Author: Paradise, e-mail me at Para8Dice@aol.com Title: The Love of My Life Rating: NC-17 Keywords: Mulder/Scully Romance Spoilers: Christmas Carol/Emily Disclaimer: The characters Dana Scully, Fox Mulder, Samantha Mulder, Melissa Scully, Emily Sim, Bill Scully Jr., Margaret Scully, and others relating to X-Files are not mine. They belong to Chris Carter, Fox, and 1013 Productions. Summary: Mulder's found Samantha, it's all solved. He and Samantha are talking one night about the loss of family members, and Samantha realizes how much Dana Scully misses her daughter, Emily. Samantha has connections. Will she do it for Fox? Written: Early 2000 ______________________________________________________ Fox Mulder's Apartment 9:21 PM "I love you." "I love you back." Samantha took her brother's hand, thankful to be a part of his life again. It had been too many years, and she'd missed her life and his as well. "Now that I'm back, I need your help Fox." "Help with what?" "Tell me about Mom...and Dad." "I told you, Dad was shot by Alex Krycek. Son of a bitch. Mom killed herself recently. She was dying of a disease and she didn't want to live any longer. She was trying to tell me something. I think it was about you." "She knew about me. She knew I had two fathers. That we had two fathers." "A man I can never forgive." "For what he did to you, for what he did to me, but mostly because of what he did to Dana." He looked over at her, surprised that she used his former partner's first name. She was so serious. "Tell me I'm wrong," she said. "It just seems so unfair. I got back my sister, I gained the truth, and she lost her daughter, her sister, and it can never be returned." "What was her sister's name?" "Melissa. She was shot in 1995. She died quickly. So many years ago. But when Scully lost her daughter, it was so much more tragic. I think she felt that through losing her daughter, she was losing everything. And I couldn't save her because they were still here, and they would've tried their best to destroy Emily. I wish I could've saved her." Samantha thought deeply. Emily. Biologically Dana Scully's. Was she one of the children...no, she couldn't be. Samantha knew she had to go investigate. She had connections from twenty-seven years of being involved in the project. "Fox, I gotta go. Meet me tomorrow at Dana's apartment building, eleven o'clock at night." She stood up and left. Mulder was so confused. ** Dana Scully's Apartment Building 10:58 Okay...so where the hell was Samantha? What the hell was going on? All Mulder heard was the sound of traffic. He wanted to go up and see Scully. He hadn't seen her in a few weeks. He missed her desperately. He almost wished the X-Files were still needed so he could create a reason to be in the same room with her. Slowly, Mulder saw two figures emerging in through the darkness. "Fox," Samantha whispered. A woman was walking with Samantha, carrying a child. Wait! The woman was Melissa. What the fuck? Samantha ran up to Mulder, seeing his widened eyes. "Fox, listen. I found her, but she can't stay. She has to die because of what she knows." "My God, Melissa!" Mulder said, reaching for her. "Shhhh, Mulder," Melissa soothed. "It's all right. I lived. It's over now though. I can't be set free in case they return and I can't reveal the information I've gained over the years." Tears threatened Mulder's eyes. "Where...where have you been? Your mother, Scully, you have to see them." "I can't, Mulder. I love them so much and I miss them and I will until my last breath, but I can't. You have to trust me. I trust you to tell them that I love them, but if I live, she won't." "Who?" Melissa's face crumbled in tears as she prepared to release her embrace on the sleeping child. The little girl she had loved and taken care of for three years. Protected and taught and worshipped. Melissa turned the child around so Mulder could see it was Emily. Three years older. She was so beautiful. "Take her, Mulder," Melissa said crying. "Emily was dead," Mulder said, not believing his eyes. "No Mulder. Not really. I know that you will take her to Dana, and that you will take care of her. I have been a mother to her for three years. I love her more than anything, and that's why I'm giving up my life for hers. Take her to her mother." When Mulder reached for the little girl, Melissa drew in a deep breath, realizing this would be harder than she had previously thought. "Sorry, I'm sorry Mulder. I have loved this child as if she were mine, of my own body." Tears streamed down Melissa's face as she kissed Emily's head. "I love you Emily, I gave you everything I could and I pray to God you remember me, and my love." "Shh," Samantha said, placing supporting arms around Melissa. "She knows, Melissa, Emily knows. She can't stay with you but she knows." Melissa kissed Emily's cheeks, taking one last look at her. "Everything I am, belongs to you and your mother. You carry me in your heart and you know there was not a day you weren't loved, baby." Mulder took Emily into his arms, and she continued sleeping like a baby. Melissa began breaking down in tears as Samantha held her. "It's gonna be okay, Melissa. You're doing the best thing you can. You're being a real mother to Emily, giving her a chance. "Melissa's sobs, though soft, were violent as she clutched Samantha's sweater, nearly pulling Samantha to the floor. "She's gonna have a chance now," Samantha said, tears falling from her eyes too. "You're giving her life. You trust your sister, her mother. But no one will ever forget you were her mother for years. You're a good mother, Melissa. Dana will be so proud." As Mulder watched Melissa, fear filled his heart. "Melissa, you have to come with us. We'll find a way, we'll negotiate." "No," Samantha said as she released Melissa. "She knows too much about Emily. About it all." "Well then at least come and see your sister. Your mother." "I can't. Don't you see? That would hurt them more. Mulder, my life is over. As soon as I leave here, I'm dead, for real this time." "She's right," Samantha added. "Mulder, she's biologically your daughter too," Melissa said. "I beg your pardon?" "She had alien genetics in her, but she was biologically yours as well as Dana. So love her." Melissa reached over and caressed Emily's hair. "I know..." she said through tears, "I know you'll be good to my little girl--she wasn't mine, I know you'll be good to my niece. I never let her forget Dana. Her mother. You watch over her, and tell her repeatedly how much I loved her. That I took care of her, then took her to the place she needed to be. Promise me, Mulder, promise me you'll take care of my sister," she pleaded desperately. This was so overwhelming Mulder didn't know what to say. "Promise me!" she whispered. "Promise me nothing will happen to her or Emily. That you'll protect them. Promise me, now, Mulder. You were right. About all this. This secret world where experiments and evil things are done. People are sacrificed. An equal horror may come to them but you must promise me you won't let them win." "I promise. Melissa, are you sure? Scully will kill me when she knows I let you out of my sight. Let me help you, I can-" "Mulder, please don't make me lecture you about their powers. You of all people know what they're capable of. I'm trading my life so Emily can have one. Outside of the world we knew. I took care of her, kept her safe, but I don't want to have to anymore, I want her to breathe on her own and be able to see the world." Mulder handed Emily to Samantha and placed his hands on Melissa's shoulders. "How can I let you leave when you're in this because of me? Melissa, let me give my life for you, so Scully can regain what she's lost and you three with be out of it forever." "I know you want to help me, to save me, but I'm dead, Mulder. Just take that child and my sister and love them, be with them. I'm not afraid of death, but I'm afraid for my sister. So please never turn your back on her, and take care of Emily." Melissa broke down in tears again as she bent down and kissed Emily's head. "I love you," she whispered to her niece and then walked away. "Where are you going?" Mulder asked with fear. She turned back one last time, her face soaked with tears. "I'm going to disappear to save my niece's life." And with that, she disappeared, and Mulder knew he would never see her again. Would Scully ever forgive him? He took Emily from his sister's arms and held her, caressing her blonde hair. Her neck was fine. She was fine. Was she really his? Jesus fucking God. "Samantha, is this true?" "Yes, you're her father. And if it took this to realize..." "What?" "You have to go and figure it out yourself. Go to Dana." "Come with me, you understand what the hell's going on." "Fox, this is your daughter, and Dana is the mother of your child, and she's been your partner for over seven years. And I don't think she's stopped being your partner. Go." "Wait Sam, tell me what's going on. It's over. They're gone. The government is still willing to kill Melissa if she leaks the truth about what's been going on for sixty years?" "If Melissa were to let it get out, the government would be in deep shit. You're smart enough to know that. Besides, we haven't completely eliminated the planet of the aliens, the genetics, the viruses. But Emily is healthy, and alive. Now for God's sakes, don't keep her from her mother a minute longer." Mulder hefted Emily and rolled his eyes. Sisters. He turned and walked to Scully's apartment, with a sleeping six and a half year old child. The elevator was going too slow. He couldn't wait to tell her, and yet he'd never been more scared of anything in his life. He knocked impatiently on the door, trying not to wake up Emily as she moaned a little, and desperately at the same time trying to get Scully to open the damn door. "I'm comin'!" Somehow, she knew it was Mulder. She opened the door, looking perfect as usual. She looked a little confused. "Mulder, who's this?" "Look at her," he said turning her so Scully could see her face. Scully inhaled a scream of happiness. "Oh my God. Is this who I think it is? Oh my God. But it's impossible." "No, Scully. Samantha found her, and brought her to me. I had no idea she was alive, and Samantha didn't either. Samantha's crazy about you, she had to find your daughter." Scully's eyes gained fresh tears. "The last time I saw her, she was...just a baby. Jesus Mulder. Give me my daughter." Scully's hands cupped the sides of Emily's torso and took her from Mulder. Emily collapsed on her mother in a deep sleep. Scully smiled and closed her eyes. She turned from Mulder and walked into her apartment. Mulder followed and closed the door behind her. "God, oh sweetie. I missed you so much." Mulder walked over to Scully and hugged her from behind. "Mulder, we have to take her to the doctor tomorrow morning. We have to take care of her. How long have you had her? Is she okay? Where's Samantha? Where did Samantha find her?" "Shh, Scully. It's all right. Hold your daughter. You love her, and she's here to stay. For tonight, forget the questions, and love her." "I'm going to put her in my bedroom, get something to drink, and I'm just going to watch her. My little girl…is she really alive? Is this really her?" Scully asked, tears slipping. He smiled and nodded. Scully took Emily into her bedroom, covered her up, and she had never seen anything more beautiful in her life. She came back out and got a glass of milk. She saw Mulder sitting on her couch. He'd started a fire in her fireplace. "Mulder," was the only word she said, but so much more meaning came out. He stood up and walked over to her and embraced her. His strong arms wrapped around her and she silently cried. She'd waited for this as long as she'd waited to have her child be put back in her arms. She brought his head down to hers and cupped his face. "I can't tell you how much I thank you." "You're the best mother anyone could have. You have everything to give." She smiled and put he cupped her face, his fingers lightly running over her mouth. Her full lips looked so good. She loved him. She always had. "I love you," she said to him. "I owe you everything, thank you," she said, breaking down into tears. "I don't even know what's real, what to think. Where has she been? What happened? Who's taken care of her? Why was she returned? I can't think right now. The moon could be in my reach but I couldn't be any higher," she cried through happy tears. "Mulder." she whispered. She pulled him down towards her, his mouth covering hers. His arms went up and down her back, caressing her the skin underneath her nightgown. Her hands went under his shirt, running her fingers against his torso. His mouth was on her neck. Scully then regretted beginning this. "Mulder...I have a little girl in the next room-" "Who's fast asleep. You also have a dork in front of you who loves you more than anything." "I know, and I...love you back, but we should wait. What if she-" "What if? Haven't we been doing that for years? Holding back because we thought it was wrong? What if Skinner walked in, what if we were fired, split up, do you see a pattern emerging here, Scully?" "We have been waiting forever, and I want this too..." his mouth came down on hers again. "Then shut up," he murmured. She nodded, saying yes. His hands were everywhere. His thumbs gently flicked over her nipples, hardening them instantly. She moaned and he kissed her, a fiery kissed filled with love and passion. His hands found the skin between her legs and he began to caress her, as his mouth found her breasts and kissed them over and over, tickling her, exciting her. One of his hands moved up to cup a breast and lift it out over her low cut nightgown. Her hands trailed down his stomach to him, and she still caressed his chest. He gently embraced her, and together they quickly undressed each other, and the fire added to their body heat. He lied down on top of her, and slowly kissed her lips. Deep open kisses proceeded as their hands found all parts of each other's body. Mulder gripped back her head with his hands, and her red hair glowed in the light. She looked so beautiful. Enormous blue eyes, full red lips, an innocent and seductive face, a perfect body, and a heart that was every bit as good as the rest of her. He just looked at her. "I love you," he said eventually, as if affirming it. She smiled. "I love you too." "I've just been too afraid to tell you, Scully. I loved you from the first moment I saw you walk into my office. I have loved you forever. I've been so inside myself that it was hard for me to think about the fact that as FBI partners we wouldn't stay together forever, but I can't live without you. I never could." "You don't have to," she said, taking his hand and placing it on her heart. "You're here, I'm here. Everything is going to be fine. There's nothing stopping us." "Marry me," he said. "All right," she said seriously. Then they both laughed. He enclosed his mouth over hers. His hand found her breast, and he gripped it gently, feeling it, admiring how firm it was. He bent down and kissed it. His mouth tickled her nipple, and he covered her nipple with his mouth, making arcs across her tips, causing them to erect, and her to arch to give him the best access. "Mulder, look at me," she begged, and slowly he stood up, towering over her, staring at her. The touch of her lips had brought back all the longing for her in one swift tidal wave of emotion. He stared at her parted lips and then into her eyes that pleaded to be kissed. They moved together both of one mind. Scully parted her lips slightly as his gently swept across hers in almost a worship. Her arms came up and she buried her fingers in his hair, drawing him closer. All the barriers came down. He was on fire for her and all he could think of was the moment and what he needed to make the ache for her in his heart ease. Mulder groaned against her mouth and deepened the kiss and Scully returned it eagerly. Their tongues and mouths were feverishly trying to make up for their wasted time. Scully's body felt electric as Mulder trailed kisses across her face and down her neck. She frantically unbuttoned his jacket and then his shirt needing to feel his skin against her fingers. His hands brushed against her breasts and he could feel them tighten and swell as his hands cupped them. Scully's mouth found his chest and he gasped as her tongue and fingers made him weak at the knees. "Mulder," she breathed against his body. He started pulling them down and she moved willingly as he lied her against the carpet, the fire blazing near them. Wanting to make her wet with desire, Mulder ran his tongue along the securing folds, bathing them with his burning tongue, then slipped his tongue inside her while caressing her thighs as he did so. He stroked his tongue inside her gently at first, then roughly, demanding to taste more of her as he placed her legs over his shoulders and his hands supported her back as he arched it upwards to give him better access. Feeling him go deeper into her, he stroked and caressed her insides and began to quiver as his fingertips teased her into consumable desire. He held her in his hands, hearing her attempting to catch her breath as moved in and out, now with his fingers as his mouth concentrated on nibbling her up and down with butterfly kisses. His fingers thrusting in and out of her as his mouth soothed and inflamed her brought her to her climax as she threw her head back and felt the warmth between her legs as well as the heat all over her body. "Mulder!" she cried out softly. Placing her legs on the floor, he slithered up over her, seeing her eyes closed and concentrating on regulating her breathing. Wrapping her luscious body in his arms he rained kisses all over her face and as soon as her arms could manage they curled around him. He did this over and over again, and she let the waves wash over her, until she couldn't take it anymore. She forced herself up and straddled him, guiding him into her. They were finally together in this way. In every way. Mulder reached his hands behind her waist, drawing her into an embrace, to hold her tightly as they thrust together. Her mouth found his and he ran his tongue along her lips, then he nipped her lips with each thrust, until their mouths and bodies melted into one another. XxX "Thank you for not making me wait any longer." "I wanted it just as much as you, Mulder." She grabbed her light blue robe and put it on. She didn't care about the nightgown at the moment. She stood up and wrapped it around herself. "I have to go see my daughter," she said as if she were sorry she'd neglected her child. "Mind if I come with you?" She held out a hand to him. He stood up and took it. "For God's sake, Mulder, at least put on some pants." "Oh, sorry." He did and they walked in to their sleeping daughter's room. She was sleeping like a baby still, and just the sight of her made Scully start crying all over again. She and Mulder carefully got into the bed and just watched her sleep. "Isn't she beautiful," Dana asked. "She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen next to her mother." Scully smiled. They noticed that the sun was coming up. Emily turned over then opened her eyes. Her big blue eyes met her mother's. "Hi Emily. Do you know who I am?" Emily nodded. "You're my mother." Dana frowned and smiled at the same time. "Who told you that?" "Aunt Missy. She told me who my real mommy was." Dana looked up at Mulder. "Missy?" "She was taking care of Emily for the last three years. She and Samantha returned Emily to you." Dana's palms began to sweat. She turned to Emily. "Sweetie, you have to tell me where Missy is." "Scully," Mulder said in pain. "What?" "Melissa's gone." "What do you mean? Have you seen her?" "Look, why don't we let Emily wake up, and you and I go outside for a minute." "All right, I'll be right back sweetie," Scully said, turning the television on to a cartoon channel. "You okay?" "Yes." Dana hugged Emily briefly and then walked out of her bedroom. "Where is my sister?" Scully demanded of Mulder. Here was what he had dreaded telling her. "She wanted you to have your daughter back, and she had to die for Emily to live. She had never let Emily forget you, or that you are her mother. Melissa felt that it would mean more to have your daughter than herself. She wanted Emily to live, for she loved her too." "Where is she?" Scully asked desperately. "Where is Melissa?" "She's gone." Dana turned around, tears clouding. She placed her hands on her head lightly, thinking. "Oh my God. I...I failed again. I lost my sister. I didn't get to see her, or thank her, or even find out the truth. Oh my God!" She began to fall, and Mulder caught her. "Scully! You all right?" "Oh my God, Mulder, she's dead isn't she?" "Yes." She buried her head in his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. She beat her clenched fists against his chest. "Dammit, damn YOU Mulder. How could you play God with my life like that? Bring me my daughter but allow my sister to walk to her death! Damn you," she sobbed. "Scully," he said, grabbing her wrists and forcing her to look at him. "You have your little girl! You have me, you have your mother, you have your medical career, you will survive. It wasn't my choice! I would never do anything to cause you pain like this but I couldn't stop it!" "Did you see her?" "Yes." "And you let her out of your sight?" "I didn't want to, Scully. She told me she had to die because of what she knew about Emily and the government. She wants you to know that she loves you and to tell your mother the same." Scully's eyes were full of questions as she breathed heavily, trying to understand. "Was she okay? What did they do to her? Where has she been?" "She looked relieved that Emily was going to be with her mother. She said she'd taught Emily things a six year old should know. She said Emily was healthy. She said that Emily knew she was yours." "Ohhhhhhhhh Jesus," Scully cried and he pulled her tightly. "I'm so sorry. If I could take the pain-" "Mulder, dammit, couldn't she have seen me one last time? Couldn't we have negotiated?" "Melissa said that it would hurt you more if you saw her. There wasn't a way to negotiate it." "You asked?" Mulder gripped Scully's face so she was facing him. "I did everything I could think of! It was so quick, it was all so shocking. She handed me Emily, and then she was gone with only a few sentences. But I'm here, and Emily's here, and we're not going anywhere." Emily came out of the room. "Should I call you Daddy?" Scully wiped the tears away and tried to pull herself together. Mulder walked over to the little girl and swept her up into his arms. "You can call me Daddy if you want to Emily." "Missy told me you were my Dad." "She what," Scully asked coming over. "Melissa says that I'm Emily's biological father," Mulder told Scully. "Excuse me?" "I'm as confused as you, Scully. But I believe it. Of course, I know you won't, so we'll have a DNA test if you want." "My sister, Emily, she has been taking care of you?" "Yes. She loved me. She told me stories about you. She said that she knew you loved me more than anything. That you missed me and that someday we'd be together." A tear fell down Dana's face, and Emily took her hands from around Mulder's neck and reached for her mother. Her mother took her and held her close, and Mulder felt the tears swelling in his eyes too. "Oh baby, I love you so much. I'm so sorry you're going through this pain. Being torn your whole life from person to person. I will never let you go again. You're the love of my life. I never loved anyone more or the way I love you." "I always trusted you, Mom. When you gave me the cross, I knew that you loved me. You were there when they did some of the tests. I was so used to the tests by then that they didn't scare me. You're the only person now I'd let test me." Emily kissed Dana on the cheek. "Mommy, is this your cross," she said holding one she had around her neck for Dana to see. "No sweetie, mine's on my neck. I...I think that's Melissa's." Emily looked down, about to cry. Dana gripped the back of Emily's head and brought it to her shoulder, swallowing her own tears. "It's gonna be okay, sweetie," she said crying herself. "I'll miss her too, but she wanted us to be safe and happy, and that's just what gonna do. I promise I will give you everything I can. I will love you more than anything in the whole world." ** Seven Months Later 7:39 PM Dana Scully stood in front of the full-length mirror, looking at herself proudly. Her full, white dress showed perfectly. It showed off every curve she had and the swell of her lush breasts. She had decided to wear her hair down and wear nothing over her head. Her wild, red hair was curly and rich. She wore white high heels but no garter, for she felt it was slightly demeaning to women. Her mother, her brothers, their wives, and their children are sat downstairs, completely confused. She wasn't though. Finally, everything in her life was perfect... Except Melissa. "Mommy?" Emily came through the room in her gown. "How do I throw the flowers?" Dana showed her daughter how to gracefully pick them up and throw them. "Thanks," she said softly. "This day wouldn't mean as much if you weren't here, sweetheart." "I always felt safe with you. Daddy...did he...would he have loved me if he wasn't my Daddy?" "Oh angel, he did love before he knew. I loved you before I knew you were mine. Something deep inside my soul was touched and a piece of myself was opened. You are my light." Emily smiled. "Let's get married." "Dear, you're six, let's hope I get married first." She took her daughter's hand and looked back in the mirror. A low square neck revealing her creamy chest, long sleeves for the season that had silks slits that slashed from her elbows to her wrists, a bell shaped shirt. She smiled at herself, and then her mother came in. "Hi sweetheart. Ellen just told me there was a phone call from you." "Who would be calling me now? All right. Go out with Emily and I'll be out in a minute." Maggie took her grandchild out. Dana turned, facing the door, and held the phone up to her ear. "Hello?" "Dana." "Melissa?" "It's all going to work this time. Go through with it, be happy." "Melissa???" Dana asked frantically. The line clicked, and Dana turned around in the mirror, tears straining her eyes. She could've sworn she saw Melissa standing next to her in the mirror. She dropped the phone and turned to where she thought Melissa would be. Melissa wasn't there. What the hell was going on? There was a knock on the door. Dana inhaled quickly. "Dana, honey, you okay? We're all ready. What's wrong?" "Nothing Mom," Dana said shaking. "Don't give me that. What's wrong? Is it Fox?" "No, I love him and I've wanted this moment for so long." "Then what's wrong? Was it the phone call?" "Yes." "What happened? Who was it?" "Melissa," Dana whispered. "And then I saw her in the mirror. I turned around and she wasn't there. It's been so long since I've seen her, I miss her. I'm sorry, this was really bad timing." Maggie hugged her baby girl. "No baby, this was perfect timing. I see Melissa too. She's always with us. We're still connected to them, even after they're gone." Dana nodded and went out, gracefully walking after Samantha, her maid of honor. She saw Mulder, damn he looked good. And he looked happy. He couldn't have been happier. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Her hair and her eyes...and her lips. She was so beautiful. And she was marrying him! What was a brilliant doctor and scientist doing with him? He'll never know what he did to deserve it. And Emily! Walking as the flower girl. She was the second most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, and he was so thrilled she had her mother's eyes. It was appearing now that she had her mother's full lips as well. He almost wanted Emily to be with them on their honeymoon, he didn't want to waste another minute, but he wanted Scully. There wasn't much of himself in his daughter yet, but her personality was a lot like Mulder's! He smiled at Samantha, then took Scully's hand. She had that firm grasp, the grasp he adored. She was always stronger than him. In every way, and now, they were becoming a team in every way. From their first meeting... "Agent Mulder, I'm Dana Scully. I've been assigned to work with you." "Oh isn't it nice to be suddenly so highly regarded. So who'd you tick off to get stuck with this detail...Scully?" "Actually I'm looking forward to working with you, I've heard a lot about you." "Oh really? I was under the impression, that you were sent to spy on me." To their first case when she revealed herself in front of him in her bra and underwear. "What are they?" He leaned closer to her lower back holding the candle close to get as best an image. "Mulder, what are they???" He smiled. "Mosquito bites." "Are you sure?" "Yeah, I got eaten up alive myself out there." She sighed, relieved, retrieved her robe, and collapsed in his arms. To their later years... "You kept me honest! You made me a whole person! I owe you everything...Scully and you owe me nothing." To the time when he'd lived in a fantasy, passionately kissing another version of Scully and then seeing the true one again. "I thought I'd never see you again, but you *believed* me." She leaned towards him. "In your dreams. Mulder, I want you to close your eyes, and I want you to think to yourself, there's no place like home." "Hmm." She turned to leave. "Hey Scully." She coughed lightly and walked back over to him, dipping her head so that their foreheads were almost touching. "I love you." "Oh brother." XxX They kissed, Mulder stayed with her, hugging her, never wanting to let her go. Even Bill Scully Jr. saw that Mulder truly loved her, and finally set aside his pride to let her be happy. She turned towards him, smiling and hugging Mulder. Bill Jr. stood up clapping, and soon his wife and children joined. The rest of the church quickly stood up, clapping, and Mulder and Scully felt incredibly embarrassed, yet wonderfully happy. Scully scooped up her daughter and held her, rice being thrown at the three of them. "Mommy, we're a family!" "We were always a family," Dana reassured her. Dana took Mulder's hand and began to walk out, and at the very edge, behind the crowd where Frohike, Byers, and Langly stood, she thought she saw Melissa, clapping and smiling. Dana tried to stare as long as possible, to see her sister, but some man came up and kissed her, and when she looked back, Melissa was gone. Dana let her heart feel whole from seeing Melissa, instead of feeling regrets. She squeezed Mulder's hand and walked out of the church, and into the limo. XxX At the reception, Samantha and Maggie sat together. Samantha was amazed at the family stories Maggie would tell, and what she would give to have her mother sitting across from her, reminding her of precious childhood stories. She knew her mother was waiting for her, but it still hurt. "...Bill and Melissa would always fight. And now that Melissa's gone, Bill feels...what we all feel. Dana has suffered so much. But Dana's also gained so much. Her husband, your wonderful brother, her daughter, so much has happened. I love her so much. She's the love of my life. A daughter is always the love of a mother's life. A daughter has a place inside your heart no one else ever will." Dana danced with her brother. "I love you, Dana." "I love you back, my big brother." "Oh please." She laughed. Mulder cut in. They danced together for a while and Emily came in the middle. Mulder took Emily into his arms, and danced with her to the song, My Girl. Maggie hugged Dana. "Fox is good with your little girl." "That little girl is the love of my life. And that man I just married is the man of my life." Dana stood watching Mulder dance with their six-year-old. They both loved her so much. The last seven months hadn't been that hard. She had Melissa to thank for it. From the minute Emily came back into her life, she was calling her "mommy", and she recognized how much she loved her. Of course Dana understood that Emily missed Melissa, for she'd grown up for the last three years with Melissa. But Emily says Melissa never let her forget who her real mother was. Dana couldn't imagine what it must've been like for Melissa, handing Emily to Mulder knowing she would die shortly afterwards. If only she could've seen her...would that have made a difference? Mulder set Emily down and she ran to the cake. Mulder took Scully's hand and they walked over to their dessert. Everyone stood around and Scully cut a piece and held it towards Mulder. "Dana...be nice," Mulder said. "Since when am I Dana," she said and everyone laughed. She gently filled his mouth with a piece. He moaned at how good it was, and tenderly returned with a piece. She ate so little of it. "Scully, if you don't eat it, you won't get the proper love handles." "You wanna fat wife?" "Hmmm, I seem to recall you telling me that I never let you rest." "Good point," she said with a mouthful. "Give me more." "Me too!" Emily said. "Oh, we forgot the most important person. Come here sweetie." Dana picked up Emily and someone flashed a shot. Dana wasn't used to that, but this was a special occasion. So, she wasn't big on her photo being taken, but she could look worse. She probably had chocolate around the edges of her mouth, but so what. The entire wedding and reception was on tape anyway. After finishing a healthy amount of cake and helping Emily with hers, Dana led Mulder out to the dance floor, and danced with him to I Will Always Love You. Charlie, who was Maggie's favorite boy, sat next to her watching the newlyweds. He took her hand. It was wonderful, his two boys and his little girl got along great with Emily, so she wasn't alone. Mulder and Dana were laughing so hard, and kissing after each laugh. "You happy Mom?" Charles asked. "Oh yes. All I can say is, it's about time." "Did they know from the beginning?" "Did they know? No, they were blind." "Did you know?" Maggie smiled. "Yeah, I knew." "Scully, I have to make a confession." "Oh Lord." "I'm in love with another woman." She looked at him and smiled. "Our daughter?" "I hope you're not jealous." Scully tangled her hand in her hair. "I suppose I'll struggle through, somehow." He kissed her again. The End