One day I'll have it all. // Williamson

Airport kiss

"Maybe I should just come to Spain with you," I mumbled, staring straight ahead at the airport in front of us.

"No, baby. I think it will do you some good to go back to California. You're always telling me how much you miss it." Leah's voice was gentle as she reached out to gently squeeze my hand, her touch warm and reassuring against my skin. "I'll be right here when you get back, remember?"

"I just... I know it's selfish, but I just wish you weren't called up, so you'd come with me." I mumbled, and Leah sighed softly.

"I love playing with England, baby. And as much as I'm gonna miss you, I haven't been called up in so long... I miss playing with Keira, Georgia, and the rest of the English squad." Leah explained to me.

I sighed softly, squeezing Leah's hand in mine. "I know... it's just- We're never gonna talk to each other. It's gonna be midnight in LA when it's morning in Spain, and midnight in Spain when it's noon in LA. And you're gonna be busy with football, and I'm gonna be busy with Charlotte."

Leah nodded understandingly, her gaze softening with empathy as she listened to my concerns. "I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but it's just a week, remember? After that, we're back together. In London. With the rest of the girls."

Leah's reassurance brought a small smile to my lips, despite the lingering sense of unease gnawing at my heart. "Yeah, you're right," I replied softly, trying to push aside my worries and focus on the bright side of things. "We've been apart for 20 years before that. I guess we can survive a week."

Leah chuckled, and nodded approvingly. "Exactly. We've survived much worse than a week apart," she agreed with a grin, her eyes sparkling with warmth and affection as she leaned in closer, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek. "And besides, absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at Leah's playful optimism. "People just say that. It's not true. Being apart sucks all the way." I replied, and Leah simply giggled, shrugging. "Charlotte told me all the things she wants us to do together. You wanna hear it?" I asked Leah, turning my head to finally look at her.

Leah's eyes lit up with genuine interest as she turned to face me, her expression eager and curious. "Of course I do," she replied with a smile.

"Well first, she says we're gonna break into my old house, so I can get my jersey collection back, and my dog," I told Leah, whose eyes widened at my words.

"You're gonna bring your dog to London?" She asked me, and I shrugged.

"I mean... I'd like to, but maybe he'd be better off somewhere else. My flat is small and I don't have a garden. Plus, right now it'd be easy to take care of him because we're not playing European, but next year, where am I gonna put him whenever we go play in Spain or Germany?"

Leah nodded in understanding, her expression thoughtful as she considered my words. "Yeah, that's definitely something to think about," she agreed, her tone gentle and supportive. "Maybe we could ask Beth and Viv who take care of their dogs when they're playing away. I'm sure they could help us."

I smiled gratefully at Leah's suggestion. I knew Leah loved dogs, but I thought she would just think I was crazy for wanting to bring mine to London. And the fact that she said 'us' and not 'you'... god, I could marry her on the spot. I mean, no, probably not.

"That's a great idea," I replied, feeling a surge of relief at the thought of finding a solution that would allow me to bring Drayton home with me. "I'll talk to Beth and Viv about it when we get back. I just... I hate the idea of him being alone with my mother. I just know she doesn't take care of him properly."

Leah smiled back at me, her eyes shining with warmth and affection. "And what else did Charlotte say?" she asked eagerly, her curiosity piqued by the mention of my best friend's plans.

"We're basically gonna be playing football in my favorite spots, while I tell her everything about Arsenal. She literally said she wanted like, embarrassing insights about the girls."

"Oh yeah? What're you gonna say to her?" Leah asked, raising an eyebrow.

I smirked at her question. "That you're an annoying girlfriend and that Katie's a little brat, which is true. Then, maybe I'll just... spread out fake rumors. Just for fun. Like, I don't know, that... Kyra and Caitlin hate each other and throw boots at one another in the locker room, or that Beth and Viv legally adopted Laura." I said, and Leah laughed sincerely at my words.

"Okay, First, I'm not annoying, I'm endlessly supportive and loving," Leah teased with a playful glint in her eyes. "I'm not gonna pretend what you're saying about Katie isn't true. But like, Beth and Viv adopting Laura is totally accurate."

"Right?" I laughed softly, and Leah nodded. "She's basically their child."

"Vic is, too," Leah added, and I giggled.
Leah looked at her phone for a second, then offered me a sad smile. "You gotta go, baby, or you're gonna miss your flight."

I sighed softly, feeling a pang of sadness tugging at my heart as the reality of our impending separation sunk in. "Yeah, I guess you're right," I replied reluctantly, reaching out to take Leah's hand in mine again, savoring the warmth and comfort of her touch for a few precious moments longer. "I don't want to leave you."

Leah's smile softened, her gaze tender as she squeezed my hand gently. "I don't want you to leave either," she murmured softly, her voice tinged with emotion. "But it's only for a week, remember? We'll be back together before you know it."

I nodded, swallowing back the lump that had formed in my throat. "Yeah, I know," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "I'll just miss you like crazy."

Leah's expression softened with empathy, her eyes shimmering with unspoken emotion as she reached out to cup my cheek, her touch gentle and reassuring. "I'll miss you too, baby," she whispered, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "But I'll be counting down the days until you're back in my arms again."

I leaned into her touch, closing my eyes and savoring the warmth and comfort of her embrace for a few fleeting moments longer. "Kiss me?" I asked her, my voice barely above a whisper as I looked up at Leah with pleading eyes.

Leah's gaze softened at my request, a tender smile playing on her lips as she leaned in closer, her lips hovering just inches from mine. "You don't have to ask me twice," she whispered, evidently trying to soften the hard blow we were both taking right now.

And then, with a soft sigh, our lips met in a sweet, lingering kiss. I tried to memorize every single feeling I had when Leah's lips were on mine. The way her touch sent shivers down my spine, the warmth that spread through my body as our lips moved together in perfect harmony. The taste of her mouth, the softness of her hands against my skin, the way her breath mingled with mine, the faint scent of her perfume. It was a bittersweet moment, filled with love and longing, yet tempered by the knowledge that it would be our last for a while.

The more we kissed, the less I missed California.

Leah pulled away reluctantly, her eyes searching mine. reality came crashing back in, our foreheads resting against one another as we savored the lingering closeness between us.

"You'll call me as soon as you land, yeah?" Leah murmured softly.

"I promise," I replied without hesitation as I reached out to gently brush a stray lock of hair from Leah's face.

Leah's expression softened at my words, a small smile playing on her lips as she leaned in to press a tender kiss to my lips once more. "I love you, baby." She whispered softly.

"I love you too, Leah," I whispered back, my voice thick with emotion.

With one final lingering embrace, we reluctantly pulled away from each other, the weight of our impending separation heavy in the air around us. With a heavy heart, I gathered my belongings and made my way towards the airport entrance, casting one last lingering glance over my shoulder at Leah's car.

I stepped through the airport doors, trying my very best not to turn around to run back into Leah's arms.