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 Demi-X, Nicole, Laurie, Dawn, Cerulean Blue, Kiyoko, Bee Lan, Susan, and Helen for all their hard work and patience in editing this story and plot suggestions. Special thanks to Demi and her perverted inn keeper suggestion. :)
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 11
Honeymoon
Monday, October 14th 2001
9:00 a.m.Slava cursed under his breath as he looked around his empty bedroom. He was an idiot...a fool...a thoughtless jerk. His insensitivity had caused his beautiful Alexei to leave him. Slava could not help himself; nothing he tried would change the way he felt seeing Alexei pregnant.
However, when Alexei was back with him again, he'd show the younger man just how much he loved him. And the next time Alexei was pregnant with his child, Slava was determined to have his lover cloistered in a special wing of the palace, where he wouldn't have to watch Alexei's body become fat. Slava would afford his lover the best of care until their child was born. He was sure Alexei would understand the second time around.
The Tsar sat behind his desk to write an apology letter to his lover and beg his forgiveness.
***
Crystal Palace
Monday, October 16th 2001
2:00 p.m.Skinner raced through the palace and onto the elevator. "Get this thing moving, Arty!" he barked.
"Of course, Your Majesty," the computer answered with a bored voice.
The large man couldn't keep still as he paced anxiously back and forth in the small, enclosed space. Alex was back. He had wanted to come straight home immediately after Fox had called him with the good news three days ago. However, he had obligations in Canada that needed to be met first. It seemed like forever since he'd last seen his brother and lover. He missed him so much. The elevator doors slid open and Skinner sprinted off down the hallway heading for the kitchen, where he sensed Alex's presence. Skinner arrived in the kitchen's doorway and stood drinking in Alex's figure. His eyes were solely focused on the younger man and didn't notice anyone else in the crowded, noisy room. It took a few seconds before Alex noticed him and smiled.
"Alex," Skinner said softly and walked quickly across the room, pulling his lover into his arms. "God, it's good to have you back." He couldn't keep the tears of joy from falling shamelessly down his cheeks.
"You missed me?" Krycek questioned, touching Skinner's damp cheek.
"God, babe, more than you can possibly imagine!" Skinner murmured and claimed the younger man's lips in a deep passion-filled kiss, showing him just how much.
Mulder sat holding Summer cradled in his arms as he watched his lovers' reunion. He wiped at the tears filling his eyes. He'd never seen a more lovely sight. Mulder recalled only a short time ago that the two men had hated each other. Now their hearts were filled with nothing but love. These two men were the core of his family and he’d never been happier at the prospect of their future together
Alex wrapped his arms around Skinner's neck and deepened the kiss, pressing his body against his lover's. He felt completely loved and cherished in Walter's strong embrace. How could he have given this man up for Slava? "Walter?"
"Hm?" Skinner purred, kissing down his throat.
"Fox was forced to ask Rory to fuck me." He didn't know why he told Skinner that, but it had been bothering him for over two days now.
Mulder's eyebrows shot up and he looked embarrassed as Walter's stern eyes met his.
"Alex, what do you mean?" Skinner asked, not taking his eyes off Mulder's surprised expression.
"I was going through withdrawal pains and couldn’t wait for you to get back, Rory had to fuck me! Dammit, Walter, that bloody Scot is gloating about it!
"Fox, would you care to explain?"
Mulder shrugged his shoulders and said softly, "I didn't want Alex to suffer until you were able to come home."
"Fox, if I had known, I would have flown back immediately!" Skinner growled.
The kitchen staff made themselves scarce; they didn't want to get in the middle of a fight between the three men.
Mulder felt ill suddenly. He stood and placed Summer back in her bassinet then headed for the doorway. He paused and said quietly, "Walter, you have never flown back for me. I only assumed..." What was he to think? Gabriel had flown back to service Hans. Walter had told him that as King it was Walter's duty to be there with his troops, no matter how painful it was leaving his lover to Rory's ministrations. Mulder needed to some fresh air...he needed to think. He was feeling overly emotional as it was, what with going through his second pregnancy and the changes it was causing to his body.
"Fox..."
Mulder ignored both Walter and Alex calling to him as he quickened his pace toward the elevator. He wanted to be alone.
"Fox, wait!" Skinner shouted from down the hallway.
Mulder wouldn't look back at him as the elevator doors slid closed. "Down, Arty."
"He's just going to teleport onboard," Arty said as the elevator started down.
Echoing Arty's words, Skinner suddenly appeared next to Mulder. "Fox, don't be this way!" he growled.
"Don't be what way?" Mulder asked, looking at him mildly.
"Sulky, playing the helpless victim..."
"Is that what you think this is about? Is that what you think of me? Helpless?"
"You're mad that I would have come home immediately for Alex when he needed me, while I wouldn't come home for you. Fox, there is a big difference between the two situations," Skinner said.
Mulder really didn't want to hear anymore. He realized that Walter loved and respected Alex more than he did him. Alex was still a sorcerer and Walter considered him his equal. If Walter loved him as much, he would have come home yesterday when he'd needed him. "Walter, I'm sorry. I screwed up. I realize that now. I should have called you immediately about Alex's condition. I'll apologize to Alex when I'm done with my walk. Now go back to him. He needs you. Alex has been through hell and back. Please, just go to him..."
"Fox, you're not listening! You're being pigheaded again!"
"Walter, what is there to listen to? I understand. It's only natural for you to have a deeper connection with Alex and respect him more than me. He's your brother and you're both sorcerers. I can understand why you'd want to spare him any degradation. I'm sorry I didn't call you immediately about his condition." He sighed as the elevator doors slid open.
Skinner grabbed his upper arm preventing him from leaving. "Fox, you can't possibly believe that I want to see you humiliated? To have another man touch you?"
"You would have come back immediately for Alex..."
"That was only because the war was over. Alex was the reason I was in Canada fighting Slava in the first place..."
"You knew he was back for three days now. Why didn't you come straight home?""Fox, I'm King! I had to make restitution to our Canadian neighbors."
"But you would have come home immediately to prevent another man from touching Alex?"
"Of course I would have!"
Mulder sighed and pushed by Skinner as he stormed off the elevator.
"Fox, wait?!" Skinner tried to follow but he was thrown back against the wall of the elevator as the doors slid closed and the car started back up.
"Your Majesty, you've hurt him enough!" Arty warned.
"Arty, open these doors!"
"Not until you listen! And don't try to teleport off, I have erected a force field surrounding the car!"
"Why are you doing this? Fox needs me!"
"He needed you yesterday," Arty said.
Skinner looked baffled. "Why?"
"How far apart are Prince Fox's withdrawal symptoms?"
"Five days..."
"How long were you gone?"
"Six da... Oh shit!"
"Very good, Sherlock. Prince Fox had to go down to Rory's apartment yesterday and ask to be fucked. Do you know how humiliating that was for him?"
"I forgot! It was an honest mistake!" Skinner slammed his fist against the wall. "Shit, why didn't he call? Why didn't he wait, he's suffered through withdrawal pains before!"
"Duh, let's see! Could it be that he is pregnant with *your* baby? And he didn't want to put *your* baby's health at risk?" Arty said sarcastically.
"I need to talk to him, Arty. Take me back down!" Skinner growled.
"You need to talk to Prince Alex and see his babies. Allow Prince Fox some time alone."
"I am King, Arty! I'll do whatever the hell I please! Now let me off, I need to talk to my brother!"
Krycek was holding his infant son when Walter walked back into the kitchen. He had a guilty look on his beautiful face as he said softly, "Walter, I shouldn't have said anything. Fox did what he thought was best under the circumstances."
"I'm the one at fault here, Alex," Skinner said, kneeling next to the chair. "Can I see him?" He took the infant into his arms. "He's beautiful. I'm sorry you had to go through their births alone. It must have been extremely difficult."
"It's nothing I'd want to repeat," he said distractedly, wondering if he should go after Fox.
"Alex, Fox will be fine. He just needs some time alone."
"He seemed pretty upset."
Skinner sighed. "Did you know he had to go to Rory yesterday because he was having withdrawal pains?"
Krycek's eyes widened and he said sadly, "No. I guess that means my dismal sorcerer abilities aren't adequate for his needs."
"I'm going to assign more scientists to solving this withdrawal problem." Skinner stood cradling the infant. "C'mon, Alex, let's go find Fox. I need to apologize to him. I can't believe I forgot about his withdrawal symptoms!"
"You forgot about his fortieth birthday, too," Krycek said, standing to get the infant carriers.
"Shit...I'm a complete jerk. I'll add that to my list of things to apologize for."
***
Mulder sat cross-legged on a boulder staring out across the ocean. It was a beautiful autumn day. The trees were starting to change color and there was a refreshing crispness in the air. It was a shame the day had to be ruined by his melancholy mood. He hated himself for feeling jealousy. He wasn't normally this emotional. It wasn't as if Walter didn't love him. Besides, he had wanted Walter and Alex to love each other. He'd received everything he could wish for and more. However, Mulder just never expected Walter to love Alex more than him. He loved Walter and Alex equally; at least he thought he did. He rested his chin in his hands as he gazed down at the ocean below. Walter didn't care that another man fucked him, but he was outraged at the thought of another man's hands on Alex. Yeah, Alex who had thrown himself into Slava's bed with no regard for either his or Walter's feelings. Mulder threw a pebble over the cliff and sighed. No that wasn't fair, Alex couldn't help his feelings for Slava.
"I'd better just be satisfied with the leftover scraps I'll be getting from this relationship. Maybe I should advertise for a few sorcerer gigolos just in case Rory isn't available next time," Mulder muttered.
"You do, Fox, and I'll take you over my knee and tan your pretty bottom! Right after I kill any sorcerers who dared to answer your ad!" Skinner growled.
"You'd have to stand in line behind me, Walter," Krycek said, glaring down at Mulder. "If you let another man touch you again I'll make you wear a male chastity belt!"
"Why should either of you care? You have each other! I'm just the third wheel in this relationship. Besides, if the thought of another man having sex with me was so abhorrent, then Walter would have come home yesterday."
"Fox, I forgot. I'm sorry, it won't happen again," Skinner said, kneeling down beside his dejected lover, while being careful of the infant strapped to his chest. "I don't love Alex more than I love you. I love you both the same..."
"Walter, it's okay if you do. I'm used to it..."
"Oh brother!" Krycek sighed, rolling his eyes. "Fox, you have this self-pity act down pat."
"Self-pity? Well, thanks for taking my feelings so seriously, Alex!" Mulder looked at Alex and pursed his lips thoughtfully, then turned back to look out over the ocean. It's nice to know I have your respect."
Skinner glared at Krycek and mouthed. "You're not helping!" Then he turned back to Mulder. "Okay, I'll admit I've taken you for granted this past week, but I had a lot on my mind. I know that's no excuse and I promise never to let it happen again. Can we just put this incident behind us and move forward from here?" Summer started crying and Skinner rocked her as he spoke above her wails. "We have a lot to celebrate, Fox. Come back inside and let me make it up to you."
Mulder that they finally had what they've wanted for so long...all three of them together with their kids. realized that he was being petty and foolish and letting his hormones get the better of him. It was obvious from looking at his lovers that they loved him as much as he loved them. He decided to forget the whole incident. However, Walter's willingness to make amends had caught his interest. "Do you really want to make it up to me, Walter?" Mulder asked, standing and taking his infant daughter from Skinner. "Sh-h-h. It's all right, Summer, Daddy Alex will feed you in a second."
"Fox, I'll do anything to make it up to you," Skinner said.
"Anything?" Mulder asked, glancing over at Alex. He wasn't about to pass up this opportunity. They had put if it off far too long and he didn't want to wait another minute.
"Anything, Fox."
"I want to go with Alex on our honeymoon this on Thursday?" Mulder's eyes sparkled with excitement as he thought about the pictures of the quaint picturesque Vermont inn that Frohike had shown him.
Skinner frowned. He hadn't expected that. "Where?"
Mulder smiled. "To an Inn in Killington, Vermont. Frohike's elderly cousin has been running it for half a century. It would be beautiful there this time of year. The trees will be at the peak of their fall colors by the weekend." Mulder turned to Alex. "We can take long walks..."
Krycek sighed, interrupting Mulder. He looked down at Nicky's sleeping face. He really wanted to go. "Fox, as much as the idea appeals to me, I can't leave Nicky and Foxy alone. They're still too young."
"I wasn't planning on leaving them behind. We'll take them with us. It will only be for four days."
Krycek smiled, looking over at Skinner. "Walter will watch the other kids while we're gone. Won't you, Walter?"
Skinner wasn't thrilled, but he had seriously screwed up and needed to make it up to Fox. "Yeah, I'll watch our kids. However, I will be sending two hundred trained sorcerers to Killington as your personal security force. And I expect us to take a romantic vacation with you once our baby is born."
Mulder beamed and leaned forward, kissing Skinner on the lips. "Thanks, Walter. Maybe we could make plans to go someplace for our anniversary!" He turned and headed back toward the palace, cuddling Summer in his arms. The infant had stopped crying.
Skinner and Krycek watched their lover walk at a brisk happy stride. Neither one knew what had just happened.
"Mood swings?" Krycek asked.
"Yeah, mood swings," Skinner answered, nodding his head in agreement.
"Well, at least you didn't have to grovel too much."
"This time. Don't forget he still has ten weeks left of this pregnancy."
"Walter, I can put up with Fox's mood swings for ten weeks. We just need to watch what we say." Krycek smiled as they walked toward the palace with their arms around each other's waist. "God, it is great to be home."
***
Crystal Palace
Tuesday, October 17th 2001
1:00 p.m.Alex refused to accept the delivery of the flowers and chocolates that Slava had sent him. He had them sent back unopened. It was the fourth such delivery from his former Russian lover, in as many days. Each one made him angrier.
"Why doesn't he just get the hint and leave me alone?"
"He loves you," Mulder replied shrugging his shoulders.
"He had a great way of showing it over the past five months. We were barely speaking when I left!"
"Alex, some men find the sight of a pregnant woman repulsive. I don't think they'd change their attitude over a pregnant immortal."
"It really doesn't matter, Fox. I don't love him and have no intention of ever talking to or seeing the bastard again!"
"What about Nicky? He might wish to see his father someday."
"Nicky is our son, Fox. If Nikolai had been interested in him, he should have treated me better than he did. For Christ's sake, the only reason I was pregnant with his child in the first place was because he raped me! Then he made it seem like it was my fault I was putting on weight! He wouldn't even let me call you or Walter to check on my children."
"Even so, Alex, Slava might insist on seeing Nicky and sharing custody."
"HA! No way in hell! Especially, after what he's done to you, Fox! The way he's kept you from seeing your seven daughters! He's not coming anywhere near Nicky! No way! No how!" Krycek snapped.
Mulder hugged Alex and kissed his cheek. "Fine. I just wanted to know where you stood on the issue. We'll deal with this situation as a family. Slava won't get anywhere near our son."
"Thanks, Fox."
"I'm going to my office to get some work done. Do you want to bring Summer and Nicky and keep me company?"
"I'll pass. No offense, but watching you do paperwork isn't the most exciting way to spend my afternoon. I'm going to take Foxy, Nicky, Hunter, Faith and River for a walk to get reacquainted with them. I'd like to take all the kids, but I know I couldn't handle them all by myself. I'll do something special with Hope, Sergei, Kaylie and Angélique tomorrow."
"Take the extra stroller for Sasha. He's only just started walking and isn't going to last through a long hike. River can push it as long as you remind him occasionally that it's not a race car," Mulder said, heading for the door he stopped. "Oh, and make sure you dress them warmly. It's chilly down by the ocean today."
"Fox, don't worry, I do know what I'm doing. Now go enjoy your paperwork," Krycek said.
***
Mulder entered his office and logged on to the Internet to check his email. He had a video camera installed on top of his monitor for having conversations with friends around the world. Mulder chatted on a regular basis with Cory Greene and three other immortals in foreign countries. The link for his video program was blinking indicating someone was online and wanted to talk to him. He flipped on his video camera and launched the program. Soon he was staring at Slava's face in a small window on his screen.
Mulder snarled, "What do you want?"
"Fox, you're looking lovely today."
"Nick, save the praise for someone who gives a damn!"
Slava cringed slightly at the bastardization of his first name. "Okay, Fox. I'll get straight to the point. I want you to intercede with Alexei on my behalf."
"Are you out of your fucking mind?" Mulder growled. "After what you did to him I'd rather kill you! You raped him, you sleazy son-of-a-bitch! Then you treated him like piece of shit during his pregnancy!"
"I know I was a complete jerk, but I couldn't help myself. If you could have seen Alexei's beautiful body go from drop dead gorgeous to swollen and distorted, you'd understand how I felt..."
"He was pregnant, what did you expect?"
"I expected to be able to deal with it! It didn't bother me to watch Justin Blaise give birth to his daughter! Dammit, Fox! I really thought I could handle Alexei being pregnant, but I was wrong. I need to apologize to him. Please! You have to help me! Just tell him that I love him and would like to talk to him."
"Slava, the bond is broken. Alex doesn't love you anymore. Just leave him alone..."
"No! I'll never just leave him alone. He's my lover! He's given birth to my son! I demand to see them both!" Slava took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Look, Fox, I'll give Skinner my backing and the support of my armies again, if you convince Alexei to see me. I'll also allow you to see our daughters. I'll bring them to the Crystal Palace myself."
Mulder sighed. "Slava, Alex's heart is not for sale. Walter doesn't need your support and I won't do anything that might cause Alex pain. Even if it means I'll never get to see my daughters. Now if there is nothing else, I have work to do."
"You'll come to regret crossing me, Fox."
"Oh, I'm sure I will. I already deeply regret ever seeing your face. Good day, Nick," Mulder replied curtly and ended the connection.
Mulder went back to reading his email and answering a few letters before he started on his paperwork. He was so involved that he didn't realize how much time had passed until he heard the knock on his door. Looking out his window he noticed the sun was riding low in the sky. The clock said it was seven o'clock.
"Fox," Walter said, stepping into the room. "It's dinner time. Come with me! I have a special treat for you."
"A treat for me? Why?"
"I missed your fortieth birthday party."
"Walter, it isn't necessary..."
"Fox, shut up and let me spoil you for once."
"Okay. Spoiling I can deal with as long as you're not going to embarrass me." Mulder shut down his PC and placed his completed paperwork inside a folder to take into work tomorrow. Thursday through Sunday he was going to be on his honeymoon with Alex.
Walter led Mulder to the elevator, which they rode down to the lobby level. Instead of going to the dining hall for dinner, Walter guided him to the palace's vertical lift. The palace was like a small city with shops, restaurants, movie theater, schools, a hospital, the FBI main headquarters and a slew of small businesses which had been setting up shop. The palace was constantly expanding.
"Walter, where are we going?" Mulder asked, as the enclosed car zipped them quickly to the northeast section of the palace.
"A new restaurant opened today on the tenth floor of turret two. I made us reservations."
"What type of restaurant?"
Skinner grinned. "You'll see." Major Kazuo Sawada had wanted to keep the restaurant a secret as a surprise for Shinji. And since Shinji and Mulder were best friends, they decided it was a good idea not to tell Fox that Takeshi Sawada, Kazuo's uncle, was opening up a Japanese restaurant. Takeshi had been a renowned chef in Japan, but since moving to the U.S. to be with his nephew and his nephew's family, Takeshi had missed cooking and managing a restaurant.
They climbed off the lift and walked the remaining half-mile to the turret. The northeast section of the palace was busy. People rushed here and there. Kiosks had been set up along the wide corridor with merchants selling all types of items. Mulder stopped at a stand that was selling sports jerseys and T-shirts. He held up a toddler's sized Chicago's Bears jersey. He paid for it under Walter's amused eyes.
"I thought you were a Redskin's fan?" Skinner asked as they continued on their way.
"I am, but Sergei is your son too, Bear, and something tells me he'd prefer this jersey."
Skinner chuckled. "Maybe you're right, but I'm a Dallas Cowboys fan."
Mulder grinned as they stepped onto the turret's elevator. "I don't know if Alex likes football."
"I don't think Alex is a big sports fan," Skinner said. He made sure he was watching Fox's face as the doors slid open onto the lobby of the Origami.
Mulder smile widened as Gou Sawada, Kazuo's father, walked over to greet them.
"Mulder, Walter, please this way. I have your table ready."
"Walter, what's going on?" Mulder asked as they followed the elderly man to a private dining area. They each slipped off their shoes on a mat and stepped up on the raised wooden platform to sit on a cushion at the low table. The table was set in front of a floor to ceiling window with a breathtaking view overlooking the bay. The sun was just setting, casting a beautiful orange glow across the water.
"Mr. Sawada, was Shinji surprised?" Skinner asked.
"He was very surprised. He and Kazuo are having dinner three rooms down." Gou chuckled and added, "Shin had a little trouble sitting. He has only one week left before the baby is due."
"Will someone tell me what is going on?" Mulder asked again.
"You're the investigator, Fox. Haven't you figured it out?" Skinner arched an eyebrow.
Mulder looked up at Kazuo's father. "Mr. Sawada, did your brother Takeshi open this restaurant?"
"Yes. We have been planning it for months."
"Congratulations, the restaurant is lovely," Mulder replied, looking around.
"Thank you, Mulder," Gou said, bowing.
A waiter came by and set a pot of tea on the table. "Would you care for something from the bar?" he asked.
"I'll have a sake and can you bring us a bottle of sparkling cider?" Skinner asked.
"Coming right up."
Mulder squirmed uncomfortably on the pillow. His back had started bothering him a couple of days ago. Then his baby moved. He placed one hand on his belly so he could feel her movement under his palm.
Skinner looked across the table at him. "Is everything all right?"
"Yeah, she's moving a little."
"It's still hard to tell you're pregnant." Skinner smiled. They stopped talking as the waiter placed their beverages on the table. Skinner poured himself a little sake and took a sip. He needed to unwind after a hectic day.
Mulder picked up the bottle of cider and poured a little into each wineglass. "I talked to Slava today. He wants to apologize to Alex for the way he has treated him." Mulder sighed, looking out the window to collect his thoughts, then back at Walter. "I know Alex won't have anything to do with Slava, but I'm still worried about what might happen if Alex speaks to him."
"Fox, are you worried that they will kiss and make up?"
"I know it's stupid, but yeah, I am."
"Don't be. Alex doesn't love Slava. He loves you, me, and our children." Skinner picked up his wineglass and held it in front of him. "We're here to celebrate your birthday, Fox. I propose a toast. May your next forty years be filled with love, peace and happiness."
Mulder grinned and clicked his glass against his lover's. "With you in it, Bear, how can it be anything else."
The waiter came back with their meal that Takeshi had prepared especially for them. They ate at a leisurely pace. After dinner, Skinner pulled a fancy-wrapped package out of his pocket and passed it across the table to Mulder.
"Walter, you didn't have to buy me anything," Mulder said, shaking the package.
"I think you'll like this."
Mulder unwrapped the package. Inside was a metal box which contained small, solid gold, rectangular plates. Each plate had the name and date of birth of each of their children with the month's birthstone. There was even a plate for Nicky and Summer. "They're beautiful, Walter. I take it you plan on hanging these somewhere?"
"Yes, in our bedroom on wall next to the fireplace." Skinner grinned sheepishly. "At the rate we're having kids, I'll need them to remember all their names and birthdays," he quipped.
"So what other surprises do you have for me?"
"I booked us a suite at the palace's hotel for tonight. Alex has promised to look after the kids."
"Alex was okay with that?" Mulder asked.
"He wants to bond with the children again. This is the perfect opportunity for him to do so."
"Hey, Mulder, Walter," Shinji said, stopping outside their dining area. Kazuo was standing behind him holding their daughter, Ayako's hand. "This place is so neat, isn't it?" He had one hand resting on his round belly.
"Yeah, it's neat. I'm impressed that they were able to keep it a secret from us," Mulder said.
Shinji smiled broadly. "I know. We'll need to keep a closer eye on them. No telling what other secrets they've been keeping from us."
"Come along, Shin. Let's allow them to enjoy their meal," Kazuo said, looping an arm around his lover's shoulders.
"Okay. Mulder, if I don't see you before you leave for Vermont, enjoy your honeymoon!"
"Thanks, Shin. I'll see you when I get back."
Skinner glanced at his watch. "Fox, I plan to have you for dessert in our hotel room. So if you're ready?"
Mulder grinned. "Did you bring any whipped cream?"
"No. I prefer my dessert plain...you taste better that way."
Mulder climbed to his feet. "What are we sitting here for? Let's go have dessert!"
***
Killington, Vermont
Thursday, October 19th 2001
1:00 p.m.Morris Frohike shook his guests' hands. "It is an honor to have you both staying at my humble inn."
Mulder looked into the old man's pleasant gray eyes and felt instantly comfortable with the elder gent. "Melvin has told us a lot about your inn, Mr. Frohike, and he's bragged nonstop about what a gourmet chef you are. Alex and I have been looking forward to staying here."
Morris smiled. "When Melvin was a teenager he worked for me for several summers. I taught him how to cook. Here let me help you with that, Mr. Krycek. I'll show you both to your room. You must be tired from your trip," Morris said, taking the diaper bag and suitcase from Krycek, who had his hands full with his crying daughter and her bassinet.
"Thank you, Mr. Frohike."
Mulder followed Morris and Alex across the lobby to an old fashioned elevator. He was carrying Nicky in his bassinet and pulling a suitcase behind him. The inn looked like it was from the nineteenth century. The elevator lurched as it started to rise and Mulder was briefly worried about how safe it might be or even why the three-story inn would need an elevator.
Morris showed them to a large and comfortable room. It had a high four-poster bed with a canopy. A small three-stair stool stood next to the high bed.
After Morris left, Mulder set the bassinet on the bed and lifted Nicky out. The baby cooed and kicked his legs. "Do you want to feed our son or freshen up first?" he asked, walking over to turn the light on in the bathroom, where an old, claw-footed tub sat.
"I'll feed our rug-rats first. Then we can share a bath." Krycek was already stripping off his sweater and cotton-lined vinyl undershirt. He then lifted Summer out of her bassinet and went to sit on the window seat in front of a large bay window. "Can you bring me Nicky?" he asked as his daughter latched onto his nipple.
Mulder positioned Nicky in Krycek's other arm. However, Nicky wasn't very hungry and only played with his father's nipple instead of nursing.
"I'm going to unpack our luggage. Holler if you need any help," Mulder said as he lifted Alex's suitcase up onto the bed and started hanging up his lover's clothes in the wardrobe and transferring his socks and underwear to the dresser.
Neither man noticed the video camera lenses strategically hidden around the room and in the bathroom. Downstairs, Morris Frohike sat in the secret room off his office watching the monitors. He zoomed one of the cameras in for a close up of the baby suckling on the immortal's nipple. Her tiny hands kneaded against her father's flesh. Morris sipped on a sherry as he watched with glee. This video was going to make him a very rich man. He couldn't wait for the two men to make love. He had two cameras set up on the bedposts. The garland and canopy made them impossible to spot.
He turned his attention from Alex to the other monitor where Mulder had finished unpacking and was stripping out of his clothes.
"Alex, I'm going to start filling the bathtub. Do you want me to fill it with warm water, so we can bathe Nicky and Summer at the same time?"
Krycek looked down at his daughter and son, smiling. "Yeah, warm water. Nicky hates taking baths, so maybe if we take one with him, he'll realize it isn't so bad."
Mulder chuckled. "I heard how much he didn't enjoy his bath last night. For someone so small he has a great set of lungs." Mulder walked naked into the small bathroom and started filling the tub, then he walked back into the bedroom and grabbed the baby oil off the dresser. Mulder squirted a little under the faucet.
Morris adjusted the focus on the camera lens, hidden behind the two-way bathroom mirror. He zoomed in on Mulder's firm, round ass as the young man bent down to test the water. His attention was pulled to the other monitor when Krycek shouted to his lover.
"Fox! Can you give me a hand?"
"Sure, Alex. What do you need?"
"Foxy messed her diaper," he said. He chuckled at the look of exasperation on Mulder's face. Krycek wasn't sure if it was from the nickname he had given their daughter or because he was forcing Mulder to change her diaper again.
"Fine. I'll clean her and then we can all share a bath together." Mulder cradled the baby against his bare chest as he carried her over to the bed. He laid a towel down on the bedspread before setting her down. "Did Daddy's little stinky one make a doo-doo? Oh yes you did, my widdle stinky one," Mulder cooed, kissing her on the forehead.
Summer looked at him and grinned, grabbing for his nose.
Krycek in the meantime carried Nicky over to the bed and set him down. He removed both his and Nicky's clothes.
Mulder deposited the messy diaper and soiled wet wipes in a plastic bag that he threw into the wastebasket by the door.
"Ooh." Mulder placed his hand on his belly.
"What?" Krycek asked.
"She's moving a little."
Krycek frowned. Mulder wasn't outwardly showing his pregnancy yet. At this point Krycek's feet had been already swollen and he had a noticeable belly. "Are you sure you only have ten weeks left?"
Mulder grinned and walked over to him. Taking Krycek's hand, he placed it over his belly. "Feel."
Krycek felt the movement beneath his fingertips and smiled. "She's active. Fox, are you sure she's a she?"
"That is what the tests indicated."
"So have you and Walter decided on a name yet?" Krycek scooped Nicky up in his arms and followed Mulder and Summer into the bathroom.
"No. I think I might name her after your mother, if that's okay?" Mulder stepped into the tub and slowly sat. Summer's eyes widened when her small body made contact with the water. Then she made a happy cooing sound as she was cradled protectively in her father's arm with just her head above water.
"It is as long as you don't shorten it to Alex."
"If I shorten it to anything, it will be Alek or Sandra," Mulder said.
Krycek sank into the water on the other side of the tub. He was careful to hold Nicky out of the water in front of him. "Okay, Nicky. See? Daddy is in the water and I'm not crying. What do you say if we just get your feet wet?" He held his breath as he lowered the baby's feet into the water. Nicky continued to stare at his Father's face, not seeming to care that his feet were in the water. Suddenly he started to pee. The stream hit Krycek in the face and he quickly lowered his son into the bath water until his son's little penis was shooting under the water. Nicky's unhappy wails were drowned out by Mulder's loud gleeful laughter. Krycek cradled his crying son in one arm as he reached for a washcloth with the other. He wiped the urine off his face then joined Mulder in laughing.
"Oh God, Alex, I wish that I had a photograph of that! Walter is just going to die when I tell him!" Mulder wiped away the tears falling down his cheeks as he looked down at his daughter who was staring up at him with wide eyes. "Wasn't that funny, Summer?"
Krycek's laughter petered out and he sighed, kissing the top of his son's head. "Fox, I'm glad you don't have a photograph. That would be too embarrassing."
Morris adjusted the volume on the microphone. He would edit out any unwanted narration later. He was smiling broadly. The two immortals hadn't even been here an hour yet and already he had some exceptional footage of them.
***
Crystal City
Thursday, October 19th 2001
9:30 p.m.Skinner yawned tiredly. He thought with Fox and Alex both gone, he'd turn in early for once. Lightning flashed outside followed by a loud crack of thunder. A couple minutes later, his bedroom door flew open and Hope and Faith ran in followed by River cuddling his rag doll rabbit.
"Can we sleep with you tonight, Daddy?" River asked.
Skinner looked down at the two little girls with their arms wrapped around his legs. "There is nothing to be afraid of kids. It's only a thunderstorm."
"We scared, Daddy," Faith said. She had taken to referring to her Uncle as Daddy when she noticed River called him that. It pleased Walter that she called him Daddy. All three men agreed that even if there wasn't a biological connection, they were all still acting as fathers to the children.
Skinner sighed. He had been looking forward to having the whole bed to himself tonight. However, that wasn't going to be. "Okay, kids, climb in and leave some room for me," Skinner said.
They left him a spot in the middle of the bed, then cuddled as close to his body as they could get. The storm was still raging outside, but the kids were soon asleep. Skinner dozed off a few moments later.
He was awoken several hours later to a warm dampness on his chest. Then the smell hit him along with the sound of River sobbing.
"Daddy, I'm sick."
His son had just thrown up all over him and the bed. "Okay, River. Hold on." Skinner used his powers to turn on the light. Then he made the smelly vomit disappear off him, River and the bedding. "Come on. Let's get you up to the bathroom and washout your mouth." He placed his hand over River's brow which was hot. As his son brushed his teeth, Skinner got the thermometer out of the medicine cabinet and placed one end in River's ear and pressed the button -- 100.5. If Fox or Alex were here, they'd be able to cure their son with just a touch of their hand. Well, at least Alex would have been able to help. Fox being pregnant wasn't supposed to dispense energy for healing. Skinner sighed. If River's temperature rose any higher, he'd have to call downstairs and have Jonathan come up and check him.
"DADDY!"
Skinner left River at the sink and rushed down the steps at his daughter's call. "Hope, what's wrong baby?" he asked, gathering her into his arms.
"I don't feel good," she sobbed, looking hot and feverish.
"Hold on, honey, I'll carry you to the bathroom. Do you feel like you're going to throw u...." He didn't have time to close his mouth as Hope's projectile vomit hit him squarely in the face.
Vomit dripped down Skinner's chin and onto his undershirt. Hope was crying even louder. Skinner gagged as he made the stinky mess vanish. Then he carried her up the steps to the bathroom. "Sh-h, Hope! It's okay. See? No more icky vomit."
River was sitting on the floor crying.
"Damn!" Skinner muttered. He couldn't attend to them both at once. He filled a glass with water.
"River, drink a little water."
"M-my head hurts, Daddy," he sobbed, snot and tears running down his face.
"I know, son." Skinner tried to focus on River as Hope cried bitterly against his shoulder.
It took him an hour, but he finally tucked them both back into bed. He was shutting off the light when the sound of someone throwing up reached his ears. "Not again," he sighed.
Hope started crying along with Faith, who had just thrown up all over her sister and the bed.
Skinner rubbed a hand over his face. It was two a.m. and at this rate, he wasn't going to get any sleep tonight. After he used his powers to clean the bed and his daughters, he carried Faith up to the bathroom. He wished one of the other immortals could help him, but Ari was gone on a trip to parts unknown with Duffy and Kat. Hans, Gabriel, and Melvin were on vacation in New York City, and all the other immortals were pregnant again. They had discovered that once they stopped nursing and tried using only a pump to extract their milk, that their body soon stopped lactating all together. Only Ari had continued to nurse his daughter and didn't have a problem.
"DADDY!" River cried from the bottom of the steps. The little boy had just had an accident in his pajamas.
Skinner sighed, thinking maybe he should wake Jonathan to check the kids.
Vicky knocked on the door leading into the bedroom from the nursery. "Sir, I heard the kids crying. Is everything all right?" she asked, stepping into the room.
Skinner looked down the steps at her. He was cradling Faith who was crying and coughing. River was standing at the bottom of the steps, crying, and the back of his pajama bottoms covered in runny diarrhea. "No. They're running a fever and have been vomiting for the past hour. Can you help River, Vicky?"
"Yes, sir." She walked over and took River's hand and helped him up to the bathroom and then out of his ruined pajamas.
"How are the babies?" Skinner asked.
"They're fine, sir." Vicky soaked River's pajama bottoms in the sink, then took a washcloth and cleaned him. He stood sobbing pitifully.
"I'm going to give Jonathan Carter a call. Can you watch them until I get back?" Skinner asked. He made it to the bottom of the steps but wasn't watching where he was walking, when his feet flew out from under him as he slipped on the slimy puddle of diarrhea. Skinner heard the bone in his wrist snap as he put his hand behind him to break his fall. He groaned as he felt the damp diarrhea he had landed in soak through his pajama bottoms.
"Sir, are you all right?" Vicky shouted.
"No. I think I broke my wrist and bruised my tailbone," Skinner said, having a difficult time trying to sit up. He made the diarrhea vanish from the floor and his clothes.
"Don't move, sir, I'll call Doctors Pendrell and Carter."
***
Killington, Vermont
Friday, October 20th 2001
8:00 a.m.Mulder awoke to find his penis engulfed in a hot, wet sheath. Teeth scraped along its length, then the tip of a tongue pressed into his urethra. He gasped and his hips pushed up as his shaft was once more swallowed to the hilt. Mulder threw his head back in bliss. His hips rocked in rhythm with the mouth working his cock. It was four minutes of pure heaven before his balls tightened up and he came explosively. When he reopened his eyes, he was staring straight into Alex's amused emeralds.
Krycek rested with his head on Mulder's thighs, as his hand caressed his lover's belly. "You know, Fox. When you're lying on your back like this, I can make out the outline of the pouch containing your baby." Krycek leaned up and kissed Mulder's belly. Then he chuckled, "I still can't believe you went and got yourself knocked up again, so soon after having our quadruplets."
"Don't laugh, Alex. The moment you stop nursing Nicky and Summer, you'll be in the same boat I'm in."
"Hmm, maybe I won't stop nursing them for a while. It really isn't that bad. In fact, the sensation is rather pleasant," Krycek said, scooting up on the bed to lay next to his lover.
Mulder rolled his eyes. "Oh, I can just hear you now, Alex," he said, leveraging himself up on his elbow and looking down at his lover as he attempted to imitate Alex's voice. "Nicky, quit complaining! A lot of nine year olds still nurse at their father's tit." He snickered when Alex hit him with a pillow.
Krycek sighed. "We're screwed aren't we, Fox? Unless Shinji can find a cure for the compulsions we'll just keep having babies every two or three years."
Mulder stopped laughing as his mood turned sober. "Let's not dwell on it. Alex, this is our honeymoon, and we're supposed to be enjoying ourselves." Mulder's hand caressed Alex's penis until it was hard. "And, I'd really enjoy this beauty fucking me. What do you say, lover?"
Krycek rolled over on top of Mulder, grinning broadly down at his lovely face. "I think, I can be persuaded."
Mulder wrapped his arms around Krycek's neck and pulled him down for a kiss. They kissed passionately for several hot minutes as they ground their groins slowly together. Then Krycek pulled away and kneeled between Mulder's parted thighs, positioning his lover's long legs over his shoulders. He thrust smoothly into the tight familiar heat. They were so aroused and needy that no additional preparation was needed.
Morris sat in his secret room sipping from his cup of tea. His bathrobe was open and his erect cock jutted out. He had taken his Viagra before going to bed last night and had awoken with an erection this morning. Morris had retired as soon as Mulder and Krycek had fallen to sleep after an extremely long session of lovemaking. He had set his alarm so he would wake up before them. His seventy-six year old body didn't require many Zs. He set his teacup down and stroked his erection in time with Krycek thrusting into Mulder's beautiful body. The speed and strength of Alex's thrusts picked up as one and then both babies started to cry from their bassinets. The louder their cries became, the faster and harder Krycek fucked his lover.
Krycek looked exasperated as his babies shrieked to be fed. His nipples had started leaking at their hungry wails. God, he loved them, but they were wearing him out with their constant hunger. His eyes met Mulder's as an idea struck him, and he leaned forward and nipped Mulder's nipple. He circled his tongue around the hard nub, then started sucking on it hard. Mulder's back arched up off the bed and his ass slammed back on the hard shaft buried deep inside him.
"Oh Christ, Alex! Stop!" Mulder tried to push Krycek's head away from his nipple.
Krycek sucked even harder, stimulating the nipple into releasing a sweet rush of fluid. He grinned and moved on to the other one.
"Wh-what the hell are you doing to me?" Mulder moaned. His whole body was trembling with the intensity of the dual stimulation.
"Mm." Krycek licked his lips as he briefly removed his mouth from Mulder's nipple. "I figured you're far enough along in your pregnancy that you might start lactating again with a little help. And I was right," he said, rubbing Mulder's belly. "Until she's born you can help me nurse Foxy and Nicky."
"Bastard."
Krycek smirked. "Yeah, Babe, I know." He lowered his mouth again and sucked hard until his lover's other nipple released its fluid.
Mulder moaned as Krycek went back to fucking him. "You're going to help me nurse Aleksandra when she's born," he said with a strained voice, his legs dropping from Krycek's shoulders to wrap around his lover's slender waist.
"Fox, I was planning to help you all along."
Morris wiped the milky come off the monitor. He hadn't come that hard in years. The sight of Krycek sucking Mulder's nipples had sent him over the edge. He had been planning to sell this video to the highest bidder, but now he decided he'd make more money by putting it on a pay-per-view site on the Internet. Hmm, maybe he'd enlarge some of the images and make T-shirts to sell on the site. He leaned forward as he watched the come spurt from Mulder's cock, hitting the young man's chest and chin. Krycek threw his head back and howled as he came and then slumped into Mulder's arms.
Alex raised his head and tenderly licked the semen off Mulder's chin, then kissed his lips. He tried to ignore his babies for a few more moments. Krycek was feeling guilty about what he had just done to his lover.
Mulder sighed. "Let's feed the rug-rats before they wake everyone from here to town and back."
"Okay. Stay there, I'll bring you Nicky." Krycek rolled off Mulder. Then he climbed out of bed and walked tiredly over to Nicky's bassinet.
Mulder looked down at his chest. His nipples were red and leaking. Damn, being an immortal sucked. He was sure a woman's body would never have started lactating again this quickly. "Dammit, Alex!" he growled. "I really didn't want to wear one of those God awful vinyl-lined undershirts until after Alek was born." Mulder took Nicky from Alex and placed the baby's lips against his nipple. Nicky hesitated at first then he started suckling. Mulder flinched. His body needed to adjust to nursing again.
"Sorry, Fox, it seemed like a really good idea at the time." Krycek had Summer cradled in his arms as he slipped back into bed next to Mulder. Both babies were contentedly suckling.
"I'll keep that in mind if our situations are ever reversed," Mulder said. "You know he looks like Slava, except he has your cute little nose."
"My nose isn't cute," Krycek huffed, offended.
"Sure it is. It has an adorable little upturn..."
"Fox!"
Mulder smiled innocently at the threat in his lover's voice. He knew that Alex didn't like his nose, thinking it was too small for his face. Mulder thought it was perfect compared to his nose. "So do you want to take a walk on the paths down by the pond after breakfast?"
"Sure. Do you want to call Walter and check on the kids?" Krycek asked.
"No, Alex, this is our honeymoon. I'm sure Walter's getting along just fine. Besides if anything is wrong he'll call us immediately."
***
Crystal Palace
Friday, October 20th 2001
10:00 a.m.Skinner sat outside on the veranda breathing in the fresh air. He was wearing his bathrobe and his wrist was in a cast. It had been a hectic night and morning. His children were in bed with a stomach virus. Even two of the babies had gotten sick earlier this morning, luckily, while Doctors Scully, Carter and Pendrell had been here fixing his arm and examining Hope, Faith, and River. The doctors were able to take care of the babies at the same time.
Skinner suddenly felt nauseous. He closed his eyes, hoping that it would pass. "Oh please, I can't be sick. Not now!" But, it didn't go away. It only got worse. Skinner opened his eyes and rushed back inside. He climbed the steps two at a time to the bathroom. He made it to the toilet just in time as he vomited up the remains of his breakfast.
Damn, first he broke his wrist and now he had the virus, too. Skinner wondered if it was due to bad karma because he forgot about Fox's withdrawal pains and caused his lover untold humiliation. He rested his head against the cool surface of the porcelain bowl. He would never allow another man to touch Fox or Alex again. No matter what it took, he'd always be there for his lovers.
"Walter, are you okay?"
Scully's voice pulled Skinner's attention away from his current misery. "No. I'm sicker than a dog. I neglected Fox to the point that he had to go beg Rory for sex. I haven't been the best lover to Alex. And I hardly have time for my children..."
Scully glared at him angrily. "Walter, stop it! You're this family's foundation! Its strength! You're the glue that holds everyone together! Without you, your family would be lost and their lives endangered. You're doing the best you can and have made great personal sacrifices to keep your family safe!" she scolded, as she went to the sink, wet a washcloth with cold water and carried it back to him.
Skinner took the washcloth and wiped his mouth and face. "Thanks, Scully. Sometimes I think my family could get along just fine without me."
Scully helped him up and over to the sink. "You're wrong. Mulder has told me how much he loves you. He would never have put up with the way you and Alex have treated him at times, if he weren't hopelessly in love with you both."
Skinner rinsed his mouth out with a glass of water. "I haven't always been respectful of him, have I?"
"No, you haven't. You've been overprotective, Walter, on the inside Mulder's still the same man he was three years ago. You have to allow him his freedom. You will both be a lot happier."
Skinner leaned up against the sink. "Scully, you don't see how men look at him or hear their lust-filled whispers. You can't read the dirty fantasies that their sick little minds have concocted involving Fox and Alex. I can. At times I've wanted to lock both of my lovers away to protect them. Other times, I've wanted to kill these men and n'thrals for having such thoughts."
"Walter, they're only fantasizing. Everyone has fantasies."
"I know, Scully. I'm only worried that someone might take their fantasies too far." Skinner walked down the steps and sat on his bed. "I promise to allow Fox and Alex a little more freedom."
***
Killington, Vermont
Saturday, October 21, 2001
noonMorris stood on the roof of his inn with a video camera mounted on a tripod with a long-range telephoto lens. He was just barely able to get a good shot between the trees and foliage of Mulder and Krycek making love on the grass beside the pond. Their babies were sleeping on a blanket nearby. He wasn't able to get a video of them yesterday during their walk and make out session. Morris noticed them separate and start to pull their clothes back on, so he quickly carried his camera back inside. He needed to start preparing lunch for his two beautiful guests.
Mulder lifted Summer off the blanket and placed her in the Snugly he wore strapped to his chest. The baby had on a knit bonnet, a one-piece romper and was wrapped protectively in blanket against the chilly air. She yawned and peered up at him. "Hey, stinky winky, did you have a nice nappy wappy? I bet my widdle kiddle is hungry again? I know Daddy's starving." He looked over at Alex who had an incredulous expression on his beautiful face. Mulder shrugged his shoulders and grinned sheepishly. "It's Walter's fault that I'm talking this way. If he hadn't started it with our little piglet..." Changing the subject he said, "I hope Mr. Frohike has lunch ready."
"Me too. Although, I could use a quick bath," Krycek said. He shifted uncomfortably from one leg to the other as the sticky semen made his briefs stick to his skin.
Mulder smiled smugly, and patted his lover's denim covered ass. "If you weren't such a wimp you could have taken a dip in the pond."
"Fox, its fifty-eight degrees and that water's freezing! Do you want me to catch a cold?"
"Some Russian you are. Afraid of a little cold water," Mulder teased.
"Oh and you'd be willing to go for a dip?"
"Are you kidding? That water is freezing!" Mulder plucked a leaf out of Alex's hair and kissed him.
Krycek snorted and looped his arm around Mulder's waist as they walked back toward the inn. They could see it through the trees. "I like it here, Fox. We should make coming here a tradition. Mr. Frohike is such a sweet old man. I still can't believe he served us breakfast in bed this morning."
"Let's plan on coming back this winter with Walter and all of our kids. We can go cross-country skiing and sledding." Mulder sighed. "I miss them."
"Yeah, me too. Do you want to call them after lunch?"
"Sure."
***
"Scully."
Mulder hesitated, hearing Scully's voice on the other end of the line. He had expected to hear Walter's or one of the nannies. "Hi, Scully. Is everything all right there? Where's Walter?"
"Ah, Mulder. How's your honeymoon going?"
Mulder's met Alex's eyes. "Fine. What's going on?"
"Your children came down with the stomach virus yesterday, but they are already starting to feel better."
"Where's Walter?"
"He has the virus, too. He's in bed sleeping." Scully didn't want to ruin their long overdue honeymoon with the news that Walter had broken his wrist and had been in bed since yesterday afternoon.
"Scully, tell Walter we'll be home in four hours."
"Mulder, it's not necessary."
"Scully, just tell him. I'll talk to you later." Mulder hung up the telephone and filled Alex in. Then he called the Captain of their security team, which was stationed a mile away from the inn, encircling its perimeter. No civilian was allowed within two miles of the inn. They had rented all the rooms in the inn from Mr. Frohike.
Krycek was done packing by the time Mulder got off the telephone.
Mulder headed for the door. "Captain Lefevre will be here to pick us up in ten minutes. I'm going downstairs to tell Mr. Frohike that we are checking out early," Mulder said.
"Fox, would you carry the suitcases down to the lobby as long as you're heading there?" Krycek asked.
Mulder walked back and took the two suitcases from his lover. "I'll be right back up to help you with Nicky and Summer."
Morris was waiting for Mulder in the lobby when he came down. The old man feigned surprise when he saw the suitcases in Mulder's hands. "Prince Fox, are you leaving us?"
Mulder cringed at the title. It didn't bother him when the palace staff referred to him as Prince Fox, but he didn't like others using it. He had asked Mr. Frohike to call him Mulder, but the old man had refused, saying it was disrespectful.
"Our family is sick and we need to go home to them," Mulder said.
"I'm sorry to hear that." He was more sorry that he wouldn't be able to get any more video footage of the two immortals. Morris was happy that he had two days and two nights of them on tape.
"Thanks. Alex and I really appreciate everything you've done for us during our stay here," Mulder said, shaking the man's hand. "I better get back up and help him with the babies."
Morris watched Mulder head back up the stairs. He felt a tinge of guilt, but shook it off. Normal citizens had a right to see his videos. It wasn't fair that only the most powerful sorcerers were able to have sex with immortals. He was doing a public service and making a few bucks in the process.
***
Crystal Palace
Saturday, October 21, 2001
5:00 p.m.Krycek and Mulder stepped off the elevator on the twenty-sixth floor of their apartment and immediately headed for their bedroom. Walter was sitting in front of the fireplace in his bathrobe, reading a story to Angélique and Hunter.
"What happened to your arm?" Krycek asked, passing Nicky's bassinet back to Mulder so Krycek could attend to their lover.
Mulder carried both babies into the nursery and placed them in their cribs. He then came back to catch the last of Walter's explanation.
"Then I slipped and landed on my ass, breaking my wrist."
"How are you feeling otherwise?" Mulder asked.
"Better. My stomach is still a little queasy. The kids are still sick but improving. The only ones who didn't get sick are these two. Skinner smiled down at Angélique and Hunter. "Doctor Pendrell thinks that it's because Hunter is already an immortal and Angélique has some built in immunity."
Krycek placed a hand on Skinner's forehead. With Fox pregnant, it wasn't safe for him to expend any energy healing, so that left it up to Krycek. "I'll heal you first, then see about making the kids better."
"Alex, don't worry about me. Go take care of our kids first. You don't want to wear yourself out. Remember you have two hungry mouths to feed. It wouldn't do them any good if you have to sleep for a couple days to recover..."
"Fox can nurse them if I'm incapacitated."
Skinner looked at him baffled. "What do you mean? Fox, you're not lactating already are you?"
Mulder glared at Alex, still miffed at what his lover had done. "Thanks to our precious Ratboy I am. Alex decided that he could use help nursing Nicky and Summer..."
"Alex, you didn't!"
Krycek shrugged his shoulders as he sent the healing energy through his hand and into Walter's body. "It seemed like a good idea at the time and considering our current circumstance, it was a good idea."
Skinner felt instantly better. "I'm sorry that you both had to come back early from your honeymoon. Did you enjoy yourselves?"
"Yeah. Fox didn't stay mad at me for very long and we had a great time. We set a new record for the number of times I came in a single evening," Krycek said. "I'm going to attend to Sergei and Kaylie first, then I'll take care of the other kids."
Mulder picked up Angélique and sat next to Walter. "We did have a fun time. Mr. Frohike was the perfect host. I'm hoping that we weren't too loud. It would be kind of embarrassing if he heard us."
"Fox, I'm sure Mr. Frohike has heard a lot of people making love in his fifty years of running that inn."
"Yeah, he just seemed so prim and proper."
"He's Melvin's cousin isn't he?"
"Yeah, but they're as different as night and day." Mulder set their daughter on Skinner's lap. "I'm going to go and see Hope and Faith and our other kids.
***
Morris sat with his video editing equipment, painstakingly editing together the most erotic footage of the two immortals. He thought the scene where Mulder was imitating Krycek was amusing and sweet as the two men discussed nursing. It would allow others to see the lighthearted nature of the two immortals besides the great sex scenes he had filmed.
It was going to take him at least a month to get everything up on the web site. Morris wasn't stupid. He knew that he would have to leave the country. King Walter would be out for his head if he ever saw any of these videos. Morris was tired of Vermont and wanted to go somewhere else. He hated the inn and needed a change.
***
Six week later
Crystal Palace
Saturday, December 11, 2001
5:00 p.m."Happy Birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Sergei, Angélique, Hunter and Kaylie! Happy birthday to you!" The adults all sang as the four one-year-olds sat in their highchairs, looking at the large chocolate cake with the candle on top and the grownups with wide eyes. They weren't really sure what to make of it all.
However, Sergei knew all about cake. "Cake, Da da!" he said, pointing at it and looking up at Skinner.
Skinner looked down at his chubby little son with amusement. "Would my widdle piggly wiggly, like a piece?"
"Big piece, Da da," Sergei said. He was the only one of the four babies forming sentences. Hunter still hadn't uttered one word. Kaylie and Angélique could only say a few words.
"Not too big a slice, Walter," Mulder said. He was sitting at the table. His feet were killing him. He had three weeks left of his pregnancy and was really showing his condition. It looked like he had a football under his T-shirt.
Krycek lifted Hunter out of his highchair and sat him on his lap at the table. "You can share a slice of cake with me, sweetie," he said, positioning the spoon in his son's hand.
Hunter looked up at his Dad and grinned. He wasn't about to waste time with a spoon. He dropped it on the floor and grabbed a fistful of cake and frosting with his hand and stuffed it in his mouth. Most of it ended up on his face and shirt.
Krycek looked down at the tiny chocolate covered face. "So, does that mean you don't want to share your cake with me?" he asked.
Hunter grabbed some more cake off the plate and offered it to his Dad.
Krycek took the cake from his son's chocolate covered hand. "Thank you, sweetie."
Mulder smiled and passed extra napkins down to Krycek. He sat back in his chair and looked around the dining room. He wondered where Frohike and Gabriel had gone. They took off early this morning in one of the palace's helicopters. Mulder started feeling self-conscious. It seemed as if everyone was staring at him. They were staring at Alex too, but he didn't seem to notice that.
Shinji held his infant daughter Jasmine and was talking in hush whispers to Rory. "We have to tell them."
"We'll tell them tomorrow, Shin. Let's not ruin their quads birthday party. Besides we promised Frohike to give him a day to track down his asshole cousin."
River ran into the dining room and over to Mulder.
Mulder could tell that his son was on the verge of tears, so scooped him up into his arms. "River, what's wrong?"
"Daddy, you promised me you wouldn't be naked in front of other people. You lied."
"River, I haven't sunbathed nude since we had that talk. Do you want to tell me what has you all upset?"
River hugged Mulder and sobbed against his father's shoulder. "Daddy, I watched you on the computer. You were outside naked, laying on top of Daddy Alex." River blushed and whispered into Mulder's ear, "You had your penis in his butt."
Mulder's face turned bright red. "River, I want you to show me where on the computer you saw this." He looked over at Walter and Alex. Both men were focused on the quads and hadn't noticed him talking to River. "Walter, I'll be right back."
"Hmm?" Skinner glanced over at him, assuming his lover was making another trip to the bathroom. "Okay, hurry back. We'll be opening the presents in a few minutes."
River led the way down the hall to Mulder's office.
Mulder frowned. "You and your friends were using my computer?"
"I didn't want to, but Tommy's brother said he couldn't get what he wanted to show us up on my computer," River said.
Mulder sighed. "River, we have your computer set so you don't accidentally open any of those web sites not meant for little kids."
"Oh, I think that's what this site is. It wasn't meant for little kids like me."
The door to Mulder's office was wide open and the computer was still on. Mulder assumed that River's little friends had fled when River went to get him. River launched the browser and typed in the URL he had memorized.
Mulder gazed at the monitor screen in horror as it opened to a web site with large text and animated lights flashing around it. *Hot Immortal Sex Videos only $4.00 per minute!* Next to the text was a nude photo of him and Alex kissing. Down the screen was an area to enter a credit card number. Mulder couldn't place where the photograph had been taken.
"Where did your friends get the credit card number to enter?" Mulder asked.
"Tommy's brother used their dad's card."
Mulder typed in his credit card number and expiration date. River walked over to sit on his dad's leather sofa. He didn't want to see anything he shouldn't.
Mulder accessed the site. His heart was racing as he looked at the information on the screen. Each of the video clips was numbered and marked with a description:
*1. Alex nursing babies while Fox is strolling around naked. 15 minutes.*
*2. Bathtub scene no sex, a little humorous WS. 20 minutes*
*3. Marathon sex session with our two beautiful immortals taking turns being on top. 190 minutes.*
*4. Alex giving Fox a blowjob. 10 minutes.*
Mulder felt sick to his stomach when he finished reading the list, which included thirty video clips of their most intimate and private moments at the inn. He was going to kill Morris Frohike! Nice old man, indeed! At least now Mulder knew why Frohike and Gabriel took off in such a hurry this morning. He wondered how many of their friends had stumbled across this site. If River's friends' brothers knew, then chances were it was already all over the palace. That would explain the funny looks he had been getting.
"River, would you go and tell Daddy Walter and Daddy Alex that I'd like to see them in my office immediately."
"Yes, Daddy." River stood and paused, his lip jutted out. "Are you angry with me?"
"A little, River. You knew you weren't supposed to use my computer."
"I'm sorry, Daddy. I'll go get my other Daddies now."
After River left, Mulder ran into his washroom and threw up. He rinsed his mouth and splashed some water on his face. Walter and Alex came running into the office as he was walking out of the bathroom.
"Fox, are you all right?" Skinner asked, placing his hand against Mulder's flushed cheek and gazing into his eyes.
"No, I'm not! Walter, you need to do something immediately!" Mulder grabbed Skinner's upper arms in tight grip. He was on the brink of tears.
Skinner flinched. He'd never seen Mulder so rattled. "Fox, do what? What's wrong?"
"You have to shut down the fucking Internet! You're King dammit! You can make an edict that all web servers be destroyed!"
Krycek snorted, "Fox, that is the craziest thing you've ever said. Walter is only King in New America not of the whole world. Now why don't you tell us what's going on?"
Skinner led Mulder over to the sofa and helped him to sit.
Mulder sank back against the cushions and closed his eyes. His lovers could worry about it now. "If you want to know, go look at my computer monitor," he said.
Skinner and Krycek exchanged glances and walked behind Mulder's desk and looked at the monitor.
Krycek sucked in his breath and snarled, "I'll kill that dirty old goat!"
"What does WS mean?" Skinner asked, as he glared at the contents on the screen and clicked on the video clip. The small movie clip opened in the middle of the screen.
"Walter, don't watch that!" Krycek growled.
"I'm just curious about what WS stands for," Skinner replied, as he watched the scene of his two lovers taking a bath with their babies. If it wasn't for the circumstance the scene would have been sweet. Alex was talking soothingly to Nicky when suddenly the baby peed in Alex's face.
Krycek was standing beside him and hissed, "Happy now? Walter, for your information, WS stands for water sports! That sick, perverted fuck considers this erotic!"
Skinner face was livid as he closed the clip. Morris Frohike was a dead man. It was one thing to publish videos of his lovers on a pornographic web site, but to include clips of their babies in such a fashion was unforgivable. "I'll put out an order for Morris Frohike's arrest, then we'll track down the server that hosts this web site and force them to take it down!"
"Your Majesty, I can take it down now if you'd wish?" Arty's voice came out of the computer speakers.
"You can do that, Arty?"
"I can shut down the whole worldwide web if you ordered it," Arty answered.
"No. Just delete this web site." Skinner was relieved. At least that took care of the immediate problem. Now they only had to track down this old buzzard.
***
Winter Palace
Saturday, December 12, 2001
1:00 a.m.Slava was in the middle of downloading a video clip onto his hard drive when he received an error message. He tried to access the site again, but it had been deleted from the web.
"Damn!"
He had been successful in downloading twenty-four of the videos. Slava opened the video that showed both of his former lovers nursing the babies. The Tsar sighed as he stared at Alexei's image, knowing that there was no chance that Alexei would come back to him willingly. On the clip, Fox was holding his son tenderly cradling him against his chest. To Slava's displeasure he kept calling the baby Nicky. He had made a big mistake by getting on Fox's bad side. It might take him years, even decades, but he vowed to get revenge on both Fox and Alexei for spurning his love. Suddenly an idea burst into Slava's mind, and the Tsar smiled. Since Alexei was denying him from seeing their son, when the time was right, he would steal Alexei's and Fox's son Hunter from them.
Slava would marry Hunter when the boy reached adulthood on the immortal's eighteenth birthday. Then once more Russia would have an immortal Prince and he would have his revenge. Slava had seventeen years to plan and scheme.
"Alexei, you should never have snubbed me."
***
One and a half weeks later
Crystal Palace
Sunday, December 24, 2001
11:00 a.m.Mulder let out a sigh of relief as he hung up the telephone. It was Alex calling to tell him that they had captured Morris Frohike and retrieved all of the videotapes. Melvin Frohike, MacIver, and Sullivan had accompanied Alex to Canada, following the paper trail left by Morris. The old man might have been good at all of his other endeavors, but he was lousy at covering his tracks.
They had also had put a freeze on Morris' Swiss bank account. In the five days that the site had been open for business, it had made over fifty million dollars. Mulder thought at least the money would be put to good use helping orphans worldwide. During the summer they had constructed seven orphanages on the mainland and one on the island. Mulder was determined to rescue as many boys who needed help around the world as he could. With his help, MacIver and Ari had organized the rescue of five hundred boys from Africa and South America who had been forced into slavery. And that was just a drop in the bucket. So many children were still living in deplorable conditions around the world, including in New America.
Mulder looked around at his opulent office as he rested his hand on his belly. He and his family had so much. Hunter was playing with his blocks on the wooden floor. The baby smiled at him then toddled over to his chair carrying a toy block.
"See it's a X, Daddy," Hunter said.
Mulder smiled. He was pleasantly surprised to hear his son speak for the first time. He looked at the X on the block, then turned the block and pointed to another letter. "What's this, Sasha?"
"K."
"And this letter is?"
"O," Hunter said happily.
"What color is the O?"
"Orange, Daddy."
Mulder scooped the baby up in his arms and hugged him. "You are very smart, Sasha. Daddy Alex will be so proud of you." Alex had been worried that there might be something wrong with their little boy. Mulder sighed contentedly. Today was turning out perfectly. Morris was in custody and all the master tapes had been recovered. Arty had been tracking down and destroying copies of the video clips that he found on hard drives around the world. Mulder felt a little pain in his belly that he passed off as gas. He still had over a week before his daughter was due.
His office door opened and Skinner walked in. "Okay, you two! Quit working and come to lunch." The large man bent and scooped Hunter up in his arms. "You're getting as bad as your Daddy. Do you know who is coming night?"
"Santa Claus is coming, Daddy," Hunter said.
Skinner eyebrows shot up and he looked over at Mulder. "He just talked."
Mulder grinned. "Walter, not only did he talk, but he answered your question clearly. Better than any of our other kids have done at this age. He also knows his alphabet and colors."
Skinner smiled and kissed Hunter on the forehead. "You are going to make your Daddy Alex really happy, Hunter."
"Not Hunter. I'm Sasha."
Skinner smiled, and hugged him. "Sweetie, you're both Hunter and Sasha. Hunter is your real name and Sasha is your nickname."
"I like Sasha."
"Okay, then I shall call you Sasha." Skinner couldn't get over how clearly their son was speaking. "What do you want for lunch?"
"Grilled bologna and jam sandwich," Sasha said.
"Mm, that sounds good!" Mulder said, licking his lips and standing.
Skinner snorted. "You would think so, Fox."
"It just proves that our son has great taste in food like his father," Mulder smirked. "I suppose you and Sergei are going to have chilidogs again for lunch."
"Well yeah, and topped with cheddar cheese."
"Walter, leave the cheese off Sergei's hotdog. He doesn't need the extra calories," Mulder said.
They arrived in the noisy kitchen and Jacques was already cutting up Sergei's chilidog into tiny spoon-sized pieces for the chubby baby. Somehow, their chef had gotten River and the girls to eat a healthy meal consisting of chicken noodle soup and crepes stuffed with chicken salad.
"Hi, Jacques. Sasha and I would like a grilled bologna and raspberry jam sandwich," Mulder said.
"No. Grape jam," Sasha corrected, as Skinner placed him in his booster chair at the table.
"Okay, grape jam." Mulder kissed the top of his head and took a seat at the table next to Kaylie. Vicky and Sean were feeding her and Angélique.
"Hey, Sasha's talking!" River shouted.
Mulder grinned. "I have good news for everyone," he said. "Daddy Alex will be home in few hours."
"YEAH!" River and the girls shouted.
Skinner picked up his chilidog and took a big bite. He had just received a telephone call from Frohike and knew their lover was coming home shortly. Another major disaster averted. Fox and Alex were dealing with the humiliating situation as best they could. With Morris in custody and the master tapes retrieved, he hoped his lovers would be able to put the incident behind them. For once he hoped they'd be able to enjoy their two-week holiday with nothing to worry about.
Nicky started crying hungrily from his bassinet. Mulder sighed as he unbuttoned his shirt, then unsnapped his undershirt as Sean lifted the baby from the bassinet and carried him to his father. Mulder positioned Nicky at his nipple. No one in the room batted an eye, since this scene had been repeated countless times. Halfway through nursing his son, their chef placed the grilled sandwich in front of the agent. Mulder munched on the sandwich as he continued to nurse. He suddenly dropped his sandwich back on his plate. "Walter."
Skinner was just finishing his second chilidog. "Hmm, what?" He looked down the table at his lover's pale face.
"I'm in labor."
"Fox, you have over a week before you're due."
"Tell that to your daughter."
"Oh, shit." Skinner dropped the remains of his hotdog on his plate and rushed to Mulder's side. "I'll help you back to our bedroom, babe."
Mulder shook his head, he positioned Nicky at his other nipple and picked up his sandwich. "Walter, sit down and finish your lunch. We have plenty of time." Mulder looked around the table at his kids' anxious faces. "You or Alex is going to have to entertain our kids this evening. I don't want their Christmas Eve or Christmas Day ruined."
Skinner wrapped his arms around Mulder from behind and leaned down and kissed his brow. "Alex can entertain our kids. I intend to be with you throughout our daughter's birth."
Mulder leaned back in his chair and kissed Walter on the lips. "Thanks, Walter. I don't want to go through this alone."
"There isn't even a remote possibility that I'd not be with you throughout your delivery," Skinner said.
***
Crystal Palace
Monday, December 25, 2001
10:00 a.m.Mulder peered down at the tiny life cradled in his arms. It had been a lot easier the second time around and giving birth in the privacy of their bedroom with only Doctor Pendrell and Nurse Olson present made a big difference. Nurse Olson had made quick work of cleaning the mess that his delivery had caused. They had only just departed a few minutes ago. Mulder looked up at Skinner's happy face. "Would you like to hold your new daughter, Walter?"
"Yeah," Skinner said, gently taking the newborn from his lover. "She's beautiful, Fox."
"Hmm." Mulder blinked, trying to stay awake.
Krycek stepped into the room leaving the door partly opened behind him. "Fox, are you up for a few visitors?" he asked as he walked up to the bed. He then leaned down and kissed his lover's sweat dampened brow.
Mulder sighed tiredly. "Sure, Alex. If I can keep my eyes opened."
Alex kissed him again and looked over at the newborn. "You did really good, babe." He walked over to the door and let the kids and their nannies in. "Come on in kids, but be quiet. Your dad needs his rest."
They all came into the room quietly. Vicky and Sean helped the one-year-olds up on the bed. Hunter crawled into his dad's arms and rested his head on Mulder's shoulder. Kaylie cuddled up to Mulder's other side.
"Did Santa bring you a lot of nice things?" Mulder asked.
"Yes," River said sitting on the bed. "Sergei got a football signed by all of the Chicago Bears."
Mulder chuckled. "Really?"
Skinner grinned. "They saw that picture of Sergei in the jersey you bought him." He sat on the bed with their newborn daughter in his arms. "Do you kids want to see your new sister Aleksandra?"
All the kids gathered around and looked at their new sister.
"She's little," Faith said.
"I love her, Daddy," Hope said.
"Baby," Angélique said, looking at her new sister.
Skinner smiled. "I'm sure she loves you too. Now why don't we all go back to the party and allow your Daddy Fox and your new sister to rest."
The kids left quietly after kissing their dad.
Alex came back in and sat on the bed, reaching out for Mulder's hand. "Fox, she really is beautiful. Now go to sleep. I saved some of the kids' presents to be opened when you are up."
Mulder squeezed Alex's fingers. "Do you think we'll be able to have a few years of peace now?"
Skinner placed Alek in the bassinet next to the bed. "God, I hope so."
"Me, too. I don't want to go through another year like the last one," Krycek said.
Mulder couldn't keep his eyes opened any longer and they drifted shut as he fell asleep.
***
Seraphim Homeworld
King Xowolfe looked down at the female baby seraph in his arms. It was his brother's and the human immortal Xokha's baby. She was the first female seraph born to their people in over two milleniums. No that wasn't quite true. His mate Xofox had the first female, whom he had named Angélique. The King had a recent picture that the morph had transmitted to him through the portal.
He carried the baby to the window and looked up at the star speckled sky. The invasion plans were set. In twenty Earth years his large space fleet would finally make it to Earth and the invasion would begin. All life would be destroyed on that tiny blue planet, except for the immortals.
***
End of chapter 11 - Honeymoon
End of book 4 - Yours, Mine, and Ours