Part 7/8
* ~X~ * ~X~ * ~X~ * ~X~ *
The next morning Scully woke up feeling refreshed. Of course, that had a lot to do with the fact that Mulder had been the one to get up for Akila's 4:30 am diaper change and subsequent feeding. Scully briefly remembered him coming back to bed with a squirming bundle. She remembered that he'd jostled her gently, whispering that there was no more milk for Akila in the fridge. That was when she'd sleepily mumbled for him to unbutton her shirt and let Akila nurse. But that meant he had to hold her.
While Akila nursed, Scully had been on the verge of sleep till the baby bit down with one of the new teeth she'd grown. That must have been when Akila decided she was done. Scully remembered Mulder cleaning her up tenderly and rebuttoning her shirt before whispering for Akila to give "mommy" a goodnight kiss.
Mulder…Scully smiled sleepily as she remembered his soft, affectionate kisses and his disappointment when she'd taken a rain check. Scully had been ready to make love to Mulder, but at the last minute had thought of all the things not said between them and chickened out. Lazily, Scully rolled over to greet her partner good morning. To her surprise, she was met by empty bed sheets. Quickly, Scully's eyes flew open and she looked around for Mulder and her daughter.
She sat up in bed and threw the sheets off of her legs. Scully was about to scoot out when Mulder opened the door and walked in. He was already dressed, which said that he'd been up for a while. Scully saw Akila up against his shoulder, her burp cloth on his other shoulder.
"What's going on?" Scully asked and Akila squirmed in Mulder's arms at her voice. "This has to be a first, you're up before me."
"Nothing's going on. I smelled something gross and it turned out it was Akila. So I went on diaper duty while you slept. Now Akila's whimpering and I'm pretty sure it's time for breakfast."
Scully stretched and groaned. "Yea, you're right. Hand her here." Mulder began to hand Akila to Scully when she started to wail indignantly. Scully bounced her, but it had no effect. Finally she sighed, she knew what the problem was.
"Mulder, come over here and touch her so she knows you're still here."
Mulder moved to Scully's side and looked down at Akila. Quickly, he leaned over and nuzzled the baby's cheek with his nose. Akila's crying ceased as he kissed her cheek and began to talk to her. As she stared up at Mulder, she decided to eat. Contentedly, Mulder stroked Akila's cheek. Without a word, he slipped one arm around Scully and pulled her to rest against his chest. The other hand stayed with Akila.
"Guess she missed me huh Scully? Cause before I left, I didn't have to be touching her for her to eat."
"She missed you a lot. I missed you too."
"I missed you too Scully. Both of you. Before you woke up, I took the liberty of looking up something." Mulder changed the subject.
"What?"
"Akila's birth certificate. Akila Tristin Mulder." Mulder enunciated Akila's name slowly. Scully couldn't tell whether he was angry or not. "Scully why didn't you tell me?"
Scully thought for a moment before answering. She looked down at Akila, still sucking greedily from her breast, her eyes focused on Mulder. "Because of how you reacted at first. Even after you'd had time to let the fact that I was pregnant sink in. You didn't want to touch me; you wouldn't look at me for extended periods of time. You were cold. You didn't seem to care, and if you did care, you didn't let on." Scully pulled away from Mulder, so she could face him. "I thought you didn't want Akila, I thought you didn't want me." She finished in a whisper.
Mulder reached out and stroked Scully's cheek. Akila finished with Scully and gave a mighty burp before closing her eyes in Scully's arms. Mulder quickly took Akila from Scully and gave her a kiss on the forehead before placing her on the bed and surrounding her by pillows. He stood and took Scully's hands once she was done cleaning herself off; he pulled her up into his arms.
"Scully, if there was one thing that I wish I could take back, it would be my actions from when I, after I woke up. When I woke up, everything was different. The woman I love more than anything in the world was pregnant with a baby that, while a miracle in and of itself, she'd give me no hints as to the paternity of. I didn't know where we stood, as a couple, as friends, as partners. On top of all this, I was being denied access to my life's work. A new agent had been assigned to my division and had seemingly taken my place in not only my work, but in my partner's eyes."
"No Mulder. Doggett could never, ever take your place in my eyes. He could never take your place anywhere. He didn't plan on being the reason Kersh wouldn't let you back on. By saving your life, he sealed his own fate to be stuck in the basement with Spooky and Mrs. Spooky." She whispered.
"Except Spooky's not there."
"I'm still working on that. Mulder, do you hear me though. I love you. I was devastated when we found you dead. Absolutely devastated. The only reason I could find to go on was that piece of you that I still carried with me. Akila. She was all I had left of you and I was determined to make everything safe for her. Skinner was the only person who would understand. Everything was so confusing and then you came back, which answered every prayer I could have uttered. And you wanted nothing to do with me. And when you did, I didn't know what you wanted. I didn't know if your jokes about the pizza man were your way of dealing with it, I didn't know that if I told you, you'd still want to be a parent to Akila. And I already couldn't risk my baby girl getting hurt. I was only sure of the fact that I love you and we'd eventually find our way back to each other." She finished tearfully. Mulder tightened his arms around her as she whispered, "I love you." Over and over again.
"I'm so sorry." Mulder whispered. "I couldn't have just talked about this, I was too stubborn and jealous and unsure of myself. Scully, what have I done?"
"Nothing, you haven't done anything. It's not your fault. It's as much mine as yours. Everything has been worked out."
"Not everything." Mulder pulled away from Scully and took her hands, sitting on the bed in front of her. "What does all this mean for us? How much of a role in Akila's life will I have?"
"I can't keep you from her and I won't. You can be as close to her as you want." Scully bent and lifted Akila into her arms. "I'll be back." And she left the room.
Mulder heard Scully call to Reyes to check on Akila every so often. He was still shifting on the bed when Scully came back in. Her cheeks were flushed pink and she locked the door behind her. Scully slowly sauntered over to Mulder and sat in his lap.
"To answer the second part of your question, as for us, I think it's time we officially welcome you home." Scully ran her hands over Mulder's jaw as her lips sought his. Her suggestion met no complaints.
~ * ~ * ~
Some time later, Scully and Mulder were still in bed, lazily kissing and generally enjoying each other. Scully sighed happily as Mulder ran his hand over her back. She stretched up and kissed him. Her arms snaked around him and she rolled over, pulling him on top of her.
"Again Scully? This makes three times this morning." Mulder whined playfully. Scully reached down and slapped his ass lightly.
"Shut up and make love to me Mulder." Scully whispered and pulled Mulder's head down to hers.
Monica Reyes smiled to herself as she walked past Dana's room. She wasn't surprised by the developments that had taken place in the last few hours between Mulder and Dana. After all, they had been forcefully separated for 6 months and by that time; Dana was so far along in her pregnancy that intimacy was a slight problem. Then once Akila was born, there was no chance for anything. Monica was glad that they were finally together again. Perhaps Mulder would stop being so territorial about everything. Monica laughed as she remembered John telling her about how much Mulder hated him when they first met. She herself had seen evidence of both men's affections for Scully. Where John's was subtle and unreturned, Mulder's was blatant and entirely reciprocated. Even from one glance at them, Monica was certain of the nature of their relationship. Her goddaughter, Akila was proof undeniable of that.
Speaking of Akila, Reyes remembered to check in on the baby and she moved into the bedroom that had been Mulder's. Although she doubted he had much use for it now. Reyes looked into Akila's crib to see a peaceful smile on the sleeping baby's face.
She reached down and caressed Akila's cheek. The infant didn't move and she tucked the blanket tighter around her. "You keep napping Akila, you're mommy and daddy need this time." She whispered. "I'll check on you later."
Scully giggled softly as Mulder tickled her sides. He knew exactly where to locate her ticklish spots, one being right under her shoulder blade. Mulder loved to tickle her, especially after their lovemaking. Scully sighed in contentment and Mulder stopped his hand's movements and kissed Scully's temple. He laced her fingers with his and pressed their hands to his cheek. Scully was the first to speak.
"You said you have a few days. How many is a few?"
"Oh, a few…Skinner told me not to come back for at least two weeks."
"Good. Plenty of time. We have a lot to make up for." Scully grinned into Mulder's neck.
Mulder groaned. "Scully, you're going to kill me." Scully tensed in his arms. "Sorry Scully. Bad joke. Won't do it again." He kissed her temple again.
"Thank you. But really, I need your help with some things before you go back. If I let you go back. I'm not so sure that I will. The computers are capable of video conferences and all, so..." Scully kissed the pulse point on Mulder's neck. "Think about it? For me?"
Mulder opened his mouth to reply when the cell phone in his leather jacket rang. Scully groaned in exasperation and rolled off of Mulder to allow him to slide from the bed to answer. Scully threw back her head and laughed as she took in the sight of her partner, standing in the middle of her bedroom, naked as the day he was born, on the phone.
"Yes sir. I made it here okay. No, no problems. Yes, Agent Scully and Akila are fine." Mulder smiled over at Scully. Scully pulled herself out of bed and crossed over to Mulder. She slipped her arms around his waist from behind and kissed him shoulder.
"What's up Skinman?" Mulder asked distractedly. Scully nuzzled at Mulder's back with her face as she wickedly slid one hand downward. She grinned as Mulder squeaked out a response to a question of Skinner's. Without warning, Mulder's free hand took Scully's and settled it back in safe territory on his stomach. He told Skinner to hold on and he covered the receiver as he leaned over Scully and whispered in her ear.
"You broke it Scully. It won't work anymore." He accused. Scully kissed his jaw.
"Nonsense." Scully took the phone from Mulder. "Sir? Hi, yes. Yes, Akila's fine. Yes, Agent Reyes is watching her for the time being. Mulder and I are working on a few 'projects' right now. Yes sir. Can he call you back? We're putting up shelves and Mulder thinks I broke the level." Scully lied smoothly. "Talk to you in a few days sir. Bye."
Scully hung up the phone triumphantly. Mulder groaned and Scully pouted slightly. "Get dressed Mulder. I want you to help me pack up some of the unneeded supplies that are in the lab."
"Okay." Mulder sighed and Scully couldn't tell whether it was in relief or not. Scully pulled away from him and gathered clothes before standing on the other side of the room and dressing. They clothed themselves in silence and when Mulder finished, he moved up behind Scully and slipped his arms around her. He kissed her cheek and held her close.
"Sorry Scully. I didn't mean to make that sound like it did. It's just that, before, before I was taken, we weren't nearly so active."
"It's not your fault Mulder. I just wanted to change our activity level. Because as beautiful and wonderful as what we had before was, I want more than that. I want to be able to kiss you and touch you and make love to you all the time. Not just once in a while."
"You do?"
Scully kissed Mulder's chin again. "Isn't that what you want too?"
"It is." Mulder replied quickly.
"All settled then. Come on, Akila's due for a change any minute." Scully tugged on Mulder's hand and led him into their daughter's room.
Our daughter. Mulder mused. My daughter. My little girl. I doubted Scully, how could I have doubted her?
Mulder stopped in the middle of the hallway and pulled Scully to him. After kissing her thoroughly, he whispered, "I'm so sorry."
"For what?" Scully asked, puzzled.
"For doubting you. For doubting that Akila is mine. For even entertaining the thought that you would have someone else's child."
Scully stroked Mulder's face. "It's okay Mulder. You don't need to apologize anymore. I understand. Come on, I can smell the poopie diaper from here." Scully squeezed Mulder tightly. "It's my special mommy instinct."
"Or your super sensitive nostrils." Mulder grinned into Scully's hair.
"So you're on diaper duty you say?" Scully called as she disappeared into Akila's nursery.
~ * ~ * ~
Later on, Scully bustled around the kitchen cooking dinner. She'd left Mulder in charge of Akila so that he and the baby would have some time together before he had to leave again. He was in the living room with Reyes and the baby. Scully smiled widely when she heard Akila's shrieks of delight over the din of the TV.
"Damn Mulder. What are you doing to my daughter?" Scully called. She heard Mulder laugh and a second later, felt his arms encircle her. She tilted her head back to kiss him.
"What's for dinner?" Mulder asked, resting his chin on Scully's shoulder.
"Shells stuffed with manicotti cheese. Don't give me that look. You'll like it. I promise." Scully told him as they broke apart.
"Sure I will Scully. I'll be back." Mulder disappeared into the other room and returned with Akila and her bouncy chair. After placing Akila in the chair, he took her small hands and tickled her. Scully walked up beside him and kissed Akila's head.
"Here, taste this." Scully held up a fork loaded with pasta, cheese and sauce to Mulder's lips. He opened his mouth and allowed her to feed him the bite. "Still think dinner's gross?"
Mulder licked his lips thoughtfully. "Not bad Scully. Not bad."
"Told you. Now, as nice as your company is, take your daughter and meander out of my kitchen if you please."
"Sure Scully." Mulder bent and kissed Scully softly.
End of part 7/8
* ~X~ * ~X~ * ~X~ * ~X~ *
The next morning Scully woke up feeling refreshed. Of course, that had a lot to do with the fact that Mulder had been the one to get up for Akila's 4:30 am diaper change and subsequent feeding. Scully briefly remembered him coming back to bed with a squirming bundle. She remembered that he'd jostled her gently, whispering that there was no more milk for Akila in the fridge. That was when she'd sleepily mumbled for him to unbutton her shirt and let Akila nurse. But that meant he had to hold her.
While Akila nursed, Scully had been on the verge of sleep till the baby bit down with one of the new teeth she'd grown. That must have been when Akila decided she was done. Scully remembered Mulder cleaning her up tenderly and rebuttoning her shirt before whispering for Akila to give "mommy" a goodnight kiss.
Mulder…Scully smiled sleepily as she remembered his soft, affectionate kisses and his disappointment when she'd taken a rain check. Scully had been ready to make love to Mulder, but at the last minute had thought of all the things not said between them and chickened out. Lazily, Scully rolled over to greet her partner good morning. To her surprise, she was met by empty bed sheets. Quickly, Scully's eyes flew open and she looked around for Mulder and her daughter.
She sat up in bed and threw the sheets off of her legs. Scully was about to scoot out when Mulder opened the door and walked in. He was already dressed, which said that he'd been up for a while. Scully saw Akila up against his shoulder, her burp cloth on his other shoulder.
"What's going on?" Scully asked and Akila squirmed in Mulder's arms at her voice. "This has to be a first, you're up before me."
"Nothing's going on. I smelled something gross and it turned out it was Akila. So I went on diaper duty while you slept. Now Akila's whimpering and I'm pretty sure it's time for breakfast."
Scully stretched and groaned. "Yea, you're right. Hand her here." Mulder began to hand Akila to Scully when she started to wail indignantly. Scully bounced her, but it had no effect. Finally she sighed, she knew what the problem was.
"Mulder, come over here and touch her so she knows you're still here."
Mulder moved to Scully's side and looked down at Akila. Quickly, he leaned over and nuzzled the baby's cheek with his nose. Akila's crying ceased as he kissed her cheek and began to talk to her. As she stared up at Mulder, she decided to eat. Contentedly, Mulder stroked Akila's cheek. Without a word, he slipped one arm around Scully and pulled her to rest against his chest. The other hand stayed with Akila.
"Guess she missed me huh Scully? Cause before I left, I didn't have to be touching her for her to eat."
"She missed you a lot. I missed you too."
"I missed you too Scully. Both of you. Before you woke up, I took the liberty of looking up something." Mulder changed the subject.
"What?"
"Akila's birth certificate. Akila Tristin Mulder." Mulder enunciated Akila's name slowly. Scully couldn't tell whether he was angry or not. "Scully why didn't you tell me?"
Scully thought for a moment before answering. She looked down at Akila, still sucking greedily from her breast, her eyes focused on Mulder. "Because of how you reacted at first. Even after you'd had time to let the fact that I was pregnant sink in. You didn't want to touch me; you wouldn't look at me for extended periods of time. You were cold. You didn't seem to care, and if you did care, you didn't let on." Scully pulled away from Mulder, so she could face him. "I thought you didn't want Akila, I thought you didn't want me." She finished in a whisper.
Mulder reached out and stroked Scully's cheek. Akila finished with Scully and gave a mighty burp before closing her eyes in Scully's arms. Mulder quickly took Akila from Scully and gave her a kiss on the forehead before placing her on the bed and surrounding her by pillows. He stood and took Scully's hands once she was done cleaning herself off; he pulled her up into his arms.
"Scully, if there was one thing that I wish I could take back, it would be my actions from when I, after I woke up. When I woke up, everything was different. The woman I love more than anything in the world was pregnant with a baby that, while a miracle in and of itself, she'd give me no hints as to the paternity of. I didn't know where we stood, as a couple, as friends, as partners. On top of all this, I was being denied access to my life's work. A new agent had been assigned to my division and had seemingly taken my place in not only my work, but in my partner's eyes."
"No Mulder. Doggett could never, ever take your place in my eyes. He could never take your place anywhere. He didn't plan on being the reason Kersh wouldn't let you back on. By saving your life, he sealed his own fate to be stuck in the basement with Spooky and Mrs. Spooky." She whispered.
"Except Spooky's not there."
"I'm still working on that. Mulder, do you hear me though. I love you. I was devastated when we found you dead. Absolutely devastated. The only reason I could find to go on was that piece of you that I still carried with me. Akila. She was all I had left of you and I was determined to make everything safe for her. Skinner was the only person who would understand. Everything was so confusing and then you came back, which answered every prayer I could have uttered. And you wanted nothing to do with me. And when you did, I didn't know what you wanted. I didn't know if your jokes about the pizza man were your way of dealing with it, I didn't know that if I told you, you'd still want to be a parent to Akila. And I already couldn't risk my baby girl getting hurt. I was only sure of the fact that I love you and we'd eventually find our way back to each other." She finished tearfully. Mulder tightened his arms around her as she whispered, "I love you." Over and over again.
"I'm so sorry." Mulder whispered. "I couldn't have just talked about this, I was too stubborn and jealous and unsure of myself. Scully, what have I done?"
"Nothing, you haven't done anything. It's not your fault. It's as much mine as yours. Everything has been worked out."
"Not everything." Mulder pulled away from Scully and took her hands, sitting on the bed in front of her. "What does all this mean for us? How much of a role in Akila's life will I have?"
"I can't keep you from her and I won't. You can be as close to her as you want." Scully bent and lifted Akila into her arms. "I'll be back." And she left the room.
Mulder heard Scully call to Reyes to check on Akila every so often. He was still shifting on the bed when Scully came back in. Her cheeks were flushed pink and she locked the door behind her. Scully slowly sauntered over to Mulder and sat in his lap.
"To answer the second part of your question, as for us, I think it's time we officially welcome you home." Scully ran her hands over Mulder's jaw as her lips sought his. Her suggestion met no complaints.
~ * ~ * ~
Some time later, Scully and Mulder were still in bed, lazily kissing and generally enjoying each other. Scully sighed happily as Mulder ran his hand over her back. She stretched up and kissed him. Her arms snaked around him and she rolled over, pulling him on top of her.
"Again Scully? This makes three times this morning." Mulder whined playfully. Scully reached down and slapped his ass lightly.
"Shut up and make love to me Mulder." Scully whispered and pulled Mulder's head down to hers.
Monica Reyes smiled to herself as she walked past Dana's room. She wasn't surprised by the developments that had taken place in the last few hours between Mulder and Dana. After all, they had been forcefully separated for 6 months and by that time; Dana was so far along in her pregnancy that intimacy was a slight problem. Then once Akila was born, there was no chance for anything. Monica was glad that they were finally together again. Perhaps Mulder would stop being so territorial about everything. Monica laughed as she remembered John telling her about how much Mulder hated him when they first met. She herself had seen evidence of both men's affections for Scully. Where John's was subtle and unreturned, Mulder's was blatant and entirely reciprocated. Even from one glance at them, Monica was certain of the nature of their relationship. Her goddaughter, Akila was proof undeniable of that.
Speaking of Akila, Reyes remembered to check in on the baby and she moved into the bedroom that had been Mulder's. Although she doubted he had much use for it now. Reyes looked into Akila's crib to see a peaceful smile on the sleeping baby's face.
She reached down and caressed Akila's cheek. The infant didn't move and she tucked the blanket tighter around her. "You keep napping Akila, you're mommy and daddy need this time." She whispered. "I'll check on you later."
Scully giggled softly as Mulder tickled her sides. He knew exactly where to locate her ticklish spots, one being right under her shoulder blade. Mulder loved to tickle her, especially after their lovemaking. Scully sighed in contentment and Mulder stopped his hand's movements and kissed Scully's temple. He laced her fingers with his and pressed their hands to his cheek. Scully was the first to speak.
"You said you have a few days. How many is a few?"
"Oh, a few…Skinner told me not to come back for at least two weeks."
"Good. Plenty of time. We have a lot to make up for." Scully grinned into Mulder's neck.
Mulder groaned. "Scully, you're going to kill me." Scully tensed in his arms. "Sorry Scully. Bad joke. Won't do it again." He kissed her temple again.
"Thank you. But really, I need your help with some things before you go back. If I let you go back. I'm not so sure that I will. The computers are capable of video conferences and all, so..." Scully kissed the pulse point on Mulder's neck. "Think about it? For me?"
Mulder opened his mouth to reply when the cell phone in his leather jacket rang. Scully groaned in exasperation and rolled off of Mulder to allow him to slide from the bed to answer. Scully threw back her head and laughed as she took in the sight of her partner, standing in the middle of her bedroom, naked as the day he was born, on the phone.
"Yes sir. I made it here okay. No, no problems. Yes, Agent Scully and Akila are fine." Mulder smiled over at Scully. Scully pulled herself out of bed and crossed over to Mulder. She slipped her arms around his waist from behind and kissed him shoulder.
"What's up Skinman?" Mulder asked distractedly. Scully nuzzled at Mulder's back with her face as she wickedly slid one hand downward. She grinned as Mulder squeaked out a response to a question of Skinner's. Without warning, Mulder's free hand took Scully's and settled it back in safe territory on his stomach. He told Skinner to hold on and he covered the receiver as he leaned over Scully and whispered in her ear.
"You broke it Scully. It won't work anymore." He accused. Scully kissed his jaw.
"Nonsense." Scully took the phone from Mulder. "Sir? Hi, yes. Yes, Akila's fine. Yes, Agent Reyes is watching her for the time being. Mulder and I are working on a few 'projects' right now. Yes sir. Can he call you back? We're putting up shelves and Mulder thinks I broke the level." Scully lied smoothly. "Talk to you in a few days sir. Bye."
Scully hung up the phone triumphantly. Mulder groaned and Scully pouted slightly. "Get dressed Mulder. I want you to help me pack up some of the unneeded supplies that are in the lab."
"Okay." Mulder sighed and Scully couldn't tell whether it was in relief or not. Scully pulled away from him and gathered clothes before standing on the other side of the room and dressing. They clothed themselves in silence and when Mulder finished, he moved up behind Scully and slipped his arms around her. He kissed her cheek and held her close.
"Sorry Scully. I didn't mean to make that sound like it did. It's just that, before, before I was taken, we weren't nearly so active."
"It's not your fault Mulder. I just wanted to change our activity level. Because as beautiful and wonderful as what we had before was, I want more than that. I want to be able to kiss you and touch you and make love to you all the time. Not just once in a while."
"You do?"
Scully kissed Mulder's chin again. "Isn't that what you want too?"
"It is." Mulder replied quickly.
"All settled then. Come on, Akila's due for a change any minute." Scully tugged on Mulder's hand and led him into their daughter's room.
Our daughter. Mulder mused. My daughter. My little girl. I doubted Scully, how could I have doubted her?
Mulder stopped in the middle of the hallway and pulled Scully to him. After kissing her thoroughly, he whispered, "I'm so sorry."
"For what?" Scully asked, puzzled.
"For doubting you. For doubting that Akila is mine. For even entertaining the thought that you would have someone else's child."
Scully stroked Mulder's face. "It's okay Mulder. You don't need to apologize anymore. I understand. Come on, I can smell the poopie diaper from here." Scully squeezed Mulder tightly. "It's my special mommy instinct."
"Or your super sensitive nostrils." Mulder grinned into Scully's hair.
"So you're on diaper duty you say?" Scully called as she disappeared into Akila's nursery.
~ * ~ * ~
Later on, Scully bustled around the kitchen cooking dinner. She'd left Mulder in charge of Akila so that he and the baby would have some time together before he had to leave again. He was in the living room with Reyes and the baby. Scully smiled widely when she heard Akila's shrieks of delight over the din of the TV.
"Damn Mulder. What are you doing to my daughter?" Scully called. She heard Mulder laugh and a second later, felt his arms encircle her. She tilted her head back to kiss him.
"What's for dinner?" Mulder asked, resting his chin on Scully's shoulder.
"Shells stuffed with manicotti cheese. Don't give me that look. You'll like it. I promise." Scully told him as they broke apart.
"Sure I will Scully. I'll be back." Mulder disappeared into the other room and returned with Akila and her bouncy chair. After placing Akila in the chair, he took her small hands and tickled her. Scully walked up beside him and kissed Akila's head.
"Here, taste this." Scully held up a fork loaded with pasta, cheese and sauce to Mulder's lips. He opened his mouth and allowed her to feed him the bite. "Still think dinner's gross?"
Mulder licked his lips thoughtfully. "Not bad Scully. Not bad."
"Told you. Now, as nice as your company is, take your daughter and meander out of my kitchen if you please."
"Sure Scully." Mulder bent and kissed Scully softly.
End of part 7/8