Title: Mulder's Birthday Gift
Rating: K
Status: Complete
Spoilers: None
Archive: Sure, just drop a note first.
Feedback: Yes, please
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended, characters and show reference belong to their creator CC and 1013. I wish I could be so creative as to have invented them but sadly…I am not. If you know the characters, they aren't mine. Blah, blah, blah, you know the drill but please leave a review.
Summary: Scully has a special day planned for Mulder on his birthday. A quiet day on the water and a gift he had waited for.
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"Mulder are you all packed so we can get going, it's already 9:00am." She picked up her bag checking again that she had his birthday card, and his gift packed within.
She waited at the front door for him leaning against the door frame. She was tired but it's his birthday and she's going to make it memorable. She heard him round the corner of the bedroom and hit the stairs jogging down, his bag slung over his shoulder. He stopped in front of her and broke out in a grin, dimples shining through the stubble on his face. She looked at him and couldn't help but marvel in the fact he was aging and doing a damn good job of it. His beard now had a few grey strands in it and so did his hair, but she thought it added a mature, distinguished look. He leaned in and kissed her, placing his hand on the door frame above her, tasting her as her lips parted. She placed her hand on his chest as she tried to catch her breath.
"That has already cost us an hour today, so save it for later." She whispered as she leaned over and picked up her bag.
"Oh, you regret our decision to don our birthdays suits and dance in the hallway."
"Yes, can't you tell by the look on my face, total regret right." She smiled at him knowing full well she never regretted a minute spent with him even if it made them late.
She felt her body flush with excitement again just thinking about how they striped, damn near ripping each other's clothes off, making love against the wall in the hallway. Catching her breath she opened the front door and stepped out, waiting for him.
"I'll drive, you can relax and enjoy your day."
"So, what's on tap for today." He asked as he put his overnight bag in the backseat and closed his door.
"I rented a cabin at Lake Accotink. I figure we can rent a small boat and go out on the water for a few hours, come back, relax on the porch and have a nice quiet dinner."
"Wow, a cabin lakeside and a boat, let's rent some water skies and I can show you my prowess.."
"It's your day Mulder so spend it the way you want just don't do anything that traps us in an ER tonight."
"Mmm, yes, and the water is probably cold. I'd need a hot shower and then find a way to stay warm." He looked at her and raised his eyebrows smiling.
Scully shook her head and hoped her gift would be well received. She tried for weeks trying to figure out how to give him the gift in a memorable way. She reached for his hand and raised it to her lips kissing it.
"We'll see, we have all day to do what you want."
They spent the day on the boat with Scully at the helm. Mulder wanted nothing more than to sit on the bow and take in the scenery including his captain. She settled the boat in an alcove, and they sat in the front just relaxing.
"It's getting late Mulder; we have to have the boat back before dark and the sun is setting. "
"We have time to watch the sunset Scully. After all I can't imagine spending my birthday in a better way than with you watching a sunset from a private little spot on the lake." He patted his thighs, and she sat in his lap.
He wrapped his arms around her and leaned back. She leaned against him resting her head on his shoulder. The sunset yielded reds, pinks, yellows, golds, greys, blues, and purples. The air began cooling off and a light breeze picked up. Scully shivered and gathered her shoulders. He held her tighter and kissed her neck.
"C'mon, get to the bridge captain before we end up like Shackelton." He picked up her sweatshirt and gathered it up exposing the collar. She slipped her head in and pushed her arms through the sleeves as he pulled it down towards her waist.
"Thank you, Mulder, I forgot I brought it." She stepped into the small wheelhouse and started the engine.
Mulder stood next to her while she guided the small boat into the marina, he stepped off and tied it up as they walked into the office to return the keys. They ate at a small restaurant right outside of the park, then returned to their cabin and started a fire.
"Did you have a good day Mulder." She asked as she sat next to him on the small couch.
"I had the best birthday I've had since I was a kid Scully. Thank you for everything you did to make it special for me and if you're my gift, I'm ready."
She giggled at him. "You know it doesn't need to be your birthday for that." She pulled the gifts for him out of her bag and sat back down. "Okay, the first one requires a little effort on your part, the second one will be much easier."
"Put 'em down Scully, let's get to it."
She placed a small envelope in front of him and watched as he opened it. He spread out the fourteen flashcards and stared at them.
"A word scramble Scully." He looked at her as he inquired.
Her breath quickened as she looked at him and nodded. She was proud of herself for keeping her sleepless nights and tired days out of his protective eye. She realized years ago how lucky she was to have such a devoted partner, a man she never doubted loved her with all his heart. She regretted waiting so long to tell him how she loved him too. She watched him as he tried to make words from the cards, smiling knowing she would see his expression soon. She never imagined giving a birthday gift such as this, but the timing was perfect.
"Hmm, how about a hint." He asked without looking up.
"No can do, you're the smartest man I know this should easy for you." She sat beside him and placed her hand on his thigh and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"C'mon Scully, this could take all night. We are a nice... no there's no word I can make with the remaining letters. Get a nice… no. Damn, okay let's see."
She kissed his neck and wrapped her arm around his.
"Still no hint." He placed one of his hands over hers.
"You have a few words right, keep going."
"Thanks, a few words. Okay, we are... hmm the only letters left are and N. Have I ever told you I hate riddles."
"It's not a riddle, silly." She watched him as he arranged the letters.
He spread them out from each other and worked with the vowels first. She watched his expression changed as the letters got closer.
"Okay, I'm gonna guess." He teased her but suddenly he saw the word. He licked his lips and froze. She felt him tense up and it seemed he stopped breathing. He turned to her and quickly looked back at the letters. "I'm an idiot." He dropped his head and wrapped his arms around her.
He felt her tears as they soaked through his shirt, his eyes welled up with tears as well. He could feel her sobs, as he held her close. He kissed the side of her face and found her lips. She handed him his card from behind her back the other gift tucked inside. He opened it but never took his arms from around her. The gift was confirmation of his spelling, the plus sign left no doubt.
"How long have you known."
"About three weeks. I wanted to be sure. The shock of it, Mulder it isn't supposed to be possible. Thank you for believing and not giving up." she said as she wiped her eyes.
"Scully, I have always believed in you and I. We've been through a lot, but we have never abandoned our beliefs in each other. Have you seen a doctor."
"Not yet, I did have Beth in the lab at work double check the results and she confirmed them."
"I can't believe it. How are you feeling. Does your mom know." He stopped and stared at her.
"Tired, I've been tired and queasy at times, but it passes quickly. I haven't told anyone except the man who was there when it happened." She threaded her fingers through his and squeezed.
"The pizza guy, Scully."
"Ha ha, he just gives me indigestion these days." She laughed and leaned on him.
"So, this morning when we, I, we didn't hurt anything did we." he asked as he placed his hands on her cheeks.
She smiled at his tenderness; it made her love him more if that was possible. He is going to a great father and heaven knows if they have a girl he'll be wrapped up before she rests in his arms for the first time.
"We didn't hurt anything Mulder, I promise. Happy birthday." She whispered as they held each other.