Maya had just finished her shift, and she couldn't help but feel excited as she pulled into the parking lot of the Academy Sporting Goods store. The whole time she was there, all she could think about was how thrilled Alex would be when he saw the soccer ball and goal she'd bought for him. It felt good to do something special for him, to encourage his newfound interest in sports. She knew he'd be over the moon.
After picking up the soccer setup that was just the right size for Alex, Maya hurried back to Carina's apartment, eager to see him. She imagined they'd spend the afternoon practicing his kick, laughing together like they always did. But as soon as she walked in, Maya knew something wasn't right.
The first thing she noticed was Alex sitting on the couch, staring at the TV with wide eyes. He looked small, almost frightened, and his usual excited energy was nowhere to be seen. When he saw her, he jumped up and ran toward her as fast as his little legs could carry him, his face a mix of relief and worry.
"Mommy!" Alex exclaimed, his voice a little shaky as he threw his arms around her. Maya knelt down to his level and scooped him up, holding him tightly. She could feel his tiny body trembling slightly, and alarm bells immediately went off in her head.
"What's going on, buddy?" Maya asked softly, trying to keep her voice calm as she looked around the apartment.
That's when she saw Carina pacing in the kitchen, her back turned toward them as she spoke loudly in Italian on the phone. Maya could hear the stress and emotion in Carina's voice as she gestured with her hands, clearly upset about something. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and the sound of her rapid Italian filled the space with tension. Maya's heart clenched, but she kept her attention on Alex for the moment.
Alex buried his face in her shoulder, his voice muffled but scared as he whispered, "I don't know what happened. There was a piece of paper on the front door when we got home, and Mamma started crying."
Maya's stomach dropped, and she kissed the top of Alex's head, trying to comfort him while processing what was going on. She tightened her grip on him, her protective instincts kicking in immediately.
"Shh, it's okay, buddy. I'm here now," Maya whispered, doing her best to stay calm for Alex's sake. She glanced over at Carina again, still pacing and gesturing as she spoke rapidly on the phone. Whatever had happened, it had clearly shaken her to her core.
Maya rubbed Alex's back soothingly and walked over to the couch, sitting down with him in her lap. She kept her eyes on Carina, waiting for her to finish the call, but her heart was racing. What could have been on that piece of paper to cause this reaction? And why hadn't Carina called her?
A few minutes later, Carina ended the call, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. She still looked visibly upset, her breathing uneven as she tried to calm herself. When she finally turned around and saw Maya sitting there with Alex in her arms, her face softened with a mixture of relief and exhaustion.
"Maya," Carina breathed, her voice breaking slightly as she walked over to them. Her eyes were still red and puffy from crying, and her hands were trembling.
Maya stood up, keeping Alex close as she moved toward Carina. "What happened?" she asked gently, her voice filled with concern. "Alex told me there was a piece of paper on the door?"
Carina nodded, her breath hitching as she tried to compose herself. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, handing it to Maya with shaking hands.
Maya looked at Carina's tear-streaked face and then down at the note in her hand, her heart sinking as she re-read the words. The message was from the landlord. The building had been sold, and the new owners were giving Carina 60 days to vacate the apartment. They were planning to tear it down to build something new.
Maya felt a surge of frustration and sympathy for Carina. This apartment had been their home—Carina and Alex's safe haven since they moved to Seattle, the place where they'd started building their life together. And now, with barely any notice, they were being told to leave.
Carina wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, her voice shaky as she spoke. "I didn't know… I didn't see this coming. We don't have anywhere else to go right now, and with work and Alex's preschool… I don't even know where to start."
Carina leaned back on the couch, looking exhausted and overwhelmed by the prospect of moving in such a short time. Maya, watching her, felt a pang of guilt. She hated seeing Carina stressed like this, especially when there might be a solution right in front of them.
She hesitated for a moment, thinking it through. This wasn't something she had planned on suggesting so soon, but with everything that had happened—the deepening of their relationship, their bond as a family, and how much she had grown to love Carina and Alex—it felt like the right time. She took a deep breath before speaking.
"I'm so sorry, Carina," Maya said softly, setting the note aside and wrapping her arms around her. She pulled her close, feeling Carina's body relax into her embrace as she rested her head on Maya's shoulder. "I know this is sudden and awful, but we're going to figure this out. You're not alone in this, okay?"
Carina sniffled, wiping away a tear as she nodded. "It's just... this was our home, you know? I thought we'd be here for a while, especially with Alex settling in."
Maya hugged her tighter, kissing the top of her head. "I know, babe. But maybe this is the universe giving us a sign. A chance for a fresh start."
Carina leaned back slightly, looking into Maya's eyes, searching for reassurance. "What do you mean?"
Maya smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind Carina's ear. "Well... I was thinking. You know I have the penthouse—the one I never really use because I spend most of my time here with you and Alex. It's a four-bedroom place, more than enough room for the three of us. We could move there, make it our new home together."
Carina blinked, surprised by the offer. "Your penthouse? But that's... it's your space. I don't want to intrude—"
"You wouldn't be intruding," Maya interrupted gently, her voice firm but kind. "I want us to move there together. You, me, and Alex. It's a big place, and it's just sitting empty most of the time. Why not turn it into our home? A real home for our family."
Carina's eyes softened as she processed what Maya was offering. It wasn't just a place to live—it was an invitation to take the next step in their life together, to fully merge their worlds in a way that felt permanent and intentional.
"You really mean that?" Carina asked, her voice filled with a mix of emotion and disbelief.
"Of course I do," Maya replied, taking Carina's hand and squeezing it gently. "I love you, and I love Alex. And I want us to have a home where we can build our future together. The penthouse is just a place until you and Alex are there. Then it'll be home."
Carina's eyes filled with fresh tears, but this time they were tears of gratitude and love. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead to Maya's, her breath shaky as she whispered, "Thank you, Maya. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Maya smiled, wiping away one of Carina's tears with her thumb. "You'll never have to find out, because I'm not going anywhere."
They sat there for a moment, the weight of the day lifting as the promise of a new beginning settled over them.
"So, what do you say?" Maya asked after a few moments of silence. "Want to start packing and get ready for our new place?"
Carina laughed softly, her heart feeling lighter as she nodded. "Yes. Let's make the penthouse our home."
Maya kissed her gently, her lips lingering as if sealing the promise they had just made. "Good. Because I can't wait to see what the next chapter of our life together looks like."
After the intense emotions from the news about their apartment, Maya could feel the weight lingering in the air. She knew Carina needed some time to process everything, but she also wanted to lift the mood and bring some lightness back to their evening, especially for Alex.
"Hey," Maya said softly, turning to Carina. "I have something that might cheer us all up, especially Alex. Why don't we take a break from all this and focus on something fun?"
Carina looked at her, a little curious. "What do you have in mind?"
Maya grinned, her eyes brightening. "I picked something up earlier today—thought it might be fun to surprise Alex. Why don't you and I go grab him?"
Carina's expression softened as she nodded, clearly appreciating Maya's effort to bring some joy into their day. "Sure, let's do it."
Together, they walked into Alex's room, where he was happily playing with his toys. When he saw them enter, his face lit up with excitement. "Mommy! Mamma! What are we doing?"
Maya smiled, crouching down to his level. "How would you like to practice some soccer?"
Alex's eyes widened with excitement. "Soccer? Really? Like the book we read?"
"Exactly!" Maya said, standing up and motioning for him to follow her. "I got you something special to help you practice."
Alex practically jumped up from his spot, following Maya and Carina into the living room. Maya went out to her Jeep and pulled out a small soccer goal and a brand-new soccer ball, holding them up with a grin.
"Ta-da!" Maya said, her tone playful as she walked back into the living room. "I thought we could set this up outside and get in some practice."
Alex's eyes went wide with delight, and he bounced up and down with excitement. "Wow, Mommy! A soccer ball and a goal! Can we play now? Please?"
Carina chuckled softly, watching the pure joy radiating from Alex. She exchanged a look with Maya, grateful for her partner's thoughtfulness. "I think some soccer practice is exactly what we need right now."
"Then let's do it!" Maya said, already heading toward the back door. "Come on, buddy!"
They set up the goal in the backyard, with Alex eagerly waiting to kick the ball. As soon as everything was in place, Maya passed the ball to Alex. "Alright, champ, show us what you've got!"
With a determined look on his face, Alex kicked the ball as hard as he could, sending it straight toward the goal. The ball rolled in, and he jumped in the air, throwing his arms up. "I scored! I scored!"
Both Maya and Carina cheered for him, clapping and laughing as Alex ran around the yard, filled with pride. "That's right! You're a natural, buddy!" Maya called out, beaming at him.
Carina watched from the side, her heart swelling as she saw how easily Maya had managed to shift the energy of the evening. The earlier stress seemed to melt away as the three of them enjoyed their time together, laughing and cheering as Alex continued practicing his new favorite sport.
By the end of the impromptu practice session, Alex was out of breath but grinning from ear to ear. "That was so fun, Mommy! I love soccer!"
Maya smiled, pulling him into a hug. "I'm so glad, buddy. We'll have plenty more practice sessions, I promise."
Carina joined them, placing her hand on Maya's back and looking at Alex fondly. "You're going to be an amazing soccer player, tesoro."
Alex nodded, his energy still buzzing. "I can't wait!"
The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the room as Maya and Carina lay side by side, the warmth of the day finally settling into a quiet evening. The sound of Alex's soft breathing drifted from his room down the hall, and for the first time that night, everything felt calm.
Maya turned onto her side, watching Carina as she absentmindedly played with the edge of the blanket. "How are you feeling?" Maya asked gently, her voice soft and filled with concern. "I know today was kind of... a lot."
Carina let out a deep breath, her eyes drifting up to meet Maya's. "It was a lot," she admitted quietly. "But I'm feeling better now. You always know how to help me calm down."
Maya smiled, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind Carina's ear. "I'm glad I could help."
After a beat of silence, Maya's curiosity got the best of her. "I noticed earlier you made a call before I got home. Who were you talking to?"
Carina hesitated for a moment before responding. "I called Gabrielle, my best friend from Italy."
"Gabrielle?" Maya asked, her interest piqued. "I don't think you've mentioned her much before. Tell me about her."
Carina smiled at the thought of her friend, memories of their friendship flooding her mind. "Gabrielle and I have been best friends since high school. We've been through everything together. She's one of the few people who really knows me."
Maya nodded, sensing that there was more to the story. "It sounds like you two are really close."
Carina's smile softened, and she glanced down at the blanket, her fingers tracing a small pattern on the fabric. "We are. And... I should probably tell you something. Gabrielle and I were more than just friends for a while."
Maya's eyes widened slightly, her curiosity piqued even further. "More than friends?" she asked gently, not wanting to push but clearly intrigued.
Carina nodded, letting out a small sigh. "We had sex in college. It was... it just happened. We were close, and things got complicated for a while. But after that, we realized we were better as friends, and that's what we've been ever since."
Maya took a moment to process Carina's words, her expression thoughtful but not upset. "That's... interesting," she said slowly, her tone even. "How do you feel about it now?"
Carina met Maya's gaze, her expression sincere. "It's in the past. Gabrielle and I are just friends—nothing more. She's like family to me, and that's all. I wanted to be honest with you because I don't want there to be any secrets between us."
Maya nodded, appreciating Carina's openness. "I'm glad you told me. It's not a big deal. We all have our pasts, right? What matters is that you're being honest with me now."
Carina's expression softened with relief. "Exactly. I just didn't want you to be surprised if Gabrielle ever comes up again."
Maya smiled, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Carina's forehead. "Thank you for trusting me with that. I'm not worried about it. I'm just glad you have someone like Gabrielle in your life."
Carina let out a quiet laugh, her tension easing. "She's a good friend. And now you know everything."
Maya chuckled softly, pulling Carina closer into her arms. "Well, I'm glad I know about your past now. But as far as I'm concerned, I'm the one who gets to hold you at night."
Carina grinned, resting her head against Maya's shoulder. "You're the one I want to hold me."
The room was quiet and peaceful as Maya and Carina lay close together, the earlier stresses of the day having melted away in the comfort of their conversation. As they both thought about the upcoming changes, Maya turned to Carina with a thoughtful expression.
"Hey," Maya began softly, her fingers brushing gently through Carina's hair. "How about this week, we take a look at our schedules and plan a weekend to start moving?"
Carina's eyes brightened slightly at the suggestion. "That sounds good. I've been thinking about it all evening. I just want everything to feel settled as soon as possible."
Maya nodded, her voice filled with warmth and understanding. "I'll get you a set of keys tomorrow. That way, if you want to start running over a few things early, you can. No rush, though."
Carina smiled, appreciating Maya's thoughtfulness. "I was thinking… Maybe we could paint Alex's room before we move his things over. You know, get everything ready so it feels special for him when he sees it for the first time."
Maya's heart swelled at the suggestion. "That's a great idea. We can make his room really fun, something that feels like his own space."
Carina nodded, clearly excited. "I want him to feel at home from the moment we walk in. We could pick out some new furniture and maybe even a few superhero decorations."
Maya chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind Carina's ear. "That's perfect. And don't forget—this place is going to be just as much yours as it is mine. You have free reign to change or redecorate anything you want."
Carina raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her lips. "Anything?"
Maya laughed, holding up a hand. "Okay, almost anything. My home gym and study are off-limits, but everything else? Totally yours to transform."
Carina laughed, nudging Maya lightly. "Carte blanche, huh? I'll try not to turn the whole penthouse into an Italian villa."
Maya grinned, leaning in to kiss Carina's forehead. "Honestly, I wouldn't mind a little Italian flair. As long as we're doing it together, that's what matters to me."
Carina's eyes softened at Maya's words, and she snuggled closer. "Thank you for making this feel like our home. I can't wait to start this new chapter with you."
Maya smiled, pulling her closer. "Neither can I. It's going to be perfect."