The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.
Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
A/N: I'm not English native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.
Kate and Nicholas arrived at the Peasant Town to spend the weekend, after Nicholas suggested the small tour after researching about the place after reading a pamphlet which highly spoke about the historic value of the old village, which aroused the curiosity of tourists who visited Bohma. The curiosity aroused was no different in Nicholas, who insisted on the trip.
Upon arriving in the picturesque city, they encountered the atypical rainy season and the mysterious fog that arose from the sea, but that did not discourage him, however the same could not be said about Kate who had to deal with the storm phobia, and while Nicholas's focus was on the city's architecture and beauty, Kate's was on the cloudy sky.
"This place is just incredible even surrounded by fog! I don't think I breathed such a fresh and clean air in my entire life!"
"It's true, but I think we should hurry to the hotel... it seems it's going to rain... again!"
"Alright, we go to the hotel to check in, and if you want to stay there it's fine, but I didn't come to stay in the hotel in the short time we have."
"You do what you want, Nick! But I won't risk my children's health by walking in the rain!"
"Kate, you know you don't have to use your children's health excuse with me. I know about your phobia of heavy rains."
Before Kate could respond, a lightning bolt cut through the sky and startled her, who gave a loud cry. Which made the people around look at her, and it made Nick act fast and hurried with her to the hotel.
As soon as they got to the room, Kate immediately closed all the windows and curtains, and turned on the lights. Meanwhile, Nicholas just watched her as a spectator and took a deep breath as if he didn't have much to do for Kate at that moment, and accepting that once again it was Kate who was giving the cards for their journey, despite all his plans.
It was the price he paid for always supporting her and not always being recognized for always being there with her, as if he were a ghost amid her personal dramas, and while she was distracted by her children, he kept the bags in the wardrobe and called his kids to talk.
(*)
While Kate tried to ignore the storm outside, inside a tsunami flooded her with doubts and tensions. It was as if she lived in a sea of bitterness, dealing with endless waves of disappointments and regrets, and eternal uncertainties.
It was the end of May 2013, and almost 6 months since she last saw Chris.
Before leaving for the mission in Edonia, he had promised that they would talk seriously and resolve their pending issues and then decide the future of their relationship.
Despite occasionally sleeping together, she knew that was not a real reconciliation of their engagement, or whatever their relationship was classified.
She was aware that living with him and their children was more of a habit than something natural of a couple committed to each other.
You could say that it was comfortable for both of them since the twins were the real link between them, and what they lived together was as if there was a tacit reconciliation because of them, but that was not enough and much less what she wanted with the "juicer" man she learned to love hopelessly.
However, deep down, this tacit reconciliation was getting enough of her, as she was not sure how to refer to him (them). And there were clearly still pending issues between them, deep conversations on hold since she agreed to move in with him, but that was postponed due to the new routine as parents.
More than ever, she needed conclusions.
At the end of the afternoon, the rain passed, but the day was already lost to make an interesting long walk, so Kate proposed that they could at least visit the local shop avenue.
Unlike the center of Bohma to which they were already accustomed to the diversity of activities, including an interesting nightlife, the Peasant Village did not have so many night options, being more like a coastal and historic village, a true countryside type of life. The few options they had were bars, small bistros and a local bakery. To get to know the city, and especially the Old Town that had the greatest historical appeal in that region, they would have to wait until the next day.
When they returned to the hotel, Melissa was already asleep, and Christian was still full of energy, and while Kate took a shower, Nicholas kept looking after the little Redfield.
"With each passing day, you look more like your father physically, but in a more handsome version! And that beauty comes from your mother!" Nicholas commented and the little one seemed to enjoy the interaction and laughed, "And unlike your father, you are smiling, and I hope you never miss it Lil Chris. Your kindness and docility is charming, please, never stop being like that, little one. Your mom needs that kind of vibration around her, you know, when I met her she used to be as smiling just like you. She had a lot of energy and intensity to live, she used to dance, and sing. She always had to be doing something. She was restless! Sometimes I had a hard time dealing with the hurricane she was, but because it was also a contagious joy, which got me excited as well and I followed her at the same pace most of the time..." He sighed, "Those were the good times!"
Kate had just finished bathing and was drying herself when she started to listen to the conversation Nick was having with her baby.
"So Lil Chris, no matter how much you look like your father physically, in personality you look like more your mother I met there in the past... And I confess that I miss "that" her very much. I really miss those times, and today when I look back, I feel really bad for the choice I made, although at that time I had no other option, it was other times… but if it were today, I would never have prioritized my work that way. Today I see that I didn't need that promotion... I could have stayed and even started working on something else from the bottom, but at least I would still be with her... but then, I wouldn't have my children, which I love so much and they mean the world to me!... but who knows, maybe she would be their mother, or I could be your biological father and Mel's..." he took a deep breath in frustration, "Anyways... you have nothing to do with it, and it's not worth regretting what it cannot be changed, but I like the idea of being your father... or like a father to you and your sister now your real father is gone... but I confess that my world would be more complete if mine own were here too... it would be fun so many children driving us crazy!" he laughed
From the bathroom, inevitably, Kate laughed discreetly at the same time as her eyes filled with tears, even though she contained it. Those were cherishing memories. She also missed that happy girl she used to be and without a doubt what she lived with Nick had been really good. They simply had so much in common. He was the one who had the same dreams and goals as her, and now looking back, it could only have been Destiny to separate them when they had everything to work right, except for the fact that she was never able to get pregnant with his child... However, maybe losing the almost perfect relationship was the price to be paid so she could have the cure and be able to get pregnant.
The mysterious paths of life...
Upon leaving the bathroom, Kate acted as if she had not overheard the conversation, but approached Nicholas and smiled slightly, and then stroked Lil Chris.
Nicholas smiled quickly back, and despite the smile on her face, he noticed the emptiness in her gaze as if it were a déjà vu. He witnessed the start of that emptiness in her eyes the day she found out about the impossibility of fulfilling her dream of having a child and starting a family.
As much as she smiled and lived normally after the bad diagnosis, she still carried the empty countenance in her eyes, which seemed more evident now without Chris, and to make matters worse, the once cheerful girl now closed herself off from the world, and the only thing making her go through with life were her children.
Seeing her so transformed into a black widow hurt him a lot, and as much as he tried to save her from that black hole she was in, he couldn't seem to get her to see what was around her and how deep she was going in her depression.
"Tomorrow I want to wake up early so we can explore the city, although it seems like there isn't much to see..." Kate commented
"I also had another idea when I read about the city, but I think the biggest spot is about the historic value of the Old Village and the local landscape, and all the superstition it carries."
"The population of that countryside is very driven by superstitions"
"True. They seem to be very driven by local legends and believe in the return of those historical and folk souls. They fear to destroy the past, even if it is in ruins."
"They want to preserve their own history and tradition, every country does that somehow."
"Yes, I know, and I'm not criticizing that. It is remarkable that this is part of their patriotism"
"But you don't believe in any of that, do you? Do you think it's crazy on their part?"
"I don't think they're crazy. I understand the preservation of some traditional things, but I'm not the folklore guy. This to me is more likely a fantasy."
"So you don't believe in the reunion of souls? You think this the only time you and I met, for example?"
Nicholas paused and sighed, "Kate, I can see where this conversation is leading, and I don't want to go there... it's not a personal criticism, but my opinion is that the past cannot be changed and it deserves peace. There is no point in accessing the immutable, the focus is on the present and this changes constantly. The past is a lesson in what should not be repeated, and not something to be corrected"
"I understand, but you didn't answer me..."
"Yes, I believe in the reunion of souls, but it doesn't make me think about who I was, or when we may have met, nor who we were..."
"Aren't you curious to know even more about our past meetings?"
"Kate... in practice I don't even have to go that far to feel we met again, but I'm quite sure that we have met several times in other existences, but what matters to me is Now and the reunion into this existence."
"And the future, does that matter to you?"
"Of course it does! But it is built Now"
After the answer, Kate instinctively looked at her hand when she felt Nick's hand over hers. A gentle and warm touch. She remembered how soft his hands were - different from Chris'.
She didn't back away from the touch - this time.
Then she looked to the side, and their looks met. Two pairs of emerald ponds and two souls longing for the return of Love in their lives.
Nicholas was sure that Kate was the love of his life.
Kate, however, was not sure of anything else about love.
One day, Life took Nicholas out of her way when she still believed him to be the love of her life, but in return, it put Chris and with him the realization of her biggest dream and the healing, but that also had a price... the loneliness.
With Chris she lived the dream of having a family, but in constant loneliness due to Chris's own internal closeness to everything that was not related to his "Mission" and work.
Maybe people were right and Chris did not survive the dam's accident.
It was Life taking him away and bringing back those who always understood her and had everything to succeed this time…If she wasn't so focused on finding a ghost's four-leaf clover, and reliving a "legend", or as Nick said, reliving the local folklore of the famous lost souls that she believed still exist deep inside her and Chris.
Maybe Nick was right, and it was time to let the past rest. And focus on the now.
Kate looked at Christian and saw that he had fallen asleep, "I'm going to put him in the crib" she commented and carefully picked up her son and carried him to the bedroom
Upon returning to the living room, she saw Nicholas on the balcony and joined him, "Are you okay?" she asked
"Yeah"
"I saw that you spoke to your children earlier. Is everything okay with them?"
"Yes, they are fine... they are growing up!"
"And you missing it because of me..." there was frustration in her tone
"Don't say that... either ways I'll always miss something in their lives. It's the price of separation... and my imprudence..."
"Stop it, Nick... don't always absolve me of things. We both know that this separation from your children is taking longer than expected, and this is my fault for insisting on something so relative..."
"Kate, I'm not absolving you of anything, but I know you and I know that you do everything until you can admit defeat. You are obstinate and fight with everything you have for everything you believe in and for your dreams... and this is your dream, and it's like they say: 'hope is the last thing to die'"
"It was not my dream to live in solitude at two... This is more of a stupidity to fight for the unchangeable and loving for two."
"It's complicated when there are feelings..."
"I'm getting tired of it, Nick, but all I see is a crossroads. On the one hand my shattered dreams and on the other this hope, damn hope sometimes... On the one hand the father of my children who is not my ex, nor my current lover but could be in a relative future, and then the first guy who I loved in this life and who is my ex, but could be my current lover and promising future... Though both of them broke their promises"
"I'm sorry for all of this, and I understand you Kate. I also feel this "damned" hope at times. I can't speak for him, but as far as I'm concerned, I have no doubts about how I feel about you. I have plans for the future with you, I always had..."
"I know, and then you say that I'm the one who won't let go of the bone"
"You just have to tell me a real no, and I stop. It will hurt, but I will respect your decision. But I also want you to believe that everything I do for you is not because I expect something in return. I really care about you and I want to see you well"
"I know that, Nick. And as much as most of the time I seem to be more drowned in my misery, I'm grateful for all your support and companionship. I'm not here just because of my children, I'm also here thanks to you. But I also don't want to mix things up and trick you or trick me into giving you a chance based only on gratitude and nostalgia. However, it is also not fair to leave you waiting for something that even I don't know how it will be"
"If I wait for you it is my choice"
"But I don't want you to wait forever. You also have your life, you also deserve to be happy. I don't want you to close up like me..."
"It is not your fault my choices, Kate"
"But it hurts me to know about my participation"
"Then we'll make a deal"
"What deal?"
"You give me a deadline, and if you need more time just tell me, then we take this chance within that period without a real commitment, but after that deadline, if nothing changes in what you feel, then I go on with my life, and we live at peace because we'll be sure that we tried"
"I'm not sure I can do this kind of deal with you..."
"Why not?"
She took a deep breath while remaining thoughtful, and remembered that there was a similar deal with Chris, and even though she was "allowed" to get involved with other people, deep down she still felt that if she did so, she would be cheating.
Maybe not exactly cheating on Chris, but she would be cheating on her feelings for him.
"You don't have to do that Kate, it was just a suggestion"
"You know what? I think it's natural to feel that way during grief, but it's about time to get out of it. I'm young, I'm hot and full of life ahead of me. I tried everything I could and he didn't want it, whether he is alive or not, only time will tell, because it's also not fair for me to be waiting forever for an illusion! "
"What if he comes back?"
"It's been nearly 6 months he's gone, I'll wait another 6 months for him to go back, after that it will be like he died to me"
"What if he comes back after those 6 months?"
"Then he will remain dead to me and will only be what he is, the father of my children"
Nicholas was unable to contain himself with the possibility of having Kate back, when he himself was beginning to wonder if she still needed all his constant support there. But hearing those words from her gave him the boost he needed to keep the flame of hope burning.
"Honey, you can hold your fire huh, because there's a condition"
"What condition?" he asked
"We'll take it slow..."
"Slow in what sense?"
"Separate rooms and no sex... but I don't think that will be a problem for you since I know your relieved yourself recently, right!"
He laughed disconcerted by her comment about the "relieved" he had with some girls from Bohma, after all, he was a single guy and giving Kate support didn't mean taking a vow of chastity.
"Okay, I'll take that as your safeguard period!" he smirked and I pulled her to him and kissed her until they they weren't interrupted by the noise of the baby monitor when Melissa woke up
"Parents' routine ..." Nick commented, letting out a frustrated sigh by the interruption
Saved by the bell Kate thought, "Oh and no kisses and warm touches..."
"I don't guarantee that!" he replied laughing mischievously and slapped her ass
She laughed and gave him the tongue before going to pay attention to her daughter, but the truth was that even she didn't believe in those conditions. She was aware that it would be almost impossible to go another 6 months without resisting to Nicholas's charms after deciding to give them a chance, for as it was one thing to resist him when he respected the physical distance between them that was already starting to disturb her seeing him and cannot have him, and even more for imagining him with his adventures, and quite another thing would be to resist his kisses and touches that have always driven her crazy.
She wondered if she would be able to cut herself in two, and separate her reason from her heart, and in reality turning Chris into only a memory.
A sudden cold wind passed on their skins, making Kate get closer to Nicholas. A tear escaped her eye, but she remained firm and only one thing crossed her mind, and silently she blew it to the wind.
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one, if you want me to
Anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I am feeling so small
It was over my head
I know nothing at all
And I will stumble and fall
I'm still learning to love
Just starting to crawl
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
Anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I will swallow my pride
You're the one that I love
And I'm saying goodbye
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
And anywhere, I would have followed you
Ooh, ooh say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something
PS: I know this song came after the time the story is set, but I just thought it would fit it, because that was exactly how Kate felt about her relationship with Chris.