Scully ended up holding Katherine Samantha for the duration of the little one's nap. Did she mind? No. Katherine already liked her. A lot. So if she was choosing to further their bond, by going to her for comfort while she slept, then Scully was happy to indulge her. Even this way.

And... Both Mulder and Scully were even Katherine's and Alexander's godparents now. Official next of kin, too. The rest of the family understood. In turn? John and Monica said yes to the same official honors pertaining to Mulder's and Scully's children. It had all been officiated quite recently. Each couple was covering their bases. None wanted to say that they were feeling the march of time. But… It was true.

Margaret woke from her nap not long after Katherine woke from hers. It amazed her that her playmate hadn't left. And that she just wanted to be with her. Play with her, hold her, help her, hug her, give her kisses. What did not amaze Margaret? The fact that it was tube feeding time. She hadn't reached a point where she could tolerate the experience. Yet.

Then Scully soon made a discovery in Katherine's backpack of medical supplies: one very tidy and neatly-made manual that explained Katherine's preferences, routines, and varying how-tos about her extra needs. Within its pages? A note concerning just what time in the afternoon Katherine had her tube feeding session.

Mulder looked up from what Margaret was going to need, to find his other half still perusing through the manual. It was an actual casebound book. But had Scully realized Mulder was looking? No.

Mulder asked gently, "What's that?"

Scully finally set the literature down. "It would seem that our goddaughter has actually come to us with an actual how-to manual. And… According to it, her tube feeding time when Magpie does."

"Wow." Mulder said in surprise. "That is lucky."

"Mhm." Scully confirmed. "It doesn't say if Katherine is a hellion or not. But… She is friendly enough that I don't think any crankiness will be her way."

Mulder nodded as from within his arms, his daughter gave a petulant sigh. "Perhaps she'll even distract Magpie."

"Fingers crossed." Scully gathered up Katherine's feeding supplies while Mulder collected Margaret's. "Come on."

They found Katherine crouched before her as-of-yet unwrapped gift mountain. And she was counting the parcels. Or… Trying to. She appeared to be hung-up.

"Hey, darling." Scully sat some feet away on the floor with Margaret in her lap. "What are you up to?"

Katherine chose to be blatantly honest. "Counting."

Scully did all in her power to not laugh. "Anything else?"

Katherine crossed the room to sit before her caretaker. "Aunt Dana? What comes after ten? I forget…"

Scully replied, "Eleven. That's all your fingers and one more."

Katherine bobbed her head. "Entiendo."

"Wonderful." praised Scully. "I know that word."

Katherine looked at her in surprise. "Woah…"

"I also know," Scully went on. "That you can unwrap your treasures later. But we have to do something else first."

Katherine gave her her full attention. "What's that?"

Scully showed Katherine her supplies from the kitchen. "Time work on your tube feeding."

Katherine felt dismayed. Tube feeding was not her favorite. But she had no intention of being made to sit in the corner for being sassy while at her godparents' house. It was full of wonders. Her goal? To find all of them.

Scully watched Katherine. Adopted though she was, it was clear that this girl was the daughter of Monica Reyes. How? She was absolutely mimicking Monica's thinking face. To a fault. But… Scully waited. She believed in letting Kate have learning moments. Just like this one.

Finally and with only a hint of exasperation, Katherine said, "Okay. But… What about…?"

She gestured to Margaret. The smaller child was watching them. And babbling to herself.

Scully said to Katherine, "Are you thinking about when the little one's tube feeding time is?"

"Uh-huh." Katherine gave a serious nod. "She's my best friend. I love her."

Scully could tell that Katherine meant it, so she kept herself together as she said, "Maggie is lucky to have you. And her tube feeding is at the same time you have yours. But she doesn't like it."

Katherine's dismay came back as she interjected, "But why?"

"Maggie would rather play than sit still." explained Scully.

"Hm… Then maybe I can make her laugh." Katherine said thoughtfully. "Or… something…"

"I love the way that you think. And you know, darling? Maggie loves when you talk to her in Spanish." Scully smiled in amusement when she realized that Katherine was hanging on to every word. "I bet that if you keep at it, one day, she'll ask you for help to learn the language. Truly."

Katherine's heart puffed up in pride. "Okay! Then I can tell her cuentos de hadas now!"

Scully had enough of a grasp on the Spanish language at this point in life to know that her goddaughter was talking about fairy tales. How quaint. Katherine's affections were seemingly bottomless. Just what would it be like when she and Margaret were older? Magical. No doubt.

Scully spoke with great affirmation to Katherine. "Come help us get Maggie settled. Then we'll get you ready."

As ever, Katherine was unhappy to start her tube feeding. And the event happening at home? It meant being made to sit in her torture device of a feeding chair. Though she was figuring out how to walk, sitting up unsupported was a chore. She'd figure it out. Eventually. In the meantime, her high-backed chair helped.

And Margaret's bottom lip got so far as wobbling before Katherine swooped in to give her hugs and kisses. Even start a game of peek-a-boo. Margaret grew so distracted that she could only giggle.

By the time Katherine was in the beginning of her own tube feeding, she forgot about being dismayed. Completely. Helping Margaret to get ready for her turn made her feel important. So did telling her stories in Spanish. Especially when Margaret looked at her like she was the only person in the universe.

"Wow." remarked Mulder to Scully when feeding time was over and had been cleaned up from. "I think that was the first time in Magpie's life that she didn't flip out over this. Perhaps Kate being here will help her get over it."

"Yeah. Here's hoping." Scully showed Mulder a pair of her crossed fingers. "Look at them now."

Katherine had hurried off to her present pile. At last. Just when she'd picked out which parcel to open, Margaret had joined her. Katherine sat down immediately. Helped Margaret to sit in her lap, hugged her, and showered her in positive affirmation for making it to her goal. Their house guest even showed her tiny companion how to unwrap a present. She also went slowly she could see that Margaret was paying attention. Both girls were well in their own world.

"Are you thinking," Scully said to Mulder. "What I'm thinking?"

Mulder nodded. "Oh, yes. We are definitely going to be related John and Monica two decades from now."


Later…

Mulder took Margaret outside for awhile. For one so small, the baby always perked up when out-of-doors. Literally. It was like watching a plant go through photosynthesis.

Katherine was content to play with her new toys. But she soon felt drawn to Scully. Her godmother was on the floor, leaning against the couch now, just watching her.

Scully held back a laugh when she noticed Katherine's thought process change tracks now. She was magnetic to this child. Always had been. Perhaps it was because Katherine had imprinted on her, just as John and Monica first had, so long ago. Friends really were the family that you chose. And… They came in all shapes and sizes.

And so she asked her important question. "What are you thinking about, sweet Katie Sam?"

Now the little girl plunked herself down before Scully. "Is it time for Alexander? Aunt Dana… I can't tell time."

Scully somehow kept from laughing as she said kindly, "It isn't time for Alexander. Not yet. Actually… I wanted to talk to you because I have a surprise."

Katherine wiggled closer. "I like those."

"Good." Scully pointed to her middle. "It won't be for a long time, but Margaret is going to be a big sister. Just like you."

Katherine stared. Had she been expecting a surprise like this? In any way? No. Today was the best day of her entire life.

She said earnestly to her godmother now, "For real?"

Scully nodded. "Yes. What do you think?"

Now Katherine rose to her knees. Closed the distance between herself and Scully. Fast. Threw her arms around Scully's neck in a hug. Scully's response? It was to hug Katherine. Warmly.

"I'm happy." Katherine whispered in Scully's ear. "So happy."


Many hours later…

All the occupants at 227700 Wallace Road were asleep. Soundly. Margaret was in her nursery. Katherine took up residency in the room next to hers. And except for a wild dream about Candlyland around nine-thirty, Katherine had a peaceful slumber. The house was then shut down for the night after Mulder and Scully took care of a few more kid-related items. They were tired. Very.

And Scully's last thoughts before sleep took her concerned the night's newly-started heavy rainfall. Rain on Independence Day? Startling. Until she remembered what rain on a birthday meant.

Incoming change.

Eleven twenty-one.

The vibration of Scully's phone on her bedside table jolted her awake. The child in her womb squirmed in protest at the abrupt movement. Although… Scully didn't blame them.

"Hey, darling." Scully murmured to her bump as she sat up and switched the lamp light on. "Just rest. I'm sorry I woke you up."

Next to Scully, Mulder also woke up. He then watched his other half then stifle a yawn before answering her phone.

"John?" Scully said sleepily. "What's the word?"

John happily responded, "My son is here. Alexander Faustino was born an hour ago. He's very active and healthy."

"Wow." Scully was at once more awake. "Congratulations, John!"

"Thank you." he merrily returned. "Alexander is asleep in the nursery, and Monica is asleep in her bed. She's worn out."

"I bet." Scully remembered very well the feeling of being worn out after giving birth, especially at an above-average age. "Hug her for me. And how are you?"

John said, "Elated. Pinching myself. And I know Luke has been watching us from heaven during all this."

"Good." Scully thought about her own fallen son as she remembered solving the case that surrounded Luke Doggett. "Are you in the hallway?"

John gave a nod before he remembered his friend couldn't see him. "Yes. I'm in the hall. Sorry for the late hour."

But Scully said seriously, "Don't think anything about it. We have been thinking about you all day. I'm so glad that you called."

Grinning, John asked, "How is Katherine?"

"She has had the time of her life." Scully responded. "I just don't think she knows the word for 'paradise.' But Katherine is comfortable enough that she sees Fox and myself like surrogate parents now. She even referred to Margaret as her best friend. My daughter worships yours, and yours worships mine. We're also sure that Margaret is getting steadier on her feet because Katherine gives her enthusiastic affirmation. Constantly."

"Wow." John marveled. "Perhaps we should start saving for their wedding now."

Yeah, perhaps." chuckled Scully. "But anyway… we'll tell Katherine about her brother in the morning. And I will drop you a line before we come visiting. Alright? Go count sheep."

"Okay." John laughed. "Good night."

Scully bid her friend the same before hanging up. From there, she sent an update text to Rhiannon before setting her phone to 'do not disturb' mode. Time for sleep. Again.

"So," Mulder gently caressed Scully's long locks when the light was out and she'd crawled back under the covers again. "We have one brand-new nephew?"

"Uh-huh." Scully stifled a yawn. "The little prince is perfect. And Monica is asleep now. Sounds like there were no complications."

"Outstanding." Mulder kissed Scully's brow. "I can't wait to go see them."

Scully gave a very sleepy nod. "Same…"

But then she fell asleep in mid-thought. Mulder had long knew had, for years that stroking Scully's hair in bed soothed her. Greatly. Tonight was no exception.

"Good night, Dana." Mulder murmured to her. "I love you."

Scully's dreams were nothing but pleasant from there on out for the rest of the night.