Chapter 29: A new life inside you
Two weeks later
Scully wakes up lightheaded, the good news, her nausea is almost gone, she feels Mulder around her and close her eyes again breathing through her mouth, he has been depressed, but each time he touches her belly, he seems better, it's been hard for both, but the baby gives them strength.
Today they're going to the hospital, they decided to practice genetic testing and DNA blood testing to determine if there's any risk of birth defects or chromosomal disorders, they will also perform an ultrasound, the first for Mulder. He is nervous about it, he will see the baby, this time he has a chance to do that, he lost a son that he believed was his for more than seventeen years, now he's going to have a child, who is one hundred percent his, and he's next to Scully this time to witness it, he can't deny it, that gives him a joy after so much disappointment.
She sighs and he tightens his embrace opening his hand to feel her belly, it is officially a pregnant belly, round and beautiful, you can't go unnoticed anymore, there's a baby in there and everybody can see it, she puts her hand on his squeezing it, he leans forward to feel the sweet and faint essence of her hair on his face, she snuggles closer to a fetal position with a giggle - your nose is tickling me Mulder - she says with a scratchy and sleepy voice that he finds pretty sexy, he kisses the back of her neck and pushes himself up to lean on an elbow and look at her, she turns to see him - Good morning Mulder - she says with a half smile squinting her eyes.
He leans down and kiss the tip of her nose with sweetness - Good morning beautiful, were you able to sleep? - she nods and turns fully on her back, he kiss her lips this time softly, his hand still on her belly. She closes her eyelids with force and breathes deep - Feeling dizzy? - he asks frowning, she nods again and open her mouth to exhale, he stands up and goes to the bathroom for a glass of water, she sits leaning against the back of the bed, her eyes still closed, he sits on the edge of the bed next to her and gives her the glass, she drinks water slowly and then opens her eyes to look at him, his gaze is full of concern.
She puts the glass on the night table and then leans forward caressing his cheek - I'm fine Mulder, thank you - she says with a warm smile, he takes her hand and kisses it - we better hurry, we have to go to the hospital, to see the baby and also, to see Skinner - he nods looking at her pink lips - do you think it is the right time to talk to him about the baby? - she asks frowning, he leans forward and kiss her, she smiles in his mouth and keeps talking - Mulder, I ask you something, why are you kissing me? - he smiles too and moves away from her smiling
- I just wanted to kiss you - she smiles shaking her head - and yes, we better tell him today, I also need to speak with Kersh about our current situation inside the FBI - she looks at him with concern - Don't look at me like that Scully, no more X files, but we need to think about the future - he says looking at her belly, she instinctively puts a hand where he is looking with a sigh - Maybe I can give lessons about killer profiles in Quantico, while you stay at home - she nods looking down at her belly, he puts his hand on hers and raises her face with his other hand - We'll be fine, I promise - she looks at him trying not to cry, and leans towards him hugging him tightly, he caresses her back tenderly - We'll be fine - he repeats more to himself than to her.
Mulder and Scully arrive at the hospital before the appointment to visit Skinner, after having been run over by the smoking man, he left unharmed except for a traumatic back pain and a broken leg in two parts, he has been in rehabilitation for the last two weeks, and the doctors expect him to walk normally again in one or two months, Mulder as been with him just once after that day, but Scully has only communicated with him by phone, trying to call him daily.
Thank God the day is cold and she is wearing a coat that doesn't let her pregnancy be evident, Mulder opens the door and let her go inside first, Skinner smiles watching them - Hello Walter - Mulder says in a slightly enthusiastic tone - look who finally came to visit you - he says looking to Scully, she blushes a little bit smiling.
- How are you feeling Sir - she says standing next to the bed, Mulder moves a chair so she can take a seat
- I'm better Dana, please don't call me Sir, I'm out of the FBI now - the couple open their mouths in surprise - I decided to retire, I think it was time and this accident was the perfect excuse - Scully nods in agreement, it's the right time indeed
- That's a great choice Walter, I'm glad you're ok - she says in a low voice, Mulder is standing behind her with his hands on her shoulders, Skinner looks at them expectantly
- How are you Dana? - the question takes her by surprise, the truth is that there is no single clear answer to that question, so many things are happening that she doesn't know what the answer is.
Mulder squeezes her shoulder and responds for her - in general terms we're fine, adapting to the current situation - she looks at him saying with her eyes, that she's ready to tell him about the baby - We came here today to see how are you doing, but also to tell you something - Mulder feels Scully's muscles tighten and Skinner watches them waiting for him to continue - This might sound incredible, especially after all the thing we have been through, but… We are expecting a baby - he says finally, everyone seems to have stopped breathing, the room is completely silent.
Mulder caresses Scully's shoulders to reassure her, she seems to breathe again after a few seconds - Well, congratulations - Skinner says with a big smile - That is a miracle - Scully sighs nodding, Skinner understands that it must be very difficult for both, now that William is not there, but tries to lighten the situation - So, how far are you Dana? -
She looks at him with a half smile - I'm twelve weeks, actually, we have an appointment in a few minutes - she says swallowing
- I'm sure everything will be fine - he says with a smile - I'm very happy for you both, you really deserve this happiness - he says looking at both of them
- Thank you Sir… I mean Walter… I'm happy for you too, I'm glad to see you are better - Skinner nods smiling.
They stay there a few more minutes talking about his treatment and his plans now that he free, then they says goodbye and walk upstairs to see the OB, Mulder holds Scully's hand and squeeze it, he knows she is nervous about the procedure, she is nervous about the baby's health and her own, and that is normal, but he also knows the stress can be even worse.
- Relax honey, you will be fine, you know your nerves can be bad for the baby, I'm here - she looks up at him and nods squeezing his hand back, they sit in the waiting room, there are a couple of couples, who do not spend more than the third year, a pregnant young woman and another older woman, who must be there for menopause, she sits down and takes a magazine so she doesn't have to look at anyone, he looks around nervously, but proudly, it doesn't matter if they are older than any other couple, they are going to have a child and that makes him happy, he moves a little towards her and puts his hand on her belly, she tightens a bit and slowly withdraws, he laughs and kisses her on the cheek making her blush.
After a couple of minutes the assistant tells them that they can go inside, Mulder walks behind her with his hand on her lower back, the doctor smile at them and asks them to take a seat - Dana, and you must be the father - he nods smiling
- Fox Mulder, it's a pleasure to meet you - he says greeting her with his hand
- How are you feeling Dana? Any news? - she asks looking at her
Scully sighs and Mulder holds her hand - Everything seems to be fine, my morning sickness is almost gone, I'm lightheaded now, wich is normal and I'm gaining weight, actually, this belly is bigger that my last one - she says putting her hand on her lower abdomen
The doctor smiles writing on the computer - That's normal, your uterus has already expanded once, so now it is giving more space to the baby to develop… very well, let's check on that baby, then you can go to do the ultrasound and then I will take charge of the exams, okay? - Scully nods and stands up walking towards the stretcher
The check up went well, everything with the measurements, weight and position of the baby is perfect, they say goodbye for the moment to the doctor and go to do the ultrasound, Mulder is encouraged to see the baby for the first time, because his smile gives him away.
Tey enter and wait for the technician to arrive, after a couple of minutes a very young girl enters the room, Scully lies down and unbuttons her pants, then climbs the stretcher and pull her shirt up exposing her belly, the technician smile - congratulations mommy, how far are you? - she asks with amiability
- Twelve weeks - Scully says with a half smile, Mulder holds her hand and she looks up at him with a nervous smile, he leans down and kiss her forehead
- Ok, let's see - she moves the transducer over Scully's belly by making pressure on her lower abdomen, after a few seconds the baby's image is clear on the screen, she turns on the sound and a loud heartbeat is heard throughout the room - There it is, that's a strong and perfect heartbeat - she says smiling, Mulder squeezes Scully's hand and she sees when looking at him that he is crying, this makes her eyes also fill with tears - the organs are developing well, the size is right, everything is looks great mommy and daddy - she finally looks at them and smiles tenderly - Don't cry, everything is fine -
After finishing, she leaves them alone for a moment, Scully lowers her shirt again and Mulder helps her sit up and hugs her tightly - I'm happy Scully, really, we're going to have a baby - she laughs on his chest
- I knew that already Mulder - she pulls away and look into his eyes - Thank you Mulder, for doing this with me - he smiles and puts a strand of hair behind her ear
- It's our baby, I won't go anywhere - she sighs and they wait outside for the doctor.
They take blood to do some tests and then take her to another room to practice the amnio, the doctor withdraws telling them to stay for an hour, and then she must rest at home for a week to avoid complications, Mulder sits next to her and takes her hand in his - How are you feeling? - he asks her kissing her hand
- It hurts, but I'm fine - she sighs putting her free hand on her belly - I'm glad you're here, I did this the first time alone, and I had to run away scared about the baby's health - she says in a whisper, he looks at her frowning, he knows everything was difficult with William, their son, even he's not the father - I'm sorry Mulder - she says realizing that her words hurt him
He kiss her hand again smiling - It's ok Scully, we can talk about William, we have avoided him for two weeks, but it is inevitable, even more now that you are pregnant, many things will be different now than they were before - she frowns and her jaw trembles, tears begin to fall down her cheeks and he cleans them with his hand - Don't cry honey, everything is fine -
She covers her face with her hand and sobs - I'm sorry, I can't control my emotions, it's the hormones - she says between sobs, he laughs and leans forward to kiss her cheek, she turns her head and kiss his lips, that always makes her feel better.
An hour later they go home, she walks slowly with her hand on her belly to avoid the pain, then she climbs into the car with care and does the same when they get home, he doesn't want her going upstairs so he arranges the pullout sofa of the study for her - and I have to sleep here downstairs alone? - she asks him pouting
He smiles and gives her a kiss on the forehead - Of course not Scully, I will be by your side, always - she kiss him in the lips with tenderness, they both feel a warm in their heart, and suddenly they feel confident that everything will be fine with the baby.