Le's Soldier

Part 59

The baby section at the store felt surreal.

Leah stood there staring at the tiny clothes, her hand unconsciously resting against her stomach. She still felt sick — the nausea came in waves — but this moment made everything feel real in a different way.

Lilly stood slightly behind her, quiet, watchful. She looked completely out of place among the pastel racks and soft blankets, arms folded, expression guarded — but her eyes kept drifting to Leah.

"You okay?" Lilly murmured.

Leah nodded slowly. "Yeah... just... this is weird."

"Weird good?" Lilly asked.

Leah turned to her, smiling faintly. "Yeah. Weird good."

They moved further down the aisle. Leah stopped suddenly, grabbing Lilly's wrist.

"Look."

She pointed.

A tiny football kit.

Arsenal red.

Lilly blinked.

Leah picked it up carefully — it was unbelievably small. Her throat tightened. She turned it around.

"We can get it printed," she whispered.

Lilly swallowed. "...yeah."

"Williamson," Leah said quietly. "And six."

Lilly's chest tightened.

She nodded once. "Do it."

Leah smiled softly. They handed it over to be printed, and while they waited, Leah grabbed a small white box, tissue paper, and another pregnancy test.

Lilly raised an eyebrow. "Another one?"

"Just... for the box," Leah said.

"You don't trust the blood test?"

"I do... I just want them to see it."

Lilly softened. "Okay."

Leah leaned slightly into her. "You alright?"

"Yeah," Lilly muttered, but her hand had already found Leah's back, steadying her when she swayed slightly.

Still sick.

Still pale.

Still pregnant.

They picked up the tiny kit a few minutes later.

WILLIAMSON
6

Leah stared at it like it might disappear.

Lilly reached forward, brushing her thumb over the number. "That's... really small."

Leah laughed softly. "Yeah."

They wrapped it in tissue paper, placed the pregnancy test inside, and closed the lid.

"Ready?" Lilly asked.

Leah nodded — then immediately grimaced, swallowing hard.

"You gonna throw up?" Lilly asked quietly.

"...maybe."

"Come on."

They rushed to the bathroom. Lilly held her hair back while she got sick again, rubbing slow circles on her back.

"Sorry," Leah whispered weakly.

"Don't apologise."

"You're always stuck with this."