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It was well past midnight when Leon finally came home.
The apartment was quiet.
Too quiet.
The only sounds were the faint ticking of the clock on the wall and the soft hum of the city beyond the windows. Leon closed the door behind him as quietly as he could, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders after another long mission.
He expected darkness.
Instead, the warm glow of the living-room lamp greeted him.
And then he saw you.
You were asleep on the couch, your head resting against the armrest. A blanket had slipped from your shoulders, and an old book lay open on your lap.
Leon stopped.
For a moment, he simply stood there.
Despite the fatigue in his bones, a small smile tugged at his lips.
“You waited for me again, huh, honey?”
You stirred at the sound of his voice, blinking sleepily.
“Leon...?”
“Hey.”
He dropped his bag beside the door and walked over to you. Crouching in front of the couch, he gently cupped your face between his hands, his thumbs brushing beneath your eyes.
“You should've gone to bed.”
“You said you'd be home tonight.”
There was no accusation in your voice. Just quiet relief.
Leon smiled.
“I know.”
He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to your forehead.
“I'm home.”
You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him into a tired embrace. He melted into it almost immediately, burying his face against your shoulder.
For a man who had spent years surrounded by violence, fear, and death, moments like this felt almost sacred.
“Did you eat?” you murmured.
“Not really.”
You sighed.
“Leon.”
“I know, I know.”
He smiled against your shoulder.
“You're going to lecture me again.”
“Someone has to.”
He chuckled softly.
Then his eyes drifted toward the hallway.
“Are the kids asleep?”
“They fell asleep waiting for you.”
Something warm settled in his chest.
“Yeah?”
You nodded.
“Go see them.”
Leon hesitated before smiling.
“Okay.”
He followed you down the hallway.
The apartment was filled with the little traces of family life he'd never thought he'd have—school bags abandoned near the wall, tiny shoes scattered by the door, drawings taped to the refrigerator.
Leon smiled at every one of them.
He never imagined himself living like this.
He never imagined himself being someone's husband.
Someone's father.
But somehow, here he was.
And he couldn't imagine wanting anything else.
The next morning began with sunlight spilling through the curtains.
Leon stood in the kitchen, flipping pancakes while coffee brewed beside him.
“Blueberry pancakes,” you said from behind him.
He glanced over his shoulder.
“Your favorite.”
“You remembered?”
“I remember everything about you.”
You smiled.
Before either of you could say anything else, footsteps sounded from the hallway.
“You're all up early.”
Seventeen-year-old Yniel stepped into the kitchen, still wearing his pajamas.
Leon immediately smiled.
“Morning, kid.”
“Morning, Dad.”
Leon turned back to the stove.
“Got your favorite blueberry pancakes. Extra lucky for your exam today.”
Yniel stared at the plate.
“You really made these?”
“Of course.”
“You're the best.”
“Don't let your mother hear you say that.”
You laughed from across the kitchen.
Yniel rolled his eyes.
“Thanks, Dad.”
Leon walked over and ruffled his hair.
“You've studied harder than anyone I know. You'll do fine.”
Yniel smiled.
“Thanks.”
“Now eat before your mother decides you're too nervous to have breakfast.”
“I'm sitting down already.”
Leon laughed.
A few minutes later, Leona and Leora came rushing into the kitchen, arguing over something only twins could understand.
“Morning, troublemakers.”
“We're not troublemakers!” Leona protested.
Leora nodded seriously.
“Only sometimes.”
Leon laughed.
“That's what I thought.”
You shook your head, smiling as you watched your family.
For a moment, Leon simply stood there.
His family.
His wife.
His son.
His twin daughters.
The warmth of the kitchen.
The smell of pancakes.
The sound of laughter.
He had spent so many years believing that happiness like this wasn't meant for someone like him.
Yet here it was.
And he loved every second of it.
A little later, everyone piled into the car.
The kids are in the back, already arguing over who got the window seat while you sit in the passenger seat.
Leon sighed.
“Everybody buckled?”
“Yes!”
“Good.”
The car rolled down the familiar streets.
Then the opening guitar riff of “Thunder” by Boys Like Girls filled the car.
Leon immediately smiled.
“Oh, this song.”
You looked at him.
“What?”
He glanced at you with a grin.
“Our song.”
Your smile softened.
“I haven't heard this in forever.”
Leon turned up the volume.
The children groaned dramatically.
“Mom and Dad are being romantic again.”
“Deal with it,” Leon said.
You laughed.
“That's our wedding song.”
Leona immediately perked up.
“Your wedding song?”
Leora looked between the two of you.
“You had a wedding song?”
Leon laughed.
“We did.”
“What was your wedding like?” Leona asked.
“Yeah!” Leora added. “Was it pretty?”
Leon glanced at you.
His expression softened.
“It was beautiful.”
He reached over and took your hand.
“Small. Nothing too fancy.”
You smiled.
“We didn't have much time to plan it.”
Leon chuckled.
“Yeah. We got married shortly after we survived Raccoon City.”
The twins stared at him.
“You got married after that?”
“Pretty much.”
Leon smiled.
“We figured if we were going to get a second chance at life, we wanted to spend it together.”
You squeezed his hand.
“And you were nervous,” you teased.
Leon looked offended.
“I was not.”
“You absolutely were.”
“I was perfectly calm.”
“You dropped the ring.”
The children erupted into laughter.
Leon groaned.
“Okay. Maybe I was a little nervous.”
“You were shaking.”
“Because you looked beautiful.”
You smiled.
That quiet answer softened your teasing.
Leon looked at you for a moment.
“I remember seeing you walk toward me.”
His voice became quieter.
“I thought I was the luckiest man alive.”
You rested your head against his shoulder.
“And you still do?”
Leon kissed your forehead.
“Every day, sweetheart.”
The twins sighed dramatically.
“Eww.”
Leon laughed.
“Don't worry. You'll understand when you're older.”
“No, we won't!”
“Sure.”
The children continued complaining while you and Leon laughed.
For a brief moment, the years disappeared.
Leon remembered the beginning.
Not a rainy night.
Not some dramatic first meeting.
Just two college students who had met by chance.
You had been someone who made him laugh.
Someone who challenged him.
Someone who somehow made the difficult days easier.
He hadn't known then that you'd become the love of his life.
He hadn't known you'd one day become his wife.
He certainly hadn't known that you'd one day give him a family.
And he never could have imagined how much you'd eventually mean to him.
The song continued playing.
Your wedding song.
The song that had played while you promised each other forever.
Leon smiled.
“Best day of my life.”
You looked at him.
“Even better than the day you became a father?”
He thought for a moment.
“Okay.”
He grinned.
“Second best.”
You lightly smacked his arm.
“Leon!”
He laughed.
“I'm kidding.”
Soon, the school came into view.
Leon pulled up to the curb.
“Alright, ace.”
He looked at Yniel.
“You ready?”
Yniel nodded.
“I think so.”
“You've got this.”
Leon reached over and squeezed his shoulder.
“And remember—don't let anyone convince you that one exam decides your future.”
Yniel smiled.
“Thanks, Dad.”
He opened the door.
Then Leon called after him.
“And don't you dare ask your mother for that karaoke recording when you get home.”
Yniel laughed.
“No promises.”
Leon groaned.
“You're both terrible.”
Yniel shut the car door and headed toward the school gates.
Leon watched him until he disappeared into the crowd.
Then he sighed.
“You'd actually do it, wouldn't you?”
You looked at him.
“Do what?”
“Ruin my reputation as a tough government agent in front of our son.”
You laughed.
“That's low. Even for you.”
Leon reached over and took your hand.
“Still love me?”
“Unfortunately.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
From the backseat, Leona suddenly wrapped her arms around Leon's shoulder.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah, baby girl?”
“You're still a tough agent in my eyes.”
Leon turned around as much as the seatbelt allowed.
His expression softened.
“Thanks.”
He reached back and gently ruffled her hair.
“That means more than you know.”
Leora immediately joined in.
“Me too!”
Leon laughed.
“Both of my little princesses, huh?”
“Yes!”
You smiled at the scene.
Leon looked at you.
For a moment, his entire world was sitting inside that car.
You.
Yniel.
Leona.
Leora.
His family.
The final song came on.
“What About Now” by Daughtry.
Leon grew quiet.
His fingers remained intertwined with yours on the center console.
His thumb brushed slowly over your knuckles.
He looked out at the road.
“Twenty years ago,” he murmured, “I never thought I'd have this.”
You looked at him.
“Have what, sweetheart?”
He smiled.
“This.”
He glanced toward the children.
“A family.”
Then he looked at you.
“You.”
His voice became softer.
“I never thought I'd get to be this happy.”
You smiled.
“And yet here we are.”
Leon brought your joined hands toward his lips and kissed your knuckles.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For giving me all of this.”
You stared at him.
“Leon...”
His smile was warm.
“I love you.”
The world seemed to slow.
The children were laughing in the backseat.
The sunlight poured through the windows.
Leon squeezed your hand.
And then—
Your smile faded.
“Leon...”
He blinked.
Something was wrong.
The sunlight began fading.
The children's laughter grew distant.
The road beneath the car seemed to disappear.
Leon frowned.
“Sweetheart?”
You were looking at him.
But your eyes were filled with tears.
“Leon...”
He tightened his grip around your hand.
“What is it?”
You smiled sadly.
“I never made it.”
Leon froze.
“What?”
The children's voices disappeared.
The twins vanished from the backseat.
Yniel was gone.
The car was gone.
The sunlight was gone.
Only you remained.
Leon stared at you.
“No.”
You stepped closer.
“Leon...”
“No.”
He reached for you.
“Don't.”
Your expression broke his heart.
“I'm sorry, my love.”
“No.”
His voice cracked.
“Don't say that.”
You smiled through your tears.
“It was only a dream.”
Leon shook his head.
“No.”
“You know it was.”
“No!”
He reached for your hand.
But his fingers passed through yours.
And suddenly—
He remembered.
Rain.
Gunfire.
Sirens.
Raccoon City.
Twenty years ago.
Leon remembered the mistake.
The stupid, reckless mistake he'd made.
He'd been young.
Too confident.
Too careless.
He'd ignored your warning.
He'd gone ahead when he should have waited all because you had a little fight at the station.
And you'd followed him because you couldn't let him face the danger alone.
He remembered turning around.
The creature coming toward him.
The moment he realized he was too late.
The moment he froze.
Then—
You shoved him out of the way.
Leon hit the ground.
The impact knocked the air from his lungs.
He heard the gunfire.
Then silence.
He looked up.
And saw you.
Blood covered your clothes.
You were still standing.
Barely.
“Sweetheart...?”
You looked at him.
You were trying to smile.
Leon scrambled toward you.
“No, no, no.”
He caught you as your knees gave out.
“Stay with me.”
Your breathing was shallow.
Your hand trembled as it reached for his face.
“Leon...”
“I've got you.”
His voice was breaking.
“I've got you. You're going to be okay.”
You knew you weren't.
And Leon knew it too.
He just couldn't accept it.
“I'm sorry.”
Your eyes softened.
“Don't.”
“I should've listened to you.”
“Leon...”
“This is my fault.”
Tears streamed down his face.
“You shouldn't be here.”
You tried to smile.
“You're alive.”
“That doesn't matter!”
“It does.”
Your fingers brushed against his cheek.
“You have to live.”
Leon shook his head desperately.
“No.”
“Promise me.”
“Don't ask me that.”
“Promise me, sweetheart.”
His breathing broke.
“I promise.”
You smiled.
One last time.
Then your hand slipped from his face.
And you were gone.
Because of him.
Because of one stupid mistake.
One moment of carelessness.
One decision that cost him the woman he loved.
Leon woke with a violent gasp.
His chest heaved.
His hands reached forward instinctively.
Nothing.
There was no steering wheel.
No children.
No warm hand in his.
No you.
Only darkness.
Leon stared into the room.
His apartment.
His real apartment.
Silent.
Cold.
Empty.
The clock on the wall read 3:47 a.m.
He swallowed.
His eyes drifted toward the nightstand.
A faded photograph sat there.
Your photograph.
He reached for it with trembling fingers.
Your face stared back at him.
Smiling.
The same smile he'd just seen.
The same woman he'd loved for twenty years.
The woman who had never gotten to grow old with him.
Leon brushed his thumb over the glass.
“Why did you have to save me?”
His voice cracked.
“You should've let me die.”
He closed his eyes.
The memory of Raccoon City returned in painful fragments.
Your blood on his hands.
Your final smile.
Your final words.
Live, Leon.
His fingers tightened around the photograph.
“You died because of my stupid mistake.”
He lowered his head.
“I should've been more careful.”
A broken laugh escaped him.
“I should've listened to you.”
He looked at your photograph again.
For twenty years, Leon had carried that guilt.
He'd survived.
He'd continued working.
He'd become stronger.
He'd become colder.
But he had never stopped missing you.
And tonight, his mind had cruelly given him something he'd never been allowed to have.
A family.
A home.
A future.
Yniel.
Leona.
Leora.
The children who had never existed.
The birthdays they would never celebrate.
The mornings he would never wake up to.
The arguments.
The laughter.
The pancakes.
The songs.
The ordinary life he'd dreamed of having with you.
It had all been a lie.
A beautiful lie.
Leon leaned back against the headboard.
His eyes burned.
“You would've been a wonderful mother.”
His voice broke.
“And I would've loved watching you raise them.”
He stared at the photograph.
“I would've loved growing old with you.”
Silence answered him.
Leon reached for the bottle of bourbon on the nightstand.
His hand wrapped around it.
Then he stopped.
He looked at your photograph.
Slowly, he pushed the bottle away.
“No.”
He wiped the tears from his face.
“Not tonight.”
He picked up the photograph with both hands.
“I want to remember you.”
Outside, rain began tapping against the window.
Leon pressed the photograph against his chest.
“I love you, sweetheart.”
His voice was barely a whisper.
“I always have.”
He closed his eyes.
And for one painful moment, he could almost hear your voice again.
Live, Leon.
So he did.
Not because he had forgotten you.
Not because the guilt had disappeared.
But because twenty years ago, the woman he loved had given her life so he could have one.
And perhaps that was the cruelest part of all.
Leon could survive Raccoon City.
He could survive the monsters.
He could survive the missions.
He could survive the nightmares.
But he could never survive the life he had dreamed of—
because you were the one person who would never be there to live it with him.