9. CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 9

 

 

Carina slowly opens her eyes at the sunlight coming through the window in the earliest hours of the day. She lets out a long yawn before reaching her arm over to feel her wife sleeping next to her. When she is met with nothing but space she opens her eyes fully and everything comes flooding back to her. She remembers their fight the day before yesterday, she remembers two days of silence, and she remembers her wife timidly shaking her awake the night before. Carina was hoping that she and Maya could have a long over do talk this morning since both of them have the day off today...but that did not happen.

As she slowly wipes away the remaining sleep from her eyes she gets out of bed and tries not to concentrate on the fact that her wife obviously slept on the couch. She knows that she technically fell on asleep on the couch first…but that was an accident. The tired doctor really only meant to take a quick moment to herself when she passed out. Carina heads into the shower and gets cleaned up quickly before throwing a pair of jeans and a dark grey sweater on.

She walks out of their bedroom and immediately goes to check on the baby who is usually up by now. When she is met by an empty crib she goes back into the main living area and looks around for her missing girls. She goes to look around the corner in the kitchen when she sees a white note on the table.

“Good morning, Ginny and I got bundled up and went for a run. We’ll be home by ten, enjoy the coffee….love, Maya.” Carina reads out loud before going to the counter to pour herself a cup of coffee.

Carina takes a sip of the coffee and immediately cringes at the taste. “She must still be angry with me.”

Her wife has many, many strengths but coffee making is not one of them. How can one person screw up so many types of coffee?

“Fun…” Carina whines to herself as she gets lost in the silent of the apartment. The doctor keeps gazing around the empty apartment as the silences becomes deafening. “We need a dog.”

Just as the piercing quiet of the apartment starts to get to her she hears her cell phone start to go off. She walks over to her bag that is still sitting on the floor by the front door. When she finally finds it she is shocked to see what name pops up on her screen.

“Hey? What’s up?” Carina answers into phone with a smile but when she hears the person on the other line her face drops and she holds up her hand. “Okay, slow down…slow down. I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

Carina hangs up quickly and runs her hand over her face before going back to the kitchen to add to the note on the table. She grabs a nearby pen and doodles a message right below Maya’s. When she’s done she quickly walks back to the entryway and puts on her jacket. The brunette closes her eyes for a second and lets out a long breath in an attempt to calm herself.

“Please be okay.” Carina says to herself as she grabs her car keys of the table and heading out of the apartment.

Four blocks away Maya is standing by a popular donut cart on the corner of the street. She and Ginny made quick time with the first part of their run and decided to stop at the little cart for a treat and some coffee. She bought a strawberry cake donut and crumpled a few pieces into crumbs on the tray of the stroller for Ginny. The little girl didn’t quite know what to do at first but when she got brave enough to take a little nibble it was not long before her face was covered in crumbs and a big gummy smile.

Maya crouches down to get on the Ginny’s level and smiles at the baby.

“What do you think?” Maya asks as before breaking out in laughter at Ginny trying to use her tongue to get a crumb n her cheek. “Pretty good, huh.”

Maya continues to laugh at the silly little girl before taking the coffee she orders and putting the two go cups in the stroller’s cup holders.

“We’ll bring this back for Mama.” Maya says giggling until she realizes what she said. When she comes to the realization her heart speeds up and her breathing goes shallow again. But when she looks down at the baby once more and sees donut crumbs all over her face, peace washes over her body and she laughs once more. “There’s no way she drank the coffee I made for her.”

Maya runs her hand down her soft brown locks before standing up from the ground and stretching out her legs to finish the run. Maya stretches her neck out gently and looks down to Ginny. “Ready…let’s move out.”

Maya continues to run at a good speed while pushing a very content Ginny in the stroller. Maya stays pretty focused but finds herself getting distracted every dozen strides or so. Because every time they go over a bump the little girl in the stroller starts to giggle. The fire captain decides pretty quickly she doesn’t mind that type of distraction on her morning run. When they finally arrive home Maya opens the door and expects to see her wife cooking in the kitchen or reading a medical magazine on the couch.

“Carina?!” Maya calls out as she pushes the stroller into the house before closing the door. She drops her keys on the tiny table by the door and looks around. “We’re home! Carina!”

When there is no sight of Carina, Maya pushes the stroller into the kitchen and notices the note again on the table. She reads the notes and finds out that Carina had an emergency at the hospital and had to leave immediately. Maya can’t help but feel disappointed that yet again she is away from her favorite person. It only takes a quick second for her to make the decision to go straight to her wife…she’s done with the waiting game.

“What do you think Ginny?” Maya asks as she puts her hands on her lips before looking down at the baby on the stroller. “Should we take a field trip?”

Maya gives the baby a moment to respond but all Ginny does is start to play with the remaining crumbs on the tray, occasionally licking one off with her tongue.

“That’s what I was thinking.” Maya says to Ginny before remembering how sweaty she is from her morning run. “But, we should get cleaned up first.”

Maya picks up the willing baby from the stroller and heads straight into her room to get ready so they can go see their favorite person at the hospital.

 

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When the elevator door opens on the OB floor Carina rushes out and heads straight down the hallway to get to the exam rooms. She could not believe the traffic she hit on the way over to the hospital. When she gets closer a nurse Ashley gets out of her chair at the nurse’s station and meets her in the middle of the hallway, holding her white jacket and patient chart.

“Dr. DeLuca.” Ashley greets the doctor who is quickly walking towards her.

“Is my patient here?” Carina asks as she accepts her white doctor’s coat from the nurse before whipping it on.

“She is in Exam Room 2.” Ashley says as the points to the exam room before handing Dr. DeLuca and Ipad with the medical chart. “Here is her chart.”

“Thank you Ashley.” Carina replies back to the nurse before walking over to the exam room and opening the door. When she walks in she sees a very nervous Andy Herrera sitting on the exam table.

“Hey…I’m sorry I’m late, I hit traffic on the way here.” Carina says before going to the sink to wash her hands.

“Thanks for coming.” Andy says as she continues to fiddle with her fingers. “I’m sorry for calling you on your day off.”

“Don’t be sorry, of course I came.” Carina says as she walks over to her friend. “How are you doing?”

“I’m…uhh…stressed...”Andy struggles to get out as her voice hitches in her throat. “And scared, I guess.”

Carina offers a comforting smile before rubbing a few circles on Andy’s back. “You took a home pregnancy test?”

“Yea…three, all positive.” Andy says with a nod before looking down at her fingers. “I started feeling nauseous and my appetite sky rocketed…again.”

Carina nods and goes back to the chart. “What about your last period?”

“I’m late.” Andy responds.

“Do you have any idea of when this could have happened?” Carina asks as she writes down a couple things on the chart.

“It was early last month.” Andy says before shrugging her shoulders. “It’s the only time I’ve had sex since before your wedding.”

“Right.” Carina sighs.

“And before you ask…yes its Robert’s.” Andy says before letting out a long breath. “We had a moment where we--”

“Andy you don’t owe me or anyone an explanation.” Carina says firmly. “We all love you and your marriage is your business.”

“Thanks.” Andy says quietly before using her hand to wipe down her face in exhaustion. “I’m just panicking because this is all happening so soon after….you know.”

“Andy.” Carina starts to say as she pulls up a stool to take a seat next to her on the table. “All the tests and blood work we had done tells me that your miscarriage was a one-time occurrence.”

“I know.” Andy sighs.

Carina nods her head and puts her hand over Andy’s. “Most women who miscarry go on to have healthy pregnancies.”

“Everything came back good.” Andy says…mostly to remind herself.

“Yes it did.” Carina says firmly with a nod before going back to the chart. “But…before we get ahead of ourselves let’s confirm that you are pregnant.”

Andy nods her head and lets out another sigh. “Good idea.”

“So going by your timeline, I think that an abdominal ultrasound will work.” Carina starts to explain the next steps. “If we don’t hear anything than I will set up a vaginal ultrasound.”

“Okay.” Andy says as Carina gets up from her stool.

“Alright, we’ll just lay you down.” Carina says as she gently guides Andy to lie down on the exam table. When she feels a tremble come from Andy she gently starts to rub her arms. “I got you, I got you.”

“I can’t believe this is happening.” Andy says as he looks up at the ceiling, starting to beat herself up. “I’ve been out there fighting fires and running around.”

“Andy.” Carina says softly as she gets the monitor ready.

Andy just shakes her head. “What if I did something…again?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong last time and we are simply confirming whether or not you are actually pregnant.” Carina says to the spiraling woman on her exam table.

“I’m sorry I’m a mess.” Andy says through her tears.

Carina shakes her head and wipes a tear away from Andy’s face. “You are not a mess, I just need you to stay calm and breathe.”

“Okay.” Andy breathes.

“I am just going to lift your shirt.” Carina says as she gently lifts Andy’s shirt before reaching for the ultrasound gel. “Okay, this might be a bit cold.”

“I remember.” Andy says as Carina squirts the gel onto her abdomen.

Carina continues to rub the gel before grabbing the ultrasound transducer to check for a fetal heartbeat. She places it on Andy’s stomach before searching for a heartbeat. “Here we go.”

Andy holds her breath nervously as Carina continues to rub the tool on her abdomen. “Well….?”

“There.” Carina says as she finds the soft heartbeat before pointing to the monitor for Andy.

Andy’s head whips up to look at the monitor as her eyes start to water. “There?”

“We have a heartbeat.” Carina says with a smile.

“You do?” Andy asks through a strangled cry before wiping away a tear from her face. “Are you sure?”

Carina nods to Andy and points again at the monitor. “Right there…the baby’s heartbeat looks to be 96 beats per minute which is where it should be.”

“This is a viable pregnancy.” Carina adds with soft smile. “Congratulations.”

Andy smiles through another quick cry before turning to the monitor. “How do we keep it…viable?”

“You should be able to carry to term.” Carina reassures her gently. “But we will schedule more appointments every couple weeks to keep track of your pregnancy.”

“Wow.” Andy says through a nervous laugh as she wipes the remaining tears away. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“You can’t see much.” Carina says as she types something into the monitor. “But I’ll print you out a couple of photos.”

Meanwhile in the floor below the OB floor Maya is walking down the hallway with Ginny in her arms looking for the daycare or somebody that can help her. As she round the corner she spots Dr. Schmitt coming towards her eating a Snickers bar.

“Hey!” Maya yells at him.

“Yes?” Schmitt squeaks out as Maya walks up to him with the baby.

“I know you.” Maya says as she looks the man up and down. “Right?”

“Dr. Schmitt.” Schmitt says nervously. “You’ve dropped of patients to me loads of times.”

Maya nods her head and looks around. “Do you know where Dr. DeLuca is?”

“She should be up in the OB wing.” Schmitt says as he points to the elevator.

“Fantastic.” Maya says before looking at him up and down once more. “You look like you’re on break.”

Schmitt nervously takes another bite from his candy bar. “Sort of.”

“Will you just watch her for a little bit so I can talk to my wife?” Maya asks as she places Ginny in his wobbly arms and the diaper bag over his shoulder. “It’s urgent.”

“Oh...wow.” Schmitt says as he nervously adjusts her in his arms before focusing on the baby he is meeting for the first time. “She is cute.”

“She is extremely cute.” Maya says smiling at Ginny before looking up and zeroing in on Schmitt. “Don’t drop her.”

“Wait, I can’t--” Schmitt stutters out getting nervous at being left alone with this baby.

Maya takes Ginny’s hand and kisses the back of it. “I will be right back Sweetie.”

“What should I do with her?!” Schmitt yells after Maya.

Maya turns around and shrugs her shoulders before waving him off. “Give her a tour of the place! Just no dead bodies!”

“Wait! Captain Bishop!” Schmitt calls back wanting her to stop…with no luck. “Well, I guess we’re going on a tour.”

Dr. Schmitt begins to walk with Ginny in his arms but stops in his tracks when a thought pops into his head.

“Let’s just make a deal though…that you won’t do anything big in your diaper till I can pass you back off to your parents.” Schmitt says to Ginny who is now playing with his stethoscope around his neck. “Deal?”

Ginny simply ignores the funny man and keeps her eyes zeroed in on his stethoscope.

“Deal…let’s go.” Schmitt says before they walk away.

Back in the exam room upstairs Carina has finished cleaning the ultrasound goo off of Andy’s stomach and notices that the photos have printed from the monitor. She rolls over on the stool and grabs the pieces of paper before handing them to the waiting firefighter.

“Here you go.” Carina says as she hands two ultrasound pictures to Andy for her to take home.

Andy looks down on the picture and tilts her head from side to side. “It is a very cute blob.”

“Very cute.” Carina agrees as she turns off the monitor.

“When can I find out the sex again?” Andy asks looking over to her doctor.

“Around 18 weeks.” Carina answers as she pushes the ultra sound monitor to the side of the room.

There is a quick knock at the door and both women look over and see Ashley walk in the exam room.

“Dr. DeLuca.” Ashley ventures.

Carina turns her focus to the nurse at the door. “Yes.”

“Your wife is looking for you.” Ashley informs the doctor.

“What?!” Andy exclaims panicky before snapping her head towards Carina. “You told Maya!”

Carina resists the urge to roll her eyes and simply stares at Andy. “Of course I didn’t.”

“Sorry, I obviously know you wouldn’t do that.” Andy says after taking a moment.

“But I think you should tell her….tell her everything.” Carina suggests to the doctor as she shrugs her shoulders a bit. “She’s your best friend…you’re gonna need her.”

Andy takes a moment and thinks about the weight she’s been caring around these past months and the lies that have been bogging her down. She did exactly what she swore she would never do again…she pushed everything down and ignored it...just like her dad did. Andy takes another quick moment and decides that Carina is right…she does need her best friend.

“Can you send her in?” Andy asks finally giving in.

Carina smiles and places her hand on Andy’s knee before turning to the nurse. “Ashley can you bring my wife in here please?”

“Of course.” Ashley says with a nod of her head before leaving the exam room.

When the door closes behind her Carina turns back to Andy. “You okay?”

“I feel like I’m going to throw up.” Andy says she clutches her stomach with her hand.

Carina sucks a breath through her teeth before dragging the garbage can closer. “Here you go.”

“I’m sorry for bugging--” Maya says to her wife but then notices that her patient sitting on the exam table is her best friend. “Andy?!”

“Hey.” Andy murmurs quietly.

“Oh my god!” Maya says still in shock as she rushes over to Andy in concern. “What are you doing here? Are you okay?”

“I’m going to give you two a moment alone.” Carina says as she gives Andy an encouraging smile before facing her wife. “Where is Ginny?”

Maya turns to her wife to answer. “Schmitt took her on a tour.”

“I’ll be back to check on you later.” Carina tells the two women before she grabs the chart and heads out of the exam room.

“What’s going on?” Maya asks her friend with a sense of urgency in her voice.

Andy lets out a long breath before blurting out. “I’m pregnant.”

“Oh my god.” Maya sputters out in complete shock. “Oh my god.”

“Yup.” Andy says with a pop of her lips.

Maya speechless finds herself blinking a few times. “Are you okay?”

“I wanted to see Carina because of what happened last time.” Andy says as she keeps her voice soft.

“Last time?” Maya asks confused.

Andy nods her head and wipes tiredly after her face before looking to her best friend looking so worried next to her. “I had a miscarriage about 5 months ago…Carina was my doctor.”

“Wait…what?” Maya says as she shakes her head, not sure if she heard correctly. “You had a miscarriage?”

Andy slowly nods her head. “Do you remember how I was eating literally everything and getting tired easily?”

“Yes.” Maya says thinking back to that time right before the wedding.

“I found out I was pregnant right before your wedding.” Andy admits to Maya before her voice trails off…lost in the painful memory. “And then I miscarried shortly after your wedding.”

“Andy.” Maya says sadly as she reaches over to hold Andy’s hands.

“One morning I woke up and I was bleeding a lot. So I called Carina in a total panic.” Andy goes on to explain the chain of events to her best friend. “She saw me right away and told me that my pregnancy ended…she held me as I cried for about an hour.”

“I don’t know what to say…I am so sorry.” Maya says as she keeps her voice gentle. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Andy huffs and shrugs her shoulders as her eyes start to water. “I wasn’t going to bombard you with my stuff on top of what you were already dealing with.”

“You’re my person.” Maya says firmly, leaving no room for interpretation. “You are way more important to me than my rank and position in the fire department.”

“I just felt so guilty for what Robert did to you.” Andy says as she wipes away a lone tear. “It was really hard.”

“Still…” Maya says as wipes away a tear Andy missed before everything starts to click together in her head. “Your short leave.”

Right after everything blew up at the wedding Andy took a leave from work. She told her friends that she just needed time and space from Robert…though none of her friends knew that she was dealing with so much more.

“I couldn’t face you…and I needed to just concentrate on me and the baby.” Andy says through more quiet tears. “And then the miscarriage happened.”

“And you needed time to heal.” Maya says quietly as she scolds herself for missing all of this in the first place. “You went through all that alone.”

“I wasn’t totally alone.” Andy says with a small smile. “I had Carina.”

Maya smiles timidly back at the mention of her wife. “I’m glad.”

“And please don’t hold it against Carina for keeping my secret.” Andy urges her friend. “She obviously couldn’t tell you without my consent….and I wasn’t ready to tell anybody.”

“Did Sullivan know? Does he know anything now?” Maya asks gently.

“He knew about the first one.” Andy says before inhaling a breath. “I haven’t told him about this one yet.”

Maya shakes her head feeling terrible for missing this…for not being there. “I’m so sorry that you went through that alone.”

“It’s okay….I promise.” Andy assures the woman next to her. “But, uhh…I’ll need you this time.”

“You got it.” Maya manages to say as her own emotions take over. She takes a steadying breath and gives her hands another squeeze. “Whatever you need.”

“You’ll have to give me some pointers.” Andy says through a laugh as she again wipes at her watery eyes. “By the time I give birth you’ll be a pro at the whole mom thing. You can be like my coach again.”

“You got it.” Maya says through a watery laugh before wiping at her own eyes.

“Good.” Andy says with a small nod before motioning towards the door. “Now go talk to your wife.”

Maya caught off guard opens her mouth. “Uhhhh…”

“Maya.” Andy drawls not wanting any nonsense from her friend. “I know there is stuff going on between you two…go talk to her.”

“I should go talk to my wife.” Maya gives in.

“You can tell my doctor that I will schedule another appointment with the nurse at the front desk.” Andy says with a small smile. “And thank her again for everything…she’s amazing.”

Maya reaches over and wraps her arm around Andy to bring her in for a hug. “I can do that.”

“Good.” Andy says as she holds on tight to her person.

 

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Maya stayed with Andy as she made her appointment at the front desk and gave her a big long hug before she got on the elevator.

Maya lets out a long breath and makes the nerve wracking walk to her wife’s office at the end of the hall. When she gets there she knocks softly on the door before slowly letting herself in. When she peaks her head in she spots her wife sitting at her desk working.

“Hey.” Maya says hesitantly with a small smile.

“Hi.” Carina greets back before looking past her. “Where’s Andy?”

“She left…she made another appointment at the front desk.” Maya explains to the OB/GYN.

“Good…we should probably go get the baby and head home. The temperature is supposed to drop again tonight and we need to figure out what we’re gonna do for dinner.” Carina says as she looks around on her desk.

Maya nods her head before slowly walking over to the desk. “Andy asked me to thank you for everything.”

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t tell you about Andy.” Carina regrettably admits to her wife. “She was my patient and she asked me not to tell anyone.”

“It’s okay…I totally understand why you couldn’t tell me.” Maya replies immediately as puts her hands down on the desk to steady herself. “I just can’t believe she was going through all that.”

“She has been though a lot.” Carina agrees.

Maya nods her head and steps around the desk to get closer to the doctor. “It must have been hard for you though…to keep it from me.”

“You have no idea.” Carina says through a sad breath as her voice breaks. “It was terrible.”

“I know….” Maya sighs softly as she squats down on the ground and places her hands on Carina’s knees gently. “I know.”

When Carina feels her wife’s soft touch the dam breaks and tears begin to escape. “I’m sorry.”

“Honey, please don’t cry.” Maya pleads, her heart breaking at the sight as he own eyes start to water.

Carina tries to wipe the tears away before lovingly looking at Maya. “Thank you for helping me to bed last night.”

“Of course.” Maya says as she stands up again on her feet. “I slept in the nursery.”

Carina hearing this looks up. “You did?”

“I fell asleep in the rocking chair.” Maya answers.

Carina sucks in a breath through clenched teeth. “How does your back feel?”

“Not great….the run this morning helped.” Maya jokes softly back before shrugging her shoulders. “I just watched her sleep for the longest time.”

“I do that too.” Carina admits with a soft smile.

“Carina, I am so sorry for the other day.” Maya says as she starts to fidget nervously before looking down at Carina. “I love Ginny.”

“I know you do.” Carina says to her wife who is now staring at her feet. “I’m sorry that I pushed you too far.”

“No.” Maya says cutting off her wife sternly. “You didn’t push me too far.”

Carina shakes her head and holds up her hand at Maya. “I did though Maya.”

“That is what my mother used to say to my father.” Maya says sadly before waving at the space between them. “I don’t want that for us.”

“Maya.” Carina sighs sadly.

Maya nods her head and places her hands in her front pants pockets. “My mom and Mason hid from my dad and I became my dad to appease him.”

“You are not your dad Bambina.” Carina says to her wife but Maya just shakes her head not truly believing her.

“Andy said something to me once and it kind of stuck with me.” Maya says as she thinks back to the conversation they had in her office. “She said that I freak out over French toast because I never felt safe around the breakfast table as a kid.”

Carina’s heart stops at the admission and she uses her feet to push her rolling office chair back to make room for her wife. “Come here.”

Maya gets ready to refuse the doctor’s order but quickly decides against it. She steps closer and sits sideways on her wife’s lap. As she wraps her arm around Carina’s neck, she can feel strong loving arms wrapping around her stomach…holding her tight. They sit like that for a few quiet moments before Carina rests her cheek on Maya’s arm.

Carina lets out a sigh before speaking. “Yesterday Dr. Webber told me he was proud of me and I started to cry.”

“What?” Maya ventures, not quite sure what to say.

“To my dad, Andrea was brilliant…his pride and joy.” Carina says as her voice trails off. “I only ever disappointed him.”

“Babe.” Maya sighs sympathetically as she squeezes Carina’s arm around her tighter.

“I cry at small words of praise because my father only ever blamed me for his failures.” Carina explains softly before tilting her head at her wife. “I am messy too.”

Maya nods her head taking in every word her wife just said before she looks up into Carina’s dark brown eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Carina gives her a small smile and cups Maya’s face with her hand. “I’m sorry too.”

“I did not mean to make you feel bad about calling yourself Mama.” Maya says as her voice starts to break. “And I am so sorry for making you feel that way.”

“Thank you.” Carina says genuinely before bringing Maya’s cheek to her lips to give a soft kiss.

“I should have been honest with you.” Maya admits before making a vow. “I will in the future, I promise.”

“I love you.” Carina tells the blonde woman on her lap. “Ginny and I are so lucky to have you.”

“No, I am.” Maya argues back playfully before getting quiet.

Carina noticing the change tilts her head down to look Maya in the eyes. “What is it Bambina?”

Maya takes a long breath. “Listening to Andy talk about her miscarriage. All I could think about is how extremely lucky I am….because here I am with a beautiful wife and a beautiful baby.”

“We’re very lucky.” Carina agrees.

“And if I were to lose either of you…I don’t know what I’d do.” Maya voices her voice breaking again.

“You’re not going to lose us.” Carina states firmly as she holds on tighter. “We’re here.”

Maya smiles at her wife before wistfully shaking her head. “Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure that I’m not dreaming…that you’re real.”

“I’m real….and if you want to be pinched….” Carina playfully says with a smirk as she moves her lips closer to Maya’s. “All you have to do is ask.”

Maya lets out a laugh as she feels her wife pinch her side a little, causing her to squirm in her lap. They both share another laugh before settling their eyes onto each other. Maya still smiling runs her hand down Carina’s long brown hair before wrapping her arms around Carina’s neck pulling her into a tight hug.

“I love you.” Maya sighs happily in the crook of Carina’s neck.

Carina rubbing up and down on Maya’s back pulls her in tighter. “I love you too.”

 

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About twenty minutes later Maya and Carina made their way out the office to go find their baby and leave for the rest of the day. Both women knew that they would have to keep talking, but both immediately felt better when they realized that they weren’t going to be sleeping separately that night.

As they walk hand in hand through the ground floor of the hospital they notice Dr. Schmitt standing in the hallway…baby-less.

“Hey you!” Maya yells out to the man as a very confused Carina stands next to her. “Where’s my kid?”

Schmitt’s eyes go wide and he swallows the nervous lump in his throat. “One of my patients was in distress I had to hand her off.”

“Hand her off?” Maya hisses as she squints her eyes at the young doctor.

Carina smiles and places her free hand on Maya’s arm, attempting to calm her down. “To who Schmitt?”

“Uhhh…” Schmitt stutters out, terrified of the scary blonde.

“You don’t remember?!” Maya snaps as she steps closer to the man who immediately.

Schmitt frightened takes a step back as Dr. Miranda Bailey comes walking from the other end with a very happy Ginny in her arms.

“I’ve got her, I’ve got her.” Bailey says as she walks up to the two women.

“Oh.” Carina sighs relieved at the site of her boss holding Ginny in her arms. “Chief Bailey.”

“Ginetta and I have had lots of fun...I took her up to the gallery to watch Dr. Helm perform an appendectomy.” Bailey says before bouncing Ginny a bit in her arm.

“Did you?” Carina gushes through a big smile before reaching out to take the girl who happily goes in her arms. “Hi my sweet girl.”

Maya smiles at the baby and rubs her gently on the back. “Thanks Bailey.”

“While you’re here we should get your head checked out for damage.” Bailey says to Maya as she hands her the diaper bag before scoffing. “Leaving your baby with Schmitt.”

“I am right here.” Schmitt says offended.

“I know.” Bailey hums out. “Don’t you have patients to help?”

“Yes Mam.” Schmitt replies back before leaving.

Carina thoroughly amused turns to the resident. “Thank you again Schmitt.”

“You got it!” Schmitt calls back before walking away briskly. “There were no dead bodies, I swear!”

“What?” Carina asks her wife confused.

“Nothing.” May says through a small giggle before smiling at her wife and baby. “Ready to go home?”

“Yes.” Carina says through a happy breath before turning to Bailey. “Thank you again Chief.”

“It was my pleasure.” Bailey says as she uses her fingers to give Ginny a few tickles on her stomach. “Have a good rest of your day Deluca-Bishops.”

“You too Bailey.” Maya says as they watch Dr. Bailey walk away.

“I wish we didn’t have both our cars here.” Carina whines, not wanting to be away from her wife just yet.

“Why don’t we drive home in mine…we’ll worry about yours later.” Maya says as she grabs Ginny’s jacket and hat from the diaper bag to put on the baby before they brave the outside.

Carina smiles and helps Maya slip the jacket over the baby’s arms. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

“Are you ready to go home Ginny?” Maya asks smiling at the baby as she puts the hat on the little girl. “Should we go home?”

Ginny instantly smiles to mirror the one she is getting from the happy blonde in front of her.

Carina sees the big smile and kisses her on the cheek. “We’ll take that as a yes.”

“Let’s go home.” Maya says as she takes Carina’s hand in her own before they walk out the main door…together.