•Thicker Than Blood•

•Chapter 24•

When morning came, Leon and Claire were wrapped up in not only their bed, but one another. They were tangled in each other's arms beneath the blankets while they slept. Needless to say, they slept better than ever that night. Finally, they were comfortable with how they were living. Comfortable with their situation. Things that needed to be said, were finally in the open and there wasn't a sense of anxiety or rejection. Everything felt.. perfect.

Claire was the first one to open her eyes. The first sight she was met with was nine other than Leon Kennedy. Not only a rookie cop she survived the apocalypse with anymore. But now the person she dreamed of spending her life with. The man she built a life and family with. The man that helped her find her brother and the only person she's been able to rely on other than her brother.

She brushed his hair out from in front of his eyes with a smile on her face. This motion made him stir, slowly opening his eyes as well. He was met with the sight of Claire's smiling face. And, oh boy. It is contagious. Leon cracked a smile almost immediately upon waking up. His grip around Claire tightened while he pulled her against him. He held the back of her head while he scattered a few delicate kisses around her face. Her forehead, cheeks, and nose all witnessed the attack.

She laughed, playfully swatting at his face. Leon snickered and sat up, his arms still locked around her waist now. She took a look around, before dipping forward and placing a kiss on his chin. Then, she somehow managed to get herself out of his grip. She fixed up her outfit for the day. This action was shortly followed by Leon. Once the both of them were up and ready for the day, they headed downstairs to meet the other three.

Chris was already awake with the girls in the kitchen. It seemed like a disaster had happened. There was an explosion of flour all over. The girls were a mess and Chris looked like an absolute train wreck trying to clean up the mess before the other two had awoken. Clearly that didn't go the way he wanted it to. Claire snickered at the sight. In the end, Chris seemed to settle for serial. The girls waved a greeting to Claire and Leon, their faces dusted with flour as well. Though, they had bowls of cereal in front of them so they seemed content enough with that.

"I take it you haven't cooked anything in a long while, huh?" Claire asked.

"Hey, no need to point fingers. Your stove is just strange." Chris said, cleaning up the rest of the mess best he could.

"Alright then, sure. How about you go shower? You need it." Claire told him, going and grabbing two more bowls.

Chris merely put his hands up in "defense" and made his way upstairs to clean himself up. Sherry and Genevieve snickered amongst themselves while they watched Chris leave. Claire got two more bowls of cereal for herself and Leon. Once that was finished, she sat at the table with them. Her arms rested in a folded position on the table while she smiled at them.

"I see the both of you are having fun this morning."

"Yep, we were going to try and surprise you with pancakes. But, as you see here... that didn't go so well." Sherry laughed at the situation.

"Sorry about the mess." Genevieve apologized.

Claire waved her hand in a dismissive fashion. "Oh, Chris had it covered. No harm done to me." She snickered.

Leon perked up. "Yknow. Sherry. We actually had something to ask you about this morning." He told her, taking a spoonful of cereal. Breakfast was important, what can I say?

Sherry paused, her hands folding in front of her as she gained a more serious expression. "What is it?"

Leon glanced back at Claire, nodding to her to let her know what he was talking about. She knew exactly what he was talking about without him even having to verbally say it. He nudged her foot with his own under the table then glanced back at Sherry, who was watching them both with a more tense expression on her face. Seemingly nervous for what was going to come. Though, that faded away when a smile appeared on Leon's face.

"We were thinking about doing some paperwork... and officially adopting you into our little family." Leon told her.

"Exactly. You don't have to change your last name or anything if you don't want to. But, the option is there." Claire said. "What do you say?"

Sherry's face immediately seemed to light up in a way it never really had before. Her eyes widened and those excited sparkles were once again the most prevalent thing in her gaze. Her hands came up and covered her mouth, hiding a big smile that had formed in her face. They swore they could have seen tears forming in her eyes from the moment she processed what they had to say.

"You guys want to... adopt me? Become my parents? Really?" She asked, her voice becoming high pitched and shaky from the tears.

Claire and Leon moved their hands onto the table. Leon set his hand on top of Claire's and tangled his fingers with her own from above. That seemed to be their sign to Sherry that they had made it official themselves. This display of affection was the very thing that made their relationship clear to Sherry. Although, she knew about it from the very beginning. She knew they were destined to be together. Like soulmates or twin flames. Somehow, Sherry managed to look even happier.

"Yes! Of course! There's nothing I'd love more than that!" Sherry bursted out with joy.

She threw herself up and out of the chair, not even bothering to push it in before she ran to the other side of the table. She nestled herself between Claire and Leon, one arm slinging over each one of them depending on what side they were on. She pulled them both closer to her with tears now spilling down her cheeks despite the huge smile plastered on her face. She was beaming with joy that neither one of them had ever seen before.

"I'm so happy... I never thought this day would come." Sherry whispered through her tears.

"We're more than happy to hear it..." Leon smiled toward her, nudging her lightly.

"Oh gosh.. what will my new name be?" Sherry perked up, thinking for a moment.

"What do you want it to be?" Claire asked.

"I don't think I could choose between them... how about..."

There was a brief pause.

"Sherry Birkin Redfield Kennedy!" She chirped.

Leon and Claire glanced at each other for a moment. A little thrown off by the suggestion. Considering that wasn't exactly an easy bite to swallow. Though, after a moment of consideration, they smiled. It wouldn't have been their decision anyway. If anything, the notion was sweet. Even if her name would be quite the mouth full.

"Alright. Welcome to the family then. Officially. Sherry Birkin Redfield Kennedy."