From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org Date: 21 Dec 2001 03:18:39 -0000 Subject: Man to Man Talk IX by Girlie_girl7 Source: direct Reply To: FoxfireX@hotmail.com Title: Man to Man Talk IX Author: Girlie_Girl7 Date: 12-12-01 Category: M&S, Baby FF Rating: G Archive: Is that where Noah keeps his bees? (anywhere) Spoilers: How should I know, I'm not a 9er. Summary: Mulder continues his chat with his son on Christmas Eve. Disclaimers: As much as I hate it, M&S do not belong to me, they are owned by Fox, but I love them more. Notes: Oh, and I'm not a 9er. A Christmas tree softly glows in a dimly lit living room. The smell of cinnamon and cloves fills the air as hushed Christmas music drifts in from the next room. A brown-haired man in a blue t-shirt and sweat pants sits in a rocker cradling his now sleeping son, as he gazes into the crackling flames in the fireplace. He clutches the baby's small fingers, bringing them to his mouth to kiss them. ~Fox Mulder is waiting for Santa~ Mulder and Scully decided soon after Thanksgiving that they would be spending Christmas at home, unencumbered by the various Scully relatives and enjoying life with Will. Fate stepped in to help, Charles Scully was away on business and couldn't get home this year and Bill, much to Mulder's delight, was spending Christmas at Tara's parents house. 'Poor parents', Mulder thought. That left Mrs. Scully. In Mulder's heart he has adopted her as a substitute for his own mother and he is more than happy to be sharing Christmas with her. She is the only Scully, other than Dana, who has always been proud of him. The Christmas that he and Scully had wanted to spend alone with William had soon blossomed into Maggie, Skinner, Frohike, Langley, and Byers; Scully having taken pity on the bachelors of the bunch, but it was only for dinner. Maggie arrived early on Christmas Eve to help Dana get the dinner started and to do some last minute Christmas shopping together. Mulder and Will have already done their shopping and he is quite proud of their choice of gifts. Mulder, puts the tiny piece of his heart to bed, softly closing the bedroom door. He can hear voices in the living room. It's Maggie and Scully returning from their last minute shopping. Scully's voice is light and filled with laughter, it gives Mulder a warm filling to hear her so excited, not by near death experiences or trying to save his ass but by things as simple as Christmas shopping or the touch of their son. Scully, is for once in her life, happy, truly happy and Mulder knows he's a part of the reason. He makes his way into the living room, taking Scully's jacket and kissing her lightly. "How's Will?" "He's fine. I just put him to bed." "Mulder! He should have been asleep hours ago." "Oh, he was asleep, I just like rocking him," Mulder shyly confesses. Mrs. Scully smiles at him as she takes the packages into the kitchen. Mulder pulls Scully to him, grabbing her hands and dropping his head to her neck. Breathing out softly, he says, "Merry Christmas Eve, Scully." Scully looks up with a wide grin on her face, "Merry Christmas Eve to you, Mulder." She drops one hand, pulling Mulder into the kitchen with the other. Maggie is putting away groceries, "Anyone for cocoa," she asks. "Sounds good to me," Scully says, as she pulls out a chair, and sits down. Mulder sits' down beside her, grabbing her hand once more. He's never been one to show his soft side in front of others, but he is quite comfortable around Maggie. "Scully, from the looks of the gifts under that tree, I'd say Santa was very generous to Will this year." "Yes, he was," Scully says, "but he deserves it." "I think William isn't the only one who deserves it," Mulder says, stroking Scully's back. Maggie brings three mugs of cocoa to the table, placing a mug in front of each of them. "Are there any cookies left," Scully asks. "Let me check." "You aren't eating for two again, are you Scully," Mulder says leaning into her. Scully, with a grin on her face, slaps Mulder on the arm. Mulder softly chuckles. The attitude between these two has changed, they are more open and playful with one another. William solidified the alliance and allegiance they share. Maggie can see the change, even if others can't. Maggie brings out a plate of her homemade cookies. Mulder reaches for one, "These are really good, I can see where Dana gets her cooking abilities from." Maggie blushes, and thanks Mulder for his kind words. Scully eats a cookie while Mulder continues to hold her hand. No words are spoken, none are needed. "The apartment looks so pretty, Dana," Maggie says surveying the room. "Thanks, it's been a long time since I've felt like decorating." Mulder removes his hand from hers and rubs her back. Scully yawns, "Oh I'm sorry." Mulder rising from his chair, says, "Come on, Santa will soon be here and you've had a long day." Hand in hand they make their nightly trek to Will's room to check on him. Satisfied, he's safely slumbering, they continue on to their room. "Mulder, I really should help mom clean up." Mulder pulls her close, tucking her head under his chin as Scully circles his waist with her arms. "I can do it, you need to get some sleep, tomorrow will be a long day." "Mulder, I've had many long days before." "Yes, but now you let me take care of you." Scully snuggles closer to Mulder's chest, "Well, maybe just a little." Mulder kisses her head and ruffles her hair, "I won't be long." "You'd better not be." Mulder makes his way back to the kitchen. Maggie is washing the few dishes they left. "Want me to dry?" he asks. "Oh, thanks Fox." Mulder picks up a towel, and begins drying the cups. "So," Maggie says awkwardly. "So," Mulder retorts. "William should have a nice Christmas. You two certainly bought him enough." Mulder looks a little embarrassed, "That was my fault. Everything just looked like so much fun." "But Fox, you bought him a motorized police car, and he's only 7 months old!" Mulder has to chuckle, "I want to start him out right in law enforcement." Maggie shakes her head and laughs. The dishes are done and the kitchen lights shut out. Maggies walks to the living room to find Mulder on the couch staring at the glowing embers in the fireplace. She takes a seat in the arm chair next to him. Mulder sits in silence, as is his nature. Maggie finally speaks up. "It's been a wild year hasn't it Fox?" Mulder looks over at her and smiles, "Yeah, it sure has been." "Fox, I know that the Scully family has not been the most supportive of the relationship you and Dana." "You mean Bill," Mulder interrupts. Maggie laughs, "Yes, I guess you can say I mean Bill. I just want you to know, as a mother, I have always wanted nothing but the best for Dana and I think that's what she has." "Thanks, that means a lot to me," Mulder says sitting in silence as the embers turn to coals. "Mrs. Scully." Maggie shoots him the patiented 'Scully look'. "Sorry, umm Maggie," Mulder says a bit embarrassed, "I know I'm not very adept at voicing my feelings, but I just want you to know I won't let Dana or Will down. Things have changed, my priorities have changed; for the better. I can't say I'm not as driven but the drive is in a more personal direction. I guess what I'm trying to say is, you can sleep, without worry that you'll be getting a call in the middle of the night." Maggie laughs and nods her head, she knows what Mulder means. "It's late and morning comes too fast for us adults." Mulder rises as Maggie does. "Good night Fox." "Good night Maggie." "Someday I'll have you calling me mom yet." Mulder smiles at her as she heads to the bathroom to take a shower. Mulder heads for Will's room, it's his last chance to check on his son before Maggie comes in to share the room. Mulder looks down, surprised to see Will wide awake and chewing on his fingers. He lifts the baby from the crib, "Hey there, little one, why aren't you sleeping. You waiting for Santa?" Will yawns and stretches in Mulder's arms. Mulder moves to the rocking chair, "Let's see if we can get you back to sleep before mom finds out." Mulder sits down and cradles Will to his chest. Will rubs' his nose with a tiny fist and yawns again. "Tomorrow is a big day in kiddom Will, but to tell you the truth I think your mother is just as excited as you are." Will looks' at Mulder and lets out a string a baby jabbers. "Okay, maybe I'm just a little excited too, but can you blame me Will. We're gonna have so much fun and you can wear your little FBI jacket Uncle Walter gave you." Will yawns', his head heavy with sleep. "I'm going to put you to bed now and I don't want you to give grandma any trouble." Mulder lays Will in his crib just as Maggie comes in. "I, ah, I was just checking on Will, making sure he doesn't disturb you," Mulder mutters as he walks away from the crib. Maggie pats Mulder's arm, "Fox, you don't need to be embarrassed that you love your son." "I know, it's just a little different for me." "You'll do fine." "Thanks, I hope so," Mulder says, pulling the door shut. Maggie reaches into the crib and strokes the baby's whispy, red hair and softly says, "Will, I'm not sure how you ever got here but I know one thing, your mom and dad love you very much. You go to sleep baby and Merry First Christmas." .and to all a good night.