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Title: Why is My Middle Name Ellen? Summary: Most Christian children have middle names and Meg Mulder is as curious as any other child. MULDER-SCULLY RESIDENCE It was hard to believe that Meg was turning five tomorrow. All the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, arrangements for Christmas dinner, and trying to think of something to choose a birthday present for the girl were stressful to the family. To top it off, Samantha Ann was jealous, and William, unusually was trying his hardest to study math. He had managed quite well until he skipped a few classes, and his mother had given him a stern lecture about that. They made peace, at least. Mulder made sure of that. School was out for two weeks for Will and the birthday girl, and Mulder and Scully as well. Samantha Ann was allowed time away from pre- school. Mulder had found her easy to handle as Scully was still hunting for presents and planning for Bill, Tara, little Matthew and the family dinner. Of course, Mandy and Alison were quite busy working overtime for who they referred to as "the whole darn city" in separate department stores. After breakfast was over, Mulder wanted to go over a few files. Will planned on meeting two friends to make money shovelling snow. It was going to Meg and Daddy time while Mom did some last minute errands. Well, at least until Meg blocked her on the way out the door. "What's up, honey? We're out of a few things and I have a lot of food to buy and other things." "I have a question, Mommy. Why is my middle name Ellen?" "Can this wait? It's snowy and the stores and roads are going to take time." Meg could be stubborn sometimes and refused to yield. "C'mon. Please?" Scully asked. "Okay, but I really wanna know. After lunch?" "Sure." Scully tied her scarf and kissed the girl and her sister, as well as Mulder. "I should be back by noon." "Don't worry," Mulder softly replied. "Drive carefully. You know I can cook." "Yeah," the woman snickered and was gone. By the time she returned, Scully was surprised that lunch was actually on the table, and a nutritious one at that. As she busily stocked the shelves and managed to sneak a few last minute packages into hiding without Meg seeing, she sat down at the table. "Just like five years ago, Mulder. The roads are a mess." "Well, for the first time in years, your loving husband got ahead of the game." That brought a smile to Scully's face. "There's a first time for everything!" "Uh oh, here comes Meg." "Mom, I really wanna know... " "Okay. After lunch. Don't give me a hard time. Let's just sit down and eat. After, lunch, please and thank you." "All right." Mulder smiled. "Don't look at me. She's been after me, too." AFTER LUNCH The three sat in the living room and got down to business. Mulder began, "You know you were born just before Christmas, right?" "Yes, Daddy, and I know you brought me into the world." "Okay." Scully was glowing with pride. "I gave you Ellen as a middle name for two reasons." "Because I was almost born on Jesus' birthday?" "Well, not exactly. I went to school with a girl with that name, and it seemed to make sense. You see, people's names sometimes have meanings. Many people name babies after relatives or friends. My Mom's name is Margaret, and Meg is short form for that. Someone gave me a baby name book for the baby shower when I was expecting you. After you were born, your Daddy and I decided Ellen suited you." "And it did," Mulder added. "You see, it means light or bright. You'll learn other things about someone named Helen in high school Greek History." "Like what, Daddy?" Little girl Meg's eyes were sparkling now. Scully hugged the girl tightly. "You'll see, That's enough learning for now." "Okay." "Well, since it's stopped snowing now, you can put on your boots, coat, hat and mittens and play in the snow. Only three inches." "Yay! Can Daddy help me build a snowman?" Mulder laughed. "Hey, Mommy, wanna come out too?" "I think I'll pass and watch the kids play. You must have done that as a kid." "Can't remember." "Yes, you do. Have some fun. You are a kid at heart and I know it!" END Author's Note: Helen, also known A "Helen of Troy", was a Greek mythological woman, daughter of Greek god Zeus and Goddess Leda. Her kidnapping by Paris was the cause of the Trojan war.
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