I can't decide if I want this to be the last chapter. I honestly can't believe I have written eleven chapters. :) We will see what happens, I guess. Enjoy the story.
After the vows were said, Cody was allowed to kiss the bride. Everyone stood up and cheered. Cody's friends whistled, and Amanda's friends giggled. I didn't do either. I sat there and watched. I observed the love that those two shared, and how they expressed it through one single kiss. I had a huge smile on my face and my heart was fluttering. I looked up at Mulder to see his reaction, and he leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. It was a gentle kiss, but it was one of the sweetest moments we had shared.
After the ceremony, we were supposed to head inside and have lunch. There was food, drinks, music, and games for the children. It was a sending off of the bride and groom. I wasn't that hungry, but we had some chips anyway. I was thinking hard about when I was going to tell Mulder that I love him. I know that he noticed my frustration.
Suddenly, Mulder speaks up. "Scully, have you ever thought of dating?" Yes, I have thought of dating, but I only wanted to date one person. I answered his question with a question. I knew it was low, but I did it anyway. "Have you, Mulder?" His eyes dance, and for a second I think he isn't going to tell me. "Only if you are thinking about it."
What the hell does that mean? Does that mean that he will only date another girl if I date another man? Does he mean that he wants to date me? I know I have a confused look upon my face, but what can I say? I am quiet for a while, and I think this worries Mulder. So, he gets up and grabs my hand to dance. I allow him to pull me against his body, but I am still thinking about his comment. I can't get myself to relax, and I know he feels it. My heart is aching, and I want to cry. I can feel the tears threatening to fall. The song is thankfully over and we sit back down.
"Mulder, what did you mean?" He looks confused, but it quickly dawns on him that I was still obsessing over his question. "I don't know, Scully. I was just curious." I nod my head. This would be a good time to confess, right? We were both sober. He seemed relaxed. I was happy for the most part. The day had gone beautifully. Everything seemed perfect. Now seemed like the best time.
"Mulder, there is something I have been meaning to tell you. I just don't know how to tell you. I am not certain how to tell you without there being consequences." I know there are thousands of possibilities running through his mind, but he doesn't look worried at all. " You can tell me anything, Scully. You know that."
I do know that, and I know he'd never judge me. But, if he didn't feel the same way, would our relationship change? Would we still be Mulder and Scully, the top agents at the FBI. I knew that it would change things, and it would be difficult, but we could do it. Knowing that Mulder and I could overcome anything, I decided that I might as well tell him how I feel. Besides, holding it in any longer would probably kill me.
I look at him with frightened eyes. "I just wanted to tell you that... I love you." It felt fantastic to get that off my chest. I let out a deep breath. He looks at me and calmly says, "I know. I love you too." I silently scoff. Now, I am frustrated.
He says it with such ease, like it was the most natural thing in the world. He says it like he has said it to me every day, for the past thousand years. Maybe he has. I know he hasn't said it with his voice, but the intimate glances and gentle touches are pretty obvious signs. I wanted a bigger reaction from him. I hadn't expected fireworks, but I wanted a little excitement. I wondered if he thought that I meant brotherly love. I sure as hell did not mean brotherly love.
"No. What I mean is, I am in love with you." I say love with a little more emphasis, hoping it gets the point across. "Yeah. I know. I am in love with you too." He copies me, saying it just as I had. My mouth is hanging open. Is he drunk? I know I look a little confused, so he starts to explain. "Scully, I wouldn't have come to this wedding if I didn't love you. You would not have invited me to this wedding, if you did not love me." He takes a chip off my plate and throws it in his mouth. "I had a feeling you loved me as much as I loved you. And, this little vacation confirmed it. We've been extremely close recently, and it feels so natural. It's just comfortable. It's almost as if we've been this way forever." He gives a shrug and gently grabs my hand. " I know you can feel it too. I was just waiting for you to process it. I saw you at war with yourself this whole time. I didn't want to push you, so I just stepped back and waited." He says this so easily, without missing a beat. He looks at me, directly into my soul.
I don't know whether to be touched or offended. He knew this whole weekend and he didn't say anything. I also knew, and I didn't say anything, so I couldn't be mad. I was touched that he let me set the pace, and he respected my boundaries. He didn't push me or even put the thought in my end. In the end, I was thankful. I had no reason to be offended. Once again, in true Mulder fashion, he was being thoughtful. He really did love me, and it was almost overwhelming. I never felt happier, and I am glad Amanda had talked me into it.
He is looking at me, waiting for my reaction. I intertwine our hands and watch them fit together so perfectly. "I don't know what to say, Mulder." I really didn't know what to say. I was shocked, and my impressive vocabulary was scarce. "You don't have to say anything. I can read your baby blues loud and clear." He looks at me with a smug smile, but I know it is true. We both communicate through glances better than we do vocally. I couldn't stop smiling. Just then I heard someone announce that it was time to send the bride and groom off.
I raced over to Amanda and told her that I had confessed my love to Mulder, and it went the way she knew it would. She looked like she knew all along. I made her promise to call me as soon as she got back. I gave her a hug, and this time, I was the one who wouldn't let go. "I'll miss you. I love you so much." After saying good-bye to her, I looked at Cody. " Please take care of her. She's important to me." He looks at me and says with so much emotion, "I know what you mean. I'll do my best, Dana." I give him a quick hug, and watch them drive away.
I can feel Mulder come up behind me and wrap his arm around my waist. I lean into his touch and relish in the romantic moment. "You okay, Scully?" He could feel my heart aching. We really were connected on so many different levels. "Yeah, I just miss her already." I know it sounded silly, but I felt a sudden void in my heart. She literally had changed my life within forty eight hours. I owed her so much, yet she expected nothing. I release a huge sigh, and look up at Mulder. He kisses me on the nose, grabs my hand, and leads us to the car.
"What do you say we go grab that hamburger, Scully. You promised me you'd eat a burger. And when we get home, you're eating ice cream too." I did promise him, and I know it would make him happy to see me finally eat something other than salads. I smile, and he takes it as a yes.
Before grabbing a burger, we went to the hotel and packed up our things. We both stayed in our clothes we wore to the wedding, deciding that it was too hot for anything else we packed. Once I finished packing, Mulder grabbed my bag from me. He put it in the trunk, then went around to my side and opened my door. Just then, I realized we were operating on auto pilot. We didn't need to say a word to each other. We really did make a great team, and my doubts about being a couple, dissipated quickly.
"Alright, Scully. Let's put some meat on your bones." I gave him the raised eyebrow look. He threw his hands up in surrender. "Not that you don't look great now, but I would feel a lot better if I saw you eat something heavier than yogurt and a salad." I scoff. "Mulder, it is healthy food. You should try a salad once in a while." He looks hurt, but I know he doesn't take any offense. If anything, he takes it under consideration. Within five minutes we are at a sports bar that promises the best hamburgers in town.
We go inside, and the host looks at us a little funny. He checks me out pretty noticeably. Mulder quickly claims me as his by putting his hand on my lower back. I realize we are a little over dressed, but I shrug it off. He doesn't know we just came from a wedding, and I don't really care to explain. We sit at a lower table, and almost immediately the waitress grabs our drink order. We both order diet coke and she quickly brings it over. I don't really need to look at the menu, because I already promised Mulder I would eat a hamburger.
The waitress, with a bubbly personality which made me smile, asked what I would like. "I will take the hamburger and fries, no cheese please." Mulder looks at me. "Wow, Scully, fries. You are living on the edge." She looks at him and giggles. He orders, "I will take the grilled chicken salad with ranch." I am shocked. "Wow, Mulder. Are you feeling okay?" The waitress probably thinks we are completely crazy. She grabs our menus and promises it to be out soon.
Just then, Mulder looks at me funny and says, "Scully your shoulders are looking a little pink. Do they hurt?" I forgot to put sunscreen on, and I knew my fair skin would burn quickly. I look at them, and they do look a little tender. "Not yet, but I know they will be burning later. Maybe you can rub some aloe on them for me." I giggle and give him my best flirty look.
Our food comes out, and interrupts our moment. It looks like heaven, I have to admit. I cut my hamburger in half, and start to make work of it. It is delicious and my senses are fully alert. My mouth is watering and I eat it quickly. I want to start on the other half, but I decided against it and eat some of my fries. I look at Mulder and he is picking at his salad, but he has managed to eat half of it. I feel guilty. I think I had talked him eating healthier, and he wasn't liking it. I smiled a little and grabbed his salad bowl. He looks at me, but I quickly switch our plates before he can complain.
"Was I sulking too much?" He wasn't sulking, but I could sense that he wasn't enjoying his food. I knew I would enjoy the salad more than him. The burger was fantastic, but I wanted him to eat something he liked. It was a win, win situation. It made me feel happy, and it made Mulder smile. "I love you, Scully."
I know he said this as a thank you. But, I know he also said it because he meant it. It was new for us to say 'I love you' out loud, and it felt nice. Just because I knew, didn't mean it didn't give me butterflies when I heard it. I was looking forward to hearing it every day. I was looking forward to being with Mulder for the rest of my life. This brought a smile to my face, and I felt happy and playful.
"I know. I love you too. But don't think for a second I am letting you have all of those delicious fries to yourself." I give him a playful grin, and he pushes the plate closer to me. "Anything you want, Scully."
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