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Title: Down on Bended Knees Summary: Post-ep Existence I. Mulder gazed lovingly at her face as she slowly opened her eyes, revealing soft blue irises which look as if they were just awakened from a dream. Indeed Scully was a little scared that when she opened her eyes, this man and this child would both disappear. Yet with the taste of Mulder's lips still on hers, his breath grazing her flushed cheeks, Scully dared to believe that this is happening. Her chance of happiness, that just months ago seemed impossible, her heart buried and then resurrected, overflowed at this moment. "Scully -" "Mulder -" they both said simultaneously. With a chuckle, Mulder offered, "You first." "Mulder," Scully started again, "I ... will you stay the night?" Mulder's brows furrowed and Scully grew apprehensive at once, wondering why for once she cant just let things happen without planning and confirming everything. Sensing Scully's discomfort, Mulder wondered whether he will ever be able to part with his boyish joking nature. Even being dead didn't teach him anything. "Just the night, Scully?" Mulder's low voice gently teased. Scully visibly relaxed and casted her eyes downwards, trying to formulate a reply to that. "Well... umm... what do you propose?" When Scully looked up again, Mulder was no longer standing. Surprised, she almost took a half step back, but instead, fell onto the edge of her bed. "Proposing is exactly what I had in mind," Mulder ventured, with just a crack of nervousness in his usual confident voice. On bended knees, Mulder continued to cradle little William in his right arm, while his left hand dug deep into his black jacket pocket, re-emerging with a black velvet box. With the dexterity of long practice, he opened the box single-handedly, and turned the diamond ring to her. "Marry me, Scully." His voice husky with emotion. For a split second, an absurd thought crossed her mind. It was as if this man was offering her a choice, between her baby and his love. Scully couldn't stifle a soft laugh. With a surge of happiness she recognized that he is offering to continue giving her both. Now is Mulder's turn to wonder, "Scully, it doesn't have to be now-" he tried to amend, but his words were pushed back into his month by Scully's lips, as she took the initiative this time. "We should have been picking China patterns a long time ago, Mulder." "Not so different from Mad About You," Mulder remarks while slipping the ring onto her finger. And the baby gurgled in agreement. II. As much as Scully would like to keep the beautiful ring on her finger, day to day care for William simply did not allow it. There is no way that Scully would chance scratching her son's tender baby skin with the sharp edge of the gem. At first she tried to wear the ring on the chain with her cross, but the sparkling stone held too much interest for the nursing William's eager, grabbing fingers. And so resignedly she had to keep the ring in the in same box it came in. When Mulder realized that William was the reason Scully wasn't wearing his ring, he held up his son to eye level and said, "Yeah buddy, I think the Engagement Phase is over. Time to upgrade to wedding bands!" Little William just stared at his dad's goofy grin. Then from the slight chuckle behind him, he realized that Scully had entered the room without him knowing, and heard his comment. Mulder actually *blushed*, much to Scully's further amusement and delight. Despite their eagerness to be legally united, it took a while to plan everything. Even though it was going to be a simple ceremony, they wanted it to be perfect down to the last little detail. And then Scully insisted on another couple of weeks before the big day so that she could at least TRY to regain her previous waistline. By the time the big day arrived, William was nearly five months old. On a breezy early autumn day, Mulder and Scully's family and friends gathered in a small garden with the last remnants of summer. Gazing at the turning leaves, seemingly igniting the trees with their brilliant hues of red, yellow and orange, Scully can't help but think of how much this season reflected her love for Mulder, and his love for her. Not the young, lighthearted romance of spring, as quickly sprung as it vanishes. Not the flaming passion of summer, engulfing as it smothers. But the glowing ember of affection of fall, a mature and enduring love that is ready to weather the icy storms ahead, steadfast and unchanging. "All set?" Bill's voice woke Scully from her reverie. "Yeah," Scully replied with a smile while she took in the crowd that is slowly starting to take their seats. As the organ struck the first chord, a hush fell over the guests and they turned their heads collectively to see the bride's arrival. Scully's nephew Matthew led the procession with a little flower girl, followed by the bridesmaids Monica and Leyla. And lastly was Scully, looking radiant as an angel, escorted by her brother Bill. As Scully looked down the aisle, she was once again taken by how handsome Mulder looked in a tuxedo. He smiled at her, waiting patiently for once, his face a mirror of sheer joy. Beside him stood John Doggett, Byers, Langly (with his blond hair neatly braided for once) and of course, Frohike, all grinning with almost childlike honesty. As Monica and Leyla took their place, to an onlooker it may have seemed lopsided, with four best men but only two bridesmaids. But to the couple soon to be wedded, two women in heaven have already filled the two remaining places. When Bill released her arm and took his place in the front row beside the overjoyed Maggie with William and AD Skinner, Scully inclined her head slightly to return their smiles before lifting her eyes to meet the adoring, moist gaze of her partner. 'You are so beautiful,' Mulder mouthed as he wondered what could heaven possibly hold that was not before him right now. The priest's words wove through the rustling leaves and quiet birdsong. "My constant, my touchstone, my one in five billion," Mulder affirmed as he slid the ring onto Scully's finger. "In sickness, in health, even death cant do us part," Scully pledged as she put the ring on his finger. Maggie sniffled into her handkerchief while AD Skinner unashamedly lifted his glasses to wipe away a stray tear. John Doggett tries his best to maintain his manly composure by knitted brows, but a careful observer could see a thin layer of mist clouding those crystal blue eyes. Apart from this festive gathering, hidden behind an old oak tree, sat a man in a wheelchair, taking this all in. In his mind he mused that all he has done is justifiable since it led to this instance. In his little used and often frozen heart he knew that he has wronged these two so many times, but still, will they not treasure each other all the more because of every tribulations it took to get them here? With any and all the goodness he could muster inside of him, without the faintest trace of malice, he gave them his blessing. Just as the newly weds were about to peel away from their kiss and walk down the aisle, the man rolled himself away into the shadows, one of the wheels imprinting his carelessly discarded cigarette onto the soft earth. Later on, as the stars twinkle out, shining down on the reception, or what Langly likes to call the after-party, Mulder and Scully started the celebration by taking the first dance, swinging and whirling to Cher's "Walking in Memphis' before swaying to something slower. "I love you, Scully." "I know that, Mulder." Government conspiracies and alien takeovers be damned: Mulder and Scully are married! The end Thanks so much for reading! This is my first attempt ever -
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