Chapter 6
Month Six babytime
If you worked in the FBI and didnt know that Dana Scully
was pregnant, then you
were living under a rock. A very big rock. I got so many
congratulations that I was sick
of smiling and saying "thank you." I could not longer
hide the fact I was pregnant; I was
now in the smaller maternity clothes, but definitely gaining
weight. I heard the rumors
going around, that Fox Mulder had finally planted the
seed into Dana Scully, and for
once wasnt upset about them. They were right, but I
wasnt about the spill the beans
unless someone directly asked. And I hadnt met anyone brave
enough yet.
Until I ran into Walter Skinner.
I dont why I was near his office, perhaps it was something
about paperwork and
such, but I nearly bumped into to him, coming very close to
losing the stack of papers I
held in my hand.
"Im sorry, Agent Scully," he said as I
straightened the papers I had. I felt his
glance fall down toward my stomach. "I heard about
your
addition. Congratulations."
"Thank you, sir," I said, smiling.
"Scully you dont have to call me sir anymore, Im
not your boss," he replied with
a smile. "I suppose that you and the father are very
happy."
I noticed how he said "the father" like he wanted to
say more. "Yes, we are."
"Sharon and I were happy when were expecting our first,
too."
I frowned. I had no idea the Skinner had any children. "You
have children, sir?"
He shook his head. "The baby was stillborn. We never did get
the courage to try
again."
"Im sorry."
"Thats okay, Im sure that you and Mulder will
have the best of luck-" He
stopped when he realized he had said "Mulder." He
paused. "I didnt mean that-, well,
what I meant was, aw, hell, is he?"
"You mean Mulder, sir?"
He nodded. "For the sake of the FBI."
"Yes, but for now its our secret. If anyone else wants
to know, they ask
themselves."
He smiled. "See how many will do that," he said as he
walked away.
Three days later Mulder and I received a delivery. A high chair
courtesy of a
Walter Skinner.
Mulder was stunned; I just smiled.
Go figure.
Our job had been mundane; background checks had never been very
interesting to
begin with. I found Mulders Doom™ tournaments more
interesting than the paperwork
that piled up on my desk. There was one good thing about
background checks, though.
Mulder hadnt had a work related injury in months, well,
with the exception of the boating accident about nine months(or
was it ten?) back, but you really couldnt call that work
related. It was more like one-of-Mulders-half-assed-jaunts
related. Since this baby thing, I have noticed that he seems to
be becoming a little more careful. Is Fox Mulder actually
thinking first and using good judgment?
Nah. Has to be my imagination.
Today was Tuesday, a beautifully clear day in the beginning of
July. Mulder and I
had stopped by my mothers for Fourth of July last weekend,
and Mulder had avoided my also visiting brother Bill at all
costs. Surprisingly, there was no bloodshed. Bill and
Mulder both behaved, like civilized men, an occurrence I truly
believed would never
happen. Never say never, I guess.
Im surprised at how normal my life has become lately.
Nothing strange has
happened, and Im almost afraid to say that I miss that. I
never pictured myself falling in
love with my partner, having a child, and having
a
well, a normal life. Something tells me that this
cant be happening. Im almost expecting someone to
rain on my parade. I find myself looking over my shoulder, always
trying to find the catch. After all that has happened to me,
there has to be a catch. Right?
I just dont know anymore. One day at a time, I take it. One
day at a time. I
cant go wrong with that.
6 months, three weeks babytime
Well, another uneventful three weeks have passed. The baby is
fine, I couldnt be
better, and Mulder has used every curse in the book (plus he
invented some of his own)
trying to put up a crib yesterday.
Were living in my two bedroom apartment; hes now
given up the lease on his,
something that definitely signifies commitment. I still
dont have a ring on my finger,
marriage hasnt even been discussed. However, it has been
placed on the table. Neither of us is in a rush, though. We love
each other, but marriage? I think this baby may be old enough to
participate in the wedding if we continue at our rate.
But what is marriage, but a slip of paper and a joint tax return?
Union of two people in the face of God, Dana.
Oh, yeah, theres that.
My mom already has a guest list. Its only a matter of time
before she starts
dropping stronger hints.
Oh well, I have bigger things to think about now. Like names.
Names are a big
argument between Mulder and I. We both have lists and they do not
meet anywhere.
Both lists hang on the refrigerator, with various cross outs and
new entries.
Mulders boy name of the week: Andrew.
Mine: Sean.
His girls name: Elizabeth.
Mine: Anne.
At least were in favor of old-fashioned, normal names. We
just have to agree.
Were both stubborn; neither wants to sacrifice either name.
He suggested Elizabeth Anne for the girls name. I said why
not Anne Elizabeth.
One of us has to comprise.
Well, we have about two months to try.
Lets hope this baby does not decide to come early.
6 months, three weeks, and three days babytime
The due is approaching. _Very_ slowly. My ankles are swelling and
the
Washington, DC July heat is not letting up. At least Im
delivering in September, when
its cooler.
Yet, with our weather pattern, who knows?
I had a meeting with Kersh today. His reasons werent
specified; something about
my maternity leave. Mulder bid me a small "have fun"
without looking up from his
computer screen. He is becoming something of a computer junkie
lately. Just as I was
leaving, he looked up.
"Ill go pick up lunch," he promised. I nodded in
agreement and went to wait for
my appointment.
It was after sitting outside of Kershs office for 48
minutes (I was counting) that I
was beginning to get a bit annoyed. My stomach was rumbling, and
I could feel the baby having a kicking frenzy inside of my
stomach. No more 11 a.m. meetings.
I glanced up at Kershs secretary for about the millionth
time, ready to tear her
apart of she said "Im sure it will be any minute"
another time.
I was jolted out of my secretary attacking thoughts by the ring
my cell phone.
Geez, Mulder, whats so hard about picking up lunch?
Youve done it before.
I found my phone and answered it, "What, Mulder?"
instead of my usual "Scully."
"Is this Dana Scully?"
That definitely wasnt Mulder. Suddenly I got a bad feeling
in the pit of my
stomach. The babys kicking stopped; perhaps it sensed
something too. I had read
something about how babies can channel into your emotions.
"Yes, whos calling?" Please tell me that
youre asking me to renew my
subscription to "The New York Times."
"My name is Tina Parks, and Im a nurse at Washington
General-"
Oh, God, dont say it.
"and we have a Fox Mulder here. According to the
information we found on
him, youre his next-of-kin. Is that correct?"
That bad feeling is the pit of my stomach made its way to
my throat. "Yes,
whats happened?" Calm, I have to remain calm. I always
remain calm.
"Mr. Mulder has been is car accident and-"
"How bad?" The words were out of my mouth before I
could even think; before I
could even breathe. Just let him be okay. I heard the woman
pause, something I knew
was a bad sign.
"I wont lie to you, Ms. Scully. I think you should get
down here right away. He
was sideswiped, well actually according to the police-" She
paused again, I knew she was considering whether or not to share
information with me that the police should tell me themselves. I
heard my own breathing hitch. This was just happening.
"he was most likely-, most likely run off the road. I think
you should get down
here as soon as possible."
I couldnt speak. I heard the line disconnect, but I just
sat there with the phone in
my hand, not moving, not doing much of anything. Finally I let
the phone drop to my lap
with a gentle thud, my stomach taking its fall. I didnt
even notice.
Run. Off. The Road. The catch, this was the catch.
But why not me? Im the one with the precious cargo. Unless
they are going to
start one family member at a time.
I feel a pang in my stomach. This cant be happening. This
just cant be
happening.
I can feel the gaze of Kershs secretary.
"Are you all right, Agent Scully?"
That question couldnt be farther from the truth.
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