Laura arrived about twenty minutes after Mulder finally answered the Gunmen's calls to say that they were waiting for him outside.
She smiled brightly when Scully answered the door and held out a bunch of lilac tulips.
"Oh, you shouldn't have Laura, but they are beautiful."
"My mum always told me never to visit someone's home empty handed, Dana."
Scully smiled and showed Laura through to the kitchen to look for a vase. "Well, I am very grateful but I'm not convinced that rule counts if you're expected to work for your supper."
Laura laughed and nodded at the kettle, "I should start off eagerly then, how about I make us both a drink?"
"That sounds lovely, everything is in the cupboard above…" Scully said as she filled a vase and started to arrange her flowers.
"Ooooo you have proper tea!" Laura said excitedly picking up a box of Yorkshire Tea and holding it up at Scully enthusiastically.
Scully smiled, "Mulder studied in England and brought home a taste for things from the exotic foreign aisle at the supermarket," she teased, "…I'm also trying to cut down on my caffeine so I'm finding that a perfectly acceptable baby step."
Laura nodded with an impressed smile, "So...tea?"
"Sounds great…" Scully agreed.
"Where did Mulder study?" Laura asked as she hunted for some milk in Scully's refrigerator.
"Oxford, Psychology…"
"You're kidding?" Laura turned with happy surprise. "That's my old stomping ground…I knew I liked that guy."
Scully smiled, "You do? I mean really?"
Laura looked a little confused, "Why wouldn't I?"
She shrugged, "I guess some people don't always see Mulder the way I do. He's the kindest man I've ever known...and the smartest…but people can be quick to judge and he hasn't had an easy life."
"Well…I don't know about that, Dana. I just know the man I've met, someone who clearly adores you and makes you very happy. You obviously trust him without question and that is good enough for me. I think we're going to get along famously, the fact that he's an Oxford man is just icing on the cake."
Scully nodded happily, "You're a good friend, Laura…"
"...And he's very easy on the eyes as well..." Laura continued teasingly as she poured boiling water into their cups.
Blushing slightly Scully nodded, "I'm very lucky."
"You're both very lucky Dana, and you have a fantastic doctor to ensure the next few months go as smoothly as possible. I'm making you three my priority…"
Scully nodded gratefully, already knowing that to be the case.
"So where do we start?" Laura asked looking at the boxes scattered around the kitchen as she handed Scully a cup of tea.
"Well, I guess we should start in here if I need to cook for the six of us later," Scully glanced around.
"Well we can start anywhere, but I vote for pizza later." Scully went to disagree but Laura held up her hand, "You'll have years to play hostess sweetheart, let's use today to get some work done."
Scully nodded, "Well the bulk of the stuff left to sort out is in here and our bedroom. If we can get that done before the boys get back at least then all we need to do is sort out Mulder's things."
Laura nodded with determination and walked over to a pile of boxes, she sipped her tea with one hand and lifted the lid carefully with the other then looked up at Scully with a smile, "We'll get this done in no time, Dana."
Four hours later Scully was sat on the end of her bed balling gym socks while Laura was finishing hanging a mirror on their bedroom wall, she turned and looked around the room proudly.
"Right, once we get those socks into the drawer I'd say we're finished!"
Scully nodded happily, "I can't thank you enough Laura, we're finished in half the time I expected."
"Aye, when I'm on a mission I take no prisoners!"
Laughing happily Scully walked over to the open drawer to line the socks up neatly, closing it she turned and raised her hands, "Ta-da!"
Laura laughed brightly, "It looks lovely Dana…a beautiful home."
Scully nodded a little tearfully and was just looking around when she heard a loud thud. She jumped and wondered what had made the noise before hearing Mulder's voice calling through.
"Sorry Scully, it's only me…the box was heavier than I expected!"
Scully smiled at Laura, then walked passed her and towards her partner. She found Mulder dropping two large boxes to the floor, he was closely followed by Byers and Langley each carrying a box, and Frohike carrying Mulder's coatrack.
"I have no idea why you insisted on keeping this thing," Frohike said as he dropped the rack to the floor.
Laura walked through to where everyone was gathered and directly over to the offending item. She ran her finger over one of the pool balls and then smiled over at Scully. "I like it, Dana, it has…character...much like it's owner," she smiled over at Mulder who returned her smile warmly.
Scully grinned and nodded, "Mulder's had this since I've known him, it's something that I've always associated with him. It's bad enough that we couldn't find room for the couch…so the coatrack stays." She walked over to Mulder and kissed him on the jaw before turning to look at the boxes, "So how many boxes in total?"
Mulder thought for a second, "Maybe three more runs…and a few suit bags…and then Frohike and Langley need to take the van back before dinner."
"I've convinced Dana to order in, so we have plenty of time," Laura announced as she bent to look at a box. "You couldn't have labelled them?" She asked with a teasing arched eyebrow that reminded Mulder a little of Scully.
"Sorry Laura, I didn't think…" Mulder said regretfully.
Laura laughed, "If I had a pound for every time a fella has said that to me…"
Mulder smiled at Laura and then suddenly realised his rudeness. He nodded over at the guys, "John Byers, Melvin Frohike, Richard Langley…I'd like you to meet an old friend of Scully's, Dr Laura Hobson – she's also our baby doctor."
The friends all nodded and smiled at Laura.
"Nice to meet you, Doctor Hobson," Byers said politely. "Good to hear you've already got Mulder on his toes."
Laura laughed, "Thanks, John, and please call me Laura." She opened up a box to check its contents and then picked it up and started walking towards the bedroom. "Fox, if I have to open one of these mystery boxes and find a stash of sex toys I'm sending you my bill for therapy!"
Everyone laughed and Frohike looked at Mulder with surprise, "Fox?"
Mulder smiled, "I've told her that for as long as she is looking after Scully and the baby she can call me whatever the hell she wants…" He leaned to kiss Scully's temple and then walked towards the door, "Come on guys, a few more trips and we're done!"
Everyone followed quickly and Scully was about to join Laura in the bedroom when the landline rang. She walked around and picked it up, "Hello…"
"Agent Scully?"
"Yes, Sir…" Scully said politely, immediately recognising their boss's voice.
"Sorry to disturb you on your day off but the paperwork was just being processed on your change of address forms and admin have flagged that one of your emergency contact numbers is now the same as your home line. I said I'd give you a ring and clear it all up."
Scully was silent for a second and then sighed, "I guess we'll need to fill out another form…"
"Well, no…I mean if there's been a mistake then I'm sure that we can correct…"
"Sir…I'm sorry I mean that we'll need to fill out another change of address form. As of today Agent Mulder and I will be residing at the same address," Scully explained, trying to sound as professional as possible.
Skinner coughed, "Oh, well is see…I'm sure we can sort that out over the next few days. Thank you for informing me of your altered living arrangements Agent Scully."
Scully smiled, "Sorry if this is a little…awkward…Sir."
The Assistant Director smiled warmly and needlessly shook his head, "Not at all Dana…we'll sort all this out, it's only paperwork. You enjoy your day, and I wish you both all the happiness that you deserve."
Scully bit her lip and nodded, "Thank you…that means a lot."
"Goodbye, Dana…" Skinner said warmly and then hung up.
Mulder walked in and saw Scully hanging up the phone.
"Skinner," Scully explain with a smile, "I think I just out-ed us at the FBI."
"You're okay with that?" Mulder asked cautiously, knowing that Scully had been initially concerned about the bureau finding out.
Scully smiled and shook her head, "You know what, Mulder? I couldn't bring myself to give a damn. Today I am officially moving in with the love of my life, and my unborn baby's father…and if the bureau don't like that then tough shit!"
Mulder laughed, "My rebellious side is finally rubbing off on you!" He walked over and embraced her.
"They've taken enough from us Mulder, this is ours…" Scully said firmly and rested her cheek on his solid chest.
Two hours later and the busy-bees had officially moved Mulder and Scully into their new home. Every box had been emptied and crushed, and Frohike and Langley had just arrived back from returning the van.
As they all sat down the doorbell rang and Mulder opened the door to the pizza guy.
"Five extra large?"
Mulder nodded, "That's right…."
"Family round?" The pizza guy asked politely as Mulder fished some money out of his wallet.
Mulder glanced back into the room and smiled, "Yes…we've just moved in." He handed over some cash, "…keep the change."
"Thanks, man…" the stranger said as he passed the pizzas to Mulder and then headed back down the hall.
Mulder sat down and spread out the boxes for their friends.
"Mulder and I have a couple of favours to ask you…" Scully said to Laura.
Laura raised her eyebrows, "Ask away…"
"Scully says that you have pretty extensive paediatric experience alongside your expertise as an OB/GYN…and while you're not still working in the area we were wondering if you would consider making an exception?"
"We've been looking all over D.C. Laura, and we've both realised that we would feel much happier if you were our daughter's doctor…" Scully explained further.
"We would like you to be your goddaughter's doctor..." Mulder concluded.
Laura looked a little taken aback, "You want me to be godmother?"
"We want you to be part of our life, Laura…part of our child's life," Scully added.
Laura nodded with a wide smile, she looked more than a little emotional, "I would love nothing more than to be my goddaughter's paediatrician!"
The next morning Mulder woke up slowly and smiled in the light of the sun shining through the curtains. He spread his warm hand over the baby bump and then nuzzled into Scully's neck and breathed deeply.
Without opening his eyes he began to kiss behind her ear and Scully grinned as she stirred and the reached back to thread her fingers into his hair.
"Mmmmmm…I'm never going to take waking up like this for granted Mulder. I dreamed of it for so long…" Scully hummed sleepily.
Mulder's hand slid down Scully's side and then over her thigh, pulling her body tightly against his, "It's like heaven, Scully. It feels like another life…a life I never even imagined I would get to live."
Scully nodded and blindly took hold of her partner's hand, bringing it to her mouth and kissing each knuckle softly before placing a long soft kiss in the centre of his palm. "I hate to sound like a broken record, but fuck I love you so much. I'm mean, I've loved you for so long I really shouldn't be surprised…but I am. Every time I look at you, or feel you…" she flicked her tongue out to lick his palm, "…or taste you, or hear you…or even think about you…you still surprise me a little. I didn't think I would ever have this."
Mulder kissed along her shoulder softly, "What do you mean?" He murmured against her skin.
"I mean me, Dana Scully…Ice Queen…meticulous, controlled…I didn't think I would ever feel this kind of uncontrolled love…or passion…"
Mulder ran his hand down between Scully's legs and she gasped when his fingers slid between her folds.
"I never saw myself ever trusting anyone enough to really let go, Mulder. Love is the ultimate act of trust, to take that step…to take this step...it could only have been you. I feel like I'm in free fall…"
Mulder moved his hips slightly and Scully felt his solid cock slide between her ass cheeks, "You know I've got you? Right?" He asked as Scully lifted her leg on top of his and opened herself up to him.
Scully nodded and turned awkwardly so her lips could meet his, "…and I've got you…" She opened her eyes for the first time and found Mulder smiling at her warmly. "Good morning…"
Mulder grinned and then thrust his hips forward, filling her hot core with his aching flesh, "Good morning…" he replied and then nipped her bottom lip lightly.
Scully groaned and rolled back against him, "Oh yeah…what a way to wake up in the mornin'…"
"I…could get…used to…it…" Mulder said with a smirk holding Scully tightly and thrusting firmly and shallowly into her body.
Scully gasped as her walls tightened around Mulder and brought them both to a quiet yet powerful climax.
"You feel so good…" Mulder said running his hand languidly over her skin as his diminishing cock slipped out of her body.
"Love you…" Scully sighed sleepily.
Mulder rolled onto his back breathlessly and Scully turned over to lay with her cheek resting on his warm chest. As she allowed her own breathing to return to normal her fingers trailed over his hip lightly and she smiled when he shuddered a little.
"Ticklish?"
Mulder combed his fingers through her hair and looked down at her tenderly, "My body is always going to react wherever you touch me…"
Scully smiled sedately, "Well, I love every bit of you so I'm planning on doing a lot of touching."
"You won't hear me complaining, baby…" Mulder murmured sleepily.
"Baby, I quite like that. Well, I like the way you say it…all rough and sexy…not with that patronising tone that some men use."
"You want to be my baby, baby?" Mulder smirked.
Scully chuckled and then moved up the bed slightly to lie on his shoulder and gaze warmly into his eyes, "I'll always be your baby, baby…"
Mulder laughed. "Talking about names…" He ran his hand down her side to rest over the baby.
"Any thoughts?" Scully paused. "Would you like to call her Samantha?" She suggested carefully.
Mulder was quiet for several long moments trying to gather his thoughts, "I loved my sister Scully. I will always love my sister, but I feel like this baby is a part of our future. I don't want to look at my daughter and have her name always be associated with loss. There was only one Samantha."
Scully nodded, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"
Mulder shook his head, "No, Scully. I know why you suggested it and I'm grateful…" he leaned down and kissed her lips softly and smiled.
"I actually agree, I know that my family would be touched if we called her Melissa…but…"
"So, we look for something new?"
Scully nodded, "I guess…you wouldn't like to name her after your mother?"
Mulder raised his eyebrows, then smiled and shook his head.
"There are no family names that mean something to you?" Scully asked running names through her head.
"There is one name that I keep coming back to…but I'm not sure how you'd feel about it…" Mulder said awkwardly.
Scully arched an eyebrow at his obvious unease, "Mulder?"
"Scully, I want our daughter to grow up to be smart…kind…intuitive and brave. I want her to have an amazing sense of humor and a deep-rooted sense of justice and compassion. I want her to be her own person, Scully. A unique individual."
Scully smiled and nodded tearfully at her partner's vision of their child.
"And I know that she will become all those things because she'll have her wonderful mother and grandmother right by her side…as her role-models…"
"And you. She'll have you to teach her strength, wisdom and decency…alongside a love for really bad movies…" Scully said with a soft smile as she pushed up on her elbow and reached to run her fingers through his hair. "Our daughter is going to adore you, Mulder."
Mulder smiled, "Taking all that into consideration there's only one name that makes sense to me. Only one woman that I would be proud to tell my daughter that she is named after…"
Scully screwed up her brow and shook her head, intrigued and confused.
"Scully, could we call her Katherine?" Mulder asked and bit his lip nervously.
"Mulder…"
"Katherine Margaret…after all there is only one Dana Scully."
"Oh, Mulder...you want to name our daughter after me? Don't you think…?" Scully started to ask looking unsure.
"I want to name our daughter after my closest friend and the finest person I know…" Mulder rested his hand on Scully's neck and then brushed a tear away gently with his thumb. "Do you hate the idea?"
"It means that much to you?" Scully said with an unsure tone.
"I would like…" Mulder looked awkward and then reached to open his bedside table. He took something out and held it hidden in his hand. "I know it's early, but I've never been more sure about anything…and I'm not saying now…I'm not even saying before the baby is born…unless you would rather…"
"Mulder?" Scully halted his rambling and beckoned his eyes.
Mulder smiled and nodded before opening the small box in his hand, "Dana Katherine Scully, one day in the future…whenever you are ready…would you consider being my wife?"
Scully's mouth dropped, she had been so distracted by the conversation about baby names that she really hadn't seen this coming. "You're…asking me to marry you? You're sure?"
"Well I guess so, I have the ring now…and it seems a shame to take it back," Mulder teased and then rolled his eyes. He grinned broadly, "Of course I'm sure Scully, you're the love of my life…you're having our baby…why on earth wouldn't I be sure? You're it."
"You want to marry me?" Scully asked with irrational wonder as she stared at the ring.
"Scully, I want everything that you're willing to offer me...and you already have as much of me as you're willing to accept. You are my family. You and little...Katie...?"
Scully smiled broadly, "Katherine Margaret Mulder."
"Is that a maybe?" Mulder asked hopefully.
"That is a solid yes, Mulder. No equivocations. What do you imagine I'd be debating? My chances of getting a better offer?" Scully laughed.
Mulder grinned, "I'm no picnic, Scully."
"No…but you're mine."