Le's Soldier

Part 42

Chapter: Not Ready to Let Go

The pain didn't disappear after the first physio session.

Or the second.

Or the third.

If anything, it felt sharper now—more real. Before, she'd been numbed by medication and shock. Now her body was waking up, and every nerve seemed determined to remind her of what she'd lost.

Lilly still couldn't walk without help. Even standing for more than a few seconds made her knee shake violently, the pain climbing up her leg and settling like fire in her hip.

Most days, she stayed on the couch.

But something else had changed.

She wasn't silent all the time anymore.

⸻

Leah lay behind her on the couch, one arm draped loosely around Lilly's waist. The TV played some random cooking show neither of them were really watching.

Lilly rested her head against Leah's chest, fingers absentmindedly tracing the seam of Leah's hoodie.

"You're breathing on my neck," Lilly murmured.

Leah smirked. "You love it."

Lilly huffed softly. "Debatable."

Leah tightened her arm slightly, pressing a kiss into Lilly's hair. "You laughed this morning. That's new."

Lilly's lips twitched. "Tommy nearly fell off the chair trying to reach the cereal on the top shelf. It was worth it."

"Oi, he risked his life for that cereal," Leah said dramatically.

"Yeah, and nearly died for cornflakes."

Leah chuckled. "Heroic."

Lilly let out a quiet laugh—small, but real. The sound surprised even her.

Leah felt it more than heard it. Her chest softened.

There she is.

⸻

Later that afternoon, Lilly attempted to stand during one of her exercises.

Her hands gripped the kitchen counter, knuckles whitening.

"Okay," Leah said softly from beside her. "Slow and steady."

Lilly shifted her weight.

Pain shot through her knee like electricity.

Her breath hitched. "Fuck."

"Sit down, babe."

"No." Lilly shook her head, jaw clenched. "I've got it."

She forced herself upright.

For three seconds, she stood.

Then her leg trembled violently.

Leah was already there, catching her as she sank back into the chair.

"Hey. That was three seconds," Leah said gently. "That's more than yesterday."

Lilly swallowed, eyes glossy. "It shouldn't hurt this much."

"I know."

She leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Lilly's forehead.

Lilly closed her eyes, leaning into it. "You're annoying."

Leah smiled. "You love me."

"...Yeah," Lilly muttered. "Unfortunately."