The World (Sequel to International)

Life Partner

January 2031

Mapi's POV:

I watched Mariana bounce her leg while we waited. They got the surgeon to come in and took her father in right away. 

Now we were waiting.

"Babe." I whispered and put my hand on her leg. "Relax. Just breathe."

She put her hand on mine and sat back. "I hate hospitals." She mumbled. 

"What about the births of our children?" 

"Luca's birth was scary and I almost died." She crossed her arms. "My statement stands."

I nodded. "Should I call Alexia?" I asked.

She looked at me and smile. "Please?"

"I'll call her." I got up.

Mariana's POV:

We sat and waited. The doctor walked out and I stood up. "Well?" My mom looked at the doctor.

"The surgery was a success." He said. "We'll keep him here for a few days just to keep an eye on him. But we're confident he'll go back to normal. He's going to have to make some lifestyle changes, but he'll make a full recovery."

I hugged my mom. "Thank you." She said.

"We're getting him settled in his room. Someone will come and bring you to him."

He left and I looked at Mapi. "Can you call Virginia? Check on the kids?"

"Already on it." She held up her phone. 

I smiled and looked at my mom. "She's grown a lot."

"We both did." I said. "3 kids will do that."

"Any plans for a 4th?" She nudged me.

I laughed. "I don't know. Let's focus on dad." 

A nurse came and brought up to see him. I went to his side. "What did we learn?" I looked at him.

"Always listen to my daughter." He said. "She knows what's best for us. My wife too." 

"Our daughter more though." My mom kissed his hand. "We did a good job with her."

"She was perfect from the start. Made it easy." I smiled and squeezed his hand. "We'll Mari, give me another grandchild." He smiled. 

April 2031

Mapi's POV:

I got home and put my bag down. "Hi beautiful." I kissed Mariana.

"How was work?" She asked.

"It was fun." I smiled. "Did some sketches, tattooed a few people."

She looked at me. "Now how was it really?" 

"I miss football." I looked down.

She laughed. "What do you want to do?" She asked. "You never officially retired did you?"

"No, but I haven't played in a little over 2 years. I'll be 36 this summer."

"Are you trying to convince me that you're too old because I'm not falling for it." She said. 

"Babe." 

"If you want to play again, I'm sure a team will sign you."

"Who wants to sign an almost 36-year-old who hasn't played in 2 years?"

"Call your agent. I'm sure someone will." She got up. "Now I have a doctor's appointment. Call him, please. I want you to be happy. Call him and get back on the field." 

"I will." 

She left and I went to get Luca and Felicia. "Mama." Felicia said. "I want food." 

"What do you want?" I took them to the kitchen. 

"Food!" She smiled.

"Yep. You're your mothers daughter."

Mariana's POV:

"The season ends in a few weeks." I said. "We got knocked out of the Champions League so just a few games."

"How are you health-wise?" He looked. "Anything new?"

"No. I'm fine." I smiled. 

"How are the kids? Felicia is how old now?"

"Turned 3 in January. Luca will be 2 in July." 

"And Gabriel? How's he?"

"He's incredible." I laughed. "Never ceases to amaze me that kid."

The doctor smiled. "Well, you know how this all works. If you want to wait till the season ends, you can. It's up to you. We can start at any time." 

I nodded. "I'll think about it and call you."

"Sounds like a plan. You have my number. Whenever you're ready, we'll start."

I got in my car and smiled. "Baby #4." 

Mapi's POV:

"Would anyone even want to sign me?" I asked.

"You'd be surprised." He laughed. "Let me put the word around. See what I can get. I'll call you tomorrow ok?"

"Ok."

"Tell Mariana I said hello."

"I will." I said. I said bye and hung up. Mariana came home and we ate dinner. After the kids were asleep, I told her. 

"Do you have any preference?" She asked. "For a team?"

"Hopefully in Madrid. I want to stay near you and the kids."

"Well, what if I had to sit out next season?" She said. "And went with you wherever you go?"

"Wait. Are you pregnant?"

"No." She laughed. "But the doctor said if I want to do it now or wait till the end of the season, I can. There are only a few weeks left. I'm going to finish the season, then it's time for baby #4."

"So if Barca wanted to sign me. We'd go there for the season?"

"Yep." She said.

"We can keep the house here. Get something just for the season." 

"Didn't Mariona and Leila say that one of the apartments next to them is available? They're decent sized. We could make it work." 

"I love doing this whole life thing with you." I smiled. "You are the best life partner a woman could ask for."

"I know I am." She said. "Because I've dealt with so much shit from you and I'm still here." 

I nodded. "That is true. You are our superwoman. We all love you so much. I've loved you since the minute I first saw you. You're my other half."