Chapter 7
It doesn't take long for Carina to understand the tender look in Maya's eyes when she looked at the girl. Lucy is absolutely adorable and smart. And so very impressed by the firefighter.
After talking about her love for Saturn, just like Maya had asked before leaving for the CT, the child starts gushing about the blonde. Maya this. Maya that. Clearly, the tiniest fan of the lieutenant.
Carina's heart flutters at every story. So much so that, in a different situation, she would have asked someone to page Maggie Pierce. But the OB knows all too well that it has nothing to do with a cardiac condition. The fluttering isn't anything new. She lost count of how many times she felt it when she was with Maya or when she watched her wife play with Pru.
There is a part of her that wants to fight it, that doesn't want to surrender to this feeling because the fear of having her heart completely shattered again by Maya is too intense, too real, and too raw.
The fluttering is stronger, however than any rational part of her brain. The love she has for that infuriating wife of hers is undeniable, inevitable.
An intern interrupts them to say that Lucy's x-ray came back clear, no damage to her lungs. The Italian is glad to see the child is unharmed. She is sure Maya will be especially happy once she is back. At the thought, she looks at the time and frowns. A CT shouldn't take that long.
Carina was so entranced by Lucy that she lost track of time.
She tries not to panic. Maybe there is a line for the CT or an issue with the machine. Maya is probably okay. She was well when she left. No need to overreact.
But there is a sinking feeling in her stomach now. So she asks a nurse to contact CT to see what's the holdup, why it is taking too long. After a few minutes, Carina is informed the CT for patient Maya Bishop was already done.
The Italian sighs in relief. The blonde will probably be there at any moment now.
She turns her attention back to Lucy, who is yawning. Noticing how tired the little girl looks, Carina gives her a warm smile.
"Why don't you take a nap? I'll stay here with you."
Lucy just looks around, her eyes searching for a certain lieutenant. "Where is Maya?"
"She is okay. She'll be here soon. But she would want you to rest. You'll see her soon."
The child has a small pout on her lips. "You promise?"
Carina's heart melts. "I promise."
Lucy looks deeply into the Italian's eyes as if to ensure she is being truthful. She then nods, satisfied with whatever she finds in the brown orbs, and lies down on the gurney. She turns her head to Carina once again, her voice is low and small.
"Can I hold her jacket?"
The OB frowns, unsure of what the girl is talking about. Lucy then points to something stored under the gurney. It's Maya's turnout. Impossibly, Carina's heart melts all over again. The Italian grabs only one of the sleeves of the jacket, the gear is completely dirty with soot, but it seems to be enough for the girl. Lucy holds the piece of fabric tightly and closes her eyes.
The Italian mirrors the girl's action as she sighs. This day really took an insane turn. Finding Maya in the ER brought many of those terrible memories back. At the same time, the blonde looked well, healthier, and lighter. It's overwhelming trying to conciliate those two versions of her wife. The hollow, angry "eyes forward" Maya and the kind, loving Maya.
It's so confusing. Because seeing the firefighter with Lucy is incredible and it makes her think about the mother Maya could be. Yet, it also brings the pain of the failed inseminations and the loneliness she felt.
Argh, she's a mess.
She shakes her head, trying to quiet her racing mind. When she opens her eyes, though, her stomach turns.
Dr. Kwan is standing in front of her, pale and nervous. Maya nowhere in sight. It cannot be a good sign.
"Dr. DeLuca."
A shiver runs through her veins. So very similar to the one she felt when Jack told her about Maya on that fateful night.
The Italian straightens her back, her stare even deadlier than before. "Tell me."
"Lieutenant Bishop experienced some vomiting and fainted after the CT. She's stable and responsive now but we're admitting her. We found a small brain bleed, but Dr. Nelson believes it is best to wait to solve it on its own. We'll be monitoring her intracranial pressure and do a repeat CT in 12 hours to make sure it is controlled."
A fierce anger bubbles in her chest but she tries to control it. "Where is she?"
"She is being moved to a room. I can take you there."
The Italian can't even look at the intern anymore, so she turns her attention to the girl sleeping soundly, completely oblivious. She promised Lucy that Maya was okay. She promised her that she would see the blonde soon.
Carina was right when she woke up that morning. She really hates this day.