Rediscovering You

forty-eight

note: Not 100% sure how travel arrangements worked for the Portugal camp because I can't quite remember but for the sake of the story everyone made their own way there instead of traveling as a team.

3rd January 2024 - one year and forty-nine weeks old.

It's the early hours of the morning when they finally step foot in their hotel room in Portugal, having travelled to their training camp straight from the Maldives.

'You okay?' Leah asks softly as she watches the brunette carefully place Rory into the travel cot that some of the girls have already set up for them prior to their arrival.

'Mm-hmm... Can we deal with unpacking in the morning and just fall into bed?' Imogen asks, a sleepy smile on her face as she turns to face the blonde who nods her head.

'Oh I wouldn't even think about unpacking right now... I'm gonna go pee.' Leah says softly causing the blonde to nod her head. She quickly makes her way to the bathroom and does what she needs to do only to return to find Imogen curled up in bed already.

'God that was quick.' Leah says smiling as she begins to undress before climbing into bed beside the brunette.

'I'm tired.' Imogen replies rolling onto her side and tucking herself into the blonde's arms. Previous clubs she's been part of have had it a strict rule that couples weren't allowed to share hotel rooms and that's something that never really bothered her but she's never been more grateful that Arsenal don't impose that rule unless it begins to interfere with work levels.

'Do you want to tell the girls?' Leah asks softly, her fingers brushing over the ring sitting comfortably on the brunette's finger. They've barely told anyone other than family that they're engaged, opting to tell the girls face to face rather than over text. 9

'Will we just see how long it takes them to notice?' Imogen suggests resting her head on the blonde's chest.

'Sounds like a plan.' Leah says softly.

****

'Why do I feel so nervous to see everyone?' Imogen says softly as she glances at Leah who has Rory balanced on her hip as they make their way down towards breakfast having managed to get a couple of hours of sleep. After posting her statement, she more or less turned off her phone and hasn't been back on it since. She knows from Leah that there has been an outpouring of love in regards to her statement from past and current teammates both for club and country, along with many other footballers who have shown their support

'You've not seen or spoken to anyone since everything came out. It's perfectly natural to be a bit nervous about going into this but if you're not ready then you can take time out, Ims. Don't push yourself because you feel like you've got a point to prove... You've got nothing to prove, okay?' Leah replies and Imogen sighs.

'Mm... I want to be back training and playing, doing everything I love.' Imogen says and Leah nods her head as Rory giggles and drops her head to rest on her shoulder.

'Here, take the baby... Use her as a distraction technique.' Leah replies smiling as she passes the toddler over.

'I not a baby!' Rory shouts pouting at the blonde.

'Yeah, she's not a baby... Are ya? You're a big, strong girl now.' Imogen replies gently bouncing the little girl on her hip causing her to giggle.

'Honestly though babes, if it gets too much we just turn around and we go back up to the room for a little bit, okay?' Leah says reaching out to take Imogen's free hand causing the brunette to smile slightly.

'I love you.' Imogen almost whispers and Leah nods her head.

'And I love you too.' Leah replies.

****

They're sitting at their breakfast table, Lia situated beside the blonde and Rory's highchair beside the brunette, when Imogen feels a set of arms drape themselves over her shoulders from behind causing her to smile slightly.

'I'm so happy to see you...' Steph says softly, her head resting on the brunette's shoulder causing her to smile as she leans back against Steph.

'Mm... It's good to see you as well. I've missed you.' Imogen replies.

'How was your- Wait a minute... What is that?' Steph asks reaching down to run her finger over the engagement ring causing Imogen to bite her bottom lip as Leah smiles slightly as Lia leans closer to get a look at what the Aussie is talking about.

'Is this what I think it is?' Steph asks glancing at Leah who nods her head.

'Shut the fuck up! When did this happen? I need all the details.' Steph says as Lia immediately wraps the blonde in her arms whispering her congratulations to her best friend.

'I had a whole plan on how I wanted to do it and then none of it really felt right so it just-' Leah begins, shrugging her shoulders as Steph hugs Imogen before repeating her actions with the blonde.

'It was perfect... I didn't need anything big or fancy, I just needed you in that setting we were in. I know you had plans and they didn't work out but to me, it was exactly what I wanted and what I needed at that time.' Imogen says smiling at her fiancée.

'I'm so happy for you both! How exciting is this?' Steph replies grinning.

'The ring is absolutely beautiful...' Lia says softly.

'Thank you... Le designed it, didn't you?' Imogen replies and the blonde nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... I wanted something special, something unique.' Leah says smiling.

'You did good... So good.' Steph replies.

****

'Le, Imogen... Have you met Emily yet?' Lotte asks making her way over with the dark haired American following closely behind.

'Oh no, we haven't... It's so nice to finally meet you, Emily. I'm Imogen.' The brunette says smiling as she reaches out to shake the American's hand.

'I'm Leah and this is Rory... Can you say hiya to Emily?' Leah asks as she adjusts the little girl on her hip.

'Hiya.' Rory says grinning as she immediately leans towards the American.

'Not everyone wants a cuddle, Roo... Remember we spoke about this. We need to give people time to settle in.' Leah replies attempting to settle the nearly two-year-old on her hip as Emily smiles at her.

'She's okay... I'm okay with it, if you are?' Emily says softly as the blonde almost instantly lets out a sigh of relief and passes the toddler over.

'Well you're a little cutie, aren't ya?' Emily says.

'She's honestly just too social for her own good... I think it's because she's just so used to coming to training and games and national camp.' Leah explains and Emily nods her head.

'How old is she?' Emily asks as Imogen leans her head on the blonde's shoulder.

'She'll be two this month.' Leah replies smiling.

'Lessi!' Rory squeals as the blonde makes her way towards them and immediately puts her arms out for the little girl.

'Hey, cheeky chops... Did you have a good holiday? I missed you while you were away.' Alessia says as Rory immediately drops her head to rest on Alessia's shoulder.

'I might've heard that you've got some news for us...' Alessia says softly as she raises her eyebrows at Leah and Imogen who smile back at her.

'Mm... We're getting married.' Leah replies grinning as Imogen holds up her hand with the ring on.

'How exciting! Congratulations.' Alessia says wrapping her free arm around Leah before repeating it with Imogen.

'Congratulations...Did you get engaged while on holiday?' Emily asks and Leah nods her head.

'We were in the Maldives. It didn't quite go as I had planned but it felt right and well it turned out perfect for us, didn't it?' Leah replies and Imogen smiles.

'Mm-hmm... Wouldn't have wanted it to be any other way.' Imogen says softly.