58.
The Royal Carlton Hotel, Baltimore.
10.52 am Saturday 21st August, 2008.
Scully awoke to a loud banging at the door. Opening her eyes she nearly screamed with shock at seeing Monica in the bed beside her. Clear recollection flooded her mind. They had both staggered into the room, Scully holding Monica up, and they fell on the bed laughing. Scully had managed to crawl into bed and Monica had dragged herself to the pillows to join her. The pair had talked and laughed into the 'late' early hours until they had finally fallen asleep side by side.
Grabbing her robe she pulled it on during her walk to the door. Peeking through the spy-hole she saw her mother and Samantha standing in the hallway. Her mother was carrying three black dress bags. Groaning slightly she pulled the robe across herself. That was when she noticed it… the baby had turned and her flat stomach was now protruding slightly. It wasn't much but was enough for her to finally feel pregnant. Smiling she opened the door.
"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy." Samantha chirruped "I am a bridesmaid, Mommy" she said throwing her arms around her mother's legs. "Pick me up." Scully knelt on the floor at Samantha's feet.
"I can't lift you sweetie, we don't want to hurt the baby, do we?" she looked into her daughter's eyes and Samantha shook her head.
"Where is Auntie Monica?" she asked softly.
"She's asleep in the bedroom… don't wake her up!" she called after Samantha, a little too late as she heard Samantha scare Monica awake. Lightly she chuckled and looked up at her mother who helped her stand again. "Thanks Mom."
"I see you are showing at last!" she said as Scully walked towards the armchairs in the room.
"I hope I'm not showing too much us Brides have to look somewhat virginal!" she teased. "Does having two kids ruin that pretence?"
"I think so. Now I'm going to order breakfast, if it is not too late, and I think you should start getting that friend of yours out of bed. We have lots to do in a very short space of time… Like take that dress out a bit so your baby will be comfortable today."
Scully padded through to the bedroom where Samantha was bouncing up and down on the bed in an attempt to get Monica up.
"Mommy, Auntie Monica won't get up." She said pouting.
"There is only one way to get an FBI agent out of bed, Samantha. Take the covers and see whether she gets up." Samantha and Scully pulled the covers from on top of Reyes and she groaned tuning her face into the pillows. Scully and Samantha looked at one another.
Holding out her hand Scully led Samantha to the bathroom. Taking the water glass she filled it with ice cold water from the faucet. Winking at Samantha she dripped some water onto Monica's head and she ignored it. Scully poured a little more onto her friend's head, this she noticed. Opening her eyes, Monica, was faced with a glass of water threatening to fall upon her.
"NOOO!" she said sitting bolt upright and headed for the bathroom.
"Never fails!" Scully said taking Samantha's hand and leading her back to the living room area of the hotel suite just as a delivery of boxes arrived.
"That will be the flowers." Her mother said as Scully wrinkled her brow in curiosity.
* = * =
3.00pm
The morning had been spent pampering and being 'made up' for her big day. Scully had painted Samantha's nails whilst Monica fussed with Scully's hair. She had managed to pull the hair into a French twist and to add allure she pulled strands of Scully's hair down so to frame her face. Monica pulled a face as she stepped back to look at her work.
"No, It's still not right." Twiddling her own hair in her fingers the idea snapped into her head like a bullet from a gun. Taking some hair wax and a pencil she wound the strands around it and applied the wax. A few moments later Scully had a curl of hair framing her delicate features.
Softly Scully smiled as she was shown her reflection. Her hair looked perfect as did her make up. Now all they had to do was fit her dress. They had made the alterations during the morning and had finally made it fit perfectly. Monica had panels fitted, to the dress, which could be let out should the need occur… which it had. Her mom had stitched the bodice's alterations and let out the skirt. The dress looked as wonderful as it had the night before.
The skirt was full and would trail behind her; it was white satin and had tiny faux diamond stones dotted around the base of the skirt. The bodice was fitting to all of her curves, including the new one, and the straps were made so they sat just off of her shoulders. It laced up at the back and had taken ten minutes to make it sit right on her body.
Everyone's nerves, except Scully's, were on edge. She couldn't feel nervous. This was exactly what she had wanted for so long and it was finally coming true. How could you feel nervous about that? Her mom had changed into a pale blue skirt suit with a long jacket and white blouse. Monica and Samantha had similar dresses in lilac satin. It was a simple spaghetti strapped dress that fell to the floor, although Samantha's was cut to the knee.
At 3.35pm a knock was heard and in walked Bill Scully. Scully almost choked on her orange juice as she saw him dressed in his naval uniform.
"Hello Bill." She said quietly expecting a row and sitting down to compose herself.
"Hello Dana, you look… Divine." Scully's eyes widened as she looked at her Mom.
She couldn't understand why he was being so civil and why he was there anyway. He hated Mulder with a vengeance, disapproved of their children and of her love for him so why would he be there when she was about to get married? Unless he was there to cause trouble.
"Bill… what are you doing here?"
"Didn't Mom tell you? I'm here to give you away. I may not approve but it is tradition for the elder brother to take the place of the Father in these situations. If you prefer Charles can do the honours but it would be my pleasure to do this one thing for you." He wasn't about to tell anyone the real reason for his change of heart… He would pay penance for his 'indiscretion' with his secretary in due course but he still couldn't fathom exactly\hoe the three stooges had discovered his infidelity.
"It doesn't mean I forgive what you said. But I would love for you to give me away Bill. Thank you." She turned to Monica who was fiddling with a box. "Need any help with that, Monica?"
"It's a little tricky that's all." She said finally jiggling the box lid free.
She pulled out a long piece of finely knitted fabric. Scully looked on as she brought over the veil and another box which Scully opened to find a tiara.
"Thank you for this Monica. Thank you all for this I appreciate it." Monica squeezed her hand and fitted the veil and tiara to Scully's hair.
Scully stood letting the veil fall down her back. It was almost as long as the train on her dress. Samantha had flowers in her hair and in a basket in her hands. She scowled at her uncle she knew what he had said and she didn't like him for it. She didn't like him because he hated her Daddy even if he was pretending to like Daddy for Mommy.
Scully watched her daughter's quiet exchange of hatred with her uncle. He hadn't looked at her but Scully could see his cheek twitching with disapproval. Bill looked out of the window and saw the cars below. He turned to the group and informed them.
Scully took Samantha by the hand and found her mother taking her other hand as a way of support. This was it. This was the time. She was going to get married.
3.20pm
Margaret Scully's residence, Baltimore.
Mulder fiddled with William's bow tie. Their suits were almost identical, both black, both with wine coloured waistcoats and their black shoes shined to an army boot glint.
"You know something William? I should have asked you Mom to marry me years ago. Well before we had you and your sister. Do you think today will make up for it?"
"I think it does Daddy. Mommy loves you." He said as a matter of fact.
"Have you got the ring?" he asked looked seriously at the small boy in front of him.
"No. Uncle Walter has." Mulder sighed with relief. William was to carry the ring down the aisle. He looked up at Skinner who entered the room.
"Are you ready to leave? It's nearly time to go."
"Sure thing Skinman" Mulder said a hint of nerves in his voice he grinned as Skinner shot him a look that would have killed any other ex-FBI agent.
Mulder had never felt so nervous in his entire life. Would he stumble over his words in the church, would he drop the ring? Would she actually say I do? She could run out of the church for all he knew. Why had he watched 'Runaway Bride' last night? Scully wouldn't do that, would she? Shaking the thoughts from his head Mulder stood and took a deep breath. Ushering William towards the door they left Maggie's house and headed for the church.
Mulder stood expectantly at the front of the church talking with Father McCue. Thanking him for conducting the service for them both. He knew she would love the fact he had got her childhood priest to conduct the ceremony. Nervously he kept checking the back of the church hoping the next people through the door would be Bill and Scully. More guests filtered through the solid oak door and took their place on Scully's side of the church. Mulder smiled he had but five guests… the lone gunmen, Doggett and Skinner as his best man. He was sure had he asked Frohike he would have been floored. Everyone knew that Frohike held a major torch for Scully even though she loved Mulder he had never quite been able to find someone else to fall for. It was still quite a miracle that Scully had managed to save the trio and create a vaccine in the limited timeframe she had been given.
The organ thundered a tune, the wedding march, making Mulder turn around in order to face the congregation and his future wife. Scully was standing at the back of the church, everyone turned to face her, and she felt her face flush beneath the veil. Never before had she felt so 'on show' even when she had finally received her FBI badge in the great hall at Quantico.
Samantha slowly began walking a rehearsed step and together routine and dropping rose petals along the aisle. Monica followed suit after a few moments allowing the guests to admire the youngster. They walked down the aisle slowly allowing the guests to 'oh' and 'ah' at Scully who was hiding her blushes beneath her veil. She didn't know why she felt embarrassed but perhaps it was because she was the centre of attention and that didn't normally happen. Lifting her head and holding Bill's arm in a loose grasp she walked down the aisle, towards her destiny, towards her dream, and towards Mulder. She grinned through the lace at him as she laid eyes on Father McCue, the priest she had always known and respected. He had come from retirement to perform her wedding. She held back the tear afraid her make up would run. There was no way Mulder was lifting her veil to see her with Panda eyes!
The ceremony began, to Mulder and Scully alike it drifted into a blur the only recollection she would ever remember were the vows.
"Do you Fox William Mulder take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife to live together after God's ordinance in the Holy Estate of Matrimony? Do you promise to love honour and cherish her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and live only unto her until you both shall live?"
"I do" he said looking directly in Scully's eyes making sure she knew he was sincere. His heart may have been pounding in his ears but he meant every syllable.
Father McCue turned to Scully and smiled warmly at her… this was the day he had wanted to see her through so many years ago.
"Do you Dana Katherine Scully take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband to live together after God's ordinance in the Holy Estate of Matrimony? Do you promise to love honour and cherish him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and live only unto him until you both shall live?" momentarily Scully looked at Mulder searching his face for something that wasn't there.
"I do." He would never betray her it was written across his eyes and she saw the relief flood across them when she said those immortal words.
William was beckoned forwards with a cushion which had the rings set upon them. Father McCue blessed the two gold bands and finished the ceremony.
"Repeat after me…" he beckoned to Mulder as he held the ring to Scully's finger. "I, Fox William Mulder, take you Dana Katherine Scully, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; and I promise to be faithful to you until death us do part"
Mulder repeated the words as clear as a bell, not once faltering; his voice was laced with emotion for the woman standing before him. Scully smiled through her veil as he spoke the words to her.
"With this ring I the wed." Mulder slid the ring into its rightful place upon Scully's finger "I give you this ring as a symbol of our marriage, as a token of my unending love for you."
It was Scully's turn to speak, taking the ring from the pillow William held. Once again Father McCue asked Scully to repeat the words he spoke.
"I, Dana Katherine Scully, take you Fox William Mulder, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; and I promise to be faithful to you until death us do part" she held Mulder's hand in her own her eyes held his as she spoke the words knowing fully had she attempted to marry another she would never have made it this far. "With this ring I the wed." Scully slid the ring onto Mulder's finger claiming him as her husband for the entire world to see "I give you this ring as a symbol of our marriage, as a token of my unending love for you."
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride!" Father McCue spoke leaning in towards them. Slowly Mulder lifted Scully's veil as a solitary tear slid down her porcelain features. Taking her face in his hands he brushed the tear away with his thumb. Leaning down their lips met in a tender embrace. As clapping rose through the church a resounding slap was heard as Scully hit Mulder on the cheek… hard.
"What was that for!" Mulder asked stunned and hurt by what she had done… everyone had their eyes on the scene.
"I want you to remember this moment for the rest of your life because you have made me the happiest woman in the world today and I never want you to forget it. Is that dumb?" Mulder chuckled then.
"No, it isn't."
Father McCue ushered them to sign the register where it was made official that they were man and wife. It took ages to actually sign her name with all the photos being taken. They smiled lovingly for the cameras and kissed as requested, even the children joined them for the signing as had Monica and Skinner.
It didn't take long to get outside for the professional photographer who had them standing with all the guests and in different positions. The final shot was of the 'newlyweds' in an embrace a simple, loving, tender kiss.
As confetti was thrown Scully and Mulder ran to the car that would take them to the reception. Mulder gave the driver a $20 bill to stop by a lake for a few minutes to allow the other guests the chance to arrive before them. They sat on a bench beneath a tree and held hands as Scully leaned into his shoulder. She was tired from standing in the church for over an hour in heeled shoes and it showed.
"I love you Fox."
"I love you too. You look shattered and we still have the reception to go to."
"I'll make it through. This is our day. This is the day I have longed for my whole life."
"If you are sure, we could always cut out early?" Scully nodded snuggling her face against his chest a little more.
Mulder held her tightly for a few more minutes before they stood to leave the peace and tranquillity of the lakeside bench.
The reception was buzzing with music and people awaiting their arrival. They walked hand in hand through the main doors to the reception. As they seated themselves down at the top table the waiters began serving the food for everyone. Champagne bottles were opened and a glass of lemonade was placed in front of Scully. She smiled at Mulder for adding that touch to her day.
"You can have champagne when the baby is born!" he whispered into her ear.
10.45pm
Scully flopped onto the hotel bed and sighed as she kicked the shoes off. Her feet were sore and she needed the relief. Mulder lay down beside her and took note of how beautiful she was looking. Stroking her face he gently kissed her cheek. She turned her head to face him her eyes fluttered open as she fought the fatigue the day had brought to her.
"Would it be okay if I kissed the bride again?" he asked wiggling his eyebrows seductively
"I don't see why not although you may want to ask my husband first." She laughed as his lips came down upon hers in a passionate embrace. Both were far too exhausted to act upon that passion.
"I blame you for all this." He said as their kiss broke. She turned her head to look at him.
"Why?" she asked raising her eyebrow.
"You started the love affair and now look at us… two kids, one on the way and a marriage behind us."
"As I recall YOU kissed me first."
"You made the 'other' moves." She blushed slightly remembering that night.
"I was asleep!" she said indignation stressed in her voice.
"And I've given up sunflower seeds." She laughed at him then.
"Okay… But you didn't HAVE to marry me!" she said her eyes closing momentarily. She opened them again as Mulder sat against the pillows.
"I'm happy I did. I have loved you for so long I can't imagine what it would be like to love someone else."
"Me either. I remember our first night like it was yesterday."
"Which first night are you talking about? The one where we kissed? Or do you mean the night where we were first together?"
"The kiss is your memory. I am talking about the movie premiere night where we first got it together against my hotel room door!"
The couple snuggled in each other's arms and discussed the events of both of those nights. Naturally Mulder had a more pornographic slant on the events but for once he wasn't too far from the truth. The truth was Scully was in love with him and it had taken seeing her old flame, Daniel Waterstone, to make her realise it.
