unexpected love (Leah Williamson)

The Proposal Plan

Leah sat on the edge of their bed, her thoughts a million miles away, as the soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the bedroom window. She had been quiet for the last few days, lost in her thoughts. It wasn't unusual for her to be focused on her plans—whether for her career or for her relationship with Ella—but this was different. She could feel something stirring inside her, something bigger, something she wasn't entirely prepared for but knew she couldn't ignore.

The idea of asking Ella to marry me...

Leah couldn't remember when exactly the thought had first crossed her mind. It wasn't like it had been a sudden decision or something she'd just woken up and decided. It had been gradual, a quiet realization over time that she could picture her future with Ella more clearly than she had ever imagined. And now, it felt like a moment that had arrived with undeniable certainty.

Leah smiled softly to herself, thinking about the times they had laughed together, supported one another, and held each other through the toughest days. They had become a team in every sense of the word. Ella, with her quiet strength, her determination, her compassion, had shown Leah that there was more to life than just the games, the wins, and the constant pressure to succeed. There was love. There was building a life together, creating something real and lasting. And Leah knew, deep in her bones, that she wanted that with Ella.

She let out a slow breath, her fingers nervously running through her hair. The idea of proposing to Ella—of committing to her for the rest of their lives—felt monumental. It wasn't about a perfect, fairytale moment. It was about their reality, about making sure Ella knew she was the one Leah wanted to spend her future with.

But when? How? Leah thought to herself, anxiety creeping in. Do I do it quietly? Do I wait for the perfect moment?

She shook her head, smiling at the absurdity of it all. There would never be a "perfect moment." She knew that. But one thing was certain: this was something she wanted, something that felt right.

Ella's POV

Ella stood in the kitchen, absently stirring her tea as she glanced over at Leah, who was sitting at the table, her expression distant. She could tell something was on Leah's mind.  Ella had learned to read the small signs—the way Leah would get quiet when she was lost in thought or the subtle shifts in her body language when something important was weighing on her.

Ella felt a twinge of curiosity mixed with concern. Leah wasn't usually one to hide things from her. They'd built a solid foundation of trust, but tonight there was something different in the air. It wasn't just the usual day-to-day stress of work or training; there was something more, something unspoken, lingering between them.

"Leah?" Ella said softly, setting her mug down on the counter. "You okay?"

Leah's head jerked up, and for a brief moment, there was a flicker of surprise in her eyes. She quickly masked it with a warm smile, but Ella could see the hesitation. Leah's eyes, though bright, seemed lost in thought, like she was somewhere far away.

"I'm good," Leah replied, her voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. "Just thinking."

Ella raised an eyebrow, crossing the room to sit beside her. "About what?"

Leah hesitated, her fingers drumming on the table, before she gave a small shrug. "You know, just... everything. Us. The future."

Ella's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the future. The two of them had talked about their relationship in passing, but they had never really sat down and explored what lay ahead, especially in terms of major commitments. Ella had always been cautious when it came to love—her past experiences had taught her to tread carefully, even when her heart longed for something more.

But with Leah, it felt different. There was no rush, no pressure, just the quiet certainty that they would face whatever came together. And yet, something about Leah's distant mood tonight had Ella wondering if that quiet certainty was about to shift.

"I like the idea of the future," Ella said softly, her hand reaching out to cover Leah's. "Whatever that looks like. With you."

Leah smiled, a small, thoughtful expression crossing her face. She squeezed Ella's hand gently, her voice full of warmth. "I like that too."

Leah's POV

Leah's heart fluttered at the soft words from Ella. She didn't need to say anything more, didn't need to explain herself. Ella already knew her so well, could read her like a book.

But Leah also knew she had to make this real. The decision to propose to Ella wasn't something she was going to make impulsively. She wanted to be sure, wanted to do it in a way that felt true to their relationship. Not in front of a crowd, not with fireworks or big public gestures—Leah wasn't that person. But a quiet, intimate moment, something special just for them—that's what she had in mind.

She thought back to all the small moments they'd shared—late-night talks in bed, making dinner together in the kitchen, taking long walks around the city, just being in each other's company. The more she thought about it, the more certain she became. Ella was her home, her safe place, and she wanted to build a life with her.

"I've been thinking about how we can make things more permanent," Leah continued, trying to keep her voice steady. "Not just the future, but everything we've built. It's been... really important to me."

Ella looked at her with a soft smile. "I've been thinking a lot about that too, you know. About us, about how we fit together. You're the person I want to build my life with."

Leah's heart swelled with love. This was the perfect time, wasn't it? The love they had was real, solid, and everything Leah had ever hoped for. And yet, as much as she knew this was what she wanted, there was still that small, nagging doubt in the back of her mind. Would Ella say yes?

But Leah pushed that thought aside, focusing instead on the certainty that no matter what, she would spend the rest of her life with Ella. And when the moment came, she'd be ready.

Ella's POV 

Ella knew, deep down, that Leah was hiding something. There was a weight in her voice, something that lingered in the air whenever they talked about the future. It wasn't just about their relationship—it was more. And though Ella couldn't put her finger on it, she had a feeling that Leah was planning something.

A proposal?

The idea crossed Ella's mind, but she shook it off. They hadn't been together that long, had they? And yet... Ella realized with a start that she didn't really care about timelines or when they had to do things by society's standards. The thought of spending her life with Leah, of facing everything together, felt right. And if Leah was thinking about taking that step, then Ella would be ready, too.

Ella turned to Leah, a soft smile crossing her face. "Whatever comes, we'll face it together. I know that. And I trust you. I trust us."

Leah met her gaze, her eyes softening, and in that moment, they both knew they were standing on the edge of something beautiful, something they would build together, piece by piece.

In the quiet of their home, the future felt wide open, filled with endless possibilities. Neither of them knew exactly what the next step would look like, but one thing was certain—they were in it together. And for both of them, that was all that mattered.