Chapter Twenty-Three
Scully leaned forward in her seat to see the entire Chilmark estate through the front windshield of Mulder's car. "You never told me it was so big."
He shrugged, "I guess I never thought about it."
Incredulous, she looked back and forth between the house and Mulder once. He honestly did not even think of it. She nodded slowly before fastening the tiny buckles on her shoes. "Should I take my bag in now or come get it later?"
He shook his head and stepped out of the car after Scully, "I'll send someone to get it." Smiling, he held out his hand for her. She took his hand tentatively and wondered this weekend held in store for her.
Nervously, she finger-combed her curls as they walked to the stairs leading to the front door. Her stomach started dancing as she became more nervous. When she tightened her grip on his hand, he stopped walking and looked down at her.
He leaned down and whispered, "Let's show you off, Dana," before kissing her jaw just below her ear. The corners of her lips turned up slightly, though she was still nervous. When he angled his head to kiss her, she looked away nervously, afraid someone would see them.
"For luck," he explained as he turned her mouth towards him and placed a delicate kiss on her lips. Smiling, he tilted his face down again and kissed her again, his tongue sneaking into her mouth momentarily.
Breaking away, she admonished, "Last one for the weekend, Mulder. The worst way to show me off would be with your tongue down my throat." She softened her words with a smile.
Playing along, he replied, "Then how am I going to show them what a great kisser you are?"
"Well, if they ask," she drawled conspiratorially, "I'll just show them."
He smiled and then scowled when he caught the meaning, "Gross, Scully."
She chuckled as they started climbing the stairs. He rang the doorbell that echoed on the other side of the door, grinning as he stepped back to stand beside her.
She laughed and moved her fingers to wipe his lips, "Mulder, I keep telling you pink doesn't look good on you." His lips snuck to kiss her fingertips as she wiped the lipstick smudge off his lower lip.
"No, but you do," he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist. Their laughter stopped as the heavy door swung open.
A woman wearing the customary maid uniform—grey button-down dress and matching apron—stood at the entrance. Mulder surprised Scully when he greeted the woman by her first name and told Scully she could give her purse to Mary.
"Our bags are in the trunk," Mulder told Mary as he handed her the keys. "Can you have Jonathan take them to our rooms?"
"Yes, sir."
He smiled, "Thanks, Mary."
"Your grandparents are in the living room. Lunch will be served on the patio."
"Okay."
Scully watched this exchange, completely astonished. Mulder seemed completely used to this. She could feel the nervousness build in her stomach as he led her through the high-ceilinged foyer.
He grabbed her hand and led her to the living room, explaining that he wanted his grandmother to meet her first. Mulder's grandmother spotted the young couple first, "My dear Fox! I thought you'd forgotten about your stodgy old grandmother. Come, let me get a look at you," the woman who was anything but stodgy exclaimed.
Mulder obediently walked around to the front of the couch, gently pulling Scully along. "Hey, Grandma," he smiled. "You look well."
Violet Mulder turned toward Dana, "Do you hear how he talks to me? Acting as if I'm some old woman."
Mulder laughed, "Never!" He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Where's Grandfather?"
"You just missed him. He went onto the patio to smoke one of those wretched cigars. Promise me you'll never smoke, Fox. It's very crass."
Mulder smiled at his grandmother, "Promise."
"Oh! Where are my manners? This must be Dana!" She held Dana's hands outwards, "My, you are beautiful. Fox," she called over Dana's shoulder, "You never told me how gorgeous she is."
Scully looked over her shoulder; a wicked smile played on her lips as she admonished, "Fox!"
He held up his hands in self defense, stifling his laughter.
Violet shook her head and held Scully's hands close to her between the two women, "Never mind him. Men can be such a fuss."
"Well, this one at least," Scully quipped.
Violet hooted in laughter. "You got a feisty one, Fox! Good thing, too, because I'm sure he keeps you're hands full."
Scully nodded, smiling at Mulder.
"Well, as much as I want to keep you to myself all weekend, there are others who haven't seen you since last year, Fox, and I'm sure you want to introduce them to Dana. Most of them are in the garden; we'll have lunch back there momentarily. And Dana," Violet called as they were about to leave the room, "we'll have a nice talk and get to know each other. I should have some baby pictures of Fox around here somewhere." Violet winked as Mulder groaned theatrically.
As they weaved through the house to the sunroom, Mulder wrapped his arm around Scully's shoulders. "Do you like her?"
She smiled, "Very much."
He nodded approvingly. They stepped into the adjoining sunroom where a group of adults lounged on various lawn chairs that Scully found fancier most indoor furniture. A flutter of greetings erupted from the adults as they soon recognized Fox, who in turn introduced everyone to his girlfriend.
Scully, in a rush to remember these strangers' names, only caught a few. Most of the adults were distant cousins and great aunts and uncles. Two of Violet's children, Mark and Jacqueline, and their spouses were in the lawn, supervising the playing children. After Mulder pointed out most of the people, he had yet to introduce Scully to his parents.
"There's my grandfather, over in the corner of the garden," Mulder gestured across the yard. The man Mulder was discussing turned around, puffing on a cigar. When he caught sight of his grandson, he gestured them over, though did not bother to attempt to smile around the cigar in his mouth. Scully held out her hand when Mulder introduced her to William Mulder, Sr. Her movements stuttered and her face reddened when Mr. Mulder waved off the proffered hand. When she meekly dropped her hand, Mulder grabbed it reassuringly and stepped closer towards her.
The older man appraised the two standing before them, looking down his nose at them. Ignoring Dana, he turned to his grandson, "I assume you are doing well in school, Fox, and are not allowing any extracurricular activities to deter you from your academics." Dana knew he was not referring to debate team or basketball.
"Actually, Dana has a special gift for explaining our psychology lessons to me. I'm doing especially well this year."
Seemingly satisfied and disappointed at the single answer, Mr. Mulder finally turned to Dana. "How long have you known Fox?"
Not allowing his intimidation visible effect her, Scully spoke in smoothly, "Since I moved to Fairfield in October. My father's career with as a naval captain brought us from San Diego. Fox and I have quite a few classes with each other."
She seemed to have piqued his interest. "Navy, you say?"
"Yes, sir. He initially got into the Navy after high school in Louisiana. After attending college, he decided that he wanted to make his experience with the Navy into a career. He's now involved in the Allied Command based out of Norfolk."
The man in front of her continued to size her up, asking, "In which of the three divisions does he serve?"
Scully immediately replied, "U.S. Fleet Forces Command under the direction of Admiral Isaac C. Kidd— "
Mr. Mulder opened his mouth to correct her, but she was quicker.
"Jr."
Mr. Mulder nodded. "Well, that's an admirable career."
Scully smiled politely and Mulder chimed, "Well, I think lunch is about to be served, Grandfather, so Dana and I should probably freshen up."
Mulder gracefully guided Scully away from his Grandfather's disdainful stare. When they were out of earshot, Mulder asked, "Are you okay?"
Scully raised her eyebrow. "Mulder, I thought you said meeting your grandfather would be easier than meeting your parents."
He rubbed the small of her back before stilling his hand, "I did."
He motioned over a maid and asked her to bring two iced teas. "Right away, sir."
"Mulder," Scully stood on her toes, whispering, "How many maids do your grandparents have?"
"Normally just two, but she hired extras for this weekend."
One of the children who were playing on the lawn came up to Mulder, a girl was no older than three years old. "Fox!" she giggled, her stubby legs awkwardly carrying her towards her cousin.
Mulder squatted down, opening his arms to catch the toddler, "Why hello Miss Mary!"
The girl smiled and tilted her head shyly. Mulder picked Mary up and turned toward Scully, murmuring to the child, "I want you to meet someone, Mary. This is my friend Dana."
Mary nuzzled her face into Mulder's neck. Another child, a dark haired young girl trailed behind her sister.
"Fox, is this your girlfriend?" the older child asked.
Mulder nodded as he hugged the girl at his side, still balancing Mary in his other arm. "How are you, Danielle?"
She smiled, "I started third grade this year."
Mulder feigned shock, "If I don't hurry up, you're going to catch up with me!"
The more subdued child finally grinned, "No way, Fox! You're too old!"
"Don't tell Dana, or she'll go find someone younger," he stage-whispered conspiratorially.
Danielle turned to Scully, "You're name sounds like mine, Dana."
"It does, doesn't it? It's nice to meet you, Danielle," Scully said.
The shy little girl dropped her gaze to the ground, "I like your shoes. I have high heels on, too, but I can't fix the buckle," she stuck out her left foot, pointing to the one-inch heeled white dress shoes.
Scully knelt down, her hands outstretched as the girl help up her shoe. Across the lawn, a group of women were gossiping over iced teas and the occasional Bloody Mary, catching up on the latest social news of Martha's Vineyard. Jacqueline interrupted Teena Mulder, who had just joined the group with news of the latest affair.
"Teena! Isn't that the bracelet—"
The women all hushed and turned in the direction of Jackie's pointed finger to the teenager kneeling in front of Teena's niece. Teena sat back, a mixture of contempt and haughtiness on her face as Mark's wife confirmed Jackie's observation.
"What do you know about the girl?" Kim, Mark's wife, asked.
Teena shook her head. "I've never seen her."
Jackie laughed. "It seems your son has done a good job keeping her to himself," nodding her head in the direction of Mulder, whose attention was glued to the girl who had also captured the attention of her two girls.
"What's her story, anyway," Teena asked, already disliking the redhead who stood out among the dark-haired children of the Mulder family.
The Mulder patriarch, now finished with his cigar, joined the women. "Navy brat. Her father seemed to do okay. She's below our status, though, Teena."
She nodded, "I was afraid of that."