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.)
She half opened her eyes as she felt her unborn babies move inside, and the first thing she saw was the left side of her bedroom, her white pillow, white bed sheets, bedside table and door to her closet, as well as her clothes neatly folded beside her. That's when she realized that it was the day after her time with Leon, and she remembered him cuddling her from behind, now all she felt was the cold gust of the wind on her back from the window that she had always left half open. He probably had already left since it was the next day, it pained her a bit that he's gone but she expected it as well. It was just another one night stand between the both of them, nothing more...but the words they let out felt real to her. As she felt movement again on her midsection, she placed her right hand on it and rubbed it, "Good morning to the three of you as well, mommy is up okay?", she spoke to them, her doctor advised her and Leon to talk to the babies every once in a while while in the womb as it benefits their sense of hearing since they can already hear from the outside world and it already helps them bond with the new tiny beings, "And I'm guessing that little Christopher, Chloe, and Clarkson are hungry now so mom will be getting up and have something to eat.", she talks once again, mentioning each and every one of their first names since she wanted to get used to calling them by their names, as she sits carefully up from the bed.
It has gotten more difficult to do the daily activities she used to easily do before the pregnancy but she thinks that in 4 weeks, it will all be worth it when she hears their first cries and see those 3 innocent faces personally, her babies that she carried for almost 9 months. It was nice to daydream about it- but there she remembered the risk of her not surviving the operation...the thing that she didn't want to tell anyone, not even any of her friends know it, and certainly not Chris nor Leon, she didn't want them to worry. She found out when she secretly went alone for a fourth appointment with Dr. Scott and there she informed her that it will be very risky for her and that perhaps maybe sacrificing at least one of her babies may lessen the trouble, but that didn't even cross her mind, not ever since she saw her kids on that monitor, she would rather die instead of seeing her children's lives get taken away because of her, and just like what she told Jill...as their mother, she would do anything to give all of them the chance at life. She had begged the obstetrician gynecologist to not mention it to Chris and Leon too, and she accepted because of the doctor-patient policy but Claire could see it in her eyes that it was against her will, but she couldn't blame her since her brother and the doctor had been good friends. She wouldn't lie to herself either, she's scared, not because of death but the fact that if she wouldn't survive she would be leaving her kids without a mother, much like how she grew up and how Leon described his childhood- and she didn't want them to experience that...losing a parent, but she knows that he will be there for the triplets, like the father he promised to be. Brushing off the negative thought, she spoke once again, "Mommy loves you three very much.", she had been saying it every time she woke up in the morning just in case it would be her last chance to say it, and she reached for her folded clothes to put on, Leon probably folded it before he left and she appreciated the act.
It took Claire a while to get ready, to freshen up, get dressed, and fix her bed, although she would probably replace the sheets after last night, but for now she needs to cook breakfast so she walks towards the door, reaches, grabs and twists the knob and pulls the door. To her surprise, the first scent that went into her nostrils is the smell of eggs and bacon, and there she saw a man in her kitchen, cooking the said food, "Leon?", she asked and he heard as he turns his head to her since he was facing the counter, "Claire, you're awake, good morning.", he smiled widely at her, but Claire's eyes went down to his torso, he wasn't wearing anything on top but at least he had the jeans he wore yesterday, "I apologize for the nudity but I couldn't wear my shirt yesterday anymore, I spilled a whole cup of coffee on it and I don't have an extra shirt.", he scratched the back of his head embarrassed, "But please have a seat, breakfast will be ready in a while.", he went around the counter to pull out a chair for her, she could only stare at him confused but she did walk towards the chair and gently sat on it.
"I'll just prepare your milk.", he stated as he opened the cupboard for a cup and a teaspoon, Claire stayed silent watching him work for her, she isn't used to this side of him yet and she didn't expect him to stay until morning after they did it. Leon once done had served her the cup along with a coaster, he grinned at her as he returned to the meal that he was preparing, she couldn't bring herself to speak when he is this hospitable but she eventually found her voice, "G-good morning as well Leon, I just- I didn't expect you to still be here...I mean-", she cuts herself off, not wanting to sound like she didn't want him there, she's actually happy deep inside that he is. As she went quiet again, he turned the stove off as he turned around with the plate of eggs and bacons, he placed in on the counter in front of her, "It's okay to ask, I actually stayed because I wanted to do something for you, since you're doing all the hard work for the triplets.", he grinned at her as he gestures to the food, "But I hope you like what I prepared, it's all I can do since I'm not a very good cook.", they stared at each other for a while before he spoke again, "Well- I'll leave you to eat...I'll be in the nursery, just want to see it again- if it's okay with you.", he asked for her permission.
She nodded in approval, "I told you Leon, you don't need to ask, you can whenever you want to.", she smiled at him, "And- thank you for the breakfast...I really appreciate the effort.", he seemed to light up even more when she said that and he bobs his head while getting all giddy as he playfully gallops towards the nursery door, she watches him as he moves and she laughs at his action, "Hey, be careful to not crash into anything there though.", she shouts at him and he replies, "Okay.", he shouts back before shutting the door behind him carefully once he was inside, she shakes her head at him while grinning, he seemed to be so joyful than he was in the past few months, and she hopes that he will stay the same for the future days to come.
Finishing up the her food and cup of hot milk, she burped a bit, Leon is a decent cook, she thought and she stood up from her seat and took the dishes to the sink, she turned to look at the door to the triplet's nursery, she had added additional decorations in there and he had probably already saw it since he seemed to be there for a while now. She didn't want to disturb his alone time there but she felt too curious on what he could be up to, so she headed towards the door while her hand was under her belly and the other hand supported her lower back. She had been walking like this for a while now. Slowly twisting the door knob, and open it enough to peek through, she saw the soon to be dad observing the decorations and cribs as his back faces her and he has his hand trace the corners of the future beds of his children, he looked at peace doing it, but his alert instincts came naturally as he turns his head and saw her, she giggled a bit, "Claire...I didn't see you there."
"Well, now you caught me.", she smiled as she walks in the room, closing the door behind her, "You seemed to be enjoying your surroundings here.", she states as she as well looks around, "Uhm- yeah, I love your additions though, their first and second names printed on the wall above their cribs, it's a nice touch.", he gestured to the three names Christopher Lee, Chloe Lianne, Clarkson Leonel. They had brainstormed for the past weeks texting and calling each other to suggest second names for their sons since they haven't thought of any during the time, but they ended up just tweaking Leon's name a bit and agreed that it sounded good, "And also, the Kennedy Siblings frame on the corner there.", he pointed to the portrait hanging on the wall, "It's top tier...but are you sure you don't want to at least give one of the boys the chance to carry on the Redfield surname? It's totally okay with me...and I know it will be Chris' fulfillment.", he suggested to her, it had been an ongoing topic between them, on whether to give one of their sons their mother's surname or whether they will all be having their father's.
Claire thought about it for a while, and now she is certain with her final answer, "I think the text written there already gives you my answer...I don't want one of the boys to feel left out just because of a simple surname problem, and I'm sure that Chris will understand- and if he wants for someone to continue and carry our surname then he should have a kid of his own.", she stated, and he laughed at her reply before stopping, "I hope Jill is ready for that though.", he said sarcastically as she looks at him, it had been a running between their close circle to ship the two B.S.A.A. agents together for a long time now, since they are both single and have known each other longer than anyone else in the squad, "I don't think Jill will volunteer as tribute anymore because of age, and pregnancy is hard.", she joked but also it is the truth, carrying a baby for 9 months is not a simple task, it is full of sacrifices and endurance, much more for Claire who carries three.
Remembering Leon's intentions as she saw her struggle yesterday, he recalled the trick he wanted to do for her, "Actually, Claire- can I do something for you?", he had researched a lot as well if it was safe to do and also somehow contacted Dr. Scott to be certain and she confirmed. Claire was curious a bit with what he was about to do but she approved again, "S-sure, what is it though?", he left the spot he stood on and started walking towards her, now behind her, "You just stand there while I do the rest. I just think you really need this.", he informed her and she obeyed, she stays in her place as she felt him get closer to her back and felt his body touch with hers once more, he then extends his arms and placed his hands under her belly then started to slowly, gently, and carefully lift it up. At that moment, Claire breathed a sigh of relief from the weight she had been carrying as Leon does it for her, now she rests her head back on his chest and closes her eyes. She hadn't felt lighter in months as the pain in her back slowly eased. The two stayed in that position for minutes, he waited until she was ready again, he didn't mind, in fact, he always loved it whenever she's in his arms, but she finally signaled to him that it was okay to lower it down again and he slowly did. When he did, she didn't leave his embrace immediately but just enjoyed the moment, "Thank you Leon.", she told him as they stayed a little longer with each other.