It was a typical Tuesday morning in the Scully-Mulder household, and the triplets were seated in their highchairs, each with their own brightly colored bib. Breakfast was oatmeal with mashed bananas, which Scully expertly spooned out as she navigated the chaos of three toddlers clamoring for attention.

"Okay, Beatrice," Scully said, aiming a spoonful toward the oldest triplet. Beatrice opened her mouth wide and took the bite enthusiastically, smearing a little on her cheek in the process.

Next was Sabrina, who had decided to bang her spoon against her tray. "Sabrina, sweetheart, let's eat, not make music," Scully coaxed, offering her a spoonful.

Joanna, the youngest, was the most patient of the three, waiting quietly until Scully turned her attention to her. "Good girl, Jo," Scully said, smiling as Joanna took her bite with a pleased little hum.

As she reached for the next spoonful, Scully heard something unexpected:

"Mama!"

She froze, her heart skipping a beat. Turning toward the sound, she saw Sabrina looking straight at her, a proud grin on her face.

"Did you just say 'Mama'?" Scully asked, her voice a mix of shock and excitement.

"Mama!" Sabrina repeated, giggling.

Beatrice, not to be outdone, chimed in with a garbled but clear "Mama!" of her own.

Scully's heart felt like it might burst. "Oh my God. You're talking!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

Joanna, not wanting to be left out, tried as well, though her version came out as "Ma-ma-ma," which was just as delightful to Scully.

She quickly wiped her hands and grabbed her phone, dialing Mulder's office. The phone barely rang twice before he picked up.

"Scully, everything okay?" Mulder asked, his tone concerned.

"They said their first word!" she said, her voice brimming with excitement.

Mulder laughed, the tension immediately melting away. "What? Really? What did they say?"

"They said 'Mama,'" Scully replied, still beaming. "I think they were trying to figure out who feeds them the most."

Mulder chuckled. "I knew you'd win that race. Are they still saying it?"

"Hold on," Scully said, lowering the phone. She turned back to the girls. "Can you say it again? Mama? Mama?"

Sabrina obligingly repeated it, earning another round of clapping from Scully. Beatrice joined in, and even Joanna gave it another go.

"They're on a roll!" Scully told Mulder. Then, an idea struck her. "I'm going to see if I can get them to say 'Dada' before you get home."

"Oh, no pressure or anything," Mulder teased. "You're setting the bar pretty high there, Scully."

"Just get home as soon as you can," she said with a laugh.

For the rest of the day, Scully worked with the girls, repeating "Dada" as she fed them, played with them, and changed them. Sabrina seemed to catch on the fastest, occasionally letting out an enthusiastic "Da!" followed by giggles.

By the time Mulder walked through the door that evening, all three girls were bouncing in their highchairs, excited to see him.

"Alright, girls," Scully said, crouching down to their level. "Show Daddy what you've learned."

Mulder leaned in, smiling. "What's this about?"

Sabrina grinned and shouted, "Dada!"

Mulder's jaw dropped, his eyes lighting up. "Did she just—?"

"Dada!" Beatrice followed, clapping her hands.

Joanna gave it a try, though hers came out as "Da-da-da," but Mulder didn't care. He scooped her up, laughing.

"I can't believe it," he said, his voice full of pride and wonder. "They're already talking!"

Scully stood beside him, her heart warm at the sight of her family. "Looks like you're their favorite now," she teased.

Mulder shook his head, holding Joanna close as the other two reached out for him. "Not a chance," he said, grinning at her. "They know who keeps the oatmeal coming."

The room was filled with laughter and the joyful chatter of three little voices repeating their first words over and over again, sealing the memory in their hearts forever.