She moved into the bedroom
she was sharing with her mother, here at Charlie's home. Finally a breather,
and she could use it. She was out of
practice being with a large family, but it was fun.
She sat on the side of her
bed and pulled out her cell phone.
“Hello?”
“Merry Christmas.”
“Scully.”
She could feel the smile through the line.
“Having a good time?”
“Yes, but I’d forgotten
how rowdy kids can be.”
Mulder chuckled, “Really
wired, huh?”
She sighed “Well, right
now it’s quiet. All the men are
ensconced in the den in front of a football game.”
“All the men?
Even Matthew?”
“If he’s still
awake.”
“What about the
ladies?” She could feel him
getting comfortable on the couch, to visit with her.
“Mom wanted to go
somewhere, see some lawn decoration they had in the paper this morning.
Mary threw herself on the grenade so Tara and I wouldn’t have to go.
I think Mary enjoys it too. She
doesn’t get to spend that much time with Mom anyway.”
“What about
“She’s taking a nap.”
“Matthew wore her out?”
He grinned.
“Partially.
They announced this morning that Matthew is going to have a brother or
sister in June.” She spoke matter
of factly.
“Scully?”
She could tell he was no longer slouching on the couch, but sitting up at
attention, listening to every nuance of her voice.
“I’m very happy for
them.”
“I know you are.
I just . . . “ his voice trailed off, unsure what to say.
“So, what did you do?”
She changed the subject and he allowed it.
“I saw the guys last
night. We had a good Christmas Eve.
Had to keep an eye on Frohike or I’d still be under the table.”
She chuckled and he reveled
in the sound. “Did you wish them a
Merry Christmas for me?”
“Sure did.
Oh and Frohike left a package for you.”
“A package?”
“Yeah, it’s not
vibrating.”
“Oh god.”
But he could hear the humor in her voice.
“When are you coming
home, in case there’s an expiration date?”
Home.
The word caught her off guard, because it was his apartment that came to
her mind. Was that home now?
“I’m ready. Wonder what
the flights would be like if I tried to move my ticket.”
She hadn’t known she was going to say that.
“Are you . . . really?”
“Yes.”
It was true she realized. “I’d
like to come home. I had a great
visit with everyone, but it would be nice to have some time at home.”
“That would be . . .
I’d love to have you come on back. Maybe
we’d have some time before Skinner calls.”
“We’ll have some time.
Skinner went to visit his sister for the holidays.”
She offered.
“Oh.
He told you that?” He felt
slightly uncomfortable for some reason to hear about this degree of intimacy
between Scully and Skinner.
“Um hum, he asked my
plans and offered his. I had the
impression he hasn’t spent much time with his family in years.
He was looking forward to it.”
“Well, good.”
He decided a change of subject was in order, “So what did Santa bring
you?”
They visited for a few more
minutes, then Scully laughed, “Why don’t I check on the flights.
We could have this conversation in person?”
“Don’t like phone
sex?”
“Mulder."
Her tone was only slightly warning.
“Right, your Mom’s
there. Call me, let me know if you
can make the change.”
“It would be late,
Mulder.”
“Call me anyway.”
He reluctantly let her off the phone.
*****
She made her call and found
a flight that would work. Now she
had to tell the family. Charlie
would be okay with it, even Mom would understand, but Bill . . .
Scully stuck her head in
the door and caught Charlie’s eye. He
nodded and after a minute made an excuse and left the room.
He found Scully in the kitchen, “You okay?”
“Yes.
I made arrangements to change my flight.
I want to go on home tonight.”
“Miss him?”
She hesitated, then met
Charlie’s eyes. “Yes.”
He nodded.
“Thanks for admitting it to me.”
He smiled as her cheeks colored.
“I don’t do that
often.” It was almost a question.
“Nope.
But Mulder’s different. He’s
gotten so far under your skin, you can’t shake him.
He’s one brave dude to keep after you that way.”
“That’s it, spoil the
moment.” She spoke dryly, her eyes
narrowing.
Charlie chuckled.
“Hey, I admire the man.”
“What do you think
everyone else will say?” The
uncertainty was back in her voice as she glanced toward the den.
They turned as the door
opened. Bill joined them, carrying
the empty beer bottles. He stopped
when he saw them. “What?”
“I, I was thinking of
heading on home.”
Bill’s eyes narrowed,
“Work?”
“No.
Mulder.” She looked him
straight in the eye.
Bill placed the bottles on
the counter and glanced over at Charlie. “You
want to leave early?”
“Yes.”
Bill sighed, “For that
SOB. I don’t like the guy.”
“Come on Bill, how do you
really feel?” Charlie grinned
moving closer.
“Bite me Chuckles.”
Bill didn’t even glance over at his younger brother.
“I was going to say, I don’t like him, but . . . shit I saw how he
was when Matthew was born.”
“Emily.”
She said quietly.
“Yeah.
I didn’t know a person could get from DC to
“Than I deserve?” she
asked quickly.
“No!
You definitely deserve someone that loves you that much.
If you two would quit interrupting me, I was going to say, better than I
thought possible. He, hell he
impressed me. I still don’t like
him, but you do. I didn’t ask you
to fall in love with
Scully knew her mouth had
fallen open.
*****
He spotted her coming down
the ramp from the plane. She
hadn’t seen him, but she wasn’t expecting him.
Mulder’s mind returned to earlier.
When the phone rang, he’d
lunged for it. “Scully?”
“Yeah, Bill Scully.”
He didn’t hesitate, “Is
she okay?”
“Yeah.
She was able to change her flight.”
Mulder remained quiet,
waiting.
“It’s okay Mulder.
We got to see her for the holidays and we had a good time.
Problem is, she’s not going to land until
Mind?
Had Bill just asked if he’d mind picking up Scully?
“Uh, it’d be my pleasure, Bill. Thanks
for giving me a call.”
“Yeah, well, Merry
Christmas.” He sounded
uncomfortable now that Mulder had agreed with him.
“Merry Christmas to you.
Oh and congratulations on the new baby.”
“She told you?”
He shouldn’t be surprised, Dana must tell him everything.
“Yeah.”
“Thanks.
Don’t leave her standing there.”
“I won’t.
Thank you Bill.”
There seemed to be a mild
harrumph, then the phone went dead.
Mulder focused on her
again. She was beautiful and she’d
come home to him. There wasn’t a
better Christmas present.
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