A/N: I want to apologize to everyone, who has been waiting to this story update for the past 3 years. A lot of stuff happened and caused the delay but it won't happen again. Before you start with the chapter, I'd like to thank all the readers, thinking about whom kept me going and my reviewers, Shirahane Aikawa, Mercenary Nemesis, kawaiidemonneko, TheOneWhoLies, Haalyle and Kattbraun for reviewing the last chapter. I would also like to express my gratitude to my buddies, Mercenary Nemesis and Shirahane Aikawa for helping me out always.

Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil or any of its character, they all belong Capcom.

Chapter 15

(Kate's POV)

I hurriedly walked through the corridors. I am the bridesmaid and I am late, it's all because of Chris, who kept me engaged in pre wedding preparations. I was working on my earring as I hurried outside. Just as I was finished with the earring my phone rang and seeing that it was Chris, I picked it up, "I am on my way, Bro."
"We're getting late", he said despite the fact that we had more than one and half hour to get to place where the wedding ceremony was supposed to take place.
"I am coming", I said kinda irritated.
"We need to rush so Joseph will be bringing you to the Church", he said and disconnected.
"Joseph will be bringing you to the Church", I mocked his tone, 'Urgh… I am so mad at him for dumping me with Joseph', I couldn't help but curse inwardly and before I knew I bumped into someone.

I grabbed him for support as he put a hand around my waist to prevent my fall and I closed my eyes thinking that I am falling but nothing happened to me so I opened one of my eyes as the man asked, "Are you alright?", it was Leon.
"No, what are you doing bumping people like that?", I asked trying to take my anger out on him.
"Is that so?", he said and let go of me and I wrapped my hand around his neck as I again began to fall.
"Okay, okay I am sorry", I said, since if I fell then my dress would get dirty.
"Now you're talking", he said and he pulled me up.

"What are you doing here?', I asked him as we both began to walk out.
"I could ask you the same thing", he said.
"Well looking after all the work made me late", I replied huffing.
"I got up late", he replied.

"Great", I said sarcastically and he turned and glared at me, "Someone is in bad mood today", I commented and he huffed and then I took him in detail, "And look at you", I said turning him to face me, "Button up", I said buttoning his shirt up, "Let me help you with tie", I began tying his tie and just then my phone rang, "Damn, help me please, phone is in the purse."

(Leon's POV)

I took Kate's phone out and held it against her ear, "Hello?", she answered, "Yeah I am coming", she replied and then waited, "No you don't have to come I can come by my own", she said frowning a bit, "I said I am coming", she almost snapped, "I am done", she said to me asking me to keep phone away from her ear. She concentrated on my tie a bit but she kept messing it up, "Tsk…", she cursed messing it up again.

"Leave it you don't have to do it", I said holding her hands stopping her and then keeping the tie in my pocket, "I can do without a tie", and walked towards the stairs and she followed.
"You look cute without a tie", Kate said and I looked sideways at her, "Really!"
"What I can do for you", I asked her in a business-like manner.
"Smile", she said smiling herself.
"Now what can I really do for you", I asked her smiling.
"Take me", she said.
"What?!", I asked surprised hearing that from her.
"I meant take me to the wedding with you", she frowned a bit.
"Sorry seats are full", I said to just to tease her, "Shadows going too", I told her pointing at Shadow at our heels.
"He never sits on side seat", she argued and Shadow barked, "See", she said happily as Shadow agreed with her, "Oh please, oh please, oh please", she begged, "Look I cannot get down on my knees now."
"What?!", I said surprised.
"Please", she said sweetly.
"Okay", I said.
"Oh thank you", she said and kissed me again on cheek, "Thank you!"

"Kathleen", I looked up and saw Joseph; "I have been waiting for you."
"Oh I get it now", I said to her understanding what was going on.
"Just shut up", Kate said faking a smile as we approached Joseph. She had told me that Joseph was trying his best to get together with Kate that he even managed to convince Chris.
"He's a good guy", I whispered to Kate.
Kate glared at me, "I know what's good and what's not good", she said, "Which you obviously don't."
"Kate…", I tried to speak but she told me to keep my mouth shut.
"Leon is driving me to wedding", Kate said happily, "So you don't have to bother but thanks anyways."

"Uh… Okay", Joseph said looking from Kate to me.
"We are just friends, it's nothing that you're thinking", I told him monotonously, "She's just…", before I could say anything Kate stomped on my feet, "That hurts", I yelled.
"I hope it's a fracture", she yelled back as she moved towards my car.
"Childish", I muttered looking back at Joseph, "See we're not in love or anything."
"Yeah", he smiled happily, "You take her to the wedding Kennedy. I know she'll love me one way or another."

(Kate's POV)

I waited for Leon near his car as he talked something with Joseph, I was really angry with him. First thing he tries to convince me to consider Joseph and then he doesn't even help me as a friend. He walked towards the car and unlocked it, got in and I followed him slamming the car door shut, "Easy its worth thousands and there's no point taking it out on my car", Leon said driving off.

"Shadow, tell your master I am not talking to him", I said to him indirectly.
"Great with me", he said smiling and I felt like punching his face, so that at least that stupid grin disappears.

I didn't argue back since that would mean talking to him, so the 20 minute drive with him was going too much silently as I kept looking out of the car window and he kept himself busy with driving. I felt more and more irritated when he didn't even try to make an effort to talk to me. I looked at him and he said, "So how long are you gonna be mad at me?"

I didn't reply and felt a bit happy that this guy wasn't totally a loss case, "C'mon Kate stop acting childishly", he said looking at me briefly, "Joseph is a…"
"Stubborn donkey", I said and he looked at me and suppressed his laugh but a little of it escaped his lips, "That guy is a complete goner and I don't know what you guys see in him."

"Why you say that?", Leon asked still suppressing his laugh.
"I don't know something about him doesn't feel right", I replied speaking intuitively.
"And what is that?", he asked again.
"Well first thing that he's not my type", I told him.
"So what is your type exactly", he asked smiling, sparing me a look briefly.

(Leon's POV)

"Smart, handsome, sweet, sensible and strong men", Kate replied, "A guy…"
"… having blond hair blue eyes and is an extremely wealthy Agent", I said cutting in between.
"Are you trying to flirt?", she asked and her emotion in the tone wasn't readable.
"Maybe", I said smiling, playing with her a bit.
"Kennedy tell me", she asked seriously now.
"What?", I asked looking at her, "I was joking Kate."

"Can I ask you one thing?", Kate asked.
"Anything sweetheart", I said keeping my eyes on the road.
"How am I?", she asked, "I mean if you'd… just consider… um…", she seemed a bit hesitant, "Okay", she took a deep breath, "Can anyone fall in love with me?... Okay, forget about anyone tell me can you love me and I… I am… not talking about friendly love alright… and I am also not talking about…"
"Wild love", I tried to put her thoughts in words and she hit me.
"Can you ever love me more than a friend?", she asked softly.

"What if I say I already love you more than a friend", I asked her seriously and she looked at me shocked. And I hid my seriousness behind another smug smile.
"Be serious for once", she said as we reached our destination and softly hit me, "I was serious about that", she said softly and opened the car door and I saw a glint of tear in her eyes as she hurried out and away from me.
"Damn", I cursed and hurried out too but since Shadow jumped out after me and I had to lock the car it took me sometime in which she slipped and disappeared in the crowd. I looked down at Shadow and as always he took off after Kate and I too ran after him.

"Hey Kennedy", somebody grabbed my arm as I was running, "Help me out dude", it was Chris.
"Not now", I said to him keeping my eyes on Shadow who didn't know I wasn't there following him.
"You're the only one who can drive 80MPH and get here safe and before wedding", Chris said, "Please get these things."
"Okay", I said as I had already lost Shadow in the crowd as well. I took the list from him asking, "Where should I get all of this?"
"In flower shop where else", Chris said and I read the list and the things were related to flowers and decoration.
"And while you are at it, make sure you get fresh flowers", Chris said a bit annoyed.
"Now how am I supposed to know that", I said, I mean I can't check each and every flower.

"I'll help", I looked in the direction of voice and saw Kate standing there with Shadow at her heels.
'So you knew somebody stopped me in between', I thought smiling at Shadow and he barked.
"Great so its settled hurry up you two", Chris said pushing us, "Kiddo you're the bridesmaid get here in 15 minutes."
"Yes", Kate said smiling to his brother.

Kate looked at me and there was some sort of silent conversation between us as we started to move towards our car, not talking not even looking at each other. Then there was some sort of commotion ahead which made us look ahead and we spotted a trolley carrying juice was running lose in our direction and without thinking too much I pulled Kate to me as the trolley missed her by inches and ran past and hit Vennessa, spilling juice all over her which made both me and Kate laugh. I was still holding her and she was still in my arms as we laughed hard and then there was click of picture which made us stop and look sideways, "You look nice together", Jill said smiling putting the camera back in her purse, "Anyways Claire asked me to tell you to get lilies instead of daisies."

"No problem", Kate said straightening.
"And one more thing I am coming too", she said and dragged both of us to Chris's car, "Drive it Kennedy", she almost commanded as Shadow took side seat and both of them sat in the back seat.

(Kate's POV)

"Put on seat belts because its gonna fly", Leon said smiling at both of us, as he reversed the car and then he metaphorically flew the car to the florist and it's a relief that Jill decided to come along since it was too much on the list and we had to run in the shop to get everything. Leon jumped behind the counter and helped the young florist with other customers while she helped us and she was more than pleased with Agent Kennedy that she gave him her number.

"Okay let's head back, we have got everything and its only another 15 minutes to the ceremony", Jill said and we got in the car and if I thought Leon flew us here than he definitely teleported us back and if I ever thought that he couldn't drive more dangerously than that then I must take my words back.

"My God Kennedy you shouldn't be an Agent but a sports car racer", Jill said, "You are wasting your talent."
"I know Valentine", he said and we all laughed.
"He drives like crazy", I said getting out.

And the wedding planner's decorators were already waiting to take away the flowers and we rushed towards the chapel. Leon grabbed my hand, as I was hurrying to join other bridesmaid, which made me look back at him and he offered me a blood red orchid, "For you… I am Sorry", he said not leaving my hand.
I couldn't help but smile accepting that Orchid and his apology well there was nothing for him to apologize for in the first place, he let go off my hand and I said, "See you in a bit."
He smiled and said, "That's only going to happen if Joseph doesn't keep you occupied", and I hit him softly.
"Stop joking I don't have time to play, I am getting late", I said to him and heard Jill calling my name.

(Jill's POV)

"Kate", I yelled yet again and she hurried towards me, "C'mon hurry up sweetie", I said as we both literally ran where Claire was, Chris was already there and seemed a bit nervous, "Calm down it's not that hard besides Kate is with you", I said to him looking at Kate as she took her position with other bridesmaid, "Nervous?", I asked Claire.
"A bit but I am going to be fine", she replied smiling happily.

"Give that Orchid to me", I said to Kate and she looked at me innocently, "I promise I'll take good care of it."
"It's nothing like that", she said blushing giving the flower to me, that Kennedy had given her. Anybody could tell that they had some chemistry going on between them. Claire looked at me asking about the flower and I just mouthed Kennedy and she smiled even more.

"Okay its time", Chris said and they all moved inside the chapel where the groom was waiting and I quietly slipped in and sat on the front most row and Chris joined me after giving the bride.

Claire handed the bouquet to Kate and they took their vows and I was reminded of my wedding day. I looked at Chris and he was smiling and he was taking Claire's marriage better than what I thought initially, "One down one more to go huh?", I tried to tease Chris.

Chris looked at me, "Well she's ready to go too", he said looking at Kate, who was smiling looking at Claire.
"Chris…", I began, I knew Joseph was trying to be his best with Chris to get closer to Kate. And there hadn't been a day when Claire and I didn't tease Kate about it and she'd get angry but we both didn't approve of Joseph as much as Chris did.
"I am waiting for you to say something", Chris brought me back from my thoughts.
"Look straight to the point", I said giving out a deep breath, "I know you're thinking about Joseph for our Kate. He's a nice guy but…"

"Kate won't have him?", Chris questioned and I nodded, "I know", he looked at Kate, "I know her", he sighed, "I brought them up, both of them. Claire, she was a little tomboy, picking up fights with the boys from her class was nothing new, riding bikes, playing baseball, all the guy kinda stuff you know", he looked at me briefly tearing his eyes away from Claire and then looked back at Kate, "Kate was complete opposite, she was like an average girl. She's kinda reason why Claire has some girlish features you might say", Chris laughed softly, "Her type of guy, I know who he is."

"Now you may kiss the bride", the priest said and couple kissed while everybody clapped.
"And that guy is not Joseph", Chris said as Claire and Eric started to move out.
"So you mean you were teasing Kate too then", I asked him.
"Well… you can say that", he said with a playful smile on his face, as Claire and Eric were almost out of the main door of the Church.
"So you have someone in mind for her?", I asked him curiously.
"Uh huh", he answered positively.
"Who is it?", I asked and mentally crossed my finger.
"Well a certain Agent with blue eyes", Chris said nodding his head towards Leon.
I almost yelled happily throwing my hands around Chris, "this is why I love you", I said kissing him and he smiled, "I also think they've something between them which they are hiding."
"I know just the thing to do", it was not Chris who spoke, it was Leon's mother, who was smiling ear to ear.

"But first let's move out before they suspect us", I said excitedly. Just as we were about to step with the rest of the crowd something struck my mind, "wait, wait, wait….", I stopped Chris.
"What?", he asked looking at me bewildered.
"You both were planning this from long time, haven't you?", I asked Chris and Leon's mum. I had seen them discussing stuff a couple of times.
"Not long time, just when he came to drop Kate", Leon's mum said, "I knew the look in my son's eyes", she smiled.
"And she put this in my head and I thought that he always protects her. There is nobody better than him for her", Chris said walking out.

The cheers of crowd made us realize that Claire was about to throw the bouquet, "Where is Kate?", I said searching for Kate in the hordes of girl.
"With Kennedy", Chris said pointing in the totally opposite direction.
"Claire", I yelled to her and she looked at me briefly and mere flick of eyes were enough to tell which direction she has to throw the bouquet.

(Kate's POV)

"She's about to throw the bouquet won't you try to get it", Leon said to me.
I looked back briefly as Claire tossed it in the air, "Nah", I replied and somebody pushed me so hard that I fell over Leon and a couple of people fell over us and a gasp escaped my lips.

"You okay?", Leon asked pulling the bouquet away, which had somehow landed between us.
"I think I will be", I said, taking in air.
"Kiddo you fine?", Chris came running.
"Yeah bro, thanks to Agent Kennedy", I smiled at Leon.
"At your service", he said smiling back.

(Leon's POV)

"So you two would be getting married next", it was John saying that.
"Us, no way!", both Kate and I said together.
"I am not saying you two would be marrying each other but saying that you two too would be getting married soon", he said then a smug grin spread across his face, "but if you two have the previous plan then its good too."
"Not a chance John", I said to John shaking my head.
"I hate to agree with him but I totally agree with him", Kate said, "You should be asking who's crazy enough to marry him."

(Kate's POV)

"Well if there is someone crazy enough to marry you, then I wouldn't have a problem finding a crazy one for myself", Leon said and I jabbed him hard and he rubbed the place even though it wouldn't have been much.
"Chris, Jill, Kate…", we looked and Claire was calling, "C'mon lets head to have dinner", she said to us and we all went to have dinner then the bride and groom's first dance, followed by the rest of the people joining them on the floor. Chris partnered me to dance being the overprotective brother he is but I didn't, since it would just save me from dancing with Joseph.

"You should have taken those dancing lessons Jill told you to", I whispered to Chris.
He grunted and said, "Well that's not my thing", he said to me and I shook my head in disbelief.
"Come on you can do that for Jill", I said to him, "Your anniversary is coming soon; give her a surprise by learning to dance."
"Good suggestion but I have some plans", he said smiling.
"You remember your anniversary!", I said surprised.
"How can I forget after the last year's drama", he rolled his eyes and I hit him softly.
"She remembers your smallest of needs, can't you remember your anniversary", I said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Hey", Jill said tapping me on shoulder, "Can I have my man back?"
"Yeah sure", I said moving away from the couple and getting off the dance floor. I watched the couple dance under the stars, the night was really beautiful and romantic and maybe that's why no one wanted to get off the dance floor.
"May I have a dance with you?", I looked sideways, it was Joseph.
"I am so sorry Joseph but I promised Leon a dance", I said stopping Leon who was passing by.
"You what?", he said confused.
"You promised me a dance", I said giving him the take-me-to-the-dance floor-now look.
"Yeah, yeah I remember", he said nodding and I was glad that he didn't back out now.

(Leon's POV)

"After this dance I'd dance with you", Kate said to Joseph as I took her to the dance floor.
"If you have to dance with him sooner or later do it now, why you are wasting your energy dancing with me", I said to her as we began to dance.
"Well I said once I am done dancing with you I'd dance with him", she said grinning.
"You are not planning to dance with me the whole night", I questioned.
"Uh huh", she nodded and I smiled at her and we bumped against someone.

"Kiddo you are not allowed to dance with strangers", I heard Chris say and I turned back to look at him.
"Its Leon", Kate said, "he's no stranger dad", she rolled her eyes at her over protective dad like brother.
"Kennedy take care of my girl", Chris said to me.
"Yes he will", Jill said, "Don't mind Leon, you know him", she addressed me and I just nodded and then she dragged Chris away.

"You know I pity your boyfriends", I said to Kate and she gave me a confused look, "I mean your and Claire's too."
"What do you mean?", she asked as we danced to the slow music.
"Well it would be so troublesome to them to kiss you and all I mean", I stated clearly.
Kate laughed briefly, "You are talking about Kiss. Chris doesn't even let me hug any guy", she said laughing a bit.
"Expected", I said sharing a small laugh with her.
"So the closest I've been to somebody…", she was saying but then she stopped all of sudden and looked away.
"Well yeah I am listening", I encouraged her to complete her sentence.

She looked at me and her face maybe looked prettier than ever because she was blushing, " I meant the person, I mean the guy…", she stuttered, "I've been closest to… physically I mean is…", and just she was about to tell me the lights went off and I looked around, the only light in the area was from the stars and moon, "What happened?"

(Kate's POV)

"I don't know", Leon replied looking around as if he could see in the dark, "Are you afraid of dark sweetheart?", he asked me.
"No", I lied wondering if he could hear my fast beating heart, "What makes you think that?"
"You closed the gap between us", he wrapped his arm around my waist looking through my lies, "Don't worry I am here."
"I know", I replied looking up at him with a smile, which he mirrored his own.
"Look", he pointed up in the sky as the area lit up once again from the light of the fireworks.
"Beautiful", I couldn't help but say and Leon hmmed making me look at him, he was looking at me, "I am talking about the fireworks", I said hoping that it was dark enough to hide my blush.
"Me too", he said looking back at the sky.

After the firework show, everyone helped themselves to dinner and then a bit more dancing. The wedding party was as good as all the parties Redfield's threw. The main attraction of the party the firework show was much talked about and how Chris managed to pull that off and it makes me wonder if Leon was involved to get the permit for firework but guess I won't figure this one out. Leon won't tell me, Jill doesn't have the clue and I don't have the nerve to ask Chris since I don't have the explanation why I wanna know this fact.

A/N: Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it and that this super long chapter compensated my absence. I apologize for any mistakes in the text, which might have caused inconvenience.