A/N: I hate writing "Six months later" or using "It had been a year since" to start my stories, and I am not sure how else to illustrate time here. Guess?
"Lynnie, you want some green beans?" Mulder asked, popping open the top of the jar.
Weslynn slapped her high chair tray, sending a few Cheerios flying.
"Shh, you'll wake up mommy."
She stared at him for a moment, then reached out for his tie. He surrendered it to her, knowing that she would keep grabbing for it until he gave it up anyway. He'd lost many, many ties to drool stains.
He didn't mind.
He popped his lips at her and she smiled, trying to mimic the noise.
"Pah. Pah, pah."
"Almost got it babe."
She stuck her finger in her mouth and played with the remaining Cheerios. She was definitely tired.
"Lets have some dinner and then you can have a bath and go to bed."
She looked at the spoonful of green beans, then grunted and pushed it away.
"Are you getting your mommy's flu?" he asked. She never refused food, and it worried him a little. He felt her forehead, which was warm, but not hot. He tried to feed her the beans again, but she wrinkled her nose and arched back from the spoon. He figured she would let him know when she was hungry.
"Come on, Lynnie. Let's go watch the Knicks game."
He picked her up and they headed for the couch. She settled into his chest, one tiny arm around his neck. He smiled as he realized how well she fit under his chin. It wasn't the same as having Scully there, but it still gave him a feeling of completeness.
He heard a cough from behind him and turned to find Scully in her bathrobe, her eyes red and watery.
"Hey. Feeling any better?"
"Do I look any better?"
He wisely chose not to answer.
"Did she eat?"
"Couple Cheerios. She doesn't seem hungry."
Scully leaned down and kissed Weslynn's cheek.
"Mommy."
"Hey baby."
Weslynn lifted her head a little and reached her hand out.
"I wish I could cuddle you, baby, but I don't want you to get sick. Mulder will take care of you tonight."
Weslynn looked at Mulder and smiled.
"Pah, pah, pah."
He popped his lips at her and she giggled.
"Pah, pah."
Scully grinned.
"If you're still okay with the rugrat, I'm going back to bed."
"We're fine. Got the Knicks game. Iced tea and a bottle in the fridge. Living the good life here."
"Okay. Wake me if you need me."
He squeezed her hand as she stood to leave.
"Feel better, Scully."
"I will. And thank you for this."
"I get to hand out with my favorite girl. This is not completely selfless."
"Well thanks anyway. Goodnight, Mulder."
"Night."
"Guess it's just you and me Lynn," he said as Scully's door closed.
Weslynn just sucked her fingers and stared at the TV.
"Yeah, that's my girl."
"Pah, pah, pah, pah."
"Can you say Mulder?"
She just stared at him for a moment.
"Pah, pah, pah."
"No, Mulder."
"Pah, pah, pah."
"All I'm good for is entertainment, huh?" he asked before popping his lips again.
A few hours later, Scully found Mulder and Weslynn asleep on the couch. Seeing them together, the most important people in her life, always made her heart jump. But now, in the blue glow of the TV, with Mulder's hand covering the whole of Weslynn's back, and both of them snoring softly, she couldn't help but let a few tears fall. She was always worried that Weslynn would grow up and feel like she was missing out on that special daddy/daughter relationship, that she would never feel that love. And while she wasn't going to lie or assume things, or use the words "dad" or "father" as a title for Mulder, she knew now that Weslynn would always have that love. Mulder loved her fiercely, as much, if not more than a biological father would. He may not be daddy for real, but Weslynn was lucky to have him. Luckiest kid on the planet, probably.
Scully smiled to herself and tucked a blanket around them. Her daughter. Her Mulder. Her family.