All notes disclosed in chapter one.
A/N: The story is complete, just not with this chapter. There are three chapters after this one but unfortunately, they get smaller. It's that time of year again when I tend to shut down with the writing and I just want to relax.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Mid December
Mulder hoisted Cassie up before stepping into the store. He smiled at the guard as he passed, thanking him. Cassie waved back at him when he waved at her.
"What's this place, daddy?" Cassie wondered, looking up at the tall ceiling.
"This is a jewelry store," he explained. "We're here to buy mommy a pretty ring."
They moved over to a counter, a saleswoman coming over to help them.
"Good morning, Mr. Mulder. What may I help you with?" she asked politely, a genuine smile on her face. Unlike some others in her profession, she actually enjoyed her job. There was no greater joy to her than helping others find something they loved.
"Good morning…. Monica Parson. I'm looking for an engagement ring. Money is no object."
Monica's eyes lit up. "Well then, there's a gorgeous six carat diamond engagement ring that is the only one of its kind." She brought out the ring as she spoke. "It'd be perfect for any woman."
The biggest diamond stared back at him from the counter. He could feel its pull practically.
"I like that one, daddy. It's pretty," Cassie said from his left.
"Why do I have a feeling you're going to be expensive when you get older?" he muttered. Monica chuckled. "It's perfect. I'll take it."
"You don't want to here the price first?"
"Money's no object," he reminded. "She's the most wonderful woman in the world. She deserves only the best."
Monica said no more after that.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Mulder spun Dana around in a smooth circle, admiring the way she skated.
"This is so stereotypical," she told him, for the second time.
"So? To half of these people, this is a tradition. We can make it our tradition, too," he told her. He rounded to face her and took her hand in his.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, we'd do a ton of touristy stuff—look at the tree, see the Rockefellers. Things like that."
"So we'll be a somewhat typical New York family?" she said, starting to move forward and propelling him with her.
"You got a problem with that?"
She smiled sweetly. "Nope." He pulled her closer to kiss her. He was pleased when she didn't pull away. Normally, she hated blatant affection in a very public place. He respected her rule for the most part but the moment they were away from public and cameramen, all bets were off.
They continued to skate for a while. They skated slowly next to each other, hands entwined. Mulder started to hum with the music, making Dana laugh when he put stress and got louder on some words. He definitely knew how to have fun.
A few hours later, they found themselves taking a leisure walk in Central Park. Mulder had a hold of Dana's shoulders, moving her around until she was in the right place. Dana still couldn't figure out exactly what he was doing but she was laughing too much to care.
"What? Mulder, what?" she laughed. "What are you doing?"
"It has to be just right," he muttered.
"What does?"
He moved her a few more steps before stopping and turning her to face him. He dug around for something in his pocket before looking at her.
"This does."
He dropped to one knee.
Dana felt her lungs gasping for air. "Mulder, what are you doing?" her voice trembled.
"Something I've been wanting to do for a while."
"Mulder…" but she couldn't finish her thoughts.
He took her hand in his, their eyes never leaving each other. "I know it's only been nine months but I love you more than I ever thought possible. I love Cassie like she's my own. As far as I'm concerned, she is. I love being around you, being with you. I feel like a new person every time I kiss you. You are quite possibly the most amazing woman ever. You'd have to be a doctor, have a young daughter and put up with me. I never want to spend even one second away from you. I want to spend every day of the rest of my life with you."
Dana chose then to interrupt. She wiped a few tears away first. "I feel the same way."
He smiled widely before pulling out the ring he purchased the other day. He tossed the box aside and slid the ring on her finger.
"Will you marry me, Dana? Will you make me the happiest man in Central Park?"
She sniffled loudly and nodded her head, not trusting herself to speak. In the blink of an eye, he was off the ground and lifting her to the sky. Looking back on the day months later, he would faintly remember the scattered applause from the people surrounding them but he would mostly remember the fierce kiss he received from Dana.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Are you sure you don't want to come in?" Dana asked again, her body poised to leave the car.
"Yeah, I'll let you two visit. You don't need me for that."
She stared at him for a moment. "You just don't want to be involved in any planning she might do."
"No," he said. She raised an eyebrow. "Yes. Can you blame me?"
Dana just smiled. "I promise I won't be long."
She chose to ignore his scoff as she shut the door. She'd only been inside for ten seconds before her mother noticed the ring. She swore her mother was about to scream when she saw the size of it.
"Please tell me this is what I think it is," Maggie said, her eyes glued to her daughter's ring.
"It is exactly what you think it is," she confirmed. Maggie let out a squeal before pulling Dana into her arms.
"Oh, my goodness, I'm so happy for you! When did it happen?"
"About four hours ago. We thought we'd get Cassie and go out to eat then brig her back. Are you sure you don't mind having her on a Saturday?"
Maggie waved it off. "No, not at all. Tell me more about it. Where's Fox?"
"Why do you insist on calling him Fox?"
"It's his name, dear."
"I know but he likes to be called Mulder. He hates the name Fox," Dana reminded.
"I don't feel right calling him Mulder; it's not his given name. Stop stalling and tell me all the details."
Dana rolled her eyes. "It was a proposal, mom. What more do you want? It was in central Park, the exact spot where we first met."
Maggie's eyes welled with tears. "That's so romantic."
"Mom…"
"What? Dana, it is."
"I know, mom. I was there. It was extremely romantic."
"What was romantic?" William said, walking into the room.
Maggie looked to Dana, wanting her to tell her father. Dana stepped over to him. She was nervous about telling him the news, but she knew he liked Mulder. She hoped that wouldn't change once he knew they were engaged.
She tentatively met his eyes. "What was romantic was the way Mulder proposed. I'm engaged, Ahab."
He said nothing at first. Dana saw his eyes get misty. As if in slow motion, he reached down for her hand and brought it up slowly for his eyes to see.
"That… that's some ring," he finally managed to choke out.
Dana smiled. "You're not mad?"
"Why would I be mad, Starbuck?"
"I don't know. Because he didn't ask your permission or because you haven't known him that long," she rambled.
But William waved it off. "I'm not that old fashioned, Starbuck. I think Mulder is a wonderful man."
Dana wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you, daddy."
William put his arms around her, biting his lip to keep from crying.
"Anything for you, Starbuck. Anything for you."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Conituned in next chapter…….