2006
"It's full of candy, Grandma," William said. "And we have to hit it to get it out."
"Oh, that sounds like fun," Maggie said with a chuckle and Mulder smiled as he secured the gray alien piñata to the tree near their picnic table at the park.
Maggie winked at him when he turned around and reached out to help her put the tablecloth down, holding it in place with some clips.
"He's very excited," she murmured as William stared at the alien with a smile.
"He is indeed, and so am I. There's some good candy in there."
"Fox," she laughed, shaking her head and swatting him with a pack of napkins.
"Here's the last of it," Scully said, pulling a wagon carrying the ice chest that held the container of William's birthday cupcakes along with the bottles of water.
"Mommy! Look at my alien piñata!" William called out as he ran to her, throwing his arms around her waist.
"It looks great, honey," she said, kissing the top of his head as she hugged him.
"Hey, hey…"
Everyone turned and saw Langly and Frohike walking toward them, presents in hand. They were greeted with hugs and high fives, Maggie laughing at something Frohike said.
A dog barked and Monica's voice rang out, telling him to heel. She and John walked down the small hill as William ran to pet their dog Max, laughing when he tumbled to the ground and Max wiggled excitedly, licking him anywhere he could reach.
"Agents, hello," Byers said, walking up to join them, holding Susanne's hand, her golden hair shining in the sun.
"Max!" William giggled, squirming around and getting up, backing into Skinner who had also just arrived. "Uncle Skinner!"
"Hey, Will. Happy birthday," Skinner said, scooping him up in one arm, his gift held in the other, and carrying him back towards the picnic table as William laughed, his arms held out like Superman.
Everyone gathered around the table, laughing and saying hello again, the presents set on the card table Mulder and Scully had brought with them.
Max barked, begging for treats. William gave him the most as John led him through the commands Max had recently learned.
Conspiracy theories were discussed, Maggie's eyes widening as she looked at Scully, who rolled her eyes even as she smiled. Mulder and Skinner talked about a case in low tones until Scully, seeing the expression on Mulder's face, touched his back and he smiled at her with a nod.
"Who's ready for the piñata?" he called, squeezing her hand, and William shouted in excitement.
He took the bat Mulder handed him and after he was blindfolded and spun around three times, he took his first whack at the piñata amid the cheers of the adults and Max's happy barks.
John took his turn, cracking the alien in half, and William and Langly both dove for the candy, fighting playfully over pieces as they grabbed for them.
The cupcakes were placed on the table. A blue number five was added to one of them and lit with a lighter as happy birthday was sung. William sat up on his knees, leaning forward to blow out the candle when they were done.
Gifts were opened and exclaimed over, the new radio control car from Skinner tried out immediately, all the men wanting a turn as the women sat at the table and caught up.
A couple of hours later, everything was packed up. Mulder carried William in his arms, whose eyes were drooping with every step.
"I'd say he had a good birthday," Mulder said as he and Scully waved goodbye to everyone and then got into their car.
"Yeah," she agreed, looking back and smiling at their sleeping son, his bag of piñata candy still held in his hand. "He did."