TITLE: Bittersweet AUTHOR: Dawn EMAIL: sunrise@avenew.com RATING: G SPOILERS: Through season 8 DISCLAIMER: They aren't mine, etc., etc. ARCHIVE: Yes, just let me know SUMMARY: Some wounds never completely heal. AUTHOR'S NOTES: Written in response to a Scullyfic 155-word challenge Bittersweet By Dawn She cradles the small body against her own, marveling its perfection. Drowsy blue eyes and rosy, sleep-warmed skin. A cap of reddish-gold fuzz, soft as a new chick, and ten perfectly formed fingers with tiny petal-pink nails. His eyes flutter shut and the rhythmic tug at her breast falters, then stills, yet one chubby hand continues to clutch her nightgown with the possessiveness of a jealous lover. He fits into her arms perfectly, like the missing piece to a beautiful, terrible puzzle. Her mother calls him a miraculous gift from God; she counts him due compensation for all God has taken from her. Some losses are not to be borne; some wounds never completely heal. Solemn blue eyes and ivory-pale skin. She cradles a fragile body burning with fever, wracked with pain. Eyes flutter shut and the ragged gasps for air falter, then cease, yet one small hand continues to clutch her blouse like a mute plea for salvation. Emily. She will never forget.