Thank you to M for reviewing I'm so glad you liked the last chapter.
Chapter rating: T
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
All mistakes are my own. I hope you enjoy!
25th of December 1945 – New York City, New York
"Merry Christmas" Mulder whispered to Scully an arm slung around her waist, as he felt her wakeup beside him.
"Merry Christmas" Scully replied stretching her arms above her head and smiling at him, before leaning over to give him a quick kiss and snuggling into the warmth of his body.
"What time is it?" Scully mumbled into Mulder's chest.
"Just after 6:45am" Mulder replied looking at the nearby clock.
"Comfy, but we should probably get up soon, so we can head off for Baltimore at 8" Scully said but not giving any indication she would be moving anytime soon.
"Yeah, it's a big day today. We get to tell your family we're engaged" Mulder replied linking their fingers together and raising her left hand, before placing a kiss to her ring finger.
"Come on, let's get some food, and I want to give you your present" Mulder said with a grin, pulling her out of bed, and towards the small tree they'd decorated together a few weeks ago. He eagerly handed her a rectangle package and she gave him a nicely wrapped box.
"The latest issue of the American Medical Journal" Scully said excitedly, looking up to find he'd decided to watch her instead of opening his own present.
"Yep and I got you an annual subscription so you'll also get all the issues published in 1946" Mulder replied loving how her eyes lit up at the news.
"Thank you" she said leaning over to kiss him, before adding "now open yours".
Mulder eagerly tore the wrapping paper off to revel a box, when he opened the lid his eyes went wide. "No you didn't, how did you get this?" Mulder asked pulling out a baseball which was signed by Babe Ruth.
"The cousin of one of the nurse's at work is friends with him, so she helped me get the ball signed" Scully replied grinning.
"You're amazing" Mulder said leaning over to kiss her quickly before his eyes were once again transfixed on the ball.
It was just after 11am when Mulder and Scully pulled into the driveway of Maggie's home, presents piled into the backseat.
As they got out of the car, Scully quickly slipped her ring into her bag, so they could do the flurry of greetings and then share the news of their engagement when everything had settled down.
"Merry Christmas" Scully said happily when the door opened to reveal her sister.
"Merry Christmas, it's good to see you" Melissa replied hugging her sister and Mulder, "Mom is in the living room with Charlie, Bill, Tara and Matthew. Michelle is also coming by later after lunch".
"Thanks" Scully said taking off her winter gear, before entering the living room a bright smile on her face "Merry Christmas everybody".
An hour later the group was munching on some appetizers, the drinks flowing when Scully discreetly reached into her bag and slipped her engagement ring on, before squeezing Mulder's hand signalling it was time to make their announcement.
Scully opened her mouth ready to get everyone's attention, when suddenly she heard her sister squeal loudly "are you two engaged?"
Suddenly all eyes were on her and Mulder. She looked over at Mulder with a shrug and wrapped an arm around his waist before saying "we'll I guess there's no need for us to announce it now, yes we are".
"About time" Charlie said coming over to hug his sister and shake Mulder's hand "congratulations".
"You did well Mulder" Tara commented admiring the ring, having come over to sit next to her sister in law.
"My baby sister is engaged. Congrats Dana" Melissa said excitedly.
"I'm so happy for you two" Maggie added hugging her daughter tightly, before giving Mulder a hug as well, "the ring looks as lovely as you described".
"Wait you knew?" Scully asked her Mother confused and looking over at Mulder.
"He asked for my permission to propose" Maggie stated matter of factly, "I think this calls for a bottle of champagne, I've got a one chilling just for this occasion".
After the champagne had been poured and everyone settled again, the group decided it was time to open presents. The majority of the focus was on Matthew and his presents, although the baby seemed much more interested in the boxes the gifts and toys came in, then the actual toys and gifts themselves.
As the number of presents under the tree began to dwindle, Matthew ended up sitting on Mulder's lap when suddenly Maggie said "this is for you", reaching under the tree and handing Mulder the last remaining present.
"Thank you. You didn't have to get me anything" Mulder replied genuinely, as he took the offered object.
"Nonsense you're family now" Maggie said with a wave of her hand, before Mulder opened the wrapping paper, with the help of Matthew, to reveal a brown leather briefcase.
"I saw this in town one day, and Dana mentioned you current bag is quiet old" Maggie added smiling.
"This is perfect, thank you" Mulder replied gratefully admiring the bag, before handing the baby the paper, which he promptly began ripping into pieces.
Post-Christmas launch was a mirror of thanksgiving, with girls once again retreating to the living room, this time to grill Dana about how Mulder proposed, while the boys took care of cleaning up.
"Congratulations" Bill told Mulder gruffly as opened the fridge for the younger man, who was carrying the remainder of the salads. He might not be overly enamoured with Mulder, but he was happy the guy was making an honest woman out of his little sister. He'd never voice that to his wife or sister though, they'd surely give him a lengthy lecture about the fact a woman could be independent and shouldn't be restricted to being a housewife.
"Oh um thank you" Mulder replied surprised.
"I can tell she's happy, but as I said a month ago, don't you dare hurt her" Bill said pointedly.
26th of December 1945 – New York City, New York
They arrived back in New York around lunchtime the next day, and spent the remainder of the day relaxing at Mulder's apartment, before they made their way to his parent's house.
"Merry Christmas Fox, Dana" Marie said in greeting when she opened door.
"Merry Christmas Marie" Mulder replied hugging the older woman.
"Merry Christmas" Scully said also giving Marie a hug. The two women had become close over the last few months, with them both learning their family's came from the same Irish village.
"Your Mother and Father will be with you shortly, your Father is just finishing some work, and your Mother is down in the cellar getting a bottle of wine" Marie remarked, allowing the pair time to take their coats and gloves off, before leading them into the living room.
"Would you like anything before I go and check on dinner?" Marie asked kindly.
"No I think we're okay" Mulder replied looking to Scully for confirmation.
"Okay, I'll be back shortly then. Oh and congratulations" Marie said with a wink and look down at Scully's left hand.
It was at that moment Teena Mulder entered the living room, a smile gracing her face when she spotted the couple.
Her eyes immediately looked towards Scully's left hand, her smile growing wider when she spotted the ring.
"Congratulations" Teena said genuinely coming over to hug both Mulder and Scully.
"Thanks Mom" Mulder replied happily.
"I like what you did with the ring" Teena said holding Scully's hand to get a closer look.
"He did a good job" Scully replied smiling up at Mulder, as he slipped an arm around her waist.
"What's going on?" Bill Mulder asked gruffly wandering into the room, causing Teena to stiffen her back.
"Dad, it's good to see you" Mulder started before announcing, "we have some news, we're engaged".
"Oh Congratulations" Bill replied without much enthusiasm.
With a tight lipped smile trying to cover her annoyance at her husband's attitude Teena said "well how about we head to the dining room, dinner should be ready in a few minutes and we can start celebrating with this bottle of wine".
"Sounds great" Scully replied following Teena.
Just before they headed into the dining room his father pulled Mulder aside and asked "what about Diana?"
"Dad!" Mulder hissed furiously.
"What? Surely this is just a fling that's gone too far. Spender and I always planned for you and Diana to marry" Bill replied confused.
"Dad Diana's a great friend, but I love Dana. I'm going to marry her and that's it, let's just drop it and try and have a nice evening" Mulder said exasperated.
"Okay, we'll shelve it for now" Bill replied putting his hands up in surrender.
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