The Captain's Heart

thirty-four

24th April 2022 – thirteen weeks old.

'Why do I feel so nervous?' Leah almost whispers as she leans back into Imogen's arms causing the brunette to smile.

'It's your first game back in what? Nearly a year, Le. It's perfectly normal to be nervous about returning but you've got this. You're coming back stronger than ever.' Imogen says, pressing a kiss to the blonde's shoulder.

'I just-What if I'm not the same? Like what if I can't do it.' Leah asks and Imogen can hear the apprehension laced through her voice.

'It's going to feel strange initially, Le. The last time you were playing in a competitive game was May last year and even then you were very early pregnant... Coming back after growing and give birth to a whole baby is bound to make you feel different but whether you play five minutes or forty-five minutes, we're all so proud of you.' Imogen replies, her arms tightening around the blonde's waist.

'I just don't want to let anyone down.' Leah almost whispers.

'You're not going to let anyone down no matter what, Le. We all love you and we're all so proud of you... I'm in absolute awe of you. I mean you've been like super woman the way you've smashed your recovery and your training.' Imogen says. The past few weeks their relationship has definitely been going from strength to strength; Leah is very aware of the fact she doesn't want to put any  pressure on the brunette and is keeping things at a slow and steady pace.

'Is Roo coming with us or is your mum bringing her?' Imogen asks.

'My mum is bringing her.' Leah replies biting her bottom lip.

'You know the girls wouldn't mind her coming on the bus with us.' Imogen says and Leah nods her head.

'I know but I just- If she goes with my mum they can stop more than on the bus.' Leah replies quietly.

****

Her fingers tap against the window as she stares out at the cars that are passing by as they continue their journey towards Liverpool. They're an hour into their journey and she's already phoned her mum twice to check in on Rory. She glances up as she feels a hand settle on her thigh to find Imogen looking at her, concern written all over her face.

'I'm okay...' She says softly and Imogen nods her head.

'It's okay if you're not.' Imogen replies watching the blonde pout slightly.

'Come here...' Imogen says moving her arm so the blonde can tuck herself into her side.

'People will see.' Leah replies and Imogen shakes her head.

'I don't care. It's not like we're not close anyway.' Imogen replies draping her arm around the blonde and pulling her into her side.

'I know she's absolutely fine. I know my mum will let me know if there's anything wrong but I just-' Leah begins as she feels Imogen press a kiss to the top of her head.

'But she's your baby. It's perfectly normal to be worried about her especially when it's the first time you've left her.' Imogen says.

'I feel so guilty... She's still so little.' Leah admits and Imogen nods her head.

'I know she is but you're doing this for her as well... Think about how she's going to grow up knowing her mummy is this bad ass footballer.' Imogen replies.

'I'll be fine once I get there.' Leah says and Imogen nods her head.

'You'll be fine. You looking forward to your first minutes back on the pitch?' Imogen asks causing the blonde to smile.

'Mm-hmm... I'm nervous but I'm so beyond ready.' Leah replies.

'You'll do great. You've worked so hard to get back.' Imogen says smiling.

****

'You okay?' Steph asks softly as she sits down next to the brunette who smiles.

'Mm-hmm... Just thinking.' Imogen replies.

'About Le? I think she's gone to meet her mum to quickly see Rory.' Steph says causing the brunette to sigh.

'Is it that obvious?' Imogen asks quietly.

'Not to everyone but I've known you for a long time now, Imogen.' Steph replies gently squeezing the brunette's knee.

'We've been on a few dates... I really like her, Steph.' Imogen admits biting her bottom lip.

'Yeah? How's that going?' Steph asks.

'I uh- It's good. It's really good actually. I just don't want to get scared and push her away. I feel like for the first time, I've finally found somewhere I belong.' Imogen replies watching a smile appear on Steph's face.

'We can all see how happy you have been lately, Imogen... I've known for a while that there is something different about Le, you're different around her.' Steph says and Imogen nods her head. Her head drops to rest on Steph's shoulder as the older woman once again squeezes her knee.

'I'm here if you need to chat.' Steph adds.

****

'Is little legs coming home with us?' Beth asks grinning as Leah makes her way into the changing room with Rory cradled against her chest.

'Mm... If you guys don't mind? I just- I feel like I've been away from her for long enough today.' Leah admits. The game had finished with Arsenal being three goals up and Leah had been able to get a solid twenty-five minutes on the pitch.

'Of course we don't mind.' Kim says smiling as the blonde nods her head and makes her way over to her cubby. Sitting down, she keeps Rory cradled against her chest as she kisses the top of the baby's head.

'You okay?' Imogen asks softly as she takes a seat next to the blonde.

'Mm-hmm... I am now.' Leah replies causing the brunette to smile.

'Got your baby back.' Imogen says and Leah nods her head.

'Mum said she was absolutely fine on the journey here and she'll probably just sleep on the way home.' Leah replies.

'I think I might have messed up.' Imogen says quietly causing the blonde to look at her.

'What? How?' Leah asks.

'I told Steph we've been on a few dates. I just- I don't know why but it just came out and I just- I'm sorry.' Imogen mumbles.

'You've got nothing to apologise for, Ims. You can tell whoever you want, whenever you want. I've not told anyone because I know you don't want the whole team knowing yet but I don't mind if you want to speak to Steph about it.' Leah says.

'I just don't want you to think that I'm going about telling everyone when I've asked you not to.' Imogen replies.

'Honestly, I'm quite enjoying just having you all to myself. Not worrying about what other people are saying and stuff.' Leah says and Imogen nods her head.

'Me too... What are your plans for when we get back?' Imogen asks.

'Sleep... I'm shattered.' Leah admits.

'Oh... Okay.' Imogen says quietly.

'I mean, hopefully with you next to me.' Leah adds watching as a smile appears on Imogen's face.

'Yeah?' Imogen asks and Leah nods her head.

'Of course, only if you want to obviously.' Leah replies.

'Mm... I always sleep better next to you.' Imogen says softly.