Hi guys, it's been a while huh! Sorry for my long delay, but things have been really complicated for me lately and many things demanded my attention at the same time. I run a business and end of years always get crazy there. Plus I also had sickness problems. Well, this chapter is smaller than I planned to update, but I think it was better like this. I hope to be able to publish the other half during the week or in the next weekend, but I won't promise it. But in December there will have more chapters for sure! I'd like to thank you all who read it and review. My huge apologies to keep you waiting for so long. I appreciate your patience! I hope you like this chapter.

A/N: I'm not english native, but I have the tendency to write in english, so I apologize for any misspelling or confusing line.

"Memoir Portman

Today I'm here, after so long, walking around the apartment, "our" apartment. Or at least it was supposed to be the apartment we would live.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about my past, my mistakes, my choices. All that led me here.

Even though the plans didn't go as they were supposed to, we never lived here. We bought it, but couldn't move. However we did spend just one night here in our bed. Things are just the same way as it was left in the last time I came. Right now I'm facing the bed. I know I'm alone, but it feels like your presence still lingers here. It's the crime scene, it's where we made love. It was the last time we touched each other with love. It was the last time you were mine and then we parted our ways, but I refused to let you go.

But now, a few years later, when I think about that and face this scene, I finally come to my senses that you were never completely mine. It seems like that all that we lived, all the time we spent together was just a loan. Yeah, a loan!

That night I felt you so distant, you denied it, you said it was just my imagination. It wasn't! That night was your goodbye to us. I was happy talking about the plans I had for this place. You were distracted. I was blind. I talked about children. Children?! It was your reaction. You finally heard me. I was blind again, took it in a sportive way, and said I wanted to have two children, but in 4 or 5 years from that night on. Then you said that you never thought about it, but it seemed that 2 kids were fine. Lie… I remember one day we were talking with friends and I heard you saying you wanted to have a family, but it seemed to be impossible for you as life took that chance from you and then excused it with your job and your lifestyle. I pretended I didn't hear you saying it… now 5 years after that group talk, you are finally expecting your first child with the one you always waited for, that only one that you made your plans with, the one that you completely belong-ed. That's why I say that our time was always just a loan.

I did keep the apartment as you told me to until today. Once in a while someone used to come here and clean it. Today I came to check it and to say goodbye. I'm moving on too. And as an irony of the destiny, I met and fell in love with your brother.

Interestingly Nicholas makes me feel things I never felt with anyone before, not even with you. I'm finally being able to make plans again. He's putting together the pieces you broke. He's willing to live the plans that you threw away. Nicholas and I have everything to not work. Our roles somehow are opposites. I was always the good and obedient girl and he the rebel. I was always on the side of the law, he broke it. But none of us was looking for love, we both were broken inside after our losses. Then I found out that we had a single bond in common, you. You hurt both of us…

At first, we were just a man and a woman having casual sex. Then for a short period we became allies, but soon we realized we didn't want that kind of alliance and so our relationship and plans began. And for those plans to happen, I had to let go of you. To let go of the last remain of us. I don't want to live by your shadow and much less Nicholas. I say that because I'm still known as the agent that managed to be with you, surely you are known as a flirt, but you never crossed that line with anyone else there, but me… I became your public girlfriend, fiancée. Hopefully I didn't become the joke after the break up, yet, I dated the best of them!

But I don't want that kind of fame. You've worked hard for that. I'm not an accessory. We are not your accessories. Deep inside, I want to be like Sarah was to Nicholas. Of course, I don't want to take her place, I'm not this kind of woman! I didn't try to erase your story with Jill either. I guess I lived with her somehow as you were always thinking about her, you were just with me during the meantime of her absence, you would just be with me until you'd confirm she would never return. Today I realized it and she returned.

Spending time with you during that course opened my eyes. A part of me still had hope that I was someone to you. A part of me hoped that your reconciliation with Jill didn't work, a part of me was resented for your decision and for your last words that it was over. A part of me refused to let go of the part of you.

Now I'm ready to let go of you and thank you for the No. Nicholas is giving me the Yes. I've finally erased the black stain your name meant to me. I hope you have all you expected to have with the love of your life and I hope you are not the bastard with her as you were the bastard with me! I highly doubt she would forgive you for some of the blunders I forgave from you.

Now I have to attend the door. The buyer is here to conclude the buy-sell agreement and pay for it. Then I'll go back home."

(**)

It was night when Nicholas arrived at his condo. Nicole smiled at him seductively; she had been waiting for him in a red sexy lingerie. The lights were low and there were several perfumed candles in the room, which created a romantic atmosphere.

Nicholas was surprised, but liked what he saw. He didn't even have the time to lock the door because Nicole walked towards him and kissed him passionately. She started removing his clothes while they kissed. He let himself be guided by that woman that led him to the bathroom which had more surprises. The bathtub was turned on, Nicole asked him to get in there while she massaged him seductively and planted kisses on his ear and neck. Then she removed slowly piece by piece of her lingerie and got into the tub sitting on top of him. they made love there and then went to the bedroom to continue the love session. It was the first time they said to each other "I love you" since they started their relationship.

They were lying on the bed, Nicole was resting her head on his chest while he caressed her hair, "Why all that so suddenly?" he asked her

"Suddenly?" she said holding her laugh, "You really don't know what day is today?" she said looking at his eyes

"Honestly… No." he replied wondering what she was talking about

Nicole let out a light laugh, "I know this would happen, so I don't blame your confusion. Today is the anniversary of the first time we met one year ago." She replied smiling

"Oh really that it's a year already?!" Nicholas replied making a face

"Yeah, things were fast between us since the start. We met and we went already to bed, so I guess none of us expected it to last."

"True, I won't deny that, but I think this is good, we are living one day at a time." He said and smiled back, "You grew on me in a way that I never imagined I'd be capable to feel. We met in a moment when I was hopeless about love and I couldn't believe that I could fall or even love someone else since Sarah died… I stopped making plans, stopped dreaming because it hurt too much." He spoke sighing a bit

Nicole caressed his face kindly, "I know Sarah was and still is very important to you. I could never take it from you. I understand how you feel because I was in the bottom just like you, but you managed, somehow, to rescue my romantic and dreamy side. I feel that I'm back to life and I can love again. So, I'm starting be that girl that imagines things and scenes again. Today is the 1st anniversary, but I want other anniversaries to come. I'm not talking about marriage and kids for now; I'm just saying that I want to enjoy just the two of us for a good while, well, if you want it too."

"Of course I want it too!"

Nicole had a large smile that made her even more beautiful

"You know… you and I have so much in common and you might not believe me, but I didn't know who you were until the day you told me your story with Leon. I didn't approach you to get info about him, I'm not using you. You got my attention in the crowd, not just because of your beauty, but because of your presence. I don't know how to explain that…" he spoke

"I believe you! As a matter of fact, I didn't give you any info about him, I just told you my personal matter with him." She agreed

"Yeah, and since then I never asked you anything about him."

"That's true. That's why I believe you. From my side I didn't know who you were either until I learned you last name. It's crazy, but I didn't relate you to him physically, I guess I ignored it until I confirmed your identity… Work made me have this habit of searching backgrounds so I could know my next move, but with you it was different. Firstly I let you in, and then I made the research." She said

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked in curiosity

"You didn't tell me either!" she replied

"But I had my reasons." He said looking serious

"I had my reasons too!" she replied and saw him making a face, "the only thing I ask you is to not think that I'm with you to replace Leon because you are his brother. I'm not with you for his shadow. I'm with you because of you. I fell in love with you Nicholas. You make me feel safe and especially welcomed, I feel you here with me! Leon never made me feel that way because he was with me because of the shadow of Jill." She spoke staring at his eyes

Nicholas opened his mouth to say something, but noticed she still had something else to add, "So I think this should be our number one rule, to not compare with someone else. I don't compare myself to Sarah, but it bothers me when you compare yourself to Leon sometimes when we argue." She spoke

"You're right. I agree with this rule! But let's talk about rules some other time, I want to know how was your day."

"Okay, it was great! I finally concluded a task." She spoke with relief remembering of her quick trip to sell the apartment

"Really, what kind of task?" he asked in curiosity

"Can we talk about it some other time? Today I need to think and enjoy everything that is just about you and me! Okay?" she said with a plea gaze

"Sure… Besides it's our first anniversary and I look forward for many others!" he said planting a kiss on her lips

It was the end of the shift of Jill and she was in her cabin finishing her work chores when her cell phone rang, it was Leon.

"Hey baby, where are you?" he said in a loving tone

"I'm still at work, but I'm about to leave. Why?"

"Wait me there, I'm on my way. I feel like having a happy hour for the two of us."

"Oh, alright." She replied and they disconnected

It didn't take long for Leon to arrive at the BSAA HQ, he sent Jill a message informing where he was parked. Jill went to the car, entered and greeted him with a kiss on the lips.

"So where are we going?" she asked

"I was thinking about our favorite restaurant." He replied

"That's great!" she said with a smile

Getting in the restaurant, the waiter showed their reserved table and this got Jill's attention as it seemed like Leon had planned everything behind her back, but she didn't comment and just followed Leon enjoying everything.

"You are so romantic tonight." She commented with a teasing

"Are you saying I'm not romantic?" he replied making a face but taking it in a sportive way

"No, I didn't say that. I said that you are too romantic Tonight." She said put emphasis in the last word

"And is it a bad thing?"

"Of course not Leon!" she replied, "But it makes me suspect on you a little bit." She said laughing a bit

"Suspect on me?" he said lifting his eyebrows

"Yeah…"

"Why?"

"Because or you did something wrong and you want to compensate it, or you're planning something else."

"Or I did something wrong and want to compensate it… Women! They always think the worst of the kindness of a man that loves them!" Leon said in a playful way

"Come on Leon, don't be so dramatic." She said laughing, "I just said that you're not usually all that romantic, but I don't think You did something wrong. It doesn't suit you to do wrong things, as a matter of fact, one of the qualities you have and I admire so much is your passion to do the right things, your ethic and moral code."

Leon smiled at her and nodded thanking for her compliment, but he didn't let it to be noticed, but deep inside he was a bit embarrassed for those words. Something from his past, something that he didn't want Jill to never know.

The couple continued talking about other matters while they ate their meals. Leon asked for their dessert and the waiter got his sign. When the waiter was back, in the tray, there was a card, "Miss, here is your dessert." The waiter said showing the tray with the contents in it

Jill saw the plates, an arrangement of flowers with a card. She didn't know how to react, she looked at the tray and then to Leon who was smiling and it was visible that he was holding his emotions. He made a sign to her to read the card first.

"I wish I were a poet to write to you a very beautiful love declaration for a special moment like that, but poetry is not my forte, but I must admit that my initial plan 6 years ago was simpler and those years without your presence helped me to improve a bit more this occasion. It's not how I expected it to be, our baby decided to come first and it made me to postpone and adjust my plans for us. Well, other circumstances changed it too. But let's not talk about that, let's talk and enjoy the few, but very important moments we have as normal people…" Jill read the card and was getting emotional then she looked at Leon who noticed she had read all the notes.

Leon smiled kindly at her and held her hand that was over the table, stared at her and took a breath, "As you read, this moment was supposed to have happened 6 years ago in the week that you were gone…" he paused and sighed a bit remembering the sadness of that memory

Jill looked down concommittally, "We fought… you didn't want me to go in that specific mission and I couldn't comprehend that you were feeling something was going to happen… I thought you were being selfish and disrespecting my alliance with Chris and my goal. I yelled at you and told you things that I should have never said. I told you if you were expecting me to be a housewife and a submissive woman, you should find someone else for it because I wasn't that type of woman, I was a soldier… I ignored completely your feelings and misinterpreted your care and protection with both of us, I mean, our relationship. You never said to me to stop fighting, you were just worried about that night. We were in a great phase of our relationship, but… I still wasn't the woman to dream with the two of us. I neglected that you had real feelings for me despite your fame. I guess I doubted you could be the man to settle down because I thought you could leave me anytime because… you know that other subject…" Jill replied with a sigh

Leon nodded knowing what she was referring, "We've talked about it already and the moment now is different. I just said that because I don't want you to think that I'm doing this because you're pregnant and that I could've done it after your return, but I don't think that would be the moment, but to be honest, I've realized that there is no ideal moment for things to happen. If we wait for the ideal moment, it will never come. And I say it for our current moment, there is Nicholas thing, my work thing, days in and days out in DC, etc." Leon said

"Yeah, that's true."

"I tell you more, I had thought of doing it in those weeks we were together, but my course confirmation ruined it." Leon said and both laughed then Leon got a small box from his pocket, opened it, took the ring and held Jill's hand putting it on her finger , "so I decided that I won't wait any longer. I'm looking forward to have you as my Mrs. Kennedy, so Jill Valentine, will you marry me?" he said with excited face

Jill couldn't help her emotions and excitement, there were some tears trying to go down her face, but those were tears of happiness. The pregnancy hormones had influence in that sensitivity as well, but after so long and after so many obstacles, ups and downs, Jill and Leon were giving the most important step into a new level of their relationship, they were finally about to settle down.

With a large smile and nodding, "Yes! I do want to marry you Leon Scott Kennedy." She said excited. Leon couldn't help his happiness and left his seat and bent down to kiss her. They didn't mind about the other people looking at them. Leon returned to his seat and they continued talking while having the real dessert and then went to Jill's home.

(**)

The next day, Jill and Leon were lying on the bed. Jill's back pain had increased since the baby was growing every day and getting heavier.

"Jill, there are two other things I want to talk to you." Leon said with a serious tone

"Okay." Jill replied

"Our babie's due date is getting close. Time is flying and we still need to decide how we are going to manage after he's born. Unfortunately I can't leave DC yet. You will need proper care in the first few weeks and I still don't have confirmation to use my vacation and father leave in the first month of his due. You don't have anyone else and my mother lives in another town, I know she will do anything to help us in the beginning, but we are the ones to raise him… I know you can live without seeing me every day and not be jealous of each other and still trust, but with a kid now I'm not comfortable with the idea of our distance. I know you have your job and the BSAA HQ is here…" he paused a bit, "I don't want to force you to do anything you don't want to. But I was reflecting it's time for us to see things beyond ourselves…" he spoke calmly

"I know and I was thinking about that too…" she made a pause, "I won't deny that I like working in the HQ, but things have changed a lot since my return from Africa. I'm becoming a mother almost in my 40, my body is not the same and retirement is an inevitable thing. I agree with all you said. I know your current situation at work and I'm pretty much aware of how relocation works, but there's something else I want to ask you."

"Sure."

"I want us to have the civil marriage before we move to DC. The condition of my pregnancy worries me about flying, so I want to be able to do it for safety. But I guess I'll need about two weeks to arrange my things at the BSAA, my transference to DC office and invite some close friends for our private celebration, so they'll need some time to arrange their stuff too. I know it will be a little rushed up, but I want to celebrate it a little bit as the big ceremony will be after the labor." She explained

"Yeah, it's rushed up, but I don't have my friends to invite and most of them live in DC. Here I just have your friends like Chris and Piers…"

"Come on! Chris, Claire, Barry and Rebecca are your friends too! They're not just mine. I know that the high possibility is that most of them won't come to the civil marriage, but we need at least some witnesses right?!"

"Yeah…" Leon said and was interrupted

"So… Chris is in mission and I want him to participate alongside Claire, but he is in some course in another country and he might be back just next week. And Claire… Well she keeps herself busy, but I guess she can try to pay this visit, but if she cannot, I know Barry will do. And speaking about Barry…" she made a pause and sighed a bit, "I want him to walk with me in the aisle in our real celebration after baby's due. He's like a father to me and he's the closest and only trusted person I have to take this role." She smiled slightly

"This is a great choice. I'm sure Barry will accept it with an open heart!"

"Yeah… and I know we will be already married legally, but I still want to have that big and beautiful party, the guests, the official pictures and the honeymoon!" she spoke with a bright gaze

"I agree. It's going to be good to have this period for preparation. For now we will have to live in my apartment, but I look forward for us to have our own place and we don't need hurry to accomplish that."

"That's true! Now I'm completely focused on our baby bedroom! I didn't change anything here because I was preparing myself for that city change, so we'll have to hurry a bit with the preparation in our future "new" apartment. I've made a lot of research of how I want the decoration to look, but in DC I'll put it in action."

"You have my approval for anything you plan considering that there will have some blue detail, because you know…"

"Yeah I know that! We have this in common! I want the walls to be blue, but not the typical baby blue. I saw it in one magazine, there are other details like teddy bears and other things and the best is… There is that store in DC!" she said with excitement

"Oh, really? That's great then." Leon spoke with a smile

"Yeah! When we get there, the first shopping stop I am going to make is in that store and personally check the wallpaper that I saw online."

"So Mrs. Kennedy will need a copy of the keys and the bank card with the password." Leon said

"Mrs. Kennedy… I'll need to get used to that! I agree about the keys, but I don't think we need to share the bank account. Do we?" she said making a face

"I don't mind if we do it… That's up to you." Leon replied

"We decide about it later…"

"Alright Mrs. Kennedy!" Leon pulled her to an embrace

"By the way I need to decide which one will be, Jill Valentine Kennedy or Jill Kennedy Valentine…" she spoke then planted a kiss on his lips

"What about Jill Kennedy?" he spoke with a playful tone

"Humm, I don't know. I will be already known as Mrs. Kennedy, I guess I still need some of my old identity." She said and laughed a bit

"I know, I'm just kidding! Honestly I don't know what to say and I think this is another thing up to you to decide."

"Yeah, and what was the second thing you wanted to talk about?" she asked in curiosity

"Oh, you already talked about it. I had the same idea of us having firstly the civil marriage and then the religious ceremony. I guess you read my mind!"

"Oh I see. No, I didn't read your mind, we just have an incredible synch!" she said smiling

"I can see that!" he said with a smile and they kissed warmly

The two continued talking on the bed and later went to spend their couple quality time and start the separation of what Jill would box for the move.

Well guys, that was it for now. I hope you liked it. I got worried about the delay of the update, so I decided to split this chapter in half, plus I also thought that it would have too much info to pay attention if I published the whole thing.

A/N: This chapter started with Portman Memoir, this addition is the beginning of a series of Memoirs along the fic, it will help to understand closely a specific character background, like the files in the games. Stay tuned!