A/N: I am very grateful to all the readers for always taking out time to read this story and GrayFox786 and the guest reviewer for telling their views about the last chapter, thanks a bunch!

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

Chapter 38

(Leon's POV)

"This is the park I was telling you about", I said looking back at Kate but to my surprise she was not there. I looked between the crowd if I walked too fast or if she stopped somewhere but I couldn't find her in my line of sight. The mere thought of losing her was frightening, so without too much thought I ran back trying to find her. Though I was running past many people, my eyes were moving really fast, searching for her in the crowded shopping district. I was a million times relieved to see her, she was standing in front of a store staring blankly at it, "Kate", I said keeping my hand on her shoulder.

"You remember this?", Kate asked referring to the store and I lifted my head to the store to see that it was a jewelry store. I nodded in response to her question. How could I forget? The rings we were wearing, even though they were dummy rings, were brought from this same store. And even though it had more than 4 years since we got married, we never thought of replacing them with real wedding rings.
"Shall we move?", I asked her knowing that every memory about our wedding was painful to her. She didn't reply and with one swift headed inside the shop, and I followed.
The shop assistant came to our aid, "How may I help you ma'am?", she asked politely.
"Oh I am just browsing", Kate said faking a smile; her voice was barely audible.

Kate moved to check out things in display and I didn't know what to do so I just looked around. The store was a little crowed, mostly with couples buying something or the other. I looked back at Kate and she was looking at some display and I walked to her side, since I didn't really had anything else to do. She was intently staring at the display as if hooked on to something and since I couldn't figure out what she was looking at I asked her, "You liked something?"
She tore her eyes away from display to look at me and shook her head, "I am just looking and besides it's all too expensive", she said in an evident tone of disappointment.
"Well it's nothing that we can't buy", I said checking up the prices, it was expensive but still affordable, after all I did get a hefty paycheck and had too much money saved as well.
"No, it's fine", she said moving away from the display.
"Last time we were here, we couldn't buy anything but now I can buy you anything", I said trying to brush hesitation off of her, "So tell me what you want?"
"It's already sold Leon", she said with a fake smile that it was heartbreaking.

(Kate's POV)

"Welcome back! How may I help you?", I looked sideways and there was the aged owner approaching us.
"You know us?", I couldn't help but ask, the last time he saw us was almost five years before.
"Isn't that the ring made by me that you are wearing, it's one of my master pieces", he said eyeing my wedding ring.
"Well it's just a fake", I said trying to hide it from him.
"A fake?!", he said sounding offended and looked from me to Leon and then back at me.
"So the original of this is sold?", I more of stated than asked.
"Ah yes it is, it is", he said looking confused, "but it's been years."
"Oh okay thanks for the information. We'd like to take your leave now", I said with a slight nod and moved to exit the store.

"We can ask him to make the same ring for you and he can use your ring as reference", Leon suggested once we were out of the store.
"Its fine Leon, I didn't really want it", I told him and he gave me a look of concern, "I just wanted to know if anyone could really love someone that he'd buy her that ring."
"Well there are people who would do just about anything to make the one they love happy, buying a diamond ring is no big feat", Leon said casually.
"But the question is, are they worthy of it?", I asked him looking ahead.
"I think the one who bought the ring is the only one who could tell you how much his wife means to him", Leon said it really seriously that I turned to look at him and he was looking at me.
"Yeah true", I agreed looking back ahead, his words still fresh in my mind, "Wait! How do you know it was a husband buying that ring for his wife?", I asked looking back at him.
"Ah… well only a wife can make her husband buy that expensive ring. I mean if you say no to a girlfriend, the most she can do is break up with you but if you say no to a wife she can literally turn your life upside down and make it a living hell", he replied with a smug smile.
"I wonder where do you get such theories", I couldn't help but say.
"Let's just say experience", he replied shrugging and I hit him.

(Leon's POV)

"Idiot", Kate said with a slight smile and I felt accomplished in pulling her out of her gloomy state. We walked to the park and sat on the bench talked a little, flirted a bit and of course argued a little as we watched Shadow enjoy the huge park by himself. Today I realized how far we had come from always arguing to laughing and enjoying each other's company. Well I always enjoyed her company but now, seeing her sitting by my side, laughing at my jokes, smiling and blushing when I flirted; I could say it for sure that she did enjoy my presence as well.

(Kate's POV)

I unlocked the door and both Leon and I stepped inside the house. He moved to living room and I moved upstairs to change into home clothes. And when I was taking out clothes to wear somebody rang doorbell and then I heard it again and again, "Don't you hear the doorbell?", I yelled to him furiously from the top of stairs.
"Yeah I did", he replied.
"Why don't you open it then?", I yelled back and the sounds of his footsteps told me that he moved to get the door and I moved back to the bedroom.

The sounds of talking told me somebody was asking for some address, I got out of the clothes I was wearing and changed into my home clothes, "We've got a serious problem", Leon said entering the bedroom, startling me a little.
"What?", I asked him casually, knowing that his serious problems were something like TV remote is not working.
"Come with me", he pulled me downstairs and made me look through the window.

"What?", I said to him since there was nothing suspicious.
"See that car", he pointed to a grey BMW parked at the corner.
"So, what's so weird about it?", I asked him and before he could answer me a woman stepped out of it.
"It's Hunnigan", Leon said to me, "I didn't receive any messages and I don't want to go to work."
"Are you feeling alright?", I asked turning to look at him. I mean he is a workaholic right, "Anyways what's she doing here?", I said as she moved to ring our doorbell, "Go shoo her off, she's probably here to see you."

Leon almost reluctantly moved towards the door and held it open, "Sorry I am late", I heard her say as she greeted Leon. And I looked at the watch it struck 5:30 pm and then I remembered she wanted to make sure if we were lying about our marriage.
"I didn't get any messages", Leon said to her as I made my way to them.
"What are you saying Agent Kennedy? I am here to meet your wife", she looked up the stairs, "Probably she's not home right?"

"I am here", I said to her and she looked at me piercingly while Leon asked what the matter was, "Leon, honey why don't you make Miss Hunnigan, feel comfortable. I'll…"
"Can we skip straight to…", Hunnigan said cutting in between, looking from Leon to me, but she didn't complete her sentence.
"Okay then", I said politely smiling, "Leon sweetie, can you fetch our Marriage Certificate and I'll just brew hot coffee for Miss Hunnigan here."
"Okay, sure", Leon said giving me a confused look and he headed upstairs.
"Please Miss Hunnigan, take a seat", I said to her and then with a slight smile moved towards the kitchen.

(Leon's POV)

I watched Hunnigan confused as she checked if the Marriage Certificate was fake. Kate came with the coffee and set it on the table and Hunnigan examined her closely as if searching for something, "Here's your coffee Miss Hunnigan", Kate gave her coffee.
"You…", Hunnigan decided if she should say it or not and briefly looked at me, "She bears striking resemblance to Agent Cornor, doesn't she?"

Kate and I looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh a bit while Hunnigan wondered what the joke was, "Perhaps you should read the Marriage Certificate properly", Kate said to her and I looked at Kate for answer, and she mouthed 'phone call' reminding me about yesterday's phone conversation. She signaled to take the place next to her and I acted on cue taking a seat by her side. She closed the gap between us, turning to look at Hunnigan and I slung an arm around her shoulders.

"Kathleen Elizabeth Cornor… so you are Agent Cornor?", Hunnigan still asked doubtfully.
"Yeah", Kate answered.
"But from the way you fight at work, everyone thinks you are mortal enemies", Hunnigan said a totally bewildered.
"Isn't that what marriage is all about", I said and Kate served me coffee, "A love-hate relationship."

(Kate's POV)

"But well no body knows you two are married and that too with each other. It has come as a huge shock to me honestly. Are you guys really married for 5 years?", Hunnigan asked.
"4 years and a couple of months actually", I replied, "Well it's in records and since the topic never came up or the records are not accessible by everybody so most people don't know. But a few of our friends at work know, for instance Agent John Andrews."

"Well that explains the success of your missions", Hunnigan commented, "I thought initially Leon is making things up but I don't think he can make you, of all people, fake to be his wife. So, what you like about Agent Cornor?", Hunnigan asked the very unexpected question.
"Everything", Leon said but there was something about his tone that made me look at him again. He always replied same with this answer but not with this tone. There was something in his eyes that I hadn't seen before but clunk of setting cup by Hunnigan interrupted me before I could read anything and we looked at her as she adjust her glasses, "I love every damn thing about Kate", Leon added and pecked my cheek, and this time I felt like it would have been better if it wasn't just a peck.

"Oh look at the time I'd better go", Hunnigan said looking at her watch, "It was nice meeting you Agent Cornor, thanks for having me here."
"It was a pleasure", I said as we all stood up, "and you can call me Kate."
"So, see you guys at work then", Hunnigan said and we walked her back to the door. We saw her off the porch and waved her goodbye and then walked in, closed the door and laughed for no reason.

"You know we should do this often", Leon said as I moved to get the cups to kitchen.
"Fool people?", I asked.
"No, laugh together", he replied smiling, "it feels good."
"Hmm…", I agreed gathering up cups and then I reached for the Marriage certificate and couldn't help but read our names on it, remembering the past again.

"Hey you listening?", Leon said to me.
"You said something?", I asked tucking the marriage certificate under my arm and lifting the tray with cups.
"I said it's always funny when they realize you are my wife", Leon said with a laugh as I moved to the kitchen and he followed, "But Rivette had the unbeatable expression so far."
"Mortal enemies are married, it is surprising to people", I told him putting the cups in the kitchen sink.

"Just so you know I never saw you as mortal enemy", Leon said very seriously that it made me look at him.
"I know", I assured him, "I was just quoting Hunnigan", I added moving towards the bedroom.
"I thought it's better to get it out of way", he said as we climbed the stairs to head to the bedroom.

I moved to the wardrobe to put the certificate where it originally was and when I closed the wardrobe I noticed Leon standing in the middle of room, "What happened?", I asked him.
"I was thinking what to do next. I am not used to this much free time you know", he said flopping on the bed.
"Other than messing this place up you can do anything", I sort of warned him.

Leon pulled me on the bed with him and held me close, "Anything?", he asked with mischievous grin. And before I could say anything somebody rang doorbell like mad, "I really hate your sisters' timing sometimes", Leon complained not letting me go.
"Go let them in before they get any weird ideas, and please I request you and almost beg you that please don't encourage them or give them any weird ideas", I requested of him.
"What would I get in return?", he asked and I glared at him, and he stole a kiss from me, "Okay this would be enough for now", he said letting me go.

(Leon's POV)

I descended down the stairs and pulled open the door to find it weren't just twins but they were with a couple of people, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Leon S. Kennedy, Kate's lawfully wedded husband!", they said presenting me to the people.
The two women looked at me from head to toe, "Who are these people?", I asked the twins in an undertone and trying not to be too rude to the guests they brought.
"Oh they are Kate's High School friends", Jessica said pointing to the two women, "and their husbands."

"Hi, I am Gina Foster and this is my husband Alan Foster, it's really a pleasure to meet you", one of the ladies said.
"Nice to meet you too", I said shaking hands with them.
"I'm Patricia Connelly and this is my husband Brad Connelly", the other one said and I shook their hands too.
"Please come inside, as twins already introduced me, I am Leon S. Kennedy, Kate's husband", I invited them in.
"We'll get Kate", twins said and ran upstairs.
I lead them to the living area, "Please make yourselves comfortable", I said and they all took seats.

Both the women sat together and looked around the house and then surveyed me from head to toe. They mumbled something to each other in hushed voices and contained their giggle. The men just looked at them and then at each other in awkward silence. I couldn't help but give Kate's friends a friendly smile as I again noticed them noticing me, and they again mumbled something to each other, at which their husbands tugged on their arms but I was already used to that sort of feminine behavior. I heard some struggling sounds and turned to look at Kate and twins.

"Stop dragging me", I heard Kate's voice as twin dragged her to the living area.
"Surprise!", they yelled letting her go and her expressions did tell her she was surprised beyond her imagination.
"Kate", the women moved to hug her.
"What are you guys doing here?", Kate asked them.
"We came to see you of course", one of the women said.
"We didn't know your address so we went to your old place to get that and twins gladly brought us here", the other said and they introduced Kate to their husbands.

(Kate's POV)

"We were so heartbroken when you said you couldn't come", Patricia said as I offered them refreshments after some time.
"Yeah we really wanted to meet your husband and introduce you to ours", Gina said as I took a seat besides Leon, "Were you insecure about me snatching away your husband?"
"It's nothing like that…", I couldn't help but say looking at Leon briefly.
"Well then why did you lie to us that he works on weekends", she asked me.
"Well I do work on weekends, just today I have off", Leon said before I could answer.
"That's true poor Kate spends her weekends with us", the twins chorused.

"Oh I thought you're lying because your husband doesn't like you meeting with people and you know abuses you", Gina said and I just stared dumbstruck at her.
"Well I tried to reason with her that Kate is strong and she can punch her husband if he was like that but then I thought maybe he really beats you back", Patricia said nervously.
"What?!", Leon said in shock, "Why I'd do that?"
"Well you never talked openly about your husband so we thought maybe…", Gina said looking at Patricia.
"It's nothing like that. Leon is a very nice husband!", I said cutting her in between looking at Leon again, "And he's very busy too and like I told you before he works on weekends. And I didn't want to bother him so I couldn't bring him just to meet you guys; you totally got the wrong idea. And if I'd known he has off today I would have come to the meet."
"Well even I didn't know I had off until yesterday", Leon said joking and everyone laughed.
"For the record we tried to convince them that it's all in their head", Alan said referring to Brad and himself.
"But they just won't listen", Brad agreed with him, "Oh Brad, maybe Kate's in trouble!", he mocked his wife's worried tone, getting a few laughs.

After that the atmosphere became light, we talked, joked and shared experiences with my friends and there was a lot of catching up to do. Between all this I noticed that Leon and I were pretty close, so close that I could make out that faint scar, which if an inch above might have cost him an eye. He noticed me looking at him and with a flick of his head asked what is it and I shook my head telling him it was nothing.

"So Leon did you get punched the first time you tried to kiss her", Gina asked laughing really loudly.
"No I don't think so", he said looking at me remembering.
"You know each of her boyfriends who tried to kiss her when she wasn't ready, she punched them", Gina told Leon, still laughing.
"Yeah for a woman who looks so feminine she has strong punch", Patricia said, "I remember how she'd beat up perverts."
"Well blame dad for that, he taught her self-defense from a very young age", Jessica said.
"And then he was regretful because she was breaking everyone's nose every time she went out", Leslie told them and they all laughed.
"It was nothing like that", I defended myself.
"Mom told us that so you can't deny that", Jessica said with a confident grin.
"We always thought how Leon could spend so much time with you without getting hurt", Leslie added in a matter-of-fact tone.
"That's because I am never home", Leon replied and I couldn't help but hit his arm, which made everyone laugh again.

"Hey you never told us you were getting married or that you like a guy or anything", Gina said looking at Patricia to confirm if she knew anything.
"Yeah it was so sudden", Patricia said and they both looked at me.
I really felt a lost at words, "Well we…", I looked at Leon and he looked at me, "it all happened in a rush and we missed out many people."
Both of them looked pretty unconvinced and it made me feel really uncomfortable, "Yeah even our parents!", Leon said the truth in a such a way that it seemed like a joke.
"Yeah and us too", Leslie backed him up.

The twins and Leon started laughing, followed by my friends' husband and them at the last. Once the laugh died down the twins successfully managed to turn chat in a different direction with a couple of their jokes and to my relief our marriage wasn't mentioned again.

(Kate's POV)

"It was so nice to see you again", Patricia said hugging me as we said our goodbyes.
"Same here", I told her smiling.
"Sorry for showing up so unexpectedly", Gina said moving to hug me.
"It's no trouble", I said as we parted.
"And your husband is really hot", she said in almost a whisper so that no one could hear it except me, to which I just smiled.

(Leon's POV)

We watched the four of them get in the car as I stood next to Kate, "Goodbye!", we all waved at them as they drove away and we stood there a bit watching their ride disappear around the corner and before I knew a kiss was being placed on my cheek.
"Thank you", Kate said smiling.
"For what?", I asked her still trying to hold myself together and digest the fact that Kate had kissed me of her own free will and maybe twins were shocked too because no reaction came from them too.
"For everything", she emphasized on the last word, "Everything that you ever did for me", she smiled.

"Very dry way of saying Thank You. I deserve a proper kiss on the lips at the very least", I said to her as we started moving back in the house and at this twins cheered me on.
"You won't ever stop flirting, would you?", she said shaking her head in disbelief smiling at me.
"I would once I am dead", I replied and she looked furiously at me.
"What?!", I asked her obliviously but she didn't reply, as we moved to living room.
"I guess you guys are staying the night", she addressed the twins instead, avoiding the topic.
"We got our things", they replied in chorus.

"So what you guys would like to have in dinner?", Kate asked collectively to the three of us.
"Let's go outside to eat I am hungry", I suggested and the twins cheered on and started suggesting places where they'd like to eat.
"Fine by me but then I need to change", she said a bit frustrated about the fact.
"I can help you do that", I said and one of the cushion hit me in the face.
"You Pervert, stay here and wait for me", she said furiously and rushed upstairs.

"So how did your date go?", Leslie asked me curiously.
"We weren't on date", I told them the truth, "I had to see Claire for lunch, so I took her along."
"Well you weren't at home even past lunch hours", Jessica said, "We kept ringing the home phone."
"Maybe they were but just busy you know", Leslie suggested to her sister.
"Think what you want to think", I said sitting at the foot of stairs.
"Aww… you're no fun", they said together leaning on the side railings, "Kate's gets all furious and blushing at the same time, it's fun to see her react to such things", Leslie added.

We waited for Kate as she changed, twins tried to ask me the same questions in different ways but got disappointed since I didn't react like the way Kate did, "Let's go!", Kate said appearing at the top of stairs. The twins yelled with joy and ran outside.
Shadow ran down the stairs following them, "How come Shadow gets to see what I am not allowed to see", I asked her faking an annoyed tone.
"I changed in the bathroom and Shadow was in the bedroom", she said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Sheesh Kate, he's just a dog", I quickly switched sides and she glared at me.
"Will you stop, your childish acts", she said digging in her purse for something, "I think I left it upstairs…", she muttered to herself.
"Left what?", I asked her.
"My Cell Phone", she replied, "I'll just fetch it", she turned and even though she was wearing this dress from the morning but it was now that I came to know that it was backless, when her long her hair literally flied and she headed upstairs.
"Yeah", I replied dreamily staring at her.

My heart beat, all of a sudden, increased; something or the other things seemed different between us. We had sort of stopped arguing, I stopped causing trouble for her, we flirted with each other, I started stealing kisses from her and not only that she kissed me today. She had definitely got hotter, more beautiful and sexier or I was…

"I told you to go ahead", Kate said descending the steps, breaking my chain of thoughts.
"Did you?", I asked not knowing why, almost lost in her beauty.
"Yeah", she said in an obvious but confused tone.
"You did?", I said noticing as her right brow rose, when she gave me an suspicious look, "I didn't listen."
"You replied with a 'YES'", she said smiling beautifully.
"What?", I said, I was finding it troublesome to process her words and she rolled her eyes letting out a laugh.
"C'mon", she grabbed hold of my jacket and pulled me along with her.

We both stepped out and she locked the house. The twins teased us about taking too long and like always Kate gave them the reaction, they wanted and they hurriedly get on the backseat to escape her wrath. I drove us to a restaurant that twins suggested, to have dinner.

A/N: Thanks once again for reading, I really hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I apologize for any grammatical mistakes and typos that caused inconvenience to read.