Welcome to 2020! -stares at the dumpster fire that was the real 2020- ... Welcome to Fake 2020 where stuff is a lot happier and not on fire! Let's get going. btw, the poll is still open for gathering opinions on the story and if I should write past chapter 50. I'm leaning in favor of continuing just because, if I do leave it right at the end of RE8 it's going to be a bitter-sweet ending and I think I owe it to you guys for reading so long to give a happy ending.

Song Suggestion: Still Dancin' by OR3O

Disclaimer: I still own nothing~

For a third year, the 4 doors of the second floor of the apartment building were opened around 11:55 PM. each door held a single tenant as they stood in silence. Travis was away visiting family for the holidays and Bastion elected not to go with him. Normally the Russo's would have set up a record player and an old-fashioned radio for the group to listen to but Marco's absence became more apparent as the holiday gathering started.

The silence was painful. Emma thought as she leaned in her doorway before an idea came to mind. She fished out her phone clicked around before finding what she was looking for. She walked down to the small shelf in front of the laundry room where the record player was usually set up and puts her phone down before tapping the screen. The small device began to play a tinny recording of an old record. The audio wasn't the best quality but it would do. Emma offered a hand to Mrs. Russo. "Would you like to dance? I'm not great at it but, I can try."

Mrs. Russo put a hand over her heart with one hand as she looked ready to tear up but gingerly accepted the offered hand with the other. Emma took the lead role and slowly lead a simple box step waltz. Seeing this causes Bastion to smile as he digs out his own phone and pulls up a live feed of the group's usual radio station and walks over to place his phone next to Emma's.

It's a beautiful clear night tonight wouldn't you agree, Jackie?

right you are Jim.

Bastion moves to stand next to Chris's doorway to watch as the two women waltz around while quietly talking and chuckling. Eventually, the countdown began. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. "Happy New Years," the radio announced. Bastion claps as the two stop dancing, Emma gives the watery-eyed Mrs. Russo a peck on the forehead to bring her luck in the year to come and Chris walks back into his apartment. He eventually returns with a bottle and bottle opener.

"You got good stuff too, look at you," Bastion says with a smile as he sees the bottle. "One second this calls for nice crystal," he says as he gets his phone puts that back into his pocket and walks back to his apartment to gather 4 flute glasses and places them on the shelf by Chris's door. The glasses were filled and handed out as everyone stood together in the hallway.

Chris clears his throat "It's not much but. I suppose a few words are in order." the agent says before quickly glancing down and back up. "The last year has been... Hell, for all of us." He admits and the group solemnly nods. "And yet, despite the pain and loss. I don't think I'd trade a moment of it away." Chris adds which causes a small smile to start to form on Emma's face. "So, here's to another year. Come what may." Chris pauses for a moment to consider his next words but speaks all the same. "and in honor of those who we lost. Cheers, to a year of good health and prosperity."

"Cheers," the 4 say and raise their glasses before taking a drink.

Mrs. Russo gently dabbed the sides of her eyes where a few tears started to stray.

"That was beautiful dear," She says as she walks over to give Chris a peck on the cheek. Chris gives Mrs. Russo a Kiss on the top of her head before heading over to Emma to give her a Kiss which she returns.

"Well, now I feel left out." Bastion jokes with a laugh which causes the others to chuckle as well. Chris and Emma look at each other with a smile before walking over to bastion, one standing on each side of the nail tech. Chris gives him a peck on the top of the head while Emma gives him a peck on the cheek which causes him to chuckle and wave them away.

"There now you're double lucky," Emma says with a laughing grin.

"I was joking ya freaks," he jokingly says while cracking up. "God I have the best neighbors," he adds after his laughing subsides with a small smile then pointing at everyone "None of you are allowed to move." Everyone laughs at this before sipping at their drinks.

"Oh you probably have a few more years of putting up with me I'm sure," Emma says shaking her head right she'd need to resign her lease in April again. Hopefully she'd find a job by then...

"When does my lease expire," Chris says shaking his head. "Signed that so long ago I don't remember," he admits before sipping at his drink.

"Oh dear... well hopefully you won't think less of me," Mrs. Russo says with a slight frown. "My kids were saying I should move in with one of them once my lease ends." She admits.

"Not in the slightest," Bastion says surprise. "Nah you go cuddle those grandbabies and spoil um rotten kay?" he says which causes Mrs. Russo to smile again and nod.

"That's a guarantee," Mrs. Russo says through a laugh.

the 4 spend the next few minutes idly chatting as a group, as their glasses ran empty each one placed the glass down on the shelf by their door to be collected in the morning. Eventually, the only ones left were Chris and Emma. Emma walks over to pick up her phone and pockets it before gathering Bastion's glasses from the shelfs. she could wash them now.

"I'm going to wash these up," she says gesturing to the glasses "are you done with yours?" she asks curiously and Chris shrugs.

"There's enough for half a glass each if you want to help me polish this off," Chris suggests in return.

Emma smiles at the suggestion but nods. "Sure, I can help with that," she agrees and closes up her apartment before walking into his. Chris closed the door behind her as Emma heads over to the Island and puts down the glasses... shoot which one was hers again? As she contemplated this Chris put down the bottle and glass on the closer counter to free up his hands and reach for Emma's wrist to gently pull her over to him with a twirl. She yelped from surprise before laughing as she realized what had happened and the two began to sway into a slow dance.

"What was that dance before?" Chris asks quietly.

"the box step?" Emma asks as amusement starts to show in her expression.

"Yeah, that one... How do you do that?" Chris asks causing her to shake her head a bit.

"it's not too hard. here," Emma says as she shifts to hold his hand for a proper waltz before noticing writing on his hand. "What's this?" she asks curiously as she stops moving.

here's to another year. Come what may.

"Notes" Chris replies which causes Emma to smile.

"I see," she says before using her other hand to place his. "Put one hand here, hold mine in the other," she says before taking a step back "step forward, use the hand on my back to guide where you want to go" Emma explains and goes over the step. 1,2,3. 1,2,3. He was doing decent but eventually stepped forward with the wrong foot causing them to stumble and laugh as he picks her up and takes a few steps forward to avoid falling and knocking her over.

"I think, maybe the dance lessons can wait," Emma says with a laugh and Chris nods before receiving a kiss. "Maybe we can finish the drink off tomorrow night." she offers and he shakes his head.

"cant, got a mission coming up on the second." He explains while continuing to hold her.

"Ah," she replies with a slight frown. Missions had become much more worrying but historically he was usually fine when he came back... well. he came back in one piece that is. "Suppose tonight it is then," She says shaking off the thought as he let her go.

"Which one was yours?" Chris asks and Emma shrugs causing him to shake his head. "Guess we're sharing then," he says as he pours the last of the drink into his glass before sitting with her on the couch.

"Ah, that's right," Emma says causing Chris to smile.

"Now you remember?" he asks amused and Emma shakes her head.

"not that, This is a good time for a Chris report," Emma says as she gets her phone from her pocket and turns on the camera to Selfie mode.

"Chris report?" He asks as confusion joins his amusement.

"The name I gave my updates to Claire," Emma says and snaps a picture of the two smiling and sends that to Claire.

[Emma] Chris report: Happy New Years!

Chris sees that and shakes his head and takes a sip from the glass before handing it to Emma so he could dig out his phone and sending a few texts as well. "Thanks for the reminder."

Emma accepts the glass and takes a drink, "Not a problem."

The two finish off the glass between exchanged affections before Emma eventually got up, collected the glasses, and went back to her own apartment to start washing the Flute glasses. 1 am. she wasn't sure if it was early or late. the thought caused her to chuckle as she finished drying the last glass and placed it down on the counter to look over to the side of her fridge. over the last year, more pictures had collected on the fridge. A strip of 3 photos from the movie theater, one of Chris and Emma at last year's Winter Gala. A picture from Summer's birthday party, one of Chris looking at a plate of food by a cake illuminated by a small candle because the power had gone out, a picture of the two of them on the beach, one of Chris looking up at a tiny helicopter while his leg was in a brace, one of Chris Emma and Bastion in their Halloween costumes, and the most recent addition of a family photo by the tree with Claire and her boyfriend.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and smiled. It made her feel happy. The year did have its ups and downs, but Chris was right, she wouldn't trade away a second if it. with that thought, she opened her eyes again and tapped at her phone before the sound of a printer could be heard in the distance. Emma walked away before coming back with a new addition for the collage placing the picture she just took with Chris on the fridge before nodding and heading to bed.

'*'*'*'*'

Chris steps off the helicopter with Night Howl and Canine not far behind him.

"How long do you think we're going to be on this Romania sprint," Canine asks curiously as they walk across the airfield.

"Hard to say, depends on how long it takes for Ethan to get his training down." Night Howl admits with a shrug.

"It's been two years, Pushing three now." Canine points out.

"It would help if he actually practiced when we weren't here," Chris grumbles quietly. Ethan wasn't exactly getting a say in having to receive military training and his lack of interest showed in how slowly he was retaining the information. He had more or less gotten a grasp on medical training and resource crafting but he didn't really practice much else. Chris gave a tired sigh. It also didn't help that they weren't amazing about keeping a low profile. There have been a number of times that they had to remind the winters not to go to conventional doctors and to go to the BSAA instead due to their condition. He couldn't say he blamed them for wanting to just be normal again but it wasn't that easy.

Similar thoughts continued to pop up in his mind as they made their way to the Winter's safe house. Chris knocked on the door and waited for an answer. To his surprise, Ethan answered the door. Weird, usually Mia was the first one to the door.

"Hey, good to see you," Ethan says and motions for the 3 to enter. as they walk in sounds of coughing and gagging could be heard from the upstairs bathroom.

"Mia?" Chris says concerned as he looks to Ethan for answers.

Ethan smiles weakly "Morning sickness" he explains which causes all three to stare in surprise

"Morning Sickness?" Canine repeats back to make sure he understood that correctly.

"Yeah, She's about 3 months along now" Ethan explains. He seemed like he was expecting to have this conversation and offers a small print of a sonogram to Chris.

"You went to an outside doctor? again?" Chris asks with defeated annoyance. how many times did they have to have this conversation...

"We were worried, and the BSAA is so far away it was quicker to just" Ethan tried to explain but was cut off by an exasperated Chris.

"Ethan, you and Mia are for all intents and purposes de" Chris is cut off in turn by an equally exasperated Ethan.

"dead I know but at the end of the day we're still alive." Ethan counters which caused Chris's frown to weaken. "We're people Chris. and we want to be able to move on with our lives."

"Sorry Ethan, I don't make the rules," Chris replies with a sigh, "My job is to protect you and I can't do that if you keep pulling stunts like this."

Ethan frowns at this but motions for the 3 of them to join him in the living room. "Can we at least wait until Mia is well enough to walk around for the day? I don't want to leave her here like this."

"Fine," Chris agrees and follows Ethan alongside Canine and Night Howl. Ethan was a shit operative but, a good husband he'd give him that. He cared about his family more than anything.

"So, how have you guys been holding up since we last visited?" Night howl asks as the 4 men sit down.

"Not bad, it's been a bit stressful but not bad," Ethan admits with a tired smile.

"Stressful?" Chris asks looking for more details on that part.

"Yeah, With Mia expecting now, there's a lot of her meds that she just can't take anymore," Ethan explains as his fatigue becomes more evident. "She's worried it will hurt the baby but, it's already getting to be difficult for her."

Canine nods slowly "She was on meds for hallucination suppression right?"

"Among other things, yeah," Ethan confirms and nods. "Some nights are better than others. Work has been understanding for the more part."

Night Howl nods in understanding.

"That's enough about that though. How have you guys been?" Ethan asks in an attempt to change the subject. Even if he wasn't thrilled about military training it was nice to get to talk to the squad. It a weird way they had become friends, even if Mia may not completely agree with that.

"Not bad, Another year, another holiday season spent alone," Canine says with a tired sigh "this job doesn't lend to a good personal life."

"Yeah" Night Howls agrees with a disappointed sigh. "Hey Ethan, want to trade places?"

"Not a chance," Ethan replies shaking his head. "My life is far from perfect but, I'm excited about this next step and to be a father. Even if it was a bit of a surprise," he admits with a genuine smile, any fatigue had vanished in place of his content happiness.

"Fine fine, What about you then Alpha, up for a trade?" Night Howl jokes.

"Oh yeah thats right, 'Uncle Chris' is still a thing," Canine says which gets Ethan's attention. "I'm surprised she managed to put up with you for a full year," Canine says with a snickering smile.

"Fuck off," Chris replies shaking his head.

"You still owe us from the High Rise incident so I think a bit of ribbing is fair" Night Howl points out shaking his head.

"I owe you, not him," Chris points out in return causing Night Howl to shrug. "besides I thought Lobo was the gossiper of the group."

"Never thought I'd see the day the mighty Alpha started settling down," Ethan says with amusement but no ill intent in his tone.

"I'm not," Chris replies shaking his head. "I got too much shit to do before retiring. I said I was going to train up a new generation and I have squat to show for it. especially with you taking your sweet ass time on your training." Not to mention all the garbage going on in the background of the BSAA he still needed to figure out what was going on there.

"You're going to wait until you're grave at this rate" Ethan says.

"pretty much" Chris agrees with a nod.

Ethan was about to speak when a crashing could be heard from upstairs. "Shit, Mia." Ethan says as he quickly gets up to leave and check on her.

Yeah, all of that, the screaming, puking, mental breakdown stuff, that was a solid 'no thank you' in Chris's mind. While Ethan was away his mind wandered.

'Uncle Chris!' 'I DID IT~' 'you guys are the best' 'Okay, bye new friend!' 'Let's play super spy!' 'We kicked their butts' ... 'Are you a dad?' NOPE! Noooope, nope nope nope. Back in the vault. Back into the vault you go.

This was a fun one XD I wanted to challenge myself a bit with the new years section to show different forms of affection, both romantic and non-romantic. I'm a pretty firm believer that both are important to develop in life so, hopefully, I did a decent job.

Review Responses:

LuffyTheFox - lol Good morning! another update to greet your day XD I have to agree, I really wish I was able to develop the relationship with the Russo's a bit more but it just, didn't fit. I have had a request to go back and do some filler one-shots to add more context between the months that have already passed and I'd absolutely love to build that up a bit more by doing that once I get to a solid close on this story first XD. I'm honestly more of a Solo Leon person but I'd hope if he does end up in a relationship it would be a healthier one which in my mind, that would be more possible with Claire than Ada. As for Claire pulling her gun on Leon x'D I figured that would be more likely since Chris only had a knife and she'd recognize the power imbalance of two guns vs 1 knife and that Leon drew a weapon first. I am absolutely praying for some DLC that will add even a tiny sliver of context to the 16 year time skip we're about to be handed with RE 9. it hurts my soul to have that much of a gap.

Guest 1995 - RIP Mr. Russo indeed vnv Glad you enjoyed the chapter all the same. Lol yeah X'D it's really not my forte so I tend to leave it vague. I tend to want to leave where they are as far as physical relations go up to the reader's comfort level. due to some plot points to come though I did want to establish that they are intimate at this point be that 3rd base, all 4, or a home run to the pitcher's mound and back. whatever makes the reader happy. In my mind, they've probably been around the bases a few times now so to speak. I'm probably going to have to deviate a little bit from my original plan because the OG Scene in my head that I wanted to write was genuinely very sad but I didn't think it would have the same impact without building up the context of the relationship. so yeah X'D changing the plans I'm still going to write that scene but I'll keep going past it to a more satisfying ending.