A new life for Sofia

Chapter twenty-nine

''Ok, ik denk dat het wel genoeg is zo.'' (Ok, I think that's enough now.) Sofia said. 

Lately, Maya and Carina have been trying to learn Dutch. It was still an important aspect of Sofia's life. Ever since her birthday, she has been in contact with her old friends through Snapchat. One night, Sofia was on the phone with Julia, one of her oldest friends. The conversation took place in the living room, and it dawned on Maya that she needed to learn her daughter's native language. 

So, ever since that day, when the family had time, they would try to have a conversation in Dutch for at least one minute. It was still early, but both of them had made a lot of progress. Maya even suggested to do the same thing with Italian, because she didn't want to feel left out. 

The three of them were currently in the car to long beach. Carina needed to pee every hour, so the trip took a little longer. 

''Mama, per quanto tempo sta ancora guidando?'' Sofia asked her mother. She was getting a little impatient. The car really limited her ability to move around, and she did not like to sit still.

''Ci siamo quasi, piccolina.'' Carina replied. 

''Ok, minute is over.'' Maya announced. 

''Did you understand everything?'' Carina asked her wife. She was so happy when Maya said she wanted to learn Italian again. Although, learning a new language seemed to be more difficult than Maya thought. 

''I think so, except for the last part.'' Maya replied, her eyes never leaving the road as they approached more traffic. 

''Soof asked how long we still have to drive, and I told her that we are almost there.'' Carina explained. 

''Aah, it's like fifteen more minutes, bubs.'' Maya looked in the rear-view mirror and saw relief written all over Sofia's face. She smiled and focused on the road again. 

They finally arrived at their place of destination. In the beautiful nature stood a wooden cabin, reserved for the family. 

''Oh my god, this looks amazing.'' Sofia stated when she first took a look around the cabin. 

''I know.'' Maya said. ''Would you believe that this is only ten minutes away from the city?'' She carried most of the luggage inside, walking back to the car to get the rest.

''Bellisima.'' Carina simply stated, before putting her purse down and walking towards the bathroom.

Sofia was exploring the nature around the cabin. She kneeled down at the edge of the river that was located about 200 meters behind the cabin. 

As soon as Maya finished putting the groceries away, she joined Sofia. 

''Beautiful, isn't it?'' Sofia asked after they sat there in silence for a couple of minutes. 

''Yeah, so peaceful.'' Maya replied. 

Sofia stood up. ''Ok, done with the peace and quiet. Do you want to play some football with me?'' 

''Sure.'' Maya replied, already heading towards the cabin to collect the ball. ''But just so you know, it's called soccer.'' 

Sofia rolled her eyes. ''Just get the ball.'' She laughed. 

They kicked the ball to each other, Sofia took some shots on Maya and they had some 1 v 1 battles. Sofia wanted to join a football team next season, so she had been running around with a soccer ball this entire vacation. 

''Phew, I didn't realize soccer was this intensive.'' Maya breathed out.

''Is the olympic gold medalist getting tired from playing football with her daughter?'' Sofia teased.