The Dutch Girl (An International Story)

First of Many

February 2023

Natalia's POV:

"I understand. Yep, that sounds good."

"Hey, babe!" I heard Daan.

"On second." I muted the call. "Yeah?"

"Come here!"

"I'm finishing up a phone call can it wait?"

I heard her sigh and kick something. "Fine!"

I shook my head and went back to the call. "Everything sounds great. Yeah, I'll be there. Thanks Isabell." I laughed. "Yeah. Happy Valentine's Day to you too." I hung up and went to see what Daan wanted. "What did you do you big do- oh my god." 

She covered the entire living room with flowers. "I did a thing!" She smiled.

"Yeah, you did." I looked around. "What the hell." 

"There's flowers." She pointed.

"I see them." I nodded.

"For Valentine's. Because we're dating and I wanted to be romantic!"

"This is romantic?" She nodded. "I don't even know where the couch is."

She looked around. "Shit you're right. I might have gone overboard but, what I said stands. I want to be romantic so screw date NIGHT. We're having date DAY!" She threw her hands up.

"What did I get myself into by dating you?"

"Nothing you can get out of!" She started doing a little dance. 

"You're cute." I hugged her. "And so tiny how did you get flowers on the ceiling?"

"That was a very long phone call and you were very focused."

"Jill and Viv?"

"Lisa, Jordan, AND Leah." 

"Well, then lover girl. What's the plan?" I crossed my arms. 

"Oh get ready."

Daniëlle's POV:

We drove around and just saw the sights. "Hungry?" I asked.

"A little." She smiled.

"Good." I pulled into the store. "Because I'm cooking."

"Nevermind. I'm not hungry." 

"Nat." I tilted my head.

"Don't Nat me. I ain't dying on Valentine's Day."

I sighed. "I'm a good cook!"

"Who told you that?"

"Ok but you're not much of a cook either!"

"I'm Italian and Mexican. I've basically been cooking since birth." 

"Your brother said you suck at cooking."

"When did you talk to my bro- nevermind. He's an asshole. Ask my mom." 

"Ok. Call her." I said. Nat pulled out her phone and called her mom.

"Hello?"

"Hi, mama." I smiled.

"Nat? What's wrong?" 

I laughed. 

"Nothing is wrong." Nat sighed. "Just calling because Daniëlle is being annoying."

"Ok." I nodded. 

"What's going on?"

"We're doing valentine's day. She said she's going to cook, but no. So I said that I'D do the cooking. Can you tell her about my cooking?" 

"Can she hear me?"

"Yes."

"Daniëlle. Natalia is a good cook. Anything Leon said is just an older brother being an older brother." I laughed. "I've taught her everything I know, and her grandmother did the same."

"Hearing it from you makes it offical. But what if we cooked dinner together?"

"There you go! Have fun you two. Come visit soon."

"We will." Natalia said.

"Bye Veronica." I said.

"Bye Daniëlle." Then she started speaking Spanish. "You keep this one. She's a good one."

"I will mama." Natalia laughed. "I love you."

"I love you too. I meant it. Come visit soon."

"I will. Give everyone hugs for me."

"Got it." 

She hung up and turned to me. "What are you in the mood for? Mexican or Italian?"

I laughed. "Are those my two options?"

"Yep." She nodded. "I'm kidding. Let's just go in the store." 

We got some stuff and then got home. Well, Nat's home. I watched her in the kitchen while she cooked. 

"What are you staring at?" She turned to me. 

"You." I leaned on the counter. "You're beautiful." I whispered.

She looked back at the food. "Go set the table smooth talker." 

I laughed and grabbed the plates. I set the table and she served the food. 

We sat and ate. 

Talked a bit.

It was a nice night. Then we sat on the couch and watched movies. My head in her lap.

"Comfortable?" She looked down at me.

"Hmm." I smiled.

She started playing with my hair and that was it.

Natalia's POV:

And she's asleep. I laughed and looked back at the movie. 

"There is no fight, Natalia."

I closed my eyes.

"You're leaving Arsenal. End of discussion."

I shook my head.

"Leave Arsenal."

"No." I mumbled. 

"Or else." 

"Hey." Daan shook me. I grabbed her arm. "It's ok! It's just me." 

"What happened?" I looked around.

"We both fell asleep. I woke up and you were mumbling and shaking. What was it?"

"Nothing." 

"Babe. Talk to me." 

I closed my eyes. "I saw Alex." I whispered. "She was telling me to leave Arsenal again. Or else." 

"She's not going to hurt you. I'll protect you." I nodded. "Ok. Fine, I'll stay the night."

"Like you weren't going to stay anything."

"True. Your mattress is better than mine." We got up and went to my bedroom. "I'm not going to leave. I'm going to keep you safe. She's not going to hurt you. Not while I'm around." I laid my head on her chest. "I'm staying right here." She kissed the top of my head. I closed my eyes and felt myself start to fall asleep again. "Happy 1st Valentine's Day. I can't wait for the rest of them." She whispered. 

Cute. Adorable. Iconic. We have no choice BUT to stan.