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Title: Here Comes Summer
Author: Pattie
Rated: G
Category: Kidfic, Alternate Universe.
Summary: Scully decides she and the children need a
break from the city since school's out, but Mulder does not
care to remember his family's summer home. We all know
why.
Feedback: patfiler2016@outlook.com
Archive: Gossamer. Anybody else ask politely, please.
Disclaimers: The X-Files, Mulder, Scully and William belong
to Chris Carter, Ten Thirteen Productions and Fox Studio. It
was my decision to make the family larger.
They had yet to hear from Homeland Security. Things were
iffy. Friday afternoon wasn't all that busy, so Scully, although she
didn't like lying to her husband, asked him and Kersh if she
could leave after lunch. With their permission, she left the office
and began shopping, then packing clothing for herself, William,
Meg, Samantha Ann and James. She was careful enough to
ensure there was ice for the cooler; bags of garments and
toiletries were hidden in the family van.
MULDER RESIDENCE
ALEXANDRIA, VA
After dinner, while Mulder was in his basement home office, she
sat down with the youngsters and advised them to keep her
plans to themselves.
Then it was Mulder time. "Mulder, since we've been good, Kersh
didn't tell you this, but we have a week coming. Since you didn't
get around to selling the summer home in Quonoquotaugh,
Rhode Island, I think it would be a nice idea to take the children
there. Would you come?"
"No. I'd rather paint the house and watch it dry, so I'll pass."
Scully knew he'd refuse. She held his hand and said gently.
"You'll have to get over the bad old days, my dear husband."
Silence.
"Okay, then. The children will be well taken care of. We'll be fine."
"Then do what you want to. I'll call the electrical people tonight
and get the neighbor there to set up the water system, check on
the septic tank. I'll be fine. The neighbor's name is Wilfred
Simpson and he does maintain the garden. Don't worry about
me."
"You sure?"
"I'll be fine. Just call every day. I'll have my cell handy, go to the
Y, maybe hang out. I won't go on any paranormal adventure, I
promise. You're in for a seven hour drive, Scully."
"Don't worry. I can take it. Tea?"
"Sure." He wasn't saying much more, but his wife knew Mulder
was trying as much as he could to forget the days spent
avoiding his parents and playing with Samantha at Quono-
quotaugh, Rhode Island.
"By the way, I already bought the food and packed our things,
except yours."
"And they call ME 'Spooky'. You knew I wouldn't agree to go.
This calls for a kiss."
THIRD SATURDAY OF JULY, 2017
7:00 AM
Everybody for the most part were awake and eating breakfast.
"Mom," William asked. "A seven hour drive to Quonoquotaugh
means a few stops for bathrooms and lunch, you know. What
about James? He gets rather bored."
"He'll probably nap in the car and he has toys. Since you're
older with a driver's license, we can take turns. I have a map for
the route, pit stops marked out, and a few years ago your Dad
took me out there."
"I want my Daddy to come." Meg was starting to cry.
Mulder hugged his daughter. "I can't, honey. There are some
things I need to do here. I have the house to myself, the lawn
needs mowing, so no tears. Besides, you get to make new
friends."
That cheered her up.
After everybody had been strapped in, Scully pulled out, of all
things, a cassette, surprising William.
"They still make those things?"
"I found it at a garage sale, and yes they may be hard to find, but I
got a great deal on a pack of ten, blank, unopened ones and since
your father manages to save a lot of things, I even managed to find
a radio/ cassette player which has a record function. Many of my
favorites from a few oldies stations."
"Oh jeepers. I know you can't sing, Mom." Cue the famous Mulder
pout.
As she started the van, Scully grinned. "But I can listen and enjoy."
She placed it into the slot. "I'll wait until we're an hour out of town,
so you can prepare yourself."
About an hour later, Scully decided to play the music on low, since
James was napping.
"Who the heck is that?' William asked.
"Cliff Richard and The Shadows performing 'Here Comes
Summer'. And yes, they're still alive."
"Sounds okay, I guess."
"Mommy, gotta go... " Meg.
"Me, too." James added.
"Okay, we're almost near Baltimore. I'll find us a diner in case
anyone's hungry."
As they reached a small diner and the car stopped, there was a
cry. James had had a bad dream.
Scully handed her set of keys to her son. "Your turn after snack.
Please bring your brother in for me, since he's still dozey."
"Sure. C'mon, little brother. I know you're hungry." 'Wonder what
it's be like being a Dad', he thought. 'School, jobs, apartment.' he
reminded himself.
Everbody sat down to order a snack. Scully made sure it was
nutritious.
William stood and said, "I'd better go, too."
"Good idea," Scully replied. "I guess I should, too. Our next stop
is Newark, New Jersey for lunch. Eat up, Meg. You're still
growing."
The girl finished her meal and milk, Scully gave the waitress the
money and a tip, and the family was back on the road.
As 'Summer in the City' by The Lovin' Spoonful was playing,
Scully advised William to roll the windows up. "I need to put on
the air conditioning."
William had to wonder about all the oldies his mother was so
fond of. "Mom, why not the radio for a change? Maybe
something modern."
"No. I don't want your sisters or brother hearing the swearing or
sexual content. You may like it, but I don't."
"Except when you're drunk."
"Me?"
"Don't pretend to be so innocent, Mom. I heard about the time
you were being stalked and blasted 'Smashing Pumpkins' in your
old apartment before you and Dad... "
"Okay. Let me just turn the tape over. Keep your eye on the road."
12:05 PM
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
JERRY AND HARVEY'S RESTAURANT
The drive seemed to take forever, but it well worth it The family
was making good time, and there was no fighting between Meg
and Samantha Ann. It would have been good to have Alison and
Mandy, but they needed to work.
Again, Scully made certain everybody ate well, rehydrated, and
used the restroom.
What a surprise. Another cassette with Scully's favorite summer
songs, which bored her children somewhat, brought a few laughs
and much curiosity.
QUONOQUOTAUGH, RHODE ISLAND
By 3:07, they had arrived at the old cottage, and Wilfred Simpson
was there to greet them. "You must be Fox Mulder's family."
"Yes, and my husband showed me your picture. Sir."
"Everbody, meet Mr. Simpson."
"Hi, I'm Will."
"You look just like your father."
Samantha Ann and Meg were rather shy and said nothing. James
curiously assessed the man silently.
"It's okay," the man in his mid-seventies said calmly. "I've known
your Daddy since he was knee high to a grasshopper. Ma'am, the
electricity is on, as is the water, the well was tested last week,
and the septic tank was flushed."
"Well then, we should get down to business," Scully replied. "I have
the keys. Okay, everybody. I'll unlock the trunk. Will, help your
sisters with their bags while I get the food inside."
"I wish Dad had come," Will muttered as he dragged himself from
his seat."
"Like now, please. We're all tired."
The older man grinned. "I dusted down the place and put out fresh
linens."
"Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Is the telephone connected?"
"Give them an hour."
"I have a cell phone, so that's not a problem. You're welcome to
dinner."
"I'll take a rain check," Simpson answered. My daughter is due
here soon from New York. Works at Macy's in New York. Gotta
go." He was winking.
Scully watched the man as he walked away, and wondered why
the wink. He was humming Three Dog Night's version of "Joy
to the World" as well. Hadn't she one tried to sing that to Mulder
years ago?
Once everybody was inside the house, she checked on the
refrigerator and its freezer section. *Good. Proper
temperatures*, she thought. "William, please help me unload
the cooler so I can put a few things into the fridge. Then look
after your sisters and brother for a while. I need to go into town
for milk, juice and a few other things."
"Aw Mom, I want to check out the TV for cable."
"Don't 'Aw' me. It's run by an aerial. If you're lucky, maybe
thirteen to twenty stations. Find something suitable for the
younger ones. I'll be back in about forty-five minutes. We can
unpack later."
"Okay."
5:05 PM
Scully washed out pots and pans and began cooking their
dinner. Within an hour supper was served.
7:09 PM
Rooms were assigned and since William could unpack his
own clothing and toiletries, his mother helped the others.
To Scully's surprise, the bathroom was very clean, so she
bathed her daughters, dressed them for bed, then attended
to James.
9:10 PM
As Scully and William were watching a movie drinking tea,
there was a knock at the door.
"Must be the phone company. I'll get it."
Another knock.
"Keep your shirt on." The woman was absolutely stunned.
Mulder!"
"Yes," he replied, hugging her and all smiles.
"Are you sure you really want to be here?"
"Dad, I thought... "
"Wrong, Dude. I need a few minutes with your mother."
"All right. I'm not done unpacking anyway." William went
to his room and decided to run his ipod.
"Scully, for the past few weeks I have been seeing a
hypnotherapist Karen referred me to and I am fine."
"You sure?"
"Positive. You've always told me to have faith, and since
I am a psychologist, I sought help."
"You are full of surprises. I can heat up some chicken and
baked potatoes."
"You'd better. I drove out here on an empty stomach and I
am starving."
"I know. The rumbling I hear sure isn't thunder."
"Mom!" William shouted. "The phone's hooked up!"
"Good!" Scully shouted back. "No long distance calls!
And as for you, my dear husband I hope you left your
laptop at home, because we're going to the fairgrounds
tomorrow."
"Not if I tire you out tonight. I have plans for us."
"I may be tired, but what the heck. 11:00?"
"That's a date. I brought a fan."
"Oh, you are full of surprises."
END
AUTHOR'S NOTE: "Here Comes Summer" is a song
written and sung by Jerry Keller, covered by Sir Cliff
Richard and others. Scully takes the family on a summer
vacation. Plot Generator story, courtesy of the lady who
runs The Nursery Files.
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