The World (Sequel to International)

One Year

January 2029

Mariana's POV:

"I can't believe she's going to be a year old already." I smiled. 

"Time flies by." Alexia laughed. 

"Where do you want the cake?" Leila asked.

"The table." She walked over. "Thanks Leila!" 

"You're welcome!" She yelled back. 

"What's Vir up to?" Alexia asked.

I smiled. "Has she kept you informed or am I the lucky one?"

She laughed. "I'm in on it too." 

"She's going to ask." I nodded. "Tomorrow. Nahikari's transfer is complete, she's coming to Madrid. I helped Vir make her apartment nice and ready for the two of them. This is it."

"Mari." I turned to Patri. "Mapi needs you."

"Of course she does." Leila winked.

"Don't do that." Patri shook her head. 

"Babe come on." Mariona sighed. 

I walked to Felicia's room. "Yes?" 

"Which dress?"

"A dress? You never pick a dress for her."

"Well, it's her 1st birthday. When she's 18 I want to show her pictures and be like "look at this dress I put you in." and she'll say mom I hate you." 

I laughed. "If that's what you're aiming for, that one." I pointed to the blue dress.

"Perfect." She held it up. "Felicia my little girl. I'm going to be your least favorite and that's ok." 

I kissed Mapi's cheek. "Hurry up and get her dressed. Everyone's starting to show up."

"We'll be right there." I walked back to the living room. 

"Mari, I beat Jenni again." Gabriel held up the controller. 

"Did you?" He nodded. "Wow." I looked at Jenni. "Jenni you good?"

"I'm pissed." She crossed her arms. "Damn kids." 

"Mama!" Maxi yelled. "Up." He looked at Jenni.

"Hi, little man." She picked him up.

"Yep. He is his mother's clone." I looked at him.

"Thank god." Jenni mumbled. 

I laughed and walked away. 

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Mapi yelled. I shook my head. "One year ago today, this little angel was born." She walked in holding Felicia. "And every day since has been a ride." 

"Like the ride she had to my apartment after you kicked them out." Virginia said sipping her drink. 

"Hey." Nahikari nudged her.

"Just saying." 

"ANYWAY!" Mapi yelled. "It's been a year of growth for all of us. And I can't wait for learning more about life with her." She looked at our daughter. "I'm going to learn much more from you than you will from me." 

I smiled. 

We ate and talked. Maxi ran around with Gabriel, as Felicia sat with Virginia. She's grown very close to her godmother.

Lola showed up without Carmen.

"Where's your wife?" Leila asked.

"She wasn't feel that well this morning. So she's at home resting. I came to drop off the gift and then I'm gonna go home. Stay with her." 

"The kids?" Jenni asked.

"With her parents." She smiled.

"Thanks for coming." I smiled. 

"Where's my niece?" She asked.

"Over here." I walked to get her. "Felicia look who came to see you." I kneeled down.

She looked at Lola and stared. "Happy birthday little one." She played with her. "You're growing up too fast."

"I know. Soon the twins will be 1." I smirked.

"Stop." She looked at me. "Every time they do something new, Carmen just cries." I laughed. 

Felicia pointed to Lola's arm. The tattoos. 

"Mama has those too." I said. 

"Mama has one right on her neck." Lola said. I laughed. "Right in the middle. Why? We'll never know." She stood up and hugged me. "Send us pictures."

"I will. Tell Carmen I said feel better. If she needs anything call me."

"I will. See you. Bye everyone." 

"Bye Lola." 

Once the party ended and everyone went home, I sat with Mapi on the couch. "We have a 6-year-old, and a 1-year-old."  

She nodded. "And this summer, a new born." 

"A baby Mapi."

I looked at her Instagram. 

The picture she posted was when she was holding Felicia. It was from a few months ago. Felicia's hand was pointed right at Mapi's neck.

"I remember that." I said.

"I do too." She laughed. "You posted it on yours. What was  your caption?"

I laughed. "I don't get it either baby girl." 

She looked at me. "Thank you for not giving up on me. Even when I give you many reasons to." 

"Just don't do that anymore and we'll be good." I stood up. "Felicia is asleep, Gabriel is asleep. The night is still ours. To the bedroom?"

"Yes!" Mapi jumped over the couch. 

"Yep." I stood there. "That's my wife."

March 2029

Mapi's POV:

"I'm driving you." I said to Gabriel. "Mari has a travel day. So I'm driving you to school."

"Ok." He ate his breakfast. 

Mariana walked in and put her bag by the door. 

"Morning." I said.

She turned and smiled. "Good morning." 

"Where are you going Mari?"

"Italy." She looked at him. "We have our quarterfinals against Juventus." 

"You're going to win." He smiled. "You have Nahikari now."

"And me." 

"And Nahikari. You two are going to crush it!" 

"Thanks, kid." She laughed. "You got this?" She asked me.

"Babe. I got this." 

"I have to get going." She kissed Felicia. "I love you." She kissed the top of Gabriel's head as he shoved more food into his mouth. "Slow down. I love you." She walked toward me. "And you're alright I guess." She smirked.

"Haha." I rolled my eyes and kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you." She grabbed her bag and opened the door. "See you guys soon!"

"Bye!" 

She shut the door and Gabriel turned to me. "I give you one day before you call Alexia and ask for help." He crossed his arms. 

"Let's see how you like not having a delicious cooked breakfast tomorrow." I put the dishes in the sink.

"No! Mapi I'm sorry."

"Nope! Too late. Go get your stuff ready." He ran off and I looked at Felicia. She was smiling. "We got this."