Rediscovering You

ten

5th March 2023 - one year and five weeks old.

'I take a deep breath every time I pass your door. I know you're there, but I can't see you anymore, and that's the reason you're in the dark. I've been a stranger ever since we fell apart.'

She holds Rory in her arms, the little girl's legs wrapped around her stomach as the rock from side to side in time with the music while Leah sings loudly alongside some of the other members of the team. Today is the big day; Continental Cup Final day against Chelsea and she's trying everything she can to distract herself. It feels like such a long time since they've won any silverware and she knows that it has the potential to give them a huge boost as a team if they were to win this.

'Am I having her during the game?' Beth asks softly making her way over to the blonde and gently tickling Rory causing her to giggle.

'Yeah, if you want her you can have her... If not I can go find my mum and she'll have her.' Leah replies causing Beth to shake her head.

'Are you coming to sit with Auntie Beffy and Auntie Vivi while we watch the game?' Beth says softly as she puts her arms out to the little girl.

'Vivi...' Rory squeals gripping onto Leah's shirt.

'What? You want Vivi? Let me see if I can find her?' Beth says glancing around the room before her eyes settle on her Dutch other-half. She gestures for her to come over and immediately Rory leans towards her as soon as she sees her.

'Vivi.' Rory says giggling as she buries her face in the crook of her neck.

'Did she just?' Viv asks and Leah nods her head.

'Yep.' Leah replies smiling.

'Little legs wants to sit with you while her mumma plays a big important game, don't ya?' Beth says and Rory nods her head.

'You can always sit with me, schatje.' Viv says softly.

****

She can't help but smile as she glances over at Viv who is holding a sleeping Rory against her chest, her little pink ear defenders securely over her ears as Viv gently runs her hand up and down her back.

'You okay?' Viv asks glancing at the blonde who nods her head.

'Mm... Just enjoying the view. Suits you, you know.' Beth says softly.

'What does?' Viv asks raising her eyebrows slightly in confusion.

'This...' Beth replies gesturing to the sleeping toddler as Viv smiles.

'I still can't believe she said my name.' Viv says shaking her head as she glances down at the toddler.

'Would you want one?' Beth asks quietly.

'What? A child?' Viv asks and Beth nods her head.

'I don't mean right now or anything but in the future, is it something you'd like?' Beth says and Viv glances back down at the toddler.

'I don't see why not... Like you say, not right now let's just focus on our recovery and start with the dog before we make any huge decisions.' Viv replies and Beth nods her head.

'Are we still going to get a dog?' Beth asks.

'Yeah, if you still want one... I did promise, didn't I?' Viv replies causing Beth to smile.

'Mm-hmm... You did indeed.' Beth says.

'I think nearer the end of the year will probably be best. It means we'll both properly be back on our feet and be able to do all the training and stuff.' Viv replies and Beth nods her head.

'Sounds like a good idea.' Beth says softly.

'Is there a specific breed you'd like?' Viv asks and Beth shrugs her shoulders.

'I think we'll find the one that's meant for us. I don't want them to be too big, maybe one like Rona?' Beth says and Viv nods her head.

'Whatever makes you happy.' Viv replies smiling.

****

The final whistle blows causing them both to rise to their feet, Rory sleepily rubbing her eyes as Viv adjusts her on her hip. She's slept practically the entire second half, only beginning to wake a few minutes before the whistle went.

'Do you want to go see your mumma?' Viv asks softly, her hand running over the little girl's head as she moves some hair out of her face.

'Mama...' Rory babbles as they begin to make their way down towards the pitch where the girls are all celebrating the win.

'Yeah, we're going to see your mumma.' Viv says smiling. They make their way onto the pitch; Beth slightly in front of them as she's immediately wrapped up in an embrace by Jen. Her eyes dart around the pitch attempting to find the blonde before they finally settle on her wrapped up in Lia's arms just a short distance away.

'Rory, who's that?' Viv says softly as she gestures towards the blonde. Immediately Rory squeals and throws her hands up in the air.

'Mama!' Rory shouts causing Leah to lift her head off Lia's shoulder and turn to face the pair.

'There's my special girl.' Leah says grinning. She immediately takes Rory into her arms as they reach her, the little girl snuggling into her as she kisses the top of her head.

'Were you good for Auntie Vivi?' Leah asks softly causing Viv to smile.

'Angel... She actually slept for most of the second half.' Viv replies hugging the blonde before moving to hug Lia.

'That's mumma's girl.' Leah says smiling. They spend some time before the medal ceremony walking around the pitch, congratulating each other and shaking hands with the Cheslea players; Rory remaining on the blonde's hip with her head resting on her shoulder throughout it all.

****

'We did it!' Imogen says grinning as her arms wrap around Steph who almost effortlessly lifts her off the ground and spins around.

'Mm... We did it and you're back.' Steph replies softly. Today marked Imogen's first ninety minutes on the pitch since she made her return in February and she'd be lying if she didn't say it felt so good. The medal hanging around her neck feels so incredible, especially after everything that has happened over the past seven months.

'Here...' A voice says causing her to glance over her shoulder to where Leah is standing with two drinks in her hands. She passes both Imogen and Steph a drink and smiles slightly.

'Good game, Imogen... It's good to have you back.' Leah says before turning and making her way back over to where Lia is dancing around in a circle with Rory in her arms.

'That was progress...' Lia says causing the blonde to sigh.

'I don't hate her, Wally... I can be civil.' Leah replies shrugging her shoulders.

'I'm just saying it's nice to see you guys interacting again.' Lia replies.

'Have you guys spoke about everything that has happened?' Lia asks and the blonde shakes her head.

'I don't think there is any need to speak about it. She's doing okay now and I'm doing okay; I don't think there's any reason to bring it all back up again.' Leah replies.

'I think you both need closure, Le.' Lia says softly causing the blonde to sigh.

'I'm good. I don't need closure. I'm over it.' Leah replies shrugging her shoulders.

'If you were over it, you wouldn't be writing off the idea of ever being in a relationship again.' Lia says.