untitled
'TOWER
TALL'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Marriage,
to men as to women, must be a luxury, not a necessity; an
incident of life, not all of it. And the only possible way to
accomplish this great change is to accord to women equal power in
the making, shaping and controlling of the circumstances of
life.'
.........................~Susan B. Anthony (1875)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
White satin and lace, cherry blossoms, sunlight brighter than
she's ever seen it, a sea of friends and family gathered for this
one special day, and the keys to a soul never believed
attainable.
Without a doubt a fairytale come true.
Blue eyes fix on beams of hazel, and for neither the first nor
last time she wonders how the hell they'd managed to hold on this
long for this moment as his hands reach to clasp onto hers.
"Scully," the man she loves with all she has and more
whispers with a hitched, disbelieving breath. "We're
here."
The widest smile she's sure she's ever smiled splits her face,
and her eyes slip shut as she basks in his presence. It's all so
surreal - the concept that after years of innuendo, masked
flirtation and emotional turmoil they're here, ready to tie the
proverbial knot and become husband and wife...
"Scully?"
She feels warm flesh cup her cheek, and she leans into the
touch--
"Scully?"
--but something isn't right. The concern in his voice is
misplaced, and reluctantly her eyes open, only to find herself
seated in the passenger seat of their car as a torrent of rain
continues to fall outside.
The dream, again. She should have known it could never be that
perfect for them...
"Scully, are you okay?"
The hand touching her face gently wipes away a single, unexpected
tear, and her gaze lifts to fix on Mulder's expression of panic.
She nods, but waits until she's cast a quick glance down at the
small engagement ring on her slim right hand before replying,
"I'm fine."
His mouth opens, ready to protest, but the right words evade him
and he's left feeling even more distant than he knows they will
be in just twenty-four hours. He has to give her this moment of
happiness before they're ripped apart, but he doesn't know if he
can muster the energy or will to be cheery when such dark storm
clouds linger on the horizon.
If only their lives weren't such a catch-22.
XxXxXxXxX
SCULLY'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN, WASHINGTON D.C
32 HOURS EARLIER
Fox Mulder sat in his car and stared contemplatively through the
windshield at Scully's apartment block - a hand nervously wiping
several times over his dry mouth. Early this morning Kersh had
arrived to rip apart their moment of 'normal' family bliss,
spouting some crap about how their lives were more threatened
than ever before. An argument had followed, the deputy director
had deftly avoided swung fists before making a quick exit, and
then Mulder had turned - with head shaking in disgust - ready to
laugh with Scully about how desperate Kersh really was to
disappear him off the face of the earth.
All words and momentum in him had died, however, when he'd seen
her gently kiss the top of William's head and then quickly turn
away from him.
She wanted him to go.
...Well, not 'wanted', perhaps, per se, but certainly needed him
to leave his new family behind indefinitely for the sake of all
their lives'.
"The truth we both know."
The words echo in his head.
Oh yeah, they'd found it - all the truth they could ever imagine
knowing had dropped into their hands - but the price for that
possession was now turning out to be much more than they were
prepared to pay, and there was no going back. All they could pray
for from now on was its eventual deliverance of a future they
could live and enjoy together
So, all day he'd been at his apartment moping, clearing his stuff
out with the help of the Gunmen, and thinking. She'd called his
home phone and cellular countless times, but he'd avoided
answering for fear that wrong words would be said or that he
wouldn't be able to say anything to her at all. Their partnership
and whatever else they shared meant everything to him, and last
night had been the first time they'd openly acknowledged their
love for and commitment to each other since before he'd been
abducted, but now she was telling him to leave... No matter how
much logic she may see behind that course of action, his brain
refuses to wrap around it - certain in the fact that the only
thing that can come from this plan of self-exile is the death of
his heart all over again.
"She's crazy about you, man," Frohike had exclaimed,
stepping into the bedroom of the half-empty apartment, only to
find Mulder staring blankly out through the window he stood in
front of. "If it hadn't been for the pregnancy, she'd o'
more than likely killed herself when you were found in those
woods... And now, with the miracle munchkin being born...You
can't really stand there and believe that sending you away is
easy for her?"
Mulder hadn't turned to face his friend - ashamed that on some
level that was exactly what he believed. Since his return from
the grave, he'd carried the burden of what his ego had insisted
was his grief to bear alone with little (if any at all) of a
sideways glance at what emotional turmoil she may be going
through. He'd apologized over and over again for his cold
behavior and doubt concerning the paternity of William...Surely
last night had been her forgiveness...
Hadn't it?
"Why can't she and William come with me, if we really have
to be safer? She can't truly believe they'll be okay without me
there to watch their backs?" he had finally ground out,
still looking at the world beyond his bedroom window.
"There's gonna be plenty people watching her back, and you
know it," Frohike had continued, undeterred. "I mean,
what do you think we'll be doing for starters? And then there's
the bald guy, and Doggett and his lady friend...and, of course,
several well-placed, well-hidden camera friends of ours...Scully
and William will never be out of anyone's sight." The little
man had let out a small chuckle, but just as quickly fallen
silent for a minute or two before continuing, "She's sending
you away, for God's sake, so that nothing happens to you! Your
life's in danger if you stick around, so she's putting herself
through the hell of letting you disappear again so that she
doesn't have to bury you forever! Doesn't that prove how much she
cares for you? How much she loves you?"
Silence.
"She's putting everything on the line for you, despite how
much of a jackass you've been since you got back. Have you even
bothered to tell her what you'd do for her to make everything
right? Have you proven to her how far you'd go to safely hold her
and Will in your arms forever with no fears of aliens ripping you
apart? Maybe--...Maybe this is your chance."
Eight years of touches, promises, hospital bed vigils, and - more
recently - declarations of love; a trust and soul never attained
by anyone else willingly placed in her hands. He'd lived, died
and risen again for her - because of her. Surely all that had
shown just how committed he was to their partnership? Sur--
And that was when he'd faltered - the word 'partnership' still
reverberating in his mind. Even when they'd become 'lovers', he'd
considered them as partners - partners in everything. But
'partnership' refused to define who they were now from how it'd
been when they'd first been sentenced to share the basement
x-files office, no matter how far they'd come since then. It was
too professional and cold, and no wonder Scully might have reason
to think he just wanted to keep things as they always had been
between them.
Rivulets of tears sliding down his face, Mulder had slowly turned
away from the window and nodded at his elf-esque friend. Frohike
was right: he had to show Scully that he could embrace this new
world he'd been resurrected into and love the woman his
disappearance and necessity had forced her to become. He would
show her how blessed he was to have been gifted with a beautiful,
caring woman who had then given birth to the miracle that was his
- correction, their - son. He'd prove that he was committed to
their relationship one hundred and fifty percent always and
forever...
And - God, help him - he'd leave them if that was what it took to
keep them safe.
"But for how long?" he'd eventually managed to choke
out. "I'm missing them so much right now my heart aches, but
I'm only a couple of miles away and saw them just six hours ago.
A day, a week, a month.....a year...it'll kill me..."
"And it'll kill her," Byers' voice had suddenly cut in
from the bedroom doorway. "That's why you should be with
them now, enjoying every last second you have together until it's
okay for you to return."
There'd been no need to tell him twice, and after checking
everything was okay to leave in their hands, he'd left the
apartment for what he was certain would be the last time ever.
But her place hadn't been his first port of call.
And, now, as Mulder sits in his car and stares at her building,
he wonders if he did the right thing by going to the jewelers'
and buying the small engagement ring. Lack of bravery aside, he's
petrified about her possible reaction to his proposing before
disappearing into the shadows.
XxXxXxXxX
JUNE 10th, 2001
12:24 PM
"Shhh. It's okay, sweet baby," Scully sighed, pacing
the room and gently rocking a restless, screaming William in her
tired arms. Several kisses to his face and the crest of his head
made no difference, and all she could worry about was Mulder's
whereabouts. "Daddy'll be home soon."
Who was she trying to convince with that? William or herself?
When she'd tried to call Mulder on his phone numerous times with
no reply, she hadn't been surprised by the thought that he was
avoiding her - understood fully that he needed time alone to let
what she was asking him to do sink in properly. Thankfully, just
over an hour ago Frohike had phoned to assure her Mulder was okay
and on his way home...
But she's neither seen nor heard from him since, and she can't
shift the fear that he's left them already without saying
'goodbye'.
"Shhh."
Suddenly, her pacing stopped and breath caught as there's the
sound of footsteps slowly, hesitantly making their way down the
hall outside and then come to a stop at her apartment door.
Scully waited for the visitor to knock, but no sound came. Even
William had fallen silent.
Silence. Stillness. For what seemed an eternity, until
finally....
A key entered and turned the lock.
It could easily be an enemy breaking in, but instinct and
anticipation told her otherwise, and she rushed to greet the man
at the door just as it opened.
XxXxXxXxX
PRESENT DAY
JUNE 11th, 2001
3:46 PM
A cold gust of air envelopes them, despite the car heater, and
her false assurance of fineness falls flat as he struggles to
find a reply. The awkwardness becomes too intense, however, and
they end up breaking eye contact to quietly stare at the small
chapel ahead of them.
"You don--...You...I don't want you to feel obligated into
doing this," her small voice from the passenger seat croaks
out. "Not like this...Not if it's not something you
wanted...Whether we're married or not, you know I'll always care
for you..." Gulp. "I'll a-a-always...love you..."
Mulder sharply turns back to face the side of her head, unable to
believe that she can doubt how badly he wants this - how badly
he's wanted to take her hand and call her his wife for almost
forever. When he'd asked the question yesterday he'd seen the
look on her face questioning his motive, but he'd sworn that he
had never been nor ever would be more certain of anything in his
sorry-ass life, and she'd believed him.
Except...he'd lied.
As his head leans ever so slightly to the side, Mulder continues
to stare at her profile, feels his heart swell to near-bursting
point - so much so that he finds himself struggling for breath -
and knows beyond every conceivable shadow of a doubt that
marriage and anything else attainable is exactly what he wants
with this woman.
"You and William are the most important things in my life,
and I'll do anything in my power to take down anybody that tries
to take you away... This--...The thought of marriage has always
scared me because I don't wanna take any risks that might change
or spoil what we have. Past experience told me that that's all
marriage does - ends up turning people against each other - and I
couldn't bear the thought of doing that to us," he professes
in a whisper heavy with emotion. "I came to realize that
that could never happen between us, though, because what we have
is so different - so much greater - than anything I had
with--..." His voice trails off momentarily as he sees her
flinch, and rushes to finish the sentence before she emotionally
separates herself from his words. "Than anything I had with
anybody else, ever. Having you as my wife would only make my life
more magical - more complete. And now, with William, we can
finally be a proper family! ...We...We can get out of the car
like you always wanted..."
Strands of auburn wrap around her face as it lowers, shakes, and
then slowly lifts again to turn toward him. Orbs of blue drown in
unstoppable tears. Lips as red as cherry quiver. And then it
dawns on him as to why this is so much more difficult than it had
been to propose: there's just no hiding from the fact that while
she may be able to get out of the proverbial car with their son
protectively wrapped in her arms, Mulder will have to continue
driving the damn thing away from them as far and for as long as
necessary until he can return safely.
XxXxXxXxX
SCULLY'S APARTMENT
26 HOURS EARLIER
"Hi."
"Hi." Tension polluted the air between them, but Mulder
bent to kiss the corner of her mouth before then leaning in
further to press a kiss to the crest of William's downy hair.
"Hey, kiddo! You been good for Mommy?" The child
considered his strange but enthralling father thoughtfully and
then smiled - reaching out a chubby fist to playfully tap
Mulder's nose. Mulder beamed also and gently clasped the tiny
hand in one of his much larger ones. "You don't like it
either, huh? Well, be thankful - at the moment, your nose looks
pretty fine to me, so you could just be in luck and not have
inherited mine."
Despite the seriousness of what she knew would follow, Scully
couldn't hold back the small chuckle that escaped at his
one-sided banter.
"There's nothing wrong with your nose, Mulder, and in fact I
think William does have yours - that's certainly not mine,"
she smiled.
Mulder eyed her curiously and then stared back at Will - as if
the two of them were having a meaningful conversation. "A
woman of taste is your mommy, Will'yum...Either that or she's
completely crazy! There's a lesson for you to learn when you grow
up and start getting compliments from girls: if they're nice
about your nose, be suspicious!" He paused and blinked...and
realized William was actually fast asleep. "Oh," he
sighed, shaking his head once and standing up straight.
"Nice to see you've inherited that trait from your mother,
I'm sure."
His chuckle died quickly, and silence entrapped them for several
long seconds.
"I'm gonna go put him down in his cr--"
"No! I mean, can you wait a second? I need--...I want to ask
you a question."
The quirked eyebrow was something he found himself grateful to
see, and Scully gave an uncertain nod as she shifted the bulk in
her arms until William was using her shoulder as a pillow.
"Wh-what is it? If it's about--...You know w-we
can't..."
Mulder stood frozen on the spot, wishing he'd sat in his car for
a bit longer to plan this through more thoroughly. "I,
uh...I wanna first apologise for being such a jerk - today, since
I got back, since we were first paired together. Sometimes my
head completely disassociates itself from my heart and what I
know to be true deep down in there, so I end up saying and
thinking stuff that isn't right. Th-that's no excuse for being
hurtful, but I really wanna say sorry for--"
"Mul--"
"--being like that." As he continued to speak, one hand
lowered into the pocket of his jacket and fingers enveloped the
small velvet box inside. "And...I just wanna always be there
with you... So, h-how about--...I mean, what would you say if I
asked you to... to marry me?" The box was removed from it's
hiding place and presented to her just as Scully's mouth dropped
open in silent surprise and confusion. "We could organise a
ceremony for tomorrow before--"
Dana shook her head, stroking her free hand down Will's back.
"I know why...why you're doing this...Y-you shouldn't listen
to my mother - just because we have a child, doesn't mean you
should feel forced into--"
"I'm not thinking about your mom or religious regulations or
anything else except the dream of you, me and Will together
always. Today I've gone from hating what you've asked of me, to
actually admiring you for it because I know I'm too cowardly to
have ever made that sacrifice. If you hadn't anchored me
and...and ...and..." Mulder swallowed hard and blinked back
tears. "If you hadn't stepped forward and decided what would
be for the best, I'd've stayed here and blindly waved a fist at
the enemy whilst others crept up from behind."
"You have to go because your life is at risk," she
corrected assertively. "You have to go because I can't let
anything happen to you. If this was just about me things would be
a lot different."
"Whatever. We've been through so much over the years
together...I just wanna finally prove my commitment and give a
promise to you before I leave. We could have a small ceremony
tomorrow to keep us going until I get back, and then when I do
return we can do the whole thing with tuxedos and long dresses
and family and friends... and even Bill."
Scully stared at the box in his outstretched hand and then turned
away toward the hallway. "I don't...I--" Her head
lowered and she quickly moved to her bedroom, pushing the door
shut after her.
"Scully? Scully!? Dammit..." Refusing to cower yet
again from the walls around their hearts that had threatened to
seperate them time and time again, he ran to the door and lightly
rapped on it. When she still didn't respond, he entered the room,
only to find her leaning over William's bassinet - her arched
back heaving as she sobbed.
"When I was a little girl I always used to dream about
getting married...I guess that's normal, really, but Missy used
to tease me about it. I used to dream about becoming the wife of
Prince Charming out of any fairytale and living with him in his
castle, but Missy heard me talking in my sleep one night and it
became...I don't know...Her trump card, I guess, because she'd
threaten to tell Mom and Ahab about it if I didn't help her with
homework or something like that," she sniffed, sensing
Mulder's presence behind her. "Maybe that dream was also why
I used to go for the types of men that I did: I wanted to be
somebody's princess...a prize, of sorts."
"Scully, I just--"
"But then I stumbled upon the ultimate Prince Charming when
I entered his palace in the basement of the FBI. He didn't treat
me like some cheap prize, though...He treated me like an equal,
and together we could have ruled the land..." Finally, she
stood, glanced over her shoulder at him and then shakily turned.
"I know fairytales aren't real, but you've always helped me
to believe and feel that absolutely anything is possible, and you
made me realize that, in the end, all I really need is a knight
in shining armor to save my broken soul and whisk me away. You're
everything to me, Mulder, no matter what, and last night you gave
me so much hope for the future that I actually had the dream
again - the first time in over a quarter of a century!"
"All you have to say is 'yes' and we'll do it." He took
a step forward and yet again outstretched the hand holding the
ring box.
Her head shook and lowered briefly. "I told you I know
fairytales don't exist, and that can only mean things end far
from 'happily ever after'. The dream was shattered, and hope was
snatched away by Kersh's visit this morning..."
Mulder frowned in puzzlement - confused as to what she was
getting at and why she didn't just accept his proposal.
"I--..." Her hesitation made him wonder if even she
knew. "I wanna say 'yes' so badly...God, I've longed to hear
those words come from you for longer than I can remember, but in
twenty-four or forty-eight hours--
"In twenty-four or forty-eight hours I'm gonna be gone with
only memories to cling to," he quickly cut in, stepping
forward and wrapping both arms around her. "But that
shouldn't stop us from being able to snatch up one more piece of
happiness before it happens, should it?"
There was the faint sting of her nails frantically scratching at
his back and hot tears soaking the front of his t-shirt, but he
said nothing more, choosing instead to just tighten his hold on
her and press kisses in her hair.
"No," she eventually whispered, and his eyes clamped
shut before the tears of pain completely washed them out of their
sockets. "No, we shouldn't let it."
Mulder's eyes flew open again and he took a step back so that he
could frown down at her, only to see her staring back at him with
jaw set. "Scu--"
Her head shook to silence him and then she shifted so that she
could pry the box from his grasp. "We should enjoy every
minute we have." Trembling fingers struggled to open the
catch on the front until, finally, the lid fell backwards to
reveal a golden band and whisper small diamond that shone so
brightly it could probably blind the unsuspecting.
"I-I-I know it's n-not much...but, when I get back, I swear
I'll get the biggest imaginable..."
Once again her head shook, but this time she was smiling.
"Why? This--...This is the most beautiful ever, and...and
given with your love, which is the greatest and most important
thing to me - what more could I want?"
"So...W-Will you marry this paranoid old guy, Dana Katherine
Scully?"
As far as she was concerned, words were not good enough an answer
for such a question if he couldn't already read it from the
expression on her face, so, instead - as William's light snore
became the only sound in the room - Scully wrapped both arms
around her partner's neck and reached up onto tiptoe to share a
passionate kiss with him.
The heavy reality of the whole situation didn't sink in until
later that night as she lay beside his slumbering body in their
bed.
XxXxXxXxX
PRESENT DAY
The unseasonal rainstorm continues to hammer against their car,
and Scully listens to the rhythm of the water droplets as she
considers Mulder's words. She'd been on a kind of high as they'd
spent the rest of yesterday making arrangements, putting his
belongings into either storage or her apartment and tying up
loose ends - making every effort, with the help of the Gunmen and
Skinner, to be as thorough as possible so Mulder would completely
disappear off the radar as if he'd never existed, but at the same
time being sure that enough time was set aside in the evening for
him, William and herself to spend together alone.
The practical thinking part of her, as well as the ruins of the
emotional wall around her heart, had chosen to start bombarding
her with doubt at approximately one-thirty this morning and
hadn't let up since.
'He could have asked before, but he left it until now - why?'
'You're not ready to become his little wife!'
'You're forcing him into this!'
She's heard about it being natural to have second thoughts before
a wedding, but she'd have never thought that possible with him -
after all, why shouldn't they finally get married? It's the most
logical next step in their long, growing relationship and their
love's as great, if not moreso, than anybody else's!
'Admit it, you're just scared!'
But why?
'Because although he's still the man you love and the father of
your son, you can bear the thought of losing your partner more
than you can that of letting your husband walk away.'
Dana's head sharply lifts - the random beat on the shell of the
vehicle abandoned and forgotten - and wet but steely-blue eyes
fix on his worried expression. Yes, he has to go, but at least
it's by choice - he will be back, and somehow they can find a way
to communicate in the meantime. Clarity finally helps her see
that her fears have been working overdrive, based solely on the
experience from when he'd been abducted and returned dead earlier
in the year.
"And we'll keep the home fires burning until you've parked
it," she smiles at last, squaring her shoulders and reaching
out to grab his hand and intertwine their fingers together.
There's a pause as Mulder draws upon her newfound strength of
will, and then he reaches over to place a kiss on her forehead,
cheek and lips. The uncertainty of their future lies around
tomorrow's corner, but they have today and he prays that they're
allowed to enjoy every second of it
"Come on then, Agent Scully - before you change your
mind!"
XxXxXxXxX
MULDER'S APARTMENT
24 HOURS EARLIER
Nine hours after an emotional, slightly inebriated Fox Mulder had
turned up at their door, and just two hours short of that since
'Operation Vanish' had been forced into action, the Lone Gunmen
loaded the last box of personal effects to be transported to
Scully's home into their VW bus.
"This is ridiculous," a sweaty, disgruntled Skinner -
who had rushed here after hearing Kersh's news and arrived
shortly after Mulder's departure - sighed, shaking his head.
"It's beyond ridiculous, man - it's downright crazy!"
Frohike corrected, sliding the side door shut. "I mean, he
only just got back...They've got the little man now and they
should be able to live happily ever after!"
Langley opened his mouth to agree, but that was when Byers'
cellphone rang. All eyes turned on him as he answered.
"Hello?"
"Byers, it's Mulder. Have you guys finished at the
apartment?"
"Uh, yeah. Assistant Director Skinner helped. We were just
about to bring the fish tank and other specified belongings to
Agent Scully's home. Why?"
There was a brief silent pause at the other end of the line
before, "I'm very grateful for all you've done to--... What
I mean is, both of us are grateful for everything you guys have
done to help us with this, but I need to ask one more
favor..."
John frowned slightly, but shook his head when his friends threw
questioning glares his way. "Sure thing, Mulder - you know
we'll help with whatever we can," he hesitantly answered
into the phone.
"First of all, you gotta promise not to laugh or say 'about
time' or anything like that."
Suddenly, the more quiet member of the trio had an inkling of
where this was leading, and the corner of his mouth turned
upwards. He'd hoped his words would get through Mulder's
bullheadedness earlier when he'd interrupted the conversation in
the bedroom, but could they really have kicked the FBI agent into
finally screwing his head on straight and taking the next big
step in the relationship with his partner?
"Byers?"
"I'm here. What do you need?"
"I've asked Scully to marry me, and she's said yes..."
'About time!' Byers' head exclaimed in exultation.
"But we wanna do it before I go...Just a small ceremony as
unnoticeable as possible..." Mulder snatched in a deep
breath before continuing in a conspiratorial, hushed tone,
"She's agreed it'd be best none of her family or anybody
else know about it, but I want you guys to find a chapel for
tomorrow....and discreetly get Mrs. Scully there. Would that be
possible at all, or am I pushing my luck with all the other stuff
you're doing?"
Frohike stepped forward and nudged his taller friend in the side,
but Byers shifted away - ignoring him as he assured the caller,
"No, that'd be fine - Langley and Frohike can work on the ID
setups etcetera whilst I, and possibly A.D. Skinner, arrange
that, but... just her mother? What about the rest of the family?
Don't you wan--"
"If it were up to me she'd be wearing a long white gown,
it'd be in a large church, and she could have as many friends,
family and whoever else she wishes there as she likes, but we
need to keep this low-key, and if her brother Bill finds out what
we're doing I may end up permanently dead before I've even
stepped one foot out of town," Mulder exclaimed, unable to
tamper his irritation. After a second or two, though, he sighed
and apologized, "I'm sorry, Byers...I shouldn't have
shouted...William just woke up for an afternoon feed and it's
really sinking in about all the moments I'm gonna miss as he
grows up - miss him develop all the quirks that make him him. I
don't wanna be a bad father...The kid's cursed enough as it is
having my DNA, but he shouldn't have to grow up without a father
- he deserves more than that, and Scully deserves more than
that."
"It's okay, I understand - we're all ruffled by this, and
you of all people have every reason to be tense. You gotta
remember, though: you will be home soon, and you'll always be
there for them. And how can you call yourself a bad father?
You're sacrificing all you have so that he's safe!"
"I wish I had as much optimism as you, bu--"
"Mulder?" Byers heard Dana's distant voice call out.
He smiled and turned back to his friends. The day looked far from
over.
"I--"
"Go to them, Mulder. We'll sort out the chapel and
everything else - don't worry about anything except the time you
have left."
Nothing more said, the call ended, and John pocketed his
cellphone just as the four men beside him exclaimed in unison,
"'Chapel'?"
XxXxXxXxX
WASHINGTON D.C
JUNE 11th
Hands tightly clasped in each others', the two of them stand in
front of the priest and repeat their vows on cue - desperately
trying not to laugh when William (nestled in Maggie Scully's
arms) lets out a cheerful gurgle almost at the same time, as if
saying it for them.
"Do you, Dana Katherine Scully take this man, Fox William
Mulder, to be your lawfully wedded husband..."
The friendly priest's voice fades away as Scully turns her head
to look at the five smartly-dressed figures standing behind them.
The most important people in her life are here, in this chapel,
and as she focuses on the pride deeply engraved in her mother's
expression, she realizes that fairytales can exist - just in
different forms from the versions in childrens' books and dreams.
An impending shadow of darkness waits just outside the chapel
doors to swallow her whole, but in the presence of the people she
loves, time seems to have frozen, and she almost wishes that it
could stay this way so he'll never have to leave.
"Scully?"
Almost.
For eight years she's dreamt of being with this man; sharing a
life and having a family with him. When abduction and cancer had
stolen away her health and chances of conceiving, she'd condemned
herself to believing that the fantasy would never be anything
more than just that. Thanks to miracle after miracle, though, she
has a chance to grab a tight hold on the dream-come-true reality,
but only if she lives it instead of avoiding it.
Briefly glancing at her son, she mentally prepares herself to
face the treacherous storm that is their lives - letting her
eyelids flutter shut for the tiniest instant.
"Scully, Father McCue's falling asleep here!"
Images of a life she doesn't understand how she knows attack her
senses and flash behind her closed eyes: lonely nights in her
apartment singing to William; threats against them all;
supersoldiers appearing left, right and center; another uncovered
spaceship; a moving mobile; blood, gunfire and...and...
Dana's eyes fly open - a gasp escaping her as she struggles to
comprehend what the hell she's just seen. Except, when the glare
of blinding sunlight clears, she finds herself standing at the
front of a large church. Margaret Scully is still in her direct
line of vision, but so is Bill and Tara and...Matthew, looking at
least 10 years old?! And where's William?
"Mul--"
Turning at breakneck speed, she faces Mulder and the panic etched
on his face, only to notice that he's dressed in a full tuxedo,
and patches of grey speckle his hair. She could have sworn that
time had come to a halt, so how - in the blink of an eye - had it
rushed past like the wind?
Too caught up in her thoughts, Scully doesn't notice her partner
slowly leaning forward until his head rests against hers and he
whispers, "We've waited this long to get here...Don't say
you've changed your mind now?" He chuckles, but she can here
the nervousness that laces it.
'This long'? Something indescribable lets go of its vice-like
grip on her heart, and for what she knows is the first time in
forever, she feels safe, complete, free. Memories catch her up,
and she knows that the real 'now' is actually four years after
that day in 2001. Mulder had been gone for two-and-a-half painful
years before returning home, but the wedding had been postponed
until now due to further threats against them and other
complications.
"Mommy?"
As the widest smile imagineable begins to rise her cheekbones,
Scully looks down at the small boy, dressed in a miniature
version of Mulder's suit, tugging at the bottom of her long
ivory-colored gown.
"Mommy, you 'kay?"
She crouches down, brushes a hand over the crest of her son's
lightbrown hair, and smiles, "I'm fine, William...How can I
not be with you and your daddy keeping an eye on me?" When
he gives a satisfied nod of his head and puts his fist in his
mouth before running back to sit on the front pew beside Walter
Skinner, Dana raises back up to full height.
"How can we not?" she hears Mulder whisper, just as she
returns her gaze back to the depths of his eyes that hold so many
emotions just for her and their son. "Who would keep us sane
if we didn't have you?" He squeezes the hand in his hold,
and she reciprocates the gesture.
"Are we ready, now?" the elderly McCue queries, cutting
in. Both nod, and he repeats his question to the female agent.
"Do you, Dana Katherine Scully, take this man, Fox William
Mulder, to be your lawfully wedded husband - for better, for
worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health for as
long as you both shall live?"
"I'd say we've been through all those, and much more, and
we're still together," comes her chuckled response.
"So, yes, I do."
Maggie Scully shifts excitedly where she sits, but feels the
tension in the body next to her notch up a level or two. She knew
Bill Jr. was just as stubborn as his father had been, but she
prayed that one day he would see straight and realize that Dana
was very happy where she was - that she wouldn't be happy
anywhere else. The grunt of disgust he makes when McCue asks the
same question to Mulder (their names swapped accordingly),
though, causes her to doubt that her prayers will be answered
anytime soon.
"Exactly four years ago today in a run-down chapel not far
from here I made the same vow, and absolutely nothing has changed
- in fact, my love for you has grown unbelievably stronger in
that time. I did then, and I do now - for as long as we live and
beyond that," comes Mulder's solemn response as he refuses
to break eye contact with his shorter partner.
"Oh, give me strength!" Bill curses under his breath -
ready to jump to his feet and leave.
"Hush," reprimands his wife. "Don't spoil Dana's
day...Just for a change."
"Bu--" The scowl Tara shoots his way is enough to
silence him, and he folds both arms across his chest as he pouts.
At the altar, much to Bill's silenced chagrin, Mulder and Scully
are pronounced man and wife and they share a long, passionate
kiss. When they turn to walk down the aisle toward the church's
exit, Dana falters and looks at all the faces congregated in the
church on this warm Saturday afternoon: Skinner, the Gunmen,
Doggett, Reyes, Kimberly, her mother, sister-in-law, nephew and
two brothers, her son... Every single person that fills a portion
of her life watching as she - dressed in white satin and lace -
begins to make her way down the aisle strewn with cherry
blossoms, arm-inarm with her soulmate and husband.
"Dreams come true, Scully, even ones based in
fairytales," Mulder's assuring tone sighs into her ear as
they approach the back of the church. "I knew this is what
you'd hoped for when we were sitting in the car outside that
chapel...I so badly wanted to give this to you..."
Without breaking her stride, she leans into him and replies,
"I was wrong back then - just as you've proven me wrong on
so many other things over the years--"
"I may have to quote you on that sometime..."
"Fairytales are real. Shall I tell you how I know?"
"Because you got Prince Charming twice?"
"Besides that."
He stops alongside their car - which the guys have,
unsurprisingly, decorated with ribbons, confetti, and 'Just
Married...Again' signs - and smirks down at her. "Go on
then, g-woman; don't keep your helpless husband always
guessing!"
"'Helpless'? Pffft...Clumsy, accident-prone and often-times
bedridden, but never helpless."
"Ooh, you make it sound so romantic! I just got very turned
on a--"
"We ended happily ever after."
Mulder frowns for a second in bewilderment, but then his features
contort into a wide, bright smile. "Yes and no," he
beams, bending down to kiss her. "There's a 'happy ever
after' involved, but this is far from the end!"
Goodbyes and gestures of appreciation are exchanged, and William
is handed into the care of his grandmother for the next
fortnight. It isn't long before the couple are belted into their
car seats, the key turns in the ignition, and Mulder is driving
them away from the crowd.
The journey starts out in companionable silence, but when they
reach the end of the street, Mulder awkwardly asks,
"Uh...Scully? Where are we going?"
Preoccupied with the worry that if she blinks again she might
find herself back at that small chapel or - even worse - standing
in the woods of Montana staring at his lifeless body, Scully
doesn't quite catch what he's said and slowly turns away from the
passenger-side window. "Huh?"
"Wh-where are we going?" He begins to panic, wishing
he'd ignored his paranoia and just booked them reservations
somewhere.
But instead of complaining at his lack of organization, she
actually smiles, replying, "Just drive, Mulder. Just drive
anywhere. The car has been our friend for too long for us to not
trust it and let it take us to wherever."
Without argument, as the sun begins to lower in the sky, Mulder
puts the car into gear and just drives toward the horizon.
They've got two weeks vacation time to themselves, with nothing
to detour them and no particular place to go. And for them,
that's perfect.
The sedan disappears from view, tightly packed with its two
passengers and the endless, tower tall love they share between
them, whilst bad memories become nothing more than the dust in
their wake.
XXXXXXXX
THE END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'I gave my
love a diamond whisper small
I made my love a promise tower tall
I said one day just wait I'll buy the world for you
One day you'll see my promise will come true
She looked down at the diamond whisper small
And said it sparkles brighter than them all
She said I'll need no more as long as I may live
You gave me love what greater gift can anyone give?
What greater gift can anyone give?
And so I made a promise in reply
A vow that I will honour till I die
The one I buy for you may be but whisper small
My love will be forever tower tall'
..............................~'Tower Tall' by Gene Pitney
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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