Never Not You

Leah's Plan pt.2

Leah breathed out a soft, nervous "hi," her voice barely steady.

Aurora chuckled warmly, sensing the tension in Leah's shoulders. "Hi," she responded playfully, trying to ease her nerves.

"I, um... so I, um..." Leah fumbled, her words jumbled, as if her mind couldn't catch up with her heart.

"Breathe, Le," Aurora advised gently, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.

Leah nodded, inhaling deeply, trying to calm herself.

Aurora raised a brow and leaned in slightly, her voice teasing, "Are you doing what I think you're doing?"

Leah gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, and that was enough for Aurora to grin wider. "Baby, you know I'm gonna say yes, so why are you nervous? Just give me the ring and done."

Leah let out an exasperated groan, "No, Rory, that's not how it works!" She sounded so frustrated but also entirely endearing in her determination to make this perfect.

Aurora raised her hands in mock surrender, "Okay, okay, but seriously, why are you so nervous?"

Leah shifted awkwardly, the weight of the moment pressing down on her. "Because it's a big thing, baby. Whether I know you're gonna say yes or not, it's still so fucking scary to do."

Aurora gasped dramatically, covering Mateo's little ears. "Leah! There is a child present!" she said theatrically, making sure to emphasize every word with mock scandal, though her smile never faded.

Leah rolled her eyes at the dramatic act, and before she could respond, Aurora grinned mischievously. "I can do it if you want," she teased.

"No! I'm doing it!" Leah's reply was instant, almost defensive, her resolve stiffening.

Aurora bit her lip, trying not to laugh. "Go on then."

But Leah didn't move. Her feet were glued to the ground, her heart racing, and her hands trembling slightly.

"You're making this so hard," Leah mumbled, clearly struggling to get the moment right.

"Why, amor?" Aurora asked, her voice softening as she stepped closer, Mateo still nestled in her arms. "Do I make you nervous?"

Leah nodded, exhaling shakily. "Yeah..."

Aurora smiled, tender but teasing. She stepped closer and gently placed her hand on Leah's cheek, her thumb brushing her skin with a soft touch. "Good," she whispered, leaning in to give her a quick kiss, just enough to calm her without breaking the intensity of the moment.

When Aurora pulled back, she looked at Leah with pure affection in her eyes. "You didn't have to do all this, Le. I would've said yes even if you just asked me in bed, with no ring or anything."

Leah shook her head stubbornly. "No, you deserve a ring and all this. And the speech."

Aurora's eyes lit up with amusement. "Oh? There's a speech?" she teased, clearly loving how much effort Leah had put into this moment.

"Of course there's a speech, idiot," Leah replied, her smile growing now that some of the nerves were fading.

"Go on, Leah," Aurora encouraged, her voice both playful and encouraging, the love between them palpable.

Leah looked at her, then at Mateo, and sighed. "I need my emotional support baby," she said with a grin, holding her arms out toward their son.

Aurora laughed, amused by the nickname Leah had given Mateo, and gently handed him over. "Your emotional support baby, huh?"

Mateo happily went into Leah's arms, snuggling against her as Leah let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Aurora watched them, her heart full, as Leah cuddled Mateo closer and prepared herself for the words she was about to say.

Leah let out a small whine, her lips curling in slight frustration. "Stop looking at me like that," she mumbled, her eyes glancing away as if Aurora's gaze had too much power over her.

Aurora couldn't help but laugh at the adorable sight before her. "I'm not looking at you like anything," she teased, though the glint in her eyes betrayed her playful amusement. She knew exactly what Leah meant. She was gazing at her with all the love and patience in the world, letting her fiancée—because that's what Leah was about to become—have her moment.

"Yes, you are!" Leah huffed, shifting her weight nervously from one foot to the other, still holding Mateo close. She had been stalling, that much was clear. Leah's nerves were getting the better of her, and Aurora could see through every single excuse her partner was making.

"Okay, okay," Aurora said, lifting her hands in mock surrender, her smile softening into one of pure affection. "I won't look at you however I'm looking at you," she added, trying to ease Leah's anxiety while hiding her own excitement.

But Aurora knew Leah too well. Her fiancée was adorable when she was nervous, overthinking something that didn't need to be overthought. It was endearing, this vulnerable side of her. After all, there was nothing for Leah to fear—Aurora's answer was already decided. It had been decided for a long time.

She waited, watching Leah gather herself. The hesitation in Leah's voice, the way her hand shifted nervously as she held Mateo, and the slight twitch of her lips as if she wanted to say something but couldn't quite get it out—all of it was so endearing.

Aurora didn't push. She let Leah take her time. The truth was, Leah could have been fumbling her words for hours, and Aurora wouldn't have minded. This moment was precious, and even though they both knew how it would end—with Aurora's inevitable "yes"—there was something special about Leah's genuine nervousness. It showed how much she cared, how deeply she wanted everything to be perfect.

"Le," Aurora said softly, the warmth in her voice pulling Leah's attention back to her.

Leah blinked, meeting Aurora's gaze, and even though she was still nervous, there was a flicker of calm in her eyes. It was as if Aurora's presence alone was enough to center her, to remind her that no matter what, this was going to be perfect in its own way.

Leah carefully set Mateo down, watching as he toddled over to the little sand and water table they had set up in the garden. His tiny hands immediately started splashing in the water, babbling contentedly to himself as he played. It gave Leah the small window of focus she needed, but even still, her heart raced.

Leah took a deep breath, turning her attention back to Aurora. She gently took both of Aurora's hands in her own, feeling the warmth and comfort they always gave her. She met Aurora's eyes—those soft, loving eyes that always made her feel like she was home—and she felt a little bit of her nerves melt away.

"So," Leah began, her voice a little shaky but filled with intent, "this might be a tad long, but don't interrupt, okay? Just... just listen and let me speak."

Aurora didn't say anything, just smiled that calming, encouraging smile she always gave Leah when she needed reassurance. She squeezed Leah's hands, her touch grounding Leah as always.

Leah felt the warmth of that squeeze flow through her, soothing her anxious thoughts. Aurora wasn't nervous. Aurora wasn't expecting anything other than Leah being Leah. That thought gave her the courage to continue, but for a moment, she just stood there, holding onto Aurora as if the rest of the world didn't exist. It was just them, standing barefoot in the garden with the sun hanging low in the sky, the sound of Mateo giggling in the background.

Aurora nodded once, giving Leah that final push, a quiet understanding in her eyes that said, I'm here. Always.

And with that, Leah gathered her thoughts, ready to pour out her heart.

A/N: I'm splitting it up rather than a long one bcos I think I can write it better if I work in parts

Idk how many parts yet tho I know I said 3 but I think I'll do Leah's speech as one part itself and after as a different part