The Captain's Heart

thirty-five

note: I won't lie, I'm just making up the dates because despite looking everywhere I just couldn't find actual camp dates online for before the Euros. This also isn't my favourite chapter but I just couldn't get it the way I wanted it so apologises for that.

6th June 2022 - four months and fourteen days old.

It's a little after 4:30am when she wakes to the sound of the blonde stumbling out of the room, the door hitting off the wall harder than she anticipated. Rolling onto her back, she glances over at Rory who appears to be undisturbed by the noise before she pushes herself into a sitting position. A few minutes pass before she hears the unmistakable sound of the blonde throwing up causing her to climb out of bed and make her way through to the bathroom.

'Le... Le... Can I come in?' Imogen asks softly as she leans against the doorframe, her hand hovering over the handle waiting for the blonde's reply.

'N-No. I'm okay.' Leah almost whispers causing the brunette to sigh.

'I can hear you're not okay... Let me look after you; what do you need?' Imogen asks.

'Water... My medication.' Leah replies.

'Okay. Let me grab your water and medication. Is the medication in your bedside table?' Imogen asks.

'Mm-hmm...' Leah mumbles.

'Okay. I'll be right back.' Imogen says softly. She quietly makes her way around the house, grabbing a bottle of water and the blonde's medication before checking on Rory and making her way back to the bathroom.

'Le, can I come in babes? I've got your water and medication.' Imogen asks. She waits for the small murmur of approval from the blonde before slowly opening the bathroom door to find the blonde curled up on the bathroom floor.

'Oh Le...' Imogen says bending down next to the blonde who immediately shakes her head.

'I don't want you to see me like this... I-' Leah begins, letting out a small sigh as Rory's whimpers begin to filter through from the bedroom. Reaching down, she goes to push herself into a standing position as Imogen shakes her head.

'Let me get her?' Imogen says softly and Leah bites her bottom lip.

'A-Are you sure?' Leah asks.

'Mm-hmm... Let me settle her and I'll be back to you, okay?' Imogen replies.

****

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she keeps Rory cradled against her chest as she runs her hand down to blonde's cheek.

'I-I can phone Wally or Al...' Leah says quietly, her eyes closed as she holds a hot water bottle to her stomach.

'Do you not think that I can look after you, Le?' Imogen asks softly.

'Of course I do. I just- I don't want to scare you off.' Leah almost whispers and Imogen immediately feels her heart ache.

'No chance of that... I'm not going anywhere. Now why don't you let me go make Rory a bottle and then I'll get her all sorted for the morning?' Imogen says and the blonde nods her head. Leaning down, Imogen presses a soft kiss against her forehead before Leah opens her eyes in time to watch her leaving the room with Rory perched on her hip. She's been half expecting this flare-up ever since she picked up a concussion during a training session last week but this does feel much worse than she had anticipated. It's her first flare-up since having Rory and the first flare-up that Imogen has ever witness but to make it all worse, she's due in national camp in a few days and she's not even sure if she'll make it if things continue on the path they're on.

'You hungry? Fancy some toast?' Imogen asks popping her head around the bedroom door.

'No, I don't think I could even stomach anything right now.' Leah admits shaking her head.

'Okay. Well, why don't you try get some sleep? Rory is absolutely fine with me, I promise.' Imogen says and Leah nods her head.

'Immy...' Leah shouts causing Imogen to pop her head back into the room.

'Yeah? You okay?' Imogen asks.

'Yeah. I just- Thank you.' Leah says causing the brunette to smile.

'You've not got anything to thank me for, babes.' Imogen replies softly.

****

'What are you shouting at, little lady?' Imogen asks, a smile on her face as she glances over her shoulder at where Rory is sitting in her little supportive chair babbling away.

'I'm making some soup for your mama. You're too little for it though, maybe in a few months time, ey?' Imogen continues. She's got some Taylor Swift playing softly in the background as she chops up her vegetables for the soup. She's spent the morning alternating between making sure that Rory is fed, changed and entertained and also making sure that Leah's hot water bottle is still hot and that she's as comfortable as she can be.

'Your mumma is sleeping right now, little Roo... We're going to try let her sleep for as long as possible, aren't we?' Imogen says. She places the knife down on the worktop as Rory's babbles turn to whimpers. Making her way over, she loosens the straps and lifts Rory into her arms, the little girl immediately tucking her face into the brunette's neck.

'Were you just wanting a cuddle? Are you not happy that I'm not giving you all my attention?' Imogen asks gently swaying from side to side with the little girl in her arms. Life with Leah and Rory over the past few months has been beyond good; it's everything she could have ever dreamed of and more. They've managed to keep their relationship just between them for now and they're yet to put a label on what they are but she's so content with the direction they're going in.

****

'There's my girls...' Leah says smiling sleepily from her position in bed as Imogen makes her way into the bedroom with Rory perched on her hip.

'How you feeling, babes?' Imogen asks softly as she makes her way over to sit on the edge of the bed as Leah reaches her arms out for Rory.

'I'm okay. I'm still sore and nauseous but I just- What if I don't make it to the euros, Ims? What if this makes me miss out on my first proper tournament since having her when I've worked so hard to get back?' Leah asks quietly and Imogen can see the fear on her face.

'Babes, you can't think like that. This is just a blip, a shitty blip but you are going to get through this and you are going to be in the squad with that armband on.' Imogen replies smiling.

'What are your plans for the rest of the day?' Leah asks.

'Nothing planned. Just looking after you and little legs.' Imogen replies smiling.

'Do you want to snuggle and watch a movie? Roo will be going down for a sleep soon anyway.' Leah suggests and Imogen nods her head.

'She's probably due a feed.' Imogen says and Leah nods her head.

'Can you bring her bottle through so I can feed her?' Leah asks.

'Of course I can... You are her mumma. Let me go grab her bottle.' Imogen replies smiling. She makes her way through to the kitchen and grabs the bottle she was letting cool down before returning to the bedroom. They get settled in bed, Leah cradling Rory in her arms as she gives her the bottle while tucking herself into Imogen's side.

'I'm sorry about today... I just- I know you didn't sign up for this.' Leah says quietly.

'Firstly, you don't have to apologise for anything. Secondly, I didn't sign up for what? Looking after you when you're poorly? Looking after Rory when you're poorly? I knew when we got together that you had Rory, I knew when we got together that you were probably going to get unwell at some point because that is just life, isn't it? You'd do the exact same thing for me if I wasn't well, Le... It's just what you do when you love someone, isn't it?' Imogen replies pressing a kiss to the top of the blonde's head.