December 27th

~**~**~**~

These last few days have gone my without incident. Except for when Mulder tried to score a point by once again tickling me. He didn't win then either. Anne and I have spent hours upon hours just talking about it, and she thinks that I should tell him how I feel. And im seriously contemplating it.

Yesterday was great, we woke up at 4 in the morning to go the-day-after-Christmas-shopping. I don't even know how much I ended up spending, but it was a lot. I got these beautiful black shoes that go with the dress Anne bought me. Again, im not sure when exactly I'll have the chance to wear them, but it's always nice to have them ready when I do need them. And im pretty sure that Anne is planning something, she's the leader of the conspiracy among the Scully family.

"Dana." Charlie calls, taking me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah Charlie."

"You still with us?"

"Uh-hmm, I guess I was just thinking."

"Right. Ok then. Just making sure." He smiles at me, and them and Anne share a glance. Im starting to wonder if my secrets are really safe with her, and from what I can see im assuming that they're not. But then again, assuming isn't really the best thing to do. I should know.

I get up and walk out of the living room, im not exactly sure where im going, maybe outside. It stopped snowing yesterday, and it's in the late 40's today, the snows melting pretty quickly. Our snowmen are basically puddles now. Bradley's a bit upset by the whole thing, but he's got enough new toys to play with where it doesn't really matter.

Something bumps into me and I look down to see Kaylie standing behind me. I bend down and pick her up, "just what do you think you're doing little missy?"

She giggles and pulls my hair, "Day!" She squeals.

I wince as she pulls, "on honey, don't pull auntie Day's hair."

"Why?"

"It hurts."

"Sorrie." She lets go of my hair.

I kiss her on the forehead and put her back on the ground, "go find your momma."

She teeters off, falling on her butt once, but getting right back up and walking again. I smile as she walks down the hallway and into the living room. I sigh when she's no longer in view and go out the sliding glass door that leads to the back porch. I sat down on the swing and listened to the crackling of the snow melting, the swing slowly rocking back and forth.

I'm outside maybe 15 minutes before the door slides open and Mulder steps out of the porch, he sits down next to me on the swing. "Hey Scully, what'cha doing?"

"Not much Mulder, just trying to enjoy the quiet. Although it looks as if that's going to end."

"Yup." He smiles, "you know im really glad I decided to come this time Scully."

"Yeah, Mulder, so am I."

We were quite after that, just enjoying each others silent company. The swing rocked back and forth quietly, and I was surprised when I laid my hand over his. I had done it spontaneously, I don't even think I thought about it before I had. He squeezed my hand gently and it sent warmth through my body. I thought back to the day before when Anne and I were talking, she had asked me if I was in love with Mulder, I didn't know if I was so I told her so.

But, sitting here it hits me. God help me, but I think that I am.

~**~**~**~

Anne watched out the window with a smile, her sister-in-law had been battling within her self for awhile, regarding her feelings for her partner. But Anne--and Charlie and her mother-in-law--could already see that she was. They could also see that he held the same emotion for her. But, neither of them wanted to admit it to themselves. It would be funny, if it wasn't so depressing. If they didn't admit their feelings to themselves soon Anne would have to do something about it.

And that's exactly what she planned on doing, Anne had a plan. A brilliant plan.

You see, one of Margaret's neighbors--a younger couple--was having a new years party. They had invited Margaret to go, and she could invite as many guest with her as she pleased. She had already asked Charlie and Anne if they wanted to come, and the had graciously accepted. Now, Anne had to get Dana and Mulder to go, together. And, she didn't think it was going to be much of a challenge. From what she could see out the window it wasn't going to be much of a challenge at all.

Anne saw Dana's head move slightly and she dunked out of the window, hoping her sister-in-law hadn't seen her spying. She took her coffee and ran out the room just in case she had been noticed. She sat on the couch with a giggle and her husband looked at her, his head cocked to one side.

"What's so funny?"

She picked her daughter up off the floor and sat her on her lap, "nothing dear. Im just in a good mood."

Her husband snorted, "that's something new."

She shot her husband a look, "if you continue that attitude you're sleeping on the couch."

He opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it, he closed his mouth and took his son in his arms, then they went to play with one of his many new toys. A Lego set, his grandmother had gotten it for him. Anne looked down at her daughter with a smile and rustled her hair.

"Momma stop." Kaylie pleaded.

"Uh-uh."

"Pwease?" She pouted.

Anne's heart melted looking at her daughter stick her bottom lip out, at only 16 months old she knew her mommy's biggest weakness, she was a clever little thing. She sighed, "oh, ok."

Kaylie smiled in triumph. Anne sat her back down on the floor and she once again began to play with her baby doll. Anne heard footfall and looked up to see her sister-in-law walking into the living room. Dana glared at her and Anne knew she had been caught. "What?" She said, playing innocent, although she knew it wasn't working very well.

Dana rolled her eyes at her, huffed, and walked up the stairs.

Mulder walked in the room and sat down on the couch.

"Watch her for me will you?" Anne asked. When Mulder nodded she followed Dana up the stairs with a smile playing on her face. She had decided that it was time to tell Dana about the new years eve party.

~**~**~**~

I sat down on my bed and looked at the door, waiting for Anne to come walking through it. My suspicions were correct and Anne came bounding into the room. She sat down next to me on the bed.

"I have something to ask you Dana."

"Yeah? And what is that?"

"Well, the Nelsons, you know the Nelsons right? They live next door. Well, anyway, they are having a new years eve party. A formal one at that. They've invited mom, and anyone she so chooses to come to their party. Now, Charlie and I have already agreed upon going. And we were wondering if you wanted to come…maybe with Mulder."

I sighed, "I'll go Anne, and I'll ask Mulder if he wants to come, but it will be in no way a date. You got that? In no way."

"Fine. Not a date. I got it." She smiled, "but, when the clock strikes midnight."

"Oh shut-up."

She laughed, "im just saying is all."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

Anne got up from the bed, "mom said dinner is in one hour."

I nodded and she left the room. I sat there for awhile just looking at the door, thinking. A new years eve party huh. And I agreed on going. Why exactly did I do that? But hey, at least I have somewhere to wear my new dress and shoes. I got off the bed and opened the closet door where the dress was hanging. I studied it for a moment, and smiled to myself.

This was really turning out to be a great Christmas.

~**~**~**~

a/n: yea, next chapter. I hope you liked it, I think I'll have two or three more chapters after this, but who knows, maybe I'll have more. Anyway, please review.