Mulder arrived at his apartment with a smile on his face. The twins were everything he could have imagined. So bright and intelligent: one spitting image of their mother, and one of him. He could not pinpoint a favourite part of the day because the whole day left him speechless.

He walked in the door and threw his belongings on a nearby table, it was getting late now. He took off his pants and got comfortable on the couch. He switched the tv on and started flicking through the channels quickly before settling on an old Knicks game. He took off his t-shirt and held it in his hands before placing it on his face and smelling it. It smelled like Scully, there was a hint of his detergent and his own smell, but her predominated. He liked it. He missed the smell of them in more ways than the one. And he missed her more than anything in the world. He soon fell asleep and dreamt of him, Scully and their family playing under the summer sun together, with nothing breaking them apart.

No more than five minutes after closing the front door, Scully's mom was at the end of the hall with a loom of satisfaction on her face. Scully back was still against the front door leaning against it.

"I think tonight went well, don't you Dana?"

"Yes, Mom. I think it went well."

They both walked through to the living room and started tidying up the mess from today's activities.

"I think Fox was brilliant with Will and Ellissa today, will he be coming back soon?"

"Yes, he was good with them. He was basically oozing life for them." He's an amazing father. I missed him. "He said he would be back," I hope so, "we are arranging another time and date for tomorrow."

"That's good, it was nice seeing him."

"Yes it was," she said silently as the last of the toys were put away.

Scully said goodnight to her mother, slipping into her silk PJs before climbing under the bedsheets. In a few hours, she would be up anyway, for the night feed.

3 hours later

Scully woke up to murmuring on the baby monitor. She groggily got up and walked to the twins' bedroom to find them. She stepped back into the hallway finding a small orange light glowing from the downstairs hallway. She smiled knowing Missy had brought both twins downstairs to help out with the night feed. Carefully and quietly, Scully walked down the stairs and watched the iteration between her sister and her niece. Will was peacefully asleep in the rocking chair.

"Ooh-ooh child

Things are gonna get easier

Ooh-ooh child

Things'll get brighter

Ooh-ooh child

Things are gonna get easier

Ooh-ooh child

Things'll get brighter..."

Ellie was gulping away greedily on her bottle, contently listening to her aunt sing away to her whilst rocking her side to side. Scully was always a little jealous of her sister's singing ability. She didn't want to make a sound so she leaned into the door frame and continued to watch silently.

"Someday

We'll get it together and we'll get it all done

Some day when your head is much lighter

Some day, yeah

We'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun

Some day when the world is much brighter..."

She watched as Ellie finished the bottle and her eyes started to drop. Then, Missy hummed the last bit of the song but that didn't stop the lyrics from appearing in her head

"Ooh-ooh child

Things are gonna get easier

Ooh-ooh child

Things'll get brighter

Ooh-ooh child

Things are gonna get easier

Ooh-ooh child

Things'll get brighter..."

"It has been a while since I have heard someone sing that," Scully whispered.

Melissa span on the spot and nodded.

"Dad used to sing it to us all the time," Missy whispered back.

Scully smiled and watched her daughter fall back to sleep in her sister's arms.

"Dana, let me put these back, and we can talk about what happened earlier."

"Now?"

"Yes, now. Because if you don't, you're going to avoid it for the next couple of weeks," Missy sounded aggravated, but she was still sounded calm and she was bouncing Ellie.

Scully sighed in defeat and silently nodded. Ellie was finally asleep so Missy carried her upstairs. While that was happening, she picked up Will and placed him in the crim, wrapping a blanket around him and turning on the mobile before creeping back downstairs.

Scully poured herself some juice because making coffee at this time in the morning was ridiculous. She sat down at the kitchen island and within seconds she felt her sister hand float across her shoulder letting her know that she was there.

"So how do you think it went?"

"It went fine, Missy, why wouldn't it?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe he has anger issues?"

Scully sighed, they were both speaking in hushed voices but if this conversation was going to carry on in this tone it could turn ugly real quick.

"That wasn't him, you know that, don't you? He was angry and upset. I left him, I ran away, I was scared."

"That's no excuse."

"What if I had done it to you, Missy? One day I just left, no word, nothing," she spoke a little louder explaining her point.

"But you wouldn't do that, I'm your sister."

"And he's the love of my life."

As soon as Scully said the words she regretted them. She clamped her hand over her mouth and the tears started to fall. It had been a long time since she had admitted that she still loved him, despite everything. She knew it her heart, she still loved him, and her body still craved his. But speaking the words out loud was something completely different. She left her sister in the kitchen and fled to her bedroom. Her head hit the pillow and the tears began to fall harder. Sleep soon descended upon her as the emotions of the past day had finally caught up with her.

He woke up as the sun was just peeking past the windowsill, and went for a 5-mile run. While exercising, he came to the realization that he might need to get his life back on track if he was going to be any kind of father to his kids. Being suspended without pay was no good. The more he thought about it, the more he questioned why he still worked at the FBI. He could never return to the x-files, not without Scully. And he certainly, under no circumstances, would ever go back to profiling on a full-time basis. So the only thing keeping him there was the search for his sister and leaving the FBI would be like betraying that search and the last two and a half decades of his life. He had a lot of thinking to do.

Mulder got back, his muscles burning for exhaustion. He showered quickly and dressed in casual jeans and a t-shirt before making himself a coffee.

He leaned against the kitchen worktop looking out into his apartment waiting for a machine to be done. As he looked around he soon realized how utterly filthy his apartment actually was. It had never been this bad, not even when he was a teenager in Oxford. He shook his head and then the machine beeped, telling him his coffee was made. Not long after his coffee was drunk, he decided to clean his apartment for once and for all.

1 hour later.

Mulder had just walked through his door after throwing the black bags full of rubbish out when his phone began to ring.

"Hello?" He answered breathlessly.

"Mulder, it's me."

"Hi, Scully, what can I do for you?" he replied happily.

"Are you ok?" She sounded worried.

"Yeah, sorry, just got back from a garbage run."

"Mulder, I was wondering when you were free next?"

"I'm free pretty much every day," he winced hoping she would not ask why he that was.

"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the park tomorrow with the kids."

"That sounds like a brilliant idea."

"Good, umm, meet me at my mom's… say 1 pm? "

"Great, see ya then!"

"Bye, Mulder," she sounded sad. And he had no idea why.

"Bye Scully."

And the dial tone rang in his ears as he placed it back on the holder with a smile on his face. But he was also a little worried and confused at why she sounded sad when she said bye to him.

12.45 The Next Day.

Mulder had just pulled up outside Maggie Scully's house. He had little butterflies fluttering in his stomach: he was so excited to see the kids, even though he had seen them last in less than 24 hours. He missed them terribly as soon as he had left.

He promptly got out of the car and walked up the drive. Before he could knock on the door, it swung open. Melissa walked straight into him.

"Humph. You're early," she said.

"I…"

Before he could get out another word, Melisa pushed his chest out of the door, closing it behind her.

"Melissa, I'm sorry..."

"And so you should be!" She took a quick look over her shoulder, looking at the front door. "If you hurt her, I will hunt you down and kill you."

"I wouldn't dream of it, I…"

Melissa tilted her head, waiting for him to finish his sentence but they were soon interrupted by the door opening and Maggie walking out.

"Fox, come in!"

"I'll be right back, Mom." Melissa interrupted. "Just going to the grocery store to pick up some milk and fruit."

Mulder watched Melissa get in the car and drive off. He took that as his cue to walk in, stepping into the hallway looking sheepish.

"She will forgive you in time, Fox. But you hurt her." He instantly knew Maggie was talking about Melissa.

"Maybe she shouldn't."

"Of course she will. You're family."

He blushed profusely at Maggie calling him family, maybe one day he would even call her mom.

"She is in the living room , just placing the twins in the stroller."

"Thank you."

He walked down the hallway and there, wearing a white sundress with red roses and an overly big straw hat. Then he looked down at the twins. Ellissa was wearing a yellow skirt and pink top and William was wearing blue shorts and a grey top his little legs kicking wildly. The kid was shaking a rattle in his sister's face who was blissfully ignoring her brother.

"Beautiful."

She turned bright red and he suddenly realized that he had said it out loud.

"I… I meant the kids."

"Sure you did, Mulder." Now it was Mulder's turn to blush. "Let me just grab the picnic basket and then we can get going."

He nodded and watched her wander into the kitchen. He turned to watch the kids and just as he did Ellie looked up

"Dada da."

"Hey, sweetie! You look very pretty. Are you ready to go to the park?."

She giggled and her big smile reminded him so much of his sister at that age. He watched as she started pulling at the straps wanting to come out.

"Nah ah little one. Your mom only just put you in there. We're going out in a minute."

She seemed content at the answer and stopped picking at the straps.

"Ready."

"Always ready for you, Scully."

She swotted him on the arm and they both headed to the park.

1 hour later

They all sat down in the shade on a picnic blanket after they had played on everything available. Ellie's favourite thing was the swings, while her brother's favourite thing was to go down the slide on his father's lap. Mulder didn't want it to end but he knew Scully would be going home soon and then he did not know where he would stand. Would she come down to DC? Would he go see her? He certainly didn't want to be an absent father, he had already missed 7 months of his kids' life. He loved these little ones with all his heart. It would be an awkward conversation and now it was a good time as any. It's now or never.

"Scully, when are you going home?"

He could tell he caught her off guard as she had a startled look on her face.

"I go back next week but I have been thinking of buying a place back in Georgetown. I would be close to mom and I would be close to you," she whispered the last part. She picked up Will and laid him down next to her, lifting her top, unclasping the bra and bringing him to her nipple which he accepted greedily.

"How long will you be gone?" he picked up Ellie and laid next to Scully with Eliie on his stomach.

"Not too long, I hope," she moved her hand to stroke her son's hair.

"Does that mean you already have a place here?"

"Well, I have been looking for a while. A 3 bedroom house has just come onto the market. Would you want to go with me to look? It's tomorrow—,"

"Yes."

"—I was planning to either go on my own or with Mom if I'm asking too much of you..." she was rambling and he was smiling "Wait, what did you just say?"

"I said yes Scully, of course, I will go with you."

He watched her eyes light up and the biggest smile came across her face. Mulder thought there may just be hope for them still. Will finished his feed and it was Ellie's turn. Since Scully had to swap her breasts he took the opportunity to spoon her, wrapping his arms around all three of them.

The Next Day.

Scully had got her sister and her mom to babysit for a few hours so she and Mulder could go to see the property that had come onto the market. As she was driving to his apartment she thought about a few things, mainly how she and Mulder seemed to be getting along and their relationship seemed to be improving. In only three days they were getting back to some sort of normality. He was even flirting with her yesterday and she was flirting back, they were enjoying each other's company. They were becoming a family.

She arrived outside his apartment building and he was waiting for her. He looked devilishly handsome in his black slack trousers and a casual polo shirt. He saw her pulling up and waved at her, she pulled the car next to him and he got in.

"How long have you been waiting?"

"Not long."

She pulled away from the curb and drove towards their destination.

"How long is not long?"

"I was only there for about five minutes, Scully."

She was keeping her eyes on the road.

"Thank you for coming with me, Mulder, I appreciate it."

"Nowhere else I would rather be."

She turned quickly to look at his face. He was smiling at her and she smiled back.

30 minutes later

They had arrived at the house and from the outside, it was everything she could have dreamed of. It had a generous front yard that was fenced off with luscious green grass and a variety of coloured flowers. There was a drive wide enough for two, maybe three, cars and a double garage and the end. She could tell she was smiling from ear to ear but she didn't care.

Scully parked the car and Mulder got out first. He stood by her side and, just like old times, he placed his hands on the small of her back and pushed her walking side by side to meet the estate agent.

"Hello, my name is Mandy and I'm here to show you around. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

Mandy was wearing a blue coral pantsuit which suited her figure tremendously. Her blond hair was in a high ponytail and she looked like she was in her late 30's. If you let her, she could sell you the world.

"Mrs Scully, Mr Scully if you follow me..."

"I… We…"

Scully looked at Mulder as he was trying to say something, but he simply smiled and led her forward to follow Mandy.

She led them up the driveway up to the porch which was beautiful off-peak white with a swinging chair.

Scully was speechless. They walked into the foray, it was tall and grande with little curved corners. There was a staircase on the left leading up to the second floor, with deep-seated oak wood doors. The walls were splashed with white and gold reflecting the light through the house.

They both walked forward, following the room through to the living room. It had one corner sofa and a small sofa on one side of the room and on the other. There was a large table with open french patio doors looking out into the massive back garden.

"This would be a nice play area for the twins," Scully said and Mulder looked at her and answered honestly.

"Yes, I think it would make a lovely playroom." Mulder watched as the smile never faded from Scully's face and she simply nodded in response.

Mandy led them through to the kitchen. It was not overly large but it had seen many meals and still had some left, plenty of family get-together, and children's parties.

Mulder chuckled at the thought of Scully hosting a child's party with 10 or 15 children.

She heard him chuckle and looked at him funny and whispered, "What?"

"Oh, nothing, Scully. Promise."

They carried on seeing the rest of the house and it was literally perfect for them. There were actually 4 bedrooms but one had a desk in it as well as having an actual office in the house. Mandy led them back downstairs now it was time to make or break Scully's dream.

They asked Mandy how much the house was and Scully instantly had a sharp intake of breath. The house was completely out of her price range. Mulder could instantly tell Scully was upset and her dream was shattered. He placed his hand on the small of her back and whispered in her ear.

"Scully, can I talk to you a minute?"

She looked at him and nodded.

"Mandy we will be back in a minute"

"Ok, Mr Scully."

Mulder led Scully to one side of the room out of earshot of Mandy.

"What is the matter, Scully?"

She looked as if to say 'As if it wasn't obvious...'

"I…."

"I can tell you love this house, Scully. With my inheritance, I can buy it for you outright, no strings attached. It would be in your name only if you wish."

"You can't Mulder, I can't ask this of you."

"Scully, look at me," and she did. "I haven't been there for the first 6 months of the twins' life. I want to do this for you and for them."

"That doesn't matter, I can't afford it so it's just a dream"

Mulder looked away staring into a dark corner of the room thinking, she went to talk away and he grabbed her arms lightly to stop her. She stopped and looked at him questionably.

"I came up with an idea which should work for both of us"

"Which is?"

"What if we both paid half," Scully shook her head. "Wait here me out" she looked at him and waited for him to continue. "So if we both paid half for now, and you can pay me back in insultments each month like you would with a bank but without the interest"

She looked at him and smiled. The warmth, truth, and honesty coming through his words made her heart melt, his eyes shining bright.

"Ok,"

With this agreement, he was giving her her independence yet letting him in at the same time. By the end of that day, Scully had a beautiful home signed in her name.

If anything Mulder had signed the house in her name for purely selfish reasons. The twins being closer to Scully's mom would be good for them. But not only that, he would be closer to them. He hadn't known them long but they were everything to him. He would also get to see Scully more often. Even after everything, his feelings for her would never change. They may be masked by anger and hurt and pain but his love and adoration for her would always simmer in the background. The trust they once had would need to be rebuilt and she was the only person that he would ever let near him. He watched her drive away as he waited for his cab knowing he would only act on his feelings for her if she wanted it. The ball was completely and utterly in her court.