You are my mums (a Lucy Bronze fanfic) - Book 2

Chapter 25 - Vulnerable

Rosie's POV:

"Hello? Anyone home?". I unlocked the front door with the house key Beth had given to me after the game. Silence greeted me as I removed them and placed them neatly next to another pair already by the door. I had only been in this particular house once before about six months ago so I was still a little uncertain about the layout. Poking my head around doors, I had no luck at finding what I was looking for until I reached the end of the corridor. Pressing the handle down, I slowly pushed the heavy, solid oak door until it opened wide enough for me to peer in. She was sat watching something on the TV, eyes transfixed to the movement on the screen. I lightly knocked on the door, not wanting to scare her with my sudden presence. She turned her weak body around and her eyes met mine.

Sitting up straighter on the chair she was sitting up on, I entered the room, "Hey...how are you doing?". Laughing sarcastically, she motioned to her leg that was propped up on the coffee table in front of her, "How do you think i'm doing?". I bit my lip and tried to think of something to say that wouldn't cause her to speak back with an attitude. Noticing my thoughts, she sighed, "I'm sorry Rosie, it's been a long few days". I nodded my head, completely understanding her sharpness.

Leah was normally put together. From her appearance to the way she spoke, she always seemed like one of those girls who had their shit together. But the Leah I was looking at couldn't be any further from her usual self. The dark circles around her eyes, the slumped shoulders, the pale skin. She was different. I sat down on the sofa adjacent to her big, comfortable chair and asked softly, "Where's Jordan?". She took a deep breath before replying without meeting eye contact, "Training". I cursed myself, I should definitely not have just asked that question.

She sighed and spoke again with a wobbly voice, "Why are you here Ro?". I tried to explain, "We just played Chelsea and I figured since I was in the area I could come and see you before flying back home". She raised her eyebrows, "Home hmm?". I nodded my head and she continued, "I'm sorry I couldn't make the game, I only got out of hospital yesterday and as you can see, my movement is limited. I did watch it on TV though. Jordan got it all set up for me before she left". I smiled softly, "Did you see-...". She cut me off, "Your goal? Yes and it was fucking fantastic. I haven't smiled in days but that did make me grin a little bit. Shame it was disallowed". It felt like for a brief moment, she was acting like how she was before her injury. But soon enough the silence emerged and took over her.

Moving the conversation on, I asked her, "How was the hospital?". She frowned, "Shit". Raising an eyebrow, she complained about her experience, "This nurse asked for a fucking photo while I was lying there in my hospital bed looking like death. Actually unbelievable". That did seem a bit rude and unprofessional. I can understand why she would want a photo but Leah had just come out of surgery. The Arsenal defender groaned, "I bet there's photos of me in that horrific hospital gown all over social media". I personally hadn't come across one, but she's probably right. Some people just can't respect privacy.

The atmosphere in the Williamson-Nobbs house was slightly tense. Leah wasn't in the mood to talk, but I wanted to keep a gentle conversation flowing. I didn't want to overstep or talk about her injury or anything to do with football so I stuck to simple things, "The weather's not bad today is it? I'm a bit cold though". I meant it as a joke, but Leah replied shortly, "Go put the heating on if you want".

I offered, "Do you want anything to eat or drink?". Not sure when the last time Leah had eaten something was, I hoped she would say yes. Observing her sigh and then murmur, "I'll take a cup of tea. Milk but no sugar please". Nodding my head, I stood up and tried to figure out which room was the kitchen. As I wandered through my friends' house, I saw multiple family portraits of Leah, Jordan and their dog Blu. I'm so glad they figured things out between them. They are perfect for eachother - just like my mums.