Le's Soldier

Part 80

35 Weeks

06:15 AM — Home

The nursery was almost finished.

Almost.

Which, according to Lilly, meant it was not finished at all.

She stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, staring at the cot.

"It's wonky."

Leah, sitting heavily on the nursery chair, looked over.

"It is not."

"It is."

"You built it."

"I know."

"So whose fault is that?"

Lilly looked at her.

"...yours."

Leah burst out laughing.

"How is that my fault?"

"You distracted me."

"I was sitting here."

"Exactly."

Leah rolled her eyes, one hand resting over her enormous bump.

At thirty-five weeks, there was absolutely no hiding it anymore.

She was uncomfortable.

Slow.

Exhausted.

And incredibly ready to meet their little boy.

But she was also happy.

The nursery had soft neutral walls, little touches of blue, tiny football decorations and an Arsenal shirt folded neatly in a frame.

On the shelf sat the first little pair of football boots they'd bought.

Leah stared at them for a moment.

"He's actually going to wear those one day."

Lilly walked over and crouched beside her.

"Probably after you stop trying to turn him into a professional footballer before he's born."

"He's going to be good."

"He's going to have no choice."

Leah smiled.

Then winced.

Lilly immediately noticed.

"What?"

"Back."

"Bad?"

"Yeah."

Lilly rubbed her lower back gently.

"Sit still."

"I am sitting still."

"More still."

"You're bossy."

"You married me."

"Unfortunately."

Lilly smiled.

"Exactly."

⸻

07:40 AM — Lilly Goes To Work

By the time Lilly was dressed, Leah had migrated to the couch.

Ash was beside her.

His enormous head resting against her thigh.

Lilly stood by the front door.