November 2022
"Mommy, I love you."
"I love you too, honey. Did you brush your teeth?" Scully asked with a smile as she spoke to Faith on her laptop from her office at the hospital.
"Umm…."
"Faith Mulder… you know the rules."
"I do, Mommy," she said, brushing her hair off of her face. "But, Daddy said I can have my sweet dessert treat while we read stories tonight. I didn't have it after dinner and…"
"And I said it was okay," Mulder said, coming into view and winking at Scully with a smile. "As long as she brushes them right after she's done, right Squatch?" He lifted her up and for a second Scully could not see them, both of them out the camera frame.
"Right, Daddy." She heard Faith's muffled response and her giggles. The phone was picked up and she saw Mulder smiling, as he held Faith upside down over his shoulder, her bottom and pajama clad legs all that could be seen.
"Honey?" he asked, getting close to the camera lens and staring at Scully with a serious expression. "Have you seen Faith? She was here just a second ago…" He turned to the side and Scully could see Faith's smile as Bella got up and walked toward them, wagging her tail with an excited whine. "Faith! Faithy! Where are you?"
"Daddy," she giggled and patted him on the back. "I'm right here!"
"Where?" he asked, turning to each side, the phone pointing down for Scully to see Faith. She smiled as she watched them, as always loving the relationship they shared.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Faith laughed harder and shook her head.
"Faithy? Is that you?"
"Yes, Daddy! It's me! I'm right here!" She patted his back with both hands and he winked at Scully again as he looked at the camera.
"What's that? Who's touching me? Is that you Bella?" He turned around and looked at Bella, who barked and jumped happily. Faith laughed harder and Bella barked again.
"Daddy! It's me! You're holding me!" she laughed and Mulder pulled her up, looking into her eyes.
"Oh! My girl! I thought I had lost you forever! Where have you been?" He kissed her cheeks and she squirmed away with a giggle, her cheeks flushed pink.
"Daddy, you're so silly," she said, her hands on his face. "I was always here. You had me on your shoulder!" Her little fingers scratched his recently grown beard.
"Did I? You know, I think you may be right."
They grinned at each other and then Faith put her head on his shoulder as he looked at Scully. She smiled and drew in a breath, wishing she was home with them. He shook his head with a wink seeming to know how she was feeling. Letting out her breath, she nodded and smiled again.
"What will you pick for your sweet treat tonight, Faithy love?" she asked, looking at her watch and seeing she had a few minutes before her class.
"A popsicle! A purple one, please." She pulled back and looked at Mulder, giving him a look so much like his own puppy eyed expression that he had to laugh. Setting her down with a nod, he kissed the top of her head.
"One purple popsicle coming up!" He walked into the kitchen, looking at Scully as he did, his intense expression one she knew very well.
"Stop it," she warned, though she could not stop the smile from crossing her face. He feigned innocence, but she shook her head, knowing he knew exactly what he was doing.
"I don't know what you mean. I didn't do anything," he said, and she heard the freezer door open as his hand rustled through the box of colorful popsicles.
"You're such a liar," she said in a low tone with a smirk and he shrugged with a small smile.
"Here you go, Faithy," he called, holding out her popsicle and she ran to him with a shout of happiness.
"Thank you, Daddy."
"You're welcome. Let's say goodbye to Mommy. She has to go to her class now. She needs to finish up her teaching so she can come back home to us." He stared at Scully, his expression once more causing her to shake her head, and her heart to race. She raised her eyebrows, trying to convey her seriousness, and he smirked.
Yeah, he knew exactly what he was doing.
"Goodnight, Mommy," Faith said, waving to her and then shoving her popsicle into her mouth. "See you in the morning."
"Goodnight, my love. I'll come in and give you a kiss when I get home, okay?"
"Okay!" She smiled and waved again before she walked away, calling to Bella and going up the stairs.
"Be up in a sec, honey," Mulder called after her and Scully heard her acknowledge his words. He looked back at Scully and she shook her head.
"You're terrible."
"Mmm… no. I'm good. I'm real good." He raised his eyebrows and waited. She exhaled heavily and nodded slightly in the affirmative, causing him to smirk again.
"I'll be home at the usual time. Will you be… up?" she asked, raising an eyebrow and he hummed appreciatively at her choice of words.
"Oh… I'll be up." He pumped his eyebrows and she laughed softly, arousal coursing through her. Looking at her watch again, she frowned in frustration as she began to gather her things.
"It was my idea to work again, right?" she asked, shaking her head, wondering why she ever thought it was a good decision.
"It was," he answered with a nod and a laugh.
Telling her goodnight, he rubbed a hand over his cheek and her pulse raced, wishing she was the one feeling his face, his new beard soft and also highly erotic. She hummed a growl as he licked his lips slowly and bit the bottom one, ending the call before she could respond with her own goodbye.
"That sexy bastard," she murmured with a soft laugh as she closed her laptop. Picking it up, she grabbed her other things and left the room, hurrying down the hall.
Of course it couldn't just be a simple and sweet goodnight to Faith, she thought as she recalled the sound of his hand rubbing through his beard and the way his tongue ran across his plump bottom lip. God, he makes me crazy…
She shook her head and grinned as she walked even faster down the hall, intent on finishing the class a little early tonight.
"Hey, Doctor Scully," Shana Harris said with a smile.
"Good evening," she replied, smiling back at her and opening the classroom door, allowing Shana to enter first.
The other students, interns and residents, began to arrive as she set up her computer and notes. She smiled at them, listening to their discussions and laughter, remembering the days of making plans and blowing off steam after stressful nights of studying and long hours on her feet.
She had complained jokingly to Mulder about being at work, but she did love her job. Yes, if given the option, she would always prefer to be home with him and Faith, listening to his many voices as he read bedtime stories and Faith giggled, Scully picking up toys and clothes, smiling as she fell further in love with him every time he made Faith laugh as she asked for certain passages to be read again.
She loved those nights, the happiness it brought all of them, kissing Faith and tucking her in… but she also loved being at the hospital again.
Twice a month, aside from her regular rounds, she taught a class, reviewing procedures, answering questions, and discussing new techniques in medicine. She enjoyed those nights greatly. The small class of twenty, mostly women she had been happy to discover, was enthusiastic and engaging.
The last person walked into the room, taking a seat at the table closest to the door. He smiled at Scully and she nodded, glancing at the large television screen at the front of the class. Opening her laptop, it connected wirelessly to the screen and she opened the slides she had prepared.
As the class progressed, she lost herself in the lesson, the conversation with Mulder far from her mind as topics were discussed and questions asked. Hypothetical scenarios were created and treatment courses determined, amid laughter and note taking.
"Okay," Scully said with a smile as the class recovered from a funny story someone told about a particularly stubborn patient. "So we've covered everything. Anyone want to share anything else? Any procedures implemented from the last class that worked well?"
She looked at the class as she heard her cell phone vibrate, no doubt Mulder sending a picture of Faith sleeping. She smiled at the thought and raised her eyebrows at the class.
"Anyone?"
"Uhhh… Doctor Scully?" Regina Philips said, raising her hand, her eyes wide.
"Yes? Did you have-"
"No… you should um… you…" She pointed toward the screen behind Scully. Turning around with a slight frown, she gasped as she saw what the entire class was also seeing.
A text from Mulder, larger than anything, read:
My beard is itching to tickle the insides of your thighs.
"Oh…" she squeaked, walking to the desk quickly and trying to clear the message away. But before she could, another message came through: a selfie of Mulder, his hand resting against his chin, a slight smirk on his face. Trying to clear it, she heard tittering in the class.
"Fuck," she said through clenched teeth, slamming the computer closed, the television screen going blue behind her. Looking down at the desk, her cheeks flaming, she took a second before she glanced up.
The class was all looking down at their tables and she closed her eyes, feeling a mix of emotions. Someone coughed and she stood up straight, trying to at least appear in control, even as she wished she could disappear into the floor and out of their view.
"We… let's call it a night," she said quietly, clearing her throat and shaking her head. "I'll see you all in two weeks." She began to gather her things, not looking at the class as they began to do the same.
She heard the door opening and closing, people calling goodbye to her and she waved without looking up. When it was silent, she let out a deep breath, her head dropping back and her eyes closing.
"My god," she whispered and whined quietly.
"Uhh…" She heard, her head snapping back up, and she saw Regina was still standing at her table, smiling kindly.
"Oh… I…"
"Doctor Scully," she interrupted, shaking her head. "Please don't feel embarrassed. I mean, shit…" She laughed and Scully closed her eyes. "We're all adults and we've grown up in the digital age. There isn't one of us in this class who hasn't sent… questionable pictures or received a sext."
"In the middle of class? On a gigantic screen?" Scully asked, opening her eyes and gesturing around the room. Regina laughed with a nod and pushed her long braids over her shoulder.
"Mine was in front of my very religious grandmother. And it wasn't at all as tame as that picture." She raised her eyebrows and nodded toward the now blank screen. Scully's eyebrows shot up in reply and Regina sighed loudly. "Yeah… it was not the best family reunion." Scully laughed softly and Regina gave an exaggerated shudder, before she smiled kindly at Scully again.
Picking up her bag, Regina placed the strap over her shoulder and across her body. Grabbing her phone and car keys, she nodded again and walked to the door.
"He's not the type of guy I usually find attractive, but…" she said, turning to look at Scully with raised eyebrows, tilting her head and pursing her lips. "I'd be hurrying home if I was you. Every night after being late here." She nodded as she opened the door and smiled as she walked out, the door shutting behind her.
With a loud moan, Scully sank down into the desk chair with her face in her hands, mumbling incoherently. Shaking her head, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Opening her eyes, she reached for her phone inside of her bag and pressed the home button.
There was the message notification and she moaned again, knowing what it would say. Opening the message after putting in her password, she stared at it and his smirking photo. God… if she had seen this after the class had been over, she would be hurrying out the door, ready to have him fulfill his desire.
But now…
Well, she would not say no, the thought of it highly arousing, but the thought of her class now thinking of her in such a way…
"It's so embarrassing," she moaned, gathering up her things, turning off the television and the lights, locking the door as she left.
Pulling up to the house, she sighed as she picked up her bag and left the car. Trudging up the steps, she sighed again as she opened the door and stepped inside. Bella came over to greet her, wagging her tail and licking her hand happily.
"Hey Bella," she said, petting her soft ears, looking up to see Mulder at the sink, washing the dinner dishes.
Setting her bag down, she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her cheek on his back.
"Hey… you're home a little early. Could it be because of a message you received?" he asked and she could hear the smirk in his voice. She moaned and then pinched him on both sides of his waist, causing him to yelp in surprise. "Sheesh. What the hell was that for?"
"That was for your message," she said, pulling away and stepping back. He shut the water off and dried his hands, turning around to look at her.
"Why? Thought you would appreciate it after our call earlier. I saw and already know how you enjoy the beard." He stroked his face and she exhaled through her nose. "You going to deny it?"
"I would if I could," she replied and he grinned as he reached for her but she stepped back. He frowned and she shook her head.
"What?"
"Did you know that my computer, which I use for class presentations, receives texts that are sent?"
"Yeeeeeah," he said slowly, still frowning.
"Well so did I, but I was not aware that the settings must be set to preview the text." He continued to frown and she raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to understand. His eyes began to widen, his own eyebrows shooting up, and she nodded.
"You mean…?"
"I do indeed."
He stared at her and then burst out laughing, bending forward and clapping his hands as he did. She crossed her arms and exhaled loudly, an exasperated expression on her face. Knowing he would not be able to hear her, she waited until he had calmed down, wiping his eyes as he did.
"Oh…" he said, laughing and sighing. "That is too good."
"You think so?" He nodded and she took a deep breath, stepping toward him. "You think it's good that the entire class saw that message? That not only will they know, but they will tell others and then it will be all over the hospital-"
"That what? You enjoy consensual oral sex with your husband?"
"Mulder…"
"Scully." He shook his head and smiled at her. "Come on."
"I'm their teacher," she said with a sigh and he shook his head again, stepping into her personal space.
"You think your teachers didn't go home and enjoy the same?"
"I went to Catholic school. My teachers were nuns."
"Mmhmm," he hummed with a nod and she narrowed her eyes at him.
"I don't think I want to hear this explanation."
"Women. Sworn to God. Never allowed to marry. Still with urges and desires…"
"Mulder…" He spread his arms out and raised his eyebrows. "I implore you to not say anything else. That's more than enough of a picture you've painted for me tonight. I can't think of Sister Shannon the same way now, so thank you."
"Did Sister Shannon know Sister Spooky? Because… "
"Mulder, I swear-" His lips were on hers before she could finish the sentence and she pulled him closer, her arms around his neck. He grabbed her waist and lifted, her legs wrapping around him as his grip tightened.
"You really worried about them knowing?" he asked, pulling back to look at her. She bit her lip, moving a hand from his neck to rub his face, her fingers scratching through his beard.
"Worried isn't exactly the word I'd use."
"Good, because…" He shook his head, his thumbs rubbing against her back. She moaned softly and he smiled. "I can guarantee you they've already thought about it."
"That doesn't make me feel better."
"Well, maybe I can help with that..."
"You do have a promise to fulfill," she said, scratching a little harder and it was his turn to moan. She smiled and he stared at her mouth as he licked his lips. "And I should change the settings on my laptop."
"Tomorrow," he said and she raised an eyebrow, her thumb running across his lips.
"Tomorrow," she agreed, and he held her tighter as he walked toward the stairs. She laughed, kissing him and halting their progress, her fingers now scratching at the base of his neck.
"Daddy?" Faith called and they pulled apart, both of them breathing hard. "Daddy?"
"Yeah baby?" he asked, staring at Scully and shaking his head. She bit her lip and tried not to smile.
"I'm thirsty. Can I have some cold water?"
"I'll get it for you, honey," Scully called up to her and Faith gasped, the stairs creaking as she began to walk down. Mulder sighed as he set Scully onto her feet and she patted his chest comfortingly.
"Mommy! You're home!" She smiled at her as she came within view, holding onto the railings one by one as she kept walking down. Grey followed behind her, stopping to stretch with a meowing yawn, her eyes blinking in the light.
Faith arrived at the bottom step and Scully picked her up, kissing her cheek and holding her close. She smelled so good, like shampoo and the sweet scent of sleep.
"I missed you, Mommy. Can I have some ice water?" With a laugh, Scully nodded and carried her to the kitchen.
Her water drunk, they all went upstairs, lying down on either side of Faith in her bed, the stars from her night light rotating around the room. Mulder smiled at Scully and she smiled back as Faith scooted closer to her, whispering she loved her.
"I love you too," Scully whispered back, her fingers running gently through Faith's long hair and closing her eyes. Mulder's hand on her hip caused her to smile again as she rubbed his hand and took another deep breath, happy and content.
"Don't fall asleep," he whispered and she opened her eyes. "The night's not over yet." She grinned and nodded.
"Don't worry… I don't plan on it. My thighs are feeling extremely sensitive tonight."
"Oh, Scully…"