This is a continuation of "Think", "Think Again", and "One Week". This
is going to be pretty long. Scully's half will be in one section. 
Mulder's in the next section of the same page. Just scroll down. The
rest of the series will be like this. It may not be as good as the 
originals, but they should be all right. I know at this point you're
dying to see what Joe and Chuck look like. Will probably be as long as
that 'Generations' series, but probably not as cheezy, since I have an
aversion to cheeze.

Disclaimer: see 'The Disclaimer of All Disclaimers'

Rating: We'll just see about that

Month 1
by
Tamani R. Green, the prolific, but not necessarily good writer of MSR
fan fiction.

    It's the end of March, the cold snap has ended, Spring has begun
and it's now Easter. The whole clan is here. Mom, Bill, Tara, their son
Matthew, Charles and Libby and their kids. I think Mom suspects 
something, but she's not sure what. We've all been to Mass. The service
was lengthy, but beautiful. Father McCue's sermon thought-provoking.
    We're all sitting around the dining room table laughing and eating
and having a good time. I keep looking at Charlie-boy. How I've missed
him. I had to have an ally in that house growing up and Charles was
mine by default. Bill was always an asshole, he was the oldest and 
lorded it over us like a little king. Missy was always a rebel and kept
stirring up trouble. I was the second girl, Daddy's favorite, his 
Starbuck. And Charlie, well, Charlie was something unexpected. But he
was a pleasant surprise for us all. The baby of the family, he was
cosseted by Mom, ignored by Bill and Missy, and Dad thought that he
was the chance to make up for all the time he didn't spend with us.
    And the relationship I had with Charlie was altogether different.
We were friends, Charles and I. We stuck together. Covered each other's
asses. Went on double dates together. Charles is very smart. He even
skipped a couple of grades so that he and I ended up in the same 
classes in high school. Then he and I had a falling out. We were in
direct competition with each other. And that put a definite strain on
our relationship. But then I was accelerated in school and it took the
pressure off. And now we're adults. Charles decided to join the Navy
like Dad and Bill before him and he seems happy. But it takes him away
from us and that I don't like. 
    Bill, I don't mind so much. But Charles was always my friend as 
well as my brother. He doesn't know what's been going on in my life 
because he's been away so long. I asked Mom not to tell him or Bill 
about my cancer, but she told Bill anyway. I don't think she told 
Charlie. 
    And I am being disturbed from my reverie by Mom, who is asking if
I would help clear the table. 
    "Sure." 
    "I'll help." I smile at Charlie. The ever-helpful. 
    We begin to pick the plates and glasses and the cloth napkins Mom
uses on special occasions and take them back to the kitchen. Charlie's
standing at the dishwasher loading the plates and things.
    "Dane, I'm glad I was able to come."
    "I'm glad you're here, too. I've missed you a lot."
    "Yeah?"
    "Mm-hmm. Who else was going to take my side when I stood up to 
Bill?"
    He laughed. "You're right."
    His expression changed then. "But seriously, I'm glad that *you're*
here to see me today."
    "Mom finally told you?"
    "Yeah, she did. Why didn't you tell me?"
    "A number of reasons I don't want to get into right now."
    "Ok. I won't press you." Good call, Charlie-boy.
    "Charlie. Dana." Mom stuck her head in the doorway.
    "Yes?" We replied in unison.
    "Would the two of you mind bringing the coffee out to the living 
room?"
    "No problem." Charlie said with that devastatingly gorgeous Scully
smile. Yes, I am a bit conceited. We're a good looking family.
    We load up the tray with cups and saucers and the silver service.
Charlie takes it into the living room. I'm bringing a glass of juice 
for myself. Tara and Libby have put Matthew down for his nap and my
two older nephews are upstairs playing. It's just the adults, sitting
and talking about nothing in particular. Mom is looking at me and 
Charlie fondly and then she turns her attention to some inane story
Bill is telling about his ship.
    I'm trying to think of a way to tell them all about my pregnancy.
I must have made a face about it because Charlie is looking at me
concernedly. I give him a half smile and then go to the kitchen. I pick
up the phone and dial Mulder's number.
    "Hello?" I hear the sounds of some sports event going on in the
background.
    "Hello, Mulder. It's me."
    "What's up?"
    "Um, I'm at my mother's house and I wondered if you'd mind coming
over."
    "Why?"
    "I'm trying to get up the courage to tell them and I think it would
be better if you were here."
    "I'm on my way." He hung up. That's Mulder, never one for 
pleasantries. I replace the receiver and go back out into the living
room.
    "I was just talking about you." Bill said when I appeared in the
doorway.
    "Should I be laughing or getting ready to punch you?" I went over
to the chair I had vacated and sat down.
    He grinned at me. "Neither. I was just saying that you look good.
But when are you going to settle down?"
    "Let's not start that old argument, please. I'll settle down when
I'm good and ready not before. Ok?"
    "Ok." He was still smiling. 
    More stories were traded and more coffee was drunk. I was beginning
to despair of Mulder ever getting here when the doorbell rang. I jumped
up and almost ran to the door. Mulder stood outside. A sweeter sight I
never saw.
    "Thank God you showed up. I was beginning to lose my nerve."
    "You? Never." He grinned at me as he stepped over the threshold.
    I led him into the living room. "Look what I found on our
doorstep, everybody."
    "Hello." Mulder said pleasantly.
    "What is *he* doing here?" Bill looked like he was ready to kick
Mulder's ass.
    "I invited him, Bill."
    "Why?"
    "Because I did. Now, settle down." Bill glared at me mutinously but
kept his trap shut.
    "Hello, Fox."
    "Hey, Mrs. Scully." He gave her a smile.
    "I don't think you've met my other, son. This is Charles and his 
wife, Libby." 
    The two men shook hands and Mulder sat in my chair and I perched 
on the arm.
    "Well, Dana. Are you going to tell us what this is all about?" Ever
the prick, Bill demands an answer.
    I cleared my throat, trying to think of exactly the right thing to
say. And the longer I sat there, the more I realized that nothing was
the right thing to say. So I said it.
    "I was thinking about how to tell you about this, but I couldn't.
And I called Mulder over here because I thought he should be present
when I did. Um, I, uh." I began to stutter. Not good. 
    "I'm pregnant." It came out in a rush and it felt like a giant
weight had come off of my shoulders.
    They all sat in silence. Bill was the first to recover.
    "You're what?!!!"
    "I'm pregnant, Bill. Six weeks along."
    "Oh, and I suppose *he's* the father?!" He said scathingly.
    "Yes. He is." My chin went up and I looked down my nose at Bill
for such a presumptous question.
    "And what do you intend to do about it, mister?" He aimed that
question at Mulder.
    "It's none of your business what *Scully* and I decide to do."
    "Isn't it? She's my sister!"
    "Exactly, Bill. Your sister. Not your daughter. And she's a grown
woman." Charlie broke in. Thank God for Charles. "Dad's been dead for
six years. You didn't become him when he died. It's not your concern
about what Dana does."
    "But, dammit -"
    "But nothing. Charlie's right." Mom jumped in this time. She came 
to where Mulder and I sat and pulled me into her arms. "I'm very happy
and very pleased that I'm to have another grandchild."
    The tears were welling up and I was determined not to have them
spill down my cheeks. 
    "Thanks, Mom."
    She released me and pulled Mulder into her embrace. She gave him a
huge hug and he returned it awkwardly.
    "Now, everybody congratulate your sister." She said sternly.
    Charles got up from his place on the couch and he gave me a huge
grin and a huge hug. "It's going to be great being an uncle to your 
kids."
    "Thanks, Charlie-boy." Libby and Tara were next. Bill came over and
gave me a pefunctory hug, which I didn't fight and Mulder got the
barest of handshakes.
    "Congratulations, Dana."
    "Thank you, Bill."
    Charlie looked at me with a grin. "You know what?"
    "What?"
    "I wondered why you wouldn't have any wine with dinner or coffee.
This explains a lot."
    "You always were quick on the draw." I rolled my eyes at him and
gave him a little punch on the arm.
    "OW!" He yelled exaggeratedly. "Mom! Dana hit me!"
    "Now, children..."
    "See, Momma. He's always trying to get me in trouble."
    We all laughed, except for Bill. He'll get used to it. The tension
had eased a bit and we were all talking animatedly, even Mulder joined
in the banter like he'd been family for years. 
    There was a lull in the conversation.
    "Dane?" Charles called to her.
    "Hmm?"
    "What are you going to do about work?"
    "I've already started on a steady stream of desk jockeying. I'll
go on leave in September."
    "Sounds like you've got it all worked out."
    "I do."
    "Well, Miss Prepared for everything. Do you know what the baby's
going to be?" 
    "Yes. They're girls."
    "They?" Everyone looked at Dana in surprise.
    "Yes, they. Twin girls."
    "You're full of surprises today aren't you?" Mom gave me an arch 
look. "Have you picked out names, then?"
    "Yep. Josephine Cecilia and Charlotte Amelia."
    "Charlotte? You're naming one of your girls after me?" Charlie
squeaked out.
    "You don't mind do you?"
    "Not at all. Thanks, Dane."
    "You're welcome, Charlie."
    Mulder nudged me in the ribs just then. "What?" I whispered to him.
    "We need to talk."
    We got up from our places and went into the kitchen.
    "What is it?"
    "How come you didn't tell me that the babies were girls?"
    "I was going to, but I just didn't."
    "And you've already picked out their names?"
    "Yep." He looked like he was going to say something. "Look, I've
always liked these names, and these were the names they are going to
have."
    "Fine. If you're through taking charge, can I go? I've missed most
of the game by coming over here."
    "You're not mad, are you?"
    "No." He sneered at me. Uh-oh. "I was just wondering when the old,
second-guessing Scully was going to come back."
    "I don't want to fight with you, Mulder. Not today."
    "Fine."
    "I'm sorry."
    He sighed and his expression softened. "It's ok. I just wish you
had told me, that's all."
    I rolled my eyes and shook my head at him. "Truce?"
    "Truce." He grabbed me close and we stood in my mother's kitchen
making out for about ten minutes when I heard a loud clearing of throat
from the doorway. We saw Charlie standing there with a grin on his 
face.
    "I hate to throw water on a decent fire, but Mom wants to know if
you'd mind serving the cake."
    "Thank you, Charles." I said annoyed. He smirked at me and left.
Little brothers. Sheesh.
    "I like Charles."
    "Isn't he great?"
    "He's cool. Where are the plates?"
    "In the cupboard just behind you." He turned away and got the 
plates from the cupboard. I pulled the cake box from the refrigerator 
and placed it on a serving platter. 
    "Bill!" 
    "What?" He called back to me.
    "Please come here and get the knives and forks."
    "All right, all right."  
    I walked back into the living room and passed Bill getting up to
get the utensils. 
    "Thank you, big brother." My voice was laced with meaning.
    "No problem." He didn't say anything to Mulder, but neither was it
a snub. You can't expect miracles in one day.
    Bill returned with the utensils and we all dug in and ate. The kids,
grown tired of their play, came down and ate and got cake all over 
themselves and it seemed every wooden surface. Matthew woke up at all
the noise and Tara went to get him.
    "Hey, Scully?"
    "Yes?"
    "Is it going to be like this *all* the time?"
    "Just on major holidays." I replied to Mulder with a grin.
    "Thank God for that." He grinned back at me.
    We ate and talked and played with the kids until it was dark. I was
getting sleepy and I begged off with the excuse that I had to go to 
work in the morning, which was true.
    I said my goodbyes and Mulder and I left. Each to our cars, to our
separate lives. And it was good.
     

    I was sitting on my couch watching the Knicks kill the Clippers
when the phone rang. It was Scully. A small note of panic was in her
voice. It set off alarm bells in my head. And then she told me what she
wanted. I calmed down, but I told her I was on my way. 
    That was the quickest I'd ever driven in my life. It's all for her.
Yes, I've admitted to myself that I love her. I admitted to her that I 
love her. But she shrugged me off with an 'Oh, brother' and left. We
haven't spoken the words since.
    She obviously feels something for me, otherwise she never would've
become my lover. I don't she could sleep with someone that she didn't
feel anything for. Maybe. I don't know. Sometimes I don't think I know 
her very well at all.
    So I show up at her mother's doorstep. She answers the bell. The
look on her face is sheer relief. But she covers it up with a lame 
joke. Could it be that you've picked up one of my bad habits, Scully?
    Her mother looks surprised to see me. Bill looks like he's ready to
kill me. And there is another man and woman sitting on one of the sofas
who look at me with unabashed curiousity.
    Scully introduces me to her younger brother, Charles, and his wife.
The she drops the bomb on her unsuspecting family. A moment of shock.
Then they begin to recover. Bill comes with his opening salvo. I defend
Scully and myself admirably.
    More protestations from Bill. This time Charles jumps into it. He
knows exactly what to say to Bill in the face of his censure. And then,
Mrs. Scully, that veritable saint, defends both Scully and I in a 
gesture of the most unselfish behavior I've ever witnessed.
    She's actually happy because she will have another grandchild to 
spoil and love. The tension eases for a while. We get swept up in 
conversation about this and that and Charles asks a question about the
babies.
    And that's when I find out.
    They're girls. And they already have names. And she didn't tell me.
    Damn her. The old Scully is back. Perhaps she never left.
    I tell I need to talk to her and we go to the kitchen. I confront
her about this new knowledge she chose not to share with me. She makes
no excuses, but does apologize somewhat, in the inimitable Scully way.
We make up. Quite happily. For about ten minutes.
    Charles interrupts us with a grin, a quip and a gleam in his eye.
I like him a lot. He's pretty cool.
    Scully and I make our way back to the living room, passing Bill on
the way. He makes nice to his sister and says nothing at all to me. I
can feel the resentment simmering in him. Hopefully Scully doesn't 
notice. 
    The family all sits together, laughing and talking and eating. I
knew family life could be like this but I never had it. It's something
I want my girls to experience. I want them to know the love I never had
as a kid. It left a void in me that shaped my whole life. 
    But as much as I enjoy the familiarity, the conversation and the
squabbling that goes along with a big family, it begins to grate on my
nerves. And as much as I enjoy Scully's hand drifting through my hair,
it's time for me to leave before I start to get anti-social.
    I say so and the two of us leave, each to our separate cars, to our
separate lives. And it was good. Until I got back to my lonesome place.
    I think, how nice it would be to wake up with her every morning.
    I think, how nice it would be to have a family like that again.
    I think, how much it would piss Bill off to marry his sister.
    I smile at that last. Thinking about how much I would enjoy pissing
Bill off.
    And I make my decision, I am going to ask Scully to marry me. She
will probably say no. She will probably refuse me until the last 
possible minute. But I won't give up. You see, Ms. Scully, I have no
intention of being one of those weekend dads. 
    And I have only eight more months to do it. Damn.