From: "Dream Cole" Date: Sun, 06 Feb 2000 23:13:51 CST Subject: xfc: NEW: Joy (1 of 1), PG, MSR Source: xfc From: "Dream Cole" Title: Joy Author: Dream Cole E-mail: dreamcole@hotmail.com Rating: PGish. Classifications: V, MSR (Okay, MSM), S Spoilers: None. But I'm ignoring any episode that said Scully could not have children. This is kind of a continuation of the Dream Series, although it is quite obvious what happened. In case you didn't notice, it's now a series: the Dream series (even though there are some where Dream hasn't arrived). The order in which their lives would go (in time line order, dates are when written): Serenity- 1st Feb. 2000 Miracle- 3rd Feb. 2000 Misery- 3rd Feb. 2000 Bliss- 2nd Feb. 2000 Dream- 1st Feb. 2000 Love- 1st Feb. 2000 Joy- 5th Feb. 2000 If you are missing a piece, let me know and I'd be happy to get it to you. Summary: It's bathtime/bedtime at the Mulder household. Disclaimer: I don't own em. I'd like to, but I don't. Notes: If you are one of those who complained I explained too much detail, run away! This is all Mulder's thoughts and he notices a lot and says very little. By the way, I call Scully... Scully, among other pet names, sometimes Dana. But Mulder is still Mulder. Joy I had always thought getting cleaned was something that should be over quick- step in the shower, rinse, lather up, rinse, get outta there. No more than ten minutes tops. Dana, on the other hand, thinks showers are lame and baths are more relaxing. She can stay in there for quite a while, just soaking in warm water; candles, bubble bath and a good book bring her quite a bit of joy. Recently I bought her a present and she's in love with it- I had someone install a large tub. Big enough for both of us and our darling daughter, who has just turned six months. Previously, Dream had to be bathed in a little contraption in the sink. Initially I had thought, what's the fun in that? But it was somewhat funny, watching the way her little arms and legs would flail about, splashing my wife and I. Occasionally we would end up wetter than she. But our little baby girl enjoyed the gentle motions of a warm hand rubbing soap into her belly. And after we had cleaned off all the traces of soap from her hair and body we would rub baby oil into her skin. That relaxed her, as if we were giving her a massage. Then we would dress her up and love her to death. But now we could all pile into our big built-in tub and pour in the bubble bath. Being careful not to let her slip, one of us would hold her tightly and the other would lather away, being sure not to let the water she was splashing around get into the eyes. These are the days that I'm thankful for my photographic memory- the image of my beautiful bride up to her neck in bubble bath while she holds on tightly to our daughter and keeps her head above the water. At the same time I'm trying to get soap on the baby, not in the baby's mouth or eyes. Lately, it's the simple things in life that bring me much joy. I appreciate them more, like the way my daughter appears to be smiling at me when I make a silly face, the way she giggles when she grabs my nose, and the way she yanks on my ties. But my favorite time of the day is bathtime/bedtime. After we get Dream sweet-smelling and presentable (her copper curls slicked back make her look quite funny), it's time to get ready for bed. While I mop up the water that has spilled over the side of the tub, Dana feeds our darling daughter. They both look so peaceful: my wife looking down at her child with such love in her eyes while our angel has her meal, looking back with awe and wonder. Then we rock her in our arms and read a book or two. Sing a few songs, unwilling to part with the love of our life for as long as possible. When we realize that she has long been sleeping, we carefully place her in her crib and creep out. As hard as it is to let go now, we know it will be even harder as she gets older. But we have finally learned to live life in the present and that results in pure joy. Author's notes: Thanks for staying with me so far. I love the comments, keep em coming. If you have any suggestions for future stories, feel free to let me know! Ooh, quick question: should I put 'The DS Series' in the title? Or not?