From: "Eileen S. Whipple" Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 16:53:16 Subject: NEW: Calm Before the Storm Pt. 7 of 11 Source: xff Chapter Seven Jeopardizing Emotions The place that was once the Wallace-McQueen home looked normal. The yellow police tape was gone, and Scully assumed the bloodstains inside had been scrubbed away as well. She and Mulder approached the front door, comparing the address to the one Kresge had given to them during their investigation. "Edith seems like a very hard woman," Mulder commented before ringing the doorbell. "It's just her way of dealing with it." The door opened and they were faced by Michelle. "My mother said you might be coming." She moved aside, allowing the agents to get inside. "Amy and Lexie haven't gotten home yet." Scully removed her shoes in the foyer. "So they're eager to get back to being normal?" "Yeah. They want to go to school, to try to get their minds off things, but my mother and I will be around until the house sells." Scully's mouth dropped open. "Where will Amy and Lexie be living?" "I think they'll stay awhile with my mother, then they'll stay with me." She waited for Mulder to catch up with them. Edith was waiting for the guests in the den. "Dana, I wasn't sure you'd come." "I'd like to visit with the girls." "Have a seat." She motioned to a loveseat and the agents sat down. "Michelle, can you bring the coffee in?" Edith's daughter nodded and left for the kitchen. "Edith, I'm not sure if you're aware of how serious Lexie's migraine headaches have gotten since Miranda's death." "She's told me that they've been awful. She's also told me that you've agreed to pay for an expensive medication." Scully said, "Yes. It's called Imitrex." "But why? Why are you willing to pay so much?" She licked her lips. "Because I know how awful migraines can be. Missy suffered from them until her early twenties." "I never knew that, but there's a lot of things I didn't know about Miranda and her friends." Scully's voice grew quiet. "Do the girls know they were adopted?" Edith's eyes widened. "No! And they've never suspected it! How did you know?" "Um, Dale Wallace told me." She didn't want to speak the name of the man who'd killed Edith's daughter. The older woman grew solemn. "If it ever arises, I will tell the girls that they were adopted. It's not important right now." "Do you know who their birth parents are?" Scully asked. "No. Miranda and Dale didn't even know who they were." Scully glanced at Mulder. He shook his head slightly. She guessed he was telling her not to speak up about Amy and Lexie's parentage. Even if he didn't mean that, she wasn't planning to anyway. The tension was broken by the sound of the front door opening. "Nana, we're home." "Amy, dear, we're in the den," Edith called. The twins entered the room. They each held large backpacks. "Hello, Agent Scully, Agent Mulder," Lexie said. "Hi, girls." Scully couldn't help but smile. Mulder waved his hand. Michelle joined the group. "I thought I heard your voice, Amy." She held a tray with a small coffee pot and mugs. "Go put your clothes in the hamper." "Sure, Aunt Michelle." Amy turned and went down the hall behind her. Her sister followed closely and they turned to the right. Before Michelle could pour any hot coffee, Scully asked, "Where is the washroom, Edith?" "Go down that same hall and follow the girls' path. The washroom is the first on the right." She stood up. "Thanks. I'll be right back." Scully walked quickly, taking Edith's directions. Unfortunately, the bathroom door was closed. She looked to the next door and heard sobbing. She crept closer and looked inside. The raven-haired Lexie was standing in the middle of what looked like a study. Her shoulders shook and her head was lowered slightly. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Scully asked, carefully approaching Lexie. The girl turned her head slowly. Her eyes were red and wet, and she had several tears on her cheeks. "This is where we found her. This was her writing room." She moved over to the desk against the wall. She ran her hand over the oak desktop. "She was right near the desk, over by the trash can." Scully scanned the room. The bare floor had probably been carpeted, but the covering was too badly stained to clean. "Lexie, I know it hurts a lot now but you're strong." Scully forced out, "Your mother raised you well." The sixteen-year-old's lower lip quivered. "Can you just hug me?" she asked quietly. "Sure, sweetheart," Scully answered. Lexie moved into her arms. She allowed the girl to rest her head on her shoulder, even though Lexie had to lean over slightly. Scully couldn't believe how wonderful it felt to hold her niece in her arms, but it would feel so much better when Lexie actually knew Scully was her aunt. "Lexie, if you ever need anything, just call me." Scully pulled away to dig a card from her pocket. "My cellular phone number's on the back and the phone is always on." Lexie wiped her eyes. "Thanks." She clutched the card to her stomach. "How long will you be here in San Diego?" "I'm taking a week off and staying here. Mulder's probably going home." "We're going back to school next Monday but we have a ballet lesson tomorrow. Can you drive us?" She nodded. "Okay, but where will your family be?" "My grandmother is finding a realtor to sell our house. We shouldn't even be going out but I need to dance. That's the only thing that I can do to get my mind off things." "That's good, but I just wish my sister was still alive to be here for you and Amy. She would take care of you." "I always loved Aunt Missy's red hair, and I was so glad I had red hair as well. Then, I dyed it black. I went through phases after she left, but it was also because of my parents' fighting." Lexie reached up and fingered a lock of Scully's hair. "If you need a ride anywhere, just call me. I'll be here right away." Her mouth curved slightly. "Thanks, and I'd also like to thank you for agreeing to pay for that medication." Scully touched the girl's cheek. "It's fine, Lex." Her eyes widened in surprise. "Um, I'm going to check on my sister and put my clothes away." She left in a hurry. Scully hoped she hadn't spooked the girl, but she knew what she had to: she had to tell the twins the truth as soon as possible. She just had to contact her family about the news. She wanted to do that fairly soon. She knew it should have been done as soon as she'd known but the findings had left her shaken. She left the study and went back down the hall to join her hostesses in the living room. Mulder looked up when she sat beside him. "I spoke to Lexie, Edith. I'm driving them to their ballet class tomorrow. She asked me since you're trying to sell the house." Michele sipped her coffee. "We really appreciate it, Dana. Ballet is something that both girls love and if dancing can help them, we're all for it." "But I suggest you seriously look at getting Amy and Lexie into therapy," Mulder said. "They need as much help as they can get." Edith nodded, her white hair bobbing. "We will look into that." Scully asked, "When is the reading of Miranda's will?" "Next Tuesday, but I already know she left most everything to her girls." "That's wonderful." Scully stood up. "I'm sorry to leave so soon but I have some matters to attend to. It was nice visiting you all." "It was great seeing you again, Dana," Edith said. "You've grown beautifully. Perhaps we can visit before you leave San Diego." "Well, I'm here for another week." Mulder got up as well. He followed his partner to the front door. "Thank you for the coffee," he said to Michelle. Edith had remained in the living room. "You're welcome." She reached up and straightened the foyer mirror. "The girls' ballet class starts at four o'clock. They usually drive themselves to class but since they're shaken up and they've only had their licenses for a few months, I don't want them driving." "I understand, Mich. I'll pick them up at two and spend some time with them." "Come in for a drink when you drop them off." "Sure." She called, "Goodbye, Amy, Lexie! Bye, Edith!" She exited the house quickly. "Scully, wait up!" Mulder hurried down the sidewalk. "Mulder, I have to tell those girls that I'm their aunt. They've been living a lie for so long. They have to know." "But they should trust you and until they do, telling them is jeopardizing their emotions. You need to make sure they won't do anything drastic when they find out." She turned around. "I may not know Amy and Lexie that well but they are sensible young women. They won't do anything extreme. They lost the people they knew as parents and they're still standing." "Just take some time. Make sure they're ready, and that you are too." "I'm very ready. I have so much to do. I'm calling my family today." Mulder opened his car door, got in, and let Scully into the passenger side. "Who are you calling first?" "My mother. I'm afraid to call Bill. I don't even know why." "I'm here for you if you need help." He touched her hand. "Thank you." She sighed and sat back to relax. "Mom, how are you?" Scully sat on the edge of her bed. She twisted the phone's coiled cord with her fingers. "I'm fine, Dana. How is San Diego?" "It's okay. I'm nearly done with my case." "Was it bad?" Margaret Scully asked. "It was a murder, and I'm afraid the Scullys have a connection to the victim and her family." She heard a gasp, and then her mother asked, "Who was it?" "Do you remember the McQueens from Miramar? Missy's best friend Miranda was murdered by her husband." "How tragic! I never connected when I saw the newspaper articles. How was it investigating?" "It was hard. Miranda had twin daughters, Amy Dana and Alexandra Margaret, named after you and me." Margaret chuckled. "Melissa probably had something to do with that." "Mom, Miranda and her husband adopted the girls. That was in 1982." "Dana, what are you saying?" She took a deep breath. "I didn't suspect it at first, but Dale Wallace, Miranda's husband, told me something unbelievable. These girls are Missy's children." It was silent for a moment. "Dana, how? How did it happen?" "Missy moved to San Francisco to be with Miranda. Miranda got married to Dale Wallace and they all were good friends. Dale and Missy had an affair and Amy and Lexie were the products. Miranda just thought the twins were Missy's old boyfriend's kids." "Do you have proof?" Margaret asked quietly. "I did all the blood tests, the DNA tests. It's all true." Her voice shook. "I've had to deal, Mom, and it's been hard. I told Bill about my suspicions." Margaret sounded angry. "Why didn't you tell me?" "I wanted to know for sure. Bill thought I was being crazy. That's probably why he didn't tell you." Her tone softened, becoming close to a whisper. "I didn't want you to be hurt. I know I should've prepared you for the news but I knew it would be hard." "So these girls are sixteen or so. How could Melissa have been pregnant without anyone being aware?" "I'd noticed that she was gaining weight but remember how you and Dad used to hound her to eat more? I started nagging her too. I thought she was taking my advice. I was only turning eighteen that year. I never believed she would listen to me." "How pregnant was she when you noticed the weight?" Scully knew her mother wanted to learn everything about Melissa's secret children. "I'm not sure. The girls were born after my final exams that year, in July sometime, so I'd say Missy was about six or seven months into the pregnancy. She was very small for expecting twins. I think the girls were just tiny." "But why didn't she tell anybody? Dad and I would have helped her out." Scully put her hand on her forehead. "Mom, Missy and I were close and she didn't even tell me. I think she was ashamed of herself. She was having an affair with her best friend's husband, and she had his children." "Dana, I'll be out there soon. I'll call Charlie to see if he can come as well. The family has to talk." "Whatever you think is best. I'm trying to gain the girls' trust so I can tell them the truth. I haven't told Edith or Michelle McQueen yet, but Edith has confirmed that the girls were adopted." "I'll meet Amy and Alexandra when I arrive there." "I love you, Mom," she said. "I'm sorry." She hung up the phone. She felt awful about having to break the news to her mother. She could feel the pain every time Margaret spoke. Scully removed her high heels and fell back on the bed. She wondered if her mother was going to call Bill. He would be angry if his sister had known and he only found out the truth from their mother. "Screw Bill!" she said. She was on her case most of the time and she didn't care if Bill yelled at her. He was the one who hadn't trusted her suspicions. A knock sounded at the door and Scully groaned. It was probably Mulder. She'd hoped to get some sleep but answered the door anyway. "Kresge, what are you doing here?" she asked, surprised to see the police detective. "I just wanted to see how you were doing, how you were dealing. I'm sorry I didn't make it to the funeral." He moved inside. Scully shut the door. "I'm doing okay. Every time I see those girls, what I knew eats me up inside but I can't tell them until they're ready. I'm sure I've said that a million times lately." "Oh, I know what you're saying, but it's true. I'm sure you know the girls better than I do." "Yeah. I'm spending the next week here, to visit with Amy and Lexie." Kresge looked down. "I'm glad things are beginning to get easier." He stepped closer and put his arms around her. "It will never go away completely." "I know," Scully said, partly into his shoulder. She felt the pressure on her head where he placed his hand. He moved away and stroked her hair with his right hand while his left was on her cheek. She could sense what was happening, and he lifted her chin and pushed his lips against hers. Scully's eyes grew wide but she fell into the kiss. A second later, she realized she was doing something wrong. This was Kresge and he had a girlfriend. He moved his hands to her sides, and he caressed her body. The touches felt great to her, but she didn't say anything until she was on the bed with Kresge on top of her. She waited until he traced a line to her throat with his tongue. "Kresge, no. This isn't right. You're with Lorelei." His eyes widened and he pushed himself away. "I am so sorry. I don't know why I did that." "It's partly my fault. I should have stopped it sooner." Scully smoothed her skirt. He turned to face her. "Scully, I'm very attracted to you. I have been since last Christmas, but I was with Lorelei then as well. I do love her but I thought it was okay that I had these feelings for you, just as long as I didn't act on them. I never intended for this to happen." Scully felt horrible that she'd reacted by kissing him back. "I think you better go then." He stood up and hurried to the door. "I won't tell Lorelei." He chuckled as he opened the door. "I'm also sorry if you got the impression I was trying to provide comfort sex or something." She let the corners of her mouth turn up. "I never thought that at all." "Tell me about how your time with your nieces goes." Kresge said, "Goodbye," and left. Scully's face and neck were flushed. She was embarrassed about kissing Kresge. At least it would remain a secret. She wouldn't have let it go any further than it did. She liked Kresge but he was involved with Lorelei. She reached under her bed for her suitcase. She pulled it out and brought out her long blue nightshirt. She slowly removed her business clothes and put the cotton shirt on. It was only on the way to eight o'clock but she was tired enough to go to bed. She wanted the next day to come quickly. She climbed into her bed, pulling the sheets over her legs. She unplugged her phone before checking her alarm clock and shutting off her light. Her heart rate was slowing down from her little bit of excitement with the detective. Her eyes were beginning to sting with fatigue. She closed them and turned onto her side. She pulled her covers under her arm and fell asleep. December 4, 1998 Lexie and Amy were outside their home, waiting for Scully. They looked happy to see her when she rolled up in her rental car. Scully unlocked the back door and passenger door by flipping a switch on her left side. "Hey, girls!" she exclaimed when the twins got in. Lexie got in the passenger side and her sister went into the back. "Hi," Lexie said. She hugged her black duffel bag to her chest. She crossed her long legs and sat back. "Have you eaten anything?" Scully asked as she started driving. Amy said, "I had some toast but I'm not that hungry." "Then we'll stop for some drinks." Lexie put her bag down. "Thanks," she said quietly. Scully looked at the girl sitting beside her. Lexie was wearing a clingy white tank top, black capri pants, and white sandals. Her black hair was pinned up. "Lex, you look really nice." She smiled. "Thank you, Agent Scully." "Girls, please call me Dana. Anyone else calling me Dana is a rare occurrence but I'd like you to." "Sure, Dana," they said. Several minutes of silence passed before Amy asked, "Dana, would you like to watch our dance practise? I think it would be okay." "I'd love to. How long does it usually last?" "An hour. We might leave early if we don't feel up to dancing for that long." Scully wondered where they'd inherited their talent for dancing. Melissa had been in ballet from age ten until thirteen and the toe shoes caused too much bruising and bleeding. Perhaps Dale's family had the bigger part of the dancing gene. "So how long have you been dancing?" Lexie looked at her twin. "Um, since we were five, so it's just over eleven years." "When do you turn seventeen?" Scully asked, surprised she hadn't memorized the girls' birthday. "Next July, on the eighteenth." "Summer babies," Scully whispered. "I was right." The silence resumed for the entire ride to the local convenience store. Scully was amazed as the ballet class finished their practise. Their dancing had been graceful and fabulous. They all moved in time with each other. They all looked the same in black leotards, white tights, and pink toe shoes, but Scully could pick out her nieces. Scully smiled as the twins approached the bench that she occupied. She didn't realize how physically mature they were. The leotards clung to their shapely hips, nearly flat abdomens, and average-sized chests. They were several inches taller than Scully, at about five feet, six inches. "Dana," Lexie said, wiping her forehead, "we're just going to shower and get changed. We'll be about fifteen minutes." Scully stood up. "I'll go to the car." She waited until the girls were gone to leave the dance studio. The sun shone brightly. She pulled out her sunglasses and slipped them on. As she unlocked her car door, her cell phone shrilly. She answered it. "Scully." "Dana, I just spoke to Mom. Why don't you tell me about Melissa?" "Bill, I tried to tell you about it to prepare you for the test results but you wouldn't believe it unless I had proof. I do now. Mom's coming out to discuss this as a family." "Do these girls know who they really are?" "No. I'm getting to know them before letting them know it. I'm driving them wherever they want to go." Bill's tone was sarcastic. "How kind of you." "Bill, leave me alone. I'm trying to help Amy and Lexie in any way I can. They're hurting, and they'll be even more hurt when they find out they've been lied to their entire lives." "What's going to happen after they find out?" Bill no longer sounded angry or derisive. "I want them to be welcome in our family. They are our nieces, and Mom's grandchildren." Bill replied, "Acceptance is going to take a while." He hung up. He was starting to soften but Scully wondered about his acceptance comment. She knew it was easy for her to accept, just hard to adjust. Scully got into the rental car and turned it on to listen to the radio while she was waiting for Amy and Lexie. She hoped that her family would accept the girls and love them, even if it took a little while. She waited for ten minutes and just as she looked at her watch, the twins emerged from the building. Amy had her wet red hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail; Lexie's hung in loose, damp tendrils. Amy got into the front seat and her twin sat in the back. "That was a great workout," Lexie said, pulling on her seatbelt. She pressed the button on the door and the window came down. "You were great, both of you. I wish I had half the talent to dance like that." "I know Aunt Missy took ballet for a while." Amy tossed her ponytail over her shoulder. "She did, but her feet became too sore when she started with toe shoes. Do you have problems like that?" Lexie shook her head. "I used to get bruises and my toes would hurt, but I'm used to the shoes now." "Me too," Amy added. "But I like dancing so it doesn't matter." Scully put both of her hands on the steering wheel and took a deep breath. "So when your grandmother sells the house, where are you going to live?" "Aunt Michelle says we can move to San Francisco with her. She has a large house and doesn't have a family. Besides, we'll be out of the way in two years." Amy fiddled with the zipper on her bag. "I don't want to leave Annie and her parents. They've helped us so much, and I love them. The only time we'll be able to see them is on holidays." "Yes but I'm sure Annie will call and write to you when she can't visit." Amy nodded. "Yes, of course she would, but I don't know why Aunt Michelle just won't move down here. Everything is here: our school, our friends, and our ballet class." "I'm going to be talking to your aunt and your grandmother so I'll tell them about your concerns, if you'd like." Lexie shrugged. "That would be okay. What do you have to talk to them about?" Scully lied, "Nothing much." She was going to tell Edith and Michelle about the girls' heritage. She had to inform someone that could help gauge the shock value of the news, someone who knew the girls. "Could you drop us off at Annie's?" Amy asked. "Sure. It's not a problem." Chapter Eight Always Scully sighed as Michelle McQueen poured her a cup of coffee. "What's up, Dana?" "Yes. What do you want to speak to us about?" Edith asked. Scully picked up the mug, curling her fingers around it. "It has to do with the girls' being adopted." Edith frowned. "Dana, please. Let's not discuss it." "Did Miranda know who the birth mother was?" The old woman shook her head. "She never told me. She could have known but it never mattered. They are my granddaughters. Why are you so concerned with it?" Scully looked down into her coffee cup. "Dale told me the girls were adopted and revealed the identities of the birth parents." Edith's eyes widened. "Who are they?" "Dale Wallace and my sister." She looked up to see Edith slump back and Michelle fall into a chair. "My God," Michelle gasped. Edith sat up. "How am I supposed to believe that?" "The girls both have natural red hair, but that's not the only proof. I had some DNA tests done. Everything matches." "So your sister gave birth to Dale's children while he was married to my sister?" Michelle said in disbelief. "I'm not going to condone what Dale and Missy did, but Amy and Lexie were the best things that came out of it." "Dana, Amy and Lexie are very special to me. I'm not sure if they should know about this." "But Michelle, I feel responsible. I am their aunt by blood. My mother already know she has two granddaughters." "You told your mother before you informed us?" Edith said, clutching the arms of her seat. "Edith, this is a far bigger change for my family to bear. You've known the girls their entire lives. I'm their family and I've known them for about a week." "I don't think the girls should know," Michelle blurted out. Scully frowned. "They should and if you don't tell them, I will. I thought telling you first would be the right thing to do." Edith breathed in deeply. Scully could see that she was getting angry with her. "Dana, how do you suggest we tell them?" "I'm not sure. Find pictures of Melissa and Miranda. Use those in it." Michelle crossed her arms. "They are going to be so hurt." "That's the worst thing about this." December 5, 1998 Scully awoke to loud knocking at her door. She looked at her alarm clock; it was ten o'clock. "I'm coming," she called. She got out of bed and pulled on her robe. She rubbed her eyes as she went to the door and opened it. Michelle McQueen was standing there. "We told the girls last night and when we got up this morning, Lexie was gone. She took the blue jeep that had belonged to my sister." Scully said, "Come inside. I'm just going to get dressed quickly. I'll help you look." She grabbed her suitcase and headed into the bathroom. This was the possible drastic behaviour Mulder had warned her about. She put on clean underclothes, jeans, and a white tee-shirt. She pulled out her hiking boots and shoved her feet into them. Michelle was in tears when Scully emerged from the bathroom. "Lexie was so heartbroken last night. I have to find her before she gets hurt, or hurts herself." "Did you call Annie?" "Yes. She hasn't seen her." "Lexie never said anything but does she have a boyfriend?" Scully asked. Michelle shook her head. "No. She used to date this one boy but they broke up a few months ago. Why?" "I was trying to figure out where she might have gone, if she isn't at Annie's. Where else does she like to hang out?" "There is one place. I haven't checked it but I came to get you so we'd have a better chance of finding her." "Do you have a car phone?" Scully asked. "Yeah. Why?" "I'll give you my cell number and I'll get your number and we can call each other with what we find." The two women exchanged phone numbers. "The place is a gym across town where Lexie likes to go. Since I know my way around, I'll go there. I'd like you to drive around this part of town, all the way back to the house." "Okay. I'll leave right now." Scully waited for Michelle to exit the room. Once they were outside, she closed the door and locked up. Michelle hurried to her vehicle. "One more thing," Scully called. "Do you think Lexie would hurt herself?" "God, Dana, I don't know. I hope not." Scully looked around as much as she could while driving. She prayed that Lexie would be found safe. The residential streets looked the same. Most were full of cars due to it being the weekend. She would occasionally turn and drive down alleys, just in case. She kept watch for Lexie or a blue jeep. Scully jumped when her phone began ringing. She answered it immediately. "Michelle?" "My mother just phoned. Lexie came home." "Lexie, where do you get off running away?" Michelle said angrily, confronting the teenager in the front hall. "You tell me that I'm not even who I am and expect me not to react!" Lexie's eyes were red. "My life has been one goddamn lie!" She saw Scully. "I find out that my mother is actually her sister, who is long dead! A woman who abandoned me!" Edith touched her arm. "Lexie, calm down. Amy is taking this considerably well. Why can't you?" Lexie yelled, "I just can't! I'm not as passive as Amy." Scully saw that Amy was nowhere in sight. "Alexandra McQueen! You be quiet this instant!" Edith said through clenched teeth. She smirked. "I'm not a McQueen anymore." She pointed at Scully. "My new aunt has informed us that I'm the bastard child of her sister and a murderer." "Alexandra, be quiet!" Michelle shouted. Scully felt strange in the middle of this family confrontation even though Lexie *was* her family. "I do not have to listen to this anymore!" She turned on her heel and ran to her room. "Mom, what are we going to do?" Michelle asked Edith. "We've got to help her." She crossed her arms. "Dana, I love her. I don't care who she is. She's always been my granddaughter." "Edith, since I've come here and she knows, I think I'd like to talk to her." "I doubt she'll listen to you," Michelle called as Scully went to find Lexie's bedroom. In the dark hall, she tried the door that was partially open. She knocked gently and entered. Lexie was facedown on her bed, her black hair fanned out around her. "Lexie, can I please talk to you?" The girl didn't move. "I know you're hurting a lot right now but those people out there love you. They're worried about you." Lexie turned her head and Scully could see her face. "That's all they are now. 'Those people'." "No. Edith says she doesn't care you are. She loves you. You'll always be her granddaughter." "She just says that. She's not accountable for me now. She was when I was her daughter's kid." "Lexie, she just can't stop loving you after doing so for sixteen years." She sat up. "Bu you're my real family and how can you *start* loving me after that long?" "It will take time but I already care for you." Scully put her arm around her niece. "I'm sure my family--your family--will feel the same." She pulled away. "But I need you to answer a question." Lexie reached up and moved some stray hairs out of her eyes. "Why did my mother leave me? Why did she give me away?" "Lex, my sister did what was best for her babies. She gave you to loving parents, and she stayed with you until she had to leave." "But when you got better, why didn't she come back?" "She wanted to let your grandmother--my mom--know that she was okay. She'd only visited us once every two years and for a couple months before she came to see me, we didn't even know where she was." Lexie admitted, "When I first found out... I felt unwanted." Scully smiled. "Do you still feel that way?" "Not so much." "Just know that there are people that love you." Scully chuckled as Lexie put her head on her shoulder. "Your moods change quickly, just like your mother's did." "So your family is going to take it well?" "I don't know. I hope so." "When do we meet them?" "My mother should be out this weekend, and perhaps my younger brother as well." She looked at the girl. "Are you feeling better?" "A little, but I should go apologize." "That's great. Where's your sister?" Lexie shrugged. "She might be on the swing out back." Scully waited until she was gone to see Edith and Michelle to make her way to the backyard. Amy was where Lexie had said she would be. She was on a large wooden swing that hung from a thick branch. She swung gently, pushing off with her toes. Scully wasn't sure if she should talk to the girl. Amy was hunched over and she had a frown on her face. Scully moved across the lush grass. Amy didn't change her expression as her aunt came and sat beside her on the swing. The girl asked in a near-whisper, "Was that my sister yelling?" "I'm afraid so. I'm glad you're taking it better than that." Amy folded her arms across her chest. "I feel the same way she does." She kicked at the ground. "So you're my aunt?" "Yeah. I wish everything had happened in a better way. People were bound to get hurt but it could have been easier if your mothers--both of them--were alive." She scowled. "And my father is no help whatsoever." "Amy, he does love you. He just got selfish." "Yeah, but he's locked up, not like I'd want his help." "Just don't forget where you came from, that you were loved as a McQueen. They will always love you." Amy wrapped her hand around the swing's chain. "Are Lexie and I going to meet your family? I mean, our family." "Soon. My mother is coming out here, and my younger brother might be. My older brother lives here." "Can I meet him?" "Maybe when your grandmother gets here." Tears welled up in Scully's eyes. She put her hand over her mouth. Amy smiled. "I got the impression that you were not a very emotional person but I've changed my mind." She put her arms around Scully. "But acceptance might happen slowly when we meet everyone." Scully played with strands of Amy's hair. "Your Uncle Bill said almost the same thing." Amy pulled away and stood up. "Let's go inside. I want to talk to my sister." "Scully, eat some pizza." Mulder picked up a piece from the box sitting on his bed. "I'm not hungry." She rested in the armchair in his room. "How was your day?" "Okay. I talked to Amy and Lexie. They seem to have accepted it but I'm sure they're still angry." "They will be for a while, just the way your family may be." "But I was never really angry. I know Bill is somewhat, but I don't think my mom will be. She's just aching because she didn't know about Melissa being pregnant and that she's lost so many years with the girls." Mulder swallowed the mouthful of pizza he'd been chewing. "That's the only thing I'm scared about if I find Samantha. I've lost twenty-five years with her. Everything changes in that many years." "But you're lucky in the sense that you knew her for eight years." He smiled weakly. "You have a chance now to love them, to know them. They've always been your family, and will always be your family. Give them the love and respect they deserve and they will come around." Scully stood up. "The only thing that bothers me is the fact that the girls are most likely moving to San Francisco." "Why?" Mulder asked. "I don't know. I want them near me. I don't want to see them every once in a while." He closed the pizza box. "That might be possible. Maybe it's better they stay here. They were born on the West Coast, and you can't have them living with you." "Why not?" "Your lifestyle is too erratic for young girls to be that much a part of." "They're old enough to stay home by themselves," she argued. "They shouldn't be alone right away. They just lost their parents." Scully laughed. "Listen to us. We're getting so worked up." "Perhaps your mother will take the girls in, and you can visit Amy and Lexie when you feel like it." Scully walked over to Mulder's phone. "I'm going to call my mother." She picked up the receiver and dialled the Baltimore number. It rang three times before the answering machine picked up. "It's only eight there. I wonder where she is." Scully hung up the phone. "Maybe she's on her way out here." Her eyes lit up. "I'm heading to Bill's." The rain was mesmerizing as fat drops tapped on Scully's windshield. Her car was parked in front of her brother's home. His sports utility vehicle was gone, and she didn't have a key to his home. She planned on waiting; she didn't want to miss her family. The sky had become grey as Scully left the motel, but there had been no thunder or lightning. She had a feeling it would be rainy for the next day or so. She unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned back. Her eyes began to close as the raindrops splattered on the glass. Sleep was what she needed. A loud rapping on the driver's side window made Scully jump. She squinted and through the drizzle on the glass, she could only make out a bright yellow shape. She rolled down the window and was faced by her sister-in-law. "Dana, come inside," Tara said. "It's freezing out here." Scully got out and slammed the door. Tara lifted a part of her large yellow raincoat and allowed her sister-in-law underneath. They jogged to the front door. "Where's Bill?" Scully asked, pushing wet strands of hair out of her face. They entered the house. "He went to pick up Mom from the airport." "Why didn't he tell me she was coming out so soon?" "I'm not sure." Tara hung her coat in the closet, and put Scully's damp trench coat over a vent. "Go into the kitchen. I'll get you a towel for your hair." The kitchen was warm and smelled like fresh bread. Scully saw two loaves cooling on the stove. She also noticed her nephew asleep in his playpen that was tucked into the corner. Tara returned to the kitchen. "Mom called last night to say she was coming. I'm surprised Bill didn't call you." She handed Scully a large blue towel. "I know he's not too impressed with what's happened." Scully massaged her head with the fluffy towel. Tara went to the stove and turned on the burner under the kettle. "He's disappointed that he never knew that Melissa had children." "Tara, *I* didn't even know! He shouldn't be so distressed about it." "He should be home fairly soon. I've made some soup to warm them up. Would you like some?" Scully shook her head. "No, but could I have some tea, if that's what you're making?" "Sure." Tara sat down at the table. "I knew Melissa awhile and she always seemed level-headed and smart. Why wouldn't she tell these girls that she was their mother?" "Miranda didn't even know. But Missy did the right thing. She wanted a stable life for her daughters and knew that would be with Miranda and Dale." "She must have been absolutely terrified being nineteen and pregnant with twins. And I thought *I* was scared when I was pregnant with Matthew." Scully stared wistfully at her nephew. He was sleeping peacefully, his small hand curled into a fist. "I just wish I could have been there for her, when she felt like everyone was looking at her and judging her." The speed of the rain increased, and they heard the front door open. "Tara, is Dana here?" Bill called. Scully watched Matthew move and he was awake. He was quiet until his father entered the kitchen. "Dad, Dad, Dad," he said. Bill smiled and set his mother's luggage down. He picked his son up and turned to his wife. "Mom is just putting her jacket over the vent." "Hi, Bill." Scully stood up. "Dana, why did you come here?" "I called Mom and she didn't answer. Mulder suggested she could be on her way out here." "She's here to see her granddaughter." Margaret Scully walked into the kitchen. "Dana, I'm glad you're here." "I'm happy you came." Scully hugged her mother tightly. She put her cheek against Margaret's shoulder, feeling the warmth. "So when can I see my new grandchildren?" Scully pulled out of the embrace. "Tomorrow. They know already so that's half the battle." Bill said, "Mom, Dana, why don't you go talk in the living room?" Margaret nodded and she and her daughter left the kitchen. "So Dana, what are they like?" Scully sat beside Margaret on the sofa. "They're amazing, so talented and beautiful." Margaret smiled. "Do they have red hair?" "They used to. Lexie dyed hers black as an act of rebellion." Her mother chuckled. "That's like Missy." Tears were welling up in Margaret's eyes. "I can't wait to meet them." "Come here." Scully moved closer to her mother and put her arm around her. "Amy and Lexie are wonderful, and Melissa was there for most of their childhood. They're good girls." "I'm sure they are. Scully girls always are." Margaret leaned her head on her daughter's shoulder. "But we all need to adjust." "I know, Dana," she said quietly. She was falling asleep. Scully wasn't going to move Margaret; she'd had a long flight and a tough time. Scully was tired as well. She stroked her mother's greying black hair. Sleep washed over Scully in the next few minutes. Chapter Nine Living Memories December 6, 1998 "Matthew, are you ready for some breakfast?" Scully blinked, looking at her surroundings, recognizing her sister-in-law's voice. Some light shone through the curtains on the large window. Her nephew squealed and she heard him banging his hands on his highchair tray. Margaret was no longer with her. Scully was stretched out on the sofa and clad in the previous day's clothes. She got up and trudged into the kitchen. Tara greeted her with a big smile. "Dana, you fell asleep and we didn't want to wake you." "I'm guessing Mom went up to bed." Scully gently ruffled Matthew's dark hair before sitting down at the large table. "Could I have a cup of coffee?" "Sure." Tara picked up the freshly brewed pot and poured some into a mug. "I hope my cell phone didn't ring and disturb you." Scully took the up from Tara. She shook her head. "Bill turned it off before he came up to bed." Scully saw her phone on top of the fridge. "Can you hand it to me please?" Tara reached and pulled it down. She switched it on. "Here you go," she said, placing it on the tabletop. "Thanks." Scully dialled her partner's cell number. It rang three times before Mulder picked up. "Yeah?" "Mulder, it's me." "Scully, where were you all night?" "I fell asleep at Bill's place and stayed over. Anything important happen?" Mulder coughed. "Nope. Nothing." "I'll be back there soon. My mom is meeting the girls today." She traced the lines of the wood table with her fingernail. "Good luck," Mulder said. "I'll see you later." He hung up. Scully ended the call. Tara sat beside her. "I'd like to meet Amy and Lexie as well but I'm not sure if Bill will take it well." Scully's jaw dropped. She knew Tara listened to her husband but she never thought Bill was that controlling. "If you want to come, don't worry about what Bill says." They heard footsteps on the stairs. "Is Bill out?' "Yeah. He went running with some other officers." She used her excellent deduction skills and knew who was coming downstairs. "Hey, Mom!" Scully called. Margaret came into the room. "I'm sorry I didn't wake you." "It's okay. Nothing important happened at the motel." Margaret poured herself some coffee. "I was so tired but I was too excited to sleep a long time." "I think the twins have dance class. I'll call Edith later." The three women took turns trying to feed Matthew. He wouldn't eat his bowl of dry Cheerios and raisins. Finally Margaret managed to get some food to stay in her grandson's mouth. "We won't have to do this with Amy and Lexie," Scully said, placing her hand on her nephew's head. He was eating his breakfast, one Cheerio and one raisin at a time. "But I wish I hadn't missed their childhood," Margaret said. Scully looked at the clock. It was on the way to eleven. "I'll call Edith now, just so we don't miss the girls." They all jumped when Scully's phone rang. "Maybe that's Edith," Tara suggested. Margaret answered her daughter's phone. "Hello?" Scully watched her mother's face turn solemn. "She will be there soon." "What's wrong?" Scully asked. "Alexandra McQueen was admitted to the University Hospital twenty minutes ago and she's requested that Special Agent Dana Scully come down." "Oh my God!" Scully hurried to the front door, and Margaret followed behind her. "I want to come." She put her coat on over her pajamas. "Tara, are you going to come?" Scully called. "I'm going to stay here with Matthew." Margaret's face had turned pale. "Dana, what could be wrong with Lexie? Do you think she's sick?" "I hope it's that. I hope she didn't hurt herself on purpose." Scully grabbed her mother's hand, and they left right away for the University of California-San Diego Medical Center. They had to take care of their family. "Can I help you?" the emergency room nurse asked Scully. "A girl was brought in recently. Her name is Alexandra... McQueen. I was notified of her admittance." "Your name?" the nurse asked. "Dana Scully." She looked back as her mother touched her shoulders. The nurse was jotting the information on a form. "And your relation to Alexandra?" Scully swallowed hard. "I'm her aunt, and this is her grandmother." She reached up and grabbed her mother's hand. "Alexandra is in room twenty-three. Her doctor's in with her." Scully was too worried to ask the nurse why Lexie was there. She rushed down the hall to her niece's room, her mother on her heels. Room twenty-three's door was closed. Scully knocked lightly before twisting the knob. She saw the male doctor as soon as she opened the door. "Hello. Are you Ms. Scully?" "Yes." She moved closer to the doctor and saw her niece sitting on the bed. "What happened, sweetheart?" Lexie's face was ashen and tear-stained. She looked down at her feet. Her right ankle was wrapped tightly in a tensor bandage. "Tell her, Dr. Carrera." "Miss McQueen was dancing and she sprained her ankle severely." Scully knew her mother was still behind her. "Lexie, I've brought someone to meet you. She's really worried about you." Lexie moved her head, trying to see who was behind Scully. "This is my mother, Margaret--your grandmother." Margaret was in tears and Lexie soon mimicked her. "Such a beautiful girl." Margaret reached up and stroked Lexie's cheek. The girl was sobbing as she wrapped her arms around her grandmother's neck. Scully bit back her tears. Dr. Carrera smiled and handed the young woman a box of Kleenex. "I'll leave you alone for a while. I'll bring back Lexie's crutches." "Oh, Doctor, can you pull out my niece's medical records? I have a prescription that I need filled for her and I want you to verify it." Scully dug around in her purse for the small slip of paper. "Could I have it filled here?" Dr. Carrera looked at it. "Imitrex? Lexie's already told me about her migraines." Scully brought out her checkbook. "Here's the payment." She wrote out a check for a hundred dollars. "I want to start her on the tablets." "Sure. I'll be back soon." Lexie was still hugging Margaret tightly, the tissue box still in hand. "Baby, don't cry," Margaret told her granddaughter, pulling away. She took the box, pulled out a tissue, and dabbed softly at Lexie's tears. The girl cried even harder. "Sorry, but my ankle hurts a lot." "I know it does." Margaret said, "I'm sorry about the lies and the pain." "And I hurt myself because I couldn't concentrate. All the stuff happening got to me and now, I won't be able to dance until January or later. Luckily we're not doing a Christmas show." "I'll take care of you while I'm here." Margaret smiled. "Where's Amy?" Scully asked. "I told her to come here after she was finished class. It should be soon." "Once Dr. Carrera brings you your crutches, I'll take you for lunch," Margaret said. Lexie moved her leg. "What do you want me to call you? Both of you." Mother and daughter looked at each other. "Dana and Maggie are fine until you're comfortable with the situation," Scully told her. There was a knock at the door. Scully turned as Amy walked through the doorframe. She had a pair of crutches in tow. "A Dr. Carrera saw me and gave me these. He said he'd be back in a bit to help you." She turned her head. "Are you another patient?" Amy asked Margaret--now Maggie. "Amy, this is your grandmother, Maggie." The young redhead's mouth dropped open, her blue eyes filling with tears. "I'm so sorry. It's just... the pajamas... I thought...." The girl was shaken. "Don't worry, sweetheart." Maggie lifted the girl's chin with her index finger. "Go stand by your sister." Amy walked to the bed, stopping beside Lexie. She handed her the crutches. Maggie covered her mouth. "Amazing." Her hand muffled the word. Scully put her hand on her mother's shoulder. "They *are* amazing, and at least we can tell them apart." "Girls, after Dr. Carrera talks to Lexie, I'll take you for a bite to eat in the cafeteria. This will also give Dana and I the opportunity to answer any questions you have about your family." There was a loud knock at the door. The tall Dr. Carrera entered the room with a small box in his hand. "Here's the Imitrex. You are to take one when the migraine starts." "And you were going to show me how to use these." She stood up with the help of her crutches. "Just keep your back straight, stay off your foot, and rest if your arms start to hurt. Try not to put all your weight on the crutches." Scully said, "Lexie's mother had medical insurance. Did Lexie fill out the hospital's forms?" Dr. Carrera smiled. "In full. I'd like to see her in a week, just to see how she's doing." "Okay. Thanks for taking care of my niece." Maggie smiled as Lexie finished her French fries and started on her Jell-O. Amy was speaking as her sister ate lunch. "I always wondered why Lexie and I had red hair and there were no redheads in the McQueen family." Scully drank some coffee. "The Irish comes through." "Can we see pictures of our family?" Lexie asked. Scully and Maggie immediately dug into their purses for their wallets. Maggie spoke as she removed photographs. "There are your cousins. The little girl is Olivia and her brother is Daniel." She moved to the baby picture. "This is Matthew. He's almost a year old." Scully pushed a photo of Bill's family to the girls. "That's your Uncle Bill and Aunt Tara. They're Matthew's parents. They live here in San Diego." Amy stroked her fingers over the glossy paper. "Can we meet them?" Scully looked at her mother. "Um, soon. Bill's still trying to adjust to the news." Lexie looked saddened but kept what she was feeling to herself. "Who are the parents of Daniel and Olivia?" "That would be your Uncle Charlie and Aunt Marina." Scully pulled out Charlie's family photo and another picture fell onto the table; it was Emily. Scully picked it up and placed it back in her wallet. Lexie bit her lip. "I want to meet everybody. I don't want to feel misplaced at Christmas." "Misplaced?" Scully repeated. "No matter where you are at Christmas, you'll be with someone who loves you. I'll make sure of it." Amy looked at her watch. "I think we should be getting home. I don't know who's there but they might get worried." Scully took hold of Amy's hand and gave a gentle squeeze. "We'll drive you when you finish your lunch." Maggie watched as the girls ate, a wide grin on her face the entire time. Scully noticed the look of disappointment on her mother's face when it was time to go. With her aunt's assistance, Lexie managed to hobble outside to Scully's car. The girl was in tears by the time she was in the backseat. "Lexie, are you okay?" her grandmother asked. "I'm fine, Maggie. My ankle hurts, and I'm really happy." Scully adjusted the bandage on Lexie's ankle before the girl pulled herself out of the vehicle. They were in front of Bill's home. The twins had managed to convince their aunt to let them meet Bill and his family. "Dana, I'm scared." Lexie began her way to the front walk. "Why are you scared, sweetheart?" Maggie asked. "What if your family doesn't like us?" "They're your family now." Scully gave a big smile and moved to assist her niece. "Don't worry. Bill and Tara are nice, most of the time." Amy was looking around. "I've never been on a military base before." Maggie put her arm around Amy. "Your mother and her siblings lived on naval bases for most of their lives. Your grandfather was a captain." "Lex, let me help you onto the porch, and I'll get the door open. We'll get you settled and you can call to see if Edith's around." Scully opened the screen door. "Bill, we're back." She heard Matthew squealing in the kitchen. They heard Tara call, "So how was Lexie? What's wrong with her?" Her voice was getting louder, meaning she was walking to the front door. The blonde woman appeared after coming through the dining and living rooms. "Why don't you ask her yourself?" Scully said. Lexie smiled hopefully at Tara whose mouth formed an "O". Amy moved forward. "It's great to meet you, Tara." The woman beamed. "It's wonderful to meet you, Amy, Lexie." She looked at the dark-haired girl. Maggie glanced around. "Where's Bill?" "He's working in the backyard. I'll call him in." Tara urged the girls, "Make yourselves comfortable in the kitchen, and meet your cousin." The twins grinned as they followed Tara. Scully and Maggie were right behind them. Lexie was being helped by her sister but Scully stayed close. Matthew was clearly thrilled that there were more people to lavish attention on him. He clapped his hands and yelled, "Gran!" He waved his arms at Maggie. Amy's mouth widened into a grin. "He is so adorable!" she exclaimed before getting her sister into a chair and off her crutches. "Amy, you sit too. Relax," Maggie said. "Bill won't bite." Scully looked at her mother and chuckled. "Dana, you're awful." Tara shook her head and went to the kitchen's sliding glass door. She pulled it open. "Bill, come inside please. Some people are here to see us." The twins held hands as they waited to meet their uncle. Finally Bill came inside. He saw the girls sitting at the table. All that escaped his lips was "Missy." Amy stood up and stuck her hand out. "Hello, I'm Amy." Bill embraced the teenager. Scully had not been expecting this reaction from her brother after he'd been so angry. "I knew who you were," he said, putting his hand on the back of Amy's head. They broke apart when they heard a loud sniffle; Tara was crying. "This is so touching." Bill sat at the table. "And you're Lexie." He gave a half-smile. "It's wonderful to meet you both." Lexie looked down shyly. "Dana and Maggie showed us your family's photo. You and your wife have a beautiful child." "My sister had beautiful children." Lexie blushed. "I was afraid to meet you," she confessed. Bill looked surprised. "What did your aunt tell you about me?" "Nothing. She just said that you said acceptance might come slowly," Amy answered before her sister could say anything. "I thought the same thing." Scully asked, "Bill, can I speak to you in the other room?" He stood up. "Sure, Dana." He walked into the dining room with his sister. "What's up with you, Bill? I never thought you'd react so well." "I was angry about Missy not telling me, but I realized that these girls are the only living memories left that belonged to Missy." Scully touched her brother's arm. "This is wonderful. Amy and Lexie need to be surrounded by love." She was amazed at Bill's transformation. They returned to the kitchen to visit with their nieces. Chapter Ten Acceptance December 7, 1998 Scully was dozing off on the sofa in Bill's study when a loud ring sounded throughout the house. Matthew shrieked, and Tara yelled, "Bill, Amy, could one of you get the door?" "Already being asked for favours." Scully pushed herself onto her feet and headed to the stairs. From the top step, she saw Bill greeting their brother Charlie. Marina and their children were behind him. "Dana!" Charlie looked up and his blue eyes twinkled, his sign of happiness. "Hey Charlie." She walked down the staircase. "I'm glad you all came out. The girls have been asking when you were going to get here." Marina took her kids' jackets and hung them in the closet. "How is Lexie doing? Tara told us she injured her ankle." "She's still sore. Bill has been carrying her all over." Bill shrugged. "I guess it's because I missed out on when she was a baby." "The girls are in the kitchen with Tara and Matthew." Scully held out her hand to her young niece. "Olivia, do you want to meet your new cousins?" The little girl nodded. "But I'm scared." Scully walked with Olivia. "Why are you scared?" "They might not like me." Her small hand tightened on her aunt's. Scully bent down and hoisted Olivia into her arms. "They're worried that you won't like them." They entered the bright kitchen and were faced with four smiling faces, including Matthew's chocolate grin. He held a half-eaten Oreo cookie in his pudgy hand. Scully set Olivia down on a chair beside Lexie. "This is your cousin Lexie and beside her is your cousin Amy." "Hello!" Olivia exclaimed. She tugged at her dress. "I'm your cousin Olivia." Both girls said, "Hi, Olivia." The child looked amazed. She pointed a small finger at Lexie. "I thought you were a twin. Why is your hair black?" "I dyed it black, but it makes it easier to tell us apart, don't you think?" Olivia nodded before turning around on the chair. "Aunt Tara, can I have some Oreos too?" She looked back at Amy and Lexie. "I love Oreos." Lexie picked up several off the place mat in front of her. "You can have the rest of mine. I don't need to gain weight when I can't work it off." Charlie and his wife entered the room. Danny followed behind, chatting with his uncle. Marina scolded her daughter gently. "Olivia, please sit on the chair." The child dropped onto her rear like she was in a race. "Mommy, my new cousin Lexie gave me her cookies." Olivia curled her hand around the chocolate and cream sweets, trying to get them all in her grasp. Lexie extended her arm to shake Marina's hand. The woman glanced down at Lexie's wrapped, elevated ankle. "It's great to meet you, Marina," she said as her aunt took her hand. "You too, Lexie." She turned to Amy. "And you must be Amy, the twin with the red hair." "That would be me." She looked at Marina, then Charlie. "I'm guessing you're my Uncle Charlie." He nodded. "You both look a lot like your mother." He sat beside Amy. "That boy over by Bill is my son Daniel." He motioned him over. "Danny, these are your cousins, Amy and Lexie." The boy crossed his arms. "Aunt Missy must have been really young when she had them. I didn't even know she was married." Marina put her hands on her son's shoulders. "We'll have to talk to him." She wrapped her arms around Danny. "How long have you girls been here?" Lexie answered, "We met Bill and his family yesterday, and we came back today." She paused. "The McQueens are trying to sell the house." Scully frowned. "Lex, sweetheart, we won't mind if you still call Michelle your aunt and Edith your grandmother. You've known them by those names for sixteen years." "I know but it doesn't feel right anymore." Amy stood. "I'd love to chat but today was my first day back to school and I have work to catch up on. I'll visit later." Bill said, "Use my study to work but before you do, see if your grandmother is awake yet. If she is, tell her your Uncle Charlie is here. Leave her if she's sleeping." "Sure. I'll see you all later." She grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl before dashing upstairs. Marina sat beside her husband. "When do you go back to school, Lexie?" "In a few days. I have to get used to my crutches." Tara brought a large plate of cookies to the table. "You're welcome to stay overnight, Lexie. We have a very comfortable roll-out bed." "I'd love to but I'm supposed to go to the reading of my... mother's will tomorrow morning. I'd feel much better staying at the house." "That's fine." Bill nudged his nephew. "Danny, why don't you come help me fix up the basement so it's good enough to sleep in." "Sure, Uncle Bill." They left the kitchen. Olivia looked up from her Oreos. "Lexie, my mommy says you're a ballerina." "That's right. Actually I'm taking a break right now." The little girl got up and began dancing around on the linoleum. Her family started laughing but didn't stop even when the doorbell rang. Tara got up. "I'll get that. I wonder who it could be." Scully smiled at Olivia. "Maybe Lexie can teach you to dance when she gets better." Olivia went over and kissed Lexie's bandaged ankle. "I want Lexie to get better real fast." "Olivia, I don't think I'll be well for a while but you know what?" Lexie pulled the four-year-old onto her lap, Olivia's weight being supported by the older girl's outstretched leg. "Amy is a dancer too. She could probably teach you." Tara returned to her family with John Kresge following her. "Dana, Detective Kresge came here to see you and the girls." Scully felt her face warming. "Hello, Kresge." He looked around the crowded table. "How are you all doing?" "Fine" was the reply from the entire family. Olivia giggled at the look on Kresge's face. He moved to Lexie's side and bent down. "That's a nasty sprain. I never thought ballet was so dangerous." "It's not dangerous. I just wasn't thinking straight when I should have been." Kresge looked at Scully, then back at her niece. "I hope you recuperate quickly. Now, I came to speak to your aunt." Scully got up. "Excuse me for a moment." She followed Kresge down the hall to the front door. "Dana," Kresge said, "I just came by to say I'm sorry for what happened the other night. I know I've said it before but I mean it. I also wanted to offer any assistance to you and your family." "Thank you very much. I'll call you if we need anything." She glanced down at her hands. "I do have one request right now." "What is it?" Scully answered, "I want you to make sure Dale gets punished and he leaves the girls alone." "Will do. I can guarantee it. He won't be free for a long time." There was an uneasy span of silence until Kresge reached for the doorknob. "I have to go. I'm taking Lorelei to dinner. I have a surprise for her." He reached into his pants' pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it, the hinges creaking. "You're going to ask Lorelei to marry you?" Scully took the box and scrutinized the beautiful engagement ring, the diamonds glittering. "We've been together for nearly three years. I think it's time." Scully pressed the royal purple box into Kresge's palm. "Good luck, and tell me what Lorelei says." "Sure." He opened the door before leaning down and giving Scully a friendly kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you later." The phone rang. "Yeah, Kresge. Have a good night." He left, closing the white door behind him. Scully reached for the telephone. "Scully residence." "Dana? It's Michelle." "Hello, Michelle. What can I do for you?" She took a quick glance down the hall. "Do you want me to bring the girls home?" "No, no, it's fine. We still want them home by ten, but I'd like you to tell them that we need to talk about living arrangements when they get back. Tell them that we've found a buyer for the house." Scully gasped. "Really? That's, uh, great. I don't know how they'll feel about that." "We'll discuss it later. Just tell Amy and Lexie please. My mother and I are out now. We'll be home before you get to the house." There was a loud honk. "The light turned green. I have to go." Michelle hung up. Scully muttered, "Thanks a lot, Mich. Leave me to look like the bad guy by telling them," but she remembered it had been Michelle and her mother informing the girls about their heritage when it should have been Scully. She climbed the stairs, walking nearly on tiptoe so she wouldn't disturb her sleeping mother. Scully crept to the door of Bill's study and heard Amy humming to herself, followed by a crunch as she bit into her apple. Scully poked her head inside. "Amy, sweetheart, sorry to bother you." The girl was startled. "Did I wake Maggie?" "No. She's still asleep. What I need is for you to come downstairs so I can talk to both you and your sister." Amy frowned. "What's wrong?" "Just come with me." She held out her hand and her niece took hold of it. They went back down to the kitchen. Lexie saw her twin's face and asked, "What happened? Who was on the phone?" The chattering Scully family became silent. "Michelle called. She wanted me to tell you they found a buyer for your house." "It's all over then. Our lives as McQueens are truly over," Amy said in a whisper. "Not necessarily. They are still your family." Olivia looked up at her upset cousin. "Yeah. They love you. We love you. I love you!" she exclaimed. The child barely understood the depth of what they were talking about but cheered Amy up nevertheless. Lexie cracked up. "Olivia, you are just too precious." Amy admitted, "I've been going through all these emotions in the past few days. I was happy, angry, depressed, and nervous.... I'm still all those things. Mostly the first one." Marina spoke up. "And you might feel those things for a while but we understand." Lexie inched her leg over on the chair. "What did the good detective want?" she asked with a sly smile. Scully's eyes widened. "He just came over, offering to help with anything, and he told me he's proposing to his girlfriend." "He's good-looking, Dana," Lexie said. "Boy, is he ever," Amy added. Tara chuckled, pulling Olivia onto her thighs. "Two more sassy nieces." The new family members had caused more joy in the past two days than Scully had ever imagined. At that moment, they were the model of one big happy family, something the Scullys hadn't been in a while. December 8, 1998 The girls looked sombre when Scully and her mother picked them up the next day. Lexie was manoeuvring her crutches and getting down the sidewalk, a pained expression on her face that had nothing to do with her sprained ankle. "Do you think the will reading was that bad?" Maggie asked as Amy walked and Lexie hobbled to the car. "We'll see, Mom." Amy opened the back door for her sister. Lexie took her time getting in and Amy went to the other side to get in the backseat. "How are you both doing?" Maggie turned in her seat. "We're okay," Amy answered. Scully began driving and said, "You look upset." "We're going to be living with Michelle in San Francisco. We'll be leaving Annie and now, Bill and his family." "You'll be able to visit," Maggie said, trying to give hope to the girls. "But it won't be the same," Amy said. "We've told Michelle that and she said she'd see what she could do. I don't think she's going to come up with a better solution." "You girls needn't worry about being taken care of," Maggie said soothingly. "How was your outing today?" Scully asked. "You mean the reading of Miranda's will?" Amy rubbed her eyes. "We got all her money, although we don't deserve it anymore." "She adopted you, meaning you were her children too," Scully pointed out. Amy was clearly frustrated. "We know, but she was only our mother in the legal sense. But I love her still." Scully glanced in the backseat. "That's understandable, and we won't take any offense if you continue to love her. Some people have two mothers, whether through adoption or divorce." "Can we change the subject?" Lexie asked. "I want to talk about good ol' Detective Kresge." Scully breathed in sharply. "Dana," Maggie said, "why are you blushing?" Lexie managed to pull herself forward, her hands grasping the front seats. "My dear auntie likes the detective. That's why she's turning red." "I do not like him," Scully argued. "We worked together, and we have a professional relationship." Lexie's demeanor had changed from depressed to smiling in a flash. "You never thought he was cute? Because he is and if you've never thought so, I'd have to check your pulse." "You have a thing for older men, Lex?" Scully asked, attempting to embarrass her niece. The girl took it in stride. "Sure. Most are just so gorgeous, like Kresge. Agent Mulder isn't bad either." Maggie laughed. "Just like her mother: always looking at the older boys." "Am I that much like her?" Lexie's voice wavered. "Lexie, you seem boy-crazy and you're a rebel. You're exactly like her," Maggie answered. Scully joked, "By any chance, are either of you into New Age things?" "No" was the response from the backseat. "So what does Michelle do?" Scully asked her nieces. Amy tucked her ponytail behind her head. "She's a travel writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. That's why she can't move here. We tried to talk to her but like I said, we're moving up there." "I would love to have you stay at my house in Baltimore so you could be close to most of the family, but I wouldn't have a clue about raising teenagers nowadays." Maggie gave an apologetic glance. Amy sighed. "That would be strange, so I suppose living with Michelle won't be too bad." Maggie suggested, "How would you girls like to go shopping?" The twin sisters looked at each other and grinned. "Sure," they said. Scully knew that the happiness they were showing about being spoiled was a temporary front and that they were aching inside. The sun was drifting off, turning the sky into a watercolour painting of orange and violet. Scully was finally driving her nieces home with their new purchases. "Please come in for coffee," Lexie begged, pulling herself onto the curb. Scully eyed the girl suspiciously. "This wouldn't be a ploy to get me to talk Michelle out of making you move, would it?" "No. I just don't want to ask Amy to carry my bags." She glanced at her twin and right away, Scully could tell they were up to something. She gave in. "Okay, but I can only stay for a while." She got out to grab Lexie's bags. "Does Maggie spoil her other grandkids like this?" Amy was carrying a large paper bag in each hand. "She hasn't clothes-wise. Your cousins are still young. Olivia has a good ten years until she's interested in short skirts and platform shoes." The porch light was shining, but the rest of the house was in darkness. "There's something going on," Lexie said, struggling to make it up the sidewalk. "No, Lexie. They might be playing cards in the kitchen. Don't assume something has happened." Amy reached for the doorknob. Her twin snorted. "After everything that's happened, how can I *not* assume that anything's going on?" Amy stuck out her tongue. "We'll see." She pushed the door open. "We're home! Dana's here for coffee." Chairs scraped the kitchen floor and both Michelle and Edith appeared in the hallway leading to the foyer. "I'm glad you're home." Michelle smiled widely. "What's up?" Amy set her bags down. "I quit my job," Michelle blurted out, crossing her arms. "I couldn't stand seeing you two hurt, so I tried to see if I could work from here. They said there was no way so I quit." "So we can stay here?" Amy rushed over and threw her arms around Michelle. "Actually I was thinking about us moving out east so you can spend time getting to know the Scullys." Amy bit her lip. "But I don't want to leave Annie and her parents." Michelle took the teen's hands in her own. "I know, Amy, but I'd like you to be close to your family. I can get a new job wherever we move. Maybe the Washington Post needs a travel writer." Scully added, "Rather than just staying here and having one part of the family, you can move to the East Coast and have three parts. Bill and Tara will bring Matthew to visit more often, and we can come here as well." Lexie glanced at her sister. "We'll have to think about it." Edith nodded. "Sure. Now, why don't you all come in the kitchen and we'll have something to eat?" For the first time in two days Scully returned to the motel to sleep. She'd only seen Mulder briefly in those days past. He was waiting for her when she knocked on his door. "Scully! Long time, no see!" "It's been a tense two days, but I've survived." Mulder pulled her inside his room. "Care to share?" "I'll make a long story short. Amy and Lexie met my mom and she loves them. We took them to Bill's, and he and his family adore them. Then Charlie and his family got into town and they love them as well. Michelle has said they're not moving to San Francisco, and that she wants to move to the east." He patted her arm. "Well, hey, that's great! Amy and Lexie can spend some weekends with you." "But they don't want to leave Annie, or Bill. We've been at his house a lot lately." "Congratulations on everything. It must be frustrating without your sister though." Scully yawned. "I wish Missy was here but I think my family will be able to handle it." "Dana Scully's exciting life makes mine pale in comparison," Mulder muttered. "Your life is exciting, Mulder, in a paranoid way." "Thanks a lot." Her voice softened. "Mulder, one day we'll find your sister and you'll probably have nieces or nephews, or both. Your life will be even more wonderful than it is already." "I hope you're right." He lowered his head. Scully reached up, putting her hand on the back of his neck. "When have I ever been wrong?" He looked down at her, and she removed her hand quickly. "Have you seen Kresge lately?" Mulder asked. "Yes. He came to Bill's to see how the girls were doing and to tell me that he's asking his girlfriend to marry him." "Good for him." He sat down on his bed and flopped onto his back. "Scully, are you happy we were requested to come out and investigate this case?" She dropped down beside him. "I didn't enjoy seeing Amy and Lexie mourning the death of their adoptive mother, but I was happy to find two people that are the children of my sister, and I wouldn't change that for a second." December 19, 1998 Mulder groaned as Michelle McQueen kneaded his lower back. She shifted her weight as she reached for the tube of muscle rub cream. She squeezed a dollop into her palm and sat back on Mulder's thighs. "Agent Mulder, I'm so sorry. I should have told you that the box had my CDs *and* my CD player inside it," Lexie said. "It's not your fault, kiddo. I should have lifted with my knees, not my back." "Lexie, where's your sister?" Michelle asked, starting to rub Mulder's bare back again. "With Aunt Dana. They're trying to decide how to decorate Amy's new room. She wants a different set-up of her furniture." Michelle chuckled. "I knew that article on feng shui would affect her. She likes to try new things." "Now she's into New Age stuff." Lexie cut the tape on a carton. Michelle had managed to find an apartment in Baltimore and she and the twins moved across the country in less than ten days. It had taken much work by Mulder, Kresge, the Doyles and the Scullys to help them move. They'd already been invited to stay with Maggie until they could get settled and begin building their new home. Scully emerged from the hallway that led to the bedrooms. "Mich, what are you doing to Mulder? I could hear him moaning and groaning from Amy's room." Mulder turned his head to see his partner. "Scully, this woman has magic fingers." Lexie nodded in agreement. "Whenever she was in town and Amy or I had sore muscles, Michelle would give us the best massages. It looks better when she gives them to Mulder though." Scully, with a smile, rolled her eyes. "I'll see you all later. I have to do some Christmas shopping." "Oh, you're going to like our present," Lexie said to her aunt. "I think it might make you cry." Epilogue December 25, 1998 The house was warm and the smell of Christmas baking filled the air. Scully and Mulder stood in the doorway of Maggie's home and they could hear the giggling of a child upstairs. "Scully, can I put these presents down? My back still hurts." Mulder didn't wait for a reply and set the box down. "We're here!" Scully called. There was a rush of footsteps over their heads. Olivia appeared at the top of the staircase. "Aunt Dana!" Her niece ran down and jumped on Scully. "Amy and Lexie are here! They stayed overnight and I got to sleep in the same room. That means I'm a big girl." "Where are they, sweetheart?" Olivia thought for a moment. "They're in the kitchen with Grandma and Michelle." Scully picked up her niece and carried her into the living room with Mulder following them. Olivia's parents were visiting with Bill and Tara, and Matthew was toddling around on the carpet. Charlie jumped up. "Dana, nice to see you again this month. I hope Olivia isn't harassing you. She was a little upset that we have to wait to open presents but she'll survive." "I had to finish wrapping gifts this morning, and Mulder had some trouble with his apartment's water pressure." Tara said, "Amy and Lexie are helping Mom with the cookies, as well as dinner." Scully gave Olivia to her father. "Bill, could you do me a favour and get the box of gifts from the front door?" She glanced at the beautifully decorated tree in the corner. "Stick them with the others." Bill stood. "Sure." He stopped to kiss his sister's cheek. "Merry Christmas, Dana." He then shook Mulder's hand, leaving him stunned. "Merry Christmas, Mulder." Scully gave the rest of her family Christmas kisses before heading into the kitchen. Her twin nieces surprised her with hugs. "How are the two of you?" "Fine!" they exclaimed. Lexie wore a velvet hunter-green dress, and her black hair was woven into a French braid. Her sister was dressed in a black skirt and a white silk blouse. Her coppery hair hung in loose curls, resting gently on her shoulders. Michelle was removing a cookie pan from the oven. "Hello, Dana. Where's Mulder?" Lexie whispered in Scully's ear, "She likes him. She told us after she gave him that back rub. Their flirting was so cute after you left!" Scully greeted her mother before asking, "So Mich, are you glad my mother's put up the mistletoe?" The woman tucked her glossy brown hair behind her ears. It took a few seconds to register. "Lexie told you? I admit it. I like your partner." Amy laughed. "Maybe you'll get what you want this Christmas." Scully saw a plate of cooling shortbread cookies and snatched one. "This is just wonderful. Family and friends together for the holidays." "Except for Olivia nagging us to let her open the presents we brought." Lexie stole a piece of shortbread from her aunt. "She's cute but she can be annoying." "How is the new apartment?" Scully asked, leaning back on a counter. Amy's eyes lit up. "Great! We have a really nice neighbour and she has a cute son. He's seventeen, but Lexie and I both like him." Scully smiled. "That means I have to find a man to be interested in and we'll be set." Lexie went to the sink and washed her hands. "I'm going to talk to Mulder." Michelle frowned. "And no meddling. I can get him myself." Maggie warned her granddaughter. "Yes, Lexie. Be nice. We'll get the two of them under the mistletoe eventually." Amy decided to follow her sister into the living room, leaving the older women alone. Scully sat with Michelle and Maggie at the large table. "I received a phone call from Kresge a few days ago. Lorelei accepted his proposal and we've invited to their wedding in June." Maggie touched her daughter's hand. "Are you okay with that?" "I'm fine. He's been with Lorelei for a long time. I do think he's attractive but anything that's happened won't come between them." "What *has * happened?" Maggie raised her eyebrow. Scully hesitated, chewing on her lip. "He came to the motel one night after I found out the girls were Missy's. He hugged me to comfort me, and we kissed. It stopped when we fell on the bed." "Dana!" her mother gasped. "We broke it off. I didn't want it to become anything more serious, something we couldn't take back. Kissing was bad enough." Michelle tapped her long nails on the table's surface. "You're too in control. I would have forgotten he had a girlfriend and let loose." Scully blushed. "I like the way I am." Maggie got up and went to the fridge. "Michelle, you haven't changed at all." she opened the door and pulled out a large roasting pan. "I cooked the turkey yesterday. I just have to heat it in the oven for a few hours." Scully leaned forward and spoke in a hushed tone. "Mom gets nervous when we discuss our sex lives, except when it has to do with prospective grandchildren." Michelle grinned. "That's what I've been meaning to ask you. Why don't you have children? I thought you might have married and divorced already." She turned and glanced at her mother. "I've never been married but I had a daughter." "Had?" Michelle echoed quietly. "I'll give you the short story. My reproductive material was stolen, and a child was created. I found her when I was in San Diego last Christmas and thought she was Melissa's child. She was the spitting image of my sister as a toddler. "She was mine and her name was Emily. I lost her as I found her. She was only three." The woman across the table looked horrified. "I'm so sorry. I wish I'd known you were in San Diego then." "There are many things you and the girls don't know about me, but those things are not important right now. Amy and Lexie will find out everything sooner or later but right now, I'm concerned with their happiness." "I know, Dana. I am too." She casually changed the subject. "They have to work hard when they go back to school. I've registered them at Oak Heights High in Baltimore and they'll start after New Years'." Maggie piped up, "If they need a tutor in the sciences of math, they can ask Dana for help." "Or the government's laws," Scully added. Michelle rested her chin on her hand. "You all are going to love the girls' presents. Actually they're from all three of us." "Lexie said something about the gifts making me cry. Do you know anything about that?" "Yeah." Michelle looked up as Maggie set mugs of coffee on the table. "Thanks." She faced Scully again. "Just their ideas for the presents made us bawl. You'll enjoy them." "Mich, I told Mulder this before we left San Diego. I wish Miranda hadn't died but everything else, I would never change. I found my sister's little girls." The woman sitting across from Scully nodded. "No matter how violently she was taken from us, Miranda is in a better place." She reached her hand out and Scully took it in her own. She could see the sadness in Michelle's green eyes, the tears gathering and preparing to take a free-fall down her rosy cheeks. She'd lost her sister and there was no way Scully could take Amy and Lexie from her, which was why the girls were staying with her. Michelle would always be their aunt, as would Scully. "Look at me." Michelle jerked away to wipe at the tears escaping her eyes. Maggie sat beside her. "Michelle, sweetheart, it's okay to cry. You lost your sister." "No, I'm fine." She straightened in her chair but soon, had her arms around the older Scully, her face buried in Maggie's shoulder. Scully sipped her coffee and even though it was her own mother comforting Michelle, she felt like she was intruding on something private. She took hold of her mug and left the kitchen. In the living room the adults were busy chatting. Olivia poked at her older dark-haired cousin every few seconds, causing Lexie to finally reach out and pull her on her lap. _It's a Wonderful Life_ was playing on television and Matthew sat in front of it, enraptured by the black and white images that were unlike his colourful world. Scully managed to wedge herself between Marina and Mulder, being careful not to spill her coffee on her mother's white carpet. "How are you doing, Dana?" Marina patted her knee. "I'm fine, Marina. I'm very happy, but I'm sure you know that." Her sister-in-law nodded. "You've been grinning throughout the month of December. It's hard *not* to tell you're ecstatic." "I was very fortunate to find my beautiful nieces." The twins looked and smiled after their aunt mentioned them. "Hey, Mulder. I'm heading into the kitchen. Do you want a beer?" Bill asked, and Mulder nodded. Their civility amazed Scully. "Lexie," Olivia whined, "when do we get to open your presents?" Her cousin looked down at her. "Olivia, we will after dinner. Just another few hours." Michelle came in the room. "Mulder, Bill told me to give you this." She handed him the ice-cold brown bottle. He grinned. "Thanks a lot, Michelle." He twisted the cap off. "So Lexie, how have you been health-wise?" "My migraines have been off and on, because the Imitrex has been working. My ankle doesn't hurt so much anymore and last time I saw Dr. Carrera, he said I could be dancing by next month. That's when we're set to start our new class at a local dance academy." Mulder took a sip of his beer. "That's wonderful." Olivia yawned loudly. "I'm going to have a nap until supper's ready. Aunt Dana, will you carry me up to bed?" "Why don't you let Amy take you?" Amy took her cousin in her arms. "Sure. I'll be down soon." She pulled herself to her feet without letting Olivia go. "I might have a snooze myself. Anything to pass the hours until present time." "Pass the mashed potatoes please, Aunt Dana," Lexie said, pushing her turkey over on her plate to make room for the creamy potatoes. "Sure, Lex." Scully picked up the casserole dish and passed it carefully to her niece. Scully wasn't used to seeing so many people at Christmas. For the past few years, it had only been her mother, Bill's family and herself at Christmas dinner. Now she had a feeling that Charlie would be around more. Olivia was so fond of her new cousins and would beg to see them at least monthly. Once everyone had their food, Maggie said, "Before we all eat, I'd like to say a prayer." Everyone folded their hands and bowed their heads. "Dear God, thank you for bringing us together on the day of Your Son's birth. We have been so blessed this past month, and hope to be just as blessed in the future. Amen." Everyone joined in. "Amen." Maggie unfolded her napkin and placed it on her lap. "Enjoy your meal." Olivia grabbed her fork and started eating her food quickly. Scully glanced at her brother, and Charlie said, "Olivia, slow down. The presents will be there after dinner, and we don't want you choking." The girl lowered her head and slowed to eating pieces of carrot, one at a time. "Michelle, you should have invited your mother out for Christmas," Maggie said. "No, it's fine. She has dinner with friends every year, but she will be out here soon." Amy cut off a slice of turkey and dipped it in the pool of gravy on her plate. She put the meat in her mouth and chewed it thoroughly. "This is wonderful. Most Christmases at our old place were lonely. Miranda was usually working on her writing, and my... father always seemed to be away on business. Aunt Missy--Mom was there every year until we were twelve." "Now we have a new big family," Lexie added. "Nothing could be better." The rest of dinner was silent apart from the small conversation between Mulder and Michelle that would occasionally cause Lexie and her twin to giggle. Olivia made a point of making noise to show she was finished eating. She allowed her fork to fall onto her plate with a clatter. Charlie smiled. "Sweetheart, only a few more minutes. I'm very proud of you. You finished everything on your plate." Mulder leaned back. "I'm afraid I can't say the same." He wiped his mouth with the linen napkin. "To all who helped, the food was excellent." Maggie noticed that her youngest granddaughter was becoming antsy. "Kids, you can head into the living room." Olivia raced out of the living room with Danny. Lexie limped out, and Amy stopped to clean Matthew's face and hands before lifting him from his high chair. Michelle and Mulder began taking dishes and stacking them. He took a few platters from her. "Michelle, I'll take these. They're really heavy." "But what about your back?" He grinned at her. "I'd love another one of your massages. They're amazing." Scully gathered some more plates and silverware. "The rest of you can go into the other room. We'll take care of clearing the table." Maggie patted her daughter's hand. "Just take the empty dishes in. I'll get the food later." Scully followed her partner into the darkened kitchen. "Put them in the sink, Mulder." Michelle came in and they piled the dishes in the metal sink. Mulder left, and Michelle kept Scully behind. "Dana, where'd your mom put the mistletoe?" Scully put her arm around Michelle. "Don't worry. You might even get a kiss without it having to be a tradition." The three children and their older cousins were convened around the Christmas tree. Matthew was sucking on the corner of a package. Maggie joined her grandchildren on the floor. "Kids, you can open my presents first." The grandmother pulled out a stack of gifts. She handed two boxes to Tara. "These are for Matthew." Her daughter-in-law nodded her thanks. Maggie gave her other young grandchildren two boxes each. "Thank you, Grandma," Olivia and Danny said. "You're welcome." She passed the last small packages to Amy and Lexie. "I hope you girls like these." The twins pulled at the wrapping paper, exposing identical maroon boxes. Amy opened her box first and gasped at what she saw. Inside was a delicate gold necklace with a cross attached to it. Lexie's gift was the same. "They're beautiful, Maggie." Lexie put her new necklace on with her grandmother's help. Maggie began telling the history of the necklace. "When I was a girl, a year younger than you are, my mother gave me a necklace very similar to these ones. And when your mother was fifteen, I gave her one. Next came your aunt and she received one as well. I had encouraged my own girls to give their daughters the same chains, to keep it as a tradition but since your mother is not with us anymore, I took it upon myself to give them to you both." "Why?" Amy asked, holding the small cross between her thumb and index finger. "The cross is to remind you that God is with you all the time, that you should never lose faith." Amy peered at her aunt's throat, looking for her chain. "You've been wearing that all these years?" Scully nodded. "My faith has kept me strong in times of need." The room was still as the girls hugged their grandmother. Olivia was taking her time opening her gifts. Finally she started shrieking, "Ballet shoes! Grandma bought me ballet shoes!" She placed the slippers atop the new blue dress Maggie had given her. Scully reached out and managed to grab the corner of the gift box she'd brought. "Find the ones with your names." The kids did as told, leaving several brightly-wrapped packages. The Scully children always opened their gifts first and once everything was settled down, the adults exchanged presents. Scully hoped everybody liked what she'd gotten them. Her younger niece and nephews had been easy to buy for--toys and clothes for the boys and ballet clothes for Olivia--but she now had to worry about knowing what teenagers liked. Amy and Lexie loved their new leotards and tights. Michelle got off the couch and went to the mound of red and green boxes. She chose a rectangular prism-shaped present. "I want Maggie to open this first. It's mostly from the girls, but I helped them with it." Maggie used her fingernail to cut the tape and she peeled back the paper. It was a video. "Play it, Maggie." Lexie's eyes were sparkling. Scully took the tape and put it in the VCR. She pressed the PLAY button and sat back. Soon Melissa appeared on the television screen. She was sitting in a large chair with a tiny baby nestled in each arm. She smiled and said, "Miranda, they're the most beautiful children I've ever seen." She leaned down and kissed each child's head. Next a little red-haired girl came into view on the screen. The camera pulled out and the girl's twin was visible. They were both dressed in matching pink tutus. A male voice said, "What do you say to Aunt Missy?" and the girls squealed, "Thank you!" The scene quickly changed to a birthday party for the eight-year-old Amy and Lexie. Melissa was holding their cake while Miranda led the singing of "Happy Birthday". The last footage was of the twins at age eleven. It was a ballet recital, and they were dressed in black leotards, white tights and pink slippers. Miranda, Dale and Melissa could be heard, at one time or another, saying, "My beautiful girls." Maggie was in tears by the end of the short video. The rest of the family was in awe. "We made this tape to show you what you missed, but that our mother was always there, loving us." Amy turned off the cassette. Lexie moved back to the presents. "The rest of these gifts are the same but Amy and I were sure you felt the same way about missing out on our childhood." Michelle helped the girls hand out the presents. Maggie sniffled as she ripped the shiny red paper off the gift. It was a small navy book with THE YEARS PAST written in neat silver script on the cover. The grandmother flipped the book open and on the first page were two baby pictures from the hospital, one of each girl. ONE DAY OLD was written underneath them. She continued to page through the album, finding on each page a photo of Amy and Lexie with Melissa. The pictures with Melissa stopped at age twelve. The four remaining pages were the girls from thirteen to sixteen, most being ballet photos. Lexie grinned. "We gave each family one so you could have something with us and our mother, and to see what were like as kids." Maggie wrapped her arms around the twins. "What wonderful gifts! Thank you!" "You're welcome," Lexie whispered. Then she said aloud, "We love you all. Thank you for making us a part of the family." Scully smiled as she received hugs from her nieces and she didn't want to let go of this joy. December 26, 1998 Scully could feel herself dozing off when she sensed movement beside her on the bed. She smelled the baby powder perfume Charlie's family had given Lexie for Christmas. "Hello, Lexie," she whispered without opening her eyes. "Did I wake you?" "Not really. Why did you come down?" There was a quiet chuckle. "I had a bad dream. I tried to wake Amy but she muttered something in her sleep about coming down here." Scully blinked. She realized she was stretched out on her mother's hide-a-bed. The rest of her family was asleep in various rooms around the house, and Mulder and Michelle had left together hours before. "Want to tell me about it?" The girl snuggled closer to her aunt. "My dad escaped from jail and he kidnapped me. I have many chances to get away but I couldn't because of my ankle. Then Michelle came to help me and he started choking her. That's when I woke up." "Lexie," she said softly, "your father won't be out of prison for a long time. Don't worry." "But...." The teenager paused and Scully could hear her chewing on her lip in hesitation. "Say it." "Will Amy or I become like our dad? Will we murder someone?" Scully saw her wipe her eyes. "You will not do anything of the sort. You were raised well, and what your father did was because he became selfish. You girls are *not* selfish." Lexie nuzzled up against her aunt. "I could never hurt anybody." "That's great, sweetheart." The twins had further brought out Scully's motherly qualities. Lexie rested her arm on her aunt's side and was soon drifting off. She asked in a quiet, sleepy voice, "Do you think my mother's watching me from wherever she is?" She fell asleep before Scully answered, "I'm sure she is. Both of them are." Smelling baby powder as she inhaled, she went to sleep with her niece cradled in her arms like a child. END AUTHOR'S NOTES If you've made it this far, I love you! Thanks goes out to Susan Shinkai, the X-Phile/pharmacist who helped me with the information about migraine medication. She, as well as many others from ATXC, helped a great deal. I'd also like to thank Barbara D. She gave information (to someone else) about genetic testing on ATXC and it helped me a lot with my story. Other thank yous go out to: Sara, just for being enthused about this project; Allison, who started to read this as a beta-reader; Steph-Cat, who was very enthusiastic about this story; April, (Bunghole!) whose late night IMs kept me sane (and laughing) while I wrote this and made the page for it;Becca, for those other late night instant messages about Scully and Kresge :), and finally, Nancy Y. Chen, who made the most beautiful cover for my story. It took almost ten months for me to write this but I could always find Nancy around to keep her informed about what was going on. This was only intended to be a short story but it kept getting longer and longer. I decided to make it into a novel. I wrote it because: (a) I liked the premise of "Christmas Carol" and how Scully was willing to adopt Emily when she believed she was Melissa's child; (b) I wanted to write something with Melissa and these twins that I had originally made up for my own amusement and (c) an opportunity to use the Scully family and show that Bill is not such an ass. I didn't want to believe it at first, but I realized I was in denial. I came up with the title first, and "Calm Before the Storm" applies to the first chapter and how it was so serene, just a family together for Thanksgiving. Much angst happened with certain discoveries (the storm), and the epilogue is supposed to be a reflection of the calm family gathering in the first part. Some people might have been irritated by the Margaret/ Maggie thing. I only did it the way I did because of how I am in real life. I do not call anyone by a shorter name or nickname unless I am given the okay to do so. That's why I wrote Margaret until she allowed the twins to call her Maggie. I took certain liberties in making place names up, but that shouldn't be too bad. I tried getting all the correct information but c'est la vie! I chose twins for the story because I've always been drawn to twins. It's weird but true. I believe it is because I had an identical twin in a past life, and we lived in Spain. This story will also be on the Gemini Archive, a web site I'm creating with friends of mine, twin sisters Tabitha and Angelica Vernon. Writing this story has been a journey of emotion and speculation, and I didn't want it to end. But there shall be more stories in the future featuring the twins. Thank you all for reading, and I love you for it. Eileen S. Whipple whipples@connect.ab.ca