The weeks flew by and soon they had found themselves in a quite solid routine. They slept in separate bedrooms and despite this, they both got up at the same time, apart from the weekends where Mulder would get up and let Scully lie in. They would make breakfast and sometimes Ellie and Will would help out.

Both adults worked effortlessly with each other getting the twins dressed and their teeth brushed. Scully would tackle Ellie's hair and Mulder would pretend to gel Will's hair and he loved it because he looked just like his dad.

They would alternate on different days taking the kids to the park, on playdates or even music classes at the library. But just recently they were doing things together like a family unit. They were even going to Scully's mom's together and it felt like, well to Mulder at least that Missy was warming back up to him. When the pair discussed it later in the week Scully agreed.

Months went by with this routine, it was just second nature to them. More than just a bit of autopilot even. Mulder had finally felt like they were getting somewhere in their relationship as a family, but more importantly as a couple. Mulder had hoped that Scully had felt the same, even though the ball was in his court because he had made it that way. Even with that said he was noticing the small things she would do for him.

The longing looks at him when she thought he wasn't looking, even then when their eyes did lock onto each other it was like fireworks going off in the background. It felt like an old romance movie, the air would change becoming electric, humid, sticky and tasting a little bit sweeter than it did before. The outright flirting was something they would do when they were alone and over a drink or two, though sometimes they didn't even need the alcohol it just happened. The third thing he had realised was the feather-like touches on any patch of open skin, whether that be his elbow, his hand or his knees.

Tonight was the night he was going to ask her out on a date like he should have done from the very beginning, he had been nervous all day getting himself worked up, he felt like a teenage boy again asking the girl he was crushing on to the school prom.

The kids were asleep in bed and the baby monitor was on the bookshelf within earshot. Mulder had cooked Scully's favourite meal. He had her favourite smooth Jazz playing low in the background while they were both sitting at the dining room table enjoying their meal with a nice red wine.

Scully was wearing a simple but modest outfit that consisted of a black silky tank top with a lace trim elegantly sitting against the tops of her breasts. On her legs, she was wearing comfortable black cargo pants. Her hair was slightly wavy that he mused she had let dry naturally instead of using a hairdryer after getting out of the shower. She had applied makeup but only a little making it looks very natural on her. He smiled realising that she had done this for him because she wasn't wearing it any earlier in the day.

Their meal was half-eaten, he looked at her for a few more minutes, sweat was forming on his brow, his palms were getting damp and he started fidgeting in his seat. He rubbed the palms of his hands along his upper thighs against his trousers in an effort to calm his nerves to no avail.

Soon he looked up at Scully and their eyes locked, he could honestly say he saw oceans in her eyes, they were full of greens and blues of all different shades. To say she was absolutely beautiful was an understatement. He licked his lips suddenly finding them dry and took a long intake of breath before speaking.

"Scully I've been thinking," he said calmly

"Hmmm..." she replied her eyes never wavering

"So I've been thinking that I would like to take our relationship back to the beginning and take you out on a first date" he spoke 100 words a minute, only breathing when he had finished speaking.

What Scully actually heard was more along the lines of 'beginning and date' she smirked, her eyes still fixated on his hazel ones.

"Mulder I didn't understand a word of what you just said" she placed her hand on top of the table gesturing for him to do the same. When he did she intertwined her fingers with his own. "This time try saying it again but a bit slower"

She gave him a soft smile and he repeated what he said, but this time he took things slowly so she could understand him. He watched her face change from a gentle look to one full of adoration and happiness.

"Yes, I would absolutely love to go on a date with you. Just tell me where and when. What about the twins?"

Mulder chuckled, smiling from ear to ear at her reply "I was thinking this Friday at this lovely little restaurant called La renaissance de l'amour, your mom said she would love to have the kids overnight if you had said yes to which she had no doubt."

"You have thought of everything" Scully nodded, still smiling. "Wait, when did you ask mom?"

"Last week, I sat down with her and asked if I could start things fresh if I could date you and her exact words were 'finally' she approved excitedly and we started talking details"

"Sounds just like her," Scully's whole demeanour was light and flirtatious. "Also it means a lot that you asked her first," she said with sincerity in her voice, squeezing his hand with their fingers still locked on the table.

They soon finished their meals and washed the plates in harmony, carefully placing them on the drying rack before moving to the living room baby monitor in hand. They talked the night away, speaking about the twins and how far they had come as individuals and as a pair. They also talked about how far they had come as a family. They smiled, laughed and flirted a lot but soon it was time for them both to head to bed. Scully walked up the stairs first with Mulder close on her heels. She stopped at her bedroom door quickly turning around and reaching up on her tiptoes and giving him a quick chaste but loving kiss on his cheek before saying goodnight quietly going into her room.

Mulder was momentarily stunned, he lifted his fingers to his face where Scully's lips had just been. The flesh on his cheek was still tingling from her touch. Which sent butterflies turning in his stomach. He turned around and went into his room feeling like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, a huge smile on his face, he was looking forward to what the future held.