The World (Sequel to International)

Support Each Other

Thanks for all the birthday love!!! I'm 22 years old today (March 31st) and feeling old. More updates tomorrow! Enjoy the soft idiots! 

Mapi's POV:

I sat with Alexia. Jenni and Mariana were with Lola and Carmen. I looked down at Felicia and smiled. She was a smaller version of Mariana. She had her mother's eyes and everything. 

"What are you thinking?" Alexia asked.

"Hmm?" I looked at her.

"I can hear your brain freaking out." I laughed. "What's going on?"

"Mariana has a mini her, you have a mini-you, there is now not only one, but TWO mini Carmen's in this world." She laughed. "I don't know, makes me kind of what a mini Mapi."

"What's stopping you?"

"I don't want to be pregnant," I said. "Almost losing Mariana, the fear Lola had today, the whole journey of carrying your child and knowing that at any moment you could lose him or her? I can't handle that." I shook my head.

"Then do what we did." She said. "We used my egg, got a sperm donor and someone else carried the baby for us." She smiled. "It was still stressful because it's your child, but you're not carrying it. But I look at him," She looked at her son. "He's our whole world. It's stressful before they're born, and it's stressful even after. This kid will be stressing me out long after I'm gone." She smiled. "And I wouldn't want it any other way."

I looked down at my daughter. "Mariana and I almost fell apart after her. What if it happens again?"

"You two almost fell apart because of YOU, Mapi. YOU let it happen. Mariana tried so hard to save it, but you didn't listen. But you needed it. I know you like to think you're mature now, but the truth is, you weren't. You've got a wife and child, Mapi. Two children. They need you and you need them. Grow up, be the wife and parent they deserve, or else you'll lose them and won't get them back."

I nodded. "We're renewing our vows. I did grow up. That's why I left, Barcelona, Ale. I can't be the wife and parent they need if I'm in a different city. My time on the field is done. I'm ready to say goodbye."

"Does she know?"

"I didn't get to finish the plan." I sighed. "You know, Carmen decided to steal the moment." I smirked.

"Those two." She shook her head. "Always ruining our moments."

"What do you mean? Did Lola and Carmen ruin something for you and Jenni?"

"When we were starting our family. They were always there." She laughed. "But it all worked out in the end."

September 2028

Mariana's POV:

"Babe!" Mapi yelled.

"Yeah?"

"I just used the last diaper! Can you add them to the list! I'm going to the store in the morning!"

"Already done." I laughed. 

"She's crazy." Gabriel said. "Am I staying with you guys?"

"You don't like your grandparents?"

"I do but I like Spain." He smiled. 

"You're staying with us during the school year, going back to Portugal during the summers. Not the whole summer though. Alright?" He nodded. "Great. Go get your book. We'll read before dinner." 

"Ok!" He ran to his room. 

Mapi walked in with Felicia. "Look who it is! The cutest little girl in the world!" 

"My baby." I smiled and took her. "Did mama dress you?"

"I did."

"I can tell." I smirked. 

"Hey." She pointed at me. She kissed my cheek and walked to the kitchen. 

"I can tell meaning when I dress her, she's adorable. But when YOU dress her she looks like she's about to break all the hearts." I turned to Mapi who was now smirking and nodding her head.

"Yeah, she is."

"Mari I got my book!" Gabriel ran in. He looked up at Felicia. "My heart." He grabbed his chest. 

We all laughed. 

Mapi's POV:

"Are you absolutely positive this is what you what?" 

"Please for this club has been the greatest years of my life. Everyone who is apart of it, or has been part of it has become my family. But looking at my life now, this is what's best. I'm married and have two young children who need me to be there. And I'm going to be there. My career," I took a deep breath. "it's time to close this chapter. Look ahead to the next one."

"Well then. Mapi, we've received your request and while we are sad to see you go, we understand. Family is important, which is why you will always be apart of the Barcelona family. We are granting you your termination request and releasing you from your contract. All of us here wish you and your family all the best, and we thank you."

I smiled. "Thank you. Truly." I hung up and looked at Mariana. She was on the couch with the kids. "Babe?" She looked at me. "Can we talk real quick?"

"Of course, my love." She got up and walked over. "Everything ok?"

"Everything is perfect." I grabbed her hand. "So when you were living at Vir's I need a lot of thinking. About what I wanted for my future, our future, and I made a decision. I want to be married to you, I want to raise those two kids in there, and I want us to all be together. Which is why I requested a contract termination with Barcelona."

"You did what?"

"It's time for my football career to end. I found a studio here in Madrid looking for a new artist and my request was granted."

"You gave up football."

"It was time." I smiled. "I've thought about retiring for a while, but this was the push I needed. I needed to close that chapter so that I can begin this new one." 

"You're ok with this?" I nodded. "You aren't going to wake up tomorrow and regret it?"

"I won't."

"You'll be able to come watch me play for Atleti and be fine?" 

"I will be the proudest person in the crowd." I smiled. 

"If you're ok with this, then I am too. We're a team, Mapi. We support each other's decisions. And I love you." She smiled.

"I love you." She kissed me. "One more thing."

"What?"

"I want to have a mini Mapi."