The Captain's Heart

twenty-six

16th February 2022 - three weeks and three days old.

'Surprise!' The three women say in unison as she opens the front door.

'I uh- What are you guys doing here?' She asks, reaching up to wipe her tear stained cheeks.

'We had the day off... Figured we'd come visit, meet the baby. Are you busy? We can leave if you're busy.' Keira says and Leah immediately shakes her head.

'No, don't be silly... Come on in.' Leah replies. She gives each of them a hug as they make their way into the apartment before closing the door and following them through to the living room.

'Rory's just in the bedroom, let me grab her so you guys can have cuddles.' Leah says quietly.

'Hey, you okay?' Keira asks softly as she gently grabs hold of the blonde's arm.

'Mm... Just hormones.' Leah replies. Turning she makes her way through to the bedroom where she's spent the morning lying in bed with Rory feeling very sorry for herself.

'Are you ready to meet some more of your wonderful aunties, baby girl?' Leah says softly as she leans into the moses basket and lifts Rory into her arms. She makes the short walk back to the living room, smiling at the gasps as she walks through the door.

'She's so much tinier than she looks in pictures or videos.' Lucy says softly as both Keira and Georgia immediately rush towards the blonde.

'Mm... Everyone has been saying that.' Leah replies smiling as she gazes down at Rory.

'Who's up first for cuddles then?' Leah asks.

'You go.' Georgia replies nudging Keira who grins. She carefully takes the baby into her arms and immediately moves to sit down on the sofa.

'You look amazing for someone who gave birth less than a month ago... How are you feeling?' Lucy asks softly as she moves to hug the blonde who's eyes are fast becoming glassy with unshed tears.

'I'm okay.' Leah almost whispers, failing to fool anyone in the room even herself.

'What's going on? Do you wanna talk? Leave these two to fuss over the baby and we can grab a coffee, or a hot chocolate?' Lucy asks and Leah immediately shakes her head.

'I can't leave her.' Leah replies.

'Okay, so why don't we go through to the kitchen? I'll make us a drink and you can talk or vent or cry, whatever you need?' Lucy suggests causing the blonde to nod her head.

****

'So she just left and you've not heard from her since?' Lucy asks causing the blonde to sigh.

'Mm-hmm... She went to Steph's. I only know because Beth told me thought.' Leah replies.

'I mean that's really shitty. From what you've told me it seems like you two have been building on a relationship and now she's just left? Seems pretty shitty to me.' Lucy says.

'Beth said maybe she just got a shock, maybe she wasn't expecting me to say it.' Leah says.

'That is a possibility but we're on the next day now, Le. Surely she's got over that shock by now.' Lucy replies.

'I don't know what to do, Luce. I swore I would never get myself in this situation again yet here I am. I lied to Beth this morning... She didn't want me moping on my own so I told her I'd arranged to meet Al for lunch but I've just been moping in bed all morning. I haven't even spoken to Al.' Leah admits shaking her head.

'You're allowed to mope a bit, Le.' Lucy says gently squeezing the blonde's hand.

'I just don't know how to fix this.' Leah replies causing Lucy to sigh.

'Unfortunately I don't think this is something you can fix alone, Le. I think this is something you both have to want to fix and you both have to make the effort to fix.' Lucy says.

'So what do I do?' Leah asks.

'You'll need to wait until she's ready to talk unfortunately. You can't force her to talk if she's not ready.' Lucy replies.

****

'So what's it like? Having this tiny human who completely relies on you?' Georgia asks.

'At times, overwhelming but so worth every minute of it. I mean just look at her little face, who wouldn't want to be waking up to that.' Leah replies.

'Does she wake up a lot during the night or is she a good sleeper?' Keira asks.

'She is a good sleeper. She wakes up two or three times but that's to be expected, she is only tiny.' Leah replies and Keira nods her head.

'She's so perfect. Like an actual angel. Blows my mind that someone can produce something so perfect.' Keira says causing Lucy to laugh.

'Don't you be getting any ideas.' Lucy says.

'Oh God no... I'm quite happy to just hand her back.' Keira replies smiling. Their conversation is interrupted by a soft knock on the front door.

'You expecting someone?' Georgia asks glancing at Leah who shakes her head.

'Not that I'm aware of... Take her for a minute, will you?' Leah says standing up and passing Rory to Lucy. Making her way out into the hallway, she opens the front door to immediately be greeted by the dark-haired Aussie.

'Hi... Could uh- Would we be able to talk or are you busy?' Imogen asks causing the blonde to glance over her shoulder.

'Who is it, Le?' Keira shouts.

'I'm sorry. I can come back later or you can just message me when you have some time... I'm sorry.' Imogen says quietly as she turns to make her way back towards the elevator.

'Immy, you can come in. It's just Kei, G and Lucy. They'll have to be heading back to Manchester soon anyway so we can talk once they're away.' Leah replies.

'Are you sure?' Imogen asks and Leah nods her head.

'Positive.' The blonde replies.

****

'I'm sorry for springing the way I was feeling on you yesterday.' Leah says softly as she glances at Imogen who's sitting on the armchair with her knees pulled up to her chest. It hadn't taken long for Lucy to rush their return to Manchester when she realised who exactly was at the door.

'I'm sorry for leaving. It wasn't right for me to just leave like that and leave you here. I understand how hard it must've been for you to tell me how you were feeling.' Imogen replies and Leah shakes her head.

'I sprung my feeling on you without any warning and that wasn't fair. Not when you're already in a vulnerable headspace of being injured and stuff as well.' Leah says.

'I-I guess it did take me a bit by surprise and I just needed to process it and work out how I was feeling.' Imogen replies and Leah nods her head.

'I don't want to lose you as a friend, Ims. If you don't have the same feelings that's fine, I can put mine to the side. I just don't want to lose you out my life.' Leah says causing the brunette to sigh.

'I think I might feel the same though. I just- My past is messy, Le. There are so many bits of me that are just broken and I- Well I've never had this. Never let myself get into a proper relationship because giving myself to someone like that absolutely terrifies me. I don't know how to do this though.' Imogen admits.

'Things don't have to go any further than friends, Ims. If you want to just stick to friends then we can do that but if you decide that you do want something more then we go at your pace. There's no rush, no pressure.' Leah says.

'C-Could I have some time? Not space because I've missed you but I just need things to continue as they were for now. Not forever, just for now.' Imogen says and Leah nods her head.

'Of course. You can have all the time you need.' Leah replies.