The Look In Your Eye That Says You're All Out Of Hope

Title is from Made Of Clay, by Patty Griffin, lovely folky song right there. Thank you reviewers! And Jane, thank you! Very kind words really mean a lot to me, I'm glad you still enjoy it. And don't you worry about a late review love! XD

Even from the beginning Jill could tell this would be a good day. For one, she had comfortably moved back in with Chris, and their relationship seemed to be as strong as ever. She had also now become accustomed to her new figure; in fact she had begun to love the ever growing bump. The day was very important; Jill had now reached the seven months mark. It excited her that in perhaps less than two months she would have her own child, her own baby. Of course, the day was also important because Jill was now another day older. After thirty-five years, she was finally content and happy with her life.

Jill rolled over on the bed to nuzzle up to the man next to her. Chris let out an annoyed, early morning groan as he became more conscious. He suddenly remembered what day it was, and reached over to grasp Jill's face and pull her into a surprisingly strong kiss.

"Happy birthday." He exclaimed, detaching from her. Jill whispered a thank you and, once Chris was on his back again, rolled over to splay herself across his chest again, entwining their legs in the process. It was slightly more awkward with the large bump she now had, but she had found away to get around it and still get up close to him.

"So..." Jill began, as she laid multiple kisses along his neck and jawbone, still nuzzling into his side. "...Any chance of my present?"

"Seriously? It's ten in the morning..." Chris blurted out a laugh. It was typical of Jill. She always had to open her presents immediately. On Christmas Day, she would wake up at eight o'clock sharp just in order to open all the gifts straight away.

"Chris, you know what I'm like, please." She propped herself up onto her arm to look over him while she pleaded.

"I..I.. don't want to give it to you now, Jill." She quivered her lips and gave irresistible puppy dog eyes to him.

"Please! I love you, Chris..." He rolled his eyes at her attempt at flattery.

"Really, I just..." Jill could have sworn Chris stammered as he spoke.

"It's my birthday! Please Chris; I know it'll make me so happy..." Jill continued to beg, pulling jokily on his vest top.

"Jill, I just...I don't know if you'll like it." His nervousness made Jill flick an eyebrow up. It was strange for him to be nervous, but it seemed his demeanour had shifted. But nevertheless, Jill wanted her present, and she was willing to continue to push for it.

"You've known me for ten years, I'm pretty certain by now you should know what I like."

"Yeah but I...I...I wanted to give you it more...more...romantically... I mean I had it all planned. Please, can't I just give it to you later?" It was now Chris's time to beg with her.

"When like next week? It's my birthday today, Chris. This is as good a time as ever!" Jill giggled. Chris was defeated, he gulped and tried to hide the fact his heart was practically beating out of his chest.

"O...Okay." Chris quickly slide out of the bed and began to frantically rummage through the bottom drawer of the bedside table. Jill let out a little clap with happiness and playfully bounced herself up to sit on the edge of bed.

After a while of searching, Chris's hands grasped what he was looking for.

"Umm...Okay. Close your eyes and put out your hands." He commanded, crawling over to where she was seating.

Jill did as he said with a big goofy grin plastered on her face. Her smile faded as he began to give her the present. Instead of placing the gift in her hands, he moved both his hands over hers and lightly grasped the left hand. Already Jill's heart began to beat faster. His shaking fingers pushed an elegant ring onto her finger.

"Will you marry me?" Chris asked quietly resting on one knee, petrified to even look at her face. Jill finally opened her eyes to gawk at the beautifully decorated silver ring with a small blue diamond situated in the middle. She didn't look at Chris; she just stared in shock at the ring.

Chris looked up to her face after she didn't reply, although he could see tears forming in her eyes. Fear set in and he couldn't read her expression at all. Immediately he regretted asking, thinking he had sprung it upon her. Jill remained silent.

"I know this is soon...But I...I love you so much. I'm not saying to get married now...Not that I wouldn't want to marry you now. I would. But I...I'm saying we can wait and get married later. But I mean I'm happy to get married now, but it is soon, so later is good." Chris began to ramble because as he spoke she still didn't look at him or reply. "So I guess I'm asking you to marry me in the future...Or now, you know? I would still be happy getting married now, whatever you..."

"Yes, Chris." Jill finally interrupted him, looking intently into his fear ridden eyes.

"What?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yes, I'll marry you! I'll marry you later, not that I wouldn't want to marry you now..." Jill teased. Chris blurted out a laugh in shock, and flashed the brightest smile she'd seen from him. She caught him unawares and grabbed his cheeks to lean down to give him a passionate kiss "It's such a beautiful ring, Chris. And this is the best gift I've ever got... Oh! I can't wait to tell everyone, especially my dad he'll be so happy for me!"

"...You might not have to tell him, you know?" Chris said with a devilish smile playing on his lips.

...

"Did you already ask him?" He smiled and nodded. "Oh, Chris, that is such a sweet thing to do."

"Yeah, I can tell you Jill, I've fought hordes of zombies, mutant Wesker...But absolutely nothing is as scary as asking Richard Valentine for his daughter's hand in marriage." Chris joked, receiving a laugh from his now fiancé.

"I love you so much." Jill pulled him up to re-join her on their bed.

Luke stood in the kitchen continuing to make the elaborate dinner he had arranged for Jill. She didn't want to do anything big for her birthday, just spend the day with her close friends. So Luke offered to make them a meal as part of her present.

After getting ready, Claire stepped into the kitchen wearing an elegant black maxi dress to offer her help to him. He gave an appreciative glance over her.

"You look beautiful, Claire." She attempted to stop the tears that threatened to form due to his compliment.

In the months that had passed, their relationship deteriorated considerably. Luke's jealousy seemed more of a problem to him than he thought, and with Steve still holding an appearance, Claire just couldn't grasp or control her emotions. Both of them had unwanted feelings, and together they just couldn't find a way for it to work. They were still together as far as anyone else knew. They still shared a bed and the house. But between the two of them, the relationship wasn't right. They never fought before, yet now a day wouldn't pass without some petty argument. Both of them could agree on one thing, they jumped into the relationship too quickly. Without a doubt, at this moment in time, their future together looked very bleak.

"Thank you." She whispered, and began to lay the table for the meal.

"Is Steve coming?" Luke asked, noticing she laid the table for a fifth person.

"Do you have to ask that every time we do something?"She replied sharply. She took his question in the wrong way, and as always, another pointless argument would unfold.

"No, but it is useful to know how many people I'm cooking for, my love." He replied sarcastically. Claire sighed, she hated when he called her 'love'. He would call her it in jest, yet he had never actually professed his love for her. Another problem Claire had with the relationship. She was insecure... there was no doubt in that.

"Well Jill invited him actually, before you accuse me of doing it." Claire spat back. Jill invited Steve as she noticed Claire had spent a lot more time with him, and Chris continually pushed Jill to get to know him better anyway.

"I find that hard to believe..." Luke muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Claire had heard him, and she wouldn't just let it slide.

"Jill isn't the biggest fan of Steve either you know. So it isn't just my 'jealously' that makes me dislike him..."

"I didn't know that... Well at least Jill has the decency to keep her feelings to herself instead of hurting me." Claire said, while fixing the vase of flowers on the table.

"You don't listen do you? I'm trying to protect you, not hurt you."

"Well stop trying to protect me! I can have friends who are guys you know? That doesn't mean I'm fucking them!" Claire snapped, turning around to face him.

"I have no problem with you having friends. I do have a problem if you won't admit your feelings towards these friends... You want me to say it? Fine, I'm jealous, okay? And I don't like being like this, I don't like being that jealous guy..."

"Well then don't..." She whispered with her voice breaking. Her anger had turned to sadness and her eyes began to fill with tears. "Don't be jealous."

"How can I not?"

Claire's silence was enough for him. Any time he confronted her she would never admit or deny any feelings towards Steve. She couldn't understand her own feelings, and it was made more difficult that Steve often openly flirted with her.

...

"I don't think I can do this anymore, Claire... The relationship isn't going anyway until you sort out what you really feel. And in the meantime I can't keep being jealous like this..." Luke regretted his words, but it was inevitable.

Claire collapsed onto one of the seats and cried onto her arm. She knew it was coming, but it still hurt just as much. Usually she would latch onto him and beg him to stay or reconsider. But this time, although it hurt her so much, she knew it was the right thing for them. They needed time.

The house doorbell rang, and immediately Claire began wiping her eyes to remove evidence of tears.

"Let's just get through this and celebrate for Jill. We'll talk more later." Luke said gently, patting her back. He left her to answer the door and she ran off to fix herself.

Luke and Claire greeted Chris and Jill. And soon after their arrival, Steve came too. Luke tried his best to be friendly, but Claire could sense the animosity between the men.

Claire decided to drag Jill into the bedroom to give her their present. She didn't particularly want to stay much longer with the group. Not just because of the tension in the atmosphere, but also it still broke her heart each time she saw Luke.

"Happy birthday, Jill." Claire said with attempted happiness, passing her a large bouquet of flowers and Jill's favourite perfume.

"Claire, thank you so much. You really didn't have too." Jill brought her into a hug, and sat the items on the desk.

"And for baby boy..." Claire reached over and retrieved a little blue soft teddy bear. "I saw it and just couldn't resist."

Claire placed the bear in Jill's hand, and it was then she noticed the ring. Her face dropped in shock, as she grabbed Jill's hand to look closer at it.

"Wow! Congratulations!" Claire said, still completely gobsmacked.

"Thanks Claire. It was pretty unexpected."

Claire's heart sunk. She saw how happy Chris and Jill were, they were going to have a baby and now they were getting married. Claire always seemed to be one step behind everyone else. But when she imagined her and Luke married, she didn't love the idea as much as she thought she would. Maybe she did have feelings for Steve, she just didn't know. But one thing was for sure, the love Chris and Jill had wasn't the same love Claire and Luke were having at this time.

"It's a perfect fit; he must have got it fitted to your size. It looks really beautiful on you." Claire said slightly disheartened.

"...Thanks, did you already know about this?" Jill asked surprised that Claire knew it would be fitted.

"No, I didn't actually. But that's our mom's ring."

"Oh, Claire I didn't know. I'm sorry..." Jill was shocked at the significance her ring actually was to the Redfield family. She never would have guessed. And obviously she didn't wish to upset Claire or disrespect their mother by accepting it.

"No, don't be Jill. I couldn't imagine any other woman wearing it." Claire said honestly.

"Thank you... And Claire, are you okay? You seem down." Jill asked, she always worried about Claire, she was a sensitive one.

"Yeah...Yeah, I'm fine." Jill gave her an unconvinced look.

"Talk to me girly." Claire frowned and her tears began again. Jill was taken aback, she didn't expect this. She immediately wrapped her arms around the younger woman and sat her on the bed, lightly patting her back.

"I think it's over between me and Luke."

"...What? But you two are great together."Jill replied softly.

"I don't know...I've driven him away. We said we'd talk about it after the dinner, but I already know what's going to happen." Claire sobbed unto Jill's shoulder. Claire appreciated having someone like Jill. As close as she was to Chris, it was hard to talk to her big brother about such things. But Jill was like the older sister Claire needed.

"Claire, I don't know what's happened, but I do know that guy is devoted to you. He's crazy about you."

"I know, but just with Steve..."

"...What about Steve?" Jill asked. Jill really liked Luke; the same couldn't be said for Steve.

"Luke thinks I like him." Claire said, wiping the tears from under her eyes.

"And do you?"

"...I don't think so." Jill sighed at Claire's response. Her heart went out to Claire, she understood fully how confusing and heartbreaking love could be. She never wanted it to be hard for Claire.

"In that case, a break might be best for you. I know it's not easy to hear, but you need to figure out what you want, or more who you want."

Claire nodded, and pulled Jill into another embrace as a thank you.

"I'm sorry for ruining your birthday..."

"Don't be stupid, Claire. I think it's best if we leave you and Luke. I'm happy to just celebrate with Chris, and we can do this some other time..." Jill said, standing from the bed.

"Are you sure?" Claire asked, receiving a nod and smile. "Thank you so much Jill. I owe you big time, soon to be sister in law..."

Claire and Jill made their way back to the kitchen to find the men standing talking with a beer in hand. Jill immediately walked over to Chris and pulled him by the arm.

"Can I talk to you?" She asked, pulling him into the living room before he had a chance to speak.

"What's up?"

"I can't accept this Chris..." Jill said, slipping the ring off her finger and placing it into his hand. Chris's eyes widened as his heart broke. Jill then laughed, realising he had misunderstood her actions. "No, I still want to marry you, you big goof! I just don't want to have this ring. It was your mom's, I can't take this."

"Jill I want you to have it. Look, my parents always told me I'd be getting the ring. It's a family heirloom; it was my Grandmother's first. My dad told me to give to the girl who makes me happy. And that's clearly you." Jill nodded, as he slid the ring back onto her awaiting finger.

"If you're sure..." Jill said. He nodded back, and she gave a smile, standing on her tiptoes to place a light kiss on his lips. "Also, I think we should leave."

"You kidding me? I'm starving..." Chris whined.

"I'll explain it later, okay? I just want to go home." Chris gave a confused nod and wrapped his arm around her waist as they went back to say their goodbyes.

...

With Chris and Jill having left, it meant Steve only remained. He could sense as well as anyone else something was wrong and decided himself to leave.

"I'm sorry this hasn't worked out...But hopefully we can do it some other time." Steve said genuinely to Luke and Claire in the kitchen. "And Luke thank you for making all this."

Luke gave him a slight smile as Claire took him to the door.

"Thanks anyway for inviting us, Claire. Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yeah I'm fine, why do you ask?"

"Well I knew something was wrong, and I could hear you sobbing you know?" He gave her a smile for reassurance.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Don't worry I'm fine, I'm just sorry this whole evening's ruined." Claire blushed slightly at him.

"Don't worry. Goodbye, Claire." Steve brought her into a hug, snaking his arms around her waist. She was taken by surprise, but reluctantly wrapped her arms around him, savouring the warmth and comfort of his arms.

Luke's fears were made real by their embrace. He hated being jealous, but he could see the attraction between Claire and Steve. He saw how Steve would openly flirt, receiving little blushes from Claire, and the loving look Claire would always give when she gazed into his eyes.

Claire slowly walked back into the kitchen like a pig to the slaughterhouse, she knew what was coming. She gave him a slight smile, but didn't know what to say to him.

...

"I'm sorry Claire..." He whispered. She dropped her head knowing nothing had changed, and this really was the end.

The tears began to fall and Luke walked over to hold her tight into his chest. She immediately latched onto him and sobbed. He carefully stroked her hair, bringing her comfort.

"I love you..." He finally whispered his true feelings into her ear. Claire cried even more, she finally heard the words she had longed for from him. But yet that wouldn't mend their broken relationship. "But I think your heart belongs to someone else..."

Tada. Sorry a little shorter than usual, but I didn't like this chapter much.

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