***DISCLAIMER***: All "X-Files" elements and references
in this story belong to Fox Broadcasting, Chris Carter,
and 1013 Productions, and I am making no money from it.

ARCHIVING: Link only, please!

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Roses
by shannono
shannono@iname.com


Vignette

Rated G

Summary: Margaret Scully gets an unexpected gift.

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Roses
by shannono


Margaret Scully's House
February 23, 1998
10:28 a.m.

Margaret Scully almost gasped as her doorbell sounded, then shook
her head ruefully. "I don't know why I'm so jumpy," she said to
herself as she walked to her front door.

Peering out, she saw a young man almost hidden behind a huge bouquet
of pale peach roses. "What on earth ...," she said, releasing the
latch and opening the door.

"Margaret Scully?" the delivery driver asked.

"Yes, but ..."

"These are for you," he said, holding out the vase.

Margaret was thoroughly confused. She could think of no good reason
to be getting flowers, much less such an extravagant bouquet.

She realized the man was still standing there, and finally reached
out to take the vase. "Thank you," she said, adding, "Here, let me
get ..."

"No thank you, ma'am, it's been taken care of," he said, then turned
and walked back toward his delivery truck.

Margaret closed and relatched the door behind her, then crossed to
the dining room table and gingerly set down the vase. Her eyes roamed
over the flowers, quickly determining that there were nearly three
dozen. "I can't imagine who would do such a thing," she murmured,
still in shock. "Who ..."

She caught herself and laughed softly. "Well, Maggie, why don't you
just open the card and see?" she said, amused and a bit embarrassed
at herself.

She reached to remove the florist's envelope from the bouquet and
glanced at the address, written in a neat but unfamiliar hand. Opening
the envelope, she pulled out not the small card she expected but a
piece of pale grey paper, folded into quarters.

Reaching to put on her glasses, she unfolded the sheet and started
to read the somewhat unruly scrawl:

"Dear Mrs. Scully,

"I know these flowers come as a surprise to you, and I know you
probably think they are too extravagant. But this was the best way 
I could think of to thank you for the greatest gift in my life.

"For the past six years, I have enjoyed the fruits of your labors,
blessed by the beauty and grace you helped create and mold. Any good
inherent in me is a reflection of your work and your love.

"These thirty-four roses symbolize the thirty-four years you have
spent on your masterpiece. She is perfect. And I am grateful.

"With love,
"Fox Mulder"

Margaret could feel the tears streaming down her face as she finished
reading. She reached for tissue to dry her eyes, then leaned forward
to smell the sweet scent of the roses.

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