It was just after lunch and Mulder and Scully were sat quietly on the porch swing. The sun flickered through the trees as Mulder rocked the seat gently and Scully leaned into his side while reading her Mac.

She scrolled through David and Claire's backgrounds, "This is pretty basic stuff Mulder, they've led relatively straightforward lives…at least compared to us."

Mulder chuckled, "Scully I think most people have led relatively straightforward lives compared to us…"

Scully rolled her eyes, "Do you think…" Scully was cut off mid sentence when two vehicles pulled up together outside their house, a man jumped out of a Toyota Corolla and shouted up to them, "David and Claire Holman?"

Scully nodded and raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun, "Can we help you?"

The man walked up the path to the bottom of the steps, "Just dropping off your vehicle Mrs Holman." He handed her up some paperwork, "Can you sign at the moment please?"

"Sign?" Scully looked at the paperwork suspiciously.

"It's just for the insurance Mrs Holman, I believe the purchase was made by a relative of yours…" he flicked through his paperwork, "Scott Blake?"

Scully nodded and signed the papers.

The man lowered his voice slightly; "You'll find that your relative has left you some additional items in the trunk of the vehicle..."

He dropped the keys into Scully's hand, nodded politely to Mulder and left in the accompanying vehicle.

Scully turned to Mulder, "Additional items?"

Mulder shrugged, "Let go see…"

They walked down the path and opened the trunk. They found a large wicker hamper inside and lifted the lid; amongst the contents they could see two large white candles on candlesticks, two bottles of very nice looking champagne, a bottle of bubble bath, a box of chocolates and some massage oil. Scully picked one of the candles with a quizzical expression and looked at Mulder.

He laughed and reached for the bubble bath with a leer, "Well this all looks like a fun evening!"

Scully reached for the card attached and gasped a little when she recognised the handwriting. The card wasn't signed it just simply said,

For Two Very Special People,

With all my love and best wishes in your new home…

…you are always in my thoughts xx

Scully handed the note to Mulder and spoke quietly, "It's from mom!"

Mulder looked at the note and back at the hamper in surprise, "Are you sure?"

Scully nodded confidently, "Absolutely certain I'd know her handwriting anywhere, I wonder how…she must have had help from Caroline and Scott..."

"…And Skinner." Mulder added. He picked up the champagne and waved it at Scully, "What is all this stuff for?"

Scully laughed, "It's a housewarming present Mulder! And maybe a little nudge in the right direction…just in case," she added dryly.

Mulder still looked bemused and Scully laughed, he was the smartest man she had ever known but when it came to the Scully women it seemed that he was still a little slow on the uptake.

"Mulder mom loves you, if we came back actually married she'd be doing cartwheels!" Mulder gasped and Scully backtracked slightly, "Not I'm saying…I mean we've only been together a few days…I'm not…"

Mulder put his fingers to her lips to silence her, "You are the love of my life Scully. I've told you there won't be anyone else; of course I'd want to marry you. Hell I'd marry you tomorrow…however considering our circumstances I'm thinking we should wait until all this is over. We are already married Claire."

Mulder smirked and went to lift the hamper out of the boot.

"Did you just? Are you asking me to marry you Mulder?" she whispered quietly.

Mulder propped the basket on the rim of the trunk and shook his head, "No. I'm telling you that you are the only person I would ever marry and that maybe I'll ask you properly…one day…when the timing is more appropriate."

Scully nodded happily and looked down at the road, "That's good to know Mulder…"

They'd locked up the car and started to make their way up the path when they heard Peggy's voice as she walked up behind them, "What do we have here?" She smiled widely and nodded towards the hamper.

Scully opened the lid in order to allow Peggy to see for herself.

Peggy scanned to contents, "My my my…aren't you plannin' a party for two!" she winked at Scully.

Mulder smiled, "Just keepin' the luuuurve alive Peggy."

Peggy laughed, "I've only known you two for about 10mins and I can already see that's never going to be chore."

Scully felt herself well up a little at Peggy's words, "That's a lovely thing to say Peggy…"

Mulder kissed Scully's cheek quickly and then started to walk up the path, "This is heavy baby I'm going to take it inside." He looked back to Peggy, "See you later?"

Peggy waved her hand, "Just came over set plans, we'll see you in a little while David."

Scully and Peggy watched Mulder leave, "That is one good looking man Claire…"

Scully smiled at her and shook her head, "That is one gorgeous man Peggy…I won the lottery."

Peggy laughed gently, "He probably considers himself pretty lucky as well my dear."

Scully coughed awkwardly, "Plans?" she changed the subject quickly. "You said something about plans?"

Peggy smiled, "How 'bout 3pm? That'll give us plenty of time to eat and chat, but also means you'll be home in time to enjoy your own evening."

"That sounds perfect Peggy, we're looking forward to meeting Frank. Can we bring anything?"

Peggy started back down the path, "Just yourselves Claire, we'll see you later!"