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Chapter Text

Stella woke early, surrounded by silence. She sat up in bed, listening to the faint sounds of traffic in the distance. It was familiar and yet so different from what she was used to at home. Dana was still sleeping soundly beside her, worn out from their long journey and everything that came after. Stella knew she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep, there was too much on her mind at once. She had Dana by her side and she already knew and liked Charlie very much but what about the rest of the family?

There was a strange feeling of uneasiness inside of her because she didn’t know what to expect. She was afraid that this would end up in some sort of disaster and she didn’t want Dana to return to England with a broken heart. Carefully she slipped out of bed and reached for the blanket she had used last night. Wrapping herself in the soft material she settled by the window and looked outside. Everything was so quiet that it seemed almost surreal to her. The snow that covered the ground was beautiful and still untouched, soft snowflakes falling from the grayish sky. She smiled at a distant memory, a night that they had spent together at the beginning of their relationship. Dana had left the house once she had realized that it was snowing and the way it had excited her still warmed Stella’s heart.

She closed her eyes and inhaled the crisp morning air, remembering what she had told her fiancée a couple of hours ago. A part of her felt guilty, thinking that none of this should have ever been shared; it bothered her that she had said these things out loud when she had been so keen on keeping it a secret for decades. It seemed to weigh her down but deep inside she knew that it had been the right thing to do.

She heard the soft rustle of the sheets and turned her head just in time to see Dana turn on her tummy.

„Why are you awake already?“ she mumbled into her pillow. „We’re supposed to be on vacation.“

„Sorry,“ Stella said softly and walked over to the bed, climbing in on Dana’s side; it was warm and welcoming. „I didn’t mean to wake you.“

„Don’t worry,“ Dana whispered with her eyes still closed. She stifled a yawn and turned to Stella. „How do you feel?“

Her voice was soft, gentle with concern and slightly raspy from hours of sleep; Stella knew that she was thinking of what had been said the night before and she simply shrugged.

„I don’t know,“ Stella admitted and Dana sat up, leaning her head against Stella’s shoulder. „I haven’t thought about it in so long… I don’t even know where that came from.“

„It’s alright,“ Scully said. „Sometimes it helps to let go.“

„Yes,“ Stella whispered, pulling the warm blanket a little tighter around them. There was still something else on her mind. „I’m still trying to wrap my head around what’s going to happen.“

„Don’t overthink it, we’ll be fine.“

„I’m not used to… this,“ Stella said sighed. „Spending the Holidays surrounded by people, let alone strangers!“
„You mean someone who loves you dearly?“ Scully said and smiled. „And you already know Charlie. I wouldn’t worry so much about the rest.“

„I’m just afraid it’s going to be overwhelming.“

„I wish I could deny that,“ Dana said, faintly remembering the previous Holidays spent with her family. „It’s Christmas after all, isn’t that supposed to be this way?“

„I always thought it was about comfort, warmth, peacefulness, serenity…“

„Wishful thinking,“ Scully said and chuckled. „It’s more about too many loud people in one room, estranged family members asking inappropriate questions about your love life and every now and then someone will comment on your life choices that differ from what they deem the right thing and, before the night is over, someone will end up commenting on your weight like it’s any of their goddamn business.“

„That sounds awful, I’m starting to think that spending these nights drunk and alone was a rather smart thing.“

„I was exaggerating,“ Scully admitted, remembering that it hadn’t always been that way. „It wasn’t that bad, it changed when my father died and then Charlie was gone, it just didn’t feel the same any longer.“

„It doesn’t have to be that way, Stella,“ she said. „I moved on and… we can make it our own thing. Just us,“ she said and brushed a strand of hair from Stella’s face. „Just us against the rest of the world. And if things get overwhelming we leave; take our own time. We don’t owe anything to anyone and we can leave whenever it suits us.“

Stella brushed her lips against Dana’s forehead, gently kissing her.
„Thank you.“

„Would you like a cup of coffee?“

„I don’t want to get out of bed,“ Stella protested lightly. „It’s so warm here.“

„Who said anything about getting out of bed? It’s not like we have somewhere to be.“

„When will they arrive?“

„Charlie should be here around 10am, I offered to pick him up from the airport but he said he’ll meet a friend on the way so that’s sorted. Bill and the rest will be here some time in the afternoon if I remember that correctly so we’ll have a few more quiet hours to ourselves. I’ll be right back, I need to get my phone in case someone calls.“

A few minutes later she returned with two mugs of steaming coffee, its smell slowly filling the room.

„That’s lovely,“ Stella said and took the mugs while Dana crawled under the covers.

„Charlie just texted,“ Dana said and put her phone on the bedside table, cradling the cup with both hands. „His connecting flight has been delayed because of a snow storm.

„Any other way for him to get here? Fly through Atlanta?“

Dana shook her head.

„Not at the moment. I told him to ring me as soon as he figured something out but I have a feeling he won’t make it before my other brother gets here.“

„That sucks,“ Stella said and sipped her coffee. „I mean… just because it takes so long for Charlie to get here.“

Dana chuckled.

„I get it.“

„Anything you would like to do today?“

„I feel like I should be looking for a job,“ Dana said with a slight hint of frustration. „I just can’t get it out of my head.“

„Dana… you promised to let it go until January. There’s nothing to worry, really. It’s not like we actually need the money to get by, you know that. Please, just enjoy your time here and we’ll worry about everything else once we get back to London.“

„Easier said than done,“ Dana sighed and smiled.

„I know, I know… but let’s try.“

Stella knew that she wasn’t exactly the right person to be giving such an advice but it was the best she could do right now. She didn’t want Dana to worry because there was no need to and at the same time she understood where the restlessness came from.

„I’m just so scared, what if that was the wrong decision?“

„Maybe it just takes time to get used to it, I’m sure things will sort itself out one way or the other.“

„Maybe you’re right,“ Scully admitted.

She had quit her job in Oxford about two weeks ago, sooner than she had intended to but she just couldn’t take it any longer. She had always been worn out and fed up with the long drives and one morning, when she finally came home before Stella left for work, she had broken down and cried because she had been so exhausted. An hour later she had written her letter of resignation and put an end to it. It was time for a fresh start once and for all.

„You know, we’re still looking for a new pathologist if you consider working in law enforcement again,“ Stella suggested with a smile.

„I don’t know, I thought I was through with this when I handed over my badge and quit once and for all.“

„It was just an idea. But imagine the great work someone with your expertise and experience could do.“

„You are so charming,“ Scully said and laughed. „So, no more talk about work today, I promise.“

„Right, what are we going to do?“

„I’d suggest sightseeing in DC but since there’s a snow storm somewhere out there and the streets will be crowded with too many people doing last minute Christmas shopping I suggest we stay away from that.“

„That sounds like a wonderful plan.“

„We can stay in if you like, watch a movie… order takeout or walk to a very nice restaurant not far from here.“

„I thought Americans don’t walk to places.“

„Safe to say I spent enough time in London to do so,“ Scully laughed. „There’s a lot we can do at home. Set up the Christmas tree, make gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows…“

„How old are you? Five?“ Stella laughed.

„I really don’t care, let me have my marshmallows.“

„Right, so… Netflix and Chill it is?“

Scully laughed, thinking that they better make the best of their alone-time; they’d have to be real quiet once the family arrived.

„Sounds perfect,“ Scully said and leaned over to kiss Stella. „When’s the last time you’ve been ice skating?“ Scully wondered when she pulled away from Stella.

„Ehm…“ Stella said, pretending to think about it real hard. „I’m pretty sure that I have never done that before.“

„No way,“ Scully said, feeling excited all of a sudden. „How about I’ll take you on an ice skating date?“

„I’ll just end up with a broken ankle.“

„It will be fine, come on! It’ll give us an excuse to get out of the house.“

„I’ll think about it,“ Stella said, feeling slightly uneasy at the thought. It was something so simple that she had never mastered because it had never occurred important to her, what if she made a fool of herself?

„Dana, stop. It’s going to be ok!“ Stella said, smiling while she leaned against the doorframe with a cup of tea in her hand. She’d rather have some wine but maybe she needed a clear head for what was to come later and decided to wait.

„I just wish Charlie was here already,“ she said, thinking that he would have been her back up against their elder brother.

Stella sighed; that orgasm half an hour ago had clearly done nothing to calm Dana’s nerves.

„Why do you worry in the first place? I thought you don’t give a shit about what he thinks any longer?“

„I know.“ Dana sighed, feeling a bit stupid all of a sudden.

„It has been so long since we have actually seen each other.“

„I’ll be here,“ Stella said, walked over and put her hand on Dana’s hips. „It’s going to be okay. Just remember the big news.“

„I promised Charlie to wait for him, I can’t ruin that,“ she said and Stella laughed before she kissed her fiancée long and slow.

„What’s your nephews name again?“

„It’s Matthew. Can’t wait to see him, I bet he’s taller than me by now.“

„That’s not very hard,“ Stella laughed.

„My brother’s wife is called Tara, I guess that’s the most important thing to start with.“

As if on cue the driveway lit up with lights and a car pulled up, followed by the sound of doors seconds later.

„Showtime,“ Dana said and kissed Stella one last time before she turned around and opened the front door.

She crossed her arms in front of chest to protect herself against the biting cold when a young man walked up to her with the biggest smile on his face; she almost didn’t recognize him.

„Aunty Dana,“ he said and pulled her into a hug.

„Oh God, Matthew you need to stop growing up,“ she said and felt her heart melt a little, suddenly remembering her own son.

„I’m so happy to see you,“ he said and Dana stepped aside to let him in. „To be honest you’re the main reason I agreed to come with them,“ he said with a cheeky smile and Dana chuckled.

„Matthew, this is Stella,“ she said and introduced them to each other. They had agreed not to use the word fiancée right from the start, simply because she wanted to drop the bombshell a little later.

„Stella, this is my nephew.“

„Lovely to meet you,“ she said and was greeted with the same big smile.

„Dad said Charlie will be here too,“ Matthew said, sounding almost disappointed while he looked around.

„His flight has been delayed but he’s on his way, I’m sure he’ll be here soon.“

„Oh wow, England is really rubbing off on you,“ he said, smiling at her accent that was more obvious now that she was surrounded by Americans.

„Thanks,“ she said and watched him step into the living room; he looked around and Scully wondered when he’d been here the last time. It must have been for her mothers funeral but she wasn’t exactly sure, she didn’t remember much of that day.

She cast a quick glance at Stella, trying to blink the unshed tears away and took a deep breath.

„Dana,“ Tara said joyfully when she walked in, hugging her with the same amount of love her nephew had displayed.

„Tara, so lovely to see you,“ Dana said and kissed her cheek. Bill stepped in right after her and she could feel things getting awkward, knowing that she wasn’t to expect a hug from him.

She was shocked for an instant because he suddenly seemed so much older than she remember him, resembling her father more and more each year. She recovered quickly, resisting the urge to salute him while he waited for her to say something but she didn’t want to start this off with an argument, she’d have enough for that later on.

„Bill,“ Scully said slightly formal, wishing this was over already.

„Dana,“ he replied, eyeing Stella curiously.

He probably expected to see Mulder walk in any second but she’d have to disappoint him on that account.

„Bill, this is Stella. Stella, my brother Bill,“ Stella stepped forward to shake his hand, not offering a further explanation.

„Pleasure to meet you,“ Stella said.

„The rooms upstairs should be warm and cozy if you like to drop your bags off,“ Scully said while the three of them settled in and shed their big winter coats.

„Thank you so much,“ Tara said. „How long have you been here?“

„We just arrived yesterday morning, I guess there’s still a bit to do.“

„Don’t worry about it tonight,“ Tara said and Stella had a feeling she already liked her more than the husband. „We’ll figure it out tomorrow.“

„Charlie will stay in his room,“ Dana called after them when they climbed the stairs.

„Well, that was awkward,“ Stella said as soon as they were out of earshot and followed Dana into the kitchen.

„Oh, you think?“ Scully said. „I need a glass of wine.“

„Make it two,“ Stella said and sat down. „Your nephew seems nice though.“

„He’s always been a lovely kid, I’m happy that he decided to come along but Charlie needs to get over her as soon as possible…“

„What’s the deal with you and your brother?“ Stella said took a glass of wine from Dana. „I know you’ve mentioned him before and you didn’t seem to get along well in the past but… I’m still trying to understand.“

„How about I’ll give you a few days so you’ll see for yourself?“

„Fair enough,“ Stella said and rose to kiss her fiancée. „Let’s do this.“

„Ready when you are,“ Scully said and followed her into the living room, waiting for the rest of the family.

They made it through an hour of courtesy chit chat, trying to warm up to each other when a taxi pulled up in front of their house and Scully sighed with relief now that Charlie was finally here.

She had watched Stella and Bill quietly, noticing that they still kept a respective distance, trying to figure each other out. She had once worried that Stella would end up telling Bill what she really thought of him and now that thought didn’t seem so appalling any longer; it amused her that someone would eventually put him into place, getting him off his high horse.

She rose to open the door for Charlie but Matthew beat her to it so they listening to the two men reuniting by the door after ages. She quickly remembered the first time she had seen Charlie on her birthday not too long ago and it brought tears to her eyes because she was still so happy about it.

A moment later Charlie walked in, straight towards his younger sister.

„Dana,“ he said happily, surprising her when he scooped her up in his arms and spun them around.

„Charlie, stop!“ she said and laughed.

„Why, I’m finally big enough to do that sis,“ he put her down and wrapped his arms around her.

„I’m glad you’re here,“ she said quietly.

„Me too. So wonderful to see you.“

He let go off her and gave Stella a warm hug and it was obvious that they had met before.

„Well, welcome to the Scully home, Stella,“ Charlie said and winked at them before he turned around to the rest of the family.

„Thank you, it’s wonderful.“

Scully observed the interaction between them and it was just as bad as it had felt an hour ago. Charlie was even more a stranger to them than she was but they would have to figure it out somehow. In the end, they still had each other.