Chapter 34: My pain through you
5 weeks later
The Unremarkable House
William arrives at the house after six in the afternoon, a rainy and sunny day that framed a rainbow in the sky, he came unannounced giving a joy to his parents. Just two more weeks for the c-section, Scully is anxious to meet her daughter, the last few days have been difficult, the closer the time of birth is, the more doubts and fears lie in wait for her, she thinks about the future, when her daughter is ten years old and Mulder is reaching seventy, by the time she is twenty, maybe neither of them is alive, it is not a very encouraging picture.
Mulder, on the other hand, thinks differently, for him his little Grace arrives at the right moment, close to his retirement, he can dedicate all his time, both to her and to Scully, he can teach her to play baseball, to love the aliens, to see his old series, to dance badly and sing out of tune, for him it's like a dream that always seemed impossible, he doesn't think about his age, only about the happiness that comes with his little miracle.
Scully's belly is huge and beautiful, it's already lowered enough so she can breathe normally. For her 54 years, the pregnancy has been calm and healthy, of course she has had more precautions than usual, and has taken more prescriptions than those she took with William, but within the normal range.
The day has been favorable with her and she had enough spirits to go for a walk with Mulder, not too far or too fast, but they could enjoy the rainbow, when they returned, their son was waiting for them sitting in the rocking chair at the entrance - Oh my God Will, what are you doing here? - she says in a high and happy tone, he smiles and stands up to hug her
- I wanted to surprise you, how are you feeling? - he asks putting his hand on her belly
She smiles putting her hand on his arm - Very good, today was a good day - he smiles kissing her forehead, something he learned from both of them
- I'm glad - then he turns to look at Mulder - Hey old man, how are you? - Mulder laughs and hug his son with one arm
- I'm good son, glad you're here -
They walk inside and talk about all times, about his grandmothers, both good people, but very different women. He loves to hear stories about Maggie, especially from Mulder, she was like a mother to him, even more than his own. He thinks the baby's name is the best choice his parents could have done.
At nine o'clock and realizing that it is already late, Scully decides to go for a shower before going to sleep, William nods and his parents climb the stairs together after saying good night, he stays in the living room watching television
Scully takes a shower while Mulder reads lying on the bed, when she wraps the towel in her body, she screams Mulder's name, he looses the book scared and runs to her, opening the bathroom door with a bang - What is it? - he says in a hurry. She looks at the floor and he follows her gaze, realizing that it is soaked with water that is running down her legs
- My water just broke - she says scared holding the lower part of her belly - Oh my God Mulder - she says breathing faster while a first contraction hit her
William listens to everything from the living room smiling, he's finally going to meet his little sister and he was ready for that
Mulder helps Scully dress as quickly as possible, in a matter of fifteen minutes, two contractions hit her, both look nervous, the plan to have a c-section in two weeks, collapsed in a few seconds, he changes his clothes while Scully blow dry her hair, after a few minutes William goes up and knocks on the door, Mulder quickly opens the door and walks towards the baby's room to take the suitcases to the trunk of the car - What's taking you son long Dana? - he says to his mother who is coming out of the bathroom
She looks at him for a second and then opens her eyes - Oh my God, you knew it, that's why you're here - she says pointing with a finger - Why you didn't told me? -
He walks towards her and gives her his hand to help her walk downstairs - It is how it has to be, I didn't wanna scared you -
When they get down a new contraction hits her hard making her lean forward, she closes her eyes tightly and squeezes her son's hand - This is not how it should be, I'm too old to have this baby in a natural way, I can't do it - She says between deep breaths, Mulder goes back into the house and receives her from the hand of his son guiding her to the car while holding her waist - Mulder - she says looking into his eyes - I'm scared - she says frowning
He kiss her forehead helping her get in the car - You can do it Scully, you are a brave woman - he closes the door and turn around gettin in the diver's seat, William gets in the back seat a little worried for his mom, but he can't stop thinking is funny, he knows everything will be alright, but she is in real pain.
The road to the hospital is almost forty minutes, time in which Scully has to deal with a lot of contractions that make her moan loudly and get her knuckles white for squeezing the seat, Mulder is concerned, the doctor didn't recommend a natural birth due to her age, he can't stand see her in pain, he wasn't there when William was born, so he wasn't prepared for see her like this, even less, seventeen years later.
- Fuck! - she yells making both men open their mouths in surprise - Shit! I can't do this, this is your fault, both of you - she says breathing deep through her mouth.
William laughs in amusement, he never saw her curse that way before, and is kind of adorable, Mulder puts his right hand on her belly caressing it softly
- Don't touch me - she says putting his hand away, he smiles a little scared, she is really mad - Oh God, why we asked for another baby? Why you listened to us Will? Why I have to push in less than an hour? This is a fucking joke - William laughs out loud making her look back, almost trying to kill him with her eyes - Shut up! - she yells again, making him be quiet
Mulder is impressed and astonished, he never saw her like that, ever, she must be in a terrible pain - I'm sorry Scully, I know you are in pain, but… -
- But nothing - she stops him - I'm fucking scared - she says while tears fall down her cheeks
She begins to sob and Mulder looks to William through the rear view, the boy is getting scared too - I'm sorry mom, I should have told you - the boy says asking for forgiveness
Scully cries harder, breathing through her mouth, Mulder knows why, and William realizes that it's because of the word he just said, "mom" that simple word that just came out of his mouth, without him even thinking about it, was something natural and felt very good.
- How did you call me? - she asks in a whisper feeling a new contraction and lying her head against the back of the sit , holding her belly with both her hands.
William moves forward sticking his head between the two seats in front to look at her, so she doesn't have to turn around - I'm sorry, mom - he says smiling, she laughs with difficulty, while tears of pain and happiness fall down her cheeks - But I promise you, everything will be fine, but please stop cursing - he says making both his parents laugh
She feels how the pain ceases and turns to look at him with a smile, then strokes his cheek, still with tears and a trembling chin - Thank you son, and I'm sorry for the bad words, but this hurts like hell - everyone laughs and in less than five minutes they arrive at the hospital.
As soon as Mulder parks, William runs inside to bring a wheelchair, when he arrives, Mulder has not yet helped her get off the car, because she has a strong contraction, they wait for it to end, and after helping her to sit down, they take her inside as fast as they can.
The doctor sees the frightened faces of all three, and receives them with a smile trying to calm them down a little - It seems that this little girl is very eager to come to the world, let's see how much dilated you are, to see if it is still possible to practice a c-section - she says while walking with them to a room
Scully shakes her head - I do not think so... I'm feeling a lot of pressure, I think I will have to push - she says between deep breaths and a strong contraction
The nurses help her to change quickly and the doctor checks the dilation, as she says, she is completely dilated and can start to push, she frown with a concerned face, she is scared, she is 54, and ready to have a baby, she is feeling a terrible pain, but the baby will be born in less than an hour, that's another miracle, Mulder hold her hand and she look at him while breathing faster feeling a new contraction, he kisses her forehead and smile.
William is waiting outside, he knows both his mother and his sister will be perfectly fine, but he is nervous, he has a family now, his real family, and in a few minutes, a baby sister, he never pictured himself in that position, his parents never told him he was adopted, he knew he was different, but never adopted, when he saw Scully's face the first time in a dream, he knew she was an important part of his life, but he never imagined she was his birth mother, now, she really is his mother, in every sense of the word, and she's a wonderful woman.
And his father is like him, they have so much in common, Scully says that they are almost the same person, it is an incredible feeling, to know them, to feel them, to live with them. And now a sister, he feels really happy for the first time in his a cry breaks the silence of the corridor, making smile, he feels tears in his eyes, his sister has officially arrived.
Scully cries when she hears her daughter cry for the first time, after twenty minutes of pushing, the little girl finally came into the world, with a good pair of lungs, blue eyes like the sky, white skin like the snow and a fuzz of titian hair, the living portrait of her mother, Mulder cries kissing her sweaty forehead and then her salty lips, the doctor puts the baby on Scully's chest while they clean her carefully, Mulder cuts the umbilical cord while Scully fills the baby's head with kisses.
September 20th of 2018, 11:02 pm, 19.42 inches, 6.8 pounds, Grace Margaret Mulder a perfectly healthy baby girl. The proud father receive her, wrapped in a pale pink blanket with stars, he kisses her forehead and tears fill his eyes again, a little bundle of joy, a new beginning, a daughter, his princess. He walks with her to Scully and puts her in her arms, kissing his beautiful wife again - Thank you Scully, I am the happiest man on the planet and you are the bravest and most beautiful woman I know - she blushes a little looking at him with tenderness
She holds her daughter with one arm and brings her other hand to Mulder's face to caress his cheek - And I am the luckiest woman in the world, for having you and our two children - he looks at her with eyes of love and smiles
At that moment, their eldest son enters the room smiling happily, bringing with him white, pink and purple helium balloons, with a small teddy bear - Hey - he says whispering - How is everybody? - he says enthusiastically.
He walks towards them putting the gift on a table in front of the bed and goes to hug his father - How do you feel, dad? a little older? - He says giggling, Mulder laughs with the insinuation of his son and ruffles his hair with one hand
- I might be old, but I'm your father, and this little princess has given me back a happiness I thought I would never feel again - both smile at the baby that lies in Scully's arms
- How do you feel, mom? - he asks to his mother with obvious concern, she smiles tenderly inviting him to sit next to her in the bed
- A little sore, but happy, do you want to hold her? - she asks him raising his eyebrows, he looks at her a little nervous, not knowing if he will be able to hold her - I know she is small, but it is simple - she brings her to him, and he takes her with extreme care, both Mulder and Scully smile watching their son struggling with his fear.
Feeling the heat that emanates from the small body next to his chest is the greatest feeling ever, he already loves his little sister, he feels a warm in his heart, a new feeling, wishes to protect and care for her. Scully sighs looking to her children with love, Mulder holds her hand and squeeze it, and she understands what he is saying, he is as happy as she is.
THE END