A/N: Thanks a bunch Lancelot-Albion, Shirahane Aikawa, Mercenary Nemesis and Deep Shadowz for taking out time review and all my readers, who are reading this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil or any of its characters appearing in the story, they all belong to Capcom.

Chapter 17

(Leon's POV)

"Where were you two?", Kate's father asked when we returned home.
"Good morning", I wished him morning, "we just took Shadow for a walk."
"Together!", screamed the twins and they pretended to faint.
"At least you should have told someone", Kate's mum said.
"Everyone was sleeping when we left", Kate said and wished her parents morning.
"What!", the twins pretended as if the shock brought them back to consciousness and one of Kate's glare made them run up the stairs.
"That's okay sweeties, now go have your breakfast", her mother said and we sat on the breakfast table where Brenda's mum served us extra sweetened pancakes. I think Kate is the only good cook in this family, her mother's cooking is also good but Kate's cooking is excellent.

"Kate you'll be going for shopping with us right", Brenda asked.
"Yes, I need to buy myself a dress for the wedding ceremony", Kate told her sipping her coffee.
"Didn't you bring enough dresses already", the thing just slipped out from my mouth.
Kate cleared her throat, "Those are not fit to wear in the occasion like this", she answered faking a smile.
"If that so why did you bring them in the first place and don't you think buying a new dress is a waste of both time and money", I just stated.
"I am buying that from my own money, honey", she said smiling threateningly.
"It's not about the money, sweetheart", I said clearing my throat too, "I only earn for you. I was just asking."

(Kate's POV)

'Did he just ended an argument and that too by saying the most sweetest thing ever he said to me', I thought smiling at him and he smiled too.
"Aww… that was so sweet", some elderly woman said and both Leon and I looked at her and then at each other.
"Not like that granny", the twins said and then took positions and yelled, "So sweet!", as if they were in some Anime.
"Yeah it was really", Liza said looking at her husband.
"Well you ought to earn a lot, if you earn for her", one of my cousins' husband commented.
"Actually a lot than a lot", Leon quipped back and everybody laughed.

The rest of the morning went nicely and another good news came that a family will be coming this evening to meet with Susanne's family. It was an old fashioned way but maybe at this point in time her parents thought it be better if they step in and help her find a match, "If all went nicely we'll be marrying off Susanne after Brenda and who know maybe together with Brenda only", her mother said being too much hopeful, as we headed out for shopping. Mom made us sit with two of our aunts Brenda's Mom and Susanne's mom. Leon was with Dad and other men.

"That's so great", I thought on the account that if she gets married now I won't have to come here again.
"Barbara, I must tell you that I was a bit jealous when Kate who is 5 years younger than Brenda got married…", my aunt began.

'… and now you're insecure and more jealous and maybe a bit angry that your so called son-in-law is nowhere near Leon', I thought to myself, since I overheard her badmouth both Leon and me, the very first day we arrived. The circumstances we got married it came as a shock to everyone and when I say everyone, I mean everyone. But little by little friends and family came to know about the marriage with the lie that both me and Leon loved each other very much, but we weren't able to keep that lie in front of friends since they knew, it would have been the last thing we would do, so really close friends knew what really happened, it was all so fast even when the last five years seemed like an eternity.

And now like everywhere else we'd gone, people especially women totally forget the fact that Leon is married and it doesn't affect his popularity among women. Many times married women try to hit on him and I think either he is really stupid not to see that or is really a big pervert. And to me the latter one makes more sense. I mean a man can't be that much oblivious can he? Okay yes he never dated or had an affair after marriage but you can't deny the fact that he never ever leaves a good chance of flirting with women.

"… and you know Brenda's fiancé and in-laws are coming to help us with the shopping. They would be so much delighted to see all our family", my aunt finally completed her babble, "You've to meet them Barbara he such a handsome young man just like Leon…", maybe not, I looked out of the window.

"She gave me headaches", Leslie said holding her head when we reached our destination and our aunts had walked away with mum.
"True", Jessica said nodding.
"Well somebody was able to outmatch you apart from Leon and John", I said to them with a laugh.
"Don't you dare insult them", the twins said faking anger. The twins really considered Leon and John as their Ideals, cracking stupid jokes; their quipping and witty come backs were really hilarious if you get them.

(Leon's POV)

"You got to be kidding me", Kate muttered and looked at me.
"What happened?", I asked her and without saying anything she grabbed my face and turned it side to side, "Uh… what are you doing?", I asked her.
"I am checking if you used make-up or anything", she said examining closely.
"What?! I don't use that stuff", I said to her surprised, "You know I don't."
"Then how can someone compare you to him", she almost yelled if I had not put my hand on her mouth.
"What are you saying?", I asked her totally confused.
"Look at that guy, he's using make-up to hide god knows what", she said to me, "He is nothing like you. I mean you look so sweet, charming, handsome, hot and…", she abruptly stopped.
"And…?", I was dying to know what she didn't say.
"… and… and… good?", she thought it up and said and I couldn't help but smile at her.

"Leon", Amy came yelling, "Leon please do me a favor."
"Yeah sure", I agreed without looking at Kate and she was a bit suspicious about something.
"Please pretend that you're my boyfriend", the thing she said made me literally trip over my own foot.
"Absolutely no", Kate replied before me.
"Uh… come on Kate, just for a bit. It's only a prank", Amy said.
"I said No", Kate said angrily.
"Why are you doing like that, you always gave your things to me", Amy argued.
"Leon is not a thing, he's a person, he's my husband", she said bubbling in anger.
"Kate, c'mon please", Amy tried to convince.
"He's my husband and he'll stay my husband no matter what", Kate said furiously looking at me for support.
'Is she jealous', I couldn't help but think.
"I said it would only be a prank", Amy said getting angry herself, "You know my anger don't you Katy doll."
"This not something, you're getting by just bullying me", Kate said to her furiously.

(Kate's POV)

"Hold on ladies", Leon said breaking the fight.
"Come on", Amy said grabbing hold of his hand and I looked at him. I felt like crying, Amy always took away whatever I had better than her but Leon is not a thing he's my husband.

"Hold on Amy", Leon said releasing himself from her grip, "look Kate is right this is no play thing; I married her and I am her husband even if it's a prank its not right for me to pretend to be your boyfriend when I am not. Look it's hard to explain and I know you want this really badly but women can share everything except their husband. So if you respect Kate and me even a bit you'll stop asking for what is impossible. I hope you understand now."

Leon held my hand and pulled me away from Amy and others. Even though everything went in my favor I felt like crying, crying really hard. I'd never thought Leon would stand up for me, guess I still have to understand him a lot. As here we stood Leon holding my hand I was happy for some reason, "This is Kate my younger cousin and although she is younger she got married before any of us and this is her husband Leon."

(Leon's POV)

"Nice to meet you", Brenda's fiancé said as he kissed Kate's hand and shook my hand.
"This is Jeff", Brenda said.
"Nice to meet you too", Kate said with a beautiful smile.
"Pleasure", I only said. After that everyone went in different shops to get whatever stuff they need. We watched the last person enter the big shop and the twins decided to eat others head for a change.

We were the last ones to meet the groom and his family, after that everyone went to do their shopping separately. I needed a dress first, since everything has to go with it, "Uh… I can manage on my own, you can accompany Daddy and others", I said to Leon.
"You don't want me coming along", he asked.
"It's not that, I am just saying that you might get bored", I said to him being practical.
"Look I might buy myself some clothes depending on the dress you are getting after all we should complement each other at the Wedding Day", he said a little thoughtful about it, "In short I'd like to help you with your shopping and I'll help you carry shopping bags too", these words made me smile and I felt this stupid feeling inside me.

"That's really sweet of you", Kate said smiling.
"Thank you", I said it like a gentleman and we headed to a random boutique and Kate spent a lot of time getting a lot of clothes for herself.
"You are not getting bored are you", she asked looking at the clothes she picked up.
"Nah… Ashley spends more time than you", I told her truthfully.
"So you go shopping with her?", she asked me casually.
"I go even lingerie shopping with her", I stated the fact and she dropped the dress she was holding.
"Sorry", she said to the shop staff who just glared at her, "You really do that?"
"Yep", I said helping her to get the dresses.
"Don't tell me you help her choose which lingerie looks good on her", Kate said moving towards the trial rooms.

"Well she insists every time", I said and couldn't help as Ashley's high pitch voice came flooding in my mind asking me to help her with changing clothes.
"And what do you say", Kate asked softly.
"Sometimes Yes and sometimes No", I replied smiling.
"Oh I see", she reacted to the information.
"Hey", I made her look at me, "I was kidding, I always say No, you idiot", I said bumping my head onto hers; "I know I am married to you."
Kate smiled weakly and maybe a bit sadly, "You are really mad", she said stepping inside the changing room.
"What do you mean?", I asked her standing next the curtain as I heard her put the dress on a hanger.
"Being loyal to a woman, who has hardly anything to give to you is kinda stupid, don't you think", she said so softly that I hardly managed to hear her.
"Being loyal to a man, who has nothing to give to you is more stupid, isn't it", I said to her, "You know I can die…", before I can complete my sentence Kate's hand was on my lips stopping me from speaking.

(Kate's POV)

I never seem to get the fact why I don't feel right when Leon or anyone talks about him dying, "I know you don't have to remind me", I said withdrawing my hand and drawing the curtains again, "I am loyal to you because I don't want to cheat you."
"And I just can't cheat you even if I want to", Leon said as I undressed to try on the news clothes, "Can I see you?", he asked after sometime as I zipped up the new dress.
"Yes you can", I said stepping out to let him see me in a bright violet dress.
He smiled, "Everything is fine but I don't like it", he said looking at me as I stood in front of the mirror.
"Me too", I said and went in trial room to try another dress.

Dress after dress and shop after shop, I wasn't able to find any dress that I found attractive. Even Leon kept rejecting them, "Welcome Madam", the lady owner said as we stepped in a highly chic shop.
"Dogs are allowed here?", I asked her.
"Yes Ma'am", she smiled.
"Thank you", I said smiling, "I was looking…", I had just began.
"Say no more madam I know", the lady said and grabbed my hand and dragged me, asking Leon to follow, "I have just the thing thats just made for you."
"Really?", I said a bit doubtful looking at Leon and he assured me everything would be fine.

The lady called her assistant and whispered something to her. I looked around the big room, they really had some fine dresses, "Here Madam", the lady said and I looked at her, "This is for you", she showed me a Wedding gown.
"But this is a Wedding Gown", I said to her.
"Just your size", the lady said, "We can say it was waiting for you."
"But I am already married", I told her.
"Married?", she looked at Leon.
"Uh huh", he said smiling and nodding.
"For past five years", I told her.

(Leon's POV)

The owner was really taken aback when we told her that we were already married. But then she got her old vigor back as she made Kate try dresses after dresses. In my eyes she looked fabulous in all of the dresses and Kate would agree to buy that dress but the owner did not seem satisfied and made her try another dress and it was all that happening for past one hour.

"This dress is sure pretty than the previous one", Kate said checking herself in the mirror, "What do you think?", the owner didn't reply, "I am asking you Leon", she turned to face me.
"You look gorgeous", I told her smiling.
"This dress is the one Mrs. Margerette", Kate turned to look herself in the mirror.
"No madam this dress is not good", the owner said unsatisfied.
"But Ma'am, she has tried every dress there is", the assistant said to the owner, who seemed to be in deep thoughts.
"No, she hasn't", the owner said delighted snapping her fingers and running out.
"I am sorry Madam, I'll just get my boss", the assistant ran after her and both Kate and I shrugged looking at each other.

"Julie, how many times do I have to tell you we haven't got this shop to sell clothes, as dress designers it's our duty to dress people elegantly", the owner returned with two more dresses that were hidden by packaging.
"Miss please try this one", the owner said giving her one of the dress, "You won't regret it."
"Okay", Kate said and took dress inside the changing room.
"Sir I want to have this", the owner said, "This suit goes with the dress, I have for your wife. It is my utmost pleasure that I got to dress the sweetest and lovely couple there ever could be."
'Sweet and Lovely… is she really talking about me and Kate. She can't be', I thought but I took the clothes she was offering me and took it out from the packaging. It was a Black colored and it was all I could see before Kate stepped out.

"Bravo!", the owner yelled with tears in her eyes, clapping.
"You look pretty Madam", the assistant said.
"Really?", Kate asked doubtfully.
"Yeah you're the prettiest woman on the earth", the owner said and Shadow barked.
"Wow, this dress is really something", Kate said looking herself in the mirror.
"This is the perfect dress for you", the owner said proudly.

(Kate's POV)

"One thing is missing", Leon said all of a sudden that we all have to turn to look at him.
"What Sir?", the owner asked a bit nervous.
"Just a small very important thing", he said getting up.
I looked back at myself in the mirror as the owner tried to find the flaw in the dress, "Everything is perfect, nothing's missing", I said looking at myself from every angle possible in the mirror.
"No", Leon said standing next to me.
I turned to look at him, "Stop playing games just say what is missing", I said furiously.

He lifted his hand and for a second I thought he was going to hit me but he reach and freed my hair from the bun which I had made sometime between all the dress changing. My hair fell to my left shoulder and the air from the fan blew them a bit as Leon turned me to look at the mirror, "Now you look perfect", he said softly from my right.

(Leon's POV)

"Idiot", Kate smiled looking at me through the mirror.
"Ah… young man you scared me", the owner said from behind, "But yes I overlooked this small detail."

"This dress is really beautiful", Kate said smiling. The snow white floor touching dress was really something but like the owner got that it was not suitable for anyone else than Kate. The beautiful sleeveless, backless dress reminded how Kate looked at our Wedding. But it was not the dress that was making Kate beautiful, it was Kate who was making the dress beautiful, to me she is the most beautiful woman.

(Kate's POV)

"Not as beautiful as you", Leon said and really softly pecked me on cheek that it sent a million of shivers down my spine and I almost didn't feel it.
"Sir you should better try the suit, so I can fix it according to your size", the owner said.
"Yeah sure", Leon said and took the other packaged cloth that she brought with mine to one of the changing room.
"I should better change too", I said to no one in particular heading for another changing room.

I got out of the dress really being careful, I didn't want to ruin it, "Ah Sir it fits you perfectly", I heard the owner scream with joy, "Julie get both of these dress packed."
"Ma'am if you are done with the dress, I'd like to have it, I want to get it packed", the assistant said.
"Yeah here", I said stepping out since I was already dressed. I was hoping to see Leon's suit but he stepped out too, a few minutes later wearing his usual clothes.
"Your suit would be 1500$ and Lady's dress is a bit more expensive 2000$", the owner said making a purchase receipt.
I checked my purse and what do you know I only have 1500$ plus I gave my credit card to twins and I was hoping to buy a dress and a pair of shoes with these.
"Um… I am really not sure about this dress will you pack the red one please", I said since there was no way I could buy this dress and I just hoped the dress I mentioned does not exceed my budget.
"No madam this dress is only meant for you", the lady said shaking her head.
"Yeah but I don't like cream", I lied making up an excuse.
"Why not? The color looks fabulous on you", the lady said.
"But…", I began and looked at Leon, he was confused a bit.

(Leon's POV)

"This dress is perfect for you", I said all of a sudden understanding why Kate wasn't agreeing to buy this dress, "3500$ you said right", I asked smiling to the owner giving her the money and taking the clothes from her, "C'mon I think you have to get Sandals too", I said to Kate.
"You shouldn't have bought that", Kate said as we were back on the street.
"I earn for you remember", I reminded her.
"This is no time for jokes", she said seriously.
"I am not joking, I meant it when I said that", I said trying to sound as serious as I could, I really was serious.
"Really?", she asked doubtfully.
"Of course, do you know anyone else I can spend my money on", I said to her seriously.
"Okay then, I'll have to get matching pair of shoes now", Kate said smiling happily.
"This looks a nice shop to get shoes", I said and pushed Kate in the shop where she chose her footwear according to the dress. Then we headed back so that we could go home.

"Please come at our place tonight. We are hosting a dinner for a family in hopes Susanne would find her match; I would really appreciate if Jeff is there too", I could hear Brenda's mom literally yell, she has voice pitch like that of Ashley.
"Leon and Kate, hurry up you two we've been waiting for quite some time", Kate's mom said.
"Sorry, it took me a while to decide the dress", Kate apologized.
"Come on get in the car", her father said and both me and Kate got in but once we were settled more people got in and the car that was meant for 5-6 people now had 10 people inside it even after the twins volunteered to get in another car.

And then one more guy got in and I moved close to Kate who was pushed in the corner, to make room and to be comfortable I had to swing my arm around her, "Mom we came so comfortably", Kate whispered to her mother. She was not as cramped as me and Kate.
"Uh… the groom's family's car broke down, so we are giving them a ride", her mother said.
Just then the driver took a sharp turn and Kate was pushed against the door due to momentum, "Oww…", she screamed a bit.

(Kate's POV)

Another sharp turn and I was falling over Leon and Leon held me tight and made me steady, "You alright?", he asked.
"I am fine", I said as one of the speediest turn made me clung to Leon. It made me inhale his cologne mixed with his sweat, I don't know what made me but I said, "Tell the driver to slow down I am not feeling well", I said keeping my head on Leon's chest, I… all of a sudden felt this weakness that my eyes closed.
"Drive properly", Dad scolded the driver but something about his tone meant otherwise.
"Kate, honey you feel better?", Mum asked and I just shook my head.
"Rest a bit okay", Leon said and making his grip tight and placing a kiss on my head, "I am holding you, just tell me when you feel better okay", he said rubbing my arm and I nodded.

I didn't feel right even after reaching home and Leon had to lift me up and carry me to bedroom. Everyone was worried a bit from my sudden illness even the twins, I must have looked really bad. Mum opened the door and Leon softly set me on the bed, "Sweetie, do you want me to get you something?", Mum asked me while Leon felt my temperature.
"No, I think I need only sleep", I said closing my eyes to sleep.
"Let's give her some peace, while she sleeps", mom said to Leon and I felt a weight shift, maybe she got up to leave.
"Okay", Leon replied as I heard the door open and close, "Just call me when you need anything your phone is sitting by the bed", Leon said covering me with blanket.

(Leon's POV)

I got up to leave when Kate stopped me, "Wait", she said opening her eyes.
"You want something?", I asked her concerned. She didn't reply but sat up and I sat by her side, "This wasn't an act, was it?", I asked.
"Do I look like I am acting", she asked seriously sounding miserable.
"Well now, you don't look like you're sick", I told her in a matter-of-fact tone, "I just thought…"
"You think too much", she said cutting in between that too sharply for being sick; "You can go now."
"What?", I said surprised, "why did you…"
"I wanted you do something", she snapped, "but now I can do it myself."

Kate kicked the blankets to get out of them and made her way inside the bathroom, "Why didn't you say so before", I said following her but she banged the door close at my face.
"Don't annoy me, just leave me before I lose my temper", she yelled from the bathroom.
"So you're saying you actually lose your temper, I thought you stay angry always", I kinda teased jokingly, I know she got mad at me mostly.
"I said go away", she yelled from inside.
"At least tell me what you wanted me to do in the bathroom", I teased her again.
"You don't get it do you", she said opening the door yelling it at my face, "Get out now."

"I am not moving until you tell me what…", I was saying.
"I wanted you to stay with me", she yelled louder than before and tears streamed down her face and I now understood how serious the matter was and also that I only made it worse by teasing and joking with her.
"Kate, I…", I began reaching to hold her but she slapped my hand away.
"Get out", she said and walked to the window.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed. I apologize for any inconvenience due to any mistakes in the text.