Rediscovering You

forty-five

26th December 2023 - one year and forty-eight weeks old.

Initially she was confused when she woke to find the space in the bed beside her empty, and the sheets cold signalling that they'd been empty for some time but as she makes her way out of the bedroom she immediately hears the sound of the brunette softly singing coming from Rory's room causing her to smile. She leans against the wall just outside the bedroom, a small smile on her face as she watches the pair through the gap in the door. They'd ended up spending the entire day at her mum's house and didn't get home until after midnight meaning they've all had a bit of a lie-in this morning.

'I think mama's spying on us...' Imogen says softly, her eyes flickering up to the doorway causing the blonde to smile.

'Not spying. Just enjoying watching the people she loves.' Leah replies making her way into the room where she finds Imogen sitting in the rocking chair, Rory curled up on a lap with a nice cosy blanket wrapped around them both.

'We thought we'd let you sleep a little longer, didn't we?' Imogen says, running her fingers through the little girl's hair as she nods her head and smiles up at Leah who bends down in front of them, her hands resting on Imogen's knees.

'Mm... I really appreciate it. How are my two favourite girls doing?' Leah asks leaning forward to kiss Rory before repeating the action with Imogen.

'Good, mama.' Rory replies.

'I'm struggling a bit.' Imogen admits and Leah nods her head.

'Okay. What do you need today? How can I help you through this?' Leah asks softly as Imogen lets out a small sigh.

'I just- I need to be with you and I need distraction.' Imogen replies and Leah gently squeezes her knee.

'I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here, I promise... What do you want to do about the trip tomorrow? Do you want to cancel? We can just hide out at home over New Year?' Leah asks.

'Absolutely not. I think getting away with you and Rory will be really good for me.' Imogen replies and Leah nods her head.

'Okay... Well if what you need changes throughout the day, just you let me know. Whatever you need, whenever you need it... I'm here.' Leah says softly causing Imogen to smile slightly as she nods her head at the blonde.

****

Her fingers absentmindedly run through Imogen's hair as the brunette lies in between her legs, her back resting against her chest while Rory sleeps peacefully on her chest. The atmosphere in the flat today has been strange to say the least and Leah certainly hasn't got anywhere near as much as she needed to get done today with both Rory and Imogen attached to her hip at pretty much all times but she wouldn't change it for the world. She reaches for her phone as it vibrates on the arm of the sofa, moving cautiously so she doesn't wake either of the pair using her as a pillow. Keeping on arm around the brunette, she uses the other to unlock her phone and begin to read her unread messages.

From Mini:
Hi Leah, I've just seen the news. How's Imogen doing? X

Her brows furrow in confusion as she reads over the message a few times and glances at Imogen who is fast asleep before quickly using one hand to type a reply.

To Mini:
Hey, she's sleeping just now. Can I ask what news we're referring to? Xx

From Mini:
About Logan? Please tell me they've told her before this all went public? X

To Mini:
Oh yeah. We know about Logan, we just didn't know it had gone public. She's not doing too great, found out on Christmas Eve and her mum basically said that it's her fault because she's the reason he was even in prison in the first place. How much of it is public? Xx

From Mini:
Over here? All of it. I'm not sure what's reached you guys yet but it's all out over here. The suicide, the prison time... From what I can see people are putting together the fact that suddenly Imogen's parents have stopped going to national games, they didn't go to any of the world cup and that she's not posted anything with them for over a year X

To Mini:
Fuck. Right I'll see what's made it over here and talk to her when she wakes up. Thanks for the heads up. We're supposed to be going away tomorrow and maybe if it's leaked over here that'll be the best thing cause I can just get her away from it all but I'll see how she feels Xx

****

'How long was I out for?' Imogen mumbles sleepily as she makes her way through to the kitchen where Leah is sitting at the breakfast bar, a small smile on her face.

'An hour or so...' Leah replies softly. Shortly after her messages with Mini, she's managed to remove herself from underneath the brunette and transfer Rory from Imogen's chest through to her cot just as Steph phoned to tell her all about the information having been leaked.

'What's happened?' Imogen asks as she makes her way over and sits herself down on the blonde's lap, Leah's arms instinctively wrapping around her waist.

'We need to talk.' Leah says softly.

'Oh that doesn't sound good.' Imogen replies raising her eyebrows at the blonde who sighs.

'I don't even know how to start this conversation.' Leah admits shaking her head as she leans forward to rest her head against the brunette.

'A-Are you breaking up with me? I thought we were happy? We're getting a puppy?' Imogen asks.

'Fuck, no. I promise this isn't about us. We're good, we're beyond good actually... I just- While you were sleeping I had Steph on the phone and Mini messaging me.' Leah says.

'What for?' Imogen asks as the blonde takes a deep breath and tightens her arms around her.

'Newspapers and magazines in Aus are reporting about Logan's death... Someone, somewhere has leaked the news and apparently, it's all over the place. I have had a look online and I can't see anything in the UK press yet but I imagine it will come.' Leah says feeling the brunette's entire body tense.

'Steph sent me some articles that are in Aus and they've basically got all the information, babes. They obviously don't have details but they've done their digging.' Leah adds.

'Okay.' Imogen almost whispers.

'Okay?' Leah asks and Imogen nods her head.

'I feel like I've gone my entire life trying to run from this. Absolutely terrified of this moment when it all came out and likely ruined my career... I'm tired of running, Le.' Imogen admits, tears filling her eyes as she adjusts her position and buries her face in the crook of the blonde's neck.

'This isn't going to ruin your career, babes. You have done absolutely nothing wrong and you have nothing to run from, okay? However you want to face this, however you want to deal with it, you'll do it with me right by your side and the entire team right behind you because in all this, you are a survivor. Mia is a survivor and I won't let anyone say otherwise, okay?' Leah says, her arms tightening around Imogen as she presses a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

'C-Can we still go away tomorrow?' Imogen asks softly and Leah nods her head.

'Absolutely... I'm gonna whisk you away and we're going to bring in the New Year in our own little bubble, okay?' Leah says.

'Mm... I love you.' Imogen almost whispers.

'I love you too... So much more than words could describe.' Leah replies.