The Captain's Heart

forty-two

15th August 2022 - six months and eighteen days old.

Her time away in Ibiza allowed her to remain slightly more shielded from the reaction to their Euros win and the way they have suddenly been thrown into the limelight. The one thing she has noticed though is that she no longer has the ability to just walk down the street without someone recognising her which is strange.

'Come on, bubba.' Leah says softly as she leans into the car to lift Rory into her arms. She's never confirmed to the public, to the fans that she's a mum, but she has noticed that people have been questioning who the baby was during the Euros final.

'I know, mean mumma has just woken you up from a nice sleep, but we're going to see all your wonderful aunties...' Leah continues as the little girl sleepily buries her head in the crook of the blonde's neck. For the most part, her mum or grandma have been having Rory when she's training but today is only media duties so she's just brought her along with her.

'Look who it is.' A voice says, causing her to smile as she glances over her shoulder.

'Look, it's Auntie Lotte... Tell Auntie Lotte that we're a little bit grumpy because mumma just woke you up getting out of the car, didn't she?' Leah says softly, causing Lotte to smile.

'Oh my goodness... That's no fun, is it?' Lotte replies, watching Leah put Rory into her pram.

'What are these photos for anyway?' Leah asks, and Lotte shrugs her shoulders.

'Not sure. We've got to go inside and get changed and stay there until they call for us, so I'm assuming it's individual ones.' Lotte replies as Leah finishes strapping Rory in and tucks a blanket around her.

'Can you do me a favour and grab her dummy out of the carseat?' Leah asks, and Lotte nods her head.

'Thank you.' Leah says softly as she takes the dummy and pops it into Rory's mouth.

'Imogen not with you?' Lotte asks and the blonde shakes her head.

'She said she was going to travel in on her own because she wanted to get here early to speak to Jonas...' Leah replies shrugging her shoulders.

****

'Why didn't you tell me?' Leah asks, Rory propped on her hip as she wraps her free arm around Imogen pressing a kiss to her temple.

'Because that would've ruined the surprise, babes.' Imogen replies smiling as her arms wrap around Leah and her head settles against the blonde as Rory reaches her little hand out, dropping it onto the brunette's face only for Imogen to blow a raspberry against the baby's palm causing Rory to giggle.

'Is this why you didn't come with us this morning?' Leah asks and Imogen nods her head.

'You would've found it more suspicious if I'd come with you and then disappeared for a while.' Imogen replies shrugging her shoulders as Leah tightens her arm around her.

'You guys are sickeningly sweet, you know? Like sickeningly.' Katie says making her way over to the couple and stretching her arms out towards Rory.

'Going to Auntie Katie? Give mumma's hip a break?' Leah asks leaning forward only for Rory's grip to tighten on the blonde's shirt.

'Hey, little legs.' Beth says softly as she makes her way over and Rory immediately begins to lean towards her.

'Ey! I was looking for snuggles.' Katie says causing Beth to laugh as she takes the baby into her arms.

'She's just not seen you in a while, Katie. She's got a bit cautious with other people lately.' Leah admits.

'Come sit with us? She'll warm up soon.' Beth says and Katie nods her head as they make their way towards the bench.

'I love you.' Leah says wrapping both arms around Imogen and pulling her impossibly closer to her.

'I love you too, Le...' Imogen replies smiling.

****

'So how was your break away?' Lia asks smiling as she glances at Leah and Imogen; the three of them sitting on the grass near the edge of the pitch.

'It was good, really good actually. It was nice to just get away for a few nights.' Leah replies smiling from where she's leaning back against Imogen, the brunette's hands wrapped around her waist from behind.

'Mm... It was good. Good to experience Ibiza and spend some time with my two favourites.' Imogen adds causing Lia to smile.

'What did you guys get up to?' Lia asks.

'Not a whole ton. We went exploring, walks on the beach and we had a jacuzzi on our balcony so nights were spent chilling when Roo went to bed... We did have one night where Al took Roo so we had a little date night, let this one experience Ibiza nightlife properly.' Leah replies.

'Oh I didn't realise Alex went out with you guys.' Lia says causing the blonde to shake her head.

'She didn't. It just so happened she was out there at the same time and offered to have Roo for the night.' Leah replies glancing up as she sees Caitlin making her way towards them with a whiney Rory in her arms.

'Oh baby, what's the matter?' Leah asks softly as she reaches her arms up.

'I think she might be tired. She was rubbing her eyes before I brought her over.' Caitlin replies and Leah nods her head.

'It's probably her nap time actually.' Leah says softly as the little girl cuddles into her.

'Do you want me to grab her dummy and bunny?' Imogen asks as Leah runs her hand down the baby's back causing her to immediately settle slightly.

'No, I think she'll be fine.' Leah replies softly.

'How are you guys doing then?' Caitlin asks raising her eyebrows as she takes a seat next to Lia, the Swiss midfielder immediately leaning into her side.

'We're good... Guess you don't have to worry about Wally telling you not to meddle anymore.' Imogen replies causing Lia to laugh as Caitlin gasps.

'I uh- I wasn't meddling I just- I knew you guys were perfect for each other and I guess I just- I wasn't meddling, I promise!' Caitlin says glancing at Lia who smiles.

'Whatever, it all worked out in the end.' Lia replies softly.

****

'Righty, mumma is just coming... What have we got tonight, hmm? Some sweet potatoes to try?' Leah says softly as she makes her way towards Rory who is sitting in her highchair.

'Do we think we're going to like this, hmm? I just hope you're not as fussy as mumma, bubs.' Leah continues as she sits down in front of the highchair, smiling at the gummy grin that immediately appears on Rory's face. Imogen is currently upstairs in the shower giving Leah some time to feed Rory who has very recently started weaning, something that absolutely terrifies Leah.

'Oh my goodness... What is that face for, Rory?' Leah asks laughing as she watches her daughter scrunch up her face as sweet potato drips down her chin.

'Are we just not a fan of sweet potato? Is that on the list of dislikes, I guess?' Leah asks, reaching out to wipe the little girl's chin. She glances down at the bowl which only has a couple of scoops taken out of it before back up at Rory who's babbling away.

'Guess we'll just try again tomorrow...' Leah says softly.

note: just wanted to see what you guys prefer; along story like 50+ chapters or else another trilogy type thing like the Leah/Courtneyones. I'm just trying to plan this story ahead which I have most of the things I want to include planned but just need to work out a format. If it's the long, long story then there will be a time jump coming up very soon. If it's the trilogy then this book will probably go up to chapter 50-ish before continuing in the second book with the time jump.