The World (Sequel to International)

Keep Dreaming

Mapi's POV:

I held Mariana's hand and started to feel myself fall asleep. 

As my eyes closed I felt a squeeze on my hand. I shot up and stared at her. 

"I can feel you staring at me." She mumbled. 

"You're awake."

"Not until I open my eyes." She mumbled. "And you get me water. My throat is on fire." 

"Yeah. Of course." I got the cup and put the straw in her mouth. She drank and then finally opened her eyes. "Better?" I put the cup down.

"Yeah. I feel gross. I hate hospitals."

"You're awake now. We'll get you home and I'll take care of you." I kissed her hand. 

"Gabriel said thank you." She looked at me.

"What?"

"My brother. He said thank you."

"For what?"

"For keeping your promise." 

Mariana's POV:

After a few more days, I was released and able to go home. Mapi didn't leave my side at all. 

"Gabriel is at your parents. Until you're back to 100%." I nodded. "Can I get you anything?"

"Just sit with me." I smiled. She sat next to me and I put my head on her shoulder. "You're a good pillow."

"That's the only reason you're marrying me."

"Good, you know. Now my wedding vows won't make you feel terrible." She laughed. 

"I thought I lost you." She whispered. 

"It's going to take more effort than that to get rid of me." I smiled. "I know I was close though. I saw my grandfather." I remembered everything. "Good news, he loves you." She laughed. "Seeing them just, made me remember who I was." I looked at her. "Who I'm not anymore. Who I want to be again."

"And who is that?" She leaned her head on the couch and looked at me.

"I joined the Sporting academy in 2000 when there wasn't even a women's team yet. I trained with the boys my age and continued to play with the club I was. I got loaned out in 2012, met the person who would become my best friend, and then in 2015, my dream came true. My dream, my grandfather's dream, the dream my brother already achieved. Play for Sporting." I smiled. "I played with pride for my city, my country, and my family. I had to leave Sporting. I had to leave Utah, Atleti, at some point I'll leave Barcelona. But I left my mark. I won a championship with Utah, their first. Atleti was on top again, and Barca? That's still pending, I plan on winning my first Champions League here. And through all of that, I played for my country. That's how I met you." 

She squeezed my hand. "In 2000 I was a kid with a dream, in 2015 I was a kid achieving a dream, and now? I want to keep dreaming. Dreaming of achieving more for my country and club teams. Dreaming of our future together. I stopped dreaming when I left Sporting. Then losing my brother," I shook my head. "You're not going to lose me. Not now, not anytime soon. We're gonna have a long time together, so get ready."

"I'm more than ready. For all of it. The great days, the not so great days, the ups and downs, the fights because I know we'll have them. I'm ready for it because it's you. I was never ready for anything serious, but then I met you, and you just opened my eyes to the world I never knew I wanted it. I love you."

"I love you too." 

Mapi's POV:

Mariana slept and I sat on the couch and called Leila. 

"Mapi do you have any idea what time it is?" She asked.

"Yeah, it's 9. Why are you asleep?"

"I live with Mariona remember. She gets up so early." I laughed. "Don't laugh at me I'm tired. What do you want?"

"I can't talk to my best friend?"

"The fuck do you want Mapi."

"Ok! Fine! When I get married, I want you to be my maid of honor or whatever it is."

"Are you being serious?"

"Yeah. Leila, you're my best friend. You've been very vocal about how much you love and support my relationship with Mariana. I want you to be apart of this special day for us."

"I don't know what to say."

"Say yes."

"Of course I'll say yes. My best friends getting married!" She laughed. "My best friend is getting married." She repeated.

"I am. The whole engaged and getting married thing? Not so bad."

"I'll consider that. I don't think I'll sleep now. I'm too excited." 

"Get some rest, Leila."

She laughed and said bye. 

I'm getting married.

I walked into the bedroom and looked at Mariana.

"I can't wait to marry you." I whispered. "You took my heart on that field in 2020 and never gave it back. But it's yours forever."