Maya stirred awake to the sound of her phone ringing. The screen illuminated with Carina's name, and she answered, her voice still heavy with sleep.

"Good morning," Maya said, rubbing her eyes.

"Maya, I'm so sorry to wake you up," Carina's voice came through the phone, a touch of embarrassment in her tone.

"No worries at all," Maya replied, trying to shake off the grogginess. "What's up?"

There was a pause before a small, excited voice piped up from the other end of the line. "Maya, are you coming over for breakfast?" It was Alex, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

Maya smiled, her heart warming at the sound of Alex's voice. "Hey, Alex! I'd love to come over for breakfast. Is there something special planned?"

"Momma and I are just getting up and she said I could call and ask you to come over for breakfast. Maya, guess what?" Alex's voice was brimming with excitement.

"What's up, Alex?" Maya asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I got a new toy! It's a really cool dinosaur that roars and moves its head," Alex said eagerly. "I want you to come over and play with it!"

Maya chuckled at Alex's enthusiasm. "A dinosaur that roars? That sounds awesome! I can't wait to see it. I'll be there soon, and we can play together."

"Yay!" Alex's cheer was almost tangible through the phone. "I'll show you how it works, and we can have fun!"

Carina's laughter came through the phone, light and cheerful. "Alex is very excited about the idea of having you join us. We're making pancakes and fruit. He's been asking me all morning if you're coming."

"Pancakes sound amazing," Maya said, already envisioning a cozy breakfast with Carina and Alex. "I'll be there soon."

With a smile on her face and a spring in her step, Maya headed out the door. The thought of spending the morning with Carina and Alex filled her with anticipation. She hoped that her presence would make their breakfast a little more special and enjoyable.

Carina thanked Maya and reassured her that she didn't need to rush. After ending the call, Maya quickly got dressed and freshened up. She decided to pick up a few things on her way over. First she stopped at the florist for a fresh bouquet of flowers for Carina and then at a small store to find a new fire truck for Alex.

Maya arrived at Carina's apartment, greeted by the comforting aroma of breakfast. Alex, his excitement palpable, dashed into the other room to retrieve his new dinosaur toy. As he ran off, Maya seized the opportunity to sneak a quick kiss from Carina. Their lips met softly, and Maya's heart fluttered with the familiar warmth of their connection.

Carina smiled against Maya's lips, her eyes twinkling with affection. "I'm so glad you're here," she said softly as they pulled apart, her hand resting gently on Maya's arm.

"I wouldn't miss it," Maya replied, her eyes reflecting the same warmth and affection. "I'm excited to see this new dinosaur and spend the morning with you both."

Just then, Alex reappeared, clutching his toy with an almost reverent look on his face. "Look, Maya!" he exclaimed, waving the dinosaur in the air with a proud grin. "It can roar and move its head! Want to see?"

Maya's attention shifted to Alex's enthusiasm. "Absolutely, Alex! Show me how it works."

As Alex eagerly demonstrated his dinosaur's features, Carina and Maya exchanged a fond glance, silently acknowledging the joy of sharing these moments together.

As they settled at the breakfast table, Alex enthusiastically began to recount his recent dinosaur-themed experiences at daycare. His eyes lit up with excitement as he talked about the things he'd learned.

"Maya, guess what?" Alex began, practically bouncing in his chair. "We learned all about dinosaurs at daycare! There were so many different kinds, and they lived a long, long time ago!"

Maya leaned in, intrigued. "That sounds amazing, Alex. What kinds of dinosaurs did you learn about?"

Alex's face lit up with the eagerness of a young scholar. "There was the T-Rex, which was really big and had sharp teeth. And then there was the Triceratops with its three horns. Oh, and the Brachiosaurus! It had a long neck and could reach the tops of the trees."

Carina, serving up pancakes and bacon, listened with a smile. "Alex has been so excited about dinosaurs ever since his class started learning about them. He even made a dinosaur diorama with his teacher."

Maya's eyes widened with genuine interest. "That sounds like so much fun! Did you get to help with the diorama?"

Alex nodded vigorously, his face beaming with pride. "Yeah, I helped paint the dinosaurs and made the volcano erupt with red and orange paper!"

Maya chuckled, clearly charmed by Alex's enthusiasm. "Wow, that's impressive! I'd love to see it sometime."

Carina interjected, setting a plate of pancakes in front of Alex. "He's been talking about it non-stop. And the dinosaur noises that he has been making have been so lovely to hear at all hours. "

As Alex took another bite of his pancake, he suddenly put down his fork and started making enthusiastic dinosaur noises. His little hands mimicked claws, and he roared with a mix of playful ferocity and amusement.

"Roooaaar! Rooooar!" Alex growled, his face scrunched up in concentration. He even stomped his feet a little, as if he were an enormous dinosaur on the loose.

Maya couldn't help but laugh, her eyes twinkling with delight. "Wow, Alex! You sound just like a real dinosaur!"

Carina smiled warmly, her gaze shifting between Maya and Alex. "He's been practicing his dinosaur roars. Sometimes I think he's louder than the dinosaurs he's pretending to be."

Alex giggled, clearly pleased with the reaction. "I'm a T-Rex right now! Watch out, Maya!"

Maya leaned in playfully, pretending to be scared. "Oh no, a T-Rex! What should I do?"

Alex, completely immersed in his role, let out another exaggerated roar and made a few more stomping motions. "You have to be careful! T-Rexes are very strong and have big teeth!"

As Maya and Alex continued their playful dinosaur roars, there was a sudden knock at the door. Carina went to answer it, and when she opened the door, she was greeted by a friendly-looking woman holding the hand of a young boy.

"Hi, I'm Mia, your new neighbor," the woman said with a warm smile. "I was wondering if Alex would like to come to the local playground with us? We were about to head out, and I thought it might be fun for the kids to play together."

Carina stepped aside to let Mia and her son in. "Of course, Mia! This is Maya, a friend of ours. Maya, this is Mia and her son, Ethan. Ethan's a bit older than Alex but loves playing at the park."

Maya waved and smiled at Mia and Ethan. "Hi, nice to meet you! Ethan, it's great to meet you too. Are you excited about the playground?"

Ethan nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! We have a lot of fun stuff there. Do you want to come too, Maya?"

Maya glanced at Carina and Alex, who was already buzzing with excitement at the prospect of playing outside. "That sounds like a lot of fun. I'd love to join you."

Mia turned to Alex with a friendly smile. "Are you ready to go to the playground, Alex?"

Alex's eyes lit up as he hopped off his chair. "Yes! I want to play with Ethan!"

Carina helped Alex put on his jacket and shoes while Maya gathered a few things for the outing. Once they were all set, Mia led the way to the local playground, with Maya, Carina, Alex, and Ethan following behind.

As they walked, Maya chatted with Mia about the neighborhood and what brought her family there. Alex excitedly recounted his dinosaur adventures to his new friend.

The playground was bustling with activity, and as soon as they arrived, Alex and Ethan ran off to explore the swings and slides. Maya and Carina settled onto a nearby bench, watching the kids play and enjoying the pleasant morning together.

Carina and Maya settled onto a bench, watching the boys play together. Carina turned to Maya with a relaxed smile. "It's nice to have a chance to sit and chat like this. I've been so busy at work lately, and it feels great to just unwind."

Maya nodded, glancing over at the kids, who were climbing and laughing. "I can imagine. It's been a whirlwind for me too with everything going on. I've been meaning to ask how things have been at the hospital. Any interesting cases recently?"

Carina smiled as she thought about her work. "We've had a few exciting cases, actually. One was a complicated delivery that required a lot of teamwork. But it's always rewarding when everything goes well and we get to see a healthy baby in the end."

"That sounds intense but fulfilling," Maya said. "I admire how dedicated you are to your work. It must be so rewarding to make such a big difference in people's lives."

Carina's eyes softened. "It is. But it's nice to have moments like this too, where I can relax and enjoy some downtime. It's all about finding that balance, right?"

Maya smiled, reaching out to gently squeeze Carina's hand. "Absolutely. And I'm really glad we could have this time together. It's been wonderful getting to know you better."

Carina's smile grew. "So Maya Bishop, tell me something I don't know but should know about you?" Carina said as she raised her eyebrow.

"Ok, so let me think for a second. Way to just put me on the spot!" Maya smiled.

"Well we are supposed to be getting to know each other better." Carina smiled.

"So, I have an Olympic gold medal. I guess that's something about me." Maya lifted her hands and shrugged her shoulders.

As they continued to talk, their conversation naturally flowed from work to their personal interests and experiences. They found themselves laughing and enjoying each other's company, their connection deepening with each shared story and smile.

Carina looked at Maya with surprise, her eyes widening. "An Olympic gold medal? Really? That's incredible! What sport did you compete in?"

"Running," Maya replies, a hint of pride in her voice. "It was a big deal for me. I worked so hard for it."

Carina's eyes widened with admiration. "That's amazing, Maya! I had no idea. Running must be such an important part of your life."

Maya nods, her expression softening. "It is. It's been a huge part of who I am, but lately, I've been focusing more on other things—like work and spending time with you and Alex."

Carina smiles warmly, clearly impressed. "Well, that's quite an accomplishment. I'm really glad you're sharing it with me."

Carina looks at Maya with genuine curiosity. "So, what were the Olympics like? I can only imagine the experience."

Maya takes a deep breath, her gaze drifting as she recalls the memories. "It was incredible, honestly. The energy was electric, and the whole atmosphere was just... intense. There was a mix of excitement and pressure. Competing on that stage, knowing that athletes from all over the world were there, was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking."

Carina nods, listening intently. "That sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. What was the most memorable part for you?"

Maya smiles, her eyes lighting up with the recollection. "The opening ceremony was something else. Seeing all the different countries come together, each with their own unique cultures and traditions—it was like a celebration of humanity. And then, of course, standing on the podium when they put the medal around my neck. That moment felt surreal. It was a culmination of years of hard work."

Carina's eyes are filled with admiration. "I can't even imagine how proud you must have felt. Did you get to meet any other athletes or celebrities?"

Maya chuckles softly. "Yeah, I met a few athletes from other sports. It was nice to share stories and experiences with them. And there were some celebrities in the stands, which was pretty cool. But honestly, the best part was the camaraderie with other athletes who understood what it took to get there."

Maya laughs softly, a playful glint in her eyes. "You know, I never really thought about it this way, but my penthouse has kind of become a reminder of my Olympic experience. I used all the money I got from my sponsors, saved everything I could, and then came back home to Seattle and bought this place."

Carina chuckles, looking around with appreciation. "Well, it's a pretty amazing reminder. It must feel great to have a space that's so connected to such a significant achievement."

Maya nods, her smile widening. "Yeah, it does. It's like a tangible representation of all the hard work and dedication I put in. Every time I walk through the door, I'm reminded of how far I've come and what I've accomplished."

Carina reaches out, gently touching Maya's hand. "That sounds absolutely incredible. I'm so glad you're sharing this with me. It really helps me understand you better."

Maya squeezes Carina's hand gently, feeling a deepened connection. "I'm glad I can share it with you too. It's been a significant part of my life, and talking about it with someone who cares means a lot to me."

Alex and Ethan come bounding up to Maya, Carina, and Mia, who has just returned from her work call. Alex's eyes are alight with excitement as he proudly holds up a small frog cupped in his hands. "Look what we found! I caught it all by myself!"

Ethan, grinning widely beside Alex, adds, "We found it near the swings! Isn't it awesome?"

Carina's face momentarily contorts in a look of disgust as she glances at the frog, clearly not thrilled by the squirming creature. She wrinkles her nose, mutters, "Ugh, I'm not sure I'm a fan of frogs."

Maya, on the other hand, is intrigued and smiles warmly at Alex. "That's so cool, Alex! I used to catch frogs when I was little too. It's one of my favorite childhood memories."

Alex's face lights up even more at Maya's enthusiasm. "Really? That's awesome! Do you have any tips for taking care of him?"

Maya crouches down to get a better look at the frog, her excitement mirroring Alex's. "Well, you want to make sure he has a nice place to stay for now. A little habitat with some water and a few plants would be perfect. But don't forget, frogs need to go back to their home after a while."

Ethan nods vigorously, clearly excited by the idea. "Yeah, let's make him a home here at the park!"

Mia, watching from a distance, chuckles softly at the interaction, noting the contrast between Carina's aversion and Maya's genuine interest. Carina, though still a bit put off, softens at the sight of Maya engaging so enthusiastically with Alex and Ethan.

As the group begins to gather materials to create a makeshift habitat for the frog, Carina gives Maya a sidelong glance, her expression a mix of amusement and affection. "I suppose this means Alex is going to catch more critters in the future."

Maya, her gaze still focused on Alex and Ethan's efforts, nods in agreement. "Absolutely. It's all part of the adventure."

As Mia and Ethan bid farewell, promising to meet up again soon, Maya, Carina, and Alex head over to a local deli for lunch. The afternoon sun casts a warm glow over the streets as they make their way, Alex chattering excitedly about the frog and his plans for its habitat.

Once they arrive at the deli, Maya holds the door open for Carina and Alex, letting them enter first. The cozy interior of the deli, with its checkered tablecloths and the aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meats, feels welcoming. They find a booth near the window, giving Alex a good view of the outside while they settle in.

As they look over the menu, Maya turns to Carina with a playful smile. "So, any favorites here? I've heard their sandwiches are amazing."

Carina glances over the menu and then back at Maya. "They do have a great reputation. I'm thinking of trying the pastrami on rye. Alex usually loves their grilled cheese."

Alex, having already spotted a favorite, eagerly adds, "Yeah, and they have the best pickles ever! Can I have extra pickles, please?"

Maya laughs, nodding. "Sure thing, extra pickles it is."

Carina places their order with the server, and as they wait, Alex, munches on a bowl of chips, occasionally glancing up to share snippets of his adventures.

Carina looks at Maya with a hint of curiosity. "So, I hope we aren't taking you away from other plans today."

Maya grins, leaning back in her seat. "Nothing other than some Netflix and take out."

Carina's eyes soften, and she reaches out to gently squeeze Maya's hand. "I'm really glad we've been able to spend this time together. It means a lot to me."

The server arrives with their meals, and the conversation naturally shifts to savoring the delicious food. Alex eagerly digs into his grilled cheese and pickles, his earlier excitement now replaced by contentment.

Alex eagerly launches into a flurry of stories and observations, his energy barely contained. As he munches on his grilled cheese and picks at his extra pickles, he chatters away about everything that comes to mind.

"Did you know that frogs can jump really high?" Alex starts, his eyes wide with excitement. "I saw one do it at the park! It was like a super high jump. And you know what else? I think frogs are like superheroes because they can catch bugs with their tongues!"

Maya chuckles at Alex's enthusiasm, nodding along. "Sounds like you had quite the adventure with that frog."

Alex's eyes light up, and he continues, "Oh, and Ethan and I found a really big rock by the playground. We tried to lift it, but it was too heavy. I think maybe it's a magic rock and it has superpowers or something."

Carina smiles, clearly amused by Alex's endless stream of imagination. "A magic rock, huh? That sounds pretty cool. Maybe it'll grant you some superpowers."

"Yeah!" Alex agrees, his eyes twinkling. "And then we can be superheroes together. Oh, and Maya, did you ever catch any big frogs when you were little? Or maybe find a magic rock?"

Maya nods, engaging with Alex's enthusiasm. "I did catch some frogs, but I never found a magic rock. But it sounds like you and Ethan are on your way to discovering some cool stuff."

Carina and Maya listen with rapt attention, their smiles never fading. Alex's excitement was contagious, and they both appreciate the joy he brings to the conversation.

As they continue eating, Alex's chatter doesn't let up. He talks about his favorite toys, the games he plays with his friends, and even how he's learning new words in Italian, much to Carina's delight. Each new topic is delivered with the same unbridled enthusiasm that makes it clear he's excited about every little thing.

Carina and Maya exchange amused glances, enjoying the lively company. Alex's constant stream of words, though relentless, adds a vibrant energy to their lunch. The laughter and animated conversation make for a warm and memorable meal, one that solidifies the bond they're building together.

Back at Carina's apartment, the atmosphere is relaxed as Maya and Carina settle into the living room while Alex is in his room, absorbed in his toys. The day's events have left them both feeling content, but there's a new layer of conversation to address.

Carina starts the discussion, her voice thoughtful as she looks over at Maya. "I've been thinking about us, and about Alex. I really want to keep our new relationship quiet from him for now."

Maya nods, understandingly. "I agree. It's important to be mindful of his feelings and adjust things gradually. How do you think we should approach this?"

Carina leans back on the couch, considering her words carefully. "I think it might be best to just let things evolve naturally. For now, we can keep our interactions private and not make a big deal out of it around Alex. It might be confusing for him if we suddenly start acting differently."

Maya takes a sip of her drink, nodding in agreement. "That sounds like a good approach. We can continue to build our relationship and make sure it's solid, and when the time feels right, we can talk to Alex about it. It's important to me that he feels secure and understands that this is a positive change."

Carina smiles, appreciating Maya's sensitivity. "Exactly. I want him to see that we're happy and that things are stable. It'll help him adjust better if we take it slow and steady."

Maya reaches out and takes Carina's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I'm here for you, and I'm committed to making this work in the best way for Alex. We'll navigate this together."

Carina looks at Maya with a mix of relief and affection. "Thank you. I really appreciate your understanding and patience. It means a lot to me."

Maya smiles warmly. "Of course. We're in this together, and I'm excited about what the future holds for us."