Someone asked a while ago for me to write Maya getting sick on their wedding day and hiding it from Carina. I hope you enjoy! This is not set during the current Station 19 timeline becuase I think we are all pretty sure there is a wedding coming sooner rather than later.
It was the morning before the rehearsal dinner for their wedding. Maya and A shift were just getting off of an all-night call to an apartment fire which had been fairly successful by the captain's standards because there had only been a few small injuries to the apartment tenants, and besides some small bruises, her team was fine also. However, it had taken them the entire night to get the fire under control and out, meaning everyone was completely exhausted.
Maya groaned as she sat down at her desk, getting ready to get the report from the fire filed because this was her last day of work for the next two weeks. She and Carina had a honeymoon planned with a week spent in Italy, mostly just seeing the sights, but also seeing Carina's Zia Giana who wanted to come to the wedding, but was undergoing chemo for breast cancer, making the long trip unsafe. They were then going to Spain to spend another week because Carina insisted it was absolutely beautiful and a must see. Maya was excited about the trip, happy that two years in therapy made vacations a lot less daunting then they had once been.
She sighed, rubbing her forehead as she felt the headache she had been fight for the last twelve or so hours get more intense, making her wish she could go home and sleep. However, she had a million things to do after she got through this report.
She got through half of it before there was a knock on her door.
"Come in," she called, noticing her throat was hurting, figuring it was just from all the smoke that had been in the air last night.
"Hey," Andy said as she and Vic walked in, "Just checking to see if there was anything you needed us to do before tonight?"
"I don't know," Maya sighed, going to rub her eyes, but remembering she still needed to shower, "I have to pick up my dress, check on the flowers, get the rings, and somehow figure out what to do for dinner for the rehearsal because the place we were supposed to go called last night and told me that they had been shut down for health code violations."
"I can help with that," Vic offered, "My parents were just talking about how they had some catering job get canceled for later this week because it was supposed to be for a couple's 70th wedding anniversary, but the man died so they have a bunch of extra supplies for this week."
"Seriously?" Maya said, looking at her friend in disbelief.
"Yeah," Vic nodded, "I'll text my dad right now. They normally only run lunch on Fridays, and if I go over and help, they will totally have time."
"Vic, you are a life saver," Maya said, trying not to start crying, "And they would be good with us going to their restaurant."
"Of course," Vic nodded, "It's 15 people, right?"
"Yeah," Maya nodded, "Thank you so much."
"Of course," Vic said, "I'm going to head over there now. The rehearsal's at 5 so I'll have them be ready by 6?"
"Perfect," Maya said, grabbing her phone to let Carina know.
She actually hadn't told her fiancé about the issues with the restaurant they had chosen for the evening, not wanting to stress her out because Carina was also working last night, and wouldn't be off until noon today.
"Do you want me to go get the rings or dress?" Andy asked, knowing Maya was probably absolutely exhausted, "Or get you some coffee or something?"
"Coffee would be perfect," Maya nodded, "I need to get through my report from last night, and then shower before I get out of here. Carina is off at noon so I'm hoping to bring her some lunch before I go get all my errands done."
"Are you going to be able to get any sleep today?" Andy asked.
"Probably not," Maya said, shaking her head, "I'll sleep tonight. You are still spending the night at Vic and Travis's right?"
"Of course," Andy nodded.
Despite how stupid Maya and Carina both thought the tradition of not seeing each other on their wedding day was, Vic, Andy, Travis, Teddy, Jo, and Amelia were all insistent and no amount of arguing could convince them otherwise so the brides-to-be both caved. Maya was spending the night at Vic and Travis's while Carina's friends were coming to spend the night at their place.
"I am not getting drunk with you fools tonight," Maya said, coughing a little, "I'm too tired, and tomorrow is too important."
"Are you feeling ok?" Andy asked with concern as Maya continued coughing.
"It's just from the fire," Maya said, grabbing her water bottle, "I need to shower to get the ash and stuff off, but I need this report to be done so I can leave for two weeks without having to do anything."
"Alright," Andy said, making a mental note to keep an eye on Maya, "I'll go get you coffee, and I'll be back soon."
"Thanks," Maya nodded, going back to her report.
It took her another hour to finish it, Andy coming back with coffee and convincing Maya to let her go get the rings, promising to meet her at the soon to be married woman's apartment with the rings around 3.
By the time Maya was done with her report and shower, she was beyond exhausted and decided to just lay down in her bunk for a little bit.
She woke up three hours later, disoriented for a second before flying out of bed, realizing it was already after 1 pm, and she had to get her dress between 12 and 2.
She was still not feeling well, the ache in her head and throat both worse than before. However, she had no time to worry about it as she grabbed her phone, seeing she had about a dozen messages from Andy, Vic, and Carina, all asking her questions.
She answered Vic and Andy quickly before opting to call her fiancé, still kicking herself for not bringing her lunch.
"Hi Bambina," Carina answered.
"Hey babe," Maya said, coughing a little.
"Are you alright?" Carina asked.
"Yeah," Maya said, not about to admit to Carina that she was starting to feel like shit the day before their wedding, "Just choking. I'm good. I am just heading to get my dress."
"Did you talk to the florist yet?" Carina asked.
"No," Maya said, getting in her car, "I am going to after I finish up with you."
"Ok," Carina said, "I talked to the venue, and everything is coming together, but they need one of us to go over there around 3 for some last minute details."
"Can you do it?" Maya asked, looking at the time and seeing it was already 1:30, knowing she needed to get herself ready for the evening, "Or I can and then just get ready there."
"I can do it," Carina reassured, "You also still have to pack for Vic's, and you haven't even been home yet."
"Thank you," Maya sighed, "Sorry. I meant to have everything done earlier, but I fell asleep in my bunk after my shower."
"Are you sure you are alright?" Carina asked, knowing sleep was not something that normally came easily to her fiancé.
"We worked a long call last night, all night," Maya said, "I just needed a little power nap to be ready for the rest of today."
Maya failed to mention that her "power nap" had been close to three hours and that she was fairly sure she was either already running a fever or going to be based on the chills she had going on.
"I'm sorry, Bambina," Carina frowned, "Are you sure you are going to get sleep at Vic's? You could always just sleep here."
"No," Maya said, "I will be fine. I need to go. I'm at the dress place. See you soon if I make it home before you leave for the venue."
"Love you Bambina," Carina said.
"Love you too," Maya said, hanging up before going into the store.
Luckily, she was able to try on her dress quickly, the woman making sure she knew how to get it on properly before Maya paid for it and headed out.
On her way home, she swung by an Italian coffee place, grabbing coffee for both of them, knowing she would make it home just in time to say goodbye to Carina.
As she drove, she called the florist, making sure everything was set. They assured her everything would be perfect the next day, reminding her that someone needed to be at the venue at 9 am the following day when they delivered the flowers. Maya confirmed that Travis would be there, something Maya was eternally grateful for.
She then got back to their apartment, Carina just about ready to walk out the door as she walked in.
"Hey," Carina said, putting her last earring in as Maya walked in the door.
"You look amazing," Maya said, walking over to her soon to be wife who was dressed in a white floral patterned jumpsuit, her hair pulled half up in a bun.
"Grazie," Carina smiled, walking up to her, pressing a kiss to her lips.
"Oh, this is for you," Maya said, holding out the cup of coffee, "Espresso from Remi's."
"You are amazing," Carina smiled, giving Maya another quick kiss, frowning as she put a gentle hand on her cheek, feeling it was warmer than normal.
"Bambina, you feel warm," Carina frowned, "Are you feeling alright?"
"I spent the past two hour running around the city," Maya shrugged, "And it's warm for September. I'm fine. Now, I will see you later. Oh, Andy is dropping off the rings in like twenty minutes. Do you want me to bring them or you or…?"
"You bring mine, I'll bring yours," Carina said, giving Maya one more quick kiss.
"Sounds good," Maya nodded, "Love you."
"Love you too," Carina said, smiling as she walked out the door.
Maya sighed, knowing she had less than two hours to get ready, but the more the day wore on, the worse she was starting to feel.
She went into the kitchen, starting some water for tea. She started coughing just as there was a knock on the door. She managed to stop coughing as she opened the door.
"I have the rings," Andy said, coming in.
"Thanks," Maya smiled, grabbing a tissue and blowing her nose.
"Why aren't you getting ready yet?" Andy said, confused, "We have to go by Vic's before the rehearsal."
"I know," Maya said, going into her room to plug in her flatiron, "I accidently fell asleep at the station after I showered and it threw off my whole day."
Just then, Maya started coughing again.
"Maya," Andy said as the coughing died down, "Are you ok?"
"It's just a cough," Maya said, shrugging.
"And a runny nose and a nap?" Andy said, looking carefully at her best friend, "Maya, are you sick?"
"No," Maya said, shaking her head, "No. I am getting married tomorrow. I don't have time to be sick."
Andy walked over, putting a hand on Maya's forehead.
"Maya, you are really warm," Andy said, "Where's your thermometer?"
"Andy," Maya groaned, going into the kitchen, pouring some hot water into a mug that she had prepped with lemon juice, honey, and a tea bag.
The lieutenant came into the kitchen, running the thermometer over her friend's forehead.
"101.1," Andy winced, "Maya, you are sick."
"I am fine," Maya said, "I am getting married tomorrow. I need to be fine."
"Well, you aren't," Andy said, "But we can probably figure out how to make you feel well enough to make it through tonight and tomorrow. You start getting ready, I am going to run out to the store and get some stuff."
"I have to get married tomorrow," Maya said, feeling tears fill her eyes.
"You will," Andy nodded, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Just go get ready. I will be back soon."
Maya went into her bathroom, trying her best to keep the tears out of her eyes while getting to work on her hair which was a little bit of a mess thanks to falling asleep on it wet. She managed to get it almost all the way tamed before Andy came back.
"Alright," Andy said, walking into the bathroom, "I wasn't totally sure what all your symptoms were so I got a little of everything. First, take two of these. It's Dayquil, and it should ease the fever and congestion. When was the last time you ate?"
"I had a protein bar while I was working on files this morning," Maya said, "But that's it."
"Is your stomach bothering you?" Andy asked.
"Not more than nerves about tomorrow," Maya said, shaking her head as she worked to get her hair up, deciding that with the fever she had going, it was best to not have it down.
"Ok," Andy said, "You need to eat to take some Advil so how about a sandwich or a banana or yogurt or something?"
"Banana," Maya said as she took the first set of pills Andy gave her.
Normally, Maya hated taking medicine of any kind, but this was not a normal situation, and Maya was willing to take just about anything to make tonight and tomorrow the magical days Carina deserved.
Within the next hour, Maya managed to get her makeup done and get her bag packed for the night before getting dressed in a white pantsuit with a lacy top she had picked for today.
"You look beautiful Maya," Andy smiled as her friend came out of the bedroom.
Maya went to thank her but sneezed instead.
"Are you feeling any better?" Andy asked, knowing everything should have kicked in by now.
"Yeah," Maya said, grabbing her bag, "My headache is almost gone, and I feel less achy. Let's go. How long are those pills supposed to last?"
"6 hours," Andy said, "So you've got until about 10."
"The rehearsal ends at 8," Maya said, "9 at the worst so it should be fine."
"And then we will go to Vic and Travis's and you will get extremely doped up on all the good nighttime cold meds," Andy said, "And tomorrow, you will walk down the aisle and it will be great. Have you told Carina you are sick?"
"No," Maya said, shaking her head, "And I'm not going to until after the wedding. She will just worry."
"Alright," Andy nodded, not loving the idea, but knowing tomorrow was Maya and Carina's day, "Come on. Oh, where do you want the rings?"
"This one stays here," Maya said, cracking open one of the boxes and seeing the ring that she would be wearing in it, "And the other one comes with us."
"And your dress?" Andy said.
"In the car," Maya said, coughing a little bit.
"Do you need anything else?" Andy asked.
"No," Maya said, "I've got everything."
"Then let's go," Andy said as they left.
They decided to just take Andy's car because after the wedding, Maya would be going home with her wife and they didn't need two cars. Andy helped Maya transfer her dress before they headed over to Vic and Travis's.
"Come on in," Travis said, opening the door, "Vic is getting ready. Do you guys have stuff in the car?"
"My dress," Maya said, voice cracking a little.
"Are you alright?" Travis asked.
"She's sick," Andy said as they set their stuff down, "But we are not telling Carina."
"You're sick?" Vic said, coming out of her room.
"Just a little," Maya said, "Andy's got me on like three different things right now so hopefully it helps. It's just some virus or something. I'm fine."
"She had a fever over 101 and some kind of respiratory bug," Andy said, "So as her bridal party, it is our job to get her down that aisle tomorrow which means that all those plans you two had for tonight are canceled so she can sleep."
"Yeah, I'm not going to argue with that because I could probably go to bed right now," Maya said, nodding, "Now, I need to get to the venue because Carina has been there almost an hour and a half by herself, and I need to go help. You are welcome to come or not, but I need to go."
"Come on," Vic said, putting on her shoes, "Let's do this."
The rehearsal went off without a hitch. Maya wasn't sure why they needed to practice the whole walking down the aisle thing, but as they did it, she was pretty happy they ironed out all the wrinkles before the actual ceremony.
Bailey was their officiant while Ben and Richard were walking the two brides down the aisle. Maya and Carina had gone back and forth about whether or not they wanted to be walked down the aisle because there were no fathers invited to this wedding, but then Ben and Richard had offered, and after a little talking, both of them decided it would be perfect.
The entire rehearsal was quick and efficient, which Maya was thrilled about because despite all the pills Andy had given her, she was still not feeling great, her body achy with chills running through her every so often.
They then all headed over to Vic's parent's place for dinner. Carina and Maya enjoyed their time with their friends, Maya starting to feel worse as the evening wore on.
As the night ended, Carina stole Maya away for a few quiet moments alone.
"How are you feeling about tomorrow?" Carina asked, having noticed her fiancé was quiet all night.
"Excited," Maya said, smiling at her, "I am ready to be married to you. I just wish Mason was still here to see it. How are you feeling?"
"Also excited," Carina said, "And a little sad." "You wish Andrew and your mom were here," Maya said knowingly.
"Si," Carina nodded, blinking quickly, "And my dad."
Carina had invited her father to their wedding, but he was so unsupportive of their relationship that he refused to come. Maya's mom and Carina's Zia Sofia were going to be the only family members either of them had.
Maya had been devastated a year ago when two police officers showed up at her door to inform her that they had found Mason, dead of an apparent overdose.
Apparently, he had been clean for a few months, but then, somehow, Lane had found him. It had pushed Mason too far and his already fragile sobriety had broken, but like many addicts, he went back to his doses from before he got sober and it had been too much.
It had been one of the hardest things Maya had ever dealt with, and she was beyond grateful that she had had Carina there to be there for her through it. Having someone who knew what it was like to lose a younger brother had been the biggest blessing to Maya, and honestly the only reason she didn't just give up on life.
"I wish your dad was different for you," Maya said, squeezing her fiancé's hand lightly.
"How are you feeling about not having your papa here?" Carina asked, looking at Maya.
"I…complicated," Maya sighed, "He has absolutely no right to be here, but I still kinda wish he was."
"I feel the same," Carina nodded, grateful that if they were both going to have to go through this specific kind of pain, at least they had each other to lean on.
They spent a few more minutes together, talking a little about the wedding tomorrow. As they got ready to say goodbye for the night, Maya suddenly let out a series of violent sneezes.
"Bambina," Carina frowned as Maya pulled a tissue out of her purse, "Are you sure you are alright?"
"Car, I'm fine," Maya said, "Just some fall allergies."
Carina wasn't sure how she remembered Maya ever having allergies before, but she also knew that in the past few years, she had gotten Maya to always tell her when she wasn't feeling well so she cautiously believed her.
"We should probably get going," Maya sighed, "I'm sure Vic's parents need to go."
"Si," Carina nodded, "It was so nice of them to let us have dinner here. I cannot believe Marco's got shut down."
"I should have looked at their safety inspections," Maya said, shaking her head, "They were close to getting closed for a fire code violation last year."
They went and rejoined their friends, everyone getting ready to go.
"I will see you tomorrow," Carina said, hand in Maya's as they walked out of the restaurant.
"First look photos are at 2," Maya said, nodding, "And then at 3, we will officially be married."
"I can't wait," Carina smiled, leaning down and giving Maya a kiss, "See you tomorrow."
"Love you," Maya said, parting their lips slightly only to go back in for one more kiss.
"Love you too," Carina said, doing the same.
"Alright you two," Amelia said, "Save it for the wedding. Let's go."
They pulled apart, squeezing hands one more time before leaving. The fire fighters drove back to Vic and Travis's, Maya groaning as she got out of her car.
"Ok, I think whatever you gave me is wearing off," she said, coughing harshly as she walked into the house, "I am starting to feel terrible."
"Go get a shower, and we will have everything ready when you get out," Travis said.
Maya nodded, going to the guest room that had an attached bathroom, removing her makeup before getting into the shower. She had felt at least a little ok all night, but now that she was no longer trying to convince her fiancé she was fine, all her symptoms seemed to amplify. Her head was pounding, body aching, throat burning, and her entire face felt tight with congestion.
The steam from the shower helped some, but by the time Maya got out of the shower, she was almost asleep on her feet. She pulled on her pajamas before going back into the bedroom, finding Andy and Vic both sitting there.
"Alright," Andy said, "I've got NyQuil, vapor rub, and some more Advil."
"And I snagged Travis's humidifier and made some tea. I put it in this special thermos that should keep it warm all night," Vic said, setting down the thermos before getting the humidifier ready.
"And I dug out our extra blankets if you need them," Travis said, walking in as Maya was taking the meds, "Or if you're hot, I can get you a fan."
"Blankets are good," Maya said, coughing as Vic disappeared, "I've had chills on and off all afternoon."
"Do you need anything else?" Andy asked as Maya laid down.
"Some water?" Maya asked, "And then I'm just going to sleep. Maybe I'll somehow break this fever in the middle of the night."
Suddenly, Vic appeared with a glass of water and a box of tissues.
"Thanks Vic," Maya smiled as the younger woman set the stuff down on the nightstand.
"My room is right next door," Vic reminded her, "Andy and I will both be there if you need anything."
"Thanks guys," Maya said, grabbing her phone as they left.
She shot Carina a quick text, telling her she loved her and she couldn't want to be her wife. Carina texted back quickly, telling her to have a good night, that she loved her, and that she couldn't wait for the next day. Maya then plugged her phone in before giving in to the sleep her body so desperately needed.
Around 3 am, she woke up from a nightmare about Carina leaving her at the altar. As she calmed herself down, she took stock of how she was feeling.
Every symptom she had was still there and worse than before. She groaned, rolling around in the sheets, going from too hot to too cold.
About twenty minutes after she woke up, she was startled the door to her room opened and Vic appeared.
"Vic?" she said, confused, "What…?"
"I had to pee," Vic shrugged, "And I figured I would check on you. How are you feeling?"
"Terrible," Maya coughed, rubbing at her tired eyes.
"You're burning up," Vic frowned, "Ok, if I give you more meds now, you'll be up by 9 am."
"We have to meet the hair and makeup people at 10," Maya said, grabbing a tissue and blowing her nose, "At the venue."
"You'll have plenty of time," Vic said, stepping out for a minute, grabbing Maya more meds, "Do you need anything else?"
"No, thanks Vic," Maya said, shivering as she grabbed the blankets, coughing harshly, "This sucks."
"Sorry you got so sick right before your wedding," Vic said, putting another blanket on top of her friend.
Maya just shrugged, closing her eyes as Vic left.
The next time Maya woke up, she felt a little more rested, but still terrible.
She rolled over, grabbing her phone. She had several messages from Carina, most of them telling her she loved her and that she was excited for their wedding. Maya texted her back, offering the same sentiments before she saw it was already nearing 9:15 meaning they had to leave in less than half an hour.
She got out of bed, finding her friends all in the kitchen.
"There is the blushing bride," Vic said, seeing her first.
"More like the feverish bride," Maya mumbled, accepting the coffee Vic offered her.
"Travis is already at the venue getting the flowers taken care of," Andy said, "We need to be out of here in thirty minutes, but really all you need to do is take some meds and put on clothes."
"Meds first," Maya said, voice a little raspy.
"Ok," Andy said, getting everything out as Vic handed Maya a protein bar.
"Let's see what your temp is this morning," Andy said, running the device over Maya's forehead, "Damn, 102.6. Maya, that is not good."
"Just drug me up," Maya said, "I'll be fine."
"You're going to need more right before the ceremony," Andy said as she started handing Maya pills.
"I just need to make it through today," Maya said, "And then, tomorrow, we set aside a day just to pack and stuff so I can sleep for most of it. I had already planned to spend most of it in bed, but I think it's going to be a little different than I anticipated."
"You will have plenty of time to be in bed in Europe," Andy said as she poured four to go cups of coffee, "Carina is going to kill you for not telling her you're sick."
"She deserves a special day," Maya said, blowing her nose, "And if that means I have to lie to her about the fact that I have some kind of virus making me feel like shit, then I will."
"Bishop, I will never get used to seeing you so in love," Vic said, shaking her head, "Now come on ladies. We have a captain to get married."
Maya was grateful that getting ready for her wedding was fairly easy, really only requiring her to sit still with her eyes closed. She dozed off several times while getting her makeup and hair done.
By 1:30, everyone was pretty much ready except for Maya's dress.
"It's a little early, but you need to take some more meds now because after you do first looks with Carina, it's ceremony time."
Maya nodded, taking everything Andy gave her.
"Are you feeling any better?" Vic asked as Maya coughed.
"Kinda," Maya shrugged as she got ready to put her dress on, "I still feel bad, but not as bad as earlier. Now, can you two help me with this dress?"
By 2 when Teddy came and knocked on the door, Maya was ready, already regretting that she had chosen fairly high heels for today because she was feeling a little unsteady.
"You good?" Andy asked as she walked with Maya, noticing her friend seemed a little wobbly.
"Yeah," Maya said, "Just hating my shoe choice."
"You can put on something else at the reception," Andy said, "I threw a pair of sandals in your bag yesterday."
"You are the best," Maya said, smiling as they walked up to the wedding photographer.
"Maya," he greeted warmly, "Carina is already waiting. Let me and my assistant get in place and we will be good to go."
Maya nodded as Andy and Teddy left, giving the couple their privacy. The blonde felt butterflies in her stomach as she waited for her cue, having no idea what Carina's dress looked like, both of them deciding to keep it a secret.
"Alright," Maya heard from the photographer and she started walking, turning a corner and seeing Carina standing there in a breathtaking white lace dress.
Maya almost forgot to breathe as she walked up to her with tears in her eyes.
"You look so beautiful," Maya said, smiling at her soon to be wife.
"I was thinking the same thing, Bambina," Carina said, capturing Maya's lips.
They took many photos, mostly just enjoying their last few moments together before they were officially married.
"It's almost time for the ceremony," Anthony, their photographer, said as he snapped a few final photos, "We are going to go get some shots of everything before it officially starts if you two are alright with that."
"Si," Carina nodded as Maya said, "Yes."
The photographers left, giving Maya and Carina one last minute together.
"I love you so much," Carina said, leaning down, pressing her forehead to Maya's, thinking to herself that it felt too warm, but opting not to say anything for now, "I cannot believe in ten minutes, we will be getting married."
"I know," Maya said, pressing a kiss to her lips, "I cannot wait to be your wife forever."
Just then, Andy came around the corner, finding both of them.
"Sorry to break this up," she said, "But it's time."
"Are you ready to become Mrs. Deluca-Bishop?" Maya asked, taking Carina's hand.
"Only if you are," Carina said, nodding as they followed Andy, finding their respective father stand-ins.
"Are you ready, Bishop?" Ben asked as he held out his arm for her.
"Just don't let me fall," Maya said, genuinely worried about it as a small wave of dizziness ran through her head as she shivered a little.
"I've got you," Ben promised as they stood there.
Somehow, Maya made it down the aisle without falling, smiling as she took Carina's hands.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of two very special women," Bailey started, "Now, I know you wrote your own vows, so without further ado, Carina?"
"Maya Catherine Bishop," Carina said, looking at the blonde, "The first time I saw you, I was drawn to you, and not just because you were carrying a nose in a plastic bag. There was something about you that made me want to know who you were, and that feeling has only gotten stronger every day since. I never want to stop getting to know you because everything I learn about you makes me fall in love with you more. Before I met you, I had never been in a relationship that lasted more than a few months, and I was pretty sure that was fine with me, but you changed my entire perspective. You are the person I want to come home to every night and wake up with every morning. I promise to always believe in you, even when you find it hard to believe in yourself. I promise to be there for you, to remind you of how truly amazing you are at just about everything, except making espresso."
"Hey, I've gotten better," Maya said, faking hurt.
"You have," Carina nodded as everyone laughed, "I promise to help you scream when you need to and cry when you need to and hold you through all of it. I promise to keep challenging you and pushing you as long as you will let me. Bambina, we both know that life is messy and painful and challenging, and there is no one in this world I would rather face all of that with than you. I love you Maya, and I promise to never stop." There were tears on both their cheeks by the time Carina finished.
"Maya?" Bailey said as the blonde wiped her eyes.
"Carina Lucia Deluca," Maya started, "When I met you, I was pretty convinced I would never find someone to love, that I couldn't love anyone. And then you walked into my life and turned me into someone who believes in love and monogamy and relationships. You changed my entire life, and I will never stop trying to show you how much I love you for that. I promise to be there for you, to not run from you or push you away. You are so amazing and understanding and compassionate and I promise to never take any of that for granted. We have gone through so much together, and while I hope the rest of our lives are less eventful than the past three years have been, I promise to stand by you through whatever life decides to throw at us. I promise to try to come home to you always and forever because you truly are the love of my life Carina, and I will never be able to figure out what I did to deserve you."
The rest of the ceremony continued as normal, both of them slipping rings on each other's fingers before Bailey declared them officially married, and Carina passionately leaned over to kiss her wife.
After the ceremony was over, they headed outside to take more photos with the entire wedding party while the rest of their guests headed to the banquet hall where the reception was going to be held.
As the photos were wrapping up, Maya was starting to feel worse. Her head was starting to pound and every part of her body was sore and achy.
As they started walking over to the reception, Andy grabbed Maya's hand.
"Here are your sandals," the Latina said, handing Maya a different pair of shoes, "Give me the heels."
"You are a lifesaver Andy," Maya said, coughing.
"How are you feeling?" Andy asked, tucking Maya's shoes into the changing room.
"Honestly, it's getting worse," Maya said, "I just want to make it through the first dance, and then I might come crash here for a little bit. I really don't feel well."
"You should tell Carina," And said, "I know you don't want to, but you look miserable. She's going to know something's up."
"Tell Carina what?" the Italian asked, walking over to the two friends.
Andy gave Maya a look before walking away.
"I'm not feeling well," Maya sighed, finally giving up the charade.
"What's wrong?" Carina asked, frowning.
"I've got some kind of virus or something going on," Maya said, coughing, "I have had a fever since yesterday, and I've got some respiratory and sinus stuff going on."
"Bambina," Carina said, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to ruin today," Maya said, shrugging, "I'll be fine. I just don't think I'm going to last the whole reception. Sorry."
"We can go home now," Carina offered, "Let you get some rest."
"No," Maya said, shaking her head, "No. I will be fine. We should go enjoy our time with our friends."
"Are you sure?" Carina said, putting a hand on the side of Maya's face, realizing that the heat she was feeling was not from blushing or overheating but instead whatever bug her wife was fighting.
"Yeah," Maya nodded, "Come on."
They went to the banquet hall, everyone walking in with their silly dances, Maya opting to kiss Carina as she dipped her down. Soon enough, it was time for dinner, Maya finding her appetite was all but gone. Carina kept a hand on Maya's thigh under the table, just tracing circles with her fingers. "Just tell me if you want to leave," Carina whispered in her ear. "I'm fine," Maya said, though her body was starting to protest that idea. They went and cut the cake, neither of them rubbing it on the other, deciding instead to just feed each other like normal people. Then, it was time for the first dance. They had been practicing around their apartment for weeks, mostly because while Carina was a dancer until she started medical school, Maya had little to no sense of rhythm and was terrified to make a fool out of herself. However, by the time of the dance, Maya genuinely felt awful, which Carina could see written all over her face, and so they just went for a nice, slow dance. "You are burning up," Carina murmured as Maya leaned her head on her shoulder.
"I'm ok," Maya said, coughing a little, "Just don't go too fast."
"I've got you," Carina reassured, holding Maya a little tighter.
Before either of them were ready, the song was over and the rest of the wedding music started, inviting guests to dance with them.
Carina somehow lost track of her wife within minutes, not able to find her as she exited the dance floor half an hour later.
"Have you seen Maya?" Carina asked Andy, spotting her wife's maid of honor.
"Yeah," Andy said, gesturing for Carina to follow her.
They went back to the dressing room, Andy opening the door for Carina. As the doctor stepped in, she sighed, seeing her wife sound asleep on a couch in the corner.
"She really wanted today to be special for you," Andy said as Carina walked over to her, sitting down, "That was her number one concern was that you have a good day."
"I just wish she had had a good day too," Carina said, putting a hand on Maya's forehead, wincing at how warm she was, "I need to take her home. She is really warm. She needs to be in bed."
"I can stay with her if you want to go say goodbye," Andy offered, "I'll wake her up and getting her ready to go."
"Grazie Andy," Carina nodded, pressing a kiss to Maya's forehead before getting up, "I hate to leave our party early, but…"
"She is more important?" Andy guessed, earning a nod from Carina, "No one will care. Take your time."
Carina nodded, slipping out of the room as Andy got Maya's things together before going over to her best friend.
"Maya," Andy said, gently shaking her, "Come on. You need to wake up."
"Tired," Maya mumbled, coughing harshly.
"I know," Andy said, "But Carina is going to take you home."
"No," Maya said, shaking her head, "She needs to have fun at the wedding."
"She did," Andy reassured her sick friend, "But she isn't having fun knowing you're sick. Besides, you need to be home in bed, not here on this lumpy cough."
Just then, Carina came back in.
"Teddy promised to bring all my things over tomorrow," Carina said, "Could you grab her bag?"
"Of course," Andy nodded as Carina went to Maya, helping her up.
"Come on Bambina," Carina said, "Let's go home."
"Sorry I ruined our wedding," Maya said, feeling tears well up in her eyes.
"You didn't ruin it," Carina reassured her, "It was a lot of fun, and our friends are still having fun."
"But you are missing out," Maya said, looking at her wife as they walked.
"No," Carina said, shaking her head, "My one goal for tonight was to spend time with my wife, and that is exactly what I am doing. And while this isn't exactly what I had planned, and we didn't use traditional vows, the in sickness and in health thing was kinda implied."
"I love you," Maya said, smiling a little at Carina.
"I love you too," Carina said, pressing a kiss to her forehead, "Now, let's get you home and into bed."
"It's not even going to be the good kind of into bed I was planning for tonight," Maya said, coughing a little.
"Any time I get to share a bed with you is a win in my book," Carina said as Maya got into the car.
"Even when I am gross and germy?" Maya said as Carina helped Andy get the bag in the car, thanking her before the Latina went back inside.
"Even when you are gross and germy," Carina nodded, getting into the car herself.
"You are a pretty great wife," Maya said, leaning back in her seat, closing her eyes as they drove home together for the first time as married women.
Ok, that was a lot longer than I intended, but I hope you liked it! As always, any prompts are happily accepted! Thanks for reading!