Le's Soldier

Part 73

The Morning After — 07:15 AM

The house was quiet.

Too quiet after yesterday.

Blue powder still clung faintly to the back patio outside. Tiny reminders everywhere.

A boy.

Leah woke slowly.

Then immediately—

"Oh no..."

She sat up fast, hand over her mouth.

Lilly was awake before Leah even got out of bed.

"Bathroom?"

Leah nodded quickly.

"Yep—"

Lilly was already up.

By now, they had a routine.

Hair tied back.

Cold washcloth ready.

Water beside the sink.

Lilly knelt beside her on the bathroom floor while Leah got sick again.

Violently this time.

Hard enough to leave her shaking afterward.

"I hate this pregnancy," Leah whispered miserably once it passed.

Lilly's face softened immediately.

"You hate being sick."

Leah wiped her face tiredly. "Same thing."

"No," Lilly said quietly. "Not the same thing."

Leah looked over.

Lilly rested a hand gently against her knee.

"You love him already."

That made Leah tear up instantly.

Because she did.

God, she did.

"I know," she whispered. "I just... I want to enjoy this."

"You will."

Leah laughed weakly. "When?"

"When he stops trying to kill you."

That got the smallest laugh out of her.

"Rude."

"He's your son."

⸻

09:30 AM — Messages Everywhere

Leah sat curled on the couch under a blanket, scrolling through messages from everyone.

Katie:

Told u it was a boy 😌

Beth:

Tiny football boy incoming ❤️

Keira:

You surviving today??

Tommy:

Congrats. Also your wife cried harder than u btw

Leah smiled weakly.

Then looked over.

Lilly stood in the kitchen making toast.

Again.

Always toast.

"You cried?" Leah asked.

"No."

"Tommy said you did."

"He's dramatic."

Leah smirked faintly. "Did you?"