The Captain's Heart

nineteen

30th January 2022 - one week old.

'Hey, babes.' Leah says softly as she leans into the moses basket and lifts Rory into her arms as the little girl whimpers. Cradling the little girl against her chest, Leah makes her way through to the kitchen and grabs the freshly made bottle before getting settled on the sofa.

'Are you hungry? You slept good this morning, mumma even managed to get a shower.' Leah continues, a small smile on her face as she adjusts the baby and begins to feed her. Last night was their first night back in her apartment after leaving her mum's place and she'd definitely say it was successful. Reaching for the tv remote, she turns the tv on before settling back to continue feeding Rory.

'What are we going to get up to today, ey? Will we see if we can get out the house for a bit? Maybe go to the park or go for a roast at the pub?' Leah says smiling. When she decided to go down the route of having a baby on her own, it was moments like these she thought about the most. Being able to just spend a lazy morning chilling with her baby has been everything she spent the past four months dreaming of and the fact she can actually do this now is amazing.

'How are you already one whole week old, Roo... I feel like it was just yesterday you were growing in my belly and now you're here waking mumma up at all hours.' Leah says softly as she uses her free hand to run her finger down the baby's cheek.

****

'Hey, you... I was just phoning to see what you were up to today? If you fancied a visitor?' Alex asks causing Leah to smile as she holds the phone up to her ear with one hand and uses her free one to gently rock Rory's pram in an attempt to get the baby to sleep.

'Hey, Al... Rory and I were just getting ready to head out on a walk but we would love a visitor. We can always go for our walk tomorrow or later.' Leah replies.

'Well it'll take me some time to get to yours anyway so you can always still go your walk if you want? If you're still out when I get there I can just come meet you wherever you are.' Alex says.

'Yeah, that sounds like a good idea actually. You know I'm back at my place, right? Not at my mum's anymore?' Leah asks.

'Mm-hmm... I know your crazy self has decided that a week after giving birth you're ready to go it alone.' Alex replies causing the blonde to laugh. She knows her decision to move back to her apartment is one that has shocked a lot of people around her, something none of them have been slow about voicing, but she just felt so ready for it.

'We survived the night last night and I actually managed to shower this morning so I'd say I've made a pretty good decision.' Leah says hearing Alex chuckle softly on the other end of the line.

'Mm... I still think you're crazy. I'd be taking all the help I could get if I was you.' Alex replies.

'I have help, I just also have my own space and can work out my own little routine for me and Rory now with everything we need around us which just makes it that little bit easier than being at my mum's.' Leah says glancing in the pram at the sleeping baby.

'Well I'm gonna go so I can head to you, okay? I'll phone you when I get there?' Alex says.

'See you soon, Al.' Leah replies smiling.

****

'There's my girls.' Alex says smiling as she makes her way towards the blonde who's sitting at a table near the back of the cafe.

'Hey...' Leah says softly as she stands to hug the other woman while keeping Rory cradled against her chest.

'How was your walk?' Alex asks taking a seat next to her.

'It was good. I'm trying to get out for a little bit every day if it isn't too cold. Today's the first day I've gone on my own though.' Leah replies causing Alex to smile.

'Getting out is good, for both of you.' Alex says and Leah nods her head as she slides a coffee towards the other woman.

'Got this for you. Only came a couple minutes ago so should still be hot.' Leah replies.

'Oh thanks... So how have things been? You've clearly adjusted to having her pretty well. You looking forward to introducing her to all the girls?' Alex asks and Leah nods her head.

'I am. I'm looking forward to everyone getting back from international break so that I can take her in to meet everyone... I did go back and forth with the idea of taking her to St George's Park to meet the England girls but she's too little and it's just such a long drive.' Leah admits and Alex smiles.

'Yeah, it's a long drive. It's not long until the break is over, is it?' Alex asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Next Friday it ends so everyone will start coming back from then.' Leah replies smiling.

'At least you've had time to adjust before getting swarmed by everyone.' Alex says and Leah nods her head.

'Yeah, it's been nice to just be in my own little bubble with her.' Leah replies.

****

'Hey there, little lady...' Alex says softly as she lifts Rory out of the moses basket and glances at Leah, who is fast asleep, curled up on the sofa.

'Your mama's having a little snooze; will Auntie Al get you a bottle? Hmm, does that sound okay?' Alex continues as she makes her way through to the kitchen. They've been back at Leah's for a few hours now and the blonde fell asleep around twenty minutes ago.

'Do you know how lucky you are to have your mummy as your mumma? She's waited so, so long for you and went through so much to get you here, little lady. She loves you so much and she's going to give you the absolute best life.' Alex says smiling as she cradles Rory against her chest. She sets about beginning to make the bottle, just like Leah had shown her how to do earlier, all while gently rocking back and forth in an attempt to keep Rory's whimpers at bay. She makes the bottle up before clutching it in one hand and making her way back through to the living room just in time to watch Leah groan slightly as she runs her hand over her face.

'Al...' The blonde mumbles.

'Hey, sleepyhead. I've made her up a bottle; she was getting fussy and I remembered you saying she was due a feed around now.' Alex says softly as she sits down in the armchair.

'Oh thank you... Do you want me to take her?' Leah asks leaning up on her elbows.

'I can feed her. You can get some more sleep if you want? You were only out for around half an hour.' Alex offers.

'Are you sure? I don't want to just leave you with her?' Leah says quietly and Alex shakes her head.

'We're going to have a bottle then some snuggles, aren't we? We can handle mummy going to lie down for an hour or so.' Alex replies smiling down at the baby in her arms as she pops the bottle into her mouth.

'I promise we'll be fine.' Alex adds glancing up at the blonde.

'There's nappies and a change of clothes in that little caddy there... If you need me just wake me.' Leah says and Alex nods her head.

'I will. Go get your head down, Le. You look shattered.' Alex replies.

'Thank you.' Leah says softly.