The World (Sequel to International)

Not Going Anywhere

March 2030

Mapi's POV:

I helped Felicia onto the bed and held Luca. "Ready?" I whispered. "We're gonna surprise mama for her birthday."

Felicia sat and waited. I put Luca near Mariana and Felicia moved toward her face. "MAMA WAKE UP!" She yelled.

Mariana jumped. "You scared me!" She smiled. Felicia laughed. Mariana grabbed them both. She looked up at me. 

"You heard us didn't you?"

"Kind of hard not too. You're a loud walker." She said playing with Luca. 

I laughed and took Felicia off the bed. "Alexia and Jenni took Gabriel too the field." She said. "Also it's already 12 in the afternoon."

"Why'd you let me sleep so late!" She picked Luca up and got out of bed.

"I heard you get up at 4 this morning. I knew you didn't sleep well and it's your birthday. Sleep in, enjoy the rest." I said. "Look. All the kids are in one piece."

"Mama I'm hungry." Felicia pulled on Mariana's pants. 

"Ok, we'll go get food. Go play in your room." She said. I took Luca. "Let me change."

"I love you." I said.

"I love you." She smiled. "Very much."

Mariana's POV:

Mapi and the kids left the room and I sat down on the bed. I looked up at the ceiling. 

Everyone you care about left.

I put my head in my hands. 

They all left you.

"Stop." I mumbled into my hands. "Please stop."

Your grandfather, your brother, your grandmother.

"Babe?" Mapi knocked on the door. "You ok?"

She's turned her back on you a few times. 

"I'm fine!" I said.

How long till she does it again?

I looked at the wall. "I'm fine." I whispered. I shook my head and stood up. "I'm fine." I repeated.

Mapi's POV:

"Welcome." I opened the door and let Alexia and Jenni in. "How's our superstar?" I looked at Gabriel.

"His freekicks are insane." Jenni said. "Kid didn't miss."

He jumped up and high fived me. "Freekick perfect runs in the family." I said. "Your father was pretty good at them, Mariana is an expert, I'm not too bad." I looked at Maxi. "And what about you, young Putellas. How'd you do?"

"I ran with the ball." He smiled. "Then I tripped over it!"

"He's got the Putellas genes, with that Hermoso finish." Alexia smiled. 

"My boy!" Jenni cheered.

"Can I go to my room?" Gabriel asked.

"Sure bud."

"Where's Felicia?" Maxi asked.

"She's in her room playing." I said. Gabriel and Maxi ran off. 

"Where's Mariana?" Alexia asked.

"In her room. She said she was gonna get changed. She's been in there for a while." I shrugged. "Probably fell back to sleep."

"I'm on it." Alexia got up and walked to the room. I heard her knock on the door.