A New Chapter

twenty-two

Week sixteen has been relatively non-eventful, much to the relief of both Leah and Courtney. There have been no major symptoms other than the ones she's already suffering with, and no hospital stays needed this week. Bunny has had her first session with a therapist who specialises in grief in childhood and this morning they'd attended their private scan to discover the sex of their unborn babies, something they'd gone back and forth over before decided to find out to bring them some joy during what has been a tough time for them all.

'I need a bigger car.' Leah blurts out, causing Courtney to turn her attention to the blonde.

'What?' Courtney asks.

'I'm going to need a bigger car for when the babies get here... Your car will be fine because Bunny and Tilly's carseats are fine right in the back, but my car only fits five, so I need to get a bigger car.' Leah replies.

'I mean, that was always going to be the case, bubs. We were always going to need to get you a new car.' Courtney says.

'I love my car.' Leah says quietly, turning her head to glance out the window.

'Are you crying?' Courtney asks, reaching over to rest her hand on the blonde's thigh.

'No... Maybe.' Leah sniffles as she reaches her hand up to wipe her cheeks.

'I fucking hate these hormones.' Leah says shaking her head as Courtney gently squeezes her thigh.

'They're no fun, are they?' Courtney replies and Leah shakes her head as her hand settles on top of Courtney's.

'You've not been too bad so far to be fair. I was an absolute emotional wreck, remember?' Courtney says, causing Leah to bite her bottom lip.

'Did I not tell you I spent a good half hour sobbing the other day over a video on tiktok?' Leah asks.

'What kind of video?' Courtney says causing the blonde to groan.

'One of me... Someone had made this video of like from when I made my debut for Arsenal then all my achievements, the Euros etc and then ended it with my biggest achievement... You and the girls.' Leah replies.

'Here I fucking go again.' Leah mumbles burying her face in her hands.

****

'So this is baby A.' Lia says holding up a little white gift bag with blue and pink tissue paper peaking out of the top.

'And this is baby B.' Lia continues holding up an identical bag.

'Okay... We're going to do it when the girls get home from school. Thank you so much for doing this, Wally.' Leah says and Lia shakes her head.

'Thank you for trusting me to do this.' Lia replies smiling. She places the bags on the table before immediately wrapping her arms around the blonde.

'I'd trust you with my life, Wally... You know that.' Leah says softly.

'Not to steal your thunder or anything but...' Lia begins causing the blonde's eyes to widen as she leans back to look at Lia.

'I'm not pregnant before you jump to that idea. We're getting a puppy, we actually pick her up tonight.' Lia says causing Leah to gasp.

'No way? What kind of puppy?' Leah asks.

'She's just a little spaniel. She'll be twelve weeks up.' Lia replies grinning.

'This is amazing! We can go on doggy walks together.' Leah says and Lia nods her head as they each take a seat on the sofa.

'Mm... Look at us. Whoever would've thought all those years ago that Mariona would be over here and we'd be getting a puppy together, you're on your way to having five whole little humans.' Lia says causing Leah to smile.

'I know. Us being all grown up now, who would've thought it.' Leah replies shaking her head.

'I'm so happy for you though, Le. I knew as soon as I met Courtney that you'd found your person. She's always been perfect for you.' Lia says and Leah nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... She's always been exactly what I needed, even when I didn't know it.' Leah replies smiling.

****

'So mumma and I were thinking, would you guys like to find out if you're getting new baby brothers or sisters?' Leah says causing Bunny to squeal as she immediately nods her head.

'Can we? Can we really?' Bunny asks glancing between Leah and Courtney.

'Mm-hmm... We went for a scan today to find out.' Courtney replies smiling.

'Do you know?' Bunny asks and Leah shakes her head.

'We're going to find out with you guys... The woman put it in a little envelope and we gave it to Auntie Wally who went and bought us either pink or blue teddies and put them in these bags.' Leah explains.

'So what we're going to do is Tilly is going to open one of the bags and see what is inside and Bunny is going to open one... Who's going to open baby A's?' Courtney asks.

'Tilly can.' Bunny replies.

'Firstly... What do you guys think?' Leah asks.

'Girls!' Tilly replies giggling.

'I think two girls but I would really like a brother.' Bunny admits.

'Well it could be one of each.' Courtney says smiling. She gently bounces Charley on her knee as she watches Leah pass Tilly the first bag. Immediately the little girl begins throwing out the tissue paper before squealing and pulling out a light pink bunny.

'A sister!' Tilly squeals.

'Another one to add to our girl squad.' Leah says smiling before passing the second back to Bunny. The eight-yeah-old is much more calm when pulling the tissues out of the bag. She closes her eyes before reaching in and pulling out the second bunny.

'Open your eyes, Bunbun.' Leah says softly. She watches the look on the little girl's face as she opens her eyes to be greeted by the blue bunny in her hand.

'A little brother.' She almost whispers and Leah nods her head.

'A baby brother.' Leah says, tears filling her eyes as her hand rests on her stomach.

****

'Are you happy?' Courtney asks causing the blonde to nod her head as they lie in bed.

'Mm-hmm... I would've been happy with any outcome to be fair.' Leah replies and Courtney smiles.

'Me too... So what are we thinking name-wise?' Courtney asks, her hand resting on Leah's stomach.

'I liked Teddy and Penny.' Leah admits.

'Mm... Our little Theodore and Penelope Williamson. I love it.' Courtney says.

'They go really well with the girls as well and I think it's just perfect.' Leah replies.

'Have we got our names then?' Courtney asks and Leah nods her head.

'I think we've got out names, love.' Leah replies smiling. Resting her hand on top of Courtney's, Leah can't help but smile as the reality of the past few months sinks in; she's actually pregnant. They're having twins and absolutely everything is going to change in so many ways over the next 5 months.

'You're quiet, you okay?' Courtney asks softly after a few minutes of quiet.

'Mm-hmm... Just happy.' Leah replies kissing the top of the brunette's head. Sliding her hand away from the blonde's, Courtney takes hold of the hem of Leah's t-shirt before glancing up at her who nods her head. She slides the t-shirt up to reveal the bump before leaning down to press her lips against the skin.

'I'm your mumma.' She says softly.

'We can't wait to hold you both in our arms and give you so much love but you need to stay in there growing big and strong for as long as you can, okay? Our little Teddy and Penny.' Courtney continues as tears fill Leah's eyes. She remembers doing this when Courtney was pregnant with both Tilly and Charley, using it to feel a bit more involved with something that, in reality, she wasn't very involved in. Reaching her hand down, Leah smiles and runs her fingers through her wife's hair.

'I love you.' Leah says.

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