Maturity Chapter 6: Beginning Forever By Shiv
Category: MSM, Alternate Universe
Keywords: S,MSM, Alternate Universe
Rating: PG
Spoilers: off and on, everything up to and including the Movie, Season 6 never happened.
Summary: You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Fox William Mulder and Dana Katherine Scully at St. Luke's Church. On October 31, 1999 at 2:00 pm.
Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimer. Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Walter Skinner, Maggie Scully, and the other regulars belong to 1013. I am just borrowing them for a short adventure.
Merlins Notes: I would like to thank Shiv for writing this wonderful story in my universe. I was sure that I would not
be able to do a wedding justice. Shiv again, Thank you! For those of you wondering if you missed a chapter, you did not, it is almost ready to be sent out. Nothing in that chapter has anything to do with this chapter so you are not missing anything. Shiv is also doing the honey moon chapter in the future so chapter 7 is going to be reserved for her as well. Again, Thanks Shiv, I owe you big time!
Maturity Chapter 6: Beginning Forever By: Shiv
Chapter 6: Beginning Forever
By: Shiv
Monday 26th of October
"Scully," said Mulder, gently shaking her awake. "You Mom's on the phone."
Scully rubbed the sleep out of her weary eyes and sat up in bed.
"Mom?"
"Morning sweetie." Her mother called chirpily from her end of the phone. "I'll be by in about half an hour okay?"
"Um, okay Mom. Why?"
"Well Dana honey, you have a wedding in five days. There's so many things we have to organize; There's the seating plans at the reception for one, the decoration, the flowers, oh we must stop by the church, the final fitting for your dress, the bridesmaids dresses, organizing the final design for the cake..."
"Okay, Mom. I get the picture."
"Good, well, you get something to eat and I'll come round to pick you up.
"But Mom, I need to go to work."
"Oh, don't talk nonsense Dana. There's far too much to do."
"Mom, Fox and I are already taking two weeks off for our honeymoon."
Mulder stood by the doorway, trying to suppress a grin as he watched the woman who was to become his wife this Saturday, tussle verbally with her mother over the phone. Scully looked so beautiful in the morning. He had begun to wonder how he had ever managed to survive sleeping without her. Although they weren't actually sleeping together until they were married, they still had a heightened level of intimacy which Mulder relished more each day. He loved the way her slim, compact little body rested just so under the protection of his arms. Sensing Scully's exasperation he took the phone from her.
"Maggie?"
"Fox dear, would you try talking some sense into that stubborn daughter of mine."
"She is stubborn isn't she." Laughed Mulder, "stubborn but beautiful."
"Oh Fox, I just want everything to go smoothly for you both."
"Don't worry Maggie, you're doing a wonderful job. Look, how about I promise you that Dana will finish work Monday to Thursday this week at 2pm, and help you out okay? That way you can get some stuff done in the afternoon and then in the morning by yourself."
Seemingly, satisfied with this arrangement, after a little coaxing, Maggie rung off. She was going to call Mulder's mother, and the two of them were going to go to the florists and pick out some preliminary designs, which would, of course, be approved by Sully later. Mulder was only thankful that as the male in the equation, it was his traditional role to take a back seat in all the preparations. His hidden wealth had, however, allowed them both to plan for this wedding without worrying about cost. They were not going overboard, it just saved them having to worry about money for the next few years, unlike most regular couples. For their honeymoon, they were going to Barbados for some summer sun (albeit in winter), but only for five days as Scully claimed that was all her little red head could handle. After that, they were off around Europe for the remaining ten days. They were taking in Paris, Hamburg, Prague, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. They were only going to Scotland on the strict instructions that Mulder stay far away from Loch Ness, and any rumors about its monster. The strange thing was that Mulder didn't feel the urge to go hiking around looking for the Loch Ness monster. The thought of anything spoiling his honeymoon with Scully was becoming alien to him, and he knew that he would not let it happen.
The pair ate their breakfast of coffee, bagels and fruit in a silence that was both comfortable and playful. As they sat at the table, Scully kept "accidentally" brushing her foot against Mulder's leg. The fact they were playing footsie like a couple of teenagers, only heightened Mulder's joyful mood. Breathing the crisp early morning winter air in, as they stepped out onto the driveway and into the car, Fox Mulder felt like he was the happiest man alive.
Wednesday 27th of October
Scully drove straight from work at 2pm to her mother's house. Bill and Tara had arrived for the wedding that morning and she was going to drop in and see them before she met Ellen and Diane, her two close friends, and the wedding shop for the final fitting of their bridesmaid's dresses. The wedding party was going to be small. "Compact" was the word that Mulder had used. Scully would have been happy to marry Mulder on a deserted island as long as it happened. Her godson was to be a pageboy, and the three lone gunmen were to be Mulder's "Best Men." Scully was not in the least bit worried about the Buck's night they had planned. Or so she told herself. It would probably only consist of the four of the surfing the internet for the latest conspiracy theories anyway.
Mulder had carefully opted out from coming to see Bill and Tara today. Though he did have work, he could have managed to slip away for a few hours. Scully knew that he was uncomfortable with his relationship with Bill still, and who could blame him. Although they had made significant progress since Mulder was injured and saved her from a certain grisly fate, there was still a long way to go.
"Bill!" exclaimed Scully as he answered the door to her.
"Hey little 'sis" He replied, pulling her into an embrace. "How's it all going?"
"Fine thanks Bill." Replied Scully as she hugged him warmly.
She followed her brother into the house and greeted her nephew who was now toddling about and her sister-in-law. Her mother barely allowed her time for some general catch-up and hugs and kisses with Matthew before she ushered her out the door again, "to make sure she wasn't late for Ellen and Diane". While she reminded her to call the hairdresser to confirm her appointment for nine o'clock on Saturday morning.
"All the planning, huh Dana?" said Tara sympathetically, "I remember it well. I don't envy you one bit!"
"Oh, it's a nightmare." Sighed Scully although she seemed more bemused than angry. "I think I'll be glad when Saturday finally rolls around just to get a break."
And on the note, she bid her family farewell as she was practically thrown out the door by her ever-panicking mother.
"I don't know..." mused Ellen. "I'm not sure if the skirt should be that fitted. I mean, we're going to want to dance right?"
"Ellen!" exclaimed Scully "Last week you didn't think it was fitted enough."
"I know honey I'm sorry. Diane, what do you think."
"I think the colour is a little bright."
"Diane sweetie, we can't have black for bridesmaids dresses."
"Why not, it's classic!" laughed Diane as she pushed a stray strand of her wonderfully curly dark hair behind her ear. "My entire wardrobe consists of Black. Well, at least the bottom half. You gotta have the black bottom half."
The two bridesmaid's dresses were a deep lilac colour. Scully had entertained the idea of forest green, but it was Melissa's favourite colour, and only made Scully more sad as she thought of how perfect Melissa would have looked in one of those outfits.
"Now ladies." Said the dress-fitter in her wonderfully business-like tone. She was obviously well used to "dilemmas" such as this. "It's important we remember that this is the bride's day. Now Miss Scully, what do you think?"
Scully surveyed them both carefully. Ellen with her soft, short blonde hair and Diane with her spiraling mane as they wore the lilac knee-length dresses, specifically "non-flouncy" with spaghetti straps.
"I think they look wonderful." She said honestly.
"Well then girls." Said the woman. "I thing she is right. Is that us settled then."
Diane and Ellen both nodded emphatically in agreement. And so the woman hurried off to prepare the dresses for them to take home with them.
"Dana." Called Diane as she strolled out of the shop, the dress bag flung over her shoulder in a fashion that was so typically Diane it made Scully smile. Diane was one of the most disorganized and laid-back Scully had ever met. How on earth she had made it through med school with such a carefree attitude was beyond Scully. She was also one of the sweetest and most loyal people she knew too.
"Yeah," she smiled. "You're not still petitioning for black are you?"
"Nah." Laughed Diane. "I guess if I wear shades then the colour won't hurt me too much... I just wanted to say that I am so thrilled for you Dana. I've never seen you look so happy as you have these past few months. I know the past few years haven't been exactly kind to you. I'm just glad that Mulder finally got his act together. He's a damn lucky guy."
"I know he is." Whispered Scully happily, embarrassed at the lump that was forming in her throat as she and her dear friend hugged.
Friday 30th of October
Mulder and Scully had opted out of the tradition Buck's night and Hen parties and decided to have everyone round for some pizza instead. It was a rather unusual mix, what with Scully's family, two of Mulder's cousins and their wives, the lone gunmen, AD Skinner, Sabrina MacKay and Diane and Ellen and their respective significant others. Mulder has staunchly refused that either of them cook a meal, as he knew that they had enough to contend with due to last minute wedding preparations. It was for this reason that they were faced with the rather unusual sight of Skinner sitting on the floor, eating pizza form a napkin and talking animatedly with Byers. Scully was finally relaxing as she helped herself to one of the bottles of beer sitting on the table.
"Just the one now for you Miss Scully." Winked Mulder as he kissed her on the cheek. "You nervous about the big day."
"Not at all." She murmured happily.
"Good, neither am I."
"Oh," yawned Scully as she folded the last of the pizza boxes into the trash can. "I'm exhausted. I think I'll head up to bed, okay?"
"Sure, "said Mulder. "I'm right behind you. Ah, Scully, hang on a sec'."
"What is it Mulder?"
He reached into one of the drawers in the kitchen, where they kept bills and other such thing.
"I got you something for tomorrow." He said, presenting her with a long, slim, velvet box. Scully opened it to reveal a slender gold bracelet.
"Oh Mulder!" She exclaimed, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him tenderly. "You shouldn't have. Thank-you, I love it."
"Your welcome. I love you Scully. Don't ever forget that."
"I love you too Mulder."
Saturday 31st of October.
"Oh honey." Breathed Maggie as she finished affixing the final veil into her daughter's hair. "You look stunning. Absolutely stunning."
Scully blushed as she turned to look at herself in the mirror.
Her grandmother's simple yet elegant white wedding gown had been altered and it now accentuated all the right parts of her body. It's collar and bodice were laced with ivory and the skirt gently flowed out until it reached her ankles. Her hair had been teased up into a French roll although a few strands of hair had been curled and allowed to run askew. She wore her grandmother's pearls on her necklace and the matching earring as well as Mulder's bracelet and, of course, her engagement ring.
"Oh Mom, don't cry," sighed Scully as she embraced her mother. "You'll make me start bubbling to."
"Oh don't do that honey" sobbed Maggie happily, "You'll smudge your make-up. It's just that I wish your father could see you now. He would have been so proud of his baby girl. And Missy, oh Missy. She would have loved to have been standing right next to you."
"Mom, it's ok. They're right here." Said Scully as she drew her hand to rest over her heart. "Right in here."
Maggie hastily wiped her eyes.
"Look at me now." She laughed softly. "I'd better go and get into my suit."
"Okay Mom. I'll just go and make sure Diane and Ellen are getting on okay with their make up."
St. Luke's Church
Mulder's stomach was doing somersaults as he waited in the Church. His cousin Steve was by his side and the three Lone Gunmen were right behind him along with his mother and the rest of his assorted family. He was dressed in fairly traditional wedding attire of a dark navy suit with a light round-necked shirt. It was still only 1:52 his ever-reliable swatch told him and he was still glancing at the rear of the church every five seconds and licking his lips nervously.
"Hey Man, chill." Said Steve resting a hand on his shoulder. "Dana's just coming. She isn't going to stand you up you know."
"I know," laughed Mulder a little uneasily for he hated being the focus of attention. "I just want to get this shit over with."
"It ain't shit man." Replied the recently married Steve. "It's the happiest damn day of your life."
Scully's heart swelled as she heard the first few notes of the bridal march resonate around the building that she attended often. Diane and Ellen turned to her and nodded. Diane laughed and winked.
"We're off," she whispered, "I'll see you at the finish line."
And with that the two of them walked up the aisle clutching their matching bouquets of lilies. Scully also held lilies, although hers were entwined with baby's breath which had always been a favourite flower of hers. She turned to Bill who was standing by her side.
"Okay." She whispered.
Bill took her arm and together they began the home stretch.
Scully was acutely aware of every pair of eyes in the church as they focused upon her intensely. Although she knew this was the obvious thing to do, since she was the bride, she still felt self-conscious and prayed that she would not trip or do anything else that would cause her to disrupt the harmony of the moment.
She surveyed the faces of the people around her. People that she knew and loved. Friends from different times of her life, AD Skinner with Sabrina, his secretary and various other people from the FBI. She saw Charlie, Tara, Matthew and other members of her family sitting alongside her mother in the front pews. Finally her eyes came to rest on Mulder. Although her feet continued to move bring her progressively closer to him, just for a moment it felt as though everything was frozen. Their eyes were locked together in their final act at silent communication as just partners. The next time they did this they would be husband and wife.
Suddenly she was at Mulder and Bill kissed her on the cheek before taking his place beside their mother.
"Dearly beloved, "began Father McHue "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Fox William Mulder and Dana Katherine Scully..."
The service progressed without a hitch as Mulder and Scully each recited their vows perfectly, their hands and eyes focusing completely on one another. Before Scully knew it, Mulder was slipping the gold band onto her finger and Father McHue was saying "I now pronounce you husband and wife".
Mulder's heart swelled with pride as he gently cupped Dana's face in his hand and kissed her softly amid the clapping of the observers.
The Reception
The room was suitably decorated with pumpkins, ghosts, giant spiders and there were even a few token aliens thrown in. Pumpkin Pie was on the menu for dessert and Mulder could hardly believe the irony of the fact that he was getting married on Halloween. He and Scully took their place in the lineup alongside Mrs. Scully, his Mother, Diane, Ellen and his cousin Steve. Mulder was not fond of these things at the best of times but actually having to be in one... it was something he didn't think he would be ale to handle. Skinner and Sabrina came by. Skinner shook his hand warmly, muttering something about it being "about time too" and kissed Scully on the cheek embracing her, asking her if she knew what she was "letting herself in for". Sabrina gushed about how wonderfully happy they both look, how beautiful Scully was and as she hugged Mulder, she thanked him for the millionth time for all he had done for her.
Two agents, Jacobs and Smith came through the line up together. Daniel Smith was very polite, wishing them both the necessary pleasantries. David Jacobs however, was another matter. He and Mulder had never quite seen eye to eye and he was only invited at Scully's insistence that it would "be rude not to."
"Kind of poetic that ol' Spooky's getting married on Halloween eh? Make sure aliens don't abduct that lovely wife of yours just like they did with your sister." He cried heartlessly, clearly not realizing the extent of his cruelty. Mulder felt his blood being to boil and he thought he was about to burst when he felt Scully's small cool hand take his own. Their fingers intertwined automatically as he felt the childish rage gently seep from him.
"I hardly think that's likely David." Scully said coolly as she turned her attention to Holly from work who was next in the line. Mulder simply followed his wife's lead.
Mulder and Scully swayed gently together in perfect harmony, just as they had done throughout their partnership together. S slow romantic ballad played, the two of them were together again for the first time since the traditional primary dance together. Steve was dancing with his wife Alex, Bill with Tara, Maggie with a toddling Matthew, Ellen with her husband Joe and Diane with her boyfriend Julian. Various other couples litter the floor and Scully watched them all, praying that they felt as happy as she did now. Mulder leaned his face toward her and they kissed, slowly.
"Scully" whispered Mulder into her cheek. "Thanks for making me the happiest guy on earth.
"Anytime Mulder. Anytime."
"I know the road won't be the easiest, but we'll get through it won't we?"
"Mulder, I think that surviving the past seven years as we have, then we'll get through anything. Together."
Sunday 1st of November
The rain battered off the windows as Scully awoke from what could only be described as a perfect night. She felt Mulder's breath on her neck and his arms around her bare waist. She turned round to face him, surprised to learn that he was awake.
"Morning," she yawned.
Mulder put a finger to his lips to silence her and kissed her.
"Morning beautiful." He smiled. "I just wanted to start every morning as I mean to go on."
"Hmm, only if every night is as good as last night." She laughed.
"I'll see what I can do." Replied Mulder. "Hey shortie, we'd better get moving our flight out of this rainy place is in three hours." He jumped out of bed and slipped on his dressing gown.
Scully climbed out of bed and put on her dressing gown too. She slipped her hand into her husband's awaiting one as he led her downstairs for breakfast. She knew that their honeymoon was going to be wonderful.
End Chapter 6
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Maturity - 6: Beginning Forever
Category: MSM, Alternate Universe
Keywords: S,MSM, Alternate Universe
Rating: PG
Spoilers: off and on, everything up to and including the Movie, Season 6 never happened.
Summary: You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Fox William Mulder and Dana Katherine Scully at St. Luke's Church. On October 31, 1999 at 2:00 pm.
Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimer. Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Walter Skinner, Maggie Scully, and the other regulars belong to 1013. I am just borrowing them for a short adventure.
Merlins Notes: I would like to thank Shiv for writing this wonderful story in my universe. I was sure that I would not
be able to do a wedding justice. Shiv again, Thank you! For those of you wondering if you missed a chapter, you did not, it is almost ready to be sent out. Nothing in that chapter has anything to do with this chapter so you are not missing anything. Shiv is also doing the honey moon chapter in the future so chapter 7 is going to be reserved for her as well. Again, Thanks Shiv, I owe you big time!
Maturity Chapter 6: Beginning Forever By: Shiv
Chapter 6: Beginning Forever
By: Shiv
Monday 26th of October
"Scully," said Mulder, gently shaking her awake. "You Mom's on the phone."
Scully rubbed the sleep out of her weary eyes and sat up in bed.
"Mom?"
"Morning sweetie." Her mother called chirpily from her end of the phone. "I'll be by in about half an hour okay?"
"Um, okay Mom. Why?"
"Well Dana honey, you have a wedding in five days. There's so many things we have to organize; There's the seating plans at the reception for one, the decoration, the flowers, oh we must stop by the church, the final fitting for your dress, the bridesmaids dresses, organizing the final design for the cake..."
"Okay, Mom. I get the picture."
"Good, well, you get something to eat and I'll come round to pick you up.
"But Mom, I need to go to work."
"Oh, don't talk nonsense Dana. There's far too much to do."
"Mom, Fox and I are already taking two weeks off for our honeymoon."
Mulder stood by the doorway, trying to suppress a grin as he watched the woman who was to become his wife this Saturday, tussle verbally with her mother over the phone. Scully looked so beautiful in the morning. He had begun to wonder how he had ever managed to survive sleeping without her. Although they weren't actually sleeping together until they were married, they still had a heightened level of intimacy which Mulder relished more each day. He loved the way her slim, compact little body rested just so under the protection of his arms. Sensing Scully's exasperation he took the phone from her.
"Maggie?"
"Fox dear, would you try talking some sense into that stubborn daughter of mine."
"She is stubborn isn't she." Laughed Mulder, "stubborn but beautiful."
"Oh Fox, I just want everything to go smoothly for you both."
"Don't worry Maggie, you're doing a wonderful job. Look, how about I promise you that Dana will finish work Monday to Thursday this week at 2pm, and help you out okay? That way you can get some stuff done in the afternoon and then in the morning by yourself."
Seemingly, satisfied with this arrangement, after a little coaxing, Maggie rung off. She was going to call Mulder's mother, and the two of them were going to go to the florists and pick out some preliminary designs, which would, of course, be approved by Sully later. Mulder was only thankful that as the male in the equation, it was his traditional role to take a back seat in all the preparations. His hidden wealth had, however, allowed them both to plan for this wedding without worrying about cost. They were not going overboard, it just saved them having to worry about money for the next few years, unlike most regular couples. For their honeymoon, they were going to Barbados for some summer sun (albeit in winter), but only for five days as Scully claimed that was all her little red head could handle. After that, they were off around Europe for the remaining ten days. They were taking in Paris, Hamburg, Prague, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. They were only going to Scotland on the strict instructions that Mulder stay far away from Loch Ness, and any rumors about its monster. The strange thing was that Mulder didn't feel the urge to go hiking around looking for the Loch Ness monster. The thought of anything spoiling his honeymoon with Scully was becoming alien to him, and he knew that he would not let it happen.
The pair ate their breakfast of coffee, bagels and fruit in a silence that was both comfortable and playful. As they sat at the table, Scully kept "accidentally" brushing her foot against Mulder's leg. The fact they were playing footsie like a couple of teenagers, only heightened Mulder's joyful mood. Breathing the crisp early morning winter air in, as they stepped out onto the driveway and into the car, Fox Mulder felt like he was the happiest man alive.
Wednesday 27th of October
Scully drove straight from work at 2pm to her mother's house. Bill and Tara had arrived for the wedding that morning and she was going to drop in and see them before she met Ellen and Diane, her two close friends, and the wedding shop for the final fitting of their bridesmaid's dresses. The wedding party was going to be small. "Compact" was the word that Mulder had used. Scully would have been happy to marry Mulder on a deserted island as long as it happened. Her godson was to be a pageboy, and the three lone gunmen were to be Mulder's "Best Men." Scully was not in the least bit worried about the Buck's night they had planned. Or so she told herself. It would probably only consist of the four of the surfing the internet for the latest conspiracy theories anyway.
Mulder had carefully opted out from coming to see Bill and Tara today. Though he did have work, he could have managed to slip away for a few hours. Scully knew that he was uncomfortable with his relationship with Bill still, and who could blame him. Although they had made significant progress since Mulder was injured and saved her from a certain grisly fate, there was still a long way to go.
"Bill!" exclaimed Scully as he answered the door to her.
"Hey little 'sis" He replied, pulling her into an embrace. "How's it all going?"
"Fine thanks Bill." Replied Scully as she hugged him warmly.
She followed her brother into the house and greeted her nephew who was now toddling about and her sister-in-law. Her mother barely allowed her time for some general catch-up and hugs and kisses with Matthew before she ushered her out the door again, "to make sure she wasn't late for Ellen and Diane". While she reminded her to call the hairdresser to confirm her appointment for nine o'clock on Saturday morning.
"All the planning, huh Dana?" said Tara sympathetically, "I remember it well. I don't envy you one bit!"
"Oh, it's a nightmare." Sighed Scully although she seemed more bemused than angry. "I think I'll be glad when Saturday finally rolls around just to get a break."
And on the note, she bid her family farewell as she was practically thrown out the door by her ever-panicking mother.
"I don't know..." mused Ellen. "I'm not sure if the skirt should be that fitted. I mean, we're going to want to dance right?"
"Ellen!" exclaimed Scully "Last week you didn't think it was fitted enough."
"I know honey I'm sorry. Diane, what do you think."
"I think the colour is a little bright."
"Diane sweetie, we can't have black for bridesmaids dresses."
"Why not, it's classic!" laughed Diane as she pushed a stray strand of her wonderfully curly dark hair behind her ear. "My entire wardrobe consists of Black. Well, at least the bottom half. You gotta have the black bottom half."
The two bridesmaid's dresses were a deep lilac colour. Scully had entertained the idea of forest green, but it was Melissa's favourite colour, and only made Scully more sad as she thought of how perfect Melissa would have looked in one of those outfits.
"Now ladies." Said the dress-fitter in her wonderfully business-like tone. She was obviously well used to "dilemmas" such as this. "It's important we remember that this is the bride's day. Now Miss Scully, what do you think?"
Scully surveyed them both carefully. Ellen with her soft, short blonde hair and Diane with her spiraling mane as they wore the lilac knee-length dresses, specifically "non-flouncy" with spaghetti straps.
"I think they look wonderful." She said honestly.
"Well then girls." Said the woman. "I thing she is right. Is that us settled then."
Diane and Ellen both nodded emphatically in agreement. And so the woman hurried off to prepare the dresses for them to take home with them.
"Dana." Called Diane as she strolled out of the shop, the dress bag flung over her shoulder in a fashion that was so typically Diane it made Scully smile. Diane was one of the most disorganized and laid-back Scully had ever met. How on earth she had made it through med school with such a carefree attitude was beyond Scully. She was also one of the sweetest and most loyal people she knew too.
"Yeah," she smiled. "You're not still petitioning for black are you?"
"Nah." Laughed Diane. "I guess if I wear shades then the colour won't hurt me too much... I just wanted to say that I am so thrilled for you Dana. I've never seen you look so happy as you have these past few months. I know the past few years haven't been exactly kind to you. I'm just glad that Mulder finally got his act together. He's a damn lucky guy."
"I know he is." Whispered Scully happily, embarrassed at the lump that was forming in her throat as she and her dear friend hugged.
Friday 30th of October
Mulder and Scully had opted out of the tradition Buck's night and Hen parties and decided to have everyone round for some pizza instead. It was a rather unusual mix, what with Scully's family, two of Mulder's cousins and their wives, the lone gunmen, AD Skinner, Sabrina MacKay and Diane and Ellen and their respective significant others. Mulder has staunchly refused that either of them cook a meal, as he knew that they had enough to contend with due to last minute wedding preparations. It was for this reason that they were faced with the rather unusual sight of Skinner sitting on the floor, eating pizza form a napkin and talking animatedly with Byers. Scully was finally relaxing as she helped herself to one of the bottles of beer sitting on the table.
"Just the one now for you Miss Scully." Winked Mulder as he kissed her on the cheek. "You nervous about the big day."
"Not at all." She murmured happily.
"Good, neither am I."
"Oh," yawned Scully as she folded the last of the pizza boxes into the trash can. "I'm exhausted. I think I'll head up to bed, okay?"
"Sure, "said Mulder. "I'm right behind you. Ah, Scully, hang on a sec'."
"What is it Mulder?"
He reached into one of the drawers in the kitchen, where they kept bills and other such thing.
"I got you something for tomorrow." He said, presenting her with a long, slim, velvet box. Scully opened it to reveal a slender gold bracelet.
"Oh Mulder!" She exclaimed, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him tenderly. "You shouldn't have. Thank-you, I love it."
"Your welcome. I love you Scully. Don't ever forget that."
"I love you too Mulder."
Saturday 31st of October.
"Oh honey." Breathed Maggie as she finished affixing the final veil into her daughter's hair. "You look stunning. Absolutely stunning."
Scully blushed as she turned to look at herself in the mirror.
Her grandmother's simple yet elegant white wedding gown had been altered and it now accentuated all the right parts of her body. It's collar and bodice were laced with ivory and the skirt gently flowed out until it reached her ankles. Her hair had been teased up into a French roll although a few strands of hair had been curled and allowed to run askew. She wore her grandmother's pearls on her necklace and the matching earring as well as Mulder's bracelet and, of course, her engagement ring.
"Oh Mom, don't cry," sighed Scully as she embraced her mother. "You'll make me start bubbling to."
"Oh don't do that honey" sobbed Maggie happily, "You'll smudge your make-up. It's just that I wish your father could see you now. He would have been so proud of his baby girl. And Missy, oh Missy. She would have loved to have been standing right next to you."
"Mom, it's ok. They're right here." Said Scully as she drew her hand to rest over her heart. "Right in here."
Maggie hastily wiped her eyes.
"Look at me now." She laughed softly. "I'd better go and get into my suit."
"Okay Mom. I'll just go and make sure Diane and Ellen are getting on okay with their make up."
St. Luke's Church
Mulder's stomach was doing somersaults as he waited in the Church. His cousin Steve was by his side and the three Lone Gunmen were right behind him along with his mother and the rest of his assorted family. He was dressed in fairly traditional wedding attire of a dark navy suit with a light round-necked shirt. It was still only 1:52 his ever-reliable swatch told him and he was still glancing at the rear of the church every five seconds and licking his lips nervously.
"Hey Man, chill." Said Steve resting a hand on his shoulder. "Dana's just coming. She isn't going to stand you up you know."
"I know," laughed Mulder a little uneasily for he hated being the focus of attention. "I just want to get this shit over with."
"It ain't shit man." Replied the recently married Steve. "It's the happiest damn day of your life."
Scully's heart swelled as she heard the first few notes of the bridal march resonate around the building that she attended often. Diane and Ellen turned to her and nodded. Diane laughed and winked.
"We're off," she whispered, "I'll see you at the finish line."
And with that the two of them walked up the aisle clutching their matching bouquets of lilies. Scully also held lilies, although hers were entwined with baby's breath which had always been a favourite flower of hers. She turned to Bill who was standing by her side.
"Okay." She whispered.
Bill took her arm and together they began the home stretch.
Scully was acutely aware of every pair of eyes in the church as they focused upon her intensely. Although she knew this was the obvious thing to do, since she was the bride, she still felt self-conscious and prayed that she would not trip or do anything else that would cause her to disrupt the harmony of the moment.
She surveyed the faces of the people around her. People that she knew and loved. Friends from different times of her life, AD Skinner with Sabrina, his secretary and various other people from the FBI. She saw Charlie, Tara, Matthew and other members of her family sitting alongside her mother in the front pews. Finally her eyes came to rest on Mulder. Although her feet continued to move bring her progressively closer to him, just for a moment it felt as though everything was frozen. Their eyes were locked together in their final act at silent communication as just partners. The next time they did this they would be husband and wife.
Suddenly she was at Mulder and Bill kissed her on the cheek before taking his place beside their mother.
"Dearly beloved, "began Father McHue "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Fox William Mulder and Dana Katherine Scully..."
The service progressed without a hitch as Mulder and Scully each recited their vows perfectly, their hands and eyes focusing completely on one another. Before Scully knew it, Mulder was slipping the gold band onto her finger and Father McHue was saying "I now pronounce you husband and wife".
Mulder's heart swelled with pride as he gently cupped Dana's face in his hand and kissed her softly amid the clapping of the observers.
The Reception
The room was suitably decorated with pumpkins, ghosts, giant spiders and there were even a few token aliens thrown in. Pumpkin Pie was on the menu for dessert and Mulder could hardly believe the irony of the fact that he was getting married on Halloween. He and Scully took their place in the lineup alongside Mrs. Scully, his Mother, Diane, Ellen and his cousin Steve. Mulder was not fond of these things at the best of times but actually having to be in one... it was something he didn't think he would be ale to handle. Skinner and Sabrina came by. Skinner shook his hand warmly, muttering something about it being "about time too" and kissed Scully on the cheek embracing her, asking her if she knew what she was "letting herself in for". Sabrina gushed about how wonderfully happy they both look, how beautiful Scully was and as she hugged Mulder, she thanked him for the millionth time for all he had done for her.
Two agents, Jacobs and Smith came through the line up together. Daniel Smith was very polite, wishing them both the necessary pleasantries. David Jacobs however, was another matter. He and Mulder had never quite seen eye to eye and he was only invited at Scully's insistence that it would "be rude not to."
"Kind of poetic that ol' Spooky's getting married on Halloween eh? Make sure aliens don't abduct that lovely wife of yours just like they did with your sister." He cried heartlessly, clearly not realizing the extent of his cruelty. Mulder felt his blood being to boil and he thought he was about to burst when he felt Scully's small cool hand take his own. Their fingers intertwined automatically as he felt the childish rage gently seep from him.
"I hardly think that's likely David." Scully said coolly as she turned her attention to Holly from work who was next in the line. Mulder simply followed his wife's lead.
Mulder and Scully swayed gently together in perfect harmony, just as they had done throughout their partnership together. S slow romantic ballad played, the two of them were together again for the first time since the traditional primary dance together. Steve was dancing with his wife Alex, Bill with Tara, Maggie with a toddling Matthew, Ellen with her husband Joe and Diane with her boyfriend Julian. Various other couples litter the floor and Scully watched them all, praying that they felt as happy as she did now. Mulder leaned his face toward her and they kissed, slowly.
"Scully" whispered Mulder into her cheek. "Thanks for making me the happiest guy on earth.
"Anytime Mulder. Anytime."
"I know the road won't be the easiest, but we'll get through it won't we?"
"Mulder, I think that surviving the past seven years as we have, then we'll get through anything. Together."
Sunday 1st of November
The rain battered off the windows as Scully awoke from what could only be described as a perfect night. She felt Mulder's breath on her neck and his arms around her bare waist. She turned round to face him, surprised to learn that he was awake.
"Morning," she yawned.
Mulder put a finger to his lips to silence her and kissed her.
"Morning beautiful." He smiled. "I just wanted to start every morning as I mean to go on."
"Hmm, only if every night is as good as last night." She laughed.
"I'll see what I can do." Replied Mulder. "Hey shortie, we'd better get moving our flight out of this rainy place is in three hours." He jumped out of bed and slipped on his dressing gown.
Scully climbed out of bed and put on her dressing gown too. She slipped her hand into her husband's awaiting one as he led her downstairs for breakfast. She knew that their honeymoon was going to be wonderful.
End Chapter 6
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Maturity - 6: Beginning Forever
