All notes disclosed in chapter one.
Sorry it's taken so long.
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"Hurry up, mommy! We're gonna be late! He's not gonna wait forever!" Cassie yelled to her mom. She was excited to see Mulder before he had to leave for his baseball.
"Relax, I'm coming. Trust me, he'll wait until the last second if necessary," she assured. "Do you have your bag?"
Cassie held up her travel bag. "Are we ready now?" she asked impatiently.
"Yes, we're ready."
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Mulder had a smile on his face as soon as he saw them. He dropped his bag at his feet when he saw Cassie running toward him. He picked her up and spun her around before settling her against his hip.
"I missed you, kiddo," he told her.
"I missed you, too, but I think mommy missed you more," Cassie told him, glancing over at her mom.
He smiled. "Did she?" Cassie nodded. "Well, you know what? I missed her, too."
Dana hid a smile unsuccessfully. He set Cassie down when she started to giggle. He pulled Dana close instead, longing to feel her body close to his.
"Have a good day at work?" he asked, his hands moving to her waist.
"Yes, I did. I got the most interesting phone call today from this man. Perhaps you know him."
"Maybe. What's the guy's name?"
"George Hale. He asked me the most interesting thing today."
"What'd he want to know?"
"He asked me if I wanted to have dinner with him tonight at his penthouse."
"How dare he!" he mock protested. Then he turned serious. "What else did he say?"
"He also wanted to know if my daughter and I would consider staying the night as well. His argument was it's closer to the hospital."
"The nerve of that man! What'd you say?"
"I said yes. I couldn't resist when he said he wanted to show me his view."
"I bet he has a really big view," he guessed.
"I wouldn't know; I haven't seen it yet."
They smiled at their innuendos. Mulder only hesitated for a second before kissing her. He could hear Cassie laughing from behind them but he paid no mind. He was finally where he'd wanted to be all day. He made sure they were pressed close together.
"You know, your daughter's right there," Mulder mentioned of their previous conversation when they parted.
"She wasn't listening. She knows better," she explained to him.
"I sure hope she does."
He felt a tug at his pant leg. "Mulder? Did you bring the puppy with you?" Cassie asked sweetly.
The adults smiled at each other before pulling apart. He picked Cassie up again.
"No, I didn't. I'm sorry, sweetie. I had to leave her at home because I have to go to work. I play baseball, remember?"
Cassie nodded. "Are you gonna win?"
Mulder smiled. "I'm gonna try." He set her down to dig a key out of his pants pocket. He leaned down and held the key in front of her. "Tell you what. Because I trust you, I'm going to give you this. Go to the Trump Building; mommy will help you find it. Go see Abe first, tell him I sent you and it's okay for you to go up. Go to the very top floor and you can take Snickers for her walk. That sound good?"
Cassie smiled her mother's smile. "Sounds great!"
"Good. I'll be back before 7:30 to make dinner. Got any secrets you can tell me about what kind of food she likes?"
Cassie motioned him closer to whisper, "She likes pasta and loves chocolate."
"Cassie!" they heard Dana exclaim. But Cassie only giggled.
Mulder straightened with a smile twinkling in his eyes. "I have to get information from her. She's like my partner in crime now. With her, I'm guaranteed to get on your good side."
"Oh, is that so?"
He stepped closer to her. "Yes, that's so." He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Feel free to look around my place as well. And, just so you know, the best view…"
She held up a hand to stop him. "Let me guess—your bedroom."
He grinned cheekily. "Third floor, feel free. Spectacular view."
"We'll see."
A car horn from behind them got their attention. Mulder groaned when he looked and saw his driver impatiently waiting.
"I have to go. He's starting to get angry," Mulder said, pointing over his shoulder. "Will you be there when I get back?"
"Yes, we'll be there," Dana assured. "What time will you be back?"
"The game's over at 6:30, but with press and everything else, I'll probably be there at 7:00. Luckily, I have every necessity to cook any meal."
She gave him a sweet smile. "I have faith in you."
The car horn honked again.
"You're wanted," she pointed out.
"Hopefully by you," he grinned.
"Yes, you are, but right now, you're wanted by your driver. Go before I get you in trouble."
"What if I want to stay?"
"Then your team will be mad at you and therefore me." She gave him a push in the direction of the car to get him to move but he was slow going.
"I can't give you a goodbye kiss?" he complained. She rolled her eyes and pulled close once more. He was still smiling when he kissed her. They could hear Cassie laughing again, but to them, they were the only two in the universe.
"I think I'm addicted to you," he murmured close to her ear. "I know I'm addicted to you."
She kissed his cheek, lingering for a moment. "Go win your baseball game."
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What am I getting myself into was Dana's first thought when they had first stepped foot inside Mulder's penthouse. Coming back a few hours later, she didn't think her brain had moved from those words.
Cassie loved the spacious, and triplex, penthouse the moment they'd entered. Mainly because of the puppy but also because she couldn't believe someone lived in a house so big.
The first thing Dana had noticed when she first walked in were the large windows overlooking Central Park.
Now, at the hour of 6:00, Cassie was playing happily with Snickers by the windows. It made Dana smile to see them so happy. She settled herself in a chair close to keep an eye on them but for the most part, her mind couldn't be further away.
Earlier, she'd been thinking her relationship with Mulder was moving too fast. Now, she didn't know how she felt. She knew she wanted the relationship, the first relationship she'd had in almost five years. She didn't know if she was ready to be in a relationship with a famous man but she had to try first. When she had been looking around his penthouse, she noticed he was a down to earth type of guy but he still knew the worth and appreciation of expensive things. She knew she could handle it when they were alone and away from people. But could she do it with cameras flashing in her face?
"Lucy, I'm home," she heard faintly from the other room. She smiled at the age-old saying. She tried not to appear eager as she gathered Cassie and ushered her, and her new four legged friend, to the living room.
"Hey, you," she greeted as Cassie flung herself into Mulder's arms. "How was your game?"
"It was great. We won and for the next game, you guys are coming with me," he told rather than asked.
"Really?" Cassie said hopefully.
"Hold on," Dana said before Mulder could respond. "When's the next game?"
"Let's see, today's Monday so… Saturday afternoon. It starts at 3."
"Please? Can we go, mommy?" Cassie pleaded.
"Yeah, please mommy," Mulder joined in, pouting along with Cassie.
Unfortunately for Dana, she had a week spot for the pouty lip.
"Yes, we can go. Stop pouting." Smiles replaced the pouts quickly. Mulder moved over to Dana, placing a sweet kiss on her lips.
"Thank you for being here," he whispered. "Thank you for staying."
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be here," she told him, matching his tone. "Now go make dinner."
"Ooh, demanding. I kind of like that." But he strode off to the kitchen, Cassie on his hip babbling on happily.
"Please let this work," she prayed, her eyes turned upward.
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Continued in next chapter………