Surviving for each other

Chapter 10: The Welcome Party

Making it home without any more surprises you carry the little girl into the house. "Where should we put her up?" Leon asked as he held the door open for you. "Well for now I am going to lay her on the couch. Can you watch her? I don't want her to wake up and be scared about where she is." You start to carry her to the couch and Leon lights a few candles. You look at your little guest and take off the large dirty jacket. Hanging up the jacket you cover her with the blanket that hung on the back of the couch. You left Leon to watch her as you made your way to the room you put your music in. You started pulling the tubs of cassettes and batteries from the room placing them in the hallway. You started to bring the tubs down stairs as Leon got up to help. "You're really moving all this to the basement? This little girls getting the best room in the house." He laughed as you smiled at him. You moved everything into the basement as you were going up you realized something. There was a tub marked (Y/N)'s favorites you grabbed the tub throwing it in your room. You and Leon marveled at the now cleaned out room. Couch gone, Closet cleaned out, Carpet freshly cleaned perfect for a new resident. "Leon, help me bring up the bed frame so we can give this girl a bed. I doubt she's had one in a while." He nods making his way down stairs. You pull up a twin size mattress frame and a matching mattress. Putting together the bed you noticed Leon having a hard time on his side. Walking over you connect the two metal pieces completing the frame. "Sorry I've never done this. Was hoping the first bed I built would be a crib but this is good too." You gave him a goofy smile and a little giggle. You got out a fitted sheet and a blue bed set. The bed was finished but there was still plenty to do. "You grab the dresser, it's light I will grab her some new clothes." You made your way back down stairs bringing up an old blue tub labeled "sister clothes". You knew that they would want someone to use them. Placing the tub into the girls new room you start to hang some of the clothes you thought would fit her. Leon pushed in the dresser filling a space in the room. He wiped some sweat off his forehead and you noticed a little blood on his shirt. "Shit! Leon come with me." You drug him into your bathroom and set him on the toilet. "What's wrong (Y/N)?" You look at him surprised. "What do you mean! Take your shirt off right now!" You said in a stern demanding tone. "Yes Ma'am." He said like a soldier being yelled at. He unbuttoned his shirt and let it drop to the floor. You turned around to look in one of the closets for your first aid kit. You pulled out a massive metal first aid kit filled to the brim with medical supplies. Walking over to him you were oblivious to the bright red blush on both you and Leons cheeks as you started to examine him. One of the stitches popped out letting the small hole bleed more than necessary. "Jesus Leon I should have never asked you to bring up that stupid dresser up." You spray some antiseptic on his wound but he gets up. "Hey come on Leon I know it hurts but we have to fix this before it gets infected." He presses play on your radio. "Push" by Matchbox Twenty relaxed your nerves as he sat back down. "(Y/N) you need to relax I am O.K. this wasn't your fault. I should have known my limits and I shouldn't have to make you fix me up again. It's bad enough you had to do it once." He looks away, you can tell he's in pain and not just physically. You slump against the wall that divided the toilet from the bath. You sat down on your newly cleaned bathroom floor. You just sit there both in a sad atmosphere. His arms dangle by his sides as he thinks intently. You reach up and grab his hand still looking away. "I don't want you to do this alone just let me help you... please." You look over to him and he does the same. He leans down and finally places a soft sweet kiss on your lips. You melted at his touch as he lowered himself to you without breaking the kiss. You disconnected the kiss "Would you believe me if I said that was my first kiss." He just leans over placing his lips once again over yours. "I hope it's all you hoped for." You just smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek. "It really was..... Now let's fix you up." You had to give Leon a new stitch which pained both you and him. You didn't want to hurt him but you knew if you didn't it would get worse. You wrapped him up to keep the stitches from getting pulled out. "You know you look pretty cool all patched up like that." He laughed trying to break the tension from the stitching. "Ya well you look pretty cool with that cut on your forehead." You giggle at his comeback as you help him up off the floor. "Give me that shirt I'll go wash the blood out of it. You looked too good in it and I doubt you have another." He nudges you but says he can do his own laundry. You both left the room to a stirring girl on the couch. Leon goes to put on a new shirt as you go to sit next to the young girl. She rolls over but eventually wakes up. She jolted up not knowing where she is. "Hey hey don't worry you're safe with us. What's your name?" She looks over at you and Leon who just walked in. Her eyes were wide in panic as you tried to calm her down. "Where am I?" She asked in a quiet voice. "You're safe, don't worry, you're at my house. I'm (Y/N) and this is Leon." You noticed she was starting to calm down when she caught you off guard. She hugged your soft waist letting out a few sputters. You hugged back and stoked her dirty hair. She was so scared she was shaking. She slowly let go and calmed her stuttering crys. "I know we have all been through a lot, sweetie, you don't have to worry about anything now. We'll take care of you but first what's your name." She looks up to you as you rub her shoulder trying to comfort her. She sniffles "It's Sherry". You gave her a wide smile and she smiled back. "What a pretty name Sherry, Sherry does anything hurt or feel bad." She looks around a bit more relaxed then before. "No I feel ok just dirty." well how ou hungry by any chance?" Her eyes went wide and she nodded. "You guys have food here." You help Sherry up as Leon leads her to the dining table. "What would you like little miss, first thing that pops in your head, just blurt it out." She sits down at the table next to Leon. "Oh! Meatloaf. That's the first food that pops in my head when I am hungry." You gave her a slight smile. "I don't know Sherry meatloaf is more of a dinner but you look like a growing girl so meatloaf it is." She had the widest smile on her face. "Are we really going to have meatloaf!" She looked so excited you couldn't help but laugh. "Of course! Does it look like I would lie about food!" She laughed and ran to hug you. "Leon could you get me two eggs from the coup please." He gave a side smile before opening the slide door to the porch. "You have chickens!" you bend down to her height. "Now now one thing at a time. I think the first thing is a nice long shower and a new pair of clothes." She looked like she was in heaven. You brought her to her new room as she entered and admired the room. "Is this my room?" She asked almost in disbelief. "You bet me and Leon cleaned it out while you were taking your deserved nap. Look..." You open up the closet to expose a large amount of new clean clothes. "Wow I can really wear some of these." she asked excitedly, looking at all her options. "Of course but why don't you pick something for bed since that's where you're going after dinner." She looks at you understandingly as she picks a white nightgown and a new pair of undergarments. You smile and show her to the bathroom, it was still as clean as you left it. You turned on the shower and left her to clean up. "Hey! where are you going!" you look at her a bit worried. "Don't worry Sherry I am just going to make dinner you're safe here." she grabs your hand in protest. "Please I am scared to go in by myself." you kneel down. "How about this? I leave the door open and have Leon sit outside. He's a policeman. He will keep you safe and I can make you that home cooked meal. Leon won't let anything happen to you I promise and I am right around the corner." You walk into the bathroom turning on the player. "There She Goes" by The La's plays calming Sherry with the upbeat tune. "I hope a little music will help calm your nerves and be ready to eat." You smile down at her as she looks up to you. She peaks her head out of the bathroom to see Leon admiring the situation. She exits the bathroom and stands in front of Leon. Leon straitened up and looked down at Sherry with a little smile. "Mr. Officer Leon, can you please do me a favor and guard the bathroom door from monsters." He straightened up with a serious look on his face. "Anything for you Ma'am it would be an honor." You giggle a bit at his actions as she thanks him and walks back past you and into the bathroom. Leaving the door cracked Leon sat outside just like he said he would and you got to cooking. You could hear the music playing for Sherry in the kitchen. Putting on your black smock apron you started on the food. You swayed your hips as you mixed the meet, egg and spices. You made a large meatloaf and popped it into the gas oven as you set an hour timer. Leon watched you cook the whole time a little amazed as you hang your apron back up. You just gave him a little wink as you went to the basement to get some combs and hair ties. You soon heard the shower turn off signaling Sherry was all clean and relaxed. She left the bathroom with tangled wet hair but comfortable in her nightgown. She looked so sweet you couldn't help but want to hug the life out of her. She sat down at the table you could tell she was hungry. She was quite skinny for a 12 year old. "um..Mrs.(Y/N) could you help me brush my hair." You pull up a chair behind her bringing the brush and combs. parting her hair you started to slowly brushing it hoping you weren't pulling too hard on her short locks. "Sherry don't be scared to tell me if it hurts, I don't want it to hurt." She turns to you as you start to comb out the mats. "Don't worry (Y/N) I can handle it." You gave her a smile. "I know... If I can ask what were you doing out there all by yourself?" You notice her slouch a bit and tilt her head down. "I lived in Raccoon City until those monsters showed up. Me and my mom were around camping mostly and being very careful not to attract monsters. Three days ago we were camping like normal when one of the monsters came out of the woods and bit my mom. She told me to run and I did. I kept walking farther away until you found me." She started to sob as she turned around in her big wooden chair and hugged you. You hugged her back with sad eyes as Leon kneels by the both of you. Sherry grabbed Leon's hand as she held onto you with the other. "Shhhhhh..... I know it's been hard Sherry. You were a tough girl to listen to your mom and I am so sorry that happened sweetheart." She sobs into your chest as she grips Leon's hand tighter. "I just want to bury my mom like everyone else." You hug her a bit tighter, understanding how she feels. "I understand I had to bury my family and it was hard but was that jacket hers?" She looks at you and nods a little confused. "Well sometimes when the person is not found the family likes to bury something of their family members." Leon chimes in. "That's what they did for one of the officers in the department. It was really nice I bet we could do that for your mom." She smiles and wipes her tears. "Thank you I think she would like that." She turns back around so you can finish brushing her hair. The oven beeps letting you know the meatloaf is done. "Leon, could you take out the meatloaf thank you." He turns the oven off and takes out the hot meal. You finish brushing out her hair. Her hair was a bright blond cut into a bob, she ran her fingers through it. "Wow my hair is so pretty." You start to get up, handing her the brush so she can brush it herself. "Yes it is. Now I hope you're hungry cuz we have plenty for everyone." She scoots her chair in at the table as you set her down a plait, a fork, and a glass of water. Doing the same for you and Leon He brought over the meatloaf and a hot pad placing it in the middle of the table. You all sat down, you and Leon opposite each other and Sherry between you two at the head of the table. You served Sherry first. "Oh! I almost forgot." Getting up you snag a bowl from the counter. Placing on the table they eye you a bit confused. "It's homemade ketchup, can't have meatloaf without ketchup." Sherry excitedly giggles as you hand her the small bowl. "You really know how to make a meal (Y/N) this is delicious." Leon looks at you as he takes another bite. "Well, I find a warm home cooked meal is the answer to the world's problems." He just looks at you with a warm aura as you say that. "You are truly a vision (Y/N)." Sherry hums as she takes a bite, you were glad everyone was comfortable. "Are you guys like boyfriend and girlfriend?" Sherry pipped in. You went bright red as Leon started to stutter out an answer. "I m-mean.... I would say so but...." He looked at you for an answer. Your stomach was full of butterflies and your face was as red as a tomato. You gave a little awkward smile "uh.. Ya Sherry I think we are." A smile couldn't be wiped off your face. "You guys can adopt me!" You still smiling "Sherry you are always welcome in our family." Leon agrees. She gets up and hugs you and Leon follows. You both sandwich Sherry as she laughs and enjoys the closeness. "Alright everybody can we enjoy this gorgeous dinner please." Leon says, leading Sherry back to her seat. Everyone finished their food as you started to gather the dishes bringing them over to the sink. Scraping the plate scraps into a paper bag you place them on the porch. Coming back in you notice Leon starting the dishes. Walking up to him you lean on his shoulder "I'd be a bad boyfriend if I let you cook and do the dishes." You just give him a goofy smile and give him a little kiss on the cheek. Little red crossed his cheeks after the little peck. Putting your hands on your hips you turn to a groggy 12 year old sitting at the table. "Sherry I think it's time for bed don't you." She gets up and shuffles to her room. You walk in behind her making sure she was comfortable in her new bed. You were about to leave when "Wait! (Y/N) where are you going." You turn around and sit at the end of the bed. "What's wrong? You know you're safe right me and Leon wont let a single thing happen to you hun." You look at her tucked in but sitting up "I know I am just scared to be by myself." You lean your back against the wall thinking for a solution. "Oh I got a few ideas to help you sleep. How about some music and I bring in Big Blue." She looks at you confused "Who's Big Blue?" You get up to leave the room. "Oh you'll see he's the toughest guy I know." Walking to your room you carefully carry Big Blue to Sherry who was eagerly waiting. Leon leaned in the door way not to your knowledge. You place him on the desk by the foot of the bed as Sherry crawls to the end of the bed to look. "Wow he's so pretty." You look at her a bit handing her a small scrap of meatloaf. "here I'll show you how tough he really is. Why don't you put that little piece of meat in for him?" You back up a bit to watch her feed the small crustacean. She places the piece in the bowl as he quickly snatched it from the surface. "Wow! look at him go!" She watched in fascination as he scarfed down the meat. Getting up you tuned on a small radio putting in a cassette. "Gymnopedie" by Erik Satie, Philippe Entremont played as Sherry relaxed into the cool sheets. You started to leave "Thanks you guys." You tuck her in and wish her goodnight. You closed the door to her room as she snuggled into her blankets. You started waking to your room when a hand grabbed yours. "That was very kind of you." you look down a little. "What do you mean I would have given her Big Blue anyways I got you now." He squeezes your hand. "That's not what I meant. I meant the music I know you have to sleep with that music on." You look at him a bit sternly " Listen I would do anything for either of you to stay around with me. If that means laying down my life then so be it, but right now it doesn't. The least I can do is make that troubled little girl comfortable for once in months." He just looks at you not sure what to say. "Here just... come here." He dragged you over to the couch and sat you down. He sat down next to you and reclined his side of the couch. He laid you down and you put your head on his lap as he stroked your (H/L) (H/T) hair. "This is nice." He said as you looked around. "Why don't we get some Pj's on these jean shorts aren't too comfy."
"Ya I get what you mean Lets go throw on something more comfortable." You both went in the opposite directions changing into pajamas. You decided on a pair of green short shorts and a large sleeveless top. Leaving the room you noticed Leon was waiting for you on the couch. He was wearing a dark green shirt and a pair of basketball shorts. "I know what can make this better." You got up off the couch and opened the cabinet to the entertainment center under the tv. You look over to him with a little glint in your eye. "What do you wanna watch? Something Scary... Funny.. Sad." He crawls over to you sitting on his knees as he starts going through the movies. From classics to modern you had a movie collection. "I thought the only thing you collected was music?" You laugh a bit "Well you could change it to media." He laughed while pulling out another title. "How about Fargo?" He nods and jumps back onto the couch as you put in the movie. Hitting the little box a couple times the picture comes out crystal clear. "There, that should do it." Leon laughed at your actions towards the T.V. set. You sat down next to him on the couch as the ads started. Folding your hands in your lap you sit upright waiting for the movie to start. Leon wraps his arm around your waist making you instantly tense up. He feels you tense and the little furrow in your brow frowning a bit. "What's wrong (Y/N)? I thought you were ok with this." You look at him alarmed. "No no! Leon it's not you not at all. I guess I am just not used to the contact that's all." You look away a bit but grab his hand. He puts on a small smile and squeezes your hand a bit. Throughout the movie you became more comfortable and put your legs up. You didn't realize you had your head on his shoulder till he tilted his head against yours. He closed his eyes as yours fluttered close. You didn't even remember falling asleep leaning against each other but you did.