Rediscovering You

thirty

16th August 2023 – one year and twenty-nine weeks.

'Are you torn about today? Tough situation, ey? Your country playing against your girl? Can't imagine it's easy wanting to support both.' Amanda says as Leah smiles at the sight of Jacob and Rory in the pool.

'Mm... I do want to support both, and from a distance, I certainly am supporting them both, but I want the lionesses to win, obviously. I want them to go the whole way, but if it's not their time, then obviously, I will be there supporting Immy through the rest of it.' Leah replies.

'How's Imogen feeling? Is she excited? A quarter final on home soil is huge, you know that.' Amanda says, and Leah nods her head.

'She said she's nervous but excited... I told her to just enjoy every moment and soak it all in.' Leah replies.

'Does she know you're going to the game?' Amanda asks, and Leah shakes her head.

'No, I didn't tell her. I'm hoping maybe I'll be able to see her at some point after the game...' Leah replies.

'I'm sure you'll work something out... I'm amazed at how well she's done with the time difference, you know. Obviously, she had a few days settling, but she's taken it much easier than I thought she would.' Amanda says, gesturing to Rory.

'Think she was just too excited to see her Uncle Jacob... No, she has done really well, though. Even during the travelling, she did much better than I expected. Leah replies, smiling.

'Yeah, you were worried about the travel, weren't you?' Amanda says, and Leah nods her head.

'It's just such a long time, and she's still so little that I just wasn't sure how it was going to go.' Leah replies, shrugging her shoulders.

'Well she did it like a champ, didn't she? Just like her mama.' Amanda says smiling.

****

'Hey, skipper... How you doing? How's the knee?' Joe, Ella's partner, asks as Leah makes her way to her seat directly in front of him with Rory perched on her hip.

'Hey... It's alright, I had to wait for a last hospital appointment before I could come out here or we would've been out earlier. Just taking it a day at a time.' Leah replies.

'Surgery and everything go well?' Joe asks.

'Mm-hmm... Exactly how they wanted it to go. Hopefully onwards and upwards from here.' Leah replies smiling as Rory giggles and tucks her face into the blonde's neck.

'How's the monkey doing? She's getting so big now?' Joe asks and Leah nods her head.

'Always keeping mumma on her toes, aren't we?' Leah replies smiling as she gently bounces the toddler on her hip.

'She's at such a fun age... They grow up so quickly honestly. You blink and suddenly they're not your tiny baby anymore.' Joe says and Leah nods her head. She smiles as Rory immediately leans towards Jacob who's beside her.

'How's Tooney feeling? You spoken to her this morning?' Leah asks.

'Mm... She's good. Excited.' Joe replies.

'That's good... They've done amazing so far, haven't they?' Leah says as she passes the toddler over to Jacob.

'Yeah. So proud of them all... Is it not hard for you being here? Knowing you should be on the pitch with them?' Joe asks and Leah shrugs her shoulders.

'It is but I couldn't not come and support the girls.' Leah replies.

'Well let's just hope they do us all proud today, ey?' Joe says and Leah nods her head, a small smile on her face.

'Oh I'm sure they will.' Leah replies smiling.

****

'I think someone might be here to see you...' Steph says softly as she gently nudges Imogen who immediately glances in the direction of the blonde.

'Le...' Imogen almost whispers and Leah nods her head.

'Lotte managed to get me down here. I wanted to see you, tell you how proud I am of you.' Leah replies smiling as the brunette instantly makes her way towards her.

'I didn't even know you were in Aus.' Imogen says softly, her arms wrapping around the blonde's waist and instantly pulling her into her chest.

'I came out a few days ago... Wanted it to be a surprise. Roo is here as well but she's fast asleep so I left her with my mum and Jacob.' Leah replies pressing a kiss against a slither of skin on the brunette's shoulder which is peeking out the edge of her shirt.

'It just wasn't meant to be.' Imogen says quietly.

'You played so well out there tonight, Immy. I know this isn't the way you wanted it to end but I hope you know how proud I am of you. You should be so incredibly proud of yourself as well.' Leah replies.

'Just not good enough, ey?' Imogen says and Leah's heart aches at the hurt that fills the brunette's voice.

'I'm sorry.' Leah replies.

'How long are you guys over for? Do you think maybe we could meet?' Imogen asks and Leah nods her head.

'A few weeks. If you can get away from camp of course we can... Roo would love to see you.' Leah replies and Imogen nods her head.

'I love you.' Imogen says.

'I love you too... I mean it, Ims. I'm so, so fucking proud of you. I know it hurts now and it'll hurt for a while but you should be so proud of yourself.' Leah replies.

****

'How's she doing?' Amanda asks as Leah lifts Rory into her arms.

'She's hurting but that's to be expected. We're going to try meet up for a few hours one day.' Leah replies and Amanda nods her head.

'She makes you really happy, doesn't she baba?' Amanda asks causing Leah to smile. She's never officially introduced Imogen to her family as her girlfriend but she's just started bringing her around more and they've all pretty much realised that's what is going on.

'She really does.' Leah replies and Amanda smiles.

'I like her. I really like her actually.' Amanda says.

'Mm... She's so good with Rory as well which is always a bonus.' Leah replies causing Amanda to smile.

'She's always been good with Rory though, hasn't she? Even when she was tiny.' Amanda says and Leah nods her head.

'Mm-hmm...' Leah replies.