Happy New Year!
"We're home," Scully called, as she and Mulder stepped into the house. Maggie and Ashley were sat on the sofa, watching a soap opera on the television, while William was driving a truck around on the floor, narrowly avoiding crashing into the coffee table. All three turned to look at the new arrivals.
"Hi mommy. Hi daddy," William greeted them before returning to his game.
Ashley immediately got to her feet. She looked as nervous as Mulder and Scully had both felt earlier that day. "How did it go mom?" She knew how worried her parents had been, and had wanted everything to go well. Luckily Scully didn't keep her waiting long before putting her out of her misery. "Everything's good," she said, seeing the relief on both Maggie and Ashley's faces. "The baby is healthy and growing well."
"Oh Dana, I'm so relieved," said Maggie.
"So are we."
"Did you find out the sex?"
Scully glanced over at Mulder. During the drive home they'd debated whether to tell people the baby's sex, and had decided it was probably for the best, especially as William was going to have to come to terms with having yet another sister, despite desperately wanting a brother. "We did," she said smiling. "It's a girl."
"Yes!" Ashley exclaimed, as Maggie beamed.
"I knew it was a girl," her mother claimed. "I could tell by the way you're carrying."
"I've carried differently each time mom," Scully sighed, but Maggie paid no attention, instead standing up and pulling her daughter in for a hug. "Oh Dana, I'm so happy for you. Another girl!"
"We needed another girl," said Ashley. "I was starting to feel outnumbered." The excitement of having a little sister was written all over her face.
"Something tells me someone in the room might not agree," said Mulder, nodding towards William, who was paying no attention to the conversation.
"He'll come round."
"Maybe in a few years' time," he replied as he accepted a hug from Maggie.
"Well I'm going to make a move," she said, reaching for her jacket which was sat on the arm of the sofa. "And let you break the news to him once I've gone."
"Don't you want to stay for dinner mom?"
"Thank you sweetheart, but not tonight. I'd better get home."
"Oh." Scully reached into her purse and retrieved the image of her sonogram. "I forgot to show you this."
With her jacket now on, Maggie took the picture from her daughter. Ashley peered over her grandmother's shoulder. "Oh it's so clear," she exclaimed, and Scully hummed in agreement. "Look how relaxed she is."
"She's definitely Mulder's."
"Ha-ha", he deadpanned, not seeing the flash of hurt cross Ashley's face.
"I'm so pleased for you both," Maggie continued. "For all of you."
"Thanks mom, and thanks for picking the kids up from school."
"Anytime."
"We've had fun," Ashley agreed. "Thanks grandma."
"I'll see you soon." Maggie kissed her granddaughter goodbye. "Goodbye William."
"Bye bye grandma."
"Don't I get a kiss?"
Sighing, William reluctantly abandoned his game, got to his feet and hugged Maggie. She kissed him and he immediately wiped his cheek before returning to his truck, amusing his grandmother and embarrassing his parents in the process.
"Dude, that's not the way you should be behaving around girls," Mulder remarked.
William frowned at his dad. "Grandma's not a girl."
"Thank you sweetheart. I think," Maggie added, hugging both Mulder and then Scully. "I'll call you tomorrow."
"Drive safely."
"I will. Congratulations again. I'm so happy for you both."
Mulder, Scully and Ashley followed Maggie outside, waving her off as she got into her car and drove down the lane. "Right then," said Scully once her mom's car was out of sight. "Let's go ruin William's afternoon."
Xxxxxxx
"William, can we talk to you for a minute please?"
William considered his dad's request before getting to his feet and heading over to the sofa. He climbed up, careful not to jostle his wrist, and sat in between his parents. Ashley took a seat in the armchair, wanting to see her brother's reaction to the news.
"So…" Scully began. "…Mommy and daddy went to see the baby today."
The little boy glanced at his mom's stomach. "How did you see the baby if he's still in your tummy?"
Ashley smirked. This was going to be harder than her parents thought.
"Well, we went to the hospital and saw the baby on a screen." William said nothing, and Mulder knew they were about ten seconds away from their son losing interest and walking off. "We found out if the baby is a boy or a girl…and it's a girl," Scully said enthusiastically, hoping William would catch on and share the excitement. "You're going to have a little sister. Isn't that cool?"
William's expression suggested he didn't quite agree. "But I'm having a brother."
"No sweetheart, it's a girl."
"I don't want a girl."
"A sister would be good buddy," said Mulder, trying to help, but William wasn't having any of it.
"No it won't."
Sensing their parents were struggling, Ashley intervened. "A sister won't steal your toys Will. I don't."
"I want a brother."
"Didn't you say I was cool? I'm a girl." William shrugged. "She'll leave all of your things alone too." The little boy's bottom lip trembled.
"I had a little sister," said Mulder. "And I remember being really upset when I found out she was a girl, because I really wanted a brother, just like you. But you know what? She was cool. She was fun, and she left my things alone, but she was around to play tag and other games too. I think having a sister was actually cooler than a brother."
William promptly burst into tears. "I don't want a sister," he cried. "I want a brother."
Scully looked as though she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I'm sorry sweetheart," she said, wrapping an arm around her little boy. "I'm sure you'll feel differently when she's here."
"But…but my friends have brothers. Dylan does, and so does Michael."
"But James has a little sister," Scully countered.
"He says…he says she smells and she cries a lot," he hiccupped.
"All babies cry William, not just girls. Just because some of your friends have little brothers, it doesn't mean that's always the way. Sometimes babies are girls and sometimes they're boys. I had a little brother, but your daddy had a little sister."
"Can't I have a brother?"
"Sorry kiddo," said Mulder. "It doesn't work like that."
"You'll come round."
The way William was crying, Mulder wasn't quite so sure.
"It's not fair."
"I know buddy. Life isn't fair. But I'm sure once your sister arrives, you'll think she's the best thing ever."
"I hope so," Scully murmured.
William turned to face his mom. "I hate the baby. I hate it," he said, getting up and heading towards the stairs before Mulder could shout at him.
"Where's he going?" asked Ashley.
Mulder followed his son to the stairs to check, before returning. "He's just put himself in a time out."
"Oh god," said Scully, rubbing her eyes wearily.
"Well that went well."
"If it's any consolation," said Ashley. "I'm excited."
"At least someone is," replied Scully, hoping that one day William would be too.
Xxxxxxx
"Here come my girls," said Mulder as Scully entered the bedroom, closing the door behind her. She slipped off her bathrobe, hanging it up on the back of the door before padding over to join him in bed.
"Are you going to be this irritating for the next four months?"
"If you ask nicely."
Smiling, Scully settled herself into bed, her hands coming round to frame her stomach. "At least one male in this household is happy that we're having a girl."
"William will get used to it…one day."
"I honestly thought it was a boy too."
"Are you disappointed?"
"No, not at all. Like I said, I didn't care as long as he or she was healthy."
"And she is healthy."
"In a way, I think it's better it's a girl," Scully said suddenly, thinking out loud. "I think it would have been harder if it was a boy."
"Because of Ryan?" Scully nodded. Mulder rolled onto his side and reached out to rub Scully's stomach. "We're never going to forget him Scully. He was part of our lives, if only for a short while, and we'll miss him every day. But this baby's going to help us. We've been waiting for her for a long long time. She'll never replace Ryan, and of course we'll tell her about her big brother one day, but it's going to be ok. I know you're still worried about your pregnancy after what happened last time, but just relax and take it easy. Worrying isn't good for you or the Meatball."
Scully raised her eyebrows. "Meatball?"
"What?"
"Dare I ask why you've named her Meatball?"
Mulder smiled sheepishly. "It just popped into my head."
"Pull the other one Mulder."
"Well…your bump does look a little bit like you've swallowed a giant meatball."
"What?" Scully chuckled, though she was also tempted to hit him.
"I'm just saying, you're a little on the small side still –"
"So I look like I've eaten too much?"
"No –"
"You just said I look like I've swallowed meatballs."
"Well…" he laughed as Scully's hand connected with his arm. "You still look beautiful though."
"Uh uh. You're not winning me over like that."
"I'm sorry."
"Grab your jacket Mulder. I hear it's cold outside. You might catch a chill sleeping in William's treehouse."
"You wouldn't do that to me? I might fall out just like William. I can't cope with just one working hand."
Scully raised her eyebrows playfully. "You used to."
"Ouch." She giggled as Mulder leaned over to kiss her. "I'm sorry. Don't make me sleep in the treehouse. I don't like heights."
"Don't call me fat."
"I didn't. I think you look hot."
"You'll get used to this," said Scully, addressing the bump. "Your daddy's always having to apologize. Men have a lot to apologize for. But don't give in too easily. Make them work for it."
Mulder grinned. "So going back to last night."
"Changing the subject?"
"Always."
"Last night…?" Scully prompted.
"Names. Now we know the sex…?"
"Well I have to admit, I've always liked the name Phoebe." Mulder groaned. "Or Bambi?"
"We can't name the baby after the cat."
"Phoebe then?"
"What about Daniela?" Scully slapped him again. "Ok maybe not." He sobered. "Did you want to call her after Melissa?"
Scully shook her head. "No. Missy hated her name, and she'd hate me for passing it on." She studied Mulder carefully, trying to read his thoughts. "Samantha?"
It was Mulder's turn to refuse the suggestion. "No, I think this baby needs her own name. Meatball is a new chapter for us."
Scully smiled. "Yes she is." She laughed.
"What?"
"Nothing just…if you'd told me all those years ago when I walked into the basement that we'd be sharing a bed together, not to mention expecting another baby, I'd have told you you were crazy."
"You did tell me I was crazy. Many times."
"You know what I mean though. Do you regret it?"
"Not in the slightest. You?"
"Not yet. Ask me again when I'm in labor though and I might have a different answer for you." She thought back to her last labor with William and shivered. Mulder sensed her thoughts. "Everything's different this time Scully," he said. "There'll be a hospital, and clean sheets –"
"And drugs."
"And a real midwife."
"You did a good job last time."
"Let's leave it to the professionals this time."
"If you're sure."
"I'm sure."
"Just four months to go, and then she'll be here."
And unlike William, they couldn't wait to meet her.
