4. CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
There had only been one call throughout the entire shift, a small fire from a laundromat a few blocks away from Station 19. When the team got back they ate frozen pizza and then hit their bunks. Before and after shift, Andy couldn’t help but keep an eye on her best friend, making sure she is okay. The lieutenant can tell that Maya has been dealing with this new development…sort of.
The next day is spent finishing up chores before the end of shift. While the rest of the team finishes cleaning the bunks and kitchen, Gibson and Miller are wiping down the rigs one last time before end of shift. As Jack makes one last rub on the back of the truck, Andy makes a beeline to him and grabs him by the arm.
“Come on.” Andy snipes as they quickly leave a confused Miller behind.
“What is it?” Jack asks as Andy drags him from the barn towards the captain’s office.
“We’ve gotta check on Maya.” Andy explains.
Jack stops her in her tracks. “It’s the end of shift, she’s probably finishing paperwork.”
“Just come on.” Andy says annoyed as they carefully tip toe close to the window to get a better look.
Jack looks in the window and shrugs his shoulders. “She’s just sitting there.”
“No she’s not.” Andy hisses as she watches her friend starring at the outside window in her office…lost in thought. “She is running in her head.”
“What?” Jack asks confused.
“She does this...more now.” Andy goes on to explain. “She is trying not to run away from things anymore…so she runs in her head now a lot more.”
“This can’t be good.” Jack says.
Andy shakes her head. “No, this is a good sign.”
“It is?” Jack asks.
Andy just nods her head. “If she was killing herself on the treadmill I would be more worried.”
Jack lets out a snort. “Bishop should come with a manual.”
“Like you are the picture of stable mental health.” Andy scoffs sarcastically.
“Okay, ouch.” Jack says as he clutches his chest before clarifying. “But of course not.”
“That’s why she needs us right now.” Andy says as he motions at the two of them with her hand. “We can get down and messy with her.”
“What?” Jack asks amused at the wording.
Andy rolls her eyes and slaps him on the arm. “Ewe, don’t be gross.”
“I’m kidding.” Jack says before looking back at their captain. “I know what you mean. We get Bishop.”
“We do.” Andy agrees before glancing back at the window where she notices Maya has gone back to her paperwork. “Okay, we can go in…she’s back.”
Jack raises an eyebrow at Andy. “From her mental jog.”
“Yes.” Andy says as she knocks on the captain’s door before opening it up. “Captain.”
Maya looks up and notices both Gibson and Herrera in her office. “Is there a problem?”
“Nope, we just came to check on you.” Andy explains.
“I’m good.” Maya says quickly but not convincingly.
“Okay…we are going to just close this door.” Jack says before closing the door behind them and turning back to Maya. “And talk as us.”
“I’m good Gibson.” Maya snipes as she continues with her reports.
“Are you?” Andy asks tentatively before pointing to the outside window. “You weren’t just running in your head just now.”
Maya knowing there is no sense in lying to Andy gives in. “I am trying to stay calm…for Carina.”
“Well, Carina’s not here.” Andy says as she looks around the office before going to take a seat across from Maya. “You want to throw something?”
“Here.” Jack says grabbing a book off the shelf before going to take a seat next to Andy. “Throw this.”
“I want…” Maya sputters out.
“You want...” Andy urges, wanting her to continue.
Maya lets out a groan and drops her pen down on her desk. “I want to freak out.”
“Finally, this is good.” Andy says motioning to her friend to get on with it. “Freak out.”
Maya glares at her friend in confusion. “You told me that I didn’t need the answers…that it will all be okay.”
“You don’t need the answers and it will all be okay.” Andy repeats confidently.
Maya annoyed starts waving her hand around. “Then why do you want me to freak out?!”
“I don’t want you to do something wreck less to blow up your entire life.” Andy explains before pointing her hand to Jack next to her. “Exhibit A.”
Jack rolls his eyes and brushes her hand away. “Thanks for that.”
“But your feelings are valid and you should express them freely.” Andy continues on to her best friend. “In a healthy matter.”
Jack nods his head and notices Andy again looking at him. “Stop looking at me.”
“This is crazy, kinda!” Maya exclaims into the air as she rubs tiredly at her face. “Right!”
“Definitely.” Andy says.
“I am going to have a baby in my house….a baby.” Maya starts to ramble on. “I bought a crib.”
Andy smirks at the admission. “You did?”
“Cherry wood.” Maya adds.
“Solid choice.” Jack says before noticing a weird look from Andy. “It is.”
“And there are boxes of stuff in my living room.” Maya rambles on as she finally lets her thoughts spill out of her mouth. “Stuff that I’m going to have to figure out how to put together.”
Andy just nods her head. “Okay.”
“So much stuff and everything is so cluttered.” Maya says to herself before nursing a tension headache that is starting to come up. “It’s all so cluttered.”
“You can clean it up…things can be organized.” Jack says.
“And Carina and I were just married…and before that we were just moving in together…and before that we just got back together.” Maya says as she runs through everything in her mind before laughing out in discomfort. “This is like warp speed.”
“It is.” Andy says before letting out a smile and shrugging her shoulders. “But that’s also life, you know.”
“And I almost lost my post…” Maya goes on to sputter out thoughts. “And now I am going to put child rearing on top of that….it’s crazy right.”
“Not necessarily.” Jack says as he adjusts himself on the chair. “Look at Miller…he is crushing it and he’s all alone.”
“That’s true...you and Carina have each other.” Andy agrees.
“Yea, you guys are good.” Jack says nodding his head. “You can handle this.”
“I freaked out over French toast and vagina art.” Maya tells Andy knowing she’ll get it. “And now there’s going to be baby thingies.”
“That was a long time ago.” Andy reassures her best friend. “You have evolved.”
Maya just shakes her head not truly believing that before letting out a shaky breath. “I don’t want to get upset over soda.”
“You won’t get upset over soda.” Andy says firmly remembering back on the story Maya told her about her dad and the soda.
“I just don’t want to let anybody down.” Maya sighs.
Andy shakes her head. “You won’t.”
“I let people down all the time.” Maya argues back.
“You are not perfect, you make mistakes.” Jack says honestly to his friend. “But I wouldn’t say you let people down.”
Maya not believing this shakes her head and points at the two across from her. “You two are really going to sit there and tell me I’ve never let you down.”
“We have all done things we regret…we’re humans…messy humans.” Andy says.
Jack nods his head. “We’re messy Bishop…but we’re not broken.”
Maya looks up at this statement and her heart drops in her chest. She remembers that night she ran away from Carina and in to Jack’s arms. The two firefighters had said horrible things to one another before falling in bed together. He called her broken…she knew he was right. But now she can see in his eyes that, they are not those same people.
“You are not broken.” Jack repeats before pointing his finger at Maya. “You got this.”
Andy nods her head. “And we got you.”
“I haven’t even met her yet.” Maya whispers out loud.
“Well you should.” Jack replies with a grin. “I bet she’s cute.”
Maya just nods her head and lets out a long breath before looking up at her closest friends in appreciation. “Thanks guys.”
The fire captain sits there for a moment to take it all in…gather her thoughts. She again turns her eyes from her paperwork to the window. When Jack and Andy see this they start to get worried again.
Jack leans closer to Andy. “Is she running in her head again?”
“I don’t know.” Andy says unsure.
“Go to work, please!” Maya exclaims through a laugh, motioning them to get out of her office right before the alarms go off.
Dispatch: Engine 19, Ladder 19, Aid Car 19. Auto Collision, Baker Drive. Unidentified substance on scene.
“One more call before end of shift.” Jack says as he quickens his step to the barn.
“Looks like it.” Andy says after him as Maya catches up to her. “Good?”
Maya nods her head as they head to the barn. “Good.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over at Grey-Sloan hospital, Carina is standing outside the nursery in the peds unit watching Ginetta through the window. After making her rounds with her patients throughout the morning she headed up to the nursery to spend time with Ginetta. They spent the afternoon playing with plastic rings and knocking down tiny towers built from blocks.When a nurse came in to feed Ginetta she fell asleep almost immediately and was put down for a nap. Carina had every intention of leaving to go back to work…but instead she found herself outside the window watching the girl sleep.
Her focus is zeroed in so much that she doesn’t notice a certain doctor walking up to her.
“Hello Dr. DeLuca.” Meredith says as she goes to stand by the doctor in front of the nursery window.
Carina greets back. “Hello Dr. Grey.”
“Is that her?” Meredith asks as she points to the sleeping baby in a crib against the wall.
“Yes.” Carina says as her lips turn upwards warmly. “She just went down for a nap.”
“She is beautiful.” Meredith states.
“She is.” Carina agrees as she feels her eyes start to water a bit. “She has his eyes.”
“She does?” Meredith asks with a smile before letting out a soft hum. “I always liked his eyes.”
“Yea.” Carina says as she wipes at her watery eyes. “Me too.”
“Has Hayes said when she can be released?” Meredith asks.
Carina nods her head with a big smile. “The day after tomorrow.”
“That’s great.” Meredith says.
“She is doing well.” Carina goes on to explain. “We just need to work on getting her weight up…she is small for her age.”
“Well it’s a good thing she is going to have a professional at home.” Meredith says with a smirk.
Carina breaks out in a laugh. “I guess that is correct.”
Meredith smiles back before looking back at the baby. “Her hair is identical to yours.”
“I don’t know about the mother but the Italian genes are strong in that one.” Carina says.
“Of course they are.” Meredith chuckles heartily. “DeLuca genes none the less.”
Carina laughs back and gazes back on the little girl in the nursery. “She’s a fighter…and probably quite stubborn like her…”
Meredith looks to Carina who trails off sadly before nodding her head. “Yea.”
Carina takes a moment before letting out a sigh and running her hands through her hair. “I now realize we never talked about Andrea.”
“Well…I was in a coma when he died.” Meredith gently reminds letting the doctor off the hook.
Carina shrugs her shoulders slightly. “This is true…we should have talked.”
“It’s okay.” Meredith assures the Italian.
“I’m sorry that you didn’t get to say goodbye.” Carina adds.
Meredith lets out a sigh and goes back to staring at the baby. “I did…actually.”
“Cosa?” Carina confused turns to Meredith.
“This is going to sound weird, and I know that but….” Meredith says gently trying to figure out how best to say this without sounding crazy. “I saw Andrew in my dreams or subconscious…I saw him.”
“You did?” Carina asks.
Meredith nods her head and closes her eyes to think back on the memory. “He said he didn’t regret it and that it’ll be okay…it’ll all be okay.”
Carina lets out a breath as her eyes start to water again. “Wow.”
“Then he ran to his mother…your mother.” Meredith finishes.
“Hai visto mia mamma?” Carina asks as a tear falls down her cheek. (You saw my mama?)
Meredith nods her head gently and offers a small smile. “She had shoulder length hair and she was wearing a flowing dress with a tan sweater…she was beautiful.”
“Oh my god.” Carina mumbles under her breath, thinking this is unbelievable.
“I’m sorry if this is weird…but I did.” Meredith stammers on nervously before taking a breath to continue. “I saw them walk away together.”
“Meredith, it’s not weird…it’s beautiful.” Carina tells her colleague as she again wipes at the tears running down her face. “Thank you.”
“He meant that message for you too…it’ll be okay.” Meredith tells the other woman. “He wouldn’t want anybody else taking care of her.”
“How do you know that?” Carina asks showing her vulnerability and insecurities.
Meredith just reaches over and takes her hand in hers. “Because you took care of him.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The call went smoothly and there were no fatalities and no major causalities. The only real injury was one of the drivers who split his forehead open from the steering wheel. Maya commanded the scene as always and everybody was relieved when the unknown substance turned out to be fry grease from a local diner that was being transported and disposed.Andy finishes one last sweep of the scene before giving the nod to Maya that everything is accounted for. She looks to Warren and Gibson who are on Aid car and tending to the patient before calling out to the rest of the team.
“Alright team! Let’s head on home!” Maya instructs as she motions for them to leave.
“Finally!” Hughes cheers as she holds up her hand in victory.
“Gibson get that hand checked out at the hospital after drop off.” Maya says to her lieutenant.
When Gibson was trying to get the door open with the jaws of life, the door slipped and he cut his hand on a jagged piece of metal that was sticking out.
“Yes Cap.” Jack says as he watches Ben bandage his hand up before heading out.
Travis lets out a long breath and wipes at his face. “Thank god shift is over.”
“I just want to see my kid and watch SportsCenter on the couch.” Miller adds.
“I want cheeseburgers and Chinese food.” Hughes says.
“Yes!” Travis cheers as he closes the hatch on the fire truck. “Fries and potstickers!”
“I’m in.” Jack says before noticing the stare coming from Captain Bishop. “I mean, after I get my hand checked out.”
Warren nods his head and checks in with their patient in the back who is waiting to be transported after getting his head wrapped from the massive gash. “Let’s get going.”
“Go to Barry’s for burgers and The Blue Lantern for the best fried rice.” Hal says after hearing the firefighter talk about their plans, wanting to chime in.
Hughes snaps her fingers and points to their victim in the back of the aid car. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Hal says with a smile before turning to Warren. “Do you think all this blood will get out of my shirt?”
“Let’s get you to Grey-Sloan.” Warren says as he and Jack help him up into the Aid car before getting ready to close the door.
“Wait!” Maya calls out to the guys before they leave. “I’m going with you.”
“You got it Cap.” Warren says as he jumps in the back with their patient.
Maya nods her head and then walks over to Andy by the truck. “Can you cover for me back at the house?”
“Absolutely.” Andy says with a smile before clapping her gently on the arm. “We’ll even get your car back to your place.”
“You’re the best.” Maya says before jogging over to the Aid car where she hops into the passenger’s seat.
They make their way quickly to the hospital and when they pull up a group of nurses and Dr. Hel mare already waiting for them in order to grab the patient. Dr. Helm reaches over and opens the ambulance hatch.
“We have Brent Supper, 22 year old male.” Ben says as he hops out of the back.
“Looks like a pretty good cut there.” Dr. Helm says.
“Laceration to the forehead, showing signs of a mild concussion.” Warren explains as they help him down from the ambulance.
“Did he lose consciousness?” Dr. Helm asks as she and the nurses help him into a wheel chair.
Warren shakes his head. “Not that we know of.”
“Thanks Warren.” Dr. Helm says before the nurses wheel him off in to the ER to get him stitched up and complete a final evaluation.
“You got it.” Warren says as Jack and Maya walk up to him.
“I’m gonna go upstairs.” Maya tells the two firefighters before pointing to Jack. “Go get that hand checked out.”
“I can do it.” Dr. Helm tells Jack before motioning him to follow her.
“Thank you.” Jack says to Helm before calling after Maya who is walking away. “Maya!”
Maya turns around to face her lieutenant. “Yeah?”
“Good luck.” Jack says.
“Thanks Jack.” Maya says back before walking towards the side doors of the hospital where the guest elevators are located.
Maya walks into the hospital and after checking in with the front desk to make sure she knows where she’s going, gets on the elevator. She rides the floors up before getting off on the peds floor. She makes a brief stop at a sink in the corner to wash her hands before continuing the search. Maya hesitantly looks around and makes her way down the hallway, only stopping to catch her breath from nerves. When she sees the nursery at the end of the hallway she quickens her step and walks up to the window.
She looks in and immediately her eyes land on a sleeping baby in one of the cribs. Somehow she knows that she has found what she was looking for. Dr. Hayes who was in another room checking on a patient walks over to see who is standing in the middle of his wing.
“Can I help you?” Hayes asks.
Maya caught off guard jumps a little before stuttering nervously. “Uhh…I’m just here to--”
“You’re Captain Bishop.” Hayes says with a smile finally noticing the SFD t-shirt and coveralls.”
Maya just nods her head relieved at the save. “Yes.”
“Congratulations by the way.” Hayes says pointing to the chain around Maya’s neck where he is guessing holds a wedding band.
Maya grabs hold of the chain and smiles. “Thanks.”
Like many people in their professions they wear their wedding rings around their necks while on duty, to keep each other close to their hearts.
“Carina’s downstairs with a patient I believe.” Hayes says.
“Yea, I’m actually here to see uhh…the baby.” Maya stammers on nervously. “If that’s okay.”
Hayes nods his head immediately. “It’s more than okay.”
“It is?” Maya questions surprised, half expecting to get turned away.
“Of course it is.” Hayes repeats before pointing in to the nursery. “She’s the only one in there at the moment.
Maya hearing this takes another look before turning back to him sharply. “She’s in there all alone.”
“Only when she sleeps it seems.” Hayes defends quickly. “She has the nurses in this department wrapped around her finger.”
Maya content with this answer looks back through the window. “Has she been napping long?”
“She actually just went down again.” Hayes goes on to explain. “The extra nutrients we are giving Ginetta make her pretty sleepy.”
“Right.” Maya says remembering Carina telling her something about the extra supplements needed to help with her iron levels. She then takes a breath and swallows the lump in her throat before pointing inside. “Can I?”
“Please.” Hayes says as he uses his key card to open up the door. “I’ll be around if you need me.”
“Thanks…” Maya trails off before shooting out a guess. “Dr. Hayes?”
Hayes nods his head and touches his chest. “Cormac.”
“Maya.” Maya says back before slowly making her way into the nursery.
She walks over and can feel her pulse racing when she finally arrives at the crib with the sleeping baby.
“Oh my god.” Maya says under her breath at the sight of the little girl.
The baby is curled up with her knees pressed against her tummy and her little thumb barely grazing her lips. Maya can see her eyes fluttering a bit behind her eyes lids and hopes she is having good dreams.
“Wow.” Maya says with a quiet chuckle. “You are bellissima.”
She starts to reach down to touch the baby but then decides against it when she gets close enough to graze her arm, not wanting to wake her up from her nap.
“I just came to say hi.” Maya suddenly getting more and more nervous. “And to introduce myself…Captain Maya Bishop. It’s nice to meet you Ms. DeLuca. We’ll have to do this again sometime…when you’re awake.”
Maya gives her one last glance before walking away. However, she only gets a few feet away when she quickly walks back to the child and bends down into the crib…hoping on some level that she can hear her.
“I just want you to know that I’m freaking out….but I’m not freaked out.” Maya says to the sleeping baby wanting to clarify her position to the infant. “If that makes sense.”Finally getting a tiny bit of courage she reaches her hand down and brushes at her soft brown hair. She smiles briefly before straightening herself up.
“Okay, I’ll see you later kid.” Maya whispers back before making a quick exit from the nursery.
She quickly walks away from the peds unit and manages to get herself to the OB/GYN floor where she quietly slips into her wife’s office. Maya figures that her wife is with a patient and takes a seat on the couch to wait. As she sits and waits the firefighter starts twiddling her thumbs thinking back on…everything. She sits deep in thought for about twenty minutes before the door swings open and her wife appears.
Carina gets started noticing someone on her couch until she sees that it is her wife and immediately she relaxes. “Bambina!”
“Dr. DeLuca.” Maya greets back as she gets up from the couch to greet her wife properly.
“Are you okay? What are you doing here?” Carina asks starting to get concerned. “I thought you’d be home by now.”
“Gibson and Warren had to drop off a patient.” Maya says as he softly kisses her Carina. “I hitched a ride.”
Carina nods her head and runs her hands down Maya’s arms. “I’m sorry if you’ve been waiting long, I was with a patient.”
“It’s okay.” Maya assures her wife before taking a breath. “I…uhh…went to the nursery in peds.”
“You did?” Carina questions quietly.
Maya just nods her head. “Yup.”
“And?” Carina asks urging Maya to continue.
“She was sleeping.” Maya informs her wife with a slight smile.
Carina nods her head slowly before tilting it to the side. “Are you okay?”
“I introduced myself and told her I would be back once she is…awake.” Maya explains further.
“That would be nice.” Carina says through a laugh she can’t contain at the formal introduction she is sure the baby got from the fire captain. “How did it feel…seeing her?”
“It was good.” Maya says as she thinks back her cute little nose and soft brown hair. “She is beautiful.”
“She is isn’t she?” Carina agrees as she scrunches up her nose. “Like a crazy amount.”
“Must be the DeLuca genes.” Maya giggles as she wraps her arms around Carina’s waist.
“That’s what Meredith, Dr. Grey said.” Carina says while she wraps her arms around Maya’s neck.
“She’s right.” Maya says.
Carina rests her forehead against Maya’s for a second before starting to play with the back of her ponytail with her fingers. “How do you feel about taking her home?”
Maya exhales a long breath to truly think about her answer. “I feel…good.”
“Maya…can you use maybe a different word.” Carina says urging her wife to truly talk to her. “You keep saying good.”
Maya just sighs and holds on tighter to Carina. “I feel nervous…but good.”
“This is a big change.” Carina says.
“Yes…but…we got this.” Maya replies back.
“Mmmm.” Carina hums simply before palming her hands around the back of Maya’s neck. “Bambina I need you to talk to me.”
“Honey.” Maya says before placing a kiss on her forehead. “I’m good.”
Carina instantly turns to mush at the term. “I like it when you call me Honey.”
“I know.” Maya whispers before leaning towards Carina’s lips. “Can we go home?”
“Si.” Carina says before closing the gap and kissing her wife. “We can go home and continue our conversation.”
“Or….” Maya drawls as she grabs Carina’s jacket from the coat rack. “We can stop by that diner by our house and get all the fries.”
“I love fries.” Carina says with a grin as she grabs her bag from her desk before allowing her wife to help put on her jacket.
“I know.” Maya laughs knowingly. “And then we can start going through the boxes of baby stuff.”
“Speaking of baby stuff…I ordered some clothes.” Carina says as they both step closer to the door. “Can we stop by Nordstrom’s to pick up my order?”
Maya raises an eye brow at her wife. “Just baby clothes?”
“And a sweater for me.” Carina says giving in before noticing the stare still coming from her wife. She lets out a groan and shrugs her shoulder as she opens the door. “Two sweaters for me.”
“Lead the way Dr. DeLuca.” Maya laughs as they walk out of the office.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few hours later Carina and Maya find themselves sitting in their living room surrounded by baby things...feeling extremely overwhelmed. They had good intentions on eating their food and getting started but all that ended up happening was the eating. They ate their fries and then spent the next hour and a half starring at the boxes…not sure where to even begin. The doctor starts to slowly fold the baby clothes they got from the store as Maya contemplates trying to put together the crib or the pack and play…neither sounded like smart choices at the moment. Before they can continue in their awkward silence there is a knock on the door.
Maya looks at her wife for a second to see if she was expecting anyone but by the surprise look concluded that she wasn’t. She then hops up off the floor with Carina and goes to the door. When she opens it she finds Miranda and Ben on the other side.
“What are you guys doing here?” Maya asks surprised.
“Miranda and I just wanted to check in on you.” Ben goes on to explain. “We know that this has all been a lot.”
“If this is too much we can drop off these groceries and leave…” Miranda says before glancing behind Maya and noticing the cluttered boxes and baby things everywhere.“However, I am really good at organizing…please let me organize.”
“Go for it.” Maya laughs as she invites their friends in.
“Thank you Chief.” Carina says sincerely before giving Miranda a hug.
“I’m gonna go put these in your fridge.” Ben says as he motions towards the kitchen. “We stole some of that special formula from the hospital they’ve been giving Ginetta.”
“It’s not stealing…it’s my hospital Benjamin.” Miranda snaps.
“Yes Dear.” Ben drawls with a smirk before holding up his other hand. “We also brought wine.”
“È un miracolo!” Carina cheers. (It’s a miracle!)
Maya rolls her eyes and holds up her hand. “That’s a bit dramatic.”
“I disagree.” Carina says grinning back at her wife before calling after Ben. “The wine glasses are in the glass hutch Warren!”
Ben calls back. “I’m on it!”
Miranda takes off her jacket and looks around the place. “Mmmmm.”
“What is she doing?” Maya asks her wife.’
Carina bites back a laugh. “Assessing the situation…she does the same thing in the OR.”
“Let’s go to work.” Miranda says with a clap of her hands before she heads into the living room to go through the boxes.
“Is this okay?” Carina asks her wife…not wanting her to get too overwhelmed with everything.
“Yea.” Maya says with a smile before wondering the same thing about Carina. “Are you okay?”
“Yea.” Carina says with a smile. “I’m glad we have friends.”
Maya smiles back before leaning over to kiss Carina on the cheek. “Me too.”
“Do you two have a label maker?!” Miranda calls from over by the kitchen table.
“Oh no.” Carina sighs.
“Please don’t let her label all of our belongings.” Maya pleads into her wife’s ear.
“I am on it.” Carina says before rushing over.
Maya watches her wife walk away thoroughly amused but before she steps away there is another knock at the door. Again she is completely caught off guard. Now who could this possibly be? She opens the door to find the rest of Station 19 in the hallway.
Maya opens her mouth speechless. “What in the world?”
“We come bearing beer and power tools.” Dean says as he holds up an electric drill in one hand and a six pack in the other.
“We don’t want to overstep.” Travis says cautiously before smiling. “But we are here to help if you want.”
Jack nods his head and clicks his teeth. “Not to brag but we put together Pru’s crib in under 15 minutes.”
“And we’re looking to beat our time.” Dean adds with a smile.
Maya can’t help but get sentimental at the sight of her family when she moves to the side so they can enter. “Come on in.”
Jack and Miller head straight in with all of their supplies as Travis steps by Maya and leans closer. “Is Carina…feeling happy about this?” he asks cautiously, “Or is this like her brother dying all over again.”
“There are definitely emotions but she’s happy.” Maya explains but then motions Travis to go on. “Go give her a hug.”
“Carina!” Travis yells out in Maya’s ear before walking in.
“Owe.” Maya says as she nurses her ear while Hughes walks in with a laugh.
“Travis is straight for your wife.” Hughes laughs.
“I know.” Maya nods knowing this is absolutely true.
Carina sees Travis and holds out her arms for a hug. “Il mio amico!” (My friend!)
“I’m happy that you’ve found each other.” Travis says as he closes his arms around the Italian.
Carina says sincerely. “Thank you Travis.”
“We’re here for whatever you need.” Hughes adds as she also wraps her arms around Carina bringing them in a tight group hug.
Carina instantly laughs. “Thank you Victoria.”
Back at the door Maya turns to Andy who finally makes her way in the apartment. “Hey. Thanks again for covering for me and getting my car back here.”
“Of course. Is this okay?” Andy asks knowing that in some cases this could be overwhelming for her best friend.
“More than okay.” Maya says firmly so Andy believes her. “Thank you for reminding me that we have a village.”
“You have a massive village.” Andy assures Maya before pointing nodding her head back. “Which also includes a bunch of doctors behind me.”
“What?” Maya asks confused as she looks out the door where a couple of people are making their way towards them down the hallway. A smile breaks out and she leans back into the apartment to get the attention of her wife. “Carina!”
Carina rushes over to the door and places her hand on the small of Maya’s back. “Yes Bambina?”
Maya simply points to the hallway and Carina instantly sees her friends making their way to their door. She immediately notices them holding more bags and food on top of what they have already gotten them. Maya squeezes Carina’s arm and offers a smile before giving them some space.
“You guys.” Carina drawls.
“We just came to check on you and see if you need anything.” Teddy says shrugging her shoulders. “Jo is parking the car.”
“Haven’t you done enough?” Carina says with a small chuckle. “The packages, all the stuff is really amazing.”
“We love you and we’re here to help.” Amelia says.
“If you want.” Teddy says holding up her hand not wanting to overstep. “I am excellent at sorting and organizing toys by function and projected use.”
“I can eat your food and fold baby clothes….sort of.” Amelia deadpans. “But we brought Wilson who we can make figure out how to put in a car seat for you.”
“I have a house full of firefighters including my wife.” Carina laughs before squinting her eyes at her friends. “That is one thing we have covered.”
“Hey!” Jo cheers as she finally makes it to the door before handing a stuffed animal Carina. “Here.”
Carina grabs hold of the stuffed blue seal wearing a yellow rubber hat. “Wilson, this is very sweet.”
“She’s a cute kid, she deserves cute toys.” Jo says with a shrug of her shoulders. “He’s wearing a rain hat.”
Carina caught up in the cuteness sticks out her bottom lip “Thank you…come on in.”
The three women come walking in with their hands full and walk over to where Maya is standing and waiting.
“We brought pizza.” Teddy says to Maya holding up the boxes.
“Yea, but we need to hide this one from Carina.” Amelia explains as she motions to the one on the top. “It’s got pineapple on it.”
“Hall closet.” Maya says quickly.
“On it.” Amelia says as she grabs the top pizza before making a quick retreat towards the hall.
“The rest can go in the kitchen.” Maya says before she and Teddy make their way into the kitchen where they find themselves alone.
“Thank you for the stuff.” Maya says with a slight smile as Teddy puts the pizzas down on the counter. “You should have seen Carina’s face when she read the card…it meant a lot.”
“Of course, happy to help.” Teddy replies.
“And I never got to thank you for that day.” Maya stammers on before slipping her hands into her front jean pockets. “You know…urging Carina to give me another chance.”
“She really didn’t need that much convincing.” Teddy says with a raised eyebrow. “Anybody with eyes could see how much you two love each other.”
Maya thinks back on that day and lets out a small smile. “Yea.”
“I’m glad you found your way back to each other.” Teddy says as she reaches over and gives Maya a side hug.
“Thank you.” Maya says leaning into the cardio surgeon.
The firefighters of Station 19 and the doctors of Grey-Sloan quickly get to work. Before they know it the boxes are getting unpacked, toys and play sets are getting put together, and clothes are being folded.
The crew works for a little bit and then manages to sneak a beer in or two while laughing and sharing food and stories. At the moment Miller, Hughes, Warren and Dr. Bailey are crowded around the living room finishing up with the final box.
“I can’t with these shoes.” Hughes laughs as she holds up the shoes for Miller to see. “Miller, remember the little red sneakers I bought Pru.”
“Yeah…she loves them….I mean I think she does.” Dean gushes back thinking about his daughter. “She doesn’t say much.”
Vic nods her head enthusiastically before slapping Dean on the arm. “Look! Remember that night we played that music box for her over and over again…she couldn’t stop giggling.”
“I do.” Dean says trying to hide his nervousness.
“Crazy.” Vic goes on to giggle before her phone starts to go off in her pocket. She takes the phone out and notices that it’s her boyfriend. “It’s Ruiz.”
“Go.” Dean says with a nod of his head.
“Hey Babe.” Vic says into her phone before walking away.
Dean watches her leave but then rolls his eyes when he can feel the stares. “Stop looking at me.”
“Are you okay with that?” Miranda asks before taking a sip of her wine.
“Ruiz is a good guy.” Dean answers.
“But are you okay?” Ben asks.
Dean lets out an exasperated sigh wanting this conversation to be over. “I want Hughes to be happy.”
“Okay.” Ben says quickly.
Miranda not believing it for a second shrugs her shoulders. “Sure…okay.”
“You know what.” Dean says holding his hand up at the couple before walking away.
Ben can’t help but chuckle as he calls after his friend. “Come on back Miller!”
“Nope!” Dean calls back.
Miranda snorts in her drink. “And I thought the hospital was messy.”
“Ben.” Jo says quietly to her friend before glancing over to the spare bedroom. “What’s his story?”
Ben looks to see where Jo is starring and raises an eyebrow. “Jack?”
“Sure, what’s his story?” Jo asks wanting the low down as Travis comes walking over to take a seat next to the group. “Does he have secret cancer babies?”
“Cancer babies?! Travis shrieks.
Jo rolls her eyes at the intruder. “Private conversation Martin.”
“Montgomery.” Travis corrects.
“Okay, private conversation Montgomery.” Jo says to Travis who makes a hasty exit towards the kitchen.
“Jack is a great guy, but I would advise not going down that path.” Ben warns his friend lightly before continuing. “He’s just getting out of a messy break up thing.”
“I don’t like that answer.” Jo says after thinking about it for a brief moment before waving her hand at Ben. “Can you switch over to Stephanie?”
“Yea, I’m still not doing that.” Ben says rolling his eyes as he hops off the couch to leave.
“Come on Steph!” Jo calls after Ben before chasing him down.
Miranda simply just shakes her head and goes back to her wine. “Sometimes I don’t want to claim that one.”
“Chief.” Carina says as she takes a seat next to Miranda before topping her glass off with more wine.
“You I will claim.” Miranda says to Carina causing the woman to break out in a laugh.
Meanwhile over in the spare bedroom Jack is showing Maya their handy work on the crib. He gives her the tutorial on how it works and gives it one last polish before gloating.
“What do you think?” Jack asks Maya as he crosses his arms across his chest in pride. “And yes…we beat our time.”
“It looks great.” Maya says she swallows the lump in her throat at the sight knowing there is going to be a baby in there very shortly. “Uhh…we have sheets and things somewhere but…this is amazing.”
“It’s a great crib, you did good.” Jack tells his friend.
Maya lets out a sigh before nudging Jack with her arm. “Thank you Jack.”
“Since I did you a favor will you do me a favor?” Jack asks.
Maya squints her eyes at the lieutenant knowing this could be good or bad. “Maybe.”
“Talk to Carina after we leave.” Jack says.
“I talk to my wife all the time Jack.” Maya jokes back.
Jack just rolls his eyes. “You know what I mean Bishop.”
“Yes...I will talk to my wife.” Maya says through a breath before motioning towards the kitchen or their next assignment. “Now how do you feel about assembling a high chair?”
“Miller! High Chair!” Jack calls out to Dean who is talking with Amelia by the couch.
Dean hearing this grabs his drill and beeline towards the kitchen. “I’m on it!”
“We’re on it Cap.” Jack says as he places his hand on her arm.
Maya nods her head in appreciation. “Thank you Lieutenant.”
As Jack leaves Maya looks into the living room and kitchen but doesn’t see her wife. She looks once more before hearing soft cries coming from the room next door. Maya walks over and when she gets to her bedroom door she notices her wife in tears sitting on the bed.
“Hey, are you okay?” Maya asks glancing back at their guests before walking in and sitting next to her wife on the bed. “If this is too much I can get everyone to leave.”
“No, no.” Carina says to her wife before pointing at her eyes with a smile. “This is good tears.”
Maya studies her wife for a brief moment wanting to make sure that is actually true. “Are you sure?”
“It is just so good to be reminded that….” Carina goes on to explain, her voice thick with emotion when she can’t find the right words. “Ehh.”
“That we have a village.” Maya completes for her.
“Yes, that we have a village.” Carina says smiling as Maya reaches over to wipe the tears from her cheek. “I love that they all came here for us.”
“I love that we now have a place to put the baby.” Maya says jokingly. “I was ready to empty out a drawer in the spare bedroom.”
“Very funny.” Carina says before slapping her hands down on her thighs. “Let’s get back to our village.”
“Maybe circus would be a little more accurate.” Maya says.
“Cosa?” Carina asks.
“There’s a good chance Gibson and Wilson are making out in the hall closet with the pineapple pizza.” Maya says before getting up off the bed and leaving the bedroom.
“Pineapple pizza!” Carina yells after her wife before getting off the bed. “In my house!”