Lover- ML

AN: oh, we're getting close to the end of this book now😬

Mapi and Kaia went back to the hotel with the team, but it was only so they could grab their bags and bid farewell to most of them for the Christmas break.

Elinor came to pick them both up in her Range Rover, helping them with organising their bags and asking Lucy if she needed a lift anywhere.

She didn't, she was going back to Barcelona with Ona.

"Ok, this entire suitcase is full of presents from us." Kaia points to the smaller but full suitcase in the boot. "A couple for you, dad, Seb and Kat, but most of them are for the kids."

Elinor nods in understanding. "All labeled?"

"Yeah, yeah, don't worry." Kaia confirms, walking around the car to get in the passenger side. Mapi was already in the back because it was too cold and she wanted her seat warmer on. "You can only have Mapi for the morning tomorrow because we want to go to butchers before it closes."

Mapi's head lifts from her phone at the reminder. "Can I ride a horse?"

Both Kaia and Elinor look at each other for a second, debating it but also amused. "Yes," Elinor accepts. "But just remember the yard might be slippy with the frost. We'll do it before all the children arrive so you can potter around at your own pace."

Mapi nods along, looking to Kaia and smiling when she sees her looking back at her. "I think I am improving, no? With the riding."

"Definitely." Kaia answers her fiancé lovingly. "You're becoming a natural."

When they get to Kaia's parents house, Kaia and Elinor once again take the lead on getting the bags from the boot, while Mapi just shoved her hands in her pockets and took in the snow falling around them slowly.

It was beautiful, peaceful, but very cold.

They'd be staying in Kaia's childhood bedroom, so that's where Mapi took the luggage while Kaia reunited with her dad and English grandmother who was here waiting for her.

It was already late, so Kaia uncharacteristically brought up two bowls of cheesy chicken and tomato tortellini for them to eat in peace. "My nan's just left, she told me to tell you that you're glowing and seem happy." She shrugs in confusion. "Old people."

Mapi laughs as she takes her steaming dinner, already in her fluffy pyjamas and sat cross legged on the bed. "I am happy, very happy now I've got food."

Kaia rolls her eyes in faux offence. "Not because you're so in love that nothing would dampen your mood." She says, wandering to their bags to get her own pjamas out.

"That too." Mapi mumbles while shovelling her food into her mouth. "Your bedroom doesn't have a TV." She realises, staring at the large space that should house one.

"It did when I was a teenager." Kaia chuckles. "But when I moved out they let me take it, now it's in some random French landfill site."

Mapi hums in understanding and continues to take the room in with her eyes. She's slept in here before, but she'll always find the details of this room interesting. A small pocket of Kaia she didn't know but wanted to learn all about. "How many people have you had in this bed then, bebé?" She smirks, leaning back on an elbow so she can lounge while eating. 

"Oh, my parents never let me have people over like that." Kaia says, sliding her fluffy pyjama bottoms up her legs and facing Mapi. "Only Leah's slept over a few times. I was around fifteen, and she... really should've thought about getting into bed with a minor."