The World (Sequel to International)

Turn Our Backs

Mapi's POV:

The services were over. Mariana's grandmother was buried. 

We were at her grandmother's cleaning stuff out. "Mari look." Her mom smiled. It was a picture of Mariana. With her grandparents. 

"How old were you?" I asked.

"Probably 8 I think." 

"This was after we moved back to Portugal." Her mom said. "You want to come here as soon as we landed."

She nodded. "They were my whole world." She mumbled. 

Mariana starting putting stuff that she wanted and stuff that was hers in a box. 

"Where to?" I asked when we got back to the car.

"My place." She closed her eyes. "I'm so tired." She whispered.

"Ok." I grabbed her hand and kissed it. "We'll go home and lay down." 

We got home and some of the girls were still there. I put the boxes in the living room as Mariana plopped on the couch. She rested her head in Virginia's lap. "You ok?" Vir asked.

"No." Mariana closed her eyes. "I'm not ok." I saw a tear run down the side of her face. I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Vir is a good pillow too." 

"Not the first time I've had a girls head in my lap." Virginia smiled. We all covered our faces. "Wait that's not what I meant!"

"She ruined it." Mariana sat up. "It's over now." She leaned over and laid her head on my shoulder, grabbing my hand. 

"It made you laugh a little." Vir said. "So I'll take it."

"So when was the first time you had a girl's head in your lap, Vir?" Lola asked.

"Fuck you."

"Nope. Please share." 

"I'm not." She shook her head.

"Nahikari you are AWFULLY quiet." 

"Don't push me, Leila." 

I looked down at Mariana. She was fast asleep on my shoulder. "Guys shut up." I said softly. "Mariana's asleep." 

"She needs a good sleep." Carmen said. "This has been a tough couple of days." 

"I just want her to have a break." I sighed. "From all of it. I hate seeing her hurt."

"We all do, Mapi." Leila said. "Mariana's been there for all of us when we needed someone. We were there when her brother died and we're going to be there now."

"Yeah. We're not going anymore." Lola smiled. "She never turned her back on us, we're not turning our backs on her. Not now, not ever." 

"You either," Virginia said. "You worry about her, let us worry about both of you. Ok?"

"I thought you liked Mariana more." I smirked.

"I'm just more protective of her than you because she's been through enough. But I do love you, Mapi." She put her hand on my head. "You little shit."

I laughed. "Thank you, guys. Really. It means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot to her too."

"Why don't you put her in bed." Mariona said. 

"She looks for comfortable though." Nahikari smiled. "Why don't you cuddle me like that?" She asked Virginia.

"Because you never want to cuddle."

"True." 

I laughed and looked at my wife. I kissed the top of her head. "Mariona is right. I'm gonna put her in bed. A little help?"

Virginia gently lifted Mariana off my arm. I lifted her up and carried her to the bedroom.

"Yes, Mapi! Carry your wife!" Virginia softly cheered.  

"I'll kick you out." I said as I pushed the door open with my foot. 

"I know you will." 

I walked to the bed and laid Mariana on it. As I turned to walk out, she grabbed my hand. "Hey." I kneeled by her side.

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"I was going to sit out with our friends for a little bit. Let you get some rest." 

"Ok." She closed her eyes again. "If they get too loud, tell them I said shut the fuck up." 

I laughed and kissed her hand. "I will pass on that lovely message."

"I love you." She passed out again.

"I love you too. So much." I whispered. "You are my whole world."

Mariana's POV:

I woke up in the morning and looked around. "Mapi?" I whispered. She wasn't beside me. I got up and went to the living room. She was asleep on the couch. Virginia was leaning against her, with Nahikari tucked into her side. Leila was asleep on the floor near Mariona.

"Morning." I turned and saw Carmen in the kitchen. 

"What's going on over here?"

"The idiots got tired and passed out." She smiled. 

"Aw." I laughed and walked over. "Where's your idiot?"

"She's somewhere over there." She shook her head. "No idea." 

The was a soft knock on the door. I walked over and opened it. "Hey." Tatiana smiled. "I brought breakfast and coffee." She looked at the situation. "I didn't bring enough for all of Spain." 

I laughed. "Good thing only one of them is awake." She walked to the kitchen and I closed the door. 

"How are you doing, my friend?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I know I should feel something but, I don't." I looked at her. "I just feel empty. Numb." Tatiana rubbed my arm and sighed. "But I know she's not alone. She's with my grandfather again. The love of her life. And Gabriel is with her too." I nodded. "It's just um," I looked down. "I didn't get to say goodbye to her, you know? Everyone told me playing in Portugal for this season would be good. I'd be able to see my family but I didn't get to see the one person I needed to see. And now she's gone."

Poor Mariana.

Things are going to change now.