The Captain's Heart

twenty-four

11th February 2022 – nineteen days old.

'Ready to meet the crazy bunch?' Imogen says softly, a small smile on her face as she watches Leah lift Rory out of her carseat and into her arms.

'Been a long time coming, hasn't it? I can't believe she's nearly three weeks old and she's literally only met a handful of the girls.' Leah replies shaking her head as she gently rocks the little girl in an attempt to ensure she's properly settled before putting her in her pram.

'The joy of international break I guess... Although at least it means you had time to recover and weren't swarmed with everyone wanting to visit you both as soon as you got home.' Imogen says and Leah nods her head as she leans down to place Rory in the pram. She tucks a blanket around the baby's tiny body before turning her attention back to Imogen.

'I know. Gave me some time to just breathe I suppose before all the craziness.' Leah replies smiling. She reaches into the car and grabs the changing bag before fastening it onto the pram. She's timed the trip to coincide with the brunette's appointment to speak about arranging her physio and to get her foot checked by the Arsenal medics, and also with the girls being on lunch meaning that she won't be disturbing any of their training.

'Ready to go?' Leah asks locking the car and glancing back up at the Aussie.

'Mm-hmm...' Imogen replies as they begin making their way towards the entrance of the training centre.

'Sorry... I feel like you'd probably have been a whole lot quicker if I wasn't here.' Imogen says causing Leah to shake her head as they get closer to the entrance.

'Don't be silly, Ims. We're happy just to take our time, aren't we Roo?' Leah replies smiling.

****

'Ready for the chaos, Roo? I'm sure you probably heard all the commotion from inside when mum was here, ey?' Leah says softly. She can't help but smile as she hears the girls laughing and joking in the canteen behind the double doors in front of her; she'd walked Imogen to the physio room before making her way to the canteen. She enters the canteen backwards as she opens the door and attempts to manoeuvre the pram inside, smiling as she hears the audible gasps coming from behind her.

'Let me grab the door for you...' Lia says immediately rushing over to the blonde and grabbing hold of the door.

'Thanks, Wally...' Leah replies smiling. She turns around to see the girls all staring at her, complete shock on their faces; she hadn't told anyone she was coming in today, opting to just see how her morning went so that she wasn't disappointing anyone if she just dropped Imogen off and went home. Within seconds, the squad are instantly swarming both her and the pram containing Rory causing her to take a deep breath.

'Okay, why don't we all just take a step back and give Le a chance to breathe.' Lia suggests causing Leah to smile slightly.

'How are you doing? How fantastic do you look? Come have a seat.' Jen says gesturing for Leah to make her way over to a table.

'I'm good. We were bringing Imogen in for her appointment and figured we'd pop in and say hello, didn't we? See everyone we've not seen yet.' Leah replies smiling.

'I can't believe you had a baby less than three weeks ago, Leah. I mean how on earth do you look so amazing?' Steph says shaking her head as Leah lowers herself down onto the chair.

'Right, who's first up for cuddles then?' Leah asks softly causing everyone to glance at Lia who immediately holds her hands up.

'I have had plenty of cuddles, I'll give someone else a shot.' Lia replies smiling.

'Can I have a cuddle?' Katie asks, her strong Irish accent softer than usual as she smiles down at the baby in the pram.

'Of course. Are you comfortable picking her up or do you want me to?' Leah asks.

'I can, if that's alright.' Katie says and Leah nods her head. She can't help but smile as she watches Katie lean into the pram and slowly lift the newborn into her arms.

'Wow... She's so perfect.' Katie almost whispers.

****

'So how's things going with Imogen staying at yours?' Beth asks quietly as she glances up at Leah who has Rory cradled against her chest. They're position slightly away from the rest of the girls who have had their Rory cuddles and have gone back to eating lunch before they have to return to training.

'Things have been good. I just didn't want her to be on her own when she was injured and struggling, you know?' Leah replies and Beth nods her head.

'Yeah, it was nice. Especially when you've got so much going on yourself with little legs there.' Beth says and Leah shrugs her shoulders.

'It's been good having the company, and having her there to just keep an eye on Rory for when I'm showering and stuff.' Leah replies causing Beth to smile.

'You seem happy... Content.' Beth says and Leah nods her head.

'I am... I think- In fact, never mind.' Leah says shaking her head.

'What? You can talk to me, you know?' Beth says causing the blonde to sigh as she bites her bottom lip. Glancing down at Rory, Leah takes a deep breath before glancing back up at the blonde beside her.

'Do you think you might be developing feelings for Imogen?' Beth asks softly.

'I don't know.' Leah admits causing Beth to reach over to gently squeeze her hand.

'It's okay if you are, Le. You two have been spending so much time together and it's natural that feelings could have developed there.' Beth says causing the blonde to sigh.

'The thought of falling for someone, of loving someone like that again absolutely terrifies me.' Leah admits.

'I know it does but please don't let what happened with Jordan stop you from experiencing what could turn out to be the best relationship of your life. You and Jords just grew apart, you were young when you got with her and people change as they get older.' Beth says.

'What if it's just the hormones making me feel like this though?' Leah asks.

'Tell me how you feel, Le? When you look at Imogen, what do you feel?' Beth says.

'Happy... The other morning I woke up and she was like sprawled over her side of the bed with her arm thrown over my stomach and for the first time in years I felt like a giddy teenager, Beth. I had butterflies.' Leah replies causing the blonde to smile.

'I watch her with Rory and my heart actual melts. I just- She's perfect.' Leah adds.

'Then I think you need to tell her, Le.' Beth says softly.

'What if she doesn't feel the same?' Leah asks quietly.

'I've seen the way she looks at you, Le. There is no doubt in my mind that she is feeling the exact same way.' Beth replies gently squeezing the blonde's hand.