All notes disclosed in chapter one.
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Christmas Eve, Indianapolis, Indiana
Dana braced herself as the plane landed at the Indianapolis International Airport. She couldn't believe she was nervous. She'd already been through this one. Why was she still nervous?
Mulder reached over and took her hand in his. "Dana, relax. Stop being so nervous. My family loves you," he calmed her. She still fidgeted in her seat.
"I know but why am I still so nervous?"
"Maybe because this time you're on their turf?" he suggested.
"Oh, my god, what if that's it?" she realized. "Maybe I'm afraid that their true colors are going to come out or something."
"Their true colors have come out. They really like you."
"Are you sure? I mean…."
He placed a finger over her mouth, getting her to shut up like he wanted. He pressed his forehead to hers. "I want you to take a deep breath and count to three."
She did as he asked, closing her eyes as she did so. She kept them closed after; she knew she was being paranoid. She felt his lips on her cheek, lingering there.
"I'm sorry; I think everything's finally getting to me. I'm overwhelmed. I mean, the planning for the wedding, the natural stress of the holiday season, other stuff," she explained, her voice faltering a little.
"You better now?" he wondered. She nodded, kissing him as thanks. "Everything will be fine."
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Mulder led his family inside his aunt's house. They'd make fun of him if he rang the doorbell again. Family just didn't do that.
"Mulder, good to see you again," his Aunt Peggy greeted at the door. She hugged him tightly. "Nice to see Dana hasn't dumped you yet."
"Ha, ha. Very funny. I'll have you know we're engaged," he told her, holding up Dana's hand. Peggy's jaw dropped.
"Oh, my god. Look at that rock. It's huge!" She brought Dana's hand closer for a better look.
"I helped pick it out," Cassie said, making her presence known.
Mulder nodded. "Yeah, and that's where I learned she's gonna cost me a fortune one day."
Dana smothered a laugh. "I told you not to spoil her," she reminded. Mulder didn't bother to say anything.
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Mulder settled next to Dana on the floor, sprawling across it, settling his head in her lap.
"I'm surprised you helped with clean up," Dana told him, stroking his hair.
"I promised at Thanksgiving. I had to," he explained. He sat up. "You know, I do know how to clean."
"I know. If you couldn't, I wouldn't live with you."
He pretended to look hurt. "Well, it's nice to know where I stand."
She gave him a smile that he knew meant she didn't believe his act. He opted to kiss her instead.
"I'm glad your family… approves of the engagement. And the date. It makes everything so much easier."
"Why wouldn't they approve?"
"Well, I'm not used to family being so accepting, no explanations."
"Your brother's gonna kill me, isn't he?" he semi-joked. She ran a hand down his cheek.
"No, I'll protect you," she promised. He kissed her again in form of a thank you.
A gust of wind blew by them. "Eww!" it said. Mulder pulled away to see a smiling Cassie. He pulled her into their embrace.
"What's so 'eww' about it, huh?" he asked, tickling her.
Her girlish giggles were his only answer.
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Continued in next chapter……
A/N: That doorbell thing is very true in my family. If you're family, you walk in. We can always tell it isn't family because they always ring the bell.