There's Too Many Distractions, Waiting For the Perfect Time

Thank Gavin DeGraw's Lover Be Strong for the title. Pretty Claire centred chapter for me actually, but hey ho. Still plenty of Chris and Jill lined up for the future.

Gotta give a big thanks to the reviewers, it really means a lot to me. And if you can keep trucking I'll meet my target of 100, haha. Also again, since I can't thank you personally, thank you Jane for your continuing support. And also Alex, thank you for the review...I expect my cake to arrive next week at the very latest and damn better be iced! Haha, thanks peeps, enjoy.

Claire glanced to the large grandfather clock ticking in the middle of Leon's living room. Nine hours and twenty minutes until midnight, then officially it would be Claire's thirtieth birthday. It was a scary prospect for her, what a mess she had made of those thirty years. No marriage, no children...She was hardly even on speaking terms with her one remaining close relative at the moment. She never thought she'd reach thirty alone. Even Leon was still preoccupied with some random workload he had.

Claire may not have had what she had wished for, but she still had her friends. It just seemed they had their own problems to tend too. Nevertheless, she had organised a party for the night of her birthday, perhaps then she could get past what she saw as a failed life so far.

The door to the house was lightly knocked, and in came her somewhat absentee relative.

"How's my little sister doing?" Chris asked carefully, gently shutting the door behind him. He knew Claire was still pissed with him, but it had been a while, and truth be told in these occasions, Chris usually waited for her to come back to him...But this time she hadn't.

"Fine." Her reply was sharp and uninformative, her way of conveying the anger she still felt towards him.

"I haven't seen or heard anything from you; I was beginning to worry..." Chris said, perching himself on the arm of the sofa next to her.

"I said I'm fine."

...

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't think I slept with Sophia." Chris targeted what he knew was angering Claire.

"You were still in the position too, Chris. Either way you took Jill for granted, but maybe I'm wrong, I guess you've just moved on...Well, I suppose I should too." Chris sighed, and effectively bit his tongue.

Claire knew rightly her words annoyed him, but as horrible as it sounded, that's what she wanted. She was fed up with the Chris drama. First having Anna, then problems with Jill, rarely did anyone else stop to ask how Claire was coping. After all, she recently found out the child she had done her very best to help was killed, and finally she heard the truth about Steve's fate. With that, she thought closure would come; unfortunately it had yet to fully appear in her mind.

...

"Well I just thought I would come see if you needed any help with your birthday." Chris said, quickly changing the topic.

After their parent's death, he just didn't want things to change for her, so instead of their parents organising a birthday party, he took it on himself. It seemed to stick, and since then it was almost a tradition for the two to do it together. All Chris ever wanted for his little sister was to be happy.

"I've ready organised something... The British pub in town said we could have it there. They've got a DJ and everything set up." It was a lot of hassle without Chris, but she got it organised. Nevertheless it slightly hurt Chris that she wouldn't ask him for his help. "You can come if you want."

"Uh, yeah okay. Well if you need any last minute help, I'm always there for you."

"Thank you." Claire whispered. An awkward silence fell, and he could sense the tension she still felt towards him. It would take time, but they were family, he still knew she loved him and vice verse.

Chris nodded and gave a light pat on Claire's shoulder and quietly left the house. And here she was again, alone.

Claire walked up to the large wooden door of the house. She began to nibble the inside of her jaw, worried as she hadn't rang first, and she began to wonder if the woman she wanted to see would even be at home.

The door was opened and broad smile played on both of the woman's lips. Jill quickly threw her arms around the shorter woman in a warm embrace. Claire had become a little sister to her too, so it was lovely to see her again. Claire regretted that she hadn't been there for Jill as much as she was for Chris. But Jill would never hold that against her anyway.

The two separated and Jill offered her to take a seat, her eyes caught a certain book on the table and immediately Jill swiped the book away from sight. Chris would have to be told before Claire, she couldn't go spilling anything.

"How you been, girlie?" Jill asked, handing Claire a glass of lemonade.

"Okay, I guess." She replied, Jill could sense her hesitation, and gave a sympathetic smile, obviously life wasn't being good to the younger Redfield either. "I actually came here to ask you to come to my party tomorrow. It's really just a big get together..."

"That sounds good Claire, but..." Jill trailed off. She was planning to tell Chris the news later today, and honestly she didn't think he would take it too well considering she had kept it a secret for so long, so she didn't want to make Claire's birthday awkward in any way. "I think I'll just pop by briefly..."

"I know you don't want to come because of Chris. But it'll be fun, and you don't even have to speak to him...Come for me, please." Claire pleaded with her.

"Okay." She nodded. It was Claire's thirtieth after all, so it was a big event, Jill thought she should be decent enough to attend for the sake of Claire.

"Thanks, and I might not be on best terms at the moment with Chris, but for what it's worth, he still loves you. That much is blatantly obvious." Claire said. A smile formed on Jill's lips, she had spent too long apart from him.

"That's good to know... You can be first to know, I've actually arranged to meet up with him today. It's a small step, but...I just hope this is the beginning of things to get better for us." Claire returned Jill's smile when she spoke. She may have been jealous of their love, but she still wished the very best for both of them.

"I'm happy for you, Jill. You're a very forgiving woman..." Claire said. Jill didn't fully agree, she hadn't forgiven him, strangely she believed him. And she was pregnant, her main priority was, and always would be, her unborn child.

"Enough about me... You got any gossip? I know you and that Luke guy were getting pretty close..."

Jill gave a little wink, and a knowing look toward the younger girl. Claire's face remained saddened, which brought worry upon Jill.

"Well there's nothing reall..." Claire stopped as she felt her phone vibrate loudly. She gave an apologetic look to Jill and retrieved the mobile, sighing as she read the caller, "Speak of the devil, there he is now... I'm sorry, Jill."

Claire left Jill and walked back outside the house, answering as she left.

"What is it?"

"Well, hello to you too, sunshine." The smooth Scottish accented man replied.

"What do you want, Luke?" Claire asked, she was still embarrassed to talk to him. She really just wished she hadn't said anything. She could hear a sigh on the other end.

"I just wanted to talk to you about everything...Can I come round?"

"No, Luke, I'm not at home. I'm just going to the park for a while, so just...Don't try to contact me." Claire wandered down the steps from Rebecca's house and gradually made her way to the park gardens opposite while talking.

"Claire, please. We need to talk-"

She ignored his pleas and hung up the call, no denying it, she was one stubborn woman.

Chris gave himself one last check over in the mirror, fixing the one strand of dark hair which happened to be slightly out of place. Once again, he had butterflies in his stomach, but he took some hope in the fact that Jill had come to him to talk. He had almost given up; after all he had done all he physically could. The last he saw her, he cried for her, she obviously knew his feelings.

Chris had made more of an effort than usual; he put on a neat blue check shirt which accentuated the muscles, which may not have been as big with the lack of training, but still very prominent. On top of that, he wore the aftershave he knew she loved. Hell, he'd even shaven for her.

Chris let out a deep breath as he opened the door to the woman he had always loved. Jill's eyes widened slightly as she appreciated the effort he had made, her wandering eye didn't go unnoticed, and a small smile played on his lips. She suddenly felt underdressed in a pair of scruffy jeans, plain blue t-shirt and no make-up, not that he seemed to notice. She looked beautiful to him no matter what.

"You look good...And smell good." Jill thought it would do no harm to voice her opinion. But honestly, she preferred him unshaven, it was more the real him, nevertheless she appreciated his effort.

"You too...I'm so happy you came." He held the door open, and signalled for her to enter the house. Suddenly fear overcame her again, and she began to nibble her jaw.

...

"Are you feeling okay, Jill?" He didn't ask because of the change in her disposition, but he noticed as she walked to the sofa how thin she had become. She had lost much weight after Africa, but quickly regained it, weight never seemed to be an issue for her. But it worried him that he could see her shoulder blades protruding as she sat, and that her face was much paler and more gaunt than usual. Maybe their problems were taking more of a toll on her, than she would admit.

"Yeah, I'm fine..." She started fiddling with her hands, something she always did when she was nervous. "I actually have something to tell you..."

Chris now began to feel nervous too; worried something was wrong with her. He sat carefully next to her.

"And, I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you earlier...I just didn't know how too." She continued, removing her eyes from his, "I was just scared, but..."

...

"I'm pregnant!"

Jill snapped her head up to the source of the voice, her face contorted into one of anger and confusion. The door to Chris's house was open wide as a woman stood at the door with what looked like mascara trails down her face.

"What?" Chris demanded at the woman who had barged in uninvited.

"It's not what you think, Chris. The dates wouldn't add up anyway."

Jill had heard enough, her eyes didn't even water, she was more angry than anything. She believed Chris wasn't in anyway the father, but that didn't change the fact that the woman she least wanted to see was standing in front of her. It also hurt her that Chris hadn't removed all ties with her in the first place.

"Jill wait!" Chris shouted after her, as she stood up and headed towards the door. Jill couldn't tell him now, not with her there. She paused momentarily next to the woman, contemplating her next action. She sighed and brought herself as close to the woman's ear as possible,

"You're lucky you're pregnant, bitch." Jill whispered in Sophia's ear and left the room, infuriated that she lost the perfect chance to tell him. Her dad wouldn't be proud of her now.

Sophia shook her head. When she entered, Jill was sitting forward, in all honesty, she only saw Chris. It wasn't what she intended. She immediately regretted her outburst.

"Why the hell are you telling me this, Sophia?" Chris was fuming at her. All he wanted was Jill, and in his perspective, he worried Jill would think the worst with Sophia's proclamation.

"I'm just scared, Chris..." Chris's anger melted as her voice cracked. He knew she was being genuine, and he'd never actually seen her like this before. "I just need someone to talk too."

"Come here." Chris let out a sympathetic sigh, and made room for her to join him.

"It's not planned or anything, Chris. This is bad; I don't know what to do..." Her dark eyes filled and his heart went out to her. He knew Jill would be angry, but Sophia needed him too. He couldn't leave someone who was crying out to him for help.

"...Have you told Carlos?" He asked quietly, patting her leg comfortingly.

"No, not yet." Chris's eyes widened with shock.

"Soph, you got to tell him. He should be the one to find out first for God sake, it's his child. How long have you known?"

"A couple of days..."

"God..." He sighed, "Sophia, I know you're scared. But you're making it worse by not telling him. Do you know how angry I would be if I wasn't told I was going to be dad, and if the woman just kept it from me? You have to tell him. You don't know it's bad until you see his reaction..." She smiled at him, he gave the help she needed. "But I wouldn't tell Carlos you told me first...I don't think he'd be best pleased."

"Thanks Chris. And I'm sorry about Jill." Sophia lightly pulled him into a friendly hug, she really did appreciate his help. As she hugged she got a strong whiff of his aftershave and began to choke, pulling herself away from him. "Ew, you do not smell good..."

Chris laughed slighty. It didn't insult him, because he wore it for Jill, not Sophia, and there was no other woman who he would ever want to impress. He just hoped, after what seemed like another trial for them, she would hear him out once more.

Claire sat on the park bench; she was in a pretty secluded area, away from the traffic noise and most of the people. She was able to take in the beautiful surroundings of various neat flowers and plants.

Suddenly a plucked bright yellow tulip was placed in front of her eyes, it made her jump slightly. The person holding the tulip walked around the bench to face her and got down on one knee, still offering the flower. It was a cheesy gesture, but still brought a slight smile to her lips, she took the flower and whispered a polite thank you.

Luke pushed himself off his knee and sat next to her, also appreciating their surroundings.

"I told you we needed to talk." He said.

"And I told you, I wanted to be alone."

"...I don't believe that." Claire sighed, unfortunately he was right. She missed talking to him, but nothing would remove the embarrassment she felt looking at him.

...

"Claire, I've never lied to you...But I haven't been completely honest either." Claire looked up at Luke, surprised by his new conversation. "I do like you...like that."

She blushed slightly, and removed her gaze from him. But she couldn't help but think he was only saying this to make her feel better.

"It's just...I don't know how to tell you this...I was married, Claire." Her eyes widened, it definitely wasn't what she expected to hear. "We got married pretty young I guess, I was only twenty-three, but it didn't matter because we were in love."

Claire just nodded in shock, she honestly didn't know what to say to him. But she felt even worse knowing he was a married man.

"But, whenever Alex took notice of my successes and knowledge of microbiology, she came personally to get me. It just happened to be Kate was with me..." Luke chocked a little as he recalled the events, and had to place his hand over his eyes, "Alex shot her in front of my eyes, and took me. I couldn't even protect her."

Claire bit her lip, as her eyes too began to water with his words. Undoubtedly it was the most painful experience he had gone through. Claire gave him comfort in the only way she could think of, her small hand clutched over his larger one.

"That was when I was twenty six. It's hard to believe it was six years ago. I was reading the reports and Alex made it seem Kate committed suicide after I went missing. But I told the BSAA what really happened, and I presume her family now know the truth at least..."

"I'm so sorry Luke. I really am." Claire was crying more than he was. She was a softy when it came to things like this. "But, thank you for telling me."

"I should be the one apologising, Claire. I was just scared to get close to you, and have to lose you like I lost her." Claire's heart melted once again, he really knew what to say to her to make her heart flutter.

Claire hesitantly wrapped her arms around his shoulders and brought him closer to her body.

"You're not going to lose me." She whispered into his ear. His large hands found their way along her waist, and sat at the small of her back. She appreciated the feeling and the warmth he gave, not to mention the alluring smell off his neck, she buried her head snugly in the crook of his neck.

A smile formed on Claire's lips, maybe this year's birthday would be a good one for her. She wouldn't be alone this time.

Sorry for the delay. But I hope you enjoy.

Artichoke,

x