dinner party she was throwing next Saturday on the occasion of her birthday. The girls had been so busy planning away that Mulder had offered to make dinner for them. Aidan had been very eager to help him and together they'd managed to make a delicious pizza with a salad to go with.
Melissa chatted away, telling them all about her travels and the people she'd met, and Mulder realized how different she was from Scully. They were practically diametrical opposites and yet they were so close to each other. It fascinated Mulder.
Mulder was sitting next to Aidan and opposite Scully. As Aidan asked Melissa something Scully became aware of the fact that Mulder was staring at her. He had a sweet little smile on his face that made Scully blush.
'Tastes good' she mouthed and pointed down to the slice of pizza on her plate.
He just winked at her and extended his legs under the table so their lower legs were touching. There was nothing erotic about it per say but the contact was enough for a rise in Scully's body temperature.
"So, Mulder," Melissa began, making Mulder turn his eyes from Scully to her sister. "What do you think of our crazy family so far?"
"Well," Mulder chuckled at her choice of words. "I especially like this little guy."
He ruffled Aidan's hair which caused a big smile to light up on the little fellow's face.
"Everyone has been really good to me. So far I haven't met a Scully I didn't like. Oh yeah, and then I'm kind of fond of your sister."
"Oh, are you now?" Melissa was laughing. "I hadn't noticed."
"I hide it pretty well." Mulder nodded keeping a straight face.
"Sometimes you make me feel really special, Mulder." Scully huffed.
"Oh, I know I do," he said teasingly making her blush.
Mulder loved when he made her blush. There was something exhilarating about knowing he'd put the red in her cheeks. He felt kind of perverse for enjoying her discomfort but he couldn't help himself.
They finished dinner talking about something that made Scully less uncomfortable. As they had cleaned up after the meal Scully and Melissa continued with their plans for Scully's dinner party. Mulder had no idea what needed so much planning but he didn't comment. He noticed Aidan had pizza sauce around his mouth and decided to give him a shower before putting him to bed.
As Aidan was buttoning his pajama shirt Mulder noticed he'd done the buttons up wrong. He couldn't help chuckle at how clumsy and cute it was.
"C'mere, Aidan," he said and pulled him over to stand between his legs as he was sitting on top of the toilet.
"You know what, Mulder?" Aidan said as Mulder began doing the buttons right.
"What?" Mulder smiled.
"I've never had a shower before," he announced proudly.
"Really?" Mulder sounded more surprised than he really was.
Aidan nodded and gave Mulder a toothless smile.
"But you were so good at it, Aidan." Mulder exclaimed looking down at him skeptically. "Are you pulling my leg here, young man? Tell me the truth now!"
"It's true, Mulder," Aidan grinned. "Mom always gives me baths."
"Well, you're a big boy, Aidan. Tell your mother not to treat you like a baby."
"She wants me to stay little forever," Aidan chuckled and rolled his eyes.
"Yeah," Mulder agreed. "You go tell her you're big enough to take a shower."
"I will!" Aidan grinned and ran out of the bathroom as Mulder was done buttoning his shirt.
Mulder smiled to himself. Aidan was such a special little boy. He loved it when he put that proud smile on his face. He joined the others in the kitchen as he'd cleaned up after Aidan's shower.
"I told her, Mulder," Aidan exclaimed still smiling proudly.
Aidan was sitting in his aunt's lap, Melissa and Scully were having another cup of tea.
"Good, Aidan," he said and moved to stand behind Scully.
"I don't treat him like a baby," Scully said slightly offended, she looked up at Mulder by bending her head back.
"You're a mother, of course you treat your boy like a baby," Mulder chuckled down at her, massaging her shoulders lightly.
"Did your mom treat you like a baby too?" Aidan wanted to know.
"She sure did. I wore a diaper till my 18'th birthday!"
This made them all laugh and Aidan exclaimed: "Mulder, you're so silly!"
XxXxX
10.05 pm
Aidan had been put to bed hours ago. Mulder had finished some work on his computer while Scully and Melissa were sitting in the couch talking, catching up.
"You done with your work?" Scully asked sweetly as Mulder sat down next to her.
"Yeah," he sighed. "I think I'm gonna go to bed. Sorry I can't stay up and talk."
"Actually, I'm pretty tired myself. Do you mind, Melissa?"
"Of course not!" She chuckled at how polite Scully was to her own sister: always the well-mannered and well-behaved Dana Scully. "I think I'm gonna take a nice long bath."
"I'll make the couch for you before I go to bed," Scully insisted and Melissa knew there was no arguing with her.
Mulder went into the bedroom and undressed down to his boxers. As he got into the bed he could hear Melissa filling the tub in the bathroom. He wondered if Scully would want to make love to him when her sister was crashing on the couch. Since they'd become intimate they hadn't spend the night together without having sex.
When Scully entered the bedroom she noticed something was up with Mulder - he definitely had something on his mind. God, he was handsome! He was sitting up in the bed, the sheets only covering his legs. She noticed how his biceps and triceps flexed slightly as he fidgeted with the sheets by his sides. He was watching her, as if gauging her reaction - she didn't know what she was supposed to react to though.
"Is something on your mind, Mulder?" She asked him as she moved to her dresser to pick out something to sleep in.
"Yes," he answered her after almost a minute had gone by.
She had found a nightgown to wear and was undressing now. "Do you care to share?" she asked as she eased out of her pants.
"I was just thinking about something… about how we've… made love, every night we've spend together."
"We have, haven't we?" She smiled back at him over her shoulder.
"Yeah," a little smirk emerged on his lips. "Well, I was wondering if that'd change tonight."
"Are you not feeling up to it?" She asked him seriously. Secretly she knew he was concerned about Melissa's presence, but she'd never give up an opportunity to tease him.
"Of course I am!" He assured her. "Anywhere, anytime, Scully!"
"Well, that's a bit desperate, Mulder. I'm glad you didn't add anyone though," she chuckled at her own funny.
"Trust me, Scully: after having been with you, anyone else wouldn't even come close to the thrill of a bumpy car ride. Besides, I love you."
Scully had only meant it as a joke. She knew Mulder would never cheat on her, in spite of his rather big appetite for sex. His reassuring words were working their magic on Scully though.
She lost the rest of her clothes, trying not to hurry but she was suddenly eager to join Mulder in the bed. She saw Mulder gulp as she undressed of her bra and lick his lips as she pulled her panties down. She pulled the white nightgown that went mid thigh on quickly and turned around to finally face him.
"Mulder?"
"Yeah?"
"I want to make love tonight. Even though my sister's here. You'll have to be quiet though," she added teasingly.
"I know you just put that nightgown on, Scully - but do you think you could lose it again?"
"Only if you lose your boxers."
While Scully pulled the gown over her head, Mulder's eyes never left her. He pulled his own boxers down under the covers and threw them to the floor. As Scully was now naked she crawled under the covers into the bed. Mulder, who was on his side, met her in the middle of the bed.
"Hi there," he said as he caressed her cheek.
She bopped his nose with her finger in response and grinned all over her flushed face. They looked into each other's eyes - both noticing how dark the others eyes were, neither could hide their lust nor love.
Mulder moved so he was on top of her, settling between her legs. She clearly felt his hard member against her thigh. While looking deep into her eyes he moved his hand down to her entrance. Upon feeling how wet and ready she was for him he couldn't quite suppress a groan.
As he guided himself into her she spread her legs wider for him. When he slowly entered her it was pure bliss. He watched her intently as he began thrusting into her ever so gently. She was so beautiful to him. He bent his head down and began kissing her neck as he kept moving ever so slowly in and out of her.
As his lips teased her neck she moaned his name in a whisper. Her hands ran down his strong muscular back to his ass. She squeezed it as he thrust into her before running her hands back up to his shoulders.
He marveled in the way she touched him and the way her hard nipples poked into his chest when he moved. As he stopped teasing her neck he looked into her eyes again. Her face was even more flushed than it had been just minutes earlier and her blue eyes shone with excitement. Her lips were parted and she was moaning slightly, breathing very heavily. He reached down and pulled her legs further up allowing him to go even deeper into her. This changed the angle slightly and he could tell he was hitting it just right.
Scully's eyes closed in pure pleasure and she lolled her head backwards. Her moaning intensified as well, it almost sounded as if she was saying something but he couldn't quite make out what. He kept moving slowly, savoring each stroke. As he leaned down and whispered in her ear: "God, I love you", he could feel her internal muscles clench around him and her nails dig into his back. He buried his head in her shoulder and tried to keep the slow pace he had set. Scully kept trembling and he realized what she was moaning. She was repeating his name. Over and over again, like a mantra. "Mulder, Mulder, Mulder…"
Her hands moved down to his butt again and he felt her nails dig into his skin once more. He lifted his head slightly and panted into her ear: "I love you, Scully. I love you, I love you", he repeated his sentiment every time he pushed into her. Her orgasm reached its climax and she involuntarily arched her back as she cried out his name softly.
As she opened her eyes again he was looking into them with his sparkling green ones. Sweat was visible on his face and shoulders and as she ran her hand through his hair it felt wet with perspiration. She reached up and claimed his lips with her own. He groaned into their kiss and sped up his pace. She could feel his climax wasn't far off and kissed him more passionate. As she thrust her tongue into his mouth it was met by his own persistent tongue. He moved his hand down under her and he tilted her hips upwards so he could thrust harder into her. Soon his mouth stilled and as she continued to kiss his neck he came inside of her.
She could feel his stubble on her cheek and his breathing in her ear. He groaned her name as he came and she loved how his voice sounded at the time. So rough and yet so loving.
As he was lying motionless on top of her she stroked his back lovingly and kissed his jaw, cheek, forehead, and nose.
"I love you." She murmured.
"I love you too."
He lifted his head and gave her a few gentle kisses. He kissed her cheeks, her forehead, the tip of her nose, her eyelids, her chin, and just as he was planting a kiss at the corner of her mouth they heard someone just outside the door, beginning to open it.
Thinking quickly Scully reached out and turned the light on the lamp beside them off leaving the room in darkness.
"Oh!" They heard Melissa's voice. "Are you guys awake? I could've sworn I saw your light on."
"Actually I just turned it off, I… I finished reading and Mulder's sleeping."
"Oh, sorry." Melissa whispered. "I just wanted to say goodnight."
"Goodnight, Melissa." Scully chuckled slightly.
As Melissa closed the door again Mulder rolled over in his back and drew Scully into his side.
"Good thing you think so fast, Scully. My brain is mush right now!" He chuckled at the scenario of almost getting caught.
Scully laughed with him and sighed content as she cuddled up to Mulder.
XxXxX
February 23, 6.00 am
Scully hit the alarm clock with an annoyed grunt as it beeped away and cuddled back up to Mulder. He chuckled and pushed the hair out of her face.
"Wake up, Scully." He sang.
"Mulder." She mumbled annoyed into his chest. "Shut up, or I swear I'll maim or seriously injure you!"
"Happy birthday, Scully." He chuckled.
At this she lifted her head and smiled at him. "Oh yeah!" She remembered and lit up. "Thank you, Mulder." She giggled and gave him a gentle kiss.
He smiled down at her. "You go shower and I'll make breakfast and wake up Aidan."
"Okay." She happily agreed and kissed him one last time before getting up from bed.
Mulder admired her naked body as she stretched before walking over and putting on her robe before sending him a smile over her shoulder as she walked to the bathroom.
Mulder sighed and got out of bed himself. He pulled on some grey sweatpants and a white tank top he'd worn Saturday evening, after all he couldn't just walk around in his boxers like he used to in the morning, not when Melissa was visiting.
As he placed the waffles in the oven to heat them, Melissa joined him in the kitchen. She was wearing an oversized t-shirt and pajama pants.
"Morning, Melissa. Did you sleep well?" He asked her kindly leaning against the counter.
"Morning." She yawned and stretched. "I slept like a baby, thank you. Is the birthday girl up?"
"Yeah, she's taking a shower. I told her I'd have breakfast ready when she was done. Could you brew some coffee while I go wake up Aidan?"
"Sure." She nodded and moved slowly to the coffee maker.
Maybe it was a Scully trade not being a morning person, Mulder thought as he walked down the hallway to Aidan's room.
"Aidan." He said gently while stroking his hair. "It's time to wake up, little man."
"Mmh." Aidan mumbled, scrunching his face. "5 more minutes…"
"C'mon." Mulder chuckled. "It's your mom's birthday and we're having waffles."
At the mention of his mother his eyes slowly began to open and he smiled up at Mulder. "Can we give her the present now?"
"As soon as you get dressed and come out to have breakfast." Mulder smiled.
"Will you get my clothes?"
Scully always picked out Aidan's clothes so he wasn't use to doing it himself.
"C'mon, Aidan. You're a big boy now, remember?"
Aidan sat up in his bed and looked over to his closet before looking back to Mulder. "You can go now, Mulder." He smiled and headed for the dresser first and dug out a black pair of socks.
Mulder smiled as he walked back to the bedroom to find Scully's gift. He'd been hiding it in his gym bag in their closet since he knew Scully didn't dare open it.
As Mulder had gotten breakfast ready and Aidan had come out wearing light blue jeans and a red sweater with a white t-shirt underneath, Scully finally came into the kitchen. She was wearing a black skirt which stopped below her knees and a white dress shirt tucked into her skirt. Mulder noticed how well her shirt shoved off her figure.
They all started singing Happy Birthday to her and she blushed slightly as she sat down at the table and enveloped Aidan in a hug.
"Thank you, guys." She chuckled as they were done singing.
Aidan looked excitedly to Mulder for permission to give his mom her gift. Mulder nodded at him and grabbed Scully's hand which was lying on the table as he kissed her cheek.
"From Mulder and me." Aidan said proudly as he handed her the gift wrapped in shiny red paper.
"Thank you." Scully smiled and looked smiling at Mulder beside her before she began opening her present.
"You guys!" Scully smiled as she saw the beautiful necklace they had picked out for her. "It's beautiful."
It was a gold necklace with a gold heart pendant. The heart had a single ruby in it.
"You can open the heart." Aidan told her excitedly.
She smiled and opened the locket. In one side of the heart was a picture of Mulder and Aidan. She remembered having taken the picture an afternoon they visited a museum. Mulder was hoisting Aidan on his hip while pointing at something and explaining it to Aidan. Only their faces show in the little picture in the heart though: Aidan is looking with interest up at Mulder and Mulder's smiling at Scully as he sees her taking a picture. In the other side of the heart they've had the words: Love Aidan & Mulder engraved.
Scully's eyes well up and she's close to tears at how considerate her two guys are. "Thank you." She manages to whisper.
"I love you, mom." Aidan says sweetly and stands up to give her a hug. "Happy birthday."
"Thank you, sweetie." Scully smiles and kisses him in the hair.
"And thank you, Mulder." She says turning to him.
He bends his head and plants a few gentle kisses on her lips. "Love you."
"Love you too." She whispers. "You wanna help me?" She says holding up the necklace.
"Of course." He says and stands behind. He takes the necklace and carefully places it around her neck. As she removes the hair from her nape he locks it and kisses her cheek to let her know he's done.
"Thank you." She smiles up at him and touches the heart pendant.
"It's really beautiful." Melissa comments with a smile, touched by the family scene she's just witnessed.
As breakfast is eaten and Mulder has showered and dressed it's time to go. They all say goodbye to Melissa and walk down the stairs together.
"Have a nice day, Aidan." Mulder says and gives the young boy's shoulder a squeeze. "Could you go wait in the car while I talk to your mom for a few seconds?"
"Okay. Bye, Mulder." Aidan smiles and gets into the backseat of his mother's car.
"I just wanted to tell you I really enjoyed last night." Mulder told her as he drew her into his arms.
She'd just expected him to tell her happy birthday again, and her cheeks blushed at his words.
"Me too." She sighed, content in his arms. "I should get going, Mulder. When do you think you'll be home?"
"I should be home by 6 at the latest, I'll see if there's any chance I can leave early though."
"I won't be home until 5.30 myself anyway. I'll miss you." She smiled up at him.
He smiled back and kissed her. It was gently at first but then she felt his tongue slip into her mouth as he deepened the kiss. As they came up for air they chuckled and kissed gently once again before walking their separate ways, each to their own car.
XxXxX
J. Edgar Hoover Building
1.12 pm
Mulder was relieved when Skinner adjourned the meeting. It had lasted four hours so far, with way too few breaks in Mulder's opinion. Just as he was about to pop out the door, he heard those words that always managed to sent a shiver down his spine, and not the good kind: "Agent Mulder, I'ld like to have a talk with you before you go!"
Mulder turned around and watched as Skinner moved from the conference table to the seat behind his desk, while the other agents got their things together and fleet the room.
"Good luck." Someone mumbled sarcastically as they passed him.
"Sit down." Skinner motioned for the seat in front of the desk while he read a paper he had in his hand.
"Sir, am I in trouble?" Mulder dared ask.
"In trouble? No, why would you be in trouble, Agent Mulder?" He looked straight into Mulder's eyes, his glasses perched on his nose, looking above them.
"I was just wondering why you needed to talk to me alone, Sir."
"You changed your address recently."
"Oh." Mulder sighed relieved. "Yes. I moved in with my… ehm…" He always had a hard time putting a title on what Scully was to him. Girlfriend sounded to high school, lover didn't seem serious enough, partner was too professional, and friend wasn't exactly truthful either - they were more now. "With my significant other."
"Well, Agent Mulder, I'm happy for you!" The corners of Skinner's mouth moved slightly in what Mulder imagined to be a smile. "I wasn't aware you were seeing anyone. It wouldn't happen to be the woman you brought to the Halloween party, would it?" He asked knowingly.
"That's the one, Sir." Mulder smiled as he thought of her. "Dana Scully."
"That's right." Skinner nodded remembering. "You're a lucky man; she seemed like a very reasonable young lady."
"I feel lucky, Sir."
"Dr. Scully has a son, hasn't she?"
"Yes, she does. His name is Aidan."
"So you're a stepdad now, huh?"
"I… I guess." Mulder hadn't really thought about that before.
"I must say, I can't quite imagine you fathering anybody." Skinner squinted his eyes and leaned back in his chair.
"Neither could I until recently." Mulder grinned. "But Aidan's such a great and special kid."
"Well, I'm glad you're happy, Agent Mulder!"
"That I am."
"Good. And I know you have a lot of vacation time piled up, I'm sure you'll be using that now you have a family of your own."
"I probably will, Sir." He smiled.
"You probably want to go finish your work now, so you can get home to them." Skinner let out a small breath which Mulder interpreted as a chuckle.
"Thank you, Sir. It's Dana's birthday today so I'm very eager to get home." He said as he got up from his chair.
"You know what, Agent Mulder? Just hand in your rapport tomorrow before you leave - you can go home now."
"Thank you, Sir." Mulder smiled widely.
XxXxX
Mulder and Scully's Apartment
February 28, 4.30 pm
Scully had had a perfect birthday. When she came home from work Mulder had dinner ready and he'd bought her favorite ice cream, triple chocolate, for dessert as well. She'd had fun with Melissa, and Aidan had been so sweet and had drawn her close to a billion drawings that day.
The guests had arrived at 3 and Scully was happy to find that her mother had already informed the rest of the family about her new relationship with Mulder. She hated telling her brothers about her love life, especially since they'd never approved of any of the guys she'd gone out with, except James; Bill had oddly enough liked him.
Charlie was, thankfully, approving of Mulder. Unfortunately, Bill didn't seem to happy about it though. He hadn't said anything but he'd shaken Mulder's hand a little too hard when they said hello and he hadn't said a word to him so far.
Scully was preparing dinner in the kitchen when Mulder came to see how she was doing.
"Need any help?" He whispered as he wrapped his arms around her from behind as she was cutting some romaine lettuce.
"No thanks." She giggled as he rubbed his cold nose against her cheek.
"Everything's under control?" He asked resting his head on her shoulder, hugging her tightly.
"Yup. Roast's in the oven, potatoes are boiling, gravy is simmering, and the dressing for the Caesar Salad is in the fridge."
"Scully?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't think your brother likes me."
Scully chuckled at his statement. "He liked you before he knew about us." She pointed out.
"Well, he must not think I'm suited for you then."
"So what? I think you're suited for me, Mulder!" She turned around in his arms and he rested his forehead against hers as she placed her hands on his chest calming him.
"Thank you, Scully." He smiled and kissed her quick.
"I love you, Mulder." She smiled herself and kissed him back, a deeper and more loving kiss.
They broke their kiss off as Mrs. Scully entered the kitchen. She was smiling knowingly at them, no doubt thinking about how Cpt. Scully and she had been when their relationship was as new as theirs. Of course, she wanted to help but seeing as Scully had everything under control she settled for setting the table with Mulder.
The children sat in the couch eating while the grownups sat by the dinner table in the living room.
"So how long have you been in town, Melissa?" Cpt. Scully asked as they began eating.
"Since Sunday afternoon, I've been crashing here whole week but if it's alright I'll come home with you and mom tonight."
"Sure, honey." Mrs. Scully replied happily. "I hope you'll stay some time, we rarely get to see you."
"I might stay for a while." She smiled to her mother. "As long as I don't have to listen to the loud sex Dana and Fox have every night anymore."
"Melissa!" Mrs. Mulder scolded her in shock.
Scully turned a bright shade of red, Mulder suddenly found his plate very interesting, Cpt. Scully shook his head, Bill looked furious with eyes wide open, while Melissa, Charlie, Jill, Tara, and Ellen were laughing.
"Relax, mom, I'm joking!" Melissa managed to utter between laughs.
"Good one, Melissa!" Charlie was still laughing as he high-fived his sister.
"Of course you're joking." Bill decided to join the conversation. "I'm sure he doesn't sleep over every night anyway."
"Actually… we're living together, Bill." Scully decided to be frank, and to get it over with quickly.
"Oh, congratulations, honey!" Mrs. Scully exclaimed, and the others joined in and congratulated them.
Bill remained quite though.
"When did you move in, Fox?"
"About ten days ago or so." He smiled and put his arm around Scully, who looked loving up at him.
"You're moving a bit fast, aren't you?" Bill asked, making Scully sigh annoyed.
"I know you're just concerned for me, Bill, but I'm a big girl, okay? I can take care of myself!"
"Okay, okay!" Bill surrendered, knowing better than to ruin his baby sister's birthday party, he'd have to address it on a later time though, he thought to himself.
As they were done eating, Scully brought out a game of Trivial Pursuit. Naturally she partnered up with Mulder, Cpt. with Mrs. Scully, Charlie with Jill, Bill with Tara, and Melissa with Ellen. They all played and laughed and had a good time. The kids were playing in Aidan's room and they checked up on them once in a while. A few hours later, Scully decided to serve dessert so Charlie and Jill and Ellen could get home with the kids before they fell asleep in Aidan's room. She'd made brownies the night before. When she'd heated them she served them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and raspberries. Everyone found it delicious, and the kids asked for more ice cream. As they'd all finished eating, and the grownups had downed a cup of coffee people started leaving.
Soon it was just the three of them again. It felt quiet and peaceful now.
"That went well." Mulder commented as they were sitting in the couch, after putting Aidan to bed.
"It went really well. I can't believe what Melissa said though!" She chuckled.
"Yeah." Mulder grinned with her. "I was afraid she was serious."
"Me too. I mean I thought we'd been fairly quiet this week, but sometimes it's not exactly up to oneself."
"Like when you clawed me." He smirked at her.
She'd realized Tuesday morning as they'd taken a shower together, how she'd scratched Mulder's back.
"I told you I was sorry about that!"
"Don't be, I think it's sexy, Scully."
"You like pain?" She asked doubting him.
"No, not because of the pain. Because you were enjoying yourself so much you couldn't help yourself. I take pride in that." He said and lowered his voice as he moved his lips towards hers.
"You're sweet." She giggled and kissed him.
"I love you."
"I know."
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