Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Resident Evil characters, Capcom does. (this doesn't include the OC's that will be mentioned along the way.)
At the living room couch of her apartment, with feet up and in a comfortable relaxed position, she rubs her baby bump through her oversized white polo shirt, as she's been appreciating it for the last couple of days since the appointment, oh how she thanks her brother for suggesting her to go, it made her see things in a completely different light. She is currently staring at a small piece of paper she's holding up in her hand, well it's not just a simple paper but it is the sonogram of her triplets, even after days and she still has a single moment in her daily schedule to just get lost in the picture. Those three little precious babies, that she never thought she would love this much, and they're not even born yet. Thinking of it, she had contemplated a lot for the past few days, read comments from her post and most of them described that motherhood was the best thing that had ever happened to them, no matter how hard the journey to get to it was, and there she realized that becoming a mother is what she really wants to be in her life, like she knows now that it is her purpose.
"Are you going to talk to me anymore or are you just going to stare at that all day?", Jill asked, she is wearing her usual blue tank top, jeans, and boots, she had been passing time at Claire's place for the day, the younger woman invited her to hang out and catch up after 4 months of no contact, since Jill told her on a text that she doesn't have a mission, nothing else to do and she gladly accepted. Jill and Chris had been very busy on the issue with the B.S.A.A. lately, from her brother's mission back in Romania where the organization sent him bioweapons as recruit agents, they're trying their best to investigate on the situation and this had caused a lack of free time for the friends to meet, but this is not new to them anyways, being an agent is a...task. She had been in the apartment for 2 hours now, sitting on a couch across from Claire, and had catched up with her old friend. She observed the pregnant woman. Jill had known about her pregnancy ever since Chris was told, due to the fact that he couldn't keep his mouth shut about it and she was informed after on a call by Claire, she confirmed. Jill also got curious on who could be the lucky man who got her pregnant, Claire was reluctant at first to reveal the man, but once she did- Jill was honestly as surprised as Rebecca when she was told that it was Leon.
She's not going to lie, but she had only ever seen the two as best friends, partners, nothing more, nothing less. Turns out Claire had romantic feelings for him for the years that they've known each other that she never admitted to any of her friends, except-you know...Leon and her brother. To Jill, Claire was good at hiding her emotions, although she's not sure as well if she just hadn't noticed it either, she's always been a bit numb at the topic of love, maybe it's because of her work? Claire had also told her in detail what happened, something she didn't tell Chris she says, due to the fact that she's more comfortable in telling a close female family friend with this and Chris couldn't keep a secret for his dear life, knowing her brother, Claire doubts if Leon already knows as well, having informed that he had recruited the man for the mission he's currently leading, "Oh, I'm sorry Jill, it's just...really mesmerizing to me whenever I do.", Claire finally places the ultrasound pictures on her side at the couch and looks at her friend, but she still has her hand on her belly and Jill notices this, "You know, in the past, I've also wanted to feel what you might be feeling right now, but I know it's too late for that...and- I've got duties to fulfill. I guess you're the lucky one out of all of us, somehow- don't get me wrong.", she states, hanging her head, looking down at her fingers that she was fidgeting on, "Also, what exactly triggered you to decide to continue the pregnancy- you know...become a mother?"
Claire, upon hearing straightens up on her posture to reach Jill and patted her leg, "I totally get what you're saying Jill, but this pregnancy wasn't exactly a walk in the park either- and I'm not even halfway through yet, I've had my doubts...almost went with the abortion, but I guess fate gave me these children for a reason. I mean, I've saved and cared for other kids in my assignments in the past, so why can't I do the same with my own?", Jill thought that she did have a point.
Thinking a bit for a moment, she speaks up, "Kind of out of topic but...how about I'll make you one of the babies' godmother?", Claire suggests out of the blue and it completely caught her off guard, but she knows her heart just jumped up and down with excitement, "I-I'd- love that, thanks Claire.", she replies and her friend goes back to lean her back against the sofa, "No need for that, you're just like a sister from another mother now- and maybe sister-in-law if Chris finally decides to pursue you.", the last phrase made the older friend laugh and shake her head, but the first compliment made Jill's face light up even more, "I don't think he will...he doesn't have the balls. But if he does I'll think about it.", her comment made Claire shake her head and giggle. But there was one thing she wanted to ask though.
"Can I ask you something?", as Leon's friend, Jill also cared to know if he will ever get to meet his children knowing that Claire had blocked him out of her life, regardless, she will ask as Claire nodded, allowing her, "I apologize if you're trying to avoid this topic- but...as also his friend, do you ever plan to tell Leon?, and she nods, "Yes, from the moment my mind cleared out after I found out, I knew I was bound to tell him at some point, it's his right. And if he decides to acknowledge them as his children or not I'll try to understand him, after all...he didn't want any of this to happen."
Jill was taken aback by Claire's words, although it is no surprise she answered this kindly, out of all of them, Redfield always had the heart of an angel, "Well, he's half the reason these triplets exist now, and if he doesn't take his responsibility for them then at least make him pay child support, he's a goddamn millionaire, he won't lose shit just by fulfilling the bare minimum of his consequences.", Valentine leans back to her chair with crossed arms.
Claire giggles at Jill's comment, she always has that serious remark going on but has a hint of a joke every time she talks, she just has that unique sense of humor, "I thought you were speaking as Leon's friend, why are suddenly talking against him?", she says playfully.
"I'm not talking against him, I'm simply stating facts Claire. I mean- we're not exactly sure if he's ready for fatherhood at his grown age, and you know that woman he's been obsessing over for the past 23 years? I bet she'll persuade him to run away with her once she finds out...you know Leon.", she was right, Claire isn't exactly sure how Leon will react to the news, adding Ada to the list of reasons.
"I don't think Leon would leave his position in the white house like that, but then again...I know he would give up anything to be with Ada.", Claire looked down at her feet, "And despite being his "old best friends" who might think they know everything...he is still a man of his own mind- and he's unpredictable."
"Even his own flesh and blood, he'll abandon to be with that woman?", Jill asks.
"I don't know if he will, but we will find out in a few weeks, I'll be reaching out to him by then.", Claire reveals, it had been on her mind for quite a while since she decided to continue the pregnancy, she will unblock his number and text him to meet personally or email him, "I actually don't expect him to comply with anything, I just want him to know that he's going to be a dad-biologically to three kids.", glancing back up to look Jill directly in the eye, "No child support, no nothing."
Jill nods quietly, not budging from her seat, "I understand what you're trying to say. But what about you? Are you okay with being a single mother to 3 children? No support physically, emotionally, or financially from their father? And will they be using Redfield or Kennedy as a surname?", this question got Claire thinking deep, it was not exactly the life she wanted. As a kid nearing adolescence, it was her dream to find a man who loves her with all his heart, who's loyal, and kind, just like how she saw her father treats her mother...even though they might've been disappointed at their only daughter for her past as a teenager in school. She thought that her mother was very lucky to have a man like him, but she guessed that it was too much to ask for, and that everything in this world doesn't turn out the way she wanted it to be, and that's the reality of things that she just had to accept. After all it's not all that bad, now that she knows she has a reason to stay strong, not just one life depends on hers, but three, and she promises herself that she will do anything for them.
Jill spoke up again, thinking she sounded offensive by asking that, but she knew Claire doesn't mind, she never gets intimidated by such words, except if you're an enemy to her, "You know, as your friends, we'll be here for you, Rebecca, your brother, me."
"I know that, you guys always have my back, you don't need to say it.", She didn't just say her answer to her friend's question instantly after replying to yet, but she is certain, "But...you know what Jill, I think I can do this, I just didn't see it coming- but it always was destined to happen. It may be hard but I'll do everything to give them the chance at life. With or without help from Leon...and whether he recognizes them as his children or not, as Redfields or Kennedys."