From: wildafox0619 Date: 28 May 2003 07:45:16 -0700 Subject: [all-xf] NEW : Caitlin - MSR-babyfic Source: atxc Title: Caitlin Author : wildafox0619 Rating: PG Category : BabyFic, Family fic Spoilers: none Summary: The birth of their second child. Disclaimer: CC owns them. Except Caitlin, she belongs exclusively to her parents. Author's notes: Written for the May's Kiss It and Make It Better Haven Challenge DUE May 26 Any characters but one must be taking care of the other for some health like reason. Elements - Finding something you didn't know was lost (or you forgot about) - Hope - Volunteers or volunteering - Mystery Science Theatre - Suicide This story takes places in my family files universe: - Birthday Party - Valentine Evening's delight - William's tale - Sweet baby girl A big warm hug to my wonderful beta and friend, Tali. What you do for me means a lot! Love you sweetie. Thanks to Maia for behaving when her Mommy is correcting my mistakes. CAITLIN May 26, 2003 Mulder's residence 10 PM Dana Scully-Mulder was exhausted. She had gone over her due date by four days, and it was beginning to look as if her baby daughter was in no hurry to be born. She felt as large as a house, her legs were swollen and her back hurt, night and day. She wanted her pregnancy to be over. Her husband was watching that silly show, Mystery Science Theatre. He was sitting up against the headboard of their bed, shirtless and wearing his glasses. He looked good enough to eat. If she hadn't been so pregnant, she would have jumped his bones but the reality was, there was no way she could straddle her husband in her current state! She sighed and went to the bathroom. She needed a shower to relax. She undressed and climbed under the hot spray. She hoped that it would get the kinks out of her back and allow her to sleep for two hours straight before it was time for her first pee break of the night. She thought about her husband and how much time he had invested in this pregnancy. He had been MIA during the first six months of William's and then just missed his birth. This time, he was determined to be there and to help her deliver. He had willingly volunteered to attend Lamaze classes. He was the only father-to-be who wasn't shy about asking anything. Mulder being Mulder, he also enquired about the easiest sexual positions! He was a wonderful father to William but she could tell he regretted that he hadn't been around for the first ultrasound. This time, he was there when their baby appeared on the screen, all toes and fingers and heart beating steadily. He had cried silent tears, thanking the Powers That Be for blessing them with another healthy baby. After the second ultrasound, they knew it was a little girl this time and Mulder couldn't hide his joy. She would be her daddy's little princess as much as William was his little prince. Mulder was a natural when it came to fatherhood, understanding his son like no other. Scully came out of her daydream and switched off the water, as a contraction hit her. She grabbed the bathtub edge and breathed into the pain. She knew that it was for real, this time. The contraction had felt different to the usual Braxton-Hicks contractions, she'd been having on and off. She noted the time and put on her pjs. There was no hurry yet and she didn't want to alarm her husband for no reason. When she got back to the bedroom, she found Mulder fast asleep and snoring softly. She decided to let him rest. After all, labor could take several hours even for a second one. When she pulled his glasses off his nose and put them on the bedside table, he didn't even stir. She went to check on William. The little boy was sleeping peacefully, in his bed. He looked so much like his father. He was a handful, curious and full of life but loving and caring, just like his Daddy. He was a cuddly baby, always needing reassurance about his place in his mother's heart. She hoped that there wouldn't be too much jealousy with his soon-to-be born sister. She closed the door just when she was hit by a second contraction. It had only been five minutes. It was already quickening. She went downstairs and picked up the cordless phone, dialling Monica's home number. She wasn't surprised when a male voice answered. "Hello?" "John, it's Dana" "Dana? What's wrong? Is it the baby?" He said panicking "Calm down. There's a way to go yet. Is Monica there?" "Yes, of course, I`ll call her" A minute later, Monica was on the phone, excited to the max. "Hi Dana. So this is it? "Yes. Could you come over to keep an eye on Will? The contractions are already five minutes apart and I'll need to go to the hospital pretty soon." "Ok. We'll be there asap." She put the receiver down, turned around and walked straight in to her husband. Busted! He was clearly angry at her. She knew precisely why and braced herself for the lecture. "Why the hell didn't you wake me up?" "Please, let's not argue..." She stopped, tightening her hands on her belly. Another contraction hit her and Mulder immediately wore his panic face. Once the pain decreased, she could speak again. "Monica will be here soon and then we can go to the hospital" "What do you need me to do?" "Get the car ready, take my suitcase and come back to me. I need you". Admitting her neediness meant a great deal to him. He tried to calm his nerves and went in the bedroom to fetch the suitcase,then to the garage to get their car out. He came back to his wife just as she was hit by another contraction. He sat down with her, encouraging her to breathe through the pain. She was covered in sweat and he could tell that she was surprised by the intensity of the pains. He had the feeling that it wouldn't take long this time. John Doggett and Monica Reyes must have played with the speed limits because they arrived in less than 15 minutes. Dana was glad that her friends were there to take care of William, while she went to the hospital. Maggie had left for San Diego to help Bill, with his kids. Tara's sister had attempted suicide and Tara gone to help her family. Bill wasn't able to take care of Matthew and the twins, Missy and Sarah, all by himself. So Maggie had to leave her daughter, with a heavy heart. Monica smiled at the parents-to-be. She would love to start a family of her own but John was still a bit resistant to the idea. She could understand that Luke's death had left a dark shadow upon his soul but her biological clock was telling her to hurry. She still had to get him to commit and marry her but that was another fight altogether. Mulder and Scully were made for each other. Monica had strong beliefs in the existence of soul-mates., She felt their mutual energy, they glowed from happiness. They were wonderful parents, too, and they were blessed with the cutest little boy. She liked to think that she wasn't biased, by the fact that she was his godmother. William was special to her because she had been there when he was born. "Time to face the music, Fox" she said to a worried looking Mulder "It's a beautiful thing to give birth". "Easy for you to say" answered Scully, gritting her teeth "Do you want a whale song?" Mulder rolled his eyes and helped his wife to stand. The ride to the hospital was uneventful. Scully continued to have contractions and they were getting closer but were bearable. Mulder parked in front of the emergency entrance and helped his wife to get out. "Ohhh" she said, breathless, when another one hit her. A nurse came out to help, with a wheelchair. Scully sat down after the contraction had faded. Another one started immediately indicating that the delivery was close. The mother-to-be was wheeled into a delivery room, closely followed by Mulder. The examination showed that Scully was not only fully dilated but that the baby was already crowning. The contractions were coming rapidly now and she was in a lot of pain. Her face was covered in sweat and she was breathing through her nose. Her legs had been elevated in the stirrups and she had been given the green light to push. Mulder was sitting next to her, holding her hand tightly. He tried to convince himself that he didn't look as terrified as he felt. He wanted to be strong, to be the rock she could rely on but truth was that he was scared. It was terrifying to witness the woman he loved in this much pain and know that there was nothing he could do to really help her. He looked at his wife and all his self-doubt dissolved in the trust he saw in her eyes. She was hit by another contraction and started to push with all her might. He wiped her face tenderly with a cool wash cloth that the nurse had given to him. "You are doing great, baby..." "Ahh..." she groaned as she pushed again. He held her hand, wiped her face and encouraged her for the long half hour that it took to deliver their baby girl. It was 11:55 pm when Caitlin Margaret Mulder cried for the first time. The nurse cleaned her up, with a surgical cloth, and put her on Dana's belly. "Oh...she is so beautiful" She said tearfully " Look at her!" Mulder was speechless at the sight of his new baby girl. He was hit with the sudden realisation that she was real and he had helped to create this brand new life. He couldn't find the right words to express what he felt, at that very moment. He let the tears fall freely while he took a delicate little hand in his big one. "Do you want to cut the cord, Mr. Mulder?" The nurse asked. He was so enthralled with his daughter that he didn't hear what was asked. Scully gave a sign to the nurse to just go ahead and cut it, without him. The little girl started to wail, searching for her mother's nipple. "Can you help give her to me? She's hungry" He hesitated. She was so little. Scully saw his reaction and rolled her eyes. "She not made of china. Come on, sweetheart, you can do it" He lifted her carefully and set her on Scully's stomach. After a couple of false starts Caitlin latched on and began to suck furiously. Mulder sat down on the bed next to his wife, kissed her on the mouth gently and whispered: "thank you" Scully's hospital Room May 27, 2003 1:00 am Scully had finally fallen asleep. Mulder was sitting in a plastic chair between his wife's bed and his daughter's bassinet. He was in awe of the tiny baby. She looked so much like her mother and he was sure he would love her beyond all reason. He had been swept off his feet by William as a newborn. He was their first and Mulder was thrilled, and afraid, of the unknown journey that they were starting. But this time he felt more prepared, although he doubted he would worry any less. He knew a lot about babies and their needs now and felt confident he would be a good father. He had been given a second chance with his children and he was determined to enjoy every moment of it. He felt complete and had found the one thing he thought had been lost to him, forever; unconditional love. The end