You are my mums (a Lucy Bronze fanfic) - Book 2

Chapter 36 - No words

A/N - once again, I'm sorry for the lack of updates. I am currently going through a very messy, long and incredibly hard breakup. I hope you all can understand. 

10/06/23

Rosie's POV:

"There, it's done. But be careful with it Luce". Mapi examined my mum's ribs, delicately touching the reddened skin. I sat on the sofa, squinting my eyes to try and see Mapi's work for myself. The bright sunshine cascading through the windows made it difficult to view anything, so I stood up and walked towards my mum and best friend. Lucy, who had positioned herself in front of a mirror, looked up when she heard my approaching footsteps, "What do you think Ro?". Smiling widely down at the artwork, I then turned to Mapi who was watching with eyes full of anticipation, "Not bad León...it's beautiful". 

When Mapi had given me my first tattoo, Lucy had promised to get one to match it - also done by Mapi. Four months later, and the permanent ink was finally engraved into my mother's body. It was an exact carbon copy of mine that was on the side of my wrist: 10/06/22 Forever. The date Lucy was officially registered as my mum again. A special day that meant a lot to both of us after the battles we had survived to get to that date. A date that occurred exactly a year ago. 

If i'm being completely honest, I thought Lucy had forgotten about her promise. And when she woke me up at 10am this morning, I was most displeased. But those negative feelings soon evapourated when we arrived at Mapi and Ingrid's apartment. She had remembered. 

Mapi disappeared for a moment before re-emerging with a giant bottle of champagne in her hand, "Happy one year anniversary guys". Me and Lucy shared a quick hug before I rushed towards the kitchen to collect three champagne flutes. 

The season had ended, Champions' League had been won, and a summer of football in Australia was fast approaching. The squad had been announced at the end of May, both Lucy and Keira included on the plane to the other side of the world. We had 2 and a half weeks to spend together as a family before they departed to the pre-tournament camp. I wouldn't see them for another four weeks until I travelled to the home of the Matildas at the beginning of August. Four weeks. A whole month without Lucy or Keira by my side.

 I was yet to decide how I would spend my time. For 3 of those weeks, I was required to be in Barcelona, training with the rest of the team not selected for the World Cup. All that was decided was that for the final week, I would be heading to London. Beth and Viv had invited me to stay with them until I flew out to Australia with Leah, her family and some of the other players' families. As for the few weeks in Spain, both Georgia and Mapi had offered to Lucy that they would babysit me. Not that I need it. I am perfectly capable of looking after myself. But I definitely wouldn't say no to living with someone new for a short time - it would be fun. 

After a celebratory drink, Lucy began to put her top back on her body until Mapi stopped her, "No! Stop! What are you doing Lucy?". My mum widened her eyes at the Spanish defender's panicked expression, "Putting my top on?". Mapi shook her head, "No, it needs to breathe...i'm sure Keira will like it better like that anyway". A smirk crept up onto her face with that last phrase, before she returned to the serious, straight-faced tattooist Maria León. 

Lucy ignored her comment and raised an eyebrow, "You expect me to drive home without a top on?". Mapi answered confidently as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Yes". My mum spoke in disbelief, "I have to walk out of your apartment, go in the lift and walk across the street to where my car is parked all with just a bra on?". Mapi's face lit up, clearly happy that Lucy finally understood, "Exactly". I added on, "And I'll take lots of pictures of you and send them to every single person in my contacts". Lucy rolled her eyes, "I don't care, let everyone see my abs". She's too confident. Despite complaining about it, she is actually very proud of her body and doesn't mind showing it off if she has to.