Le's Soldier

Part 88

A couple mornings after their embarrassing trip to hospital, Lilly was back at work.

She'd barely slept.

Leah had spent half the night complaining about her stomach, the baby kicking, and how betrayed she felt by the Braxton Hicks.

Eventually, Lilly had kissed her forehead and whispered,

"Go stay with your mum today. I'll be home this afternoon."

Leah had agreed.

So, at 8:00 that morning, Lilly stood on the training field, whistle around her neck, barking orders at a group of cadets.

"Again!"

The cadets groaned.

"Did I stutter?"

They immediately moved.

Lilly was halfway through correcting someone's stance when her phone started ringing.

She ignored it.

It rang again.

And again.

Finally, she pulled it from her pocket.

Mum.

Lilly answered immediately.

"What's wrong?"

Her stomach dropped when she heard Amanda's voice.

"Lilly. You need to come to the hospital."

Lilly froze.

"What?"

"Leah's water broke."

For one second, Lilly couldn't breathe.

"Is she okay?"

"She is. But the contractions are coming hard."

Lilly was already moving.

"I'm coming."

⸻

The drive to the hospital felt endless.

Lilly gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles went white.

She called Amanda once.

No answer.

Again.

Nothing.

Her heart hammered.

"Come on, Leah..."

When she finally pulled into the hospital car park, Lilly practically abandoned the car and ran inside.

"Leah Williamson!"

The receptionist pointed her toward maternity.

"Room—"

Lilly didn't even wait for the rest.

She sprinted down the corridor.

And then she heard her.

"LILLY!"

Lilly burst through the door.

Leah was lying on the bed, hair damp with sweat, gripping the sheets as another contraction ripped through her.

Amanda stood beside her.

"She's been progressing incredibly quickly," the midwife said.

Lilly's face crumpled.

"Oh my God."

Leah reached toward her.

"Get here."

Lilly rushed to her side.