The Captain's Heart

thirty-three

4th April 2022 - ten weeks and one day.

'Oh wow... She's your double, Le.' Alex says softly as she gazes down at Rory who is fast asleep in her pram causing Leah to smile. She hasn't quite been cleared to play yet but Sarina has called her up for the current national team camp in a bid to boost morale going into the Euros and reintegrate the blonde back into the team with the hopes of her being fit for Euro selection.

'How old is she now?' Jill asks.

'She was ten weeks on Saturday.' Leah replies smiling.

'How are you guys doing? How is your recovery coming along? Is it hard?' Ellen asks, her hand resting on the blonde's arm.

'We're doing good, really good actually... I'm back on the pitch training now, not just in the gym anymore. Just getting my fitness back and hoping that I'll be cleared to get some minutes under my belt soon. It hasn't been easy but we've been muddling through.' Leah replies.

'Don't let her fool you, she's absolutely thriving on and off the pitch... Wouldn't think she'd ever been away. Le was born to be a mum.' Beth shouts from the opposite side of the room where she's sitting with Jordan, Millie and Rachel.

'Won't be long until it's you, ey?' Ellen says grinning as Demi makes her way over.

'Mm... I can't even imagine being the one to carry, give birth and the be at your first camp just over two months later... You're amazing.' Demi replies shaking her head as she hugs the blonde.

'Congratulations.' Demi adds causing Leah to smile.

'Thank you.' Leah replies softly as Rory immediately begins to whimper, her little arms stretching up as her face scrunches up causing Ellen and Alex to smile.

'My goodness, look at her.' Ellen says. Reaching into the pram, Leah smiles as she lifts Rory into her arms, the little girl immediately beginning to settle once she's cuddled against Leah's chest.

****

'Is everything okay?' Leah asks as Sarina sits down opposite her.

'Absolutely fine. I just wanted to check in with you and see how you're doing? How you and the little one are settling in?' Sarina says causing Leah to glance towards the pram which is just off to her left side.

'We're doing good, really good actually. Rory is absolutely loving all the attention she's getting from everyone... I know it was a huge risk you took calling me up when I haven't played any minutes yet so I hope you know just how grateful I am for that.' Leah replies.

'You bring so much more to this team than the minutes you spend out on the pitch... You are a natural leader which is the reason that I, along with the other girls, would love for you to be our captain. I know you're not cleared to be on the pitch and that's fine but when you are ready, I want you to be wearing that armband.' Sarina says causing Leah to gasp.

'I uh- Are you sure? Like really sure about this? What about Millie or Alex?' Leah asks.

'I've spoke to Millie and Alex and the other girls... They're all in agreement that you are our captain, if you'll have it that is. I've had the pleasure of watching you train a few times over the past few weeks and your determination and focus is like something I've never seen before, Leah. I have no doubt that you are going to be back stronger than ever.' Sarina replies.

'Thank you... I don't know what to say.' Leah replies shaking her head.

'I want you to know that there is still absolutely no pressure on you to be cleared. When you are ready, when your body is ready then the armband will be right here waiting for you.' Sarina says.

****

'I can't believe how big she's gotten.' Keira says softly as she lies in the middle of Leah's bed with Rory fast asleep on her chest.

'I know. She's still so tiny though; she's only just fitting into 0-3 months clothes.' Leah replies smiling.

'What did you get up to for your birthday? Anything exciting?' Keira asks and the blonde shakes her head as she drops down onto the bed beside her.

'Nope. I was at training all day and then we just had dinner.' Leah replies shrugging her shoulders.

'With your family?' Keira asks.

'Mm-hmm... Family and just a few of the girls.' Leah replies.

'First birthday as a mummy... How was that? Did your mum get you a little present from her?' Keira asks and Leah nods her head.

'Mm... She got one of my favourite pictures from the hospital framed so that's now pride of place above the sofa and then she got me this little 'a' necklace.' Leah replies causing Keira to smile.

'That's sweet.' Keira says.

'Some of the girls managed to sneak her off to get her handprint one day when I was at training, I'm thinking it was Wally's idea, so they put together this little frame and on one side it's a picture Beth took at training and the other is her hand print.' Leah replies.

'Oh that was nice of them. How is it with her at training? Are you still taking her in with you or is your mum or grandma having her?' Keira asks.

'She's still coming with me. I just- I still don't quite feel ready to leave her yet.' Leah admits.

'Suppose it'll take time for you to feel ready for that.' Keira says and Leah nods her head.

****

'So who was with you when she was born then? Was it just your mum?' Rachel asks glancing at the blonde before turning her attention back to the baby in her arms.

'Mum and Alex...' Leah replies.

'How long were you in labour for?' Millie asks.

'Things started happening on the 21st but I didn't realise I was in labour until the middle of the night and then she was born on the 23rd.' Leah replies.

'Was it as bad as they say?' Alex asks.

'I mean it wasn't easy or fun...' Leah begins.

'Don't let her kid you, she absolutely smashed it. Her mum and Al said they've never seen anything like it.' Beth says.

'I just did what I had to do... I knew if I had to go down the route of a section, I'd have no chance of making it back in time for the Euros... Although obviously if I had needed to for her safety then I would've.' Leah replies shrugging her shoulders.

'So is life all baby now or do you still get time to go out and be you? Still have a chance go find Mrs Right.' Mary says watching the blonde bite her bottom lip.

'Or have you already found Mrs Right?' Mary asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Life is pretty much all Roo at the moment. I've not left her yet so anywhere I go, she's there.' Leah replies.

'You've not answered the part about Mrs Right?' Mary says causing the blonde to sigh.

'Like I said, she's my little shadow everywhere I go. I'm literally either in the house or at training. No where else.' Leah replies.

'Mm... Not sure I'm buying your answer but I'll drop it.' Mary says raising her eyebrows slightly.

'If you've not left her, how does that work with training?' Ella asks.

'She just comes with me. Usually when we get there she'll be sleeping so I can get changed and get any gym work done. If she wakes up there's usually one of the girls that can take her for a walk or settle her.' Leah replies shrugging her shoulders.

'Sounds like you've got it down.' Rachel says.

'She does... Told you she's thriving.' Beth replies smiling.