Le's Soldier

Part 92

The next morning, Lilly woke to the tiniest sound.

A little whimper.

Her eyes opened immediately.

She looked toward the bassinet.

Their son was awake.

"Morning, mate."

Lilly carefully picked him up, holding him against her chest.

Across the room, Leah stirred.

"Lilly?"

"I'm here."

Leah opened her eyes.

For a second, she looked confused.

Then she remembered.

The baby.

The hospital.

Everything.

"Is he okay?"

Lilly smiled.

"Perfect."

Leah held out her arms.

"Bring him here."

Lilly carefully placed him against Leah's chest.

Leah looked down at him.

"Good morning, my beautiful boy."

He wriggled slightly.

Lilly sat beside them.

"I think he looks like you."

Leah smiled.

"I think he looks like both of us."

Lilly leaned over and kissed them both.

⸻

By lunchtime, the doctors had checked Leah again.

She was recovering well enough that they could start talking about going home.

Leah's eyes widened.

"Home?"

The nurse smiled.

"If everything continues going well, yes."

Lilly practically laughed with relief.

"Thank God."

Leah looked toward her.

"You're excited."

"I'm terrified."

Leah laughed.

"You?"

"I can train thirty cadets without blinking."

She looked down at their newborn.

"But this little guy?"

She shook her head.

"Absolutely terrifying."

Leah smiled.

"You'll be fine."

Lilly raised an eyebrow.

"Will I?"

"You already talk to him like he's a soldier."

"He needs discipline."

"He's two days old."

"Exactly. Early start."

Leah burst out laughing.

⸻

That afternoon, Amanda and David arrived with the bags.

Amanda had brought a ridiculous amount of food.

Lilly stared at the bags.

"What is all that?"

"Food."

"For who?"

"You."

Lilly blinked.

"Why?"

Amanda smiled.

"Because you haven't eaten properly since Leah went into labour."

Lilly looked away.

Leah immediately noticed.

"You haven't?"

Lilly shrugged.

"I was busy."

Leah gave her the look.

"Lilly."

"Fine."

Amanda pointed toward the food.

"Eat."

Lilly sighed.

"Yes, ma'am."

David laughed.

"She's still got that soldier attitude."

Leah smiled.

"Trust me, I've tried to get rid of it."

"You married it," Amanda said.

Lilly looked at Leah.

"She did."

⸻

Finally, it was time.

Their little boy was dressed in a tiny outfit.

Lilly carefully tucked the blanket around him.

Leah sat in the wheelchair, exhausted but smiling.

The hospital doors opened.

Sunlight hit them.

Lilly stopped.

She looked at Leah.

Then at their son.

Then back at Leah.

"We're actually going home."

Leah smiled.

"Yeah."

Lilly crouched beside the wheelchair.

"You ready?"

Leah nodded.

"I've never been more ready for anything."

Lilly kissed her.

Then she stood and carefully pushed the wheelchair toward the car.

Their son was safely strapped into his car seat.

Lilly checked the straps approximately seventeen times.

Leah laughed.

"Lilly."

"What?"

"You've checked them four times."

"Five."

"You're ridiculous."

"I nearly lost you."

Her voice softened.

"I'm not taking any chances with him."

Leah reached across and took her hand.

"You're going to be an amazing mum."

Lilly looked at her.

"You really think so?"

"I know so."

Lilly smiled.

She squeezed Leah's hand.

Then she looked at their little boy.

"Come on, Williamson."

She smiled through tears.

"Let's go home."

And for the first time, they drove away from the hospital not as two people waiting for their family to begin...

but as three.

TO BE CONTINUED...
:::