The Captain's Heart

thirty-seven

31st July 2022 - six months and eight days old.

Her heart pounds as she glances round at the stands which remain packed with fans despite the game having finished and the trophy ceremony having taken place. Everything about today feels like a dream; she feels like she's currently functioning on pure adrenaline and joy. They've done the interviews, lifted the trophy and now the girls are all split off in little groups celebrating with the fans. She can't help but smile as she begins to make her way to the stand where she's knows all of their family and friends have been sat. As she's reaches the barrier, she smiles as she spots her mum making her way down with Rory perched on her hip. The little girl has on her own tiny England top with some little pink ear defenders.

'Hey, baby girl...' Leah says softly as Rory immediately leans towards her with her little arms outstretched.

'You did it... We're all so proud of you, Leah. Everyone wanted to come tell you how proud they are of you but I told them to wait until you've had some time.' Amanda says wrapping her arm around Leah.

'Thank you... I can't believe it. It feels like a dream.' Leah admits, glancing over her shoulder as the familiar opening notes of Sweet Caroline begins to play again and all the girls begin to gravitate towards each other.

'Go celebrate with the girls... We'll see you in a bit.' Amanda says putting her arms out for Rory causing Leah to shake her head.

'I'll take her with me...' Leah replies leaning forward to press a soft kiss to her mum's cheek.

'Love you, baba.' Amanda says quietly.

'Love you too.' Leah replies smiling. She adjusts Rory on her hip before turning and making her way towards the girls who are all lined up in front of the fans singing, their arms wrapped around each other. She slots herself in beside Millie who immediately wraps her arm around the blonde.

****

'I think someone's waiting to see you.' Beth says softly as she nudges the blonde before gesturing towards where Imogen is leaning against the wall just outside the dressing room.

'What?' Leah asks glancing around before her eyes settle on the brunette. A small smile appears on her face as she glances back at Beth who adjusts Rory on her hip.

'I've got her... On you go.' Beth says smiling.

'What are you doing here? I thought you were still back home?' Leah asks softly, her arms wrapping around the brunette's neck as Imogen pulls her closer to her by her waist.

'Did you really think I'd miss you smashing your first post-Rory tournament? Congratulations, my love... I'm so, so proud of you.' Imogen says. Glancing around, she sighs as she sees some of the girls still filtering in through the tunnel.

'What are you up to tonight? Will you come back and celebrate with us?' Leah asks and Imogen nods her head.

'If you want me there.' Imogen replies.

'Of course I want you there. I've missed you so much. So has Roo...' Leah says softly as she tucks her head into the crook of the brunette's neck.

'I've missed you too, both of you.' Imogen replies pressing a kiss to the top of the brunette's head.

'Where were you sitting? Who were you sitting with?' Leah asks.

'Katie, Caitlin, Jordan... Jordan was actually the one who convinced them to let me down here.' Imogen replies.

'Yeah? We'll need to thank her then... We're going to celebrate back at the hotel. My mum and that will be coming. I could introduce you, you could come with them? They'll be bringing Rory...' Leah suggests.

'I uh- I don't know. What would you introduce me as?' Imogen asks.

'Imogen... If I introduce you and ask them to bring you along to the celebrations they wint ask any questions, they'll know you're important to me and that's all that matters to them.' Leah replies.

'Yeah... Yeah, okay then.' Imogen says nodding her head.

****

Her eyes dart around the room as she attempts to locate her people. The bus journey was loud and energetic as everyone sang and celebrated their win but now they're here, having been guided into the breakfast room which has been decorated in celebration of their win. She finally finds where her family are all sitting at a table near Beth's family.

'So proud of you, sweetheart.' David says smiling as he wraps his arms around his daughter, followed by the rest of the family before Leah turns to face Imogen who has a sleepy Rory cradled in her arms.

'You okay?' Leah asks softly and Imogen nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... Your family are just amazing, Le.' Imogen replies smiling.

'I'm so glad you're here... This all just feels like such a dream.' Leah admits shaking her head as Imogen transfers Rory into the blonde's arms, smiling as the little girl immediately snuggles into her.

'I can take her up to bed soon.' Amanda says running her hand over the baby's cheek.

'It's okay; I'll take her up and settle her in a bit.' Leah replies.

'You not want to stay and celebrate? I don't mind having her with me.' Berny offers.

'I'm tired... I'm so tired. I'm just going to do what I have to do down here and head to bed.' Leah replies.

'You can stay with me if you like?' Leah says softly as she turns her attention back to the brunette who nods her head.

****

Does Your Mother Know blasts through the speakers as she makes her way back into the function room where 90% of the girls are out on the dance floor as their family and friends slowly make their way off the dance floor to give the girls a moment, their moment. She'd snuck off upstairs with Imogen to put Rory to bed before the blonde received a message from Keira telling her to get back downstairs in words she won't repeat.

'Ey! There she is!' Keira says running over and grabbing the blonde's hand before pulling her onto the dance floor.

'We thought you'd snuck off to bed.' Georgia shouts over the music.

'Mm... I had. Well I took Rory up to settle her for the night and figured I could just go to sleep while I was up there. I'm absolutely shattered.' Leah replies and Keira shakes her head.

'We just won the fucking Euros. You are not going to bed at this time, we have a whole ton of celebrating to do so get a drink down your neck and you'll be fine.' Keira says causing Georgia to laugh. They continue dancing to the music until she's pulled away by Mary who drags her over to the bar. The order their drinks and Mary drapes her arm over the blonde's shoulders with a smile on her face.

'Do you think this will ever sink in?' Mary asks and Leah immediately shakes her head.

'I hope not. I hope this feeling never sinks in.' Leah replies and Mary smiles.

'You're amazing, do you know that? I mean you gave birth what? Six months ago and you've just captained our nation to a home Euros win...' Mary says causing Leah to smile.

'Couldn't have done it without this team... You girls have made it so easy for me to come back, you've all embraced Rory and that definitely makes it all easier.' Leah replies.

'Is she your Mrs Right?' Mary asks softly as she nudges the blonde and glances in the direction of Imogen who is in deep conversation with Viv.

'Mm... I hope so. I really hope so. It's still early days but I just- I hope so.' Leah admits biting her bottom lip.