AN: Well, since it looks like people are liking this story, I'm gonna post the 2nd chapter! I've been working on this story for quite a while, so I already have several chapters completed in advance. So there's no reason to worry about a weird posting schedule for this story. Also, Happy Holidays (for those of you who do/don't celebrate Easter).
Anyway, I thank Claire Redfield 86, CharRobinson4, Chirika, and Boss-Awesome for leaving reviews! Hopefully this new chapter meets your expectations. This part is still fairly serious, but this story gets really fluffy next chapter.
Disclaim: I do not own Resident Evil, or its characters. Plz do not sue me.
~3 weeks, Mid-August
Jill stood in front of the bathroom mirror, staring down at the little plastic stick that now dictated what her life held in store for her. The tiny pink plus symbol continued to remind Jill Valentine that she was in fact pregnant with none other than her best friend's baby. "Yep," Jill agreed silently, biting her lower lip, "I thought as much." She had done the necessary research into when was the best time to take the pregnancy test. She bought the test kit, waited until her period was supposed to reappear, and when it didn't, Jill lost all patience, ripped open the box, and took the test. Ten minutes later, here she was.
Jill tossed the cheap pregnancy test aside and meandered out of her bathroom. "I'm going to have to tell Chris soon," Jill considered, taking stock of her situation and living conditions, "I might have to move into a bigger apartment, not to mention bigger clothes later down the road." As her pregnancy became more apparent with unyielding fatigue, Jill decided that she would see the pregnancy to term, keep the baby, and raise it on her own if she had to. The policewoman had never planned on being a mother this early in her twenties, but after the Arklay Mansion, Jill ending up changing many of her plans for the future. It looked like it was time to shuffle her priorities again.
The phone rang. Jill checked the number on her caller ID: Barry. She picked up the receiver and answered. "Hey Barry, what's going on?" Jill asked nervously; nowadays the survivors of S.T.A.R.S. didn't call each other unless it was important.
"Jill. Glad you picked up," Barry explained, "Chris wants to see us in about an hour. He says he's making plans to follow up on Umbrella." Jill nodded in response.
"Alright, I'll be right there," she said before hanging up. Jill changed into her most comfortable pair of casual clothes and walked out to her car. She turned the key as the first dots of rain hit her windshield. Jill sighed deeply, focusing on what she needed to tell Chris when she got to his place.
Jill pulled up to Chris' apartment and walked herself to his door, fighting nausea as she walked up the single set of stairs. Once at the doorstep, Jill paused. Despite the plan she made while driving over, Jill couldn't bring herself to speak at all. A lump formed in Jill's throat as tears threatened to fall on the brunette's cheeks. Jill held a shaky hand to the door, preparing to knock, when the door opened in front of her. On the other side was none other than her partner, Chris.
"Jill. Glad you could make it. Barry's already inside," Chris said, softening his tone as he noticed how wet Jill's face was. "Are you crying?"
Jill wiped away the tears. "It's just the rain," She lied. Chris took her coat as she entered his apartment.
"It's actually the hormones," Jill thought as she greeted Barry as she took a seat in Chris' living room, "Gotta be the hormones."
"Right," Chris said as he took a seat on the floor, "This conversation does not leave the room; I've made arrangements to go to Europe and investigate Umbrella's headquarters. Barry will be busy with the next several months moving his family to Canada. I've already asked him to watch Umbrella's activity up there. Jill, what are you planning? Jill?"
Jill snapped back to attention, fighting off yet another wave of nausea as the scent of Chris' apartment invaded her sense of smell. Chris had let his usual habit of tidiness slide for some time, not because he was a bachelor, but his obsession with Umbrella and their ex-captain after the Mansion Incident. "I'm fine, Chris. I think it's best if I stay in Raccoon City for now. I'll see what I can dig up." Jill sighed, massaging the space between her eyes.
"Jill," Barry asked, leaning toward her from his position on the couch, "Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah," Jill reassured, "I'm just really tired. I need a drink of water." She stood up and started to Chris' tiny kitchen. She made it halfway there when the room began to sway under her feet and the ground rushed up to meet her. Thankfully the carpet was soft.
"My god-JILL! JILL! Wake up!" Chris shouted as he jumped up and kneeled beside Jill, shaking her. After a few seconds, of no response, Chris carefully picked her up and carried her to his couch. "C'mon," he tried again, "Wake up!" Jill woke up groggily.
"What happened?" she asked tiredly, turning her head to look up at Chris and Barry.
"You collapsed," Chris said, "Are you sure you're all right? You gave us a scare." Jill nodded.
"I haven't been sleeping very well recently. There's no reason to worry about me," she lied.
"You want me to call someone?" Barry offered, standing in the middle of the room.
"No. I can get myself home," Jill replied.
"Alright," Chris compromised, "Barry can follow you back to your apartment. I've got packing to do." Chris turned around to disappear into his bedroom.
"Wait, Chris!" Jill pleaded, "I have something to tell you." Chris stopped in the doorframe.
"Whatever it is, it can wait for now," Chris stated, "Right now, we have to bring Umbrella to justice. Good night." Chris closed the door to his bedroom, shutting out Barry and Jill.
"Come on, Jill." Barry said calmly, taking the younger woman by the shoulder, "Let's get you home. He's not going to want to talk to anyone."
"Alright." Jill breathed as she stepped away from Chris' bedroom door and followed Barry out of the apartment.
"I suppose the news could wait a while…" Jill thought as she drove of the complex's parking lot, not knowing that the next month would bring her far more trouble than expected.