The Captain's Heart

four

14th June 2021 - nine weeks and one day pregnant.

Taking a deep breath, Leah sighs as she lies back on the exercise mat beneath her as the playlist she picked plays in the background. Reaching her hand up, she quickly wipes the stray tears which have fallen from her eyes as she hears footsteps making their way towards her.

'Le, what's going on? What's happened?' Jen asks causing her to shake her head as she bites her bottom lip.

'Nothing, it's fine.' Leah replies quietly as the Scot sits down beside her.

'You clearly are not fine. What's going on? Is it the baby? Do you need me to grab someone from medical?' Jen asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Baby is fine... Well I think they are I just- I don't know. I just can't stop crying.' Leah admits shrugging her shoulders as she leans up on her elbows.

'Oh hormones hitting hard then?' Jen asks and Leah nods her head.

'They're brutal, Jen. I cried at a tv advert last night and by cried I mean I sat on the sofa just sobbing to the point I couldn't breathe...' Leah replies.

'How are you feeling otherwise? Still nauseous?' Jen asks and Leah shrugs her shoulders.

'I'm alright. It's really just the tiredness that I'm struggling with right now. I still get a bit queasy first thing in the morning but nothing I can't deal with.' Leah replies.

'Have you started shopping or anything yet? I know it's still early but some people start shopping now, don't they?' Jen asks.

'Mmm... I want to wait until I'm out of the first trimester, just to make sure that everything is okay.' Leah replies and Jen nods her head.

'That makes perfect sense. They do say after the first trimester is sort of a safe point, don't they?' Jen asks.

'Mm-hmm... Obviously things can still go wrong at any point but they're just less likely I think.' Leah replies.

****

'Have you thought about what you're going to do when the baby is here? Are you going to move back in with your mum for a bit?' Beth asks causing Leah to shrug her shoulders.

'Mum said I should for at least the first six weeks to allow myself some time to recover and get help if I need it but I think it'll be fine. I'm just going to see how the birth goes and we'll see how things go.' Leah replies.

'Suppose it does all just depend on how you're recovering and stuff, doesn't it?' Jen says and Leah nods her head.

'Yeah, exactly. I don't want to put any set plans in place, at least not this early anyway. I mean I think my mum would be quite happy if I permanently moved back home with the baby.' Leah replies smiling.

'Is she excited then? What about your grandma?' Beth asks watching Leah's thumb brush across her stomach.

'Mm... They're both so excited. I mean my mum did say she didn't think it would be me who made her a nana, she thought Jacob would be the first to have kids but they're so excited.' Leah replies.

'It's crazy to think you're actually going to be a mum.' Beth says shaking her head.

'You'll be the best wee mum though.' Jen adds and Beth nods her head.

'Absolutely and that baby is going to be surrounded by so many crazy aunties.' Beth says causing Leah to smile.

'Mm-hmm... Such a lucky little baby.' Leah replies softly.

'Have you thought about how much time you want to take off after having the baby?' Beth asks and Leah shrugs her shoulders.

'Like the staying with mum thing, I suppose that's something that'll come down to recovery... I would like to be back in time to get myself in contention for the Euros but if I need some more time then I need more time.' Leah replies and Jen nods her head.

'That sounds like a very sensible way of thinking.' Jen says smiling.

****

'I see pregnancy hasn't expanded your palate at all.' Jen says laughing as she watches Kim place a plate of potato smileys down in front of the blonde while the rest of them have a beautiful creamy pasta dish.

'Oh don't... These are literally all I want to eat right now.' Leah admits as Kim takes a seat next to her.

'So who have you told so far then?' Beth asks from opposite the blonde.

'Not a lot of people... My family, the team and then Keira, G and Lucy.' Leah replies.

'No Alex?' Kim asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Not yet... I wasn't really planning on telling everyone in the team until I reached twelve weeks. I feel bad not telling Al yet but I guess I just want to be past that safe point, you know?' Leah replies and the girls nod their heads.

'Alex will understand... It's not like you've told everyone but her.' Beth says and Leah nods her head.

'Yeah, I guess.' Leah replies softly.

'Are you excited to start shopping and stuff for the baby? Buying all the itty bitty clothes?' Beth asks and Leah smiles.

'Mm-hmm... I was clearing out my spare room the other day to make space for when I start buying and so that I can set up a nursery. I know they'll be in with me for at least the first while but I'll still need somewhere to put all their stuff.' Leah replies.

'If you need any help with anything, Le. Whether it be decorating or moving stuff, you know where we are. We're always happy to help out when and if you need it.' Jen offers causing the blonde to smile as she nods her head.

'I know... I'm so lucky to have you guys.' Leah replies.

****

'Do you think it'll take longer for you to get a proper bump because you're so used to working out and your muscles are like rock solid?' Beth asks causing Kim and Jen to laugh as Leah shrugs her shoulders.

'I'm not sure, Beth. I mean I wouldn't say my muscles are rock solid but I suppose they probably are a bit strong so maybe it'll take longer for it to make an appearance but I'm not one hundred percent sure.' Leah replies.

'It'll be so funny to see you with a proper bump I think.' Beth says and Leah nods her head.

'It'll be strange to have one, I think. At the moment, tiredness and raging hormones aside, I don't even really feel pregnant on a day to day basis so I think so suddenly look and feel pregnant will be strange.' Leah admits.

'It's good that you don't have many symptoms, isn't it? I mean you've barely thrown up or that.' Jen says and Leah nods her head.

'Only that once after the game. I still feel quite queasy in the morning but once I've had some toast I'm fine... I'm so grateful not to have had any really extreme symptoms though. I can't even imagine how tough that must be.' Leah replies.

'Hopefully the rest of the pregnancy and birth goes just as smoothly then, ey?' Kim says causing Leah to smile.

'Oh I hope so.' Leah replies.