Welcome to 2020! -stares at the dumpster fire that was the real 2020- ... Welcome to Fake 2020 where stuff is a lot happier and not on fire! Let's get going. btw, the poll is still open for gathering opinions on the story and if I should write past chapter 50. I'm leaning in favor of continuing just because, if I do leave it right at the end of RE8 it's going to be a bitter-sweet ending and I think I owe it to you guys for reading so long to give a happy ending.

Song Suggestion: Still Dancin' by OR3O

Disclaimer: I still own nothing~


For a third year, the four doors of the second floor of the apartment building were opened around 11:55 pm. Each door held a single tenant as they stood in silence. Travis was away visiting family for the holidays, and Bastion had elected not to go with him. Normally, the Russos would have set up a record player and an old-fashioned radio for the group to listen to, but Marco's absence became apparent as the holiday gathering started.

The silence is painful, Emma thought as she leaned in her doorway.

Then an idea came to mind. She fished out her phone clicked around before finding what she was looking for. She walked down to the small shelf in front of the laundry room where the record player was usually set up and put her phone down before tapping the screen. The small device began to play a tinny recording of an old record. The audio wasn't the best quality, but it would do. Emma offered a hand to Mrs. Russo. "Would you like to dance? I'm not great at it, but I can try."

Mrs. Russo put a hand over her heart with one hand. She looked ready to tear up, but gingerly accepted the offered hand. Emma took the lead and slowly led a simple box step waltz. Seeing this caused Bastion to smile as he dug out his own phone and pulls up a live feed of the group's usual radio station and walked over to place his phone next to Emma's.

"It's a beautiful clear night tonight. Wouldn't you agree, Jackie?"

"Right you are, Jim."

Bastion stood next to Chris' doorway to watch as the two women waltzed around while quietly talking and chuckling. Eventually, the countdown began.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

"Happy New Year!" the radio announced.

Bastion clapped as the pair stopped dancing. Emma gave the watery-eyed Mrs. Russo a peck on the forehead to bring her luck in the year to come and Chris walked back into his apartment. He eventually returned with a bottle and bottle opener.

"You got good stuff too, look at you," Bastion said with a smile as he saw the bottle. "One second, this calls for nice crystal." He got his phone put it back into his pocket and walked back to his apartment to gather four flute glasses and place them on the shelf by Chris' door. The glasses were filled and handed out as everyone stood together in the hallway.

Chris cleared his throat "It's not much, but I suppose a few words are in order," the agent said before quickly glancing down and back up. "The last year has been... Hell, for all of us," he admitted and the group solemnly nodded. "And yet, despite the pain and loss. I don't think I'd trade a moment of it away," Chris added, causing a small smile to form on Emma's face. "So, here's to another year. Come what may." Chris paused for a moment to consider his next words. "And in honor of those who we lost. Cheers, to a year of good health and prosperity."

"Cheers," the four said and raised their glasses before taking a drink.

Mrs. Russo gently dabbed the sides of her eyes where a few tears started to stray.

"That was beautiful, dear," she said as she walked over to give Chris a peck on the cheek. Chris gave Mrs. Russo a kiss on the top of her head before heading over to Emma to give her a kiss which she returned.

"Well, now I feel left out," Bastion joked with a laugh, causing the others to chuckle as well. Chris and Emma looked at each other, smiling, before walking over to Bastion, one standing on either side of the nail tech. Chris gave him a peck on the top of the head while Emma gave him a kiss on the cheek. Bastion chuckled and waved them away.

"There. Now you're double lucky," Emma said with a grin.

"I was joking, ya freaks," he said, cracking up. "God, I have the best neighbors," he added after his laughter had subsided. With a small smile he pointed at everyone. "None of you are allowed to move." Everyone laughed at this before sipping their drinks.

"Oh, you'll have a few more years of putting up with me, I'm sure," Emma said, shaking her head. Right, she'd need to resign her lease in April again. Hopefully she'd find a job by then...

"When does my lease expire?" Chris muttered. "Signed it so long ago I don't remember," he admitted, then took a sip of his drink.

"Oh dear... well, hopefully you won't think less of me," Mrs. Russo said with a slight frown. "My kids were saying I should move in with one of them once my lease ends."

"Not in the slightest," Bastion said, surprised. "Nah, you go cuddle those grandbabies and spoil 'em rotten, 'kay?"

Mrs. Russo smiled again and nodded. "That's a guarantee," she said through a laugh.

The four spent the next few minutes idly chatting as a group, as their glasses ran empty, each one placed the glass down on the shelf by their door to be collected in the morning. Eventually, the only ones left were Chris and Emma. Emma walked over to pick up her phone and pocketed it before gathering Bastion's glasses from the shelfs. she could wash them now.

"I'm going to wash these up," she said, gesturing to the glasses. "Are you done with yours?"

Chris shrugged. "There's enough for half a glass each if you want to help me polish this off."

Emma smiled at the suggestion and nodded. "Sure, I can help with that," she agreed and closed up her apartment before walking into his.

Chris closed the door behind her as Emma headed over to the island and put down the glasses... Shoot which one was hers again? As she contemplated this Chris put down the bottle and his glass on the closer counter to free up his hands. He reached for Emma's wrist to gently pull her over to him with a twirl. She yelped in surprise before laughing as she realized what had happened. The two began to sway into a slow dance.

"What was that dance before?" Chris asked quietly.

"The box step?" Emma asked, amusement starting to show in her expression.

"Yeah, that one... How do you do that?" Chris asked.

"It's not too hard. Here," Emma said as she shifted to hold his hand for a proper waltz before noticing writing on his hand. "What's this?" she asked curiously as she stopped moving and studied it.

Here's to another year. Come what may.

"Notes," Chris replied, which caused Emma to smile.

"I see," she said before using her other hand to place his. "Put one hand here. Hold mine in the other"—she took a step back—"step forward. Use the hand on my back to guide where you want to go," Emma explained and went over the steps. One, two, three. One, two, three. Chris was doing decently, but eventually stepped forward with the wrong foot causing them to stumble and laugh as he picked her up and took a few steps forward to avoid falling and knocking her over.

"I think maybe the dance lessons can wait," Emma said with a laugh. Chris nodded before receiving a kiss. "Maybe we can finish the drink off tomorrow night?" she offered.

Chris shook his head. "Can't, got a mission coming up on the second," he explained while holding her.

"Ah," she replied with a slight frown. Missions had become much more worrisome, but historically he was fine when he came back... Well, he came back in one piece that was. "Suppose tonight it is then," she said, shaking off the thought as he let her go.

"Which one was yours?" Chris asked and Emma shrugged, causing him to shake his head. "Guess we're sharing then." He poured the last of the drink into his glass before sitting with her on the couch.

"Ah, that's right," Emma said, causing Chris to smile.

"Now you remember?" he asked, amused, and Emma shook her head.

"Not that. This is a good time for a Chris report," Emma said as she got her phone from her pocket and turned the camera to selfie mode.

"Chris report?" he asked as confusion joined his amusement.

"The name I gave my updates to Claire." Emma snapped a picture of the them smiling and sent it to Claire.

[Emma] Chris report: Happy New Year!

Chris shook his head and took a sip from the glass before handing it to Emma so he could dig out his phone and sending a few texts as well. "Thanks for the reminder."

Emma accepted the glass and took a drink. "Not a problem."

The two finished off the glass between exchanged affections. Emma eventually got up, collected the glasses, and went back to her own apartment to start washing the flutes. 1 am. She wasn't sure if it was early or late. The thought caused her to chuckle as she finished drying the last glass and placed it down on the counter to look over to the side of her fridge.

Over the last year, more pictures had collected on the refrigerator. A strip of three photos from the movie theater, one of Chris and Emma at last year's Winter Gala, a picture from Summer's birthday party, one of Chris looking at a plate of food by a cake illuminated with a small candle because the power had gone out. There was a picture of the two of them on the beach, one of Chris looking up at a tiny helicopter while his leg was in a brace, one of Chris Emma and Bastion in their Halloween costumes, and the most recent addition was a family photo by the tree with Claire and her boyfriend.

Emma closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and smiled. It made her happy. The year did have its ups and downs, but Chris was right, she wouldn't trade away a second of it. With that thought, she opened her eyes again and tapped at her phone. A moment later, the sound of a printer could be heard in the distance. Emma walked to the printer and returned with a new addition for the collage, placing the picture she had just taken with Chris on the fridge before nodding and heading to bed.

'*'*'*'*'

Chris stepped off the helicopter with Night Howl and Canine not far behind him.

"How long do you think we're going to be on this Romania sprint?" Canine asked curiously as they walked across the airfield.

"Hard to say. Depends on how long it takes Ethan to get his training down," Night Howl admitted with a shrug.

"It's been two years. Pushing three now," Canine pointed out.

"It would help if he actually practiced when we weren't here," Chris grumbled quietly.

Ethan didn't exactly have a say in receiving military training, and his lack of interest showed in how slowly he retained information. He had more or less gotten a grasp on medical training and resource crafting, but he didn't really practice much else.

Chris gave a tired sigh. It also didn't help that they weren't amazing about keeping a low profile. Several times they had to remind the Winters not to go to conventional doctors and to go to the BSAA instead. He couldn't say he blamed them for wanting to just be normal again but it wasn't that easy.

Similar thoughts continued to pop up in his mind as they made their way to the Winters' safe house. Chris knocked on the door and waited for an answer. To his surprise, Ethan answered the door. Weird, usually Mia was the first one to the door.

"Hey, good to see you," Ethan said and motioned for the three to enter. As they walked I,n sounds of coughing and gagging could be heard from the upstairs bathroom.

"Mia?" Chris asked, concerned as he looked to Ethan for answers.

Ethan smiled weakly. "Morning sickness," he explained.

All three agents stared at him in surprise.

"Morning Sickness?" Canine repeated back to make sure he understood that correctly.

"Yeah. She's about three months along now," Ethan explained. He seemed like he was expecting to have this conversation and offered a small print of a sonogram to Chris.

"You went to an outside doctor? Again?" Chris asked with defeated annoyance. How many times did they have to have this conversation...?

"We were worried, and the BSAA is so far away. It was quicker to just—" Ethan tried to explain but was cut off by an exasperated Chris.

"Ethan, you and Mia are, for all intents and purposes, de—" Chris was cut off in turn by an equally exasperated Ethan.

"Dead, I know. But at the end of the day, we're still alive," Ethan countered, which caused Chris' frown to weaken. "We're people Chris. And we want to be able to move on with our lives."

"Sorry Ethan, I don't make the rules," Chris replied with a sigh. "My job is to protect you, and I can't do that if you keep pulling stunts like this."

Ethan frowned and motioned for the three of them to join him in the living room. "Can we at least wait until Mia is well enough to walk around for the day? I don't want to leave her here like this."

"Fine," Chris agreed and followed Ethan, Canine, and Night Howl. Ethan was a shit operative, but a good husband… he'd give him that. He cared about his family more than anything.

"So, how have you guys been holding up since we last visited?" Night Howl asked as the four men sat down.

"Not bad, it's been stressful but not bad," Ethan admitted with a tired smile.

"Stressful?" Chris asked, looking for more details on that part.

"Yeah. With Mia expecting now, she just can't take a lot of her meds anymore," Ethan explained, his fatigue becoming more evident. "She's worried it will hurt the baby, but it's already getting to be difficult for her."

Canine nodded slowly. "She was on meds for hallucination suppression, right?"

"Among other things, yeah," Ethan confirmed and nodded. "Some nights are better than others. Work has been understanding for the more part."

Night Howl nodded in understanding.

"That's enough about that though. How have you guys been?" Ethan asked to change the subject. Even if he wasn't thrilled about military training, it was nice to get to talk to the squad. In a weird way they had become friends, even if Mia might not completely agree with that.

"Not bad, another year, another holiday season spent alone," Canine said with a sigh. "This job doesn't lend to a good personal life."

"Yeah," Night Howls agreed with a disappointed frown. "Hey Ethan, want to trade places?"

"Not a chance," Ethan replied, shaking his head. "My life is far from perfect but, I'm excited about this next step, and to be a father. Even if it was a surprise," he admitted with a genuine smile. Any fatigue had vanished in place of his contentedness.

"Fine, fine. What about you then Alpha, up for a trade?" Night Howl joked.

"Oh yeah, that's right. 'Uncle Chris' is still a thing," Canine said, which got Ethan's attention. "I'm surprised she managed to put up with you for a full year." Canine snickered.

"Fuck off," Chris replied, shaking his head.

"You still owe us from the high-rise incident, so I think a bit of ribbing is fair" Night Howl pointed out shaking his head.

"I owe you, not him," Chris said, causing Night Howl to shrug. "Besides, I thought Lobo was the gossiper of the group."

"Never thought I'd see the day the mighty Alpha settled down," Ethan said with amusement but no ill-intent in his tone.

"I'm not," Chris replied, shaking his head. "I got too much shit to do before retiring. I said I was going to train up a new generation and I have squat to show for it. Especially with you taking your sweet ass time with your training." Not to mention all the garbage going on in the background of the BSAA. He still needed to figure out what was going on there.

"You're going to wait until you're in your grave at this rate" Ethan said.

"Pretty much," Chris agreed with a nod.

Ethan was about to speak when a crashing could be heard from upstairs. "Shit, Mia," Ethan said as he quickly got up to leave and check on her.

Yeah, all of that, the screaming, puking, mental breakdown stuff… that was a solid 'no thank you' in Chris' mind. While Ethan was away his mind wandered.

'Uncle Chris!'

'I DID IT.'

'You guys are the best.'

'Okay, bye new friend!'

'Let's play super spy!'

'We kicked their butts.'

'Are you a dad?'

Chris sighed. NOPE! Noooope, nope nope nope. Back in the vault. Back into the vault you go.


This was a fun one XD I wanted to challenge myself a bit with the new years section to show different forms of affection, both romantic and non-romantic. I'm a pretty firm believer that both are important to develop in life so, hopefully, I did a decent job.

Review Responses:

LuffyTheFox - lol Good morning! another update to greet your day XD I have to agree, I really wish I was able to develop the relationship with the Russo's a bit more but it just, didn't fit. I have had a request to go back and do some filler one-shots to add more context between the months that have already passed and I'd absolutely love to build that up a bit more by doing that once I get to a solid close on this story first XD. I'm honestly more of a Solo Leon person but I'd hope if he does end up in a relationship it would be a healthier one which in my mind, that would be more possible with Claire than Ada. As for Claire pulling her gun on Leon x'D I figured that would be more likely since Chris only had a knife and she'd recognize the power imbalance of two guns vs 1 knife and that Leon drew a weapon first. I am absolutely praying for some DLC that will add even a tiny sliver of context to the 16 year time skip we're about to be handed with RE 9. it hurts my soul to have that much of a gap.

Guest 1995 - RIP Mr. Russo indeed vnv Glad you enjoyed the chapter all the same. Lol yeah X'D it's really not my forte so I tend to leave it vague. I tend to want to leave where they are as far as physical relations go up to the reader's comfort level. due to some plot points to come though I did want to establish that they are intimate at this point be that 3rd base, all 4, or a home run to the pitcher's mound and back. whatever makes the reader happy. In my mind, they've probably been around the bases a few times now so to speak. I'm probably going to have to deviate a little bit from my original plan because the OG Scene in my head that I wanted to write was genuinely very sad but I didn't think it would have the same impact without building up the context of the relationship. so yeah X'D changing the plans I'm still going to write that scene but I'll keep going past it to a more satisfying ending.