Title: Spender's Daughter
Author: Erin M. Blair
E-Mail: eblair@sonic.net
Classification: VR-Vignette, Romance.
Content: Spender/Other Married. 
Time Span/Spoilers: Two Fathers/One Son.
Rating: G.
Distribution/Archive Statement: OK to Gossamer, The
Ferret Cage, and Xemplary. Other archives:
ask me first.
Disclaimer: Jeffrey Spender isn't mine but Melanie
Alomar-Spender and Lauren Spender belongs to me.
Summary: Spender and Melanie's daughter has her
first Christmas while Spender realizes something
special. Sequel to "Just Smile" and "Spender's Surprise." 


------------------------------------
SPENDER'S DAUGHTER
Written by: Erin M. Blair
------------------------------------

"Mel?" 

Melanie Alomar-Spender looked up as she finished 
breast feeding their new daughter, Lauren Dana
Spender. "Hi Jeff. Lauren's finished feeding." She
paused and a huge smile lit up her dainty features.

Jeffrey brought home a huge brown teddy bear 
with a big red ribbon tied around his neck. "What
do you think?"

Melanie's smile deepened. "Lauren's gonna love it!"

"Our baby deserves the best. It's her first Christmas
ever," said Jeffrey. He took Lauren from Melanie and he 
cuddled her in his arms. "She's so beautiful. She has your 
red hair, Melanie, and my eyes." 

"I know. She has the best features from both of us." A
short paused and Melanie continued. "I'm so glad everything
had turned out for Lauren's first Christmas...especially
with that near death of yours. You don't know how worried I
was!"

"If it wasn't for Mulder and Scully finding me, I would 
have bled to death," said Jeffrey. He will be forever 
grateful to his fellow agents for giving him a new start
on life. 

A chance to be with his wife and new daughter. 

He took Melanie and Lauren in his arms and smiled. "Both
of you are my family."

"And you're mine." Melanie paused as she smelled his aftershave
and then she cuddled in his embrace. "I love you, Jeff. I
always did. Do you remember when met?"

"We have to thank Agent Scully for that too," said Jeffrey
as his smile deepened. "She was our forensic teacher." While
still embracing, he pulled out a package in his pocket and
hand it to his wife. "Open it, Mel." 

"Jeff, Lauren's enough - "

"Melanie, I know you didn't want me to get you anything
but I wanted to show you my love." 

Melanie saw her husband's determination in his eyes and
she nodded. She tore off the red wrapping paper to reveal
a small box. She gently opened the lid to reveal a silver
heart pendent. "Jeff, it's beautiful!" 

"It's a locket, Melanie."

She opened the locket to reveal of photo of them with 
Lauren. For a moment, her heart welled with happiness. It
was the most beautiful gift he had ever given her besides
creating their lovely daughter. "Jeff, it's exquisite!
Thank you so much."

*  *  *


While Melanie's helping Lauren with her presents an hour
later, all Jeffrey could think about was how lucky he was
to have a family of his own. "Melanie, I realized something."

"What?"

"We're so lucky to have each other."

"I know, Jeff." Melanie's lips touched his own as they
completed a kiss to reaffirm how much she loved him. *Jeff's
right, we _are_ lucky to have Lauren and each other. I'll 
never lose him.* "I love you."

"And I love you, Melanie. This has been the best Christmas
I ever had and it's all because of you."

Indeed it was.

End of Story

Feedback: Much appreciated. Send to: eblair@sonic.net
Flames doesn't bother me anymore. =) I have taken Creative
Writing, and learned how to accept both negative 
AND positive criticisms.

Dedications: 

To my brother, Mark, for his support. If it
weren't for him making me watch the X-Files,
I wouldn't be an X-Phile Shipper. Thanks Mark
for watching every single episode of X-Files and
Millennium with me.

To my fellow Spender fans: Drovar, Megan, etc.
this one's for you!

Author's Notes: I *refuse* to believe
Spender's dead so I'm continuing his
life with Melanie Alomar-Spender and their
new little girl, Lauren.