November 2001
William giggled as Mulder pushed him in the baby swing at the park. He was bundled against the chilly day, in a dark blue full bodysuit and a blue beanie with yellow stars on it.
They had been to the park a few times, but oddly enough William had not enjoyed the swings until recently, crying every time they had placed him in it. Now though, he laughed when he was being gently pushed.
"I'm glad he likes it now," Mulder said, giving him another small push. "Not much else he can really do here just yet."
"True. Though he did like the slide with you last time," Scully said, taking pictures of William as he laughed.
"You mean when I hit my knee and limped home?"
"Well... I didn't say you liked it," she teased and he chuckled with a nod.
"Do you think the ducks will still be at the little pond? He liked them too."
"We can look and see," Scully said with a shrug, slowing the swing and kissing William's flushed cheeks. "You want to see the ducks, sweetheart? Yeah, let's see if we can find them."
She took him from the swing and he protested for a second before he was turned around and allowed to see the park as they walked toward the pond. Mulder put his arm around Scully's shoulders and kissed first William's head and then hers.
"Have I mentioned today that I love you?" he asked and she smiled.
"You have. But not for a couple of hours."
"Well, that's unacceptable," he said, shaking his head.
"I mean, I have been wondering," she teased him, bumping him with her arm as William blew loud raspberries.
"Hmm…" he hummed, pulling her closer and pressing his nose to her head and then kissing her again. "It's never good if you're left wondering."
"Mulder," she said, shaking her head. "Oh look, the ducks are still here. Look, William. See the ducks? Wow, there's quite a few. And we don't have anything to feed them. They won't like that, I don't think."
"Eh, it'll be okay," Mulder said, moving his arm from her shoulders and putting his hands in his pockets.
Scully sat down with William in her lap when they reached the small pond. The ducks quacked softly as they swam closer, but still kept their distance, watching them curiously.
"Yeah, I don't think they'll get much closer. But look, William. Look at the ducks. Hear them quacking? They're saying hello to you. Say hi, ducks." She waved his little pudgy hand at the ducks and William squealed happily.
Mulder knelt down beside them, his heart racing as he took the small jewelry box from his pocket and opened it. He watched her watching the ducks, laughing as she held William's hand, and he loved her even more.
"Next time we'll need to bring some bread or something," she said, turning to glance at him then looking back at the ducks.
A few seconds passed and she looked back at him, her eyes wide.
"Mulder," she whispered, looking down at the golden ring in the black box. "What are you doing?"
"Working up the nerve to ask you to marry me," he whispered back, the ducks quacking louder as William squealed again.
"You…"
"Will you marry me, Scully?" he asked, swallowing hard as he waited for her answer.
"Mulder… I never thought…" She stared at him and he smiled, knowing it was not something they had really discussed. "Yes. Yes, I will."
"You will?" he asked, somewhat surprised.
"Did you want me to say no?" she asked, laughing softly.
"No," he said quickly. "No, I didn't."
"Would you like me to say I need some time to think about it?" she asked, smiling happily.
"No," he said, shaking his head and moving closer to her. "No, I don't."
"Then yes, Mulder. Yes, I will marry you."
"Good."
He slipped the ring on her finger, his hands shaking slightly. She looked at the ring and then him, her eyes shining as she smiled.
A loud quack from the ducks pulled their attention, both of them laughing as they turned to look at them. William laughed and bounced excitedly on Scully's lap as Mulder sat beside Scully, his arm going around her shoulders.
"I love you," she said, laying her head on his shoulder.
"I love you too," he said, his head resting on hers as he closed his eyes and smiled.