Contentment And so begins the next chapter of their lives. The “what happens next” portion of the end of the series and of Soulmates (which I recommend you check out and of which I have... So.........
Onto the next chapter!
The Eighth Month 5b/6
Chapter Two
Evening at the Hotel
Needing to stay out of the house while the paint fumes recede, Scully enjoys an afternoon to herself and the evening with Mulder.
Scully stepped into the hotel room, with the bellhop right behind her. He had insisted on carrying her bag, even though it was not heavy. He was a sweet Southern young man, about mid 20’s. He had told her on the elevator ride up that his mama and his grandma would tan his hide if they knew he had let a pregnant woman carry her own bag. She had laughed and thanked him, touching his arm.
He set the bag down on the bed and asked if she needed anything else. She smiled and said no, handing him a twenty dollar bill and thanking him for his help, and grasping his hand. He stammered that she gave him way too much for a tip, but she shook her head and said that his kindness and helpfulness was much appreciated. He looked at her and thanked her, telling her if she needed anything, he would be happy to help her. She smiled and locked the door behind him as he left.
She leaned against the door and looked around. This was a really nice hotel room. All the furniture was a dark colored wood. The bed cover was cream with beautiful detailing in it. The pillows were fluffy and the whole room smelled wonderful.
She walked into the bathroom and gasped. There was a bathtub big enough for two people. There were jets in the tub and she knew she was going to be using those later. The shower was big and had a seat in it. She smiled at the memory of the shower seat in a hotel in California, so many years ago, and touched her swollen belly. Definitely would not be using that tonight.
The sinks were standalone deep bowl sinks, with counters in between. The mirrors were big and the lights able to dim. This was probably the nicest hotel she had ever stayed.
Mulder. God, she loved that man. Loved him for the care he took to do all that was needed at home, but also to give her this luxurious night out. He knew just how to get to her. The pampering and spoiling she rarely did for herself, he saw to it for her. He had his faults, but his sweetness and thoughtfulness made up for them in spades.
She walked back into the bedroom and sat on the bed. Sighing as she slipped off her shoes, she fell back on the bed. Oh god, it was comfortable. She turned on her side and stretched.
She was tired, but the day had actually been fun and not as cringe worthy as she had imagined. Either baby showers had changed since her last one, or someone must have made an effort to not have the embarrassing games she had imagined. Instead, they had a nice luncheon, played a couple of fun games, chatted and opened presents. In total, there had been about twenty women in attendance. She had received wonderful gifts and had been incredibly grateful for the ones who had given them.
She felt a sense of guilt that she had complained to Mulder about going to the party. It was not as bad as she thought. Yes, some of the women were more bubbly than she was used to, but they were kind and attentive to her.
One young woman in particular, Dr. Stevens, Annabelle, had been extremely kind and sweet. She had approached Scully almost shyly, and told her that she had admired her work for years now, but had never had the courage to tell her. The papers Scully had written, the cases she had worked on, were amazing and awe inspiring. She had great respect for her.
Scully had been taken aback, not one to bask in the praise. She had thanked her, but could see that she had more to say. She had invited her to sit next to her as they ate, and Annabelle’s eyes lit up.
During the meal, she had plagued Scully with questions. She had wanted to know what made her decide on her specialty, when she knew she wanted to be a doctor, was it true she also worked at the FBI, how that factored into her work as a doctor, and what her plans were after she had the baby.
Scully had looked at her and Annabelle blushed to the roots of her hair. She had apologized profusely for asking so many personal questions and looked down at her plate ad Scully had smiled. She had recognized the thirst for knowledge and also the exuberance of youth. Had she ever been that young? It seemed so long ago.
Scully had answered her questions and then asked her where she worked at the hospital and about her specialty. Annabelle had become more animated about her own specialty and what she wanted to do in the future. Scully informed her that she had heard of her work, but had not known the name to go with the face. She had told her she was doing wonderful work and to keep continuing with it. She had offered her some advice and steps to take to reach her goals for the future.
Annabelle had blinked away tears as she told her how much her words meant to her. Scully smiled. She remembered how words of encouragement had helped her. She was happy to offer advice to fellow doctors. Especially to young women setting out on their path.
Her OB, Doctor Reynolds, Elise, had been invited as well and her friendly face was a welcome sight. She had inquired how she was, an informal checkup so to speak. They had spoken of the upcoming birth and preparations at home. Scully had told her about Mulder getting things ready and Skinner coming to help.
Elise and she had laughed at the story of the bookcase losing all the books, thus cementing Mulder’s credibility in being able to properly put furniture together. She had brought another picture for Mulder from Raina. This time it was two round people holding stick arms together and inside one person was a little face, which was “Ms. Dana’s baby.”
Scully had looked at it and her eyes filled with tears. She had dabbed at her eyes as Elise rubbed her shoulder and then put the picture in the gift bag she had brought so it would not be misplaced.
After the games, it had been time to open gifts. Annabelle had offered to write down all the items so Scully had a list. Much laughter and teasing had occurred while she opened them. She had received many cute outfits, a baby carrier and a baby wrap, supplies, baskets to store items, blankets, and many books.
There were even items for her now and after the arrival of the baby. Bubble bath, a couple bottles of red wine, and a bag of dark roasted fully caffeinated coffee beans which made her salivate and the women laugh and nod in solidarity. She strongly suspected someone got in touch with Mulder about items she liked.
After the party, Annabelle had offered to take the gifts home with her and drop them off the next day when she heard of Scully staying the night in the hotel. She was happy to help and cheerfully loaded up her car.
Elise had suggested they go out for a coffee, and so they had. It was nice and interesting to have someone to talk to besides Mulder. She would take him over them any day, but female companionship was something she was sorely lacking. She had enjoyed the couple hours she had spent with Elise. She was funny, smart, sarcastic, and had a great sense of humor. They had a fun time discussing patients who had been tough, or who had really touched their lives. Scully was pleased to find they had so much in common. She was glad they had the chance to bond a little more before the baby was born. She had left shortly after their coffee and arrived at the hotel.
She stood up now and found her phone in her bag. It was 4:00 now. Three and a half hours before she had to be downstairs to meet Mulder for dinner. Maybe she had time to squeeze in a quick nap and then a soak in that wonderful tub. She set the alarm for 5:30, took off everything but her underwear and bra, slipped under the covers into the softest sheets ever, and was asleep in minutes.
It felt as though she had barely closed her eyes when her alarm began blaring. She groaned and hit snooze. After the second time hitting the button, she knew she needed to get up.
She stumbled into the bathroom and turned on the bathtub water. When the temperature was right, she plugged it up and waited for it to fill. She used the toilet, her eyes closed and head down, still tired. The baby suddenly gave her a swift quick and she gasped, her eyes flying open.
“Jesus, little one,” she said softly, rubbing where the baby had kicked. “Try not to kick so hard.”
She stood up and took off her under things. Walking toward the tub, she caught her reflection and walked closer to the mirror. She stared at her stomach, at the way it was stretching to accommodate the growing life inside her. She marveled at the amazement of the reproduction process. How a single sperm and egg begins the process that creates a human life. How something microscopic could find the other, band together, and develop into an actual person. Two halves becoming whole.
She rubbed her stomach, the love for this child filling her heart. She closed her eyes, thinking of her other child out alone in the world. She hoped he had found people to help him on his journey, praying one day that journey would bring him back to her. To Mulder. She wanted to hold him again and see for herself that he was okay.
She opened her eyes and turned to the tub, finding it was nearly full. She saw different types of bubble bath and oils on the edge of the tub she had not noticed before. She looked at them and decided on a lavender scented oil. She added some to the bath and breathed in the scent, feeling relaxed already.
She turned the water off, put her hair up, and climbed in the tub. Oh.. it was wonderful. The tub was so deep, she could almost float around in it. She leaned back and let the lavender scent and warmth of the water soothe her.
The baby rolled and swirled in her stomach. The water seeming to propel her moving like a little fish. She smiled as she watched the movements. She remembered when she was pregnant with William how he would do the same thing; rolling all around inside of her, as she lay in the tub.
He had loved the bath when he was a baby, too. Always splashing and smiling when she put him in water. She closed her eyes as she tried not to cry. She had so few memories of his childhood and the ones she had were so precious.
She found herself wondering about his love of water. Did he always like it? Did he enjoy swimming? That exhilarating feeling of jumping in a cold pool on a hot day?
She could not stop the tears that filler her eyes. She no longer felt the guilt, but she still felt the sadness. She and Mulder had been robbed of loving their son, being his parents, being a family. She sobbed for all they had missed, all they would have had.
The baby moved around again and all of a sudden, she saw a vision of the sea. She could almost feel the wind and smell the salty air. She gasped and her heart started pounding. She knew this was Jackson. Knew he was trying to contact her. She slowed her crying, closed her eyes, and paid attention.
She saw the sand and the rocks, as if seeing it through his eyes. The water was getting closer, the setting sun shining off of it. She saw feet, toes in the water, as the waves approached and receded from the shore. Then ankles were covered with the water, sand squishing between the toes. The water was still, the ripples stopped, when she saw a face reflected in the water. Jackson was grinning at her. He put up two fingers- a peace sign. He nodded and then the vision was gone.
She opened her eyes and cried through her laughter. He was okay. He was somewhere by the sea and he wanted her to know.
Since the night he had come to her months ago, she had not had any visions. She thought he must be learning to control his abilities and it seemed that he had. He figured out how to tap into her emotions when she was thinking of him, needing assurance that he was okay. She cried and cried. Happy tears falling without stopping. He was all right and by the water. He must still love it.
She took deep breaths and turned on the tub jets, letting the bubbles swirl around her as she rubbed her stomach, making a promise to this child. No one would hurt her, or try to take her away from them. There were two of them now and they were stronger together. No harm would come to her.
She reaffirmed a promise to Jackson too, hoping he could still feel her. She would be there for him, they would be there for him, whenever he needed them. The house and they were always waiting for him to come to them, when he was ready. She wiped her face and let the bubbles relax her for just a little longer.
Turning off the jets a few minutes later, she got out of the tub, pulled the plug, and dried off with the fluffy white towel folded by the tub. She put on the robe that was hanging on the back of the door and went into the bedroom.
She had a new dress for this evening, one Mulder had not yet seen. She had bought it when she bought the one for the baby shower. She took it out of her bag and hung it up, glad the material was one that did not wrinkle easily.
It was a deep plum color, with a dark indigo satin piping crisscrossed across the chest. A matching satin sash tied around the high waist and ran the length of the dress, which fell just past her knees. The sleeves were three quarter and fitted. She had loved it before she even tried it on.
She bought new underwear too, lacy plum colored ones and a bra that matched. She planned on enticing Mulder to walk her back up to her room and she wanted to be ready.. for anything.
She took off her robe and put on her lotion before sliding on her underwear and bra and walking into the bathroom with her makeup bag. She put on her makeup a little bit differently tonight, her eyes a bit darker with more eyeliner and mascara than usual. She had a new purple eye shadow that matched her dress which she applied carefully, not wanting to overdo it. She put on lipstick in a shade she had not worn in a long time. Letting her hair down, it fell in loose waves. God bless those pregnancy hormones and prenatal vitamins; her hair was fuller than it ever had been before.
Her phone began ringing from the other room and she walked out and saw that it was Mulder calling.
“Hello?” she said with a smile.
“Scully? Can you hear me?” he shouted, causing her to pull the phone away from her ear.
“Yes, Mulder I can hear you,” she said, sitting on the bed.
“Scully? Hello?” he shouted again.
“Mulder! I can hear you!” she shouted back, trying not to laugh.
“This fucking thing." She heard him mutter. “This Bluetooth, Scully. It never connects right. Hello?”
She put her hand over her mouth and shook her head. He always had a problem with his phone connecting to the Bluetooth in the car. She had received many frantic, expletive filled phone calls from him. He almost always gave up and put his headphones on, cursing all the while.
When she would come home, she would show him again how to connect it and he would claim he had done all that but it did not work. She would easily connect his and he would stand there, shaking his head and cursing. Sounded like she would need to give him another lesson.
“Hello?” he shouted again. “Scully, I fucking give up. I don’t have my headphones with me, so hopefully you can hear me. I’m on my way. I’ll meet you at the restaurant at 7:30. Scully? Shit! I hate this thing! Just fucking connect!” he screamed. And then the phone hung up.
She sat there and laughed at how inept he was at simple things but could phreak a phone to find information. She had to love that man.
She waited, but he did not call back. She got up and picked up her dress, taking it off the hanger and slipping it on. Oh.. she loved the color and was pleased with how good she looked, pregnant stomach and all.
She slid her shoes on, looked at her reflection one more time, then glanced at her phone. Ten minutes. Well, it would take her a few minutes to get downstairs. She also wanted to be already seated when he walked into the restaurant. She wanted to see his face when he saw her in this dress. See his wide eyes of surprise changing to desire. It never failed to arouse her.
She put her key card in her bra and left her phone behind. She would not need anything else and when they arrived at the door later and he watched her take the key out of her bra.. she knew he would be staying for a little while. Yes, she knew what she was doing.
As she arrived at the restaurant, she noticed there was a wedding reception in the large room next door. She could hear a band playing and she smiled, silently wishing the couple a lifetime of happiness.
She walked up to the restaurant hostess and gave her name. She was seated right away, with the eyes of the hostess on her stomach. Scully laughed quietly at her attempt to be nonchalant about it, but failing miserably. The hostess caught her eye and blushed as she walked away and Scully just laughed again.
She sat facing the front of the restaurant and waited. The waiter approached and she ordered some bubbly water for her and a beer for Mulder.
She saw Mulder walking up a couple minutes later out of the corner of her eye. She kept facing away until she knew he had spoken to the hostess. When she saw him looking for her, she stared straight at him.
She saw the face when he saw her, the exact one she had been hoping for. His eyes widened and his surprised gaze traveled down what he could see. His eyes had became desirous on the return trip to her face. Oh yeah, she still had it. Scoot in her boot and all that.
She saw him wave the hostess away and point to her. He walked over and his eyes burned into her. She stood up and he stopped walking, eyes roaming over her body. The waiter arrived and her attention was momentarily diverted as he set the drinks down.
Mulder made it to her side as the waiter backed away. He placed a hand on her hip and brushed his lips against her cheek, then moved to her ear.
“Jesus Christ, Scully. Do you have any idea how gorgeous you look right now?” he whispered, his fingers on her hip curling in and pulling at her.
“I have some idea,” she impishly replied as he stood back and stared at her. His gaze traveled from her face, to her breasts, her legs, and stopped at her breasts again, before looking in her eyes.
“We should have just ordered room service. My god..” he said, shaking his head.
“You don’t look so bad yourself, Mulder,” she said letting her eyes travel over his tall frame.
He had on dark jeans and a white shirt under a black sweater she loved. He smelled amazing and she almost suggested they head upstairs, but she had made the effort to get dressed and made up. She wanted to have a nice night out with him, not knowing how many of them they had left before the baby arrived.
He shook his head and stepped back from her. He held her chair as she sat back down before taking his seat across from her. He shook his head again, as she smiled at him.
“Seriously, Scully. They need to retire that dress and let it forever be known as the “Dana Scully dress.” No one would ever or could ever hope to look as beautiful as you when they wear it. No one should even bother trying.” he said, his eyes dark, his face serious.
“Flattery will get you everywhere, Mulder, but it will not feed the hungry child inside me. So, let’s figure out what we’re going to have for dinner and then you can keep those compliments coming,” she said, raising her eyebrows and reaching for her menu. He laughed and reached for his as she grazed his leg with her foot and he looked at her as she smiled at him.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
He nodded and smiled back at her. They were quiet as they studied the menu. The waiter came up again and told them of the specials. He described a pasta with creamy tomato sauce, that made Scully’s stomach growl. She asked for that and set her menu down, looking at Mulder. He ordered a steak and potatoes, a side of fries, and a bowl of French onion soup.
The waiter looked at him, but said nothing. He left the table, taking their menus, and Scully looked at Mulder.
“Potatoes and fries, Mulder?” she asked him, raising her eyebrows.
“Stop. The fries are for you. You know you want them and you have been craving them as long as the grilled cheese sandwiches. You won’t ever order them, but you always want them,” he said, looking at her pointedly.
He was right, and she could not argue that he was not. She had craved the oddest things. Grilled cheese sandwiches, green olives, French fries, and grape juice. God, thinking about the tart taste of the grape juice, made her mouth water. Jesus, it sounded so good.
“You want me to see if they have grape juice?” he asked with a smirk as he watched her smack her lips.
She stared at him as if his question was preposterous. But the thought of drinking that grape juice made her change her look to pleadingly. He smiled and nodded as he got up from the table.
Oh, she needed that grape juice. She watched him talk to the waiter and he shook his head. Her heart sank and she felt incredibly silly for feeling so needy for something so small.
Mulder was gone from her sight for awhile and she felt so embarrassed that he must have left the restaurant searching for grape juice. No way he would find it, if the restaurant did not have any. Where would he even look in this hotel?
She looked around again and he came walking past the hostess stand. His hands were empty and she felt strangely like she was going to break down in tears. God damn.. this was so embarrassing.
He walked up to the table and stood beside her.
“Sit down. Please,” she said quietly, begging him as she reached for his hand.
“Wait,” he said, reaching behind him and pulling out a small bottle of fancy grape juice, apparently from his waistband, and setting it on the table.
“What?!” she exclaimed, grabbing for it.
“The wedding next door,” he explained, laughing as he sat down. “I figured someone over there had to want something nonalcoholic. Turns out, kids do, Scully. Who knew huh?” He smiled at her.
He took the bottle from her and opened it up. She drank her bubbly water down in three big gulps and handed him her glass. He chuckled as he poured it in and she grabbed it back.
The first sip of it hit her tongue and her eyes rolled back in her head. At that moment, someone would have had a hard time convincing her that sex was better than taking a drink of a liquid she craved so much. She drank it down in a few gulps and she sat back, fully satisfied, and no longer caring who thought what about her.
“Good?” he asked her, a laughing smile on his face. She got up out of her chair and leaned down and kissed him. Then again, her tongue lightly grazing his.
“Ahem..” A voice said to her right side.
The waiter was standing there with the plate of fries and the salad that came with her meal. She stood up and went back to her seat, grabbing the bottle of grape juice on her way.
She poured another glassful and kept her eyes on Mulder. He was watching her, stuck between desire and trying not to laugh. The waiter set her plate of salad down in front of her and put the fries in the middle of the table.
“Thank you,” Mulder said, his eyes never leaving Scully’s.
The waiter left, both of them smiling and then laughing. He grabbed a couple fries and she took a small drink before starting on her salad.
The rest of the meal passed uneventfully. They discussed what they had done that day and what the plan was for tomorrow. Scully told him about Annabelle bringing the gifts by tomorrow. She needed to come by at 9:00, before mass with her family. Mulder said he would be there and not to worry about it.
After they ate, and Scully finished the bottle of grape juice, the waiter asked if they wanted dessert. Scully declined and Mulder did as well. He paid the bill and they left the restaurant.
As they walked out, they heard the band playing a fast number and laughter coming from inside the wedding reception.
“You want to go crash a wedding, Scully?” Mulder asked her mischievously, taking her hand and tugging her toward the door.
“No!” she said, pulling on his hand. “It’s bad enough you somehow pilfered that bottle of grape juice. I mean, you know what that meant to me, but still. We can’t walk into someone’s wedding reception. Also, I’m not exactly inconspicuous here,” she added, motioning to her stomach.
“You look good. Better than good,” he told her, stroking her cheek. “But you’re right, Scully. It’s probably good we don’t head in there. All the attention would be on you and the bride would feel jealous. Best not to do that on her big day.”
“Mulder..” she said, but she could not stop her smile.
“And Scully, I didn’t pilfer the grape juice. I simply explained to a waiter that I had a very pregnant woman waiting for me and she needed grape juice. He said his wife just had a baby recently so he understood. Then he got it for me,” he told her, shrugging his shoulders.
His fingers moved to her hair, holding it as he stroked it down over her shoulder. They stared at one another before they both turned when they heard a slower song start. It was not the wedding band, but prerecorded music, but not a song she recognized.
Mulder extended his hand and she smiled as she took it. He pulled her close and they began to sway slowly. She took a deep breath and breathed in his scent. The aftershave he wore, but the Mulder scent she would recognize anywhere. She closed her eyes and relaxed into his embrace.
Oh, I always let you down You're shattered on the ground But still I find you there Next to me And oh, stupid things I do I'm far from good, it's true But still I find you Next to me
She missed the beginning of the song, but the chorus hit her square in the chest. It was as if someone was describing their life. No matter what happened, always next to each other. She listened to the next part of the song more carefully.
There's something about the way that you always see the pretty view Overlook the blooded mess, always lookin' effortless And still you, still you want me I got no innocence, faith ain't no privilege I am a deck of cards, vice or a game of hearts And still you, still you want me
She felt Mulder tighten his grip on her and she knew he too was listening to the words.
Oh, I always let you down You're shattered on the ground But still I find you there Next to me And oh, stupid things I do I'm far from good, it's true But still I find you Next to me
He pulled back and looked at her. He held her face, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs. They stared at each other. The words of the song seeming to speak directly to them.
So thank you for taking a chance on me I know it isn't easy But I hope to be worth it
Mulder leaned his forehead to hers, his hands sliding down her arms and onto her waist. They stood, swaying slightly to the music, holding onto one another. Speaking the best way they did, with no words. Relying on touch and looks to relay how they felt.
So thank you for taking a chance on me I know it isn't easy But I hope to be worth it
Oh, I always let you down You're shattered on the ground But still I find you there Next to me And oh, stupid things I do I'm far from good, it's true But still I find you Next to me
As the song ended and a new one began, he pulled her tighter and whispered his love for her. His thanks, his appreciation, and his apologies. She leaned back and held his face in her hands.
“No more apologies, Mulder. Forgiveness has been granted. I love you. So much,” she said quietly before she kissed him.
He pulled her close and held her to him. The new song was faster, but still they held each other and swayed slowly.
“Could I possibly interest you in walking me upstairs? Maybe ordering some dessert from room service?” she mumbled into his chest. He laughed and pulled back, staring at her as he touched her cheek again.
“I don’t need any dessert, but I would definitely be interested in seeing you safely to your room. Making sure you make it to bed without any trouble. Or.. maybe a little trouble,” he said, raising his eyebrows and winking at her.
“You chose wisely,” she said, grabbing his hand and walking to the elevators, as he laughed behind her. “I’ve got something for you to see when we get upstairs.”
She stopped at the bank of elevators, pushed the up button, and turned to him. She leaned in and he bent his head toward her.
“Not to completely spoil the surprise, but it’s something under my dress,” she whispered in his ear.
He gave a sharp intake of breath, straightening up as the elevator doors opened. He quickly escorted her inside, pushed her against the wall, and began kissing her as the doors closed behind them. The music from the wedding reception fell silent, his love for her the only music she needed to hear.
