Lover II- ML

241. Connections

While it was still early in the competition, Mapi contacted her Adidas representative and asked for a new pair of shin pads to be made.

Ever since she took that photo of Kaia and Fabian with her names and number on their back in the tunnel, she'd been obsessed with it. It was her lock screen and she desperately wanted it to be on her shin pads too, something she can take onto the pitch for her country so they're always with her.

Since there were two shin pads to be designed, she decided to send a picture from the honeymoon and one from the day Fabian was born for the creative team to integrate into the Spanish themed design.

She knew she wouldn't get it before their game against Nigeria, but she was hoping to have them before their last game in this competition. 

With that sorted, Mapi and a few of her friends went out for a walk to one of private pitches half a mile away from the training centre they were training it.

It was part of the same complex, but it was hired out to others players for the next few days. Those players were the England ones local to support the Spanish players, it made a lot of sense since they were staying so close, since their partners or friends can just walk up to meet with them.

When the group of Spanish players arrived, the four England players were still out on the large pitch with their trainer coaching them through passing and sprint drills.

The day was hot, something Mapi was grateful for because her wife was only in shorts and a sports bra. So was Leah, but Mapi's eyes did not leave the sweat on Kaia's stomach until she stopped right in front for them for some water.

"Nice shorts." Leila compliments with a cheeky smile.

Kaia looks down to the navy blue training shorts she's wearing, on one thigh the Spanish emblem and star and on the other thigh the number 16. "Yeah, they're a bit tight but." She shrugs and gives a joking squeeze to the back of her hips as she turn to go.

"You're just giving everyone a nice view." Jenni teases, naturally getting a swat from Mapi and a soft smirk sent back from Kaia.

"Where's Fabian?" Alexia asks, scanning the edge of the pitch until she stops on a stroller next to a bench; a bench with Gia sat and overseeing Aurelio playing with one of the footballs.

But when Alexia looked over to Mapi, she realised the centre back was long gone and doing a little jog to catch up with Kaia's long strides.

So instead, Alexia turns the other way to speak to Jenni; only to see she was also wandering off towards Gia but at a much calmer pace. "Is this what we're here for?"

Leila takes a step forward so she's next to Alexia, them being the only ones left because Patri was walking closer to where he girlfriend is taking a breather from training. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure it is." She says with her curious eyes following Jenni. "Is she seriously going to go flirt with Kaia's cousin out in the open?"

"Unlikely, because we're going over to see Fabian." Alexia chuckles, not wanting to deprive Jenni of her flirting but she wants to see her godson.

When Mapi reaches Kaia's side, she immediately asks about her ankle, compliments her shorts and then asks if she could sleep at the hotel in four days time which is the earliest she'll be able to.