unexpected love (Leah Williamson)

A Test of Strength

The following week was a whirlwind of activity. Leah had enlisted the help of Beth and Viv to help finalize her surprise. Between training sessions, house viewings, and secretive planning meetings, Leah barely had a moment to herself. But it was worth it. She wanted everything to be perfect for Ella.

Ella, on the other hand, was none the wiser. Her days at the hospital were long, and the relentless schedule of surgeries and patient care left her little time to notice Leah's sneaky behavior. Still, she couldn't help but feel like something was brewing. Leah had been unusually chipper, and her cryptic comments about "next weekend" only deepened Ella's curiosity.

But life had its own plans, and the night before Leah's big reveal, everything took a sudden, dangerous turn.

Leah was halfway through dinner preparations when Ella's phone buzzed on the counter. Ella, sitting at the table with her laptop open, glanced at the screen and immediately stiffened.

"What is it?" Leah asked, her tone shifting to concern.

"It's the hospital," Ella said, her voice tight. "There's been a multi-car accident on the motorway. They're calling in all available staff."

Leah's heart sank, but she nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Go," she said softly, placing a hand on Ella's shoulder. "I'll be here when you get back."

Ella stood, grabbing her coat and keys. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes meeting Leah's. "I love you," she said, her voice laced with worry.

"I love you too," Leah replied, pressing a quick kiss to Ella's forehead. "Be careful."

The scene at the hospital was chaotic. Sirens wailed outside as paramedics wheeled in stretchers, and the emergency department buzzed with activity. Ella slipped into her scrubs and jumped into action, her mind focused entirely on her patients.

Hours passed in a blur of blood, sutures, and endless decisions. Ella was in the middle of stabilizing a critical patient when a loud crash echoed through the hall.

"What was that?" one of the nurses asked, her voice tinged with fear.

Ella's heart raced as she glanced toward the source of the noise. A man, clearly agitated and under the influence, had barged into the emergency department. He was shouting incoherently, his movements erratic and unpredictable.

Security rushed to intervene, but before they could reach him, the man lunged toward one of the nurses, knocking over a tray of medical supplies. Ella instinctively stepped forward, putting herself between the man and her colleague.

"Sir, you need to calm down," she said, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

The man's eyes darted wildly, and for a moment, Ella thought he might back down. But then he lunged again, this time toward her.

Ella tried to dodge, but his grip was surprisingly strong. He grabbed her arm, and the force sent her stumbling backward into a cart of equipment. Pain shot through her shoulder as she hit the floor, but she didn't have time to think about it.

"Get back!" a security guard shouted, tackling the man to the ground.

Ella scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding as the chaos unfolded. The man was subdued within seconds, but the shock of the encounter left her shaken.

"Ella, are you okay?" one of the nurses asked, rushing to her side.

"I'm fine," Ella replied, though her voice wavered. Her shoulder throbbed, and her hands trembled slightly, but she pushed the fear aside. There were still patients who needed her.

Back at home, Leah was pacing the living room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. It was nearing midnight, and Ella hadn't called. Leah tried to remind herself that Ella's job often kept her late, but a gnawing sense of unease had settled in her chest.

When her phone finally buzzed, Leah snatched it up immediately.

"Ella?"

"I'm okay," Ella said, her voice tired but reassuring. "I just finished my last patient. I'll be home soon."

Leah exhaled a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "Thank God. Are you sure you're okay? You sound... off."

Ella hesitated, debating whether to tell Leah about the incident. "It was just a tough night," she said finally. "I'll explain when I get home."

When Ella walked through the door an hour later, Leah was waiting. She immediately noticed the way Ella cradled her left arm and the faint bruise forming on her shoulder.

"What happened?" Leah asked, her voice sharp with concern.

Ella sighed, dropping her bag and sitting carefully on the couch. "There was... an incident," she admitted. "A patient's relative got aggressive. It was handled, but—"

"But nothing," Leah interrupted, sitting beside her and gently taking her hand. "You got hurt."

"It's not that bad," Ella insisted, though the exhaustion in her eyes betrayed her.

Leah leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Ella's temple. "You're incredible, you know that? Putting yourself in harm's way for someone else... I just wish you didn't have to."

Ella smiled faintly, her head resting against Leah's shoulder. "It's part of the job," she said softly.

"Well," Leah murmured, "part of my job is making sure you're okay. So, let me take care of you tonight."

As they sat together in the quiet of their home, Leah felt her resolve strengthen. The surprise she'd been planning wasn't just about giving Ella a home—it was about creating a safe haven for the woman she loved, a place where she could find peace after nights like this.

And as Leah held Ella close, she knew she'd do whatever it took to make that dream a reality.