unexpected love (Leah Williamson)

A Surprise After the Shift

Leah's POV:

Another long day at training was winding down, but today something felt different. The sky above the field had that warm, golden hue as the sun set, casting long shadows over the grass. We'd finished our drills and were cooling down, talking with teammates, the usual post-practice buzz in the air. My body was sore, my muscles aching from the intensity of the session, but I felt energized, like I always did after a good practice.

But there was something else today, a small excitement I couldn't quite shake. Maybe it was the quiet anticipation that had been building all morning. Ella had been on a night shift at the hospital, and although we'd texted briefly during my lunch break, I hadn't heard from her much since. I was looking forward to seeing her when I got home, hoping we could relax together after her exhausting shift.

As I grabbed my bag and tossed it over my shoulder, Beth jogged up to me with a mischievous grin.

"You've got a surprise waiting for you," she said, her tone playful.

I raised an eyebrow. "A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

Beth only winked. "You'll see. Just head to the parking lot."

Confused, I nodded but didn't ask further questions. I hadn't really expected anything out of the ordinary. Ella had been working late for the last few nights, so I wasn't sure what could be waiting for me. But a part of me, deep down, already had a hunch.

As I walked out of the locker room and into the parking lot, I froze. There she was—Ella. Standing by my car, looking impossibly beautiful despite the exhaustion that lingered in her eyes from a long shift. She was in her usual scrubs, but her hair was tousled in a way that made her look so effortlessly perfect.

"Ella?" I called out, my heart immediately racing in my chest.

Her eyes lit up with a smile as she saw me, and she pushed off the car, walking toward me with that familiar ease.

"Hey, you," she said, voice soft but teasing. "I thought I'd surprise you."

"Surprise me?" I repeated, still caught off guard but overjoyed. "What are you doing here? I thought you were working tonight."

"I was, but I finished early, and I couldn't wait to see you." She smiled, a bit shy now, but her eyes were warm with affection. "I know you've been working hard, and I just wanted to remind you that you're amazing."

My heart fluttered at her words. "You came all the way here just for that?" I asked, stepping closer to her.

She nodded, her grin never wavering. "And to steal you away for a little while."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Steal me away for what?"

She tugged on my hand, leading me to her car with a playful grin. "Dinner. I thought I could take you somewhere nice. A little treat for my amazing girlfriend who has been working non-stop."

I laughed softly, feeling the affection and admiration in her words. I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have her in my life. "I'm starving, actually," I admitted. "And you really didn't have to, but you're kind of perfect."

Ella smiled, her eyes lighting up with something deeper. "I know, right?" she teased, giving me a gentle nudge.

We drove to a cozy little bistro just a few minutes away from our place, the kind of place that had the dim, romantic lighting and a quiet ambiance. Ella was full of energy despite the long shift, and we spent the dinner talking and laughing, the conversation flowing as easily as always.

I couldn't help but feel so content in this moment—sitting across from the woman I loved, the woman who was so thoughtful and kind, even when she had a million other things going on in her life. Ella had been working non-stop for days, and yet here she was, prioritizing me, making sure I felt seen and appreciated.

After dessert, Ella leaned in, her voice soft as she spoke. "I'm really proud of you, Leah. The way you've been handling everything—training, the games, the pressure. I know it's not easy, but you're doing an amazing job."

I was touched, her words sinking deep into my heart. "Thank you, Ella. I couldn't do it without you, honestly. You've been my rock through all of this. I'm so lucky to have you by my side."

She reached across the table, taking my hand in hers, her thumb gently brushing the back of my hand. "We make a great team, don't we?"

I smiled, squeezing her hand. "The best team."

When we finished dinner, we walked back to the car, and Ella pulled me into a tight embrace. Her body was warm against mine, and I could feel the weight of her shift melting away as she held me. I kissed her forehead, feeling the love and affection flood through me.

"I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you too," I murmured back, closing my eyes for a moment. "I'm so glad you're here. I think I needed this... just to be with you."

She pulled back just enough to look at me, her eyes full of affection. "Well, I'm not going anywhere. You've got me, Leah. All of me."

My heart skipped a beat, and I smiled, feeling the weight of her words settle deeply within me. "I'm yours, too."

We drove home together, the night still young, but the world around us feeling perfectly calm and right. Ella had been the surprise I didn't know I needed—her presence was all I could ask for, a reminder that no matter what happened in our lives, we'd face it together.

As we pulled into our shared driveway, I turned to her with a smile. "I think I'm the luckiest person in the world to have you as my girlfriend, Ella."

She smiled back, her eyes warm with love. "Well, lucky for you, I feel the same way."

We walked inside, hand in hand, ready to unwind together and enjoy the simplicity of being in each other's presence. We had already built something beautiful, and as long as we were together, I knew every day would feel like a small, perfect surprise.