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The World Cup had been an absolute whirlwind for Caro, a mix of both an incredible experience and also the pain of being benched and then crashing out in the round of 16. All she wanted was to go home. Not to Norway, or even to Barcelona but to Marta. They’d been separated for over a month and although they could FaceTime, Caro missed her more than she could ever imagine. She missed seeing the smile on her face as she laughed and joked with their teammates, missed her curly hair thrown up into a messy bun and missed the way that she would light up any room she walked into. She was exhausted as the Norway team boarded their plane from New Zealand, preparing to make the very, very long journey home.
On the plane, all Caro could think about was her. She laughed with Guro, joked with Ada and did everything that you would’ve expected. But all that time she was daydreaming of finally seeing Marta again. They eventually arrived back in Oslo before her and Ingrid boarded their final flight to Barcelona; both excited to finally see their girlfriend’s again. It had been tough for Ingrid and Mapi, Caro knew that much. She herself had struggled but it must’ve been so hard, watching the person you love go through so much and miss out on a World Cup to do the right thing.
The pair talked on the flight; they had never been best friends but got along well. It was nice for both of them to have someone to be able to talk to in their native language despite being a long way from home. This flight wasn’t too long, nothing compared to what they had just experienced travelling across the world. They arrived at Barcelona airport at around 3, shattered from their 24 hours of travelling. And that was when Caro saw them; Marta and Mapi. They pair excitedly bounded over to them and Caro practically fell into Marta’s arms. She was home.
They arrived back at their apartment, saying bye to Ingrid and Mapi. All Caro wanted to do was to snuggle up on the sofa with her girlfriend and not think. So that was what they did. They sat, bodies wrapped together and watched some Spanish soap opera that Caro struggled to understand.
“I missed you kjærlighet.” Caro said affectionately while they were lying on the sofa together
“I missed you so much.” Came the reply. They were Caro and Marta, and they were finally back together.
It was on this sofa, in this exact moment that Caro made up her mind. She couldn’t imagine life without Marta in it. They had been together but almost 4 years, back when Caro had just moved to Barca, afraid and shy in an unknown country, with unknown people who spoke an unknown language. And then she met Marta. Marta, who was her rock and had always been there for her. Marta, who she wanted to marry.
The following week, Caro found her chance. Marta went off for drinks with Irene and Alexia, while Caro was going to out with Frido and Ingrid. However, she texted them her apology and went to the jewellers in the city centre.
After much deliberation, she found the perfect ring. It was expensive, but she could afford it on her comfortable footballer’s wage. It screamed Marta, a plain band but with a beautiful diamond on top. She paid the cashier and walked out, wondering what she was going to do next. She then went to Frido’s; the swede was a trustworthy friend who Marta was not as close with and therefore didn’t run the risk of the ring being found. She went over there and explained to her what she was doing, being greeted by Frido and Ingrid’s excited squeals.
“It was about time! You’ve been hopelessly in love with her for years.” Ingrid told her in Norwegian.
“I’m not that bad.” Caro attempted to defend herself.
“Yes you are.” Came Frido’s short answer. Caro stayed for a little while, explaining what had happened before she looked at the time and realised that Marta would be home soon.
The ring stayed at Frido’s for a long time after that. The season started again not long after and Caro was so exhausted and waiting for the right time. It came in December, when they were granted a day off before their Christmas party in the evening. Caro went over to Frido’s that morning and told her that she was going to do it. She grabbed the ring, put it in her pocket before returning home.
“Hei Marta!” Caro sung excitedly, hoping Marta wouldn’t be too suspicious at why she had gone out.
“Hola, where did you go?” She asked, curious about why her girlfriend had mysteriously left.
“I just went out to grab a few things from the shop, I had an idea.” Caro said casually, hoping not to seem suspicious. “How about we go for a beach day? We could go to the little cove where there’s never anyone around. I know it’s a bit cold but it should still be fun.”
“Yeah that sound great, should we get ready now?” Marta agreed, happy to spend the day with her girlfriend.
“Okay then, I’ll pack a bag and then we can go, I don’t see much point in getting swimming stuff on.” The couple went and got everything they needed for the trip and drove over to the little bay. They sat there enjoying just being there, the two of them at a beautiful beach.
“I love you Marta.” Caro blurted out, mentally preparing herself for what she was going to do.
“I love you too Caroline.” That was something Marta did, calling Caro by her full name when no one else (other than her parents) did.
“I love your smile, I love they way that you seem to have everyone in your orbit and are endlessly cheerful. I love you when you’re not happy but you’re still there for me anyway. I love how you take care of me when I get injured. I love you so so much and I cannot imagine my life without you in it.” She got down on one knee. “Marta Torrejón Moya, will you marry me?”
“Yes yes yes!” Came Marta’s reply as she kissed Caro before breaking into a huge smile. She slipped the ring on her finger and looked up at Caro, the Norwegian being slightly taller than her.
“Caroline Graham Hansen, I love you so much and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
The new fiancées sat on that beach together and watched the sunset, smiling giddy smiles as Marta started down at her new ring.
“I love it.”
The pair would’ve gladly stayed on that beach together, just the two of them for the rest of their lives if they could, enjoying the moment, knowing just how special it was. However, they had the Barca Christmas party to get to and they knew it would be be suspicious if they weren’t there. So they went back home, before jumping in the car and heading to the training ground.
They found their seats and sat down, with Frido next to Caro and Alexia next to Marta.
“I did it.” Caro whispered in Frido’s ear and the swede smiled, looking down at Marta’s hand and indeed seeing the ring that Caro had hidden at her apartment for months.
“Something seems different.” Alexia said, giving Marta a piercing stare.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Marta replied, attempting to hide her smile.
“No no, something has definitely changed.” Alexia scanned her up and down, attempting to find something different until she landed on her hands.
“You’re wearing a ring. Oh my god did Caro propose?!?!” Alexia shouted in disbelief.
“Keep your voice down! We haven’t really told anyone yet.” Caro replied with a smile.
“Caroline Graham Hansen you sneaky bitch, I can’t believe you actually popped the question!” Alexia still looked in shock. “Am I the first to know?”
“Nah, Frido and Ingrid know already.” Caro replied.
“How come?”
“Well, I hid the ring at Frido’s and Ingrid was there when I bought it so…”
“The scandi’s, at it again. Inseparable you lot are.” At this point, Frido rejoined the conversation.
“I’m such a good friend that I had to keep that ring for months and not say anything, it was torture!”
“So when did you buy it?” Marta asked out of curiosity.
“After the World Cup.” Came Caro’s reply.
“Hold on, I need to get the story straight, what exactly happened?”
“So I bought the ring months ago, hid it at Frido’s and then this morning I pretended I went to the shops and instead went over there to pick it up. Me and Marta then went to this little cove we discovered and then I proposed.” Caro summarised.
“Wow. I can’t believe you guys are actually getting married!” Alexia said this very loudly, and soon the entire team was gathered around their table.
“Caro did I hear that right? You’re getting married!” Aitana asked very excitedly.
“Omg how long have you kept this from us?” was Patri’s question.
Lucy then came over, unsurprisingly asking “Will there be a bar at the wedding?” Keira laughed and jokingly called her an alcoholic. Before long everyone, including the boys were gathered around the table, asking questions and inspecting Marta’s ring.
Later that evening, they two were lying in bed, looking at each other with so much love.
“So much for keeping it quiet.” Caro said jokingly. Marta laughed at her fiancé before replying “did you seriously think we would be able to hide it, look at our team.” She was right of course and Caro smiled knowing that she would have all the time in the world to be proven wrong by the woman who would become her wife.