Lover II- ML

225. Like They Never Left

AN: thank you for the comments on the last chapter, I love hearing how much people enjoy this story and more specifically which parts the most👀

Also to the England fans, how are we all feeling about the Euros draw on Monday?😬 Feels like a group of death to me...

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Luckily the newly married couple weren't thrown straight into team training when they got back.

The morning was instead spent inside the gym while a pair of trainers ran them through some fitness tests to see if and where they've dropped off.

But they were both determined to come back to training with their match fitness still there. And they've make sure to throw in any and all workouts they could within the indulgence of healthy but vast Greek food.

The walking around each town or city, hiking to the highest peaks and swimming helped keep their cardio up to speed, while floor workouts or going to the nearest gym helped with their strength training.

But the lack of sleep is what dragged them and made them have to push through it on the treadmills towards the end, both of them being filmed by Camila for social media to promote their return.

Once the tests were complete, they were allowed to go to the pitch and join up with the rest of the team in full but still slightly isolated training for them to wean back in.

"Wow." Lucy says the moment she sees them walking off the concrete path and onto the grass. "Look at your tans."

They were both extremely sun-kissed, practically bronze and glowing. Obviously one more than the other.

Those who didn't go to the wedding all congratulate them as soon as they stop; and then they were bombarded by questions about what they did in Greece.

Alexia also made sure to check the back of Mapi's neck for scars, only seeing lighter healing skin in the shape of four nails.

"I take back everything I said." Lucy chuckles, holding Mapi's arm and still blown away. "I don't think I've ever seen you this tanned."

"I look good, no?" Mapi agrees with a grin, looking down to her legs and pleased to see them a similar shade to Alexia's. "I only look pale stood next to her." She nods over to Kaia.

Training went well, they joined in on the individual and paired drills off the ball but when the rondos and passing began, they were pulled aside by Juan to sharpen their skills back up with specialised exercises.

Halfway through training, Joan Laporta turned up onsite and watched them from one of the higher balconies. He watched the whole team, their coordination and individual effort levels. Then his eyes naturally traveled to the two doing quick one two passes with slalom poles and cone markers off to the side.

His eyes were mainly on Mapi, the way her cheeks would puff out as she puts the extra effort into the sprint from the end of the slalom onto Kaia's through ball, the smile on her lips when she'd score a goal past Juan into the mini net or the way her laugh would travel across the entire area.

He was glad to have an energy and talent like her back with the team, so the moment training concluded for the day he made his way down so he'd run into them returning inside.

"María," Joan greets with a kind smile which is returned. "After you have showered and changed, I'd like you to come to conference room B please."

"Yes, of course." Mapi nods, already expecting this ambush because of the ring on her finger. "Is Marco already here?"

"He is." Joan confirms, his smile widening when he sees Kaia approaching with Aitana. "You don't mind if I steal your wife for a moment do you?" He hints.