The World (Sequel to International)

Changed My Life

Since we're all recovering from today's update of The Dutch Girl.

I hope you all enjoy these soft dorks.

Mapi's POV:

We landed in Lisbon and went to Mariana's. She still has the place here. 

"I love getting to come home." Mariana looked out the window. "Lisbon, Ponta Delgada, doesn't matter. It's Portugal." 

I smiled. "I'm glad." 

"Why are we here?"

"I can't take my beautiful family to the country that gave me my beautiful wife?"

"I feel like you're up to something." 

I leaned closer to her. "I'm always up to something." I kissed her cheek. "Mendes and Leon gang." I looked at the kids. "Here's the plan. I have a surprise for you two." She pointed to me and Gabriel. "Don't ask questions I won't tell you." 

"Wow. You learned how to keep secrets."

"I learned from Vir. Remember the whole Jenni and Ale marriage? 4 years of us not knowing."

"You didn't know for 4 years. I didn't know for 3."

I turned to her. "MOVING ON!" I looked back at the kids. "We leave in half an hour. Be ready." 

Mariana's POV:

"We're here." Mapi smiled.

I looked around. "José Alvalade?"

Mapi turned to me. "Come on." 

We went inside. "Mari." Tatiana ran over. 

"Hey." I hugged her. 

"Nephew." She looked at Gabriel.

"Aunt." He crossed his arms. 

"Yeah." She nodded. "He's a Mendes." She laughed. 

"Do you know what's happening?" 

"Of course I do." She smiled. "Don't ask me any questions."

We walked into the stadium and got seated in a box. The men's team was playing today. The game would be starting soon. 

As it got closer to kickoff, we got brought down to the field. 

"Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to José Alvalade Stadium for today's match between FC Porto and Sporting!" The crowd cheered. "We ask that you turn your attention to midfield for today's pregame ceremony."

"What is happening?" I looked at Mapi.

"Just listen."

"7 years ago, the football community was shocked by the sudden passing for Sporting defender, Gabriel dos Santos Mendes. During his time with Sporting, Gabriel became a star for club as well as country. He was a fan favorite on and off the field and dedicated his time to growing the game and giving back to his community. Though he left the club in 2020, he was always a part of the Sporting family, as was his younger sister, Mariana. Mariana was with the club from 2016 to 2021. Today, we welcome home the family of Gabriel. Please welcome to the field, his parents, André and Isadora Mendes. His sister, Mariana Mendes, her wife Mapi and their children, Felicia and Luca. And please give a very warm welcome to Gabriel's son and the birthday boy, Gabriel Jr."

The crowd screamed. I saw my parents and hugged them.

"Did you know about this?" They asked.

"No, it was all Mapi." 

"In honor of Gabriel, the city of Lisbon has declared today Gabriel Mendes day. And to keep his memory alive, both Sporting and Porto have donated money to the Gabriel Mendes Foundation." 

I looked at Mapi. "Now that I didn't know." She said. "There's one more thing." She kneeled down to Gabriel. "Remember how you told me you wanted to play football too?" He nodded. "I figured you'd want to start where your father did. So,"

"Gabriel Jr. We know you want to follow in the footsteps of your father, and your aunt. Which is why the Sporting Academy is very proud to offer you a spot."

He looked up at me. "It's up to you."

He jumped up and down. "SPORTING!" He yelled.

"Welcome to the family, Gabriel!"

The ceremony ended. They gave Gabriel his jersey and he didn't take it off. "You know what this means." I said to him. 

"What?"

"You're moving back to Lisbon, kid." My dad smiled. 

Gabriel looked at me and Mapi. "What about you guys?"

"We're gonna stay in Madrid for a little while." Mapi said. "But we know you want this, and we're going to support you."

"We'll be a phone call away, kid." I hugged him.

After the game, Sporting won, we went back to the house. 

"How did you do all of that?" I asked her.

"I called the club and told them I wanted to honor Gabriel. That it was his anniversary and his son's birthday. As soon as I said that they said how can we help." She smiled. "I know this is a tough time for you and the whole family. I just wanted to remind you of how many people love all of you. We're all here for you, always."

"And Gabriel? Getting into the academy."

"I talked to him when you were in Italy. He said he wanted to play football. I talked to your parents and they said he always talked about playing for Sporting. I told them and he said that anyone who is in this family is already part of this club."

"I'm gonna miss him."

"I will too." She said. "We'll bug him every day though." I laughed. "He'll be begging us to leave him alone."

I looked at her. "I love you, so much."

"I love you." She kissed me. "You changed my life."