55.

27th August, 8pm

Scully eased herself down onto the bed beside William. She was still in awe at having her son home with her. She had lost the better part of eight years with him and now the guilt because of her decision had returned. Stroking his face she wondered what he thought of her, would he ever forgive her for that wrongful decision she had made. Now, she had him back and it may have been a matter of hours but nothing would take him away again. Tiredly he yawned and studied her face.

"I used to dream of you Mommy. Now I have you back."

"And nothing is going to take you away. You hear me. Come hell or high water you are staying put little man."

"Will you sing me that song you always used to?"


"What song?" Scully said slowly raising her eyebrow in deep thought.

"The frog one." William began humming it and Scully instantly recognised 'Jeremiah is a Bullfrog' slowly she smiled and began singing it to her son. Secretly she wished she could have sung the song to him all of his life. She had made the choice and always regretted it but now she had him back she couldn't help the surge of anger towards the Vanderkamp's. How could they decide he wasn't worth having just because they were having a child of their own? It was inhuman. How could you thro away a child you had desperately wanted for so long? Wait… hadn't she done that? At least when she found out she was pregnant her desire to be a mother to him had not gone away, in fact it had multiplied. She had grieved over and again for her son and now she finally had him home. Her son, her baby, her first born was home with her. He was home with them all. Her family was complete. At least it seemed that way, looking down at William she noticed he had fallen asleep, it was then she heard Mulder's ecstatic voice on the phone… he was talking to Monica again and it wasn't about a surprise visit to Baltimore!

Creeping along the landing Scully listened hard to Mulder's words. She couldn't believe he had promised her nothing was happening when something clearly was. Lies! He had told her too many lies. She couldn't scream or shout at him, the kids would hear and wake up. Samantha had taken ages to settle into her bed. William had required the song and had happily passed out. Mulder was going to wreck their little family and he couldn't see it. She would never forgive him for this, never. She may love him so deeply into her soul that they were the same but hell hath fury upon a woman scorned. Mulder was laughing. Scully sat down behind the banisters clenching them tightly in her hands as she listened to Mulder's words.

"She doesn't suspect a thing. I'm taking her to the hotel on Friday and dropping the kids off at her Mom's place. I assure you she doesn't suspect anything… No. I'll see you tomorrow. Ok, bye." As he hung up he happened to glance above him and saw Scully clutching the railings.  He made a move towards her and she headed for the bedroom bolting the door closed. 'Another night on the sofa' he thought.

* * *                     

Friday August 30th 2008

Scully sat in the front of the car fuming. She still refused to talk to Mulder. He had tried countless times to make her talk but he knew it would take ages for her to come around. Only when the kids were present would she actually make conversation. He could see the pain etched across her face and eyes. She still loved him and hearing him talking, in the manner he had been, only burnt a hole right to her heart. He was such a fool. He should have waited to call Monica but she needed to know, now that William was home, things were going to get very difficult. He wouldn't be able to see her on a whim or if she called. He had to be there, now more than ever.

The drive to her Mom's took forty minutes… forty minutes of sheer hell. William was overly excited at seeing his Grandmother and Samantha was looking as if the green eyed monster had set in. She was her Nanna, not his! Both Scully women were sitting with their arms folded across their chests, Mulder smiled and received a scowl from Scully. He had aptly named Samantha 'Mini-Mom' at the time it had been a joke but right at that moment he realised just how perfect the name actually was.

As the pulled into her mother's driveway Scully's face softened slightly she couldn't wait to see her mom.  Her mother opened the front door before the car doors had opened. Scully helped William and Samantha from their restraints in the back of the car. Both children rushed towards their Grandmother but Samantha had the upper hand in the sprint, reaching her Nanna a full hug before William. There was no way she was letting him hog her Nanna, not until she said so! He couldn't just walk into her family and take them all from her. It wasn't fair and it wasn't right.

It didn't matter that he had been the first born what mattered was the fact he had stolen her Mommy and Daddy… Not so much Daddy but Mommy was spending more time with William than she was with her. Samantha held onto her Grandmother with the tightest of hugs pressing her small face into soft stomach and smelling that sweet lavender smell all Grandmother's seem to possess.

With teary eyes she looked up at her Grandmother who held her face in concern.

"Samantha, what is it sweetie?" Maggie said stroking away a tear with her thumb. "Come through to the kitchen with me." She picked up Samantha, who laid her head against her grandmother's shoulder and sucked her thumb, and carried her through to the kitchen.

Sitting down upon a chair Maggie seated Samantha upon her knees. She asked her question again and watched the small girl's face crumple with tears that were fraught with anxiety.

"Mommy doesn't love me anymore… she has William and she doesn't want to be with me anymore. She didn't want to play Barbie's with me yesterday because she was playing cars with William. Daddy has to try and play Barbie's with me but he doesn't like to. Mommy doesn't read me my bedtime story because she sings to William. She forgot to kiss me goodnight last night coz she was with William. Mommy doesn't want me anymore, does she?"

"Maybe Mommy is making it up to William because he had to live someplace else?" she suggested whilst totally agreeing with her Grandchild's point of view.

"She still doesn't play with me! Why can't Mommy play with me too? She played with William then went to sleep again. She says the Baby is making her tired so she can't play like we used to. But she will play with William, Nanna. It's not fair."

"I know sweetie. Let me talk to Mommy. I'll tell her to play some more with you, okay?" Samantha nodded and hugged her Grandmother again.

"Can I have a glass of milk please?" she asked softly.

"There is one in the fridge door already for you." Samantha smiled and hopped from Maggie's lap and opened the fridge door to find her milk. Samantha seated herself at the table and slowly sipped her drink in the way she had been taught. Maggie left her alone and headed to the living room where she found Scully sat playing a card game with William and Mulder was leafing through the National Geographic magazine.

"Dana, can I have a word?" Maggie said with the deadliest of tones that Scully knew as trouble. Scully left the room with her mother who closed the door after them. Mulder leant against the door to hear their words. He had to strain to hear because Maggie was talking with the most tender but harshest tone of voice. He knew where Scully got that from! All he could think was how glad he was not on the receiving end of those words.

It was a full ten minutes before Scully entered the room again her eyes were puffy and red, she had obviously been crying. She sat on the sofa beside Mulder all thoughts of his affair were momentarily displaced. He put his arm around her and she leant against his shoulder, her finger drawing circles upon his chest.

"Am I a bad mother?"

"Of course not… Having William home just meant you wanted to make things up to him and you didn't realise how badly Samantha would take it. You forgot she has been an only child until now. Not forgetting the baby… It was bound to be hard for her to adjust to having a brother and another sibling very soon." Mulder touched Scully's stomach as confirmation the baby was still there.

Scully felt awful. Her little girl felt sidelined because of William and the baby and there was nothing she could do to apologise, she had tried but Samantha wouldn't listen. Scully had burst into tears at her daughter's sombre face. Samantha had given her 'the look' that every Scully could give to perfection. It was heartbreaking. How could she apologise for wanting to let William feel welcome? She loved them both. Scully knew she would have to learn to treat all of her children the same… especially once the baby made an appearance… at least she wasn't showing yet, it would make it easier for Samantha but not for long. Scully suspected once her figured bloomed so would Samantha's jealousy.

Two hours later and several card games down, Scully and Mulder headed for their hotel. She had consciously made an effort to play games with Samantha in the hope of making her feel better, it had worked slightly. Pulling into the tree lined entrance the car scratched its way up the driveway to the luxurious Royal Carlton Hotel. Scully stared at the pillared entrance to the building which stood three stories high and built in beige stone.

Waiting in the doorway was a Valet attendant. He helped Scully from the car and after Mulder had exited the driver's seat he drove the car to the parking bay.

Mulder led Scully by the hand through the revolving doors.

Bright light illuminate the grandeur of the hotel. Plush red carpet lined the foyer and to the left of them was the reception desk. In the middle of the foyer stood a fountain that, had seats surrounding it, was the perfect place to sit and chat with fellow guests. Scully was gently pulled forward by Mulder as she stared up at the ceiling with its imperial looking architecture and a faux Sistine chapel ceiling. Scully smiled as her heels clicked upon the marble flooring near the reception desk. She walked away from the polished oak reception desk as Mulder booked them into their room. Opposite the reception desk were the elevators to the floors above. The foyer was crowded which puzzled Scully. She assumed a hotel of such stature would not be this busy but perhaps she was wrong in her assumption. She could smell the meals being served in the dining room and made a mental note to get something a little later on. A bellhop wheeled their bags towards her with Mulder sauntering behind him. They walked to the elevators and as they waited Scully spied the tall, dark haired figure of Monica Reyes by the fountain.

Her memories renewed Scully stepped into the elevator fuming. How dare he invite Monica? This was supposed to be their weekend TOGETHER!