Mulder parked the car and looked over at Scully with a grin. She had to resist the urge to roll her eyes at his excitement. It was amazing how happy he was at the prospect of coming to a tree farm and cutting down his own Christmas tree.

"This is gonna be great, Scully. Picking out our own tree, cutting it down with my own hands, the smell of pine in the air," he said, taking a big sniff. He nodded his head and rolled his neck. This time, she could not stop her eyes from rolling.

She opened the glovebox and began searching around. She took out maps, tissues, and cd's. She looked at him and raised her eyebrows.

"Where is the first aid kit, Mulder? I know I put one in here. I want to have the gauze and bandages on me for when we will inevitably need them," she said, in a joking tone.

He laughed and leaned over to kiss her, before pulling back and smiling at her. She grabbed his coat and pulled him back for a more thorough kiss, causing him to catch his breath when he leaned back again. He stared at her and shook his head, looking at her lips as she laughed.

She put everything back in the glovebox and shut it, looking at him and smiling. He shook his head and opened the door, stepping out.

"Should we take the stroller?" he asked, popping his head back in car.

"No, it would be too hard to push around here. I'll put her in the wrap," she said, opening her door and stepping out.

She buttoned up her coat, put on her beanie, and opened the back door. Faith was sleeping, her cheeks rosy. Scully smiled and grabbed the wrap she needed. She wrapped it criss crossed over her body, getting it ready for the baby. She then unbuckled Faith, waking her slightly as she took her out of the seat.

"Hey little love," she whispered, holding her and kissing her before sliding her into the wrap. Faith laid her cheek against Scully's chest as Scully pulled the wrap to cover her head, turning her head to one side, situating Faith against her chest, bouncing and shushing her as she moved around a little before settling against Scully, and going back to sleep. She stepped back and closed the door, ready to go get their tree.

Mulder stood waiting for her with the backpack on, and shook his head. "Every time I watch you do that, it never ceases to amaze me. How you figure it out so easily. Last time I tried, I was sweating and angry before I finally gave up," he said, as they started walking to the entrance of the tree farm.

"Oh, I remember," she said with a smile. "I was treated to a litany of swearing and complaining." She hooked her arm through his and they both laughed.

It was cold out, but nice to be doing something away from home. They had been inside a lot since the baby was born. She took a deep breath and let the scent of pine trees invade her senses. It was quiet out among the trees and she liked it.

"You folks looking for a tree?" came a booming voice to the left of them. They both turned and saw an older man dressed for the cold weather, smiling at them. "Name's Howard, this is my place."

He stepped forward and shook their hands. He looked at Faith and smiled, then gestured for them to follow him. He and Mulder fell into easy conversation as they walked. Scully smiled as she listened to the "manly men" discussing what kind of tree they wanted. She really did not care, she was just happy to be out of the house.

She put her arms around Faith, speaking to her in a quiet voice as they walked. She told her of the trees, the scent of them and the memories associated with it, of Christmas mornings in the past and her grandparents who would have spoiled her and loved her very much. She stopped speaking and blinked away her sudden tears. She missed her parents, especially her mother. She felt in the pocket of her coat for the quarter on the chain she carried with her everywhere. One day, she would figure out the significance it held to her mother and until she did, she carried it with her. A reminder to not give up and keep pushing forward.

Mulder and Howard had stopped beside a tree, discussing the height of their room at home and how easy it would be to get the tree inside and set up on his own. Scully walked up, dropping the quarter back into her pocket and holding onto Faith again.

"What do you think, Scully?" Mulder asked, his eyes shining as he pointed at the tree to her right. She looked at it and shook her head.

"Mulder, that tree is taller than you, we don't need a tree that tall. I won't be able to help you, as Howard was kindly trying to imply, and I'm sure it will be hard to set up on your own," she said, nodding at Howard and he smiled. "I think we should get a tree about five feet? That would be better. We could put it on something if we needed, but I think a smaller tree is better."

Howard smiled wider and clapped Mulder on the back. "See that? That's a smart woman right there! Logical and no nonsense. Reminds me of my wife who works in the little house where you will be paying for the tree. We have free hot cocoa and cider in there. Also some homemade treats, and crafts for sale. It's warm and cozy in there, so you can see she's got the brains in this relationship," he said with a full belly laugh. Scully liked him immensely and joined in with his laughter.

"A warm little house you say?" she asked him and he nodded, smiling at her. "I may need to check it out, just to be sure it's as great as you say," She smiled and rubbed her hands across Faith's back.

"You shouldn't be out in the cold, with that wee one," he said nodding toward Faith. "We can find the tree you want, I know just what you need."

He turned toward Mulder and inclined his head to the left, suggesting they head that way. "The lady has spoken, let's go do her bidding," he said with a wink at Scully.

She grinned and Mulder looked between the two, like a person watching a tennis match. He shook his head and took off the backpack, handing it to her. He stared at her and she smiled again.

"Go on. Go get your hands dirty and cut down the tree. Howard, keep an eye on him, I want him to come back with all his fingers," she said putting the backpack on one shoulder.

Howard laughed again and they walked off to find their perfect tree. Mulder turned around and quickly jogged back, kissing her and then Faith. She laughed as he walked back to join Howard. She waited until they had left her sight before turning to the right and looking around. She saw smoke coming from a short distance and figured that must be the little house. Good, she thought, she would need to feed Faith soon. Hopefully there would be a spot she could do it in there and not have to sit in the car.

She walked through the massive amount of trees to the little house and smiled when she saw it. It was made to resemble a gingerbread house and it was adorable. She stepped up to the door and pulled it open. Warm, delicious smelling air hit her as soon as she walked inside. She stood inside the room and closed her eyes briefly, breathing deeply.

She looked around as she walked in further. There were ornaments, clocks, hand painted signs with cute sayings, woodland animals, Christmas trees, nutcrackers, angels, snowmen, santas, and nativity scenes. All the items were homemade and hand painted. Garland, holly, and wreaths were everywhere in the room. A red sleigh type couch sat on one wall, beautifully wrapped gifts under a tree, and a fake window on the wall created a perfect picture spot. There was also an old fashioned pot bellied stove, letting off wonderful heat. Scully smiled and set the backpack next to the couch. She continued to look closer at the items in the room.

A door opened to her right and a woman who could be a dead ringer for Mrs. Claus walked into the room. She did not have the old fashioned cap, nor the gold rimmed glasses, but everything about her was spot on. She was short, big bosomed and plump, with white hair set in an old fashioned style. She wore a white apron over a red turtleneck and a pair of black pants.

She stared at Scully and set down the things she held in her hands. "My goodness, you gave me a fright! No one was in here when I left and I didn't hear you come in. Hello there," she said with a big smile.

Scully laughed and stepped closer to her. "We're picking out a tree and your husband mentioned that there was a warm little house with homemade items inside, and I couldn't see a reason to not investigate it. He also mentioned there was cocoa and cider, and I can't lie that it was one of the main reasons I came in here," she said, smiling at the woman.

She laughed and extended her hand. "My name is Betty, and my husband was correct. I'm sure he mentioned the treats to tempt you in from the cold, especially for that little one," Betty said, with a glance at Faith as she shook Scully's hand. "He's always had a soft spot for children and I'm sure he fell in love with yours on sight."

Scully laughed, holding onto Betty's hand. It was soft and felt like a hand that had baked millions of cookies and soothed many hurts. Close up, she had deep brown eyes with laugh lines set around them. She was the picture that perfectly described a person as a "grandma to all."

"I'm Dana," Scully said, letting go of her hand, and rubbing Faith's back. "And this is Faith. I was wondering if there was a bathroom where I could change her and possibly a room or area where I could nurse her? She's going to need to eat soon and I'd rather not sit in the car, if it's possible. We had planned to be home before she needed to eat again. This was somewhat of an impromptu trip out here."

"Oh, my dear, please yes. Feel free to sit on the sofa there, unless you would like a more private area. If that's the case, you can use the office. The bathroom has a baby changer in it, so that's not a problem. Let me help you with whatever you need," Betty said, bustling about, picking up the backpack Scully had set down.

Scully laughed quietly. "She's not quite due yet, but I thank you for the use of your office. It would be nice out here, but just in case someone shows up, I'd rather not be out for all the world to see," she said, smiling at Betty, causing her to laugh.

Betty walked to the door she had entered from and motioned Scully toward her. She opened the door, Scully following her inside. When she crossed the threshold, she gasped. It was not like any office she had ever been in before. Not even like their old office with all its eclectic items and papers everywhere.

It was like a living room. There were cozy overstuffed chairs, a loveseat, two desks piled high with papers, wooden items in the process of being made or painted, pictures were all over the walls, shelves full of items, and a train track attached to the ceiling, that ran the length of the room. Christmas music played softly and a heater must be on somewhere because it was toasty and warm in the room.

"Wow, now this is an office," Scully said softly, looking around, taking it all in. Betty laughed quietly and set the backpack on the coffee table by the chairs. Scully walked over to her, watching the Christmas train wind around the room.

She looked at Betty, her eyes wide. "Please do not let my.. partner, my fiancé, come in here. Oh my god.. this would be our home all the time. As beautiful as it is, our home is already too full of his stuff."

Betty laughed and nodded. Scully began to take Faith out of the wrap and she stretched and grunted as she did. Betty exclaimed over her as she watched Scully shift her about.

"My my, isn't she a beautiful little thing? You forget how small they are when you don't see them every day. Our oldest great granddaughter is almost five and I don't know if we'll have anymore in the family," Betty said, smiling at Faith.

"Would you like to hold her?" Scully asked with a smile. Betty's eyes lit up and she nodded. Scully handed her over and Betty smiled at her and began to talk to her as she rocked slightly.

Scully smiled as she watched her, untying the wrap and taking off her coat. It was comical to her how every person who held a baby unconsciously began to rock their body. It must be ingrained from birth. She took off her beanie and laid it with her coat and wrap on the couch. She smoothed down her hair as she turned and watched Betty holding the baby. She was surprised to find tears in her eyes as she looked down at her.

"Are you okay? Would you like me to take her back?" Scully asked, stepping close to her.

"No, no. Don't mind me, I'm a crier. She's just so small and beautiful. Her whole life is ahead of her, with the possibilities of what she could become, especially in this day and age. She has so much to look forward to in her life," Betty said, taking a breath. She looked up at Scully, tears in her eyes. "She's going to be amazing, I just know it."

Scully smiled at her. She took out the few items she needed from the backpack and held onto them, watching Betty talk to Faith.

"Okay, I'm sure you're hungry now little one, I'll give you back to your mama," she held her close to her chest for a second and closed her eyes. When she opened them, she looked at Scully. "I hope you don't mind, I said a quick blessing for her. I noticed your necklace as you took off your coat, and I thought a simple blessing would be okay- one for health, happiness, and love."

Scully froze and her eyes filled with tears. It was such a simple sweet gesture, innocent really, but it recalled a memory that was like a punch to the gut.

A day before Spender came to take William to his adoptive family, her mother had come over and asked for some time alone with him. Scully had left them in the living room, quietly weeping as she walked out. Minutes that could have been hours later, her mother had found her lying on the floor in her bedroom. William was asleep in her mother's arms, and Scully sat up and clung to her. They wept together, the baby Scully had prayed and yearned for, between them.

Her mother whispered words of comfort to her, that in that moment, fell on deaf ears. There was no comfort, no happiness, only crushing sadness that hurt to her very soul. After they had calmed down enough to make sense of the others words, her mother had kissed William's cheeks and touched him in the sign of the cross.

"Health, happiness, love, and protection."

Her mother managed to get out before they both broke down again. They had cried until they both were drained, her mother holding her until she stopped. She had stayed and cared for her that night, helping with William, running her a bath, brushing her hair, and rubbing her back when she went to bed. Just as when she was a child, her mother's care had brought her comfort.

Tears fell down her face as she thought of that night. Betty took a step close to her and pulled her into her arms. Scully wrapped her arms around her and cried, pulled into the warm embrace of a mother. She missed her own mother so much, and for just this moment, it felt as if she had her back. Betty hummed and patted her back, rubbing her hand up and down. Scully cried into her shoulder, not caring that this was a complete stranger, because it did not seem that way to her. It felt as if this woman had somehow been sent by her mother and she would not turn away a gift so wonderful.

She began to calm and Betty still held her. Scully pulled back and wiped her eyes. She looked at Betty and saw she had tears in her own eyes and a kind smile on her face.

"I'm so sorry," Scully whispered. "I don't usually cry in front of people like that, or hug complete strangers." She gave a crying laugh and took a deep breath. She looked at Betty and she handed Faith back to Scully, who held her close and kissed her head.

Betty walked to her desk and grabbed a box of tissues. She held them out to Scully and then took one for herself. Scully held Faith with one hand as she dabbed her eyes and blew her nose. She sniffled and then blew her nose again.

She looked at Betty and gave her a shaky laugh. Betty smiled kindly at her and then touched her arm.

"Sometimes, we're most truthful with strangers. We usually won't ever see them again, so we let our guards down. You obviously needed that cry, and there is no shame in tears," Betty said, her eyes kind. "Why don't you feed her and I'll get you some hot cocoa? I find that chocolate always helps to cure what ails us."

Scully gave another shaky laugh and nodded. Betty squeezed her arm and turned to leave the room. She got to the door and smiled at Scully, before stepping out and closing it. Scully sighed and shook her head. She wiped her eyes once more and tossed the tissue in the trash.

She sat down on the overstuffed chair and opened her shirt and bra. Faith was definitely hungry, as she settled in right away, making satisfied sounds as she ate. Scully smiled and held her hand, kissing her tiny fingers as she watched her.

She let go of her hand and leaned her head back against the chair. She thought of what Betty said about having no shame in tears. Well, she thought with a laugh, she had cried enough tears in the past six weeks to last for quite awhile. She took another deep breath and closed her eyes.

Faith stirred after a couple minutes and unlatched from her breast. Scully opened her eyes and looked down at her.

"Hey, Love. What are you doing?" she said quietly. "I know you're still hungry." She smiled at her, rubbing her back, Faith staring back at her. She moved her little arms and then smiled, a real smile.

Scully's breath caught in her throat. She could not stop more tears from forming as she smiled back at Faith. She stared up at Scully, smiling once more, before trying to return to nursing. Scully helped her to latch on again and then cried as she held her close.

"Oh, my sweet girl," Scully whispered. "Wait until your daddy knows about you smiling. He's going to be so happy." She rubbed her back, her eyes closed as she cried.

She moved her to her other breast and adjusted her bra, covering herself. She stroked Faith's cheek as she nursed and shook her head as she watched her. The door opened quietly and Betty stepped inside. She smiled at Scully, her hands holding a cup of hot cocoa and a plate of something. She set it down on the coffee table and reached for the tissue box.

She handed the box to Scully and she laughed. "I'm a mess, I know," she said as she wiped her eyes.

"No," Betty said kindly. "You're a mother and tears are part of the job description. There is some fudge there, and a couple cookies. Your husband and mine have just traipsed back in and are now tying your tree to your car. You've got some time." She smiled at Scully again before she left the room.

Scully smiled at her kindness and continued to nurse Faith. She wiped at her eyes again and blew her nose, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She looked around the room at all the items she missed the first time. Little wooden dolls, snow globes, coffee mugs, and jolly Santa faces on almost everything. She smiled and Faith stopped nursing.

She took her from her breast, covered up, put a burp cloth over her shoulder, and laid Faith against it. She patted her back and waited for her to burp. When she did, she put down a changing pad and changed her on the sofa. She threw out the dirty diaper and sat back on the sofa with Faith.

She reached for the cocoa on the coffee table and sat back. She rubbed Faith's belly as she drank her cocoa. It was delicious and so was the fudge and the cookies. When she was done, she put her coat back on and rewrapped the wrap around her body. She picked up Faith and put her back inside it. She packed up the items she used and picked up the backpack.

She walked out of the office and she heard Mulder laughing. She smiled at the sound and went to find him. He was standing with Howard, warming himself by the pot bellied stove. His eyes lit up at the sight of her and came to take the backpack from her. He put it on and wiggled all his fingers at her, showing her he had no injuries. She laughed as he leaned down for a kiss.

"Did you find a good tree?" she asked as he looked at Faith and smiled as he stroked her cheek.

"Oh yeah," he smiled, looking in Scully's eyes. "It's perfect." She smiled back and kissed him again.

Betty came in the room, offering Mulder a cup of cocoa. She caught Scully's eye and she smiled. Scully smiled back and then began to look around the room.

By the time they left, they had three bags filled of different items. Tree decorations, nutcrackers, a nativity scene, different Santa items, snowmen, angels, and two wreaths. Howard had filled the bags, waving them away, filling them with whatever he grabbed. Betty took some tree decorations and set them aside. She wrapped them carefully as she added other items, and also included some of her fudge and cookies.

Scully smiled the entire time they were together in that happy little house. Howard and Betty were fun and it was impossible to not smile when she heard Howard laugh. After her tears in the office, the laughter was more than welcome.

Mulder coerced her into taking a picture on the sled sofa, as he held Faith in his arms. Scully smiled and laughed, happy to be in this moment with Mulder, living a normal life, the way she always wanted. Mulder whispered in her ear as they were finished with the picture, how much he loved her and he loved seeing her so happy.

They paid for their items, although Scully knew they were not charged full price. Howard threw in a tree stand when Mulder turned panicked eyes to Scully and asked if they had one. They had never had a tree in their home, so they had nothing a regular couple might have. Howard laughed and grabbed the stand and a bag of their things, Mulder grabbing the others.

Howard walked with them to the car and loaded the back with their things. He shook Mulder's hand and wished him a merry Christmas. He held Scully's hand and said the same to her, including she keep an eye on "that beauty." Scully smiled and thanked him.

Betty followed out with travel mugs they had definitely not purchased. She waved them away when Mulder took out his wallet. She handed them each a mug and Scully could smell hot cocoa. She pulled Betty in and hugged her.

"Thank you for everything," she whispered to her, thinking of her mother at the same time.

Betty held her as close as she could with Faith between them. She pulled back and smiled at her, holding Scully's arms. She nodded at her and then touched Faith over the wrap.

"She's going to change the world," she whispered to Scully. Scully nodded and smiled, grasping Betty's hand.

Scully stepped back and took Faith from the wrap and buckled her in her car seat. She heard Mulder and Howard laughing over something and then their goodbyes. He went to the driver's seat and started the car. Scully covered Faith and then got in the passenger seat.

Betty was standing with Howard, their arms around each other. Scully waved at them as Mulder backed the car up. They waved back as they drove away. Scully smiled as she watched them in the side mirror. She sighed, sitting back in her seat.

She heard Mulder softly chuckle and she looked over at him. He glanced at her and smiled. She looked at him, tilting her head. He shook his head and reached for her hand.

"I love you, Scully," he said, shrugging his shoulders and smiling.

"I love you too, Mulder," she said, squeezing his hand. He kissed the back of hers and then rested their joined hands on the console.

They smiled at each other as he turned the blinker on and headed for home, the whole car smelling wonderfully of Christmas.