Chapter Text
Tonight's event is black-tie event, a fundraising held in Washington, D.C., and the President is there.
Leon is there too, not for protection service, he does get invited by the foundation. He sometimes gives to that foundation, though not much, but he is deemed worthy to be invited into this event. Mainly, it's because his connection toward the government itself.
Well, he's part of government.
Now, though, he isn't alone; his wife is alongside him, with her big belly, that seems to be ready to burst out instantly at any time and any place. As his wife, she's his plus-one, and Leon is really excited to show the world who his wife and the pregnancy. This foundation is a stranger to Claire, as it is not related to bioterrorism, but the guests are familiar enough for Claire. Therefore, they are shocked to know that: (1) she's pregnant and it's already that big; and (2) she's married to Leon, who is also the reason why she's pregnant.
Both of them never really show that they are intimate; all people know that they know each other because of bioterrorism matter. As expected, the Racoon City matter is a secret from public, therefore, their origin stories are sealed enough.
"So, you're no longer Ms. Claire Redfield, then?" a middle-aged lady from a very rich and influential family is talking to her, "it is such a shocking thing, but you two were single. It's not wrong to fall in love and get married." Claire just smiles politely to the lady, "so, when's the due date?"
"Next month, according to the doctor."
She claps her hands in happiness, "oh! What have you two prepared, then?"
"I am still living in New York, but will move here immediately, after my transfer process is complete. So, we plan that I'll give birth there. We have set up nursery in my place in New York."
"That is so unfortunate," the middle-aged lady seems disappointed, "being separated like that. It's not good for the baby."
Claire just smiles again. This woman is stranger though, so she doesn't have to value her opinion more, but she can't be so blatantly rude to her; she means well, after all, "thank you for your concern. It's very nice to hear that."
"Oh, dear, I have a family. I know how important it is to have whole family inside one home. And for economical purpose, it will erase the transportation cost between you and Mr. Kennedy."
Like a cue, Leon is coming. In his hands, he has white wine (that kind of drink is served here, very different from his personal choice, but he can't complain) and a glass of water for Claire. After smiling and a little chat with that middle-aged lady, Leon sighs. "She's a happy lady."
Claire chuckles, "thank you for the drink. I am thirsty."
"Do you want to sit?" he asks; he looks concerned to her, "you've been standing for quite some time."
"It's fine. I am still strong."
Leon just shakes his head as he smiles; Claire seems to be allergic to be pampered, "or do you want me to lift the belly?"
"We can do that at our place," she answers, "lifting this in front of these people will create scandal."
"I don't mind scandal, if it's with you." Claire slaps his shoulder, "shut up and be proper, please. This event is for you; I am your plus-one. You shall be the one who is keeping face here."
"I don't really care about these people. All I care is my money I donate is used for good purposes. And I am here because I want to show my beautiful wife with my twin boys."
"They're not even born. Calm down."
"I mean," he looks so beaming it makes Claire wants to laugh out loud, seeing how child-like his face is now, "there will be two mini-Kennedys. They are boys, so definitely, they look like me, or if they are not, they will mimick me a lot. I will teach them how to walk, talk, and even--"
"Don't you ever think you will teach them how to use guns, knives, and flip over wall or something. I don't need more soldiers in my bloodline and my life," Claire almost rubs her temple; her brother is a soldier, and her husband is some kind of soldier as well. The last thing she needs is that those two children of hers will be like these two.
He smirks playfully, "but you married this soldier."
"Ha! It's because I am already impregnated by him."
"At your request, might I remind you, Mrs. Kennedy." Claire scoffs and is about to punch his shoulder when a familiar figure comes into the scene. While she is not wearing anything revealing, her aura, the alluring aura, is still coming from her effortlessly. Claire has seen her several times, and is always admires yet be jealous to her. She's the constant reminder that 'Claire isn't hot enough' to capture certain male figure in her life (read: her husband).
Leon's face is hardened enough to see Ada is approaching them. Claire, though, surprisingly, rubs his back, getting Leon's confused stare to her. He really thinks Claire will be so angry just to see Ada's figure. That's what he is worried about, and that's why his face is hardened. He doesn't want any kind of unnecessary matter inside his wedding life. He has tried so hard to convince Claire, and it seems to be working a lot.
"It's fine," Claire speaks, "I am not jealous whatsoever. You don't have to be worried." She says those words as if she understands him and his thought, and it brings smile of relief to Leon.
Ada does really approach them, and she gives her nice smile. Claire blinks several times to see that smile, because it is the first time she sees that kind of smile plastered on Ada's face. "Hello."
"Hi," the married pair replies, in unison.
"When's the due date?" The older woman points to the belly. "Next month, according to the doctor," Claire answers politely.
"I heard they were twins," and the pair nods, "congratulations. I really hope you have safe delivery. Having and raising one kid is tiring; I can't imagine having two kids at once."
Leon frowns. "Why do you talk as if you know how to have and raise kids?"
Claire wants to smack Leon for such fool question, but Ada laughs a bit, "you don't know many things about me, Agent Kennedy. But no, even if I have kids, they're not yours. We always are careful about that thing."
Claire should feel jealous or angry; she thinks that; but there's no jealousy at all. The way Ada talks, mostly, and the way Leon reacts, don't give her any reasonable reason to be jealous; it's more like they are bantering, like old friends who had once had sex but then put it on as joke throughout the years.
"I don't want to jump to conclusion like my dumb husband, but I do want to say sorry for his dumbness."
Leon wants to protest but Ada waves her hand, "we've known him for years, Red--or should I call you Mrs. Kennedy now?--we know how dumb he has been throughout his life."
Claire now laughs, "you can call me by my name. 'Mrs. Kennedy' coming from you is so strange and weird I don't even want to imagine it, let alone live through it. And yes, he is quite gullible for someone who has lots of experiences."
Leon frowns even more, like a child, more or less. Those women catch that expression, and they are laughing at him. "Great. You two are laughing at me, while I have my life devoted to both of you, more or less. Tell me why there's an equality movement for women but not that much for men?"
"Oh, calm down, husband," Claire coos and Ada just shakes her head like a mother's friend when she is with the mother who tries to soothe her child throwing tantrum. Leon still frowns, but finds himself a bit silly about it. The important thing is that these women seem to be so cordial with each other, and it eases him.
"If I may, Claire, can I borrow your husband for a while? I need to talk to him alone about something; no need to worry; I will not try to snatch other people's spouses. That's not my style."
Claire just smiles but Ada tugs Leon a bit further; Claire still can see them clearly. It's just what they are talking about is not something she can hear. "What is it?"
"There's a leak in B.S.A.A." Now, she gets Leon's attention fully. "What are you saying?"
"Only that. Perhaps, now that you have family connection to Chris Redfield, he will believe you more than anyone. And also, at Arlington County, there's a house on sale. Well, not exactly a house, but you can see it for yourself. Five bedrooms, six and a half bathroom, all of that, with quite large front yard. Maybe that's the house you're looking for."
Leon blinks.
The information is going from one point to another point that is so far away.
Learning those things and what they mean, Leon smiles to Ada. "Thank you."
She pats his left arm, "glad to see you glowing, Leon. I know you are happy. And I do really hope Claire to have safe delivery and everything else. Though, I can't be around that much, I might be sending some newborn gifts to you, if you two don't mind."
"I don't think Claire minds, either. Again, thank you, Ada."
"You're welcome. And, uh, one more thing: I am not that 'meanie' to send your wife my photos coming out from hotel back in Oslo." And she waves to Claire, who waves back, and goes out from the scene completely. Since she is so slick, it is quite hard to pin her from the crowd.
Leon comes back to Claire's side and explains what he needs to explain. That said, the part about the photos of Oslo is left by him. Claire doesn't need to know, for it is his own investigation (helped a lot by Hunnigan). Upon hearing news about the leak, Claire's face is darkened a bit. "Should we investigate?"
"I can't do that in my capacity. But, personally, I can give my attention to it."
"I'll do like that too. I think we need to warn everyone we know well in B.S.A.A., about the possible leak." To that, Leon nods. "And she gave you information on house sale? What is she? Is she also working as realtor?" Leon chuckles and shakes his head.
"That's Ada Wong for you. She can be anything she wants to be, anywhere she wants to be." And Claire agrees wholeheartedly to that.
Ada Wong is woman sticking to her words truly. Or as she is true as far as she thinks she has to. But for the newborn gifts for Claire, she is true to her words.
As if she knows their schedules, a gift wrapped nicely is arrived at Claire's apartment in New York. Leon is on mission at California, so he isn't there to receive or see that wrapped gift. However, Sherry has come to New York, and she's the one who picked that gift from the mailbox.
Leon does give minimal security matter to Claire, and to that gift arrived at her box means it is safe. "Hey, there's a gift for you and the babies."
Claire, who just arrived from her office together with Sherry (who insists to pick her up, saying that it is her job as big sister), frowns. "Huh? Let's open it." Sherry puts it on the kitchen cabinet's surface and waits for Claire to open the gift.
Two teal-colored baby onesies with a print on the front, written: 'I could've been your mother' and the back, written: 'but thank God he's smart enough not to'.
They both blink in order to receive and understand everything, and then Sherry gasps.
Claire either wants to whack Ada (and Leon, on some capacity) or laughs out loud from this 'humor'. "Do you think this is from whoever I think it is, Claire?"
Claire just nods, but then she gives herself up to laugh. Yes, she chooses to laugh. "Claire, are you okay?"
"I am fine, Sherry, really, I am fine," but she still tries to calm herself from the laugh, "oh, Ada Wong, what a woman you are." She then puts those onesies on empty surface, "they should wear these things immediately when they can wear them."
"Are you sure?"
"I am, Sherry. This is something I would never get, except from that woman," she continues, "I need to cherish this forever. And take pictures of them. Leon has to know about this thing. I bet his sour face is to die for--oh! I need to contact Helena first, so she can record whatever expression he gives when he sees those pictures."
And so, she does, leaving the younger woman wonders: is marriage life like this?