The World (Sequel to International)

I'm Always There

February 2032

Mapi's POV:

"Ready to go home?" The nurse smiled. 

"Yes." I laughed. "Wish my partner was with me but, she'll be home soon." I sighed. "But we have a big team waiting." I looked down at Jordana. 

"Car is ready." Vir smiled. "I'm going to see Mari real quick? If that's ok?"

"She's your sister, Vir. You never have to ask." I smiled.

"Nahi's out front." 

I nodded and she left.

I got everything with Jordana ready and went to Mariana. Virginia was standing by her side. 

"Leila and Mariona are going to babysit the kids. I'm gonna be here for a while, you're welcome to stay." I said.

"Really?" I nodded. "If you don't mind."

"I don't." I laughed. "Let's just get Jordana settled first."

We went home and were welcomed by her aunts and siblings. "Look at her little face." Jenni smiled.

"Not to be dramatic but I would die for all of your kids, and mine of course." Leila smiled and grabbed Dario. "We did such a good job."

"Mom I can't breathe!!" He slapped her arm.

"Leila release." Mariona said. 

"How's Mariana doing?" Alexia looked at me. 

"I'm gonna go back." I said. "Sit with her while they ease her off everything. Just talk to her, let her know the baby is ok. Vir's coming, you can too."

She smiled. "I'll see her when she comes home."

I looked at Jenni. "I'll be sure you're the first one she sees." 

"I'll hold you to that."

After Jordana was settled, Virginia and I went back to the hospital. The doctor explained what was going to happen and they started. 

We sat and waited. "Could she wake up?" Vir asked.

"She could wake up soon, she could wake up tomorrow. Depends on how she's feeling. She went through a lot. With the pregnancy, delivery, plus her body never really had a chance to recover from the season she played before."

"So basically she's just gonna enjoy this." Vir said. "Well damn, knock me out too."

I laughed and so did the doctor.

"I'll be back later." She left.

I looked at Mariana. "Now we wait." I sat down. 

"Hopefully not too long." Virginia mumbled.

Algarve Cup Final 2021

Mariana's POV:

"They're doing something weird aren't they?" Mapi asked.

"They're making kissy faces." I smirked. Virginia was just laughing now. "Look. I know how you feel about me. You know how I feel about you. That's not gonna change anything. I'm not holding back on this field today, I hope you know that."

"I'd be very disappointed if you did." Mapi smiled. "Give us hell, we're not holding back."

We exchanged a few more words, then I headed off the field. I saw Virginia talk to Mapi, then run towards me. "Hey. I think it's time we officially met." She smiled. "I'm Virginia."

"Mariana." I laughed. "Nice to finally meet you, in person. You did slide into my DMs though."

"It was for Mapi." She said. "She thought you blew it, I was being a good friend."

"Is that who you are? A good friend?"

"I'd like to think I'm one of the best." She smirked. "You need me, I'm always there."

"Everyone needs a friend like you." 

"Or just me." She shrugged. 

"This is only our first meeting, Virginia." I said and looked towards Portugal's locker room. "Give it time. The best relationships take time to grow. I feel like we'll be good friends. Soon enough." I got to the locker room and went inside.

Present Day

Mapi's POV:

"You need me, I'm always there." Virginia whispered. "And I'm not leaving till you open your eyes." She grabbed Mariana's hand.

"Then you don't have to wait that long." Mariana mumbled. She slowly opened her eyes and looked around. "What happened?"

"Hey." I brushed her hair back. "You scared the shit out of me, that's what happened." 

"Mapi? Where's the baby? Did they save her? I told you to save her!" Virginia got up to grab a nurse.

"Calm down, my love." I said. "She's fine. She's at home. Leila and Mariona are with the kids. She's beautiful, Mari. She's healthy and safe."

She closed her eyes. "What happened?"

"In order to save you, they needed to do the surgery. To save Jordana, they had to deliver her, which also required the surgery. They delivered her, but you were so weak from this whole pregnancy, and everything that happened." I shook my head. "I was scared I was going to lose both of you." I whispered. Virginia came back and sat by Mariana's side.

She put her hand on my cheek. "You'd never lose me." 

She looked to her right and saw Virginia. "Mari I,"

"Shh." She smiled. "We were all emotional. I know you love me, Vir. I'm ok, the baby is ok, we're ok."

"I do love you." Vir nodded. "And that daughter of yours? Mari, I will never let anything happen to her, Felicia, Luca, or Gabriel."

"I know." She looked around. "Where's Alexia?" She whispered. 

"She's home. I'll call her."

"No." Mariana said. "I can't see her yet. I just want to see our baby girl."

"You will. Soon." 

The nurse and doctor came in. "Mariana. How are you feeling?"

"Sore but good. When can I go home?"

"We'll keep you here another day. I know you want to see your daughter. But when you go home, take it easy. I want you to rest. Understand?"

"Don't worry." Viriginia smiles. "Aunty Vir has the kids handled."

"Does she?"

"Yeah. Her and Aunty Nahi need some practice." She smiled. "I told you I couldn't do this without you."

"You need me, I'm always there." Mariana said.

"Family. You and me. Understand?"