The Captain's Heart

thirteen

note: just a short chapter tonight but we're leading up to the birth now so if there is anything in particular you'd like to see happen then please let me know.

****

17th December 2021 - thirty-five weeks and five days pregnant.

'How are you feeling? Are you ready for her to be here yet? To not be pregnant.' Keira asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Honestly? No. As much as there have been hard moments and stuff, I've really enjoyed being pregnant. I've enjoyed feeling her move and kick throughout the day. The thought of no longer having that makes me feel a little bit sad.' Leah admits.

'I must admit, as a mum I know you're going to absolutely smash it. I've never had any doubt about that but I wasn't sure how you'd deal with pregnancy. You're such a lover of plain foods and you love football so I just wasn't sure but you've been absolutely thriving, haven't you?' Keira says.

'I think I just- I don't know, it's strange. I've obviously missed playing football like I can't deny that but I have quite enjoyed just being. Learning to support the girls in different ways from off the pitch and just- I don't know. I have enjoyed pregnancy a lot more than I thought I would.' Leah replies smiling.

'Is it not weird? Knowing you've got an actual human inside of you?' Georgia asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Not really... I just find it so amazing that I'm growing a human. Like she's going to come out and she's going to be absolutely perfect and I'll have grown her? How amazing is that.' Leah replies and Georgia nods her head.

'I can't wait to meet her. Hopefully we'll be able to arrange a little trip when she's born so we don't need to wait too long to meet her.' Georgia says and Leah nods her head.

'Mm... I'm sure we'll be able to figure something out for you guys to meet her as soon as possible.' Leah replies softly.

'Are you prepared for her though? Do you have your bags and stuff all packed?' Keira asks and Leah shakes her head.

'No. I've got some bits I need to still pick up but I'll get round to that.' Leah replies shrugging her shoulders.

'We could go shopping today... While we're up here since we've not really had a chance to do any of that.' Georgia suggests.

'I mean if you guys want to but I don't want you to think we have to do baby related things.' Leah says.

'Oh no we absolutely want to.' Keira replies smiling.

****

'What are your plans for the birth then? Are you having your mum as your birthing partner?' Keira asks and Leah nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... My mum and Al are going to be there, as long as Al doesn't have anything on when I go into labour. My plans really are just to get her out as safely as possible. There are things I would prefer to happen like I'd like to be as medication free as possible and I'd like my music to be playing when she's born. I'm going into it with the thought of things can change so rapidly during birth that I don't want to be disappointed if they don't turn out the way I'm expecting, if that makes sense.' Leah replies.

'Have you made like a playlist and stuff then for labour?' Georgia asks.

'In the process of making it. I'm pretty much trying to go with the flow with it all.' Leah replies.

'What if Alex can't make it? Do you have someone else to step in?' Keira asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Nope, there's a few of the girls I've said can pop in and out if possible, like to let my mum away if she needs it or stuff but if Al can't make it as my birthing partner then it'll just be my mum.' Leah replies.

'Are you scared about the birth? I mean you hear horror stories, don't you?' Georgia asks.

'Not really... I mean I think I'm pretty prepared for it. I've done my research and I think I've prepared for pretty much every eventuality.' Leah replies shrugging her shoulders.

'Have your symptoms changed much now you're getting nearer the end?' Georgia asks.

'Not a whole ton over the past few weeks... I've definitely started having Braxton Hicks over the past week which is interesting to say the least. So many times I'm convinced she's coming and then she's just not.' Leah replies running her hand over her stomach.

'I still can't believe we're going to have a little niece...' Keira says grinning.

****

Her head rests on the pillow as she glances over at where Keira is curled up on her left side; after much debate between the three of them it was decided between Keira and Georgia that Keira would be most likely to sleep through Leah's regular trips to the bathroom and therefore should sleep in the bed.

'Thank you for coming to visit...' Leah says softly.

'Thank you for putting us up... I'm sorry I've not made it down more throughout your pregnancy.' Keira replies causing the blonde to shake her head.

'Don't be silly. I've always known you've only been a phonecall away. I mean we talk every day pretty much anyway.' Leah says shaking her head.

'I can't wait to come visit when she's here... You'll never get rid of me, I promise.' Keira replies causing Leah to smile.

'You'll be welcome here whenever you want.' Leah says.

'Do we get to meet Imogen while we're down here then?' Keira asks.

'Mm... I can invite her and a few of the girls over for dinner if you want but only if you promise not to be going on about anything. We literally are just friends, Keira.' Leah says and Keira nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... I promise I won't say anything. If you say you're just friends then I will take your word for it.' Keira replies.