From: taffyxf@yahoo.com
Title: Forgive Us Our Trespasses
Author: Taffy Northwood
E-Mail: taffyxf@yahoo.com
Rating: NC17 (eventually)
Category: AU, MSR
Archives: Just ask.
Feedback: Never in bad taste
Disclaimer: Mulder, Scully, Skinner and any
other XF characters are on loan only.
Summary: In 1909 New York City, there were two
distinct and separate worlds: that of the very wealthy
and that of the very poor. Could love bridge the
great divide between those worlds for two star-crossed
lovers?
Author Notes: Like a huge part of the fandom, I've
become absolutely dotty over AU fic. This is my
modest attempt to put Mulder and Scully into another
time and place. Please be aware, this is a
work-in-progress.
Forgive Us Our Trespasses - Fox Mulder's story. Part 13
"And with the power vested in me by the State
of New York, I now pronounce you man and wife.
You may kiss your bride."
Fox Mulder needed no prompting to tip Katie's
chin up with one finger and kiss her. It was only
when the judge cleared his throat that Fox drew
back to smile down at her lovely, breathless face.
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Mulder. May
you have many happy years together."
With one arm around Katie's waist, Fox shook
the judge's hand. "Thank you, sir. I'm sure
we will."
Fox fought the urge to pinch himself, afraid this
was a wonderful dream. Katie standing there, leaning
into the curve of his arm, her body warm and solid.
Two weeks ago, he'd saved Charlie Scully from the
ragman's wagon and carried him to the boarding house.
Fourteen days had passed since he knelt before Katie,
and heard her whisper the one word he longed to
hear--yes.
Maggie Scully had not been pleased when she heard her
daughter was to be married in a civil ceremony at
City Hall. She had chosen to stay at home with Charlie.
But the church insisted on a lengthy period of inquiry
before agreeing to a marriage between a Catholic and
Protestant. Even Maggie recognized that with Katie
two months along, time was of the essence.
He watched Katie lean over to sign the marriage
license, the simple gold ring on her finger catching
the light. His own wedding band was a welcome weight
on his hand.
"You make a beautiful bride, Katie," Missy said,
smiling at her sister. With her boys at the boarding
house, Missy had been able to serve as witness,
along with Walter Skinner.
"Thank you," Katie said, clutching the little bouquet of
orange blossoms Fox had bought her for the occasion.
It was only the truth, Fox thought. In an extravagantly
braided, pale yellow suit, Katie was stunning.
"Congratulations, Mulder," Skinner said, shaking Fox's
hand. "Don't botch this."
His hand on her back, Fox guided Katie through the door
as the little party left the office.
"Pay the clerk on your way out," the judge called after
them. In the outer room, a tearful young bride sat with
her equally young groom. Standing over the pale-faced
boy was a burly looking man who reminded Fox of Katie's
ruffian brother.
Bill Scully hadn't been very happy when he found out
his sister was getting married to Fox Mulder. Bill was
a man who saw the world in adversarial terms. If you
weren't Irish and Catholic, you were the enemy. His
guilt over Charlie's broken leg kept Bill from venting
his full ire over the marriage. That and the advantages
he saw in having a wealthy brother-in-law.
They all went back to the boarding house for a small
wedding lunch.
"Now, now, you're the guest of honor," Maggie said
when Katie reached for an apron. "Why don't you go
check on Charlie. Missy can help me get lunch on
the table."
Fox followed Katie into the back room where a fractious
Charlie lay. The bed had been moved closer to the
open window, which did little to relieve Charlie's
misery as he could now watch the other boys as they
played. He pined mightily for his lost freedom.
"My leg itches," he complained. "Them crutches dig
inta me and hurt, and Ma took away my Deadeye Dick
books."
In the two weeks since his injury, Charlie's leg had
begun healing, but he was irritable and bored. Katie
tweaked her brother's toes and sat on the edge of the
bed.
"Itching is a good sign," she pronounced. "It means
you're healing. Now, who on earth gave you such
inappropriate reading matter?"
Katie swiveled her head to look at Fox, who held up
his hands in innocence. In fact, Fox brought penny
dreadfuls and candy for Charlie almost every day,
sneaking them past Katie and her mother.
"I would never corrupt a young mind," he lied. "Only
wholesome stories for you, young man. I'll have Skinner
drop off some Horatio Alger books."
Charlie's retort was interrupted by Maggie in the doorway
announcing that dinner was ready. Katie left to help her
mother as Fox brought Charlie his crutches.
"Now those Alger books are pretty big," Fox murmured into
Charlie's ear as he leaned over to help Charlie up. "A
Deadeye Dick fits inside with room to spare. I'll have
Skinner get a few of those, too."
"A pity your parents couldn't be here," Maggie said when
they were all settled around the table.
"Yes," Fox agreed. "It's too bad they're out of town."
That wasn't exactly a lie, Fox thought. His mother and
father were in Newport and not so far away that they
couldn't have come back for their only son's marriage.
Somehow, though, the Scullys had gotten the impression
that the Mulders were in Europe.
The truth was, Fox hadn't told his parents that he was
getting married. The morning after Katie had accepted
his proposal, Fox woke to find his parents preparing to
leave for the summer house. It seemed like providence,
so he decided to tell them when the act was complete.
In fact, he'd sent them a telegram this morning, saying
that he was spending a month at the family camp in the
Adirondacks and would have a wonderful surprise for them
when he saw them next.
He was pretty sure Katie was on to him, at least from
the shrewd look she gave him now. He'd promised her
that he was done with lying, but it was foolish to wait
for his parents to return from Newport and risk coloring
their opinion of Katie with inconvenience.
For he was sure his parents were going to love her. How
could they not? With her kind heart and lovely presence,
Katie charmed everyone she had ever met.
"It wouldn't be a wedding without cake," Maggie Scully
said, as she brought out a pretty cake decorated with
yellow sugar roses.
"Cut me a big piece," Charlie demanded. "And I want a
rose, too."
"All hail King Charlie?" Missy said, holding a piece of
cake just beyond the boy's reach. "You'll sooner get a
smack on the head from me with those manners, broken leg
or no."
"Please?" he pleaded. His sister cocked her head as if
trying to decide what to do before she placed the cake
before him.
After they had their cake, Fox looked at his pocket
watch.
"Katie, we should be on our way. I'd want to make it
to Twin Pine Lake before dark."
"Ain't it romantic," Missy said as Katie rose from the
[continued in next message]
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)
|
