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Chapter Text

CHRISTMAS EVE 1972

ENGLAND

Melissa Christine Scully had always found Mass to be duller than dirt. And Catholic school was already a snooze. Contemplating the universe itself was more her speed. But she still put on a happy face about anything church-related. Especially where the holidays were concerned. At an entire decade old, she felt she had other things to do. Such as organizing her trading cards.

Meanwhile, Melissa’s parents regarded their second-born. 

Senior and Maggie knew that she was the dreamer of the four. Bill was a fledgling realist. Dana? The aspiring deep-thinker (except for when she distracted herself and others by asking things like, "Do fish drink water?" and many more fantastic things like that). Little Charlie was the family clown. And always on the go until he fell asleep each night. That left Melissa. Having inherited the brunt of Maggie's 'cosmic ways' more than Dana had, it didn't surprise her parents when she developed interests in both outer space and mystical creatures. But all the same? It was always hard to tell what she was thinking at any given moment. Ever.

Promptly turning to his wife, Senior quipped, “Not it.”

Maggie shook her head in amusement. Her other half had already tried to get Melissa’s attention. And failed. So it was up to her. 

Maggie moved across the living room to Melissa. “Hey. Sweetheart, did you hear what your father just said?”

Returning to reality, Melissa said, “Hm? What’d you say?”

Chuckling, Maggie asked, “Will you please go collect your sister? Dana hasn’t come in yet.”

Startled, Melissa complained, “But it’s cold out there and I don’t want to go on that tundra again!” 

“First of all,” Maggie continued to be amused. “This is Great Britain. Okay? Not any part of Alaska, or Finland. Second? Marvelous use of the word ‘tundra.’ Where’d you learn it?”

“A book I found at the book-seller’s, down the way.” explained Melissa. “It’s brand-new. Just came out in America. The story is called Julie Of The Wolves.” 

“Hm. That’s really neat.” Maggie fixed her daughter’s jacket and scarf. “You can help Junior in the kitchen…”

“Or,” Senior tacked on. “You can catch Charlie when he realizes it’s time for his b-a-t-h.”

Melissa opened her mouth to respond. But then she just as fast closed it again. She loved her brothers. Really.

But Junior was in the kitchen because he had been tasked with gathering ingredients for his mother that she would need for their post-Mass meal. The boy also happened to be a perfectionist. Upsetting the apple cart seemed like one very bad idea. It did happen from time to time because they were less than a year apart. On the other hand? Charlie was four years old. Bathtime was high on his list of dislikes. And everybody knew so.

Nearby, little Charlie’s eyes widened in vast alarm. He knew exactly what b-a-t-h spelled. The end result really didn’t jive with him. Ever. So he began formulating an exit strategy from the living room.

“I can go fetch Dana. But…” Melissa then heaved a sigh bigger than herself. “I think someone should go catch Porkchop first.”  

Both Senior and Maggie followed Melissa’s indication when she discreetly pointed her brother out. The older Scullys then had a collective sigh. 

Although about as discreet as a newborn baby giraffe, Charlie was miraculously walking very slowly backwards in the direction of the hallway that led to the rest of the house. He seemed to be under the impression that he couldn’t be seen at all if he moved like this. But the boy turned and bolted. Stat. Melissa was privately amazed her brother could move like that.

And so with a sigh, Senior said, “Guess I’ll go herd Porkchop…”

Choosing to bail her father out a little, Melissa called in the direction of the hall, “Porkchop! It’s a course correction to battle station zero for Operation Rubber Duck!” 

Following her advice, Charlie changed his destination as he called back, “Okay!” 

When Melissa returned her attention to her mother, Maggie asked, “What exactly is ‘battle station zero’?”

Melissa responded, “The bathroom. It means ‘don’t mess around because we have more things to do later.’ Dad came up with it yesterday. Charlie understood.”

“I see.” said Maggie. “But… Why were you calling him ‘Porkchop’?”

“I think he forgot his name is Charles. And yesterday? He didn’t respond to it.” Melissa tittered lightly. “I tried to make him. So did Billy. Even Dana. Dad surprised him by calling him ‘Porkchop.’ Now my brother thinks it’s funny. And so does everyone else. But Charlie got in the bathtub after that.”

Maggie sighed, “Which is what your father was trying to make happen in the first place?”

Melissa told her, “Uh-huh.” 

“And,” Maggie asked. “Where was I?”   

Melissa shrugged. “It was when you were visiting with Missus Number Nine to bring her your tetrazzini casserole in the dish that she brought her own casserole in as a thank you for helping at the school pageant?” 

“How is it that you can remember all that, even pronounce ‘tetrazzini’ properly,” now Maggie had begun steering her second-born back to the door. “But then fumble over ‘Philippovich?’ And never mind that you get ‘Tchaikovsky’ just fine? ‘Wagner,’ too?”

But Melissa shrugged again as she said very honestly, “No idea.”

Scrambling to not laugh, Maggie opened the door. “Hm. Well, I suppose that’s that. Please don’t return without Dana.“

“Okay, mom.” promised Melissa. “I’ll be right back.”

Chapter Text

Eight-year-old Dana Katherine Scully did enjoy church. Really.

But… On this particular Christmas Eve, she had hardly paid much attention to Father McHenry’s words. Rather a great idea had come to her. Plus… The little girl felt it would be far more interesting than hearing about the birth of Jesus. (Again.) So Dana subsequently spent almost the entirety of the sermon well and truly doing all in her power to not laugh because of how her big idea so amused her. 

Upon arriving home, Dana stayed in the front yard of the family home. This allowed her to unpile her thoughts in peace. Finally. But a sense of awe larger than she could handle filled her soon thereafter. A shooting star zoomed overhead in the sky. 

Dana murmured, "I wish I could always be this happy when I'm a grown-up..."

Now exiting the house, Melissa stood beside her sister as she asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Dana hugged Melissa because she was happy to see her. They'd hardly been away for five minutes on the whole. But Melissa basked in the spontaneous show of affection. She loved being loved by her sister. 

Speaking with trademark her long acquired-by-assimilation English accent, Dana informed Melissa seriously, "I had one of my big thoughts during Mass."

Easily understanding what her sister meant about experiencing a thought bigger than herself, Melissa asked, "Is that why it kept looking like you were going to laugh?!"

"Yep." Dana confirmed. "What if everyone in the whole world is connected by some kind of invisible string? And... Melissa?"

"Yes?" she asked patiently.   

"What if..." Dana gathered as much seriousness as possible. "What if the other person at the end of your own string is the person you're s'posed to marry in the future? Or... something? Is that dumb?"

Greatly impressed by her sister's thought process, Melissa responded, "Mm-mm. I think it's totally cool."

Perking up at Melissa's kindness, Dana said, "Then could I tell you something else?"

"Okay." Melissa decided. "What is it?"

Dana began, "Last night? I dreamt I was walking in the woods and I saw a red fox. But he was made of stardust."

Even more impressed, Melissa told her sister, "Woah. I also think that's cool."

Quite miraculously staying the course, Dana voiced her next thought. "Melissa? What if there's a fox looking at the same stars as me and you? Right now?"  

Melissa mused, “That’d be totally super neat.”

CHRISTMAS EVE 1972

MARTHA’S VINEYARD, UNITED STATES

Eleven-year-old Fox William Mulder stood in the front yard of his parents’ house. Just now, he was catching his breath. And experiencing a moment of reflection. Was his life perfect? No. But he was happy. And that felt like satisfaction enough. Particularly just now.

A heavy snowfall in the night had occurred, making a majestic winter wonderland to explore. Fox then spent the day doing just so with his little sister. While they were a handful of years apart in age, they did enjoy spending time together. It was no surprise when their day ended in a grand snowball battle. Fox even let Samantha take the last round. Pleased, Samantha went back inside first. She needed the facilities. Pronto.

A shooting star in the early evening sky caught Fox’s attention, so he murmured the first thought that came forth, “I wish I could always be this happy when I'm older…”

Fox then turned to his innermost thoughts again. 

Last night, he had a dream in which he was a red fox walking beside a little redheaded girl. They were headed no place in particular. But they were on a path in the woods. He didn’t know how they’d arrived. However… Even as a fox, Fox felt only peace because the little girl had given him every ounce of her trust. She believed he would protect her. So they walked on. But neither noticed that he was caked in stardust. 

Returning to reality, Fox asked nobody, “What if she’s looking at the same stars as me? Right now?”

The boy received no reply. Of course.  

But what happened next took his breath away.

The sight of a wild fox running through a nearby field caught his attention this time. It stopped for the briefest of moments to look at him before heading into the nearby woods. To see wild animals was not uncommon because the Mulder family lived only some odd yards away from the closest bit of wooded terrain, as it was. He couldn’t remember if he’d ever seen the wild version of his namesake before. 

Fox definitely still knew he’d remember this moment for the rest of his life. Without thinking, he bowed to the creature. It returned his gesture immediately before going on its way again.

Still… Fox finally went inside when his mother called for him.

ENGLAND

Turning to her sister, Dana said, “Missy? What’s America like?”

Melissa grew amused. Her sister was her best friend in the entire universe. But sometimes her attention changed tack at super top speed. So Melissa kept her patience in check. Although American-born, Dana had no memory of the place because the family had left for England when she was a month old. The Scully family had been in the United Kingdom ever since. Melissa remembered the country in question. Somewhat. And her sister greatly valued her opinion.

So Melissa told her, “America’s dull. I only saw Doctor Who on the telly once. Ever.”

Scandalized that her favorite program could have such bad luck, Dana cried,  “No!”

Melissa responded in a bleak way, “Mhm. Two days before you were born.”

Choosing defeat for now, Dana asked Melissa, “Please can we go watch it?”

The older girl felt a stab of pity when she immediately saw the flaw in her sister’s plan. “Sorry. But it’s Monday.”

Dana said blankly, “So?”

Melissa told her patiently, “The show is a Saturday thing. We still have most of the rest of the week until there’s a new episode.”

Promptly rolling her eyes, Dana groused, “Then we’ll be old. But I don’t want to go back to America. Ever.”

Feeling surprised at last, Melissa asked, “Why?”

Dana protested, “What if they never get Doctor Who there again?!” 

“Hm. Never say never, Dana. I mean it. And,” Melissa made a point of looking directly at her sister. “You know? I dreamt that we knew a fox in America.”

Flabbergasted by this, Dana said, “What?!” 

Sagely, Melissa returned, “I said what I said.”

Now Dana murmured, “That’s nuts…”

“Mhm. He was our friend.” said Melissa. “But he also protected y….” 

Nearby, a surprising sight kept her from completing her words. Then Dana saw exactly why. Just on the other side of the street, there trotted a wild fox. Its appearance made perfect sense to both Scully sisters because they were all situated in the countryside. But neither sister had seen a wild fox before. The creature bowed regally to them. Each sister bowed back. The fox held their gaze a few moments more before dashing off into the evening dark.

“Melissa,” Dana turned to her. “Did that just happen?!” 

“Yep. It did.” Melissa confirmed. “Still think America’s lame?”

“No.” then Dana paused as she took stock of herself. “But… I can’t feel my toes anymore…”

“Okay.” Melissa began steering her sister towards the front door. “I’ve got you. Always have, always will.”

But it was chaos when they returned to the house and put away their winter gear. Charlie had escaped his bath.

In the kitchen, Bill could be heard yelling, “Don’t you even dare!”

Melissa found that Charlie was perilously close to pushing a tray of soon-to-be-baked bread rolls off the counter. The little boy was now pondering whether to cave to the impulse. Neither of her brothers noticed her. Or Dana. But still… Melissa found herself scrambling to not laugh. It was a valiant effort.

Covering Dana’s eyes, Melissa told her, “Please don’t look.”

Dana sighed as their parents came dashing in, “Okay. Is Porkchop only wearing bath suds?”

“Uh-huh. Now,” Melissa began steering her sister away. “The two of us are going to my room. I have a surprise for you. Okay?”

But Dana said at once, “What is it?”

“Silly,” Melissa giggled. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you!” 

With a comically overexaggerated sigh, Dana returned, “That’s true…” 

Melissa posed a new question to her sister. “Dana, do you trust me?”

“Always.” Dana returned without hesitating. 

“Then,” Melissa continued to steer her sister forward. “Let’s just keep walking.”

Well away from Charlie’s ridiculousness, Dana and Melissa finally settled in Dana’s room. It was decorated with her current interests of the year. But amongst every normal fixture one would expect for a space like this, there was a tall bed Melissa had no trouble climbing onto. Dana did because she was a touch smaller. So Melissa dutifully gave her a boost before hurrying off to fetch what she needed now. Dana watched. But a new question came to mind.

“Missy,” Dana said. “Where’s Aberdeen?”

“Scotland. I think.” Melissa replied. “But we can check mom’s World Books in a second. Okay?”

Dana trilled sweetly, “Okay!” 

Finally seizing the treasure she had been looking for, Melissa held it behind her back as she hurried over to her sister again. “Ummm… Do you remember the holiday bazaar we had at school yesterday?”

“I do.” Dana said. 

“Well, I found this for you!” Melissa presented her sister with what she’d been hiding. “Ta-da!”

Dana gasped in surprise. 

Melissa was holding out a stuffed red fox with sparkling elements to its fur. Dana thought immediately of the fox they’d just seen outside. She also wondered if the person at the other end of her invisible cosmic thread had also seen a fox tonight. All the same? Dana’s heart filled with gratitude. She had the best big sister ever. And they both loved each other. Quite a lot. 

Hugging Melissa when she joined her on the bed after a moment went by, Dana said, “Thanks! I love it!”

“Good.” Melissa returned the hug. “Now you’ll always have a fox watching over you.”

Chapter Text

DECEMBER 25, 2019

227700 WALLACE ROAD

FARRS CORNER, VIRGINIA

UNITED STATES

47 YEARS LATER

Dana was finally content. 

True, she did have tales of true horror and great grief in her past, but they were just that: in her past. And she felt pleased to be able to acknowledge this. It meant she’d come a long way from the England-living America-doubting little girl who had seen a genuine wild fox one Christmas Eve. Now she lived the retired life in a quiet countryside house with her husband, all three of their miracle children, and even the family pet dog. 

Every last step to get here had been extremely difficult to do. But it was very worth it. Her family was happy and healthy. Not one thing more mattered. At all.

This evening was about relaxing. Rather to her delight because she had never once pictured it happening, her extended family had grown over the years in leaps and bounds. Everyone had been present for dinner in a meeting hall big enough to accommodate them all. And one type of celebration in particular had been had. Life was beautiful.

Scully especially dwelled on this thought just now.

Mulder had come back inside from bringing in the last of the holiday presents given by the rest of the family. Those could be tackled later. Scully’s lap was also rather full. Both of her younger children had chosen to curl up with her after a wardrobe change before falling asleep immediately. Still perfectly awake, William was in the kitchen. Daggoo had followed him. Although not before William helped his mother set up one of her Doctor Who DVDs and run it at a low volume upon request. Life really was beautiful. Even in the simplicity. 

Mulder entered the room at the same time his wife sighed in content. And Mulder felt his heart flutter. Seeing her happy always brought peace to him. Life was beautiful. Even during a little moment. 

Mulder sat with his other half. “Do you care to share what’s on your mind?”

“Mhm. But to name one thought in particular…” Scully skipped past Christmas Eve of 1972 for now. “I was just thinking about the great big beautiful family we've come back from seeing. Almost everyone was there. Full house. Babe, can you believe it?”

Mulder turned fond. “Ever think the whole picture would turn out as it has?”

“Hell, no.” Scully laughed. “But I’m so totally in love with all of it.”

Mulder nodded. “As am I. The two of us even finally tied the knot in October after our son’s resurfacing in August.”

“Uh-huh. The two of us even accepted William’s request when he asked to go by the name I gave him. But…” amusement  flickered across the redhead’s features as she voiced her next thought. “Even for everything William’s been through? He can still find it in himself to be amused that our wedding anniversary is on Halloween.” 

“How him.” quipped Mulder. “Still… He did also agree to be the best man/witness. I wouldn’t have had that part any other way.”

“Mhm. I agree,” Scully reflected. “But especially because Walter officiated the ceremony. I still pinch myself that he agreed to get ordained on our behalf.”

“Not me.” decided Mulder. “That man practically raised us after a certain point.”

“That’s true.” Scully said to her husband. “Still… I guess the universe even chose to reward Walter in a cosmic fashion. Just what are the chances that he’d run into his high school sweetheart on the day that he retired? Hm?”

“Truly as cosmic,” Mulder told Scully. “As Maya being retired and single and returning the love when they both realized that it’s definitely still there. But you know my favorite part?” 

“The fact that Maya really loves our miracle family as dearly Walter does?” guessed Scully. “Or that they live together in that nice retirement community not far from here? Or… That the property had a space big enough to let us have a big family potluck?”

“Okay. Definitely all of those things, too.” agreed Mulder. “I was also thinking of how Maya has five grown children. Ashley and Jessica are twins. Correct?”

Wondering how he could have truly forgotten that the women in question were identical, Scully answered patiently, “That’s correct. Then it’s Brendan and Patrick, after them, who are singletons. Heather’s the youngest. And also a singleton.”

Mulder nodded. “That’s right.” 

Pleased that the information was beginning to stick, Scully continued, “But all Maya's children are married. The varying in-laws are local, too. We just didn’t see them tonight because they each already had their own long-standing plans for tonight. Still with me?”

Mulder answered, “I am.”

“Good.” Scully approved. “I guess the last word on reminders about that part of the family is that Ashley, Jessica, Brendan, Patrick, and their spouses are already parents. Okay? But Heather is expecting her first with her husband.”

“Right.” remembered Mulder. “And her due date is your birthday.”

“Also correct. I’m pleased we’re on the same page.” Scully said in relief. “What else are you thinking about?“

“Of how Maya’s younger generations refer to you and I as ‘Aunt Dana’ and ‘Uncle Fox’. I love it. They even adore our children unconditionally. And the cousins. Most of all?” now a smile flickered across Mulder’s face. “I love that Maya’s younger generations adore Walter to the ends of the earth.“

“Mhm.” said Scully. “It has been beautiful to watch. Our surrogate father has all I’ve ever wanted for him.”

“You took the words right out my mouth. But…” Mulder changed tracks. “Did you ever think that the next part of the picture would happen?” 

Fully understanding what he meant, Scully changed lanes to Mulder’s as she said, “No. But I’m elated. My big brother and his wife having more kids after Matthew really wasn’t something I expected. Ever. Now? Everyone’s grown.”

“Time flies.” Mulder said wistfully. “And for more ‘cosmic odds…’ Each of Matthew’s younger siblings are girls.”

“Mhm.” Scully began counting names on her fingers. “August, Isabel, Rosamund, Sarajane, and Esmée. Can’t imagine life without any of them. Or their brother.”

“Yes.” Mulder agreed. “Let’s not forget that Matthew’s married. Or that he and Victoria are expecting their first baby in March.”   

Scully nodded before changing lanes again. “You know… Charlie has always done what he wants in life, which is why he wasn’t really around that much until the last decade. Or so.”

Mulder understood his wife’s thought process at once. “Charlie becoming a family man in the first place isn’t ever something you’d’ve pictured for him?” 

“Yeah.” confirmed Scully. “But much less with Lotte Visser…”

Thinking of his wonderfully pleasant sister-in-law and the curious manner she had joined the family, Mulder said, “Hey. What is the story there? You and I eloped because that’s our way. But Charlie and Lotte eloped last month. I like her…”

Lotte’s history with at least the Scully side of things was already decades-long. Things really had been a whirlwind where Charlie and Lotte were concerned. Everything had even occurred in an astonishingly-short amount of time. Charlie and Lotte also lived on the other side of The District. And so Scully didn’t blame her other half about feeling windswept. 

“Lotte was Melissa’s best friend. She’s a year younger than me, and my brother has known her all his life.” Scully explained. “Then the grander picture just took us all in different directions until they ran into each other on that Christmas Hawaiian cruise a year ago today.”  

“Amazing.” said Mulder. “That was also some cruise. I think more than a few fun facts were learned, no?” 

“Absolutely.” agreed Scully. “Them learning that they lived a block apart in Silver Spring is one.” 

“Charlie also learned that the father of Lotte’s grown sons has never been in the picture because he passed away in jail during the beginning of a well-deserved long sentence when she was pregnant.” now Mulder changed from a grim tone to a more cheerful one. “I think the boys definitely have cool names.”

“Berend and Florian are definitely cool names.” Scully’s tone grew reflective. “Lotte once told me that Charlie’s brought her the kind of joy that she never thought she’d have. Ever. And… Charlie told me on his own a long time ago that he preferred to wander when he was younger because he’s never been the type to be contained.”

“I see.” said Mulder. “Has that last part been a thing for his entire life?”

“Oh, yeah.” Scully confirmed. “Then he did tell me after we lost mom that he’d always wanted a family but felt he lost his chance because he was ‘wayward’ for too long.” 

Promptly arching his eyebrows, Mulder asked, “Then what’d he call finding Lotte?”

Scully answered, “Fate.”

Mulder and Scully then had a collective pause. Neither had forgotten they weren’t alone. So they watched their twin daughters for a few moments. Elizabeth and Katherine were miracles in every sense of the word. Just like William. Inseparable, the girls loved their lives and loved being loved. Life was beautiful. Just now, they stretched out in sleep before moving closer to one another. They even held hands. But their parents marveled over them.

Shaking his head in amazement, Mulder said, “Wow. Can you believe they turned one today?”

“Mm-mm.” Scully hugged her children. “All the same… Our lives are beautiful because Elizabeth and Katherine, and even William, have made it that way. Just by being themselves. Would you change the way we got here?”

“Uh-uh. Not even once, especially because,” said Mulder. “This family truly has the inability to do anything small. Or conventionally.”

“Hm.” Scully laughed. “Isn’t that the truth?”

Mulder went on, “Bill and Tara are both retired now. They even live in the city. But they’ve also got six grown children, one of those children is married, and now Bill and Tara are even grandparents-to-be. Dana? Is this real life?”

Pleased by his amazement, Scully said, “Yes. I promise you, Fox, that this is definitely real. Our lives have become far more beautiful than I could have ever hoped for. Everything’s been worth it.”

“Mhm.” now Mulder nodded in agreement. “Have I missed anything?”

“Well…” Scully laughed nervously as she worked swiftly to keep from giving away a big secret immediately. “I will have you know that Lotte told me today that she and Charlie will be leaning on us very soon for help.”

“Hm?” said Mulder. “In what way?”

Scully answered, “Real estate. They’re looking to relocate somewhere in this direction from Silver Spring.”

“Wow. Tell them I’m in for helping out.” Mulder decided. “Still… Just when did we become the ones people ask for help?”

Scully shrugged. “No idea. But I love it.”

“Same here.” now Mulder picked up his previously-paused thought-train. “Charlie’s even married an old friend. Became a stepdad. Please remind me how old Berend and Florian are.”

“They will be twenty-one in April.” Scully then laughed when a new thought came to her. “Actually? Berend’s and Florian’s birthday is on my parents’ anniversary. They would've loved that very much. Oh, and…”

“Yes?” prompted Mulder. 

Now Scully felt butterflies because she was now much closer to finally being able to share a fun secret. “Both Lotte and Tara separately pulled me aside earlier. They imparted secrets on me. However… Neither knows the other has done so.”

“Of course not. You and I both know that that’d be too easy.” Mulder laughed. “What’d they have to say?”

“Well…” Scully laughed nervously. “They also said I can only tell you and our son.”

“Where is he?” Mulder looked around. “I haven’t seen him or the dog since I came back inside.”

As it happened, William hadn’t left the kitchen yet because he’d also been tasked with helping his mother out by making popcorn. He didn’t ever mind going about such mundane everyday things. An ordinary life with parents and even younger siblings who loved him for all he was was exactly what he’d always wanted for him. Now he had all of that. And more.

Dreams really did come true. Most of all? He felt safe. And happy.

Meanwhile, Daggoo had followed William. The young man had already helped him handle his business in the yard earlier. But now Daggoo was interested in William because he was in motion. The dog’s interest was just momentarily on pause because William was looking out of the closest window. Daggoo was far too short to see it at all. He elected to stand patiently by. For now.  

Although William had lived in Canada after being adopted by the Van De Kamps, he didn’t remember it anymore because they had still moved to the states when he was very small. All the same? They’d lived in the city. It was what it was. But living with his parents and his baby sisters in the Virginian countryside felt way more a speed that he actually liked. Especially because he was close to nature.

Even as the popcorn popped in the microwave, William found himself looking through the closest window. Just because. 

There wasn’t much to really see because it was a snow-covered landscape. However, William could see the stars in the sky. The sight of stars had always comforted him. As a child, he had always wondered if his parents could see the same stars that he could. Living where he could see a multitude of stars in the skies every night brought William peace. 

It hurt that he’d had to endure so much loss and horror, but it was comforting to know that his entire family wanted to help him heal. Such a gift felt far more than he could have hoped for. At any point. Life was beautiful.   

Then William’s heart jumped in surprise when he saw a shooting star zoom through the night sky. But he did the proper thing one did in such a moment. Quickly, too. The act was the cherry atop what had been a beautiful day.

Looking at the star, William projected a thought to the universe at large. Please give me a sign that this is where I’m supposed to be. I will be so good for the rest of my life. Just give me a sign. Please?

No sooner had the shooting star faded into the horizon than a movement in the yard caught William’s attention. He even felt his heart leap once more. 

By the light of the kitchen, he noticed a family of red-colored foxes traipsing through the snow outside. Two parents. Three babies. All even stopped to look at him.

Noticing wildlife around these parts was not even so unusual. In fact, it was extremely ordinary because 227700 Wallace Road was mostly surrounded by woods. But William felt awed. The universe had responded without any hesitation. 

Enchanted, William bowed to the animals. Each returned the gesture as one before hurrying away into the night. 

Utterly amazed, William could only murmur, “Did that just happen?”

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The microwave’s end-of-service alert brought William back to the present.

He then went about the task of emptying the big bag of popcorn into a bowl big enough to share with his parents. Next up? A night of them all watching Doctor Who episodes together. Perfection. Daggoo followed in William’s wake as he left the kitchen. But the young man did return to hear the words his mother said about confidences.

And for that, William said, “Okay. Just what do my aunts have to say?“

Scully began, “Uh…” 

But she didn’t get a chance to finish her thoughts at all. Her toddler daughters had begun to giggle. Telepathically connected, the act of any kind of laughter in sleep was a near-everyday occurrence. Both children experienced the same dreams together. Literally. And frequently. This dream in particular seemed to be hilarious.

“Okay.” Scully told William. “Explaining myself’ll happen once your father puts Elizabeth and Katherine in their beds on the other side of the room.”

“Ah.” said William. “That’s definitely a good idea.”

Heeding the hint, Mulder set both of his daughters in their portable cribs on the other side of the room. It’d have to do until they could be put in their nursery. It sat between two empty rooms upstairs. Then Mulder’s heart fluttered when Elizabeth and Katherine beamed in sleep after he tucked them in. To see their joys over the little thing reminded Mulder that every last thing he’d been through together with Scully had been worth it. Full-stop.

When Mulder made it back to the couch, it was just in time to see Daggoo jump from the floor and on to the furniture piece. He then made a show of curling up on Scully’s lap. It didn’t take long for the little creature to fall asleep.

“Hm.” Scully rubbed her pet between his ears. “Two babies leave my lap, one more crawls in. But I don’t mind. Daggoo happens to be very light.”

Redirecting the conversation before his mother could get distracted, William asked her, “Exactly what is it that you’re itching to say? Come on. Please?”

Mulder said, “Yeah. The two of us are vaults.”

Scully laughed. “Well… Neither knows that the other’s told me and their husbands could know by now, but… Tara and Lotte are both pregnant.”

Rather a comical silence fell. Mulder and William even bore identical expressions of surprise. But they both reacted in separate shasions to what had been said. Scully felt amused. Even their initial feelings made sense to her.

Mulder finally said, “Woah. But that’s crazy.”

William laughed. “Who cares? Ellie, Kitty, and I are getting even more cousins now.”

Now Scully smiled. Her son loved being a big brother so much that it was very clear his little sisters had him wrapped him around their fingers. He had also been the one to use the nicknames of ‘Ellie’ and ‘Kitty’ as nicknames for ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Katherine’ first. Being a big brother was his favorite. He seemed to feel the exact same way about his new incoming cousins.  

But staying the course, now Scully praised, “That is the ticket.” 

Mulder said, “Yeah. The incoming new year’ll be busy…”

Both Scully and William replied as one, “Definitely.”

Changing tracks, Mulder pointed to an old fox toy Scully was holding. “Care to share the story? I’ve never asked…”  

Scully absently stroked the toy’s long-worn fur. “Melissa gave it to me.”

Quick to seize a learning opportunity about his lost aunt, William asked, “When?”

“Christmas Eve 1972.” Scully paused briefly as the memories came to her in a flood. “But you know? I saw the brightest shooting star that evening. And we both saw a wild fox together.”

Easily remembering what he’d just seen outside, William reflected, “Hm. Wow. That’s amazing…”

Scully went on, “I also wondered that evening if everyone in the world connected by string to their own soulmate.”

William asked, “How old were you?”

Scully responded after a moment of thinking, “Melissa was ten years old. So I was eight, pushing nine.”

“Okay.” said William. “Then where did you live?”

Scully told her son, “England. I just about grew up there.”

“Amazing.” marveled William. “But what’d you think about the states back then?”

Scully laughed. “America was terrifically uninteresting to me until that evening.”

William asked, “What happened?”

“Melissa talked sense into me,” answered Scully. “And because I revered her? The chat was life-altering.”

“Hm.” said William. “Okay…”

William now paused to process everything he’d been told. It was like watching a computer process a vast amount of information in one go. Scully felt only dark amusement. Her son was a smart person. However… He periodically had moments like this. Would she ever tell him that it was a quirk inherited from his late aunt? Yes. Just not at this moment.  

Seizing his own opportunity at last, Mulder said to Scully, “1972?”

“Uh-huh.” confirmed Scully. “December 24, 1972. What about it?”

Mulder grew curiously bashful. “Well… I saw a wild fox that evening. And I saw a shooting star. Just never mind I was on Martha’s Vineyard.”

Scully became bewildered as she bleated, “Excuse me?!” 

“Uh…” William laughed nervously because he felt absurd. “The two of you are never going to believe what I saw just now.”

His parents chorused, “A fox?”

With a miraculously-straight face, William said, “I saw five outside. Plus a shooting star.”

Mulder and Scully cried, “What?”

“I know exactly what I saw. But…” William gave another nervous laugh. “I believe we just had a major full-circle moment…?”

“Yep.” agreed Mulder. “I’ll say that we did.”

“Okay. I guess it’s time for popcorn and stories now.” Scully said before things could become too quiet. “Who goes first?

Mulder and William chimed, “You.”

Chuckling, Scully laughed. “Fine. But fair warning: my life has never been quiet. Ever. Christmas Eve 1972 went like this…”

Mulder and William both listened as she began to tell the tale. Only time they had a timeout was when they realized they’d finished up the popcorn. But in the spirit of coziness, Mulder offered to make hot chocolate for them. Scully and William agreed. Then storytime resumed from there.

And Scully was glad the other two were still completely interested. Life was beautiful. Truly.

Outside, under the light of the full moon and the cosmic appearance of another shooting star, the fox family from before stopped in front of Number 227700. The place they’d just considered for a den after seeing William hadn’t worked. So they’d all come back out into the open again.

But at the sight of the house, all five creatures bowed.

Every fiber of their collective being told them that special people made their home there. Ones who could be trusted.

And so? The fox family bowed. One by one by one by one by one. 

From there, the creatures only had to walk a bit further into the area of woods closest to the woods before finally finding the more ideal area to dig their den. And they slept. In the morning, they’d expand it. This was necessary because one more would join their number in the coming year.

Such could even be said of the people in the house. They just didn’t know. Yet.

Still, the fox family slept soundly because they knew the family in the house would protect them. And that was enough.

Inside…

The home was cozy. Doctor Who continued to play quietly on screen. Mulder, Scully, William, and the littlest Mulder (presently far too little for anyone to realize she was there) sat together on the couch. Storytime was far from over. Daggoo woke up very briefly to touch his nose to his mistress’ middle before curling up flat against her and falling back asleep in content. Life was beautifully simple for him. And that was enough. 

Across the room, Elizabeth and Katherine kept dreaming of a new sister. Samantha. Both were too little to realize it was both Christmas. And their first birthday. But they did know that their whole entire family loved them deeply. That was enough. Now they’d sleep the rest of the night.

All the same? One crowning jewel remained.

William experienced his own amusement when the thought occurred to him. Both of his baby sisters were wearing new pajamas he’d purchased from them two days ago. William took being a big brother to Katherine and Elizabeth so seriously that he enjoyed giving presents to them. Just because. 

Elizabeth’s and Katherine's new identical sleeping suits were decorated in patterns of red foxes and stardust.