The World (Sequel to International)

Our Home

August 2030

Mariana's POV:

I walked into Atleti's facility with no weight on my shoulders.

For the first time in a while, I felt free. 

"Mari!" Carmen ran over. "You're back."

"I am. Ready to crush it this season?"

"Always." She smiled. "I'm happy you're back."

"So am I." I saw Virginia and Nahikari. "Here's the happy couple."

"Shut up." Nahikari walked away.

"Can we talk about this!"

"No!" 

Virginia turned to me. "She drives me fucking insane, I'm sick of it." She sighed. "I love her so much." She walked away.

"Oh, they are just weird." Carmen said.

"Babe." Lola ran over. "Look."

"Why are you bleeding?"

"Don't worry about it." She walked away. Lola retired after last season. She's now the goalkeeper coach for Atleti.

"This club has two brain cells." I said. "I have one, you have the other." 

"Let the fun begin."

Mapi's POV:

"I can do this part around here." I said. "Then I'll have to change the size of this if you really want it to go down your arm."

"Ok." 

"I'll draw it up for you, you can tell me what you think."

"Perfect. I actually have to get to a meeting. Can I come back later this week?"

"Sure." I smiled. "I'll have to draw this anyway, but I'll see you later this week."

He left and I grabbed the phone. "Mapi Leon."

"Your children are insane."

"I'll be home in a few hours, Jenni."

"When I pictured my retirement, I didn't picture taking care of 3 kids." She sighed. "Maxi! Don't put your head in there! I gotta go." She hung up. 

After she hung up, I started working on my stuff. Then my phone rang again. "Mapi Leon." I answered without looking.

"You sound hot."

I laughed. "Hi, Mari. How's practice?" 

"It's nice being back. I'm in my car. We have a break, I wanted to talk to you."

"What's up?"

"We have 3 kids. 2 boys, 1 girl. One of those kids is no longer living with us."

"He is an independent young man now."

She laughed. "I also hate odd numbers."

"Are you saying you want a 4th kid?"

"Maybe?"

I smiled. "I'd love to have another kid if you do. When you get home, we'll talk about it some more. Ok?"

"Ok. I love you."

"I love you."

Mariana's POV:

"Who's watching the kids?" Carmen asked.

"Jenni." I smiled. "She's in Madrid." I laughed. "For the first half of the season, her and Maxi will be in Madrid, for the second half they'll go to Barcelona. She's watching Felicia and Luca while Mapi's at the studio. Where are the twins?" I smirked.

"My mom." She laughed. "She wanted to come visit and is now watching them."

"These young keepers are kicking my ass." Lola walked over. She put her arm around Carmen. 

"Because you're old." I said.

She pointed her finger at me. "Nahi wait!" Nahikari walked by us. Virginia followed behind her. "Can you stop."

"I'm done!"

Nahi got in the car and drove away. Vir turned to us and sighed. "I'll give you a ride." I said.

"Can I just crash with you and Mapi? I don't think I'll be welcomed back home."

"What happened?" Carmen asked.

"We started wedding planning. She wants to invite that girl Alex? The American."

"Her hot hockey friend?" Lola said. I looked at her. "Don't look at me." 

"Yeah." Vir trailed off. "That one, anyway. She wants to invite her to the wedding and I agreed. Which apparently was the wrong answer?"

"This sounds like a you problem." Lola whispered to me. "Come on, we gotta see our children." She dragged Carmen away. 

"Bye Mari! Good luck Vir!" She waved. 

I turned to Virginia. "Get in the car. Let's figure this out." I smiled. 

Mapi's POV:

I left the studio and called Jenni. "I'm gonna come pick up the kids."

"Felicia and Maxi are having so much fun right now. I'll drop them off in a little bit."

"You sure? You were freaking out earlier."

"Yeah but now those two are playing and Luca is hanging out. I'll drop them off. Go home, Mapi."

"Alright. See you soon." I hung up and drove home. I saw Mariana's car and went inside. "Mari? I'm home." I smiled. "Time to talk about having another b- you are not my wife." I saw Virginia on the couch.

"Good job Sherlock." She said. 

"What are you? Why are you here?"

"Oh hey." Mariana walked in. "Nahi and Vir are having issues. Vir's gonna stay the night."

"I thought we were going to talk about THAT thing." 

"We can talk about it later. No rush." She kissed my cheek. "Where're the kids?"

"Jenni's gonna drop them off later." 

Virginia stood up. "I don't want to bother you guys. I'll just go home and deal with whatever is waiting for me."

"What even happened?" I asked. Virginia told me. "There's a right and wrong answer?"

"APPARENTLY!" She threw her hands up. "What do I do? Does she NOT want Alex to come to the wedding? I'm so confused."

"Isn't Alex the one that she-"

"Don't remind me." Virginia put her hand up.

"Now I'm confused." Mariana said.

"I'll tell you later." I said. 

"Ok." She nodded. "Vir, sit down. If you really want to go home and figure everything out with Nahi, go ahead. But you don't HAVE to leave."

"Mari is right." I said. "You're always welcome in our home."

"I sure hope I am." She sat back in. "They were welcomed in mine after your stupid ass kicked out your WIFE and BABY."

"Ok." I looked at Mariana. "She's back."

What's going to happen with Nahikari and Virginia?

Will Mariana and Mapi ever get to talk?

Why was Lola bleeding?