The living room was buzzing with excitement as the clock ticked closer to midnight. The triplets were bouncing with anticipation, their matching pajamas slightly askew from all the excitement. Scully and Mulder sat on the couch, smiling at their daughters' energy as they chattered about how they were finally allowed to stay up late for New Year's Eve.

"Okay, ten minutes to midnight," Scully announced, glancing at the clock. "Everyone ready for the countdown?"

"Yes!" chorused Sabrina, Beatrice, and Joanna, practically vibrating with glee.

Mulder grinned, leaning forward. "And don't forget, at midnight, we toast to the new year."

The girls nodded solemnly, their faces lighting up with determination as they scurried off toward the kitchen. Mulder and Scully exchanged amused glances but didn't think much of it—until they heard the telltale clatter of the fridge door opening and the faint pop of the toaster being pushed down.

"What are they up to now?" Scully muttered, rising from the couch. Mulder followed close behind, both of them peering into the kitchen to find the girls gathered around the toaster.

Sabrina held up a loaf of bread triumphantly. "We're ready for the toast!"

Beatrice, on her tiptoes, watched the toaster intently as the bread browned. "It's almost done! Perfect for midnight."

Joanna, clutching a jar of peanut butter, turned to her parents with a wide smile. "We have to toast for the new year, right? Toast is important!"

Scully pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh, while Mulder leaned against the doorway, shaking his head with a grin.

"That's… not exactly what we meant," Mulder said, trying to keep his tone gentle so as not to crush their enthusiasm.

Joanna frowned, looking up at him. "But you said 'toast.' We're making toast."

Scully crouched down, her eyes twinkling. "You're right, we did say that. But 'toasting' in this case means raising a glass—like with sparkling cider—and saying something nice about the new year."

"Oh," Sabrina said thoughtfully, her brow furrowing. "So… no toast?"

Mulder chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Tell you what, we'll do both. You bring the toast; we'll bring the cider."

The girls cheered, hurrying to butter their toast and carefully carrying their plates back to the living room. By the time the countdown started, they were gathered on the couch, cider in one hand and toast in the other.

"Three, two, one—Happy New Year!" they shouted, giggling as they clinked their glasses and then their toast.

Scully leaned against Mulder, smiling as the triplets stuffed bites of bread into their mouths between sips of cider. "Not quite what I imagined," she murmured, "but definitely memorable."

"Here's to a new year," Mulder said, lifting his glass with a smirk. "And to making it through with these three little geniuses."

Scully laughed, her heart full as she toasted with him. "I'll drink to that."