Rediscovering You

thirty-four

7th September 2023 – one year and thirty-two weeks old.

It's darker outside by the time she wakes up, the brunette no longer comfortably wrapped around her body and the hot water bottle having gone cold. Running her hands over her face, she sighs before pushing herself into a sitting position. Climbing out of bed, she groans as the cramps she's feeling intensifies slightly. She makes her way through to the living room where Imogen is sitting on the sofa watching some random reality programme.

'Hey... Oh god, not doing too good?' Imogen asks immediately moving so the blonde can sit beside her.

'Mm... I've had it worse to be fair.' Leah replies sitting down and tucking herself into Imogen's side.

'I've put Rory to bed... She had dinner, we read a story and she went down quite happily. You clearly needed the sleep so I didn't want to wake you. I hope you don't mind.' Imogen says softly.

'I love you.' Leah almost whispers.

'I love you too... Are you hungry? Do you want me to rustle you up something? I wasn't sure what you'd fancy for dinner?' Imogen asks and the blonde shakes her head.

'I'm okay just now.' Leah replies. A comfortable silence falls over them, the blonde's head resting on Imogen's chest as she attempts to work out what's happening in the programme.

'Arsenal received an offer for me.' Imogen says quietly.

'W-What?' Leah asks lifting her head to look at the brunette who bites her bottom lip.

'That's what Jonas wanted to speak to me about... He said that they don't want me to go but it was such a big offer that he wasn't comfortable not putting it to me to consider.' Imogen admits.

'Who is it?' Leah asks.

'Barca...' Imogen replies as the blonde takes a deep breath.

'Fuck this is huge Immy... Barca are just- What an amazing offer.' Leah says.

'I wasn't expecting this reaction.' Imogen admits and Leah sighs.

'I mean I'm not saying I want rid of you and it's completely your choice what you decide to do but either way this is amazing, Immy. To have that offer put in for you is just amazing.' Leah says.

'I don't want to leave you. We're in such a good place right now.' Imogen says quietly.

'We are and that's not going to change, babes. If you go to Barca we'll make it work, Ims. I'll come over whenever I've got time off, you can do the same. I promise if Barca is what you want, if you want to try out the Spanish league then I promise we will mKe it work.' Leah replies.

'What about starting a family? How do we do that if I'm in a different country.' Imogen asks.

'We put it off. We're both young enough that we don't have to rush this, Ims. I know we spoke about maybe starting the process in a year to eighteen months buy we can push it back a bit if you want to do a couple of seasons out there.' Leah replies and Imogen sighs.

'I don't know what to do.' Imogen admits

'When does Jonas need an answer?' Leah asks.

'Friday.' Imogen replies.

'Okay. Well you have some time to sit with it. Think it all over and make your decision but I promise whatever you decide, I will support you every step of the way.' Leah says gently squeezing the brunette's hand as she rests her head against her chest again.

'Okay...' Imogen almost whispers as she wraps her arms tightly around the blonde.

****

'How are you feeling after being able to get on the alt-g for the first time?' Imogen asks softly. They've switched positions slightly and now the brunette has her head resting on the blonde's knee as she runs her fingers through her hair.

'It was good. It's good to feel like I'm making progress, you know? I mean I guess I know I'm making progress but actually being able to see it by doing things like that again are just different.' Leah replies and Imogen nods her head.

'You're doing amazing. It's not the easiest injury you've picked up but you've not let it get you down. You've been so focused and keeping your head down to make it through this and I just- I'm so proud of you, Le. I know I keep saying it to you but I really am.' Imogen says causing Leah to smile.

'I couldn't have got through it without you and the girls...' Leah replies.

'Do you want to head up to bed? Get an early-ish night?' Imogen asks glancing at her watch which reads 10:56pm.

'Mm-hmm...' Leah replies smiling. Imogen moves into a standing position and pulls the blonde up to join her as her arms immediately wrap around her waist.

'I'm so proud of you... You keep saying it to me but I want you to know how proud I am of you. You have pulled yourself back from so many setbacks, from so many knockdowns and now look at you. Barca want you in their team and that's absolutely amazing.' Leah says softly.

'Just putting one foot in front of the other, Le.' Imogen admits and Leah nods her head.

'Just keep doing that, babes. You'll be absolutely fine and if not, I'll be here to pick you back up.' Leah says smiling.

****

'Oh my goodness, what's the matter?' Leah asks softly as she lifts Rory into her arms, tears streaming down the little girl's cheeks as her sobs shake her entire body.

'Mama...' Rory cries, tucking her face into Leah's neck as the blonde gently rocks from side to side with her in her arms.

'Mumma's got you, sweet girl. I'm right here, I'm not going nowhere.' Leah says softly. She makes her way over and sits down on the rocking chair, adjusting Rory to rest against her chest as she runs her hands up and down the little girl's back.

'Shh... I've got you. I'm right here.' Leah whispers.

'She okay?' Imogen asks sleepily as she pops her head around the nursery door.

'Mm... She's beginning to settle, I think. Go back to bed, babes. I'll be through when I've got her back down.' Leah replies smiling slightly. Nodding her head, Imogen makes her way back out of the nursery leaving the blonde with Rory in her arms, the toddler's cries fading into whimpers. The thought of Imogen going to Barcelona and them having to navigate the whole long distance situation absolutely terrifies her but she's not going to stand in the way of her making this huge step in her career and achieving wonderful things.