The Captain's Heart

thirty-six

30th July 2022 - six months and seven days old.

She cradles Rory against her chest as she glances around the chill room. The girls are all split off in their own little groups, having their own conversations as she takes in her surroundings. Tomorrow marks what is probably the most important game of her career so far and she's not quite sure how she feels about that. Glancing down at the baby in her arms, she can't help but smile as she thinks back to the past few weeks. From their first game against Austria on the 6th of July until the semi-final against Sweden twenty days later, it's all just felt like it's meant to be. She can't quite shake the feeling that they're about to be part of history, like they're about to experience a huge change in the future of women's football.

'What's going on in that head of yours?' Lucy asks softly as she sits down next to the blonde who smiles and shakes her head.

'Just thinking about what a crazy six months it's been.' Leah admits.

'You've had the craziest six months, haven't ya? How are you feeling about it all, Le? I imagine that it could all be quite overwhelming?' Lucy asks and Leah nods her head.

'Mm... I think tournament wise I've just been trying to feel all the feelings and not push them away. It's mad to think what could be our reality this time tomorrow though.' Leah replies causing Lucy to smile.

'Leah Williamson, European Champion... Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?' Lucy says causing the blonde to laugh.

'So tell me, is a certain dark haired Aussie coming tomorrow?' Lucy asks.

'Mm-hmm... Foordy is coming with Katie apparently.' Leah replies causing Lucy to groan.

'You know that's not who I was talking about.' Lucy says raising her eyebrows at the blonde who smiles.

'Imogen isn't coming... She's still over visiting her family.' Leah replies.

'Are you still keeping your relationship on the quiet?' Lucy asks.

'Mm... Steph knows and I've spoke to Al about it but other than that no one knows anything.' Leah replies.

'Is there a reason why you guys are keeping it so quiet?' Lucy asks.

'Not in particular. She's not ready for the whole team to know and I'm okay with that... I don't want it to be awkward for Jordan either.' Leah replies.

'Isn't it hard though? Having to keep that side of your life from your friends?' Lucy asks and Leah shrugs her shoulders.

'We don't really hide much if I'm being honest. Even before we got together we were a bit touchy-feely. Cuddling and stuff so everyone just thinks its normal for us now.' Leah replies.

'Things are good between you guys though, yeah?' Lucy asks and Leah nods her head.

'Yeah. Things are great and she's so good with Roo... Before coming to camp I had a really bad flare-up that left me bed bound for like the entire day and I just- I wasn't worried that she couldn't look after Rory but babies are hard work and she can be so clingy but Ims just absolutely smashed it honestly. She just single-handedly looked after the both of us.' Leah replies causing Lucy to smile.

'You seem happy, really happy... It suits you, Le.' Lucy says softly.

****

'How you doing? Ready for tomorrow?' Alex asks smiling as she watches Leah gently rock the pram containing Rory who is very much fighting her sleep.

'Mm... As ready as I'll ever be, I think.' Leah replies nodding her head.

'It's crazy, isn't it? I mean obviously you come into these tournaments fully believing that we could make it to the final, that we could win but to actually be here. To be preparing for the final tomorrow when everything could change just feels insane.' Alex says and Leah nods her head.

'I just hope that no matter the outcome tomorrow that things change. That young girls can look at us, look at women footballers and think I could do that. I hope that she grows up knowing that she can do whatever she puts her mind to... I hope we change what options little girls have growing up.' Leah replies glancing in the pram at Rory.

'It feels like change is coming, doesn't it? The support we've had, the fans that have turned up to games... It's all just starting to feel that little bit different now than how it used to.' Alex says causing Leah to smile as she leans into to pop Rory's dummy into her mouth.

'I just want to leave behind a legacy, to make it easier for young girls to get in our position if that's what they want to do... I want this all to mean something.' Leah admits and Alex nods her head.

'It feels like more than just football now, doesn't it? It's a chance to make a difference, to make a change.' Alex says.

'Mm-hmm... One more game. Ninety minutes to change our lives.' Leah almost whispers as Alex wraps her arms tightly around her.

'Let's go out and smash it tomorrow... Time to lift a trophy and change our lives.' Alex says smiling as she tightly hugs the blonde.

****

'Hey, you... You look cosy.' Imogen says causing Leah to smile as she stares at the phone which is propped up against the pillows.

'Mm... What time is it there? Must be early.' Leah asks and Imogen nods her head.

'A little after 7.' Imogen replies.

'Why are you awake so early? You should still be sleeping.' Leah says.

'I wanted to speak to you because I know we won't get the chance tomorrow. I wanted to see how you're feeling?' Imogen replies causing Leah to smile.

'I'm okay. I don't think it's fully sunk in yet that we're in the final. Like it just feels like a dream, you know?' Leah says and Imogen nods her head.

'I'm so proud of you, Le. Having a baby and captaining your national team to a major tournament final in the space of six months is just insane. Like I know right now it's probably all just a bit overwhelming and it'll take some time for this all to sink in but I hope when it does that you realise just how amazing it is, how amazing you truly are. You're my champion no matter what happens tomorrow.' Imogen says smiling at the blonde.

'I miss you.' Leah almost whispers.

'I miss you too... So much but I'll be back soon. We've got a few days off together before I need to start pre-season. I was thinking, and feel free to say no if you don't want to, maybe we could try get a couple days away somewhere?' Imogen suggests.

'I'd like that, Ims... I'd really like that actually. We can speak about it when you're back and potentially look at booking something.' Leah says.

'Right, I'm gonna go and let you get some sleep before your big day tomorrow. I just wanted to check-in and see how you were doing and tell you just how proud I am of you. You've got this and I will be up watching some dodgy livestream, cheering you on. Forever proud of you, Le.' Imogen says causing Leah to smile.

'Thank you... Can I phone you tomorrow night at some point? When it's all done?' Leah asks and Imogen nods her head.

'Of course you can. You know you can phone me whenever.' Imogen replies smiling.