Little Things

Chapter 40

Sunday 12th February 2023

Leah POV:

The early morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden light across the room. As I stirred, the impending day tugging at the edges of my dreams. Beside me, Bella lay nestled in the covers, her breathing slow and steady. I watched her for a moment, the peace of the scene at odds with the turmoil in my heart.

Today was the day I left for the Arnold Clark Cup. Ten days away from Bella to captain the Lionesses. I'd been anticipating this moment with a mixture of excitement and dread. The honor of leading her team was immense, but the thought of being apart from Bella gnawed at her.

I slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake my girlfriend. Padding softly to the bathroom, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. The cool tiles under my feet grounded me, and I went through the motions of getting ready, each action methodical, almost meditative.

After dressing in my travel gear and double-checking my bags, I returned to the bedroom. Bella was awake now, propped up on one elbow, her hair a tangle of curls around her face. Her eyes were soft, but there was a hint of sadness in them.

"You're really going, huh?" Bella's voice was a whisper, thick with sleep and unspoken emotions.

I nodded, walking over to sit on the edge of the bed. "Yeah, I have to leave soon. The team's meeting at SGP in a couple of hours."

Bella reached out, taking my hand in hers. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too," I said, squeezing Bella's hand. "But it's just ten days. We'll video call every day, and before you know it, I'll be back home."

Bella nodded, though her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I know. I'm so proud of you, Leah. You're going to be amazing."

I felt a swell of emotion. "Thank you. Your support means everything to me."

We sat in silence for a moment, absorbing the weight of the separation to come. I finally leaned down, capturing Bella's lips in a slow, lingering kiss. It was a promise, a reassurance that despite the distance, our bond remained unbreakable.

When we broke apart, I stood and shouldered my bag. Bella got up too, wrapping a robe around herself. She followed me to the front door, where my taxi was already waiting.

"I'll call you when I get there," I said, turning to Bella one last time.

"Promise me you'll stay safe and take care of yourself," Bella said, her voice wavering slightly.

"I promise," I said firmly. "And you too. Take care of yourself."

With one final kiss and a tight embrace, I walked out the door and into the waiting taxi. I looked back through the window, seeing Bella standing on the doorstep, a small, brave smile on her face despite the tears now freely falling. I raised a hand in a final wave as the taxi pulled away.

As the city streets blurred past, I felt a mixture of emotions: the sadness of leaving Bella, the pride in her role as captain, and the determination to lead her team to victory. I also felt pressure; the first tournament since winning the Euros. The journey ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—no matter where I went, Bella's love was a constant presence, a guiding light that would see me through the challenges to come.

The drive to the training camp was uneventful, filled with the usual bustle of teammates greeting each other, sharing snacks, and catching up on the latest gossip. I found herself slipping into captain mode, checking in with everyone, making sure they were comfortable and ready for the days ahead.