Rediscovering You

five

5th February 2023 - one year and one week old.

'Hi... I know you're not ready and that's okay but I just- Is she okay?' Imogen asks softly as she stands in front of the blonde almost nervously bouncing from foot to foot. She glances down at Leah who has Rory sitting on her knee, the little girl's face buried in her chest.

'She's absolutely fine. They said it was just caused by teething giving her a high temperature... Thank you for messaging and checking in, that was lovely of you.' Leah replies smiling slightly.

'I just- I care about both of you. That's never changed.' Imogen says quietly and Leah nods her head.

'Are you going to say hello to Imogen, baby girl?' Leah says softly as she moves some hair out of the little girl's face. She smiles slightly as Rory lifts her head and glances over at her shoulder at Imogen.

'Say hiya?' Leah asks softly as she runs her fingers down her cheek.

'Hello, you... You've gotten so big.' Imogen says bending down slightly to be at eye level with the little girl.

'Is she walking yet?' Imogen asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Not yet. You're a chatterbox though, aren't you? Forever just shouting mama when I'm not in your eyesight.' Leah replies tickling under the little girl's chin causing her to giggle.

'Where you going?' Imogen asks smiling as Rory launches herself towards her. She hesitantly reaches her arms out to catch the little girl as Leah smiles and loosens her grip on her.

'A-Are you okay with this?' Imogen asks softly glancing at the blonde who nods her head.

'I'm just going to nip to the toilet... If you need anything or she fusses just go to Kim or Jen.' Leah replies pushing herself into a standing position.

'Okay.' Imogen says adjusting the little girl on her hip.

****

'So I seen Imogen playing with Rory...' Kim says softly as she watches Leah fasten the little girl into her carseat.

'Mm... I'm not going to stop her having the same relationship with Roo that you guys all do.' Leah replies shrugging her shoulders.

'What about you? What about having a relationship with you?' Jen asks quietly glancing towards the front of the bus where the brunette is sitting with Steph.

'I can be civil, maybe eventually get to a place where we can be friends but no more than that.' Leah replies.

'Never?' Jen asks and Leah shakes her head.

'Nope. Just me and girlie going forward, isn't it? As long as I've got my Roo, I've got everything I need.' Leah replies.

'You're not going to be alone forever, Le. You can't get into that mindset.' Kim says softly.

'I'm content though; if I'm only my own with Roo, then I'm quite content with that.' Leah replies shrugging her shoulders.

'You just need to heal. You've been through a lot over the past few months and your heart just needs to heal.' Kim says gently squeezing the blonde's hand.

'I'll be fine... I am fine.' Leah replies.

'You are and if you're not, we've all got ya. We've got both of you.' Jen says causing the blonde to smile.

'We'd be lost without you, all of you.' Leah replies as she tucks a blanket around Rory's body.

'She's just such a good wee traveller, isn't she?' Kim says gesturing to Rory who is clutching her little cream bunny as Leah pops her dummy into her mouth.

'Mm... She's used to it. True test comes in the summer when we're hopefully travelling to Aus, doesn't it? We'll see.' Leah replies smiling.

****

'Hello, you...' Lisa says softly as she makes her way over to the blonde.

'Hey... How are you?' Leah asks turning to hug her former teammate.

'I'm good. How are you? How's the little one? Crazy to think she's a whole year now?' Lisa says and Leah nods her head.

'I know... We're good; she's growing so quickly. She's here actually, do you want to meet her?' Leah asks and Lisa's face immediately lights up.

'Can I?' Lisa asks quietly and Leah nods her head.

'Let me just go grab her from my mum... I'll be back in five.' Leah replies smiling as Katie makes her way over. She jogs over to where her mum is standing with Rory perched on her hip; since the Euros she's become a bit more relaxed with having Rory around fans but she's yet to post a picture of the little girl on her social media, instead opting to use her private story.

'Hey, baba...' Amanda says smiling.

'Hey, I'm just gonna take Roo over to meet Lisa...' Leah says softly as she takes the little girl into her arms and lifts her above her head causing her to giggle.

'Okay.' Amanda replies.

'Where's BunBun?' Leah asks causing her mum to immediately hold out the bunny.

'There we go... Let's go meet Lisa.' Leah says softly. She keeps the bunny clutched in one hand while adjusting Rory on her hip and making her way back towards Lisa and Katie.

'Oh my goodness, she's your spitting image, Leah.' Lisa says and Katie nods her head.

'She is, isn't she? Our little legs.' Katie says grinning as she reaches out to gently tickle Rory's chin.

'Hello...' Lisa says softly waving her hand in the little girl's direction.

'Are you going to say hiya to Lisa?' Leah asks gently bouncing Rory on her hip.

'Hiya.' Rory says giggling as she grips onto Leah's shirt.

'What did you can her again?' Lisa asks.

'Well her full name is Aurora but we call her Rory.' Leah replies.

'Or little legs.' Katie adds.

'Only you and Beth call her little legs.' Leah replies smiling.

****

Her arms wrap around Rory's tiny frame as she gently rocks in the rocking chair, the little girl's eyes growing heavy with sleep as she runs her finger down her cheek.

'Go to sleep, my girl... Mummy's got you, always.' Leah whispers softly. She continues rocking her for a few more minutes until her breathing evens out and she's able to transfer her into her cot. Quietly she makes her way out of the nursery and is immediately greeted by Lia.

'I've made you a hot chocolate.' Lia says softly.

'Thanks, Wally... I'm absolutely shattered.' Leah replies and Lia smiles.

'Mm... There's some dinner in the fridge if you want it.' Lia says softly causing the blonde to smile as she wraps her arms around the Swiss-midfielder and shakes her head.

'I'm good. Fancy a movie on the sofa?' Leah suggests and Lia nods her head.

'Mm... Sounds perfect.' Lia replies smiling.