The World (Sequel to International)

Soft

September 2027

Mapi's POV:

"We should probably announce it." I said laying face to face with Mariana's belly. "Like on Instagram."

"Ok." Mariana said.

"Wait actually?" I sat up.

She shrugged. "Why not. You do it. I'm too tired."

"Well, you were up a lot last night."

"I had to pee!" She pouted. "And my back hurts. You're killing me, kid." She whispered to her stomach. "But I love you so much already."

There was a knock on the door.

"There's the other kid." I got up and walked to the door. 

"Mapi!" 

"Gabriel!" I smiled. "How was your week with Jenni and Alexia?"

"Fun." He said. "Don't tell Leila but I like Alexia better."

"Don't we all." Mariana said from the couch.

"Mari?" Jenni laughed. "Where are you?"

"I'd get up but I don't feel like it." She said waving.

"I'll come to you." Jenni walked over and sat with her.

"How's that?" Alexia asked.

"All over the place." I said. "I'm trying to do the best I can but it's hard."

"You want to get out for a little don't you?" I nodded. She smiled. "Go. Have a day out with Gabriel. Jenni and I will stay here."

"You just watch Gabriel for a whole week, now you want to stay with Mari for a day?"

"Godmother at your service." She saluted. "Now go. Grab the adorable little dude and get out of here."

"Hey Gabriel." I walked over. "Want to go see a movie?"

"Really!" He sat up. "Mari can I?"

"You don't have to ask for my permission if Mapi asks. You know that right?"

"I know but I want to take care of you." 

"We'll worry about that." Alexia leaned over the couch. "You and Mapi go see a movie. We'll stay here with Mariana."

"I kind of want to go see a movie." Jenni mumbled.

"No." Alexia said.

"No, Jenni. Go." Mariana laughed. "Alexia you should go too. I can take care of myself." 

"I know you can. But I feel like we haven't spent time together so we need to catch up." Alexia sat next to her. 

"Before we go." I kneeled in front of Mariana. "The post."

"Right!" She smiled. 

"We need a cute picture." I said. 

"I don't want to get up." She put her head back. "Can we be cute while sitting?" Alexia laughed. "Don't laugh at me you asshole. I'm pregnant."

"I'm going to allow the use of asshole because you're pregnant and I love you." Alexia patted her head.

"So what you're saying is I should get pregnant and you'll be nicer?"

"She's literally so soft when it comes to you, Jenni." I said. 

"Mapi just sit next to her, put your hands here." Alexia moved my hands. "Boom. Where's your phone?"

"Table." 

Jenni grabbed it and Alexia took the picture. "There you go. I think you guys look adorable." She smiled. "Now. Jenni, Mapi, Gabriel. Go to the movies. Mariana anything you need, I am here all day."

Mariana's POV:

Alexia pushed the three of them out then sat next to me. "So. Now what?" I asked.

"What do you want to do?"

"Sleep."

"Yeah. Sounds good." 

I grabbed my phone and looked at Mapi's Instagram. 

marialeonn16: In 2019 I first saw this up and coming striker from Portugal. In 2020, after months of thinking about what I'd say if I ever meet her, I was very awkward and kind of blew it. In 2021 I took the first step and asked her to be my girlfriend. Surprisingly she said yes to dating my stupid ass. After ups and downs, changes in teams and where we lived, I asked her to marry me in 2024. Then last summer, 2026, we did get married. After more ups and downs, more changes, we are having another life-changing moment. Coming February 2028, baby Mendes. We couldn't be more excited.

She used pictures from the Algarve Cup in 2020, my last game at Sporting, my time at Utah and Atleti, our wedding and the picture Alexia took.

"That girl is so in love with you." Alexia said. 

"Good thing I feel the same." I smiled. 

"So besides everything, how are you?" I looked at her. "Everyone asks how you are in terms of the pregnancy, but how are YOU."

"I'm good I guess." I shrugged. "I've mostly just been focused on pregnancy. Haven't thought about myself." I grabbed my stomach.

"Are you ok?" She sat up.

"Yeah." I smiled. "I swear this kid has ADHD or something."

"Are you carrying Leila's child?" I laughed. "Doesn't it weird you out?"

"That I'm apparently carrying Leila's child?" 

"No." She laughed. "You ass. That there's a human just flipping around in you. And you can like feel it." 

"Yes. It's weird as hell." I closed my eyes. "Remember after my brother died. You told me that if I had a baby, to not make Virginia a godmother." 

"I do remember." She laughed.

"I didn't listen." I turned to her. 

"Vir's grown a lot since then." She said. "This baby will be in the best hands."

"Aw soft Alexia." I put my head on her shoulder. "I know you like keeping that "I'm a bad bitch" face on all the time and I don't blame you. You are the baddest bitch." She laughed a little. "But after my brother, you got through to me. I don't know where we would be without you. You keep all of us in line, especially those 3 chaotic idiots."

"Is it bad that I knew exactly who you meant. I knew the minute you said those 3." 

"No, but we always give you shit when you let soft Alexia out. But I personally love it."

"Only a few people get soft Alexia. Jenni, my mom, my sister sometimes," I laughed. "Mariona, and you. And in a few months, my adorable godchild." She put her hand on my stomach. "It's your aunt Alexia. Stop torturing your mom, please. It's the other one who deserves it, not this one."

"Hey." I laughed. "Mapi doesn't deser-" I thought about it. "No, you're right. Continue." 

She laughed. "You have the best moms. They're really excited to meet you. And your cousin, Gabriel? He's going to be the best big brother to you, without actually being your brother. Your family is very excited to meet you."

I smiled. "Soft Alexia. We're here for it."

"Shut up." 

I love having these idiots be soft!!!! 

Updates might be more spread out this month as I am directing ALL month. Also going to New Jersey this Saturday for the SheBelieves matches on Sunday. If you're heading there let me know!