#fictober2022

Mulder’s only job in the ER is to hold Scully’s hand while they work on her. He picks up a few things here and there, not understanding much. Scully is the medical doctor, and she’s just lying there, with her eyes closed.

“You’re going to be okay,” Mulder mumbles, half to himself.

“You’re here,” she says weakly, trying to turn her head to look at him, but then another nurse steps in between them, making him let go of her hand.

“Sir, you better wait over there.” She points to the corner. “We need to make sure your wife and baby are okay.”

With one last look at Scully, who’s anxiously staring at the monitor, Mulder does what he’s told. He stuffs his hands into his coat pockets, feeling useless. He watches the doctors take care of Scully, talking to her. He sees her nod. Was that a smile on her face? He wants to know what’s going on, too. Later, he’ll ask her and she’ll explain it to him. Once they know the baby is fine.

The baby.

He’s seen it before. There were several sonograms pinned to Scully’s fridge. He observed every single one of them. Then, one night, he found one in his own bedroom. He stared at it for a long while, his finger tracing the tiny shadows again and again until tears fell from his eyes.

But today is the first time he’s really seeing it. Over there on the monitor is the baby – their baby – and its heart is beating. One beat after another, never stopping. Their baby is tough. Mulder finds himself drawn to it, wanting closer. Needing to make sure this is real.

“Your baby is okay, Mr. Scully,” a nurse says and he needs a moment to understand that she’s talking to him. Mr. Scully – that’s him. He’ll change his name, be anyone, if he gets to be here.

“My- my wife?” The word should feel wrong from his lips, but it doesn’t. Not even a little bit. It comes easily to him, like the most normal thing in the world.

“We’ll put her up in a room now. Everything is going to be okay,” the nurse says with a smile, and Mulder is so overwhelmed with relief that he almost hugs her.

*

He doesn’t know what they gave Scully to sleep, but it must have been the good drugs. What is it about them and hospitals? They’ve spent half a lifetime between bad cafeteria coffee and uncomfortable hospital chairs. His heart hasn’t quite caught up yet.

They’re going to be fine.

The doctor confirmed it again when Mulder walked into Scully’s room, now set up more comfortably. She was fast asleep, her head rolled to the side, just the way she’s been sleeping lately. The sight of her filled him with love. Lately, she’s falling asleep everywhere, her head falling against his shoulder more often than he’s used to. He wants to get used to it. Mulder wants to hold her hand through all of it, the good and the bad.

That’s why he’s still here, hours later. Scully hasn’t woken up once. Skinner has called him a few times and he’s told him in no uncertain terms that he won’t go anywhere until Scully wakes up. Exhausted himself, he rests his head on her bed, right next to her arm. Just for a moment. He closes his eyes, and listens to her even breathing. It’s always been his favorite lullaby.

“Mulder? Is that you?” Fingers run gently but uncoordinated through his hair.

“Hm? Scully? Hey, you’re awake.” He lifts his head to look into her droopy face. He’s never been more in love with her. “How are you feeling? Do you remember anything?”

“A little bit… the baby,” she says, putting a hand on her stomach.

“The baby is fine,” Mulder assures her, putting his own hand next to hers. “The doctor said you had a partial abruption. You’ll know better what that means.”

She nods and says, “I do. I guess they’ll monitor me for a while but we’ll be… we’ll be fine.” She poses it as a statement, but he sees the question in her eyes, the hint of uncertainty. He takes her hand into his, entwines their fingers, and kisses her knuckles.

“You’re going to be just fine. The both of you. Trust me, I pestered every nurse and doctor.” They smile at each other.

“Do I want to know how you convinced them to let you stay with me?”

“Well,” he says, clearing his throat. “We might be married now.”

“What?” Scully asks, smiling in disbelief. How he missed that smile. He doesn’t want to spend another moment without seeing it.

“It’s family only,” he explains. “The nurse asked if I was the husband and I-”

“You said yes.”

“I did. You’re not mad, are you?”

“I’m too tired and too drugged to be mad. But no, Mulder, of course, I’m not mad. I’m happy you’re here.” She squeezes his hand. From the looks of it, he won’t have much time with her before she falls back asleep. Any questions he might have wanted to ask will have to wait. There will be a right time for all of it.

“I saw our baby,” he says, awe-struck. “I saw its heartbeat.”

“Hmm,” Scully hums sleepily, her eyes closing, but her lips are curled upwards in a soft smile. “Maybe,” she trails off, her voice slow. He watches her, blinking slowly, fully prepared to not hear the end of her sentence. Then she surprises him, his Scully. “Maybe you can come to my next appointment. Husband or not,” she says without opening her eyes.

“I’d love that.”

“But first,” she says with a sigh. “First I want to have a pizza.”

He laughs, his eyes filling with tears. His Scully. Their baby. They’ll all be just fine.

It was the perfect Halloween day. The sun was shining brightly in a clear blue sky, and the air was crisp, though not yet cold. There may have been more leaves on the Boston streets than on its trees, but those that remained scattered on branches helped paint a beautiful fall scene.  

Casey stepped outside and paused on their townhome’s top step. Tossing her head back and shutting her eyes, she took a deep breath until the cool autumn air filled her lungs. A genuine, joyful smile spread on her lips as memories of Halloweens from her younger days flooded her mind. The memories were precious, but the future was even more dear. A new mother herself, she was about to create new ones with her own baby girl, and she couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to start. 

She sat on the steps, smoothing her royal blue dress and placing the large bowl of candy on top of her lap. It wasn't her first choice of costume. But not having a family costume on their first Halloween as a family was not an option. Tobias had been calling Samantha pumpkin practically since conception, so her costume was a given, but her parent’s choice was not so simple.

"I got it!" He ran into the kitchen exuberantly. "Peanuts! Charlie Brown. Lucy. DONE! Sammy is the Great Pumpkin. It's perfect!"

"Sammy is a generic pumpkin, honey, not the Great Pumpkin. Besides, Lucy was so… mean in that show. Do you think I'm mean?"

"Well…” he smirked, “you do have your days."  He pulled away before she smacked his shoulder. He then wrapped his arms around her waist and lavished her neck with ticklish kisses. The rest of the night was spent doing things they had to be careful about if they didn't want Sammy's sibling on the way.

Casey never came up with a better idea, and that’s how she ended up sitting here in her blue dress and Mary Janes, eagerly awaiting her husband and daughter’s arrival.

Tobias was simply bubbling over, more animated than the character he was supposed to be. Decked out in his bright yellow shirt with a black zig-zag and matching shorts, he beamed from ear to ear as he spoke jibberish to the bouncing baby pumpkin on his hip. Casey's heart filled with joy watching them, but she couldn't help but chuckle.

"What?" he queried, quickly turning back to Sammy with a sing-song voice. "What? What's Mommy laughing at Sammy? Do you think she's laughing at you or me?"

"Oh, you," she assured. "A thousand times you!"

"Gee, thanks, babe!”

"It's not bad. I'm just thinking it wasn't too long ago that you were this playboy doctor. Mr. Non-Commitment and never settling down,” she joked. “Halloween activities were probably far more naughty than nice then… but now look at you. You're a natural. It's like you were born for this life."

"Well, maybe that's because I was," he said, sitting next to her and meeting her lips with a warm, tender kiss. "I just needed to find the one who could make it feel like a gift instead of a prison. I knew it was you the moment you came along and, well… when deciding between my old life and you, it was a no-brainer. I chose you."

"Awww," she giggled, snuggling close to his side. "That is so sweet. I'd say you were trying to butter me up for those naughty favors later… but then again, you know I'm a sure thing."

"Casey!" He exclaimed with feigned anger. "In front of the baby?"

"She doesn't understand us yet," she winked as her husband shook his head in bemusement.

"And this is just one reason I love you. But while Sammy may not understand yet," he pointed a few doors away, "those kids will. Now let's behave, baby girl; it's time to hand out some candy!"

Within minutes their steps were overtaken by neighborhood children. Sammy clung to her Daddy’s t-shirt, thoroughly unimpressed with the strange children, but her parents were another story. Tobias & Casey excitedly greeted each child, inquiring about their costumes as they dropped candy into their sacks. Witches, ghosts, a princess, a baseball player or two, the Carricks made a fuss over each and every one. 

The day was winding down when a little girl showed up with her mother.

“Trick or treat,” she said with a soft voice. 

Casey beamed as Tobias informed her that he knew she was Casey’s favorite costume of the day. Blue scrubs, a white lab coat, and a stethoscope on her neck. 

"Oh my goodness!" Casey squealed. "You’re a doctor! Do you want to be a doctor when you grow up?”

The girl's dark curls bounced around her face as she nodded. Shyness getting the better of her, she moved against her mother’s leg.

“That’s all she talks about,” her mom grinned. “I used to think it was a passing phase, but now I’m starting to think I should save up for med school!”

“That’s not the worst idea,” Casey smiled, squatting down to talk to the child at her level. “Hey, you know I’m a doctor, and my husband here is a doctor, too. I think you will make a wonderful doctor one day.” 

Pleased with the little girl's bright smile, Casey turned to Tobias. “Hon, give her a little extra candy. She deserves it for all that studying she will need to do.”

“You got it! But if you want, I’ll run inside and get my stationery. We can drop a letter of recommendation in there.”

“Oh, we may take you up on that in another fourteen years!” Her mom laughed.

Tobias looked at the little girl. “I went to Hopkins, the best med school in the country. They love when they get letters from people who went there. I’ve got your back.”

Casey turned to him, unamused. “The best! You were ranked fourth last year!”

“Still better than Perelman's sixth,” he winked.

Casey turned around and placed the candy in the child’s bag. “Sweetheart, when you are a doctor, you might want to think twice before marrying another doctor.”

“HEY!” Tobias yelled, sending little Sammy into a litany of babbling. “See, our daughter isn’t happy with that statement either!”  

Standing up with a chuckle, Casey wished the little girl and her mom well before reclaiming her place at her husband’s side. She took Samantha in her arms and snuggled her close. A warmth he never thought he’d experience filled Tobias’s chest as he wrapped them both in his arms. They sat in silence and let the moment linger, each sharing the same thought. This was pretty much perfection.

“I was only joking,” Casey finally spoke. “Marrying my doctor was probably the best thing I ever did.”

“Probably!” He sneered. “I know marrying you was the best thing I ever did, and if I forget, I always have my mother to remind me. But you go ahead and think about it.”

Casey silenced him with another tender kiss while Samantha began falling asleep in her arms. 

“We should get her inside. I don’t think we’ll be getting more trick-or-treaters today.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, “and Sammy is tuckered out. Besides, I want to pull those med school rankings up to prove you wrong.”

“Are you kidding me?” Casey laughed.

“Second in my class!” He said, picking the empty candy bowl up from the steps. “From the best med school in America. Where were you, dear? Sixth? Seventh?”

“FIFTH! And you know it! That’s from an Ivy League med school. Is Hopkins an Ivy?” she placed her pointer on her chin in mock confusion. “Hmm. No, it’s not.”

“Ivy Schmivy!” He said, opening the door, “did I tell you I was the most published student in Hopkins history?”

“Only seven dozen times… by our second date. But, Tobias?”

“Yes? Samantha is going to be out for the count any minute now. Is this really how you want to spend the first alone time we’ve had all day?”

“Heh,” he snickered. “Screw Hopkins. It was overrated. Now, the important questions. Do you have that other little Halloween costume we picked out?”

“Yes,” she smirked. “Operative word being little.”

“That’s the one! Why don’t you go put that on, and we’ll see what I turn into at midnight?”

“Sweetheart,” Casey teased. “Samantha can hear you….”

“It’s OK. She doesn’t understand us yet.”

“What are we going to do when she does?”  

“Got me,” he shrugged.  “But my Mom already has a trust fund set up specifically for therapy bills. She said with us as parents, Sammy’s bound to need it.”

“No arguments here,” she laughed.

“Good…” he winked, “now go get changed. I’ll put Sammy to bed, then we’re about to have an extra Happy Halloween!”

That voice- familiar to Vax now- echoes in his mind, hardly a whisper and yet seeming as though it ought to shake the very earth around him. He takes a deep breath, gathering courage, then speaks.

“I had a question. I stand as your champion, and you have told me that I may stay until we defeat Vecna. I simply wondered if there was a way –any way– that I could extend that time? To spend but a few more years with these people.”

Though the expression of the face doesn’t change, Vax can sense a shift in her emotion as she shrinks down a fraction to speak more easily with him. Though she still stands metres above him, her form becomes less of a terrifying monument and instead seems, if she could ever be described as such, almost approachable. 

“Fate-Touched. You know that you have been chosen.”

“I know, I simply-”, and he pauses, looking back at the party and at you, wrapped warmly in your blankets and sleeping comfortably next to Vex. He turns back towards the Matron, then continues. “I simply wondered if there might not be a way to get just a little more time with Vex and- with those I love.” Though he catches himself before he says your name, he and the goddess standing in front of him both know to whom he refers. 

“There may be one way–”

Before she can even finish, Vax sucks in a breath and takes a step forward, but she holds out a hand to stall him. 

“--but I do not think it will be to your liking, Champion. The only way to escape your promise is to trade fates- to trade places with one who already shares your heart.”

It takes a moment, but a flash of panic flickers across his face as he understands, then takes a step back to return to his original stance. His face falls, his eyes staring at the ground unseeing. 

“No. Anything but that. I can’t lose my sister or my love, and I couldn’t subject them to this fate. This was my own choice, and thus my own consequences.”

“I thought as much. I am sorry, Vax’ildan, that the terms are so unbending.” 

He nods slowly, finally looking back up at her. 

“Thank you for coming to speak with me, my Lady. I will likely see you soon.”

“Be safe, Champion. The worlds rest on your- and your friends’- shoulders.”

With this, she once again grows, immense and terrifying, until it seems as though she blocks out the sky, then fades into the stars themselves. 

He holds her hand. Her skin is warm (not cold), her chest rises and falls (not still), her eyes open (not closed).

“Do you remember?” Mace asks as Depa burrows closer to him.

Caleb is sleeping. They’re watching a holomovie. One they’ve already seen so many times they can’t count anymore, and loved every time.

“Of course,” she answers, her amusement lightening up the Force.

They don’t talk about the shatterpoints, or his earlier panic, or her past dip with the Dark, or the war, or or or.

They stay together – Master and Padawan (father and daughter) – and they watch a holomovie they know on the back of their hand.