A/N: I am grateful to all the readers for consistently being with this story. I'd also like to thank the anonymous reviewer and Adela for leaving their lovely reviews.

Disclaimer: I don't Resident Evil or any of its characters, they all belong to Capcom.

Chapter 36

(Kate's POV)

I settled down on a bench with a bunch of shopping bags, letting out a tired sigh. I was out shopping for my wedding all alone. Chris had work; Jill was looking after Sam, who was still too young to be out on long day shopping trips; Mike didn't get off of work and I've been waiting on Claire for so long that I decided to do a bit of shopping till she showed up, and as time passed that bit of shopping got a lot but still there was no sign of Claire. I tried calling her multiple times but she said she was a bit stuck with stuff. What it was, she didn't say and kept on stalling me by asking me to keep myself busy while she got here, but she didn't came. I got my phone from my bag and checked for any missed calls, maybe Claire was already in shopping district and called to find me, since she possibly can't go from shop to shop looking for me in this huge shopping district.

There were zero missed calls and I wondered if she was against this wedding so much, that she didn't even want to help me out. I could see that she and Jill were equally revolted but unlike Chris, they were not outright about it. Although the three of them were supporting me, but Claire ditching me today, made me feel a little sad about it. I shook the negative thoughts out of my head, since Claire wouldn't ever do that to me and if she's not here at the said time, it must be something very important that's holding her back. I let out a sigh as I dialed Claire's phone again. I sat there listening to the ringing of her phone waiting for her to pick her phone up.

"Kiddo!", Claire said taking up the call, "I am really sorry but I really got stuck with some stuff."
"What is this stuff you keep talking about?", I asked her a little irritated, "You know it's been hours since you're giving me that excuse."
"I am really sorry, I tried coming but I couldn't come now", she told me sounding apologetic.
"Great!", I exclaimed sarcastically, "That's just great!"
"Well I know I should have told you before…", she was still apologetic about it.
"Well yeah, you shouldn't have kept me hanging like this", I said not hiding the fact that I was a little annoyed about it.
"But I was hoping I'd get off here soon", she said in her explanation, "but anyways don't worry, I sent my substitute", she said sounding really happy.
"What substitute?", I asked her puzzled
"Well someone who'd be helping you in my place", Claire replied and I knew she was smiling, "Oh hey Eric is calling me have to go! Have fun shopping!"

"Who is this person?", I asked before she disconnected, "Claire?! Hello?", and I heard the dead tone. I meant to dial her number again but I was startled by a bark and looked down to see Shadow. He barked again, "Shadow?", I called in confusion and he barked again as if in confirmation, "What are you doing here?", I said stroking him as he held himself up keeping his front paws on my lap, "Claire didn't send you, did she?", I joked.

"Well she sent me", I looked up at the voice and noticed Leon standing there as well.
"You? What are you doing here?", I asked him surprised.
"Weren't you listening Claire sent me to help you out with shopping", he said in an obvious tone, "but I guess you're already done", he added seeing the number of shopping bags.
"No, I haven't, this is not even half the things", I told him standing up, "And where is Claire?"
"She's busy", Leon told me.
"Yeah with what?", I asked him crossing my hands.
"She asked me not to tell you", he replied with a shake of his head, "But rest all assured she's fine and wants you to continue your shopping, that's why she sent me."
"She called on you?", I asked him.
"No, we kind of ran into each other", he replied, "and now if your interrogation is over you, shouldn't we get on with this shopping."

(Leon's POV)

"Yeah", Kate smiled at me, "So take my bags", she pointed to the bunch of shopping bags.
"How about we keep them in the car, they are too much to carry on by the two of us", I suggested.
"What if they get stolen?", Kate said crossing her arms as I picked up her shopping bags.
"My car has a lock, you know, and even if they get stolen I'd replace them", I said to her moving towards my car.
"You're as spendthrift as always", she commented picking some of the bags on her own and I just laughed it off.

We dropped her bags in my car and I locked it up real good before heading to buy whatever Kate had in mind. All I had to do was help her out choosing things, which wasn't so much of a trouble since our choices were more or less the same; she liked whatever I picked and vice-versa. And of course, help carry her shopping bags. Her shopping usually had clothes, shoes and some presents for her to be in-laws. I really didn't expect to run into Claire earlier or her to request me to go help Kate on her behalf. But when she asked me I thought I shouldn't repeat my mistake again and agreed to help out Kate as a friend.

"So what else is left on your list?", I asked her as we stepped out of a gift store.
"Wedding rings", Kate said promptly, "I think that store would be good."
"Shouldn't you get it with Mike?", I couldn't help but state the obvious.
"Well he doesn't really like shopping", Kate said shaking her head, "besides he's busy with work, not as busy as you of course but we have little time and we have to do a lot of stuff, so he asked me go along buy or do whatever I feel like is necessary and he'd come along whenever he's free." It didn't show it on her face but she seemed a little sad.

"So, what about his mother? She okayed your wedding?", I asked her, I wanted to know this for a long time.
She again shook her head, "She doesn't like me at all", she rolled her eyes, "her drama continued for like 4 days but Mike eventually convinced her somehow for the wedding, but she's not really happy about him marrying me."
"Why?", I asked her, I didn't really see any reason in Mike's mom in denying the wedding or something.
"Apparently she was hoping that Mike would marry this ex of his that her mother is really fond of", Kate told me in a soft voice.
"Is that so?", I couldn't help but say.
"Yeah I know, it all sounds so movie like but it's true", Kate said looking at me.
"So how's this other candidate like?", I asked her with a smile, hoping she'd mirror it but she didn't.
"All proper-proper", she told me trying to joke about it but anyone could see she was trying too hard, "She's from a wealthy reputed family unlike me, who don't even have a...", she stopped abruptly, "I didn't mean to say that", she added and tried to hurry off.

"Kate!", I called grabbing her hand and I felt a jolt of electricity run straight to my heart as all of my feelings for her that I had tightly locked away were back in a flash. And it took all my strength to put them away because tears were already running down her face, "Chris, Claire and Jill are your family."
Kate smiled through her tears widely and hugged me, "Thanks! I needed to hear that!", she said gratefully pulling away, "You're really a great friend Leon! I'll miss you once I get married."
"I'll too", I admitted truthfully and she smiled.
"Don't tell Chris or anyone about it alright?", she said looked at me hopefully.
"I won't", I assured her wondering how long she's been keeping that in and letting those stuff eat her away.
"I knew I can trust you", she smiled at me again.
"Always", I said and her phone rang.

"It's Claire!", Kate said drying her tears, "Hello!", she answered sounding cheerful and damn she was good at faking, "Well we were about to head to get wedding rings", she waited to listen to Claire, "Yeah tell me…", she sounded a little concerned and looked at me, "What?!", she exclaimed in surprise, "Congratulations! How did it happen? I mean when did it happen? I mean when did you came to know?", she spoke fast smiling and waited as she listened to the answer, "Well I am coming home now then and we can celebrate", she said happily, "I can buy it some other time, this is more important… yeah see you in a bit."

"We're heading back home?", I asked her in confirmation.
"Yeah", she answered keeping back her phone as we started walking back to the car, "Claire's pregnant can you believe it?!"
"Yeah", I answered her monotonously, "I already know about it."
"You do?!", she almost yelled in shock as I unlocked my car.
"Yeah", I replied putting her shopping bags with the rest of her shopping bags.
"How? And am I the last person to know?", she asked me as we both got in the car.
"I don't know about that but I know because I ran into Claire at the hospital when she was there doing those tests", I told her putting on my seatbelts and starting the engine, "seatbelts."
Kate put on the seatbelts, "What were you doing in the hospital?", she asked me concerned.

(Kate's POV)

"I visit Jacob sometimes", Leon answered and I could see that his expressions got a little dull.
"You visit Jacob and not me?", I was saying it before I knew I was saying it and it was happening a lot these days, guess keeping things inside was not really my forte.
"Kate… it's not like that", Leon said concentrating on the road, "I don't want to disturb you at your work."
"Hmm… point", I said with a slight smile.
"So how much preparations is done for the wedding?", Leon asked changing the topic.

"Well the place needs to be booked for reception, the menu needs to be decided but Mike's mom is doing that because she want it all classy stuff and she also took care of our Wedding dresses as well, though I'll get to pick the design at least?!", she sounded doubtful, "Chris already reserved a chapel and made an appointment with a pastor for the ceremony. The invites are already in the prints and I guess we'll be getting them tomorrow. Chris and Jill are going to take care of sending it. Claire and I were supposed to handle all the shopping gifts for the guests and relatives, and of course the wedding rings as well", I gave him the detailed plan.

"So I suppose you got all the gifts?", Leon asked me with a smile.
"Yeah thanks to you but still the wedding rings remain", I said to him with a sigh.
"So go tomorrow then", he said in an obvious tone.
"No, don't have off tomorrow but day after tomorrow it's weekend so I'll go then", I told him.

"You're still working? I mean don't women take off before wedding to pamper themselves to look good for the wedding and stuff", he asked me a little surprised.
"You're the one to talk", I quipped, "But well it's on January 1st and people usually take off during that time being Christmas, New year and all so Dean's not letting anyone slack, but since I am getting married he's giving me off or half days off like today", I told him.
"Oh so you're shopping after work. You're pretty excited about it", Leon tried to tease me.
"Of course I am getting married!", I said with a great enthusiasm.
"I am really happy for you", he said it again and for some reason it felt good and hurt me at the same time.
"Thanks!", I said with a smile, "Leon", I called out his name but I didn't know how to say it to him.

"Yes?", Leon said when my silence prolonged.
I gathered up all my courage, "If it's not too much of a bother, will you go shopping with me for the rings as well?", I asked him not being too much hopeful, knowing that he'd decline it anyway like he always does.
"Day after tomorrow right?", he looked at me briefly.
"Yeah you know Mike cannot make it, Chris will be busy with other stuff and I thought you'd give me a male perspective on it", I spoke fast giving him a random reason.
"Well I have work so…", he was saying but I was already used to his declining to be with me so I just looked away, "I can't do it before 6:00 PM."

"You'll go?!", I asked him in shock, feeling happy at the same time.
"Yeah I can if you plan it after 6:00PM", he said not looking at me.
"Yeah sure, I don't mind", I told him, "6:00 PM is great!"
"So I'll pick you up then", he said with a smile stopping the car in front of my house.
"I'll wait for you then", I said releasing myself from the seatbelt, "and if you're busy, just let me know and don't leave me hanging like Claire did today", I added getting out.
And I was surprised to see Leon got out with me as well, "I think you'd need help with those bags", he said with a smile which I couldn't help but mirror.

Leon and I carried all the stuff back to the house and it looked like Claire was waiting on us as she greeted us with a wide warm smile. Both Leon and I took turns to congratulate her and give her a hug. We moved further inside and everyone was really happy to see Leon. Although, Leon wasn't planning on having dinner with us but he couldn't decline numerous pleas from everyone. He finally met Sam, after 4 months of him being born. The talk of the night was how Claire fainted as she was heading out to meet me and was taken to hospital by Eric. Where the doctor said she might be pregnant and she was so excited that she didn't want to wait till next day for results and so she asked them to do it quickly waiting in the hospital all the while when she ran into Leon and she sent him to help me with the shopping.

The atmosphere at this house was really pleasing after so long, last time being the time when we were celebrating Sam's birth. Everyone was smiling and having a good time, even Chris, who had be fashioning a permanent frown since I declared I'd be marrying Mike. And I was really happy today since finally after months I truly got my best friend back, whom I've been missing dearly. After venting out to him a bit, I felt light as if I let off a huge boulder off my chest. It's true when they say that some things can only be shared with friends and not with family, because friends would always understand you. And I just hoped that this friendship status is maintained, well at least until my wedding, because inevitably it's going to shatter once I take those vows.

A/N: Thanks for taking out the time to read, I hope you all liked it. I apologize for any mistakes and typos that caused an inconvenience. Hope you all have a nice day.