#i asked my mom for a crystal necklace for three years for every holiday and finally bought it myself

[souptual-remade]

.

[issaxcharlie]

Always You

Pairing: Charlie Gillespie x Fem Reader

Summary: {We Play Pretend Series} Charlie decides to stop overthinking and finally proposes to his best friend at his very own way.

Songs Used: Black and White by Niall Horan and I’ll Follow You by Echosmith

Word Count: +2k

Charlie finally finishes preparing the fire as Y/N comes out of the tent in his orange hoodie, one of his bandanas adorning her high ponytail. Her dazzling smile blanks him for a few seconds, and the day he asked her to be his girlfriend for the first time appeared on the back of his head.

He was maybe even more nervous than he is right now, and he blurted out the question without realizing it. It wasn't until Y/N jumped into his arms and pressed her lips against his that he finally understood what was happening. That day was the happiest day of his life, but then it was overcome by the day their paths crossed again, then by the day they became a couple again, then by the day they moved in together, and if everything goes well, now it will be overcome by this one. He smiles fondly at the memories. One thing is for sure, with Y/N everything always gets better.

She sits next to him, reaching out to sink her face into her boyfriend's neck. When he suggested for them to take a little camping trip before they returned to Canada for the holidays, she said yes without hesitation. First of all, because she loves to experience moments like this with him. Memories of all the times they camped in the Gillespie's backyard when they were children lighting up her heart. And secondly, because she knows that he needs the peace and calm that being here gives him, after all, she has no doubt that Charlie has planned to propose to her during the trip back home.

“Did you enjoy the day? I know you wanted to rest before the trip, it means a lot to me that you agreed to come.” He confessed while wrapping his arm around her, lifting the hoodie slightly to caress the sensitive skin on her waist.

“Char, we spent hours blasting our favorite albums, we elegantly ate ridiculously delicious gas station hotdogs, you spilled the soda down your pants which was quite entertaining, and now I'm under the stars by your side on a beautiful night. If you ask me, this is the perfect day.” She declares without hesitation, raising her head a little to give him a soft kiss in his jawline.

Charlie blushes, happiness flooding his soul just as always with his precious girl. “I couldn’t agree more. Everyday I get to spend with you is a perfect one.” She smirks at his words, her raised eyebrow indicates she's ready to fight him.

"Oh yeah? Even the time I convinced you that Santa was obviously born in Canada and we searched for his house all over the city?" He snorts thinking about two really small ten year olds doing mischief around the town.

"You had very convincing arguments. Shame our parents didn’t think the same and punished us for a month."

“It’s not really punishment if we get to spend it together anyways.” Y/N added, remembering all the hours of fun they managed to have in the Gillespie’s leaving room.

"They had no other choice, we were attached by the hips. I mean, we tried to elope and live in the park a year earlier just because we were sick of saying goodbye every night.” Charlie reminds her while breaking into laughter.

“Mom had to convince us to come back, telling us that one day we could get married and be together in a way nicer place than the park. And you didn’t believe her because what could be nicer than the park?” Y/N recalls, the image of their 9 year old selves swinging with their backpacks full of important prized possessions like Charlie's collection of rocks or Y/N’s toy microphone making them laugh.

“She had to explain to me everything about that marriage thing she was talking about on the way home.” Charlie says with a smile.

“And then you propose a few days later in your backyard, with a red ring pop and a beautiful original song you played on your guitar.” She hugs him tightly, giving him a sweet kiss on the cheek.

“I was nine, I'm sure it wasn’t beautiful. It probably didn't even make sense. But, I wrote it with a lot of love, just for you to eat the ring five minutes later.” He calls her out, sticking out his tongue in a playful way.

“And I’ll do it again.” He pretends to be offended but Y/N just needs to kiss him and whisper that she loves him against his lips for him to smile again. “We were quite intense children, huh?”

His eyes light up, and he winks cheekily. “We still are.”

Charlie gently kisses her hair and gets up to take his guitar, meanwhile she sits a little further away from him to give him enough room to play, and he tries to control the shaking of his hand while playing a soft sound he has been working on.

Once he finally calmed down a little, he starts to play the song he drove so far away to play, deciding it’s time. “That first night we were standing at your door, fumbling for your keys, then I kissed you. Ask me if I want to come inside, 'cause we didn't want to end the night. Then you took my hand, and I followed you.” Y/N had never heard that song before, which immediately surprises her because they live together, how come she never heard it? She puts attention to the lyrics and realizes he is talking about the night they became a couple again, after the Stand Tall presentation.

“Yeah, I see us in black and white, crystal clear on a star lit night, In all your gorgeous colors, I promise that I'll love you for the rest of my life. See you standing in your dress, swear in front of all our friends there'll never be another. I promise that I'll love you for the rest of my life.” Then everything clicks. How nervous he has been all day, his "sudden" desire to camp before the holidays, the eyes full of emotion with which he has looked at her all night. And suddenly this day is even more perfect than she ever believed it could be.

“Now, we're sitting here in your living room, telling stories while we share a drink or two. And there's a vision I've been holding in my mind, we're 65 and you ask when did I first know?" Tears begin to fall down her cheeks, the purest smile she has ever had stuck on her face. “I always knew.” They whisper at the same time in a broken voice, Charlie trying very hard not to cry at their matched answer so he can finish the song.

“I want the world to witness, when we finally say I do. It's the way you love, I gotta give it back to you. I see us in black and white, crystal clear on a star lit night, In all your gorgeous colors. I promise that I'll love you for the rest of my life.”

He finishes the song, puts down the guitar while taking a deep breath and kneels carefully in front of her. “It has always been you. It was you when we were 8 years old and only you could borrow my best crayons, It was you when we were 16 and I learned to drive because you had no one to take you to your auditions, and It was you when we were 22 and I asked you to move in with me because I couldn’t stand be apart from you again. You are the only one with whom I feel as ecstatic as when I jump into the sea, and all you have to do is look at me to achieve it. You are light, Y/N. This beautiful bright star that for some reason, always chooses me. I love you so much, beautiful. You are the love of my life, It will always be you.”

She can't stop the tears falling down her face, her hand lovingly caressing the cheek of the man in front of her. "Y/N Y/L, will you marry me?" She doesn’t give him time to react and joins their lips hard, trying desperately to make him feel everything she is feeling in those moments. He responds fervently, taking her with one hand firmly by the thigh while with the other caresses her neck, confidently putting his hand inside the hoodie.

She bites his pouty lower lip to smoothly slide her tongue, and he strokes her breasts gently before removing his hand from the collar of her clothing. When they finally separate to breathe, Y/N's eyes move to what Charlie is holding in front of her, a precious ring dangling from a golden chain that she has apparently been wearing as a necklace for who knows how many hours.

“Yes, yes, yes. I would always choose you Char.” Y/N gets up and helps Charlie to his feet, only to pull him close and bring his body against hers, her hands entwining in his hair while his arms wrap around her hips. His face shining with happiness. “The necklace was a smart move. Since when have I been wearing it?” She asks while staring deeply at his dazzling green eyes.

“You are unable to keep a ring on your finger for more than three days, there was no other option. I put it on after you fell asleep on the road.”

"This is the first time you managed to fool me. I totally thought you were going to propose in Canada."

“I know it wasn't glamorous but-”

“Shh, it was perfect. The song is beautiful, the ring looks just as I always dreamed of and you are all I want and more. I have never been happier. Heck, you could have asked me this morning while we were in our pajamas watching cartoons and I would have cried with joy anyway. Char, you're everything I need.” He kisses her deeply, releasing all the emotions that had had him stressed throughout the day, enjoying the company of his future wife and the way that only she knows how to melt him.

He lets go briefly to search something in his phone, and the melody he just played starts to fill the comfortable silence.

“It’s my favorite song already.” She whispers against his lips, a small smile in the corner of her mouth.

“It’s all yours, just like me.” Both laugh at how cheesy it sounded, dancing in each other's arms under the stars. Silently thanking God for having found their soulmate in this life.

Although he swears he has enough energy to dance the night away, after an hour Y/N notices just how tired Charlie actually is, and drags him to the tent to get some rest.

“Baby, I’m okay. I want to celebrate all night with you.” He whispers in her ear, catching her by the waist the moment she leans his head against the pillow to prevent her from getting up.

“Easy there, tiger. You can't even keep your eyes open. You drove nonstop for hours without complaining once just because you know I don't like driving. You did the hardest work with the tent and the fire, plus all the time we spent hiking. You need to rest.” His grasp on her loosens and she moves quickly to his side. He turns over his shoulder and leans on her chest, wrapping his arm around her waist.

She smiles at the sight and starts to softly play with his curls while singing him to sleep. “I fell in love at first sight, green eyes that fix it all. Your heart, it feels it all.” All the times she seeked the comfort in his beautiful eyes during the years replaying in her head. The way they shined with love and confusion that first day at the jatp bootcamp replaying in her mind.

“And I, I can't believe that you're mine.” She lets go of his hair to admire the ring around her neck with more attention, but his hand instantly reaches for hers and puts it back on his hair, making her chuckle. “You take away every breath. I can't believe I'm still speechless.” She whispers, planting small kisses on his hair, inhaling the scent of his shampoo as she wraps him in her arms.

“Charles Gillespie, It will always be you.”

Thanks for reading ✨

Taglist: @writerinlearning @strangerthanfanfiction713, @thebloodthirstyvampress @kinda-really-lost, @kcd15 @magnet-girl @aliandthephantoms, @stxrkspidey, @pinkrockstar19, @s0uz4s, @shycupcakealissa @cookiebuba, @fangirlangioma, @sageellsworth05 @twist3dtinkerbell @sunsetcurvenotsunsetswerve @caitsymichelle13, @ifilwtmfc, @bibliophilewednesday, @totomoshi, @siennanoelle01 @lunashadow6955 @bookfrog247, @morganayennefertyrell, @kiss-themoongoodbye, @rachelle3musicals, @imsydneywalker @really-dont-forget-it @agentstarkid @talksoprettyjjx @kaitieskidmore1 @lukeys-giggle @katie-navarro @crybabyddl @cocopuffs0211 @marvel-ousnesss @blackhood5sos @dpaccione @tuttigunner @calamitykaty @owensgoathat @magicalxdaydream @sunsetcurvej @ss-tipton @rangerelik @badwolf00593 @fobobozobo @justalittleweirdoo

[buckyscrystalqueen]

A Christmas Gift: Part 1

Pairings: Bucky x Reader

Warnings: Swearing

Word Count: 5,050

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What about him?” Steve asked as he and his friends stood outside an empty U-Haul in New Jersey, waiting to find the perfect person for their next YouTube video. Tony shook his head as he scanned the lot full of early Christmas shoppers, locating a woman a few spots down and a row over that was looking between three or four different pieces of paper and a cell phone that had a kids pink unicorn sticker upside down and sideways on the back in a rust covered car.

“Them?” Sam asked as he gestured to a couple coming down the row they were in, but Tony shook his head as he glanced at an older model car seat in the back.

“Her.” He said simply as he gestured to you as you wiped tears off your face and ran your fingers through your hair to hold your slowly shaking head. “I know that look. I know that desperation… She’s the one.”

“I’ll go talk to her.” Bucky said as he put out his cigarette and took one of Tony’s YouTube channel cards from his ‘boss’.

“I’m coming, too.” Tony said as he pushed off the side of the truck and headed over with Bucky, who was usually responsible for the main camera work since he wasn’t a fan of being in front of it. You startled and looked over at the two men when they knocked before cranking down your window with a shake of your head. 

“I’m sorry, I’m not leaving yet…”

“No, we’re looking to help you.” Bucky said gently as he leaned on the hood of your car to see you while Tony crouched down beside the window.

“Who you shopping for, sweetheart?” He asked softly.

“My daughter.” You sighed as you shook your head and glanced at her wish list. “Lord, my little girl, and her big hopes and dreams.” You looked back over at him and shook your head as you showed them the list. “She’s trying to bankrupt me asking for a pony, and an iPad, and cell phone, and some fancy expensive doll… And she’s only four, so I’m in for a world of hurt from here.”

“Just her?” Tony clarified, which made you startle the slightest bit.

“Just… her. I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?”

“Tony.” He laughed as he took the business card from Bucky and handed it to you. “Tony Stark. I’m a YouTuber. My camera guy, Bucky.”

“OK…”

“We’re shooting a video today, and we want to make someone’s Christmas a little more special, and you are that person.”

“Wait… what?!”

“But here’s the problem. Target never lets us film in their store long without kicking us out, and… well I rented this U Haul and while we could shop in Wal Mart, I don’t think it’s gunna fill that truck, and that’s what I need to do. So I think we’re gunna have to take it into the city.”

“Oh, no.” You said with a shake of your head. “No, I can’t let you do that. I can get a few things…”

“And I feel the need to be Santa Claus today.” He interrupted. “Please? I can’t promise a pony, but I can promise to make this Christmas a special one for your daughter. So, as long as you don’t mind, Bucky’s going to ride with you so your parking in the city, and your gas there and back is paid for, and he can get some back ground information so we know where we’re going once we’re there.”

“And so we know you actually go to the city so we’re not just standing around waiting.” Bucky laughed. You sighed and shook your head as you set the list down on your lap.

“You really don’t have to do this.”

“We know.” You looked between the two of them and over at the U Haul with a shake of your head.

“I’m not gunna end up a statistic on the five o’clock news, right?”

“No, we promise.” Bucky said. “I keep telling him we need to approach these videos a little different, but no one listens to the camera man.” You smiled and nodded your head as you started to clear off your passenger seat.

“OK, fine. But I will put up a fight. And I have to make a stop first if I’m leaving Jersey. I have to pick up a few things for my side job and that store will close before we get back.”

“Alright, we’ll follow you.” Tony said as he stood up and gestured for his friend to get in. “Don’t go kidnapping my camera man, you hear?”

“Pretty sure I should be the one concerned with that.” You laughed as you moved your purse and papers off the seat beside you, and put your seatbelt on. “Just know, I have pepper spray.”

“Oh, I would so prefer if you keep that exactly where it is, and not spray it anywhere near me.“ Bucky requested as he got into your little five speed rust bucket and moved the seat back so his long legs would fit. “I’ve been sprayed with pepper spray by my ex, who is the solid definition of crazy, and it’s not pleasant. Wait for this SUV.” You nodded and slowed down on the other side of the white vehicle, while Bucky pulled an old, bent notebook out of his pocket. “OK first, your name?”

“(Y/N).” He nodded and wrote out your name, repeating it back to you in one long, monotone note that made you smile. 

“OK, and baby girl’s name and age.”

“Anna Lee. And she is four going on sixteen.”

“Anna Lee.” He said with a nod and a glance over at you. “I like that. Is it a family name?”

“No, it’s from a song, actually. Ever heard of The Band?”

“Which band?”

“No, the band is called, The Band. Here, listen.” He nodded and look ever at you as you grabbed a mix CD from the visor and put it in the player. You skipped to the track you were looking for as you pulled into the next shopping mall parking lot. “Please don’t steal my car, I’ll be right back.”

“Nope, I wanna see, too.” He said as he unbuckled and glanced over at the SUV that pulled in beside you. “What is this place?”

“It’s a crystal store.” You said as you grabbed your purse and a reusable shopping bag. “I make jewelry when Anna Lee goes to bed. Mala beads, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings. I make candles, too. And usually I sell them here.”

“Namaste!” Your best friend, Wanda called out before glancing over her shoulder to see who it was. “Oooo girl! Who is this… why do you have a camera crew?”

“Wrong place, wrong time, apparently.” You sighed as you kissed Wanda’s cheek. “I’ll explain later. I need two things. One, I need to pick up my stuff, and two, I need you to relieve the baby sitter when you close because I’ll apparently be in the city until God only knows.”

“Wait, what is going on?” She asked as two of Tony’s guys flirted with Natasha, the woman that worked at the register.

“Some YouTube thing.” You said with a swipe of your hand. “Can you pick up Annie?”

“I can pick up Annie.” She said with a nod as she gestured for you to follow her to the back room. “Just don’t be gone all night, galavanting in the city. And you better check in every half hour so I don’t have to obsess over thoughts that you are dead on the side of the road or sold into sex slavery or something.”

“I highly doubt that these guys are going to sell me into sex slavery.” You huffed as you peeked into the large box with your name on it. “Please tell me you found the rhodochrosite beads.”

“Girl, who do you think I am?!” She laughed as she pulled open the top. “The list of holiday requests…”

“Oh, damn it.” You sighed as you glanced at the list of products she had sold in her store that she needed wire wrapped. “I’m never going to sleep again.”

“I’m sorry, hunny. I can still come over and help…”

“No, it’s fine.” You sighed as you put the beads in your hand back in the box and the list on top of it. “I’ll do it. I’ve done it every other year, I’ll do it again this year.”

“That’a girl.” She cheered as you picked up the box with a grunt.

“I’ll see you tonight. Bring the invoice and… fuck it, take her to McDonalds. Just leave the receipt on the table and I’ll pay you tonight, love.” She nodded and agreed as she held open the back door to help you. You said good bye to her and Natasha and smiled at one of Tony’s guys who was holding open the main door for you. Bucky grabbed the trunk for you and took the box from your hands, distracting you from the large bag one of the guys was carrying out of the store. You headed back around to the drivers side with a heavy sigh and sat back in your chair.

“OK, so let’s get back to Anna Lee. Just follow the SUV.” Bucky said as he got back in your car and pulled out his notebook again.

“OK, do you know how much I hate all of this?” You asked as you looked through your papers to pull Annie’s list out of your bank statements.

“OK, I’m guessing this is pony.”

“The first one? Yea, that’s pony.” You laughed as you glanced over at the list. “Then iPad and iPhone are next, then coloring books, and new crayons. Then what’s the next one?”

“Name? Nama? Maybe…”

“Nanea.” You laughed. “She’s the cute, Hawaiian, 1940’s, Junior Citizens Service Corps American Girl doll out of the catalog that my lovely mother signed me up for that I can’t seem to unsubscribe from since Annie has fallin’ in love with these hundred dollar dolls… I was going to try to pass the Target version off but I know that wouldn’t work.”

“So iPad and American girl.” Bucky said as he texted Steve the first two things. “What’s this last thing?”

“A man friend for mommy.” You sighed as you reached out and took the list from him. “Was on the list last year, and it’s what she’s wished for the last two birthdays. My little girl.” You sighed as you looked at the list at a red light. “I don’t deserve her.”

“She sounds like an angel.”

“She is.” You said as you carefully folded the list back up to put in her baby book with the year before’s. “Sweetest, most patient kid ever. She comes to work so I can keep my costs down, and she just sits with her toy of the day or a coloring book on the bus and plays quietly, or sits in the doorway of the room I’m cleaning and watches her show or a movie on my phone, or reads her books. For a four year old, she is an absolute gift from God.”

“What else does she like?”

“She loves to read, and practice her counting, numbers, and letters, and she’s pretty advanced for her age, which is nice. She loves Disney, and her massive collection of stuffed animals. She likes playing with the Legos my mom gave her from when I was a child, which is about as motherly as my mother can be toward her only grandchild because God forbid her daughter have a daughter out of wedlock… Do you smoke?” You looked over at him as he continued to write, but he nodded his head and leaned back to grab his cigarettes.

“Bad habit.” He said as he held out his back to you before you could open the one you secretly kept in your door.

“You’re telling me.” You agreed as you took his lighter from him and lit your cigarette. “I don’t smoke much other than one with my coffee, one after I drop my school bus off in the morning and in the afternoon, and one after I tuck Annie in. And every once in a blue moon when I’m running errands without her, I have one.”

“Yea, I wish I could live off five a day.” Bucky said as you both cranked open your windows a crack. “My friends are all idiots that stress me out and I don’t need that kinda stress in my life. Already got enough. So I smoke.”

“What’s your stress from? Bad girlfriend?”

“No girlfriend, but we’re not here to talk about me, we’re here to talk about you.” You huffed and stuck your tongue out at him. “What else does she like?” You sighed and shrugged.

“She colors a lot. Not a fan of being outside but that’s probably because I live in a bad neighborhood. She plays games on my phone. She likes Mommy’s crystals. I don’t know, she’s just a regular kid.”

“And what about you?” Bucky asked as he pulled out his phone and took pictures of his notes to pass along to Steve. 

“What about me?”

“What do you like to do?” You scoffed around your smoke and shook your head at him.

“I lost the ability to do anything for myself when I got pregnant.” You told him with a glance over at him. “Every dime I have goes to that little girl. She gets all the new clothes, all the new  toys, all the new games. She wants Frozen shaped Mac’n’Cheese or name brand Gushers, she’s gunna get it, and I’m going to survive with holes in my bra straps another day because they still work to pay for her to have her snack. I work three jobs for her, from way before sun up to way after sun down and live in the smallest apartment known to man kind because the rent was cheap. She is my world. 

So my interest right now include mermaids, and fairies, and unicorns. And my days off are spent in a kiddy pool on my pathetic excuse for a patio playing mermaids, or playing tea party and dress up, or watching Doc McStuffins for the hundredth time because Annie wants to be a doctor right now. Either that or a mermaid or a crystal witch hippie like me. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because she is my little girl.” Bucky studied the side of your face as you took the last drag of your cigarette and tossed the butt out the window. “Stop looking at me like that.”

“What about her father? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Prison. Found out I was pregnant, and he went into a bank, pretended to rob it, and shot a man that worked there just so he didn’t have to pay child support. Jokes on him.” You said with a smirk as you looked over at him. “He still has to pay in federal lock up. Unless he pulls whatever kind of stunt he’s pulling now so that he’s in solitary and not working to make sure his support doesn’t go through to try and ruin Christmas and her birthday like he has since she was born. Asshole.”

“God, you just have your work cut out for you, don’t you?” You nodded your head and glanced down as your mix CD started over, reminding you about your daughter. 

“This is how I came up with Anna Lee.” You said as you found the track again and turned it up so he wouldn’t ask anymore questions about you on the drive. As he listened, Bucky pulled out his phone to text Tony directly to let him know that he had picked the right person for his Christmas video give away. He relayed everything you had told him, picking out even more details about your daughter than you had given originally, and about your lifestyle. Because the video wasn’t just about making Christmas for a kid, it was about making Christmas special for an entire family. 

“I’m from Nazareth.” You said at the end of the song as you slowed to pay the toll. You glanced over at him as Bucky handed you a twenty, and continued. “Pennsylvania. My parents still live there. I get my love of 60’s music from my dad. The Band was one of his favorites. I knew when I was a child that if I had a little girl, she’d be named Anna Lee because of that line of someone staying to keep Anna Lee company. Just didn’t know as a kid what that meant, but I still fell in love with the name all the same.”

“It’s a beautiful name.” Bucky said as he took his change back from you. “Not one you hear every day.”

“I like that about it, too.”

“Just stay behind the SUV. You don’t have to wait for the U Haul.” You nodded and changed gears to speed up to keep up with the other driver. Driving through the busy streets always made you a little nervous, and the Christmas crowd made that even worse, but thankfully, you didn’t have far to go before you were parking in an above ground lot behind the SUV and next to an empty double spot the U Haul was able to fit in.

“We’ve had these spots reserved for a week.” Your passenger said to you before you even asked the question. “So, we need you to have Anna Lee’s list in hand.” You nodded your head and pulled out the list that would go in a baby box in your closet for her after today. You got out after him and locked the doors, while the little group collected behind the U Haul to introduce themselves and go over the game plan they had been making.

“So this is how it’s going to play out.” Tony said as he showed you a walking map on his phone with pins in places you were going to go. “We’re going to go in a giant circle. But most of us are not going to come back after each trip. We have fold up carts that we’ll put the bags in, and then Clint, and Bruce will run it all back to the U Haul where Scott will be hanging out, keeping an eye on it, since we’re going to be spending a lot of money and people are extra sticky fingered around the holidays.”

“OK.” You said as you glanced over at Bucky as he held out a mic pack for you.

“Needs to clip to your collar on the inside or on your jacket if you don’t plan on taking it off, line goes under your shirt, and the battery fits in your back pocket or it can clip to the back of your jeans.” You nodded your head and turned around to feed the mic up your shirt to your collar as Tony continued.

“Now, I usually do this ‘anonymously’ by supposedly grabbing people off the street, but I have to have people consent to being filmed on film for legal reasons before I can even begin, and I need them to be mic-ed up for that. Which is what we’re doing here. But once that’s done, what we’re gunna have you do is walk about half way down the block while I do my intro. And Bruce will give you the signal to walk toward me. When you pass me, be looking at Anna Lee’s list, and act startled when I get your attention. I may jump in front of you, I may grab your arm. It kinda just happens. And I apologize in advance. Just please don’t scream. It draws a lot of attention and it doesn’t look good.”

“I won’t scream.” You giggled with a shake of your head as you got Annie’s list out. 

“Perfect. Now, I need you to confirm to the camera that you are OK with being on camera, in those words. Not just yes or OK, or sure…”

“I am OK with being filmed for Tony Stark’s YouTube channel and his Christmas video. No matter how much I oppose having money spent on me…”

“OK, that’s not what I wanted.” Tony laughed as Bucky smirked at you behind his camera. “But it will work. Now, one last thing. Some stores have an issue with our bigger camera, but I have Wade, our unofficial, smooth talking, ’legal guy’ that talks to managers. Try to stay close, and keep your back more to walls so that other people are not on camera. And if the big camera gets kicked out, we switch to much more subtle little ones. Just so you know what’s going on. And we’re starting with the American Girl store.”

“We also film everything and do a lot of editing so don’t worry about swearing or having to redo takes.” Bucky said as he leaned the camera away from his face a bit. “And I’ll let you know if there’s audio issues so don’t worry about the microphone and the cord.”

“Alright, we ready?” Steve asked as he clipped his mic pack to his belt. You nodded and took a deep breath as you purposely unwrapped your scarf to keep it away from the mic and followed the group down to the street. With Annie’s list in hand, you did what you were told and walked down the block to wait for the signal. You knew what was coming but your hands still shook.

“Stupid.” You mumbled when Bruce gave you the signal. You took a deep breath and carefully stepped around Bucky where Bruce was pointing so that you were passing by Tony where you needed to be.

“Miss! Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa.” Tony said as he gently took your shaking arm and turned you back around so you were facing the camera. “Hi, I have a very important question for you. Who made this Santa list for you today?”

“Oh. My daughter, Anna Lee.”

“Anna Lee. Well my name is Tony Stark. I rented a U Haul truck this year and we’re doing a Christmas video shopping spree for one lucky child this year where we fill the truck with toys for them. And a list written to Santa in glitter crayon on pink paper with stickers to boot, screams special little girl.”

“What?! No, you can’t…”

“Well Santa told me that this was the list I was looking for.” Tony interrupted with a smile, glad you were playing along. “It’s been decided by the spirit of Christmas. So what’s first on the list?” He asked as he looked at the list with you.

“Well Annie really wants an American Girl doll so that’s where I was headed first.”

“Then American Girl it is!” Tony said as he smiled over at you before looking at the camera. “Let’s fill this U Haul for Annie!” Tony stood there long enough to get a thumbs up from Bucky before turning toward you with a smile and handing you back the list. “You did good.”

“Thanks.” You said with a small smile as Bucky came up next to you as Tony looked at his app.

“Just so you know, the microphone picks up your voice even if your not in front of the camera and records it… and I can hear it all in my headset. Which is also very stupid.” Your face flushed red as he held the camera by his side and followed the rest of the group down the street.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”

“Relax.” He laughed. “We can edit it out in post. No big deal. Just be mindful, OK?” With one more apology, the group turned the corner and grabbed a pair of taxis to head a few blocks uptown to stop number one. You got the quick run down on how you were supposed to enter, but that was it instruction wise. You headed through the door of one of the flagship American Girl Place stores, and couldn’t help but smile that you were standing in a store that you had wanted to see since you were a child and got your own doll.

“So which doll does Annie have her heart set on?” Tony asked as he moved you and himself just enough so that you were out of the way and in front of a wall.

“Oh, that would be Nanea. She’s…”

“First one to find Nanea without disrupting the mom’s gets a thousand dollars.” Tony said with a smirk. His friends took off a brisk walk and you glanced over at Tony. “You’re in on that too.” He said as he gestured to the store. 

“Oh boys. If this is how the day is going to go, you’re in for a world of hurt.”

“Follow her.” Tony said as he pushed Bucky in the direction you went. You beelined through the crowd, past Sam and Steve who didn’t realize that Nanea wasn’t a WellieWisher doll and were searching the boxes, Bruce, who was trying to go through boxes in a round about with a bunch of other moms and girls, and Scott, who looked completely lost trying to find some kind of sign to point him in the right direction. Being a mother, and a frequent reader of the magazine, you knew exactly what you were looking for. You headed upstairs, slowed along the side wall in the middle display of all of the dolls that were sold in the historic line, before very gently reaching up to grab a box on the bottom of the third round display in.

“Found it.” You said softly as you smiled at the doll that was going to make your daughter’s whole world. Tears welled in your eyes as Bucky lowered his camera to just watch you for a moment before shooting a text to the group that the doll had been found and where and putting the camera back up on his shoulder.

“She’s a lucky girl.” He said softly, making you look up at him as you hugged the box to your chest.

“I remember opening this box when I was a little girl. It was magical. And now I get to make it magical for her, too.” You looked at him and not the camera and smiled softly. “Thank you for doing this.”

“So who are these other dolls? They all have stories, right?” Steve asked as he looked around at the section you were in.

“They do.” You said as you held the doll to your chest. “I know some of them. Julie is a hippie who stands up for girl’s rights, Melody stands up for the civil rights movement, Nanea survived Pearl Harbor, Kit was Great Depression, Samantha is an orphan, Rebecca is Jewish, Addy escaped slavery, Kaya is a Native American, Josefina lived in 1800’s New Mexico, and Maryellen lives in a time of conformity in the 50’s and she just wants to stand out. Then you have Joss who is deaf in one ear, Blair the chef, decorator, farmer, etcetera, and lastly my personal favorite, Luciana, the aspiring astronaut. Wow, I know all of them.”

“You know a lot about these dolls.” Steve said as Tony stood next to Bucky, just watching.

“I do. I had a doll when I was younger, Molly, World War II. I loved the lessons that these dolls taught, and I love that they are still teaching girls about our history. And they all have clothes and props and stuff to help reinforce those stories. Like I had a little chalk board and work books, and a desk for Molly. It’s really cute.”

“Well then obviously, Annie needs them all.”

“What?!” You snapped as you whipped around to Tony, who was smiling as if he didn’t just drop a bomb.

“One of everything the doll has.” He told his friends, who scattered across the room to grab a doll and all the accessories they had in their section. “Pay attention to the little boxes!”

“No. No, you really don’t have to do that.” You tried as he looked at Nanea’s shelves and grabbed her clothes and accessories packs.

“You agreed to this, sweetheart.” Tony said in a sing song voice as he grabbed a couple shopping bags from a woman and started to fill them. “We’re doing this for Anne…”

“Anna Lee.” You and Bucky corrected at the same time.

“Anna Lee.” Tony repeated as if committing her full name to memory. “Look, they’re historic so she can learn. And besides that, you have to look at it this way. I know we’re not gunna be able to fill a 26 foot U Haul today. I knew that going into it. But thanks to money that I get from my followers, and money that comes from selling sweaters and t-shirts, and shit, I know I have roughly one million dollars to spend on Anna Lee. And in order to get more content to be able to do this for someone else, I need to go all out. And I need you to participate as well.” You nodded your head as his friends started putting their finds in the shopping bags, and Tony gently pushed your shoulder. “Make it fun! Enjoy spoiling your kid. Just pretend you won the lottery and spend my money. Because you kinda did.”

“OK, OK.” You sighed as you took two shopping bags from him with a scowled smile. “Fine. They make furniture, clothes, pets, and accessories, too. And other dolls for younger kids, and ones that you can find to look like your kid…”

“Well then lead the way.” Steve said with a smile as the guys picked up the first round of bags. You looked over at Bucky with a heavy sigh, and he gave you a smile and a small nod.

“You got this.” With a roll of your eyes, you lead the pack of boys around, picking out and assisting them on picking the best pieces the store had.

Part 2

[atths--twice]

Five New Year’s Eves

A look into five different New Year’s Eves. Through their friendship, being together, breakups, and reconnections; they have always had New Year’s Eve. 

December 31, 1994

Mulder walked down the hallway to Scully’s apartment, feeling a little nervous as he was not coming over with news of a case. It was New Year’s Eve and he thought she might like to go out, maybe see the fireworks on the other side of town. 

As he raised his hand to knock on her door, it opened and he stepped back in surprise as she did the same, her eyes wide. 

“Oh! Mulder! What… what are you doing here?” she asked, her hand on her chest.

“Uh…” He was having trouble thinking of an answer as he stared at her. 

She looked different, but the same. Her hair was up, little pieces falling onto her neck in small curls. Her eyes were made up a little darker, making them seem even bluer than usual, which seemed impossible. Small silver hooped earrings hung from her ears and a silver diamond necklace lay where her gold cross would have usually been. 

Her dress was dark blue. A simple no frills dress, one he imagined she would have purchased to wear to any function, thus making it a sensible item. Paired with the jewelry, her hair and makeup, and the silvery blue shoes she wore, however, it was an exceptionally beautiful dress. 

“Mulder? You okay?” He looked into her eyes and nodded dumbly, still unable to speak. “We haven’t been called out have we?” 

“No, no not that,” he said, clearing his dry throat. “But I see you’re headed out. I’m sorry, I should have called first. I won’t keep you. You enjoy your date.” He said the last sentence with a feeling of bitter sadness, although he had no right to feel that way. She could, and should, go out and date a good man, someone who would care for her. But even as he thought it, he felt unbidden anger toward the unknown man, before he was brought back to the moment by her laughter. 

“A date? No… not a date,” she said, playing with her necklace. “I don’t know if I would even know what that was these days.” She smiled almost sadly and then laughed, shaking her head and letting her necklace drop. “No, I’m going to my mother’s for a party she’s throwing. It’s sort of a… holiday/memorial/celebration party. It’s been a year since my dad died and my mom wanted to have a party tonight instead of Christmas, so…” She shrugged and smiled at him. 

He stared at her, having completely forgotten about her father; not that he had passed, but the time of year. He felt like an ass, her unusual quietness the past couple of days, now making sense. Sighing, he shook his head. 

“Scully, I’m sorry. I… it’s not that I forgot, I just… I’m sorry,” he said with a shrug and a deep sigh. She smiled and shook her head. 

“It’s nothing you need to apologize for, Mulder. Please don’t feel you should,” she said softly with a smile and he took a deep breath and nodded, still feeling shitty. “Anyway, you came here for a reason, though not a case you said.” She raised her eyebrows and he nodded, feeling almost silly now. 

“I uh… I thought maybe you, if you were here, if… you didn’t have plans-which you obviously do-you might like to do something. Dinner or…” He shrugged again and she smiled. “But, you should get going; please don’t let me hold you up.” 

“Why don’t you join me?” she asked and then laughed at the shocked expression on his face. “Seriously, join me.” 

“At your mom’s holiday/memorial party? Ah, Scully, no I don’t think I… that’s… I don’t think I should be at that family function,” he said quietly. 

“It’s not just family who will be there,” she told him softly. “Come with me. You obviously wanted to do something, so let this be the something.” She smiled and he nodded, unable to say no when she looked at him that way. 

She locked the door and slid on her coat, before they walked down the hall and out to his car. A bag in her hand, she explained she was staying the night and her mom could bring her home tomorrow. Opening the car door for her, she gave him a look, but a smile lay beneath it. 

Her voice was different as they drove; breathy and happy, with a laugh close behind her words. She told him who would be at the party and stories about them from the past. but he heard nearly none of it. Instead, he heard every rustle of the dress she wore and the sound of her legs crossing and uncrossing. Combined with the familiar scent of her perfume, he was experiencing some new and complex feelings.

“Make a right here,” she said, cutting into his thoughts, at the same time he turned on the blinker. Glancing at her, she stared at him and he nodded, letting her know he already knew the way, having been there many times during her disappearance. 

They fell silent for the remainder of the drive, his thoughts on the last time he had been this way. “Scully…” 

“Mulder, shut up. My mother will be delighted to see you, and Missy will be there, too,” she said slyly and he looked at her again. 

“Is she bringing her crystals with her? Any other aura reading instruments?” he asked with a roll of his eyes and she laughed. 

“I’m sure she’ll have something on hand,” she smiled and he nodded. 

They pulled up to the house and found the street rather full, the house lit up brightly, and heard the music and laughter as they walked up to the door. Not bothering to knock, she looked at him as she opened the door. 

“Get ready,” she warned, and he suddenly felt nervous, despite her teasing tone. 

The room was full of people, mostly older, and the music was louder now that they were inside. A few people exclaimed over Scully and she was hugged by all of them. She handed him her coat as she was pulled into the group of people. He took her bag from her hand and stood back, not sure how or even if he wanted to follow her.

“Upstairs, second door on the right,” he heard behind him. Turning around he saw Missy standing there with an unreadable expression on her face. He nodded, eager to get away from the party. 

He ran up the stairs and dropped off her bag and coat, staying away as long as possible, before heading back down. At the bottom of the stairs, Missy handed him a glass with brown liquor inside. She stared at him the way she had in the hospital, as though she saw or heard things he could not. 

He took a large drink and then coughed as he felt it burning the back of his throat. She laughed as she slapped him on the back and he coughed harder, clearing his throat. 

“Happy to have you here, Fox… Mulder,” she said, walking away with a laugh. He looked down at the liquid, knowing he would not be drinking any more of it. 

He walked into the room, staying on the outskirts, nodding at the people he saw, but not staying to converse with them. Mrs. Scully saw him and did a double take, smiling when she realized she had seen correctly. She walked over and hugged him, stepping back and holding his face in her hands. 

“I’m happy to see you, Fox,” she said with a smile and he knew she meant it. “I’m glad Dana convinced you to join us.” He stared and she winked at him. Someone called her name and she walked away, leaving him confused. 

“Hey,” Scully said, as she walked over from his left with a beer in her hand. “Here, trade you.” She took his glass and handed him the bottle with a smile. 

“Oh, wait! It’s really strong!” he warned as she took a drink from the glass. She raised her eyebrows, swallowing it down without coughing. 

“It’s Irish whiskey. You think I haven’t had this before?” She smiled and took another drink, surprising him once again. “Missy give this to you?” He nodded and she laughed as he took a drink of his beer. 

God, so much better. 

Someone called her and she turned her head, waving to them. Looking back at him silently asking him a question. He nodded and she touched his elbow before walking away, leaving him on his own. 

Walking around again, he filled a plate of food from the buffet of items on the table. Taking his plate and beer, he sat down far from the party, watching everyone enjoying themselves. Stories of Bill Scully were being told, laughter and groans following the end of the tales. He saw Missy, Scully, and Mrs. Scully at different times with different people, wiping at their eyes, then all three hugging when they found each other. 

As the midnight hour approached, Missy walked over and stood beside him. Silent, she watched the group of people gathered in the room. They both turned their heads as Scully’s laugh was heard above the many conversations. 

“Hmm,” Missy said, a smile on her face. “Dana has always had a great laugh. I’m happy to hear it again.” She looked at him and he nodded. “You helped to do that, Fox... sorry, Mulder. She said it herself; that she had the strength of your beliefs. I hope you understand what that entails.” She stared at him and again he felt as though she was seeing something he could not. He nodded and looked away, her gaze too intense. 

“I understand more than you may think,” he said quietly and he saw her nod, falling silent again as they drank their drinks. He excused himself, needing to get away from her and the thoughts she had created in his head. 

Setting his bottle on the kitchen table, he stepped into the backyard, taking a deep breath. It was cold, but it was welcome after the warmth of the house. Letting out a breath he saw it billowing out in front of him. Shivering, he did it again, needing some time outside before he went back in, ready to leave, when he heard the door open behind him. 

“There you are, I’ve been looking for you.” He turned around at Scully’s voice and saw her smiling, her eyes happy and cheeks pink. “It’s freezing. What are you doing out here?” 

“Just needed some fresh air,” he said, smiling as he waved his arm around. 

“It’s a lot, I know,” she said with a sigh. “Is it too much?” 

“Too much? Scully, I’ve been inside of a volcano… this is nothing.” She laughed and nodded, stepping out and closer to him. 

“While dangerous, at least the volcano was warm; it’s seriously freezing out here.” She rubbed her bare arms and he took off his jacket, sliding it across her shoulders, despite her protests. She shook her head, even as she pulled it tighter around her, and he smiled. 

“One minute!” They heard from inside and turned to see everyone cheer, laughing as they grabbed horns and hats, getting ready for the new year. 

“You wanna head inside?” he asked, looking back at her and she shook her head. “Too much?” he teased and she nodded. 

“It will be. I know these people.” He laughed as she nodded vigorously, her eyes wide. “They are a rowdy bunch. They look innocent, but…” 

“You give them some of that Irish whiskey…”  

“Exactly,” she grinned and he laughed softly. They stared at each other as the countdown began. As it did, he saw a snowflake fall on her cheek. Reaching out unconsciously, he brushed it off gently and she froze, staring into his eyes. 

“Five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!” Shouts and horns blared as the new year began. Another snowflake fell, landing on her eyelashes and she blinked, laughing as she wiped it away, his hand dropping from her cheek. 

They both looked up and watched the snow falling quietly and gently. “How about that?” she whispered and he looked at her again. She smiled and he bent his head, kissing her cold cheek. 

“Happy New Year, Scully,” he whispered as he pulled back, smiling softly as he did. She stared at him and nodded, her eyes shining. 

“You, too, Mulder.” He nodded and then stepped back, clearing his throat, and looking toward the house. 

“We should head inside. It is cold out here,” he said with a shiver. 

“I’m fine, I don’t know why you’re complaining,” she joked as he put his hand on the small of her back and led her inside. He laughed and, when they were back in the warmth, she took off his jacket, and handed it back to him. 

As he slid it on, warm from her body, she stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Happy New Year,” she whispered and he smiled with a nod. She walked away and he stood in place, taking a moment. 

Feeling his keys in his jacket pocket, he planned on making a quiet escape, but Mrs. Scully found him. A hug and a kiss on the cheek, she let him go, telling him again she was happy he had been there. He nodded and tried to leave, hoping this time he would be successful. 

Catching Scully’s eye, she smiled and he nodded, heading toward the front door. Finally reaching it, he looked back once more, smiling to see Scully happy and enjoying herself. His gaze landed on Missy and she raised an eyebrow, tilting her glass in his direction, and nodding. He nodded back and left the house, closing the door behind him. 

Shaking his head, he walked to his car and got in, shivering as he waited for it to warm up. The snow was collecting on the windshield and he turned the wipers on, watching as it continued to fall. 

Driving away, he smiled, remembering the feel of Scully’s soft cool cheek under the warmth of his lips, and then the feel of her warm lips upon his own frigid cheek. 

__________________

December 31, 1998

He debated calling her, knowing she was with her family celebrating the holidays, but he missed her. After their gift exchange early Christmas morning, she had fallen asleep on the couch, and he had watched A Christmas Carol again, the volume low as her head dropped to his shoulder. 

He had woken her when the movie was over and she groaned as she put her shoes back on and rolled her stiff neck. Taking her gift, she had grinned at him, kissing his cheek and wishing him a merry Christmas. He had nodded and smiled as she left, closing the door and sighing, alone again. 

The next week had passed by with a couple of calls, but she had the time off and he could find no excuse to tear her from her family even if he had wanted to. She deserved this, especially after this past year and then the haunted house fiasco. Rubbing at his stomach, he could still feel the pain of a bullet that had never existed. 

“Folks, it’s almost that time,” he heard from the television and he looked up to see Dick Clark in Times Square, bundled up in the cold. “We are about a minute and counting. Grab that loved one and don’t let them go.” Mulder scoffed and shook his head as he leaned back into the couch. 

“Thirty seconds. Everyone ready?” Reaching for the remote he turned the volume down, not needing to hear the celebrated merriment as he watched the time tick down. 

The ball hit and a new year began. He watched all the confetti falling into the street, wondering who would be responsible for cleaning that mess in the morning, when the phone rang. 

He sat up and lifted it, hearing music in the background as he brought it to his ear. “Mulder.” 

“MULDER!” He raised his eyebrows and held the phone away, her voice loud above the music. “MULDER, CAN YOU HEAR ME?” 

“Scully,” he said with a smile. “Yes, I can hear you.” 

“I… MULDER? HELLO?” He chuckled as he brought the phone closer and listened to her slightly slurred speech, knowing she tended to drink more around her family. Especially if Bill was in attendance and the whiskey was within reach. 

“Scully, I can hear you, you don’t need to shout.” 

“I’M NOT… I’m not shouting,” she said, stage whispering at the end of the sentence, and he laughed again. “Am I?” She giggled and he raised his eyebrows again at the sound. “I was, I’m sorry. But you can hear me?” 

“Have you forgotten how telephones work in your inebriated state, Agent Scully?” he asked and she giggled again. Shaking his head, he leaned back, the falling confetti and celebrating now seeming less annoying. 

“I’m at my mom’s and I… I have had some wine. And whiskey. And oh… this drink Tara made that had... rum or vodka… or something…” She was quiet and he laughed again, wondering what she was doing. “It was rum and other stuff and it was really good.” 

“Sounds like it,” he laughed and she sighed, the music getting quieter, as she must be walking somewhere in the house. “You okay?” 

“Phhh, more than okay,” she slurred and he smiled, picturing the way her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkled when she had too much alcohol. “Are you okay, Mulder?” 

He smiled and nodded, even though he knew she could not see him. “Well, I’m not shot, or dead, so I can’t complain too much.” She giggled and then sobered quickly. 

“Can you still feel the bullet though, Mulder? It’s like…” She was quiet again, and he could picture her touching her imaginary wound as he was now touching his own. “Like it’s there, but it’s not. How is that possible?” 

“I don’t know, Scully, but I know what you mean.” He moved his hand, shaking his head, as he heard her sigh heavily. 

“Well… I just wanted to tell you Happy New Year... I should get back.” 

“The whiskey and rum aren’t going to drink themselves,” he teased and she laughed happily. “I’ll talk to you later, Scully. Happy New Year.” 

“Yeah. Talk to you later, Mulder. G’night.” He heard her phone disconnect and smiled as he replaced his own. 

Looking back at the television, he watched couples dancing, singing, and kissing. He thought of Scully going back for another drink, giggly and happy, and he smiled again. 

After the heartache of losing Emily last year, if anyone deserved to be happy and laugh more, it was her. 

______________

December 31, 2008

Mulder pulled up to the liquor store just as the closed light turned on and he groaned. Shutting the car off, he quickly jumped out of the car and banged on the door. 

“Hey! Come on! Open up!” he yelled, hitting his palm on the glass door, staring at the worker inside. 

“We’re closed, man! It’s almost midnight. It’s New Year’s Eve, man!” the man yelled back. 

“No shit,” he yelled back. “Why do you think I’m here? Come on! I need one thing, well… three, but I’ll be fast. Come on! Hey!” He slammed his hand on the door again as the guy started to walk away. “Please, man. Look, I’ve got…” He took out his wallet and pulled out a fifty dollar bill, slamming it onto the door, meeting the guys eyes. “Fifty bucks. You don’t even need to ring it up, you can make that decision.” The guy stared at him and began to walk toward the door. 

“Make it quick,” he sighed, opening the door and extending his hand for the money, which Mulder gladly handed over. 

“Thank you so much, I’ve been to five places and everywhere was closed,” he said as he hurried inside, heading to the shelf of champagne, not caring which one he grabbed. “You have any of these chilled?” 

“Are you fucking serious, man? This is a liquor store.” 

“Right, right,” Mulder said, grabbing one that looked good, and turning around. “You have glasses? Like plastic ones?” 

“Liquor store, pal, remember? Come on.” 

“Fine. Okay. I guess this all I need then. I’ll figure it out. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.” 

“Whatever, man. I got a girl waiting on me; get out so I can lock up.” 

“I can relate. Thanks again. Happy New Year!” 

“Yeah, yeah,” he said as he closed the door and locked it, hurrying away and out of sight. Mulder grinned, glancing down at the bottle of champagne, then his watch. He needed to hurry; he only had about forty five minutes. 

Half an hour later, he had the bottle in a bag, along with two coffee cups. On a plate in the bag, wrapped with cellophane, he had a croissant, some cheese, grapes, and a small chocolate brownie. He walked hurriedly down the halls of the hospital, hoping to find Scully in her office and not checking on a patient. 

Poking his head around the corner, he saw she was at her desk, alone in the office, and he smiled as he stepped into the room. 

“Hey, Doc,” he said and she jumped. 

“Jesus, Mulder!” she exhaled, placing her hand on her chest. “You scared the shit out of me! What are you doing here at this hour?” 

“It’s New Year’s Eve,” he said with a happy grin, walking closer to her. 

“I know that.” 

“And you’re working,” he said, setting the bag down on the desk and looking around. 

“Again, you’re stating information of which I am aware,” she said, raising her eyebrows, as he looked at her with a grin. 

“Where’s the television?” 

“Where’s… the television? In my office? Why would I have a television in my office?” 

“We used to have one in ours,” he said with a shrug, picking up the bag and reaching for her hand. 

“We had many things in that office of which I wouldn’t have here, so that claim isn’t going to fly.” She looked at him questioningly as he gestured for her hand. “What are you doing?” 

“Come on, we don’t have much time,” he attempted to explain, glancing at his watch. “Thirteen minutes. Come on.” 

“Mulder…” 

“The countdown, Scully, the ball is about to drop. Let’s go.” He kept his hand out and she grinned in slow understanding as she stood, stepping away from her desk. 

“I’m on call…” 

“Uh huh. Twelve minutes, Scully, tick tock.” 

“I might get called away.” 

“I’m willing to take that chance.” 

Taking his hand, she grinned and shook her head. “You’re a terrible influence on me.” 

“Yeah, I am,” he agreed with a grin of his own, gripping her hand tightly. “Let’s go. Which way?” 

“Out of here and to the left,” she giggled, holding onto his arm as he pulled them out of the office quickly and stealthily, whispering loudly for her to be quiet. 

“Down this hall,” she said, close to his ear, and he pulled them through a door and they found themselves in an empty wing of the hospital. “Thankfully all the rooms aren’t filled, we can use one of them.” 

“Perfect. Nine and a half minutes. This one is fine, 322. Get in, get in.” He held the door for her and she giggled again. Looking around once more, just in case, he stepped into the room and closed the door. “Okay, here we go.” He set the bag down on the bedside table as Scully turned on the lights and television, finding the countdown but leaving the volume low. 

“So, what’s in this bag you’re carrying, Mulder?” she asked, stepping over to him and he stopped her with a hand up. 

“Hang on, let me get things ready.” He set the plate down, uncovering the food and arranging it a bit better. The cups were next and then the bottle of champagne. He checked once more then stepped back, allowing her to see it. 

“Mulder…” she said, touching his arm as she looked at everything. “This is… this is wonderful. What’s brought this on?” 

“It’s New Year’s Eve,” he told her again and she gave him a look, raising her eyebrows. “I know you know, but… I was at home and…” He sighed and she waited. “We don’t exactly celebrate the holidays, but New Year’s… it’s kind of ours and well… you volunteered to work tonight and I didn’t want to miss sharing it with you.” 

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss. “Thank you, Mulder.” Another kiss and she stepped back, looking back at the plate and picking up the brownie. 

Breaking it, she offered him half and he accepted it with a nod and a smile. He looked up at the clock and she did the same as she took a bite of the brownie. 

“Five minutes,” they said simultaneously. 

“Should I open the champagne now?” he asked around the brownie in his mouth. He reached for it and she stopped him. 

“I can’t drink that when I’m on call. I can’t, Mulder. Wait, is this… warm? Warm champagne?” She took it and looked at him, laughter in her eyes. “Seriously?” 

“Hey, that was fifty dollars, so warm or not, we’re drinking it,” he said, taking it back from her. 

“Fifty dollars? For that?” she asked incredulously. He nodded and she narrowed her eyes at him. “This brand of champagne doesn’t cost fifty dollars. You bribed someone didn’t you?” 

“Bribe is such a dirty word,” he said, beginning to open the foil wrapper. “I simply asked for a favor in return for some cash.” 

“Which is the definition of bribery,” she laughed, stopping him from opening the bottle. “Mulder, I can’t, and you aren’t going to drink this whole bottle on your own and then drive home. Plus, it’s warm, it will taste terrible.” 

“But, I stopped specifically for it, for this moment.” He sighed as he looked at the clock. “Less than five minutes, Scully.” He stared at her and she scrunched her chin at him. Taking the bottle from him again, she smiled. 

“I don’t need any champagne. You’re here, Mulder. You brought chocolate,” she said playfully, showing him the last bit of her brownie. “I don’t need champagne.” He sighed again and she tilted her head at him. 

“Fine, but we will drink it.” 

“You chill it and we absolutely will.” She smiled and he nodded, planning on putting it in the refrigerator as soon as he got home. He glanced at the clock again, setting the bottle down. 

“Two minutes,” he announced and she nodded, sitting on the bed and patting the space beside her. He sat down and she laid her head on his shoulder, lacing their fingers together. 

“This is all I need,” she whispered, lifting her head and looking up at him. “I mean, this is a good brownie.” She popped the last bite in her mouth and he laughed, squeezing her hand. “You’re pretty great, too, though.” He laughed again and they turned their attention to the television. 

“Forty five seconds.” 

“Hmm.” 

The volume down low, they watched the ball get closer and closer before it lit up announcing the new year. She sighed and looked at him, a huge smile on her face. Pushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear, he kissed her softly, her lips tasting of chocolate. 

As the crowd cheered and celebrated, they kissed until his wandering hands had to be stopped, as she reminded him she was working. He pouted and she promised she would make it up to him. They shared the plate of food, glancing at the television, and laughing at their lack of celebrity knowledge. 

Cleaning up, bringing their trash to throw out in a different bin, they turned off the television and the lights. Walking hand in hand, they went back to her still empty office, happy and smiling. She kissed him goodbye and reminded him to put the champagne in the refrigerator. 

“I don’t work tomorrow, we could drink it in bed,” she said quietly and he raised his eyebrows. Taking a step closer, she placed her hands on his chest and looked up at him. “Naked.” He shivered and she laughed. 

“It will be chilled god damn it,” he promised, already imagining the sweet taste of champagne in her kiss, possibly on her skin as well. 

He left after one last kiss, driving home happily. When he walked inside, he put the champagne in the refrigerator and went to bed. 

In the morning, along with some fruit, they lay in bed and shared the bottle between them, forgoing any glasses, drinking every last drop of the cheapest, most expensive champagne they had ever had. 

Completely and totally naked. 

____________________

December 31, 2016 

Riiiiiiiiiing. 

Mulder snorted awake, looking around as he realized he had fallen asleep on the couch, the New Year’s Eve party playing on the television. 

Riiiiiiiiiing. 

He reached for his phone, yawning as he answered. 

“Muldaaaaa,” he said, rubbing at his face. 

“Mulder? Did I wake you? I’m sorry. I…” He heard Scully say and he cleared his throat. 

“No, just uh… must have dozed off. What time is it?” 

“11:30.” 

“You… uh… what are you doing?” 

“Umm, well it’s New Year’s Eve,” she said with a sad chuckle and he nodded, sighing as he did. 

“You’re at home then? Your brother’s not… no… he wouldn’t be in town then, would he?” He said quietly and felt like an asshole. No, Bill would not be in town this year as he usually would come to see his mother over the holidays. But now… 

“No, no he’s not in town. And no, I’m… I’m  not at home.” Her voice was just above a whisper and he frowned. 

“Where…”

“I’m outside.” 

“You’re… you’re outside?” He stood up and walked across the room, turned on the porch light and opened the door to find her sitting in her car with her head down. He saw and heard her sigh as she lifted her head and looked at him, her eyes sad although she attempted a smile. 

Hanging up the phone, he stared at her, holding the door open, letting her make the decision to come inside. She nodded slightly and moved the phone from her ear. Shutting the car off, she picked something up from the passenger seat, opened the door and stepped out, closing it softly with a sigh. 

Walking up the stairs, he saw it was a bottle of champagne and he smiled. Of course it was. She stopped at the door and handed it to him. 

“It’s chilled. We can drink it now.” 

“You don’t want to wait for a…” 

“No,” she said forcefully. “I need a drink.” She stared at him and he nodded, stepping aside to let her walk inside. Closing the door and turning around, he saw her taking off her coat and then realized how messy the place was, wishing he had cleaned up. 

“Sorry the place is a mess. I…” 

“It’s fine, Mulder. Don’t worry about it.” She sat down on the couch and he nodded as he walked into the kitchen to get some glasses. Opening the bottle, he brought it and the glasses over to the coffee table. 

He poured them each a glass as he sat down, handing hers to her. She nodded, no cheers or well wishes offered by either of them. He took a drink, sipping the bubbly sweet and simultaneously dry taste, causing him to cough and his eyes to water.

She drained her glass and held it out, silently asking for more. When he caught his breath, he obliged her, filling it fuller than before. Never one to truly enjoy the taste of champagne, he was more than happy to let her drink as much as she liked. 

She took a large drink and sighed as she wiped her mouth, setting her glass down on the coffee table; her eyes downcast. “I drove to my mom’s tonight,” she said quietly and he exhaled with a nod, feeling the familiar knot of sadness over Mrs. Scully’s death. “It was dark, as I knew it would be, but it just felt so wrong to see it that way. She always loved the holidays: the house decorated, music playing, drinks, good food.” 

“I remember,” he replied, just as quietly, and she nodded, knowing he had attended many of those parties. 

“I… I didn’t expect to find her there, to find a happy and festive party, I’m not crazy,” she said, raising her eyes and looking at him, and he smiled softly. “I just… I don’t know. I miss her so much.” Her eyes filled with tears and he took a deep breath as he put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. 

She cried on his shoulder and he closed his eyes, saying nothing, simply letting her cry. They sat for a couple of minutes before she pulled back and stood up, walking into the bathroom and closing the door. He sighed, drinking down the rest of his champagne and refilling his glass halfway, leaving it on the coffee table. 

When she came out, she sat beside him again, remaining silent. Reaching for her glass, she drank the rest of it and held it out for more. He filled it and she nodded her thanks, looking up at the television. 

“Ten more minutes,” she whispered and he nodded. She drank down the rest of her champagne and poured herself another glass. They were silent as they watched the television, draining their glasses and then the bottle.

“I’m sorry about tonight, Scully, I should have thought. I… of course it would be difficult. We should’ve made plans or something, I don’t know.” He sighed, watching the television and thinking of parties he had attended at Mrs. Scully’s house. They had always been lively, with her at the center, her smile warm and her laugh loud and infectious. He shook his head and sighed again. “I know it’s too late to do anything now, hell, it’s nearly midnight, a new year… but tomorrow we could do… I don’t know, something. Whatever you like, Scully. You pick. How does that sound? Scully?” He looked at her and saw that she was asleep, breathing deeply, her head nearly touching his shoulder, and her hands clasped in her lap. 

He smiled as he watched her while behind him the countdown began, the new year unable to be halted. 

Five, four, three… 

He tuned out the rest of the countdown, focusing his attention on her; the beauty of her face, the sound of her breathing, the familiarity of them sitting on the couch watching television as she inevitably fell asleep. Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, he sighed softly. 

“Happy New Year, Scully,” he whispered as he touched her face gently, his thumb brushing her cheek. Standing up, he took the blanket from the edge of the couch and covered her. Smiling at the sight of her there after being absent for so long, he left the television on, and shut off all but one light. 

Lying down in bed, he thought of her downstairs, wishing she would stay, but knowing it most likely would not happen. Right now they were in such an odd place and walking carefully around one another. He hoped if she did not stay, at least she would sleep for awhile, leaving only when she was ready. Heaving a big sigh, he turned over, touching her empty side of the bed, and falling asleep. 

He woke up the next morning and sat up, wanting to know if she was still there. Walking quietly down the stairs, he found the couch empty, the room cleared of their glasses, the bottle of champagne gone, and the blanket folded. 

Sighing, he walked into the kitchen to make some coffee before he went back upstairs to take a shower. Halting his movement, he smiled as he took the sticky note off the coffee pot and read it. 

Sorry I fell asleep and missed the beginning of the new year. Make it up to you with lunch? 

And thank you, Mulder… 

He grinned and readied the coffee, reading the note again, as he looked for his phone, intent on texting her a time and place. Pushing the home button, he saw she had already sent him the information. 

11:30, Dina’s Diner. 

And underneath it, causing him to chuckle, was a gif of multicolored fireworks, spelling out the words Happy New Year. 

__________________

December 31, 2019 

“Here you go.” 

“Hm?” 

“The popcorn, Mulder,” Scully said with a laugh, handing him a red bowl with white snowflakes. 

“Right, thanks.” He took the bowl from her and she walked back to the kitchen to turn out the lights and grab their drinks. Taking their glasses from her, he set them on the coffee table as she sat beside him. 

“We have about fifteen minutes, hopefully the champagne will be cold enough by then. I can’t believe you didn’t put it in the refrigerator. Have you not learned from the past?” said with a shake of her head, grabbing a handful of popcorn. 

“If it’s not cold enough, we can add some ice to the glasses.” 

“Blasphemy!” she mumbled around the popcorn in her mouth and he laughed. 

“Shut up. Fifteen minutes in the refrigerator should be enough time to get that small bottle cold.” She bumped him and they both laughed as they munched on the popcorn. 

“It’s still seems weird to watch this without Dick Clark, seeing as it still carries his name, especially. I like that it does, but still… it’s not the same,” she said with a sigh and he looked at her and smiled. 

“Everything changes, Scully,” he said, matter of factly and she gave him a look. 

“I’m aware of that, Mulder. That’s not what I meant.” 

“What did you mean?” 

She smiled softly and sighed. “It’s just… you know... Dick Clark was our guy.” She shrugged and he grinned. 

“Yeah, he was.” 

They stared at each other and then looked at the television, the volume muted as someone was performing a song and dance number. 

“Who is that?” she asked and he shrugged, setting the bowl of popcorn on the table, sitting back and putting his arm around her. 

“I have no idea, nor do I care,” he said, kissing the top of her head. Closing his eyes, he listened to her quiet laugh as she moved around slightly. She put her feet on the coffee table, placed her arm on his stomach and her head on his shoulder. 

Silence fell and he opened his eyes. “Don’t fall asleep,” he warned and she laughed softly. 

“Not sleeping.” 

“Well, you’re awfully quiet.” 

“Just thinking.” 

“About?” 

“The millennium. The fear everyone had that the world as we knew it would end. I mean, technically the real millennium would have been the following year, as I told you at the time,” she reminded him. 

“Nobody likes a math geek, Scully.” 

“That’s not entirely accurate,” she said, squeezing his side, making him laugh. 

“No, it’s not. In fact, I for one find it highly arousing.” 

“Hmm.” 

Silence fell again and he watched the television. People were laughing, bundled in layers, their breath visible with every word they spoke. He shook his head, running his fingers through her hair. 

“What?” she asked, though he had not said anything. 

“Just thinking that, as exciting as it may be, I’d much rather be here in our pajamas, in the warmth of the house, our girl sleeping upstairs, popcorn within reach, and champagne chilling, than in a crowd of hundreds of thousands.” 

“You, Mulder? You would rather be here, just us, than in a huge crowd? I’ll tell you… I’m shocked,” she said, sarcasm heavy in her tone. 

“Smart ass,” he quipped and she laughed. “If you ever did want to go though, watch the ball drop in person, I mean-”

“Jesus Christ, no!” she said vehemently, shuddering against him, causing him to laugh. “I’m in fluffy socks and old pajamas, this is much more preferable.” He laughed again and they fell silent. 

“Three minutes,” she breathed. “Have you thought of your resolutions?” 

“Are you implying I need to change things about myself?” he asked, feigning surprise. She said nothing and he chuckled. “No, I haven’t thought of resolutions. Have you?” 

“No, because I am perfect. And immortal. So, what’s the point? I have forever to make changes. Should I need to, of course,” she teased and he laughed again. 

“One minute. Do you want to get the champagne?” 

“Hmm,” she said, burrowing further into him and he smiled. He unmuted the television, keeping the volume low, as they watched the unknown celebrities gather together to countdown to the new year. 

“It’s not the same,” he whispered and she nodded. 

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six… 

He moved his arm and turned toward her, looking down as she moved and looked up at him.  

Five, four, three, two, one. Happy New Year!!! 

He smiled at her and she smiled back, remembering the long ago night in a hospital waiting area, Auld Lang Syne playing through the television, as he made a brave decision and took a huge leap. 

“You know, folklore says that at masquerade balls, when the clock struck midnight, people would remove their masks and kiss, warding off any evil that might befall them. Others believed that not kissing someone meant a loveless year ahead,” he told her and she sat forward and then into his lap, staring at him and shaking her head. 

“Nobody likes an unasked for history lesson, Mulder. Shut up and fucking kiss me,” she whispered with a happy smile. 

“A dollar in the swear jar, Miss Scully,” he breathed as her lips brushed his. 

“Worth it,” she answered in the same tone, kissing him softly, reminiscent of that first one so long ago. 

The second kiss, was anything but however, as was the third. He lost count after six, when her small, warm hands slid under his shirt, and up to his heart… 

“So,” he whispered into her hair, as they lay naked, wrapped around one another, a blanket pulled over them haphazardly. “We didn’t get to that champagne, but this was much better.” 

“I certainly hope so,” she whispered back, nuzzling into his neck, and he laughed. 

“Always.” 

“Agreed.” 

He pulled her close and took a deep breath, the music from the television low and the song unknown to him. God, he was getting old. But then, her soft, smooth leg slid up his and stopped at his hip, and he felt his heart rate increase. 

Maybe not so old then, he thought. 

“I’ve come up with a resolution,” he mumbled and she hummed. “I resolve we should be naked like this more often.” She laughed and he felt it against his body. 

“What a coincidence, that was my resolution, too.” 

“That’s why we’re so good together,” he said with a smile and she hummed again. He ran his hand up and down her back as he felt his eyes growing heavy. 

“Happy New Year, Scully,” he whispered, hearing himself say it as though it were an echo from years ago. 

“Hmm, happy New Year, Mulder,” she breathed and he heard that echo again, as though their younger selves were somewhere in the room. 

“I love you,” he whispered, saying what he wished he had told her that night in the hospital. 

“Of course you do, I’m a badass,” she whispered back and he laughed, feeling her smile against his throat. “I love you, too.” He hummed and she sighed, both of them then falling silent, as sleep came calling. 

The new year would wait for a few hours at least, as they slept peacefully in one another’s arms, memories and dreams intertwining as they celebrated New Year’s, past, present and future.