Dana stood across the street from 634 Royal Avenue and took a deep breath. It was an older building, one she normally walked past and wondered about, thinking of the lives that had been lived inside of it. But today, she was nervous and her only thought was if this was a good decision.

Looking down at the business card in her hand, the edges bent from being carried in her pocket and held in her hand, she checked the address for what felt like the hundredth time. It was correct, but she had known that before arriving at the building.

A young woman, coming up from the basement steps, caught her eye, most likely done with her session. Dana stepped off the curb and a horn blared at her, causing her to jump back.

"Watch where you're going, lady!" a man yelled, flipping her the bird as he drove past.

She swallowed, her heart pounding as this time she looked both ways before stepping back into the street and hurrying to the other side. She walked down the stairs and to the door, knocking before she opened it and stepped inside.

The office waiting area, though not overly large, was decorated to feel bigger than it appeared. The walls were painted a warm yellow, the love seat and three single chairs were off white with dark wood, and a dark rectangular coffee table sat upon a cream colored rug. A bay window with a long dark brown cushion was full of various children's books and magazines.

A large bookcase with books and board games sat in one corner, a fish tank on the main shelf. Smiling, she stepped closer to it, looking at the brightly colored rocks and the small castle beside a wishing well and a treasure chest. She was not sure of the type of fish that were swimming around, but she found them to be calming.

Taking a deep breath, she turned around and walked toward the closed office door. Standing in front of it, she licked her lips, knocked twice and put her hands in the pockets of her coat.

"Oh!" She heard him exclaim and her heart jumped. "I know why you're here." The door opened and he stood before her smiling as he held a violet colored scarf in his hands. His eyes widened behind the black framed glasses he wore and his smile grew. "Oh… I… hi. Uh… I wasn't expecting you. I thought…"

Before she could answer, the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat, the door behind her opened. She turned around she saw the woman she had seen leaving just a few minutes ago.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt, but-"

"You forgot your scarf," he said with a chuckle, handing it to her as she stepped closer and Dana moved back a little.

"I'd forget my head," she said with a roll of her eyes. "Thanks and sorry again. See you next week, Doctor Mulder." She waved at him, nodded at Dana, and walked out the door.

Looking back at him, his eyes were on the door before turning to her and smiling as he motioned her into his office. She stepped in and glanced around, the decor similar to the waiting area- comfortable and calming.

"Sorry to show up unannounced, I just…"

"Not at all," he said with a smile, taking off his glasses and setting them on the desk. "I wasn't expecting you, but I'm glad you're here." She smiled and nodded, taking a moment to look at him, while he was distracted with the papers on his desk, her memory mostly recalling his eyes and the sound of his voice.

He was tall, which she knew already, and more handsome than she remembered. He was wearing light gray slacks and a blue long sleeved button up shirt under a thin dark gray sweater. Plus, he smelled incredible. She felt her cheeks flush as he looked at her and she looked down, realizing she had been staring for a while.

"Did you come here to make an appointment?"

"What? No!" she said, raising her head quickly.

"Okay," he said with another chuckle, his hands up in surrender.

"I meant…"

"So for something else then?" He smiled and she stared at him, taking note of the bit of scruff on his face, her fingers balling into fists at the thought of how it would feel if she touched it.

Jesus Christ, Dana. Knock it off.

"I just wanted to thank you properly for your help a few weeks ago."

"Oh… you didn't need to do that."

"No, I-"

"But I'm glad you did. That you came by, I mean."

They stared at one another and he raised his eyebrows at her.

"You probably have a patient due to arrive soon. So I'll-"

"No. Actually I'm on my way to lunch." She frowned as she looked down at her watch. Seeing it was only 10:15, she looked back at him and he laughed softly. "Two days a week I come in early. I have a patient who can only be here at six, before she has to catch the first of three buses, taking her to two jobs and prohibiting her from coming in later in the day. It's early for lunch, but my next appointment is at 12:30 and then I'm busy until five. So, it's now if I want to eat something somewhat good for me or it will be a quick hot dog from across the street between sessions."

"Oh, you don't want that," she agreed, making a face, and he nodded.

"No one wants that." She frowned again and he leaned forward conspiratorially. "It's a small office… gases don't exactly dissipate. Not quickly anyway." She laughed as she understood what he meant and then she stepped back, clearing her throat.

"Well, no. No one wants that. I don't want to hold you up. I just wanted to tell you that I appreciated the comfort you provided. And I-"

"Why don't you join me?" he interrupted and she stared at him. "There's a diner down the street that makes the best cup of coffee-"

"Joe's. Yeah, it's really good." He raised his eyebrows and then smiled in understanding.

"Of course. The hospital isn't far. You must have made your way there many times."

"We've probably crossed paths and didn't know it," she said with a smile.

"Nnnnah… I would've remembered seeing you." Her cheeks felt warm again and she cleared her throat as she licked her lips. "So, how about a cup of joe at Joe's? My treat."

"No… the least I could do is pay. To thank you."

"Hmm… well, I wouldn't normally agree, but if it means I'll have the honor of your company, then I accept," he agreed with a nod and she smiled. They walked into the waiting area and he took his coat from the coat rack.

"That's interesting," she said, nodding to the metal coat rack with pool balls attached to the ends.

"Yeah," he laughed with a shrug as he put on his coat. "My sister is an artist and she makes pieces for gifts. That was my Christmas gift a couple of years ago. I got her a new sofa, with a pullout, for her studio. But hey…" He shrugged again and she smiled.

"I like it. It's different. I thought it was because you really liked playing pool."

"Oh, no," he said, opening the door and waiting for her to walk out first. Locking the door, he turned around with a smile. "I'm not saying I don't play, just not often."

"Good to know," she said as they walked up the stairs.

"Why is that?"

"Well… I do enjoy playing pool, but I'm not exceptionally great at it."

"And why is that good?" he asked, a smile twitching at his lips.

"I… I was just thinking if we were to ever play pool, we'd be evenly matched," she answered lamely, suddenly wishing she had kept her thoughts to herself.

"Hmm… or I could be lying through my teeth." He smiled and she shook her head as she glanced at him.

"I don't think you would lie," she said softly and his smile and steps faltered, his eyes searching her face.

"No. I don't make a practice of it, generally."

"I didn't think so." She smiled and he nodded, his pace resuming.

They fell silent as the diner came into view. As they stepped into the crosswalk, she felt his hand on her lower back and while another doing that would have annoyed her, she found with him she did not mind. Especially as he leaned in closer and she could smell his cologne.

"On your left." She heard someone say and looked to see a delivery guy on a bike riding close to them.

"Saw him coming and he didn't seem to be paying much attention," Fox said, his voice low and near her ear. He turned his head, his eyes on the bike, and she hoped he did not see or feel how his nearness caused her to shiver.

As they reached the end of the crosswalk, he moved his hand and she let out a sigh. Of relief, disappointment… she did not give it much thought, not wanting to get too lost in her head. He walked up the steps to the diner and held the door open, allowing her to enter ahead of him.

It was warm in the diner, or maybe it was she who was feeling warm. Regardless, she took off her coat and hung it on the rack provided and he did the same, hanging his over hers, thus not taking a hook away from another patron. Something about seeing their coats hanging together made her feel a flutter in her stomach. It was so innocent and yet also felt incredibly intimate.

"The counter or a booth?" he asked, breaking into her thoughts.

"Booth, I think. You have a couple of hours, might as well be more comfortable, right?" She smiled at him and he nodded with a smile of his own. They walked to the last booth at the end and slid in, sitting opposite of one another.

Joe's Diner was an old one, shaped like a train car. Not overly large, what it lacked in space, it made up for with good food. Open twenty four hours, it was nearly always busy. Men and women in business suits, and some in casual attire sat at the counter now, talking and laughing loudly. A mother and her small children were at the booth in front of them, coloring and chatting.

"I love the atmosphere of this place," Dana said as she smiled at the mother. "It's a mix of the people in the city."

"I agree. That and the coffee. And the fries." She nodded, smiling at him as the waitress walked up to the table. She handed them menus and they each asked for a coffee.

"As I only had a banana for breakfast… I'm gonna get breakfast. Pancakes, hash browns, eggs, sausage. How about you? Did you have a better breakfast than me?"

"I had yogurt and some granola."

"In other words… roughage."

"It's not…" He raised his eyebrows and she laughed softly. "I'll get some eggs and toast."

"That's it?"

"Yeah. That will be enough."

"Mmhmm," he said skeptically as the waitress came back with their coffees and they placed their orders.

"So, how are you?" he asked once the waitress had collected the menus and walked away.

"Better. Well, since the last time you saw me anyway," she said with a quiet chuckle, looking down at her cup of coffee.

"You'd lost someone. The way you were feeling was completely understandable," he said softly and she nodded, not meeting his eyes. "Do you want to talk about it?" She raised her head and looked at him, slowly shaking her head.

"Her name was Veronica… Ronnie for short," she said, shocked that the words were tumbling out, even as she continued to shake her head, not wanting to discuss it, but feeling it was needed. "She was… she was only ten. So bright, happy, didn't complain about the pain she was in… not once. She worried about others and wanted to be sure her mother and sister were looked after. She was tough and kind… and I…" She reached for a napkin and dabbed at her eyes, sniffling before blowing her nose.

"She sounds like a wonderful person."

"She was," she whispered, nodding her head and wiping her eyes on another napkin. "I knew the diagnosis… I just wanted the answer to be different. I tried…"

"She was lucky to have you caring for her." She shook her head, her eyes closed as she thought of Ronnie.

"I was the lucky one," she whispered and she opened her eyes as she felt his hand on hers. Not squeezing or holding, but simply touching, the warmth of it comforting.

She took a deep breath and nodded, her thumb stroking his lightly before pulling her hand back and wiping her eyes again.

"What about you? You said you were visiting a friend?" He nodded and smiled, his hands folding around his coffee cup.

"He's a fellow colleague. Had a knee surgery, so I was coming to see him. He was in for physical therapy when I arrived, so I said I'd wait. That's where I was when you came into the room." She nodded as she stared at him.

"I didn't know where I was," she said softly. "I just needed to get away before I broke down. If I'd known anyone was in there…"

"Understandable. But being a doctor doesn't make you immune to pain and sadness. I'd say it enhances your ability to care for others when you have an empathetic spirit."

"I agree."

"I understand as well, the desire for privacy in those moments. That was why I didn't say anything, letting you have the time you needed. You needed to cry. If I'd distracted you, it wouldn't have been beneficial to you." He smiled and she exhaled a breath with a nod.

"Thank you," she whispered and he nodded.

"Here you are," the waitress said, setting their food down and the serious moment was broken, replaced with exclamations over how good the food looked.

Plates were shifted, coffees refilled and as she ate her eggs and toast, she could not help but feel she wished she had ordered the pancakes. They were golden brown and fluffy and watching him spreading on the whipped butter, she felt her mouth water. The toast, while good, was not the same.

"Excuse me… Pearl?" he called out and the waitress came over with a smile. "Could I get an extra plate?"

"You got it, honey," Pearl said, walking away to get one for him. Bringing it back quickly, she set it down and winked at him.

"Thank you," he said with a smile before she walked away. Taking the top pancake off his stack of three, he placed it on the empty plate and pushed it towards her.

"What?"

"I can see the longing in your eyes."

"I'm not-"

"Look how perfect and golden it is..." He pointed at it and raised his eyebrows. "You can't tell me you don't want to eat that pancake." She sighed deeply and pulled the plate closer.

"I would if I could, but…" He laughed as she picked up her knife and fork and began cutting it up. He offered the syrup, but she shook her head.

"No syrup… good to know." He smiled and she blushed as she pierced a piece and brought it to her mouth; the scent alone already causing her mouth to water even more.

Discussion was lighter as they ate, sharing more than just pancakes. He accepted a piece of her toast, claiming sourdough bread was the best bread for toast. He offered her some hash browns and she only took a little, her stomach feeling full.

"That was delicious," he said as Pearl cleared away the plates. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, hon." She smiled at him as she carried them away.

"Better than a hot dog?" Dana teased and he shivered.

"Much better."

Pearl brought over the bill and Dana took out her wallet, counting out her cash and laying it on top.

"It's very hard for me to not add to that," he said, looking at the bill.

"You can get the next one," she stated, her eyes on the bill before raising them to his. He smiled with a nod and she felt the flush in her cheeks again.

As they took their coats from the coat rack, he glanced at his watch.

"Well, I still have about forty five minutes. Unless you have someplace to be, would you like to join me for a walk?"

"I don't have anywhere to be."

"Then shall we?" He offered his arm and she slid her hand through it as they exited the diner.

It was chilly, but she barely noticed as they walked and talked, getting to know one another a bit more. She told him of her family, her days as a Navy kid, moving from place to place. He heard about her older brother Bill, who had followed in her father's footsteps and was currently stationed in Japan.

"My older sister and I are living together right now as I was unable to afford a place on my own. But… I think she's feeling the need to move on and so I think I'll need to move soon. I'm sure I could find something. I don't want to move back home, as much as my parents might like the idea." He laughed with a nod of understanding.

"My younger brother is stationed in California, also in the Navy. He recently started dating a blonde, blue-eyed beach loving girl… so I don't see him coming back here anytime soon."

"I don't blame him. You find someone that's right for you…" He shrugged and smiled at her and she nodded.

"How about your family?"

"Not much more to tell. My sister, Samantha, is an artist as I said, not well known, but good at what she does. I tease about it, but I do like her stuff. I've bought some things, aside from her gifts. My mom lives just outside the city and my sister and I visit her every couple of weeks for dinner."

"What about your dad?"

"He died a couple of years back. Sudden stroke that took us all by surprise."

"I'm so sorry."

"Thank you. It's… it's getting… better seems wrong, and so does easier, but…"

"I understand."

"Hmm…" he hummed and she sighed, squeezing his arm.

All too soon, they were back in front of his office, no longer arm in arm. She smiled at him and he reached for her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing her knuckles.

"Thank you for breakfast." She smiled as he ran his thumb across her fingers.

"Thank you… for being there when I needed someone."

"I'm glad I was."

"Me too."

He smiled as he kissed her hand again and said goodbye. She waited until he had walked inside his office before turning around and heading to her car.

As she walked, she could smell his cologne on her coat, and she smiled as she closed her eyes and breathed in deeply.

Two days later, a bouquet of roses in yellows, purples, and dark pinks was delivered to her at the hospital, the nurses and other doctors speculating who they were from. An envelope was attached, which Dana took with a smile. She slid it into her pocket and carried the flowers to her locker.

Stepping into a bathroom stall, she took out the envelope, opened it and took out the card.

Dana,

Dark pink for appreciation

Yellow for new beginnings

Purple for enchantment

You have enchanted me, Doctor Scully.

Dinner? Pool? Pancakes?

Fox

She held the note to her lips and grinned, her heart racing.

A week later, after a few hectic work days, she walked into the restaurant he had chosen. Wearing a new red dress she could not actually afford, she scanned the room until she found him. The look on his face as he stood up and came over to her, made her forget the cost of the dress completely.

A planned morning in the park, between patients and after breakfast, he took out the chess pieces he had brought in a cloth bag. They sat at a table, both of them avid players, taking their time with each turn.

When he took her bishop with a celebratory smile, she stood up and leaned over the board, grabbed the lapels of his coat and kissed him for the first time. Pulling back in surprise, he stared at her, before leaning up to kiss her, the chess pieces tipping over and falling loudly to the ground.

"I think you cheated," he whispered against her lips and she laughed as she kissed him again.

A dive bar, the air around them smoky, she drained her bottle of beer as she watched him lineup his last shot, only the eight ball and cue ball remaining on the table.

"Corner pocket," he stated smugly and she raised her eyebrows with a smirk.

He took a deep breath and pulled the cue stick back, once, twice. The cue stick hit the ball, the ball hit the eight ball, and sent it smoothly into the corner pocket.

"Yes!" he shouted, arms raised triumphantly. And then he lowered them in defeated horror as he watched the cue ball follow the eight ball into the corner pocket.

"No!" he yelled, falling to his knees as she howled with laughter, her arms now raised in triumph.

After a dinner celebrating two months together, she went home with him. His kisses made her dizzy, his scent and touch drove her wild. His eyes searched hers and she nodded with a smile, turning around, silently asking him to unzip her dress. As he did, he kissed the back of her neck, between her shoulder blades, along her spine, and her lower back.

Her dress fell in a puddle at her feet and she turned to look at him, standing in only her light lavender underwear. His eyes travelled her body, shaking his head as he raised his eyes back to hers.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered, his hand at her neck, his thumb caressing her cheek.

"So are you," she whispered back, reaching for his tie and tugging him close, his arms wrapping around her as they kissed and stumbled toward his bedroom.

She stood at the stove in one of his impossibly soft t-shirts, smiling as she flipped the pancakes in the pan, the sun not yet risen.

"Dana? What are you doing?" He walked into the room, shirtless and yawning, his hair sticking up in all directions.

"Making pancakes." He put his arms around her waist and nuzzled at her neck, kissing the side when she moved her head.

"It's not even light out."

"I know. Today's your early morning. Thought I'd surprise you with breakfast."

"Hmm… you definitely did."

He kissed her neck again, before letting go and taking two plates from the cupboard, and holding them out to receive the pancakes.

"I love you," she said, as they sat at the table and he covered his pancake in syrup.

"I adore you," he responded and she laughed.

She walked slowly around the studio as she admired the art created by Samantha Mulder. There were canvases, sculptures, and some creations she did not quite understand, but enjoyed.

She was nervous to meet her and the free alcohol was making her feel slightly buzzed as she continued looking around.

Hearing Fox's laugh, she followed the sound and saw him speaking to a young woman with long curly brown and his same hazel eyes. An older woman was with them, shaking her head with a smile.

When he looked up and caught her eye, he smiled and came to her side, bringing her to meet his sister and mother. Samantha caught her off guard, squeezing her in a tight embrace and his mother shook her hand warmly, asking questions to learn more about her.

"They loved you," he whispered later as they lay in his bed, their naked limbs intertwined. "Not that I had any doubts, but they did."

"Probably because I bought that painting," she teased and he chuckled in her ear, her eyes closing at the sound.

"That didn't hurt, but that's not why. It's because you're amazing, wonderful, and so damn sexy."

"Hopefully not the last one," she said with a smile.

"Oh, sorry. That last one was all mine," he answered, pulling her closer, and she laughed.

"That's the last of it," her sister Missy said, as she packed up the small trailer with her things and looked at Dana. "I'm gonna miss you, Sis."

"Me too," Dana said, hugging her tightly, wishing Missy would stay, but knowing how the call of the nomad life pulled at her.

"You're all ready for your move tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Everything is done. Fox will be here tonight for dinner and then we'll pick up the trailer in the morning."

"I like him a lot, Dane. He's a good man." Missy smiled and Dana nodded.

"He is," she said softly, thinking of how her life had changed so much in the past six months since she had met him.

Hugging her sister once more, she waved until her car was out of sight.

Fox came over later that night with a pizza and a bottle of wine, the sky rumbling with thunder. They ate it sitting on the floor, using a cardboard box as a table. They listened to jazz and slow danced in her packed up apartment, until the power suddenly went out.

They laughed as they bumped into things, searching in boxes for candles, the rain falling heavy outside. When enough were lit, and set up a safe distance from one another, he pulled her close, continuing to dance slowly as he hummed an unknown tune.

He undressed her, whispering how much he loved her, how beautiful she was, especially in the candlelight, and how thankful he was to have met her. For the first time, she cried when they made love, never having felt so loved and so complete.

The apartment she rented was small, but she liked it. It was cozy and very her. She liked the dark hardwood floors and the long white curtains that blew in the breeze from the door to the small balcony. It was full of plants, small roses mostly, all given to her by Fox; a different card and explanation of color choice with each one.

She kept all of them within view except for the one explaining that orange roses meant desire, enthusiasm, and fascination. That card had made her blush, her heart race, and her breathing increase. That one was kept in her bedroom.

In the nightstand drawer.

"This apartment is nice," he said as they sat watching the sun setting from the balcony, after she had been living there nearly six months. "What if we found something similar… with two bedrooms and a small garden, somewhere near the hospital and the office?"

"I can barely afford this one bedroom," she said, shaking her head, with a scoff and a frown. "You think I can afford two bedrooms with a garden?"

"No. Which was why I said we," he said, taking her hand and smiling.

"What?"

"I'm asking if you want to move in together."

"Oh… I'd… I'd like that," she said softly and he grinned, kissing her fingers gently.

"Good to know."

A three bedroom home, slightly further than the area in which they wanted to live, had been cheaper than an apartment. They had moved in three weeks ago and today she was watching him, in the garden of the house, transplanting her roses from their pots into a more permanent home.

She had questioned the need for the garden when their search became too stressful, but he had told her he enjoyed gardening, found it calming, and so the hunt for the perfect home continued.

Now, as she saw how happy he was, she knew he had been right.

"Be sure you take care with the orange roses," she said and he looked up, almost as though surprised to see her there, his concentration on the flowers. "I'm especially fond of those ones."

"Hmm… is that right?"

"It is indeed."

"Then I'll make sure they're treated with extra care. Be very… delicate. Go slow and… make sure it's fully taken care of… before I stop."

"Y… yeah… you should do that," she said, breathing hard, feeling aroused. "Though, sometimes it could do with a… firmer hand."

"Oh, I'm… I'm well aware." He raised an eyebrow and smirked, reaching for said orange roses, but she stopped him as she stepped forward needing to kiss him, her fingers playing with the buttons on his shirt.

The orange roses were left and planted the next day along with the red ones. The irony of the two roses, which symbolized desire and passion, being the last to be planted, was not lost on either of them.

In California, Dana smiled as watched Charlie and his beach loving girl Amanda dancing slower than any other couple on the dance floor, her white wedding dress simple and beautiful.

"They look so happy," she said, her left arm around Fox's waist, her right hand held within his own.

"Hmm, they do," he agreed and she sighed as the open windows offered a cool breeze to the warm evening "They're leaving in two days for Spain, right?"

"Yes. I'm proud of him for his decision to serve his country, but I wouldn't want that life again. And not for any children I might ever have," she told him quietly and he nodded in understanding.

"I'll take our quiet home any day," he said, spinning her. She laughed and then rested her head on his chest as he pulled her close again.

Coming out for the wedding also afforded them a chance for a mini vacation. It had been a long time since she had been out to San Diego and they had plans to relax on the beach and tour the city.

On a hike the day before they were to leave, they sat down at a table to eat the lunch they had brought along. The wind blew and she closed her eyes with a smile. The wind rushing through the pine trees had always been one of her favorite sounds.

When she opened her eyes, she saw him sliding a small wooden box toward her. Frowning with a smile, she opened it and found a gold ring with a diamond in the center, sitting within.

"What?" She looked at him and he smiled softly, getting up and coming to kneel beside her and take her hand. "Fox… what are you doing?"

"I'm asking you to marry me. I thought that was fairly obvious." He grinned and she released a deep breath. "I love you so much. I can't imagine the idea of not spending the rest of my life with you." He picked up the box and took out the ring, holding it in his fingers. "Dana Scully, will you marry me?"

She blinked back tears as the wind passed through the trees again and blew her hair across her face. He chuckled as he brushed it back and she held his face in her hands, not looking at the ring, that not being what was most important.

"Yes," she whispered, staring into his eyes. "Yes, Fox Mulder, I will."

He smiled as he rose up to kiss her, the sound of the wind now carrying an even more personal and beautiful meaning. As he pulled back, he slid the ring onto her finger, the fit perfect. She shook her head as she looked at it and then kissed him again.

"You had this all planned out…" she whispered and he grinned.

"Course I did."

"You never cease to amaze me, Fox."

"And I will always endeavor to keep it that way." He smiled and she shook her head again with a soft laugh.

"God… I love you."

"And I simply adore you."

"You look lovely, Dana," her mother said, standing in the small alcove of the church. She smiled and kissed her cheek. "Such a beautiful bride you make. That dress is stunning."

"Thank you, Mom," she said, pleased with the dress she had found in the palest of peach, white not being her color of choice.

"Nervous?"

"Not exactly. Just… I don't know."

"Excited," her mother stated with a smile.

"Very much." She looked at her mother and shook her head. "I didn't know, or think, I would get married. I… I don't know. I wasn't sure it was for me. But… he just made it all so easy." She smiled and blinked back tears and her mother cupped her cheek.

"Made getting married easy?"

"No. Falling in love." She smiled and dabbed at her eyes, determined to not let her tears run and ruin her makeup. "It was impossible not to fall in love with him. Even from the very first day."

"The heart knows. It's the head that can get in the way sometimes."

"That's the truth," she agreed with a chuckle.

"You ready, honey?" her father asked, smiling happily at her.

"Absolutely," she said, looking at her mom and smiling. They hugged and then walked to the doors of the church.

Her mother was escorted into the church by Bill, who had been able to make it for the wedding. Fox's mother, blowing a happy kiss to Dana, walked in with Caleb, one of Fox's colleagues and friends.

Ronnie's little sister Christina, was the flower girl. She smiled at Dana, her white basket of yellow and light pink rose petals held tightly in her hands. She walked into the church, everyone oohing and aahing at the sight of her.

Missy kissed Dana's cheek, handing her her bouquet of roses, every color but white, gathered together with a deep red satin ribbon.

"You truly are beautiful, Dana. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, Missy," she said with tears in her eyes.

She walked into the church next and Dana took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She slid her hand through her father's arm and he patted her hand.

"Ready?" he said quietly and she took one more deep breath and nodded with a smile.

The doors opened and everyone stood up as they entered the church. She smiled, but she did not remember seeing them. The only person she saw was the man at the end of the aisle. The one smiling at her with the most beautiful hazel eyes she had ever seen.

The roses were in full bloom, the garden full of color. Pinks of various shades, purple, red, orange, yellow, and peach. All the flowers that had been planted when they first moved into the house.

Only one color was absent: white, just as it had been from her wedding bouquet nearly two years ago. He had never sent that color of rose to her, so it had seemed wrong to include it.

"White is for purity, innocence, or secrecy. It feels wrong to send or have roses of that color. I don't feel they fit," he had explained when she had asked and she had found she agreed; something about white roses feeling almost sacred.

But… circumstances change and a once disregarded color now became one of great importance.

A white rose plant was purchased and tended to lovingly during the winter, taking up prime locations inside the house, the future of its survival very important.

It was transferred to the garden as soon as it was warm enough and safe for it to be outside.

"This is for you, sweet one," Fox said, placing the dirt around the plant as Dana smiled, holding their sleeping newborn baby wrapped securely within a warm blanket. "May you bloom and grow, forever. Wait…"

"Did you plant edelweiss by mistake, Captain?" she teased and he laughed as he stood up, shaking his head and brushing his hands on his pants, before placing a gentle kiss on the baby's downy head.

"This is for you. For the innocence you bring to the world and the pure heart I hope you will always carry within you."

He kissed the baby's head again and Dana sniffled. He kissed her forehead as he pulled her close and she wrapped an arm around his waist.

They looked at the plant once more, smiling at the implication of it, and went inside the house where it was warmer.

Their garden welcomed two more white rose plants over the years, each one tended to carefully before being added to the fray. Each new plant grew and flourished, exactly as they were meant to do, a symbol of innocence and the pure of heart.