Rediscovering You

fifteen

21st March 2023 – one year and eight weeks old.

She's standing on the pitch, staring down the tunnel as both Arsenal and Bayern players filter out. She notices Jen before spotting the smaller woman who immediately rushes towards her, arms stretched out in front of her. Their arms instinctively wrap around each other as Leah pulls her tightly into her.

'I've missed ya... I've missed ya so much.' Leah says smiling. Her arms remain wrapped around Georgia as Jen reaches out to wrap her arms around them both.

'It's so good to see you.' Georgia says as Jen removes her arms from around them both and Leah presses a kiss to the side of her head.

'How are you? Are you okay?' Leah asks and Georgia nods her head.

'I'm good, Le. I'm good... How are you? How's Rory?' Georgia asks.

'She's good. We're both good actually.' Leah replies smiling.

'Is she here? Will she be here for the game?' Georgia asks and Leah shakes her head.

'No. She's back at home with my mum. I just didn't want to disturb her routine, not only for a few days.' Leah replies.

'Makes sense I suppose.' Georgia says and Leah smiles.

'Ready for the game?' Leah asks raising her eyebrows causing Georgia to laugh.

'Mm... Don't know if I'm ready to play against you again though.' Georgia replies smiling.

'How's Beth? She doing okay?' Georgia asks and Leah nods her head.

'She's getting there, G. She's getting there. I mean it's a tough injury, isn't it? Just needs to take it a day at a time but she's got Viv doing it all with her so she's going to be absolutely fine.' Leah replies causing Georgia to smile slightly.

'Are we thinking no potential world cup call up for her then?' Georgia asks and Leah nods her head.

'Unfortunately.' Leah replies.

****

'You okay?' Lia asks softly as she slides into the seat next to the blonde who sighs and bites her bottom lip.

'Mm...' Leah replies quietly. The game passed pretty uneventfully; it ended 1-0 to Bayern putting them on the backfoot going into the second leg but nothing she doesn't think they can pull back in London.

'What's going on in that head of yours? Is it Rory? Is she okay?' Lia asks watching as tears fill the blonde's eyes.

'She's fine... I just- Fuck, I miss her. I knew it was going to be hard, I knew it was but I just- I can do the overnights but this is shitty.' Leah replies shaking her head as Lia drapes her arm around the blonde's shoulders and pulls her into her side.

'It's your first time spending more than a night away from her, Le. It was bound to be difficult. This time tomorrow you'll be back in your own little place with your girl.' Lia says softly as Leah reaches up to wipe her cheeks.

'I just sometimes wonder if it's worth it... Having a job that means I need to travel so much. I don't want to be away from her.' Leah admits shaking her head.

'You're doing this all for her though, think about the example that you are setting that little girl... Rory is going to grow up knowing she can do absolutely anything she wants in life and that's because of you. She won't remember it but she watched her mama lift the Euros trophy. She's watching her mama change the world of women's football with her teammates and that's amazing.' Lia says.

'I'm not saying I'm quitting. I just-I'm having a wobble and right now everything feels shit.' Leah admits causing Lia to smile slightly.

'I know and it's okay to have wobbles.' Lia says softly.

****

'You okay?' Imogen asks softly as she makes her way over to where the blonde is standing by the window. Everyone has broken off into their own groups to watch films, do tiktoks or just go to bed leaving just the two of them in the room which has been the chill room while they've been here.

'Mm-hmm... Just counting down the hours till we leave tomorrow.' Leah admits.

'That desperate to get away from us all, ey?' Imogen asks, a small smile on her face as the blonde laughs.

'Just desperate to get back to Roo.' Leah replies.

'Oh, is this the first time you've had to leave her?' Imogen asks, her hand resting on the blonde's shoulder.

'Mm... More than just overnight.' Leah replies.

'Shit. I didn't realise. Do you want me to leave you alone? I can go. Or I can grab Wally if you want? I think she's just Kim's room?' Imogen offers and Leah shakes her head.

'I'm okay...' Leah replies quietly.

'What do you need right now?' Imogen asks watching the blonde shrug her shoulders.

'A distraction?' Leah replies and Imogen nods her head.

'Wanna go watch a movie? I think Steph is in my room but I'm sure she won't mind us going back?' Imogen suggests.

'My room should be empty if Wally's with Kim.' Leah says and Imogen smiles.

'Lead the way then, Le... What room number are you?' Imogen asks as the blonde instinctively slides her hand into the brunette's.

'29.' Leah replies softly. They make the short walk to the room in a comfortable silence, their hands still connected as Leah uses her free hand to inserts the key card to unlock the door.

'Come on in.' Leah says softly.

****

Making her way into the hotel room, Lia smiles slightly as she finds Leah and Imogen curled up in the blonde's bed. She quietly makes her way over to her own bed and grabs her charger before glancing back at the pair; Imogen's head is resting on top of the blonde's head as Leah cuddles into her chest. She quietly leaves the room and makes her way back to Kim's. Knocking on the door, she smiles as the Scot opens the door.

'Everything okay, Wally?' Kim asks.

'Mm-hmm... Can I sleep here? Leah and Imogen are in my room.' Lia says.

'Of course. Come on in. Are they back together?' Kim asks and Lia shrugs her shoulders.

'I'm not sure. They've been speaking more and she stayed the other night because she was upset... Le was a bit upset today because she's missing Rory.' Lia replies.

'She was good for Le... It had been a while since I had seen her that happy.' Kim says and Lia nods her head.

'I know. I think they need to properly talk but Le keeps saying she doesn't need to rehash it but I think that they need to talk to get closure before any of them can begin to move on.' Lia replies and Kim sighs.

'Unfortunately Le is just stubborn like that, isn't she?' Kim says.