Off The Field

forty-eight

'It's not too early, right?' Leah asks, the concern evident in her voice as she watches Courtney lean heavily on the dresser against the wall.

'It's okay, Le. I'm only a few days away from being thirty-seven weeks which is full-term. It's gonna be fine.' Courtney replies and the blonde nods her head as she makes her way over to the brunette who groans. Resting her hands against Courtney's lower back, Leah gently begins to rub her hands back and forth as Courtney rocks forward and backwards on the heels of her feet.

'What's wrong, mumma?' Bunny asks making her way into the bedroom causing Courtney to straighten up.

'Nothing's wrong, sweetheart. Mummy's just got a sore back so Lele was making it feel better by giving me a massage. Did you finish your lunch?' Courtney asks softly.

'All of it.' Bunny replies grinning

'Oh wow, how good are you? Do you think you can maybe go into your room and put some toys in your bag that you want to take to Nanny Amanda's house? She'll be coming to pick you up soon for your special sleepover.' Courtney asks and Bunny nods her head. The little girl runs from the bedroom causing Courtney to smile as she leans back into Leah's arms.

'How are you doing?' Leah asks softly.

'I'm okay. They're- Well they're still bearable right now. It's mainly my back that's a bit achy constantly.' Courtney replies and Leah nods her head.

'What can I do? What can I do to help you right now?' Leah asks.

'You're already doing everything I need, Le.' Courtney replies feeling the blonde's hands rest on the underside of her bump taking some of the weight and pressure off her back.

'Mum should be here in about twenty minutes.' Leah says softly and Courtney nods her head.

'The midwife said I don't need to head to the hospital straight away. My waters haven't broke and at this stage they wouldn't attempt to stop the contractions anyway.' Courtney explains causing Leah to nod her head.

'Well looks like we're having a baby, love.' Leah says smiling.

****

Tears stream down her cheeks as she hugs the nearly four-year-old against her chest as much as the bump will allow her to. She's not sure if it's the hormones as a result of the pregnancy, the hormones as a result of the labour or just the realisation that Bunny is no longer going to be the sole focus of their attention that's got her feeling so incredibly emotional. Pressing her lips against the little girl's head, Courtney takes a deep breath before glancing up at Leah and nodding her head.

'Go Lele will help you get into the car, okay? Mummy will see you so soon and I'll phone you as much as I can, okay?' Courtney says and Bunny nods her head. Grinning she runs off towards Amanda's car as Leah follows close behind.

'She's going to absolutely thrive as a big sister...' Amanda says softly as she wraps her arms around the brunette who lets out a shaky sigh.

'She's been my baby for nearly four years.' Courtney almost whispers and Amanda nods her head.

'And she's always going to be your baby. It's just you're giving her a little best friend for life.' Amanda says as Courtney rests her head on her shoulder and watches Leah help Bunny get situated in the car.

'She's going to be fine, Courtney. She's going to absolutely love having a sibling and you're going to love this baby exactly the same as you love Bunny.' Amanda says softly.

'What- How did you know?' Courtney asks causing Amanda to smile.

'I have had two children... I remember that fear all too well, your heart grows and your capacity to love grows as well. You will love them both equally.' Amanda replies watching a smile appear on Courtney's face.