Leah Williamson love story

Chapter 26

Leah p.o.v

Weve been at the lodge for a couple hours now. Its so peaceful here, its exactly where I need to be with Riley right now. My mum and dad brought stuff for a bbq so Riley is with my dad setting it up. "what're you doing in here yourself? Come enjoy the outdoors." my mum says coming in the door. "I am, I was just putting things away. To be honest I'm just taking in the quietness." I say back. "it's been a hard few weeks for you, hasn't it?" she says sitting next to me. "it has been harder for Riley than it has been for me, she's had a lot more to adapt to than I have but I guess I didn't expect us to be as busy as we have been or have so many things in the way so quickly in our relationship." my mum puts her hand on my knee and smiles. "when you first met Riley she was ordinary... I'm not saying she wasn't special to you or someone you seen as an equal but she didn't have the lifestyle you did. Within the time you've been together her whole life has changed but that doesn't mean it hasn't changed yours as well. Do you wish she wasn't 'Cooper'?" I look at my mum for a second, do I wish she wasn't 'Cooper'. "when I first met Riley she was a nurse. She took care of people, she always has her whole life... I'm not saying she wasn't great at her job but i think she became a nurse purely down to her upbringing and that's what came naturally to her. When she announced she was 'Cooper' I was shocked and a little upset she kept it from me but I now understand why she did. She never wanted to have this type of attention, she never wanted to walk down the street and have cameras in her face or go to meetings every week to discuss songs. She now feels the pressure and before she was just enjoying life, releasing music when she felt like it, it was easy. She's been so tired mum, she doesnt stop and it isn't even just with music... She comes to all my games, drives me to my training and picks me up. She makes dinner almost every night, she runs me baths when I've had hard sessions. She is forever putting me and my career first but leaving herself exhausted because she has no time to relax. Im worried about her." mum listens to everything I'm saying with a smile. "looks like she's still wanting to take care of people, or at least the closest people to her. I think that no matter what happens with Rileys career, she will always put you first. Enjoy this weekend together and take time to breathe. Work can wait, moments like these can't." I give my mum and hug and we decide to go outside. Riley is with my dad putting food on the bbq. My mum is right. I need to enjoy the time we do have together and make Riley feel as cared for as she makes me feel.

Riley p.o.v

"that's the burgers on, I'll give them a few moments then flip them." I say to David. "thank you Riley, I'm just going to get the ice cooler. Do you want a drink?" "yeah please, the heat is making me thirsty." David hands me a drink and looks at me like he wants to ask me something. "everything okay?" I ask him and he gestures me to sit down. Oh dear, what have i done? "Riley, I just wanted to talk to you and see how you are doing? I know you've had a rough couple of weeks and I can tell when someone's hiding something. I might not be leah or Amanda but I am someone that'll listen and help if I can." leahs dad is so lovely. Its easy to see how him and Amanda ended up together, it's also easy to see where leah gets all her wonderful traits from. Her mum and dad are truly the best. I decide to be honest with David. Maybe he can give me an idea on what to do. "to be honest I've been thinking about everything that's happened the last couple weeks and I'm not sure it's worth it anymore..." David looks at me with a worried expression. "do you mean with leah?" my eyes widen and I immediately shake my head. "oh god no. Leah is the only thing I'm absolutely sure of and never been more sure of..." David's face lifts again and he relaxes a little more. "it's just... Leah met me and I was just me, normal person, normal life, normal job. I was just me. Thats the person she wanted a relationship with. Now she has to deal with me going to meetings every other day, interviews, she travelled to America with me... For me and she hated every minute of it. Amanda was hurt because of me, me and leah barely have any time together now. I'm always tired by 9pm and falling asleep on the couch when I'm trying to spend time with leah. I just feel like I'm letting her down, this wasn't what she signed up for." I ranted on and David just listened to me and waited until he could finally speak. "that's a lot of pressure to put on yourself Riley. From what leahs told me, she met you and didnt get to know an awful lot about you at the start, but she still fell for you. Leah has always had a busy schedule, football takes over her life and she understands sacrifices more than anyone else. She will understand having to sacrifice some time together for Interviews and meetings because she has to do the same and it's about finding that balance. You did not cause Amanda to get hurt. Trust me it isn't the first time the press or paps have swarmed her, when it comes to America. Leah was only worried about what the future held for you both after that trip. Leah was worried she'd lose you. She was happy for you Riley, she was just scared. Leah knows what it's like to be in the public eye. She struggled with it herself but you have each other and as long as you both focus on the positives and communicate when things get tough. Make time for each other and if your tired I'm sure leah will understand and be okay with you falling asleep as long as your still close to her she won't mind. I've seen leah in relationships and I've never seen her more scared or broken than she was when she thought she'd lost you." just as David stops talking leah and Amanda come outside. My eyes lock with leahs and we both smile. What David said has eased my worries. I hope I am enough for leah and not making her life more difficult.