46.

3.25pm

Scully lay wrapped in Mulder's arms. This was where she felt safe, where she felt at 'home' nothing else mattered when they were like this. She felt foolish for thinking the baby could come between them. Or that it would drive him away. He had been thrilled about the prospect of actually being there for his child and she had nearly taken that away from him. As he held her close to him they heard the front door open. Her Mother had collected Samantha that day. They heard Samantha calling Scully before the little footsteps thundered up the stairs. The bedroom door was pushed open and Samantha stood, pouting in the doorway her arms folded across her chest.

"Hey Mini-Mom." Mulder said softly raising his head from the pillows.

Samantha eyed the scene as if scanning the room for bugs, her eyes rested upon her Mother before a smile spread faster than light across her tiny features.

"You're keeping the BABY!" she yelled as she jumped onto the bed "WOOO HOOOOO!!!!!" the small girl used the bed as a trampoline, bouncing up and down. Scully rolled off the bed as her daughter bounced upon her Father hugging him. "I knew Mommy would. I told the baby, Daddy, I did!" he hugged her back ruffling her hair.

"Did you indeed?" he said lifting her above his head, testing his muscle strength.

"Yeah!" Scully smiled as Samantha jumped from the bed into her arms. Gently the small girl touched her Mom's stomach and whispered, "Told you!"

Maggie Scully appeared in the doorway. She leant against the doorjamb taking in the scene. Her daughter was dressed in her white silk robe and Mulder lay there in his combat shorts and t-shirt. Samantha had her hand against Scully's belly and was talking incessantly to it. Scully smiled as she noticed her Mom's appearance in the doorway.

"Hi Mom."

"Dana, what's going on? The noise level tells me its something good?" Scully nodded as Samantha broke the news to her grandmother.

"Mommy's keeping the baby Nanna!" Samantha skipped over to her grandmother and hugged her.

"Dana?"

"I'm pregnant, Mom." Maggie's face looked concerned but then broke into a smile.

"Congratulations, darling!" she said walking over to her daughter and hugging her tightly. She turned to Mulder "and you had better stick around this time or you'll be running from me, not the military!" she grinned.

"Yes, Ma'am!" he said saluting her and breaking into a smile himself. Everyone moved towards the bedroom door when Mulder held Maggie's arm. Samantha and Scully continued down the stairs.

"I asked Dana to marry me and she said yes. I know I'm doing this completely the wrong way around but can I have your permission? You know what I feel for Dana, probably more than anyone, and it would mean a lot to me… to all of us if you'd give us your blessing?"

"You can have my blessing on one condition…"

"Anything?"

"You'd better make her happy!"

"I will. I promise."

"Then you have my blessing" she touched his arm before hugging him "Thank you for fulfilling your promise. Congratulations on the baby. Has she told you about last time?"

"Yes, she has. We'll be okay. I'll make sure of that. Don't worry." Mulder reassured her. They headed downstairs where Samantha was sat at the table eating cookies with a glass of milk.

Scully was in the kitchen preparing something for dinner when Mulder wrapped his arms around her, whispering the fact he'd asked her Mom, for her approval, in her ear. She smiled softly whilst concentrating on dicing the chicken for the sweet and sour. Mulder rubbed her stomach gently making her laugh. It tickled.

"I can't believe it, you are wonderful you know!"

"Fox… don't get too excited there is a long wait ahead."  She leant her head back against his shoulder and turning her face they kissed briefly. His hands wandered across her belly again as if searching for something. "What are you doing?"

"Feeling the baby kick." His hands continued to explore her flat stomach.

"Fox…" Scully turned around in his arms after putting her knife down "The baby won't start kicking just yet and I'll feel it before you'll be able to. In a month or so. Okay?" he pouted and kissed her nose then left her to the dinner. Her Mom took over the cooking whilst she changed into something more respectable than her robe. Taking the few moments of solitude Scully placed a hand upon her stomach and apologised to the growing child within her. She would regret the near abortion until the day she died.

*** One hour later***

Mulder had telephoned just about everyone in his phone book, which wasn't many people, and some of Scully's friends to tell them the good news. Scully had said it was fine to tell them about the baby because she was out of the first trimester and less likely to miscarry. Mulder was so happy about the baby that he couldn't disguise it in his voice. Scully worried she would become unbalanced again but hoped, considering there weren't any signs yet, that she would be fine. Looking skywards she pleaded that it would be.

Mulder held the phone to Scully's ear as she served their meal.

"Hey Dana, congratulations."

"Thanks Monica. Has Fox phoned just about everyone in my phonebook?"

"I think so. How far along are you?"

"Nearly fourteen weeks. We should catch up soon. I have a meeting with the University tomorrow if you are free at lunchtime?"

"That would be good. We have so much to talk about! Usual place?"

"That sounds good to me."

"Okay, see you tomorrow!"

"Bye" Mulder took the phone away again and Scully gave him 'the look' so he put the phone back where it belonged… charging on the wall! He blew her a kiss making her smile stupidly for a second. 'Some how' she thought 'this pregnancy is going to be worse than the others!'