unexpected love (Leah Williamson)

Planning the Future

The days following their engagement were a whirlwind of congratulations, phone calls, and questions. The Arsenal squad was abuzz with excitement, Beth taking every opportunity to remind Ella and Leah that she had been "integral" to their love story. Leah, ever the private type, tolerated the teasing with a smirk, while Ella blushed at every mention of their proposal. 

But tonight was different. It was their first quiet evening together since the engagement, the first chance they had to truly sit down and talk about what came next. 

Ella had just finished her shift at the hospital and stepped into their shared flat, exhausted but smiling when she saw Leah waiting for her in the kitchen. The warm aroma of pasta filled the air, and two glasses of wine sat on the counter. 

"You cooked?" Ella asked, slipping out of her coat and setting her bag aside. 

Leah grinned. "It's edible. I think. I figured you could use a night off." 

Ella walked over and wrapped her arms around Leah's waist, leaning her head against her fiancée's chest. "You're amazing, you know that?" 

Leah kissed the top of her head. "I try." 

As they sat down to eat, Ella couldn't help but notice the nervous energy radiating from Leah. She was fidgeting with her fork, her usual calm demeanor replaced with something almost... hesitant. 

"What's on your mind?" Ella asked, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at Leah. 

Leah hesitated for a moment before setting her fork down. "I've been thinking about the wedding." 

Ella's brows lifted in surprise. "Already? We just got engaged, Leah." 

"I know," Leah admitted, her smile sheepish. "But I can't help it. I want it to be perfect for you—for us. I just... I don't even know where to start." 

Ella chuckled softly. "Leah, we have time. There's no rush. We don't have to plan everything tonight." 

Leah nodded but then looked down at her hands. "It's just... I want to give you the wedding you deserve, you know? Something beautiful. Something... unforgettable." 

Ella reached across the table, taking Leah's hands in hers. "Leah, our wedding will be unforgettable no matter what. It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be us." 

Leah's eyes softened, and she squeezed Ella's hands. "You always know what to say." 

Ella smiled. "That's why you're marrying me." 

They both laughed, the tension breaking as they finished their dinner and moved to the couch, glasses of wine in hand. 

---

Leah sat cross-legged on the couch, Ella leaning against her, their legs tangled together as they sipped their wine. 

"Alright," Leah said after a while. "If we're not planning the wedding tonight, can we at least talk about what we want?" 

Ella tilted her head, her gaze thoughtful. "What do you mean?" 

"Like... do you want a big wedding or a small one? Church or outdoors? And—" Leah hesitated, her voice softening, "do you see kids in the picture someday?" 

Ella froze for a moment, caught off guard by the question. She turned to look at Leah, her eyes wide. "Kids?" 

Leah nodded, her expression open but serious. "I know it's a big thing to think about. But if we're planning a life together, I want to know where you stand." 

Ella set her wine glass down and shifted so she could face Leah fully. "Honestly? I've thought about it, but not in a serious way. I mean, with my career and everything, I've always felt like it would be too much. Too complicated." 

Leah nodded, her hand finding Ella's and holding it gently. "I get that. I've felt the same way about football. But... I don't know, lately, I've been thinking about what it would be like. To have a family with you. To share that." 

Ella's eyes softened, and she leaned forward, resting her forehead against Leah's.
"You'd be an amazing mom," Ella said softly, her voice tinged with emotion. "I've seen how you are with kids—how patient, how kind. They'd be so lucky to have you."

Leah's lips curved into a small smile. "I think you'd be amazing too, Elle. You're so compassionate. The way you care for people—it's like second nature to you. I've thought about what it would be like to have a little one running around. A mix of both of us."

Ella chuckled, leaning back slightly but keeping Leah's hands in

Ella chuckled, leaning back slightly but keeping Leah's hands in hers. "A mix of both of us, huh? So, what are we talking here? A kid with your determination and my patience? Or maybe my clumsiness and your stubbornness?"

Leah laughed, her eyes lighting up with warmth. "Let's hope for the first option. I don't think we could survive a mini version of your parking skills."

Ella feigned offense, swatting Leah's shoulder playfully. "Rude. My parking is fine, thank you very much."

Leah smirked. "Sure, sure. But seriously, Elle, we don't have to decide anything right now. I just wanted to talk about it, you know? To know that it's something we could think about someday."

Ella's smile softened as she leaned back against the couch, pulling Leah closer. "I like the idea of someday. It's a lot to think about, but... yeah, someday sounds nice."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their future feeling both exciting and comforting. Ella could picture it, just faintly—the two of them chasing a toddler around their home, laughing as they tried to keep up. It was a dream she hadn't dared to entertain before, but with Leah, it didn't feel so impossible.

"Do you think they'd like football or medicine?" Ella mused aloud, a dreamy smile on her face.

"Both," Leah said without hesitation. "They'd be unstoppable."

Ella laughed, her head resting against Leah's shoulder. "I think I'm gonna need more wine if we're planning imaginary children already."

---

Later that night, as they got ready for bed, the conversation lingered in Ella's mind. She brushed her teeth, glancing at Leah in the mirror as she folded their clothes, her movements calm and unhurried. It struck Ella how lucky she was to have someone like Leah—someone who not only dreamed with her but also made her feel safe enough to share those dreams.

When they finally crawled under the covers, Ella turned to Leah, her voice quiet but steady. "Leah?"

"Yeah?" Leah replied, her eyes already starting to droop from the day's exhaustion.

"I don't know what our future holds, or when we'll be ready for everything we talked about tonight. But... I want it all. With you."

Leah's eyes opened fully, and her face broke into a slow, heartfelt smile. "Me too, Elle. Always with you."

Ella leaned in, kissing her softly, their hands tangling together under the blanket. In that moment, the world outside didn't matter. All that mattered was the quiet promise between them—a future they would build together, one step at a time.

And as they drifted to sleep, their hands still intertwined, Ella felt something she hadn't in a long time: complete certainty.