Title: Whispers of Love
by xphilernj
Brevity II Challenge to Circe's Artist Challenge Elements: hand holding,  
autumn leaves, smiles, gift, waterfall
Author notes:  Love you Fibbie for continuing to be my inspiration to  
start,
faith to write and encouragement to finish.  To SweetSallie for your
neverending love, compassion and encouragement. 
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Whispers of Love
The October breeze subtly lifted and shifted the autumn leaves that  
covered
the path like a patchwork quilt as it whispered through the trees.  The
coolness in the air caused a chill to run down his back.  As he  
shivered, the warm
hand he was holding slipped around his waist and her warm body snuggled  
up to
his as they continued their slow walk through the woods. 
"Is it much further, Mulder?" she asked quietly as he draped his arm  
around
her shoulder.  "It's starting to get cold."
He kissed the top of her head and whispered.  "Not much.  I promise."
As they continued to walk in silence, the gentle wind whispered through  
the
trees as he thought about all the years they had been together.  The  
countless
hours pouring over a gruesome case file or the terrifying hours sitting  
and
waiting beside a hospital bed.  Through many days and nights of worry  
and anger.
Through it all she was still by his side.  It had not been easy, all  
these
years.
He smiled thinking back to the beginning.  At first, she seemed to be  
running
after him, always two-steps behind.  But as time passed, he would look
backward for her, only to realize she was right beside him the whole  
time.  She
continued to stay by his side, even though she would stumble along the  
way, and
continued to amaze him with her compassion and strength.  Her love for  
life and
for him continued to overwhelm him at times, leaving him with a sense of  
awe,
admiration and a depth of love he had never felt for another human being  
before.
The path widened, leading them onto a grassy hill overlooking a large  
lake. 
On the other side was a magnificent waterfall that fell about 150 feet  
to the
surface of the lake.  The sun was setting, making a spectacular backdrop  
for
the waterfall.
She gasped, let go of the hold around his waist and stepped to the edge  
of
the hill.
"Oh Mulder!  It's beautiful," she breathlessly said with wonder and  
amazement.
Mulder slid his hand in his pocket and retrieved a small box before he
wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. 
"Gorgeous," he whispered in her ear and kissed her neck.
"Thank you for bringing me here.  It's a wonderful surprise."  Scully  
stepped
back in his embrace, taking comfort from the warmth of his body.
"I have another surprise for you," he whispered again.
Mulder held out his hand with the small brightly colored wrapped box  
resting
in his palm.  She reached out with trembling hands and wrapped her  
fingers
around the package.
"Mulder..."  she whispered
"Open it, Scully." 
Scully slowly opened the package.   
"Mulder...what...it's..." 
"Scully."  He turned her around, placed a palm on her cheek when he saw  
the
tears in her eyes.  
She took a deep breath and smiled as the tears began to trail down her  
face. 
"Yes," was her only reply.
Mulder took the ring from her trembling hand, slipped it onto her finger  
and
raised it to his lips.  Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled  
her
close.  "I love you.  Always."
She tightened her arms around his waist and whispered, "I love you,  
Forever."
Mulder and Scully watched the sun slowly disappear behind the waterfall,  
wrapped in each others warmth.  As the darkness fell, whispers of love  
floated on
the cool autumn breeze.  
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~