A/N: *cracks knuckles* Here goes, ladies and... probably just ladies, let's be real. If there are men out there reading this... I might want to marry you.

Stay off my back about the name. It would not go away. I even threw tennis balls and carrots and Handi-Snacks for it to fetch, but it just wouldn't leave.

Mulder stood quietly in the elevator, his head tipped back against the wall. He was exhausted. Maggie had called him five hours ago, telling him that Scully was in labor, they were taking her in for a c-section, and he had better get back into town. Easier said than done, as booking a flight from LaGuardia to Dulles at the last minute was a feat not accomplished by anyone, short of a presidential waiver. He'd eventually lucked out, told the local P.D. he had family business to take care of, and headed home.

He thought the plane ride was excruciating, but this elevator was taking forever. He half expected it to stop between floors because that would be just his luck. When it stopped on the fourth floor, where it was supposed to, he sent up a prayer of thanks, then stepped off. He quietly made his way across the hall and knocked gently on the door of room 412.

"Come in," came the quiet, sleepy reply from the other side. He opened the door gently and poked his head inside. Two small lamps illuminated the room in a warm glow, and Scully sat on the bed, a tiny pink bundle in her arms.

"Hi, Mulder," she said softly, a smile creeping across her face.

"Ready for a visitor?"

"Yeah. I've been waiting for you."

He smiled and perched on the side of her bed. The sight of her with a child -her child- in her arms made his heart constrict. Most of it was in a good way. He wanted her to be happy, and at this moment, she looked overjoyed. At the same time, part of it was bad, too. This was going to be hard. Not just raising a child alone, but waking up everyday and being reminded of the hell she had endured. Looking at her now though, that hell was very, very far from her mind.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, dropping a kiss onto her forehead.

"I'll let you know once the pain killers wear off."

He grinned a little and pulled the blankets back so he could see the baby. Her eyes were closed in the most peaceful sleep he had ever seen. She had light blonde hair that was only visible against the dark pink blankets. Her round, rosy cheeks curved gently down to her tiny puckered lips.

He fell in love.

"She's beautiful, Scully."

"Thank you. Do you want to hold her?"

"Really?"

"Of course."

The baby's eyes opened just slightly as they moved her, but closed again quickly. He cradled her close, feeling a surge of protectiveness and wonderment and something else he couldn't even place. He had never felt that before. He never even knew he was capable of such emotions. If he could just keep this moment, stare at the little person in his arms forever, he could die happy.

"Does she have a name yet?"

"We made it official about an hour ago. Weslynn Rose."

"I'm glad you picked that instead of that one name you threw at me."

"I threw a name at you? Did we even talk about names?"

"Well, I think you meant it mostly in jest, but I couldn't tell. You said you were naming her Winifred and calling her Winnie for short because you always loved The Wonder Years."

"I was completely joking. If I was going to name my daughter after a TV show, you would be holding a Topanga right now."

He bit back a laugh.

"I'm glad they didn't give you too many pain killers then."

She smiled and leaned back against the pillows, very obviously fighting sleep.

"Want me to go so you can get some rest?"

"No. Stay. You've been in New York all week. I missed you."

"I missed you too."

A long silence passed, the very first uncomfortable one he could remember. He wanted to say something, but the words just weren't there. They were both tired, emotions were high, and the happiness of the event was edged with anxiety. He could feel that pulsing off of her and he found her eyes with his, giving her the little bit of strength she needed to confess her thoughts.

"I'm scared, Mulder."

"Of what?"

"I look down at this perfect little girl, this tiny baby who I love more than I can even describe, and I'm so afraid. I wouldn't change a thing that happened. I wouldn't change any of it because no matter how bad it was, it brought me her. But I'm afraid that one day, she's going to want to know the truth. She's going to want to know who her father is and why he's not around and I don't think I can tell her that. I never want to lie to her, but I don't think I could ever look her in the eye and tell her the truth either."

Mulder sighed and looked down at Weslynn for a long time before answering.

"Someday, she'll have to know. How to tell her is something you will have to figure out as she gets older and you know how much she can handle. I don't know if this helps, but I'll be there for you. Anything you need. You know that, right?"

"I know."

She yawned deeply, causing her eyes to water.

"You need sleep," Mulder said, carefully standing from the bed.

"Sleep sounds really, really good."

"Do you want me to put her in this...uh... what do they call this thing? It's like an aquarium with a mattress in it."

"It's a bassinet, and yes, but let me have her for a minute first."

He handed Weslynn to Scully and watched what he would forever remember as Scully's first mommy moment. She cradled her daughter close, kissing her forehead, her nose and her cheeks, then stroking her hair back gently. She whispered something that he didn't hear, kissed Weslynn once more, then looked up at him.

"Okay, I think we're ready to part for the evening."

He smiled and settled Weslynn into the bassinet, giving her a couple kisses of his own.

"I'll be by tomorrow after work, if that's okay," he said, taking Scully's hand in his.

"Yeah."

He tipped her chin up gently, and rested his forehead on hers.

"I'm so proud of you, Scully."

"Thank you.

He pulled back and kissed her forehead one last time before standing from the bed.

"Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"I will."

"I'll see you tomorrow. Sleep well."

"Goodnight, Mulder."

"'Night, Scully. I love you."

"I love you too."

He gave her hand a little squeeze, then left the room, letting the door close softly behind him.