The Captain's Heart

twenty-seven

19th February 2022 - three weeks and six days old.

'Mum... Mum, can you come give me a hand please?' Leah shouts from where she's standing in the nursery with Rory cradled against her chest.

'What's going on?' Amanda asks making her way into the room, smiling as she sees the baby carrier strapped around the blonde's stomach as she holds Rory.

'I'm stuck. I don't know how to get her in this thing.' Leah replies. Making her way over, Amanda smiles as she grabs hold of one of the straps and stares down at it.

'Right, this should go over your shoulder like this and clip into here.' Amanda says as she pulls the strap over the blonde's shoulder.

'And then this strap goes on the opposite way.' Amanda adds fastening the final strap causing Leah to smile. She adjusts Rory's legs to ensure they're in a healthy hip position before smiling up at her mum.

'Thank you.' Leah says.

'Feel secure enough?' Amanda asks and Leah nods her head.

'Feels perfect... It'll just be good to be able to get things done without having to put her down when she's being clingy.' Leah replies and Amanda nods her head.

'Yeah, they're handy. Even if you're going for a walk but don't have to be taking the pram out with you.' Amanda says.

'So what are your plans for the rest of today then?' Amanda asks.

'We're going out for lunch with some of the girls which will be nice.' Leah replies.

'That's good. It's good that you're still getting out with the girls and stuff. Do you want me to have Rory for an hour or so?' Amanda asks and Leah immediately shakes her head.

'No, she can just come with me. I'm not ready to leave her yet.' Leah replies causing Amanda to smile.

****

'There they are.' Beth says smiling as Leah walks into the restaurant where Beth, Kim, Jen, Steph and Imogen are already all seated at a table.

'Sorry we're late... Roo decided to throw up all over us both just as we were about to walk out the door.' Leah says.

'Oh bless... She sleeping?' Steph asks and Leah glances down into the pram.

'She was until I got her out the car. You can get her out for a cuddle if you want.' Leah replies. Grinning, Steph immediately leans into the pram and lifts Rory into her arms as Leah takes a seat next to Imogen who smiles.

'How you doing?' Leah asks softly.

'I'm good... No crutches anymore.' Imogen replies causing the blonde to smile.

'Amazing. Physio going well then?' Leah asks and the Aussie nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... Tenderness is easing up, swelling is going down. Heading in the right direction.' Imogen replies. Despite their promise that they'd go back to the way things were, they haven't quite gotten there yet. Imogen has been stay with Steph and Dean while she's recovering and Leah has been avoiding going to the training centre at all costs.

'How have you been?' Imogen asks softly.

'I've been good. Just been seeing family, trying to catch up on sleep.' Leah replies and Imogen smiles.

'How's little legs been?' Imogen asks glancing at the baby who is cradled in Steph's arms.

'She's been good. She's getting so big though it's insane.' Leah replies smiling.

'Mm... I bet. I can't believe she's four weeks already.' Imogen says and Leah nods her head.

'Do you know what you're having?' Leah asks.

'Probably the waffles... You having your usual?' Imogen says.

'Probably. I'll have a look at the menu before I decide.' Leah replies smiling.

****

'So when are we going to get blessed with your presence at the training grounds again?' Beth asks glancing at Leah who is using one hand to cradle Rory while using the other to eat her lunch.

'Not sure. I thought I'd be wanting to come all the time once I was feeling up to it and don't get me wrong, I miss you guys but I'm also just trying to make the most of the time with her before I return to training.' Leah replies causing Kim to smile.

'There's no rush. We miss you as well but we understand that you want to spend as much time with the little one as possible, as you should.' Kim says and Leah nods her head.

'Yeah, I mean once I've had my six week appointment I'll hopefully be cleared for training and I'll be back then.' Leah replies.

'I can't believe she's four weeks already. I feel like it was just yesterday that you told us you were pregnant.' Jen says.

'I know. It's absolutely flying by, so it is. I can't believe how much she's changing already?' Leah replies shaking her head as Rory begins to whimper in her arms.

'Oh my goodness... Right, I'm right here, baby girl. I've got you.' Leah says softly as she places her fork down on the plate.

'Do you want me to take her for a bit? Let you finish eating? I'm done.' Imogen offers.

'You sure?' Leah asks and Imogen nods her head.

'Mm-hmm. Pass her here.' Imogen replies. Adjusting the baby in her arms, Leah passes her over to Imogen who immediately gently bounces her causing Leah to smile as Rory instantly begins to settle.

'Someone's got the magic touch.' Beth says smiling as Imogen glances down at Rory, a small smile on her face.

****

'How's things between you and Imogen? You seem okay?' Beth asks softly as she glances over to where the Aussie is sitting with Steph and Jen.

'Things are a bit strange. We said we'd just got back to how we were and I was fine with that but I just- I don't know. It feels a bit awkward at times.' Leah replies.

'Is that why you haven't come to see the girls?' Beth asks and Leah nods her head.

'I mean I have been making the most of my time before I return to training but there have been days where I've considered coming to training and then decided against it because I didn't want there to be an atmosphere.' Leah admits.

'Things seem to have been okay today though? There hasn't been an atmosphere at all.' Beth says and Leah nods her head.

'I know. I might come in next week and see you guys. I just- It's strange and I don't want it to be strange.' Leah replies.

'I'm sure it'll be fine. You guys just need some time to get past this but you will get past this.' Beth says gently squeezing her hand as Leah nods her head.

'I hope so... I really hope so.' Leah replies.