The morning light filtered through the hospital blinds as Scully sat on the edge of the bed, gently rocking William in her arms. He was bundled tightly, his tiny face scrunching up in sleep, completely unaware of the momentous occasion—his first trip home.

Mulder, however, was very aware.

Across the room, he wrestled with the baby carrier, his brow furrowed in concentration. He pulled at the straps, adjusted the base, then readjusted it again, muttering under his breath.

Scully watched him with quiet amusement. "Mulder, you're overthinking it."

He huffed, not looking up. "Overthinking? This is William's first car ride, Scully. His first experience with transportation, the first test of his fragile little spine, the first—"

"Mulder." Her voice was firm but warm. "The nurses already checked the seat. It's fine."

Mulder straightened, eyeing the carrier like it was an enemy combatant. Then, as if struck by sudden inspiration, he turned back to her. "What if we walk home?"

Scully blinked at him. "Walk?"

"Yeah." He was already nodding, warming to the idea. "It's not that far. Fresh air is good for newborns, right? And that way, we avoid any potential accidents, reckless drivers, faulty seat belts—"

"Mulder." She sighed, shaking her head. "We are not walking home."

"But—"

She gave him a pointed look. "Mulder."

He groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "Okay, okay. We'll take the car."

Scully hid a smile as she carefully shifted William into the carrier Mulder had just been fretting over. He immediately leaned in, double-checking the buckles, his hands lingering protectively.

"It's a short drive," she reassured him. "We'll be fine."

Mulder exhaled, rubbing his hands on his jeans before picking up the carrier with exaggerated caution, as if cradling a live bomb. "Alright, kid," he murmured to William, "buckle up. It's a dangerous world out there."

Scully shook her head fondly as she grabbed her bag, following Mulder out of the hospital room. It was a whole new chapter—one that, despite his paranoia, he wasn't going to let them face alone.