Chapter 16
Maya is looking at herself in her phone camera for the third time in less than five minutes and Carina cannot help but giggle. Her wife can be so adorable. It has been a while since she last saw the blonde this giddy and nervous. The last months have been so dark, it feels good to see that lightness again.
The sound makes Maya turn to the brunette almost pouting.
“What?”
Again, the Italian is struck by how cute she looks. So much so that Carina forgets momentarily about the bandage on Maya’s head and the fact that days ago the firefighter almost died of a brain bleed.
“Nothing.” Carina shrugs, holding back another set of giggles and failing miserably.
Maya smiles at how magical it is to hear that most gorgeous sound coming from the Italian. She wants to bask in the sweetness of that moment forever.
The firefighter talks with honesty, speaking sincerely about her feelings as she's been doing since she got to the hospital on Christmas Eve.
“I just don’t want to scare her. I was okay the last she saw me and now I have this thing in my head.”
The lieutenant’s words make Carina’s smile and eyes grow impossibly softer.
“Don’t worry, bambina. I asked her mom to explain it to her and Lucy said that you’d be just like her cousin when he dressed as a mummy for Halloween.”
Maya laughs at the comparison. The use of the Italian affectionate word also makes her heart do somersaults in her chest. It feels amazing to hear Carina saying them again and more frequently. She takes it as a very good sign.
A knock on the door makes the lieutenant turn her head to find Lucy standing there with a paper in her hand.
“Maya!”
The girl smiles widely and takes a few hesitant steps toward the bed, looking at Maya.
“Hey, astronaut! I’m so happy to see you.”
The words are enough to make Lucy walk confidently and eagerly to Maya's side.
“Merry Christmas!”
The girl says as she hands Maya the piece of paper which turns out to be a drawing of them in what appears to be a firefighter truck.
“This is amazing, Lucy! Thank you! Merry Christmas!”
The compliment makes the kid’s chest puff with pride and smiles brightly at Maya and Carina, which makes Lucy finally realize the doctor’s presence.
“Hey, Carina!”
The girl walks in her direction and hugs the Italian. The sight makes Maya’s heart flutter.
“Ciao Lucy!”
The little girl smiles and turns to her mother.
“That means ‘hi’, mommy!”
Maya and Carina laugh, both impressed by the girl's Italian knowledge, and their attention is brought to the woman standing close with teary eyes.
“Lieutenant Bishop, it’s so good to finally meet you. You saved my life by keeping my little girl safe. Thank you!”
The blonde always feels a little unsure about how to respond to these kinds of comments. She never thinks of herself as a hero, though, of course, she is very proud of her work.
“I was just doing my job. And Lucy here saved my life too. She is very brave.”
The girl smiles brightly and Maya feels a wave of happiness and relief wash over her at seeing the girl well – so different from that scared little girl who clung to her but still just as sweet and kind. She can see that she's happy with her mom.
Lucy and Maya engage in a conversation as Rachel, the child’s mother, goes over to hug and talk with Carina. It doesn't last long, however, as the girl is soon tugging her shirt and whispering to her.
“Mommy, the gift.”
Rachel smiles and nods, getting something from her purse.
“Lucy wanted to give you this.”
The woman hands the gift to the girl who gives it to Maya.
“Merry Christmas, Maya.”
The lieutenant looks at it in surprise, not expecting a Christmas present. Carina can see the blue eyes getting watery.
“Oh thank you! You didn’t have to...”
“It’s a book about the stars!”
Lucy says excitedly, spoiling her own surprise, making the three women laugh.
“It’s her favourite book!” Rachel says as she gently runs her hand over the girl's hair.
“Really?”
Maya asks, smiling brightly as she opens the gift to find the book. "Merry Christmas, Lucy!"
“You got one too, Carina!” Lucy says a bit too loudly, going through her mother's purse, not waiting for Rachel to take it.
The doctor looks at the little girl surprised and smiles softly. Maya gets to witness firsthand the shine in Lucy’s eyes, in complete awe of the Italian.
“Thank you, Lucy. I really love it.”
They spend the next half an hour looking at the book, talking and laughing. Lucy is very happy to share all her knowledge about the universe, the planets, and the moon.
After a while though, Carina can read the exhaustion in Maya’s body - before the blonde can even realize herself how tired she is.
The Italian shares a look with Rachel and gives her a kind smile, the woman quickly understanding.
“Luce, honey, it’s time to go. Lieutenant Bishop needs to rest.”
They say their goodbyes and after not once but twice hugging both Maya and Carina, Lucy leaves with a promise to see them again.
As mother and daughter cross the door, Maya still has a wide smile on her face.
"She is doing okay." The blonde says mostly to herself.
"Sì, she is. Her mother seems very sweet."
"I'm glad because her father..." Maya doesn't even finish her sentence, huffing, the anger she feels toward the man who abandoned his child in a fire is still as fiery as on the day of the events.
And that's also the moment when Maya finally notices the throbbing in her head increase.
“Can I get you some medicine?” Carina ask
If before the question would annoy her, now it almost amuses her in a heart-warming way. Of course, Carina could read right through her.
“How do you know?”
The Italian rolls her eyes as if her answer is all too obvious.
“Maya, you’ve been frowning for the last five minutes when Lucy wasn't looking at you.”
Maya chuckles and immediately regrets it, her head throbbing again.
“I just realized it now. I think I’m more tired than I thought.”
“You need to rest.”
“I know, and I will. That medicine sounds good.”
The firefighter hears the sigh of relief that escapes the brunette. She knows that Carina is still worried about Maya possibly not accepting help, and pushing herself too hard. She understands it will take longer to make the OB trust her again.
She is so lost her in head that she doesn't realize the Italian leaning in and placing a soft, loving kiss on her forehead until it happens.
The touch makes Maya instantly close her eyes as she seeks to engrave in her mind the feeling of having the warmth of Carina's lips on her skin. Oh, it is so incredibly good.
She will never take that for granted ever again, she promises herself.
"I'll go get the nurse."
Carina whispers and smiles as she notices that Maya still has her eyes closed. It almost makes her want to shorten the distance and kiss her lips, giving in to the feelings that have been bubbling inside her for the last few days.
"Thank you." The blonde says softly, opening her blue orbs slowly.
Seeing Maya well and focused on getting better is most certainly very important for Carina. She can see so clearly how different her wife is. Yet, the heartbreak and pain of the last months are still fresh. She still needs time and space. She is grateful that Maya is giving her that.
And she also can't help but feel so very hopeful for their future.