Le's Soldier

Part 64

Coming home felt louder.

The city noise hit them the second they got back — traffic, people, phones buzzing again. The quiet of the countryside disappeared, but something between them stayed softer.

Leah dropped her bag by the door and exhaled. "I miss the cottage already."

"Yeah," Lilly muttered, locking the door behind them. "Too many people here."

Leah smiled faintly. "You hate people."

"I tolerate them."

Leah laughed softly, then immediately pressed a hand to her stomach. "Okay... maybe not laughing."

Lilly's head snapped toward her. "You alright?"

"Yeah, just... still queasy."

"Sit down."

"I just got in."

"Leah."

Leah rolled her eyes but sat anyway. "Bossy."

"Pregnant."

Leah smirked slightly. "Fair."

⸻

Lilly – Back at Training

"On the line!"

Lilly's voice cut through the training ground again — sharp, controlled, unforgiving.

The cadets snapped into place instantly.

Tommy leaned against the fence, arms crossed, watching with a grin. "You're worse than before the honeymoon."

"They got soft," Lilly replied flatly.

"They did not get soft in a week."

"They look soft."

Tommy laughed under his breath.

"Right," Lilly continued, pacing in front of them. "You've had a week without me. I can tell. That ends now."

A cadet shifted slightly.

"Problem?" Lilly snapped.

"No ma'am."

"Then stand still."

She walked closer, eyes scanning. "We're running drills. Faster. Cleaner. No mistakes."

They started.

Lilly didn't ease up — pushing them harder, correcting every move, every stance.

"Again."

They repeated.

"Again."

Sweat poured.

Tommy shook his head. "You're gonna kill them."

"They'll survive."

One cadet stumbled.

Lilly stepped in instantly. "Up."

"Yes ma'am."

"You don't stop because you're tired. You stop when I say."

"Yes ma'am!"

Tommy watched her carefully now — he knew that edge. Not just discipline. Something else.

"She okay?" he asked quietly when she stepped aside.

Lilly didn't look at him. "...still sick."

Tommy nodded. "That why you're like this?"

"Like what?"