The Captain's Heart

two

16th May 2021 - Five weeks pregnant.

The final whistle blows causing her to let out a sigh of relief as she begins to jog towards the tunnel back to the dressing room, completely bypassing numerous players along the way. Her team are celebrating; they've finished the game on a high with a 9-0 win over Crystal Palace. They got a win on what will be both Joe and Jill's last game but right now all she can think about is the churning of her stomach as she attempts to make it to the nearest bathroom.

'Leah...' Kim says softly as she reaches out to take hold of the blonde's arm causing her to immediately shake her head.

'I'm going to be sick.' Leah mumbles as she shakes the Scot's hand off and continues rushing in the direction of the nearest toilet. Tears immediately fill her eyes as she reaches the toilet and almost throws herself over the top of it, her body shuddering as she empties her stomach contents into the toilet. This is the first time she's thrown up but she's putting it down to the time she just spent running up and down the pitch, having being subbed on in the second half of the game.

'I've got you... You're okay.' She hears Kim say softly, the Scot bending down behind her and gently rubbing her back as she continues retching into the toilet bowl. She lets out a small groan as she finishes and leans back slightly causing Kim to gently squeeze her shoulders.

'Done?' Kim asks and the blonde nods her head. Her entire body aches as she leans back slightly and watches Kim grab a handful of toilet paper before using it to gently wipe Leah's mouth.

'You should have said if you weren't feeling great.' Kim says softly.

'I was fine until the last ten minutes...' Leah replies running her hand over her face.

'Stay here... I'm going to go grab you some water, okay?' Kim says and Leah nods her head.

****

'Where did you two disappear to at the end of the match?' Katie asks as Kim and Leah slowly make their way into the changing rooms where the girls are already beginning to get changed.

'We just needed a minute.' Kim replies causing the Irish defender to raise her eyebrows and glance between the pair.

'What's going on? Has something happened? Is there something we should be worried about?' Katie asks as Leah bites her bottom lip and glances around the room where everyone's attention seems to be on her and Kim now.

'It's nothing you need to worry about.' Kim replies.

'So something has happened then?' Katie asks causing the blonde to sigh.

'I'm pregnant... I left the pitch because I was going to be sick. Kim knew I was pregnant and came to make sure I was okay.' Leah replies as Lia immediately makes her way over to her side. The room is filled with a stunned silence as everyone attempts to process the news.

'Congratulations...' Beth says softly as she makes her way over and wraps her arms around Leah.

'Thank you.' Leah replies smiling as she rests her head on the blonde's shoulder. Slowly she's congratulated by each member of the team before finally Katie is standing in front of her.

'I'm sorry... I had no idea, if I had known I wouldn't have pushed.' Katie says.

'Don't worry about it. Like you said, you didn't know. It's still really early, I'm only five weeks.' Leah admits.

'I uh- I didn't realise you were with someone.' Katie says and Leah shakes her head.

'I'm not... I'm doing it on my own.' Leah replies glancing up to find everyone's attention on her again.

'I had a gynaecology appointment to do with my endometriosis and they just explained that the longer I left it, the more scar tissue that builds up then the harder I could find it to conceive when I wanted to... I've always wanted kids, always wanted to be a mum so I figured why not go it alone. I had some savings put by so I've used them.' Leah explains, her hand resting on her still flat stomach.

'Are you okay to still play? Like is that okay for you and the baby?' Viv asks causing Leah to smile.

'Mm-hmm... My doctor has said I'm completely fine to play as long as I'm feeling okay. Obviously there are precautions I am taking like not playing the entire ninety minutes today. During pre-season we'll reassess and see where we're at. Obviously I can't play the entire pregnancy.' Leah replies.

'Our first baby Gunner... How exciting!' Jen says grinning.

**** 

'Here you go, sweetheart.' David says as he places a plate of pasta down in front of his daughter.

'Oh...' Leah mumbles as she grabs her fork and begins to push the food around the plate.

'What's the matter? It's always been your favourite.' David says as he takes his own seat at the table.

'No, I know... Thank you.' Leah replies. Hesitantly she takes a couple of mouthfuls of the pasta, the sauce tasting sticky and bitter each time she swallows it.

'You don't have to eat it, Leah. I can make you something else.' David offers causing Leah to sigh as she places her fork back down on the plate.

'I just feel a bit queasy... Do you have any plain pasta left, without the sauce?' Leah asks and David nods his head.

'Queasiness kicked in already then? I remember when your mum was pregnant with you, it was all bland food and ice she wanted.' David says smiling as he takes the blonde's plate away and sets about making her a bowl of plain pasta.

'Mm-hmm... It's not overly bad. I mean I can deal with but it's definitely there.' Leah replies smiling as David places the new bowl of pasta down in front of her.

'Thank you.' Leah says softly.

'I still can't believe my baby girl is having a baby...' David says causing Leah to smile.

'The whole team knows now. I wasn't planning on telling them this early but I was sick after the game so Kim and I had disappeared and they knew something was going on... Poor Kim was like a rabbit caught in headlights.' Leah admits causing David to laugh.

'It's probably best they know, Leah. Means you have support there if you need it.' David replies and Leah nods her head.

'Yeah, it makes sense I guess.' Leah says shrugging her shoulders.

'How are you feeling aside from the feeling queasy? Have you got a date for your first scan? Do you have to wait until nearer twelve weeks like you do if you conceive without IVF?' David asks.

'Mm... I've got my first scan next week. They like to make sure that the embryo hasn't split and that it's in the right place.' Leah explains and David nods his head.

'How exciting... Does it feel real yet?' David asks. .

'Sometimes but I don't know. I think once I've had that first scan and I know what's going on in there it'll be fine. It'll feel more real because I'll have seen it on the screen.' Leah replies and David nods his head.

'It will.' David says smiling.