Chapter 4: Life and Death
"Hey Jill we have to be at the Birkin's in seven minutes and I am waiting outside of your apartment." Chris hollered onto his cell phone (Model Nokia 2110).
"Well if you turned around maybe you would see me." Chris turned around and saw Jill in brand new 1996 Chevy Lumina. It was blue and fresh from the dealer.
"Wow Jill, when did you get this?" Jill laughed at how dumfounded Chris was.
"Just before with my paycheck. Do you want to follow me because I also picked up a map and directions to their house. Either you hurry up or you will be late." Jill sped off into the distance and the Chris quickly followed. It took them about fifteen minutes to get to the Birkin residence. It was on the outskirts of the city and it was a big ranch house. Three stories and it had a big sized gate in front of it. It was a mansion and it really stood out. The property in all had 300 acres to it. The heft of the land was more towards the back of it. Chris and Jill slowly walked up to the front door. *Ding Dong*. After, a few second the door opened and they were greeted by Annette.
"Hello, we are so glad you could make it." Annette greeted them with hugs and then Jill presented her with a homemade apple crumble. After the compliments and greetings were made they made their way through the grand hall. In the backyard was William, sherry, and surprisingly Barry and his family.
"Barry, what a nice surprise." Jill ran up and gave a mighty squeeze to her fellow comrade. Chris followed behind Jill and he greeted the Burtons. Kathy (Barry's wife) complimented their attire considering she has a good sense in clothing. Chris wore a black t-shirt with a grey plaid shirt unbuttoned over it. From the waist bellow he wore jeans, and some white track sneakers. Jill wore a blue button up short sleeve blouse with the top button undone. She also wore a black formal skirt that ended just above her knees. As for footwear she had on black heel boots. Her hair was in her normal bob style but now she brushed both sides behind her ears sp she could show off her diamond earrings.
Chris spent most of his time talking with Barry and William while Sherry played around on the swings and with Barry's oldest daughter Moira who was eight. At that point in time Jill was holding baby Polly. Polly was the newest daughter in the Burton family. She was only two months old. The baby seemed to fall asleep instantly in Jill's arms and Jill had her eyes fixed on the beautiful young baby. Chris noticed her and he smiled to himself. Then his daydream was interrupted by the sound of sizzling burgers.
"Hey Will, I know this sounds funny but steak seasoning is really good to put on burgers. My dad used to do that when I was growing up." Chris said before sipping at his can of beer.
"He's right, I remember his father's burgers, and they were something alright" Chris remembered how close Barry and his dad were back when they were alive. The two of them were like brothers and when Chris's dad died Barry was away over seas and couldn't do anything to help Chris or Claire out.
"I heard that same thing but I never tried it. I think I will give it a try. Chris, man the burgers for a little. I will be right back." William sped off and Chris just caught the spatula right before it hit the ground. After a few minute William returned with a plastic bottle with steak seasoning. He sprinkled the seasoning on and then the aroma of the seasoned meat brought Jill and Kathy to the grill. Baby Polly started to whimper and move around.
"Shhh-shhh-shhh, it's ok sweetie." Jill's soft hushing got Chris's attention. Chris turned around and looked at Jill cradle the baby carefully and softly. He smiled to himself and then saw Jill look at him and then smile as well. "Burgers are ready, I hope everyone is hungry." William called out and Sherry and Moira came running up to the table. Everyone had a good dinner and thought the burgers with steak seasoning was wonderful. Later that night, William took Chris, Jill, and Barry to his own shooting range.
"You see my dad was a hunter and got me hooked up on guns and what not. I only have one of my own and it has been my favorite since I could remember. I own a Browning Hi-power and I think is the world's best handgun." William pulled out a nicely kept handgun and then shot a few targets down range.
"I have a practical version for competition shooting. I have to agree with you along the lines of being an outstanding firearm." Chris inspected the pistol that William placed in his hand. Chris continued to speak after his inspection
"Another handgun that really is a great piece is the Walther PPK/S. I carry one as a concealed carry weapon while on and off duty." Chris turned around and placed his beer can down on the floor and while he got back up he spun around and from behind his open button up shirt he pulled his handgun and fired at seven of eight bottles standing. His gun ran dry and he looked in the barrel to check for an accidental misfire. Then a quieter bang rang out from behind them. They all turned around to see Sherry holding a small pistol. She had hit the last bottle.
"Nice shot Sherry." William complimented. "Well, now that you guys have seen Sherry with a gun it is safe to say that Sherry has a hunting license and legally can use a gun. We bought her a little Bersa Thunder .22LR. It was a little gift from us to her. I was the one who got her into hunting. Even, thought Annette never really approved of guns she owns one herself. She has a two tone Glock 17. We are a dangerous family.
"No comment, but nice shot sherry." Chris went on one knee and rubbed her head. *Ring, Ring, Ring* Jill pulled her cell phone out of her purse.
"Hello? ... What's the matter Grace? … *Gasp* … no, no, no. When did this happen? Oh dear God *sniff, sob* Ok, I…I will be there as soon as possible. Bye, and take it easy." Jill turned away and walked away wiping tears away from her eyes.
"I will go see what is bothering her." Chris got up and ran after her. After Chris ran up to the house Annette was sympathetically rubbing Jill's back and telling her everything is going to be ok. Kathy was trying to talk to Jill and figure everything out.
"Jill is everything alright?" Chris sat down next to her.
"My Aunt Maria ddddied from ccccancer. She wwwas my mmoms twin ssssister and she treated mmme like hhher daughter." Jill stuttered with her saddened voice. Chris put his arms around her and held her.
"I'm so sorry Jill. If you need anything just tell me and I will do what I can." Jill turned and put her head on his shoulder. He brushed her brown hair and she seemed to calm down.
For the rest of the night in Jill's scenario it was beer, beer, another bottle down and one after another. She had beaten Chris's total beer record and she was able to hold it down without vomiting. Chris couldn't watch her like that. He knew she hated cigarettes and he could find anything that would calm her down.
"Come on Jill; let's find something relaxing to do." Chris took Jill by the arm and forcefully but gently pulled her to her feet.
"Ugh, I don't want too." Jill whined childishly.
"Come on Jill you need to cheer up." Before Jill could do anything her phone rang.
"Hello? ... WHAT! ... I am going to kill you. I just downed way more alcohol than I did in College and all because you wanted to tell me that. The least you could have done was tell me last you called instead of having me go through hell. *sigh* Well at least you reminded me. Ok, I will do just that. I forgive you and don't worry about it." Jill hung up and put the phone in her purse.
"What was that?" Chris forced himself to ask considering her whole mood changed
"Nothing it was a day early April fools and it was so harsh considering they didn't tell me until hours later." Jill could see that Chris was a little mad as well considering she got all worked up.
"Quick question, how are you not drunk from everything that you drank?" Jill chuckled at Chris's question
"Well my fellow officer I have good genetics. I don't get drunk from a lot of beer. It has to be hard liquor like Vodka or Whiskey. Then things get to be fun." Jill was like a new person she didn't care about anything but then and there.
"Hey Chris, it is getting late I think we should say good bye to the Birkins and everyone." Chris nodded and followed Jill. The two of them had said goodbye and then headed back to their apartments. Chris had planned out an April fools joke the next day. He planned to pull this of with Joseph.
The next day came and Chris put balloons on the back of everyone's chair with Joseph. Secretly there was C4 in each balloon. It was a very small amount so that it would only cause the balloons to pop and not kill everyone. Chris put ten on either sides of Wesker's chair to piss him off.
Shortly after they Finished, the other members walked in the room and saw the Balloons and they all assumed it was someone's birthday in the Office. Everyone sat at their desks and right before Joseph it the detonator the STARS door busted open and there was Jill crying. Valerie (Jill's first police friend) was there with her arm around Jill and she tried to calm her down. Everyone got up from their seat but didn't move a step.
"Jill, what's wrong?" Chris asked uncertain of the new situation. He noticed a white object in her hand.
"Chris… I… I'm pregnant." Once those words left her mouth everyone's faced went pale including Wesker. Then everyone looked over at Chris. Barry just put his hand in his palm and shook it in disbelief.
"Why… why did you do it Chris?" Forest asked in the upmost shocked. He was the womanizer out of everyone there but he even knew that there were boundaries.
"No… no it wasn't me I never slept with…" Chris was cut off by his captain.
"You out of all of us were trusted to be professional with the only female on the team, but obviously even you can't control yourself." Wesker seemed really pissed at him. Jill slowly walked over to him. She showed him the test strip. It had written on it in lipstick "April Fools, go along with it" Chris smiled and gave Jill a big hug.
"When do we tell them?" Chris asked as he played with her scheme.
"Now" Jill and Chris both turned and yelled "APRIL FOOLS". Everyone just laughed (excluding Wesker) and turns out, Valerie was in on it the whole time as well.
"How did you learn to act like that?" Chris asked quite shocked at how Jill kept her Character.
"When I was a little girl I took acting lesson because I wanted to be on Broadway. I guess you never forget some things." Jill said as she wiped her tears away.
"Enough, I don't even know who the hell invented this useless holiday but it ends now. If another prank goes on within the next 24 hours you will be in serious trouble. Do I make myself clear?" Wesker barked at everyone.
"Sorry Captain, hey everyone lets give Wesker our balloons so maybe he will feel better." Joseph was trying not to laugh at Chris's suggestion. Joseph had a completely red face and tears of laughter and excitement streamed down his face. He whimpered as he gave Chris the detonator.
"Oh yes, giving me balloons will make my whole day glamorous." Wesker said sarcastically with his arms crossed. By the time everyone moved away Wesker was in a ring of balloons. With only a small opening in the front everyone could only see his nose. Chris flipped the protective cover on the detonator and the he pushed the button.
*BWWAAWAGAWAHHHH!* The sound of all of the balloons popping was nothing short of demented. The sound kept echoing throughout the room and Wesker fell back in his chair. All that was visible was his feet sticking in the air. Everyone was rolling on the floor laughing their assed off. This time everyone had tears on their eyes from laughing so much. Then all of a sudden an angry growl emerged from behind Wesker's desk. HE slowly stood up and ripped the sunglasses from his face. He dove at Chris, but Chris evaded. Chris busted down the door and ran down the hallway to the left. Wesker (even though not super human) was surprisingly fast and nearly caught up with Chris. Chris slid over the desks in his way. And Wesker pounced over them like it was nothing. Wesker practiced parkour and was an expert at it. Chris got to a dead end of going upstairs through the library and its top doors. He heard Wesker coming and he grabbed the railing and swung himself onto the second floor. Wesker made it down to the second floor with ease and eyed Chris as he jumped to the first floor. Wesker took his open shot and pounced on Chris from the second floor. There were police looking at them as the commenced in hand to hand combat. Wesker threw a punch Chris ducked, spun around, and preformed a spin kick. Wesker blocked that with his knee and then followed it with a kick at Chris's face Chris grabbed his foot and threw a punch at Wesker's chest. Wesker stumbled back and the lunged at Chris with his elbow. Chris fell on his bottom and did a leg sweep and knock Wesker on his back. Chris stood up and put his foot on Wesker's chest. Wesker countered with a kick to Chris's groin. Chris fell down in agony and he grunted and whined in pain. Wesker took Chris by the throat and held him against the wall. Before he could say anything, Jill put her left hand on Chris's shoulder and her right hand on Wesker's shoulder. She pushed them apart and the she threw a left hand punch to Wesker's groin, a right hand punch at Chris's chest, and then a final left hand jab at Wesker's face. The two men gripped their injuries.
"You two are children. Wesker, try to be less strict and enjoy a few laughs, and Chris try not to piss Wesker off." Jill yelled at them both and they both took what she said and considered it.
"We have a weird police department." Chris said giving a Jill a smile. That stood true for the most part. But they didn't know that their career and lives would change forever in just a few months.