A/N: I love writing Scully and Monica. They're fun, and I think their maturity level goes down by like 20 years when they are together. So yes, they are OOC, but they bring it out in each other... and I just had to do it. This chapter is dedicated to my best friend Holly who will never read this, but is the Monica to my Scully. My life would totally suck without her. Like hard-core. I would have no one to share information *coughgossipcough* with AND I would have no nephew or niece. I love my best friend majorly. Even though she puts all trick questions on the "How Well Do You Know Holly" quiz and I only get 40 percent. Thalia Kay my big freaking toe!

Scully started her car and glanced in the rearview mirror before backing out of the driveway.

"Okay, I have to ask. Do you have any idea what John and Mulder are doing with the kids today?"

"Nothing short of causing great destruction which we will have to clean up once we get home. Did you expect anything different?"

"With those two? No. Let me just say, I am glad their partnership didn't last long, or you and I might as well have moved into the hospital waiting room."

"They are like ten year olds when they spend too much time together," Monica agreed with a chuckle.

"Ten year olds with credit cards, which is much more dangerous."

"No kidding. What did they do last time we left? I think I blocked it from my memory."

"The girls had gum in their hair. That's all I remember."

"And they only had four kids to deal with that time."

"That thought is enough to make me want to turn around and head home."

"But you won't. Right? Because we have an entire day at the spa to look forward to. Right?"

"Right. I had just better be able to relax or they are going to be in big trouble."

"Okay, let's talk about something else."

"Like?"

"Skinner's girlfriend."

Scully almost ran her car into a tree.

"What? Skinner is dating? Where have I been?"

"Obviously no where near the receiving end of this information."

"Well enlighten me please."

Monica giggled and turned slightly in her seat.

"Now I got this story from John who got it from Skinner's secretary, who got it partly from Skinner, and partly from intercepting phone calls from Skinner's mother."

"Skinner's mother. Now that is an image we're going to have to discuss later too."

"So apparently, Skinner went took his mom to the opera about two months ago. They ended up sitting next to his mother's friend Gladys and her daughter Rose. After the opera, they went out for coffee, and Skinner and Rose really hit it off. They have been talking on the phone every day since, and there is talk in the air of nuptials."

"Seriously."

"Yes, seriously. Skinner's mom and Rose's mom planned the whole thing. They live in the same retirement community and they have been trying to get these two together for a year."

"Wow. I guess I never pictured Skinner with anyone. We're going to have to innocently suggest he come to dinner sometime so we can meet this woman."

"Already in the works. Next Friday at our house if you guys can make it."

"Oh we'll be there. Believe me. I am going to dig out the Christmas bells to wear."

Monica chuckled.

"Dana," she said, pointing to the radio. "My life would suck without you."

"Yeah, I know."

The receptionist looked down at her appointment book and smiled.

"Dana and Monica. You husbands signed you up for our ultimate pampering package. Why don't you follow me and we'll start you out with facials?"

They exchanged glances and followed her to a small room where they sat down in plush reclining chairs.

"Your husbands left letters for you to read."

They looked up at her curiously as she handed each of them an envelope.

"Susan and Carol will be in an a few moments to start your facials," she said before leaving the room.

"They left us letters?" Scully asked, arching her right eyebrow.

"They must have done something really wrong," Monica replied, arching her left eyebrow.

They opened the letters cautiously, each finding about a page worth of handwriting.

Dear Scully,

When I sat down to try and think of what to get you for mother's day, I was at a loss. Nothing I could possibly think of was good enough for you to begin with, and nothing came remotely close to being able to convey how much I love you and how much you put up with these past three years. Unfortunately Hallmark doesn't have a section for that. Come to think of it, Hallmark doesn't have a section for "I'm sorry your dog got eaten by an alligator," or "I'm sorry your shoes were disintegrated by green goo," or "I'm sorry there was a cockroach colony in your last hotel room," or anything else I have ever needed to apologize for.

I wish I could find words to tell you how much I love you, but the English language just doesn't suffice. I don't think I realized how hard you worked until I left. I had to start taking care of myself again, and I found out that I had been taking you for granted. Not to mention all you did to make sure the kids had everything they needed. And then I left, and you had to do it all yourself. I still wonder how in the world you managed that.

I'm so proud of you for everything you have done, and everything you do. I couldn't ask for anyone better to raise our kids, or simply to sleep next to me at night. You're an amazing mother, and a wonderful wife, and I can't wait to grow old(er) with you.

Enjoy your day of relaxation and gossiping- I know you need it. And don't worry about us; the kids will keep me in line.

I love you, honey, more than I can say

Mulder

She smiled and looked up from the letter.

"Brownie points?" Monica asked.

"The whole freakin' pan," Scully answered, tucking her letter back into the envelope.

"Either they did something incredibly stupid, or they really love us."

"I don't want to belittle the letter, but probably both."

"It wouldn't be the two of them if they didn't."

"That's the truth."

It was over five hours later when they finally emerged from the spa. They'd had facials, mud baths, massages, manicures, pedicures, and probably a dozen or so other things that they were too relaxed to remember.

"My legs are like jelly," Scully commented, hitting the button on her key chain to unlock the car. "I don't know if I can drive."

"John sent me a text to call them when we head home."

"Why, so they have time to erase all the evidence of whatever tomfoolery they have been getting into?"

"I guess," Monica agreed, dialing her phone. "Hi John, it's me. We're headed home now... an hour? I guess we can occupy ourselves for a while. We can go to the mall... Don't groan at me, John, I only window shop... Okay, we'll see you then. I love you too."

She hung up the phone and turned to Scully with a smile.

"How long has it been since we have gone not window shopping?"

"Far, far too long."

"I think a coffee run is in order."

"I can get behind that idea," Scully remarked as she started the car. "Man, we haven't even been out for coffee in over a year."

"Momma always said there'd be times like this," Monica drawled, causing Scully to roll her eyes.

"Monica, I don't know how we ever became friends."

"I don't think you had a choice."

"I was pretty desperate."

"Thanks a lot."

"Hey, I love you now."

"Yeah, I guess."

"Last time you were pregnant you called me at two in the morning to complain that the baby was never coming out. And I never got mad, did I?"

"Alright, alright, you love me."

"You should just buy it, Dana," Monica encouraged. "You never get anything for yourself."

"I know, but where would I wear it? It's not every day I go somewhere that requires a floor length dress."

"Then you tell Mulder to take you dancing."

"Dancing? Me and Mulder? I guess those 6 shots of espresso went to your head."

"Oh come on. You've danced before."

"Yeah, but not for real. Not in front of people, and certainly not anywhere that required any skill whatsoever."

"I give up. You have no sense of adventure."

"My sense of adventure left 17 years ago when Mulder said "We leave at 8 a.m. for the very plausible state of Oregon." It never came back."

"Buy the dress."

"Fine."

Monica grinned and pulled a red dress off the rack.

"Now, about this one for me. Too much?"

"You'll look like Miss Scarlet from the Clue game. Try that green one."

"Green, really?"

"Yes, green really. Red is too obvious for you, just like blue and green are too obvious for me. Branch out a little. You have like, 7 red dresses."

"I guess that's true. Okay, I'll try it."

She took the dress off the rack and headed for the dressing room, while Scully looked over the jewelry case. She wasn't really interested in buying anything, but she still liked to look. Years ago, her dad had taken her to a department store and allowed her to pick out anything she wanted. Of course he had steered to her to the cheaper, more little girl appropriate items, but it was the thought that counted, and she had never felt more special in her life. She had picked string of pearls that were still sitting in their box. She had never worn them, afraid they would break. Maybe she would dig them out and wear them with this dress.

"Okay, I'll get it," Monica said as she came out of the dressing room.

"It fits you perfectly, doesn't it?"

"Yeah."

"I hate you."

"Sorry. Yours only has to be hemmed anyway. Besides, mine is a little snug in the butt."

"All your stuff is snug in the butt."

"Excuse me?"

"Well it is!"

"When were you looking at my butt?"

"I wasn't looking at it! I just... shut up."

"Your boobs are bigger than mine."

"Monica, we need to spend more time apart."

"Or we need to watch less Gilmore Girls."

"Nah, the guys would love that."

"Then maybe we need to watch more."

"Is it just me or did that whole moment feel very juvenile?"

"Yeah, I felt it too."

"Maybe the coffee and shopping wasn't such a good idea."

"Don't second guess coffee, Dana."

"It will never happen again."

By the time they returned to Monica's house, it was just before 7 o'clock. They grabbed their shopping bags from the trunk and headed inside where all 6 of their collective children rushed towards them.

"Mom guess what we got you!" Joshua shouted.

"Don't tell her Joshy, it's a surprise."

"Mommy, mommy, Daddy and Uncle Mulder maked dinner!" Cadence announced, pointing to the kitchen.

"Cady, it was supposed to be a surprise!" Savannah said, crossing her arms. Cadence jutted out her lower lip and started to well up.

"I forgot. I'm sorry!"

Monica chuckled and reached down to hug her daughter.

"It's alright, honey. It's still a surprise."

"Come into the kitchen," Josh said, grabbing both their hands and pulling. "We've been working hard."

"And we cleaned up all the messes even," Cadence supplied as the group walked into the kitchen.

Not only had Mulder and John cooked dinner, they had even gotten out the china and nice silverware, and the fancy table cloth.

"Happy Mother's Day!" all six kids chorused.

"You guys..." Scully said, blushing just a little.

"Do you like it mom?" Joshua asked, his eyes lighting up.

"I love it."

"What about you, Auntie?"

"It's perfect," Monica answered with a smile.

"Come and sit down, ladies," Mulder said, pulling out a chair.

"Now we aren't the best cooks in the world, but bear in mind that we tried."

"Is that a warning, John?" Scully asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Nah, just tellin' ya, don't get your hopes up too high."

Monica laughed and sat down in the chair John offered her.

"Kids, why don't you go in the other room with and watch your movie?"

"Okay!"

The six dashed off into the other room, leaving the adults in peace.

"Dinner without kids? You two have outdone yourselves," Scully noted, placing a napkin in her lap.

"You deserve to have a nice dinner and adult conversation with the men of your dreams," Mulder said with a smile.

"So when are Antonio Banderas and Emilio Estevez getting here?" Monica asked.

"So the truth is out. You don't really like hockey, you just like watchin' The Mighty Ducks," John said, rolling his eyes.

"Ducks never say die."

"You just crossed The Mighty Ducks and The Goonies."

"I loved the 80's. I miss the 80's."

"Ah, me too," Scully agreed. "Except Hammer Pants. I mean, what were we thinking?"

"I liked Hammer Pants. But weren't those the 90's?"

"I don't know."

"Clearly we're getting old."

"Mighty Ducks were the 90's. Goonies were the 80's. Hammer pants are better forgotten."

"So says Mulder and so say I. Let's eat," John decided.

"So," Mulder started, running his hand though Scully's hair. "Good Mother's Day?"

"It was perfect, honey. I didn't deserve it."

"Yes you did."

"Okay."

"I just wanted to make up for the last three years."

She turned over in his arms, sitting up just a little so she could see his face.

"Mulder, I want you to stop thinking that you have to make up for that. Yes, it was hard and it was tiring, and I was mad, but the fact of the matter is that it was. Meaning it's in the past."

"Really?"

"Honey, I forgave you a long time ago. So did the kids. You're the only one who is still living with it."

"I know."

"Maybe it's time to forgive yourself."

She pressed her forehead to his.

"I love you, and I am always going to love you. Nothing will change that, especially things that happened a long time ago. Okay?"

"Okay. I love you too, Scully."

"I know," she responded with a smile.

"Are we really back to normal?"

"Well, as close to normal as we ever were."

He smiled and pulled her down to kiss her. For the first time in three years, he was home, in every sense of the word.

A/N II: I am feeling that this is the end of this story. BUT since I am not completely sure, I am leaving it up to you, dear readers. If this story feels complete and you don't think anything else needs to be added, then vote for done. If you think something was missing, let me know what it was.

Also... Thank you to Julia for all her help getting me unstuck.