Le's Soldier

Part 61

The room was quiet except for their breathing.

The house still smelled faintly of flowers from the wedding, soft spring air drifting through the open window. Leah lay against Lilly's chest, half asleep, her fingers lazily tracing the inside of Lilly's wrist.

"Wife," Leah murmured sleepily.

Lilly huffed softly. "You've said that five times."

"I like it."

"...I like it too."

Leah smiled, eyes already closing. The exhaustion of the day finally caught up with her. Within minutes she was asleep, curled into Lilly's side.

Lilly stayed awake a little longer, watching her. Married. Pregnant. Safe. Her hand rested lightly over Leah's stomach before she finally drifted off too.

⸻

It was still dark when Leah woke.

Her stomach twisted violently.

She bolted upright.

"Shit—"

The nausea hit hard and fast. She barely had time to turn before she leaned over the side of the bed and threw up onto the floor.

The sound woke Lilly instantly.

"Leah—"

Leah gagged again, shaking, tears immediately filling her eyes. She tried to pull back but it kept coming.

"I'm sorry—" she choked out between breaths.

"It's okay," Lilly said quickly, sitting up beside her, rubbing her back gently.

Leah finished, breathing shaky, face burning with embarrassment. She looked at the mess beside the bed and burst into tears.

"Oh my god... I'm so sorry," she cried, covering her face.

"Hey, hey..." Lilly wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "It's alright."

"I just— we just got married and I—" Leah sobbed harder. "That's disgusting."

"It's not disgusting."

"It is," Leah whispered, mortified. "I couldn't even make it to the bathroom..."

Lilly gently pulled her into her chest. "You're pregnant, Leah. This happens."

"I ruined— I ruined the night," she cried.

"You didn't ruin anything."

Leah shook her head, tears soaking into Lilly's shirt. "I feel awful... and now I've made a mess..."

Lilly pressed a soft kiss to her hair. "Stay here."

She carefully helped Leah lean back against the pillows, then got up quietly. She grabbed towels, cleaned the floor calmly, like it didn't bother her at all. No reaction. No disgust. Just quiet care.

Leah watched through blurry eyes, still crying. "You shouldn't have to do that..."

"I want to," Lilly said softly.

She finished cleaning, sprayed lightly, then came back to the bed. She grabbed a damp cloth and gently wiped Leah's face.

"You okay?" she murmured.

Leah shook her head. "I'm embarrassed..."

"Don't be."

"I threw up beside the bed..."

"And I cleaned it. Done."

Leah's lip trembled. "You deserve better than this."

Lilly frowned slightly, climbing back into bed and pulling her close. "I deserve you."

Leah buried her face in her chest, crying quietly. "I hate being this sick..."

"I know."

"I can't control it..."

"I know."

Lilly held her tighter, one hand rubbing slow circles on her back. "You didn't ruin anything. Tonight was perfect. You're just not feeling well."

Leah sniffed. "You're not grossed out?"

"No."

"Not even a little?"

"No."

Leah looked up at her, eyes red. "Really?"

"Really."

She brushed Leah's hair back gently. "You're carrying our baby. If that means I clean up at four in the morning, I'll do it every time."

Leah's eyes filled again, but softer this time.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too."

Leah curled into her again, still shaky. Lilly pulled the blanket around them, holding her close, one hand resting protectively over her stomach.

"Try sleep," Lilly murmured.

Leah nodded, exhausted.

Within minutes she drifted off again, still wrapped tightly in Lilly's arms — reassured, safe, and no longer embarrassed.