The World (Sequel to International)

The Parents

Mariana's POV:

We got to Mapi's and I saw a woman waiting outside.

"Mom." Mapi smiled. I parked the car and she got out, running to her mother.

I got out and watched her hug her mom.

"Let me see. Do you have any new tattoos?"

"No."

"María." Her mother crossed her arms. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything!" Her mom turned her head. "That you can see right at this moment." I laughed and walked over. "Mom this is Mariana."

"It's great to finally meet you." I went to shake her hand. Her mom pulled me into a huge hug.

"You too. María has told us very little. Just that she was dating a beautiful Portuguese girl." I looked at my fiance. "And she was right. Very beautiful."

"Yeah, she is." A man walked out. "So tell me, why are you dating my ugly sister?"

"Nice to see you too." Mapi laughed. "Mariana this is my brother."

"Nice to meet you." I smiled.

"You too. So. Portugal huh?" I nodded. "Hmm. Couldn't find a Spanish girl worth your time huh Mapi?"

Mapi grabbed my hand.

"Be nice." Her mom said. "Come inside. Your father will be happy to see you."

We went inside and sat together. "So Mariana tell us about you." Her mom smiled. "Your family?"

"My mom and dad are both Portuguese."

"You lived in America when you were younger yes?" I nodded. "How was that?" Her dad asked.

"It was hard. My mom has some family there. She thought it'd be good for us to live there and grow up. But then decided to go back to Portugal."

"Us?"

"My brother and I." I looked down.

"Does your brother play too?" Her brother asked.

"He did."

"I'm sorry. I forget."

"It's fine." I smiled. "I forget sometimes too."

"That must've been tough." Her mom looked at me. "Mapi was with you guys through it right?"

"If it wasn't for Mapi reminding me that I was strong I probably would've never played again. I wanted to quit but Mapi encouraged me to keep going. Her and her teammates."

We continued talking. Getting to know each other. Mapi looked at me and down at my hand. I nodded.

"So the actual reason I wanted to come was so we could share our news." She said. "Before the Olympics, we took a trip. A way to relax and clear somethings up after Mariana broke her leg. On that trip, I had a plan. A plan to ask Mariana to marry me." Her mom sat up. "So I did. I asked her to marry me and she said yes."

"You're engaged." Her dad said.

"Yes." Mapi nodded.

"Mariana can you give us a minute with her please."

"Sure. Of course. I'll be outside." I got up.

Mapi's POV:

"A Portuguese girl? You're engaged to a Portuguese girl?" I sighed.

"Dad is that really what you're focused on?"

"Well I would say something about how it's a girl, but we're passed that. María you know we love you. We love you no matter what. But a Portuguese girl?"

"Maybe we're jumping to far." My mom said.

"No. My daughter is not marrying a Portuguese girl."

"Her parents said the same thing about me. They didn't want her with me cause I'm Spanish! But then they got to know me!" I stood up. "I don't care how you feel about Portugal and its people. I love Mariana regardless of where she's from. I'm going to marry her and I will be her wife."

I walked outside to the car.

"Let's go." I put my seatbelt on. I looked at her.

"How did they feel about Alba?"

"Mariana."

"They were ok with it, right? Because she's from Spain."

"I don't care. We don't invite them to the wedding."

"Mapi they're your parents."

"Who are judging the love of my life because of where she was born. No," I shook my head. "we aren't inviting them to the wedding. If they want to be apart of that. They need to look past where you're from. Our countries are fine. He just wants me to be with another Spanish girl."

"My dad always wanted his kids to marry other Portuguese people. Look at him now. He loves his daughter's Spanish fiance and his grandson who is half Italian. Give them time, Mapi. You're not pushing your family away. Now, let's go back in there."

"What?"

"You heard me. Get your ass out of this car and go makeup with your father before I leave you here."

I nodded and we went back inside. "Dad." I walked up to him. "Portugal and Spain are fine. My friends love her. Her friends love me. We all get along together. As athletes, as people. Can you please get over this stupid hatred you have for them? A hatred that is only rooted in you because of a football rivalry? Look past where she was born and just see the woman that I do. The amazing human who has done so much for so many. Raising money to help hospitals, giving back to communities who need it, being there for me when I didn't even know I needed someone. Yes, she is Portuguese. But open your eyes, and see that she's more. Dad, I love her. I'm going to marry her with or without you there."

"It's going to be with." He said. "It's a hatred I have because of football. And you both are more than the badges on your jerseys. Now tell me, Mariana. What's your favorite thing about playing for Barcelona?"

Mariana looked at me.

"Dad she plays for Atleti."

"Get her out of my house."