The Captain's Heart

forty-one

trigger warning: this chapter does begin to delve into Imogen's background and as a result there is mentions of child abuse although no specific details.

8th August 2022 - six months and eleven days old.

Her head drops to rest on the blonde's chest as she feels Leah's arms tighten around her, pulling her impossibly closer until she's sprawled out across her upper body.

'Did you have a good time last night?' Leah asks, her voice thick with sleep as she reaches down to gently brush some hair out of the brunette's face.

'Such a good time. Your friends are great! Alessia is so lovely.' Imogen replies and Leah nods her head.

'You two seemed to get on really well.' Leah says and Imogen smiles.

'Mm-hmm... It was fun; getting to go out dancing with you was fun as well.' Imogen replies as Leah kisses the top of her head.

'We'll do that more when we're home as well... Get my mum or someone to watch Roo and we'll have proper date nights, just the two of us.' Leah says.

'We don't have to... I don't want you to feel pressured into leaving her.' Imogen replies and Leah nods her head.

'I know but I want to Ims. I want to have some proper time as a couple, I want to absolutely spoil you.' Leah says.

'My sister might be coming to London... She's in France just now so they're going to see if they can work making it over to London for a few days.' Imogen replies and Leah nods her head.

'Sounds good. I'd love to meet her, if you're ready for that obviously... If not I can just meet her next time or whatever.' Leah says.

'No, I want you to meet her. I just- I do need to speak to you about some stuff first. Do we have time before we need to pick Rory up from Alex?' Imogen asks.

'We've got plenty of time.' Leah replies softly.

****

'I haven't been entirely honest with you, Le. There are certain parts of my life that I guess I've just left out when telling you about it...' Imogen admits, her knees pulled up to her chest as she glances out the balcony doors causing the blonde to take a deep breath.

'Okay...' Leah replies quietly.

'I told you I had a sister who was eighteen months older than me, that part is true. What I didn't tell you is that I grew up with a brother as well.' Imogen says softly before letting out a sigh. She glances up at the blonde who instinctively reaches out to rest her hand on the brunette's knee.

'I idolised Logan growing up. He was my big brother, someone who was going to protect me from all the bad in the world but he didn't. In reality, I didn't need protected from the world, I needed protected from him...' Imogen continues. She lets out a shaky breath and bites her bottom lip as she reaches up to wipe a tear from her cheek.

'I was four when it all started and I just- I didn't tell anyone because at first I didn't realise that it was wrong and then I was just scared... I thought it was just me, I didn't realise that everything he was doing to me, he was doing the exact same thing to Mia.' Imogen says shaking her head as the blonde moves closer to her and gently wraps her arm around the brunette's shoulder, giving her plenty of time to move away if she wanted.

'It went on for years and neither me or Mia said anything because we both thought if he was doing it to us then he was leaving the other alone.' Imogen admits. She takes a deep breath and leans back into the blonde's arms as Leah presses a kiss to her shoulder.

'You don't have to tell me anymore, Ims.' Leah says softly and Imogen shakes her head.

'I'm sorry for lying to you. I just- He's not part of my family anymore, family don't hurt you like that.' Imogen replies and Leah nods her head.

'You have nothing to apologise for. You were protecting your heart, protecting your peace and that is something you should always do.' Leah says softly. The hotel room is filled with a comfortable silence as Imogen leans back against the blonde's chest, her heart racing slightly as she reaches up to wipe her cheeks.

'I uh- I know we had plans to do some more exploring today but do you think maybe we could just have a chill day when we pick Rory up from Alex?' Imogen asks quietly and Leah nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... Listen why don't you go for a nice bath? I can go pick Rory up and I'll meet you back here. We can have some lunch then either go to the pool or just chill up here on the balcony?' Leah suggests.

'A-Are you sure?' Imogen asks and Leah nods her head.

'Of course I am. We'll have a nice relaxing day just the three of us.' Leah replies smiling.

****

'There's my favourite little lady...' Imogen says, a small smile on her face as Leah makes her way into the hotel room with Rory perched on her hip.

'She's missed her, Immy... Haven't you, Roo?' Leah replies smiling as she watches the little girl immediately leans towards Imogen, her little arms outstretched.

'How was she with Alex?' Imogen asks taking the baby into her arms.

'Good... Al said she woke at 3 and then didn't get up until quarter to 7, I believe.' Leah replies smiling as she makes her way further into the room with the pram. Imogen makes her way over to the bed and sits down with Rory on her knee.

'How you feeling?' Leah asks softly making her way over to sit beside the brunette.

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

'I don't know. I just- I feel drained.' Imogen admits and Leah sighs.

'Do you want to have a lie down? I can take Roo out so you can get some sleep?' Leah suggests watching Imogen bite her bottom lip.

'D-Do you see me differently after what I've told you? I mean I can- I could go? I can book flights and just go home.' Imogen says causing the blonde to gasp.

'God no, I just want you to be okay and if you're tired then I wanted you to be able to get a sleep without us disturbing you... You are the strongest, most resilient person and I have ever met. You're still my Immy and nothing you tell me is going to change that, okay? Absolutely nothing.' Leah replies making her way over to sit beside the brunette.

'I-I love you.' Imogen almost whispers causing Leah to smile.

'I love you too...' Leah replies softly. She wraps her arm around the brunette's shoulders, pulling her into her side and kisses the top of her head as Rory snuggles into Imogen.

'You can ask me now, you know... Whenever you are ready.' Imogen says causing Leah to grin.

'Will you be my girlfriend, Ims?' Leah asks.

'Mm-hmm...' Imogen replies smiling.