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Normally, Mulder would be the one taking care of their babies. Being a stay at home dad and a writer affords him unlimited amounts of time with Emily and William while Scully works at the hospital. But today they need to leave them to their well trusted babysitter, who has taken care of their babies before. Scully was unable to take a day off because of a crucial surgery she has to perform and Mulder has a very important meeting with a well-known journalist who has taken a great interest in his recently best-selling book.
Carrying William on his hip, he enters the kitchen where he finds Emily, following her mother around. He can't help but chuckle at the sight of Emily feigning seriousness with her little hand on her hips, trying to copy her mum who's giving instructions to their babysitter.
"You have mine and Mulder's number in case you need anything. Emily also memorised our numbers, and the emergency numbers are pinned on the fridge," Scully rambles.
"There's money in the jar in case you want to buy something, William's teething ring is in the fridge. If he gets a little fussy, just warm it up and he'll settle down," she continues, glancing down at Emily, who's now sticking her head between Scully's thighs.
"And this little one, can only have one apple juice and maybe an ice cream during snack time if she cleans up her room," she continues, picking up Emily and tickling her belly.
"Mama! Tickles!" Emily giggles, turning her head in Mulder's direction. "Daddy! I wanna go," She reaches her hand to Mulder with a pout.
Mulder sighs, remembering the discussion they had earlier when he told Emily he had to go out to work for the day. The little girl, used to having Mulder at home all the time, had run to her bedroom to pack her little backpack. Inside she had shoved her favourite duck plushie, her book, a pen, and the mascara she stole from her Mum's vanity table. Mulder knew he was in for a ride when he realised that his uber Scully thought she could come with him.
It had taken him numerous amounts of candy that Scully would never approve of and promised to take her to see the ducks she loves so much, just to calm down a very upset Emily when he broke the news that she couldn't tag along.
With an expert manoeuvre, Mulder transfers William to Scully and takes Emily in his arms.
"Emy, I already told you right? I wish I could bring you, baby, but I can't. Not this time.”
Mulder's heart nearly rips into pieces when his little girl's lips tremble, on the verge of letting out a piercing cry. He glances at Scully, who's been observing them with a small smile, silently pleading with her to help him.
Scully approaches them, putting William on her left hip, as she brushes Emily's bangs aside. Sometimes it physically stuns her how attached Emily is to Mulder. Her best friend has become her daughter’s best friend too. Their daughter.
"It's only gonna be five hours, baby. I'll be home very early too, maybe we can bake lasagna right? Daddy is gonna be quick. Can you show Mama with your fingers, how many is five?" Scully says, wanting to lift up her daughter's mood.
Sniffing, Emily holds up her five fingers to her mum.
"See, that's just gonna pass by so quickly, and we’ll be back before you know it!" Scully continues.
"Do you wanna give Daddy and Mama a kiss now? And go to Brenda so you can colour the book your Nana gave you?"
Emily nods weakly, cupping Mulder's cheeks and planting a kiss to both of his cheeks and reaching to Scully pecking intently on her lips.
"I kissed you like Daddy, Mama," Emily says with a grin on her face now.
"You really did, baby.”
Relieved that there's no major tantrums on sight, Scully nuzzles William's neck and plants a sound kiss to his chubby cheeks, making the little boy giggle. After saying goodbye to his junior, Scully transfers William to their babysitter and gives her one last run down of everything.
Mulder gathers their keys and Scully's purse as he makes way to the door to help Scully put on her coat as well.
Shouting a last goodbye, they head to their respective cars.
—
Despite already having a bestselling book, Mulder is still nervous about the prospect of being interviewed. He clears his throat to dispel some of his nervous energy.
“Mr Mulder, what is the sole reason of your caree─” The interviewer begins, but before he could finish, he was interrupted by Mulder’s phone ringing
He jerks a little, feeling a vibration from his phone in his pocket. Seeing their home phone number, his heart races, finding it odd that it's only been a few hours since he left and their sitter is already calling.
"Uhh excuse me, I have to take this.” He glances at the man opposite him, who only nods with a gentle smile.
Stepping out of the cafe, he immediately answers his phone.
"Hey Brenda, is everything okay?"
"Daddy, it's Emy!"
He heaves a sigh of relief after hearing his daughter's high pitched yell and has to move his phone away from his ear.
"Hi baby, is there something wrong?"
"No. Daddy. I called from the phone, Daddy!" Emily says excitedly.
"Yes you did, baby, but remember, you can only use the phone when it's an emergency right?"
"Yes, Daddy. But I know our phone number! Mama taught me." Emily grins proudly from the other line.
"Yes, Mama did, Emy, but only to use for an emergency," Mulder answers again calmly, but thankful to the reprieve her daughter's voice and innocence brought.
“Okay” Emily answers with a pout that Mulder can almost feel. “I just wanna say hi, Daddy. Wiley and I are playing blocks and he’s biting them, but I told him not to because it’s dirty.” Emily rambles, leaving her out of breath and earning a chuckle from her father.
“That’s amazing, Em, and you’re absolutely right. Blocks are dirty, so don’t let Wiley eat them okay? You’re being a good big sister Em,” Mulder says as he grins proudly.
“Okay that’s it, Daddy. Love you BYE!” Emily replies, dropping the phone and not giving Mulder a chance to reply.
His daughter has just dropped the phone on him for the first time. He sighs, pocketing his phone and returning to their table to continue his interview.
The next half an hour went by uninterrupted, they talked about his career in the FBI, his obsession with the unexplained, and the possibility of publishing a new book. They also tackled how he eventually fell in love with the woman of her dreams who believes in the opposite of what he does.
“I guess opposites really do attract?” the interviewer asks teasingly. “Any plans on going ba─” He was once again interrupted by the shrill of Mulder’s phone.
Apologizing to the interviewer for the second time, he excuses himself to answer the phone that he knows will be his daughter.
Answering the phone, he is surprised to hear their babysitter’s voice, as Emily wails in the background, yelling “Daddy” and “mallows.” Their babysitter explains that Emily decided to skip her nap and opted instead to go in search for her favourite marshmallows, only to discover that they’re all out and she wants her Daddy to come back home now.
Feeling sorry for their babysitter, because he knows a cranky Emily is a tough one, he decides to cut the interview short, explaining to the interviewer why with an apologetic smile.
“No worries, Mr. Mulder. I have a six year old daughter too so I totally understand,” he chuckles with a nod of understanding.
With that, Mulder thanks the man, shakes his hand, and packs up his things.
Smiling as he drives away, he makes a left turn, heading to the grocery store. He can’t arrive at home empty handed. His best little friend needs her favourite marshmallows.