Christmas 2013

The Family Meets William

Part 8

by Trycee

Time-Line: Christmas 2013

Disclaimer: I do not own the X-files, this is written for fun not profit.

Scully awoke on Mulder's chest. She looked around and noticed the clock read 4.50 am. She peeled herself off of him and then scooted herself up towards his ear. In the years since they'd become a couple, Mulder had become a seriously hard-to-wake sleeper. She whispered into his ear, "Mulder, get up!"

Mulder dug even deeper into the covers. Scully sighed. "Mulder, it's Christmas morning and in just an hour there will be a house full of people. GET UP!"

Mulder opened one eye. "Scully, you wanna fool around?", he said, half out of it.

"It's Christmas, Mulder!"

Knowing her hands were cold, Scully placed her hand on his stomach. Mulder bolted up immediately.

"Scully!", he yelled. "Your hands are like buckets of ice!"

"Great, now you're up. Get showered and dressed!', she said with a smile, heading towards the bathroom.

After coming out of her bedroom, Scully pressed the button on the Keurig and waited for Mulder to roll out of the bedroom. The lights were off with only the Christmas tree lighting the living room but she could still see William asleep on the couch; he'd somehow ended up asleep by the tree during the night. She smiled to herself remembering how as a child, SHE would be the one who would fall asleep near the tree. Mulder kissed Scully's cheek as she handed him a cup of coffee. "It's five freaking something in the morning, Scully," he grumbled.

"And a Merry Christmas to you too!", she said, sarcastically.

Mulder huffed but she gazed up into his eyes and he smiled. "You're so gorgeous," he said, looking at her dressed in a soft downy sweater and pants. He couldn't resist as he pushed the strand out of her face, which was impeding his view. She smiled a full wattage-Scully smile at him and his heart melted. "Incredibly gorgeous," he smiled. "What more could I want for Christmas?", he said, turning to walk towards the sofa.

Mulder stopped in his tracks when he saw William in his red pajamas sleeping on the couch with a blanket thrown over him with his bare feet sticking out. "He's so beautiful..."

"I can't believe its our first Christmas with him," Scully said, coming to stand by his side. "It doesn't seem real, does it?"

"No," Mulder said, in awe. He sat down beside him and then William stirred.

"Is it time to open the gifts?", He said, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Mulder and Scully gazed at one another. "Close," Mulder stated. "But, I would get up if I were you unless you want your Uncle and Aunts sitting on you."

William shot up from the couch but then looked around. "They're not even here yet. Awl, I have time," and then laid back down.

Scully chuckled. "He's your son!"

Mulder laughed. "That he is," he said, proudly looking him over.

Scully stared up at the UFO Tree Topper as it spun and flashed blue, green and red lights on down to what looked like a sea of gifts under the tree and it struck her at the beauty of it all. "This moment right now," she said, looking at her small family. "Has to be my favorite moment," she said to Mulder who was highlighted by the flashing UFO lights.

Scully could hear Patrick and Junior and their wives stirring in the upstairs attic guest room and she watched as the house light up from the car lights as they pulled into the snowy driveway. Scully sat down next to Mulder just as the front door flew open and a cheery-eyed Maggie Scully entered along with a drowsy Bill and Tara and Matthew, Amy and Baby Christine who was asleep in her mother's arms. Maggie hugged her daughter. "Merry Christmas Dana! Merry Christmas Fox!"

"You forgot me!", William said, peeking out from under his blanket.

"Not a chance," Maggie said, lifting him up and sitting him against her lap. She wrapped her arms around him and William laid his head on her shoulder, placing his blanket around him as he tried to get in a few more winks. Maggie was up making more coffee and so William scooted over to Mulder and laid his head on his father's shoulder. Despite the crowd of people around him, William kept his eyes closed. Mulder sipped on his coffee and acknowledged each family member as they acknowledged him. Soon everyone was gathered around the Christmas tree, waiting on Bill, the head of the Scully clan to start.

"Time to pass out gifts," Bill said, excitedly as Scully turned on the radio to play Christmas music in the background.

Mulder rubbed Williams' arm, "Come on, wake up, son. Time to open the presents."

William struggled to open his eyes. Finally, when he was fully awake, he looked around. "What's going on?"

Matthew chuckled. "I really like this kid. A house Full of people and he asks, 'What's going on?'"

William rubbed his eyes. "It's Christmas isn't it?"

"Yeah, that's right. So, wake on up!", Matt giggled. "Come on, let's open gifts."

William slid down to the floor and stared at the mountain of gifts in front of him. Scully had followed her mom to the kitchen and so William with wide eyes searched for his mother amongst the faces early in the morning. He spotted her and she smiled at him. He smiled back.

"Okay," Bill said. "Let's begin!", he said, starting to pass out gifts. "William, this is for you."

William ripped the gift to shreds. "Ooh, a Tablet," he said, with enlarged eyes.

"Man, that's expensive!", Junior said.

"I'd like that myself," Patrick spoke.

"Love you," Scully said, telepathically to William.

William glanced up at his mom and then turned to his dad who were both smiling widely. "I know this is from you both, I can read minds!"

Everyone chuckled much to Williams amusement. Scully was even more thrilled. William was fitting in with the Scully Family. Her eyes met Mulder's and they held eachothers gaze for a long moment. She could feel his love for her. She wiped at her eyes. 'I won't cry', she was telling herself. 'I won't cry.'

The small children opened their gifts of bright colored toys and dolls and they screamed, giggled and played with their parents. Mulder was handed several gifts and he laughed at each of them, each UFO themed from gray aliens to green alien ties and figurines. Then Bill handed Mulder a gift from Scully and both Mulder and Williams' eyes lit up. Mulder tore open the package to a photo in a picture frame of Scully and William hugging each other, looking identical with the same complexion and oceanic blue eyes that looked deep into your soul. Both Mother and son had auburn hair and the same wide smile that warmed Mulder's heart. He couldn't tear away from the photo as Scully watched his reaction. "Mulder?", she finally said.

He stood up and walked behind the sofa's and reached out his hand. Scully stood up and followed him. He smiled his crooked smile and brushed a red curl out of her face. "The photo of you both, besides loving me and giving me a son, was the best gift I've ever had."

Scully smiled shyly. "Thank you," she said, holding his hand.

Mulder pressed a kiss to Scully's forehead and then down to her lips as she looked at him shyly. "I love you," he sighed, holding her close.

"I love you too..."

Bill coughed. "Ah...Dana," Bill said, "This was tucked in the back, it's from Mulder."

"Fox!", Maggie said. "I'm warning you! It better not be X-rated! We've had enough of that over the years!"

."Who me?", he said, with a smirk.

Scully grabbed up the package, aware that her entire family was watching her. She opened it carefully, the entire time keeping an eye on Mulder. Mulder stood with his arms crossed as everyone waited for his latest notorious 'bad' gifts. Scullyopened the package and smiled. "Oh Mulder, this is beautiful!"

"What is it?", everyone asked.

"It's a Spa Package with a new robe, slippers, and bath oils. You know me so well."

Charles patted him on the back. "You disappoint me Mulder. I was looking forward to one of your Elvis Bobble Heads or Wrinkle Creams or something that would make me laugh all year. You disappoint me."

Mulder smiled back at his brother-n-law. "Not this year, Charles. I had a little help."

"Thank God!", Scully said, walking up to them both and sliding her hand around Mulder's waist.

"Yeah, thank god!", Charles joked, slapping Mulder on the arm.

Mulder shook his head. "I'm not that bad, am I?"

Scully's eyebrows raised. "Well...", she said, with her eyes wide.

"Mom. Dad.," William said, running up to them.

They turned back at their son. William opened his arms to them and hugged him tightly. "Thank you for all the gifts," he said. "Thank you for being my mom and dad."

Scully gasped. She gazed up at Mulder and her eyes locked with his before she turned and cupped Williams face. "I love you SO much!", she said.

"I know! I can read your thoughts, remember?", William said.

Mulder tousled Williams hair. "Love you too son."

William smiled back. "And thanks Dad for taking me and Ann to the mall yesterday."

Mulder patted his shoulder. "Of course," he said.

Maggie stood up. "Whose up for cinnamon rolls?"

"I am!", William said, excitedly.

Mulder pulled Scully against him as they watched they watched in amazement as William reverted back to the boy they had missed out on. Maggie kissed her grandson on the cheek but was soon surrounded by her great-grandchildren as they demanded kisses from her.

Soon they had scampered off and Maggie ordered,"Tara, Dana, Jill, KITCHEN!"

The younger wives gathered their sleepy children and their toys and laid out blankets in a pallet on the floor. William grabbed a garbage bag and began cleaning up the living room along with Uncle Bill and Matthew. As Maggie took over in Scully's kitchen, it made Scully smile. Maggie turned on the kitchen radio to Christmas carols as she pulled out bowls for her famous homemade cinnamon rolls.

"I need someone to make fruit salad!", Maggie ordered. "I need someone to help with the cinnamon rolls and I need someone to make eggs and potatoes enough to feed the Navy!"

All of the women began to divide up and Scully began to work with her mom making the cinnamon rolls from scratch. She'd spent her entire life making them every Christmas and so they worked quickly enjoying each others company as they baked and cleaned up. When they were done cooking, they laid food out and everyone ate an early breakfast before gathering their gifts and luggage to start leaving.

Bill hugged his sister tightly. "You know I love you sis, you know that, right?"

"I know, old man!", Scully smiled, hugging her brother back. "Take care, OK?"

"OK. Next Christmas is at our place in California."

"Deal!", she smiled.

Charles was next in line to hug her. "I'm gonna miss you, sis. I hate that we see each other only once or twice a year."

"I know. Next Christmas we will be not far from you at Bill's. So we'll see you there."

"Sounds good," he smiled.

Matthew patted William on the back. "Nice meeting you little cuz."

"Nice meeting you too," William said.

"Text me any time, okay? And definitely let me know how things work out with Ann."

William chuckled. "I will...went well so far."

"I know, I saw...", Matthew said, jokingly punching William in the stomach. He then hugged William. "I'm glad to have met you."

William nodded. "You'll be hearing from me."

"I look forward to it," Matt said, as he waved and then walked out the door.

Bill bent down and hugged William, touching him for the first time. "I'm glad your my nephew," he said.

William searched Bill's heart and could tell he was telling the truth. "Thanks."

"Thank you for saving my son's life," Bill said, sincerely.

"We're family," William said.

Bill shook William's hand. "That we are. We're family."

Tara opened her arms to William. "You're gonna stay with us this coming summer."

"Okay," William said.

Jill hugged him as well. "Good bye, Will. I am so thrilled to have see you again. Not since you were a baby."

"Bye!", he smiled.

Maggie hugged both Mulder and Scully and then kissed William on the cheek.

"You're going home so soon?", Scully said surprised. "I mean it's not even 9 am."

"Everyone has to drive into D.C. to catch their respective flights except Bill, Tara, Matt and Amy, they still have to come back to my place first and get their stuff but then they're heading out to beat the holiday travelers who'll be traveling back home tomorrow. I'm going home and sleeping!", Maggie announced, gathering up all of her gifts.

"We've got midnight Mass on New Year's Eve, Mom."

"I know!", Maggie said, her eyebrow raised. "And I expect you all to be there, including you Fox."

"I'll be there," Mulder said.

They waved from the porch as everyone jumped into their rental cars and drove off leaving their home just to them once again. Scully looked at her small family. William retreated back to the couch, tossing the blanket back over his head with all his gifts within reach. Mulder plopped down on the sofa and patted it inviting Scully to come sit next to him. She sat down and curled up in his arms, and they could see their son next to them.

"Another Christmas, Scully." Mulder sighed. "But this year was special. This year we got what we wanted."

"And he's perfect," Scully agreed.

"And he can hear you!", William said, pulling the blanket over his ears.

They laughed to themselves and then gazed at one another, connecting through their eyes and communicating wordless the way they always did.

"And I can hear that too," William sighed.

Scully shook her head."Go back to sleep, William, It's Christmas! "

She watched as Williams red hair peeked up for a bit and then ducked back down under the covers, his bare feet again poking out. Mulder looked down into her loving eyes and they both glanced back at their son. "This was the perfect Christmas," Scully whispered. "We have him home with us. No more wishing. No more waiting. He's here. And it's perfect."

"It is, Scully," Mulder smiled. "I have our son, I have you, there's nothing more I could ever want, Scully. Nothing more."

"Me either.", she said.

Mulder looked down into her beautiful face and his lips met hers. "I love you, Scully."

"I love you Mulder, forever."

The End