Feelings Perfected
Author's Note: Okay, it's been a couple of years since I updated this thing. I said I was going to finish what I started. And I always do. I hope that this is worth the wait for those who have read from the beginning and if not, I just hope you enjoy it. I will try to finish this before the year's out. As usual, I don't own anything RE but this story. Hopefully I can keep the inspiration.
Chapter 14- Definitely Maybe Not
Four of the Umbrella survivors were now standing outside of door 218 waiting for admittance from none other than Jill Valentine's mother. After resting for a couple of hours, Chris had somehow managed to wake Jill and the others up. On one hand he was nervous as hell to be meeting Jill's mom. On the other hand he was scared shitless because of the circumstances of meeting Jill's mom. She didn't want her to think he was a homewrecking asshole. The door slowly opened in front of him and he definitely didn't expect what he was greeted with. A big bald black guy standing about 6'3, 250lbs. He looked like he could have played for the Chicago Bears.
'Must be Mr. Anderson.'- Chris thought to himself.
"Jill! Your mama's been yapping my head about you for hours. What took you so long?" asked her as he embraced her in a hug. Claire and Leon just stared. He was a really big guy. He put himself and Leon to shame in the weightlifting department. Jill smiled slightly as if she had expected this.
"We got some sleep after the flight Ken. Hey these are my friends from back home I was telling you about. This is Chris, his sister Claire, and that's her boyfriend Leon." Ken looked them over and glared directly at Chris.
"This the one you about to break that poor bastard's heart for?" Chris assumed he was talking about Eric as the poor bastard. Guess Ken didn't like him much. Or maybe it was because she was about to break his heart. Jill nodded.
"Gee Ken, you sure know how to make a girl feel good about herself. But yeah, kinda why I'm here. Where's mom?"
"Getting dress for you and your friends. You know her."
"Yeah."
"Ya'll stop staring at me and come on in. I gotta get back to my game." He told them hurriedly as he ushered them into the living room and showed them to the couch.
"Marie! Jill's here." He yelled into the hall.
"Okay I'll be right out." A distinctly southern accent answered. Jill spoke nothing like her mother. Being as she wasn't around her dad much, it was amazing she never picked it up. Turning to her he tossed her a grin as she wrapped her hand around his.
"Your mom married a football player." Chris joked making Jill smirk back.
"Actually she did. He used to be on the practice squad for the Bears. He never got a chance to play with the team though. Messed his knee up pretty good." Claire overheard this.
"Really now? How long has he been with your mom?" She asked as she glanced at Leon looking over at Ken playing his game in the den. He was practically drooling over her shoulder. From what she could tell it looked like Call of Duty. No wonder.
"About 4 years they've been together. Married for two. I didn't find out until I moved up here. Of course, mom didn't think it was any of my damn business." Jill told her as she shook her head mockingly. She couldn't talk, she wouldn't be in this situation if she had just told Chris the truth before all of this happened.
"No it wasn't." Marie Anderson answered as she stepped from her bedroom.
"Ken, get your ass in here and say hi to Jill and her friends!"
"I already did woman. You and her about to have that talk anyway. I'll come in there after the smoke clears."
"Whatever." She tossed back at him before moving over and closing the den door. Turning around she smiled back at the quad before her who was trying to register what just happened. Chris just looked at the woman in front of him. At least he knew exactly where Jill got her voluptuous figure from. She was spitting image of her save being a few inches shorter and being a natural brunette whereas Jill was naturally a dirty blonde. Wow. Jill was right, she really did get it from her mama.
"Sorry about that. Ken can be an ass when he wants to be." Marie apologized as she took a seat in the chair across from Chris and Jill.
"It's okay." Leon told her with a smile. For some strange reason, Jill's mom and her husband remind him of himself and Claire. Weird.
"Mom, this is Chris. That's his sister Claire and her boyfriend Leon." Jill introduced as everyone respectively greeted her. Marie smiled back at all of them.
"It's about time I finally meet you all. Chris, you and Jill go back to Raccoon City. You saved Jill's life several times during that whole Umbrella fiasco didn't you?"
"Yes mam."
"Thank you."
"It was nothing." Marie smirked at him. Chris tossed a look back at Jill who just shrugged. Marie looked to see Leon was taking glances at the den and chuckled. Claire caught on to this and smiled at her in embarrassment over Leon acting like a bored child.
"Go on, I'm sure Ken wouldn't mind his company. Looks like he wants to play." Leon tossed her a blushed look before she nodded.
"Sorry."
"It's fine. Besides Jill's got some explaining to do. Take your time." Chris and Claire both looked at Jill's expression drop. Oh shit. Claire didn't need to be told twice to leave and she offered a small smile before grabbing Leon by the arm and hoisting him up.
"Thanks ."
"Call me Marie. Dinner should be ready in a few. Just relax. I know you all had a long flight." Claire just smiled and nodded before quickly pushing Leon towards the den. She could tell by the look on Jill's face that she was about to be interrogated and she didn't wanted to be around for the smackdown.
Turning her attentions back to her daughter and her "boyfriend", Marie straightened herself out on the sofa before looking intently back at Jill. Jill sighed loudly.
"Mom, could you stop with the theatrics? I'm not 14 anymore you know."
"Well excuse me. You're the one that's juggling men around like tennis balls and you're upset because I have to have this conversation with you about it. I didn't raise you like this Jill."
"You talk as if I did it on purpose. I'm not a slut."
"Didn't say you were but hell, it was a stupid thing to do. You knew you had feelings for Chris here. Why did you stay involved with Eric as long as you did? You thought that running away was going make them disappear?" Chris looked on in surprise. Wow, Jill and her mother really take the gloves off when they get into it. Heredity was a scary thing.
"I didn't know what to think." Jill relented. Chris attempted to jump in.
"You could have just told me Jill."
"Shut up."
"Quiet." were the respective responses from Jill and her mother. Chris shrank back in the chair just a bit before glancing back towards the den. Maybe he should have left Jill and Marie alone. He would have been a lot safer if he wasn't at ground zero. Jill turned back to her mother and sighed deeply.
"I know I messed up. I love Eric. I really do. But I can't see myself with him for the rest of my life. And I can't keep using him as a substitute for my feelings for Chris either. Why do you think I came all this way to break up with him? I feel like I owe it to him." And she did. She had to take responsibility for her actions and she had to break his heart. She had already broken Chris's once and she wasn't going to do it again. Marie said nothing and looked at Chris.
"What are your intentions Chris? Do you plan on staying with Jill for the long haul because she's obviously willing to end a promising relationship to bet on you." Chris nodded with conviction.
"I'm sure of it. We're partners."
"I thought you two didn't work together anymore." Chris shook his head.
"We're partners. That's for life." She smiled at that answer as did Jill.
"Didn't know you were the sappy type?" Chris looked taken back. What? Jill laughed on his behalf.
"He's not. Neither is Claire. Redfields are the last of a dying breed of tough."
"I wouldn't say that now. Your mother's pretty tough." Marie smirked.
"After being married to Jill's father and putting up with all of the racist bullshit from my family and everyone else for marrying Ken you're damn right I'm tough." Jill rolled her eyes but Chris was intrigued. This was the woman from which Jill hailed from. She was definitely admirable. And she wasn't ashamed to let everyone know she was a bitch. In a strange way he liked that. That was the same quality that attracted him to Jill. She was tough yet she loved unconditionally.
"I know mom. I just wanted your advice."
"You didn't need me to tell you anything. You already made up your mind. I just don't want you to regret your decision and lose out on a great guy."
"Trust me, I did a lot of thinking about that. But that last few weeks with Chris, being back in Orlando, made me realize that's where my home is. I belong there. With Chris." Chris didn't know what to make of Jill's confession. She rarely got emotional so to see her be so open about her feelings for him like this was definitely something he wouldn't forget. Turning to him Jill offered him a smile which Chris returned in kind.
"I see. What about you Chris? Why are you so intent on being with my daughter?" Marie asked not a second later. Chris couldn't help but shuffle under her gaze. She was intimidating as hell.
"It's kind of hard to put into words mam."
"Try me." She shot back making Jill scoff. Her mother was like this with everyone she ever dated. She had to interrogate them or she would make their lives hell and hers. Squeezing Chris' hand gently, he nodded.
"Well, I guess, it's just how I feel. I've never know a woman that's as tough as nails as her, save for my sister, that can still make me feel like Jello every time she smiles or laughs. Even when she's riding my case because I hog the remote. When we go out for drinks, Jill's the only one who understands why it's fun to talk about everyone at the bar when wasted. And still be responsible enough to stay sober and bring my ass home. Besides, she's beautiful, compassionate, and about 500 other things but maybe it's just cause being with her makes my life that more meaningful because I love her." He finished slightly blushing. Jill did as well. Chris had just won major brownie points for that confession. Marie clasped her hands together and laughed out loud.
"Damn, I am impressed son. You're the first man I've met that I feel truly knows her. My girl can be a royal bitch." Jill's eye widened at her mother's statement causing her to almost jump out of the chair.
"Mom!" Marie just waved her off.
"Oh hush! You know what I mean. But she's also loving woman. I'm glad that you realize that. So, my next question is, exactly how do you plan on telling Eric about you two?"
"That's what I came over here to ask you." Jill said as her mood faltered a bit. She really did not want to go through this. But the sooner she did, the sooner she could start moving on with her life and let Eric move on with his.
"I don't know why. I've never broken up with someone and brought my new flame along to witness the bloodbath. Why did you bring Chris anyway?" Marie asked in a tone that made Chris feel guilty for no good reason. Now that he thought about it, this probably wasn't such a good idea.
"I just needed to all right? I needed Eric to understand. Besides, I'm pretty sure he knows I'm going to break up with him." Jill answered back, getting upset with her mother's condescending attitude.
"Jill…" Chris started but Marie cut him off.
"No, Chris. Let her finish. What is it that you need Eric to understand sweetie?" She asked a little more gently as she locked eyes with her daughter. Jill felt like she was eleven again and she had gotten her heart broken by a boy for the first time. Her mother was right there to comfort her. And here she was again. Talking to her mom about men.
"I want Eric to know that he had nothing to do with my decision. He's been nothing but good to me. But I can't continue to live my life and act as if I don't have feelings for Chris. I always have and they've never gone away. I want him to meet Chris."
"There's a pretty good chance Eric's going to flip out and try to mess up our boy's pretty face." Marie told him so seriously Chris had to laugh. Jill smirked as well.
"Yeah, I figured that. That's why Claire and Leon are here. They're neutral."
"Hey, hey,hey. I can hold my own in a fight you know." Chris groaned as he caught sight of Jill and her mother's knowing look. It was uncanny.
"You wuss." Jill joked as she slapped him lightly on leg and got up to stretch. Chris noticed how tightly her shirt was hugging her and his mind instantly began to wonder. His Jill had a rack on her. Marie's gaze caught him completely off guard.
"Stare any harder and your eyes are going to pop out of your sockets." She issued deadpan. Chris put a hand behind his head and smirked with embarrassment. Jill shook her head.
"Stop messing with him mom."
"Just having fun with the boy. Seriously though, I'm proud of you Jill. It takes a strong woman to do what you are doing and Chris seems intent on being with you. As long as this is what you want I'm fine with it."
"This is what I want." Jill answered back confidently. Chris had to eat a shitface grin. Jill wasn't the talkative, pour your soul out type. So to hear her spew her feelings about him to her mother, well, it felt pretty damn good. Marie nodded as she stood up and looked at Chris.
"Chris, you realize what you and Jill are about to do?"
"Piss on Eric's parade." He replied still feeling pretty crappy about the situation. But it had to be done.
"As long as you do. You and Jill tell him the truth, nothing else. Got it?"
"Yes mam." Marie sighed and clasped her hands together.
"Okay, on that note, Jill, come help me with setting the table. Chris go tell the others it's time to eat."
"You sure it's safe to go in there. Ken seems like he's a little "obsessive" over his game." Chris joked. Jill chuckled as did her mother.
"Damn, he's observant to Jill. Maybe you were on to something by reeling him back in. Yeah, Ken's a big ass kid. If he tries to ask you to play, tell him I said come eat or I'll take the knife and cut his coconuts off." At that Jill's jaw dropped as Chris burst out laughing.
"Mom! Jesus, he's only just met you." Marie waved her off.
"It's not like he's going anywhere. Now go on Chris. Jill, grab the table cloth."
"Yes mam."
As Marie left for the kitchen Chris had to smirk at Jill's face. She was embarrassed and steaming at the same time.
"She's such a bitch."
"Jill, that's your mother."
"And?" Chris could only grin harder.
"So, that's Marie Anderson. A little rough around the edges but she's not too scary." Jill gave him a knowing smirk before walking towards the kitchen.
"That's because she hasn't threatened to cut "your" balls off yet? Give her a few weeks." At that Chris watched her leave and grabbed himself just ensure that he still had his before heading to the den to get the others.
Slightly opening the door, Chris could hear the sounds of gunshots and explosion, along with the occasional "shit" and "you motherfucker" sprinkled in there somewhere. He was greeted with the sight of Ken and Leon, headpieces in their ears and controllers in their hands. Two beers were already on the table as well. Claire was playing as well, headpiece and all pointing people out to them to shoot. She looked like she was into it as well.
"Ahem." Chris coughed to make himself known. Claire was the only one to turn around. She smiled at him before turning back to the game.
"You still in one piece big brother?" She asked still staring at the t.v. Chris had to smile. That was his sister.
"Yeah Claire, I'm still alive. Marie says it's time to eat."
"Yeah we're coming. Want to get in one match right quick?" Ken offered from the couch.
"No thanks. And Marie told me if you don't come now she's going to cut off your coconuts. Her exact words." Chris told him not being able to contain him. Leon turned his head and immediately put down the controller. Claire just laughed. Ken just rolled his eyes.
"That woman. She's good at three things, cooking, taking care of me in bed, and being a pain in my ass." He grumbled as he shut off the Playstation and got up. He walked up to Chris and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Good luck son. Jill ain't much better. But I wouldn't trade my wife for the world. She wouldn't allow me to." With that Ken gave him a hearty laugh before leaving the room. Chris turned back to Leon and his sister. They were too busy grinning at him to answer.
"What?"
"Did she really say coconuts?" Leon asked in disbelief. Chris groaned loudly as Claire giggled and followed him out the door.
An hour later
"Leon wake up!" Claire hissed at her boyfriend as he began to lean to one side. After the meal they had just eaten, Chris couldn't really blame him. He wasn't faring too much better. Jill was next too him looking very similar to Leon. Very,very sleepy. Ken noticed this and smirked.
"Marie, Jill and Leon look like they're done. Probably time to call it a night."
"I suppose. The stewed chicken gets them every time. Okay, Jill go ahead and get your friends home." Jill nodded and proceeded to get up. Claire did the same and helped Leon up.
"You want me to help you clean up Marie?" Chris offered. She brushed him off.
"No. That's what he's for." She told him nodded over to her husband. He was too full to tell her otherwise. Chris chuckled as she began to rub his arm. The two of them looked like they were…together. Yeah they bitched and fought and all of that but he could tell that when it was all said and done there was a lot of love there. He felt the same about Jill. It was nice to see. Getting up Marie offered to walk them to the door.
"I'm glad that I finally got to meet you Chris. Take care of my girl."
"I will." Motioning for Leon and Claire to come over to her, she opened up her arms.
"You two are welcome here anytime as well. Jill's fixing you all some plates to take with you." Leon smiled. It was some good food. He wasn't used to southern cooked meals. But it was something he could get used to. Unfortunately he was dating the Microwave Queen. The person in question was soon walking from the kitchen with two bags of plates in her hands. Chris moved over and helped her. Leon did as well.
"Thanks for having us over mom. You and Ken should come down and visit."
"Yeah maybe we'll take you up on that. It be nice to see a real beach."
"My uncle has a house not too far from the beach. I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Chris volunteered. Marie looked like she was about to decline until Jill leaned in to her.
"Don't worry about imposing. He's loaded." Ken smiled from next to Marie.
"Well damn. Might have to make some new friends." That warranted a slap on the chest from his wife.
"Hush! Take care Jill. I love you."
"I love you too mom." With that she hugged her and her stepfather both before following Chris and the others. Once the door closed behind she sighed loudly. Chris wrapped an arm around her.
"You okay?" Jill nodded.
"Yeah, I'm glad I got a chance to see her. And thank you guys for being here for me." She told him addressing Leon and Claire as well.
"Anytime Jill. So how exactly are we going to go about this tomorrow? Do we need to bring the gloves or a Kleenex?" Claire asked as she wrapped an arm around Leon's waist and he reciprocated the hug. Mostly to have her to Leon on because he was extremely tired. That was good question Chris thought. Exactly what type of man was Eric.
"Neither. He a pretty level headed guy. But he'll probably be upset enough to throw a punch or fifty." Jill admitted.
"Well that's something to look forward to." Chris told her sarcastically as he began to walk towards the stairs.
"Hey look at this way, once it's all said and done, you two get to be a real couple. Jill will probably go grey headed with six months." Claire offered as she followed the couple. Leon snorted before tightening onto his girlfriend. She was absolutely right and Chris knew that.
"Fuck you Claire." Chris had to smile. His sister was a damn right.
"She's probably right." Leon added a beat later.
"Of course she's right. She's your girlfriend." Chris finished for him. At that Jill had to smirk.
"So I'm right when I say that you will be whipped as long as you're with me." She taunted. Chris sent her a look.
"You're my girlfriend aren't you?" He shot back. Jill grinned. Touche.
"Officially." Leon snorted again at her remark.
"Jill you two been official for about a month and a half now." Claire nodded in agreement. Chris and Jill gave each other a look. The two jackasses behind them were right. They had been together the moment she came back. She had to realize it. And after tomorrow they could finally be just that without any problems other than the normal ones. Chris couldn't wait. He just hoped he didn't have to punch Eric's light's out to get to that point. Jill was thinking just the same thing. She held on to his hand a little tighter as they walked towards the rental car. It was time to get some sleep for the day ahead.
Author's Note: And that's that. Chris and Jill have finally gotten to the point where they have made a choice. Now comes the hard part. Oh what will happene. Again I hope this was worth the wait. Please review and let me know. Feedback is a motivator as well. Once I finish this and Graduation Day I think I'm done with RE fic. I just don't have the same motivation or time for that matter. But I have enjoy writing them through the years. We'll see. Until next time. Hell Yeah!