Le's Soldier

Part 58

The week after the appointment stayed quiet.

No announcements.
No team group chats.
No press.
Just them.

Leah was still sick.

Morning sickness wasn't just mornings — it was all the damn time. Lilly learned that quickly. The first day back after the doctor, she woke to the sound of Leah rushing to the bathroom.

She was up instantly.

By the time she reached the door, Leah was kneeling on the floor, one hand braced against the toilet, the other pressed to her stomach.

"Hey... hey," Lilly said softly, crouching beside her.

Leah shook her head weakly. "I'm okay..."

"You're not."

Leah finished, flushing, leaning back against the wall. Lilly grabbed a cold cloth and handed it to her.

"Thanks," Leah whispered.

Lilly sat beside her, one arm loosely around her shoulders. She hated this part — the helplessness. Leah being pale and shaky.

"You should be asleep," Leah murmured.

"You should not be throwing up."

Leah huffed weakly. "Apparently this is normal."

"I don't like it."

"I gathered."

Lilly helped her stand slowly. Leah leaned heavily into her.

"You dizzy?"

"Yeah."

"Okay... slow."

They shuffled back to bed. Lilly tucked her in carefully, pulling the blanket up.

Leah grabbed her wrist before she could move.

"Stay."

"I've got cadets."

Leah frowned slightly, still half asleep. "...don't wanna be alone."

That was it.

Lilly sighed quietly and climbed back into bed beside her. Leah immediately curled into her chest, hand resting over Lilly's heart.

"I'll go in late," Lilly muttered.

Leah smiled faintly. "You're soft."

"Only for you."

⸻

Later that morning, Leah tried to eat toast.

It lasted two bites.

She pushed the plate away, face twisting. "Nope."

Lilly took it without comment, replacing it with crackers. "Try these."

Leah nibbled one cautiously.

"...better."

"Good."

Lilly leaned against the counter watching her, arms folded. She hadn't smoked since the doctor visit — the fear had eased — but she still looked tense whenever Leah went pale.

Leah noticed.

"You're hovering."

"You're sick."

"I'm pregnant."

"You're sick because you're pregnant."

Leah smiled softly. "You're worried."

"Yes."

Leah reached for her hand. "I'm okay."

Lilly squeezed gently. "I know."

⸻

Midweek, Leah fell asleep on the couch again.

Lilly came home later than usual, quiet as always. The house was dim. She stepped into the living room — and there Leah was, curled under a blanket.

Bucket beside her again.

Lilly's chest tightened slightly, but she didn't panic this time. She just moved closer, brushing hair from Leah's face.

Leah stirred. "...hi."

"Hey."

"I threw up again."

"I guessed."

Leah gave a small tired laugh.

"You eat?"

"Soup."

"Keep it down?"

"...mostly."

"Good."

Lilly sat beside her, letting Leah lean into her. She rested her hand carefully on Leah's stomach — still flat, but she already treated it like something fragile.

"You okay?" she asked quietly.

Leah nodded. "Just tired."

"Come to bed."

"Don't wanna move."

"Alright."

Lilly stayed there instead, pulling the blanket higher.

Leah shifted closer, pressing her face into Lilly's neck. "You smell like outside again."

"Training day."

"You shout at them?"

"All day."

Leah smiled faintly. "You're scary."

"Only to them."

Leah tilted her head up slightly. "Not to me."

Lilly leaned down and kissed her softly. Slow. Gentle.

Leah melted into it.

When they pulled apart, Leah whispered, "You're gonna be a good mum."

Lilly froze slightly.

"...yeah?"

"Yeah."

Lilly swallowed. Her thumb brushed Leah's cheek. "You already are."

Leah smiled sleepily.

They sat like that for a long time — quiet, warm, just breathing together.

No one else knew yet.

Just them.