From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org
Date: 21 Dec 2001 02:58:25 -0000
Subject: Man to Man Talk X by Girlie_girl7
Source: direct

Reply To: FoxfireX@hotmail.com

Title: Man to Man Talk X
Author: Girlie_Girl7
Category: Baby FF
Rating: G
Summary: Mulder and Scully enjoy their first
Christmas with Will.
Spoilers: None for the show but this is a
culmination of past M2M Talks.
Disclaimer: I don't own them, the grinch does.
Notes: This is dedicated to Mulderpause and Rose 
Petal who continue to fight the good fight and to 
FoxfireX who really wishes I could figure out how 
to post my own stuff! (thanks kiddo).

             
          ~Fox Mulder's first real Christmas~


Mulder and Scully are sitting on the couch amid the
piles of shredded wrapping paper. The gift opening 
went well with Will wide eyed, but unsure of what was 
going on around him. His lack of exuberance was made 
up for by Mulder's excess. Will, actually had more fun 
with the wrapping paper than he did the gifts.

He wore the little FBI jacket Skinner brought him and rode
in the motorized police car Mulder bought him, but not
without help.

The Lone Gunman gave Will a souped up mobile for over 
his crib, that sent shivers down Scully's spine when 
she looked at the monstrosity. She never told them, 
but it would remain in the closet and only be brought 
out when they were invited to dinner.

Scully gave Will more appropriate gifts for a 7 month
old, cloth toys and plenty of clothes. Maggie gave 
Will a gift that made all others take a back seat in 
his eyes. a paddling duck for the tub. To say Will 
fixated on the rubbery, yellow toy with the bright 
orange bill, was an understatement.
Mulder was chagrined by the choice Will made and he 
doesn't understand why Will 'has a thing' for ducks.
He quips that his son, will either grow up to be an 
animal rights activist or a hunter.

Dinner went well with Maggie, Skinner, and the Lone
Gunman all in attendance. Langley wore his tuxedo tee 
shirt while Frohike left his vest at home, much to the
relief of Scully. Will always ends up with furry hands
after Frohike held him.

Everyone loved the meal, including Will, who sat between 
Mulder and Scully in his high chair. When the conversation
was high and laughter filled the air, Will would look 
around and pound his tray and join in with his own laughter, 
this made the adults laugh even harder.

Will was definitely the hit of the party and Mulder's 
cheeks were sore from the broad grin he sported all day.
Will ate mashed pototoes and cooked carrots by himself,
mostly by the fist full but he did manage to hit his 
mouth occasionally. It was all washed down with a bottle
of cranberry juice. He fought Scully each time she
tried to wipe his mouth and she took it well when everyone
at the table said 'like mother, like son'.

The day grew to a close with the Gunman taking home 
leftovers and Skinner escorting Maggie home.

Mulder and Scully have yet to exchange their gifts with 
one another. Will has been tucked away in his bed hours
ago but he can be heard stirring. Scully goes to get him.
"Come on sweetie, you might as well be there when your
dad and I open our gifts."
Will grabs Scully around the neck and rubs his face on
her sweater as she moves him to the changing table.

"Did you have a nice Christmas Will?" Scully says, as 
she tickles the little boys bare stomach.
Will giggles and kicks his legs saying, "Mo, mo."
"That's right, you keep trying and you'll get it."
Will reaches up to touch Scully soft hair.
"Will, you're just like your father," she says, 
lifting the tiny boy from the table, "All done."

Carrying Will into the living room, she finds Mulder 
retrieving their gifts from under the tree.
Scully sits down on the couch, next to Mulder as 
Will lunges for the pile of colorfully wrapped gifts.

"Will, those are not yours," Scully laughs as she
draws him back.

"Where do we start Scully?"

"Well, give me one so Will can be happy."

Mulder hands her a rectangular box clad in gilded 
paper. Will immediately grabs the box and begins
to tear the paper, squealing with delight.
"Scully, he is going to be really disappointed when
there are no gifts to open tomorrow."

Scully, laughs, as she helps Will open her gift. 
She pulls off the top of the box revealing a green 
satin robe and matching pajamas.
Mulder looks a little red faced. "I hope they fit, 
Will and I aren't real good with sizes."

Holding up the robe, Scully says, "Oh, Mulder, 
it's perfect. Thank you," she leans in to kiss him, 
adding "I'll model it for you later."
"Aw, Will, I knew we should have gotten the blue 
teddy," Mulder says with a laugh as he rubs Wills
fuzzy head. Scully reaches for a small box, handing 
it to Mulder. He opens it to find a paper weight 
with a small rock embedded in the middle. He looks puzzeled.

Scully finally speaks up, "Mulder it's a piece 
of a moon rock."

"It is!"

"Yes, and I had to pull some strings to get that."

"Scully, thank you, this is great," Mulder says, 
hugging her. Then getting up, he places the little 
ball on the fireplace.
"I like it here," he says, standing back to admire it. 

"Come on Mulder, Will is getting antsy."
Mulder sits back down beside Scully. Grabbing a small 
box, he hands it to Will, "Here Will, give this to Mom." 
Will takes' it, immediately putting it into his mouth. 
"No, no," Mulder says, pulling the box from Will 
and handing it to Scully.

"Thank you Will, and the drool is a nice added touch."

"Scully, this is from Will and I."

"Well, I wonder what it is?" Scully says as she unwraps
it, opening a blue velvet box, containing a tiny gold ring.
Scully's face lights up, "Oh Mulder, you didn't!"

"Well, actually, Will and I did. Read the inscription."

"WFM 2001," Scully says, her eyes tearing up.

"Mulder, you got me a baby ring for Will."

"To tell the truth, a clerk suggested it, but I paid 
for it," he shyly says.

Scully grabs him around the neck and kisses him.

Will starts' to squirm.  
"Ok, buddy, let me take you for awhile," Mulder 
says, hoisting the baby into the air.
Scully wipes away the tears as she reaches for an
envelope, handing it to Mulder.
Mulder shakes it, "I guess it's not a basketball."

"Close, but no."

Mulder opens the envelope to find one front 
row seat ticket to a Knicks game.
"Umm, Scully, these are usually bought in pairs."

"Will, doesn't need one."

"Will! You mean you'll trust me to take your baby boy
to a Knicks game?" Mulder's face is covered with a large grin.

"Yes, but you have to promise to bring him straight 
home after the game."

Will tries' to chew on the ticket. "No, no buddy,
not everything goes into your mouth!"

Scully then hands another gift to Mulder, "Here, you 
weren't the only one to go shopping with Will."
Mulder looks surprised as he rips open the package.
Inside is a sterling silver frame with a photo of 
Scully holding Will.
"I thought you might want this for your desk."

Mulder, runs his fingers over the glass, "Scully,
this is my favorite gift, you couldn't have done 
any better."

"It comes with some wallet size photos too, I 
had too promise one to Frohike."

"I'll bet you did," Mulder says with sparkling eyes 
and a big grin.

"Thank you," he whispers as he kisses her forehead.

"Scully, the rest can wait but I want you to open 
this, before we put Will to bed." Mulder pulls 
out a thin, wrapped package; handing it to Scully.

"Oh, please tell me this is not tickets to a Knicks 
game," Scully laughs.

"No, no need to worry about that," Mulder says, 
shifting Will on his lap. Will lets out a string of 
baby jabber and drools down his chin.

"Easy, Will, moms getting to it."

Will repeats,"Mo, mo," as he arches his back,
wanting down.

Scully begins to pull the wrapping off the gift, 
which returns Will's attention to her.

"Let's see," Scully says, looking down at two
tickets for a cruise to Aruba.

"Mulder, I don't know what to say. I umm." Scully
is obviously uncomfortable with the implications 
of a two week cruise for TWO. She looks at Will, 
pensively turning the tickets over in her hands.

"Oh! Wait, I forgot about these," Mulder says, 
pulling two more tickets from under the stack of gifts.

"Mulder, what are these?"

"Tickets for Will and your mom. 'Never leave home 
without them.' They aren't for a stateroom but I didn't
think your mom would mind."
Scully reaches over and grabs Mulder in a big hug.
Will growls'.

"Scully, I think you're crushing Will," Mulder laughs.
Scully pulls back and rubs Will's fuzzy head as 
she wipes tears from her eyes and laughs.

"I knew you wouldn't want to be away from him for
so long, but after the year we've had I thought we 
needed a break. The Gunman have offered to sweep
the ship before it leaves port, so it's just you and
me and baby makes three."

"What about my mom," Scully grins.

"Okay, and grandma makes four."

Will yawns', while Scully stands up, taking him from
Mulder. "Come here little man, it's time for the sandman."
Mulder gets up to walk her to Will's room. "Scully, 
what are the chances there really is a sandman?"

"Mulder, you can't be serious," Scully yips as they 
walk down the hallway.

"Scully, hear me out, in theory."

"Mulder, I'm not buying 'your theory'."

"But Scully, it might be a mutant throwback that."
The door softly shuts.
       
       
       
        ~Sometimes the more things change, 
           the more they stay the same.~
               
 
              Merry Christmas to all!