I - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
II - Stolen Moments
III - June
IV - Sam

BTW, as always, this is for you, grandma...

Distribution: Sure, I'd be honored. Just drop me a note so I can be happy... This and my other fanfics can be found on my website:

http://www.geocities.com/obsessionscorner/

September 25, 2002

I take a deep breath before entering the room, cradling Will closer to me. She's just as still as she was when I left the room, her stare distant. Will jumps from my side to the floor and into the bed before I tell him not to, but she's not disturbed, simply smiles at him sweetly.

"How's my big boy?" She asks him and he doesn't reply at first, putting his head over her swollen stomach for a minute.

"Is the baby comin' owut today?" He inquires her with a voice strained with worry.

"Yes, anytime now, sweetie." I can see as a contraction rips through her, but she keeps her face straight for Will's sake. They begun two hours ago and I begged her not to move, the memories of the pale body I found after Will's birth still haunting me.

"I want to see him, mom."

"Me too, Will." See says and kisses his forehead. Caressing his hair, she turns to me with inquisitive eyes.

I know what she's asking, though I don't have the answer she wants. "They don't know yet. They're trying, but there are no guarantees," I inform her and I hate the uncertainty in my voice. She needs this, but I don't know if we'll be able to satisfy her one wish.

She nods and pulls Will closer to her. Without words, I ask her if she wants me to take him to his room or even outside, but she declines. I think she wants to keep him close while she still can, even if it's just for a few minutes. In matter of hours, he is going to lose his status of only child and we still don't know how he's going to react.

He's been the perfect big brother wherever the baby is concerned, always caressing Scully's stomach and always worrying about everything. It could go either way, I think.

Scully's four centimeters dilated; to me that doesn't ring a bell, but she says it will still be awhile.

Walking slowly, I sit on the bed, careful not to disturb her, but she seems so peaceful most of the time anyone would feel tempted to forget that she's about to give birth.

There's a long known feeling down in my gut; I feel that she's not with her loved ones once again while she goes through the pains of child labor and I know it's my fault that she had to give that up to be here.

She grabs my hand where it rests on the comforter when a contraction hits. She calmly breathes in and out without even a drop of sweat breaking. Will looks at me with the face of a child and the wisdom of a thousand years and I smile to reassure him. After thirty seconds of my heart almost jumping out of my throat, she relaxes her grip and the pain in my hand finally registers. I can't even complain; God knows I'd give my left arm if it would alleviate her pain.

I remember watching her in the hospital right after Will's birth, her face pale and eyes closed in exhaustion. I'd promised myself that it would be the last time she'd suffer any pain because of me. It didn't take long for that to be just another entry on the long lists of promises I couldn't keep.

She doesn't know, but I filled the gas tank and left a change of clothes in the back of the SUV. I don't care if I die because of it, but if need be, she will get to a hospital.

"Stop worrying. Nothing will go wrong, Mulder." She's actually reassuring *me*. What kind of jerk am I? I capture her hand in mine and bring it to my lips.

"I'm not worrying. You're the one who'll have to do all the work." I try to tell her lightheartedly, but I can see it doesn't get through her sharp eyes.

"I'm serious, Mulder. Everything is going great, even better than I expected. The water broke out clear, without any blood and I'm four centimeters dilated already. I just need you to catch the little one in a few hours. Can you do it?" She asks with a smile and I can't help but feel slightly reassured by her words.

"Are you s--?"

"Yes, I'm sure, Mulder. I'm fine and this baby is going to be fine. Stop worrying or you'll worry William." The latter was already asleep on her side, snuggled into her left arm.

I nod at her and once again check the progress under the sheet covering her. My heart constricts when I see some blood and I feel all the worry resurfacing.

"There's some blood, Scully." I inform her with what I hope is a good attempt at keeping my voice calm.

"How much?"

"Not much." I say honestly. There are scattered spots on the sheet beneath her, but that's it.

"It's normal, Mul--" She is cut mid-sentence when another contraction hits. I reach my hand out for hers and she squishes it between her swollen fingers. This one lasts longer then the previous ones and I can see Scully doesn't expect it to last this long either. Once it's finally over, she diminishes the grip on my hand, but doesn't let it go.

Outside, the sun is setting leaving the sky a dark shade of pink. The autumn leaves are wheezing by creating some sort of soft and rusty melody.

I am afraid and I know Scully is too. With the night falling, it will be harder to notice anyone approaching.

For almost four months we've lived here and not one soul has ever come near the property. However, we don't know to which extent the power of those who want to hurt us can reach out.

Can they know this child is being born right now?

Can they know that another miracle child is coming to full existence?

Is there some prophecy out there that is telling someone of my second child?

More importantly, will anyone try to stop it?

Another hour, maybe, she tells me. The contractions are closer now. She says they don't hurt as much as the longer ones she was having before, but I don't know if she's just trying to be strong.

William is sleeping in his room after he woke up with a moan of pain from Scully. It was hell to convince him that she was safe and that everything would be alright; perhaps it was because he felt my fear as well. He finally fell asleep in his small bed clutched to his pillow.

She doesn't want any more water and she says she can't eat anything because it would make matters worse. I'm afraid she'll be too weak when time comes, but she appears to gain more strength with each passing second.

I stare out the window but all I see is darkness. The sun has completely set and the new moon offers no illumination whatsoever.

"I'm sorry, Scully."

"Don't be, Mulder."

I turn to face her and she seems tired now. Not exhausted, but I see she has let the mask drop just a little bit.

"Come here," she calls to me and I comply, walking in the direction of the bed.

She urges me to sit next to her. "We've talked about this already, but I'll do it again and again until I have convinced you completely; I don't care if I do it all of my life. I am where I want to be; I'm with who I want to be. You're my life, Mulder, and William and this baby are miracles that wouldn't exist without you."

I don't think I deserve her. I never thought I did. Sometimes, I'm even sure of it. Right now is one of those times.

I bend over and touch my lips lightly to hers. She responds to it by pressing our lips closer. The kiss stops when she has to purse her lips to breathe out slowly as another contraction storms through her.

Sometime between breaths she hisses out, "I think it's just a matter of minutes, Mulder."

I help her sit up against the pillows we placed behind her on the headboard and she clutches the bed comforter in a death grip.

As her breathing becomes regular again I realize the contraction is coming to an end.

Leaving her side for a second, I rush down to the kitchen to retrieve the sterilized scissors, improvised clamps and towels.

This isn't going to work. We're not in the Middle Ages. She should be in a hospital with monitors with *actually* sterilized material and a competent medical staff taking care of her.

No. Everything will work out fine. If there was ever a time for positive thinking, it is now.

I start to rush up the stairs taking two steps at a time while balancing everything I'm carrying when I hear the sound of a car approaching. I place the towels down and run to the closet under the stairs. I find the box where my gun is locked and my trembling fingers take a while to open it.

Running to the front door, I pull the curtain next to the door aside and try to see far out. I sigh relieved when I see a familiar form jump out of a sedan and run towards the house.

I open the door and embrace the woman I barely know yet owe so much to. I notice her surprise and discomfort and let her go.

"Is anything wrong?" She asks and I put my weapon on my back as I go towards the stairs.

"The baby's coming. She says it's time." I inform her a little breathless. "Monica, thank God you got here. Where are they?"

"They're trying." She says without much certainty. "How is she?"

"Trying to be brave for my sake. It's partly my fault for being so worried, but mostly is the old Scully pride." I bend down to retrieve the towels and the scissors.

"William?" Monica asks me as we reach the top of the stairs.

"Asleep." I say and move in direction of the main room. I can now hear Scully's breaths on the hallway and worry creeps up within me.

"Monica!" Scully practically yells as she sees her.

"Hey, Agent Scully, I have a slight sense of deja vu, wouldn't you say?" Monica says calmly and I wonder how she can be that calm.

"You can drop the Agent, you know that, Monica." Another contraction hits and this time Scully's frown continues even after the pain eases.

Monica removes the sheet that barely covers Scully's lower half. I go to Scully's side and place the towels and scissors next to her before reaching out to brush her hair out of her eyes.

"Mulder," Monica calls out from the end of the bed and I walk slowly to her, afraid of what she might say before I see her smile. "Look," She says and points to the sheets stained with a small amount of blood.

It takes awhile for me to realize she's not pointing to the sheets but to the small head that is only slightly visible. "I see a head, Scully! There's a head!" I inform her excitedly.

Scully chuckles through her tired haze, "There usually is, Mulder."

"Don't you have to -- I don't know, push?" I ask, completely forgetting everything she told me would happen.

"Dana needs to wait for another contraction. But now is only a matter of time," Monica tells me before turning to Scully, "It seems better than the first time." She comments and Scully nods.

"It is. The pain is easier to control."

"Less blood too, Dana. Just relax and push, okay?"

Monica gets up and walks into the bathroom. I hear the water run and a sound of scrubbing as well. When she returns, her sleeves are pulled up and on her elbows. She goes back to the end of the bed and continues to talk to Scully.

I watch them talk and I'm hit with the strength of the bond between these women, a bond I knew existed but never had the time to fully understand or know its magnitude.

Monica places her hand on Scully's bare knee and reassures my tired half.

Before I notice another contraction is approaching, Monica is already telling Scully to push.

Scully's breath becomes errant even though I see she's trying to control it. I half-hear Monica's voice talking to Scully because my entire mind is on easing Scully's pain. I once again brush her hair away from her face and I place my arm on her back to help her push. It seems to do the trick and I see she doesn't need to use so much strength this way.

I catch her when she relaxes; she falls slumped against my arm, completely out of breath.

"You've done great, Dana. Just one more push, okay? Relax for now."

"Do you need anything, Scully? Water, ice, anything?" I ask her, not sure she's even listening.

"No. Just hold me. Please, just stay here." Her voice is calm, but deep. The words seem strange coming out of her mouth; her convictions slightly altered by fear and pain.

"I'm not going anywhere." I reassure her and kiss her temple. I feel her tensing up and I help her to sit up a little bit higher before she starts to push once again.

I continue to support her with my arm, but it appears she's more aware and strong now than she was five seconds ago. She takes one deep breath and pushes with so much strength that I'm afraid she's going to pass out.

She doesn't, instead letting out a high-pitched shriek that fills the room completely until another sound joins in, this time an infant cry.

She almost falls to the side, but luckily is the side I'm on and I catch her and help her back on the pillows.

The crying continues and I never heard a happier sound. I look at Monica and I see she has tears in her eyes. She looks up and smiles at me and Scully, then looks down at the mass of red I see in her arms.

It takes a moment until I notice that the red mess is moving and screaming. Five seconds later, I'm even sober enough to realize it is a boy and that Monica is asking me to help her.

A quick look towards Scully reveals that she's half- asleep, and she looks like the half might become fully any time now.

"Hold him," Monica says and hands me the child.

Not the child, my son.

My newborn son.

I do as asked and hold him while Monica goes to get the scissors and clamps. She hands me the metallic pair and presses the clamps to the umbilical cord, pressing tight in two places leaving a short length in between.

"Cut in the middle," she tells me and once again I oblige. My son's chubby and tiny arms cling to me as he settles down a little. I take a look at the bloody sheets, which now also hold a yellowish goo. "It's the placenta."

I nod, remembering only now what Scully had explained would happen. "How was it?"

Monica reaches out a hand to touch my arm. "Amazing. She was great and more relaxed than during William's birth, Mulder; less loss of blood, less exhaustion. Don't worry."

"Mulder--" Scully groans from the bed.

I walk to her, holding my--our son. I place him in her arms, but I still support him slightly to help her.

"It's a boy." She says with a smile.

"Yeah. William has a brother." As if waiting for a cue, my now eldest son cocks his head on the door rubbing his eyes.

"Aunt Mon'ka!" He yelps and runs towards Monica. She catches him and holds him to her hip, kissing him before showing him the baby on Scully's arms.

"Look, Will! You have a brother." Monica tells him and he doesn't even react.

"What's wrong, Will?" I ask him and he just giggles and hides his face in Monica's neck.

"Can't tell... Secwet." He says and giggles again.

"You can tell us, Will." I try to sound relaxed, but my paranoid nerves have already registered the word secret.

"'knew it was a boy. They told me it was a boy and his name would be Samwuel. It mewans asked of God, Dad."

My eyes meet Scully's, but hers are serene. "Come here, sweetie," She beckons Will and Monica puts him down.

"You 'kay, Mom?" He asks when he takes all of Scully in.

"I'm great, Will. Come say 'hi' to your little brother."

I pick him up and put him on the bed. At first he seems afraid and he clings close to me. The baby opens his eyes slightly and lets out a yawn before closing them again. That seems to do the trick and Will starts giggling.

"Hi, Sam? I think you're tiwed. I am tiwed too. I'll let you sleep, but our mommy wants me to say hi. So, hi." He bends down and kisses Scully on the cheek before jumping back to the floor.

Monica carries the towels to the bathroom and she signals to me when she's back.

"Dana, we need to wash the baby. Why don't you rest awhile?"

Scully nods but doesn't let go of the baby. I reassure her silently and she lets go of him. I cradle him closer and move to the bathroom with Monica. She's filled the sink with warm water and she takes the baby from me and washes him thoroughly as if she'd done it several times before.

"Once again I have to thank you for bringing a son of mine to the world."

She smiles and looks at me, "I just felt I needed to be here. Call it intuition; I just had to drive here as fast as I could. I got lost, but amidst complete darkness, there was a light."

"There always is," I tell her as she hands me my now clean son. "Always."

I wake up to a rhythmic knock and then hushed voices. I open my eyes to see that is morning already and that Scully is awake already, looking at our newborn son who sleeps between us.

"You okay?" I ask her and she nods.

"I'm fine. Woke up a couple minutes ago - I was just... I don't know, contemplating life, I guess." *and death, and everything in between*, I hear her mentally add. Or maybe it's just me and my twisted psyche.

"Another regular morning, huh?" I tell her with a grin and she grins back.

"Dana!" Comes a voice from the doorway and I look up to find Mrs. Scully there.

"Mom," Scully starts and she sits up, not without flinching as the pains from the previous night come back to hunt her. I sit up as well and adjust the pillows behind her. "You came... I was afraid they wouldn't be able to get to you."

"Agent Doggett found me in the airport; I was going to visit Bill. Dana, I was so worried, and Agent Doggett wouldn't tell me anything."

"Mom," Scully says trying to get her mother's attention and I can hear the tears in her voice.

Mrs. Scully opens her mouth to continue to speak when the baby starts crying. She gasps once she sees him.

"God, Dana, why didn't you tell me?" Mrs. Scully asks even though she already knows the answer. This woman will never stop amazing me; her harsh voice can terrify anyone yet it can also inspire love no matter what. I never thought she would accept Scully's decisions or her involvement with me; she never truly did, but yet here she is, anger and worry melting away as she sees the sight of her newborn grandchild.

"Does..." She begins to say, but her voice gets lost amongst her emotions. "Have you chosen on a name?" She finally asks.

"Samuel," Scully replies and looks at me. I nod at her; what other name could we choose? "Samuel David."

"Oh, it's beautiful, Dana. He's beautiful."

In slow albeit steady steps, she approaches the bed and reaches out for the baby. Scully helps our son into his grandmother's arms and the vision is so beautiful; the only vision I can see challenging this one is of Scully herself holding him.

I get up from the bed to give Mrs. Scully some privacy with the baby and her daughter.

On the threshold to the bedroom I can see Monica and Doggett watching the scene and they seem as transfixed by it as I am.

"Thank you," I say to the man who made this moment possible. To bring Mrs. Scully here, he put himself in danger, but he doesn't seem any different by it.

"She deserved it," it's his answer and I wonder if he is referring to Mrs. Scully or Scully, but I don't ask. They both =did= deserve it.

"John!" Scully exclaims as she sees Doggett. He looks at me then enters the room, leaving just Reyes as my company on the hall. Just then, I hear a door creak and I look to Will's room to find his curious eyes looking up at me. Realizing I'd seen him, he opens the door completely and walks out uncertain.

"Come here, big boy," I say as I open my arms to him. He comes straight into them and I pick him up. "There's someone who's going to love to see you."

I walk with him to the door and I can feel his excitement when he sees who's inside the room. He wiggles down from my arms into the floor and runs to his grandmother.

For a second I was afraid he wouldn't remember her; he was just a baby the last time he saw her. Hell, he's still a baby now, but I'm certainly glad he hasn't forgotten one of the most important people in his life.

I see that the baby is now on Doggett's arms and he's holding the baby comfortably. Sometimes I forget he once had a son. Will runs into Mrs. Scully's open arms and she showers him with kisses. I even see a tear run down her cheek before Will brushes it away with his small hands.

Monica has also entered the room and she's now by Doggett's side, cooing at the baby while she touches her partner's shoulder. My son yawns loudly and they both laugh.

Amidst it all, my eyes meet Scully's who is still sitting quietly on the bed, smiling for all she's worth.

I can't give her a normal life. I can't promise that she'll always be around the people she loves when she needs them. There are so many people missing here - Skinner, The Lone Gunmen, Melissa, even Samantha -, people who can't be with us today, whether by circumstances or death.

But right now I can't help but feel a little glint of hope in our future. We have our friends and family here; we have our two sons in safety.

Giving up normalcy gave us each other. I can't ever truly regret that.

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