A New Chapter

thirty

Her fingers absentmindedly draw circles against her skin as she lies with her head resting on Courtney's knee. It's been around forty-five minutes since Keira left after spending the afternoon with them and becoming the first person to find out their news, something neither of them was expecting today.

'Maybe we could tell a couple of people.' Leah says quietly.

'We don't have to, bubs. I know you're still scared and I think that is a perfectly valid feeling to have. I'm scared as well and that's okay. We're allowed to be scared. If you want to keep this for just us until he's born then we will figure out a way to do that. I just want you to be comfortable, to feel safe.' Courtney replies.

'I just- I am scared, absolutely terrified. I'm scared that one day my waters are going to go and we're going to lose him as well. I'm scared that if we lose him then I won't survive it but I also, I know that if anything was to happen then we'd need our people around us just like we did with Teddy and Penny. So maybe it's time to tell a few people; my mum, Wally, Elle if you wanted.' Leah says and Courtney nods her head.

'But not the girls. I don't want to tell them yet.' Leah adds.

'Okay. That's absolutely fine. We don't need to tell the girl, they don't need to know just yet.' Courtney replies.

'I know you want to shop, and I'm okay with that, but I'm also just not ready for that step yet.' Leah admits and Courtney smiles slightly.

'We can wait. We don't have to do any shopping yet. We've got plenty of time to be doing that.' Courtney replies.

'I'm sorry if I've ever made you feel pressured to shop or tell people, that really wasn't what I wanted.' Courtney says running her fingers through the blonde's hair who shakes her head.

'It's okay. You weren't making me feel pressured, I think part of me just felt so angry that I couldn't bring myself to tell people or buy stuff for him.' Leah replies.

'We'll get there in the end. You'll get there in the end.' Courtney says softly.

'Who do you want to tell first? Will we start with your mum?' Courtney asks and Leah nods her head.

'We could pop round before we pick the girls up?' Leah suggests.

'If you think you're ready for it then absolutely.' Courtney says.

'Mm... As ready as I think I'll ever be.' Leah replies biting her bottom lip.

****

'Oh hello, bubba... Wasn't expecting you guys.' Amanda says smiling as she hugs the blonde in front of her.

'Hi, mum... Just thought we'd pop in for a visit before we pick the girls up.' Leah replies softly as Amanda moves on to hug Courtney. They make their way through to the living room and Leah immediately slides her hand into Courtney's as they sit down on the sofa.

'Do you guys want something to drink?' Amanda asks and Leah shakes her head.

'In a minute I just- Can we talk to you?' Leah asks and Amanda nods her head.

'Of course you can...' Amanda replies taking a seat opposite of them. Taking a deep breath, Leah smiles slightly as she feels Courtney gently squeeze her hand as Amanda watches on, a small smile on her face.

'So I guess I just- I don't really know how to say this so I'm going to just blurt it out and you just need to deal with it okay?' Leah says and Amanda nods her head.

'I'm pregnant.' Leah says, watching the smile on Amanda's face grow.

'Twenty-two weeks pregnant to be precise.' Courtney adds and Amanda nods her head as she stands up and makes her way over to the couple.

'Congratulations.' Amanda says wrapping her arms around Leah as the blonde rises to her feet.

'Why do you not sound surprised?' Leah asks leaning into her mum's embrace as Amanda laughs slightly.

'Because I'm not. I'm your mum, bubba... I've known you were pregnant for weeks now, I was just waiting until you guys felt comfortable telling me.' Amanda replies.

'How? How did you know?' Leah asks tightening her arms around her mum.

'Just little things... You went MIA for like nearly three months again, I'm assuming the hyperemesis made an appearance again? You've been wearing all the baggy clothes although when you came for dinner the other night your hand was constantly resting on your stomach.' Amanda replies smiling as she unwraps one arm from around her daughter and pulls Courtney into the embrace.

'No one knows, well Keira knows because she came to surprise me today and I just had a vest top on and it's pretty obvious.' Leah says softly.

'How have you been feeling, bubba? How are you both doing?' Amanda asks as they all separate and take their seats again.

'It's been hard. Symptom-wise, it's fine. I've had the hyperemesis but we got that under control. I just- Emotionally it's been hard. Harder than I actually ever could've imagined. I thought when I got past the point of losing the twins then I'd be okay with telling people and things but I've really not been... I think had Keira not found out then I don't know when I really would've told you.' Leah admits.

'Most people will understand though, Le. I've said this to you; this is all at your pace because at the end of the day physically, you're the one carrying this baby and you're the one who physically lost the twins.' Courtney says gently squeezing the blonde's hand and Leah nods her head.

'But we're slowly working through it.' Leah replies.

'Do you know what you're having? Have you found that out? Obviously if you don't want to tell me that's fine.' Amanda asks and Leah nods her head.

'A little boy.' Leah replies softly.

'Oh my...' Amanda says.

'We're due September 15th.' Courtney replies.

****

'Auntie Keira and Riley are home for a little bit... Mum and I were thinking that we could have a barbecue this weekend and have them over and maybe some of the other girls? They don't have a game this weekend so some of them will be free, maybe Wally and Mariona.' Leah suggests.

'That sounds fun.' Bunny says and Leah nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... How was school?' Leah asks as the little girl slips her hand into Leah's while Leah's free hand holds tightly onto Beau's lead.

'It was good. We've got a football tournament coming up.' Bunny replies.

'You do? That's amazing, Buns. Are you wanting to take part?' Leah asks and Bunny nods her head.

'Miss Mitchell said she doesn't understand why I wouldn't be picked to take part because I'm very good.' Bunny replies causing Leah to smile.

'I'm so proud of you, Bunny. I know it can be hard when you miss things with your friends because you've got football training and stuff... You know that if it ever becomes something you don't want to do you don't have to. Mum and I will still always be so proud of you, no matter what.' Leah says and Bunny nods her head.

'I love football. It makes me happy.' Bunny replies shrugging her shoulders.

'I know but if it ever doesn't then you can let us know.' Leah says.

'I know.' Bunny replies.

'What do your friends think about you playing football?' Leah asks.

'Max said it's so cool that I get to wear an Arsenal shirt and that one of my mum's is a legend of the game.' Bunny replies grinning causing Leah to laugh. It's been six months since Bunny became part of the Arsenal academy, something that she is absolutely loving every minute of and Leah is secretly loving as well.

'I love you.' Leah says softly.

'To the moon.' Bunny says grinning.

'And all the way back again.' Leah replies.

note: so there are approximately 10 chapters left of this story and then that's that. Well 9 chapters and an epilogue. I do have a vague idea for a new story but I'm not 100% decided on it.