Chapter 13
Carina's smile matches Maya's and she works on drying their tears, chuckling at the mess of their watery faces. The day's events and twists are worth a romantic movie. It doesn't surprise the Italian though. Their love story has always been like that.
The brunette places a sweet kiss on her wife's cheek before returning to the chair next to Maya's bed, her hand never leaving the blonde's.
They stare at each other lovingly, both relieved and happy about their conversation.
A laugh on the other end of the ICU makes the doctor turn her attention to the hallway and other rooms. The floor is usually very quiet, but today is a little different. There are people wearing Santa hats and walking around handing out cookies and eggnog. The holiday spirit is at a high.
The sight hits her and she can't help but feel a pang in her heart. She thinks about her mother, brother and nonna; about finding the joy of Christmas again with Maya. But she also thinks about how painful this one started out, of the hours waiting for Maya's surgery to be over.
Dio Mio, her wife had brain surgery that day! Brain surgery!
Her chest tightens instantly and she closes her eyes pushing the memory away.
What matters now is that Maya is okay and they are taking steady and important steps to find their way back to each other.
As Carina opens her eyes and continues watching the people around her enjoying the holiday, she can't help but wonder about what their next Christmas will be like. Where will they be? What awaits them?
She shakes her head though, too exhausted to think about all of that, and looks at Maya. The blonde is clearly sleepy now, the events of the day and the medication finally taking a toll on her.
Maya opens her eyes and smiles at the OB. "I'm sorry, I think I'm falling asleep."
Carina gently strokes her wife's cheek, looking at her in awe and in love. How she missed cute, sleepy Maya. "It's okay. Close your eyes."
The lieutenant hums contently as she leans into her wife's touch. She's about to succumb to sleep when she opens her eyes again.
"Will you sleep too? You need to rest."
The Italian chuckles ever so softly and nods, reassuring the somnolent woman as she continues her caress. The concern in the lieutenant's voice is undeniably endearing and sweet. “I will… Just rest, bambina."
Maya's eyes are already closed by the time Carina finishes her sentence, too content with her wife's tender caress. The American beams at the doctor.
Carina watches as the blonde starts to relax and fall into a deeper sleep - but not before mumbling something in her slumber.
"Merry Christmas, my love."
Carina feels her world stop as the tears return silently to her eyes. Her heart flutters because she realizes now that those words are all she's been hoping to hear ever since she woke up alone in that damn hotel room on Christmas Eve.
Her Maya is right there with her. Her home.
She brings Maya's hand to her lips and presses a sweet kiss on her knuckles before bringing it to her own cheek, closing her eyes and letting the tears fall.
"Buon natale, amore."