The Captain's Heart

thirty-one

13th March 2022 - seven weeks and one day.

Stretching her arms above her head, Leah can't help but smile as Imogen groans and buries her face further into the crook of the blonde's neck. Wrapping her arm around the brunette, Leah leans down to press a kiss to the top of Imogen's head as she glances over at the clock, which reads 9:04am.

'If you get any closer to me, you're going to be on top of you.' Leah says softly.

'Complaining?' Imogen asks, opening one eye to glance up at the blonde who shakes her head.

'Not in the slightest.' Leah replies, smiling as Imogen cuddles closer to her and her arms instinctively tighten around the brunette.

'What are your plans for today?' Imogen asks.

'I need to get a shop in because I'm running a bit low on everything, and then Rory's going to her first Arsenal game...' Leah replies, causing Imogen to gasp.

'Y-You're coming tonight?' Imogen asks, and Leah nods her head.

'I spoke with Jonas, and he said Roo and I could come on the bus with you guys... I miss watching you all play, so I figured why not bring Rory along for a game. Tonight's game isn't too far away, so I don't need to worry about her being stuck in the carseat for too long.' Leah replies causing Imogen to smile.

'It'll be so good to have you there... Who knows you're coming?' Imogen asks.

'Just Jonas, Wally and now you.' Leah replies smiling.

'The girls are going to be so excited when you two turn up.' Imogen says and Leah nods her head.

'Figured it would be a nice little surprise for everyone.' Leah replies.

'What time is it?' Imogen asks.

'Like just after nine... We have time. We don't have to worry about getting up for a little bit yet.' Leah replies softly.

****

'Are you gonna put Roo in her little shirt tonight?' Imogen asks, her legs swinging slightly as she sits on the edge of the counter watching Leah split the yoghurt into two bowls.

'No, I think with it being a late game, it'll just be too cold for her to have the shirt on even with a long sleeve bodysuit underneath... I'm going to put on that little fleece sleepsuit you bought her the other day.' Leah replies.

'Oh I didn't think about the weather. Are you bringing the pram? Can you get it in the stadium?' Imogen asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Jonas ordered to speak to them and see if I could take the pram in but I figured I'll just pop her in the carrier... She'll be warmer and I'll just feel better keeping her close to me.' Leah replies.

'That's true I suppose... Are you travelling with us?' Imogen asks.

'Mm-hmm... May as well instead of doing the trip on my own.' Leah replies.

'What fruit do you want?' Leah asks.

'Whatever you're having, except passionfruit.' Imogen replies.

'Do you not like passionfruit?' Leah asks beginning to arrange the assorted berries in the bowl.

'Nope, don't like passionfruit or kiwi.' Imogen replies shrugging her shoulders.

'That's good to know.' Leah replies glancing over her shoulder as Rory begins to whimper from her moses basket in the living room.

'Do you want me to grab her while you finish up?' Imogen asks and Leah nods her head.

'Please, if you don't mind.' Leah replies. She watches the brunette make her way through to the living room and immediately lifting the baby in her arms.

'Hey, Roo... What are you making all this fuss for, ey? Your mama's fed you and changed you. Do you just want a cuddle?' Imogen says softly as she adjusts the baby to cradle her against her chest.

****

'Room on the bus for two more?' Leah asks softly as she makes her way into the room where the rest of the team are all waiting for the bus to arrive.

'What the fuck? Are you coming, Le?' Katie asks from where she's sitting across the room.

'Mm-hmm... Thought it was about time Rory attended her first game.' Leah replies smiling as she glances down at the baby in the carseat.

'Ah little legs is coming!' Beth says grinning as she immediately rushes towards Leah.

'You can take her out if you want before we get on the bus.' Leah says placing the carseat down on the floor. Immediately Beth bends down to loosen the carseat straps and lifts Rory into her arms.

'Hey, little legs... Ready for your first game day experience?' Beth says softly as she cradles Rory in her arms and makes her way over to Steph.

'So glad you decided to come.' Lia says smiling as she wraps her arms around the blonde.

'Mm... I did go back and forth a little wondering if it would be too cold for her but I've got plenty of blankets and stuff.' Leah replies and Lia nods her head.

'You can always go inside if it gets too chilly although it doesn't seem too bad today... I'm sure it'll be fine.' Lia says and the blonde smiles.

'It'll be fun. It'll be good to be back with the team, watching a game... Prepare me for when I'm fully back.' Leah replies glancing over to where most of the girls are surrounding Rory who is now cradled against Katie's chest.

****

She gently bounces from side to side, Rory strapped to her chest with tiny little red ear defenders on, as she watches the game going on in front of her. They're currently in the twenty-eighth minute and Stina has just scored putting them one-nil up. Despite absolutely loving being back and taking in the gameday atmosphere with the girls, she's absolutely shattered and seriously wishing she'd picked a daytime game so she could be tucked up in bed right now with her girl.

'What are your plans for when you're actually back playing? Is your mum going to watch her?' Jen asks glancing at the blonde who shrugs her shoulders.

'Probably between my mum and my grandma.' Leah replies and Jen nods her head.

'I still find it crazy that you had a baby less than two months ago... I mean I know that we spent months waiting for arrival and stuff but I just- I don't know. It still feels so strange to me that you're a mum.' Jen says and Leah nods her head.

'Sometimes it still feels so strange to me. I think there's just this huge part of me that wanted this but I don't think I realised just how much I wanted it, does that make sense? I mean she literally completes me.' Leah replies smiling as she leans down and kisses the top of the little girl's head.

'You were made for this role, Le. Every since she arrived you've been absolutely glowing. You've just had this sparkle in your eyes and everyone can just tell that you were absolutely made to be a mumma.' Jen says softly.

****

'And it was enchanting to meet you. All I can say is I was enchanted to meet you. This night is sparkling, don't you let it go. I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home. I'll spend forever wondering if you knew, I was enchanted to meet you.'

Leaning against the doorframe, Leah can't help but smile as she watches Imogen gently rock from side to side with Rory in her armsas she sings softly while staring down at the baby in her arms. They'd gotten back from the game a little over an hour ago and she'd gone for a shower once Rory was settled in her moses basket and Imogen was lying in bed, only to be disturbed by the sounds of Rory's whimpers fifteen minutes into her shower.Watching the way that Rory almost instantly settles in Imogen's arms as the brunette sings softly makes her heart absolutely melt. Keeping the towel wrapped tightly around her body, she quietly makes her way back to the bathroom content with the fact that Rory is happy and safe with Imogen.