The World (Sequel to International)

Our Son

Mapi's POV:

I sat there and stared at my son. He was little but he was strong. And he's mine.

The door opened and I saw Mariana. "Hey. How's our little lion doing?" She asked.

"He's getting stronger." I smiled. 

"Good. That means he's just like his mom." She kissed the top of my head. "I'm going to take the kids home. Leila and Mariona are going to babysit. I'll be back."

"Ok." I nodded.

She left and I continued to stare at our son. "You have the best mom. She is the best of all of us. I'd be lost without her. Your siblings, Gabriel and Felicia. They're very excited that you're here. Gabriel more than Felicia. She doesn't understand it yet, but she will. Our family."

Mariana's POV:

I got to the house. "Gabriel pack what you need, if you need anything at any point, Leila has a key. Ok?"

"Ok."

"Why aren't we staying here?" 

"It's easier for Leila and Mariona to watch you if they're home."

"When can we see the baby?" We walked into the house. 

"Soon. I don't know when but soon. He just needs some time to grow a little bit more."

"What can I do to help?"

I stopped in front of him and kneeled down. "Go pack what you need and want to bring to Leila and Mariona's. Then you be the best big brother for Felicia and look after her."

He nodded. "I can do that." He ran into his room. 

I got everything for Felicia and then dropped them off. I got back to the hospital. I saw Mapi standing outside of the room.

"Mapi?" I got to her. "What happened?"

"He's fine." She said. "They're just checking everything, but he's fine. It's routine, they asked me to leave so they could work. He is fine."

"We should name him." I said. "He needs a name, babe."

"I know." She smiled. "Umm. I got nothing." 

The doctor came out. "He is improving." He nodded. "Very much so. These last few weeks have been very good for him."

We went back in and Mapi held him. He laid on her chest and she just stared at him. With all the love in her eyes.

"I love you so much, little lion." She whispered. "Nothing will ever hold you back."

Mapi's POV:

He's been in the hospital for 3 weeks now. He no longer has a feeding tube. His weight is increasing which is good and his breathing is improving as well.

Mariana sat and stared at him. "Still trying to think of a name?" I asked.

"Yeah." She nodded. "I got nothing." She looked at me. "Sit with me?"

I sat next to her and looked at our son. "Gabriel, Felicia and," I thought about it. 

Another week went by. I sat with him on my chest. We were allowed to have visitors. But not many. My parents saw him, then Mariana's. 

"Knock knock." Leila said. "I have very excited siblings." She smiled.

"Come in." I laughed. "But quiet. Ok?" 

Gabriel walked over. "Little brother." He whispered.  "When can he come home?"

"Soon." I said. "He's getting better, but still needs some more time. He'll be home before you know it." 

They took the kids home and I looked at our son. 

As more time went by, he continued to grow and get stronger. When we were visiting, the doctors gave us the news. 

"He's doing so good." He smiled. "We'll check a few more things, but he can go home. Either tomorrow or the day after."

The birth certificate was finalized and a few days later we were on our way home. 

We got there and our friends and family was waiting. 

"Welcome home." Alexia smiled. 

We got settled and Mapi held him. "Have you held him at all?" Lola smirked while holding Isabella.

I laughed. "Yeah. Once." I looked at my wife.

"Get ready for twice, I gotta pee." Mapi said. She passed me Luca and ran to the bathroom.

"As graceful as ever, that one." 

I laughed. "Have you picked godparents?" Vir asked.

"No." I looked at my son. "When Mapi comes back in, we'll say it."

Gabriel looked at his little brother. "He's alright I guess. A little weird looking."

"It's cause he's all Mapi." Leila nodded. "And we've all seen her."

"You ass." Mapi walked back in. 

"I think he's adorable." I said. "Because he's all Mapi." I smiled.

"Aw. You say that but you also know that you are way out of Mapi's league." Lola smirked.

"Babe." Carmen sighed. 

"Godparents." I said.

"Right. Godparents." Mapi nodded. "Anyone want to be a godparent?"

"Babe." 

"I'm kidding." She laughed. "No, I'm not." I heard her whisper. "Godfather is my brother." She looked at him. "I'm trusting you."

"Wrong decision." He smiled. "I'll protect him with my life." 

"Godmother." She turned to me.

"Well, a few things. When Gabriel was born, I was his godmother. But then I became his legal parent. Now Mapi and I are his parents and we've decided to change his godparents." I smiled. "That being said, Leila? Mariona? Want to be this dude's godparents?"

"YES!!!" Leila jumped up. "Get over here you adorable little man!" She opened her arms.

Gabriel ran to his new godmothers. "And godmother for this little man?" I looked over at Mapi. 

"Gabriel and Felicia have the best godparents." Mapi nodded. "We know they'll look out for them. We want that for this guy. I know my brother will look out for him because my brother's always looked out for me."

I looked at Lola. "When I joined Atleti, Vir welcomed me with open arms. As I got more comfortable, the whole team did. I always talk about how Vir has become my sister, but I never talk about how you did too, Lola. You and Carmen trust me to look out for Isabella. Now I'm asking you to look out for our son. While Lola will be listed as godmother, I know you understand that this title is going to both of you." 

"We'd be honored, kid." Lola smiled.  

"Your godparents, your crazy aunts and uncles love you."

"Have you filled out the birth certificate?" The doctor asked. 

"No." Mapi said. "We haven't decided on a name." Mapi laughed.

"Been so focused on everything else?" He asked. We nodded. "I understand that. Well, this strong little boy needs a name."

"Your grandparents and siblings love you."

I looked at her. "Anything?"

"And your parents love you." Mapi whispered.

"Hmm." I looked down at him. "Luca." I said.

"Luca." She turned to me.

"Luca Adrían." I whispered.

"I like that." She smiled. 

"Welcome home. Luca Adrían Mendes Leon. Our son."