Le's Soldier

Part 83

37 Weeks + 2 Days

After the Fight

07:10 AM — The Morning After

Leah woke up and immediately remembered.

She opened her eyes.

Lilly wasn't in bed.

For half a second, panic hit her.

Then she heard Ash moving around downstairs.

Leah slowly sat up, rubbing her stomach.

"Lilly?"

No answer.

She got herself dressed and made her way downstairs.

Lilly was standing outside in the back garden.

Leah stopped at the kitchen window.

Lilly had a cigarette in one hand.

Coffee in the other.

She was still wearing yesterday's oversized T-shirt.

Her knuckles were bruised.

There was a small cut beside her eyebrow.

Leah stared.

Ash was sitting beside the back door watching Lilly.

Lilly took one drag before noticing Leah.

Immediately, she put the cigarette down away from the door.

Leah opened the door.

"You're smoking again."

Lilly looked slightly guilty.

"Morning."

"Don't morning me."

"I went outside."

"I can see that."

"I didn't smoke near you."

Leah sighed.

"I know."

Lilly looked down at the cigarette.

"I'm stressed."

Leah's expression softened slightly.

She knew Lilly only started smoking more when her head was busy.

The baby coming.

The panic attack.

Work.

The fight.

Everything was piling up.

"I don't like it," Leah admitted.

"I know."

"But I'm glad you're not doing it around me or the baby."

"Never."

Lilly immediately put it out.

Leah looked at her.

"You didn't have to stop."

"I don't need it that badly."

Leah walked closer.

"You alright?"

Lilly shrugged.

"Yeah."

"Bullshit."

Lilly gave a small laugh.

"Bit anxious."

"About?"

Lilly looked down at Leah's bump.

"Our entire life changing in like three weeks."