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Title: The First Christmas Summary: Mulder and Scully take some time out to enjoy the holiday Author's notes: A big thank you to Char for her friendship, notes and encouragement this year. Thanks to Aly for giving my stories a home. And special thanks to my "twisted" Sisters - I had a great time this year yammering away with you ladies.
Mulder looked up from the morning paper. He could hear the scrape of her slippered feet across the carpet. "Why are you up so early?" he whispered, smiling indulgently as she stood in the doorway sleepily rubbing her eyes. She was adorable, swathed in fleecy pajamas, her auburn hair tumbling messily around her shoulders. His heart tripped with love at the sight of her. He held out a hand and she crawled into his lap, a drowsy, warm bundle. She tucked her face into his neck and he rubbed his chin against her hair. He loved times like this - when she would settle limply against him before she was up and running around for the day. His hand slid over her hair and he wrapped his arms around her diminutive form, cuddling her close. He reached around her to lift his coffee mug and she stirred, holding out her hands for the cup. He frowned. "Just a sip," he warned, holding the mug up to her lips. She cupped small hands over his and tilted the mug, taking a tiny sip of the hot liquid. "Mmmm," she sighed, sinking back down onto his shoulder. He grinned. "I could switch to decaf," he offered. "What's the point? It's not really coffee without the caffeine," she told him. Scully shifted, settling herself more comfortably in his lap. "So what's the plan for today?" she asked around a yawn. "Well," Mulder said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "It's still early, but I was thinking breakfast first and then we could go get a tree." Scully's head popped up from his shoulder. "A tree?" she echoed. "A Christmas tree," he clarified. "Yeah, Mulder, I got that." She shook her head. "You want a tree?" Her face showed surprise. "I haven't put a tree up since the year Daddy died," she told him. "It's only two days until Christmas and I thought it was time we started making our own traditions," he told her. "Besides," he laid his hand over her swollen belly. "We'll want to have a Christmas with all the trimmings for her next year." "Or him," Scully reminded. "So this is what?" Scully asked. "A test run?" Mulder cupped her face in his hands. "No," he told her. "This is our first Christmas." It was exactly the right thing to say, Scully thought as she drew him down to her kiss. "Come on," he said, setting her on her feet and glancing at the clock. "We still have time to go back to bed for another hour or so before we have to get ready to leave." "But I'm wide awake now," Scully protested as he pulled her along behind him. "I'm counting on that," he said as his gaze slid hotly over her. Her eyes widened and she hurried to keep up with him.
"So where do you want to go to get our tree?" Mulder asked her across the table in a crowded diner a couple of hours later. "I know there's a tree farm about 45 minutes from here." Scully looked up from where she had been pouring syrup over a mound of fluffy pancakes. "I think you need to go a couple of weeks ahead of time to tag a tree, Mulder," she told him. "Most of the good trees are probably already tagged." She popped a forkful of pancakes into her mouth and closed her eyes, moaning appreciatively as the syrup, melted butter and pancakes slid over her tastebuds. Swallowing she lifted her teacup to her lips and eyed him over the rim. "When we were kids," she said as she sipped her tea, "we always bought our trees at a lot." "You bought your tree from a lot?" Mulder cried in mock horror. "Oh, Scully," he said, shaking his head despairingly. "Shut up, Mulder," she reprimanded gently. Scully propped her chin on her hand and thought back. "Everyone wants to go cut down their own tree now," she said. "But...I don't know Mulder. There's something to be said for buying one at a city lot." Her eyes were distant, reminiscing. "They usually have Christmas music piped in and it--oh it smells so good!" Mulder smiled and waited patiently as she continued. "And most people are in a good mood, the kids are so excited and running around through the trees...it has its good points," she shrugged. They finished eating and Mulder helped her to her feet. "Come on, Mrs. Mulder," he said, tucking her scarf snuggly under her chin. "Let's go get our tree."
"No, Mulder," she said emphatically. "Come on, Scully," he pleaded. "This is my first Christmas tree. I think I should get to pick it!" "Absolutely," she agreed. "Pick another one." "But...this one is perfect," he protested. "Look at it! It's...it's...majestic!" "Mulder, it's too big. We'll never get it through the door and I don't even want to think about how long it will take to decorate something that size!" She shook her head. Mulder looked back at his tree, reluctant to let it go. "But it's so..." he waved his hand around to make his point. "Bigger isn't always better," she sniffed dismissively, turning to walk down the next row of trees on the lot. "That's not what you said last night!" he called after her softly. Scully kept her face carefully turned away from him, hiding her smile. Two little boys burst from between the trees. Twins, perhaps seven years old, both had dark caps of unruly hair, blue eyes and a smattering of freckles across their cheeks. "Sorry, lady," they called in unison as they raced around, almost plowing into her. She reached out her hands to steady them and grinned at Mulder when they ran off again. Mulder rolled his eyes. "You're sure there's only one in there, right Scully?" he asked, nodding toward her rounded belly. Her grin widened. "Just one," she said reassuringly, laughing when he blew out a relieved breath. It had begun to snow lightly as they wandered through the rows of trees. Mulder trailed along behind her, watching as she occasionally stopped to strip off a glove to run her hand over the branches of a tree that caught her eye, testing for freshness. Scully paused and took a deep breath, enjoying the fragrance of the pine trees and the sharpness of the cold winter air. She was startled when Mulder ducked his head under the floppy brim of her hat to steal a kiss. "You're so pretty," he whispered, stroking a gloved thumb over her cheek before leaning back down to taste her again. Lifting his head, he pulled her against his chest. "Hey, Scully," he murmured. "How about that one?" She turned to look at the tree behind her and reached out to touch the soft needles of the Douglas fir. Mulder wrapped his arms around her, resting his hands over her protruding stomach. "What do you think?" he asked softly. They both jumped as the baby moved and began kicking vigorously. Scully winced, rubbing her hands over her belly. "I guess it's unanimous," she told him. Mulder grinned and pulled the tag off the tree, stooping to get one more kiss from her before strolling off to pay for the tree.
Back at home, Scully plunged her arms between the fragrant boughs of the tree, holding it steady while Mulder secured it into the stand. Scully had only saved a few sentimental ornaments and so they had spent the latter part of the morning shopping for lights and decorations for the tree. Standing in the store, they had debated the merits of colored tree lights versus tiny white lights. "The white lights are pretty," Scully said slowly. "But I think we should get the others. The baby will enjoy the bright colors next year." Mulder nodded decisively and dropped four boxes of lights into their cart. They selected boxes of bright balls, glittering ornaments and beautiful crystal icicles. Scully added strands of beads and several rolls of ribbons to the cart. "No tinsel?" Mulder asked. Scully wrinkled her nose and he put the box of shredded silver foil back onto the shelf. They rounded a corner and came upon a display of Hanukkah items. Scully touched a brass menorah with gentle fingers and lifted questioning eyes to Mulder. "What about this?" she asked, tracing the intricate scrollwork at the base of the candleholder. "Scully it's been years..." Mulder began. "I haven't put up a tree in years," she reminded him. "No," he said. "Its not who I am." "But it was part of you at one time," she protested. "It's part of who our baby will be." Mulder shook his head. "Scully, I believe in God," he told her. "But faith - organized religion - that's you. That's important to you." He settled his hand on her sweater-covered stomach. "We'll raise her Catholic. I believe it is important for a child to be raised in faith and tradition. My parents never really practiced their faiths. That is something you can give her." Scully smiled and pressed her lips softly to his. She lifted a box of miniature gold dreidels. "I think they'll make nice ornaments," she told him. He sighed in exasperation and let her have her way. Now she glanced down to where Mulder was sprawled, the upper half of his body buried beneath the tree. "Is it straight?" he called as he tightened the stand around the trunk. She stepped back and eyed the tree critically. "It looks fine to me," she said, gingerly lowering herself to the floor. Mulder crawled out from beneath the tree, his hair ruffled and his face a little sweaty from his efforts of wrestling the tree into the house and then into the stand. "Santa came early this year. He left just what I always wanted under the tree," she murmured, eyeing his disheveled form with a hungry look. Mulder's eyes widened in surprise and a delighted grin broke out over his face. He crawled across the floor to her and carefully pushed her onto her back. "I've never been someone's Christmas wish before," he smiled. "You've been my wish for the last seven years. You just didn't know it until now," she replied. Scully lifted her hands to brush some stray pine needles from his hair and he lowered his face to hers. His lips moved gently, softly over hers before her mouth turned greedy. She parted her lips beneath his and her tongue darted out to touch his. Mulder moaned and curled his arms under her, supporting her back and arching her off the floor. They kissed hungrily and she broke away to trail her lips along his jaw, her tongue sliding moistly over the soft skin on the underside. Mulder sat back and pulled her upright. "The tree," he reminded her hoarsely. She nodded reluctantly and he helped her to her feet.
The spent the afternoon decorating their first Christmas tree. The soft strains of Christmas music floated across the room from the CD player as they strung the lights. Scully stood back and supervised Mulder as he draped the beads on the tree. She had tried to do it herself but not only could she not reach the uppermost branches of the tree, her protruding belly threatened to topple the whole thing when she stepped too close. "Whoa!" Mulder had cried as he lunged forward gripping her arm with one hand and grabbing the trunk of the tree with the other. She blew out a frustrated breath and stepped back from the tree, her hands planted on her hips. "Don't pout," Mulder said as he leaned down and slid his tongue over the exposed lining of her lower lip. He took a strand of beads from her hands. "Tell you what," he suggested. "I'll do this and you can supervise." She made a disgruntled sound but stood back and swept one hand toward the tree, inviting him to take over. After he had looped the beads around the tree to Scully's satisfaction, they began to unpack the ornaments they had purchased. Scully dug around in the hall closet and dragged out a small box of holiday ornaments that she had saved. She carefully lifted out one ornament and held it up by its ribbon for Mulder's perusal. "I made this in Brownies," she informed him. Mulder grinned at the floppy felt ears and rolling plastic eyes glued to a red Christmas ball. "Cute dog." She swatted his arm and proudly hung the ball on one of the lower branches. She pulled out a dozen other ornaments that she had saved over the years, mementos of her childhood, and they hung them amid their newer decorations. Scully fashioned a large bow from the sheer, iridescent white ribbon they had purchased. Mulder fastened it to the uppermost branch, allowing the long, trailing ends to tumble down the sides of the tree and Scully threaded the ribbons through the pine boughs. She heaved a tired sigh and surveyed the carnage surrounding them. Empty boxes and bags littered the room and tiny pine needles were scattered across the carpet. "Why don't you lay down for a while and I'll clean all of this up," Mulder offered. Scully brushed a wisp of hair out of her eyes. "I'm alright," she told him. "We'll get done faster if I help." Mulder led her to the sofa and urged her to sit down. "Get off of your feet for a little while," he ordered. She opened her mouth to protest but she really was very tired. "Don't let me sleep too long," she asked as she slipped off her shoes. "I won't," he promised drawing a soft cotton blanket over her as she stretched out on the cushions. He woke her an hour later and she went into the kitchen to help him prepare dinner. They were both too tired to cook anything elaborate and Mulder heated soup while Scully made thick ham and cheese sandwiches. They discussed their holiday plans while they ate. They had decided to spend a quiet Christmas Eve alone in their new house but agreed to go to Scully's mother's house for dinner. Scully walked over to the pantry and began pushing cans and boxes aside as she searched for something. "Ahhh," she crowed, pulling out a box. She brought it over to the table and lifted the lid with great ceremony. "Cookies!" Mulder exclaimed. "When did you bake?" Scully snorted. "I didn't. Mom sent these over a few weeks ago. I hid them so you wouldn't eat them all before Christmas," she said as she peeled back the protective plastic wrap to reveal an assortment of Margaret Scully's finest baking. Mulder lifted a golden brown chocolate chip cookie and took a bite. "Are those peanut butter cookies?" he asked pointing in the box. "I don't think so," Scully said as she bit into a star-shaped cookie dusted with red sugar. "Those are molasses cookies," she told him. "These," she said pointing to another cookie, "are the peanut butter." Mulder jumped up and pulled a carton of milk out of the refrigerator and brought it back to the table with two glasses. Later, their stomachs pleasantly full, they finished cleaning up the kitchen and then went into the other room. They sank down onto the sofa. The room was dark with the exception of the softly glowing Christmas tree. "This is nice," Scully said, securely wrapped in Mulder's arms. "Mmmm," he agreed, humming contentedly against her hair. They sat in silence for a time, quietly enjoying each other's nearness. After Mulder's return they had vowed to make time for small moments of normalcy. They knew they would never fit the definition of the perfect American family with 2.5 kids, a dog and a house in the suburbs, yet they were determined to provide as normal a life as they could for the child now nestled safe and warm beneath Scully's heart. Scully was studying the tree through hooded eyes when her head popped up from Mulder's shoulder. "I almost forgot!" she exclaimed. "I bought you something today." She struggled to her feet and went in search of her purse. Finding it, she dug through its contents, pulling out a small bag with a satisfied smile. "It's just a little something," she cautioned, holding out the package. Mulder opened the bag and pulled out an object wrapped in tissue paper. He carefully peeled away the layers of tissue to reveal a fragile, porcelain ornament. The words 'Our First Christmas' and the year were hand-painted in delicate strokes across the bottom of the ornament. "I bought it when you were in the back of the store ogling the train sets," she explained. Mulder stood and caught her hand with one of his own. "I know the perfect spot for it," he said, pulling her with him across the room. Scully frowned in confusion as they walked past the Christmas tree and began to climb the steps to the second floor. "Mulder?" she asked. "Wherever are we going?" He drew her into their bedroom. "Ohhh," Scully breathed. There in one corner stood a tree - perhaps three feet in height - its roots wrapped in a burlap bag and a bright red bow. Its limbs sparkled with twinkling white lights and tiny red bows. "It's beautiful," she declared, touching the branches with gentle fingers. "When did you get it?" "I saw it when I went to pay for our tree," he told her. "It was already decorated and I had one of the kids put it in the car. I brought it inside when you were napping." He glanced toward the tree and then back at her. "I thought we could plant it near the fence in the yard later." She smiled in delight at the sight of the tiny tree. "Thank you." Mulder hooked the ornament onto one of the branches where it glittered amid the tiny white lights. He smiled down at her and she rose up on her toes, linking her arms around his neck. His lips roved over her face before moving to claim her mouth. He groaned and deepened the kiss. Cupping her face between his large hands, he gently bit her lip. Scully shuddered, arching closer to him. Mulder led her to the bed and tugged her sweater over her head. She reached out with trembling fingers and began to unfasten the buttons of his shirt, pushing it from his shoulders. She leaned closer and pressed her mouth to his chest, breathing in his scent. Mulder slid the elastic waistband of her pants over her hips and she placed one hand on his shoulder as he knelt to ease her pants down and off her legs. "Sit down," he directed, guiding her to the bed. She rested on the edge of the high mattress, her feet dangling above the floor. Mulder climbed onto the bed behind her and his hands settled warmly on her shoulders. He began to gently knead the muscles of her neck and shoulders. A sigh of pleasure escaped her as his hands moved over her back. With the exception of the morning sickness she had suffered during her first trimester, Scully had felt wonderful for most of her pregnancy. However, over the last few weeks, she had begun to feel the strain of the growing baby in her lower back. Mulder rose up on his knees behind her and slid his hands down to the small of her back, kneading and rubbing the aching muscles. Scully dropped her head back against his chest and gave him an upside down smile of gratitude. Mulder dropped a kiss onto her upturned lips and sat back down on the mattress, his legs splayed on either side of hers. He spread the fingers of one hand along her jaw, turning and tilting her face up, his mouth settling hotly on hers. He released the catch of her bra with nimble fingers and gently lifted the heavy weight of her swollen breasts in his hands, carefully avoiding the over-sensitive nipples. His fingers stroked delicate patterns over her newly ample flesh and he buried his lips against her shoulder. Scully shivered and dropped her head to one side and Mulder gently bit down on the tendon running along the side of her neck. "So beautiful," he breathed, sliding his hands across her burgeoning belly, eager fingers slipping beneath her underwear, seeking the damp heat between her legs. She moaned and turned her head toward him again, greedily seeking his mouth. She curled one arm over his head, her fingers burying themselves in his hair anchoring him in place as her mouth devoured his. The fingers of her other hand clutched his leg as she lifted her hips eagerly into his caressing hands. Her breathing came in ragged pants; she trembled and cried out, collapsing against him in blissful exhaustion. Mulder ran soothing hands over the soft skin of her thighs and stomach, calming and quieting her until the trembling stopped. "Okay?" he asked. "Hmmm," she sighed, rolling her head against his chest and pressing a kiss onto his shoulder. He eased her back against the pillows and sprawled out next to her. Her eyes drifted closed and she struggled against the sleep her sated body was demanding. Scully could feel the heaviness of his arousal through the thick material of his jeans. She stroked searching fingers over the fly of his jeans and his hips jerked forward at her touch. She grasped the tab of his zipper between her thumb and forefinger and his hand settled over hers, stopping her. "No," he whispered. "Why not?" she asked, looking up at him. The soft light of the Christmas tree played over his face. She could see the tight set of his jaw as he struggled for control. "Not tonight," he said, easing her hand away from his body. "Don't...don't you want to..." she asked hesitantly, confusion evident in her voice. "God, yes!" he groaned, burying his face in her hair. She wiggled her hand between their bodies, stroking her thumb over the hard ridge of his erection. He gasped and crushed her hand in his. "Stop!" She looked hurt and he skimmed one hand over her cheek. "It's been a long day," he explained. "A few minutes ago, you could barely keep your eyes open." "I'm awake now," she said, widening her eyes. "I can wait, Scully," he said huskily. "Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we have no plans other than to spend them alone, here in our house." He reached under the pillows and pulled out her pajamas. Drawing her up into a sitting position, he eased her arms through the sleeves and buttoned the fleecy top over her expanding stomach. He glanced at the pajama bottoms; frowned and let them fall to the floor next to the bed. "But..." she protested. He quickly shed his jeans and socks and pulled the blankets over them both. He drew her down onto the pillows, curling up behind her and sliding one muscled leg between her soft thighs. "Go to sleep, Scully," he whispered in her ear. "I want you well-rested tomorrow," he murmured suggestively. She shivered and pulled his arm tightly around her. "I love you, Mulder," she vowed softly. "Love you too baby." "My little tree is beautiful," she yawned. "Thank you." "You're welcome," he said, nuzzling her ear. She snuggled closer to him, pushing her ass into the cradle of his hips. "Good night, Mulder," she slurred sleepily. "Merry Christmas, Scully." The End End Notes: Most people who read my stories know that I usually revel in angst. This was a rare attempt at writing happy. I wanted to extend my deepest thanks to everyone who has taken a moment to write to me to let me know that they have enjoyed one of my stories. You'll never really know how much it means to me. I want to wish you all a very happy holiday season and a blessed New Year! Tess
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