Tomorrow
By Jillian
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Snow fell outside the window, but Scully didn't notice. She was too busy trying to find a dress in the catalogue of maternity clothing that wasn't too... Maternity like. It was a few days before Christmas, and she and Mulder were going to spend the holiday quietly together. He had made reservations at a beautiful restaurant, and now she was desperately searching for something to wear. She gazed at the dresses, finally spotting one she liked. It was red, for the holidays, and would match her hair color well. It was a maternity dress, but it was still beautiful. Absent mindedly, she looked down at her stomach, now largely swollen with a child. She was seven months pregnant, and the pregnancy had been totally problem free.
The Super-soldiers had not made any contact with them. Mulder and Scully called their friends at the FBI in DC a few times since they'd last seen them, just to check up on the production of the liquid magnetite. Everything seemed in order, and Scully was actually feeling holiday cheer. More surprisingly, so was Mulder. For once, everything was in order. The Super-soldiers had left them alone, they had plenty of the liquid magnetite saved in case of an encounter, and they were having a baby. It was the best they could possibly have hoped for. Scully grabbed the phone, and rush-delivery ordered the dress in her size.
She wandered into the living room, looking up at the Christmas tree she'd insisted on getting. What was Christmas without a tree, even if it was going to be just her and Mulder? She sighed outwardly, but happily. It was Saturday, and she had no more classes to teach. Tuesday was Christmas Eve, and the light snow falling seemed to promise New York a white Christmas. She was glad, when she was moving around as a kid they didn't see much snow, since they were often by the water for her Navy captain father. It didn't snow much in DC either. Sometimes, but rarely. It set the mood wonderfully, but so far this year all New York had gotten were light dustings. Of course, it was still beautiful.
Dana Scully woke up December 24th next to the man she loved, Fox Mulder. She snuggled up close to him, seeking warmth and comfort from him. His eyes fluttered open, and he kissed her forehead lightly. "Mornin', Dana." He smiled. He lifted up the shirt of her flannel pajamas slightly and kissed her stomach. "Mornin', little guy... Or girl." He smiled. Sleepily, they managed to get out of bed and make some breakfast. Afterwards, they lounged about on the couch, and watched "It's A Wonderful Life."
Soon enough it was time to go out for the dinner they had planned. Mulder had on a red turtleneck and black pants, with his black leather jacket. Scully stood at the opposite end of the hallway when she emerged from the bedroom, admiring him. He looked so handsome, so sexy... On the other end of the hallway, Mulder admired Scully. She had on a gorgeous red dress, swooping down at her chest, and flaring out to accommodate her pregnant stomach. Seeing her pregnant was beautiful to him, sexy, knowing what they'd created. Her makeup was immaculate, her hair blown straight, flipped out slightly at the bottom of each layer. Finally, she walked down the hallway and silently took his hands in her own.
"Merry Christmas, Dana Scully." He said.
"Merry Christmas, Mulder." She smiled, omitting the Fox. She always felt that "Fox" sounded foreign coming out of her mouth.
"We'd better get going, I have seven o'clock reservations at Sweet Basil." He said.
"Sounds wonderful, Mulder." He watched her red lips form the words.
Mulder handed Scully her coat, and then put on his own. They walked out to the car, and they noticed the snow just beginning to fall. All of the radio stations were playing Christmas songs, and neither of them minded. Winter Wonderland danced through their ears as they pulled into the parking lot of the busy restaurant. They walked inside, snow landing on their shoulders and heads. They walked up to the host, brushing the snow from their coats.
"Good evening, Sir. Do you have reservations?" The older man asked. He looked tired, and ran his hand across his salt and pepper hair.
"Yes, for William Carter." Mulder said.
"Ah, William Carter, table of two, seven o'clock. Follow me." The man smiled tiredly.
He lead them through the crowded restaurant towards the back. The restaurant was full of people, all out to celebrate the holiday. He guided them to a table for two in the dim room, lit by two candles on the table. It was a lonesome table, giving them privacy, leaving them able to focus solely on one another. The entire front of the restaurant was a giant glass window, from floor to ceiling. It looked out on a bustling street, the snow coating the ground. The host pulled the chair out first for Dana, and then for Mulder. After they thanked him, he said "Your server will be here momentarily. There are drink menus on the table, if you'd like to get started." With that, the man left.
"This is a nice place, Mulder." Scully said.
"Yes, it is. Our *lovely* neighbors told me about it." Mulder smiled. Scully let out a small laugh, and the smile didn't leave her face. Seconds later, she noticed a waitress walking over to them. She was tall, with curly blonde hair, and only about nineteen. She wore a Santa hat, and seemed like the type who always smiled, despite working on Christmas Eve.
"Good evening, my name is Jenna, and I'll be your waitress this evening." She grinned. Scully's prediction had been correct. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"Iced tea, for me, please." Mulder smiled. Scully couldn't drink alcohol, so he didn't see the fun in it either.
"I'll have the same, please." Scully said.
"Sure, here's your menus. I'll be back with your drinks and to take your order."
"Thanks." Scully smiled, and the woman walked off.
"Working on Christmas Eve..." Mulder mused aloud. "What's a young kid like her doing that for?"
"I don't know, but I'm thankful that for once I'm not. Remember when you dragged me out to that quote unquote haunted house?"
"Oh, come on, that was fun in the end." He smiled.
"Yes, after I thought you shot me and I shot you. Loads of fun." She said sarcastically.
"I miss those days... I miss the X-Files sometimes, don't you?" He asked.
"Of course I do, as much of a hard time I gave you on those cases, you know I wouldn't change a thing about them. It's how I got to know the man inside Agent Mulder."
"*Agent* Mulder... Haven't been called that in a while." He smiled.
They then focused their attention back to their menus. After they'd made their decisions, the resumed conversation. Their smiley, Santa-hat-ed waitress Jenna returned a few moments later to take their order. After she'd taken it down, her eyes drifted to Scully's stomach.
"I couldn't help but notice, Miss, you're expecting?" She smiled.
At first, Scully was taken back. How could she know? Then, of course, she realized the obvious hint of her seven month swollen stomach.
"Yes." She smiled and nodded.
"That's wonderful, congratulations." She directed the words to both of them. Scully couldn't remember ever being so cheery. Quite conversely, ever since she'd found out about her infertility, she'd felt jealous of pregnant women. Envious of what she believed she'd never be able to have.
They made conversation throughout the exceptional meal, enjoying themselves. The snow falling outside the windows was thoroughly coating the street now, and there had to be at least an inch and a half there already. The snow was heavy and falling fast, and quite frankly they wouldn't mind being snowed in with one another in the morning. The meal went by faster than they'd expected, and they ordered desert and coffee.
"Mulder, I had a really good time tonight. Thank you." Scully smiled.
"Thank you. Dana, you're everything I could have ever asked for. There were other things I've wanted in my life, explanations, but you lead me to all of them. Best of all, when they were all said and done, I had you to keep. Without you, I'd be nothing. I love you." Mulder said.
"God, Mulder," She sighed, taking his hand atop the table. "Ever since I met you I saw the passion you'd possessed, and I'd always wanted it directed at me. Honestly, I had been afraid I'd been second place to the truths you were looking for, your sister, the answers, but suddenly I was looking for them, too. I always knew I loved you, Mulder, and I always knew inside of myself that you loved me back. My only regret was taking to long to realize I was right." She smiled.
"Hey, it all worked out, didn't it?" He asked, as Scully watched their waitress approach the table.
"Yeah, I suppose it did. Or at least, as best as it could." She smiled.
"Can I get you guys anything else?" The waitress asked them when she walked over.
"No, thank you, just the check." Mulder said.
"No problem." She placed the leather book on the table. When she had left, Mulder took out the money, and left her a hefty tip. She had been cheerful, and uplifting. She came back as they were getting ready to leave and took the book.
"Do you need change?" She asked.
"No, thank you." Mulder smiled.
She saw the cash for her tip and smiled.
"Thanks, guys. Merry Christmas!" She said.
"You too." Scully replied as Mulder nodded, and the waitress happily bounced off.
They walked outside after putting on their coats, and were met by a lot of snow. There was about three inches on the ground already, and it was supposed to snow all night. A lovely meal, polite service, a white Christmas, a pregnant Scully... Everything was perfect. Mulder brushed the snow off of the car, and they drove home with Christmas carols playing yet again. As they were walking towards the house, Scully slowed her pace to let Mulder get in front of her.
She silently managed to crouch down to the snow, despite her pregnant stomach. Her gloved hand grabbed a fist full of snow, and she got back up, molding it into a ball. Just as Mulder approached the door, he felt something cold hit him in the back. He laughed, and spun around to face Scully smiling innocently, holding back laughter.
"Snowballs, Scully?" He asked.
"Who, *me*?" She asked with mock-ignorance. "You don't think I could bend down with this stomach, do you?"
"I think you're more talented than most pregnant women. You've managed to do stranger things in the position, haven't you?" He asked.
"If an autopsy is stranger than snowballs, than yes. Yes I have." She giggled, yes, giggled. This is what a combination of the holidays, Mulder, and fun did to Dana Scully. It actually made her giggle.
"C'mon, get inside before I forget my manners and start making snowballs of my own." Mulder teased.
"Is that a threat?" Scully teased back.
"You are so lucky you're pregnant, Scully, or you'd have a face full of snow."
"I'm lucky for more reasons than that." She smiled, taking his hand.
"Yeah. We just keep getting luckier." He smiled confidently.
They stepped inside, smiling and holding hands. Like a normal couple on Christmas. Like everything both of them wanted to be at one point or another. They took off their coats and sat down on the couch, under a blanket, looking at the Christmas tree Scully insisted that they got. "C'mon, Mulder, it'll keep up the normal people facade." She had persuaded him. He agreed after bitching about pine needles, and she suddenly reminded her of her dad. Just a few years ago in the Christmas season, she had lost Ahab.
"Hey Scully?" Mulder interrupted her thoughts. "I'm going to go change into pajamas." He said.
"Yeah, uh, sounds like a good idea." She replied. They wandered into the bedroom, and emerged wearing matching flannel pajamas.
"You want some hot chocolate, Scully?" He asked.
"Sure, Mulder, thanks." She smiled.
He went inside the kitchen, and a few moments later he yelled to her, "You want some little mini-marshmallows?"
"Yeah, please." She called back. He walked back inside with two big mugs of the creamy hot chocolate.
"I haven't had any since I was kid." Scully said.
"Neither have I, but things are different now. I suppose that's why I bought it. Hot chocolate with marshmallows is no fun alone." Mulder said.
"You're right. It's more fun with you." She said, as he snuggled up beside her on the couch. They were beneath a big knit blanket, and soon they abandoned empty mugs on the coffee table.
"Dana," Mulder said, his voice just above a whisper, "You'd better not stay up too late, or Santa won't come."
"I don't know if I've been good enough this year for him to come anyway."
"Is Dana Katherine Scully on the naughty list?" He teased.
"Uh-uh, to everyone else, including in Santa, it's Katherine Carter who's on the naughty list. Dana Scully still has a good reputation with the man." She grinned.
"Let's go inside before we fall asleep on the couch." He said.
"Okay, Mulder." She smiled as they rose from the couch.
As they climbed into bed, Mulder kissed Scully's lips. He pulled away to whisper "Merry Christmas, Dana." She replied to him, "Merry Christmas, Mulder." She kissed his lips again, thankful for all she had this holiday. Mulder slid down her body, placing yet another kiss on her stomach. "Merry Christmas to you, too." He directed the last comment to their unborn child. He kissed his way back up Scully's body underneath the heavy winter covers. The snow kept falling outside, and there would be shoveling to do in the morning in order to go anywhere. Neither of them seemed to notice.
Scully awoke with a small chill, and she pushed her body up against Mulder's. Surprisingly, he was sleeping. She pulled the covers up to her shoulders, resting her forehead against his. The tiny contact made his eyes flutter, and he stirred a little bit. Dana looked to the clock, wondering if it was late enough to wake him yet. It was a little after nine, and she decided this was probably the most Mulder had slept in quite a while. She looked back to him, and began to whisper in his ear.
"Merry Christmas, Mulder."
"Hmm," He moaned, and his eyes opened to see her in front of him.
"Is this my present for being so good all year?" He smiled, and she smiled back.
"This is just the beginning. I've got stuff for you under the tree, let's go." She urged.
"Alright, alright, if you insist. I think someone's anxious to open their own gifts, Scully."
"Who, me?" She teased.
After getting out of bed and leaving the warm cocoon of the comforter, both Mulder and Scully felt quite a chill. They grabbed their robes, and headed for the Christmas tree. It was moderately sized, decorated with a few glass ornaments they had picked up. Underneath it was an abundance of wrapped boxes of different sizes. Scully sat Indian-style on the floor in front of the gifts, and Mulder on a big chair next to the tree.
"You open one first, Mulder." Scully began, handing him a box. "Merry Christmas."
His first gift was a black ribbed turtleneck. Scully had to admit, that was a gift for her as well. It was the sexiest thing she could imagine him wearing. He handed her one, a small box. She tore at the paper gently, and looked up at him when it was gone.
"Oh, the blue box... Tiffany's." She grinned. She opened the box to reveal two diamond earrings, set in silver. They were the beautiful Tiffany Lace design, and she knew they were expensive. "God, Mulder, they're beautiful, thank you. How the hell did you afford this?" She asked.
"Don't worry about it." Mulder said. She didn't.
"Your turn." Scully said.
Mulder was handed a box, neatly wrapped in red paper. He tore at the paper, and it revealed a small black box. He opened it and found a rather handsome watch inside.
"Now it's my turn to question you about the money." He smiled.
"And my turn to tell you not to worry about it." Scully said. He didn't.
The gifts continued, with more turtlenecks for Mulder, and a pair of silk, black boxers. Scully wasn't the only one was giving gifts that were making her happy as well, however. She opened a couple of boxes from Victoria's Secret, too. Leave it to Mulder. After they'd opened everything, they padded back to the couch to relax for a little while. They settled down and flipped on the parade.
"Look at all the snow." Scully said, referring to both outside their window and in Manhattan on the television. "It's so nice to have a white Christmas."
"That's because you're not the one who's going to shovel it up." Mulder teased.
"I hope it snows next week, I won't have to go to work." She smiled. "If this is any indication, I should get at least one snow day this winter."
Mulder's eyes switched back to the television. "You know, I never got the point of parades," Mulder mused. "All these people do is walk around for a long period of time, in the cold, and for what reason?" He asked.
"To spread cheer." Scully replied. "And to get frostbite. Besides, this parade sucks compared to the Thanksgiving one." She grinned.
The screen switched to Herald Square, where the Rockette's were dancing.
"Wouldn't it be great to see one of them lose their shoes in the middle of a kick?" Mulder asked.
"Mulder, that's terrible... But yes. I was always to short and too terrible a dancer to think of being a Rockette's." She paused. "Speaking of kicks, I think we may have a future Rockette in the making." She said, putting her hand to her stomach. "Here," Scully said, taking Mulder's hand and putting it on her stomach. "Feel that?"
His hand rested there a moment before he could register the emotion, and said "Wow, Dana, you can feel little feet kicking around. That's so beautiful... This is the best Christmas gift yet."
Slowly, he moved his face closer to her. Gently, he brushed a stray strand of auburn hair behind her ear, and placed a feather light kiss on her lips. Dana kissed him back without giving it any thought. She grasped his hand tightly, as if to express to him how much she loved him without having to break their kiss. Suddenly, they were interrupted when the phone rang.
"Hold that thought," Mulder smiled. The cordless was closer to Scully, so she grabbed it.
"Hello?"
"Miss Scully..." A voice she didn't recognize said.
"Who is this?" She demanded.
"You know who this is. Don't you remember, we told you we'd hit you twice as hard."
"What the Hell is that supposed to mean?" she yelled. Mulder moved close to the phone to try to hear what was going on.
"He's not as safe as you thought." The man said, sounding cryptic.
"Who isn't?" Tears were beginning to water Dana's eyes.
"We have him. And we're coming for you next."
"Who? Who do you have?" She demanded again.
"Your son, William."
Authors Notes: Alright, so I gave you Christmas cheer and suspense. I still have to write the next chapter, so I'm not sure it'll be up to soon. Thanks for the reviews, and let me know what you thought of this fluffy-till-the-end chapter.