A New Chapter

twenty-one

Week fifteen brought with it the delightfulness that is insomnia and breathlessness, along with another short hospital visit to receive fluids after a particularly bad bout of sickness. The breathlessness has probably been one of the symptoms that the blonde has struggled with the most, putting the sickness aside, going from being able to play football for ninety plus minutes to struggling to walk up stairs is a huge adjustment but one that she knows will be so worth it when she's got those two sweet babies in her arms. Resting her hand on her stomach, she can't help but smile as she glances over at Courtney who is in the driver's seat as they pull into a parking space.

'Ready to do some shopping for our little cubs?' Courtney asks softly causing the blonde to smile.

'So ready.' Leah replies smiling. Unfastening their seatbelts, they both get out the car and make their way into the shopping centre and straight to the large baby store to finally begin shopping for the twins. Courtney grabs a basket while intertwining her free hand with the blonde's as they slowly begin browsing all the products on sale.

'I don't know what to do about feeding them, Court... I know you breastfed both Bunny and Tilly, and I know you would've breastfed Charley if she hadn't been so early but I just don't know if that's for me... Especially with two of them.' Leah admits glancing at the brunette who smiles.

'You don't have to breastfeed, bubs. There's absolutely no pressure to be doing that... We can look at bottles and stuff today, if you want?' Courtney says causing the blonde to let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

'That sounds good.' Leah replies quietly.

'Look at me, Le... Your body is already going through a hell of a lot during this pregnancy, please do not put pressure on yourself to breastfeed if it's not what you want.' Courtney says and Leah nods her head as she gently squeezes the blonde's hand.

'Okay...' Leah says softly, a small smile on her face.

****

'Court...' Leah says causing the brunette to glance over her shoulder to find her wife standing holding up two tiny white fluffy dressing gowns.

'Bubs... They are incredibly cute but are we realistically going to use them?' Courtney asks causing the blonde to sigh.

'Look at them though. We could use them, after bathtime or even before bathtime... Maybe even just for snuggles?' Leah replies pouting slightly as she glances between the two dressing gowns.

'After bathtime they're going to be wrapped up snuggly in a towel and then straight into sleepsuits...' Courtney says.

'Okay.' Leah replies quietly as she turns to put the dressing gowns back where they came from. Taking a deep breath, Courtney sighs and shakes her head as she watches the blonde.

'Put them in the basket.' Courtney says causing the blonde to immediately spin on her feet.

'What?' Leah asks.

'Put them in the basket... You're right, they're very cute.' Courtney replies holding the basket out towards the blonde who grins. Making her way over, Leah immediately drops the dressing gowns into the basket.

'Okay... I think we've spent enough money today, don't you?' Courtney says and Leah nods her head.

'Mm-hmm...' Leah replies linking her arm through Courtney's and dropping her head to rest on the brunette's shoulder.

'Tired?' Courtney asks and Leah nods her head.

'Mm... And a tad nauseous.' Leah admits.

'Right let's get this stuff paid for then and we'll get you home.' Courtney says kissing the top of Leah's head.

'Do you mind if I wait outside? It's a bit warm in here.' Leah asks and Courtney shakes her head.

'You go, I got this.' Courtney replies.

****

'Tilly, what's in mama's belly?' Courtney asks smiling as Leah lies on the sofa with her hand resting on her stomach.

'A baby...' Tilly replies grinning.

'Not just one baby.' Courtney says and Tilly shakes her head.

'Two babies!' Tilly replies and Courtney smiles as she watches Leah's thumb gently rub circles against her stomach.

'Two more little babies for us to love.' Leah says softly.

'We're going to be such a busy house, aren't we?' Courtney asks and Leah smiles.

'We are but I wouldn't want it to be any other way.' Leah replies reaching her arms out as Charley attempts to climb up on the sofa with her.

'Grandpa is never going to be able to meet the babies...' Bunny says quietly.

'I know, sweetheart. He'll be watching over you all though and he'll be so proud.' Courtney replies softly as she moves closer to her eldest daughter.

'But it's not fair that they're not going to get to meet him.' Bunny almost whispers, her bottom lip wobbling causing tears to fill the brunette's eyes.

'Come here, baby girl.' Courtney says softly as she wraps her arms around the little girl.

'It's not fair that you're having to deal with losing Grandpa while you're still so young and I wish I could take all of this away and make it better.' Courtney continues as Bunny turns around and buries her head in Courtney's chest.

'W-What if I'm happy and sad at the same time? Does that mean I didn't really love Grandpa?' Bunny asks and Courtney shakes her head.

'Of course not... Grandpa would've wanted you to be happy. Mumma is happy and sad as well. We can be sad that we lost Grandpa but also happy about other things that are going on in our life.' Courtney says tightening her arms around her.

'I am sad.' Bunny mumbles and Courtney nods her head.

'I know, baby. So am I but we'll get through this together, all of us.' Courtney says glancing up at Leah who remains on the sofa with tears silently streaming down her cheeks as she cuddles Charley against her chest.

'Why don't we have a movie night together in the big bed? We can make some popcorn and have ice cream?' Courtney suggests and Bunny immediately nods her head.

'Please.' Bunny replies softly.

****

'Will we move them through to their own beds?' Courtney asks glancing in the middle of the bed where all three girls are fast asleep.

'I think they're fine where they are.' Leah replies and Courtney nods her head. Settling back against the pillows, she let's out a sigh as she feels the blonde stretching across the kids to rest her hand on top of her.

'You okay?' Leah asks softly watching as Courtney shrugs her shoulders.

'Honestly? I don't know but I will be. I've got you and our beautiful little family.' Courtney replies smiling slightly.

'I'm not quite sure we can call it little anymore, love.' Leah says causing Courtney to laugh quietly.

'Mm... Family of seven soon, how mad is that?' Courtney says.

'Absolutely insane.' Leah replies smiling.

'I love it though.' Courtney says.

'Mm... Me too. I love you.' Leah replies.

'I love you too, bubs.' Courtney says.

'Try get some sleep.' Leah almost whispers.

'You too... You've been shattered all day, maybe tonight you'll finally get a full night's sleep.' Courtney says.

'Yeah, maybe.' Leah replies.