Rediscovering You

twelve

16th March 2023 – one year and seven weeks old.

'You've been a bit of a hypocrite, you know?' Lia says as she glances over at Leah who's preparing them both some breakfast.

'What? How did you come to that conclusion?' Leah asks glancing over her shoulder.

'Well ever since everything happened with Caitlin and Katie, you've been constantly telling me that I'll find my person soon and that I can't rule out dating in the future just because I'm hurt right now...' Lia says and the blonde nods her head.

'Mm... It's true.' Leah replies.

'Then why doesn't that apply to you? I've been telling you for months that you can't rule out dating again in the future after everything that has happened with Imogen and you keep telling me that it's not going to happen... So why am I different from you?' Lia asks.

'Because you just are. You deserve someone to spoil you and to love you.' Leah replies shrugging your shoulders.

'It worries me that you don't seem to think that you deserve to be loved because you do, you know? You deserved to loved hard by the right person whether you believe it or not and I know you're still hurt by Imogen and by the ways things have turned out with Jordan but that doesn't mean you can't try again if someone else comes along. That doesn't mean that in the future you can't be happy in a relationship with your forever person.' Lia says softly causing the blonde to sigh.

'What if that's the issue? What if I've already found my forever person and it all went wrong?' Leah asks quietly.

'Imogen?' Lia asks and the blonde hesitantly nods her head.

'As the angry as subsided, the feelings have returned... I don't think they actually ever went away.' Leah admits shrugging her shoulders.

'Then speak to her. Don't let this chance pass you by.' Lia says.

'I just- I don't think I can go back there, Wally. I don't think I can potentially put myself through it again, put Rory through it.' Leah replies.

****

'How's Wally doing?' Imogen asks softly as she hesitantly hovers next the blonde who glances up to her with a small smile on her face.

'She's okay... She's just in medical getting a twinge looked at but she's okay. You can sit down, you know? I don't bite.' Leah says gesturing to the empty seat next to her.

'I uh- I wasn't sure if you'd want me to.' Imogen admits biting her bottom lip. Taking a deep breath, Leah pulls the empty chair out and gestures for the brunette to sit down.

'I know I've been a bit frosty since you came back and I promise it isn't necessarily always on purpose I just- I don't hate you, Ims. I've never hated you. Was I angry? Absolutely, I was so angry and so hurt but I just needed to work through that.' Leah says watching as Imogen glances down at her hands which are clasped on top of the table.

'I'm not saying we're going to go back to where we were because we're not but I miss you being around, I miss having a laugh and I want to try work back to having a friendship, if that's what you want as well.' Leah continues.

'I uh- I would really like that.' Imogen replies quietly.

'I wont lie I'm not necessarily ready to fully let you back in; it might take me a while to get there but I just- I want to get there.' Leah says.

'I'm really going to try to get there.' Leah adds and Imogen nods her head.

'I am sorry, you know. The reason we're where we are is because of me and I just wish I could change it. I wish I could go back in time and change everything.' Imogen says.

'It's okay.' Leah almost whispers.

'As long as you're okay, it's okay.' Leah says.

**** 

'How long was that?' Leah asks as she drops down off the bar causing Lia to smile.

'34 seconds.' Lia replies.

'Oh look at you getting strong...' Imogen says smiling as she walks by. Stretching her arms above her head, Leah smiles and shakes her head as Lia nudges her.

'Are you two good?' Lia asks quietly.

'We're working on it. I thought about what you said earlier, so we spoke earlier and now we're just working on being friends again.' Leah says.

'That makes me so happy, Le. You've not been the same since everything happened. I know you've had your own issues but it's just nice to see you properly smile again.' Lia replies softly.

'Well I don't know if I would've got there without your little push.' Leah says.

'You would have... It probably would've just taken a little bit longer.' Lia replies smiling.

'What are your plans for tonight then? Are you spending the night or going to your place?' Leah asks.

'I'm not sure... I might go back to my place for the night. I could come to yours and buy us a takeaway though?' Lia suggests and the blonde nods her head.

'Sounds good. Have you spoke to Caitlin or Katie today?' Leah asks.

'Nope. Caitlin seems to be keeping her distance; I think you scared her away the other day.' Lia replies causing the blonde to groan.

'I didn't mean to be so abrupt I just- She wasn't listening to you at all.' Leah says causing the Swiss-midfielder to laugh.

'You were being protective... It's what we do for each other.' Lia replies shrugging her shoulders.

****

Her arms wrap around the little girl as they spin around in a circle, Rory's giggles filling the kitchen causing the blonde to smile. They'd had dinner with Lia before she'd gone home leaving just the two of them for the first time in a while.

'Mumma's riling you up when in reality I should be getting you ready for bed, shouldn't I?' Leah says softly as she stops spinning and runs her hand down Rory's back. She glances down at Rory sleepily rubs her eyes with her little fist, her giggles quieting down until she drops her head to rest against the blonde's chest.

'Let's go snuggle on the chair, will we?' Leah almost whispers. She carries Rory through to the nursery where she takes a seat on the rocking chair, her hands running up and down the little girl's back. She rocks gently in the chair as she begins to hum softly in an attempt to settle the little girl.

note: shorter chapter this morning but should hopefully get a second up later.