Maya sat in the hospital room beside Carina, holding Alex in her arms as his small body slowly grew heavy with sleep. The sterile beeping of the machines monitoring Carina's vitals filled the room, a quiet but steady reassurance that things were improving, even if progress was slow. Carina was drifting in and out of sleep, still weak but stable, her eyes occasionally opening to check on Alex and Maya, offering them a tired smile.
Alex's head rested on Maya's shoulder, his breathing becoming slow and rhythmic as he succumbed to the exhaustion of the day. Maya gently kissed the top of his head, her heart aching for him. She could feel the weight of everything that had happened—Carina's injuries, the accident, the uncertainty of the days ahead—but for now, she held onto the moment of peace with both of them close.
"I'm going to take Alex home," Maya said softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked over at Carina. "He needs to rest in his own bed, but I'll be back tomorrow. First thing."
Carina gave her a weak nod, her eyes filled with gratitude and love. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice still raspy from the oxygen mask. "I love you."
Maya smiled softly, squeezing Carina's hand gently. "I love you too. We'll see you tomorrow."
She stood up carefully, adjusting Alex in her arms as he remained sound asleep. He barely stirred as she wrapped him up in a blanket, carrying him with ease. Maya had texted Vic earlier, asking her to bring the Jeep to the hospital so that she could take Alex home. True to her word, Vic had responded quickly and left the Jeep parked outside, with a key hidden in a place only Maya would find.
As Maya left the hospital room, she glanced back at Carina one last time, her heart swelling with love and worry. She wanted to stay longer, but she knew Alex needed her more right now.
The drive home was quiet, the streets mostly empty in the late hours of the night. Alex remained fast asleep in the backseat, his tiny body nestled into the blanket, oblivious to the chaos that had surrounded them just hours before. Maya glanced at him in the rearview mirror from time to time, her mind racing with everything that had happened, but she focused on getting them home safely.
Once they arrived at Carina's apartment, Maya carefully carried Alex inside, his body still limp with sleep. She took him straight to the bedroom and gently laid him down on the bed, pulling his clothes off and changing him into his favorite pajamas. He stirred slightly but didn't wake, his soft breathing a comforting sound in the quiet apartment.
Maya climbed into bed beside him, exhausted but too wired to sleep. She lay on her back, staring at the ceiling, trying to process everything that had happened. Carina's injuries, the accident, and Alex's resilience all weighed heavily on her mind. She turned to look at Alex, who was curled up beside her, his little hand clutching the edge of the blanket. His face looked peaceful, even though she knew he'd been through so much.
She sighed softly, reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair from his forehead. She closed her eyes, hoping that sleep would come soon, but her mind refused to quiet. Eventually, the exhaustion caught up with her, and she drifted into a light, restless sleep.
It wasn't long before Maya was jolted awake by Alex's soft whimpers. She sat up quickly, her heart racing, and saw him tossing and turning in the bed beside her, his little face scrunched up in fear.
"No… Mamma…" Alex whimpered, his voice trembling in his sleep. "Don't go…"
Maya's heart broke at the sound of his distress. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to soothe him. "Shh, it's okay, Alex," she whispered softly. "I'm right here. Mamma's okay. You're safe."
But Alex didn't wake up, his nightmare continuing to play out in his mind. Tears slipped down his cheeks as he called out for Carina again, his voice filled with fear and confusion.
Maya leaned in closer, wrapping her arms around him and holding him gently against her chest. "It's okay, sweetheart," she murmured, her voice soft and calming. "Mamma's going to be okay. You're safe with me. I'm not going anywhere."
After a few moments, Alex began to calm down, his breathing evening out again as Maya continued to whisper soothing words to him. She rocked him gently, stroking his hair until his body relaxed against her, and the tears stopped.
Maya kissed the top of his head, her heart aching for him. She knew that the events of the day had shaken him deeply, and she wished she could protect him from the nightmares that followed. But all she could do was hold him close, reminding him that he was loved and safe.
Eventually, Alex settled back into a peaceful sleep, and Maya lay back down beside him, keeping him close in her arms. She stayed awake for a while longer, watching over him, making sure the nightmares wouldn't return. Her own exhaustion pressed down on her, but her focus was on Alex, ensuring he was as comfortable as possible.
She finally allowed herself to drift off again, though her sleep remained light, her protective instincts keeping her half-awake, always ready to comfort Alex if the nightmares returned.
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the bedroom. Maya had been drifting in and out of sleep, the events of the previous day still heavy on her mind. She had fallen asleep cradling Alex, her body tired but her heart full of worry. The apartment was unusually quiet except for the occasional distant hum of traffic outside.
Then, through the calm, Maya was suddenly jolted awake by the sound of Alex's soft cries. She blinked herself into alertness, her senses immediately honing in on him. His little body was curled up against her side, and tears were streaming down his face.
"Mommy… Mommy…" Alex whimpered, his voice full of fear and confusion. His small hands reached out for her, clutching at her shirt.
For a split second, Maya froze, caught off guard by what she had just heard. He had called her "Mommy." It wasn't something Alex had ever called her before; usually, he referred to her by name or simply sought comfort from her without that particular title. But hearing him call her that now, especially in his moment of distress, sent a jolt of emotion through her.
Maya quickly pushed her initial surprise aside, knowing that Alex needed her right now. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close and gently rocking him as he cried.
"Shh, sweetheart," she whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "It's okay, I'm right here. You're safe."
Alex buried his face against her chest, his small body trembling as he clung to her. "Mommy…" he repeated softly, his voice barely above a whisper now.
"It's okay, Alex," she whispered again, her voice soft and soothing. "I'm not going anywhere. You're safe with me. And Mamma's going to be okay too. Everything's going to be okay."
Gradually, Alex's cries began to subside, his small body relaxing against hers as the fear slowly ebbed away. He sniffled, wiping his tears against her shirt, but he didn't let go of her. His arms stayed wrapped tightly around her, as if he was afraid to lose her.
Maya ran her fingers gently through his hair, humming softly to soothe him. Her mind was still spinning from the fact that he had called her "Mommy," but she set that aside for the time being, focusing instead on calming him.
After a few minutes, Alex's breathing evened out again, though he stayed snuggled up against Maya, his face pressed into her chest. Maya stayed where she was, gently rocking him and whispering comforting words, until she was sure he was more at ease.
When she finally looked down at him, she saw his tear-streaked face and those big, innocent eyes looking up at her, filled with trust.
"Are you okay now, buddy?" she asked softly, brushing a tear from his cheek.
Alex nodded, still clutching her tightly. "Mommy… don't go," he whispered, his voice small but steady.
Maya's heart swelled, and she kissed the top of his head again, holding him close. "I'm not going anywhere," she promised. "I'm right here with you, and I'm not leaving."
Alex gave a small nod, his grip on her loosening slightly as he started to relax in her embrace. For a moment, they just sat there in the quiet morning, holding each other, both finding comfort in the connection they shared.
Though Maya hadn't expected this role in Alex's life, hearing him call her "Mommy" filled her with a sense of purpose and love that she hadn't realized was growing so deeply within her. She wasn't just a temporary figure in his life—she was becoming family to him, and she was ready to embrace that fully.
After comforting Alex for a little while longer, Maya noticed him beginning to fidget, his face scrunching up as he reached down toward his leg in the cast. "Mommy, my leg hurts," Alex said softly, wincing as he shifted on the bed.
Maya immediately felt a pang of concern. She had expected this—broken bones tended to ache, especially after such a long and exhausting day. "Okay, buddy," she said gently, brushing his hair back. "I'll get you some medicine to help with the pain, and then we'll have breakfast, okay?"
Alex nodded, still rubbing at his leg. Maya carefully climbed out of bed and made her way to the kitchen. She grabbed the Tylenol from the medicine cabinet, measuring out the correct dosage for Alex's size, then filled a small glass with water. When she returned to the bedroom, Alex took the medicine without much fuss, his trust in Maya evident.
"Now, why don't we go get some breakfast?" Maya suggested with a soft smile. Alex nodded, trying to get up but still moving gingerly because of the cast on his leg.
Realizing he might need some help, Maya scooped him up in her arms, carrying him into the living room. She set him down gently on the sofa and made sure he was comfortable before heading over to start on breakfast. As she began to cook, the sound of the stove heating and the clatter of pans filled the air, creating a peaceful atmosphere despite the previous day's chaos.
Alex didn't stay in his seat for long. Before Maya could even get halfway through making breakfast, he crawled down from the sofa and crawled into the kitchen, his little body still stiff from his injuries, but his spirit as resilient as ever. Maya looked over her shoulder and smiled, watching as Alex made his way toward her.
"Hey, bud," Maya said softly, "Why don't you sit at the table? I'll set up the iPad so you can watch some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles while I finish breakfast."
Alex's eyes brightened at the mention of his favorite show. "Okay!" he said excitedly, crawling over to the table and pulling up on the chair. Maya reached down to lift him into the chair.
Maya set up the iPad on the table in front of him, opening up the show and playing one of his favorite episodes. As the familiar theme song filled the air, Alex settled into his chair, his attention already captured by the colorful characters on the screen.
With Alex content and distracted, Maya turned her attention back to handling some much-needed business. She had been thinking about it ever since the accident and knew now was the time to make sure everything was in order. The first thing she did was call the fire station, waiting patiently as the phone rang.
When Captain Herrera answered, Maya quickly explained the situation. "Captain, I've been thinking," she began. "I've accrued a lot of PTO over the last few years, and I'd like to use some of it. With everything going on, I think I need some time to be with my family."
Captain Herrera listened intently and then responded with understanding. "Maya, of course. You've earned that time off, and after everything that's happened, I think it's the right call. We've got things covered here, so take as much time as you need."
Maya felt a sense of relief wash over her. "Thanks, Captain," she said gratefully. "I don't know how long I'll be out, but I'll keep you updated."
After a bit more discussion, Maya hung up the phone, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't realized she needed. The time off would allow her to be there for Carina and Alex without the looming worry of shifts at the station.
As she continued preparing breakfast—pancakes, scrambled eggs, and some fruit on the side—Maya glanced over at Alex, who was engrossed in the adventures of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Seeing him so absorbed in the show made her smile. He deserved some happiness after everything he had been through.
Maya finished cooking and plated the food, bringing it over to the table. She set a plate in front of Alex, who glanced up from his show just long enough to beam at her. "Pancakes!" he exclaimed, his face lighting up with excitement.
"Yup," Maya said with a smile, sitting down beside him. "Dig in, buddy."
As Maya and Alex sat at the table, finishing up their breakfast, Alex turned his attention from the iPad and started asking the questions that were clearly weighing on his mind.
"Can we go see Mamma soon?" he asked, his big, curious eyes looking up at Maya as he clutched his fork.
Maya smiled gently, nodding as she reached out to brush a strand of hair from his face. "Yes, buddy," she said softly. "We're going to go see Mamma in just a little bit. She's still at the hospital, but we'll go visit her, and she'll be so happy to see you."
Alex seemed satisfied with that answer for a moment, but then he looked down at his cast with a slight frown. "Can I play tee-ball with a broken leg?" he asked, his voice tinged with disappointment.
Maya's heart softened. She knew how much Alex had been looking forward to tee-ball, and it broke her heart to see him upset. She smiled reassuringly and gently placed her hand on his.
"Well, not right away," she said carefully. "You need to let your leg heal first. But once it's all better, we can practice, and then we will get you on a team, bud. You're going to be great, and I'll be there to help you with anything you need."
Alex nodded slowly, though she could see the gears turning in his head as he tried to wrap his mind around the idea of waiting. "Okay," he said softly, his little fingers absentmindedly running over the edge of his cast. "But when my leg gets better, we can play right?"
Maya chuckled softly and nodded. "Absolutely. We'll practice as much as you want."
Alex seemed to accept that, his attention shifting again as he asked another question. "Can I go to preschool with my cast?"
Maya smiled at his curiosity but knew she needed to manage his expectations. "Not just yet," she said gently. "We need to wait until your leg feels a little better and you're not in as much pain. But you'll get to go back soon, and when you do, you can show all your friends your cool cast."
Alex's eyes brightened slightly at the thought, and he nodded, seeming to understand. "Okay," he said again, his voice a little more hopeful this time.
As Alex returned his attention to his plate, Maya stood up and began to clear the table, cleaning up the remnants of their breakfast. His last question, about preschool, reminded her that she needed to update them about Alex's situation. She quickly grabbed her phone, dialing the preschool as she wiped down the counter.
The phone rang for a few moments before one of the teachers answered, her voice warm and familiar. "Hello, this is Kendall at The Learning Tree," the teacher said.
"Hi, Kendall, it's Maya Bishop," Maya replied, balancing the phone between her shoulder and ear as she rinsed the dishes. "I just wanted to call and update you on Alex DeLuca. He was in an accident and has a broken leg, so he's going to be out of preschool for a little while."
"Oh no, poor Alex," Kendall said sympathetically. "I'm so sorry to hear that. Is he okay?"
"He's doing better now," Maya said, glancing over at Alex, who was happily playing with his toys at the table. "It's just going to take some time for his leg to heal. But I'll keep you updated on when he'll be able to return."
"Thank you for letting us know," Kendall said kindly. "We'll miss him, and the kids will too. I'm sure they'll be excited to see him when he comes back."
Maya smiled, feeling a sense of relief that she had taken care of it. "Thanks, Kendall. I'll be in touch."
After hanging up the phone, Maya turned her attention back to Alex. He was still engrossed in his toys, but she could tell he was starting to grow restless.
Maya stood in the kitchen, running her fingers through her hair, feeling the weight of everything from the day before settling in. The accident, Carina's injuries, Alex's broken leg—it was all catching up with her. She was desperate for a shower, hoping that the hot water would help wash away some of the exhaustion and stress. But looking at Alex, she could see that he wasn't ready to be far from her, especially after calling her "Mommy" several times that morning. The title still made her heart skip a beat, and she was beginning to embrace it more and more.
"Hey, buddy," Maya said gently, crouching down to be at eye level with Alex. "How about this? I need to take a quick shower, but if you want, you can lay in me and Mamma's bed and watch TV while I'm there. I'll leave the door open so you can call me if you need anything."
Alex's face scrunched up a little, clearly not thrilled about being away from Maya, even for just a few minutes.
"Mommy," he said softly, his voice almost pleading, "I don't want to be too far from you. What if I need something?"
Maya's heart swelled at the sound of him calling her "Mommy" again, but she also understood his anxiety. After everything they'd been through, it made sense that Alex didn't want to be separated from her. She smiled softly, placing a reassuring hand on his little shoulder.
"Don't worry," she said gently. "I'll leave the bathroom door open, and I'll be right out here. You can watch your favorite show in bed, and I'll be just a few feet away. How does that sound?"
Alex looked uncertain for a moment, but he trusted her. After a beat, he nodded slowly. "Okay," he agreed. "But can you hurry?"
Maya chuckled softly. "Of course," she promised. "I'll be quick."
She stood up, gently picking up Alex and walking toward the bedroom. Once they reached the bed, Maya carefully helped him climb in, making sure he was comfortable and that his casted leg was properly propped up. She grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, finding the cartoon network to keep him entertained while she showered.
"Here you go, bud," Maya said, handing him the remote. "I'll be right in the bathroom, okay?"
Alex nodded, though he still looked a little hesitant. "Okay, Mommy," he said quietly, his eyes glued to the TV but his small hand still reaching out to touch her arm briefly.
Maya's heart warmed again at the sound of that word. She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "I'll be right back," she whispered softly.
She made her way into the bathroom, leaving the door slightly ajar just as promised. The moment she stepped into the shower and felt the hot water cascade over her, she let out a deep sigh of relief. The warmth washed away some of the tension that had been building in her muscles, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to relax.
After a few minutes, Maya quickly finished up, not wanting to leave Alex alone for too long. She wrapped herself in a towel and stepped out of the bathroom, peeking around the corner to check on Alex. He was still laying in bed, his eyes glued to the TV, but when he saw her, his face lit up.
"Mommy, you're back!" he said excitedly, reaching out for her.
Maya smiled warmly as she walked over to him, still in her towel. "I told you I wouldn't be long," she said playfully, ruffling his hair.
Alex giggled softly, the sound like music to her ears. Maya quickly got dressed in the walk in closet, staying close by in case Alex needed anything. Once she was ready, she sat down on the edge of the bed beside him, her heart feeling a little lighter now that she was clean and back with Alex.
"How are you feeling?" she asked softly, looking down at him.
Alex smiled up at her, his little hands holding onto the blanket. "Better," he said sweetly. "Are we going to see Mamma soon?"
Maya nodded, stroking his hair gently. "Yup. We're going to see Mamma as soon as we're both ready," she said. "She's going to be so happy to see you."
Maya sat down beside Alex on the bed, watching his little face light up with a hint of excitement as she mentioned getting ready to go see Carina. "Alright, buddy," she said gently, "are you ready to get dressed so we can go see Mamma?"
Alex nodded eagerly, his eyes glinting with the innocent joy that Maya loved so much. "Can I wear underwear like yours, Mommy?" he asked, looking up at her with wide eyes. "The boxers?" He had seen when he watched her fold some pairs and put them into a drawer after she finished getting ready.
Maya chuckled softly, feeling her heart melt at his sweet request. "You want to wear boxers like mine?" she asked with a grin.
Alex nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, like you!"
Maya scoops him up, turning the tv off and heading to his room and sits him on the edge of the bed.
Maya smiled, standing up and heading over to his dresser, pulling open the drawer to look for something similar to what she was wearing. She rummaged through the clothes, but after a few moments of searching, she couldn't find any boxers or similar underwear. She turned back to Alex, her smile fading a little as she saw his face fall.
"I don't think we have boxers like mine in here, bud," Maya said softly, trying to keep her voice upbeat. But she could see the disappointment creeping into Alex's expression.
He started to fidget, his lower lip quivering as his eyes filled with tears. "But… but I want to be like you, Mommy," he said, his voice breaking. "I want to wear clothes like yours!"
Maya's heart broke a little as she watched him struggle with his emotions. She quickly knelt down beside him, gently placing her hand on his arm to comfort him. "Hey, hey, it's okay, Alex," she said softly, her voice soothing. "We don't need to find boxers. How about we find something else that's similar to what I'm wearing? We can match in a different way. What do you think?"
Alex sniffled, rubbing at his eyes as he tried to calm down. "Okay…" he whispered, though he still seemed upset.
Maya smiled softly and opened another drawer, continuing her search for something that might work. After a few moments, she found a shirt that was similar to the one she was wearing—plain and soft, with a similar shade of blue. She pulled it out and held it up for Alex to see.
"What about this shirt?" she asked gently. "It's almost the same as mine."
Alex looked at the shirt through teary eyes, his face softening just a little. "It's like yours?" he asked quietly.
Maya nodded, smiling warmly. "It is," she said. "And I bet we can find a pair of shorts that look like mine too. Let's match today, okay?"
Alex sniffled again but nodded, his tears starting to subside. Maya turned back to the drawer and quickly found a pair of gray shorts that were similar to the ones she was wearing. She held them up next to the shirt, showing Alex how close the outfits were.
"See?" she said, her voice light and encouraging. "We're going to match. How does that sound?"
Alex gave a small smile, wiping the last of his tears away. "Okay," he said softly, his voice a little more steady now.
Maya leaned over and kissed his forehead gently. "Good," she said. "Let's get you dressed, and then we'll head out to see Mamma."
She helped him into the shirt and shorts, making sure the clothes were comfortable and fit well over his cast. As soon as he was dressed, Alex looked down at himself, his small smile growing a little bigger. "We match!" he said, his voice filled with excitement again.
Maya grinned, feeling a rush of relief. "We sure do," she said warmly. "You look awesome, bud."
Alex beamed up at her, clearly proud of his new outfit, and Maya felt a deep sense of love and joy as she watched him. The small moment of matching clothes seemed to bring him so much comfort, and that was all she wanted—to make him feel safe and loved, no matter what challenges they were facing.
With Alex now happy and dressed, Maya grabbed her keys and made sure they were ready to head out the door.
As Maya helped Alex into his car seat, carefully buckling him in to ensure he was comfortable with his cast, Alex suddenly looked up at her with a thoughtful expression on his face. His big brown eyes lit up as an idea seemed to come to him.
"Mommy," he said softly, "can we stop and get flowers for Mamma? I want to give her something to make her feel better."
Maya's heart melted at the sweet request. She smiled, leaning down to adjust the strap of his car seat as she nodded. "That's a wonderful idea, Alex," she said warmly. "Mamma would love that. Let's stop at a florist on the way to the hospital, and you can pick out the flowers yourself. How does that sound?"
Alex's face lit up with excitement, a big grin spreading across his face. "Yes!" he exclaimed happily, clearly thrilled by the idea of surprising Carina with flowers.
Maya finished securing his seatbelt and climbed into the driver's seat. As they drove toward the hospital, she kept an eye out for a florist, knowing that Alex would be excited to pick something special for Carina. After a few minutes of driving, they spotted a small, charming florist shop with colorful flowers displayed outside. Maya parked the jeep and helped Alex out of the car, carefully lifting him onto her hip before they made their way inside.
The inside of the florist shop smelled heavenly, filled with the sweet scent of fresh blooms. Vibrant arrangements in every color imaginable filled the space, and Alex's eyes widened with wonder as he took it all in.
Maya leaned down beside him, smiling. "Alright, buddy," she said. "You get to pick out the flowers. What do you think Mamma would like?"
Alex scanned the rows of flowers, his face serious as he considered his options. After a moment, he pointed excitedly at a bouquet of pink and white peonies mixed with small daisies and roses. "These!" he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Mamma likes pink, and these look happy."
Maya smiled, feeling a surge of pride for how thoughtful he was being. "Those are beautiful, Alex," she said. "Mamma's going to love them."
She carefully picked up the bouquet, in the opposite arm she was holding Alex. The florist smiled warmly as they approached, clearly charmed by Alex's excitement.
"These are for my Mamma," Alex said proudly to the florist. "She's in the hospital, and I want her to feel better."
The florist's face softened as she carefully wrapped the bouquet in pretty tissue paper, making sure everything was perfect. "Well, you've picked out some beautiful flowers," she said kindly. "I'm sure they'll make your Mamma feel a lot better."
Alex beamed at the compliment, and Maya smiled as she paid for the flowers. Once the bouquet was secure, they headed back to the Jeep, with Alex holding onto the flowers as though they were the most precious thing in the world.
As Maya buckled him back into the car seat, Alex looked up at her with a proud smile. "Mamma's going to love these, right?"
Maya nodded, her heart swelling with love for him. "She's going to love them, Alex," she said gently. "And she's going to love that you thought of her. You're a good kid."