Life from the Ashes Book 4 - Yours, Mine, & Ours
by Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.netRating: NC-17
Keywords: M/Sk/K SLASH
Disclaimer: The X-Files characters Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Alex Krycek, Walter Skinner, Jeffrey Spender, CSM, the Lone Gunmen, Kimberly Cook, Senator Matheson, Bill Scully, the morph etc. are the property Chris Carter, 1013 productions and Fox Broadcasting. All other characters in the series are mine.
Summary: This is an Alternative Universe Story. It takes place after an alien virus has killed off most of the world's females and caused mutations in forty-five percent of the remaining males.
Authors Notes: This is the fourth book in my AU series "Life from the Ashes - Yours, Mine, and Ours." You might want to read the prequel and the first three books of the series to understand this one.
I would like to thank my beta-readers Nicole, Laurie, Tarlan, Dawn, Cerulean Blue, Kiyoko, Helen, Bee Lan, and Susan for all their hard work and patience in editing this story and plot suggestions.
Feedback is always welcome. Any constructive suggestions are appreciated.
WARNING! This story contains explicit Sex/Romance between two or more men. Turn back now, if the subject matter offends you.
Okay to Archive: please ask first.
Chapter 6
Christmas
Crystal Palace
Sunday, December 24
10:40 a.m."How does this look, Daddy?" River asked, looking across the kitchen island counter at Alex, who was concentrating on decorating a Christmas cookie. The little boy was kneeling on a stool with his shirt and face smeared with multi-colored icing. Hope and Faith were with their nannies, since they were still too young to decorate Christmas cookies.
Alex looked down at the snowman-shaped sugar cookie that his son had just finished decorating. River had used every different color of icing on it, then sprinkled green sugar over it and haphazardly stuck on tiny red cinnamon candies. It was garish looking and completely ugly. "It's beautiful, River. We'll save this one for Daddy Fox. Here, why don't you decorate the Christmas tree cookie for Daddy Walter?" Alex set the snowman cookie on the wax paper to dry and placed a tree shaped one in front of River, then went back to decorating his own cookies. He cheated while River wasn't looking, using his powers to decorate several cookies at once.
"Hi, boys, can we help?" Mulder asked, stepping into the kitchen carrying two bassinets. Skinner followed behind him carrying two more. They set them carefully on the counter. Mulder was ecstatic! Two more days and then Walter and Alex could start helping him feed the infants, and hopefully he'd be able to get more than two hours of sleep at a time.
Skinner took a deep breath, inhaling the delicious aroma of freshly baked cookies. "Mm, you two have been busy."
"Daddy Walter, Daddy Fox, you can decorate the angel and the reindeer cookies," River said, smearing more icing on the Christmas tree cookie.
Mulder left his four babies sleeping in their bassinets and stepped over to the table and looked at seven different cookie designs. "Okay, you'll have to show me what to do," he said, smiling and sitting down next to River.
River was more than willing to help. "You paint frosting on them and then sprinkle sparkles and candy on them. See? Like the cookie I made you, Daddy Fox." He held up the garish snowman.
Mulder grinned, looking at the cookie hungrily. "You made that for me. It's beautiful! Can I eat it now?"
"No." River set the cookie back on the wax paper. "If you're good, you can eat it tonight."
Krycek snorted aloud. "And if you're reeeally good, Daddy Alex has a cookie for you too, that you can eat later." He leveled a seductive leer on Mulder.
Mulder sighed dramatically. "Okay, if I must wait...I'll wait. Now give me a cookie to decorate."
Skinner was leaning over the bassinet with his son in it and tickling his little feet. The infant's eyes were wide open as he watched his daddy intensely. "You are my wittle piglet, yes you are...yes, you little piggly wiggly...piggy poo, piggy poo. What's my wittle piglet doing..."
Mulder sighed. "Walter, don't call our son a piglet."
"Why?"
"I don't want him to get a complex."
"Fox, he's adorable...he'll lose the small amount of baby fat he has when he gets older."
"Walter, he eats twice as much as the other babies. I don't think that's healthy."
Skinner shrugged his shoulders. "My dad always said I was a big eater too, and I turned out okay." He patted his flat stomach.
Mulder pursed his lips thoughtfully. "I want to see your family photo album again."
Skinner shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, we'll pull it out this afternoon." He picked up his son and cuddled him against his chest. "You're daddy's wittle piglet, yes you are," he purred softly. Sergei had a chubby cheeks and arms.
Mulder sighed, then moved the angel cookie in front of him and grabbed the yellow icing. He tasted a little of it before spreading it on the cookie. "Mm, butter rum."
General Kline came strolling into the kitchen. "Your Majesty, Prince Fox, Prince Alex, we have a slight international problem on our hands." The general walked over and looked into the bassinets at the sleeping infants.
"What problem is that, Clay?" Skinner asked.
The general hesitated for a moment; he hated spoiling their holiday. "Several of our most important allies are demanding Hunter's hand in marriage when he is of marrying age."
Alex's face turned red with rage. "No *fucking* way! He isn't even two weeks old! Are these bastards nuts?"
"We're not agreeing to any prearranged marriages, General," Mulder said softly as he calmly sprinkled multicolored candies on the cookie he had just iced.
"We need their support, Prince Fox. They aren't too pleased that such a large number of immortals live under King Walter's protection."
"Clay, they can't seriously believe we'd agree to an arranged marriage for Hunter?" Skinner asked.
"They are threatening to pull their support. Prince Fox already succeeded in alienating Tsar Nikolai, we can't afford to lose any more allies," Kline argued.
"They are not taking my son as payment for their support!" Krycek growled.
Mulder stared reflectively at the butter knife he was holding and set it down. "Are others blaming me for Slava pulling his support?"
"Fox, no one is blaming you," Skinner said.
"I want to hear it from the General." Mulder looked Kline in the eye. "Well?"
"Some are, but most thought you dealt with him appropriately...the Tsar was out of line. Our intelligence forces reported that Slava has been holding secret talks with Lord Oda. They believe the two men are planning to form an alliance, that would make them almost as powerful as our kingdom."
River was trying to understand what was being said. The only part he could figure out was that someone wanted baby Sasha and his Daddy didn't want him to have him. He didn't want anyone taking his little brother either and looked between the men with fear in his eyes.
Mulder sighed. He should have been more careful when going up against Slava. Their country and Walter needed his support against the Seraphim. He was worried about the motive behind Slava teaming up with Lord Oda. Slava wanted Alex and Oda wanted Shinji. He hoped they didn't plan to use an alliance to get them by force. However, Kline was hesitant to tell them something, he could read it in the older man's eyes. "What aren't you telling us, General?"
The General took a deep breath looking at the three men. He had been putting this off for months but it was time they were told the truth. He had rehearsed this speech for months. "Prince Fox. You, the King, and Prince Alex have a duty to this kingdom and the world. You have been elevated above the ordinary citizens to a position of power. Your lives are no longer your own and neither are those of your children. The citizens have shown their loyalty to you and your family, and they expect something in return..."
"Not our children," Mulder gasped. He and his lovers had made it clear when they took the position that they weren't going to be producing children in volume through the growth cylinders. It never occurred to them that their present children would be affected.
The general continued quickly. "They expect that when your daughters are sixteen years of age that they will marry. Whether it is someone they are in love with or someone the court chooses..."
"No!" Mulder and Krycek growled.
"That's too young!" Skinner barked.
"Your Majesty, if you want to decree that they will marry on their eighteenth birthdays, so be it. But the populace will rebel if your children aren't married in a timely fashion," Kline stated flatly.
Mulder looked over at the bassinets and his stomach sank. He should have realized there'd be a catch to them living in luxury -- their every need catered to. Now they were royally stuck, literally.
"We won't do it, Kline. We'll go back to being ordinary civilians!" Krycek snarled.
"Alex, we can't," Mulder said, shaking his head. "We can't live without the protection of this kingdom's sorcerers. You and Walter wouldn't be enough to protect our family any longer."
"Fox, think of our children..."
"I am, Alex! How long do you think we'll last on our own before our children are taken from us? Sorcerers are already clamoring to lay claim to Hunter for God's sake! How long before one or more of them take him from us by force?"
Skinner cuddled Sergei protectively. He knew Fox was right. It was one of the reasons he had agreed to become King in the first place -- to protect his family. Skinner was just glad Fox was thinking about the situation rationally. "We can't leave, Alex. Clay is right, our children will have to marry and start their own family when they turn eighteen. It's still a long way off. We can start preparing them for..."
"Walter, what if they don't want to get married? I'm not forcing Hunter, Faith, or River."
"I'm sorry, Alex, but it's not up to you," Skinner said.
"I'm their father..."
"And I'm their King!" Skinner voice brooked no arguments.
"You'd force Hope and Kaylie to marry someone they didn't want?" Krycek challenged.
Skinner sighed. He knew Sergei wouldn't be required to get married. Neither would River, unless it got out that he was an immortal. "Alex, I don't like this situation any better than you, but I will do what our people expect of me! It is for the best if it helps our society move forward peacefully and grow strong. I'll do my utmost to help our children find men who they can love...I don't want to force them, but I will if I must."
"You're taking this King business far too seriously!" Krycek growled.
"Enough!" Mulder snapped. He took a deep calming breath. "Look, we have sixteen years before we need to start worrying about this, let's give it a rest okay? I don't want to ruin Christmas for our children by having us at each other's throats. General, send out a statement that when Hunter turns eighteen he will marry the man of his choice and if he is unable to choose then the court will select a husband for him. Until then we shall discuss this no further."
"FOX--" Krycek growled.
"You may go, General," Mulder said calmly, ignoring the threat in Alex's voice.
Kline looked nervously between Krycek and Mulder. "Yes, Prince Fox. I'm sorry to have disturbed you all during your holiday with this problem."
"It's not your fault, Clay. Won't you come back tonight for dinner and cocktails?" Skinner asked, leading his friend and advisor to the door.
"I'd like that, Your Majesty," the general said, turning and leaving the kitchen.
"Fox, you had no *fucking* right to make that decision alone!" Krycek stepped up to him and poked him in the chest with his finger. "Any decisions! And I mean *any* involving our son, we make together! Is that fucking understood?"
"Alex, watch your language," Skinner barked. While Mulder stood still and allowed Krycek to take his anger out on him. He was about to respond when he heard a sob and turned to find River with his head down on the counter, crying.
Krycek got to River first and pulled him into his arms. "River, what's wrong?" he asked, his anger melting away.
"Don't fight. I don't like it when you yell."
Alex brushed off some colored sugar from the side of River's face. "We're not fighting. I'm sorry if I raised my voice, but sometimes that's how grownups discuss problems."
"Uncle Seth used to yell all the time before he hit me. I don't want you to hit Daddy Fox...ever."
"River, I'd never hit Daddy Fox. Besides, he hits a lot harder than me when he's mad and believe me I don't want to get him angry."
Mulder knelt next to them. "River, you don't have to worry about Daddy Alex ever hitting me. He wouldn't be that stupid, and I stopped punching Daddy Alex a long time ago." He looked directly into Alex's eyes then over at Walter, before turning his full attention to River. "Did our conversation about marriage upset you at all?"
"No. I want to get married when I'm big. I'm going to have four husbands and a zillion kids," River stated firmly, his tears instantly forgotten.
"Four husbands? That is quite a lot," Skinner said, leaning against the counter with Sergei still cuddled in his arms.
"Uncle Rory says that Cory Greene has four husbands. If he can have four then I can, too," River said.
Mulder smiled. He was going to write this in River's scrapbook so when his son turned eighteen they could laugh about him wanting four husbands. He leaned in and kissed River on the cheek. "So, champ, shall we decorate the rest of these cookies?"
"Yes, Daddy!"
Mulder ruffled River's hair as Alex set him back down on the chair. Mulder touched Alex's arm. "I'm sorry, Alex. Of course you should be involved in all decisions regarding our children, fifty-fifty. I just didn't want this to interfere with our holiday." Mulder sighed sadly, looking over at Skinner. "It's not often that all three of us have two weeks to be together. You and Walter have been working during the day, while I'm stuck here taking care of the babies. Excuse me if I'm being selfish, but I was looking forward to both of you being here with me for the next two weeks."
Krycek touched Mulder's cheek then pulled him against his body. They shared a brief kiss. "You're forgiven. I'll admit that I get jealous and sometimes feel left out. Fox, you're with our kids 24/7 and I only see them briefly in the morning and after work. You have a bond with them that Walter and I don't have...I want to feel more included in their lives."
Mulder caressed the side of Alex's face lightly with his fingertips and looked into his emerald eyes. "Alex, sometimes you're so blind. River worships you, in case you haven't noticed. He goes to you first whenever he's hurt or frightened and Faith and Hope get excited whenever you and Walter come home. Our kids are bored with me. It's you and Walter they look forward to seeing. You have nothing to be jealous about."
"The infants are still more attached to you..." Alex blurted out, suddenly feeling foolish and childish. Mulder's sudden look of exasperation didn't help.
Mulder pushed Alex away in frustration. "Of course, they're attached to me! I'm their only source of nourishment. I'm up around the clock nursing them, for God's sake! Do you think that's easy?"
"Fox, I didn't..."
"Hi, guys!" Spender said strolling into the kitchen followed by Ian, his wings fanned out slightly behind him. "We're here to help bake Christmas cookies."
"Hi, Uncle Jeff! Hi, Ian!" River shouted.
"Hi guys." Mulder was grateful for the interruption. He walked over and hugged Jeff then shook Ian's hand. Mulder and Jeff had gotten much closer in the past months. "Thanks for coming to help."
"Thanks for inviting us," Spender said, pausing to look into the bassinets at his nieces and nephew.
Sergei started crying and both Skinner and Mulder sighed. Skinner looked over at Alex, who appeared miserable. "Alex, can you get the pump? I think it's time we started to help feed the infants, don't you?"
Mulder's eyes-widened fearfully. He was still remembering how painful the pump was when they first used it on him at the hospital. "Walter, Tom's with his family today and tomorrow, couldn't this wait until he gets back? After all, I was supposed to go it alone for two whole weeks to avoid nipple confusion."
"I don't think our little, wittle, piggy poo will have a problem with nipple confusion," Skinner cooed, rocking the crying infant.
Spender and Ian exchanged stunned looks. The sudden appearance of the pump in Krycek's hand had them backing toward the door. "If we came at a bad time, we can always come back later," Spender said.
Krycek smiled at the two men, his mood improving at the prospect of being able to help feed his infant son and relieve some of the burden that had been placed on Fox's shoulders. "No, your timing couldn't be more perfect. Can you help River with the cookies? Walter, Fox and I are going to be busy for an hour or so."
"Uh, okay," Spender said meekly, slinking over to the center island where River sat decorating cookies. He avoided looking at Mulder as Alex took Mulder's hand and led him over to the dinette table.
"Sit, Fox. This isn't going to hurt a bit."
Mulder looked at him nervously as he sat on the padded dinette chair. "Are you still angry with me over Sash...Hunter?"
"No, Fox. You apologized, and I'm sure you won't exclude me again. We'll deal with this arranged marriage crap after the holidays. After all, like you said, we do have sixteen years before we have to worry about Hope and Faith." Krycek was unbuttoning Mulder's shirt as he was talking. He undid the snap on the undershirt and exposed his left nipple. "Tell me if this hurts." he said, positioning the suction cup over Mulder's nipple and turning the pump on. The nipple was stretched into the clear plastic cup and suction forced milk from the nipple.
After a couple of minutes of the pump stimulating his nipple, an audible sigh of pleasure escaped Mulder's lips.
Skinner stood watching and rocking Sergei, who was shrieking to be fed. He crooned lovingly to the infant, "Shh, Daddy's going to feed you soon...you're my precious, beautiful baby boy, Sergei." He watched as the small bottle attached to the pump slowly filled with milk. His eyes traveled to Fox's face, which was flushed with a combination of embarrassment and arousal.
Mulder's hand moved over Alex's as he held the pump in place. After about fifteen minutes Alex had enough milk drawn to feed Sergei. A sanitized rubber nipple attached to a cap appeared on the table, and he detached the bottle from the pump and screwed on the cap. He handed it to Walter. "Let's see if we can get eight bottles filled, Fox, then you can have at least four hours of uninterrupted sleep tonight."
"Four whole hours would be a Godsend," Mulder said, then he sighed sadly, "I only wish that was possible. Angélique still isn't allowing anyone but me to hold her."
"She's starting to warm up to Walter and me, Fox. I'm sure she'll allow me to pick her up soon," Alex said, attaching another bottle to the pump.
Walter tried to coax Sergei to drink from the bottle, but the infant kept turning his face away from the funny-tasting rubber nipple and spitting it out. When Sergei started shrieking, Skinner turned to Mulder in exasperation. "Fox, he won't drink from it."
Mulder frowned. "Give the bottle and Sergei to me. I have an idea." Skinner eased Sergei into Mulder's arms and the baby quieted, turning his face toward his father's exposed nipple. Mulder stopped him from latching on as he took the bottle from Walter and placed the rubber nipple next to his son's lips. Sergei spat it out twice, then finally tasted some of the sweet milk, and his lips enclosed the nipple. "Here, Walter, you can take him back. He was only confused when he didn't smell me, but I think he'll realize now that you can feed him, too."
Skinner took the infant back, careful that he didn't dislodge the bottle. He cradled him against his chest and Sergei stared up at Walter's face as he fed. "I think you might be right, Fox. I think he's still a little puzzled that you aren't feeding him. Isn't that right, my piggy poo?"
Mulder rolled his eyes. Walter never baby-talked with any of the other children; it was sort of endearing and nauseating at the same time. Mulder squeezed his thighs together and squirmed uncomfortably on the chair. He grimaced watching the second bottle slowly filled, but it wasn't painful like it had been in the hospital. In fact, it was the opposite; the sensation was highly arousing. "This is going to take forever. Can't we try using two pumps?" he asked breathlessly.
Alex smiled at Fox's aroused face and patted the hard bulge in Fox's jeans. "Are you sure you'll be able to handle two pumps at once? It's not going to be too stimulating for you?"
"Oooh God," Mulder gasped, almost coming as Alex squeezed him. "Alex, stop! We-we have to go someplace more private." He closed his eyes trying to squelch the feelings surging through his groin. He was not going to come in front of River and their guests.
"I think you may be right," Alex replied, screwing another cap on the second bottle and setting it on the table. "Walter, we're going to Fox's office. Watch the babies until we get back. If one of them wakes up you can try to feed her or him."
"Don't worry, I won't take my eyes off them." Skinner hoped that Fox and Alex would be able to overcome their earlier differences. Looking at the lust in each of their eyes, he didn't think that would be a problem.
Mulder pulled his shirt closed, then checked to make sure his son and daughters were still sleeping soundly. He was surprised they hadn't woken up during the fight he and Alex had had earlier. He looked into Alex's affectionate green eyes as his lover wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him close.
"C'mon, Fox. I want to give you your Christmas gift early."
"Is it that cookie you promised me?" Mulder teased as they left the kitchen. His office wasn't that far away.
"Much better," Krycek said, caressing the back of Mulder's jean-clad ass.
They entered the office, and Alex broke out in a gale of laughter. "Oh Christ, Fox, where the hell did you find that ugly housecoat and pink slippers? It looks like some demented mother-in-law wearing that and the wig with curlers is too much," Krycek said as he walked up to the statue of CGB Spender that his warped lover had dressed. Fox had gone so far as applying makeup to its face.
"It's a big improvement, isn't it?" Mulder asked, stripping off his shirt and undershirt then unbuttoning his jeans, he sighed as he freed his erection. "So, where're the pumps?" he asked, toeing off his shoes and shimmying the rest of the way out of his jeans.
Alex chuckled as Fox plopped down on the leather sofa. "You didn't have to get completely naked for me to use the pumps on you."
"Yes, I did. I don't want to come in my pants and I will when you use those pumps on me again. Then you promised me my Christmas gift. And Alex, if it doesn't involve both of us getting naked I'll be really disappointed." Mulder circled a finger around the head of his cock as he looked up at Alex from his reclined position.
Two pumps appeared in Alex's hands. He wanted to fuck Fox through the sofa, but their children came first. "You know that isn't very sanitary, so keep your hands down and don't touch the pumps or the bottles."
Mulder rolled his eyes. "Alex, we're immortals. We have no harmful germs or diseases."
"Fox, humor me."
"Okay, let me get comfortable first." Mulder grabbed several throw pillows and stacked them up against the armrest of the sofa, so he could stretch out more comfortably across its length.
"You're making this hard for me, Fox," Alex said, sitting next to his hip, he stared down at the glistening head of Fox's penis. He wanted to take the succulent head into his mouth and...
"HEY! Why'd you do that?" Mulder growled, staring down at his groin area in sudden shock. A leather pouch now enclosed his penis and balls.
"I need to milk you, and I can't do that with you spread out before me like a twenty course buffet."
Mulder glared at him. "Dammit, Alex! Can't you think of a better term than milking me? I'm not a fucking cow."
"Sorry. If it's any consolation, you look fucking sexy. It's too damn distracting." Alex fit the cup over Fox's nipple then turned on the pump. He quickly did the same with the other one. He wanted to get this over with; it was torture not being able to touch Fox the way he desired to. He should have taken Fox's lead and gotten rid of his clothes; his pants were already uncomfortably tight.
Mulder moaned as his whole body became a live wire of sensations. He reached down and tugged at the leather pouch imprisoning his cock. "Alex, please."
"No. If I have to suffer, then you do to. It was in our marriage vows, remember?"
"No. I must have overlooked that part. You're still pissed at me about Sasha," Mulder sulked, looking sadly down at his chest were the two pumps were drawing milk from his nipples. He felt light-headed and strange.
Krycek ground his teeth together, trying to control his temper but failing. "Dammit, Fox, it's Hunter! HUNTER! Stop calling our son Sasha! You know I don't like it!"
Mulder turned his face toward the back of the sofa and looked at the scarred leather. Alex's sudden anger combined with his embarrassment had extinguished any arousal Mulder was feeling.
Alex watched Fox's face take on a shuttered look. What did Fox expect? Fox knew how he felt about calling their son Sasha.
***
River sat next to Jeffrey as he finished frosting his latest Christmas cookie. "Uncle Jeff?"
"Yes, River."
"How come your wings are brown, and Angel's are white?"
"I think it might be like someone having red hair, and someone having brown hair."
"Oh." River stuck out his tongue, concentrating on putting candies on the cookie he was decorating then glanced over at Ian and back at Spender. "I'm going to get married when I'm eighteen. Are you and Ian going to get married?"
Ian and Jeff met each other's eyes. Ian nodded and Jeff turned around on the stool to look at Walter. "You'll want to hear this too, Walter. Ian and I were going to save it as a surprise for tomorrow, but since River asked, we're going to get married in May."
"That is good news, guys! Congratulations," Skinner said, placing Sergei back in his bassinet. The baby had fallen asleep several minutes ago, but he hadn't felt like setting him down.
"Thanks, Walter," Ian said.
"Oh, cool! Do you think you'll have little winged babies like Angel?" River asked.
Jeff ruffled River's hair. "Sport, I have no idea if we'll have winged babies." Jeff didn't notice Ian's nervous look, the Australian immortal had just gone through the final change and was now a full hermaphrodite. Ian was already feeling the compulsions that had compelled all the other immortals to become pregnant, something he really didn't want to go through.
Skinner looked from one man to the other. "It's possible, Jeff. Hey, let me open a bottle of champagne so we can celebrate," he said. He opened the wine cooler and selected a bottle of Asti Spumante over his preferred bottle of Brut. When he was a boy, his father had always given him a small glass of champagne on special occasions when a toast was required. It had always made him feel included and grownup. Fox would probably lecture him on giving River a taste of champagne, but then Fox wasn't here.
River's eyes lit up as his father placed a champagne flute in front of him and filled it a quarter full. Skinner handed a flute to Ian and Jeffrey, then raised his own glass. "Za vashe zdorovye!"
They clinked glasses. Skinner watched River's smile broaden as Ian and Jeff clinked their glass with his.
River giggled as he took a sip. "The bubbles tickled my nose." He made a face over the taste and decided he didn't like champagne.
"Drink it slowly, son."
"We should start making the next batch of cookies," Spender said, pulling a box of cornflakes and marshmallows from the cabinet.
"What are you making?" Skinner asked, watching as Spender found the green food coloring and red cinnamon hot candies.
"Christmas wreaths. My mom always made them."
***
The first two bottles had finished filling and Alex fastened the tops on them, setting them on the end table.
Mulder pursed his lips, watching Alex. They hadn't said a word since Alex snapped at him, unjustly over their son's name, but he wasn't about to go into it now. After Samantha had been taken his family had always gotten into arguments at Christmas. His father used to get drunk, and his mother always ended up crying in her bedroom. He ended up opening the few gifts they had gotten him alone in his room. Mulder was not about to go through any of that again. "Alex. I'm sorry. I won't call Hunter Sasha again. It's not really necessary for you to help me with the pump. In fact, I think I'd rather to do this myself. Don't worry, I'll get dressed and wash my hands first. Why don't you take the bottles back to the kitchen and help the others with the baking." Mulder kept his voice flat, not wanting Alex to know how much he was hurting and angry over Alex's earlier scolding.
"Fox. I accept your apology. All I was really asking is that you respect my wishes regarding our son." Alex caressed Fox's side, enjoying the hot slick flesh underneath his fingertips. He bent down and kissed a trail from Fox's navel up to his neck. "You really do need help with the pumps. Besides, I still haven't given you your Christmas gift." Fox's scent had Alex so turned on...his hand stopped over Fox's groin, and Alex was surprised to find it flaccid.
Mulder pushed his hand away as he sat upright on the sofa. "Alex, don't. I'm not in the mood. Just go help them in the kitchen, please."
"I can see that you're not in the mood. What's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" Mulder snarled incredulous. He couldn't believe Alex wouldn't know what was wrong. "Sometimes I get tired of you treating me as if I were a child. Walter doesn't even treat me that way any longer. He respects me as an equal, but there are times when you still think it is necessary to talk down to me or to be overly protective of me. Just because you happen to think you're better than I am."
"Fox, you know that's not true!"
"Isn't it? We never even discussed *our* son's name. You decided on Hunter, and that was that." Mulder picked up his boxers and pulled them on, yanking off the leather pouch covering his groin at the same time and tossing it in Alex's lap. "Every fucking decision we make concerning our family ends up being what you want, regardless of my feelings. Why? Because you think that you fucking know best! You don't give a damn about my opinions or feelings about anything!"
Krycek glared up at his lover who was clad only in boxers, ranting on about how unequal their relationship was. He angrily threw the pouch on the sofa as he stood. "Now, that is not true! Fox, I've always respected you and your opinions. I don't look down at you and I definitely don't consider myself better than you!" He placed his hands on Fox's shoulders and stared him in the eyes. "In fact, I've always been envious of you. I've never met anyone with a quicker or more brilliant mind. You're so fucking beautiful that it drives me nuts with worry at times. The only thing I've ever been guilty of is loving you too deeply. As for our son, I'll admit that I want him to love me as much as he loves you. I don't want him to be viewed as a sex object! I know that will be impossible, but I want to give him every advantage of avoiding it. Sasha isn't a particularly strong name, unlike Hunter. I don't want our son to start life with a disadvantage. Fox, if anyone should know the advantage or disadvantage of having a name with connotations tied to it, you should."
Mulder's stomach clenched. He knew Alex was right. He was scared to death for their son's safety, too. "Alex, there is nothing weak about the name Sasha. You're only sensitive because you were called that as a boy and don't view it as a manly name. Dammit, Alex! I don't want anyone touching our kids either! I don't want them to be required to get married! But I can see no fucking way around it! This whole situation is like some sick joke!" Mulder paced around the room and stopped in front of the statue, looking at it but not really seeing it. He turned back to Alex. "Alex, I do love you. I'm just so fucking frustrated over the situation we're in, and I need to feel that you respect me."
"Fox, I respect you. Can we stop arguing?"
Mulder suddenly felt strangely at peace. He wondered why they were fighting. "No. You were right, I was wrong. What's there to argue about?"
Alex was surprised to hear Fox being so calm and forgiving. "Fox, you can still call our son Sasha if you want. I shouldn't have gotten so upset over something so silly."
***
White Mountain Alaska
Sunday, December 24
noon"They're making up," Havock observed jealously, watching the video monitor as Mulder and Krycek hugged and kissed.
"Of course they are. I wouldn't want them fighting over Christmas." CSM looked on appreciatively as Krycek kneaded Mulder's ass through the silk boxers.
"You're controlling their emotions?"
"Only Fox's. He's been feeling anxious and nervous for days now. Poor boy, he needs a more secure environment to feel safe and nurtured."
"He's worried about his children. He's not going to feel any more secure living here when he knows that you plan to use his sons and daughters as bartering chips," Havock stated flatly.
"Fox will come to accept his life with us in good time. He'll be pampered beyond belief. As for his children, he'll be happy that they marry within their station in life. Only the most powerful and wealthiest sorcerers will be allowed to bid for their hands in marriage."
Havock kept his mouth shut. He couldn't believe the Batman really thought that his son would be content to live here and have his children taken from him. The images on the screen were getting more sexually heated, and he couldn't pull his eyes off either immortal.
***
"Do you want your Christmas gift now?" Alex husked out breathlessly. His finger teased at Fox's anus through the silken fabric.
"Hmm, what did you get me?" Mulder asked, rocking his groin against Alex's then he continued nibbling on the side of his lover's throat.
"Me."
"Hm, my favorite gift. How'd you know?" Mulder chuckled.
"Sit down," Alex murmured sultrily, pushing Fox back toward the sofa.
Mulder sank onto its smooth surface just as his CD player clicked on and started playing some erotic bump and grind music. Mulder watched eagerly as Alex's hips swayed to the music, and his lover started to strip slowly as he danced.
***
"He's a seductive little vixen, isn't he?" the smoker purred, staring lustfully at Alex's graceful form as he moved in perfect rhythm to the music.
Havock glowered angrily. He watched the man of his desire sitting almost naked on the sofa as the sable-haired slut performed obscene gyrations with his hips and pelvis and shimmied his upper body as he danced. Alex slowly peeled off his shirt unveiling his toned-muscular upper body. Havock bit his tongue in order to keep from saying what he thought of the green-eyed demon. The Batman was clearly taken by the wanton hussy.
"Oh, he's taking off his pants!" CSM cooed excitedly. "Look at that, he's wearing a thong. Isn't he lovely? Have you ever seen two more perfectly-shaped buttocks?"
Alex spun his pants over his head then let them fly across the room. They landed on top of the statue covering up its eyes and the video cameras.
"NO! Dammit all to HELL!" the smoker growled as the monitor suddenly went dark. He could still hear the music and the calls of encouragement from his son.
***
Alex continued to dance wearing only the thong, his skin glistening with a fine layer of sweat. He teased Mulder with the in and out thrusts of his pelvis. He watched with satisfaction as the desire blazed in Fox's hazel eyes
Mulder couldn't take being teased any longer. Alex's delicious musky scent was invading his senses, making rational thought impossible. He leapt off the sofa and grabbed him, roughly covering Alex's mouth in a bruising kiss. His arms wrapped around Alex's warm body. His fingers sought and found the crease dividing his young lover's buttocks. Mulder squeezed and kneaded the firm flesh as he deepened the kiss, capturing the moans within his mouth. Alex's sweat-slicked chest felt like a furnace against his own cool flesh.
Krycek ground his granite-hard groin against Fox's equally hard member. Their bodies swayed to the music in a primal dance of raw desire as they kissed and groped each other.
Mulder moved from kissing Alex's mouth to kissing down his lover's throat. Alex's nails raked over the taut muscles of his lover's back leaving small scrape marks, as Fox bit at the tender flesh between his shoulder blade and neck. Mulder chuckled as Alex let out a groan and arched his neck to allow him more room to feast.
"Ooh God! Do it, do it, do it," Alex chanted as his lover's dry finger slipped past the string of his thong and entered his anus while he continued to suck and mark the tender flesh of Alex's neck.
"Patience, baby," Mulder murmured against his throat. He wanted the mark he was leaving to last more than two hours. He continued to suck as his moved his finger in and out of Alex's tight opening. "Lube," he whispered.
It took all of Alex's willpower to focus his concentration enough for a tube of KY jelly to appear in Mulder's hand. Alex's arms tightened around Fox's body and he rested his head on his lover's shoulder as he felt two lubed fingers push inside him. He pushed back with his ass trying to get the fingers in deeper.
"Good, boy," Mulder murmured against Alex's ear and his tongue flicked out licking around its rim then his teeth tugged at the lobe as he twisted his fingers inside Alex's ass nudging against his prostate and his lover cried out in pleasure.
***
"Ooh yes, Ooooh... FUCK...FOX!"
The smoker glared angrily at the blank monitor as cries of uncontrolled passion blared out through the speakers. He was half-tempted to move the head of the statue enough so the article of clothing blocking the camera lens would fall off. But he couldn't take the chance that they would notice it move.
"NOW FOX! I-I need you in me..."
Mulder's amused chuckle echoed around the room. "Bend over the sofa arm, babe. That's it. I'm going to fuck you so hard and deep that you won't be able to sit for the rest of the day," Mulder's voice purred.
The smoker smirked. "That's my boy. When you and Alex are finally here with me, son, we'll both screw the beauty through the floor."
***
Mulder stood back and admired his lover. Alex looked so beautiful stretched out over the arm of the sofa, his head resting on his arms on top of the sofa cushions, while his ass was elevated in the air. Mulder dropped the thong on the floor and quickly peeled off his boxers. He spent a moment greasing his cock, before placing its head against Alex's puckered opening. He pushed past the relaxed sphincter muscle slowly sinking his entire length inside Alex. His lover's tight heat molded around his cock; holding him firmly. He could feel Alex's pulse rate thumping against the length of his cock. "Ooooh," he moaned as Alex squeezed his anal muscles.
"Are you gonna fuck me or not, lover?" Alex asked fervently, looking under his armpit upside down at Fox. His balls were aching painfully, needing release.
Mulder bent down and kissed the center of Alex's back. "In a moment. I love being inside of you, Alex, and I don't want to rush it." His hands caressed up his lover's sides. The flesh was smooth and hot under his fingertips. He stopped at Alex's hips, holding them as he slowly pulled out, relishing the tightness gripping his cock.
Alex let out a gasp and a joyous sob as Fox sank back into his body, the bulb-shaped head brushing against his prostate. He pushed back wanting his lover in deeper. He bit his lip to stifle another cry of pleasure at the sensation of being filled each time Fox rocked back into him.
Mulder enjoyed hearing Alex's little whimpers. He pushed in harder, his balls slapping against Alex's firm ass. His lover pushed his ass back, meeting each downward thrust with enthusiasm.
"Harder, Fox. Harder!" Alex encouraged. His cock was being pressed into the smooth surface of the leather each time Fox slammed into him. The sensation was enough to make him come.
Mulder spread his legs apart slightly as he looked down, meeting Alex's eyes. They blazed with an inner fire, a green more brilliant than the brightest jewel. Mulder's heart thumped loudly as he lost himself in their depth. He could no longer describe his feelings simply as love; they had evolved into so much more than the one word was able to encompass. Their differences were insignificant compared to the overall feelings of bliss they received from each other's companionship. At times it felt as if their very souls had become entwined. Alex's wiggling hips brought Mulder back. Mulder's fingers held his lover's hips more firmly as he started to relentlessly fuck Alex, wanting to bring both of them to completion. Desiring nothing more than to kiss those sweet lips and hold that warm body against his own.
Krycek moaned, pushing back hard each time Fox drove back into him. The pleasure was more than he could endure. Fox's pheromones filled his senses. His balls felt like they would explode with the slightest caress. When Fox's fingers wrapped around his cock and started stroking in time with his thrust he lost it. His orgasm hit him hard as his milky come spurted against the black leather of the sofa arm. Alex felt his lover's release as Fox's cock swelled inside him then come was released into his bowels.
Both men collapsed. After several minutes passed, Mulder pulled off Alex's body and out of his body. He stumbled toward his office bathroom.
Alex was still too sated to move and sighed contently as he felt the dampness of a washcloth cleaning him. Fox was always thoughtful after sex. Alex loved that about him.
"C'mon, babe, I think we both deserve a nap," Mulder murmured softly. He helped Alex into a more comfortable position on the sofa then spooned behind him, holding his lover tightly in his arms.
Alex smiled, feeling totally at peace and contented. Only Fox was capable of bringing these feelings out in him. He reached back and caressed Fox's naked hip. His lover's flaccid cock was pressed lovingly against his ass. Closing his eyes with a sigh, he soon drifted off to sleep.
***
Crystal Palace
Monday, December 25
4:05 a.m.River ran into the bedroom and jumped on the bed. Skinner grunted as River landed on him. Rex followed him in, barking eagerly.
"Wake up! Wake up! Santa Claus was here!"
Skinner groaned and pulled the blanket over his head.
"Whattimezit," Alex mumbled, pulling a pillow over his head to block out the barking dog.
"Time to get up, Daddies!"
Mulder chuckled as he walked in from the nursery, cradling Kaylie against his chest. "You heard your son, get your lazy butts out of bed. Santa Claus was here."
"Fox, it's not even four-thirty," Alex complained, peering up at the digital clock that shone its numbers on the ceiling.
"It's Christmas morning, don't be a spoilsport," Mulder said, holding Kaylie with one arm with the other he pulled the covers down from Walter's head. "It's time to open our presents."
"Yippee!" River shouted, jumping happily up and down on the bed, the bedsprings creaking.
"Fox..." Skinner moaned as the mattress rocked from River's bouncing.
"Walter, I'll get the girls. You and Alex get the babies changed and bring them to the entertainment room." Mulder headed out the door, River jumped off the bed and followed him with Rex right on his heels.
"You should see all the presents, Daddy."
"I'll bet. You've been a very good boy this year, River, I'm sure Santa left you a ton of stuff." Mulder wanted this to be the best Christmas ever for River, which shouldn't be hard considering that River's uncle hadn't been the most giving man.
River beamed and raced into Hope's bedroom followed by Rex, and Mulder carrying Kaylie. "Hope, wake up. Santa was here."
Hope sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Santa?"
Mulder turned on the small dresser lamp. "Mouse, do you want to get up?"
Hope smiled pushing the covers off she climbed out of bed. "Me wake."
"River, help your sister put her slippers on," Mulder said, heading into the other bedroom. Faith was already climbing out of bed.
"Santa here?" Faith asked, walking up to him and wrapping her arms around his legs. She didn't really know what all the excitement was about, but River was excited and had been going on and on about Santa Claus, so that made her excited, too.
"Santa was here, Cutie. Do you want to go see what he brought you?"
"Kitty?"
Mulder sighed. Not the blasted cat again. Their daughters had been asking for one ever since Alex hung that damn kitten poster in Hope's room. "I don't think Santa brought you a kitten."
"Me want kitty," Faith whined.
"Me too!" Hope said, running into the bedroom.
"You're still too young to have a cat. You need to be...seven years old." Mulder wasn't about to budge on this. He was having enough trouble changing diapers and he wasn't about to add scooping out a cat box to the list. As soon as the babies were old enough to be left for the day with the nannies, he was going back to work and that was that. Seven kids and one dog were plenty for this family.
"Me big, Daddy," Faith said.
"I know you both are, but you need to be a lot bigger to take care of a cat."
"Pleease, Daddy, we big?"
Kaylie started crying and Mulder rocked her while his older daughters tugged on his flannel pajama bottoms, crying. "Girls, please, let's go use the potty. Daddy Walter and Daddy Alex are waiting for us in the entertainment room. You don't want to keep them waiting."
"We want kitty."
River grabbed Hope's hand, pulling her toward the bathroom. "Come on, Hope, maybe Santa left you a kitten and didn't tell Daddy."
"Santa wought kitty?" Hope said hopefully, following River. Faith let go of Mulder's leg and ran after them.
"Kitty."
Mulder followed, shaking his head. River was smarter than he was, so what if there wasn't any kitty -- just keep them guessing then blame Santa. He placed a plush towel inside the bathtub. Kissing Kaylie, he set her on it so he could help his other daughters. "River, take Rex to the entertainment room, please. I'll be down with your sisters shortly."
"Yes, Daddy. Come on, Rex." River dashed out of the room anxious to get back to the room with all the presents.
Mulder knelt down and helped Hope with her training pants. He was relieved to find them dry. That made eight days in a row. "Good, girl."
"Me big." Hope smiled at the compliment as Mulder helped her on the child's toilet. The regular toilet in the room had a safety lock keeping the seat closed so they wouldn't try to use it and get hurt.
"Yes, you are."
After both toddlers had used their potty chair, Mulder dumped its content down the toilet and rinsed the plastic bowl. He kept a close eye on his girls as they looked at their sister Kaylie in the bathtub.
"Wash baby," Faith said, starting to climb into the bathtub.
Mulder scooped her up before she could land on the infant. "Kaylie is too tiny to play with you in the bathtub. When she's a big girl like you, then she can take a bath with you." Mulder looked toward the bathroom door as he heard a baby crying.
Walter walked in holding Angélique who was shrieking her displeasure. "Fox, I think she's starting to warm up to me. She didn't start crying until after I had her diaper changed."
Mulder set Faith down and took the infant from Walter and smiled at his lover who was wearing a matching robe over his flannel pajamas. Walter looked delicious and Mulder wanted to take him back to bed, and undress him. "Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?" he said, rocking Angélique, her crying turning into happy coos.
"You can never tell me that enough, Fox," Skinner murmured warmly as he knelt to hug Hope and Faith who were clinging to his pant legs happily.
"Daddy, Santa wought kitty," Hope told him.
"We shall see what Santa brought you, Mouse."
"Walter, can you get Kaylie," Mulder said, holding his Seraph daughter cradled in one arm as he took Faith's hand with the other.
"Sure, babe," Skinner picked up his daughter and took Hope's hand and followed Mulder out of the room and down the long corridor to their entertainment room.
Alex had the stereo on and was playing Christmas music, while a fire blazed in the hearth, and hanging from the mantle were several large Christmas stockings filled to overflowing. The overhead lights in the room were dimmed, and the strings of lights sparkled brightly on the tall Christmas tree. River was running around reading the tags on all of the presents under the tree.
Skinner watched River for a moment with delight, enjoying the little boy's excitement. Hope and Faith were still a bit too young to really appreciate Christmas, but River was the perfect age. He walked over to the row of bassinets and placed Kaylie in the one next to her twin brother Sergei, she had fallen back to sleep.
Hope and Faith held hands as they explored the brightly wrapped presents, not really knowing what to make of it all. They had one thing on their little minds, so they carefully looked under and around the tree.
Krycek smiled as he watched them search. Fox was going to kill him, but he couldn't resist getting them each a kitten. They had been asking for one for weeks. The hardest part had been keeping the kittens hidden from Fox and the kids. He also had to get Rex used to them. The last thing he wanted was for River's German Shepherd to kill one of the kittens in front of their daughters. However, Rex was surprisingly gentle with the kittens even when one hissed and took a swipe at his nose. Alex had hidden them in a lidless box under the tree, and had been using his powers to prevent River from noticing them. Alex wanted his daughter and niece to discover them on their own.
"Kitty! Kitty!" Hope came out from behind the tree holding, none to gently, a long-furred, black kitten with a white tuff of fur under its chin. A few seconds later, Faith toddled out from behind the tree chasing a tiger-striped kitten.
Skinner bent and caught the kitten for her. "Here, Cutie. Hold her gently, like this," he said, placing the kitten in her arms. "Don't pick her up by her fur or tail, that will hurt kitty."
Mulder glared between Krycek and Skinner. He wasn't sure which of his lover's was responsible.
*Don't look at me, Fox. I agreed with you that they're still too young for pets,* Skinner communicated telepathically from where he knelt, petting the kitten that his niece was holding.
Krycek grinned sheepishly up at them from where he sat on the sofa. He was holding the kitten that Hope had carried over to show him. *Don't worry, guys, I'll take care of the cats for them and clean the litter box and feed them.*
*You're damn right, you will, Ratboy,* Mulder grumbled.
Alex looked at him pleading telepathically. *Fox, don't be angry. It's Christmas and our girls are happy, isn't that what matters the most?* Hope had climbed on Alex's lap and was petting the kitten.
Faith walked over to Mulder tightly holding her kitten. "Kitty, Daddy."
Mulder knelt down. The kitten had a spooked look on its face. "Faith, you shouldn't hold the kitty so tightly." Mulder picked up both his daughter and the kitten. He walked over and sat next to Alex on the sofa then gently eased Faith's fingers off the kitten. "You have to hold her gently, or else she is going to be afraid of you. You don't want your kitty to run away from you, do you?"
"No run. Me like kitty, Daddy."
River climbed on the sofa arm. "See, Hope, Santa Claus did bring you each a kitty," he said, petting the kitten.
Mulder leaned over and kissed Alex, he found it impossible to be mad at him when their children were so happy. "Okay, Alex, I forgive you. But next time remember Walter and I expect a fifty-fifty say in any major decisions involving our children."
"Sure, Fox. You have to admit they are adorable," Alex said, holding the tuxedo kitten up for Fox to see.
"Yeah." Mulder reached out and stroked the kitten. "Don't forget you're still one hundred percent responsible for their care, especially cleaning their litter box."
"No problem, Fox. Now shall we start opening the gifts?"
"I think that's a good idea, it is going to take us all morning," Skinner said, picking up a present he carried it over to River. "This one is for you, son."
River plopped down on the floor and started tearing the gift-wrap off the present. "Look, it's a gigantic box of crayons and paper."
Over in the corner of the room the innocent-appearing statue of a winged horse looked on.
***
White Mountain
Monday, December 25
5:20 a.m.CGB Spender enjoyed watching the warm family scene on the monitor. His son and grandchildren in their pajamas opening presents was so sweet. Alex was particularly sweet, dressed in a long black velour robe, one long leg showing, it was clear he wasn't wearing pajamas underneath the robe. He pictured the family, with the exception of Skinner, lounging around his parlor enjoying his hospitality.
The little boy his son adopted intrigued Spender. Why would Mulder take the child into his care when he already had the responsibility of raising several of his own children? The child was beautiful. The smoker wondered if River was more than just a normal human boy.
***
"Thanks, River, it's just what I wanted." Alex held up the Hotwheels Turbo Racers video game for their Sony PlayStation for Fox and Walter to see. The game was a bit young for him but he pretended to be excited.
"We can play that together, Daddy," River said excitedly. "Daddy Walter helped me buy it online, but I picked it out for you myself."
"I'm sure we'll have lots of fun playing this together." Alex ruffled his hair and kissed his brow.
Mulder had moved to a rocking chair next to the fireplace where he was rocking Hunter. "Walter, open the gift Hope and Faith got you next."
Skinner picked up the box and shook it then sat on the sofa next to his daughter and niece. "What did you two get me?" he asked, knowing perfectly well that this was from Fox with their names on it.
"Me," Hope said, petting the package in her Daddy's hands. Her kitten was curled up on Alex's shoulder sleeping.
Skinner's eyebrow rose. "You're in this package, Honey?" He carefully peeled the tape off and pulled off the paper, unveiling a thick cardboard box decorated with little painted handprints. He lifted the lid, inside was a framed photograph of all their children, except Angélique, she had refused to cooperate for the photo. River sat in the middle holding Sergei with Hope and Faith on either side of him with their arms around Hunter and Kaylie who were propped up against their bodies.
"Me," Hope said, pointing to herself in the photograph.
"Oh, it is you!" Walter feigned surprise. "You're so beautiful, Hope! Is that your sister Kaylie you're holding?"
Hope giggled, she pointed to each child in the photo. "Kayee...Wifer, Sewgee, Faif, Sasha."
"Beautiful and smart." Walter hugged her and kissed her nose, he looked across the room to his lover. "Thanks, Fox. I hope you had Melvin take some photographs of you and Alex with the kids."
"You may find one or two among your other presents." Mulder knew that their family meant everything to Walter, and the most important gift Walter could receive were reminders of them. He had a separate picture of himself, Alex, and Angélique taken and one more with everyone in the photograph. Frohike was coming up later today to take a final photograph with Walter and them.
The rest of the morning passed slowly as the rest of the presents were unwrapped.
***
Crystal Palace
Monday, December 25
4:20 p.m.Little boys raced through the entertainment room shooting at each other with toy laser guns. Mulder was beginning to get a headache from the zapping noises the toys made. Their friends had joined them back in their apartment for some Christmas cheer after eating a delicious prime rib meal downstairs in the main dining hall.
"C'mon, Rory, you have to let us out of that stupid contract!" Justin growled. He hated breaking his word when he agreed to do something.
"Justin, if you didn't want to do the beauty pageant you never should have signed the contract," MacIver replied stubbornly. Most of the contestants had already backed out, if he lost Justin and Joe he'd might as well call off thing off.
"Rory, at the time everyone was doing it to help the orphans! Now that Alex, Mulder, and Shinji are out of it and holding their own charity event to help the orphans, you can't still expect the rest of us to go through with it!" Justin growled. "Besides, Mulder and Alex are giving a hundred percent of the proceeds to the cause, not a measly forty-five percent like you're doing! I'd rather be in their auction than your pageant."
Gabriel Hunter looked over at MacIver. He and Frohike had agreed that Hans wasn't going to be in the pageant, contract or not. "They're both on the same day, Rory, and Hans will be doing the auction not the beauty pageant. You can't have a pageant if you only have five contestants."
"Gabriel, I can't believe that you'd think auctioning Hans off to some stranger for money would be preferable to my beauty contest," MacIver scoffed.
Gabriel shrugged his shoulders, he wasn't enthusiastic about the auction, but he knew it would raise a lot of money. "It is only for dinner and Hans and the immortals will be chaperoned on their date."
"Rory, Joe and I are out of the pageant. You can sue us if you want, but we'll be doing the auction instead," Justin said.
"Okay, fine! I'll cancel frigging the pageant. Try to do something nice to help poor little orphans and see all the grief I get because of it!"
Shinji rolled his eyes and placed Duncan in MacIver's arms with a bottle. "Rory, feed your son and quit feeling sorry for yourself. This is a day for celebrating don't ruin it."
The six-month-old baby kicked excitedly as he looked up at his father.
MacIver's heart melted as he looked down at his son and placed the nipple of the bottle against his pink lips. Duncan was the light of his life. He couldn't allow other little boys to suffer because he was being greedy and selfish. "Sorry, lads. I'll do whatever I can to help with the auction and the telethon."
Krycek sighed with relief. He and MacIver had been on the outs over the pageant and their auction being held on the same day. "Thanks, Rory. Would you like another ale?"
"Alex, my lad, do you even have to ask?" the Scotsman grinned.
Ayako came toddling over carrying Faith's tiger-striped kitty. The toddler was very careful with the animal as she placed it on the sofa next to MacIver and her baby brother. "My kitty."
Faith ran over and pushed her friend down and grabbed the kitten none too gently. "No, my kitty."
Ayako started crying, and Shinji bent and scoop her up in his arms. "Ssh, baby."
Krycek rushed over to rescue the kitten from his daughter who had it in a death grip. "Faith, apologize to your friend for pushing her down!" he said, prying her fingers off the kitten.
"No! My kitty, Daddy!"
"Okay then, time out until you apologize, young lady." Krycek handed the kitten to Justin, then carried her to the punishment chair they had set up in the corner of the room.
"No! Me good giwl!"
"Good girls do not knock their friends down and refuse to apologize."
"YOU MEAN, Daddy!" She pounded on Alex's chest and kicking and struggling to be let down.
"You're only adding to your time out, Faith. Keep it up," Alex scolded.
"ME GOOD!" Faith screamed.
Mulder had been talking to Scully and her brothers, and they all turned to watch the interplay between Alex and his daughter.
"He's getting better at dealing with her. I'm impressed," Scully said.
Mulder chuckled. "She still has him wrapped around her little finger. Alex is willing to go through all the work of taking care of two cats just because she and Hope wanted them."
"Umm, Mulder, you do realize that once Alex becomes pregnant either you or Walter are going to have to clean the litter box," Scully said. Her hand held her baby son's, who kept grabbing for her cross.
"Alex is still insisting that he will not get pregnant. But when he does, I'll assign one of our servants to take care of the pets." Mulder looked up in surprise as Walter came over carrying Angélique. The infant was drinking from a bottle. "She's letting you hold her."
Skinner sat next to Mulder on the sofa and Scully leaned over to look at the winged infant.
"I've never seen an infant more beautiful with the exception of Hunter," Scully said.
"How do you bathe her?" Bill Scully asked, looking at the delicate wings.
"Her wings are waterproof. The water beads off," Mulder said, glancing across the room to where Alex and their daughter were. Faith hadn't stopped crying. "If you'll excuse me. I think Faith is overly tired, we were up real early opening presents, she just needs a nap."
Mulder crossed the room and knelt next to Alex and Faith. "Cutie, would you like to go take a nap?"
Faith stopped crying long enough to throw her arms around Mulder's neck and hold on as if her life depended on it.
"Fox, don't interfere. Faith needs to learn that she can't hit other kids without being punished," Alex said.
"She knows. Don't you, Cutie?"
"Me sorry, Daddy." She rested her head on Mulder's shoulder and glared at Alex sticking her lower lip out in a pout.
"Do you want to apologize to Ayako before you go take a nap?" Mulder coaxed.
Faith nodded, and Mulder set her down. She ran across the room to where her friend was. They watched as Faith gave Ayako a hug.
"How come she was willing to apologize for you and not for me?" Krycek asked.
Mulder kissed his cheek to sooth his hurt feelings. "Good cop, bad cop, we use it all the time with suspects. Our kid's not stupid, she knew you weren't going to budge so she took the way out that I offered her. Alex, she's just overly tired and grumpy. Why don't you put her and Hope to bed, it's been a long day for them. Then you can come back and enjoy the party with our friends."
"Sure, that sounds like a good idea, I'll be right back. Then you can fix me a drink, because I could use some pampering," Alex said, kissing Fox sweetly on the lips.
Mulder smiled and patted Alex on the butt. "Get your butt moving, I'll have a white Russian fixed for you when you get back."
"I'll help you, Alex," Ari offered as he scooped up Faith and got the kitten from Justin. His daughter Kat was in Duffy's loving care, she was eight-months-old and crawling.
"Thanks, Ari," Alex replied as he went to get Hope who was playing with Kimberly and Tony's two little girls Grace and Emi.
***
The smoker sat sipping his drink. He had watched the festivities all day and was feeling lonely, wanting his family around him. He looked longingly at Jeffrey as his youngest son talked to Ian. Jeffrey looked proud and regal. Unlike the frightened creature he had chained in his dungeon so many, long months ago. He glared angrily at Walter Skinner as the man made his way around the room laughing and talking to his guests. He carried one of the smoker's grandchildren with him. That should be him, not Skinner.
He couldn't stand it any longer, he wanted his family and he wanted them now! He smashed his glass into the fireplace and the flames blaze brighter as the alcohol ignited.
CGB Spender called all the energy into his body watching the monitors through each of his creations' eyes.
The dragon statue in the downstairs gardens moved, standing to its full height. Its wings shattered the fifty-foot high glass windows over the garden, letting in the cold December air.
***
End of chapter 6 - Christmas