Chapter Eleven
The fertility doctor called within days of Mulder providing a sample for the in vitro fertilization. "I am afraid that not many of the ova were viable, but I was able to create four healthy embryos," the doctor said on the phone. "If you're both ready, we could make preparations for the procedure."
"We are ready to get started as soon as possible," Mulder responded with eagerness.
"Could you and Dana be here at the fertility clinic first thing tomorrow morning?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, we'll be there."
After he hung up the phone, Mulder was jubilant. He hurried into the kitchen where Scully was preparing their evening meal. He grabbed her up into his arms and spun her around, kissing her tenderly on the lips. "Tomorrow, Scully, we're getting started. The doctor said he has created four healthy embryos."
"Only four?" Scully said with a little frown. "The odds aren't in our favor. Birth rates resulting from a single cycle of IVF are only about 30% to 40%."
"The way I see it, we have two tries. And if we are lucky, we may even get twins; the first time," Mulder said with a grin. "The other two embryos can be put on ice for a future attempt."
"I'd like to have as many babies as possible," Scully admitted.
"Me too," he replied.
Just then Emily walked into the kitchen, carrying her favorite doll. "Babies?" said the little girl. "Is Mommy having a baby? Will it be a sister or a brother?"
Mulder picked up the little sweetie with strawberry-blond hair and set her down gently on the counter. "Hopefully soon, Em, you can be a big sister," he said as he gazed into her bright blue eyes. "Mommy and I are trying to have a baby.'
"Or babies," Scully added, feeling hopeful.
"Yayyy!" Emily exclaimed, setting her rag doll down and clapping her hands. "I will be the big sister!"
"You're going to be the best big sister ever!" Mulder said as he gave the child an affectionate hug.
"I love you, Daddy," Emily said, kissing Mulder's cheek. She then turned to her mother and kissed her, too.
"Emily, you're the best thing that ever happened to us," Scully said to her little girl with happy tears in her eyes. "And even if we never have another child, we'll have you; our precious angel."
Scully drew Emily into her arms to hold her close and caress her hair. They shared their "I love yous" as Mulder lovingly wrapped his arms around both of them. They were at that moment a happy family of three, but very soon, he hoped their little family would begin to expand.
