I'm sorry this took so long to update, I had real writer's block with this particular chapter, and it took me a long time to get done. This is for DearPearlie. Thank you for everything.
Scully stirred as she felt the mattress dip and opened one eye, expecting to see William's baby blues starring back at her. Instead she was greeted by Mulder's familiar hazel eyes and a cocky smile.
"Good morning sunshine," he said in greeting, leaning forward to peck at her lips.
"S'matter?" Scully asked, lifting her head just enough to glance over at the alarm clock. 8.03am. A record for her. It had been a hectic week for her, her hospital shifts over-running and the week ending with the death of her patient. A little boy aged six. She left work that night, came home and immediately enveloped William into a hug, her tears soaking in to his tee. Once he and Ellie were in bed for the evening, she poured herself and Mulder a large glass of wine and ended up falling asleep on his lap. He'd carried her upstairs and she'd woken long enough to change into her pjs before getting into bed and falling straight back to sleep. "Is it the baby?"
"The baby's fine," Mulder answered, kissing her again. "At least I think so."
That got her attention. "You think so?"
"Mmm." Mulder kissed the corner of her mouth, her chin and moved to tug on her earlobe, smiling to himself as Scully shrugged him off.
"What do you mean you think so?"
"She's not here."
"What…? Mulder get off….where is she?"
"Your mom's taken her for the day."
"She has?"
"William too. And Ashley." His lips trailed down her neck. "Have I ever told you that I love your mom?"
"The whole day? Mulder, Eleanor needs her formula and…" She paused as she felt Mulder's lips descend towards her cleavage.
"It's fine Scully," he said, his breath against her breast causing her to arch her back up from the bed. "The kids will be fine. Your mom has raised four of them before."
"I know, but…" Scully pushed Mulder's face away from her. "They're a lot of work, and my mom's not getting any younger."
"She offered, and she has Ash on hand in case there are any issues, which I'm sure there won't be, because we all know that William is an angel when your mom's around. Besides Scully, a whole day to ourselves. And a night too."
"She's keeping them overnight?"
"I know. When was the last time that happened? We get to relax and…" His lips returned to the crook of her neck. "…do things…" Each word was punctuated by a kiss. "…that we don't get to do when the kids are around. Hey!" he exclaimed, as Scully pushed him away once again and rolled over onto her front. "What are you doing?"
"I'm doing what we don't get to do when the kids are around," she replied. "Sleeping."
Xxxxx
"Are you going to tell me where we're going?"
Mulder took his eyes off of the road momentarily to glance over at his partner. Recognizing his smut, shit-eating grin, Scully realized she wasn't going to get an answer to her question anytime soon. Sure enough she was right. "You'll find out."
"Does my mom know where we are? What if she needs to get hold of us?"
"She has our cell phone numbers Scully. Your mom will be fine, and yes, she does know where we're going, but that doesn't mean you now get to call her and ask her. You'll find out soon."
"How soon?"
Mulder shook his head, bemused. "I'm not falling for that trick. For now just sit back and enjoy the ride."
Sighing with resignation, Scully sat back in her seat, returning her glance out of the window at the passing scenery. Moments later she felt Mulder's hand scoot across her lap, and take hold of her own. She smiled, beginning to feel content, despite the fact she was still worried about her babies. She knew Maggie was more than capable of taking care of them, and had done, but not overnight - not all of them. This was the first time Mulder and Scully had left Ellie overnight, and she wasn't sure how the baby would settle away from home. Plus there was still the worry of what William might try and do to his little sister when his grandmother's back was turned. Just a few days ago, Scully had wandered into the living room to see William placing something into Ellie's basket. Upon seeing his mom, the little boy had simply grinned angelically at his mom and insisted he and the baby had been playing. As he ran off, Scully moved to investigate, and had simply been greeted with her daughter's bright blue eyes peeking up at her through a mountain of William's toys. He'd simply transferred everything he owned into the baby's crib. A giant Buzz Lightyear obscured most of her face, while various action figures, trucks, trains and soft toys covered the rest of her and her basket. But, as always, the little girl wasn't complaining, instead simply laying there quite contentedly. Scully had made a mental note - several actually - to teach her daughter how to stand up to her brother when she was older.
"This place where we're going..." She began. "What are we going to do while we're there?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well...have you made plans? Reservations?"
"Oh the plans have been made for us," he replied. "I read about it online actually."
"Read about what?"
"Well, I figured in order to write a good book, I need to do as much research as possible." Scully said nothing, suddenly aware of where this was going. "And we can't exactly go ghost hunting with the kids in tow."
"Ghost..."
"It's one of the most haunted areas in the state, I -"
"Mulder?"
"Hmm?"
"Please don't tell me that we're spending our weekend off from the kids staying at a haunted house." Her words were greeted with silence. "Mulder..."
"Of course I'm not Scully," he replied, and she released the breath she was holding. "But you should have seen the look on your face."
"Ha-ha," she deadpanned, though she allowed herself a small smile. How times had changed, she thought to herself.
"But if you want to-"
"No, no, I'm good."
"Anytime you change your mind."
"I'll remember that."
"Hey Scully." Mulder's voice pierced through her thoughts, and Scully looked over at him. He was at least having a good time that morning and in fact looked more relaxed than he had done in a while. The pressures of writing deadlines coupled with playing house husband seemed to be taking their toll, but it appeared that his lie in that morning had done him the world of good.
"Hmm?"
"It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
"What has?"
"The two of us."
"It's been a while," she admitted. "But we have been busy."
"I meant doing this. Getting in a car and driving. It reminds me of the old days." As Mulder squeezed her hand, Scully cast her mind back, thinking about all of the times in the past when it had been the two of them out on the road, driving around the country in search of the paranormal.
"It seems like a lifetime ago," she said, and Mulder hummed in agreement.
"A lot has happened since then."
"Do you miss it?"
Mulder looked over at her again. "Miss what?"
"The X-Files? Having the freedom to do all of that."
"I miss road trips with you," he admitted, realizing that it was during those journeys that he found out most about his partner. "But I know what you're asking, and the answer is no. Although," he added. "I could do without the journeys where Ellie spits up on her car seat, or Will spills his drink and spends the rest of the time crying. And sometimes I miss having a clean car."
"Those were the days," Scully said with a grin.
"But a car smelling of baby vomit is just a small price to pay. Besides," he added. "I'd take baby vomit over Queequeg any day."
"You loved Queequeg!"
"Are you kidding? I hated that damn mutt!"
"But you keep saying you want a dog."
"I do, but a real dog, not a little rat like that."
"I can't believe you just called Queequeg a rat."
"He was!"
"You loved him though. I saw you guys having a man to dog chat one time."
"I was just using him to get into your bed."
Laughing, Scully shook her head. "Well I guess it worked."
"I may not have liked Queequeg, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't get another dog."
"Not right now."
"Now's a great time."
"Mulder, we can't even leave William alone in a room with Eleanor. Could you imagine what it would be like with a dog too? The dog would be chasing the cat -"
"That damn cat would be chasing the dog."
"William would be chasing Ellie."
"Alright, alright," Mulder conceded. "Maybe not right now. But soon."
"You can get a dog if you tell me where we're going," Scully tried.
Mulder grinned. "Nice try Scully," he said. But no deal."
Xxxx
"Knock knock." Without waiting for a response, Mulder pushed the door open and stepped forward into the bathroom, carrying two glasses of white wine. "Room service has arrived."
Scully was stretched out under a mountain of bubbles, her head resting against the back of the bathtub, her eyes closed. She peered through one eye to see her visitor enter, then smiled to herself. "I've got you well trained," she said, sounding more relaxed than Mulder had heard her in days, if not weeks or months.
"You can tip me later."
Opening her eyes, Scully sat up in the tub, the bubbles sliding down her body, revealing enough skin to distract Mulder enough to almost spill the wine. Thankfully he recovered in time, and got down on the floor next to the tub. "Don't you want to come in?"
Shaking his head, Mulder scrunched up his face. "You have the water too hot."
"It's not hot. It's a nice temperature."
"A nice temperature for you maybe, but not my balls." Lifting a glass of wine, he handed it over to his partner, who smiled in appreciation.
"Thank you."
"I'm still happy to provide back-washing duties however."
"A dirty weekend away, a night in a swanky hotel, wine and the offer to wash my back. Are you sure you aren't having an affair?"
"I'm afraid not. Besides, it's not a dirty weekend just yet."
When they arrived in Annapolis earlier that day, Mulder presumed they'd check in to their hotel and make up for lost time, having both been so busy with writing deadlines and taking care of little people to spend much time with one another. Scully however had a better idea, and so they'd spent the morning sightseeing, before stopping for lunch. They'd then taken a walk to work off some of the food they'd eaten, before Mulder had dragged his partner back to the hotel, wanting to give her plenty of time to get ready for dinner that evening. He'd drawn Scully a bath while she'd ordered some drinks from room service, taking advantage of spending time away from the kids.
"Give it time," she said, taking a sip of wine. "This is nice."
"Is it?" Mulder hadn't touched his own yet.
"I mean this. This hotel. This day."
"See, I do have some good ideas."
"Maybe occasionally." Scully watched as Mulder lifted his own glass for a taste. "It's weird though."
"What is?"
"The silence. It's hard to get used to. I don't think I've taken a bath in years without one of the kids wandering in, asking about lost sneakers or dinner or wanting to get in the tub with me. In fact I don't think I've even peed in silence for the past five years. It's just weird not being in demand."
"Oh you're always in demand."
Scully rolled her eyes, choosing to ignore Mulder's cringeworthy line. "I need to call my mom soon."
"Maggie? Why?"
"Because I want to check the kids are ok."
"No." Mulder set down his wine then retrieved the washcloth. Scooting closer to the tub, he dipped the washcloth into the water before beginning his backrub on Scully.
She hummed in appreciation before continuing. "I'm sorry?"
"No, the kids will be fine. Your mom is more than capable of looking after them, and she also knows how to use a telephone. If she needs us, she'll call." Scully opened her mouth as though to protest. "I mean it Scully. She has Ashley there too, and Ashley will text us if something's up."
"Not if Ashley's the problem."
"This is a kid-free weekend Scully. If I see you anywhere near your cell phone, I'm dropping it in the bathtub."
"Has anyone ever told you that you're mean?"
"Only you, and sometimes William when I make him put down the Lego and go to sleep." He moved the washcloth round to Scully's front, soaping her chest. She shot him an amused look as she took another sip of wine. "What?"
"I thought you were giving me a backrub?"
"I am."
"That's not my back…" Scully trailed off as Mulder's hand began to dip lower. "Mulder…?"
"Relax Scully," he said with a smirk. "I'm trying to get you clean."
His hand edged lower once again, and Scully's wine was forgotten.
Xxxxxx
"This may be the best meal I've ever had in my life," Scully remarked, as she speared a piece of salmon and brought it to her lips.
Mulder hummed in agreement, his own steak melting in his mouth. "I agree, although I can't decide if it's because of the meal itself or because there are no little people trying to start food fights."
"It's definitely the most civilized meal we've had in a long time." Scully paused to take a hearty swig of wine, while Mulder looked on in amusement. Scully was buzzed, he could tell. It was only her second glass of wine that evening, but already her cheeks had a healthy glow to them. As she set down her glass, Mulder topped it up, the refill finishing off the bottle. A tipsy Scully was a fun Scully to be around. "And the fact that someone else cooked it makes it even better."
"Hey! I cook."
"I'm not sure your pancakes are quite up to this standard just yet."
"But I make smiley faces with the fruit."
"Maybe you could open a restaurant for kids," Scully suggested, her eyelids fluttering closed as she took another bite of salmon, distracting Mulder from his own meal and his previous view of her cleavage thanks to the plunging dress he'd convinced her to buy earlier that day. "This is so good."
"I'm starting to get jealous of that damn piece of fish."
Giggling, Scully shook her head. She was most definitely buzzed. "Please don't make me choose between you."
"Well while you make your decision, I'm going to the bathroom." Setting his napkin on the table, Mulder rose from his seat.
"You go to the bathroom, I'll find us some more wine."
"More wine?"
Scully looked at him as though he was stupid. "We're child-free for one night only. We get to be irresponsible."
"Not too much wine," he warned. "I have plans for you later."
"Again?"
"We're child-free for one night only," Mulder smirked as he repeated Scully's words back to her. As she rolled her eyes he wandered off towards the bathroom, leaving her in charge of refilling their drinks.
When he returned from the bathroom a few minutes later, Scully was nowhere to be found, although her shawl was still draped over the back of her chair, so Mulder knew she hadn't gone far. And then he heard her laugh. Looking up, he spotted his partner standing at the bar, next to a gentleman perched on a stool. The man was deep in conversation with Scully, and whatever he was saying, she found it amusing. Curiosity getting the better of him, Mulder slowly approached the bar, his eyes trained on the gentleman. The stranger was a little older than Mulder, with salt and peppered hair, dark eyes framed by thin glasses. He was dressed in a suit, his tie loose, and Mulder presumed he was perhaps enjoying an after work drink. He narrowed his eyes as the man suddenly placed his hand on top of Scully's, and then he heard him speak. "Let me buy you a drink."
Scully suddenly caught sight of Mulder, her eyes twinkling as she pretended to consider the stranger's request. Mulder raised his eyebrows in challenge, as though daring her to do so. She didn't. "I'm sorry Greg," he heard her say. "I don't think my husband would approve."
"Your –"
Mulder bit his lip, trying to conceal his smirk as he stepped forward, as if on cue. "Hi honey," he said in greeting, coming to stand by Scully's side. Wrapping an arm around her, he kissed her chastely on the lips, before returning his attention to the man next to her. "Hi."
"Hello."
"This very kind gentleman," Scully interrupted, bemused at Mulder's reaction. "Gary."
"Greg."
"Oh I'm sorry," she apologized, but Mulder knew full well she'd done it on purpose. "…Was just helping me with the wine list."
Her partner bit back a sarcastic retort. "How nice of him. I'm sure Greg has great taste." He certainly did in women, if his flirting was anything to go by. Mulder was about to quiz Greg but they were interrupted by the barman, who took Scully's order and soon returned with a bottle and two fresh glasses. "It was great to meet you Greg," said Mulder, reaching out to shake the other man's hand firmly – a little too firmly, as though silently warning him to stay away from Scully. Before his partner could say her goodbyes, Mulder had tugged on her hand and was pulling her back towards their table. "I turn my back for a few minutes Scully…" he said with a grin as they sat back down.
"Gary was about to buy me this bottle of wine."
"But what did Greg expect in return?" Scully smirked. "You forgot yourself back there?"
"Sorry?"
"You told him I was your husband."
"Well, sometimes guys have to be put in their place. Who was he to presume that I was single?"
"Maybe he wouldn't have hit on you if you'd been wearing a ring."
"A ring?"
Mulder nodded. "A wedding ring."
Scully rolled her eyes, though she was still smiling. "Of course, a wedding ring would solve all my problems."
"Will's teacher hits on me sometimes. I bet if I had a wedding ring she wouldn't."
"First of all, Will's teacher doesn't hit on you. Just because a woman is friendly towards a guy, it doesn't mean she's hitting on you. Secondly, wear a ring if you want to…" Scully suddenly trailed off as Mulder shifted in his seat, sliding a hand into his pocket. He pulled out a small, velvet box and placed it on the table in front of her. Scully's eyes widened. "Mulder, what is this?"
"Why don't you open it?" he replied, watching Scully's reaction intently. Her eyes flitted between the box and her partner, and he knew he'd rendered her speechless. "I saw you this morning, at the gas station." Scully looked adorably confused. "When I came out of the bathroom I saw you reading the bridal magazine." Realization dawned on her, and Mulder half wondered whether she was going to be sick. "It just made me wonder if you were perhaps coming round to the idea." He watched as Scully picked up the box and then set it down almost immediately after. "It's ok Scully," he added. "You can open it."
"Mulder…" Scully shook her head, and he realized she was close to tears.
"Open it Scully. I promise it won't bite…well…"
Picking up the box once again, Scully took a deep breath and then opened it. As she looked down and saw what was inside, she let out a loud laugh, unable to stop herself. "Oh my god Mulder!" She reached down and pulled out a plastic spider ring, meant for a child. He must have picked it up at the gas station when she'd left him to take a walk outside.
Mulder's smile widened. "I thought if you wore this, people like Greg would leave you alone."
"Oh they most certainly would, but for many reasons." Shaking her head, Scully laughed once again. "Mulder, you're such an idiot."
He beamed, clearly proud of himself. "But you love me right?"
Slipping the ring onto her finger, Scully nodded. "You're an idiot," she repeated. "But you're my idiot."
Xxxxxxxx
The two of them finished off their wine and polished off dessert before leaving the restaurant, with Scully noticing with a wry smile that Greg had found another unsuspecting woman at the bar to flirt with. Both she and Mulder, still full from their succulent meal, decided to take a little walk before returning to their hotel, not wanting the evening to end just yet. Mulder lead them on the "scenic route" back to their hotel, walking them through a park, although Scully suspected he just couldn't remember where they were staying. It wouldn't be the first time his sense of direction had let them down.
"We should do this more often," he commented, as he strolled hand in hand with Scully through the park. "I'm sure your mom would take the kids more often."
"Maybe we should see how well they behaved for her this time. She might refuse in future." Scully stopped walking. "What was that?"
"Hmm?"
"It sounded like thunder."
"I think it was a motorbike." They carried on walking. "And I'm sure the kids have been nothing but angels for her. You know they only do that to make us out to look like liars."
"You're right," Scully replied, sighing contentedly. "We should go out more often. Have a date night."
"Date night. I like it."
"Thank you for arranging this Mulder. I know I wasn't too keen on the idea at first, but I think it's done us the world of good to come away."
Mulder hummed in agreement. "It's been a long time. Things have been hectic lately."
"I guess that's what we get for having another baby." Scully squeezed his hand, frowning as she heard the same noise again. This time there was no mistaking it was thunder. She quickened her pace, trying to encourage Mulder to do the same.
"She's worth it though."
"She certainly…" Scully paused as she suddenly felt drops of rain. "Mulder, maybe we should head –" She hadn't even finished her sentence when suddenly the heavens opened and it began to pour. Moments later she felt the rain soak through her clothing, and suddenly regretted not bringing a jacket. Mulder quickly sprang into action and let go of his partner's hand, breaking into a jog. "Come on Scully!" he called behind him, looking over his shoulder to find Scully still stood where he left her. "Scully, you're getting soaked." She said nothing, instead laughing as she looked over at him. He wasn't sure if it was from the alcohol she'd consumed earlier or the shock at being saturated in a matter of seconds. "Come on!" Still she didn't move. "Ok," he said, walking back towards her. "Who's the idiot now?" As he came to a standstill in front of her, Scully suddenly reached down and took hold of his hand. Her smile suddenly faded, and Mulder wondered whether she was ok. "Scully?"
"I love you," she said suddenly, her voice shaky. Her hair was soaked and plastered to her face, her mascara was beginning to smudge, but she'd never looked more beautiful to Mulder.
"Scully, we need to get back to the hotel." Suddenly noticing that she was shivering, Mulder shook off his jacket and wrapped it over her shoulders. "Here."
"I'm trying to talk to you Mulder."
"Do it when we're back in the warm." This time there was a flash of lightening, before an impressive crash of thunder. The storm was closing in on them.
"I don't say this enough but I'm saying it now. I love you Mulder. I can't remember a time when I didn't love you, but I know that our lives weren't complete without you in them. You are a warm, generous and loving man and you are an amazing father to our children. Right from the start you've been so patient, and you continue to be so, and I just want to thank you for that."
"You don't have to thank me Scully," he replied, quickly forgetting about the storm raging above them. "I love you. You're worth waiting for."
"You've been my rock ever since I've known you – from my father and Jack through to Ryan…" Mulder squeezed her hand. "You're a good man, and I'm so happy and grateful that you're in my life." He opened his mouth as though to interrupt, but Scully continued. "So I just wanted to say, that I take you, Fox William Mulder, to be my unmarried husband." Mulder suddenly grinned as Scully wrapped her arms around him. They were both drenched to the core, but neither partner could care less. "Forsaking all others -"
"Especially Gary."
Scully's lips twitched up into a grin. "To have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer…if Ashley has her way we'll be poorer…" They both chuckled. "…in sickness and in health…to love and to cherish…until…" She trailed off, realizing that even death hadn't parted them. Before she could say anything more, Mulder finally found his voice.
"You may now kiss your unmarried bride," he said, his voice shaky and his eyes wet, not just from the rain. Hugging Scully tightly, Mulder leaned down and kissed her, until they'd both forgotten all about the storm.
Xxxxxxxx
"Are you sure they've been ok mom?"
Scully pressed a kiss to Ellie's crown, closing her eyes as she savored the warm weight of her daughter in her arms. She and Mulder had been away for almost a day and a half, but she'd missed her family. Ellie had given her parents a gummy grin upon seeing them, squealing as Scully immediately took her into her arms and covered her little face in kisses. William had been excited to see his parents at first glance, until he realized it meant he was going to have to pack up his toys and leave his grandma's house. Mulder and Ashley had taken him up to his room to try and tidy up before they left.
"They've been little angels."
"All of them?"
"All of them?"
"Did Ashley stay in all weekend?"
"She did. I told her I'd drop her off at the mall if she wanted to meet her friends, but she insisted she wanted to stay with me."
Scully frowned. "She doesn't say that when we're at home."
"She's a teenager Dana, and you're her mother. I'm sure you recall doing the same."
"And William was ok?" she asked, changing the subject.
"He was as good as gold."
"And he was fine with Eleanor?" Maggie hesitated for just a second, and it told Scully all she needed to know. "What did he do?"
"It was nothing major Dana. Her arrival is still an upheaval for him."
"She's four months old mom, he should have adapted by now. Was he rough with her?"
"Not at all."
"Then what did he do?" Scully looked down at her daughter, who was busy sucking the end of a small teddy bear into her mouth. "What did he do to you baby?"
"He may have found my make-up bag and given Eleanor a makeover. She was perfectly happy though –"
"That's the trouble, she always is."
"Oh don't you worry, she'll get her own back when she's older." Maggie laughed. "She was absolutely fine and we got it all washed off within minutes. And as I told Fox last night, they were all fine."
Scully frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Sorry?"
"When did you speak to Mulder?"
"Last night."
"When last night?"
"When he called me?"
"He called you?"
"He said you were out for dinner and that he just wanted to check in."
"But Mulder said –"
"Uh oh," groaned the man in question as he entered the living room. "What did I do?"
"You said you were going to the bathroom last night?"
"Sorry?"
"At the restaurant. But you didn't, you called mom. After specifically telling me not to call."
Maggie grinned, while Mulder shrugged. "I just thought I'd check in –"
"You little sneak!"
"Mom?"
Scully looked over as Ashley entered the living room behind William. "Yes honey?"
Ashley pointed towards her mom's hand. "Is that a ring on your wedding finger?"
