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Mulder spent last weekend in New York promoting his new the x-files book, which also includes private life plots, opinions and theories. At that time, it was Scully who looked after their ten-year-old son William. The family had been living in Richmont for three months, where William continued his education after moving from Washington.
Scully drove her son to school on Monday morning and drove straight to the airport. Mulder's plane was about to land.
- Hi honey, you look beautiful - said Mulder, approaching Dana and kissing her on the lips.
- I like such nice greetings - she smiled, clasping their hands together.
- I could say the same. It's nice to be home when you know someone's waiting for you.
The woman stroked his hair, smiling, then they both went to the car and headed home.
- How's the promotion of the book? - she asked, but he pretended not to hear the question and he put his hand on her thigh and rubbed it. - Mulder, I'm driving. Besides, I asked a question.
- I have been talking about it for two days, I'm tired and I would like to do something more pleasant now, such as admiring my wife whom I missed. - The man said, leaning against the window.
Scully chose not to react. They continued on their way home in silence. Only Cher's voice and "Walking in Memphis" sounded on the radio, making Scully humming to the chorus.
- I read the Times article this morning - Dana said as she pulled up to the house and Mulder began unbuckling his seatbelt.
- I've read it too, and so what… - he looked indignant. He got out of the car and started walking towards the front door.
- Mulder, wait! - she began to follow him. - You know that negative articles happen, it will not always be perfect. You put so much work into this book, you wrote down our history...
- And what? The publisher made me a promotion of this fucking book, a handful of people came, most of them had a lot of fun anyway and mocked me and my theories when they were allowed to ask questions - he said, almost screaming, and walked in, leaving Scully still in the driveway.
The woman went back to the car to get her purse and then entered the apartment. She found Mulder sitting on the couch in the living room. His head was tilted back, his eyes closed. She sat down next to him, cuddling against his shoulder. The man immediately hugged her and kissed the top of her head.
- Sorry for my outburst outside the house. I know people have different points of view. I guess I just wasn't ready for such reactions - he said, stroking her arm with his fingertips.
- I understand that. Just try not to worry about the opinion of others… - she replied and lifted her head to look at him. - But maybe don't think about it now. You need to relax - she whispered, gave him her aggressive smile and lightly brushed his lips.
Mulder knew exactly what Dana Scully meant. Before he could realize, she sat astride his lap and began to unbutton his shirt. He took off her t-shirt and began kissing her neck. The woman tilted her head slightly, and Mulder could hear her soft grunts of delight somewhere between kisses. He wandered his hands over her body as they pressed their lips together once more. At the same time, Scully's phone started ringing.
- Don't pick up - he said, his lips almost still on hers.
- Mulder… - she stopped their play and walked off the man. - It might be important, it's still early.
"Hello?... Yes... Yes... What did he do?... But why?... I understand... But are they okay?... Right... Of course, in 15 minutes, if there are no traffic jams... Goodbye..."
She put down the phone and picked up their clothes from the floor, throwing Mulder his garment.
- There is a problem... Our son beat a friend in class today. Get dressed, because his teacher just called - she said, nervous with the whole situation. - What ever came to his mind... After all, we always taught him to respect everyone, not to mention aggression.
- Did she say why he did it?
- No. He has been silent since then. Hurry up, Mulder. End of frolic. She said and left the house, taking the car keys.
Mulder and Scully spent an hour in the headmaster's office, and when the teacher brought William over, the boy was silent and refused to answer any questions. Due to the fact that this was his first incident, and because he was new to the school and possibly still didn't acclimatized, William only received a caution from the headmistress. The parents took the boy home. They hoped to explain the situation when they got home and could only talk to the three of them. They drove all the way in silence. Mulder kept glancing at Scully because he could see that she was nervous about the whole situation, but also concerned about her son's behavior. He himself didn't know what to think. He believed it was just a stupid rebellion of their ten-year-old over a change of environment.
- William, dinner is ready. - Scully was standing by the steps leading upstairs, calling for her son.
- I'm coming - the child's voice could be heard from the first floor.
- At least he spoke when he’s hungry - said Mulder, setting a dish of lasagne on the table.
They sat at the table and ate their dinner, Scully just pricking the pieces of food with her fork, waiting for the moment to start talking to her son.
- William, can you tell us what happened at school today? - she put down the cutlery and looked at the boy, who also seemed to finish his meal. - Why did you beat your friend?
- First of all, he’s not my friend. And second, he deserved it - he replied, raising his voice.
- William...
- You'd better change your tone - said Mulder.
- It's all your fault, okay? If it wasn't for your stupid book, they wouldn't have called me the son of a freak at school. I'm just fed up. I would like to finally live a normal life in one place, without the constant changes of my home and friends. And just when I thought this normality was in our lives, boom, another move. You are having a great time but mom and I suffer for it. Did she tell you that we were accosted on the street again yesterday? - The boy shouted it in the face of his father and ran to his room, slamming the door. William was very intelligent and mature for a ten-year-old boy.
Scully hid her face in her hands, trying to put it all together in her head.
- What happened yesterday? - Mulder grabbed her arm.
- What happens whenever the opponents of your theories meet us in the street - she said, rubbing her head.
- But someone hurt you, maybe we should report it to the police?
- Mulder, don't... We have enough problems. - She raised her voice and left the table to go outside. She leaned against the porch railing and lowered her head. She was angry, but that was her life, which she chose. Deciding on a relationship with Mulder, she knew this adventure would not be easy, but he was the love of her life and she was ready to follow him even at the worst moments and endure all the pain. She thought that Mulder's book would be a good ending to an x-file chapter, but didn't think it would bring any more problems that now began to bother their son as well.
- Scully... - Mulder's voice blew away the woman's thoughts as she felt him stand next to her.
- We need to talk to William, we can't leave it like this - she began to rub her eyes so that no tears could be seen that had flooded her eyes.
- Let me do it - he touched her shoulder, but she stood still, staring at some point in the distance. The man moved away and started walking towards the door. - Scully... - he said almost in a whisper, pausing. They looked at each other with eyes full of sadness. - I'm sorry that every time our life starts to go better I have to screw this up - he said and walked inside, leaving his wife on the porch.
Mulder went to his son's room, knocked twice, and when no one answered he came in. William was lying on his bed with his back to the door. Fox walked over to him and sat on the bed, sighing heavily.
- Can we talk? - he asked, hoping William would be open to the conversation. In fact, he didn't know what he wanted to say to his son. He was confused and all he knew was that he loved William and Scully and just wanted the best for them.
William turned to his father and sat down next to him, staring at the floor.
- I'm sorry... I know you wish your family was normal... I mean like your friends' families. Parents with a steady and safe job, a big house with a garden in a wealthy neighborhood… - Mulder spoke slowly, looking at his son. - Maybe you didn't get it, but... you have to know it's not the most important thing. Do you remember what mom said on your first day at school? - William looked at his father, trying to remember his mother's words. - The most important thing you have to remember is that we love you. And we want you to be happy. - he took his son's hand and looked into his eyes. Meanwhile, Scully silently climbed upstairs and stood behind the door to her son's room, listening to the conversation of her men.
- I decided not to continue promoting the book - said Mulder. - This weekend and today gave me a lot to understand... You and mom are the most important to me and I should look after you and make you feel safe. I'm gonna look for some normal job and you'll be fine.
- But dad, it's not like I don't want you to keep writing - the boy interrupted his father's words. Scully continued to stand in the doorway, wiping the tears that ran down her cheeks. - I just wanted to be like everyone else. And I know I did the wrong thing to beat that boy. I just couldn't stand someone talking badly about my family anymore. I'm sorry… - at that moment, Dana entered her son's room and looked at them sitting on the bed.
- You know that when someone teases you, you should report it to the teacher or to us? - she said, sitting on the other side of her son, taking his other hand in hers. - There is a solution to every situation, but that solution is definitely not violence - she looked at Mulder, then back to William. - You are the most important for us and if there is a problem, we have to solve it together. That's what the family is for.
- I am sorry again, I love you so much - William said as he pulled his parents to him, hugging them tightly. - I'll apologize to Eric tomorrow too. I promise it won't happen again...
The family spent the rest of the day together playing board games and doing puzzles, as it was raining all afternoon, so they had to keep themselves entertained at home.
In the evening, after William had gone to bed, Scully went to take a bath. After a moment of relaxation, wrapped in a towel, she was ready to put on her pajamas when she heard the bathroom door open. In the mirror image, she saw Mulder shut the door behind him and was also staring at her face in the mirror image as she was standing with her back to him. After a moment of silence, she turned and the man stepped closer.
- It was a nice afternoon, Scully, but you seemed absent - he said finally.
- Mulder, do you really want to quit promoting the book after all the time you've spent on it? - she asked him bluntly, looking into his eyes.
- How long have you been standing outside the door and listening to our conversation?
- Long enough to hear it - she said.
- Yes, Scully. This is one thing I am sure of. - He took her hands and pulled her to his lips, kissing them softly. - I love you too much to put you at risk again. Besides, I don't like these trips and meetings. I feel like I'm leaving again, just like I used to. And like i was losing you.. And that's not what I wanted. I wanted to have you close... I'm sorry if...
- Mulder, all I want is for all three of us to be happy - she cut him off without taking her eyes off him.
- I am - he said. - And you?
She smiled at him and stood on her tiptoes, brushing his lips: "I love you."
- I love you, too - he kissed her back. - So, what did we finish with this morning? - He asked, running his hands over her bare shoulders and gently sliding the towel off her.
She was standing naked in front of him, her hands braided around his neck as he lifted her up and set her down on the counter, kissing her forehead, nose, both cheeks, lips, chin gently as she dropped down as she unbuttoned his shirt and pants once again today. As this bathroom was in their bedroom, he quickly moved them onto the bed, laying her on top of the white sheets. They delighted with their bodies, thirsty for closeness and full of affection, got rid of all negative emotions, and then fell asleep cuddled up to each other.