The World (Sequel to International)

She's Back

April 2028

Mapi's POV:

I was cleaning up around the house. It's been weird without Mariana and the baby.

As I was cleaning I found one of Felicia's favorite toys. "Shit." I mumbled and grabbed my keys. 

Mariana's POV:

"I can't find her bear." I sighed. "I swear I packed it."

"It will turn up." Virginia said. 

"She loves it." I said. "Mapi got it for her." I looked down. "It's a little bear but it has Mapi's jersey on." I whispered. "It's stupid."

"We'll find it." She said. "Just come sit with your favorite person."

Being with Vir for the time I have has been fun. She's super helpful with the baby and I've gotten to sleep again. Only a few extra hours but I'll take what I can get. 

"Lola and Carmen are on their way." Vir said. "Hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. As much as I love you, Vir I need new faces."

She laughed. "Come feed your kid." 

I took her and went to feed her. I heard a knock on the door. "I got it!" Vir yelled.

"It is your house!" I yelled back. 

The door opened. "What are you doing here?" I heard. I walked out and looked.

"Mapi." I said. "What are you doing here?"

"I was cleaning up around the house and," She took her hand out from behind her. "I found this." She held up the bear.

"Great you found it. Leave now." Virginia said. I walked over and took the bear. 

"Can we talk?" Mapi whispered.

"You had your chance to talk." Virginia said. "Bye now."

"Vir." I sighed. 

"I'll go feed your child." She took the bear. I walked outside with Mapi and stood by her car. 

"What?" I crossed my arms.

"I fucked up." She said. "Again."

"Yeah, you're making it very hard to be with you." She looked down. "I think I know why. Can I tell you?" She looked up. "I think you don't want to be married."

"But I do want to be married to you."

"Yeah. You want to be with me, but the whole marriage thing? It was never for you, Mapi. Wanting to be with me and be married are different things. I love you Mapi. I have since the minute I saw you. Nothing will ever change that. You were there for me through the toughest moments of my life. But if you don't want this life, you need to tell me now. Because I can't do this. There's a baby involved now. You need to grow up, figure out what you want. If not for me, or for yourself, then do it for our daughter. Think about her."

"Come home." She said.

"You told me to leave. Now you want me to come back?"

"So we can work through this."

"We can't do anything until YOU work through this. I know what I want. You need to figure it out."

I saw Lola and Carmen walking over. "Thank you for bringing the bear."

"Can I at least see her?"

"No. You kicked us out." 

She nodded. "Fine." She got in the car.

"Hey Mapi." Lola waved.

Mapi drove off and I stood there. "You ok?" Carmen asked.

"I'm sick of all of this." I sighed.

June 2028

Mapi's POV:

I sat on the couch and played with my wedding ring. 

"Mapi open the door!" I heard Leila. "Come on. It's time to get off your ass!" 

"No!" 

"Mapi. Don't make me make Alexia kick this door down!"

"Like Alexia is even with you."

"Wanna try that again!" Alexia yelled.

"Fuck." I got up and opened the door. "Let's make this clear. I opened the door because it's new not because I'm scared of you."

"You're scared of me." Alexia said. "Don't lie to me." She walked inside. "Damn Mapi it smells like something died in here."

"Something did." Leila smirked. I shook my head. "Her marriage!" She laughed.

"Fuck you."

"Jealous that my marriage is stronger than ever?"

"I'm gonna kill you." I walked back to the couch. "Yeah my marriage is dead. Is that why you're here? To remind me that I fucked up again?"

"Actually we came to tell you that as of now, Mariana is no longer a member of FC Barcelona." Alexia said. 

"What?" I sat up. 

 She looked at her phone and began reading. "FC Barcelona announced today that 31-year-old Portuguese striker, Mariana dos Santos has left the club. She joined in 2025 and was loaned out in 2026 to Santa Clara in Portugal. Mariana has not played since early 2027 after giving birth to her daughter with Barcelona defender, Mapi Leon." She put her phone down and looked at me. "Way to go Mapi. You lost your wife and we lost a kickass striker."

"Where's she going?" I rubbed my forehead. Alexia turned to Leila. Leila lifted her phone up slowly. "Oh for the love of God." I mumbled. 

 "Welcome back Mariana! The Portuguese striker is on board for the 2028-29 season!" Leila looked at me. "Tweeted by Atletico Madrid." 

"WHAT!" I jumped up.