TITLE: "The Men of my Life" AUTHOR: Kirsten Kerkhof * CLASSIFICATION: MSR KEYWORDS: S R RATING: PG SPOILERS: None SUMMARY: Two men, all mine DISCLAIMER: Not mine. Why would I be the lucky one, huh? They belong to CC, DD, GA, 1013 and Fox and no infringement is intended. ARCHIVING: Sure. I'll do Gossamer myself, all others: you're welcome when you tell me where it's going, 'kay? FEEDBACK: Cherished and worshipped at NOTE: A little bit of fluff that a kind fairy whispered into my head on night while I was reading some fan fic. XxXxX It's a mystery if you choose to call it that. It's also nature. I'm sitting on the edge of the bed, but the two men who are currently inhabiting said bed are not aware of my presence. I'm glad of that. But, first the facts, then the feelings. Four days ago Mulder came home early. I've resigned from the Bureau, at least until William is old enough to go to school. I'm firmly opposed to day-care or nannies. Why take the trouble of having a child if you're going to dump it in a day-care centre to be raised by strangers the moment it can sit up by itself. Nobody would dream of lending a stranger their car, but anyone can have the kids. My boy will have only me and Mulder for the first few years of his life. Anyway, Mulder came home early four days ago. One look at him told me things were not as they should be. "Mulder, what's wrong?" He moaned. "I think I'm ill. Skinner's kicked me out of the office ..." I put my hand on his forehead. And sure enough he was burning up. "You certainly are ill. Go to bed, I'll get you something for the temperature." He didn't protest, instead walked slowly towards the bedroom. When I came in he was already sound asleep. It's four days later. Mulder's temperature has dropped and he's almost back to his old self. He's walking round the house, but still feels dizzy and weak. I refused to let him hold William for the first two days, no matter how much he tried to protest. "No, you can't hold him. I can barely handle one sick Mulder, I'm not going to play nurse for two!" He tried to smile, failed, but didn't ask again. Two days ago I finally allowed William into the bedroom. "Daddy sick?" he asked, looking up at me. Mulder was awake and smiled weakly. "Yes," he said. "Daddy's sick." The next moment William had pulled himself up and onto the bed and another moment later he had, shoes and all, disappeared under the covers, only to have his head come sticking out from under the down comforter, safely in his daddy's arms. They looked so adorable I took a picture. "Mama give daddy a kiss, make him better," he'd remarked. Mulder and I had traded easy smiles. If only it would be that easy ... I leaned over and we kissed, briefly but warmly. "There, that will make me better," Mulder had answered and sure enough William had looked pleased. Mulder's no longer confined to the bed, although he does need to lie down every now and then. He told me he was getting tired about half an hour ago and needed to take a rest. William insisted he'd keep his father company and, as it was time for his afternoon nap anyway, I consented. They're asleep now, the two men of my life. Mulder's arms are around our little guy, holding him close while William's little hand is on Mulder's cheek. They look so sweet together. William's blue pyjamas look cute against Mulder's tee shirt. Sometimes I marvel at the miniature perfection of our son, even though he's no longer a baby. One day these little hands will be the size of Mulder's. His little legs will finally be able to keep up with his father's, probably overtake him by then. I pray we'll both live to see that day coming; when he walks into the house, a young woman by his side, telling us he's found the love of his life. I can only hope we'll get to be grandparents one day. Life is such a mystery, and yet it's the most natural thing in the world. For now, however, I'm content just to watch my two sweethearts sleep, each protecting the other, watching over each other, keeping one another safe. Even when they don't know it. THE END Kirsten Kerkhof The Netherlands, 26 July 2002 (c) 4