As Maya carried Alex into the hospital, his small body nestled securely in her arms, she could feel him gripping the bouquet of flowers tightly in his hands. He seemed both excited and nervous, his little brow furrowed as they made their way through the entrance.
Maya glanced down at him, her voice gentle but firm. "Hey, buddy," she said softly. "I just want to remind you that when we get to Mamma's room, she might still have some tubes and other things attached to her that might look a little scary, okay? But remember, they're there to help her get better."
Alex nodded slowly, his grip on the flowers tightening a bit as he looked up at her with wide, trusting eyes. "Okay," he whispered. "I remember."
Maya smiled warmly, leaning down to kiss the top of his head as they continued through the hospital corridors. She was doing her best to reassure him, even though a part of her was still anxious about how Carina would be doing today. After everything they'd been through, she just wanted to see her partner recovering.
When they finally reached Carina's room, Maya took a deep breath and opened the door gently, stepping inside with Alex in her arms. The room was quieter than it had been the day before, and to Maya's relief, Carina looked significantly better. The oxygen mask that had been on her face was gone, and although there were still a few tubes connected to her, the color had returned to her cheeks, and she seemed much more alert.
The moment Carina saw them walk into the room, her tired eyes lit up with joy. Her face softened into a smile as she saw Alex carrying the bouquet of flowers. "Tesoro," she whispered, her voice still weak but full of warmth. "Look at you."
"Mamma!" Alex said, his voice full of excitement as he wiggled in Maya's arms, trying to get closer to Carina. "I brought you flowers to help you feel better!"
Maya smiled softly, carefully setting Alex down on the side of Carina's bed. He leaned forward, placing the bouquet gently beside her, his little face filled with pride.
Carina's eyes filled with tears, though they were happy ones. She reached out with her uninjured hand, gently stroking Alex's hair. "Thank you, amore," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "They're beautiful. Just like you."
Alex beamed at the praise, his eyes glancing down at the tubes attached to Carina. For a moment, he looked a little unsure, but then he remembered what Maya had told him. "These things are making you feel better, right?" he asked, pointing at the IV and other medical equipment nearby.
Carina nodded softly, her smile reassuring. "Yes, tesoro," she said. "They're helping me heal. And with these beautiful flowers, I'll feel even better."
"Alex," Carina said softly, reaching out her hand toward him, "would you like to sit on the bed with me?"
Alex hesitated, glancing nervously at the tubes and medical equipment still attached to his mother. His little hand squeezed Maya a bit tighter. "I don't want to hurt you, Mamma," he said quietly.
Carina's heart swelled with love for her little boy. "You won't hurt me, tesoro," she reassured him, her voice tender. "I'm okay. I'd love for you to sit with me."
Alex still looked unsure, his gaze shifting back to Maya for confirmation. "Mommy… what do you think?" he asked, his voice small and tentative.
Maya's heart skipped a beat again at the word "Mommy," still feeling a mix of surprise and warmth each time he called her that. She looked at Alex, her face filled with love and reassurance. "I think it's a great idea, bud," she said softly. "Mamma would love to have you close. And don't worry, I'll be right here too."
Alex looked at Maya, the trust in his eyes evident, and finally nodded. With Maya's help, he climbed carefully onto the bed beside Carina, making sure to avoid the tubes and equipment. Once he was settled, Carina gently wrapped her arm around him, holding him close as if he were the most precious thing in the world.
Carina's eyes, however, still held a trace of curiosity as she looked back at Maya. "Mommy?" she asked softly, raising an eyebrow in surprise. It wasn't something she had expected to hear Alex say, and it caught her off guard.
Maya smiled, standing up to sit on the edge of the bed near both of them. She chuckled lightly, glancing at Carina with a warm and slightly sheepish look. "Yeah," she said softly, "that's a new development as of this morning."
Carina's face lit up with a soft smile, her eyes filling with emotion as she looked between Alex and Maya. "And… are you okay with that?" she asked, her voice gentle. "I mean, 'Mommy' is a big thing."
Maya nodded, her smile growing as she met Carina's gaze. "Honestly?" she said quietly. "It makes me happy. I wasn't expecting it, but hearing him call me that… It feels right. Carina," Maya said gently, her voice soft but thoughtful, "are you… okay with Alex calling me Mommy?"
Carina looked at her, her tired eyes reflecting nothing but love and understanding. She reached out to take Maya's hand in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Maya," Carina began, her voice filled with warmth, "you've been a part of our lives in such a special way. Alex loves you, and you've been so wonderful to him. If he feels comfortable calling you 'Mommy,' it's because you've earned that place in his heart."
Carina paused for a moment, her gaze softening further as she looked over at Alex, who was now resting peacefully beside her. She gently stroked his hair, her smile growing. "You're already like a second mother to him, and if that's what he wants to call you, then yes, I'm absolutely okay with it."
Maya felt a wave of relief and emotion wash over her. She had wanted to be sure that Carina felt the same way, and hearing her say those words meant the world. "It just kind of happened this morning," Maya admitted with a small smile. "I wasn't expecting it, but… it makes me happy."
Carina smiled, a loving light in her eyes. "It makes me happy too," she whispered. "I'm so grateful that Alex has you. We both are."
Maya leaned in and kissed Carina softly on the lips, feeling the connection between them strengthen even more. When they pulled back, Carina reached up to gently caress Maya's cheek.
As Alex snuggled up closer to Carina, his small body fitting perfectly against hers, he looked up at her and then at Maya. "Mommy, can I watch a TV show on the iPad?" he asked, his voice soft but filled with the typical curiosity of a child.
Maya smiled warmly at him and nodded. "Of course, buddy," she said, reaching into her backpack that she had brought along. She pulled out the iPad and quickly unlocked it, opening up his favorite show. After pepping the iPad, she handed it to Alex, making sure he was comfortable.
"Here you go," Maya said softly, patting his head. "Enjoy your show."
Alex gave her a big smile before settling back against Carina, his attention quickly captured by the colorful characters on the screen. The room grew quiet, filled with only the sounds of the hospital machines and the soft murmur of the TV show playing.
With Alex engrossed in his show, Carina turned her attention back to Maya. She gently stroked Alex's hair, and then looked up at Maya with a mixture of relief and exhaustion in her eyes. "I've been meaning to update you on my condition," Carina said, her voice calm but still a bit hoarse from the ordeal.
Maya shifted closer, her hand gently resting on Carina's. "Tell me everything," she said softly, her concern evident in her tone.
Carina smiled weakly and took a deep breath. "The doctors say I'm doing much better than they expected after the accident," she began. "The head wound is healing nicely, and the swelling in my lungs has gone down. The broken arm will take some time, but they're confident I'll make a full recovery."
Maya's eyes softened as she listened. "That's good to hear," she said, squeezing Carina's hand gently. "I've been so worried about you."
Carina nodded, her smile growing a bit wider. "I know, amore," she said softly. "But the doctors are optimistic. They think if I keep improving like this, I should be able to go home in a day or so."
Maya's heart lightened at the news. "Really? That's amazing," she said, her relief evident. "I can't wait to have you home."
Carina chuckled softly. "I can't wait to be home," she admitted. "I'm tired of these hospital beds, and I miss being with you and Alex in our own space."
Maya nodded, her eyes glinting with love and understanding. "We've missed you too," she said softly. "But I'm just so happy you're healing. That's the most important thing."
Carina's eyes filled with gratitude as she looked up at Maya, her heart swelling with love. "Thank you for everything," she whispered. "For taking care of Alex, for being here with me… I couldn't have done this without you."
Maya leaned in and kissed Carina's forehead softly, her heart full of love. "I'll always be here for you," she said gently. "You and Alex are my world."
Maya leaned closer to Carina, her voice soft but filled with determination. "I've decided to take time off until further notice," she began, gently brushing a strand of hair from Carina's face. "I've accrued a ton of PTO, and I want to be here with you and Alex. I also touched base with Alex's preschool, so they know what's going on. Everything's taken care of there."
Carina smiled gratefully, reaching for Maya's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, amore," she said softly, her eyes filled with appreciation. "You've done so much already."
Maya returned the smile, her heart full. "Is there anything else I can do for you?" she asked, genuinely wanting to help in any way she could.
Carina thought for a moment, her expression shifting slightly as she remembered something. "Actually, yes," she said. "I need a new phone. When Vic brought my purse from the accident last night, my phone wasn't in it. I'm guessing it got lost during the crash, and I haven't had a chance to call anyone since then."
Maya nodded, her brow furrowing with concern. "Of course," she said quickly. "I'll pick up a new phone for you today, and we'll get everything sorted out."
Carina smiled, relieved. "Thank you. I've been feeling a bit cut off without it. And I know I'll need it when I'm discharged."
Maya nodded, leaning in to kiss Carina's forehead gently. "Consider it done," she said with a reassuring smile. "I'll handle everything. And if you think of anything else, just let me know, okay?"
Carina nodded, her eyes softening as she looked up at Maya. "I will. You've been amazing, Maya. I don't know how I would've gotten through this without you."
Maya kissed her softly, brushing her fingers along Carina's cheek. "I'll always be here for you," she whispered. "No matter what."
Carina rested quietly, Alex still snuggled against her, his attention on his show. The room was peaceful for a while until there was a soft knock on the door. Maya smiled as she looked up to see Captain Andy Herrera standing in the doorway with her signature warm grin.
"Hey," Andy said softly as she stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room. "How's everyone doing?"
"Andy!" Carina greeted her warmly, her face lighting up. "We're doing much better, thank you for coming by."
Maya stood from her seat, giving Andy a quick hug. "Perfect timing," Maya said with a smile. "Actually, I was just about to run an errand for Carina. Do you think you could stay with them for a bit?"
Andy smiled and nodded immediately. "Of course," she replied, glancing over at Carina and Alex. "I've got it covered. Go do what you need to do."
Maya kissed Carina on the forehead and bent down to give Alex a quick kiss on his head. "I'll be back soon, buddy," she said softly before grabbing her things and heading out.
Maya drove to the local AT store, determined to get Carina a new phone as quickly as possible. The store was busy, but Maya didn't mind the wait, knowing how important it was for Carina to have her phone back.
Once it was her turn, Maya explained the situation to the sales associate. She picked out the latest iPhone for Carina and felt a sense of relief as she finally held it in her hands. But when she asked for it to be activated, the associate shook his head politely.
"I'm sorry," the associate said gently, "but since you're not on the account, I can't activate it for you. Carina will have to add it remotely. She can do it online or by calling in once she has the phone."
Maya could feel frustration bubbling up inside her. After everything they had been through, this small roadblock felt like another unnecessary complication. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. She knew the AT employee was just doing his job, and she didn't want to take out her stress on him.
"Alright," she said, exhaling softly. "Thanks for your help. I'll give this to her, and we'll handle it."
The associate smiled apologetically. "Thank you for understanding. I'm sure it'll be a quick fix."
Maya nodded, giving him a small smile before leaving the store. As she walked back to her car, she took another deep breath, reminding herself that the important thing was that she had the phone. They could figure out the rest later.
On the drive back to the hospital, Maya's thoughts turned back to Carina and Alex. She knew how much they had been through, and all she wanted was to make things easier for them. As she neared the hospital, she realized they might be getting hungry. She pulled out her phone and dialed Andy's number.
"Hey," Andy answered after a few rings.
"Hey," Maya said, her voice lightening now that she was almost back. "I've got the phone for Carina, but I was wondering—do you and Carina and Alex want me to grab some lunch on the way back?"
Andy chuckled softly on the other end of the line. "That sounds like a great idea. Alex hasn't stopped talking about how hungry he is, and I think Carina could use something more substantial than hospital food."
Maya grinned. "Perfect. I'll grab something. Any requests?"
"Carina mentioned pasta earlier," Andy said. "Maybe something like that? And get Alex his favorite—he deserves it."
Maya laughed softly. "Pasta it is. I'll pick up something good."
After hanging up with Andy, Maya stopped by a nearby Italian restaurant, picking up a few different pasta dishes, including Alex's favorite spaghetti and meatballs. She made sure to get plenty of food and drinks before heading back to the hospital, feeling more relaxed now that everything was falling into place.
When Maya returned to the hospital, Andy was still sitting beside Carina's bed, chatting casually with her while Alex looked up from his iPad with a huge grin as soon as he spotted Maya.
"Mommy!" Alex called out happily. "Did you bring lunch?"
Maya laughed softly, walking over to him. "I sure did, bud," she said, leaning down to kiss his head. She handed Andy and Carina their meals, then opened up Alex's, placing his spaghetti and meatballs on the table beside the bed.
As they all settled in to enjoy the lunch Maya had brought, the room filled with a comforting warmth. Carina was eating her pasta, looking much more relaxed now that she had a proper meal. Alex, his face lit up with excitement as he dug into his spaghetti and meatballs, glanced up at Maya with a big smile.
"Mommy," Alex called out happily, some sauce smeared on his cheek, "this is the best spaghetti ever!"
Maya's heart swelled at the sound of him calling her "Mommy" again. She grinned, leaning down to wipe the sauce from his face with a napkin. "I'm glad you like it, bud," she said warmly.
But as soon as the word "Mommy" left Alex's mouth, Maya noticed Andy's head jerk up slightly, her eyes widening just a bit in surprise. She quickly masked her reaction, but Maya saw the subtle curiosity in her friend's expression.
"Mommy, huh?" Andy said playfully, raising an eyebrow at Maya, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
Maya gave a small chuckle, her cheeks flushing just slightly. She leaned back in her chair and gave a light shrug. "Yeah, that's a new thing," she said softly, her eyes flicking to Carina, who smiled warmly, clearly proud of how naturally it had come to Alex.
Andy's expression softened, her playful smile shifting into something more tender. "That's amazing," she said genuinely, her eyes filled with warmth as she glanced between Maya, Carina, and Alex. "I guess that makes it official—you're one lucky 'Mommy.'"
Maya smiled, feeling her heart swell with both pride and love. "I guess I am," she replied softly, her gaze resting on Alex as he happily continued eating his food.
Carina reached over and squeezed Maya's hand gently, her smile filled with affection. "He's been calling her that since this morning," Carina explained to Andy. "It's been… special."
Andy nodded, her face softening with understanding. "I can see that," she said quietly. "You three are a beautiful family. It's amazing to see."
Maya felt a rush of gratitude at Andy's words, and she smiled at her friend. "Thank you," she said, her voice full of emotion. "It means a lot."
Andy stood up and stretched, giving them all one last smile before heading toward the door. "Well, I'll leave you guys to enjoy your lunch," she said. "And seriously, Maya, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me."
Maya nodded, her heart full. "Thanks, Andy," she said warmly. "We will."
As lunch wrapped up, Maya helped clear away the empty containers, smiling as Alex happily finished the last of his spaghetti. Carina was sitting up a bit more now, her color looking better as she carefully unboxed her new iPhone. She was focused on setting it up, her fingers moving gingerly over the screen as she began the process of activating it. Maya couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at how well Carina was recovering, despite everything they had been through.
Just as Carina was finishing the initial setup, the door to the room swung open, and Amelia Shepherd stepped inside with a warm smile. Her presence immediately brought a sense of calm and familiarity to the room.
"Well, look at you," Amelia said as she approached Carina, her eyes scanning her friend. "You're looking better already."
Carina smiled warmly, glancing up from her new phone. "I'm feeling better," she admitted softly. "Still a bit sore, but much better than yesterday."
Amelia nodded, moving closer to Carina's bedside as she grabbed a pair of gloves from a nearby dispenser. "That's great to hear," she said. "But let me check out that head wound to make sure it's healing properly."
Maya shifted slightly to give Amelia space, her protective instincts still heightened as she kept a close eye on Carina and Alex. Alex, now engrossed in a coloring book Maya had given him, seemed content, though his occasional glances at Carina indicated that he was still worried about his mom.
As Amelia carefully inspected Carina's head, she chatted with the couple. "So, new phone, huh?" Amelia asked, raising an eyebrow as she gently lifted Carina's hair to get a better view of the wound.
Carina smiled. "Yes, my old one disappeared in the accident," she explained. "Maya got me a new one today."
Amelia chuckled softly. "Good thing," she said. "I can't imagine you being without your phone for long."
Carina laughed lightly, wincing slightly as Amelia pressed gently around the wound. "I know, right? It feels strange not being able to check on things at work."
Amelia rolled her eyes playfully. "You're supposed to be resting, Carina," she said with a teasing grin. "Not worrying about work."
Maya chimed in with a smirk. "Exactly," she said. "I'll keep reminding her of that."
Amelia laughed, her hands gentle as she finished her examination. "Well, the wound looks good," she said. "There's still some swelling, but it's definitely going down. I'll keep an eye on it, but you should be fine to go home soon."
Carina sighed in relief, looking over at Maya with a smile. "That's good news," she said, her voice soft with gratitude.
Maya nodded, her eyes softening as she met Carina's gaze. "Very good news," she said warmly. "I can't wait to get you home."
Amelia smiled at the two of them, clearly happy to see Carina on the mend. She turned her attention to Alex, who had been quietly observing the interaction. "And how's this little guy doing?" she asked, her voice softening as she crouched down next to him.
Alex looked up at her with a shy smile, holding up his coloring book. "I'm coloring," he said proudly.
Amelia smiled, gently ruffling his hair. "That's great, Alex," she said. "You're doing a great job taking care of your mom."
Alex beamed at the compliment, his face lighting up with pride.
As Amelia stood back up, she looked between Carina and Maya, her expression turning serious for a moment. "You two are doing great," she said softly. "But don't forget to take care of yourselves too, okay? This has been a lot, and you need time to recover as a family."
Maya nodded, her expression grateful. "Thanks, Amelia," she said sincerely. "We will."
Amelia smiled warmly, giving Carina's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I'll check on you again later," she said. "But for now, take it easy, okay?"
Carina nodded, her smile filled with affection. "I will," she promised.
"Mamma," Alex said softly, his voice hesitant but full of curiosity. "What's all this stuff?"
Carina smiled gently, understanding that his young mind was trying to make sense of everything that had happened. She reached out and took his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Tesoro," she said softly, "it was a very scary accident, but you and I were very lucky. The doctors and nurses have been taking good care of me, and all of this…" she gestured toward the IV and medical equipment, "is helping me get better."
Alex's eyes widened as he looked at the IV bag. "What's in that bag?" he asked, pointing at it. "Does it hurt you?"
Carina chuckled softly, shaking her head. "No, it doesn't hurt," she reassured him. "That bag has special medicine and fluids that help my body heal. It goes into my arm through this little tube." She showed him the IV line attached to her hand. "The doctors use it to make sure I'm getting everything I need to feel better."
Alex nodded, seeming to absorb the information. "And your head?" he asked, his voice quieter. "Did it get hurt really bad?"
Carina sighed softly, her eyes filled with warmth as she looked at him. "Yes, my head got hurt in the accident," she said gently. "When the car rolled, I hit my head, and that's why I have this bandage here." She lightly touched the bandage on her head, careful not to press too hard. "But the doctors have been taking good care of me, and they're making sure it heals properly."
Alex seemed to consider this for a moment before looking up at Carina with wide, serious eyes. "I was really scared, Mamma," he admitted softly, his voice trembling just a bit. "When the car crashed and you didn't wake up… I didn't know what to do."
Carina's heart broke a little at his words. She gently pulled him closer, wrapping her good arm around him. "Oh, tesoro," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that. But you were so brave. You stayed safe, and you did everything you could. I'm so proud of you."
Alex snuggled into her side, his small body relaxing as she held him close. "I just wanted you to wake up," he whispered.
Carina kissed the top of his head, her heart aching for what he had experienced. "I know," she said softly. "But I'm here now, and I'm getting better. And we're going to be okay."
Alex nodded, seeming reassured by her words. He pulled back slightly to look at her again, his eyes still curious. "Are you going to have the bandages and the medicine for a long time?" he asked.
Carina smiled, shaking her head gently. "No, not for too long," she said. "The bandages will come off as I heal, and I won't need the medicine forever. Soon, I'll be able to come home with you and Mommy, and we'll get back to our normal routine."
Alex brightened at that, his eyes lighting up. "Really?" he asked excitedly. "You're coming home soon?"
Carina nodded, her smile widening. "Yes, really," she said. "The doctors think I'll be able to go home in a day or so."
Alex grinned, his mood visibly lifting. "That's good!" he said, clearly relieved.
Maya, who had been quietly observing the conversation, felt her heart swell with pride at how brave Alex was being. She leaned in closer to both of them, gently brushing a hand over Alex's head.
"You did such a great job asking questions, buddy," Maya said softly. "It's okay to be curious, and we're always here to help you understand things."
Alex smiled up at her, his little face filled with gratitude and love. "Thanks, Mommy," he said sweetly.
As they continued to sit together, Alex's curious eyes shifted from the IV to Carina's arm. He hadn't noticed it earlier, but now his gaze lingered on the cast that wrapped around her arm. His brow furrowed with concern.
"Mamma," Alex said softly, pointing at the cast. "What happened to your arm? Does it hurt?"
Carina smiled gently, shifting slightly so Alex could get a better look. "I broke my arm in the accident," she explained, her voice calm and reassuring. "That's why I have this cast on. It helps keep my arm safe while it heals. It doesn't hurt as much anymore, thanks to the doctors, but I have to be careful with it."
Alex's face softened with understanding, but then he shifted in the bed, wincing slightly as he moved his leg. His expression quickly changed from curious to uncomfortable, and he looked up at Maya with a small frown.
"Mommy," he said quietly, his voice tinged with pain, "my leg hurts again."
Maya's heart immediately went out to him. She had been prepared for this, knowing that with Alex's broken leg, the discomfort would come and go. Without hesitation, she reached for her backpack and pulled out a small bottle of children's Tylenol.
"Here we go, buddy," Maya said softly, kneeling down beside him. She quickly opened the bottle and poured the correct dosage into the cap, then handed it to Alex along with a small bottle of water she'd brought with her.
"Take this, and it'll help your leg feel better soon," she reassured him, her voice warm and soothing.
Alex took the Tylenol and water without complaint, trusting Maya completely. He swallowed the medicine, wrinkling his nose a bit at the taste, but he quickly drank the water afterward and smiled up at Maya.
"Thanks, Mommy," he said softly, his voice still a little strained but filled with gratitude.
Maya smiled warmly at him, gently brushing her hand over his hair. "You're welcome, bud," she said softly. "Your leg should start feeling better soon. But if it still hurts later, you let me know, okay?"
Alex nodded, leaning back against Carina as he seemed to relax a bit more. "Okay," he said quietly.
Carina, watching the interaction, smiled gratefully at Maya. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with love and appreciation. "You're always prepared."
Maya chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Just doing what I can," she said modestly.
"Have you called your mother yet?" Maya asked softly, her voice gentle but curious. She knew how close Carina was to her mother, Lucia, and how worried Lucia would likely be once she heard about the accident.
Carina let out a small sigh, glancing at her newly set-up phone. She shook her head slightly and offered a sheepish smile. "Not yet," she admitted. "I've been meaning to, but everything's been so hectic. Now that I finally have a phone again, I plan to call her this evening."
Maya nodded, understanding how overwhelming the past few days had been for Carina. She squeezed Carina's hand gently. "I'm sure she's going to want to hear from you," Maya said softly. "She'll be relieved to know you're okay."
Carina smiled at that, though there was a hint of hesitation in her expression. "I know," she said quietly. "She's going to be worried, but I didn't want to scare her too much until I knew I was in the clear. Now that I'm feeling better… I'll give her a call."
Maya nodded, leaning in to kiss Carina's forehead. "She'll just be glad to hear your voice," she said gently. "And if you want me to talk to her, I'm happy to help."
Carina smiled warmly at Maya's offer. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with affection. "I may take you up on that."
Maya chuckled softly and gave Carina's hand another squeeze. "Whenever you're ready," she said with a supportive smile. "But don't wait too long. You know how mothers can be."
Carina laughed softly at that, nodding in agreement. "Yes, I do," she said, her voice lightening. "I'll call her tonight—before she flies over here without telling me."
Maya grinned, leaning back in her chair as they shared a small moment of laughter. Even in the midst of everything, the little moments of humor and connection helped to ease the tension.
Carina looked over at Alex, who was now dozing off after the Tylenol had taken effect. Her heart swelled with love as she took in the sight of her son, safe and resting peacefully beside her.
As the afternoon wore on, Carina's eyelids began to grow heavy, her body finally giving in to the exhaustion of the past few days. She shifted slightly in the bed, her good arm still resting protectively around Alex, who had already drifted off into a peaceful slumber. Maya noticed the way Carina's head dipped, and with a gentle smile, she reached over and tucked the blanket more securely around them both.
"You should rest," Maya whispered softly, brushing a light kiss against Carina's temple. Carina offered a small, sleepy smile in response before closing her eyes completely, allowing herself to relax fully.
With both Carina and Alex now asleep, the room grew even quieter, the rhythmic hum of hospital machines becoming the only background noise. Maya sat back in her chair and let out a deep breath. She glanced at the peaceful expressions on Carina and Alex's faces, her heart swelling with love. A sense of calm washed over her, knowing that, for the moment, they were all together and safe.
Seeing the opportunity for a moment of rest herself, Maya leaned back in her chair and shut her eyes. She didn't intend to sleep deeply—just a quick nap to regain some energy. The stress and emotional weight of the last few days had caught up to her, and she finally allowed herself to let go, even if only for a short while.
The nurses came in and out of the room quietly, attending to their necessary tasks with the utmost care. They seemed to understand the delicate balance of the moment, making sure not to disturb the small, sleeping family. Their movements were gentle, their voices hushed as they checked Carina's vitals, adjusted the IV, and peeked in on Alex. Each time they entered, they smiled at the sight of the three of them resting, recognizing the peace that had settled over the room.
Maya's brief nap allowed her to recharge, though she remained alert, her mind always half-conscious of her surroundings. She could hear the soft shuffling of nurses' shoes and the occasional beeping of machines, but none of it felt intrusive. Instead, it was a reminder that they were being looked after, cared for by a team that understood the importance of their healing.
Time passed slowly, but peacefully, the quiet afternoon stretching into early evening. Eventually, the soft sounds of Carina stirring brought Maya fully awake. She blinked her eyes open, stretching slightly in her chair as she noticed Carina's sleepy eyes fluttering open.
"Hey," Maya whispered softly, smiling as she reached out to touch Carina's hand. "Feel better?"
Carina smiled back, her voice still thick with sleep. "Much better," she said quietly, her gaze drifting to Alex, who was still sound asleep beside her. She let out a soft sigh of contentment before looking back at Maya. "You got some rest too, I hope?"
Maya nodded, her eyes warm and loving. "A little," she admitted. "We all needed it."
Carina chuckled softly, the sound light and filled with affection. "Yes, we did," she agreed. She gently stroked Alex's hair, her heart swelling with gratitude for these quiet moments of recovery and peace.
As the peaceful stillness of the room lingered, Alex suddenly began to stir, his small body twitching restlessly against Carina. His face scrunched up as if caught in the throes of a bad dream. A soft whimper escaped his lips, quickly escalating into a frightened cry as he woke up abruptly. In his disoriented state, he flailed his arms, and one of them accidentally struck Carina's injured arm.
Carina winced, instinctively pulling away as pain shot through her arm. She inhaled sharply but quickly swallowed the discomfort, focusing on Alex, who was now wide awake and crying.
"Mamma!" Alex sobbed, his voice filled with fear and confusion. Tears streamed down his face as he reached out, unsure of what had just happened. "Mamma, I'm scared!"
Maya, immediately alert, rushed to his side and scooped him up into her arms, holding him close to her chest. "Shh, it's okay, buddy," she whispered soothingly, rubbing his back in small, comforting circles. "You're safe. It was just a bad dream."
Carina, despite the pain radiating through her arm, reached over with her good hand to stroke Alex's hair. "It's okay, tesoro," she said softly, her voice full of warmth and reassurance. "You're safe. We're both here with you."
Alex sniffled, still trembling as he clung tightly to Maya, his little fingers clutching the fabric of her shirt. His breathing came in short, hiccuping gasps as the remnants of his nightmare continued to grip him.
Maya continued to soothe him, her voice calm and steady. "We've got you, Alex," she whispered, kissing the top of his head. "Whatever scared you, it's gone now. You're with us, and we're not going anywhere."
Slowly but surely, Alex's breathing began to calm, his sobs turning into soft sniffles as he relaxed in Maya's comforting embrace. He peeked over at Carina, his eyes wide and worried. "Did I hurt you, Mamma?" he asked quietly, his voice filled with guilt.
Carina, though still in pain, smiled gently at him, shaking her head softly. "No, sweetheart," she lied, her voice filled with love. "You didn't hurt me. I'm okay."
Maya, sensing that Carina was in more pain than she was letting on, gently guided Alex to sit beside her on the bed. "How about we cuddle here for a bit?" she suggested, pulling Alex closer to her while still staying within arm's reach of Carina.
Alex, his tears finally subsiding, nodded and snuggled into Maya's side, still keeping one small hand wrapped around Carina's fingers for reassurance. "I'm sorry, Mamma," he whispered again, his voice small and apologetic.
Carina leaned over, brushing a soft kiss against his forehead. "You don't need to be sorry, tesoro," she whispered. "Nightmares are scary, but we're here, and we'll always keep you safe."
Alex looked up at her, his tear-filled eyes now showing a hint of a smile. "Promise?" he asked softly.
Carina smiled, her heart full. "Promise," she whispered back, her good hand gently caressing his cheek.
Maya leaned in closer, wrapping her arm around both of them, feeling the warmth of their family connection. "We're all here for each other, buddy," she said softly. "Always."