7. CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 7
It is another morning in the DeLuca-Bishop household with Maya rushing around to find what she needs in order to get to work on time. If she had time to pause she would think about how before these Italian women came into her life she was always on time…always. She is currently in a panic trying to a missing shoe, with the other one already on her foot. This is her first official day with a full 24 hour shift.
Maya lifts up a few dirty clothes off the floor and is met by a stuffed teddy bear, three teething rings, and a baby shoe…so close. Ginny has been with them for two weeks now and her baby thingies have completely taken over the house. Maya getting frustrated takes a heated breath before calling out for assistance.
“Carina!” Maya yells out to her wife as she keeps looking around for her missing shoe.
“Yes Bambina!” Carina calls back from the kitchen.
“Have you seen my other grey shoe?!” Maya asks as she lifts up their comforter to take another look.
“It’s in our closet!” Carina answers.
“Oh.” Maya says to herself as she opens the closet door and sees the shoe instantly. She grabs the shoe and sits on the bed to put in on while looking around for her next missing item. “What about my--!”
“Your duffel bag is in the hall closet!” Carina answers immediately.
Maya shakes her head and rubs her hand over her hair and down her ponytail. “Wow, I have got to get it together.”
Maya finishes putting on her shoe and walks out of their room and heads to the closet to get her duffel bag. The fire captain grabs the bag and puts it by the door before heading towards the kitchen where she smiles at the sight of Carina sitting by Ginetta in the high chair.
Carina tries again to feed Ginny a spoonful of something unsuccessfully. “Are you excited to get back to work?”
“It’ll be good to see everyone.” Maya says with a nod of her head before going over to her wife and kissing her on top of the head. “But I’ll miss you.”
“We’ll miss you too.” Carina says before smiling widely at the little girl. “Won’t we Ginny.”
Maya notices a travel mug of coffee on the table and picks it up. “Is this for me?”
“Of course.” Carina says.
“You’re the best.” Maya sighs appreciatively.
“I know.” Carina says with a small giggle before nodding her head towards the fridge. “Your water bottle is filled and ready to go in the fridge.”
“Simply the best.” Maya says as she goes to the fridge to grab the water bottle. “What are you two going to do today?”
“I don’t know.” Carina says as she continues to try to get Ginny to eat something. “We won’t be doing anything if Ginny doesn’t finish her breakfast.”
Maya frowns at this and steps closer to the baby. “Is it her teeth?”
“I don’t know.” Carina says unsure before holding up the container of mashed bananas she had been trying to feed her. “Maybe she hates bananas.”
“Well that would make two of us.” Maya snorts as she scrunches her nose. Bananas are the one fruit Maya could never choke down…even when her father would try to make her…disgusting.
“Alright Mimma….what about mango?” Carina suggests as she reaches over to the counter to grab the mango puree. The doctor grabs the container and gets a clean spoonful before trying to coax the little girl in giving them a chance. “Can you try it please for Mama?”
Maya’s eyes immediately shoot up and her stomach falls to the floor. The fire captain can feel all the air in her lungs slowly dissipate in the matter of seconds. Hearing her wife call herself Mama is kind of making this very real…and very scary. This is big…this is huge.
“That’s a good girl.” Carina smiles as Ginny takes a small bite before looking to her wife who is now as white as a ghost. “What?”
“Nothing.” Maya says as she swallows the lump in her throat.
“It’s not nothing.” Carina says still noticing her wife completely on edge in front of her. “You look like you’ve been sucker punched in the stomach.”
“Carina….” Maya sighs slowly, but then simply shakes her head and closes off. “It’s nothing…we’re good.”
“Really?” Carina says as she stands up from her seat. “Because it seems like you’re freaked out that I called myself Mama.”
Maya holds up her hand in defense. “It just caught me off guard.”
“Caught you off guard?” Carina questions sharply.
“I just wasn’t expecting it.” Maya says through a sigh before taking a sip of her coffee. “It’s all good.”
Carina watches her wife move around the kitchen nervously before placing her hands on her hips. “Do you have a problem Maya?”
“I didn’t.” Maya says, raising her eyebrows at her wife’s tone. “I’m not thrilled that you’re coming at me right now.”
“I am not coming at you.” Carina responds.
“It kinda feels like you are.” Maya argues back.
“You are the one that said we can do this, that she has us, and that we’re hers.” Carina rambles on wanting a clear answer from the blonde. “Was that a lie?
Maya squints her eyes at her wife insulted at the accusation before yelling out. “Of course not!”
“Hey!” Carina snaps back before glancing at the baby in the high chair.
Maya knowing she shouldn’t have yelled in front of the baby lets out a sigh. “I’m sorry.”
Carina still slightly glaring at her wife checks the high chair to make sure it is stable before brushing her hand on top of Ginetta’s head. The doctor then motions for her wife to walk out of the kitchen so they can finish their conversation away from little ears. Maya immediately wishes she was in a deep dark hole alone but sucks it up and follows her wife into the living room.
“Maya, I thought we were in this together.” Carina says bitterly as she turns around to face her wife who is now standing in front of her. “Have you been lying this whole time?”
“Of course not!” Maya snaps before getting flustered, lost in her thoughts. “I just didn’t think…I don’t know.”
“You don’t know what?” Carina asks sharply.
Maya exhales a long breath before lifting her hands in the air. “You referring to yourself as Mama, it was weird.”
“Weird.” Carina repeats bitterly trying to hide the hurt.
“Yes, alright.” Maya says helplessly, finally giving in. “Fine.”
“I’m sorry Maya that I didn’t clarify this with you.” Carina says before pointing towards the kitchen. “We will raise this child to call us Dr. DeLuca and Captain Bishop.”
Maya rolls her eyes. “Very funny.”
“No, I’m serious.” Carina says as she holds her hands up before pointing at Maya. “We’ll do this your way.”
“My way!” Maya snaps as she points to herself before going off. “What exactly has gone my way since we got married?!”
Carina blinks a few times before holding up her hand to stop her wife. “Okay, wow.”
“I am in…all the way in.” Maya goes on to say before pointing at her wife. “But a little understanding would go a long way on your end.”
“I thought I was being understanding!” Carina exclaims in defense. “All I have done is check with you on everything, to see how you’re doing!”
“Today, it doesn’t feel like it.” Maya argues back.
“You are making me feel stupid and embarrassed Maya.” Carina says as she shakes her head before staring straight at Maya. “Like I am not good enough to be her mother.”
“Well, you are making me feel like a monster!” Maya snaps back at her wife before walking past Carina to get to the front door. “I gotta go!”
“Maya don’t walk out that door.” Carina says to her wife’s back.
“I’m going to be late for my shift.” Maya says ignoring her wife as she slings her duffel bag over her shoulder before leaving abruptly out the door.
“Maya!” Carina calls after the fire captain but is only met with the sound of the door closing behind her.
Carina only has a second to process what just happened between her and Maya when cries start coming from the kitchen area. She immediately feels guilty at upsetting the girl and runs her hand through her hair before collecting herself.
“I’m coming Mimma!” Carina calls out as she makes her way back to the kitchen.
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A couple hours later over at Station 19 the team is completing their run of chores. Even with them being on the other side of the pandemic the need for constant cleaning is still ever so present. Andy and Vic have been cleaning the lockers, sinks, and windows in the locker room while Travis has been given the task of cleaning the toilets.
Dean walks in after cleaning the beanery spotless already looking tired with the day just starting.
“That’s it!” Miller says as walks into the locker room after being in the beanery. “C-Shift’s gonna get their asses kicked, all of them.”
“They’re disgusting.” Andy says as she picks up a half eaten sandwich from under the bench in the locker room. “I mean…why?”
“Animals.” Vic says before pointing to the stains on the floor. “Miller you can help with the floor.”
“Goody.” Miller says as he goes to grab a sponge from a bucket before scrubbing.
“Have you seen this bathroom?!” Travis asks has he steps into the locking room to his friends before looking back at the bathroom in disgust. “Sweet Jesus!”
“It’s your turn Montgomery.” Miller says as he points back to the bathrooms.
Vic sucks in a sharp breath. “Sorry Travis.”
“Why isn’t the probie doing this?” Travis asks.
“Warren and Ruiz are teaching him how to properly stack hoses….whatever they were teaching him at the academy was wrong.” Andy answers.
“Well! Maybe we should get him a thrown, a velvet cape, and throw him party while we clean the toilets!” Travis yells before walking back into the bathrooms.
“What’s wrong with him?” Andy asks Vic.
“Travis?!” Vic yells out to her friend. “Can I tell them?!”
“Go ahead! They’ll probably be getting wedding invites soon anyways!” Travis yells from inside the bathrooms.
“Emmett has a new boyfriend.” Vic informs Miller and Herrera. “They’re Facebook and Instagram official.”
“Ouch.” Andy winces.
“Didn’t you tell him to go?” Miller asks confused at why Travis is so upset.
Andy rolls her eyes and slaps Miller on the arm. “Seriously.”
“What is wrong with you?” Vic adds, glaring at the stupid man who made the stupid comment.
Travis quickly steps back into the main locker room. “He moved on pretty quickly Miller!”
Emmett and Travis had started dating soon after Carina and Maya’s wedding. It looked like they were going to get pretty serious when Emmett got a job offer from Jackson Avery to work for the foundation in Boston. Jackson was impressed with Emmett’s work ethic during the pandemic and desperately wanted him on his team. Not being able to turn this opportunity down Emmett left with Travis’ reluctant blessing.
“You need to go out.” Vic says before holding up her hands in the air to do a little dance. “Post Covid hookup.”
“That sounds like a lot of work.” Travis grumbles as he feels sorry for himself. “Stupid Jackson with his stupid Boston.”
“Come on! We can go out!” Vic exclaims excitedly before pointing at Travis. “I’ll be your wingman!”
Travis just shakes his head. “I don’t think so.”
“What about that time I helped you score with the guy behind the ticket booth at the movie theatre on 3rd street.” Vic says trying to persuade him.
“Oh yea.” Travis says smiling as he remembers back on that encounter. “The popcorn was really good.”
“See!” Vic exclaims while laughing. “Let me hook you up!”
“Fine!” Travis yells out, giving in before turning to Dean. “Miller you in?!”
“Yea! Let me hook you up!” Vic exclaims to Dean before dancing yet again. “We’ll help Miller get his groove back!”
“Hey!” Travis cheers out as he too starts to dance.
“Hey!” Vic sings out before doing the shimmy.
“I say go for it.” Andy says as she continues to wash down the lockers. “At least one of us will start getting laid.”
“Uh-oh.” Miller says under his breath as he puts down the sponge he was using. “Danger Will Robinson.”
“I’m great.” Andy states unconvincingly.
“You hear that guys.” Vic says as she bites down on her bottom lip. “She’s great.”
Travis nods his head and gives Andy two thumbs up. “So great.”
Andy just shakes her head and glares at her friends. “I hate all of you…so much.”
“Where should we start tomorrow?” Vic asks as she claps her hands together going back to the true task at hand. “Joe’s?”
Travis inhales a sharp breath through his teeth. “Does Aaron still work there?”
“Yes.” Vic answers after thinking back about it for a moment.
“We can’t go to Joe’s.” Travis says as shakes his head before suggesting another option. “What about Brother’s?”
Vic nods her head from side to side, thinking about it. “Don’t they have the fried pickles I like?”
“Yes...and I haven’t slept with any of the bartenders.” Travis adds.
“Brother’s it is!” Vic cheers before pointing back to the bathrooms. “Now…go clean the bathrooms.”
“Crap.” Travis sighs as he heads back to finish up the bathrooms.
“Literally.” Miller says before laughing at his stupid cleverness, much to the annoyance of everyone else.
Andy just rolls her eyes. “Too easy.”
Before Andy can go back to washing down the lockers Jack walks up from the hallway and stands in the doorway. His eyes immediately land on Andy.
“Herrera.” Jack says to Andy trying to get her attention.
Andy looks up to see Jack standing in the doorway of the locker room. “What?”
“Just…” Gibson sighs sharply as he again waves her over to the exit.
Andy walks over to Gibson who gently grabs her arm to guide her down the hallway towards the break room and the station gym area. They quietly walk up to the outside window of the gym and Jack points inside for Andy to take a look. Andy takes a look and sees Maya inside the gym on the treadmill…sprinting. Not only sprinting, but clearly sprinting while pissed off.
“Oh no.” Andy says looking through the window before snapping her focus back to Jack, wanting an explanation. “What happened?”
Jack shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know.”
“This is not good.” Andy says to herself as she goes back to the window. “This is really not good.”
“Should we go in there?” Jack asks.
Andy shakes her head and tries to get a better read on her best friend. “We should give her a minute.”
Jack nods his head in agreement when the alarms go off throughout the station.
Dispatch: Engine 19, Ladder 19, Aid Car 19. Fire Multiple Dwellings, 22nd Ave South.
“Let’s go!” Maya snaps as she rushes past Jack and Andy in the hallway towards the barn before yelling back at them. “Lieutenants are you planning on joining us?!”
“Later.” Jack says to Andy.
Andy just nods her head quickly. “Agreed.”
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Meanwhile over by the hospital, Carina is sitting in the park trying to enjoy some fresh air. She leans back against the bench and gently pushes Ginny in her stroller back and forth while the little girl plays with her favorite tiny cloth book.
After her fight with Maya she knew she had to get out of the house and when she discovered that there was going to be a break from the winter cold she jumped at a chance to take the baby for a walk through the park. Carina also really needed to talk to somebody who understands her and Maya.
“Hello!” Teddy says as she walks up to the bench, holding two cups of coffee.
“Hey.” Carina greets back her friend before sliding over on the bench to make room. “Thanks for meeting me on your break.”
“Of course….we should take advantage of the nice weather while we have it.” Teddy says before taking a seat next to Carina and handing her a cup of coffee. “I was happy to get your call…I’ve missed you.”
“Me too.” Carina says with a smile before looking back to Ginny who is now chewing on the tiny cloth book. “Though we’ve been keeping ourselves busy.”
“Okay, she may be the cutest baby on the planet.” Teddy says as she gushes over the baby who is bundled up in a light purple puffy coat and purple spotted pom pom hat. “I mean…tied with Leo and Allison of course.”
“Of course.” Carina giggles back before smiling over at the little girl in the stroller. “Ginny this is my very good friend Teddy.”
“Ginny?” Teddy asks at the new nickname. “I love that.”
Carina nods her head and raises her eyebrows. “Maya came up with it.”
“It’s so cute.” Teddy gushes again before smiling at the baby. “Hi Ginny.”
“Can you say hi?” Carina asks Ginny as she runs her fingers over her soft brown hair. When she is met with obvious silence she shrugs her shoulders. “Well, maybe in a few months or so.”
Teddy lets out a laugh. “Where is Captain Bishop?”
“Maya is on shift.” Carina says coolly before adjusting herself on the bench.
“Ahhh...” Teddy drawls.
Carina hears this and looks over to Teddy. “What?”
“You usually get all gooey when mentioning Maya.” Teddy says gently with a shrug of her shoulders. “What’s up?”
“Am I that predictable?” Carina deadpans.
“Okay, I’m going to make some assumptions here.” Teddy says as she looks down at the cup of coffee in her hands. “Sound good?”
Carina lets out a breath but waves her hand up. “Go for it.”
“I’m going to venture out and say you two had a fight.” Teddy says.
Carina scrunches her face slightly. “Not a fight, exactly…no.”
“Okay.” Teddy says before taking a sip of her coffee. “But something did happen…right?”
“Right.” Carina sighs.
“I think something is going on with Maya and this instant parenting thing.” Teddy says as she continues to explain her theory. “And seeing as I witnessed Maya spilling her guts out to you about her dad…you feel comfortable confiding in me…without betraying Maya’s trust.”
Carina blinks her eyes twice before shaking her head. “Wow…that’s impressive.”
“I have had work done.” Teddy says as she waves her hand up and down her body before shrugging her shoulders. “Therapy…work in progress.”
“You are very good.” Carina says through a small laugh before getting quiet again…lost in her own thoughts.
“What’s going on?” Teddy asks her friend before point to her chest. “I am a very good listener.”
“I did need to talk to somebody.” Carina says before she looks out onto the park. “I feel…jittery.”
“I’m here.” Teddy assures her friend gently before urging her to continue. “What’s going on?”
Carina glances down at the baby before letting out a sigh. “This morning I was with Ginny in the kitchen and I referred to myself as Mama.”
“And?” Teddy drawls, unsure of the problem.
“Maya’s jaw hit the floor and I think she stopped breathing.” Carina explains.
“What did Maya expect?” Teddy asks with a raised eye brow. “That you three would become roommates or something?”
“She’s panicking.” Carina says as she thinks back to this morning. “We got into an argument before she stormed out of the house.”
“I’m sorry Carina.” Teddy says.
“Maya would do anything for Station 19, she would do anything for me, and she would do anything for Ginetta.” Carina goes on to explain. “She would literally walk through fire for anyone of us.”
“But?” Teddy questions.
“There are no buts….it’s just….” Carina starts to say but struggles with a loss for words. She takes a breath and runs her hand through her hair before continuing on. “Maya does not have a problem with family….she does have problems with parents, I guess.”
Teddy just nods his head. “Because of everything that happened with her dad.”
“Yes.” Carina says before leaning back against the bench. “She and I both have a lot of baggage from our dads.”
Teddy looks to her friends sympathetically before trying to connect the dots with her friend. “So you think she’s okay with taking care of Ginny…she’s just not okay with being a mom?”
“I just assumed…that’s what we’d be….her moms.” Carina starts to ramble on emotionally. “I just don’t think Maya was thinking the same thing. I mean until about a week ago she was referring to the baby as Ms. DeLuca.”
“Formal.” Teddy states with a tiny laugh.
“This is just too much for her.” Carina says sadly as she turns her concentration to the coffee cup in her hands. “It hasn’t even been a full year of her truly working though the abuse and trauma she experienced because of her dad and now I’m throwing this at her…into the blue.”
“Okay.” Teddy says carefully ignoring the incorrect idiom before coming to Carina’s defense. “This was thrown at both of you…out of the blue.”
“I know.” Carina says before moving her hand to her forehead to nurse a slight headache with a tiny massage. “Maybe I feel more connected to her because of biology.”
“I don’t think biology is it.” Teddy says before taking a sip of her coffee.
“Maybe I was wrong?” Carina says mostly to herself as she shrugs her shoulders. “Maybe I’m dishonoring Andrea by being her mom.”
“Carina.” Teddy sighs trying to keep her friend from spiraling down.
“I could raise her as her aunt…I can still love her.” Carina says as she tries to convince herself.
“Is that really what you want?” Teddy asks Carina delicately. “Because I really doubt it’s what this little girl wants or needs.”
Carina simply closes her eyes and lets out a breath before hearing Ginny start to get fussy from the stroller. The brunette reaches over to the cup holder in the stroller and takes out a few snacks before setting them in front of the baby on the tray.
“Here Mimma.” Carina says as she hands the baby a couple yogurt bites to snack on.
“Mimma?” Teddy asks with a raised eye brow as she watches the baby snack on a yogurt bite happily.
Carina smiles at Teddy slightly. “It’s a nickname my mama called me when I was little.”
“Mmmm.” Teddy hums as she tries to hide her smile.
“Point made.” Carina says as she rolls her eyes before rubbing Ginny’s cheek lovingly. “There you go Mimma.”
Again, Teddy watches the interaction before shrugging her shoulders. “You don’t look like her aunt Carina.”
“I don’t feel like her aunt.” Carina says her voice thick with emotion.
“Give Maya some time.” Teddy says trying to reassure her friend. “I mean this is an adjustment.”
“I know.” Carina sighs.
“Maya and I are a lot alike.” Teddy says as she crosses her arms across her chest. “I was single forever and then all of a sudden I was pregnant, in a serious relationship with Owen, and a mother to Leo.”
“I forgot that.” Carina says quietly as she picks up the cloth tiny book that has fallen off the stroller.
“And I’ll be honest.” Teddy says as she leans back on the bench. “I was hesitant…much like Maya.”
“What made you change your mind?” Carina asks.
“Leo.” Teddy says as she instantly smiles at her son’s name before continuing. “Being around him and loving him…made me want to be his mom.”
“Yea.” Carina says with a small smile.
“Maya will come around…just give her some time.” Teddy says as she nudges her arm with her own.
Carina nods her head before thinking back on their morning. She then covers her face with her hand. “I snapped at her.”
“She’ll apologize, you’ll apologize. It will all work out…I promise.” Teddy says to her friend.
Carina shakes her head slightly not sure if she believes that. “I am just so afraid that she is going to walk away….I don’t want to lose her.”
“That’s not going to happen.” Teddy says firmly.
Carina looks to her friend. “How do you know?”
“Because I have eyes DeLuca…that woman is crazy about you.” Teddy answers with a small smirk.
Carina nods her head and glances at Ginetta before looking back out at the park. “All I have wanted is to build a life with Maya…she is the best thing to happen to me in my life.”
“You and Maya will be fine.” Teddy reassures her friend.
Carina lets out a sigh and smiles slightly at Teddy. “You are very good at this.”
“I know.” Teddy says before going back to her coffee.
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Maya looks up at the two trailers on fire and takes a breath as she watches her team carry out her orders. When they pulled up to the trailer park one trailer was already on fire and by the time they got out of their trucks a second one had caught. Gibson and Warren had taken the first trailer to do a primary search and Montgomery and Hughes had taken the second one.
“19, what’s our status?” Maya asks into her radio.
Gibson crouches down to get a better look in the trailer before clicking on his radio. “Completing our primary search Captain.”
Maya looks over at the trailer. “Anyone inside?”
“I don't know, but it's spreading real fast.” Gibson replies back before making his way to the back bedroom with Warren on his six. “Hey, fire department!”
“Call out!” Ben yells out as he keeps his eyes open for possible victims.
Outside Maya takes a look to Herrera and Willet who are ready to attack the fire with their water line while Miller and Ruiz are standing by at the aid car. Before she can give another command Travis is running back from the second trailer.
“Captain the entrance is blocked on this one!” Travis calls out to his captain.
“See if you can find another way in.” Maya says to Travis who immediately grabs an ax from Hughes.
“We’re on it!” Travis calls back before they head to the other side of the trailer.
Back in the first trailer Gibson and Warren are down low to the ground trying to see if there is anybody inside that needs to be rescued. They carefully look behind shelves and couches that are slowly catching on fire.
“Hey! Fire department!” Gibson yells before crouching down to look under the bed in the back room.
Ben looks around and moves away from the wall that is quickly catching on fire. “Anyone in there?!”
“Help me!” a voice calls from inside the closet.
Gibson and Warren look over and see that the path to the closet is on fire with no way around it in order to get their victim.
“Cap, I got at least one victim down here. The fire's between her and the door.” Gibson says into his radio as the fire spread to the living room...the thickness in the air causing the front door to close. “Captain the fire is everywhere! We have no way out!”
Captain turns to Andy next to her who is on engine this call. “Need to get a line there, Herrera.”
Andy touches the top of her helmet and looks over at the burning trailer. “We open that front door we're gonna oxygenate the fire, Captain. I think we'll kill them instantly...the fire will be too out of control.”
“What are you thinking Herrera?” Maya asks checking to see if her lieutenant has a plan.
Andy takes another look at the trailer before grabbing the sledgehammer from the engine and motioning to the probie to follow her with the line. The new probie is radiating nerves but does as he’s told and follows her towards the trailer.
“Willet, gimme a 6-inch hole right about here, all right?” Andy says as she hands him the hammer before pointing to a spot on the trailer for him to make the hole. He nods his head and starts to hammer in the hole as Andy radios Jack inside. “Gibson! We'll make the line fit through there. We'll buy you some time.”
“Got it Herrera!” Jack says from inside.
“We’re going to pass them the hose through the hole.” Andy tells the probie before motioning to the trailer. “Then we’ll make them a new door for them to get out.”
“Copy that.” Willet says as he finally gets a hole through the wall. “How's this?”
“Gibson!” Andy says into her radio. “We are gonna shoot you the hose.”
“Copy!” Gibson says back before yelling out towards the closet. “Hold on! We're gonna get you out!”
Once the hose is pushed through the wall all the way Herrera goes to her radio. “Captain! We’re ready!”
Maya motions to Cutler who turns on the water from the engine. “Water’s on!”
Andy then turns to the probie and nods back to the wall. “Let’s get to slamming.”
Willet nods his head and begins to sledgehammer the wall to make a new exit for the three stuck inside.
Inside the trailer Gibson grabs the hose and starts to spray down the water. He hits it high and low before Warren finds a break in the flames to get to the closet. Warren opens the closet to find a man in his early 60s, holding a t-shirt to his mouth to protect himself from the smoke. Ben helps guide him out and gets back to Jack. As they step up to Jack the victim collapses against Ben who instantly holds him up.
“Sir! Can you hear me?” Ben asks to the unconscious man. “Gibson.”
Gibson nods his head and reaches over to check for a pulse. “I’ve got a pulse. His airwave's burned.”
Warren nods his head and motions to Jack to look at the widening hole in the wall that is being made by Herrera and Willet. “Let’s get him out of here.”
Gibson nods his head. “Herrera we’re coming out!”
“Move Willet!” Andy says to the probie to get away from the hole so they can get out.
Jack crawls through the hole first with help from Andy before they both work to pull the victim out through the hole. Warren follows close behind as the fire totally engulfs the trailer.
“Miller! Ruiz!” Gibson calls out as he and Warren help the man towards the aid car where Dean and Theo have a stretcher ready to go. They quickly set him on top and Ruiz takes a look in his mouth.
“We need to intubate before it swells shut.” Ruiz says as they lift the stretcher into the aid car with him inside.
“I'll call ahead.” Miller says before rushing to the driver’s seat.
Jack nods his head and hits the ambulance door before the aid car starts speeding off with sirens blaring.
“Let's go, guys.” Maya says to her team. “Hughes and Montgomery are soaking the second trailer.”
Warren and Gibson nod their heads and quickly make their way over to the trailer to assist Vic and Travis. Andy gets ready to follow too but stops when she notices the far off look in Willet’s eyes who is still watching the aid car speed away.
Andy notices him still starring and gently touches him on the arm to get his attention. “Willet? You good?”
“Yes Lieutenant.” Carter lies terribly feeling a bit on edge at his first major call.
Andy takes a breath and gives him a stare. “You sure?”
“His throat was totally raw.” Carter says as he moves to adjust his helmet. “Think he’ll make it?”
Andy glances to Maya who is standing by watching the interaction before touching the probie on the arm. “He has a chance…we gave 100%.”
“That's all we can do.” Maya adds to the probie.
Carter nods to his captain before letting out a sigh. “Yea.”
“Let’s go.” Andy urges Carter to follow her over to the other trailer to off assistance.
Maya watches the two firefighters leave before speaking in her radio. “Alright Engine 19, I want us to soak these trailers from the west and north sides.”
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That night after a long day of playing at the park, running some errands, and playing at home it is now time for bed. Carina gave Ginny a bath which has become a favorite of the little girl and then put her on the changing table to get her changed into her pajamas for the night…a cute little onesie with teal, purple, and light blue puppies on it, adorable.
“There we go!” Carina says as she finishes zipping up the baby’s onesie before picking her up in her arms. “The jammies are soft, huh.”
Ginny smiles around her pacifier before rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. Carina smiles at the tired gesture and pulls the baby closer into her arms.
“Alright Mimma…” Carina says as they walk over to the toy bin to grab a couple of stuffed animals, holding up the toy puppy and the blue seal wearing a rain hat. “Which one?”
Ginny right away goes for the stuffed seal and holds on tight….something that Carina will definitely have to tell Jo Wilson about at a later date. The stuffed animal with the rain hat has quickly become her absolute favorite.
“Good choice.” Carina says as puts the toy puppy back on the toy bin.
Ginny holds on tight to the stuffed seal and rests her cheek against Carina as they continue their nighttime routine.
“We’re all clean and ready for bed.” Carina says to Ginny as she starts to sway with the baby in her arms while rubbing circles all along her back. “È ora di prepararsi a chiudere gli occhi e sognare bei sogni.” (Time to get ready to close your eyes and dream good dreams.)
“What’s next?” Carina asks as she goes to the fire truck night light on the wall to turn it on before making their way to the rocking chair in the corner of the nursery. “We turn on the light and go over to our favorite chair.”
Carina takes the bottle she had ready from her back jeans pocket and sits down on the rocking chair. She maneuvers the baby in her arm to nestle in the crook of her arm before giving feeding the baby her night time bottle. She watches Ginny drink with absolute love in her heart before hugging her close.
Carina rests her cheek on top of Ginny’s head and keeps rocking. “Ti amo mia dolce, dolce ragazza.” (I love you my sweet, sweet girl.)
Meanwhile over at Station 19, Maya is sitting at her desk…looking out the window. After the call she headed straight to her office and hid away. Andy and Jack had tried to come talk to her, but she sent them away with lies of paperwork. Maya knew the first day and night away from Carina and Ginny was going to be hard but she had no idea that it was going to be unbearable. Though she didn’t think she was going to leave for work after a heated argument with her wife…leaving both women feeling terrible.
She continues to stare out the window when she hears a knock at the door. She looks up and sees Travis leaning against the doorframe.
“Hey Cap.” Travis says.
“Hey.” Maya says as she tries to busy herself by looking at the paperwork she was supposed to be doing.
Travis crosses his arms across his chest before nodding his head back. “We put a plate for you in the fridge if you want to heat it up.”
“Thanks Trav.” Maya says with a small smile before looking back down at his desk.
“We found Lethal Weapon on TV.” Travis goes on to explain. “Dean’s pretty excited…he made popcorn.”
“I’ll take a rain check.” Maya says as she tiredly looks up from her desk before nodding her head towards her bunk. “I’m just gonna go to bed.”
“Sounds good, goodnight.” Travis says as he gets ready to walk away.
Maya gives him a small smile. “Goodnight.”
Travis stops in his tracks and turns back around to face his captain. “Maya are you okay?”
“I’m good Montgomery…promise.” Maya says firmly. “Have a good night.”
“You too Cap.” Travis says before slipping his hands in his front pockets and walking away.
Maya watches Travis walk away before closing her eyes and leaning back against the chair. She then goes over to her bunk and lays down over the covers. She adjusts her head a few times on the pillow before staring straight up at the ceiling.
If Maya was honest she always misses Carina at night time when she’s at the station on shift. Carina knowing this would often come spend the night with her when she could and they’d snuggle up in the bunk. Now Maya feels cold…and lonely. She tries to push out the thoughts of her wife knowing she won’t get any sleep if she doesn’t…but fails miserably.
Before she can try again to get some sleep her phone goes off from her desk.
“You have got to be kidding me.” Maya grumbles annoyed before hopping off of her bunk and heading over to her desk to answer the phone.
“Captain Bishop.” Maya answers into the phone. She listens to the other person before her face drops and her eyes go cold. “Understood Sir….I’ll make the announcement myself tomorrow.”
Maya hangs up the phone but when it all just hits her she grabs the phone and stars banging it down on her desk…over and over …and over again. “Damn it!”
When she finally gets a hold of her emotions all she can do is fall back on her chair and cover her face tiredly with her hand. As if this day could get any worse.
Back in the nursery Carina is still rocking a now sleeping Ginny in her arms. She removes the bottle and places it on the shelf next to her before looking down at the little girl. Carina snuggles her in tight and continues to rock before starting to sing the lullaby she would sing to Andrea when they were little.
“Montem et soleAd finem vitaeEx ignis surgamAd finem vitaeDum spirō, dum spirōCedere nescioQuod periit, periitAd finem vitaeOmnia mea mecum portoAd finem vitaeSemper, o semperArdeat lux meaAd finem, ad finem, ad finem vitaeO, semper ardeat lux mea”
When Carina finishes the song she removes her hand from rubbing Ginny’s back to wipe away a tear that falls down her cheek. When she closes her eyes and leans back in the rocking chair two more tears escape…but she doesn’t even bother trying to wipe them away.