Location: St. Mary's Catholic Church, Beaufort, SC

10: 42 am

Scully stared silently at the celling. The deep and the warm voice of Father Vincent echoed as he was offering blessings for the newlyweds and prayers for the souls of Abby and Jac.

For some reason, she felt calm, her heart feeling full with every word she heard. The warm glow of white church candles and the subtle aroma of white roses and eucalyptus filled the air with a mysterious comfort.

She looked at Mulder who is now still after three reminders, two attempts of pinching and endless whispers of his name asking him to stop wagging his feet.

"Mulder…" she whispered. "Are you awake?"

"I guess so" his voice did not sound very enthusiastic.

"Do you ever remember the last time you sat in a church mass?" Her voice was rather playful as she whispered to him.

"Not really" He gave a blank look as he spoke. "I always questioned why after Samantha was gone" She could see the dark pain deep inside his eyes. For a moment, she was lost for words.

"I'm sorry" she wrapped his hand with her own. He smiled in response.

Suddenly there was a long pause and everybody stood up to a round of applause. Mulder looked at her with a surprised glance.

"That's why they say you have to be mindful Agent Mulder" Scully chuckled as she stood up to join the rest of the crowd.

They could hear Father Vincent thanking and blessing the attendees. All of a sudden, they heard their names being read in the middle of something and without a seconds' delay, all the eyes on the church turned to them with smiling faces. Scully felt herself blushing as she smiled back.

"Holy crap I hope he didn't ask us to shut the fuck up" Mulder muttered under his breath as his arm rested on the small if her back.

"Shut up Mulder"

They stood at the back of the church, in an isolated corner as the crowd slowly walked out of the church as they didn't want to steal the show from the family and friends. However, a few guests took the chance to talk to them and thank them on their way out of the church too.

"They seem to be nice people aren't they" Mulder joined Scully as she slowly walked towards the empty hall on the sideway leading to the backyard. She looked fragile in her off-white linen dress and the soft cardigan, the only outfit which she had packed to suit this event.

For a moment he let her go, watching her as she stopped by a huge stone window. The morning sunlight reflected on her porcelain skin and gleaming red hair. She was heavily engrossed in her thoughts as he reached her. He closed his eyes breathing her scent, which filled his heart with a scarce longing.

He was right behind her when she turned back to have a look at the crowd gathered at the church entrance. He gathered her in his arms despite her fruitless attempts to break free.

"Mulder…" She whispered softly.

"It's going to be ok" he consoled her as their eyes met. His fingers gently traced her cheeks, stopping only to cup her face. He could still see a trace of the purple bruises on her neck. Her eyes now shining with warm tears, as she tried to withhold her strong emotions. He pulled her close and held her in a tight embrace.

He held her until he couldn't hear her silent sobs. His mind was clouded with a thousand emotions but there was only one thing that mattered to him at the moment.

"Dana…" he called her softly. She looked at him with much surprise. He cupped her face once again as he spoke.

"Will you marry me?" he asked in a rather shaky voice.

"Oh Mulder…" She looked into his eyes for a moment before she pulled him close so that their foreheads are resting against each other. She felt as if her heart stopped with the rest of the world.

"Tell me…please" He pulled himself away to meet her eyes.

"Yeah…" She broke into a hearty smile. "I will" she whispered just before his lips crashed on hers.