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Title: Sarah Companion: Precious Moments - The New Arrival Summary: Mulder, Scully and baby Stephanie. Scully padded from the bathroom to the bedroom she shared with Mulder, halting in the doorway. Mulder had moved the rocking chair to the window and was sitting in it, rocking gently; the sheers and drapes pulled back so that he could see out to the moonlit night beyond. In his arms nestled Stephanie, the newest addition to their family. Every so often, Scully noticed him lean over to whisper something, or brush his lips across the baby's brow. Scully advanced slowly, then crouched down when she reached her husband's side, her fingers resting lightly on his arm. "Mulder? What are you doing?" She deliberately kept her voice soft and low, not wanting to shatter the peace and tranquility of the scene. It was one that would remain with her for a long time - a memory to cherish. "Just thinking, Scully," answered Mulder, emulating his wife's low tones and continuing to rock slowly. "Well, don't strain yourself." He glanced down and saw the flicker of amusement cross her face in the half light. She looked refreshed and smelled wonderful after her well earned soak in the tub. Mulder's attention was drawn back by Stephanie snuffling and wriggling, her tiny face scrunching up in her sleep. After a moment, it passed. She stilled and her features relaxed once more. "What do you suppose that was all about, Scully? Do you think she was dreaming?" Scully smoothed the pad of her thumb over her baby's brow. "I don't know, Mulder. What do you suppose she would dream about?" "Fluke men?" he offered, his grin covering his whole face. Scully gave a low chuckle. "I should hope not, Mulder." She saw his tender gaze settle on their little girl once more, then Scully slowly stood up. "Stephanie should go back into her crib. It's getting chilly." "I wrapped her warmly - look." He had swaddled Stephanie in the finely crocheted shawl that Margaret Scully had made for her. "I just want to hold her for a little longer, Scully." He still couldn't get over the novelty of Stephanie being there the whole time, of being able to pick her up, hold her and sing to her or talk to her whenever he wanted to. It had not been like that with Sarah. "Mulder, you can hold her for as long as you want - she's your daughter," answered Scully. His hand reached out and gripped hers firmly. "Our daughter, Scully - ours," he said softly. "Yours and mine." In his eyes, that made Stephanie even more precious. He squeezed his wife's hand. "I love you, Scully." Scully nodded, too choked to speak. They were closer now than they had ever been, their bond strengthened through Stephanie. Scully stood up, leaned over and dropped a kiss on Mulder's soft hair. "I love you too, Mulder." Mulder rose and walked the short distance to the crib. He kissed Stephanie, then unwrapped the shawl and laid her down gently, tenderly drawing the covers over her tiny, slumbering form. He leaned on the side of the crib for a moment, just watching her sleep, then Mulder caught Scully's hand in his and led her back to the rocking chair, sitting down and drawing her into his lap. He inhaled deeply - his wife's skin smelled of the rose scented bath oil that she'd luxuriated in earlier. Mulder nuzzled the valley between her breasts through the fabric of her nightgown, and ran a hand slowly down her flank. Scully was still carrying a little post maternity plumpness and he rather liked it. His mouth found hers and they shared a tender kiss. Mulder laid his head back against the rocker and sighed deeply with contentment. He was silent again, his fingers toying unconsciously with the wedding ring on Scully's finger. "You're thinking again, Mulder," said Scully. "What about?" "How lucky I am," he answered. He cupped her cheek in his palm, stroking with his thumb. "I have riches I never dreamed of, Scully. I have something more priceless than even the most precious of jewels - I have my beautiful girls." He paused. "All three of them." Scully's eyes filled with tears. He was capable of the deepest emotions - deeper and more profound than she'd ever imagined, and of saying the most wonderful, most romantic things. She felt that she was the lucky one; honoured and privileged to be able to share the innermost thoughts and feelings of this complex man. Scully buried her face in the crook of Mulder's neck and he felt the wetness of her tears against his skin. "Hey, Scully - you're not crying are you?" he asked softly, his hand smoothing gently up and down her narrow back. "Of course not, Mulder," she mumbled, sniffing loudly. "I've just got something in my eye, that's all." "Both of them?" She sat up and smiled, wiping at her eyes. "Nothing gets past you, does it, Mulder?" "I hope not," he grinned, his thumb caressing her cheekbone. "You want to tell me what's up?" Scully leaned her head against his shoulder. "It's you." "Me? What did I do now?" "Nothing. It's what you said - about how lucky you are, and the riches that you have." Her hand cupped his cheek, now rough with end of the day stubble. "It was beautiful." Mulder took the hand that held his cheek and kissed the palm. "It's the truth, Scully." He leaned his head against the back of the rocker. "Sometimes I don't know how I got to be so lucky. Maybe someone up there is looking out for me after all." A comfortable silence descended upon them, punctuated by the occasional snuffle and mewling in her sleep from Stephanie. After a while, Mulder looked down - Scully had fallen asleep. He gathered her up in his arms and carried her to their bed, laying her down gently and bringing the covers up over her. He pushed away an errant strand of hair then kissed her cheek. "Night, Scully," he whispered, then he silently withdrew and made his way first to Sarah's bedroom and then back to the crib, just to check on his girls one last time before slipping into bed himself. The End
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