THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION OF MY LIFE
  
Author: Spookster.
Disclaimer: everybody knows it so I am not going to waste any space with it.
Summary: He had to go but now he is planning to go back. Will his family be 
ready?
Rate: Everybody can read this. I am behaving myself this time.
Feedback: Yes please. Whatever you have to tell, do it. 
Dedication: I want to dedicate this to the GDT (Guinness Drinking Team) the 
best Non Irish (but nearly) Guinness Drinkers of the world. Come on, people, 
Saint Patrick's days is in 41 days. I also want to dedicate this to ARGOS and 
BROSNAN, my dogs.
  
Now with the story:
  
THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION IN MY LIFE
By Spookster (leireg@arrakis.es)
  
I remember some good things from my childhood. Before Sam was taken away, 
we had a great time in the Vineyard. We could play with our friends in the streets 
even at night without worrying about passing cars, burglars or street gangs. We 
could leave our bikes in the garden and find them there at the following day. These 
were happy days indeed.
  
And now, here I am, a 45 years old man sitting in my car looking at a group of boys 
playing basketball. I cannot see any difference between them and me and my old 
friends. All dressed with big T-shirt from some movie or rock band, cut-off sweatpants 
and more or less expensive sneakers. We all share the same youthful energy and 
abandon.
  
I can see one kid who outstands in the group. He is slightly taller than his 
friends with all his reddish-brown hair messed up from playing. He moves 
extremely quickly and his big blue eyes never leave the ball. As the game 
progressed, I can see how this young boy looks at his opponent, observes 
the way the other controls the ball and rapidly attacks him catching the ball and 
scoring. He is by anyway modest, every time he gets a point, begins a silly 
dance nobody but he seems to understand.
  
I know I must leave before some neighbour calls the security ward of the area but I 
can't take my eyes off the play. I have spent many evenings watching this 
group playing or simply seating on the ground. Sometimes I wonder if this 
smart kid knows bout the big sacrifices his family has done for him. This boy, 
who is now discussing with his friends, was not supposed to be born. This boy, 
who doesn't know me, made me take the most important decision of my life, 
because there is nothing I wouldn't do for my son.
  
When Dana and me came back from the Arctic, the X Files were reopened but 
assigned to another agents, while we were sent to the Violent Crimes Section. 
Us being there was not welcomed by people so we had problems for the very 
beginning. We were excellent profilers and the solving rate went up but also 
made our partners jealous. The tension became so unbearable that both of us 
tried to quit. Skinner called us as soon as he got informed. We abandoned 
Violent Crimes but not the FBI. Scully came back to Quantico as head of the 
Forensic Department and I enter in the Behavioural science Department.
  
Both felt broke up and always looked for comfort in each other. We had worked 
together for 6 years but we don't really know each other, so much of our spare 
time was spent at my apartment or hers. We just watched some video and did 
some talk over a good dinner but that moments prevented me from falling down. I 
have loved her for years and she felt the same for me but not until our defenses were 
down, were we able to show our feelings.
  
Once we did that, everything was just perfect. I remember that time with Dana as one 
of the happiest of my life. All the tension built up during 6 years came up to the 
surface and it was wonderful. We didn't hide our feelings though we marked a line 
between our professional and personal life. All people knew about us but, since 
our work in the X files had ended, nobody cared.
  
I moved to Scully's apartment and even though we were not married, we lived, 
as a married couple for all that mattered. Dana's mother was plethoric with our 
relation and I was "adopted" by Scully's family. Of course, Bill Jr. didn't like the 
idea of meeting me in every familiar reunion but his mother and baby sister calmed 
him down. We couldn't have the X files but we got a family and a future to enjoy.
  
Then the unexpected occurred: Dana discovered she was pregnant. We had been 
living together for two years and, during that time, we had talked about getting married 
and even adopting a kid or two. We never expected that. Dana went under a great 
number of tests that confirmed that baby was perfectly normal and healthy and that 
it was a boy.
  
As unprepared for this as we were, I must admit, we did a good job. Maggie 
produced Dana's old crib from somewhere and Tara sent Matthew's baby clothes. 
Soon the apartment was so crowded with baby stuff that we looked for a bigger 
place for our growing family. The pregnancy developed without any problem and 
on September 12th,our son made his entrance to the world. He was a healthy baby 
boy, with big blue eyes and brown reddish hair who made both his parents, the 
happiest people of the world. 
  
We had discussed about the name thing since we knew it was a boy. I didn't want to 
pass the curse of my name to him but Dana loved it. Finally our son was named Willem 
Renard Mulder which happens to be my two names in French. I must say, I was totally 
scared about being a father, mostly because my own dad was not a model to follow, 
but Dana helped me a lot with this. On his first months Dana let me be in contact with 
the baby every time, mostly during diapers changing. I love feeding him and cuddling 
him to sleep. I discovered I could be a good father for Willem. We really enjoyed his 
babyhood and joined our son in every little discover he made. Our son was very easy 
going whom enjoyed being with people, playing with little children his age or seating 
lying between his mother and me in bed.
  
When Willem was 2, his mother and I got married. It was a small ceremony in 
Maggie's backyard with no many guests as our friends group was very reduced. 
Skinner was my best man together with Willem who insisted the whole ceremony 
in my arms. The Lone Gunmen were also there and I could swear I saw tears in 
Frohicke's face when the priest got to the "You may kiss the bride" line.
  
There were mornings when I woke up to find Dana talking sweetly to our son and thought 
how I had come to be so happy. Sometimes at night when it was raining outside and the 
thunders woke our baby boy, I took him with me and put him between his mother and me. 
At those times, when I held my wife and son comfortably and securely sleeping in my arms, 
I felt the most fortunate man in the world.
  
There are people who are afraid of being happy because they know it will have to end 
at some time. Well, that was what occurred to me. I was not ready for what happened in 
Willem's monthly revision with his pediatrist. He was a healthy boy but he had his father's 
tendency of falling down and have his little body covered with bruises. That time, he had fallen 
down the stairs and broken his left arm in the process. So we went out the hospital when that 
black lunged son of bitch also known as CSM came our way. I took Willem in my arms but 
he wanted to go to the park in front the hospital. So as I watched my son playing in the 
sandbox, I received the worst message possible; there was no option, I had to join the Consortium 
if I wanted Willem to have a normal life with Dana. If not, we would never see him alive again.
  
I felt like a hundred knives crossed my heart at that moment. I couldn't let them take my 
boy away from his mother, from the safety Dana could give him. So I did the only thing 
possible: I made a deal with the CSM. We would fake my death and I would work for the 
Consortium as long as Dana and Willem's safety were preserved. I remember living my last 
days with them with a great intensity and I still have every moment recorded in my mind.
  
The plan was meticulously set: I would suffer a terrible accident while going to work in my car. 
The vehicle would crash with a truck and they would explode as a result of the collision. My body 
would suffer from such heat that nobody could make identification or an autopsy. And that 
is what exactly happened.
  
I attended my own funeral and if not physically, I can tell my heart and soul died the moment 
I saw Dana and Willem standing in front of the coffin. They were surrounded by friends; Dana 
was holding our son in her arms as Skinner and Maggie stood silently on her side. My wife 
was not crying and her face remained expressionless as she tried to calm Willem who cried 
silently. I guess she knew so much happiness wouldn't last long, but as I did, she prayed 
for a little more time.
  
I began working with the Consortium and surprisingly found that they trusted me enough to give 
some power from the very beginning. I wish I had known half of the things I know now about our 
"dear" government when working with the X files. Dana would be speechless if she knew how this 
organization works. Now, 5 years have passed since my "death" and me joining this group from 
hell. Most of the members have retired or passed away being old as they were. The CSM died one 
year ago, his death due to a lung cancer that made him fade away in less than 5 months. I know it 
is strange me saying this but I will miss him. He taught me a lot of things and even though he put 
my life in danger many times, he also saved it more times that I can count. He told me about my 
father and the things both of them did working for the government. I saw Samantha again, the real 
Samantha; she is living in California with her husband and kids. We have seen a couple of times, 
talked about the old times in the Vineyard and I even showed her photographs of her nephew and 
sister in law. 
  
During all this time, I have kept tabs on Dana and Willem. Dana came back to Quantico for a while 
but them she quitted. I guess she grew tired of Bureau policy and it left her little time for her to be with 
Willem. Now she is the head of the Pediatrics Department in George Washington Hospital. She did 
a great change: from dead bodies of unknown nature to little children. I have always known she 
would end working as a doctor; she really cares for her patients and has a good time helping them.
  
Willem is now 8 years old and he is a perfect mixture of his parents. He has 
very big blue eyes and short brown reddish hair that is always uncombed, much to his mother's 
despair, I guess. He is taller for a boy his age and enjoys playing soccer and basketball but much to 
my despair this time, he is grown to be a Bulls fan. He is a very good student and moreover he is taking 
fiddle and karate classes. He must be getting her mother tired.
  
Both have moved to a two-storey house in one of the safest neighborhoods of the town. I have taken 
care of their income so they don't have to worry about it. My income was very good, due to my father's 
inheritance, but let's say that being in the position I am money is nothing to worry about. Maggie has 
left their old house and has moved with them. She surely is a great help both with the house duties 
and with the earthquake my son has turned into. Sometimes I think if he still remembers me. Dana 
would probably talk to him about me and he can see the photographs Dana has but he was 
merely a baby last time I saw him. If there is one thing I regret about all this is missing my only 
son's childhood. 
  
I looked at the group again and they are now lying on the ground. I can hear them singing some 
rock song but by the sounds of it, they don't know the lyrics so they are trying to make them up.
I see Willem looking at a car which is now parking. The car stopped and her mother appears wearing 
her usual navy suit. Willem runs towards her and climbs into her waiting arms. They approach the group 
and Dana talks with the boys while Willem gathered his things into his gym bag. Dana has changed a bit 
since the last time; her little body is thinner but not because of lack of food but for increasing visits 
to the gym. Her hair is shorter and in a darker shade of red but all this makes her seem younger. 
  
When Willem is ready, the two of them leave the group and walk to the car. 
Willem puts his arm around his mother's waist and she passes hers around his 
shoulder. Here goes my family. They deserve all the happiness they can face 
after all they have suffered and I'm going to make that happen
As I see the car go away, I mentally kiss my wife and son goodbye "you'll be 
fine and safe" I promise, "I'm planing my way back to you and it will be soon". With that I abandon 
the place, my promise still hanging in my mind and the idea of making it true more possible each day.
  
THE END
 
Spookster.
Finish on February 6th.
 
I'm thinking about a sequel but I'll wait for your feedback. Any ideas of how to continue with this will be highly appreciated.


0228_sleireg-arrakis-es_tmidiml.txt