The Captain's Heart

thirty-nine

note: just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who's reached out over Imogen's background. I have decided that I'm going to keep it the same as that's who the character is in my head, that's why she is the way she is and why she's so closed off from most people.

So going forward I'm going to introduce a trigger warning for an abusive situation and abuse during childhood. There won't be any extemely detailed talk about it, but it will be mentioned at different points throughout the story but I will put warnings at the beginning of the chapters that are mentioned. If anyone is struggling and would rather not have it, feel free to reach out on Tumblr (username the same just with a – instead of the _ ) and I can send the chapters with those sections taken out.

6th August 2022 – six months and nine days old.

Propping herself up on her elbow, Leah can't help but smile as she peers over into the travel cot where Rory is fast asleep, her little arm thrown over her face as her little chest rises and falls at a steady pace.

'She still sleeping?' Imogen asks sleepily causing Leah to glance in the brunette's direction.

'Mm-hmm... Out for the count. You ready to do some exploring today?' Leah asks rolling onto her stomach and smiling as the brunette reaches down to tuck some hair behind her ear.

'I'm excited to see everything.' Imogen replies smiling. It had been late when they arrived last night so it was straight to the hotel and into bed.

'I still find it crazy that you haven't been Ibiza before... Obviously I can't do any of the club nights or anything like that but I think some of the girls are out here if you wanted to tag along with them so that you can experience that side of Ibiza.' Leah says and Imogen immediately shakes her head.

'Don't be silly. We're here together, the three of us and that's how we're going to spend it. I don't need club nights, I just need you two.' Imogen replies.

'I just don't want you to be missing out on these experiences.' Leah says and Imogen smiles.

'I'm not missing out on anything, Le. I'm just making memories with my two favourite people in the world.' Imogen replies. They immediately go silent as they hear Rory beginning to stir in her travel cot.

'Can you see her? Is she awake?' Leah almost whispers as Imogen pushes herself up onto her elbows. She glances over the side of the bed to see Rory rolling onto her stomach, a small pout on her face as she sleepily around the room.

'She's awake.' Imogen replies. Moving herself into a sitting position, Leah smiles as she swings her legs off the bed and glances into the travel cot at Rory.

'Good morning, bubba...' Leah says softly as she leans down into the travel cot and lifts Rory into her arms. She takes her little sleeping bag off before getting back into bed and placing Rory in the middle of her and Imogen.

'Morning, sweet girl... Oh look at those sleepy eyes.' Imogen says smiling as Rory grins up at her and begins to babble away.

'Do you wanna get ready and head for breakfast?' Leah asks and Imogen nods her head.

****

'So what was your childhood like? Were you close with your sister growing up?' Leah asks softly, her foot gently rocking the pram containing Rory as Imogen's head rests on her shoulder.

'Erm... Not really. Not while we were young anyway.' Imogen replies quietly and Leah nods her head.

'But you're close now?' Leah asks and Imogen nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... I think over the years we've both come to sort of lean on each other, well until I left for the US.' Imogen admits.

'How did she feel about that? How did your parents feel about that? You were still so young.' Leah says.

'I've never really spoken about it in depth with my parents. I think- Well I think they all just knew that I needed to get away, I needed a fresh start away from everything that had happened... Mia seemed to thrive, or so I thought, I thought I was the only one struggling when I left. She found herself a partner and they're married now but I just- I don't think I'd still be here if I hadn't gone to the US when I did.' Imogen replies.

'You don't have to tell me what happened if you're not comfortable but can I ask if you're still struggling?' Leah asks causing the brunette to take a deep breath.

'There are definitely aspects of life that I struggle with to this day. Physical contact, intimacy and stuff but you know that. I struggle to feel safe around some people but I don't struggle as much as I used to... I do want to tell you but I jusr- Not here, not today.' Imogen replies feeling Leah kiss the top of her head.

'And Mia? You said you thought she was thriving, is she okay?' Leah asks softly.

'Mm... I think, no I know, she carries a lot of guilt. I know my parents do as well but she really struggles with that at times. It wasn't until a few years ago that I found out she thought I'd gone to the US because I was angry at her.' Imogen replies.

'And were you?' Leah asks.

'Absolutely not. I've never been angry at Mia, none of what happened was her fault, she was a victim as well.' Imogen replies.

****

'Upgrading to this room was the best idea...' Imogen says smiling as she glances at Leah as she makes her way towards the jacuzzi carrying two glasses of wine.

'Mm... I thought it would come in handy when she went to bed because at least we're not just sitting staring at four walls.' Leah replies smiling. She passes the glasses to the brunette before climbing into the jacuzzi beside the brunette.

'How are you finding Ibiza so far then? Living up to your expectations?' Leah asks settling herself beside the brunette; one hand holding her glass while the other drapes around Imogen's shoulders as the brunette leans up to her.

'Mm-hmm... It's so beautiful here. I hadn't realised there was so much to do like other than the clubbing, you know? I think when I've heard people speaking about Ibiza it's been they're going clubbing.' Imogen replies and Leah nods her head.

'I'll be honest and say I've never really be here and not done the whole clubbing thing so this is all new to me but it's nice to just chill.' Leah says and Imogen smiles.

'I think I'd like anywhere as long as I was with you two.' Imogen replies softly.

'Not long and we're back to the grind, ey? I'm so glad we managed to get these few days away.' Leah says and Imogen nods her head.

'Mm... It's gonna be a good season, I think. I can feel it.' Imogen replies causing Leah to smile.

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

'Mm-hmm... I'm looking forward to getting back, getting on that pitch and just having a good time with the girls.' Imogen replies and Leah nods her head.

'Me too...' Leah says smiling, both of them completely unaware of just what the next twelve months has in store for them.