The Captain's Heart

eleven

1st November 2021 - twenty-nine weeks and one day pregnant.

'What's going on with those two?' Jen asks quietly as she gestures towards Leah and Imogen who are standing by the newly built changing table giggling as the blonde holds up a pair of disposable underwear.

'Le keeps saying they're just friends, nothing more.' Lia replies.

'Imogen says the exact same thing when you ask her but I've never seen her like this before. They spend so much time together as well.' Caitlin says causing Beth to shake her head.

'Le's scared.' Beth says softly.

'Of Imogen?' Caitlin asks causing the blonde to sigh.

'Of another relationship ending the way her and Jordan did... She told me the other week that she'll never do the whole relationship with a teammate thing again because she's already lost Jordy as a friend and she doesn't want to lose anymore.' Beth explains.

'But she can't let that hold her back from something that could be so perfect for her, so perfect for both of them.' Caitlin says glancing back over at the pair to see Imogen's arm now swung over Leah's shoulders.

'But it is something she's going to need to work through on her own, Caitlin.' Beth replies and Lia nods her head.

'You seen how bad it was following the break-up, Caitlin. They've never really got that friendship back and I imagine that must be so hard. We could all see how much they cared, and still do care about each other even putting the actual relationship aside.' Lia says and Caitlin nods her head.

'I guess... I just- I think they'd be really good for each other.' Caitlin replies.

'I think what we also need to remember that Le is very pregnant right now. Her emotions will be all over the place as it is, maybe she just wants time to focus on the pregnancy before making the decision on whether or not she wants to pursue anything.' Beth says.

'Suppose.' Caitlin replies.

****

'Thank you guys for coming over to help put the nursery together. I'm so grateful for your help because honestly I probably wouldn't have got it done myself.' Leah says smiling as she glances around the girls who have all moved to the living room. Her dad had helped paint the nursery a nice pale pink and white last week and the girls have all helped Leah put together the furniture and also pretty much pack her hospital bag leaving her with two less things to worry about.

'No worries. What we on now? Ten week countdown yet?' Caitlin asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Not quite. Ten weeks and six weeks to go until she hopefully makes her arrival.' Leah replies smiling, her hand brushing across her stomach.

'Crazy to think that just over two months time you're going to have a whole baby.' Jen says and Leah nods her head.

'I know. I feel like this pregnancy has just flown by so much quicker than I ever anticipated.' Leah admits.

'Have you decided what you're going to do when she's born yet? Are you going to stay at your mum's or is she going to stay here for a couple of weeks?' Beth asks.

'I'm going to stay at mum's. She's made up my old bedroom and when she's born, she'll just come grab the moses basket and anything else I need and take it to hers... I think it'll just be easier to be at hers if recovery is bad and stuff.' Leah replies and Beth nods her head.

'Can we visit? When you're feeling up to it, of course?' Caitlin asks and Leah nods her head.

'Of course you can. Depending on the birth, I might take a few days to just settle back in at home before having people over but you guys will definitely be able to visit as soon as we're both settled.' Leah replies smiling.

****

'How you doing?' Leah asks softly as she sits down next to Beth who smiles.

'I'm okay. I really am, I mean I still have moments where everything feels like it's a bit much but I'm just focusing on football right now.' Beth replies and Leah nods her head.

'You know I'm always here if you need anything.' Leah says causing Beth to sigh.

'I know but I just- I know you're so busy with planning for the baby and everything so I don't want to put more on your plate.' Beth admits and Leah shakes her head.

'Don't be silly, Beth. No matter what is going on in my life, I will always have time for you and if you need anything, okay? Even if that's just a distraction movie night.' Leah says.

'How exciting that she's very nearly here?' Beth says softly causing Leah to smile.

'Mm-hmm... Here, let me see your hand and you can feel her moving.' Leah replies reaching her hand out. She guides Beth's hand towards her bump and places it firmly on the area where she can feel the baby moving the most. She can't help but grin as she watches the blonde's face light up as there is a particularly strong kick directly under her palm.

'Wow... How amazing is that?' Beth asks smiling.

'Not quite as amazing at 2am when she's using my bladder as a bouncy castle.' Leah replies causing Beth to laugh.

'Are you any closer to picking a name for her?' Beth asks and Leah shakes her head.'

'Not yet. I've kind of accepted that I'm just going to need to wait until she's here.' Leah replies glancing down at her stomach.

'Whatever you pick is going to be absolutely perfect.' Beth says smiling.

****

'Should we head?' Beth asks softly as she glances at Jen who nods her head. Lia and Caitlin left a little over an hour ago leaving just the four of them; Imogen and Leah are both passed out on the sofa, the blonde's head tucked into the aussie's side as Imogen's arm remains tightly around her.

'Mm-hmm... Do we wake them or?' Jen says and Beth shrugs her shoulders.

'I don't know. Part of me feels like we should wake them so Le can go get comfy in bed but then I look at them and look how comfy she looks, how happy and content she is?' Beth replies quietly.

'I'll make sure she gets up to bed.' Imogen mumbles sleepily, her eyes remaining closed as her thumb subconsciously rubs circles on the blonde's hip.

'Sorry, did we wake you? We didn't mean to wake you.' Jen says softly and Imogen shakes her head.

'It's alright... I'll make sure she gets up to bed.' Imogen replies and Jen nods her head.

'We'll put the keys through the letterbox. See you tomorrow.' Beth says quietly. They gather up their stuff before leaving and locking the front door behind them, posting the keys through the letterbox.

'Mmm... What time is it?' Leah asks sleepily as she feels Imogen's fingers gently running through her hair.

'A little before 1... Everyone has gone home; you should head up to your bed and get comfy.' Imogen replies.

'M'comfy here.' Leah mumbles.

'We can stay here but we at least need to move so you're properly lying down or you'll end up with a sore back.' Imogen says. She can't help but smile as she watches the sleepy blonde shimming slightly until she's lying flat out on the sofa and gesturing for the brunette to do the same.

'Comfy?' Leah asks tilting her head to glance up at Imogen's face.

'Mm... Are you?' Imogen replies and the defender nods her head. Dropping her back to rest on her chest, Leah smiles as she feels Imogen's fingers gently running through her hair and it's enough to send her back to sleep within minutes. If she was being honest, she's not comfortable in the slightest. Lying like this makes her feel a little squished but as the blonde sleeps peacefully against her chest, none of that seems to matter.