As Maya laid in bed, she realized that they had left her car at the hospital. It wasn't a big deal, and she knew she could pick it up some other time, but as she looked at her watch, she did some quick math. If she left soon, she could run to the hospital, pick up the girls and then drive home.
She carefully extracted herself from the bed, hoping she didn't wake her wife. Once she realized she didn't, she quickly slipped into her running gear, writing Carina a quick note before heading out.
As she started the run, she realized for the first time all day how much she needed it. She ran a lot less since they had had the twins, but she still was running at least four times a week, if not more. It was still something that calmed her down, but having babies meant that sometimes, there just weren't enough hours in the day for it.
She also wondered how this diagnosis for Carina was going to impact her ability to get out and run, not that she cared so much about the actual running, but she was already feeling more anxious than normal with everything that had happened. She knew that she was going to need to keep running in order to deal with it and be the best possible support she could be for her wife. She knew it was probably going to require her to run at home a lot more or take the twins with her more often.
She loved running with the twins, and most of the time, the girls enjoyed it too, but it required a lot more planning and set her route at lot more strictly because she couldn't run stairs with a stroller and she didn't like having to cross busy streets with the girls either. However, she was willing to do whatever she needed to do help her wife get better.
She took the long way to the hospital, needing a little time by herself before she went back into Mommy mode.
As she arrived at the hospital, she stopped out front to stretch on one of the benches, pulling out her phone and deciding to order takeout for dinner. She ordered some pho and a few other dishes from that restaurant before going to her car, pulling a towel out of the car and dabbing off her face before throwing on a little deodorant she kept there. She then headed into the hospital and to the daycare.
"Hello Chief Bishop-Deluca," Natalie, one of the daycare workers, said, "Let me go grab the girls."
"Thanks," Maya said, going to grab the stroller from the room where parents with kids in the daycare were allowed to store them.
"Mommy," Rowan said, running to her as Nora walked with Natalie.
"Hi Ro," Maya said, scooping her up.
"Mommy 'et," Rowan said, touching Maya's damp hair.
"Yes, I went for a run before I came to pick you up," Maya said as Nora walked over to them with Natalie, "How were they today?"
"They were good," she said, smiling, "They both napped for about an hour and a half. We did have to feed them some of the food from their cubbies because they didn't have lunch in their bags today?"
"Yeah, that was my bad," Maya said, scooping Nora up who was fussing a little, "They were supposed to be home today with Carina, but something came up at the last minute and in my rush to get out the door, I forgot lunches."
"It was no problem," Natalie said, "I just wanted to let you know so you can replace the backup food at some point."
"Thanks," Maya said, settling Rowan into the stroller, "I'll make sure we do soon."
"Alright," Natalie nodded, "Well, I will see you all…tomorrow?"
"No, we are both off tomorrow," Maya said, "I'm not actually sure when they will be back, but in the next few days."
"Sounds good," Natalie nodded, "Tell Dr. Bishop-Deluca hi for me. Bye Rowan. Bye Nora."
"Bye," the twins said, both of them waving.
"Bye," Maya said, taking the diaper bag from her, "Thank you."
"Mamma?" Nora said, looking at Maya questioningly as they headed to the car.
"Mamma is at home," Maya said, stopping the stroller by the car, opening the door and loading the little brunette in, "She isn't feeling very well today so we are going to have to be extra nice to her ok?"
"Mamma matata?" Rowan asked from the stroller.
"Si Patatina," Maya nodded, "Mamma is feeling a little sick today. And sad. Mamma is going to need lots of big hugs. Grandi abbracci, ok?"
"Si," Nora and Rowan both nodded as Maya finished strapping them into their car seats.
Maya then loaded the stroller into the trunk, making faces at the twins as she did because they were both still in rear-facing car seats. Once the car was filled, she climbed into the front seat.
"Alright girlies, we are going to pick up some dinner and then we are going to go home and cuddle with Mamma ok?" Maya said, starting the car.
"Si," both girls yelled.
"Did you do anything fun at daycare today?" Maya asked as she drove.
Nora launched into some story, Maya catching words like "'owan," "toy" "PaPa" which is what the girls has started calling Amelia's daughter Harper, and a few other words in both English and Italian, piecing together that Nora had been playing with a toy that Rowan had taken away from her and Harper had helped her get it back.
"Ro, why did you take a toy from Nora?" Maya asked as she made her way to the restaurant, "That's not very kind. You have to share remember?"
The girls started talking to each other in their secret language, Maya smiling a little as she listened to them. She was always glad the girls had each other, but with what they were about to go through, she was feeling even more grateful for the fact that they had twins.
She knew the next several months were going to be long and stressful for herself and Carina and that the twins were probably going to end up staying with friends more than normal, especially after Carina's surgery. Luckily, the twins liked their aunts and uncles and were always willing to go to their houses, but Maya was still glad that they would have each other.
"Alright," Maya said, pulling up to the restaurant, "Let's go get the dinner."
It was always a challenge to get takeout when they had the twins with them and avoided it at all costs, but tonight, Maya just unloaded the twins, holding their little hands as they walked into the restaurant.
"Yum," Rowan said as they walked in, "Eat?"
"We are going to eat at home with Mamma, remember?" Maya said as they walked up to the counter, Maya telling the woman standing there her name.
The twins looked around the restaurant, moving as close to Maya as they could when another couple walked in.
"Oh my goodness, they are adorable," the woman said, smiling at the girls who buried their faces in Maya's legs, Rowan slowly peeking out.
"Thanks," Maya said, reaching down and putting her hands on both the girls' heads.
"How old?" the woman asked.
"They turned two last month," Maya said, "They're twins."
"Oh my goodness, you have your hands full," the woman said as Maya handed her card to the hostess to pay for their food.
"Up," Nora demanded, looking up at Maya, "Mommy, up."
"Up please," Maya reminded her patiently as the toddler buried her face in her neck.
"Me up too," Rowan said, "Per fabere?"
"Ro, I can't hold both of you and the food," Maya sighed, picking up the little blonde, "And don't you want to go home and eat dinner with Mamma?"
"Can I help you?" the woman who had walked asked.
"You don't have to," Maya said, "They can walk."
"I've got it," the woman said, walking over to the counter and taking the food, "Bill, I will be right back."
The man nodded as the woman headed out to the car with Maya.
"Thank you," Maya said, smiling as she gestured to her car, "Normally, we don't take out when we are just grabbing take out, but my wife is at home, and we have had an incredibly long and hard day and I just wanted to surprise her with some dinner after picking up these two from daycare."
"No need to explain," the woman said, waiting as Maya set Nora in the car before taking the food, putting it on the floor in front of Nora's seat, "I remember having little ones this age. It's exhausting on the best days. I hope your day gets better."
"Thank you," Maya said, smiling as she tried to blink the tears out of her eyes, "Thank you so much for your help."
"Of course," the woman said, heading back into the restaurant.
"Mommy 'ad?" Rowan asked, touching the tear on Maya's cheek as the blonde buckled her daughter into the car.
"A little bit," Maya nodded, offering her daughter a watery smile, "But I will be ok. Now, are we ready to go see Mamma?"
"Si," the twins both said, Maya closing their door before climbing in the car herself.
Maya drove home, stray tears rolling down her cheeks. She was still trying to process everything that had happened that day. When she had woken up that morning, her biggest concern had been if Carina was going to make it home before she had to leave for work. Now, she was worried if her wife would ever be ok again. She knew that the odds of Carina recovering were incredibly high and that everyone seemed very confident that she was going to be ok, but it was still hard to think that there was cancer growing inside her wife at this very moment.
As they pulled into the driveway, Maya did her best to shove those thoughts down, knowing that right now, she needed to be a mommy and a wife and do what needed doing for her family.
"Alright my girls, should we go see Mamma?" Maya said, going to get the twins out of the car.
"Mamma," Rowan said happily.
"Remember what I said at daycare?" Maya said, "Mamma isn't feeling good and I need you two to be very nice and soft with her, ok?"
The girls both nodded as Maya got them out of the car, throwing the diaper bag on her shoulder before grabbing the food, so happy they were beyond the days of having to carry the twins into the house. They walked in, the house dark and quiet.
"Mamma?" Nora said as Maya flipped on the light.
"I think Mamma might be sleeping," Maya said, "Let's wash your hands and get you both some dinner and then I will go check on Mamma ok?"
"Mamma," Rowan said, lip wobbling a little.
"Hey," Maya said, picking her up, walking over to the sink, "Let's not do that tonight, ok Ro? Mamma will be down soon. She's sleepy."
"Mamma," Rowan said, starting to cry, "Mamma."
"Shhhh, Rowan, please don't," Maya said, drying her little hands before turning her around, bouncing her a little, "Mamma will be here soon, ok. How about some dinner?"
"Eat?" Nora said, looking at Maya with her big brown eyes that looked so much like Carina's.
"Yes," Maya said, "We just need to wash hands and then we can eat. Rowan, can I put you down?"
The little blonde shook her head, burying her face in Maya's neck.
"Alright," Maya said, turning the sink back on, squirting a little soap into Nora's hands before scrubbing them together and then putting her hands under the water.
Once that was done, Maya sat Rowan on the counter for a minute, scrubbing her own hands before picking Rowan back up. Nora was already climbing into her chair at the table which had a booster seat on it to bring her closer to the table and also allow Maya and Carina to strap her in.
Maya pulled out two plates for the girls, scooping a little bit of fried rice onto both of them, knowing it would be a huge mess, but it was something she didn't have to cut up.
As she was scooping the rice, Rowan picked her head up, seeing what Maya was doing.
"Do you want to eat?" Maya asked, looking at the toddler on her hip.
"Si," Rowan nodded, reaching for her plate.
"No, go sit in your chair," Maya said, putting her down.
The little blonde ran over to her chair, sitting down. Maya brought bibs over, putting them on the girls before setting down the plates with the rice.
"I will get you more in just a minute," Maya said, handing both of them a spoon and a fork.
Maya went back to the food, quickly cutting up some pieces of chicken, broccoli, and some noodles, adding a tiny bit of pho broth to the noodles before bringing the food to the twins who, as predicted, had made a huge mess of their rice. Maya then poured them both a cup with milk.
"I am going to run upstairs and check on Mamma," Maya said, "I will be right back."
"Mamma?" Nora said, looking at Maya, reaching for her.
"No, you two eat," the fire chief said, walking over and pressing a kiss to the top of both girls' heads, "I will be back in a minute."
Maya made sure the twins were eating before running up the steps, quietly going into the master bedroom. She smiled, seeing Carina curled up holding her pillow, still sleeping.
"Babe," Maya said, walking over to the bed.
"Maya?" the Italian mumbled, rolling over and looking at her, "What time is it?"
"It's 5:30," Maya said, Carina bolting up, wincing as she did, "Hey, calm down. I already got the girls. They are downstairs eating dinner. They have been asking about Mamma since I picked them up."
"Thank you Bambina," Carina smiled, leaning on her wife.
"Do you want me to bring you dinner up here?" Maya asked, brushing a piece of hair from Carina's forehead.
"No," the Italian said, "No, I will come down. I didn't mean to sleep that long."
"You needed it," Maya said, helping Carina up, "How are you feeling?"
"Physically, very crampy," Carina said, hand on her belly, "Mentally and emotionally, I don't know."
"That's ok," Maya said, hearing Rowan hollering something downstairs, "I'm gonna go check on that."
"I'm coming with you," Carina said, following Maya.
"Rowan, why is your cup on the floor?" Maya asked, picking up the sippy cup, handing it back to the little girl.
"Mamma," Rowan and Nora both squealed as Carina walked into the kitchen.
"Hi Bambini," Carina smiled, walking over to them.
"Mamma matata?" Nora said as Carina gave her a hug.
"I told them you weren't feeling well," Maya explained as she went to the fridge to grab some water for them.
"Ah," Carina nodded, looking at the twins, "Si, I am feeling kinda sick, malata, today. But I am ok."
Rowan patted Carina's cheek gently as she hugged her, giving her a kiss.
"Grazie Patatina," Carina smiled, standing up, "Oh, Bambina, did you go get pho?"
"I did," Maya nodded, and some other stuff. I know we just had soup for lunch, but I also know this if one of your favorite comfort foods."
"Thank you," Carina said, eyes filling with tears as she walked over to her wife.
"Of course," Maya said, hugging her close for a minute, "Now, let's eat."
Carina nodded, getting some food as Maya went to refill Rowan's plate after the toddler asked for more. Carina went and sat down at the table, wincing a little as she did so. About five minutes later, as Carina was chatting with the twins, Maya walked over, setting a glass of water and some pills in front of her. "Grazie," Carina said, smiling at her wife as Nora was telling some story about playing with Harper. Maya smiled, returning a minute later with her own dinner. The little family ate together, though neither Maya nor Carina was very hungry. Once dinner was done, Carina went to clean the kitchen. "Car, I'll get it," Maya said, "Why don't you take the twins up for their bath? Or, if you're not feeling up to doing bath time, go play with them for a little bit and once the kitchen is done, I'll take them for their bath."
"Who wants to have a bath?" Carina said, looking at the twins who had just gotten down from their chairs.
"Me," both little girls said loudly.
"Alright," Carina said, "Let's go."
"Up," Nora said, looking at Carina, "'Ease?"
"Piccola, remember, Mamma isn't feeling good?" Maya said, looking at the toddler.
"I can carry her," Carina said, scooping the little girl up, "I want to carry them as much as I can now because after my surgery, I won't be able to carry them for over a month."
Maya nodded, having not even thought about that. She knew that was going to be torture for everyone because the girls loved to be carried and especially loved to be carried by their mamma. However, Maya knew they could make it work.
She got the kitchen cleaned up, groaning as she spent a good five minutes trying to make sure all the rice got cleaned up, before heading upstairs to see how bath time was going. She smiled as she walked into the bathroom, finding Carina sitting on the floor as the twins splashed around in the tub, playing with their little tub toys. "
I already washed them up," Carina said as Maya sat down on the closed toilet seat, "They are playing some diving game with the dolphins and sharks."
Maya smiled as she watched Nora hold one of the sharks on the side of the tub before doing what sounded like counting to three and splashing the toy into the water, both twins laughing.
"Did she just count to three?" Maya asked, having never heard it before.
"Si," Carina nodded, "They have been doing it the entire time they have been in the tub in both English and Italian."
"Wow," Maya said, shaking her head, "They really are getting so big."
"Yeah," Carina said, smiling, "They are."
"Is it ok if I go grab a super-fast shower?" Maya asked, realizing she was still in her running clothes, "If not, I can wait until they go to sleep."
"Go," Carina said, "We will be just fine."
Maya showered quickly, something she was good at from all the fast showers she had to take at the station, quickly rejoining Carina and the girls as soon as she had her pajamas on.
Not long after Maya finished in the shower, the water in the tub was getting cold, Carina pulling the plug. Nora jumped into her mamma's arms as soon as the plug was out, but Rowan was adamant about staying in.
"Rowan, we cannot make this a nightly thing," Maya sighed as the toddler laid down in the tub as the water drained, "Come on Patatina. It's cold. Let's go get on some warm jammies and read books."
"No," Rowan said, shaking her head, "Baf."
"No, jammies and books," Maya said, "Come on. It's too cold."
The water was completely drained from the tub, but Rowan was still laying in the tub.
"Come on," Maya said, leaning down and picking the little girl up, holding on to her tightly as she started to kick and scream.
"No," the toddler said, "Baf. Baf."
"Bath time is all done," Maya said, wrapping the slippery toddler in a towel, "It's time to get ready for bed."
"Oh, Rowan Andrea, why all the tears?" Carina asked as Maya carried the crying little girl into the bedroom.
"Baf," the little girl sobbed, kicking her legs.
"This is her new thing," Maya sighed, grabbing a clean diaper, "I can't."
"'Owan try?" Nora asked, looking at her sister as Carina zipped up her jammies.
"Rowan is just mad bath time is over," Carina said, grabbing a comb and running it through Nora's dark hair.
Nora just stared at her sister, popping her fingers in her mouth as Carina finished with her hair.
"Rowan, that's enough," Maya said as the toddler kicked at her as she was putting lotion on her, "Bath time is done and throwing a fit is not going to put you back in it. It is ok to be sad, but it is not ok to kick me. If you want to kick, I am going to go away."
Rowan stopped kicking, still crying some.
"Thank you," Maya said, continuing rubbing lotion all over the little girl, a little surprised the tantrum ended that quickly.
As she went to grab pajamas, she looked at Carina, seeing the Italian smiling at her.
"What?" Maya said, giving her a look as she started putting pajamas on Rowan.
"You are such a good mom," Carina said, shrugging, "And I love you."
"I love you too," Maya said, zipping Rowan's pajamas, the little girl mostly settled at this point.
They brushed the girl's teeth before Maya went to head back into their room, Carina stopping her.
"Can they sleep in our bed tonight?" the Italian asked.
"Are you sure?" Maya asked, knowing they normally only let the girls sleep with them when they were sick.
"Please?" Carina said, "I need them close tonight."
"Of course," Maya nodded, "I'll go grab some books and meet you three in there?"
Carina nodded, looking at the twins.
"Do you want to come sleep with Mommy and I tonight?" she asked.
"Si," both little girls said as Nora reached to be picked up.
Not to be outdone by her sister, Rowan also reached to be up, Carina scooping both toddlers into her arms before heading down the hall. Maya grabbed a few books, bringing them into their room, finding Carina lying in bed, Nora on top of her and Rowan snuggled into her side.
"Alright," Maya said, "Should we read?"
"Can you read?" Carina asked, rubbing Nora's back as Rowan moved over to see the books.
"Yeah," Maya nodded.
By the time they had read three book and Carina had sang them two songs, both girls were sound asleep, Nora on Carina and Rowan on Maya.
"Thank you for letting them sleep in here tonight," Carina said, smiling weakly at her, "I just…I needed my babies…our babies close tonight. I need all my girls tonight."
"And we are right here for you," Maya said, "We will be right here for you through all of this. Well, these two might not be able to be this close after your surgery because as much as we tell them to be gentle, they are not the best at that, but if you need them here, we will make it work."
"Thank you Bambina," Carina said, moving closer to Maya, careful not to disturb either of the sleeping toddlers, putting her head on Maya's shoulder, "Thank you for everything today. I don't think I would have made it through that without you."
"Carina, I will always be right here for you," Maya said, "You know that. I am, however, going to need to talk to the chief about what's going on. I know you don't want to tell people yet, and that's fine, but I want to make sure I can be with you for your surgery and that means talking to my boss."
"We can tell people," Carina said, sighing, "We are going to need to tell people. We are going to need help with the bambini and I am going to be out of work for a while. I just didn't want to tell anyone today because I wanted to know everything and process it before trying to tell anyone else, but we know what is going on now, and what the plan is. We can tell people. We need to tell people."
"Ok," Maya said, nodding, "Whenever you want. I know you wanted to take the girls to the museum tomorrow, but if we did that in the morning, I could go talk to the chief in the afternoon. I just really want to make sure I am off next week to be there for you after surgery."
"Si," Carina nodded, "And then maybe, we can have Andrea over for dinner and tell him? And we could have Mason and Laila and Josie too. Tell the brothers together?"
"If that's what you want," Maya said, "It sounds good to me."
"That's what I want," Carina said, "I mean, I don't want any of this, but I think that sounds like the best plan."
"I'll text them both right now," Maya said, grabbing her phone, "And I am going to email the chief, set up a meeting for tomorrow at 2? And dinner, we could have them at 5? I can pick up pizza or something."
"Pizza sounds perfect," Carina nodded, shifting a little, getting Nora in a slightly better position.
"Are you hurting again?" Maya asked, "I can move her and get the heating pad."
"No, Bambina, I am ok," Carina said, smiling at her wife, "She is actually a very good heating pad, and the weight feels good too."
"Ok," Maya said, texting Andrew and Mason quickly before composing an email to her boss, requesting a meeting.
By the time she was done with the email, Mason had texted her back, saying he, his wife, and their 9-month-old daughter Josie would be there. "
Mas and Lilia are coming tomorrow," Maya said, looking over at Carina, seeing her wife just gently running her hand up and down Nora's back, lost in thought.
"What are you thinking about?" Maya asked, drawing Carina out of her thoughts.
"I don't know," Carina sighed, "I was thinking about how much I love these babies and how I never thought we would be in this situation and how I just want to wake up from this nightmare."
"I know," Maya said, carefully moving to wrap an arm around her wife, "If I could take this away from you, I would in a heartbeat."
Carina nodded, feeling tears running down her cheeks again.
"It's going to be ok," Maya said, holding her tightly, "We are going to get you through this, ok? No matter what we have to do, you are getting through this."
The two of them sat there together in bed, their babies sleeping on their chests, just being together as a family.
After about an hour and a half, Rowan and Nora both moved off their moms, laying in the middle of the bed. Maya and Carina eventually got up, going into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
As they got back into bed, Maya checked her phone.
"Andrew said he will be here tomorrow too," she said quietly.
"Bene," Carina nodded, rubbing her swollen eyes, "I don't know how I am going to tell him this."
"I will help you," Maya said, reaching carefully over and grabbing Carina's hand, "You aren't alone in this. I know I can't do the surgery or treatments for you, but I will be right by your side as much as I can, ok?"
Carina nodded, offering Maya a watery smiled. Carina suddenly let out a big yawn, surprising herself as Maya laughed a little.
"Go to sleep Babe," Maya said, leaning carefully over the twins and pressing a kiss to her wife's lips.
The rest of the night was anything but restful for the Bishop-Deluca moms. Carina struggled to get comfortable with how crampy and achy her belly was. That, coupled with how much her brain was running with anxiety made for a restless night.
Maya didn't fare much better, her anxiety through the roof as she tried to sort through how she was feeling and what was about to happen.
Around 2 am, her body was physically aching with the pent-up energy and trying to be still so as to not wake up anyone else in the bed so she moved to get up. She knew Carina had been tossing and turning a lot since they got in bed, but she couldn't tell if she was sleeping or not.
"Where are you going Bambina?" Carina asked, sitting up a little, careful not to disrupt Nora who was close to her.
"Sorry," Maya said, "I didn't mean to wake you."
"You didn't," Carina sighed, rubbing her eyes, "I have barely slept."
"Is there anything I can do?" Maya asked.
"I don't know," Carina sighed before looking at her wife, "We need to call the fertility clinic and change the appointment so it is for you instead of me."
"No, babe, we need to call and cancel the appointment," Maya said, seeing the look of fear and sadness on her wife's face from the sliver of moonlight coming through the window, "I know I said I would carry our next baby if I needed to, and I promise you, I will, but I need to make sure you are good and healthy before we think about adding another baby to this mix. This is all going to be a lot and between making sure you are healthy and the girls are taken care of…I can't imagine trying to navigate a pregnancy on top of that. In like nine months, once you are healthy and have had some time to recover, and we have gotten our feet under us again, we can make another appointment at the fertility clinic, and then, once you are healthy, I will be more than happy to have my turn carrying our child."
"But I thought you wanted to do it now," Carina said, wiping tears that were flowing down her cheeks against her will.
"I only said we should now because I know Mas and I are three years apart and it was a good age gap," Maya shrugged, "And because I did feel ready for another baby. But I will still be ready once you are better. For right now, our focus needs to be on you and you kicking cancer's ass, ok?"
Carina nodded, reaching for her wife. Maya held her hand, kissing it gently.
"Is there anything I can do to help you sleep?" Maya asked after a while.
"I don't know," Carina shrugged, "Do you think the twins would transfer back to their own beds? I know I wanted them here, but now, all I want is to be held."
"I'm sure they will," Maya said, moving to get up, "Give me a few minutes."
Maya carefully got both girls into their own beds, Rowan stirring a little, but settling back down once Maya rubbed her back for a minute.
Once the girls were sleeping, she immediately went back to her wife, wrapping her arms around her the second she was back in bed. It took a little while, but eventually, Carina fell asleep in Maya's arms.
Maya, however, was still very much awake. She grabbed her phone, careful not to disrupt her wife, going online and starting to read on cervical cancer, radical hysterectomies, and radiation treatment.
Most of what she found scared her a lot, reading about things like immediate menopause, radiation burns, loss of bowel and bladder function, infections, and a slew of other complications. She went to the notes app on her phone, making a list of things to ask Carina or her doctor about.
She then found herself on a page for a race to help fund cervical cancer research. There were a lot of different options, but Maya found herself drawn to a half marathon. The event was in June, and if all went well, that would be about the time Carina would be finished with her treatment, assuming there were no surprises.
Maya decided that she was going to sign up for it, needing to feel like she was doing something to help her wife and other people like her. She needed a tangible goal that she could work towards as she helped Carina through this.
Once she did that, she realized it was after 4 am, deciding to try to get some type of sleep. She put her phone away, cuddling close to her wife as she tried to get her brain to sleep.
It must have worked because the next thing Maya knew, she was waking up at 5:30. She tried not to groan as she woke up, exhausted from the long night of no sleep but knowing she wasn't going to get more.
She slowly got up, pulling on her running clothes before going down to the treadmill. She didn't love running on it, but she wanted to be close if the twins woke up before she was done.
Luckily, they stayed asleep for the duration of Maya's 45-minute run. The blonde then headed back up to the master bedroom, finding Carina still sound asleep. She decided to leave her sleep, going into the twins' room, finding Rowan just waking up.
"Mommy?" the little girl said, rubbing her eyes.
"Come here Patatina," Maya said, picking her up, quietly carrying her out of her room so Nora would hopefully stay asleep.
"Mamma?" Rowan said, looking down the hall.
"Mamma is sleeping," Maya said, walking downstairs, "Would you like to help me make some coffee?"
"Si," Rowan nodded, smiling as they went into the kitchen.
Maya and Rowan made a pot of coffee, the blonde deciding to hold off on making espresso for her wife because she was hoping she would sleep longer.
She then took Rowan into the playroom, the toddler heading straight for her baby dolls. Rowan loved playing with babies, something Maya found adorable. She was so excited to see both of her daughters become big sisters, but she was especially excited to see how Rowan would react to a brother or sister. She absolutely loved Mason's little girl and was always right by her side whenever Mason or Lilia brought her over.
Maya couldn't help the tears that welled up in her eyes when she thought about having to wait longer than they initially planned to make Rowan a big sister. It wasn't that she was overly sad about not having a baby straight away, but she was sad and overwhelmed at the reason they had to wait.
"Mommy otay?" Rowan said, walking over to Maya's side.
"Yeah, Rowie, Mommy's ok," Maya said, wiping her tears, "I think someone needs a diaper change."
"Mommy," Rowan squealed as Maya grabbed her, tickling her as Rowan laughed and laughed.
"Alright," Maya said, laughing, "Now, time for a new diaper, ok?"
Rowan nodded as Maya unzipped her jammies.
They had been debating potty training the twins since they turned two, both toddlers not loving having wet or dirty diapers, often insisting they needed to be changed as soon as they were wet. However, now, with Carina needing surgery and the recovery and then the radiation treatments, Maya wasn't sure if it was the best time. The girls could probably wait a few more months.
Once Rowan had on a clean diaper, the little girl went back to playing with her toys, Maya watching as she sipped her coffee. She was pretty exhausted, but she was also happy Carina was getting sleep.
Rowan played for a while, occasionally bringing Maya toys before finally grabbing a book out of her book box, bringing it to Maya. Maya read the book, and about three more, before she heard tiny footsteps upstairs.
"I think Nora is awake," Maya said as she finished the fourth book.
"NoNo?" Rowan said, looking at Maya.
"Yes, NoNo," Maya nodded, smiling, "Let's go get her."
Maya picked Rowan up, carrying her up the stairs, finding Nora about to climb into the bed in the master bedroom.
"Piccola, come here," Maya said quietly, catching the little girl's attention.
The little brunette came walking toward her, her little fingers shoved in her mouth.
"Mamma?" she asked around her fingers.
"Mamma is tired," Maya said, lifting the toddler up, "Let's go downstairs."
Nora nodded, putting her head down on Maya's shoulder. They went back to the playroom, Nora just sitting in Maya's lap, playing with Maya's fingers as she woke up slowly. Eventually, the little brunette went and joined her sister after a quick diaper change, playing in their little kitchen.
"Eat?" Rowan asked after another half hour of playing.
"Are you hungry?" Maya asked, smiling at her daughter.
Rowan nodded, grabbing Maya's hand.
"Alright," Maya laughed, getting up, "What do you want to eat?"
"Papake," Rowan said, dragging Maya to the kitchen as Nora followed them.
"Pancakes?" Maya said, "How about waffles? Those are Mamma's favorite."
"Otay," Rowan nodded, "Mamma yike."
"Nora, do waffles sound good?" Maya asked, looking at the little girl.
Nora nodded, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Ok," Maya said, "How about I get you both some milk and blueberries and then I will make waffles."
The girls nodded, getting into their chairs as Maya poured them milk, putting blueberries into two bowls, adding half a banana to each one as well.
"Alright," Maya said, "Here you go. Now, I am going to go make waffles."
The twins ate their food as Maya made waffles, giving each of the twins half a waffle, Nora's cut up into pieces and Rowan's as a whole half because that was how they liked them.
Just as Maya was getting ready to make another waffle, she heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Good morning," Maya said, walking over to her wife, wrapping her arms around them.
"Morning, Bambina," Carina said sleepily, burying her head into Maya's neck.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Maya asked, rubbing her back.
"Like I have period cramps times five," Carina said, "But I think some Tylenol will help."
"Ok," Maya said, giving her a kiss, "Why don't you go curl up on the couch, I will go grab the heating pad, make some coffee, and bring you a waffle, ok?"
"I think I am good to sit at the table with the girls," Carina said, walking over to their daughters, "Buongiorno Bambini."
"Mamma," both girls said, smiling as they reached for her.
"I see Mommy made waffles," the Italian said, sitting down, "Are they good?"
Both toddlers nodded, Nora offering Carina a bite.
"Oh, grazie Piccola," Carina said, "But I think I will wait for my own, ok?"
Nora shrugged, putting the bite in her own mouth.
"Are you still feeling up to going out today?" Maya asked as she got the coffee going, "Or would you rather stay here."
"I want to go out," Carina said, "I want to spend family time out of the house."
Maya nodded, also wanting to be out of the house despite the exhaustion she was fighting. Soon enough, Maya and Carina were eating breakfast, the twins having finished before Maya even sat down and were now playing on the couch in the other room.
"Did you sleep last night Bambina?" Carina asked as the blonde yawned, rubbing her eyes.
"A little bit," Maya shrugged, not looking at her wife.
"Bambina," Carina said, reaching over and lifting her chin.
"I got a little over an hour maybe," Maya shrugged, "I'm fine."
"Are you up for going out today?" Carina asked, frowning.
"Yeah," Maya nodded, "I will be fine. And I'll sleep tonight. I just couldn't get my brain to turn off last night."
"I'm sorry," Carina frowned, rubbing the back of Maya's hand with her thumb.
"It's not your fault," Maya said, smiling at her, "Now, let's finish eating so we can get to the museum."
Carina nodded, both of them eating breakfast before cleaning up the kitchen.
Once that was done, they took the girls upstairs, getting them dressed before taking turns getting ready while the other one watched the girls.
They then quickly packed a lunch to take with them, just making some simple sandwiches, fruit, and veggies, knowing there was a place for them to eat at the museum.
Soon enough, the little family headed out the door and to the museum. They spent the entire morning there, playing in the various rooms.
True to form, Rowan loved the water room, enjoying throwing the boats into the water and making it splash. She threw a small fit when it was time to move on, but the tears were soon forgotten when they headed to the arts and crafts room, Maya snapping pictures of the twins in their little smocks as they painted, Nora crying when Rowan accidentally got paint on her face.
"Nora, Piccola, you are ok," Maya said, picking up the toddler, bringing her to the sinks.
"No," Nora said, "Ucky. No."
"I know you don't like being messy," Maya sighed, wiping off her cheek, "But you are all clean now. It's ok."
Nora touched her cheek, still not looking thrilled but stopping the tears. Maya carried her back over to where Rowan was still painting with Carina.
"That is beautiful," Maya said as Rowan smeared blue paint on the paper, "We will have to show Uncle Mason tonight when he comes over."
Carina had all but forgotten they were having their brothers over tonight and hearing that reminded her of why they were having them over. She tried hard not to let it show in her face, but Maya saw right through it, rubbing her back.
"It is going to be ok," the blonde reminded her, "Let's just enjoy this time with the girls, ok?"
Carina nodded, blinking a few times to keep the tears out of her eyes. Maya tried to put Nora back down to paint more, but the toddler was having none of it.
Soon enough, Rowan was also done and they headed to the next room which was filled with different types of bubble blowing activities. That room was a major hit with Nora who laughed every time a bubble popped and she saw it.
They played in there for a long time before the girls wanted to move on. They then went to a mini grocery store, Maya and Carina sitting on a bench together while they watched the twins play.
"How are you feeling?" Maya asked, putting a hand on Carina's back.
"Alright," Carina said, "The Tylenol helped a lot, and it's been 24 hours so it should be feeling better. I am glad we did this today."
"So am I," Maya said, smiling as Rowan came running over to them with a pretend box of her favorite cereal, "Oh, that's yummy. Thank you."
Rowan laughed a little before running back over to Nora.
"They are getting so big," Carina smiled as she leaned her head on Maya's shoulder, watching the twins play together.
Maya hummed in agreement, just rubbing her wife's back gently. Once the girls were done in that room, they went and ate their lunch before heading home, Carina sitting in the back to keep the twins awake so they could nap in their beds once they got home.
After they got home, they put the girls down for a nap before Maya headed out to talk to the chief while Carina started cleaning up the house for the dinner she was dreading.