A/N: Thanks for all the reads, favorites, follows and all the support that you all have been showing to this story. I am grateful to Adela for reviewing the last chapter. I am more than glad to know that you like this story; it just has 3 more chapters left.

Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil or any of its characters; they all belong to Capcom.

Chapter 40

(Leon's POV)

I entered the residential area, where my mother lived, while I talked on the phone with John, who was telling me all about the party at Redfield's place. It was very usual of them to have a Christmas party and most of the times I joined them too, but this year I dared not for two reasons. First, there'd be Kate and second there'd be her in-laws as well. John literally pleaded me to get over there and that I was missing all the fun, but I told him that I'll be skipping that party and will be spending some time with my mom. John gave up as I pulled my car in front of my mother's place. I got out and looked at the house; it was decorated with Christmas lights and looked extremely beautiful, warm and welcoming. I walked to the main door and rang the door bell.

My mom took a little while to open the door and she seemed a little shocked to see me, "Leon?! What are you doing here? I thought you'd be with your friends", she said in a surprised tone.
"I thought I should visit you", I replied as she moved to hug me, "Are you going somewhere?", I asked noticing she was dressed to go out.
"Yes", she replied with a smile, "I was about to head to a Christmas party with my friends."
"Friends or boyfriend?", I joked with her and she reached to grab my ear, pulling on it, "I am sorry, I was just kidding."
"You're just like your dad", she said sounding a little angry, "I am going to visit some old friends of mine like always and have silent Christmas celebration, unlike you kids now a days."

"Should I drop you there?", I asked her being a good son.
"That would be great! I am sorry that I had to leave when you came to visit me", mom said keeping her hand on my face, "If I knew you'd be coming, I wouldn't have made plans."
"It's alright mom", I said with a smile, so she doesn't feel guilty about it, "Now let's go or you'll be late for your party."
"I thought you might be going to Redfield's for their Christmas party like usual and meet me on Christmas morning and we'd go to church together like always", she said grabbing her coat.
"Well they are not having a party this year, with Kate's wedding and all", I lied helping her with the coat.
"You've really become good at lying", she said in a tone of disbelief and turned to look at me. And I didn't know what gave my lie away, "Kate called me yesterday to invite me over for the party, but I didn't want to be the old lady between youngsters so I declined her offer and besides I already had my plans."
"For which you're running late", I said in attempts to change the topic.

I pushed her out of the house and headed to my car, while she locked the door, to avoid any discussions about Kate and I mentally crossed my fingers hoping that by the time mom gets in the car she forgets about it but I knew it was being too hopeful on my part. It really surprised me when Mom didn't mention Kate after getting in the car but seemed to be texting someone and I wondered if my wish was granted, if only I had known about it before I would have asked for something better. The drive was silent and I didn't really mind it, besides it was more probable that mom would mention Kate if I talked to her, so I kept my peace.

However mom didn't think so, "So why aren't you going to Redfield's party?", she asked me a little while into the drive.
"I don't feel like it", I told her with a shrug, "besides I don't really like crowds so…", I left the sentence hanging for her to fill in the blank.
"Well it didn't bother you for past few years", mom said in a matter-of-fact tone, "You went there because you liked to be with your friends, once in a while. Is it because of Kate you're avoiding it?"
"Yes", I replied monotonously.
"I know she's getting married and it must be painful for you but I want to tell you that there's still chance…", mom was saying.
"I am happy that she's getting married", I told my mom the truth, "And why would it pain me, I mean we're just friends."
"Leon", my mom said my name pitifully, "I thought this would faze you but it pains me to see that you've become so cold", she paused for a moment looking at me. I didn't say anything in reply and she turned her head to stare ahead nodding as if realizing something, "Then again that warm girl's love couldn't melt your heart, so I guess nothing would", she added sadly.
"We're here", I just said stopping the car in front of her friend's place, acting indifferent about what she said.

Mom didn't say anything and released herself from the seat belt, and then turned to look at me again, "I just pray to god everyday that you don't have to regret the choices you're making", and with that she opened the car door and stepped out.

I watched mom closing the car door angrily and walking away, before I let out a sigh, feeling distressed. I ran a hand through my hair pushing the gas pedal to head home. I had barely driven just a block away when my phone started ringing. I picked it from the dashboard and noticed that it wasn't ringing but I could hear the phone ringing and from the corner of my eyes I saw that my mom's cell phone was lying on my car's side seat; she must have dropped it. I made a u-turn reaching for the phone that was already down to its last ring. I took the call without even noticing who was calling.

I hadn't even said Hello when a cheerful voice sounded, "Mrs. Kennedy, you sure you don't want to come? We are really having a good time and we could use your company", there was no chance that I would fail to recognize that voice.
"Kate", I spoke and she didn't say anything for bit.
"Leon?", her voice sounded confused.
"Yeah uh… mom dropped her phone in my car", I told her stopping the car in front of mom's friend's place once again.
"Oh", she said in response as I released myself from the seatbelt.
"I'm just taking it to her, just wait", I said getting out of the car and heading for the house.
"Umm… wait!", she said and I stopped walking.
"Yeah?", I asked her to continue.

"Well there's a party at our place and since we don't have your number we couldn't invite you, though we did leave a message at your home phone but I guess you didn't check it", Kate spoke really fast and then took a deep breath, "So I was just wondering if you could make it since you don't seem busy?"
"I am afraid I can't", I replied starting to walk again, "I am really tired and I want to sleep."
"Oh alright I… I understand", she spoke at the other end and I was glad she wasn't persistent about it, "But…", she said as I rang the door bell and the sadness in her tone was inevitable, "it would be nice if you could make it", she continued in her low dejected voice, "It's my last Christmas!", and I got a grave feeling listening to that, "I mean after this I'd be married and won't be able to spend my Christmas with you guys, since I'll be spending it with Mike and his family", her tone changed completely and became cheerful again.

And before I could say anything in reply the door opened and the old lady said, "Yes?"
It was a little unexpected, so I felt a little lost, "Mrs. Kennedy, my mom… can you call her please", I said to the old woman pulling the phone away from my ear.
"Yes! Yes!", she said with a smile, "Please come in", she invited me in.
"I am in a hurry; I'll just wait here", I said politely.
"Okay I'll get her in a minute", she said and disappeared.

I heard Kate's voice through the phone and kept it back on my ear, "Leon? Hello? Leon?!", she was saying on the other side.
"Yes", I replied.
"What happened?", she asked me concerned.
"I was asking mom's friend to call her for me", I told her.
"Oh", she said in relief, "So will you come then?", she asked me again and I couldn't say no like I did before, "It's alright if it's for a few hours or even a couple of minutes."

I was finding it very difficult to say no to her now, it seemed she really, really wanted me to be there but I knew it would only complicate things even more, and make it more difficult for both of us but I just couldn't decline her offer. I tried to think of some way to turn her down or avoid her when I spotted mom walking towards me with a couple of her friends by her side, "Leon?", mom said confused as to why I was here.
"Here talk to mom", I said to Kate dodging the question, knowing she'd get the hint that I won't go there, "You dropped your phone in my car and Kate's on the line", I told my mother, handing her the phone.
"Oh", she said keeping the phone on her ear.
"I'll be going now", I said to her starting to walk.

"Wait a sec", she stopped me grabbing my arm, "No, you continue Kate dear", my mom listened to Kate and then said, "I am really sorry my dear but I already had plans for Christmas eve and besides I am too old for any of the parties that you guys throw these days", she again paused as Kate spoke on the other end, "I am really afraid I can't come", she looked at me, "But tell you what, I'd sent Leon on my behalf", she said excitedly and I looked at her really shocked. I thought I dodged a bullet but it was my mother who shot me point blank, "yeah you too, take care!", my mother said sweetly and disconnected the call, "Such a sweet girl", she said in awe to her friends.

"What was that?", I asked her still a little shocked about her getting me stuck in a mess.
"What?!", Mom said oblivious and before I could say anything she added casually, "Anyways meet my friends, this is Mrs. Evans; Mrs. Johannes and Mrs. Henderson", she pointed out her friends and introduced them to me, "And this is my super busy son, Leon."
"He takes after his father", one of her friends commented.
"Yeah he's a lot like him", my mom said with a sigh.
"So you have a girlfriend, young man?", one of her friends asked me, "my daughter would be perfect for you."
I looked at my mom feeling confused and awkward, "Mom can we talk for a minute?", I said and asked her to follow me, so we could be at a considerable distance away from her friends.

"What happened?", my mom asked me confused.
"Mom, what was that back there?", I couldn't help but say feeling a little frustrated.
"What?!", mom said in confusion looking at her friends briefly, You're single and her daughter is a looker I tell you. You have to have somebody now that Kate is getting married", she added excitedly.
"I am not talking about that", I said trying to stay calm, "Mom, why did you tell Kate that I would be going there on your behalf?"

"So, what if I said it", mom said crossing her arms, huffing like a child.
"You know I was avoiding that!", I said speaking with a little weight in my voice.
"You don't have to go, it's not like she'd expect you to go there just because I said you were going there. She probably knows it already that you won't be going, after all it won't be the first time you'd be disappointing her", mom said speaking really fast in a matter-of-fact tone.
"But you gave her a false hope back there", I said trying to make her see the seriousness of the situation.

"At least I am giving her something!", my mother said in a very serious tone, "What have you given her, Leon?", and I couldn't reply to her, "You call her a friend; what kind of person treats a friend like that? The truth is you treat her more like an ex than a friend", once again mom slapped some harsh truth on my face, "when she called me inviting me for the Christmas party, I asked her what I can get her for Christmas and you know what she said?", my mom asked me, "Leon!", I couldn't help but be shocked at the realization, "All I want for Christmas is to spent some time with Leon", my mom continued, "Silly girl!", mom said pitifully, "Anyways, you head on your way, I'd go inside my friends are waiting."

I just gave her a slight nod and she kept her hand on my shoulder before she walked inside. I dragged my feet to my car feeling miserable. It would have been much better if mom hadn't told me about Kate's wish; at least I wouldn't be feeling this bad now. I thought that after months of separation, I got better at making myself strong against such feelings but the more I was exposed to Kate's presence, more and more my defenses fail. I sighed getting in the car and sat there reflecting for a bit. And even though I knew exactly what needs to be done, I could not bring myself up to carry forward with it. I again let out a heavy sigh as I started the car to be on my way.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and I apologize for any grammatical mistakes or typos. See you all next week!