unexpected love (Leah Williamson)

Rebuilding Trust

Leah's POV:

The aftermath of last night was heavy on my mind as I drove Ella home from Beth's place. We'd talked through what had happened, and she'd told me she believed me. But as much as I tried to reassure her, I knew trust wasn't something you could instantly rebuild after a moment like that. I'd never wanted her to feel betrayed, and seeing her hurt cut me deeper than anything.

As we walked into her apartment, I offered to make us tea, hoping the routine would give us both a bit of calm. While the water heated, I leaned against the counter, stealing a glance at her. She sat on the couch, her expression soft but distant, as if still processing everything. I needed to give her time, but I also wanted her to know that I was here to talk if she needed it.

After I set down her cup, I sat beside her. "Ella, I know I can't take away the way you felt when you saw... what happened," I began. "But I need you to know that I'm committed to us. You don't ever need to worry about Jordan—or anyone else—coming between us."

She looked at me, her eyes searching. "I know, Leah. I'm trying to move past it, I really am. But I think part of me just... panicked."

I nodded, reaching for her hand. "If I were in your position, I'd have felt the same way. And if you ever have doubts, please tell me. I'll always be honest with you."

She squeezed my hand and gave a small smile. "I'm just glad you didn't let it fester, that you came and explained everything. I needed to hear it from you."

"Always," I promised. I knew the only way forward was to rebuild that trust day by day, to show her in every possible way that she was my one and only.

Ella's POV:

Leah's words brought a sense of relief, but I still felt a subtle wariness. Deep down, I knew that Jordan's kiss wasn't Leah's fault, and yet I couldn't shake the nagging worry that our pasts might bring unexpected moments like this again. The thought of losing Leah made my stomach twist, and I knew I needed to let go of my insecurities if I wanted us to move forward.

Over the next few days, Leah seemed even more attentive than usual. She called and texted regularly, even just to say she was thinking of me, and after training, she'd come over to spend time together. We talked about everything—the challenges of her return to the pitch after her injury, my days at the hospital, and even our goals for the future. Slowly, the feeling of security started to return.

One night, we were curled up on my couch watching a movie when Leah shifted, turning to face me with a thoughtful look. "Ella, I've been thinking. Maybe we should go on a trip together, just the two of us. Someplace we can both relax and leave everything else behind."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A trip? Just us?"

"Yeah. Nothing too crazy," she said with a smile. "Maybe a weekend somewhere nearby. Just... something different, where we can unwind and enjoy each other without any distractions."

The idea immediately lifted my spirits. It was just what we needed—a chance to reconnect, away from the stress of our everyday lives. "I'd love that," I said, feeling a little thrill at the thought.

Leah's POV:

Planning the weekend getaway gave me a new sense of purpose. I wanted to show Ella that I was willing to do whatever it took to make her feel secure with me. I'd booked us a cozy cabin a couple of hours outside London, nestled near a lake with hiking trails and quiet spaces where we could just be ourselves, away from everything.

The morning of our trip, I picked her up early, her eyes bright with excitement as we loaded the car. As we drove, I reached over and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She glanced over at me, her eyes softening, and I felt a surge of gratitude. This was the start of us rebuilding, of finding our way back to that place of trust.

When we arrived at the cabin, Ella took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping over the tall trees and peaceful landscape. "This is perfect," she said, her voice filled with warmth.

"I hoped you'd like it," I replied, smiling. "Come on, let's get settled in."

The weekend was everything I'd imagined. We spent the days hiking, talking, and laughing. At night, we'd sit by the fire, wrapped in blankets, watching the stars in a comfortable silence that only deepened our bond. Each moment reminded me of how much I loved her, and by the end of the weekend, I felt closer to her than ever.

Ella's POV:

The trip was exactly what we'd needed. I could see the effort Leah had put into making it special for us, and I couldn't have been more grateful. Each day spent with her reassured me that she was truly committed to us. Our nights by the fire, her gentle words, and the way she listened to me—everything reminded me why I'd fallen in love with her in the first place.

On our last night, as we sat on the cabin porch, Leah pulled me close and kissed my forehead. "Ella," she whispered, "thank you for giving me this chance to show you how much you mean to me. I know things got complicated, but... I promise, I'm here for the long haul."

I wrapped my arms around her, feeling every word she spoke sink into me. I knew, without a doubt, that we were stronger for having faced this challenge together.

"Me too, Leah," I whispered, leaning into her. "I'm here with you. No matter what."