Chapter Text
She hums happily into his kiss after she welcomes him in the door. They have just enough time to slip in a quick twenty minute walk under the uncharacteristic winter sunshine before Dana has to depart to pick Emily up from school. Apparently Mulder isn't in a rush to head out though, based on how he seems content to linger and canoodle in her entryway.
"As much as I'm sure love is supposed to keep you warm," she mumbles against his lips as he presses further little pecks against the corner of her mouth, "I do need to get my jacket on if we're going to do this."
He sighs melodramatically, but lets her go so she can make her way quickly to her coat rack.
"I accept these terms, but you owe me at least three kisses for it," he grins, slipping his hands in the pockets of his own coat, bouncing eagerly on the balls of his feet, "Are we getting new neighbors?"
She glances at him, puzzled as she loops her scratchy woolen scarf around her neck.
"Not as far as I know, why do you ask?"
"Well just before I came over here I noticed there was a moving truck parked ou—" Something seems to occur to him and his eyes widen for a moment. She's concerned by the look on his face but before she has a chance to question him, he's turned and jogged purposefully back out into her hallway.
"Mulder??"
She's only a few paces behind him and is therefore able to keep up as he rushes down a single flight of stairs to the second floor. Just as she turns the corner behind him she sees him dash into Kris's apartment, which curiously seems to be unlocked. She follows cautiously, stepping behind the partially opened door and her eyes widen when she takes in the stark, barren appearance of the stripped unit. Everything is gone, no furniture, no furnishings, not even so much as a crumpled tissue.
If she didn't know better, she would have said it almost looked as though no one ever lived there. She feels her heart grow heavy as she realizes the loss that this represents, how the sweet and eclectic old couple just left without so much as a parting word.
"I can't believe Kris and Maya would just leave without—" her words fall away when she notices a note atop a large envelope resting on the bare kitchen counter, and she leans over to read it.
Miss Dana—
Sadly Maya and myself are out of time for our duration in D.C., business brings us onward. I hope that you and Fox will bear us no ill will for leaving without properly saying goodbye. Truth be told in our line of work sometimes it's better to move on in the flush of success rather than bear the sadness of departing on a sad note.
We've had high hopes for the two of you from the moment we moved in, and happily it seems as though things have worked out. We hope you and Fox will be very happy. You both are remarkable people, and I have no doubt whatsoever that with love from you both Emily will continue to grow into the exceptional young lady that she already is beginning to become.
Attached is some paperwork that I think will complete the picture. All that's needed are some signatures.
Tell Em we made sure there's a swing.
Love to all, and a happy new year.
With a shaking hand, Dana slides open the plain manilla envelope containing a thick packet of documents. She doesn't even have to read the address to know what it is, doesn't have to look at the photographs to confirm her suspicions. Her throat tightens and her eyes fill with warm tears as she realizes everything she could have ever toiled, prayed, and hoped for has just been laid out in front of her after endless years of strife and shame.
"I can't believe they're gone," she hears Mulder mutter several feet away. He's still stumbling around through the deserted apartment, his eyes enormous as he takes in the emptiness. He wanders back into the kitchen, his attention immediately drawn to where Dana is standing stock still by the counter.
"Scully?" he steps close to her, his presence warming her side, "Honey, what is it?" She shakes her head, unable to speak. Mutely she presses the bundle of papers into his hand.
"The house, Mulder," she whispers, "We...we have the house." He stares at her for a beat, clearly confused, then she sees him piecing the puzzle together as he gawks at the paperwork.
"Emily's house?" he confirms softly, and she nods slowly, wordlessly. It doesn't seem real, doesn't seem possible.
"Scully, that's...that's amazing! This is everything the two of you have wanted, it's right here...you and Em have your house!"
Dana looks sharply up at him noting his clear choice of language, his deliberate exclusion of himself from these happy tidings in spite of his obvious joyful display on her behalf. Despite the dreams she and Mulder have shared, despite the lovely, exciting things they've talked about, her heart aches that he still possesses any amount of doubt that he would be a part of this incredible gift.
"Why would you not include yourself in that statement?"
She sees him visibly gulp at her gently toned question, his racing mind practically visible, "Well, I wished that...I mean I'd hoped that—well—"
She gazes at this man as he struggles endearingly with his jumbled thoughts. This beautiful, complicated, silly man who came into her life to heal the pain of a child who—for so long—had been her only reason for living. Somehow in the face of her struggles, regardless of her many mistakes, life has seen fit to grant her peace and love because of the very man who stands before her acting as if she doesn't have every intention of remaining by his side for as long as he wants her.
"I-I didn't want to assume that—"
She rests her hand on his forearm, attempting to put his self-inflicted torment at ease. She leans up and kisses him with every fiber of tenderness her entire being possesses for him.
"You can assume, Mulder," she murmurs, "You can assume."
Dana watches as comprehension lights his features, spreading a relieved and grateful smile across his handsome face. They still have a long way to go, many, many things to discuss...maybe even some more healing to do, but she'd be lying if she said she wasn't looking forward to it.
"Come on," she slips her hand in his and tugs him towards the door to exit the Kringle's former apartment, "We have a little girl to pick up and some happy news to deliver."
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Fin Xx