Rediscovering You

two

26th January 2023 - one year and three days old.

'You be a good girl for Auntie Al, okay? Mummy will see you when I come pick you up in the morning, yeah?' Leah says softly as she kisses the top of Rory's head, smiling as the little girl snuggles into her.

'Mama...' Rory babbles, her little hands tangling in the blonde's hoodie causing her to let out a small sigh.

'Come on, baby girl... You love staying with Auntie Al.' Leah says softly as she attempts to pry the little girl out of her arms and towards Alex. She successfully manages to transfer her over to Alex's arms, the little girl glancing between Alex and Leah before immediately letting out a high-pitched whine and attempting to launch herself back towards the blonde.

'Baby girl, mummy needs to go work and then I'll be back in the morning.' Leah says, her heart aching at the sight of the tears streaming down the little girl's cheeks.

'Mama...' Rory sobs.

'She'll be absolutely fine, Le. I promise once you're away she'll settle.' Alex says gently bouncing Rory in an attempt to settle her.

'I know. I know I just- Right, I'm away.' Leah replies shaking her head. She glances down at the little girl in Alex's arm before turning to make her way towards the front door, her heart breaking with each step as Rory's sobs continue behind her. Her hand hovers over the door handle before she shakes her head and rushes back into the living room.

'I can't leave her like this... I know she'd settle and I know she'd be fine with you but I just- I won't be okay knowing I left her like this.' Leah admits taking Rory back into her arms, the little girl immediately nuzzling her face into the blonde's neck as Leah runs her hands up and down the little girl's back.

'What are you going to do about the game?' Alex asks and Leah shrugs her shoulders.

'I'll make it work... I'm sorry about this, Al. I just- I can't leave her like this.' Leah says.

'Completely understandable.' Alex replies smiling slightly.

****

She's sitting in her little cubby, Rory cuddled into her chest with her blanket wrapped tightly around her little body, as she listens to Jonas give the before-game team talk. She'd managed to get back to the house and change Rory into a warmer outfit and blanket before making her way to Meadow Park ready for the game. Taking a deep breath, she stands up as Jonas finishes his team talk and adjusts Rory in her arms before making her way over to Jen who has a small smile on her face.

'Are you going to keep Auntie Jen company on the bench?' Jen asks softly, a small smile on her face as she puts her arms out to Rory.

'She's sleepy so she should fall asleep soon.' Leah says softly as she pops the dummy into Rory's mouth and gently rocks from side to side. She helps Jen fasten the little girl to her chest in the carrier before pressing a kiss to the top of Rory's head.

'She'll be absolutely fine.' Jen replies and Leah nods her head.

'I know. Thank you for keeping her for me.' Leah says and Jen smiles.

'Don't be silly... Always happy to have sleepy snuggles with little legs.' Jen replies softly causing Leah to smile. Leah heads off to line up while Jen makes her way out to the bench with Rory securely strapped to her chest.

'I can't believe how big she's gotten...' The Aussie accent says causing Jen to smile as she glances behind her at Imogen who has come along for this game, her first game of the season.

'Mm... I know. She's so big now, isn't she?' Jen replies and Imogen nods her head.

'She looks like Leah...' Imogen says quietly, her eyes drifting to where the blonde is making her way out onto the pitch.

'She misses you, you know. She might act like she's got this hard exterior but deep down she just wants you to reach out.' Jen says softly causing the brunette to sigh.

'I'm not good for her, Jen... She deserves better.' Imogen replies.

****

'Thank you for having her... Has she been okay?' Leah asks as she makes her way over to Jen.

'She's been an absolute angel. Slept the entire second half.' Jen replies smiling as she carefully transfers Rory into the blonde's arms causing the little girl to murmur sleepily as she immediately snuggles closer to the blonde.

'I've got you.' Leah whispers softly, her hand running up and down the little girl's back.

'I'm gonna take her inside... I don't want to get her too cold.' Leah says softly as she spots Imogen making her way towards them.

'Okay. See you soon.' Jen replies nodding her head. Keeping the little girl cradled against her chest, Leah makes her way into the changing room and takes a seat at her cubby.

'Le... Le, can we talk?' Imogen asks softly as she makes her way into the changing rooms causing the blonde to sigh.

'I'd rather not.' Leah replies.

'Please, I just- I want to apologise and explain.' Imogen says quietly and the blonde shakes her head.

'I'm not ready to do this right now, Imogen. I'm glad you're okay, I'm glad you've got yourself back in a better headspace but I'm not ready. I'm certainly not doing it with my daughter in my arms.' Leah replies.

'Okay. I'm sorry I just- I'll go.' Imogen says. She turns and leaves the dressing room as Leah glances down at Rory in her arms, tears filling her eyes.

****

'Did you speak to Imogen today? I seen her coming into the dressing room behind you. She's looking well.' Lia says softly as she glances at the blonde who's curled up at one side of the sofa.

'I wasn't ready to speak to her. Not with Rory there anyway.' Leah replies.

'Do you think you'd be up for that though? Maybe not now but eventually? Just speaking to her, hearing her side of things and giving your side of how you were feeling?' Lia asks.

'Maybe one day... I just- I did wonder whether I'd see her and still feel so in love with her.' Leah replies

'But you didn't?' Lia asks.

'I just felt angry... I mean I was glad to see that she looked happy and back to her normal self but other than that I just felt angry. Angry that she'd pushed me away. Angry that all I had tried to do was help her. Angry that she told me she loved me and then ignored all my messages and phone calls... So maybe one day we can sit down and have that conversation but that day isn't today.' Leah replies.

'And you're entitled to feel all those feelings that you're feeling... You just do it in your own time. Don't let anyone make you feel pressured into it, okay? At the end of the day you're hurt and if you need time to process that then that's okay. That's what you need and that's what you deserve... If anyone tries to say otherwise, you send them to me. Okay?' Lia says causing the blonde to smile.

'Protective Wally coming out again.' Leah says softly.

'For you, always.' Lia replies smiling.