The X-Files, Scully and Mulder belong to Chris Carter.

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Chapter thirteen

Don't Give Up

The Scully-Mulder residence

April, 22 2008

11.41 P.M

Luck was with them, later the same evening they walked through their front door. Margaret Scully greeted her daughter and her, hopefully to be one day, son- in- law, quickly assuring Dana, that William was fine and hadn't suffered in their absent. Unexpectedly, her daughter seemed calmer than when she had left, only a tiny hint of haunting was left in her blue eyes. And Dana took the time to hug her mother and get out of her coat, before she walked to her son's room.

Leaving the door widely ajar to let some light in; Scully stepped into the blue of her son's room. Squatting beside his bed, she lightly caressed his cheek and kissed him softly on his forehead, like she so often had kissed his dad.

Feeling lighter in her heart, she enjoyed being able to caress her son, whatever had happened in the sweat lodge, she had released some of her anger and fear.

For the first time, since receiving the call from Molly Van De Kamp, she felt at peace.

She was beginning to believe they all three had a future together; believe that their future had been given back to them with the return of their son. According to the Natives; children were the future, and it made perfectly sense to her when looking at her own child.

Sensing Mulder walking into the room she got up to make room for him, she knew he wanted to say hallo to their son, too. Quietly, she left the room to give them a private moment. She could only hope Mulder had gained some peace, too.

Peace had never come easily for them the past 15 years, they had pretended the last six years to be settled with their situation, but it had been a thick lie.

Both had been fighting a lost cause, having to give up your child and dreams destroyed you a little day by day, left your rootless and without hope for the future. Sure, she had had her faith but often it seemed hollow, when she tried to find meaning in it all, God had given her what she had wanted most; a child, only to take that child away again. She had kept on to her faith, never banished it and perhaps that was why she was given a second chance. She could only imagine what it would've done to her being forced to give up her faith, it would've destroyed her.

Faith had given her some comfort, even when she had cursed God, she had always returned to her faith. She had been forced to give up her child just like the Natives had for a long time but nobody had forced her to give her faith up.

"You're okay, Scully?" She hadn't heard him leaving the room, feeling the warmth of his hands against her chins, she exhaled, "I'm fine, Mulder, just thinking."

"About what?" He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

Leaning into his lips for a moment, she relaxed, "later Mulder, I want to talk to my mom." Pulling away, she turned to leave, "Okay," he whispered softly, knowing when not to press her.

Margaret Sully thanked no to stay the night over, if it was okay with them, she wanted to go home to her own bed. If she left tonight she could join her patchwork group tomorrow. She also thanked no to Mulder's offer of driving behind her home due to the lateness of the night. She could manage, most of the time she would drive on main roads, it would be safe, she said, and it was only a short ride, anyway.

She hugged her daughter tightly and thanked her for the opportunity to spend time with her grandson and offered to come, whenever they needed her. William was an adorable boy and he reminded her of both Dana and Fox. She felt very blessed and relieved. Secretly, she had feared for her daughter, seeing Dana loosing two children had broken her heart. Knowing what it felt like to loose a child and almost loose another one, had left her wondering how her daughter could possibly handle her losses and keep sane.

She had witnessed the toll it had taken on Dana, how she had turned a part of herself off, only inviting her young patients to pass through her shells. Life had become a matter of survival. Margaret Sully was glad Fox had come back to her daughter; he gave her life meaning and a kind of stability, ironically.

Closing the door behind her mother, Scully massaged her temples, she was tired, out of practice with the field work, travelling and, now, on top of it she had to balance it with a family. Lightning up, she smiled, her family made her weary worth it all.

Snuggling up to Mulder sleep found her immediately. Pulling Scully closer, Mulder settled for watching television alone, it was rarely any of them fell asleep before two in the morning or later. Within moments his eyelids grew heavy, each time he blinked it became harder to re-open his eyes, giving up he closed his eyes and joined Scully in sleep.

After what felt like minutes the alarm clock set off, startled Mulder bolted up, his action caused Scully to tilt down from his chest. Annoyed, she hissed "Mulder?"

"Sorry, did I hurt you?" he hadn't meant to manhandle her.

"No, why is the television still running?" Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, her focus changed when she heard small footsteps approaching the bedroom, followed by a small knock on the door, before she could beg him in William busted though the door. Smiling she forgave him right away, understanding his zeal she opened her arms to greet her son.

Inhaling his sweet child scent, she whispered into his ear "Good morning, William."

"I missed you a lot mommy, did you miss me?" resting his head against her chest he leaned into her arms.

"Of course I did, William and so did your dad!" She reassured the child.

"Good" pulling out of her arms, he turned to his dad and threw himself on top of Mulder. "Grandma can come and stay anytime."

"So you had a good time with your grandma?" Mulder's voice was still hoarse from sleep.

"Yeah, will you take me to school today?" Becoming restless William jumped down from the bed, "I'm hungry, can I have some serials?"

"Can you wait for a minute, I don't want to you to eat in front of the TV. I'll be there in a moment, okay, sweetheart?"

"Okay, mommy" he yelled on his way out of the room.

Stretching, she faked annoyance, "no sleeping in today." Leaning over she kissed Mulder, "good morning." Pulling her closely into his arms his body said good morning to her.

"We have a school and an autopsy to catch" she whispered regrettably.

He laid back and watched her leave the bed, her blue night grown was low cut in the front and smoothed the curves of her body perfectly, he felt a rush of desire.

Even after all these years his desire for this woman hadn't eased, her beauty still stunned him. He was amazed he was the lucky man to hold her at night, that his caresses awoke her desire and that the love in her eyes was only meant for him.

Feeling his hot stare, she turned "Mulder, are you getting up?" Slipping into her kimono, she never waited for his answer but left the room. From one look at him, she knew exactly his line of thoughts and decided it would be best if she didn't stay.

Busying herself in the kitchen her body cooled of, William's rambling of school and his Grandma was sweet music to her ears. Before long breakfast was ready, omelettes with mushrooms and green peppers, brown toast and cereals. Mulder shuffled into the kitchen and found the milk in the refrigerator for William, and poured coffee in big mugs for Scully and him. He needed it to fully awake.

He was in a white t-shirt and white cotton pyjamas pants, neither of the three had bothered to change into day outfits yet.