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They ate takeout Thai on the floor of the nursery, bantering back and forth decorating ideas. They were almost giddy after the events of the last few days, leading to a giggling fortune cookie fight.When Scully yawned, Mulder scooped her up, carrying her to her bedroom. She scolded him, a smile still on her face.“You’ve had enough excitement,” he said sternly, putting her down on her bed. He went to the dresser.“Nightie?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder. She nodded, still smiling at him.Looking back to the open drawer, Mulder took the top one, one of his old shirts, worn threadbare, the New York Knicks logo a ghost of what it once was. He took with him back to the bed.He knelt on the floor between her knees, gesturing to her to lift her arms. He pulled off her shirt, but when he paused when he reached for her waistband. Mulder’s hands cupped her belly, his thumbs stroking the taut skin. The stretch marks from her previous pregnancy, once faded to invisibility had begun to redden. Just below the surface, his daughter slept, tucked in snugly; despite her tiny size, he pictured her wrapped in a fluffy blanket, even though he knew that was impossible.Mulder leaned in, kissing Scully’s belly, picturing the image from the ultrasound earlier. His hands slid around to her back, holding her, pressing his ear to Scully’s breast, listening to the steady throb of her heart, anchoring him back to reality.Her hand touched his hair delicately, tentatively. He looked up at her.“Let’s go to bed,” Scully said.As Mulder rose, he glanced toward the door.“You stay,” she said firmly.Mulder stripped to his underwear and crawled in with her. He was glad to spend the night with her; even with their encounter in the shower, he needed the connection. Their bond, stretched so tight it nearly snapped over the years, finally felt to be returning to the warm, inviting one he craved.They snuggled up, arms around each other. When Scully turned her face to his, they kissed, tender at first, wrapping themselves in each other’s love. It turned heated, now with a hint of desperation, raw with the emotions of the previous days: Bright Eyes’ attack, Scully’s kidnapping, her harnessing her power, seeing his daughter on the ultrasound screen. He needed her, needed to feel her, be secure in his love for her, her love for him, her safety.Scully pushed him on to his back, hiking up her nightshirt. She took him ferociously, hands bracing herself on his pecs. He cupped her breasts, tender and swollen; she purred at the touch. He moved one of his hands to her cheek, her face flushed. She caught the tip of his thumb between her front teeth, grinding down on him. She came, her thighs squeezing his hips, and it only took three sharp thrusts for him to follow.After, they lay tangled together, Scully’s ear pressed to his heart, he stroked her back, the nightshirt now on the floor. He wondered if she had the same notion as him, needing the sound of his heart.She yawned, pulling the comforter up. He kissed her forehead.“Go to sleep,” he murmured. “Big day tomorrow.”“Mm,” she replied, her eyes drifting shut. “Yes, I need to reorganize the dresser, so we can move your things in here.”Mulder’s heart flipped in his chest. “I love you.”But she was already asleep, tucked in against him, their hands joined over her quickening belly.