The days following the transfer weren't the most fun. Maya was struggling to sleep because she wasn't able to work out and she was extremely anxious. Carina helped as much as she could, managing to get Maya to sleep most nights.
However, about three days post-transfer, Carina had drawn the short straw in the department and was working a 24-hour shift that started at 7 pm, so Maya was on her own sleep wise. The blonde knew the stress wasn't good for her or the potential fetus growing in her uterus, but her anxiety didn't really give a damn.
She had made an appointment to talk to Diane about some strategies she could use and just to talk to her because it always helped.
However, this particular morning, she pushed the exhaustion to go for her first run since the transfer. She was hoping maybe that would help some with her anxiety, though she also knew that she wouldn't be able to run as much as normal because she was still supposed to be taking it easy.
She checked on the twins, happy both of them were still asleep, before going down to the basement to get on the treadmill for a light run. She also decided to do some yoga, not her favorite workout, but knowing it was good for her and helped with her anxiety.
Once she was done with that, she headed upstairs, getting a shower before getting dressed for the day. Rowan was, as usual, awake by the time she was done getting ready.
"Gingourno, Mommy," the toddler said, coming into the bathroom as Maya was finishing pulling her hair up into a ponytail, "Where's Mamma?"
"Mamma had to work last night, remember?" Maya said, having had this exact conversation with both girls the night before when she put them to bed.
"Oh yeah," Rowan said, looking at her cast, "Mommy, how many days until I can see my awm again?"
"We have an appointment with Uncle Link in 18 more days," Maya said, "Right after Valentine's Day, remember?"
"Oh yeah," Rowan nodded, "Mommy, will my awm be wed yike da tast when I see it again?"
"No Patatina," Maya laughed, "It will just be like a normal arm. It might be a little bit dry and scratchy, but it won't be the color of your cast."
"Did you have a tast?" Rowan asked.
"Not a cool one like yours," Maya said, "I had to wear a special boot on my foot that was like a cast when I hurt it running, but it wasn't as cool as yours. I did have a sling like the one you wore for a while when Mamma was pregnant with you and Nora because I hurt my arm, but it didn't need a cast."
Rowan nodded, thinking for a minute.
"Tan I have bwaids in my haiw today?" she asked.
"Sure," Maya said, chuckling at how quickly Rowan changed topics, "Do you want me to do them now?"
"Sure," Rowan said, Maya scooping her up and sitting her on the counter.
Maya had to get both girls ready and to daycare this morning because even though Carina was going to be home around the time she had to be at work, the Italian needed to get some rest after working all night so the girls would go to daycare.
The Battalion Chief was more than happy that Rowan was willing to start getting ready now and wasn't fighting her on it because she really didn't have the energy to deal with a morning full of tantrums. Once Rowan's hair was done, Maya set her down on the floor.
"Should we go get Nora up?" Maya asked.
"Si," Rowan cheered, "Yet's do it."
They went down the hall, Maya cracking open the blinds before walking over to Nora's bed where the toddler was still asleep.
"Come on Piccola," Maya said, rubbing her back.
"Mommy?" Nora croaked out, coughing and sniffling as she opened her eyes.
"Are you ok Piccola?" Maya asked, putting a hand on the toddler's forehead, noticing she felt a touch warm.
"I don't feel dood," Nora groaned, reaching for Maya as she wiped her nose on her pajama sleeve.
"What doesn't feel good?" Maya asked, picking her up.
"My froat and my head and my nose," Nora said, laying her head on Maya's shoulder, coughing.
"I'm sorry Piccola," Maya said, rubbing her back, "Let's go take your temperature, ok?"
Nora nodded, not picking up her head as Maya walked into the twins' bathroom, finding their temporal thermometer, running it across Nora's forehead.
"99.9," Maya said, "Well, that's good. You don't really have a fever, but I know you don't feel good. Let's go downstairs and get you some juice ok?"
Nora nodded, fingers in her mouth though she couldn't really suck on them because her nose was so plugged up.
"Rowan, you ready to go downstairs?" Maya asked, walking back into the twins' bedroom, finding Rowan looking at a book.
"Si," Rowan nodded, jumping up.
Maya went downstairs with the girls, trying to figure out what she was going to do today. Nora was clearly not feeling well and probably shouldn't be in daycare. Maya knew there was no way Carina could take off, and she also needed to go into the station, at least for a few hours this morning.
She decided that she would just take Nora to the station with her this morning, let her rest in her bunk while Maya did paperwork prepared for annual inspections which were just around the corner, and had a few small meetings. She knew it wasn't ideal, but she didn't really know what else to do. She was pretty sure that her last meeting of the day was at noon so hopefully it wouldn't go too long and she would be able to bring Nora home after that and finish everything else from home.
"What do you want for breakfast this morning Piccola?" Maya asked, rubbing Nora's back.
"I no know," Nora said, "I'm firsty."
"Ok," Maya said, "I'll get you some juice, ok? Does oatmeal sound good for breakfast?"
Nora nodded, Maya pouring her a cup with mostly water topped off with some juice. This was how they always did juice for the twins because it cut the sugar way down and the girls loved it.
"Here you go," Maya said, handing Nora the sippy cup, "Can I put you on the couch so I can make breakfast?"
"No, uppie," Nora fussed, a sure sign she wasn't feeling well because she normally was completely fine being on her own.
"Alright," Maya sighed, deciding she could probably figure out oatmeal while holding Nora.
Maya managed to get breakfast made while holding Nora and having Rowan running in and out of the kitchen with her pretend food.
"Noa, wanna pway?" Rowan asked her sister as she ran into the kitchen for the 10th time.
"No," Nora said, shaking her head as she clung to Maya.
"Nora isn't feeling good today," Maya explained, looking at Rowan.
"Oh," Rowan frowned, "Is Noa sick?"
"A little bit, yeah," Maya nodded, "But she's ok."
Rowan's frown deepened as she walked out of the kitchen. The next time Rowan came into the kitchen, she had a little plastic teacup.
"Hewe Noa," Rowan said, holding it up, "I made you tea so you tan feel betta."
"Gwazie," Nora said as Maya took the cup from Rowan and handed it to Nora.
"That was very nice of you Patatina," Maya smiled at Rowan.
Rowan just smiled a little before leaving the kitchen.
"Rowan, breakfast is almost ready," Maya called as she dished up the oatmeal, "Nora, can I put you down to eat?"
Nora nodded as Maya walked over to the table, setting the toddler down in her chair, noticing that the sick toddler clearly needed a tissue.
"I'm sorry you don't feel good today," Maya said as she wiped Nora's nose, "I am going to take you to work with me today and you can rest ok?"
"Me too?" Rowan asked, climbing into her own chair.
"No," Maya said, "You are going to go to daycare and play. You will have a lot more fun there instead of sitting in my office being quiet and taking a nap."
"But I yike doing to da station," Rowan frowned.
"Maybe you can come to the station another day when I don't have work and we can play in the engine," Maya said, "But today, I have meetings and work to do and you will have much more fun at daycare."
"Fine," Rowan huffed, taking a bite of her oatmeal.
Nora didn't eat much, just kinda stirring her oatmeal around, but she did drink her juice which was good enough for Maya. Maya made herself a protein shake, her stomach in an almost chronic state of just feeling slightly off at this point and if she deviated too much from her normal meals, it just made things worse.
Once the girls were done eating, Maya took them upstairs to finish getting ready.
Getting clothes that fit over Rowan's cast had been a bit of a challenge, but they had found a few shirts that would fit, most of them short sleeves which wasn't ideal for late January, but it worked. Rowan picked out a shirt with planets and stars on it along with some maroon leggings, Nora not really wanting to pick out her clothes.
"How about some clean jammies instead of clothes?" Maya asked, rubbing the little girl's back, "I know I like to wear my pajamas when I don't feel well."
Nora nodded, coughing as Maya went over to the pajama drawer, pulling out Nora's favorite pajamas that were light pink with dinosaurs on them. She got the little girl changed before helping Rowan who wasn't really able to get dressed on her own with her cast.
After finishing getting them ready, Maya laid Nora down in her and Carina's bed so she could finish getting ready, Rowan going downstairs to get her baby, bringing it back upstairs.
When Maya walked out of the bathroom, she felt tears spring into her eyes at the sight before her. Nora was curled up in bed with her blankie, Rowan sitting next to her, holding her baby in one hand and stroking Nora's head with the other, singing softly. Maya pulled out her phone, snapping a few pictures as she tried to keep herself from sobbing. She knew she was overly emotional at the moment because of the extra hormones and lack of sleep, but when she saw how much her girls loved each other, it honestly turned her to mush.
"Mommy, why are you trying?" Rowan asked as she looked over at her.
"Mommy, don't try," Nora said in her croaky voice, coughing as she sat up.
"I just love you two so much," Maya said, walking over to the bed, scooping both girls into her arms.
"You're quishing us Mommy," Rowan said as Maya hugged them tightly.
"Oh, I'm squishing you huh?" Maya said, gently throwing them both down on the bed, tickling their bellies as they laughed until Nora started coughing harshly, struggling to catch her breath, Maya sitting her up.
"It's ok Piccola," Maya said, rubbing her back as the coughing calmed down, "I'm sorry I made you cough."
Nora caught her breath, leaning on Maya.
"Awe you otay Noa?" Rowan asked, handing her sister her blankie.
Nora nodded, taking her blankie and rubbing it against her face.
"I think it's time to head to daycare," Maya said, scooping Nora up, "What do you think Ro?"
"Is Harpa gonna be der today?" Rowan asked as they headed downstairs.
"I think so," Maya nodded, "But we will have to see."
Maya got their bags together while Rowan and Nora got their shoes on, Nora deciding she wanted to wear rainboots while Rowan put on her sneakers. Maya double checked everything, making sure she had a bottle of children's Tylenol just in case Nora started feeling worse, deciding to grab one of their tablets as well so Nora could watch a show, a rare treat in their house.
After loading the twins up, they headed to the hospital, Maya making sure she grabbed Rowan's bag as they got out of the car after she got the twins in their jackets, the weather pretty cold, even for late January. They headed into the hospital, Nora still in Maya's arms while Rowan walked next to them.
"Mamma," Rowan said as they turned the corner to daycare, seeing the Italian standing there, something she tried to do when she was working long shifts.
"Hi Patatina," Carina said, smiling as Rowan jumped into her arms. "How are you?"
"Dood," Rowan said, "But Noa is sick."
"Cosa?" Carina said, looking at Maya and Nora as they walked up, noticing the little brunette did look under the weather, "What's wrong?"
"She's got a cold I think," Maya said as Nora saw Carina and reached for her, "She woke up with a cough, runny nose, sore throat. Her temp was 99.9 so not normal but not really a fever. I think she just doesn't feel well."
"She can't go to daycare like this," Carina said as Nora just laid her head down on her shoulder.
"She's not," Maya said, "I am going to take her with me to the station. I have to go in for some meetings and to get ready for inspections which are coming up next week, but she can rest in my bunk or hang out on the couch and then hopefully I can get her home by nap time."
"Ok," Carina sighed, rubbing Nora's back, "I'm sorry you don't feel well today Piccola."
"I'm gonna go drop Ro off," Maya said, watching her wife sway a little bit with Nora in her arms, pressing kisses to her slightly warm forehead.
"Come here Patatina," Carina said, crouching down and pulling Rowan into a hug as she kept her other arm firmly around Nora, "Have so much fun today. Ti voglio bene."
"Ti boglio benny," Rowan said, hugging her before putting her hand on Nora's back, "Bye Noa. Hope you feel betta."
"Bye Owan," Nora said, picking up her head and looking at her sister.
Maya walked Rowan over to the daycare, getting her checked in and saying goodbye before explaining that Nora wasn't feeling well and wasn't coming today. The daycare worker said there was a pretty bad cold going around right now and that she hoped Nora felt better soon. Maya walked back over to her wife and older daughter.
"Apparently whatever she has is going around daycare," Maya sighed, "Which probably means we are not long away from two sick bambine."
"Si," Carina nodded "How are you feeling today Bambina?"
"I'm ok," Maya said, "I didn't sleep very well last night, but I did run this morning, not a lot or fast or anything, and do some weights and yoga so hopefully that helps."
"I'm sorry I wasn't home to help last night," Carina sighed as she and Maya walked down the hall a little.
"It's ok," Maya said, "I have an appointment in a few days with Diane and hopefully she will have some advice."
"Everything else is still the same?" Carina asked.
"Pretty much," Maya nodded, "Still overly hormonal, my stomach feels not right, my boobs hurt."
"Mommy was trying," Nora said, lifting her little head from Carina's shoulder, fingers in her mouth.
"What happened?" Carina asked, concerned.
"These two were being too sweet," Maya said, pulling out her phone, showing Carina the pictures, "Rowan was also singing lullabies in Italian."
"Oh my," Carina said, feeling her own eyes getting teary.
"I know," Maya said, looking at the picture again for a second before looking away, not wanting to start crying again, waving her hand in front of her eyes, blinking quickly, "Ah. Ok. How was your night? Did you get any sleep?"
"I did," Carina nodded, "It was a pretty good night. I got a few hours of sleep. We only have two mamas on the floor in labor last night. I did have a consult in the middle of the night in the ER, but it ended up just being a burst cyst which is unpleasant but there isn't much I could do."
Just then, Nora started coughing, sneezing at the end of the fit.
"Oh, you need a tissue," Maya sighed, looking at the toddler's face, walking over to a caddy that had hand sanitizer and tissues in it, grabbing one and bringing it back, cleaning Nora up. Just then, Carina's pager went off.
"I've gotta go," Carina said, looking and seeing she was needed in the pit, "I'll call you later if I can."
"Ok," Maya said, taking Nora back from her wife after the Italian gave her one last hug, "Ti amo."
"Ti amo," Carina said, giving her wife a kiss, "I will try to be home on time tonight. I hope you feel better Piccola."
Nora waved as Carina headed off to the pit before laying her head back down on Maya's shoulder.
"Alright Nora Mae," Maya said, shifting her a little bit, "Should we go to the station?"
Nora nodded, fingers back in her mouth. Maya went out to the car, getting Nora back in her seat for the short drive to the station.
Once they got to the station, Maya grabbed her bag and Nora's before getting the toddler and her blankie.
"Is Unca Tee hewe?" Nora asked, coughing a little bit.
"He should be," Maya nodded, "But you are sick and you don't want to get him sick so you are going to stay in my office, ok?"
Nora nodded, rubbing her blankie on her face. Maya walked in the front door, Vic sitting at the desk with Travis standing next to her talking.
"Hey Chief," Vic said, confused look on her face as she noticed Nora in Maya's arms, "What's Nora doing here?"
"She's not feeling well today," Maya said, struggling to hold the toddler along with her two bags, "It's just a cold, but I didn't think daycare was a good idea today so she is going to hang out with me because Carina is working. Hopefully we don't have to be here all day."
"Aww, Bean," Travis frowned, "Sorry you don't feel good."
Nora sniffled, picking up her head and looking at Travis and Vic, giving them a little smile before putting her fingers back in her mouth.
"We are going to go upstairs," Maya said, heading toward the stairs, "See you guys later."
"If you need help with Bean, just let me know," Travis called as Maya walked up to her office. At the top of the stairs, Maya all but ran into Andy.
"Hey," the Latina said, "Oh, what's the probie doing here?"
"Well, I have a sick probie today and a morning that's too busy to stay home and a wife who is working so she is going to hang out in my bunk and rest," Maya said, "It's just a cold, but she's pretty miserable and I just couldn't send her to daycare like this."
"Poor Nora," Andy said, frowning, "Let me know if you need anything."
"Thanks," Maya said, continuing to her office.
She got there, putting her bags down, setting Nora on the couch as she took off her own coat before helping Nora get her coat off too.
"Alright Piccola," Maya said once she got their jackets hung up, "Do you want to color or watch a show or listen to a book or just rest?"
"Tan I watch a yisten to a stowy and have some duice?" Nora asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Of course," Maya said, going into her bag and pulling out the tablet and Nora's sippy cup, "Do you want to lay in my bunk or on the couch?"
Nora shrugged, reaching for Maya.
"How about you lay in my bunk?" Maya said, "It's quieter in there and you'll probably be able to rest better."
Nora nodded as Maya walked them into the bunk room. She laid Nora down in the bed after pulling off her boots, going to an app on the tablet they had that read audiobooks, something they had discovered not long ago that the twins really enjoyed. Maya found a series of books by Julia Donaldson that she knew Nora enjoyed, setting up the tablet, noticing Nora already looked like she might fall asleep.
"Do you want to go under the blankets?" Maya asked, rubbing Nora's back.
Nora nodded, taking her sippy cup out of her mouth as she sat up, moving to get under the blankets. Maya tucked her in, making sure her blankie was within reach.
"I am just going to be at my desk ok Piccola?" Maya said, tucking a piece of hair behind Nora's ear, "If you need me, you can come get me. I'll come check on you in a little bit."
"Tan I hab a tissue?" Nora asked, sniffling a little.
"Of course," Maya nodded, going over to her little dresser and grabbing the box of tissues off the top, "Here. And I'll leave the box right here ok?"
"Gwazie," Nora said, taking the tissue and wiping at her runny nose.
"Prego," Maya said, leaning down and kissing Nora's forehead, trying to figure out if she felt warmer or not.
She decided that for the time being, that didn't matter. Nora was relatively comfortable and resting so Maya made sure the audiobook was turned on before going back to her desk. She had a lot to get done with inspections coming up the following week.
She had multiple clipboards that she needed to get together, one for each station. She loved inspections and always found them to be fun, but this year, she found the excitement of inspections was mixed with the anxiety of being in the two week wait along with a weird feeling about coming up on the one-year anniversary of Carina's cancer diagnosis.
She tried to put all of those things out of her head as she set out 5 clipboards, one for each house that she had to inspect before going through and making sure she had each piece of paperwork she needed for each inspection. She knew she would double and triple check these in the coming days, but she had her first inspection the day after tomorrow so they needed to be done. As she worked, she noticed her throat was a little bit scratchy, pulling out her water bottle and sipping on it to try to help, figuring that, like most days, she hadn't had enough to drink today.
Once she got the papers all sorted out, she popped back into her bunk, finding Nora clutching her blankie, fingertips just barely in her mouth as she snored quietly, sound asleep. Maya turned off the audio book, just staring at her little girl for a second before going back into her office to go through some other things to prepare for the meeting she had in about twenty minutes with one of the lieutenants from 88 who had put in for a transfer to Portland because of his wife's job.
The transfer was no big deal and something Maya was happy to approve, but she liked to do exit interviews with everyone who was leaving the department just to get their experience and determine if there was anything that needed improvement. She also always wanted them to know she would write them letters of recommendation or help them with their future careers.
She had everything ready for the meeting just as Lieutenant Hanson knocked on her door. Maya carefully closed her bunk most of the way, desperate to keep Nora asleep as long as she needed, before going and opening her door.
"Come on in Lieutenant," Maya said, smiling as she greeted him.
"Thank you Chief," he said, coming in and sitting down in one of the chairs as Maya sat down at her desk.
They got to their meeting, chatting about various things before Maya's bunk room door suddenly opened, Lieutenant Hanson jumping a little as Nora walked over to Maya, reaching for her.
"Hi Piccola," Maya said, brushing the hair out of her face, noting she felt a little warmer than earlier, "Are you ok?"
Nora nodded as Maya grabbed a tissue, wiping her nose before settling Nora in her lap.
"She's not feeling well today," Maya said, looking up at her former lieutenant, "Sorry."
"Hey, you know I've got 5 of my own," he said, "I know how it is."
Maya nodded, continuing the meeting with Nora curled up in her arms.
After about half an hour, they finished, Maya standing as Lieutenant Hanson did as well.
"Well, you will be missed here in Seattle Hanson," Maya said, "Portland is lucky to have you. If Jordan ever gets transferred back to Seattle, you will always have a place in SFD."
"Thank you Chief Bishop-Deluca," he said, nodding, "I will keep that in mind."
"I would shake your hand, but…" Maya said, looking down at Nora who was still in her arms.
"That's ok," Lieutenant Hanson said, "I hope the probie feels better soon."
"Thanks," Maya said as he opened the door, "Good luck with the move."
"Thank you," he said, heading out of her office and down the stairs.
Once he was gone, Maya turned back to her daughter.
"You ok Piccola?" she asked, rubbing her back.
"I don't feel dood," Nora said, voice raspy.
"I know," Maya said, "Do you want some medicine to help you feel better?"
Nora nodded, coughing. Maya and Carina didn't often give the twins medicine when they had colds because they knew it was important to let their bodies fight the virus on their own, but it was so obvious Nora was miserable and Maya was hoping maybe some Tylenol would help her feel a little better. Maya gave her a dose of Tylenol, giving her her sippy cup of juice before settling back at her desk, Nora still in her arms.
Maya worked for a while, the meds clearly working for Nora because about forty minutes later, she was off Maya's lap and over on the couch, playing with her dinosaurs that Maya had brought for her. She was still very stuffed up and coughing quite a bit and much more tired than normal, but she was playing which made Maya happy.
The battalion chief noticed as the hours went by that she was starting to get a bit of a headache which had been happening on and off since she started her progesterone injections, but this one felt a bit more intense than the other ones. She just ignored it, knowing she had stuff to get done and very much wanting it to be finished before her meeting with Gibson.
The rest of the morning passed quickly, Travis coming and knocking on the door around noon.
"Hey," he said when Maya called that he could come in, "I was just coming to let you two know lunch is ready. I made some of my famous chicken soup because I thought it might help someone feel a little better."
"Thank you Travis," Maya said, looking at the clock, "I'll come grab some and bring it back here. I have a meeting in about ten minutes with Gibson so I don't really have time for lunch."
"I can take Nora with me," Travis said, "I mean, if that's ok?"
"What do you say Piccola?" Maya said, looking over at the toddler who was sitting on the couch, sucking her fingers and looking at Travis.
"No," Nora said, shaking her head.
"What?" Travis said, walking over to her, "You don't want to come have lunch with me?"
"I don't want to mate you sick too," Nora said, looking at him.
"I think it will be ok," Travis said, opening his arms to her.
Nora looked at Maya, biting her lip.
"It's ok," Maya nodded, getting a look from Travis, "I told her that she was going to stay in here with me so she didn't get anyone else sick because I know how you feel about sick people, but if you are ok with taking her, it's fine with me."
"I'm fine," Travis said, looking at Nora again with open arms, this time the toddler climbed right into them.
"Alright," Maya said, "But I don't want to hear it in a week if you have her cold."
"She's worth it," Travis shrugged as Nora hugged him, "Do you want me to bring you some soup?"
"I'll come grab some before Gibson gets here," Maya said, standing up, grabbing Nora's sippy cup before walking out of the office, "She didn't eat much for breakfast, but she has been drinking a lot so you probably want this."
"Thank you," Travis said, taking the cup from his boss.
The three of them walked into the beanery, finding Jack there chatting with everyone.
"Hey," he said, smiling at Maya, Travis, and Nora as they walked in, "I was just about to come find you Chief. I just wanted to stop in and say hi to everyone."
"That's fine," she said, going over to the pot of soup, "I was just grabbing some lunch and then we can go have our meeting? I would say we could wait until after lunch, but I want to get Nora home for her nap this afternoon."
"It's no problem Chief. I get it," Jack nodded, turning back to Miller and Hughes who he had been talking to before.
Maya went to the cabinet, pulling out one of the kid bowls they had started keeping in the station when Andy and Robert's oldest Luca was a baby, getting a bowl of soup for Nora.
"Montgomery, I can get you some too if you want to sit with her," Maya said, seeing Travis trying to figure out how to get a bowl of soup while holding Nora.
"Thanks," Travis said, walking over to the table.
"Thank you for taking Nora," Maya said, smiling as she looked over at her daughter and her friend. Maya brought the bowls over to the table, wiping Nora's nose again before going to wash her hands and get her own food.
"Ok Gibson," Maya said once she had her food, "Ready?"
"Yes Chief," he nodded.
"Travis, if she needs anything, just come get me," Maya said, looking one more time at her daughter.
"We will be fine, right Nora?" Travis said.
"Si," Nora said in her raspy sick voice, "We'll be find Mommy."
"Ok," Maya said, heading toward her office.
She and Jack had their meeting, going over the details of 42's most recent incident that had ended up with their aid car blowing a tire and then running into a median, luckily with no patients inside and the firefighters were also ok. The meeting was really just a formality for Jack and Maya to make sure they were on the same page about the incident and to make sure the process of getting a new aid car got going. 42's aid car was the oldest in the department and they were due for a new one the following year anyway so this, while still a big deal, caused much less of a problem than it could have had it been a newer vehicle.
"Alright Captain, anything else?" Maya asked as she finished up her last note on her report.
"I don't think so," he said, shaking his head as he stood, "Thank you for getting this taken care of so quickly."
"Of course," she said, nodding, "Come on. I'll walk you back to the beanery. I need to grab my kid and get her home."
"I don't know if it will ever not be just a little weird to me that you are a mom," he said, shaking his head, "I mean, you are amazing at it, but I never thought I would see Maya Bishop married with two kids."
"I could say the same for you," Maya said, looking at Jack, "How are the current foster placements going?"
"They are both doing well," Jack said, "Marcus gets along really well with Danny who is only a little younger than him and both of them are very into Pokémon and anime which has been good bonding. And Inara is happy to have someone who isn't obsessed with video games and comic books in the house to take shopping with her, and Molly loves getting new clothes. I think at this point, she has more than me and the boys combined and she's only 5."
"I'm glad you have found them Jack," Maya said, smiling.
Jack and Inara had been married for several years at this point and had been licensed foster parents for the past two years, something Jack felt very strongly about.
Molly and Danny had been with them for about 6 months now, and it was looking like their parents' rights were likely going to be terminated as their birth father had just been sentenced to 20 years in prison for murder and their birth mother was currently in the midst of a trial for the same charge. It was difficult for everyone, but Jack and Inara had been working hard to make sure both kids had everything they needed.
Maya and Jack walked back into the beanery, finding most of the team still there, chatting as Sullivan and Keller, the probie, cleaned up the kitchen.
"Hey," Maya said, walking over to Travis and Nora, the toddler just sitting in his lap, sucking on her sippy cup, "How was lunch?"
"She ate a whole bowl of soup," Travis said, "And some applesauce, but I think someone is getting sleepy."
"That sounds like a good lunch Piccola," Maya said, reaching for the little girl only to have Nora shake her head, clinging to Travis, "It's almost time to go home."
"I can bring her down to the car if you want," Travis said.
"Let me go grab my stuff," Maya said, "I'll be right back."
"Ok," Travis said, squeezing Nora a little bit, "We will be here."
Maya ran back to her office, making sure all of her stuff she needed to get some work done this afternoon, stopping to let out a series of sneezes, finding herself reaching for a tissue as her nose started running all of a sudden. She got it taken care of, feeling weirdly congested as she grabbed Nora's stuff before heading back to the beanery.
"Alright," she said, walking back in, "Nora, it's time to go home."
"I wanna stay wif Unca Tee," Nora said, holding onto him.
"You have to go home with Mommy, Bean," Travis said, "I have to work, and you need to take a nap so you can feel better."
"We can come back another day," Maya said, brushing a piece of hair off Nora's forehead, "Maybe when you are feeling better and can actually have some fun with Uncle Travis ok?"
"Fine," Nora nodded, rubbing her eyes.
"Travis stood up, making sure he had her cup before getting ready to leave.
"Bye guys," Vic said, waving, "I hope you feel better Nora."
Nora waved to everyone, sniffling a little bit as they left. Travis got Nora in her car seat, making sure her blankie was tucked around her before closing the door.
"Thank you for taking her today," Maya said, "I apologize in advance if she gets you sick."
"Like I said, it's fine," Travis said just as Maya turned and started coughing, "It sounds like she might have shared it with you though."
"I just had something in my throat," Maya said as she stopped coughing, "I'm fine."
"Whatever you say chief," Travis said, shaking his head, "See you later."
Maya got in the car, driving home, somehow managing to keep Nora awake the entire time. When they got home, Maya carried the toddler upstairs.
"Tan I sweep in your bed?" Nora asked, looking at Maya.
"Sure," Maya said, bringing her down the hall.
"You yay wif me," Nora said as Maya laid her down in the bed, "Pwease?"
"Alright," Maya said, not wanting to say no because Nora looked so pitiful.
She climbed into bed, Nora immediately cuddled up to her, coughing a little bit as she did.
"Just sleep Piccola," Maya said, rubbing her back.
Maya planned to just stay there until Nora fell asleep, but as she laid there, she felt her own eyes getting heavy, the headache she had been fighting all day getting stronger and she let her eyes slip shut, telling herself it would just be for a few minutes. However, the next time Maya woke up, it was to Nora's coughing, the blonde sitting up quickly, feeling her head pound as she did so.
"Mommy, you were sweeping," Nora said, looking at her.
"Sorry," Maya said, still trying to wake herself up as she laid back down next to Nora, "I didn't mean to fall asleep. Are you ok?"
Nora nodded, snuggling back up to Maya.
The blonde grabbed her phone, seeing it was 4 pm meaning the two of them has slept for 3 hours. It also meant she had to go get Rowan in less than an hour. Maya was not feeling great, though she contributed most of that to the unplanned nap in the middle of the day.
"Mommy, tan I have a dwink pwease?" Nora asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Of course Piccola," Maya said, "Do you want to come with me or stay here?"
"Wif you," Nora said, reaching for Maya as she stood up.
Maya carried Nora downstairs, getting her a cup of juice before settling on the couch with her. They just sat there, Nora drinking her juice while Maya checked her emails on her phone. She noticed that she hadn't heard from her wife all day, knowing that meant that Carina had likely had a long day and would be exhausted tonight. Maya hoped that the evening wouldn't be too crazy because she was still very tired and her head still hurt a lot and tantrumming toddlers sounded like hell.
Soon enough, it was time to go get Rowan, the little blonde looking a little less perky than normal when they got there to pick her up.
"She's had a little bit of a runny nose since she woke up from her nap," Nicole, the daycare worker, said, "And a bit of a cough. We took her temp and it was 99.1, but I don't think she is feeling super well. She was very clingy this afternoon. She probably picked up the same bug Nora has."
"Thanks," Maya said, picking up Rowan, "We will probably keep them home the next few days."
"I hope you feel better girls," Nicole said, waving at both Nora and Rowan who were in Maya's arms.
"Bye," Maya said, walking toward the exit.
She got the twins in the car, dreading having two sick kids when she wasn't feeling super great herself. She drove home, getting the twins inside and settled on the couch with some juice and books before trying to figure out dinner. She wasn't extremely hungry, though she knew that was likely just her hormone injections that had been messing with her appetite for a while. She opened the freezer, pulling out some spaghetti sauce Carina had made a while ago and frozen for situations like this.
She started a pot for some spaghetti noodles, checking on the twins, finding Nora playing with some toys on the floor while Rowan just laid on the couch, flipping through her books.
Once Maya finished dinner, she went to get the twins, all three of them sitting at the table for dinner.
"Where's Mamma?" Rowan asked as she took a small bite of her spaghetti.
"Mamma is working today," Maya said, "She will be home at bedtime, ok?"
"I miss her," Nora sighed as she stirred her own food.
"Me too," Maya said, "But after we finish with dinner, you two can have a bath and then we will find something to do until Mamma gets home."
The twins nodded, Rowan wiping her nose on her sleeve.
"Patatina, use a tissue," Maya said, grabbing a few from the box, handing one to Rowan before using one herself, her nose oddly runny at the moment. Rowan copied her before handing Maya the used tissue.
"Thanks," Maya said, wrinkling her nose as she took the tissues to the trash, washing her hands before sitting back down at the table.
No one ate a ton for dinner and eventually, Maya just brought them up to the bathroom for a bath, hoping it would help their congestion. After getting Rowan's cast in the protector, she got them in, adding a little bit of Carina's favorite bath salts with essential oils in hopes that it would help them feel a little better. The twins played in the tub, Maya checking her phone and seeing it was 6, meaning Carina would be home in about an hour and a half if everything went well at work. She was honestly exhausted and felt like she could crawl into bed and sleep for days at the moment, but she knew she should at least try to keep the girls up to see Carina, knowing how hard it was to do 24 hours shifts and be away from them. Once the twins finished in the bath, they went to get into pajamas.
"I want to wear dees ones," Nora said, pulling out pajamas with a chemistry set design on them that Ben and Bailey had gotten them for their birthday along with a pair that had Ruth Bader Ginsburg and another with Marie Curie.
"I want does ones too," Rowan said, going to her own drawer.
"Those don't fit over your cast," Maya said, "But you have lots of other ones that do."
"No," Rowan said, big tears filling her eyes, "I want does ones."
"Patatina, they don't fit with the cast," Maya said, trying to avoid a meltdown as she went over to the drawer, "How about a nightgown and some pants or one of my shirts or Mamma's?"
"No," Rowan yelled, tears rolling down her cheeks, "I don't want does. I want the ones yike Noa."
"Well, those won't fit so you have to pick something else," Maya said, raising her voice a lot more than she meant to, but she was tired and had a headache and was overly hormonal and she couldn't help it.
Rowan looked at Maya for a second, eyes wide before she burst into full blown tears, running away from Maya and throwing herself in her bed.
The second it happened, Maya instantly felt the shame and frustration at herself bubble up, realizing she had just yelled to Rowan, a sick Rowan at that, over something as stupid as pajamas.
Maya took a deep breath, trying not to burst into tears herself as she went over to Rowan's bed.
"I'm sorry I yelled Patatina," Maya said, sitting down next to the bed, "I should not have done that."
Rowan looked at Maya with a look of betrayal on her face.
"I don't yike when you yell," Rowan said, voice shaky and slightly raspy.
"I know," Maya said, feeling her heart break as she looked at her daughter, "I don't like when I yell either. I'm sorry that I did. Sometimes, I get frustrated just like you and I yell and I am sorry I did that. Can you forgive me for yelling?"
Rowan thought for a second and in that time, Maya felt like her world stopped, terrified that she had somehow broke her daughter's trust. However, Rowan nodded after a few seconds, Maya feeling herself let out a breath she didn't know she was holding as Rowan crawled out of her bed and gave Maya a hug.
"I'm sowwy too Mommy," Rowan said, cuddling close to her, shivering a little from the lack of clothes in the cool air, "I'm sowwy I dot mad about my jamas."
"I forgive you," Maya said, rubbing her hand up and down Rowan's back, "It's ok to have big feelings. But yelling at me about them isn't going to help, ok? Just like me yelling at you doesn't help."
Rowan nodded, shivering again.
"I'm told," the toddler said, pulling her arms into her body.
"I know," Maya said, "Let's go pick out some pajamas."
They went back over to the dresser, deciding she would settle for one of Carina's t-shirts worn as a night gown and a pair of pants.
While all of this had been going on, Nora had just been sitting in the corner of the room with her blankie, just sucking her fingers and rubbing her blankie on her face.
"You ok Piccola?" Maya asked, going over to her.
"I don't yike when you yell," Nora said, looking at Maya.
"I know," Maya sighed, "Wanna know a secret? I don't like when I yell either, and I try very hard not to at home, but sometimes, I make a mistake and I do. I'm sorry."
Nora nodded, standing up and giving Maya a hug, coughing as she did.
"Should we go brush teeth?" Maya asked the twins.
"I wanna see Mamma," Rowan said, sniffling.
"Well, Mamma won't be home for a little bit," Maya said, "But you don't have to go to bed after we do teeth. We can go downstairs and read books and play until she gets home ok?"
"Otay," Rowan sighed.
Maya got the twins' teeth brushed, deciding to also dry their hair to prevent any unnecessary chills before taking them downstairs. Her head was pounding and all she wanted to do was lay down on the couch with an ice pack on her head and rest, but instead, she decided to do something for the girls.
"Do you guys want to build a blanket fort?" Maya asked, "Tia Andy said she used to do this when she was little and not feeling good."
"Si," Rowan said as Nora nodded her head.
"Ok, let's get some blankets," Maya said.
The blonde realized that building a fort with three-year-olds was next to impossible, eventually having them just lay on the floor while she built it around them. Building that fort took the last of Maya's energy and she decided to make the rest of the night easy, offering the twins a movie which they were excited about.
Once the movie was on, Maya just laid down in the blanket fort, the twins cuddling up next to her. She was so tired that she just let her eyes slip shut, telling herself it was just for a minute.
However, the next thing she knew, someone was kissing her forehead, waking her up with a start.
"It's just me Bambina," Carina said as Maya looked around.
"I didn't mean to fall asleep," Maya said, breaking off into a chesty sounding cough.
"Oh, that does not sound good," Carina said, Maya noticing her voice sounded a little raspy too.
"Are you ok?" Maya asked, carefully sitting up, trying not to wake the toddlers who were sitting next to her.
"My throat is a little bit sore," Carina said, "And I am feeling congested. I probably have what Nora and it sounds like you, have."
"And Rowan," Maya said, crawling out of the blanket fort, "She is also sick. I'm ok. Just tired from not sleeping well and my inject…".
Maya was cut off by a series of sneezes that left her reaching for tissues.
"Good try Bambina," Carina said, handing her wife the tissues before grabbing a few for herself, "I think we are all down with this cold."
Maya shivered a little as Carina pulled her into a hug, kissing her forehead.
"And you are also a little on the warm side," Carina frowned, rubbing Maya's back.
"I hate being sick," Maya mumbled into Carina's chest.
"I know," Carina said, "Let's get the bambine into bed and then get ourselves into bed too."
"You need to eat dinner," Maya said, pulling away from Carina, "I can go heat up some spaghetti for you."
"I already ate," Carina said, "I've been home for a little while, but you three all looked so peaceful that I didn't want to wake you up. I had dinner and showered. All that's left to do is bed. I'll get Nora and you get Rowan?"
Maya nodded, going over to the blanket fort, each of them picking up one of the twins.
"Hopefully they sleep ok tonight," Maya said as she tucked Rowan in.
"Me too," Carina said, stifling a sneeze, "I'm so tired."
They walked out of the twins' room, heading back downstairs for their nightly routine of a progesterone injection.
"How was your afternoon?" Carina asked Maya as she pulled the out of the cabinet.
"It was…fine," Maya said, biting her lip as she pulled her shirt up.
"What happened?" Carina said as she drew up the medication into the syringe.
"I snapped at Rowan again," Maya said, looking down at her feet, "She was fighting me on pajamas and I just…I yelled and it made her cry and I feel so bad because she wasn't feeling well and I know how frustrating it is to not be able to do what you want because of an injury and I just made it worse."
"Oh Bambina," Carina said, setting down the injection down, pulling Maya into a hug, "Shhhh. It's ok. Everyone yells sometimes. And you aren't feeling well either. Did you talk to her?"
"Yeah," Maya nodded, still crying, "Right after it happened I talked to her an apologized, but I just…I feel bad. I never wanted to be the mom who yells at her kids."
"Bambina, it is ok to make mistakes," Carina said, pulling her wife close again, "Making mistakes makes you human, talking to the bambine about those mistakes and asking for forgiveness makes you an amazing mommy because it teaches them that mistakes happen, but they don't have to define us and that we can make amends for them."
Maya just held onto Carina, desperately in need of this hug.
"Va bene?" Carina asked as Maya pulled away after a few minutes.
"Si," Maya said, reaching for the box of tissues, "Grazie."
"Sempre Bambina," Carina said, cupping Maya's face in her hands, "Now, let's do this injection, maybe make some tea, and then go get in bed."
Maya nodded, lifting her shirt again. Carina pressed a kiss to Maya's stomach before wiping it down with the alcohol swab. Maya winced ever so slightly as Carina pressed the needle into her stomach, holding it for a second before throwing out the needle and pressing another kiss to Maya's belly.
"Now, go get in bed," Carina said, standing up, "I am going to make a pot of tea and I'll join you in a minute."
"I can stay down here with you," Maya said, rubbing her eyes.
"Bambina, you are pregnant," Carina said, "You need your rest."
"We don't know if I am or not," Maya argued back, hand protectively going to her stomach.
"You are until we are told you aren't," Carina said, pointing toward the stairs, "Upstairs, bed, now."
"Fine," Maya grumbled, coughing as she headed up to their room, checking on the twins who were still asleep before going into the master bedroom, brushing her teeth and getting on her pajamas, Carina coming upstairs with two mugs of tea just as she climbed into bed.
"Thank you," Maya said, taking one of the steaming mugs, "I didn't even ask you, how was work today?"
"It was fine," Carina said, "Very very busy. I think I delivered 6 bambini on the floor, one in the ER and two emergency C-sections. I was all over and I started not feeling great around noon which made the last 7 hours of my shift drag forever."
"I'm sorry," Maya frowned, "Tomorrow, you can stay in bed as long as you want and sleep, ok?"
"Not ok," Carina said, "You cannot take care of two sick bambine alone when you are also sick and also hopefully growing another bambino. You have to rest too. We will take turns with the twins, and hopefully they will let us rest, but if not, we will handle it together. We are a team."
Maya sighed a little bit, but nodded, sipping on the warm tea, enjoying how it felt on her ever increasingly raw throat. They sat there together for a little while before they both decided they needed sleep, cuddling up together under the covers and hoping that the night would actually bring sleep for the entire house.
The cold Nora brought home lingered in the Bishop-Deluca house much longer than they hoped, or rather, in one member of the house much longer than the rest.
Carina had stayed home from work for a few days to prevent spreading anything to her patients and also to take care of Nora and Rowan who were cranky and miserable but bounced back within about 5 days. The twins still has slight coughs and runny noses, but they were back to their same energy levels.
Carina, too, was feeling much better after those days she took off.
Maya, on the other hand, had to go to work for inspection because they were hard enough to schedule the first time and she had dealt with attempting to reschedule them last year and she was not about to repeat that if she could help it. The blonde was also struggling with insomnia, unable to workout because she wasn't feeling well which only made her already heightened anxiety worse.
Normally, if this happened to the extent that it was happening, she would take her medication she had to help treat her insomnia but because she might be pregnant, those medications were no longer available to her. Dr. Lewis had met with her and given her some guided meditation and other exercises to do which did work to some extent. However, if she did manage to fall asleep, her cough would wake her up and then her thoughts would keep her up. Carina did everything she could to help, but it was rough and Maya was still not feeling 100% by the day before their next appointment at the fertility clinic, though she was feeling much better than she had been the week before.
The night before the appointment, they all were home as a family, just spending time together. They tucked the twins into bed before wandering downstairs for Maya's nightly injection.
"Talk to me Bambina," Carina said as she prepared the site, looking for an area with less bruising, "What are you thinking about?"
"Right now, I'm wondering if this will be my last shot of this stuff for a while," Maya said, "Or I guess my last hopeful injection because even if tomorrow's numbers are low, we have to keep going with the shots for another two days. And then I am thinking about what happens if the numbers are low, about when we should start trying IUI and what that will be like and if it will even work and if it doesn't then what we will do after that. What are you thinking about?"
"A lot of those same things," Carina said, tossing the needle into the sharps container before going back over to her wife, lifting her shirt again, "But I am trying to think that when I do this, I am kissing your stomach, but I am also kissing our bambino."
Maya's eyes welled up with tears as Carina said that, staring at the ceiling as her wife kissed her stomach a few times. Carina looked up as she heard Maya suck in a breath, seeing tears streaming down her wife's cheeks as she stared at the ceiling.
"Come here Bambina," Carina said, pulling her into a hug, Maya burying her head in Carina's neck, just letting tears fall.
They stood there for a few minutes until the tears stopped, Carina grabbing a tissue for her wife.
"Thanks," Maya said, blowing her nose, "I was just…I was thinking that tonight is the last night before we know…That tomorrow, no matter what, things change, for better or worse."
"That's true," Carina said, nodding slowly, "But no matter what, we will be ok. A year ago, we were on the eve of our lives changing forever, though we didn't know it, and we made it through that, and we will make it through this big life change too. Now, would you like to go cuddle on the couch or take a bath or have a massage? What can we do tonight to make things easier for you?"
"What do you want to do?" Maya asked, "I know you are anxious too. And all of those things sounds good to me."
"Let's go sit on the couch," Carina said, "I'll make some tea and we can put on an Italian movie, ok? You go pick the movie."
Maya nodded, going into the living room, grabbing a big blanket before settling on the couch to pick a movie. They ended up watching two movies, Maya drifting in and out of sleep, her body exhausted from being sick but anxious all the same.
After the movies were done, it was after midnight, but they decided to take a bath together anyway, neither of them ready to go to sleep.
They got into bed a little after 1 am, both of them struggling to sleep but managing to drift in and out for short stints all night. When Maya got out of bed at 6 am to go work out, Carina sat up.
"You can go back to sleep Babe," Maya said, "I need to go work out."
"How about we work out together?" Carina said, "We could go do some yoga together?"
Maya stopped for a minute. In all the years they were married, Carina had never suggested an early morning workout together, but thinking about it, Maya decided it sounded kinda nice.
"Ok," Maya said, knowing she probably shouldn't be running today anyway, her body tired, cold symptoms still lingering, "Yeah. That sounds nice."
Carina smiled, getting out of bed to go change into her workout clothes. She did not enjoy being up this early and thought her wife was crazy for being up like this, but today, she wasn't sleeping anyways and she was desperate to be with Maya.
They both got ready, going downstairs to the basement, putting on a yoga video. They did the 45-minute workout together, Maya finding it was very enjoyable to do this with her wife, not at all minding the view she got of Carina's ass at certain points.
After they finished, they headed upstairs, checking that both the twins were still asleep before going to shower together, also enjoying that time, Carina taking extra time to kiss Maya's belly a few times, hoping that this wouldn't be the last time she did that. They got out of the shower, getting dressed just as Rowan came into the bathroom to find them.
They spent a calm morning at home, deciding to wait to take the twins to daycare until right before their appointment, just wanting some extra cuddles with their girls.
Once the twins were dropped off, Carina drove them to their fertility clinic, Maya too anxious to do it. They got checked in, Maya getting her blood taken before they were sent to a room to wait.
"I hate this," Maya said as Carina held her close while they waited, "I just want to know."
"I know," Carina said, pressing a kiss to Maya's forehead, "Just a few more minutes."
They waited for what felt like an eternity before there was a knock at the door, Dr. Howard coming in.
"Hello," she said, walking in.
"What is the number?" Maya asked, unable to wait any more.
"Alright," Dr. Howard said, opening her file, "Your number is 300 which is exactly what we want to see. Now, you will need to come back in two to three days for another test, but 300 is a great number for 14 days post transfer. Congratulations."
"So it's positive?" Maya said, "I…I'm pregnant?"
"In order to confirm, we will need to see that number double in the next 3 days, but that is a good number," Dr. Howard said, "I can't officially say you have a viable pregnancy until we see those future numbers, but I am very happy with your numbers today."
"She can't fully confirm today Bambina," Carina said, feeling tears welling up in her eyes, "But for all intents and purposes, today, right now, you are pregnant."
Hearing those words from her wife, Maya felt tears start running down her cheeks, Carina pulling her into a hug. The Italian knew there were still a laundry list of things that could go wrong at this point but hearing that her numbers were that high made Carina incredibly happy. A year ago, they got terrible news that changed their lives, and now, today, they got news that would potentially change their lives again, this time for the better.
"Do you have any questions for me?" Dr. Howard asked, handing both Maya and Carina some tissues as their tears tapered off.
"I don't think so," Maya said, wiping her tears, "I just keep going with the progesterone and that's it right?"
"Yep," Dr. Howard nodded, "Just keep doing the progesterone, rest if you need to, but other than that, there's not much else for now."
Maya nodded, biting her lip.
"If you have any questions in the next few days, feel free to call," Dr. Howard said, "And again, congratulations on the excellent first beta-hCG. I will see you in a few days."
They walked out of the room, Maya making her next appointment before she and Carina walked out of the office and to the car. They both got in, Carina in the driver's seat again, neither of them moving or saying anything for a while.
"I'm actually pregnant," Maya said, almost in a state of disbelief, "I mean, I know it's not confirmed, but that's a really good number right?"
"Si," Carina nodded, "It is an excellent number. Like I said in the office, you are pregnant for all intents and purposes."
"I…I didn't think it was going to happen," Maya said, tears starting again, "I…really didn't think it was going to happen and now it is."
"Are you ok with that?" Carina asked, suddenly feeling very nervous that Maya was regretting this decision.
"No," Maya said, "I'm more than ok with it. I'm so so happy."
"Me too," Carina said, reaching over and pulling Maya into a hug, letting one of her hands drift down to her wife's stomach, smiling when she felt Maya's hand on top of her own.
They sat there, wrapped up in each other's embrace for another few minutes before Carina pulled away to drive them home, smiling as she looked over and saw Maya's hands resting on her stomach.
The next few days were filled with ups and down and both of them tried to stay positive but had moments of absolute terror that something was going to go wrong.
They found themselves in the room at the fertility clinic again, Maya's knee bounding up and down as Carina held her hand.
"Bambina, it is going to be ok," Carina said.
"I just need to know," Maya said, standing up to start pacing, "I feel like I might be sick."
"Bambina, hey," Carina said, stopping her pacing, "Look at me. Breathe in with me, ok? Just slowly in. Good, now out."
Maya followed her wife's breathing for a few minutes, actually managing to relax until there was a knock on the door and Dr. Howard walked in.
"Good morning," Dr. Howard said, "I know you are anxious about this so I'm going to start with telling you that your beta-hCG is 750. Congratulations Maya, you are pregnant."
Maya looked at Carina who had tears in her eyes then back at Dr. Howard and then she felt herself getting lightheaded, black spots appearing in her vision before she passed out. Carina was shocked as she grabbed her wife before she hit the floor.
"Lay her on the floor," Dr. Howard said, grabbing pillows to put under Maya's feet before popping the door open, calling for a nurse.
Carina held Maya's head, the joy from finding out they were pregnant gone as she worried about her wife. She knew it was likely just a stress reaction combined with the fact that blood pressure tended to be low early in pregnancy. She had seen it happen to patients before, but seeing it happen to her own wife was terrifying.
"Here," someone said, handing Carina a wet washcloth and a container of smelling salts, Carina draping the cloth over Maya's forehead, noticing she was starting to come to and deciding to hold off on the salts.
"What happened?" Maya asked as her eyes opened, blinking heavily, seeing several people standing around her.
"You passed out Bambina," Carina said, rubbing her cheek with her thumb, "Just stay still for a little bit."
"I'm just going to grab a quick BP," the nurse said, attaching the cuff to Maya, "85/55. That's pretty low."
"Let's get her on the bed and get her some water," Dr. Howard said, looking at Maya, "Do you think you can stand?"
Maya nodded, Carina carefully helping her sit up, the nurse, Carina, and Dr. Howard all getting her to the bed in the exam room, Maya still feeling pretty shaky as she laid down.
"I'm going to go grab some water and juice," the nurse said, "I'll be right back."
"Let's keep those feet up," Dr. Howard said, putting the pillows back under Maya's feet, "How are you feeling?"
"A little dizzy," Maya said, rubbing her eyes, "But I'm ok. Why did that happen?"
"It could have been a lot of contributing factors," Dr. Howard said, "You might be dehydrated, you might have low blood pressure due to being pregnant, or it could have just been hearing you were pregnant. I'm guessing it's probably a combination of it."
"I'm pregnant," Maya said, looking at Carina, tears filling her eyes, "We're gonna have a baby. I'm really pregnant."
"Si," Carina nodded, "You are. But you can't just pass out on me like that, ok?"
"Sorry," Maya said, wiping at her tears as she let her hands drift to her stomach, "I'll try not to."
"Good," Carina said, wiping at her own tears.
They spent the next thirty minutes in the office, Maya drinking some juice and resting, her blood pressure coming back up to the low end of a normal range.
"Alright," Dr. Howard said, stopping back in Maya's room, "Now, I am hoping that was a one-time thing, but just be careful when you are getting up, and if you are feeling dizzy, please don't ignore it. It's also probably not a bad idea to keep track of your blood pressure if this happens again."
"Ok," Maya said, standing up from the table, Carina making sure she was steady, "Thank you."
"Of course," Dr. Howard said, "I want to see you back in about three weeks for a scan. We will do an internal ultrasound then and try to hear the heartbeat too. And as always, if you have any questions, feel free to call. Congratulations again."
"Thank you," Maya and Carina both said as they walked out, making their appointment before getting in the car.
"Do you want me to pick anything up for you on the way home?" Carina asked, "You could probably use something to eat."
"Can we go get some soup at Nonna's and eat it at home?" Maya asked.
"Of course," Carina nodded with a smile, "Whatever you want, my pregnant wife."
They went and got some soup before going home, eating it before crawling into bed, both of them exhausted after not sleeping well for the past few days. As they laid in bed, they each rested a hand on Maya's bare stomach as they dreamed about what this bambino would bring to their family.
What did you think? They are pregnant! I honestly had no idea what I was going to do with this chapter so I just went back to what I know and wrote most of it as a sickfic because why not. I also seriously thought about leaving it on a cliffhanger, but then I decided to not be that mean this time. How do you think this pregnancy is going to go? I have bits and pieces of it written, but not the whole thing yet, but I do like the parts I have written. Anyway, thank you so much for reading, commenting, and following, and favoriting.
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