Le's Soldier

Part 79

28 Weeks (7 Months)

The Maldives had been Lilly's idea.

Which shocked absolutely everyone.

Including Leah.

Because Lilly hated holidays.

Hated airports.

Hated sitting still.

Hated tourists.

Yet somehow she'd booked a week away without telling anyone until the tickets were already paid for.

"You planned a holiday?"

Lilly looked mildly offended.

"I can plan things."

"You forgot our Wi-Fi password for six months."

"Different."

⸻

Three Days Before Leaving

Packing was a nightmare.

Mostly because Leah had reached the stage of pregnancy where nothing fit properly anymore.

Her bump was obvious now.

Beautiful.

Round.

Impossible to hide.

And she was grumpy about it.

"This doesn't fit."

"It does."

"It doesn't."

"It literally does."

Leah glared.

Lilly wisely said nothing else.

⸻

Ash watched from the bed.

Head tilted.

Concerned.

Like he sensed something was happening.

"We're only gone a week," Leah told him.

Ash looked devastated.

Lilly rolled her eyes.

"He's a dog."

"He has feelings."

Ash immediately climbed onto Leah's lap.

Lilly sighed.

"See?"

⸻

The Flight

Shockingly—

Leah slept through most of it.

Head on Lilly's shoulder.

One hand resting over her stomach.

The baby occasionally kicking.

Lilly reading the same page of her book for an hour because she couldn't stop looking at Leah.

Or the bump.

Or both.

⸻

Arrival — Maldives

The place was ridiculous.

Crystal-clear water.

White sand.

Private villa.

Palm trees swaying.

Warm sunshine.

The sort of place neither of them would normally choose.

Leah stepped onto the boardwalk and stared.