Maya DeLuca-Bishop has just woken up in the morning and gently gives her sleeping wife a kiss before heading out for her morning run. Today, she decides to shorten her usual route to just four miles as she is feeling more tired than usual.
When she walks back in the door after her run, the delicious smell of French toast fills the air—her favorite. She heads into the kitchen and greets her pregnant wife, "Good morning, my love," Maya says, still glistening with sweat from her run.
Carina looks up with a smile, "Morning, bambina! How was your run?"
"It was good, but I need a shower," Maya replies, "I'll be quick and then I will join you for breakfast." She leans down to give her wife a kiss, whilst holding her hand to Carinas very small bump, before heading to the bathroom.
In the shower, as the water cascades over her, Maya washes away the sweat and fatigue of her run. But as she cleans herself, her fingers brush against a lump in her breast. Her heart drops, and a wave of fear washes over her. She pauses, feeling the area again, hoping it's just her imagination. But the lump is still there.
Maya quickly finishes her shower, putting on a brave face as she gets dressed. She doesn't want to burden her pregnant wife with her worries, so she pushes the thoughts aside and heads back to the kitchen.
Sitting at the breakfast buffet, she tries to engage in conversation with Carina about their day ahead. Carina has a busy schedule at Grey Sloan Hospital with two scheduled c-sections, while Maya has her own responsibilities at the fire station. However throughout the conversation, Maya's mind keeps drifting back to the lump, making it difficult to focus.
Carina notices that Maya is quieter than usual. "Everything okay, bella?" she asks, concern etching her features.
Maya nods, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Carina raises her eyebrows, unconvinced. "Really? You seem a bit off."
"Honestly, I'm okay. Everything is good," Maya insists, though she can feel Carina's eyes still searching her face for the truth.
Carina sighs, wanting to press further but knowing she has to leave for work. "Alright, but if you need to talk, I'm here. I love you," she says, leaning closer to give Maya a soft kiss.
Maya melts at the warmth of her wife's affection. "I love you too," she replies, placing a gentle hand on Carina's belly. "And I love you," she whispers, feeling a mix of joy and anxiety over the upcoming addition to their family.
As Carina heads out the door, Maya watches her go. Wishing that she had just told her wife of her discovery but reminding herself that she doesn't want to stress Carina out. She sighs and finishes getting herself ready for her day at the Station.
Maya heads to the fire station, where the familiar hustle and bustle is all a go already. She throws herself into her work, cleaning gear, practicing drills, and preparing equipment. The distraction helps ease her mind, but every now and then, the concern about the lump flickers in the back of her thoughts.
Later in the day, the alarm bell rings, and they respond to a call. The adrenaline of the call keeping her thoughts at bay, she almost forgets about the events of the morning.
After the emergency call, the crew gathers back at the station and they decide to order pizza, the team debriefs back and forwards about the call. Maya joins in, but her head isn't fully in it. Jack glances at her, sensing something is off. "Hey, Maya, you good? You seem a little distant today."
She hesitates, contemplating whether to open up. "Just a long day…" she replies with a weak smile.
As the sun begins to set, Maya heads home, feeling the weight of her thoughts returning. When she walks in, she's greeted by the comforting scent of her wife's perfume. Carina is curled up on the couch, a book resting in her lap, looking serene.
"Hey bambina!" Carina beams, setting the book aside. "How was your day?"
Maya forces a smile, but the lump in her throat feels heavier. "It was good—. How about yours?"
Carina shares stories from her day at the hospital, the excitement lighting up her face and she talks about her successful birth stories. Maya listens, her heart swelling with love, but she knows she can't keep this secret much longer.
As Carina finishes her story, she reaches for Maya's hand, her expression shifting to one of concern. "You're not really okay, are you bella?"
Maya meets her gaze, the warmth and love reflected back at her. The moment feels right to share her fears. "Um.. I don't know… Can we talk?"
Carina nods, her eyes filled with concern. "Of course, bella. Talk to me."
With a deep breath, Maya sits down next to Carina on the couch, she takes another deep breath as she gathers her words.
The weight of the moment presses heavily on her emotions and it must be obvious on her face as Carina notices and reaches for Mayas hand, offering a comforting squeeze that encourages Maya to find the words she needs.
"Maya, you can tell me anything," Carina reassures her, her voice gentle and steady.
With her heart racing, Maya finally begins to speak, her words stumbling over each other. "In the shower this morning, I found a lump. I... I don't know what it is, but what if it's… what if.." she can't finish her sentence.
"Oh, bambina," Carina responds, her voice softening as she processes the news. "It's not good, is it?" Maya asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
Carina pulls Maya into a tight embrace, feeling her own worries intensify as she holds her wife close. The warmth and safety of the hug contrast sharply with the fear that has settled over them. After a long moment, they pull apart, and Carina softly asks, "Can I feel for it? Just to check?"
Maya nods slowly, her heart pounding as she lifts Carina's hand under her shirt, guiding it to the spot where she discovered the lump. The air feels thick with tension.
Carina swallows hard, trying to suppress the rising fear within her. She gently explores the area, her touch tender yet purposeful. Normally, this kind of intimacy would feel sensual, but now it's fraught with anxiety and dread.
As Carina searches, she glances at Maya, whose gaze is fixed on the corner of the room, lost in her own thoughts. The fear in Maya's eyes is evident, and it tears at Carina's heart. Moments later, Carina's fingers brush against something that shouldn't be there. A wave of dread washes over her.
Bringing her hand down, Carina meets Maya's gaze, her heart sinking at the expression on her wife's face. "It's bad, isn't it?" Maya asks, her voice trembling.
Carina fights to keep her own emotions in check. "Hey, we don't know anything yet. We'll get you to testing and go from there," she says, trying to infuse her words with hope. She cups Maya's face with her hands, searching for any glimmer of reassurance. "We can't worry yet," she adds, leaning in to press a soft kiss on her lips.
"Now, I'm going to call the hospital and try to get you in for a mammogram. I'll be right back, okay? I love you, bambina," Carina says, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her as she leaves the room to make the call.
As soon as Carina steps away, the weight of the moment crashes down on Maya, and she doubles over, crying into her palms. Each sob feels like a release of all the fear and uncertainty that has built up inside her throughout the day.
In the other room, Carina is silent, clutching her phone tightly as tears stream down her cheeks. She presses her eyes shut, desperately praying that this isn't what she fears it to be. The weight of worry and love for her wife battles within her, and she struggles to maintain her composure as she makes the call to the hospital.