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.)
"Lub lub lub-", was the sound they heard from each of their babies heartbeats as the OB/GYN turns the speaker up for them to hear such a sound, for Claire who is hearing it for the second time around was still music to hear ears, what might be described as her favorite song that she never gets tired of listening to. Leon on the other hand who's hearing the hearts of all three of his unborn children, it was a warm rhythm to his ears, like he can listen to it for days nonstop, and this softened his heart a little more than it was, he never thought he needed this in his life.
An hour later, and the soon to be parents then finds themselves stuck in an unexpected random weekend traffic in the highway that would lead to Claire's recent new apartment, they are using Leon's black sedan, with him leaning his head that is supported by his fist on the left side of the driver seat window, and Claire seat belted in the passenger seat, with the paper bag of baby clothes beside the middle compartment of the car that separates the two as she stares at the triplet's ultrasound photos, given by her doctor when they were still at the clinic.
They were both in a very positive mood back then, but now, they find themselves distancing themselves from each other after a small argument before they left the building. Leon frowns, not taking his eyes off the road, traffic light, and car in front of his, "Why didn't you say anything?", he breaks the silence, he was referring to the time when she looked in pain for a second before entering the clinic, she never mentioned it to the OB/GYN, and also tried to interrupt him when he tried to speak up.
"You asked me that before we left, and I told you that it was a minor pain, one of the babies might've just kicked harder than normal.", she replies firmly, not taking her glance off the sonogram.
Leon then turns his head a bit to look in her direction but not directly at her, "What if it's not Claire? What if it's something serious? You know the doctor had a false alarm with one of them, what if it's because of that?"
Claire then slightly slams the ultrasound pictures gently on her lap, lifting her head up to stare at the windshield, starting to get a bit annoyed by his constant interrogation, "It's called a false alarm for a reason, the baby was just a bit sloppy than the other two, he's been like that in my first appointment and the doctor didn't say anything seriously abnormal with him."
"You're still so stubborn Red.", he called her by her nickname, he is irritated but he has to acknowledge that she is- pregnant and hormonal.
"I've always been stubborn, you don't have to remind me...and don't call me Red though- we're not close.", she told him back, "And you're annoying."
"Fine, fine, but I want you to tell the doctor in the next check-up that you felt what you felt though. And don't think of me as a questioning son of a bitch, I'm only looking out for you and the babies.", he adds...not wanting to start an argument, finally looking at her, he defused quickly knowing that it will lead to another argument if he doesn't and it might've lasted longer, especially now that Claire's hormones are all over the place.
Claire drops the tension she is feeling, "I will...it's just- I don't want to overthink, that's all. Of course I care for my babies and I won't let anything bad happen to them- but I just have a lot going on in my mind already."
"You know I'm here for a reason Claire, you can talk it out with me.", Leon replies, putting both hands on the steering wheel as the light turns yellow indicating that cars will be finally moving after 15 minutes.
Claire puts the ultrasound pictures back to its envelope, not wanting to damage it, "That's the problem Leon, we haven't really reconciled properly, it was always just about the babies in the first place...we're not fully fine yet.", she admits, and he just realized this, what she said was true, "I hope I'm not sounding off as selfish, but if we're going to co-parent, we should at least be on good terms, if not friends.", they have not really moved forward since their one night stand, not talked it out.
But what about those hugs she gave him? Does that not count as being on good terms? Otherwise, Leon decides not to bring it up. stepping slightly on the gas pedal as he starts to drive, "Can I- stop by at your apartment for a while or another day, so we can talk about it?", he suggests.
"Anytime is fine with me, I've also got a lot to say...and apologize for.", she states, finally glancing at him.
He drives concentrated, eyes on the road and occasionally on the side mirrors, "Ditto.", is all he can say as he feels Claire staring at him. They went silent again for minutes, they've always been awkward with small talk, and this isn't even one, "But are you really okay? I'm sorry but I just can't help but worry."
"I am, Leon...", she reassured him, glancing at the man beside her as he bobs his head and continues on to focus on his driving.
"Okay.", he spoke up once more, "But still Claire- we're having triplets...I still haven't fully processed that- and it's exciting."
"It is...and I'm sorry if I forgot to tell you before- I just...I remember telling you or- I think I'm just that stupid to forget.", Claire shook her head, disappointed at herself.
"It's alright, I understand...and like what the doctor said, we might've both have the pregnancy brain thing- whatever it is.", he joked and Claire smiled a bit, "Anyways- about your brother, is he excited to be an uncle?"
"Pretty much as excited as I am, he's definitely uncle material I guess- and I heard from Jill that he's working with children now...so he's kind of already training before becoming one.", she shared with him.
"Wait- this is new for him, what kind of "Working with children" are you talking about exactly?", the last time he remembers, that was Claire's line of work, not the BSAA's, and certainly not Chris'.
"I just heard he's part of taking care of the children from his Romania mission? When he went rogue with his squad...the father of the kids died and my brother couldn't save him, so he promised to be a guardian, that's all I know so far with what Chris has going on right now.", she explained and Leon could only nod with the amount of information, "He seldom discusses things happening in his work with me, and for some reason, he prefers not to anyways...by the way- you work with him...you should know his business."
"I'm afraid I'm only strictly informed on the BSAA problem they have currently, and saying you know your brother...he doesn't really go about and tell, unless he's too excited.", he adds and she nods, agreeing.
"I also understand where Chris is coming from to be honest, it's better to leave the job on site than bring it home.", Leon stated and he saw Claire bob her head from his peripheral vision, getting his point, then they're once again engulfed by silence after that small talk.
Arriving at Claire's apartment building, Leon parked his vehicle beside Claire's car, she doesn't own a big bike or motorcycle anymore, told her friends that she had pretty much retired from her peak days with it, although Leon encouraged her several times to get back on the track and she still refused. But now he understands why she doesn't want to really own one anymore, a car is a much more reasonable choice when you're their age and when they're about to have not one, but three kids.
Claire unbuckles her seatbelt and collects her belongings, unlocking the door as she steps out the vehicle, she looked back at Leon who watches her every move, making sure she doesn't trip, bump or scratch anything, "Thank you for today Leon, it's very much appreciated...and thank you for the gift".
"I told you Claire, anytime, just call me or text me- also, you're welcome.", he replies, and she smirks at him before carefully slamming the door, he watches her walk and enter the building, he had asked her before if he should accompany her all the way up to her apartment, but she insisted that she can go home from here, and he simply just bobbed his head. Just when he was about to start his engine, he caught a red hue in the corner of his eye. It was the rose he had given her at the clinic, sitting there on the passenger seat, it must've fallen out of her pocket when she stood up, he reached and held it with his right hand, he knew he had to give it to her again.
Climbing up the stairs up to the third floor, due to the fact that he can't wait for the elevators to drop at the ground floor any longer, he hurried like his life depended on it. Reaching the 3rd level, he searches for the number of her door, 309, there he sees it, recalling from muscle memory, he went directly parallel to the door and knocks three times, he is a bit out of breath but tries to compose himself hopefully before Claire opens the door. Hearing the familiar creak, he looked up, and she was staring at him confused, "Leon? what are you doing here, I told you I'm fine.", she starts.
"Uhh no, it's not about that, it's just that...you left this in the car...it might've fell out of your pocket when you were leaving.", he lifts the rose up for her to see.
She raised her right eyebrow, "Really Leon, you went all the way up here for a flower?"
"It's your gift though.", he pouts and she slightly laughs at him, before reaching the rose in Leon's hand, but before she can fully get it from him, her hand wraps around his, somehow managing to grip his four fingers, not including his thumb but he lets it rest at the back of her hand. He doesn't know what he was feeling at the moment but he knew that he didn't want to let go of her, however, she pulled away once she made sure that she's grabbed the stem of the flower properly, and once she was out of reach, he clears his throat awkwardly, he can see her sniff the rose before waving it in front of him, "Thank you again for the gift, I also opened your other gift just now...and it's very cute Leon, I like it- and I'm sure the triplets loved it as well...also quite amazing that you chose three onesies without knowing it's triplets."
"I-I guess, my heart knew before I did...three babies- still can't believe it, two boys and a girl right?", he replied.
"Yeah- and I hope they won't be a handful once they arrive.", the awkwardness filling the air as she said it to replace the silence, "Anyways I'll see you whenever you can?", she finally said goodbye as she grinned at him.
"R-right...I'll see you when I can.", he stutters, still trying to process what he felt. She nods before slowly shutting the door at him, he could hear her turn the locks and when it stopped, he sighs and makes his way back down to the parking lot at the ground floor. Sitting in the driver seat as he grips each side of the steering wheel, he hasn't started the car yet. Still contemplating on what went over his body when he held Claire's hand, they've touched hands several times before, but this time was different for Leon, he never felt something like this before for her, he knows what the feeling is but he tries to deny it to himself, because he can't possibly be falling for Claire Redfield now.