The Captain's Heart

twelve

30th November 2021 – thirty-three weeks and two days pregnant.

Tears stream down her cheeks as she makes her way into the canteen which was been decorated with pale pink and white balloons and banners. There's a pile of presents set up on one of the and a beautiful pale pink cake set up on another table alongside some other snacks.

'You guys... You didn't have to do all this for me.' Leah says shaking her head as she wipes her cheeks.

'You didn't think we were going to let you go without a little party, did you? We were going to do it later but it's been a tough time lately and we figured you needed a little pick me up.' Lia replies smiling as the blonde immediately turns to wrap her arms around her.

'Thank you.' Leah says softly. This week of pregnancy has probably been one of her hardest yet; she has experienced two trips to hospital as a result of reduced movements but thankfully baby girl is doing well but it's been such a mentally draining week.

'I almost skipped coming today.' Leah admits laughing slightly as she pulls back to look at the other girls who are all gathered.

'Yeah, we had a bit of a crisis meeting this morning.' Imogen says. Smiling, the blonde makes her way around each individual in the room to hug and thank them before subconsciously tucking herself into the Aussie's side.

'So we've done presents kind of between us all. You don't have to open them here, we understand how overwhelming that can be so you could just take them home but can we get you to open one here?' Beth asks and Leah nods her head. She's ushered towards an empty chair before the blonde brings over a neatly wrapped present with a pink bow stuck perfectly on top.

'Oh I don't get to choose which present I open?' Leah asks, a smile on her face as she sits the parcel on her lap.

'This is a special one.' Katie says. They watch as the blonde rips open the present to reveal a tiny little home kit.

'Oh my goodness...' Leah says smiling as she picks up the shirt to look at it.

'Turn it around.' Caitlin replies watching the blonde follow her direction before letting out a gasp. Printed across the back is mama with her number underneath.

'Now, unfortunately, they didn't seem to have any proper tiny sizes but she will grow into it.' Steph says.

'It's beyond perfect guys. I can't wait to hang this up in her nursery.' Leah replies smiling.

****

'You still trying to tell me they don't have feelings for each other?' Caitlin asks nudging Lia to look in the direction of where Leah's head has dropped to rest on Imogen's shoulder.

'Stop meddling, Cait. If they are meant to be together then they'll find their way there but we are not getting involved in this.' Lia replies shaking her head.

'Maybe they just need a push in the right direction though.' Caitlin says.

'No, Le's entire life is about to change in the next few weeks so why don't we let her focus on that and mind our own business... If they want to just be friends then let them be.' Lia replies.

'I agree with Wally on this one, Caitlin. Le is going through a major life change and Imogen has just gone through one by moving country and leaving everything she's known for years behind...' Steph says.

'Well I'm just saying if they never work out what's right in front of them, I'm blaming you two.' Caitlin says holding her hands up. She shrugs her shoulders before pushing herself off the sofa and making her way over to the buffet.

'I do think underlying there's something there, for Imogen anyway... Imogen has never been a touchy, affectionate person. I mean she is in her own way but never like this. It took her years to even hug me so the fact that she seems so comfortable, so quickly with Le is just amazing.' Steph admits and Lia nods her head.

'I think they just need to figure out their feelings on their own instead of us trying to meddle in it.' Lia says and Steph smiles.

'Oh absolutely. They need to be the ones to realise what's going on, however long that takes.' Steph replies.

****

'That us lost you for a bit then?' Kim says softly as she sits down next to the blonde.

'Mm... No, not completely. They've said that I can still come in as and when I'm feeling up to it just to keep my body moving and stuff leading up to the birth but only when I feel up to it because it is just getting so much harder.' Leah admits, her hand running over her stomach causing Kim to smile.

'It makes sense. You're so nearly at the end now, Le. It's understandable that working out is getting harder and you're more tired. You've nearly grown a full human.' Kim replies.

'It's crazy to think that she's nearly here. I mean I've got what seven-ish weeks left? How mad is that?' Leah says.

'Seven weeks... It'll fly by and she'll be here before you know it. I can't wait to finally meet her.' Kim says shaking her head.

'She's so lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing aunties.' Leah replies.

'Have you sorted a birth plan yet? Picked your birthing partners?' Kim asks and Leah nods her head.

'I've not got a set plan but I do have like a list of things that I'd like to happen if possible because I know that things can change so quickly during labour. I've asked my mum and Alex to be there, as long as Al is in the country of course. Depending on the length and intensity of the labour I'm not opposed to other people popping in and letting them pop out though.' Leah replies.

'It's good to have a bit of a plan and preferences in place.' Kim says.

****

'Hey...' Leah says smiling as her best friend's face pops up on the phone screen which is propped up against a glass on the coffee table.

'Hey, you... How you doing? How's my little niece getting on in there?' Keira asks.

'Doing good. She's hanging on in there thankfully... Although at training today they threw like a little mini baby shower for me with a buffet and some presents and stuff so that was nice.' Leah replies.

'Was today your last day?' Keira asks.

'Officially yeah but they've said I can pop in and use the facilities with the help of the physios and stuff on days that I'm feeling up to it just so I can keep my body moving and stuff but without any pressure to do it if I'm just feeling shit.' Leah replies.

'That's good then that you're not going to have that pressure on you though. You'll be able to just chill a bit and get things ready for little miss.' Keira says.

'Yeah, I mean her nursery is practically ready but it'll give me time to wash her clothes and stuff.' Leah replies.

'So I've been seeing a lot of a certain brunette on your stories...' Keira says raising her eyebrows at the blonde who smiles and bites her bottom lip.

'What's going on there?' Keira asks.

'Nothing. We're just friends.' Leah replies shrugging her shoulders.

'I mean I know you and that face doesn't look like someone who's just a friend.' Keira says causing the blonde to sigh.

'Keira, I promise Imogen is just a friend. I've got more important things to focus on right now and I promised myself that I'd never do the whole dating a teammate thing again so I'm not going there.' Leah replies shaking her head.

'It can work though. I get that it didn't work with Jordan and I know that broke your heart but it can work... Look at me and Luce, that's working perfectly.' Keira says.

'I'm just not wanting to do it again so I'm not gonna.' Leah replies.

'Well you still up for me and G coming to visit during winter break?' Keira asks.

'Absolutely... Counting down the days. I don't have a spare bed anymore though so we're going to need to bunk up between my bed and the sofa.' Leah admits.

'That's absolutely fine. We'll make it work.' Keira replies smiling.

'I can't wait to see you both.' Leah says softly.

'We can't wait to see you either.' Keira replies.