Her Eyes

20. Birthday

Alexa's POV

I woke up in Leah's arms as I felt her stroke my hair and was instantly in a good mood.

"Happy Birthday Lex" she whispered

I smiled at the nickname and looked up at her as I realised what day it was.

"Morning, thanks are you going to treat me like a queen today?" I joked

"Of course your highness" she pecked me on the lips as she got out of bed to go to the bathroom.

I couldn't help but take pleasure in the way that Leah looked in the morning. She was just wearing a big t-shirt revealing her long tanned legs and her blonde hair was thrown up into a messy bun.

My phone started ringing which stopped me from drooling over her. I looked down and saw it was my little sister Mia's name on the screen, she was trying to FaceTime me.
..............
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEXI!!!" she shouted as I answered

"Ouch that was loud for this time of day, thanks Meez" I laughed

"Is that Alexa?" I heard in the background of the call. My parents faces then appeared on the screen.

"Happy birthday darling, we're excited to see you tomorrow at the game" said my mum

We chatted for a few minutes until it was just me and my sister, who was telling me that all the girls at school were jealous that she gets to go to the games. I noticed Leah coming back into the room looking slightly alarmed as she realised what was going on and that she was stood in just a t-shirt.

I beckoned for her to come and sit down next to me as I could tell she didn't know what to do with herself.

"Guess who's come to say hi Mia?" I said to her

"Hiya, you alright?" Leah said to her smiling as the camera was turned to her

"Hi" Mia said quietly, she had suddenly turned shy now she was talking to the England captain

"You coming to the game tomorrow?" Leah asked, she was a natural at talking to kids

"Yeah"

"Well I'll make sure to come and say hi then" she replied, making my heart swell.
...............

We wrapped up the call and I realised I should go back to my room to shower before breakfast. We didn't need everyone seeing me coming out of Leah's room looking like I'd just woken up.

When I walked in to breakfast all the girls greeted me and said happy birthday. Leah pretended she hadn't already seen me and gave me a hug saying happy birthday, I really had to try not to laugh.

We all head to training and it was back into game mode as we had the quarter final against Spain tomorrow which would be our most challenging game yet. After we had warmed up and started doing drills Sarina called me over to chat to her.

"How's your ankle, will you be able to play tomorrow?" she questioned

"It's good, I've taken it slow and worked on my recovery and I feel back to normal. I'd be ready to play if you wanted me to." I assured her and I knew she trusted my judgement.

The day was flying by and it wasn't until we were in a meeting later that day that I remembered it was my birthday. Leah and Georgia had popped out of the room and came back in singing happy birthday holding a Colin the caterpillar cake with candles on it. All the girls joined in and I noticed a few of them filming it. As embarrassing as it is being sung to, I was smiling from ear to ear at how nice it was to be surrounded by these girls that felt like family to me. I caught eyes with Leah in particular as I knew this would have been her idea and and smiled at her, life is good right now.

We spent the rest of the evening chilling and chatting before heading back to our rooms for an early night before the game. Leah had disappeared quite early and I was disappointed not to have said goodnight to her.

I'd only been flopped on my bed for a few minutes when I received a text.
............
Leah - meet me outside your room in 2 mins wear something warm x
...........

Baffled about what we were about to do, I chucked on a hoodie and joggers and checked my makeup before heading into the corridor.

Leah was walking towards me and smiled when she saw me, she pressed her finger over lips to say we should be quiet and then took my hand leading me down the corridor and downstairs to a side door.

"Leah, where are we going?" I asked slightly confused

"It's a surprise" she whispered

I was led outside into the cooler air and over to a tree where I could see what Leah had been busy setting up for me. There was a picnic blanket spread out under the tree that had fairy lights looped over it.

"Oh my god this is so cute Leah"

"It's not much but I couldn't do nothing with you on your birthday"

We sat down on the blanket together and watched the sun just setting over the hill.

"Sorry we haven't got any champagne because a) I couldn't get any and b) I'm not that much of a rule breaker to drink the night before a big match" Leah rambled as she poured me some orange juice.

"It's honestly perfect Leah thank you"

We sat eating strawberries, chatting and laughing together as the night drew in.

"I got you something by the way it's not much as I couldn't leave camp" Leah said, passing me something

It was a picture of me and Leah from the other week when I'd jumped on her back at the pool. We were both laughing in the picture and looked so happy, I loved that I had this to hold onto.

"Turn it over" she said

I turned it over to see a sentimental message written on the back, as I read it I realised how special this girl was.

"Happy Birthday Alexa,
This is to always remember us, exactly as we are in this moment - Leah x"

I ended my 23rd birthday kissing the girl of my dreams under the stars and I didn't really feel like I needed to make a birthday wish.

Authors Note

Happy weekend everyone hope you're enjoying the hot weather 🔥