The Captain's Heart

five

10th July 2021 - twelve weeks and six days pregnant.

Spreading out the pale yellow shredded tissue paper, Leah can't help but smile as she carefully begins to arrange the contents of the gift box; a bottle of her favourite wine with a customised 'welcome to your auntie era' label, a small baby vest with 'auntie's bestie' printed across the front and a couple of her latest ultrasound pictures set to the side. Closing the box, she places it on the coffee table just in time to hear the buzzer going signalling Alex's arrival. Making her way over, she greets her friend before buzzing her into the building and opening the front door.

'I feel like I've not seen you in ages!' Alex says grinning as she immediately wraps her arms around the blonde.

'I know... It's been a while, hasn't it?' Leah replies. They make their way into the house and through to the living room, Leah unable to keep the small smile on her face.

'Oh there's something on the table for you...' Leah says gesturing to the box.

'For me?' Alex asks and Leah nods her head.

'It's nothing fancy. Just seen it and thought of you.' Leah replies casually as she shrugs her shoulders.

'Can I open it just now?' Alex asks and Leah nods her head.

'Course... Go ahead.' Leah replies. She watches the other woman sit down on the sofa and pull the box closer to herself, allowing her to open it. Leah can see the confusion flashing across her best friend's face as she takes in the contents of the box before reaching in to pick up the ultrasound pictures.

'What's this? Who's is this?' Alex asks glancing over at where Leah is leaning against the kitchen doorframe, her eyes glassy with tears.

'Are you having a baby?' Alex asks quietly and immediately the blonde nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... I'm pregnant, Al.' Leah replies, her hand resting on her stomach which still shows no signs of the baby who is growing in there.

'What the fuck?' Alex asks, tears filling her eyes as she glances back down at the pictures before pushing herself into a standing position and making her way towards the blonde.

'Nearly thirteen weeks.' Leah replies smiling as Alex immediately wraps her in a tight embrace.

'I don't even know what to say... I know you had spoken about potentially doing it on your own but I didn't realise you were actually doing it.' Alex says.

'I didn't want to tell everyone in case it didn't work. The first round of IVF didn't work, this was my second go.' Leah explains and Alex nods her head.

****

'Have you started shopping yet?' Alex asks glancing at the blonde who has her legs stretched out over Alex's thighs as her hand rests on her stomach.

'Not yet. I only had my twelve week scan yesterday so I've not really had a chance to do any of that yet.' Leah replies smiling.

'I can't believe you're actually having a baby, Le... How mad is that? You're all grown up now.' Alex says causing Leah to laugh.

'I sometimes still can't believe I'm actually pregnant...' Leah replies.

'How have your symptoms been? Have you been sick?' Alex asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Not really... My symptoms haven't been that bad if I'm honest; I've been mainly tired and overly emotional. I was sick once, after the last game of the season but other than that I've just been feeling queasy in the morning until I've ate something.' Leah replies.

'What about a bump? Do you have a bump yet?' Alex asks causing Leah to reach down and raise her shirt slightly showing off her stomach which remains flat, although slightly less toned.

'Nope, nothing major yet.' Leah replies smiling.

'What does your mum think? Is she so excited?' Alex asks and Leah nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... She is dying to start shopping, so is my grandma actually. I can only imagine what this baby is going to end up with.' Leah replies causing Alex to laugh.

'Oh that's going to be one spoilt little baby you've got on your hands, isn't it?' Alex says and Leah nods her head.

'How far along are you again? Thirteen weeks? Do you think you'll find our what you're having? When can you find out?' Alex asks.

'I think around sixteen weeks? I've not quite decided if I want to find out yet. I like the idea of knowing to be able to decorate the nursery and pick a name but I also like the idea of having that surprise when I give birth.' Leah replies and Alex smiles.

'Suppose you've got plenty of time to think about it and make a decision.' Alex says.

****

'Le, wait until you see what I- Oh, hi Alex...' Amanda says smiling as she makes her way into the living room where Leah is sprawled out on the sofa, her legs stretched out across Alex who's feet are resting on the coffee table while some kind of documentary plays on the tv.

'Hi, Amanda.' Alex replies smiling.

'Hey, mum... What did you buy?' Leah asks.

'I'll show you later.' Amanda replies softly.

'Al knows mum, I told her earlier.' Leah says causing Amanda to grin.

'Oh okay then... Wait until you see these!' Amanda says placing her bags on the coffee table beside Alex's feet. The first item she pulls out the bag is a little star print sleepsuit with wished for and loved printed on it. The next item is a brown bear hooded towel followed by more neutral sleepsuits, a star print blanket and ending on a white sweatshirt with mummy you make my heart happy printed across the front.

'I got this in a bigger size, six to nine months I think because I figured they wouldn't wear this when they were tiny.' Amanda says causing Leah to smile.

'They are the sweetest... Thank you, mum.' Leah replies smiling as she moves herself to stand up and wrap her arms around the redhead.

'There were so many things I wanted to buy but I figured we've still got a while to go so I'll control myself for now.' Amanda says causing the blonde to laugh.

'I told you she was dying to start shopping.' Leah replies glancing at Alex who smiles.

'Are you going to be nana or grandma?' Alex asks.

'Nana, I think. I'm not 100% decided but I do think I am leaning towards nana.' Amanda replies smiling.

'Were you shocked when she told you?' Alex asks as Leah resumes her position on the sofa while Amanda sits on the armchair.

'Mm... So shocked. She had spoken to me before about potentially doing it on her own but I didn't know she'd actually decided to do it let alone started the process.' Alex admits.

'Yeah, I don't think many people knew she'd started it... You know Le, once she's set on something she just throws herself completely into it.' Amanda replies smiling.