A New Chapter

one

'So when is it you guys head back home then?' Leah asks as she glances at Keira as they walk through the park; Riley fast asleep in the pram Keira is pushing and Charley happily toddling ahead of them.

'Monday... It's went by so fast. I can't believe she's already nearly four months old.' Keira replies as she shakes her head as she glances down at the infant.

'I'm so glad we got to spend so much time with you guys while you were here.' Leah says and Keira nods her head. It's been three months since Leah hung up her boots, since she retired from the only career she's ever known. Three months of doing the school run and cooking dinner, a new skill she's acquired, in time for Courtney finishing work. Three months of doing everything she didn't know she was so desperately craving.

'Me too... Timing worked out perfectly, didn't it?' Keira replies causing Leah to smile.

'It really did.' Leah says softly.

'How are you feeling about going back home?' Leah asks.

'I think I'm ready... I'm ready to be back with Lau full time instead of her travelling back and forth.' Keira replies smiling.

'Yeah, it'll be good for your guys to all be reunited now.' Leah says. The original plan had been for Keira to come over for the birth, returning to Spain just six weeks later however circumstancss surrounding Riley's birth has meant they've both been here a bit longer than expected and Laura had to return without them both.

'Are you doing better now? Feeling more like yourself?' Leah asks and Keira nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... Much more like myself.' Keira replies causing Leah to smile.

'I'm glad. What are your plans for the weekend before you go home then?' Leah asks smiling as Charley runs towards her.

'Just seeing family, I think.' Keira replies.

'Is it this weekend that you guys are going away?' Keira asks and Leah nods her head.

'Yeah, we leave on Friday once Bunny gets out of school.' Leah replies.

'Still enjoying retirement? No regrets?' Keira asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Absolutely no regrets. I'm loving every minute of it. Part of me almost wishes I'd done it sooner because I look at times like this with Charley and I never really got to have it with Tills or Bunny.' Leah replies.

'Think of all the experiences you've given them though.' Keira says and Leah nods her head.

'Yeah, I guess so.' Leah replies.

'They're getting such different experiences but they're all getting amazing experiences, Le. Bunny's travelled so much further than a lot of eight year olds, she's got to watch you lift a world cup and now tells everyone who listens that she can do whatever she wants when she grows up because you've made her believe that. Tilly has been able to step foot on more pitches at four years old than I think I had by the time I was called up for the senior team, she's also had the experiences of travelling. Yeah, Charley gets to have you home on a day-to-day basis, she gets to go on park trips and have that one-on-one time but you've given each of those three girls something so special.' Keira says causing Leah to smile slightly.

'I never really thought of it that way.' Leah replies softly.

'So how many are you guys planning on going for then? Recreating your own football team?' Keira asks causing Leah to smile.

'Mm... I just want to experience carrying just once, you know? Plus I feel like four is a nice round number to end on.' Leah replies.

****

'What are you doing home so early?' Leah asks smiling as Courtney quietly makes her way into the kitchen.

'Figured I may as well take a half day... We didn't have anything too important on today and I figured that we'd get everything organised for tomorrow quicker if I was home before the kids today.' Courtney replies wrapping her arms around Leah's waist from behind and resting her head on the blonde's shoulder.

'So I might have done something today...' Leah says quietly as she bites her bottom lip and glances at Courtney's reflection in the window.

'What've you done?' Courtney asks.

'I may have bought a toddler bed today for Charley... I'm not saying we need to transition her just now but I just think it'll be useful to have it in and it was on sale. It's cute, like the ones the girls had and I just think she's nearly two now and-' Leah begins to ramble causing Courtney to smile.

'Stop rambling at me, Le. It's probably coming up to the time when we need to look at transitioning her out of the cot, and our bed, so having her own bed in is a good idea.' Courtney says pressing a kiss to the blonde's shoulder causing her to smile.

'I thought you'd be annoyed that we hadn't spoke about it before I just went out and bought it.' Leah admits causing Courtney to shake her head.

'I love you and I trust your judgement, especially when it comes to our girls.' Courtney replies tightening her arms around Leah's waist.

'Can you believe our littlest love is going to be two in two weeks?' Leah asks and Courtney shakes her head.

'It's gone by so, so fast. I feel like it was just yesterday that she was finally placed in my arms after weeks and weeks of waiting.' Courtney replies loosening her arms to allow the blonde to turn around to face her. Draping her arms over Courtney's shoulders, Leah smiles and pulls the brunette closer to her.

'I love this little life that we've created.' Leah says softly.

'Mmm... So do I, bubs. So do I.' Courtney replies smiling.

****

'We had career day in school today.' Bunny says from the backseat causing Leah to smile as she glances over her shoulder.

'Did you? What was that about? Did you guys speak about all the wonderful things you can do with your life?' Leah asks and Bunny nods her head.

'We had to say what we wanted to do when we were grown up.' Bunny replies.

'Yeah? What did you say? Do you have an idea of what you want to be when you grow up?' Courtney asks from the driver's seat.

'A footballer.' Bunny replies grinning causing Courtney to smile.

'Of course you do.' Courtney says softly.

'One of the girls said that her mum said being a footballer is stupid and it's for boys and that people need to get proper jobs.' Bunny says.

'Did she now?' Leah asks watching Courtney bite her bottom lip to prevent herself from laughing at the blonde's expression.

'Uh-huh... But I just told her that my Lele is an amazing footballer and it is a proper job because you did it all of your life! I told her that you won the Euros and the World Cup and that is better than some of the boys who play football.' Bunny replies.

'That's my girl.' Leah says smiling as Courtney reaches over to squeeze the blonde's thigh.

'Do you think I could be a footballer when I'm bigger?' Bunny asks.

'I don't see why not. As long as it's something that you are still enjoying when you are bigger.' Courtney replies and Leah nods her head.

'As long as you stick in at training and keep doing your best then you can do anything you put your mind to.' Leah adds.

'I wanna be a princess, football hurts!' Tilly shouts from her carseat causing her parents to laugh.

'Okay, Tills... You most certainly are already a princess.' Courtney says. Resting her hand on top of Courtney's, Leah smiles as she glances into the backseat.

'Are you guys ready to go on holiday tomorrow?' Leah asks and both Tilly and Bunny nod their heads.

'Yeah!' They both squeal together.

'Mm... It'll be nice to get away for a few days.' Courtney says softly.