Lover II- ML

277. Soft Spot

"You're walking now?" Leah teases when Fabian lifts his head from Kaia's neck, still giggling and looking over all the faces clapping for him. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Fabian's squeals when Leah lowers her face to his level, patting her on the cheek. "Adickadicka." He babbles excitedly.

"Adickadicka?" Leah repeats, nodding like it has meaning.

"Oh, my baby." Mapi shuffles over on her knees, truly being dramatic as she begins kissing Fabian's cheek repeatedly. "I'm so proud of you."

She was so happy, so happy to watch Fabian take his first steps only half an hour after hearing Grace's pregnancy news; something they haven't actually told any of their friends about.

This truly was what life was about, these moments that felt too perfect to be real.

"Oh god..." Ella Toone has to feign a stressful sigh. "There's gonna be a kid running round our Euros camp, ain't there?"

"And Spain's." Ona gives a small tap to Ella's arm, almost fighting for Fabian's loyalty this summer.

Mapi turns her head and locks eyes with Ella, mustering up her clearest English. "My son will soon be able to nutmeg you like I did tonight." She states, having a few 'oo's go around like they were in some dissing match.

But Ella only grins, not missing a beat. "Maybe he'll be able to score a goal on you like Kaia did tonight."

As the England players now 'oo', all Kaia can do is rest her forehead on Mapi's shoulder as she laughs quietly.

This rivalry England and Spain had was truly unique, full of banter, respect, some mild hatred but close friendships.

Mapi lets Ella have the last word with an eye roll, because Fabian was trying to escape and her leg was starting to throb still being crouched down. "We'll meet you at the restaurant?" She double checks, standing and taking Fabian with her.

Kaia follows them up and holds her hands out for Fabian again. "You'll get your leg checked first."

The original plan was for Mapi to take Fabian back to Spain's hotel as soon as possible, while Kaia would sit for the post match interview, talk to press and receive her player of the match award.

But plans had changed with Mapi's leg, plans that would keep her onsite for longer than Fabian's social battery would like.

Mapi's eyes flicker to those closest to them, holding Fabian out towards Alexia under the arms. "His godmother can watch him."

Kaia sighs at them palming their son off on another friend, but Alexia was smiling brightly as she took Fabian and let him show her his toy Ferrari. "Ok, I'll book you all a taxi for 10:45."

"We'll be ready." Mapi places a kiss on Kaia's lips, taking her leave towards the away physio room. 

By the time they reunited in Marylebone, Mapi and those on the Spanish team invited were dressed for the formal late night dinner.

Kaia was treating them all at the highly rated Mexican restaurant, but she invited Leah, Emilia and Lucy along too so they could spend time with their significant others as well.

Fabian still had his Ralph Lauren jumper on, but Mapi had put him in smart black trousers and he was cuddling into Leila's neck as she carried him towards the door.

"He's about to crash." Leah comments as she opens the door, letting the right back get Fabian in from the cold first.

"I'll take him once we're in there." Kaia says, noticing Mapi wasn't as ok on her ankle as she made out over the phone.