A/N: Last chapter. I have been putting this off for a long time, but I have another multi-chapter in the works, and wanted to finish this before I started that. I have loved writing this, loved how it's been received, and how it ends is not what I had originally planned, I think it still works. Thanks for reading.

Scully opened the oven and looked inside, estimating that the roast would be done in the next hour or so. She added a little water to the pan, then closed the oven, wiping her hands on a towel.

"You're not supposed to be cooking on Mother's Day," Mulder said, looking over the rolls that were rising on the counter.

"Yeah, but if this was up to you, we'd be going to the diner."

"I guess you're right."

"I always have been."

"Yeah, and you always say that too."

She rolled her eyes and got four plates down from the cupboard while he gathered forks, knives and spoons without being asked.

"Where do you want the high chair?" he asked, pulling it out of the utility room.

"I guess on that corner."

He put the high chair where she indicated just as the front door opened.

"We're here!" Weslynn called before coming around the corner. She had a present in one hand and a diaper bag in the other, but in Mulder's eyes, she was still five years old, playing house with her dolls.

"Hey Lynnie. Where are the boys?"

"Nolan kicked his shoes off and Jake is trying to find them. I told him that we can find them later, but my logic is futile."

"I heard that," Jake said as he came into the house behind her, their son wiggling desperately to be put down.

"Hey buddy," Mulder said, taking his grandson and kissing his cheek.

"Down!" Nolan shouted, pushing against Mulder's chest. He chuckled and obliged, and the toddler headed for the kitchen.

"Gumma!" he shouted, looking for Scully. She appeared around the corner and he clapped his hands in delight. "Gumma, gumma!"

She picked him up and held him close.

"Hi little man."

He smiled and laid his head on her shoulder as she walked back into the other room.

"You're cracked, little girl. I still got moves," Mulder was saying.

"Yeah, down to the ground when your hip slips out of place," Weslynn replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "I could take you."

"Wanna make good on that?"

"Is it proper to make threats on Mother's day?" Jake asked, looking back and forth between them. They ignored him.

"Let's do this daddio. We'll be back before the gravy is done."

Scully sighed and watched them go outside, Nolan toddling behind them.

"Honey, go easy on your dad," she called after them. "Remember last time with his ankle. Jake you make sure."

Weslynn laughed as Mulder opened the garage door to get the basketball out and Scully shook her head and went back into the kitchen to start the salad. She gathered the vegetables and started to wash and peel them, her eyes on the basketball game outside. She couldn't believe how fast time had gone, couldn't believe that her little girl wasn't so little anymore, and had a family of her own. She couldn't believe that after so long, she and Mulder had finally gotten their heads on straight and were living the life that they had both been missing.

She started peeling the cucumbers and watched as Nolan walked around the yard, plucking dandelions from the ground. She could almost hear him humming to himself, lost in his own world. He was like his mom in that way, perfectly content alone. She watched as he walked up the porch steps, the yellow flowers clutched in his hand. She heard him grunt as he pushed the door open, then heard his bare feet slapping against the linoleum.

"Gumma, pretties!" he shouted, holding the flowers up for her to inspect. She knelt down and looked at them making the appropriate "they're so beautiful" noises, while he beamed up at her.

"It for you," he said, pushing the flowers into her hand. The stems were wilted and a few of the petals had started to turn brown, but it was quite possibly the best bouquet she'd ever received.

"Thank you honey," she said, turning around to get a small cup. She filled it with water and stuck the battered flowers in, watching as Nolan smiled.

"I get pretties for Gumma," he said, rocking back and forth on his feet, a self satisfied smile on his face.

"Yes, you did. Do you want to go get some for mommy too?"

"Yeah!" he shouted, clapping his hands and running out the door. She chuckled and grabbed the vegetable peeler as the phone rang. Sighing, she grabbed the phone off the counter.

The words came gently, but with the force of a gong, ringing in her ears almost deafeningly. She held onto the counter to keep her balance but ended up sliding down to the floor anyway. She managed to squeak out a response and finish the conversation before tears pooled in her eyes and sobs wracked her body. She tried to catch her breath and her composure as she heard the door open. Mulder and Weslynn entered the house, bickering good naturedly until they saw her curled up on the floor.

"Honey, what happened?" Mulder asked, crossing the room and kneeling down next to her.

"He… someone… I…" she stuttered, trying to make sense of everything that was tumbling through her head.

"Mom, what is it? What's the matter?"

"He's dead," she finally choked out. "He's dead. He's dead."

"Who, mom?"

"Gavin. It's over now. It's all over."

They both crouched down beside her, wrapping their arms around her and joining in her tears; tears of anger that they'd held for so long, and tears of relief that they had been longing for. It was over, that was true, but in a way, it was also just beginning. They'd never been prepared for this, never even expected it, but they were embracing it, joyous over the end of what had been a bitter road. It didn't define them, and it never had, but now it didn't have a chance. The chains that had been holding the three of them fell away and a brand new tie started to bind them together.