Le's Soldier

Part 87

The hospital corridor was quiet except for the soft beeping of machines and the occasional footsteps of a nurse.

Lilly hadn't let go of Leah's hand once.

They had been in the maternity unit for what felt like hours.

Leah lay back against the pillows, exhausted, one hand resting over her huge bump while Lilly sat beside her, watching every little movement.

Another contraction started.

Leah squeezed Lilly's hand.

"Fuck," she breathed.

"I know, baby. Breathe."

"I am breathing."

"You're glaring at me while breathing."

"Because you keep telling me to breathe."

Lilly smiled despite herself.

"Fair."

A midwife came in and checked Leah over again before smiling gently.

"Well... I've got some news."

Leah immediately looked worried.

"What?"

The midwife laughed softly.

"Everything looks perfectly fine."

Lilly blinked.

"Fine?"

"Baby's happy. Heart rate is good. You're not in active labour."

Leah stared at her.

"But I'm having contractions."

"You are. But they're Braxton Hicks."

Silence.

Leah slowly turned her head toward Lilly.

Lilly's eyebrows lifted.

"No."

Leah looked back at the midwife.

"No?"

"I'm afraid so."

Leah dropped her head back onto the pillow.

"Oh, you've got to be fucking kidding me."

Lilly bit her lip.

"Don't laugh."

"I'm not."

"You're literally smiling."

"I can't help it."

Leah narrowed her eyes.

"I hate you."

"You love me."

"Currently undecided."

⸻

A couple of hours later, they were walking out of the hospital.

WITH NO BABY.

Leah waddled beside Lilly, holding her stomach with one hand and her hospital paperwork with the other.

Lilly carried the overnight bag.

Ash was still waiting at home with Katie, completely unaware that his humans had just spent the night convincing themselves they were about to bring home a baby.

Leah stopped outside the hospital doors.

"I'm actually offended."

Lilly looked at her.

"By what?"

"My own uterus."

Lilly burst out laughing.

"Don't."

"It sent us to hospital at two in the morning!"

"I know!"

"You made me pack the entire bloody bag."

"You told me to pack it!"

"You were the one driving like we were in a Formula One race."

"You were contracting!"

"Apparently not!"

Leah folded her arms.

"Braxton Hicks."

Lilly nodded solemnly.

"Very dramatic Braxton Hicks."

"Shut up."

They started walking toward the car.

After a few seconds, Leah sighed.

"So we came to hospital..."

"Yep."

"Got checked..."

"Yep."

"Got told everything is fine..."

"Yep."

"And now we're going home."

"Yep."

Leah stared at Lilly.

"WITHOUT OUR BABY."

Lilly couldn't hold it anymore.

She started laughing.

Leah tried to stay annoyed.

She really did.

But eventually she started laughing too.

"You're an idiot."

"And you're still pregnant."

"Unfortunately."

Lilly wrapped an arm around her carefully.

"Come on, Mrs Williamson."

Leah leaned against her.

"I just want him here."

Lilly's smile softened.

"I know."

She kissed Leah's forehead.

"He'll come when he's ready."

Leah looked down at her bump.

"You hear that?"

A little kick answered her.

Leah smiled.

"See? Even he thinks you're annoying."

Lilly gasped.

"Excuse me?"

Leah laughed and waddled toward the car.

"Get me home, soldier."

Lilly followed her, shaking her head.

"Yes, ma'am."

And as they drove away from the hospital, Lilly glanced across at Leah.

Still pregnant.

Still exhausted.

Still waiting.

And somehow...

they were back at square one.

TO BE CONTINUED...