The Captain's Heart

ten

15th October 2021 - twenty-six weeks and five days pregnant.

'Hey, you...' Leah says smiling as she makes her way up behind the brunette and drapes her arms over her shoulders.

'Hey... How you doing? Looking as glowing as ever, I see.' Imogen replies glancing over her shoulder.

'I'm good... What are your plans for after training?' Leah asks causing Imogen to shrug her shoulders as the blonde moves to stand by her side, one arm draped around her shoulders.

'Don't think I have any plans.' Imogen replies shrugging her shoulders.

'Fancy a movie night? My place? Pizza, snacks, I can even throw in a bottle of wine for you?' Leah suggests.

'Mm... Sounds perfect. Can leave the bottle of wine though. Pizza and a movie sounds good.' Imogen replies watching as the blonde distances herself slightly as the others begin to filter into the changing room.

'See you at mine at 5-ish?' Leah asks and Imogen nods her head.

'5 sounds great.' Imogen replies. Movie nights at Leah's have become a regular occurrence over the past month or so, sometimes just the two of them and sometimes with some of the other girls. Nodding her head, Leah heads off to her cubby to start getting changed while Imogen bends down to tie her shoelaces.

'Happy birthday...' Caitlin says softly as she wraps her arms around Imogen causing the brunette to shake her head.

'Shh... I don't want a fuss. You know I don't like my birthday.' Imogen replies.

'Sorry... What are your plans for tonight? Please tell me you're not going to be on your own?' Caitlin asks and Imogen shakes her head.

'I'm having some pizza and a movie with Leah.' Imogen replies causing Caitlin to smile.

'Oh yeah?' Caitlin asks raising her eyebrows.

'Stop it! We're just friends.' Imogen replies.

'For now.' Caitlin says shaking her head as she makes her way back towards Lia.

****

'Hey... I'm sorry, I'm a little early but-' Imogen begins as she glances down at her watch causing the blonde to shake her head.

'Don't be silly. Come on in.' Leah says smiling as steps to the side to let the brunette make her way into the house.

'Just through to the living room.' Leah says and Imogen nods her head. Making her way into the room, she gasps as she takes in the way the room has been set up prior to her arrival. The room has been decorated with balloons in a range of different shades of pink along with a silver happy birthday balloon banner taped to the wall behind the sofa.

'Le, how did you- You remembered?' Imogen asks, tears filling her eyes as she glances over her shoulder at the blonde.

'Of course I remembered... I did think about arranging a team dinner and movie night but then I remembered that you said growing up you always hated being centre of attention on your birthday, so I figured if you didn't already have plans you might prefer just something like this.' Leah replies shrugging her shoulders. Smiling, Imogen immediately makes her way over to wrap her arms around the blonde.

'Thank you... I just- I don't even know what to say. You've gone to so much effort just for me.' Imogen says shaking her head as Leah tightens her arms around her.

'It's your first birthday here, Immy. I wanted it to be special and for you feel like we do care, even if you don't like anything too big.' Leah replies causing Imogen to smile and tilt her head back slightly.

'Immy?' Imogen says softly.

'Sorry... It just came out.' Leah replies causing Imogen to shake her head.

'It's okay. I like it.' Imogen says shrugging her shoulders.

****

'So what's it like with your dad and brother supporting Spurs then? Does that mean they don't come to games?' Imogen asks, her head resting on the arm of the sofa as she glances at the blonde who shakes her head.

'They do come to games when they can... I mean they're not there as often as my mum but they will come to games. It's certainly interesting. Jacob bought a tiny Spurs kit for her.' Leah replies running her hand over her stomach.

'Safe to say that went right in the bin.' Leah adds causing Imogen to laugh.

'Has she got an Arsenal kit yet?' Imogen asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Not yet. She has got a little Gunnersaurus and Beth bought her a bib that says born to be a gonner across the front.' Leah replies.

'Have you started decorating her nursery yet?' Imogen asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Not yet. Not even picked the paint out or anything yet.' Leah admits.

'Have you at least got the furniture ordered?' Imogen asks and Leah nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... Order that the other week with my mum. I just really need to pick a pram now.' Leah replies.

'You've still not picked your pram?' Imogen asks, disbelief written all over her face.

'I can't settle on one. I just don't know what one is going to be best and I don't want to pick the wrong one.' Leah replies shaking her head.

'I'm sure whatever one you pick will be the right one for you both, Leah.' Imogen says causing the blonde to sigh.

'I'm going back out next week with my mum and Wally so hopefully I can pick settle on one then.' Leah replies.

'Have you had a look online? Looked at the reviews of the ones you like before going back to see them again?' Imogen asks and Leah shakes her head.

'That might be an idea then. Give you an insight into what other people think of the prams.' Imogen suggests and Leah nods her head.

'Yeah, I might do that actually. That would probably be a really sensible idea.' Leah replies causing Imogen to laugh.

'Just need to use your brain Williamson.' Imogen says smiling.

****

'Did you feel that?' Leah asks, a smile on her face as Imogen immediately lifts her head from where it had subconsciously settled against the blonde's bump as she dozed off.

'Was that- Wow...' Imogen mumbles sleepily glancing between her hand and Leah who grins.

'Think baby girl was saying hello.' Leah says, reaching her hand up to cover her mouth as she yawns.

'I can't believe it's already so late... I'll get going and let you get to bed. You look shattered.' Imogen says glancing at her watch which reads 12:47am.

'It's late. Why don't you stay the night? I don't have a spare bed anymore but I'm sure we can figure something out. I can sleep here and you can have my bed.' Leah offers.

'Don't be silly... I'll take the sofa, you're pregnant. You can have your bed. Honestly, your sofa is so comfortable anyway.' Imogen says smiling.

'Sure?' Leah asks and Imogen nods her head.

'Positive... Go get yourself to bed, Le.' Imogen replies. Smiling the blonde leans over to wrap her arms around the brunette.

'Night, Imogen.' Leah says softly.

'Night, Le... Thank you for tonight. I've had the best time.' Imogen replies smiling.

'Mm... Couldn't not celebrate your birthday.' Leah says.