Maggie had been ecstatic when they had told her their news, as had both Charlie and Jess. They had all oohed and ahhed over all the cute little baby things that they had bought. The twins had tried to steal some of the little toys thinking, or hoping, that they were more Christmas presents for them but Peter had been more interested in finding out how the baby had gotten inside his Auntie Dana's tummy. Once Charlie had given him the G-rated version of the birds and the bees talk he had spent all of his time trying to talk to it by lying across Mulder with his ear pressed to Scully's abdomen. Mulder and Scully had relished the attention but they had soon gone upstairs to celebrate a little bit more on their own before they all had to start getting ready for the New Year's Eve party they were going to.

Bill had not been informed of the news; not only because both Mulder and Scully didn't want their happiness ruined by the negative attitude he was sure to have towards it but also because they'd had car trouble on the trip down from Tara's parents. This meant that they were running late and had arrived at Maggie's house a little over half an hour before they were due to go out.

They had all arrived at the party only slightly late but had quickly got into the swing of things talking to everyone they met. They had been there for almost two hours by now and midnight was approaching fast. Scully was slightly apprehensive when Jess 'asked' her if she needed to go to the bathroom and, after she had politely refused, still ushered her away from the rest of the family to go anyway. She asked what was going on but Jess brushed off her question and took her time fixing her make up so that Scully felt obliged to stay in the ladies room with her. When they returned to the group, Scully looked around suspiciously and frowned in confusion at the funny looks everyone gave her when she asked where Mulder had gone.

"Mom, what's going on? Where's Mulder?"

"You'll see in a minute Dana...just be patient."

"No Mom, tell me where he..."

Scully trailed off as she followed her mother's pointing finger. Her gaze at last rested on the stage, which a minute earlier had been bathed in spotlights. It was now shrouded in darkness and, just as she opened her mouth to ask her mom again what was going on, music began to quietly drift out of the speakers. As the music got louder, the lights for the stage came back on and she gasped when she saw Mulder standing up there, mike in hand. She let out a chortle of laughter as she realised that it was nothing bad that had made him leave and then began to smile as his voice filled the hall.

Over and over I look into your eyes You are all I desire You have captured me I want to hold you I want to be close to you I never want to let go I wish that this night would never end I need to know

Could I hold you for a lifetime?
Could I look into your eyes?
Could I have this night to share this night together?
Could I hold you close beside me?
Could I hold you for all time?
Could I have this kiss forever?
Could I have this kiss forever, forever?

The music went into an instrumental verse while Mulder unhooked the microphone from its stand and began to make his way down off the stage. The crowd parted to let him through and he made his way towards Scully. She smiled and blushed as he came to a halt in front of her and she realised that everyone had stopped their conversations to turn and watch the both of them. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and placed a kiss on her cheek before letting her go and lifting up the mike again. The other party guests had formed a circle around the couple and all watched them as Mulder began to sing once more.

I don't want any night to go by Without you by my side I just want all my days Spent being next to you Lived for just loving you And baby, oh by the way

Could I hold you for a lifetime?
Could I look into your eyes?
Could I have this night to share this night together?
Could I hold you close beside me?
Could I hold you for all time?
Could I have this kiss forever?
Could I have this kiss forever, forever?

Mulder bent his head down to give her a kiss as the last bars of the music faded away. She returned the kiss but just as she was about to bring her arms up around his neck to pull him closer, he pulled away. She looked confused and upset until she realised that he was bending down onto one knee and holding out a ring box in front of him. Her hands flew up to her mouth as she gasped in surprise and she watched as with shaky hands he opened the box and took out the ring.

"Scully...I told you before our very first kiss that if I kissed you I would want to kiss you forever. So now I'm asking you, my Angel...would you allow me the pleasure of being able to kiss you for the rest of our lives? ...Would you do me the honour of being my wife?"

The crowd fell silent to await her answer but they all let out a collective gasp of shock as they watched her pull her hand away from his. He had been about to place the ring on her finger but when she pulled her hand away he looked up, bewildered, and found that she was shaking her head from side to side in refusal.