We Haven't Done Everything Yet
Chapter 2
"So, what did you think? Was it worth it, was the food good?"
"It was a good choice Mulder. I'd come back." I looked at him as we walked towards the car. He had taken my hand, it amazed me how comforting that small gesture was and how it came to mean so much to me. "I thought we were going for a walk?" I asked him as he unlocked it.
"We are but since our little miracle is awake, I want to place him in his harness and let him see where we are going."
"Do you want to wear it Scully? I can adjust it for you."
"No, this is your time with him. Besides my boobs are still a little sore so the harness is yours…for now." I squeezed his hand raising it to kiss his knuckles before letting him lift William into it.
I placed William into his harness which he always seems to enjoy. His face lights up and he bounces when I walk, he giggles spit bubbles that melt my heart. My mini miracle man, this kid is the greatest gift besides his mother that I had ever received. I grabbed Scully's hand, and we walked past the businesses. I know she loves to shop, and the holidays were coming so I could get some ideas for her. I always had trouble finding the perfect gift for her. What do you get for a woman who has everything and doesn't readily give ideas. She is the opposite of most women who would take great joy in emptying your wallet and melting your plastic on them.
"Any ideas where we are walking to?" I asked him. I didn't care where we walked, I just didn't know if he had a specific destination in mind.
"I thought we would walk to the reflecting pool. It is a beautiful night and I want William to see where we have spent a lot of our time since we met."
"Mulder, we spent the majority of our time together in cheap hotels and cheaper diners." I said smiling at the thought of how many times we did spend our time in those places. "Do we want our son knowing his parent's spent years in cheap hotels and diners? It sounds bad" I said as I chuckled.
We reached the reflecting pool, and I sat on the last step staring out at it. I placed my arm around Scully's shoulders and drew her near to me. The moon painted a dazzling light show on the water. The air was cool and there was no breeze making the weather perfect.
"Scully, do you remember the first time we were here together after you were assigned to the X Files?"
"Yes, Mulder we sat on that bench over there and discussed the government cover up of UFO's." You were trying to convince me the military had recovered wreckage and bodies. I remember many talks we had on that bench. I remember standing right about here after our return from Antarctica when I grabbed your hand and told you my place was here with you and that we couldn't quit."
I remember all of those conversations like they were yesterday. My memories crept in, holding his warm hand as he tried to tell me to run, to get as far away from his as possible, to go be a doctor. I was so in love with him. Abandoning our quest was not an option for me but, his words hurt, stung like that god damn bee. I thought he was telling me he wanted me gone. I grabbed his hand in a desperate attempt to convey to him I needed him, that my life did not exist without him, and that his pursuit of the truth was now our pursuit.
"We didn't quit Scully we are still here, fighting, kicking, and jabbing at them to remember our fight goes on. Still looking for the evidence they hide so deeply. We will find it Scully." He said that with the steadfast determination that was one of the many reasons I fell in love with him.
In the past I often wondered what she saw in me. Now, I don't wonder I revel in whatever she sees in me. All that mattered was she was here, and I wanted her to stay, always. I couldn't imagine my life without her.
I stood up and walked closer to the pool and I felt tears well up in my eyes. I told myself I would not cry tonight. I told myself this night would be our night, a night I wanted to be relaxed, just us, no worries, perfect. I just stood there not moving, afraid to turn around fearing those blue crystals would be boring into me.
"Mulder, are you okay?" He had been acting weird all day. Maybe he's getting restless, maybe he's not sure of all of this. He no longer needed to hide or run and he was back at the FBI in the X Files. Perhaps us living together and William was just too much for him at one time.
I placed my arms around his waist fearing I would lose him again. Damn it, I was tearing up. He turned to look at me. My head now rested on his chest right next to William. I could feel his warmth and his heartbeat.
"Scully, what's wrong?" I lifted her face to look at me. Her eyes were wet with tears. I wiped them with my thumbs then kissed them away.
"I'm not sure. I saw you were crying, and I wondered what was wrong with you. I don't want to lose you again Mulder. I am not sure I can take that."
"Scully, I…"
I fumbled taking the damn package out of the harness behind William and the box went flying. I practically jumped five feet hoping like hell it wasn't going to tumble into the water. William about flew out of the harness when I leapt, thankfully they are made to securely hold kids in place. I knelt to pick up the box when I saw her legs step in front of me. Well, this wasn't exactly how William and I planned it but here goes.
"Mulder are you okay, do you need help?" I looked down at him offering my hand, but he just stayed there.
"We're fine Scully." Tears welling in my eyes again I stayed on one knee swallowing hard knowing I planned this but, I guess you never know until you know. I placed my left hand in hers and took a deep breath. I looked up into those blue sapphires and tried to speak with the clarity and bravery I practiced so many times this past week.
"Dana Katherine Scully, the meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed. You have transformed my life, my world, and I want to spend the rest of it with you. We have been through so much together, done so much together but we haven't done everything yet. Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning, Dana you gave that word meaning to me, please…..marry me."
I was sweating profusely, I hoped I said everything I rehearsed with William. I looked at her. Her mouth was agape, and her right hand was attempting to cover it. I heard a gasp escape. She knelt in front of me and grabbed my face in her hands. She placed her lips seamlessly onto mine.
"Yes" I kissed him again feeling as if I was floating in some weightless mist. I watched him place the ring on my finger. It was unique looking, not standard by any means. The color was almost that of stainless and it had a strange feel to it.
"Wow" I said. This ring is unique Mulder, is this made from some alien metal? I asked wanting to know more about it.
"Well, not exactly."
"What does that mean?"
"I had it made from the casing of the bullet you shot me with." He said it with a gleam in his eye as he stood up. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead as William reached for my hair. I caught his tiny little hand before he managed to grab a handful and pull.
"You did what? Why would want to put that on my finger." By now I was laughing. The mere thought of it made me smile. What would possess him to have that made into an engagement ring. Lord, only he would even think of that. I shook my head and looked at him.
"It wasn't needed as evidence anymore, so I asked for it. They allowed me to have it so, I took it to a shop where they stretched it out and rolled it. I look at it as a symbol of how many times you have saved me from myself. Our relationship was founded on trust, and friendship, it flourished and now includes love and faith, and I wanted a ring to symbolize that. I only meant for it to be the symbol for now. I want to go ring shopping with you so you can pick the one you want." I figured she would find it funny and amusing, and she had.
"I want you to have a real ring Scully, whatever you want."
"I don't want another one." I couldn't help but be awed by what was either his insanity or his creativity. "You'll always keep me guessing and I think it is perfect. It is not about the ring Mulder. It is about our journey, our commitment, our promise, our lives together, our future."
I stood and gathered her into my arms. I kissed her deeply and slowly. One ring, and one life; ours with William.
I took his hand, in mine. We walked for a while just talking and having a great time. Knowing him on a deeper level, a level where there are no secrets, everything there is to know about each other is on the table is incredible. Something I had never experienced before with anyone on any level. My fear of rejection or hurt at his hands was gone. We will have trying times every relationship has and we are no different. He is my greatest frustration, and my greatest love. We didn't need a marriage, we wanted it.
"Love you Scully." I squeezed her hand and nuzzled her neck. William was beginning to get restless and cranky again, but he was so perfect when I practically launched us into the pool when the ring box fell from my sweaty hand. I had thought I heard him let out a giggle.
"Love you more. He's probably getting hungry. You want the bottle?" I reached for the bottle feeling it to be about air temperature, not optimal but not cold.
"Sure, he can eat while we work our way back to the car." I popped the bottle in front of him as his little hands seemed to reach for it. I held it for him, and he got down to business not seeming to care it wasn't as warm as it usually was.
"Scully, we don't have to have a big wedding. Whatever you want is fine. We don't even have to plan it any time soon." I didn't want her to feel pressure even though she said yes.
"Mulder, I think we should elope. Let's go to Roswell, get married by a JP spend a few days and get back to work. We don't have to tell anyone at work, and we can plan something bigger later."
"Who are you and what have you done with Scully?" I looked at her quizzically. "Why would we do that?"
"You don't want to get married in Roswell?"
"I'd marry you anywhere, anytime but I thought you'd want something better."
"We will organize something bigger later. It will give us time to plan what we really want. We are in no rush. Let's make it official but keep it quiet for now. People at work think we have been bedding each other for years so a little longer isn't a big deal."