Title: Hold On Part 2/5--A New Beginning
Author: Smurf
Email: [email protected]
Rating: PG/13
Category: Romance
Spoilers: Zoe & Zoe II (previous fanfic), The Blessing Way (Melissa's death)
Keywords: Mulder/ Scully engaged, implied romance
Summary: A little grief always comes when contemplating dead relatives on your wedding day.
Disclaimer: THEY' RE ALL MINE!! <Evil laughter> Oh wait, little fantasy of mine. Went to my happy place there for a sec. I lied, I don't own any of the characters except Zoe. Please don't hurt me! <Shuddering> I love you CC. You know I mean that. <Bowing> Hail CC, King of The X-files, ruler of all philes. Hail CC!! Hail! I also don't own "You're Still The One", "Respect", or "Joy To The World". I also don't own "Congo-line!" and don't really want to. Lastly, I also don't own the term "Par-tay!" which is lovingly owned by Mulder.
Author's Notes: This too, is a Song Story. I mean, duh, music IS played at weddings. I really didn't know how to go about a wedding story, as there seem to be very few archived as resources. This is basically a stab at the unknown, if you will. All I need to tell you is thoughts are in <>, and flashbacks are in lines of ****** and time passage is ~~~~~.
Got it?
"Agent Scully is already in love." --Padgett, 'Milagro'
"Well it seems to me, that the best relationships--the ones that last--are frequently the ones rooted in friendship. You know, one day you look at the person and you see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has been flicked somewhere. And the person who is just a friend is suddenly the only person you can imagine yourself with."
--Scully, 'The Rain King'
On with the story. . .
~~~X~~~X~~~X~~~X~~~X~~~X~~~X~~~X~~~X~~~X~~~X~~~X~~~X~~~X~~~
St. John's Church
June 19, 2000
Dana Scully peeked nervously out into the main room of the church. Every pew was filled with friends and family. She chewed her lip nervously, trying to get over her pre-wedding jitters. People she had not seen since childhood sat together, quietly murmuring about the events that were about to take place. She quietly wondered if Mulder was feeling the same way she was.
"Dana!" A whispering voice snapped impatiently from behind her. "Dana! Get back in here, you're not finished getting ready yet!" A firm grip grabbed her upper arm and tugged her back into the small room for the very purpose of dressing brides.
Margaret Scully looked at her daughter with a mixture of pride and impatience. She was about half-way ready to march down that aisle. She still lacked her veil and gloves. Her exquisite dress flowed around her body nicely. It concealed most of her legs and feet, before rising to her waist and hugging her upper body wonderfully. The intricate lace wrapped all around her waist and bosom. The strapless white looked marvelous against her cream-colored skin. The upper edge was a thin piece of the most elaborate lace on the whole dress. It was bound with a crystalline thread that made it sparkle in the light. The veil had an complex crown rimmed with tiny silk flowers from which the bulk of the veil flowed from. The almost translucent fabric of the veil was sprinkled with tiny white flowers.
The veil was what Maggie picked up next. She held the crown very gently, before readying to place atop her daughter's head. She had to be expertly careful, Scully's hair was done up in beautiful red curls, pinned and kept up with diamond-like barrettes. Maggie gently settled the crown into Scully's curls, then used bobby pins to keep it in place.
The door opened slowly, and Scully turned from her mother to see who it was. She hoped for, even though knowing it would not be, Mulder. Of course, it was not. It was two of her very excited bride's maids. One being her sister-in-law, Tara, the other being an old friend from the FBI Academy. They were both smiling and laughing like old friends, even though they had only met a month ago.
"Oh, Dana!" Tara gasped, "You look lovely!"
Scully smiled shyly and felt herself blushing a bit. "Thank you." She replied modestly. "Where's Terri?" She asked, inquiring about her Maid-of-Honor.
"Probably out there flirting." Amy (the old friend) answered dismissively.
"Go get her please, I could use her moral support." Dana snapped.
As Amy stepped out of the room once more, Tara's smile faltered a bit, especially after Scully's snap. "Geez, Dana, chill out."
Scully sighed and sat down in one of the chairs by the full length mirror. "Sorry. I'm just REALLY nervous."
"It's okay, I remember getting married, too. It's a wonderful experience, but hell on a girl's nerves."
Scully put her chin in her hands and her elbows in her lap. "I wonder how Fox is doing right now." She wondered dreamily. It was only too bad it was bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. She could use his support the most right about now.
"I could find out for you." Tara offered. "Take him a message if you want."
Scully straightened up. "Okay!" She exclaimed. "Tell him, I miss him even though he's just across the hall and that I can't wait to walk down that aisle." Tara turned for the door, but Scully jumped to her feet and grabbed her arm before she could leave. "Tell him I love him."
"All right." Tara sighed.
Scully smiled gratuitously and sat back in her chair.
~
Meanwhile, across the hall in the groom's dressing room, Mulder was putting the finishing touches on his look. He looked in the full-length mirror, checking out how he looked in the tuxedo. It was plain black, suitably, and Armani. There really was not much to it. Black, fitting him perfectly, with a white rose tucked in the lapel.
He was feeling about the same amount of nerves at that point as his bride. Except, he controlled the jitters by thinking about his upcoming honeymoon. Scully and Maggie had planned the wedding, he had planned the honeymoon. Two full weeks on the beaches of Tahiti. No work, no reality, just him and Scully. There was not even a phone in the hotel room. He had talked to Skinner and cashed in both his and Scully's much owed vacation days. They had two weeks plus they had never touched. Hopefully that would change.
Mulder was brought back from his thoughts when his best man entered the room. THE Frohike, combat boots, sloppy grunge outfits, a life of seclusion; was wearing a tux. It was the only time Mulder had ever seen him wearing a different type of shoes than his combat boots.
"Mulder, I'm very obliged you chose me as your best man. I'll be gloating for the next month or so. But there is something I must tell you."
Mulder nodded, slipping his bow tie around his neck.
"Scully is only marrying you, because she is afraid."
"What?" Mulder asked, almost surprised.
Frohike nodded, as if this was a sad detail he had been holding back. "She is afraid of her love for me."
Finally realizing that this was a joke, Mulder returned to tying his tie. "You just keep thinking that, my man. In the meantime, I'm going to stand up by that altar and say some vows and marry Dana Scully. This time next week, I'll be screwing the days away in beautiful Tahiti." He said triumphantly.
Mulder turned to leave the room, Frohike close on his heels. "Where's you learn to tie a bow tie?"
"I grew up in the Vineyard, that's something boys are taught when they're four."
As they walked up the hall to the main room, Mulder's soon-to-be sister-in-law came out of one of the rooms. She met up with Frohike and Mulder. "Fox, I was sent to give you a message from Dana."
Mulder froze in his tracks and turned to Tara. "Okay."
"She says she misses you even though you're just down the hall, she can't wait to walk down that aisle, and she loves you."
"Thank you, Tara."
They continued to walk down the hall to the main room. Mulder walked up the aisle where he caught sight of still-at-Woodstock Langly. "Langly!" He beckoned, waving an arm to come over to him.
"What?"
Mulder dug in one of his pockets before bringing out a velvet box with a note tucked in it. "Do me a favor. Go give this to Dana."
Langly took the box and disappeared down the hall.
At that moment, Mulder wished he could see her. He wished he could hold her in his arms and ease some of the tension around here. But he could not, no way anyone would let him break the 'bad luck' code.
~
Maggie had disappeared, off to make final preparations and worry motherly. Now, everyone had left Scully cooped in the dressing room, alone with her thoughts and her rambling nerves. She first tried to busy herself by wondering where her flirtatious Maid-of-Honor had gone. Once she got to thinking about her Maid-of-Honor, she thought about Melissa.
As children, she and Melissa used to play a simple game called 'Wedding' (this was all before Scully had developed into her tomboy years). They would don old sheets on their heads and wrapped around themselves like mythological togas, pretending they were wedding dresses. They would con their brother's into being the reluctant groom and the even more reluctant priest. Then, they would take turns being the bride and the Maid-of-Honor.
********************************************************************
"Okay, my turn to be the bride." Announced Dana, still holding her sister's white sheet dress train. Even at five, she could take control of most situations, and her older sister.
Melissa pulled her makeshift veil off her head, handing it over to her determined baby sister. She watched as Dana placed the veil haphazardly over her red curls. Melissa even helped her straighten it onto her head.
"How do I look, Missy?" Dana asked, striking a picture-perfect bridal pose.
"Beautiful." Missy complimented genuinely.
Dana stood behind the two rows of lawn chairs--being used as pews--ready to march down the aisle. She looked up to the altar (two cardboard boxes stacked one on the other) just in time to see her eldest brother 'Father' Bill trying to sneak away. "Billy, where do you think you're going?" She warned firmly.
Bill turned around and threw his arms up in surrender. "Ah, Dana, c'mon. Haven't you two had enough of this game? You've been married five times already!"
"Just one more time, pleeeeeeaaaaase!" Dana persuaded, dropping down to her knees and begging.
Bill sighed and returned to his position behind the altar. Melissa picked up Dana's dragging sheet-train as they began walking toward the altar. Melissa hummed the Bridal March as Dana smiled radiantly, carrying a bouquet of dandelions.
After Bill had recited a mound of gibberish, taken as vows, Missy and Dana sat on one of the *church pews* eating popsicles. Dana looked off into the yard, an almost dreamy look on her young face. Her red popsicle melted in her grasp, red juice dribbling down the wood stick and her chubby little hand.
"I wanna get married." She said, her voice carrying a certain mystical and daydreaming quality.
"Why?" Missy asked, licking green juice off her hand.
"So I can have all that cake to myself."
Both girls giggled as Dana took another chilly bite of her popsicle.
"Dana, let's make a promise."
"Okay."
"When we get married, I'll be the Maid-of-Honor at your wedding, and you be it at mine."
Dana smiled, looking up to her big sister. She placed Melissa somewhere between God and Sesame Street. A very high ranking for a five-year-old. "Sure. Pinkie promise." She offered. She stuck out her sticky pinkie which Melissa hooked her own pinkie on, and they shook on it. They giggled again as Bill and Charlie ran by, in a rag-tag game of football (also known as; Tackle-your-brother-just-to-get-a-ball-and-be-tackled-back).
*******************************************************************
The promise had seemed rather childish and innocent enough way-back-when, but they certainly took a toll when one of sisters could not uphold her part of the bargain. Especially if that sister had been murdered in a case of mistaken identity.
Now, thirty years since the promise had been made, Scully could picture and remember it like it had happened yesterday. The grief over it had also caught up to her. Neither sister had been married while they were both alive. Scully put her hand over her mouth and tried to hold back the tears that had already begun to stream down her face. <God bless waterproof make-up.> Once she realized she could not hold back these powerful tears of anguish, Scully buried her face in her hands and wept. Not only did she weep over her sister who would not be at her wedding, but also over her deceased father who would not walk her down the aisle. She continued sobbing, even as the door eased open and someone stepped into the room.
"Why are you crying, Mommy?" An unwavering voiced asked.
Scully looked up and through watery eyes at her daughter, Zoe. "Just memories, Zoe. That's all." She mumbled as she dabbed her eyes with a tissue from the box on the table beside her.
"Don't cry, Mommy. Just because Melissa isn't here, doesn't mean she doesn't know. I'll bet she's watching from heaven right now."
Scully looked at her daughter questioningly. She had never heard Zoe talk about heaven before. There was that one time when she said her birth parents were 'With God', but other than that, nothing.
Without hearing a word from Scully, Zoe went on. "Don't you see her, Mommy? She's an angel, and she's watching this wedding. She's crying too, but not because she's sad, because she's so happy for you."
"I see her, Zoe." Dana whispered, the tears returning to her eyes. Obviously, Zoe's birth family had a very strong faith, a faith Scully did not know about until now.
As another tear rolled down Scully's cheek, Zoe embraced her mother tightly. Scully bent down in her chair to take the girl up in her arms. When she pulled away from Zoe, she could see tears filling the girl's eyes.
"Oh, now don't you start, too." She said through her sobs. Wiping away Zoe's tears, "We're just a regular couple of wet blankets, aren't we?"
Zoe smiled and rubbed the remaining tears from her eyes. Scully stood up just as Maggie bustled back into the room.
She looked at the two's tear-streaked faces and sighed. "What's going on here?"
"Nothing, Mom. Just, reliving some past grievances." Scully replied casually, wiping her face again.
"Reliving past grievances." Maggie muttered to herself. "Well, now is not the time to do that, you're getting married!" She reminded. She picked up Scully's satin gloves and gave them to her daughter.
Scully returned a smile and pulled the gloves onto her hands. She turned and looked into the full length mirror. The sight she saw was like none she would ever have imagined. She, Dana Scully, the 'Ice Queen', dressed up in a beautiful wedding dress, with diamond earrings on her ears and expensive satin gloves on her hands. She sucked in a deep breath and took in the sight to its fullest. Zoe popped in front of her, donning her pale lavender flower-girl dress. Her gold curls fell down just past her shoulder blades, pinned back by lavender flowered barrettes. She had a lovely wicker basket in her hands, draped in real small vines with white rose petals filling the basket. Her dress was in the same basic style and color as the other bride's maids' dresses. They were all a pale lavender with trains and white lace. Scully had picked them out herself, and she had not heard any complaints, so obviously she had some good taste.
Scully was pulled back to reality by a loud rapping on the door. Since none of the bride's maids ever knocked, it could not be one of them. Suddenly, a voice gave away who it was, "Is anybody naked in there?"
Dana smiled to herself, immediately recognizing the voice as belonging to the eccentric Langly. "No, you can come in."
Langly opened the door slowly and stepped in. His stringy blonde hair was bound behind his neck in a neat ponytail. It was the first time Scully had EVER, EVER seen him in a tuxedo. He looked rather uncomfortable in it. He just stood in the doorway for a second, gaping at Scully. "Wow!" He mouthed. "You look. . .great!" He finally said.
"Thank you, Langly."
"Yeah, I'd marry you. . . if you weren't already getting married." He stumbled.
Scully smiled and looked at the floor, as if pretending it was the most interesting thing she had seen all day. She could feel the flattered heat creeping into her cheeks.
"Anyway, I'm supposed to give this to you." He spit out quickly, turning to leave. He handed Scully a velvet box with a note attached to it.
"Uncle Langly, wait." Zoe beckoned. "I wanna come see Fox, too."
Langly held the door open as Zoe went out. "Why do you want to see Fox, Munchkin?" Scully heard him say as they walked up the hall and into the main room.
Scully pulled the note out of the box and unfolded it. The handwriting was undeniably Mulder's, same with the usage of her nickname:
"Freckles,
I miss you, too. I'll see you
down the aisle. This is for you.
It goes with the 'something old,
something new, something
borrowed, and something blue'
and all that jazz. I love you.
-You Know Who"
She smiled at the heart-felt message and opened the box. Nestled on the velvet pillow, much like her engagement ring had been, was a beautiful amethyst teardrop attached to a delicate, thin gold chain. The most charming little necklace she had ever seen.
"Look at this, Mom." She showed it to her mother.
"Oh, isn't that lovely?" Maggie replied, studying the necklace. "Let me help you put it on." She gently removed the chain from it's place and clasped it around her daughter's neck.
Dana admired it in the mirror before looking at the clock above the door. "Fifteen minutes and counting down." She announced. "Checklist: something old."
"The cross." Maggie answered, touching up her lipstick, indicating the gold cross Scully never took off her neck.
Scully absently tugged the chain, for good luck. "Something new."
Maggie straightened. "Not only that necklace, but your whole regalia, my dear." She gestured at Scully's entire dress.
"Something borrowed."
Margaret pondered for a second. "Your gloves." She finally remembered.
"And something blue."
"The flowers in your crown."
Scully touched her veil crown, she had forgotten about the tiny, almost invisible blue flowers there.
"Okay." Maggie said hurriedly. "I've got to go get Fox up by the altar and round up the rest of the animals. Stay here, I'll come and get you when you can come out."
"Thanks, Mom." Scully replied sarcastically. "Why don't you just handcuff me, too?"
Maggie huffed, exasperated, and left Scully alone again.
In those tedious fifteen minutes, the events of the past few months began to trickle into her mind. Beginning with how postal Bill had gone when they told him. All three of Scully, Mulder, and Zoe had decided to go visit Bill and Tara over Christmas. Bill did not even like the idea of them being engaged, he had blown up on the spot. But, the thing that truly proved Bill's hate for Mulder was what he said just after Christmas morning service.
*******************************************************************
"Dana, can I speak with you, alone?" Bill asked of her quietly as the family sat in the pews minutes after the conclusion to the Christmas service.
"Sure." Scully answered, following him to just outside the church.
"I've been holding back telling you this in front of *him*." Bill told her quietly, looking at the ground. "I'm only telling you this for *your* welfare. You're my little sister and I'm protecting you."
Scully put a hand over her older brother's. She was a little puzzled over the care and consideration he had put into that introduction. "It's okay, Bill. Just tell me."
Bill shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I don't want you to marry *him*. He'll only hurt you, like he did before."
She pulled her hand off his arm, like it had grown hot and burned her. "Bill, Mulder has NEVER hurt me."
"I know about Diana." He snapped quickly, not allowing her another word. "Tara told me, Mom told her. He DID hurt you. And countless times before that."
Scully's eyes narrowed, the anger building up inside her. "That's behind us now. I am confident of my relationship with Mulder. There are no more secrets, no more lies." This is what she had convinced herself of, and what she deemed the truth.
"I still don't want you to marry him." Bill stated coldly. He was steadfast to his opinion on Scully's partner.
"This isn't about YOU!" Scully exploded, stepping further away from him. "This is not about you or who you like or dislike. This is about ME and Mulder and OUR happiness. Why can't you see that?"
He didn't speak, he just stared at his sister with his stone-chiseled expression and unblinking ice-blue eyes.
"And besides that," Dana continued, "We didn't come here for your permission. We came in hopes of your blessing." Her voice softened. "Can't you at least give us that?"
Bill still locked his gaze on hers, and refused to give in. "No." He responded icily, and stormed off to the car.
*********************************************************************
Dana and Bill had not spoken since then. It was the only thing left unresolved on this very happy day. Scully was not sure if it was going to get resolved, and she did not let it sit in the pit of her stomach and burrow it's way to worry. She merely discarded it from mind.
Maggie reentered the room in a bustle. "Okay, Dana. The flock is in parade, show time!"
Scully stood up and smiled. She picked up her extravagant bouquet of (not dandelions) white roses and various pale blue and lavender flowers. She then followed her mother out into the hall.
In the hall, bride's maids all lined up to one side, with their escorts. First in line would be Maggie, escorted by Charlie. Then Amy with Byers, two other old friends; Briehan with Langly, and Jessica with Frohike. Tara would be escorting Matthew as the ring-bearer, since he could not walk with out help. After Tara came Terri, then Zoe, and finally Scully.
Much to everyone's surprise, Maggie Scully had taken control. Normally the soft-spoken one in the crowd, she had taken the role of her late husband, as captain. She shouted orders to the 'parade' behind the now closed hall doors. She was quite good at keeping the pecking order in line. As she situated everyone, an unexpected person came bustling through the doors.
"Bill?" Scully questioned as her brother hurried up to her.
"Dana, I've done some thinking, and I want to give you my blessing." His gaze was soft and his expression looking for forgiveness.
Scully smiled openly and accepted his apology.
"For you. I want *you* to be happy. I don't care who you're with, I just want you to be happy. That's all I want."
Scully smiled again and hugged her brother. "I'm glad this could be resolved before I got married." She held out her arm. "Care to walk your sister down the aisle?"
He hooked his arm around hers. "I'd be honored. I really would." He beamed proudly at her. It was the first time she had seen him smile since the first day they had arrived in California on Christmas Eve.
The softer version of the Bridal March started up, and the procession began shuffling uneasily. Two people inside the main room slid open the heavy oak doors to make way for the group. Dana's heart started beating faster and harder once she realized that they were moving.
Mulder's nerves caught up with him when those doors opened. No longer could he push back his tension by thinking about the future. He listened to the music and watched the line of people in the hallway. Somewhere in that line was his bride, his lover, his partner, and his best friend. All soon to be his *wife*. His heart pounded and he just hoped he did not sweat with nerves too much.
The first to walk through those doors was Maggie and Charlie. Mulder did not really know Charlie, but he seemed like a good guy, and he did not hate Mulder. Unlike *another* brother.
Mulder watched anxiously as the three stooges escorted bride's maids down the aisle. A quiet as a mouse, a well-rehearsed mouse, the priest crept up and took his place behind the altar.
"Nervous?" He whispered to Mulder.
Mulder, who had not known he was there, nearly jumped a mile into the air. When the priest saw his jolt, he smiled fatherly. "You have no idea." Mulder breathed hardly.
"You'll do fine, Son." He reassured, then remained silent.
Mulder looked back down the aisle to see Terri taking her place. He watched Zoe walk carefully up the aisle, gracefully tossing flower petals onto the carpet. He looked behind his *daughter* to the two figures silhouetted in the hall. This part confused him, Scully was supposed to be walking down the aisle solo.
As soon as the more dramatic Bridal March started--with the exaggerated cadence in the beginning--everyone in the room stood from their pews and looked back to the hall entrance. Scully watched this, and although she knew it was going to happen, it still astounded her. As she and Bill stepped into that room, she held her breath, almost certain everyone could hear her heart beating. She felt as though she might pass out on the spot. But she kept her composure and walked elegantly up the aisle, eyes locked on Mulder.
Mulder held his breath as Scully stepped into the aisle, too. He also thought he was going to faint. She looked so beautiful and radiant, like an angel. It gave him a funny feeling in his stomach. He was very surprised to see the one-and-only Bill walking her down the aisle. He was glowing with, <what's that?> PRIDE. He was proud of his sister. Mulder could not help but think that the poor guy was on something. Bill continued grinning even as he looked at Mulder.
Just before Bill released his grip on her arm, Scully whispered to him, "One more time, Billy."
Bill looked at her questioningly. He did not quite understand what she was talking about, and he would not, not for years to come. Not until a fateful night years from now on a doomed Navy battleship during World War III, minutes before the ship exploded by the hand of Iraqi torpedoes. All he knew now was that Dana had not called him Billy since they were kids.
Bill kissed his sister lightly on the cheek before taking his place. Scully stepped up the single step and stood next to Mulder on the raised platform in front of the altar. He leaned down a tiny bit and whispered, "You look ravishing."
"So do you." She whispered back.
After shuffling some things atop the altar, the priest raised his head and cleared his throat. "You may be seated." He announced to the still standing people.
Scully glanced quickly around the side of the room where Mulder's friends and family were seated. She saw the unmistakable tall body and bald head of Walter Skinner. There were people there she had never seen or probably even heard of.
"We are gathered here today--in the sight of God--to join these two in Holy Matrimony."
Scully shifted her feet as unnoticeable as possible. Another bout of light-headedness passed through her body, she truly could not believe she was here, hearing these words and doing what she was.
"First of all, is there anyone here today who does not see it fit that these two be wed? May you speak now, or forever hold your peace."
Mulder clenched his teeth and could almost imagine Diana Fowley bursting through the doors to ruin everything. He might just shoot her on the spot if that happened. Fuck the laws, this was the happiest day of his life and no one would ruin it. Scully caught herself absently glancing at her brother, he was still smiling, and making no motions.
"Good, then." The priest looked at Mulder, who could not at the point pull his eyes off Scully. "Do you, Fox, take Dana to be your wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, forsaking all others, till death do you part?"
Mulder took a deep breath. He smiled at Scully. In that instant, flashes of their entire partnership ran through his head. Why they had not done this sooner escaped him. "I do." He told her, more than anyone else.
The priest turned his paternal gaze onto Scully. "And do you, Dana, take Fox to be your husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, forsaking all others, till death do you part?"
Dana looked up at Mulder, who was smiling. They same way it had with him, flashes of the past darted in her mind. They were of her childhood, not of them. In her mind, she spoke to Melissa, <I miss you, Missy. You *are* my Maid-of-Honor.> "I do." She finally spoke, directly to him.
"Do you have the rings?"
Mulder turned around to Matthew, who was toddling (with help from Tara) to the platform. He carried a satin pillow with the rings nestled on it. Mulder grinned at him and plucked the wedding bands from their spot. He gave the larger one to Scully.
"Fox, repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed." Mulder repeated, slipping the ring onto her finger beside the engagement diamond. He did his best to keep his voice unwavering, and the words rolled off his tongue easily.
"Dana, repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed." Scully said softly, it was the best she could do without bursting into tears or sounding like a total nervous wreck. She pushed the ring onto Mulder's larger finger and looked deeply into his eyes.
"I now pronounce you, husband and wife." The priest announced, waving one hand dramatically into the air. "Kiss her, Son." He said comically.
There were a few snickers in the crowd as Mulder swept Scully into his arms and kissed her. That kiss was the longest, most passionate, and most heated ever in the history of the world. Well, at least, in their history. Scully let herself be lost in that kiss, no longer worrying about what people thought of her.
When it was over (reluctantly), Mulder took Scully up into his arms again, and carried her like a baby, down the aisle and out the hall doors, finishing with another kiss. He stood her back onto the floor, keeping his arms wrapped around her.
"We did it, and we didn't kill ourselves." Scully said, grinning.
Mulder laughed lightly and rested his forehead down against hers. Their lips met again briefly as their eyes remained locked on each other's. Neither could seemed to stop smiling. It really was the happiest day in their lives.
"Let's get out of here." Mulder purred, kissing Scully again.
She closed her eyes for a moment, breathing her *husband* in. "We can't." She finally replied reluctantly. "We're the 'guests of honor' down at the reception. Remember?"
"Oh yeah." He groaned, obviously disappointed.
Within a few minutes, the milling guests in the main room began to meander out into the hallway. They had previously been directed by Maggie that the reception would be in an adjacent room, the hall. A few of these guests continued to wander down the hallway, but the mainstream headed into the first right door. One of these stragglers was Maggie. She hurried up to Scully, tears streaming down her face.
"Oh, Dana!" She cried. "I'm so happy for you." She embraced her daughter tightly. "I can't believe my baby girl just got married!"
"Mom," Scully responded, her voice a little on the trembly side. "you're going to make me cry, too."
Maggie pulled back from Scully, "Now don't you do that." She let go of Scully and turned to Mulder. He smiled and hugged her openly.
Behind Maggie stood Bill. He watched his little sister's *husband* hug his mother. It still gnawed at his nerves, but he hid it better, for Dana. He looked from Mulder to his sister, who was looking at him. He grinned as best he could through his scowl, and it seemed to convince her. She opened her arms, and he hugged her back.
Margaret sniffled a little and dabbed her eyes with a tissue. "Well," She said in a croaky voice. "we better get down to the reception."
~
The large hall adjacent to the service hall was filled with the voices of the two-hundred odd guests. The hired caterer had previously set up all the professionally prepared food. A few of the guests were already helping themselves. The wedding singers were on the stage, tuning instruments and such.
When Mulder and Scully entered the room, a few people looked up, but not much more than that. The guests had done their part at the ceremony, now it was time to par-tay. It was all the better in Scully's mind, she had had enough of being the center of attention. If there was an applause, or another mass standing, she might actually pass out this time.
She and Mulder went over to the table beside the stage, the one draped in white streamers and paper flowers. The second she sat down, Scully was joined by Zoe, who had went down with her three 'uncles'. Ever since she had met Mulder's three eccentric friends, she had been calling them 'Uncle'. No one quite understood why, considering she did not even call Mulder 'Daddy'.
Mulder found himself scanning the room. The buffet style food table was covered by some of the most delicious looking food he had ever seen. His stomach grumbled, reminding him that he had not eaten since the previous evening. The cake was simply remarkable. It had at least seven layers. Each layer shrinking in size to the one below it; like a sweet, icing covered staircase. Before the last layer, were four white plastic pillars. The smallest top layer was meticulously balanced atop these pillars. That was where the little plastic bride and groom stood in their lawn of white and blue flowers. The lacing around the sides of the cake was pale blue. The icing flowers were pink and mint-green.
Maggie Scully had gotten over her wedding tears and was scurrying to and fro, snapping pictures of absolutely everything. They would still be looking at wedding photographs into the next decade.
Mulder looked over at Scully, who was talking to Zoe. He sighed, absorbing the sight of his *wife* and *daughter*. Scully turned her head and looked up at him. Her gaze was filled with pure love, she smiled. "Well, shall we mingle?" He stood from his chair and outstretched his hand for her to take.
The first people sighted by Mulder and Scully were another agent and his date.
"Agent Mulder," Seattle Field Agent Craig Willmore greeted. "Agent Scully. Congratulations."
"Thank you." They replied simultaneously.
"How have you been?" Willmore asked next, making conversation.
"Busy." Scully replied with a chuckle. "We've been good." She looked up at Mulder. "Better then ever."
Willmore had been the agent investigating their disappearance in 1998. He had eventually found them both after a mad chase to Alaska. Both Mulder and Scully owed him their lives. His date, Detective Mary Astadourian, had helped him with the case. Somewhere over the period of two years, they had started dating.
"Are you two going to be next?" Mulder asked, gesturing between them.
"Don't rush us." Mary warned.
The reminiscing adults were interrupted by a squealing child. The next thing any of them saw, was Zoe running across the dance floor to Scully. "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!" She cried, hiding in front of her mother's dress. She peeked out from behind the middle of the four adults, at some unknown fear.
"Zoe, what are you doing?" Scully asked her, her voice changing to the irritated mother.
"He's chasing me." She whispered quickly.
"Who's chasing you?"
"Uncle Langly and Uncle Frohike." She answered sternly, "They should act their ages."
Scully looked up at Craig and Mary, smiling like mothers do when their children embarrass them. "This is my daughter Zoe." She finally introduced. She grabbed the blonde child by the arm and pulled her in front of her. Mulder stooped down to Zoe and lifted her up onto his hip.
"I wasn't aware you had a daughter."
"I do now," She replied absently, glancing menacingly at the trouble-making child.
Both Mary and Craig looked at Mulder.
Mulder realized what they were accusing him of. "Whoa! Don't look at me! She's adopted."
Craig and Mary smiled, laughing at their own stupidity. Then Craig noticed someone else he wanted to talk to, and ended their conversation. "It was good talking to you again. I hope you're very happy." It was genuine, but hurried.
"I bet you're kids will be really cute." Mary complimented as she followed Willmore.
Scully felt the slightest pang in her heart at the statement. They would never have *their* own children. The vial of ovum Mulder had found was not viable, too long out of cold storage. They could adopt again, but it would be the child they had *together*. There was also the possibility of ovum donations, but it still would not be the same.
"You all right?" Mulder whispered concernedly.
"Fine." She replied dismissively.
"Lemme down." Zoe beckoned from her perch on Mulder's hip. Mulder loosened his grip and let her slide down to the ground. As soon as she was standing, she darted off.
"Behave yourself." Scully called, as if she would listen.
Before Mulder could say anything, one of the wedding singers tapped the microphone, producing the dull, loud thudding. There were two singers, a man and a woman, plus the three other band members. They were hired by Scully herself, they were supposed to be the best around.
"If I can have your attention please." The woman summoned, her voice tinny in the microphone. "We're ready to play. And of course, the bride and groom have the first dance." She looked over at Mulder and Scully.
The band started up with a soft, melodramatic song. Then, the woman stepped back up to the microphone and began to sing the words. She had a pleasant voice and sounded very much like Shania Twain, who wrote the song. But, the song did not have a country feel, more of a pop sound and rhythm.
~~( When I first saw you, I saw love. And the
first time you touched me, I felt love. And
after all this time, you're still the one I love) . . .
Mulder again reached his hand out, which Scully took. They took the dance floor, swaying slowly to the motion of the music. At first, they stood formally apart. With one hand clasped beside them. Scully felt Mulder's hand resting gently on the small of her back, corresponding with her hand on his shoulder.
. . . Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday. . .
Scully looked back and forth at the crowd watching them dance. They would dance this song alone, with everyone watching. They had danced before, but only in the living room to CD's. That was when Scully had queried about how Mulder learned to dance. He merely shrugged and told her all boys in the Vineyard were taught how. It seemed like a plausible enough explanation.
. . . They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong . . .
After awhile, Scully looked into Mulder's eyes. The peace on his expression, made her smile. She forgot about the people around them, and lost herself in his gaze. They were the only two people on Earth at that moment, and she wanted to be as close to him as possible. In the same instant, they let go of each other's hands, and stepped in closer. Mulder wrapped his other arm tightly around her back and she embraced his back as well. She rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes. She listened to his heart beat, losing herself in the moment.
. . . (You're still the one)
You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
(You're still the one)
You're still the that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night . . .
As they continued dancing, Scully eventually lifted up her head. She stood up straighter and moved her head more over Mulder's shoulder. They danced cheek-to-cheek for a minute before Scully whispered, "I love you." Mulder pulled back and looked into her shimmering eyes. "I love you, too." He murmured, before kissing her lips.
. . . Ain't nothing better
We beat the odds together
I'm glad we didn't listen
Look at what we would be missin'~~
~~~
The next big part of the reception was the cake cutting. As always, it was the bride and groom to cut the first piece. Mulder and Scully were given a huge knife to do the job. Mulder settled the knife in a section of the bottom layer, where instructed by Scully. She put her hand over his on the knife and the first slice was cut. They cut two pieces total, one for the other.
As Mulder usually does, he was not satisfied with just taking his slice and eating it peacefully. He had waited all day to feed the cake to Scully. He picked up the slice from the back, it crumbled a bit in his grasp.
When Scully noticed what he was doing, she back up. "Oh, you better not." She warned, knowing what her intended to do.
"Come here," He motioned innocently.
"No." She answered, backing away again.
He lunged after her, cake out in front of him. "I won't shove it in your face." He lied.
She finally stopped, not really believing him, but knowing she could get revenge. Once he got close enough, she opened her mouth. He did just as he said he would not, and she ended up with icing all over her face.
She hissed as she wiped cake from her eyes. Someone handed her a napkin and she wiped it away as best she could. Mulder stood in front of her, an amused smile on his face. Before he could run, she picked up her piece of cake and smashed it into his face, making sure to smear it around real good. Revenge is sweet.
~~~
By the time the champagne had been opened, all tears were gone. Whether they of joy or old sorrow, they had disappeared. Mulder and Scully forgot about all the happiness that comes from marriage, that happiness that brings an odd feeling of realization. They were there to have the time of their lives.
After just about everyone--including Scully--had one or two glasses of either the champagne or the Chardonnay, the REAL party began. It started out with more up-beat music. Then a Spanish feeling song was played, and someone yelled, "Congo-line!" Most of the guests lined up in that familiar line. Aroused by alcohol and the smell of fun, they danced along, resting hands on each other's shoulders. Scully was mildly surprised to see Skinner in with the group.
~~~
The most memorable part of the day, was when Mulder, Willmore, Pendrell (who was also in attendance), and Skinner (who had had more than a few drinks) decided to put on a little show of their own. All four of them got up on stage and played a CD while the band was on a break. The song just so happened to be, "Respect" sung by Aretha Franklin. Mulder claimed that the song was dedicated to his new wife, who subsequently turned red and put her forehead in her hand. She laughed so hard as the four normally extremely professional FBI agents lip synched to one of the most parodied songs in the world. Scully laughed so had, she thought she might die laughing. If any terrorists had been there, our world would tremble because of the stronghold of blackmail they had on a powerful U.S. government agency.
~~~
Dancing resumed into the final hours of the reception. Scully took a walk on the wild side and danced with Skinner and Pendrell. The last faster song played was not performed by the band, but requested by Mulder and played off a record. The song was, "Joy To The World", of which only they knew the significance.
As the final slow songs rolled around, Mulder and Scully decided to sit out of one. This was when Zoe approached Mulder with a request Mulder would never forget.
She took his hand and attempted to tug him up. "Dance with me, Daddy." She beseeched to him.
He fell awestruck. She had implored him as innocently and naturally as if she had done it a million times before. When in fact, she had never called him 'Daddy' by name. She told him she wanted him to 'be the daddy'. But never used the name. He had never dreamed of the effect it would have on him. He smiled down at his daughter (who formally would be once the certification of the adoption papers went through). He responded to her beckoning and stood up.
They danced for a bit, Zoe still standing on the ground, her hands up and outstretched to his as he twirled her. Soon, he picked her up supported her with one arm, while holding her other hand out beside them. The same as he had danced with Scully.
Scully watched for a second before picking up her mother's camera beside her. She snapped a few shots of her husband and daughter dancing. Another wave of anguish swept through her as she realized her father would not dance with her at her wedding. She found it easier to push away this feeling as she watched Zoe's joyous face as she danced with her daddy. Zoe would have a father to dance at her wedding.
~~~
Just before the last song, Scully tossed the bouquet. The group of single women behind her instantly turned into a pack of vicious animals as the flowers went sailing. They tackled the flowers and each other, all groping for the prize. In the end, it was Mary Astadourian who held onto the bouquet.
Mulder and Scully kissed Zoe good bye, who would be staying with Maggie while they were on their honeymoon. The got into Mulder's car after having rice thrown at them. A couple of the guys had traditional decorated the car with shaving cream, toilet paper, and cans on strings. It was and odd sight, considering the government tags on the back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mulder Residence
Montgomery County
They drove back to the house they bought back in January. After deciding Scully's apartment was way too cramped, they had gone house hunting. They found a lovely home outside of DC, in the town of Somerset. It was quiet, with a nice neighborhood and a good school system.
None of this was what was on Mulder and Scully's minds as they pulled into the driveway. Mulder had convinced Scully to let him carry her over the threshold, since they were really married this time, not just pretending. As soon as he managed to unlock the door with Scully in his arms, he began kissing her. He wanted her so badly, ever since seeing her in the dress at ten this morning, he could barely keep himself from dropping her right in the doorway and doing her there.
He managed to carry her upstairs and make it to the bedroom. She dropped her dress where it would be safe from the passion. Neither of them could get their clothes off fast enough.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Afterwards, Scully lay still awake in their bed. Orange evening light seeped through the curtains onto the bed and their weary, sheet-covered bodies. It did not--at that moment--feel any different than the other times they lay together in bed. This time, she knew it was different. The happiness she felt was almost overwhelming. She was now, officially, Mrs. Dana Mulder. It even sounded weird just in her head. Of course, she would still be Agent Scully at work, as to not confuse anyone. And she would always be Scully to Mulder, as he would be Mulder to her. But, it almost felt WRONG to be so happy. Never had so much happiness been given to her in so little time. She feared that at any moment, something would happen to steal that away.
She found herself closing her eyes and praying to God. Praying that everything would be fine for them. That none of this bliss, would ever be stolen. She had a loving husband and a wonderful daughter, she wanted nothing else in life than to live happily ever after with them. As she remembered back to the past year, from the first time she saw Zoe, to the first time she and Mulder had made love, until now; she realized that her dreamt about "New Beginning" had finally arrived.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~FIN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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