'I want to come back before Caleb's released from the hospital,' Scully commented as they drove away from the Mulholland's house.

On entering the boys' hospital room en route to the realtor's office, they discovered Dr Matheson intended to discharge Caleb the following day. Yasmine Fitzgerald, the hospital accounts administrator waited for Mulder and Scully as they left the unit. Politely, she enquired who would be fiscally responsible for the twins, given the unusual legal situation. Relief flooded the young woman's face as Mulder immediately pledged himself. She led them into her office to fill out the appropriate documentation. Blanching at the total, Mulder and Scully could only hope their FBI medical insurance covered family members.

Until then, Scully and Mulder kept to their ridged timetable, even when William's nurse allow both parents to hold their son for the first time. He gained almost two ounces and a step closer to coming home. They'd been elated at the news. Tomorrow the staff wanted to attempt William's first bottle feed with a view to removing his nasogastric tube on Thursday. Scully hoped they'd have him home for the wedding. It wouldn't be the same without all their children in attendance.

The meeting with Yasmine took twenty minutes they didn't have, making them late for their appointment with Kenneth Winslow. The unaccounted time spent at the Mulholland home meant they no longer had time to see the Triangle house first hand before moving in this afternoon.

'We'll make an inventory of all the belongings we've taken from The Mulholland's,' Mulder didn't need to look into her eyes to see the sadness there. Nor did he want to subject either his fiancée or daughter to another visit. If it needed to be done, he'd do it alone. 'I managed to get everything you wanted into the kitchen tidy bags I found and fit them into the trunk of the car. If there's anything else you think Sophia or her brothers will want one day, we'll call Mr Winslow and have him deliver it to our new home.'

'You really want to move in today, Mulder,' Scully couldn't help the groan that escaped her tight control. As if they didn't have enough on their plate. After contacting Kersh, an official meeting had been set up with their ultimate line manager regarding their future. At three Thursday afternoon, they'd learn formally what Harold had imparted off the record. They'd also need to change their domicile and relationship status with the Bureau and find out about family medical cover.

'I know Harold,' Mulder chanced a glance her way, 'the only things we need to move will be our clothing and the children's furniture for the moment. I'll have everything from my apartment relocated into yours, except the fish tank, until we decide where or if we're going to stay employed by the Bureau.'

'Mom loves the idea of her family living in the same state,' Scully announced, 'she's looking forward to the trip to San Diego. We'll be forced to stay with both of my brothers while we're there, Mulder.' That eyebrow told him not to complain or make a disparaging comment. 'You can't escape Bill's hospitality as my husband,' she quipped, remembering the time he'd flown out to help with Emily's adoption and chose to stay at a motel.

Mulder didn't grace her comment with a response understanding Scully wouldn't expect one. Deciding the crack of a sunflower seed between his teeth would speak for itself, Mulder looked into the rear vision mirror. What he saw reminded him why he'd put up with Bill, or any other Scully family members abrasive company.

Sophia slept restlessly in her baby seat. After the emotional turmoil of the morning, she snored lightly, exhausted but still clutching Sally's terry robe. Giving her parents time to return the key, they continued to Mulder's building. Scully's car still parked exactly where she left it in the early hours of yesterday morning.

'I'm going to pack,' Mulder lent across the space between them and kissed Scully soundly on the lips, 'and take my belongings to the Triangle house. You know Scully,' he shivered at the words about to issue from his mouth, 'we really could do with baby seats in both our cars. If we're going to be moving states in the near future, I can't see any point in buying a larger vehicle now, we can make that decision when we relocate. We'd be able to ship one set of seats and take the others on the plane. I read you can take them on aircraft and it's actually safer for the kids.'

Scully worked to keep the amusement from all but her expressive eyes. She failed miserably as the car filled with her delighted laughter. Mulder didn't look so pleased. Glancing over her shoulder once the chuckles subsided, Scully told her slumbering daughter, 'I think you and your brothers have your father wrapped around your fingers already, baby girl.'

Handing his partner the keys to his car, Mulder demanded Scully's. 'Unless,' he kept a straight face, 'you want to be the first to try swapping the baby seat between cars, it looks like we'll have to swap.'

'There's a good reason I paid The Baby Store to fit that contraption and construct Sophia's crib,' Scully managed to fire back, rummaging around in her bag for her car keys. Silently she wondered what drove both of them to purchase Ford Tauruses, thankful it made swapping vehicles easy.

'I'll meet you at the hospital later this afternoon. I have a couple of things I need to take care of. We'll visit the boys before going to dinner at Harold's,' Mulder said through the open window, before turning to cross the street.

Climbing into the driver's side, Scully considered everything she needed to achieve this afternoon. Picking up her cell, she called the home delivery section of The Baby Store. Passing the time, she watched Sophia's chest rise and fall with each sleepy respiration. Arranging for the rest of her purchases to be delivered to their new home as early as possible tomorrow, Scully started the car and headed to Georgetown Memorial and her son's.

The visit only long enough to feed, wash and change Caleb in preparation for bringing him home, Scully completed the tasks to his nurses' satisfaction. Allowing herself to briefly hold William, Dana brought a pillow case covered with both Mulder and her combined unique odour. His nurse beamed at the attempt to bond with her child, using the material as the covering for his crib's mattress. Now the tiny scrap of humanity would be surrounded by his parents sent, getting to know them before joining his family.

Maggie used the time to connect with Sophia. She'd taken one of Fox's t-shirt and worn it under her turtleneck, giving her a fair chance of success. The child's emotional breakdown earlier completed her capitulation. Sophia allowed her grandmother to feed her lunch followed by a midday cup of milk while held in the safety and comfort of her arms. Margaret Scully knew her prayers had been granted. Still this situation drew on all her faith. Not since joining the FBI had she seen Dana so happy and she wanted her only living daughter to stay that way.

'I called Ellen and David,' Maggie said as they left the hospital, 'and even though it's been a while since you've seen her, she's coming over this afternoon, with a few of my friends from church, to help you pack.'

'It might be a good time to reconnect,' Scully agreed saddened by the fact she let the friendship slip, 'I know she'll have to leave early to pick the kids up form school.'

'Dana, your godson turns eleven this year,' Maggie reminded gently, 'as the youngest of Ellen's children, he catches the bus to and from school.'

Suitably chastised, Scully opened the rear door to Mulder's car. After securing Sophia, she wondered what awaited her. It didn't take long to find the hive of activity usually known as her quiet apartment. Maggie had called in every old friend, neighbour and church associate to help transfer her daughter into her new home. Harold moved heaven and earth to find a rental truck, placing it at Maggie's disposal. It didn't take Dana Scully long to realise the two had conspired to bring about this sudden change of domicile.

'When you mom want's something achieved in a hurry,' Ellen greeted her friend, 'it happens. How are you, Dana?'

Smiling tightly, Scully answered, 'Fine, I'm fine.'

'Well you don't look fine,' Ellen's total honesty won the battle over politeness, 'you look like you could do with three days continuous sleep, but I hear twins do that to you.'

'It won't take long for me to find out,' Scully answered blandly, 'Caleb's being discharged in the morning and we're hoping William will follow on Friday.'

Laughing at her college friend, Ellen managed, teasingly, 'your mom tells me you finally got a life, that guy you work with,' pointing to Sophia watching the activity from her playpen, 'and the motherhood to go with it.'

Reminded of the long ago conversation, Scully found her lips curling up into a smile. 'So it would appear,' the wisecracked exited before she could stop it. 'You've always had this effect on me, El.'

'What effect,' Ellen looked puzzled.

'Realising I can laugh at myself,' Scully stated, embracing her long-time friend and feeling the years of solitude and separation fall away. 'Sometimes I forget how consumed I've become by the work.'

Pulling back, Ellen surveyed the woman before her. 'That's because,' she paused momentarily, not sure how Scully would take her words, 'you've never had anyone to consume your time. Believe me, three children under one, you're going to have your work cut out for you, Dana. Even I made sure we had at least two years between the boys.'

Razing that eyebrow, Scully mocked, 'you finally admit you deliberately fell pregnant in your sophomore and Senior year.'

'No,' Ellen retorted, seeing Dana's comment for the change of subject it represented. She wouldn't be deterred. 'Take it from someone who knows, both you and Mulder won't have a minute to yourselves for at least another three years. If you think your career kept you busy, just wait until the twin's start crawling. Then you'll know what life's all about.'

Looking at her friend incredulously, Scully realised Ellen's assessment came as a timely reminder. She'd forgotten about everything in her search for Mulder's truth and answers to her abduction and cancer. Sophia and her brother's would stop any investigation into the paranormal as she learnt to become a mother.

Neither Scully nor Mulder could take off on a whim with young lives depending on them for their every need. While Mulder's mind had intellectually recognised this, Scully's heart only just acknowledged the fact. How long would it be until Mulder accepted this new truth and chafed at the restriction a wife and three children imposed.

'I see trouble in paradise,' Ellen prophesised.

'This has happened so suddenly,' Scully gazed into the trusting eyes of the little girl across the room. 'I don't think it's really sunk in just yet.'

'It never does,' Ellen explained patiently, 'even when you think you're ready, when you've planned this life. Every time you think you have a handle on it, it changes, presenting new challenges. I have three boys who all went through the same stages of development a couple of years apart, yet no two reacted the same way. It's like experiencing it all over again without the manual to give you any advice. Each child is such an individual, unique, it takes time, effort and energy to get though each day.'

'I don't know if I'm cut out to be a mother,' Scully pondered, wondering where the thought originated.

'Yes you are,' Ellen encouraged, 'if you weren't a little afraid and anxious about the responsibility you've taken on, then I'd question your ability. I've seen you with kid's Dana, you'll do fine.'

'Thanks, El,' Scully murmured, finding the talk had produced so many mixed feelings.

'Don't think you're alone feeling this way,' Ellen laughed, seeing the gratitude in her friends' expression. 'I feel the same way most days. Wondering why I didn't stay single and chase a career in Physics. Then one of my boys throws their arms around me, silently telling me they love me and it's all worth it. The pain, the frustration, the tedious hours of helping with homework and picking up dirty clothes, it all pales in to insignificance when compared to the unconditional love of your children. If you didn't get the opportunity to experience it, Dana, you'd be missing out on the meaning of life. You're a nurturer at heart, you need this more than you realise. If it's your partner your worried about, don't. Believe me, men are worse than us women when it comes to the health and wellbeing of their children.'

Scully silently considered Mulder's reaction to Sophia in the orphanage. He instigated her trust. Then holding Caleb for the first time, the emotional connection he found with his son had been life changing. This morning, touching William had no less of an effect. The same emotions he experienced yesterday returned with William Mulder's blue eyes capturing the gaze of his father. A tiny hand and even smaller fingers wrapped around one of his father's digits. The sheen of tears clouded Mulder's hazel orbs.

One look at Scully and he'd communicated what he couldn't say, what he'd never be able to say aloud unless under the influence of very powerful analgesia or in the throes of passion. I love you. She'd returned the emotion, whole heartily and without reservation. Unbidden, Scully realised they'd been telling each other this very same thing for years. It'd always hung between them, unsaid, unacknowledged but present in every interaction.

'I think you might be right,' Scully confessed to her friend, 'Mulder's dedication once his interest has been engaged it all consuming.' She couldn't be sure if the subject remained their children or the connection between them.

'Dana,' Ellen turned serious, 'you wouldn't be happy with anything less. From what I hear, your Fiancée is a perfect match for you. If he didn't have the same level of intellect, you'd go crazy. If his passion for truth and justice didn't equate to yours, you'd have left him behind years ago. Mostly, if he didn't feel about you the way you deserved, the way you care for him, this would never have come about. I know you. You don't let anyone in easily. It's a testament to this man that you've dropped your emotional barriers. I've got eyes in my head. I can see how happy you are.'

'I'm so afraid it'll just change in an instant and disappear,' Scully spoke so quietly, Ellen almost missed the words.

'That feeling will never leave you, Dana, you're a mother now,' Ellen grinned, lightening the mood. 'If only I had a dollar for all the nights I've laid awake worrying about my boys, and I include the big boy I call husband in that number, I'd be a millionaire.' Giving her friend time to let the word sink in, Ellen pointed to Mrs Scully, 'I think we've been summoned.'

Rolling her eyes, Scully knew her mother. As the wife of a career naval officer, she had a better handle of moving house than anyone she knew. 'Believe me,' Scully whispered, 'just follow orders. Even my father made sure he'd be at sea when we moved house.'

AUTHOR'S NOTES

I'm sorry my posts will be sporadic in the next few months. My life has just about reached the toilet stage. No use complaining, just have to get on with it. So, to all my loyal readers, thank you for sticking with me. My story plans are as follows:

Time Slip has six more chapters, all planed only one nearly written. Updating will be some time in the future. This story is currently on hold.

Mrs Spooky Diaries is on permanent hold and may be abandoned as it's not really attracting a readership.

Catalyst is a work in progress. We have two seasons to get through. Don't expect too much as this is an epic in the making. I can't see less than 20-30 chapters.

Picture Perfect (PP) is supposed to be a three or four chapter short story. Chapter two is half written, the others still in my imagination.

Dreams will have about five or six more chapters. I'll be concentrating on Dreams, then PP as they're closest to being finished so all I have to do is find the time to write them. In the mean time I promise not to start anything else, although I have so many ideas.